Stills from '80s Christmas commercials for McDonald's and Kodak
Today we bring you two ’80s Christmas commercials with the best of intentions. Remember, these were the days of innocence, when a grown man in a clown suit interrupting a children’s ice skating party in the middle of a deserted forest was more delightful than creepy, and when a stuttering doll operating a camera was more charming than terrifying.
Let’s start with the Kodak commercial. It’s a magical night as Christmas presents waiting to be discovered amuse themselves with the gift of choice: a Kodak Disc camera. All seems well until a doll with blinking eyes attempts to explain how to operate the machinery, all the while rocking back and forth. The highlight: a close-up of her plastic hand inserting the disc into the camera. Enjoy!:
We’ll end with a visit from Ronald McDonald, who magically appears on an icy pond where several children have gathered to skate the afternoon away. The kids don’t seem to be phased by a series of emerging cartoon animals more wide-eyed than Bambi, or by Ronald’s striking face paint, which seems far more intense against the white snowy background. Either way, he makes the day of one of the children, who has fallen and been left behind by his friends. Try keeping a dry eye when he lifts the little guy the ice:
Hope you’ve enjoyed this trip down memory lane. There’s just something magical about the Christmas season, especially when horror movie cliches are used to sell products to the youth of yesteryear.
Happy Friday!
I totally remember the McDonald's one! Also, I love this: "horror movie cliches are used to sell products to the youth of yesteryear."
Thanks, Selah : – ) I remember the McDonald's commercial too. I must have blocked out the Kodak piece.