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Buzby: Plumber

Buzby: Plumber

Oh Cribbins! BT's avian mascot wasn't looking to wet his beak.

British Telecom's Buzby gets his beak wet and hops on the line to call for help. The cartoon bird was BT's mascot for over a decade from 1976, with the inimitable Bernard Cribbins giving him voice.

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Commercial Television

The launch of ITV on 22 September 1955 brought advertising to the small screen. Commercial television spread rapidly across the country, inviting the salesperson into every living room.

This collection shows how some advertisers struggled to find the right voice and formats for the new medium, while others hit the ground running. Look out for rare examples of the shortlived 'admags' - banned in 1962 for blurring the distinction between programmes and adverts.  

24 videos in this collection

1

Safe and Sound

  • 1955
2

T.V. Talk - Lintas

  • 1954
Teen beat commercial, directed by Joseph Losey.
3

Kelloggs Corn Flakes: Teenager

  • 1957
4

Shippam's Pilchard fishermen at sea

  • 1955-01-01
5

Shippam's Three Beans

  • 1955-01-01
From a smart cricket jumper to brightly coloured woollies, Bairns-Wear suits all: from birth to teenager.
6

Bairns-Wear: Wools and Woollies

  • Sherwood
  • 1960-01-01
7

At Home with Joy Shelton An Advertising Feature

  • 1955
8

Your Shopping Service (Fashion and Beauty)

  • 1955
9

Heinz Soups Tomato (No 1)

  • 1956
10

Chicken and Meat paste - Children's Tea Party

  • 1955-01-01
15 seconds isn't long, you've got to say Crosse and you've got to say Blackwell, and you've got to say Branston Pickle!
11

Branston Pickle: Advertising Agency

  • 1957
12

Guinness - Mr Pastry

  • 1956
13

Heinz Baked Beans More Beans

  • 1957
Early Guinness television advert with the iconic toucan and a famous slogan.
14

Guinness: Samba Time

  • 1957
15

Butlin's Holiday Hotels 60 Seconds

  • 1957
Fully fashioned twin-sets for the money conscious woman. Fashion advice courtesy of 'Miss Fay Linton'.
16

Bairns-Wear: Miss Fay Linton

  • Sherwood
  • 1958-01-01
Feel terrific in Tricel.' This advertising showreel for Courtauld's fabric range offers plenty to tempt the fashion-conscious woman.
17

Courtaulds Reel

  • 1959
18

Midland Counties Ice Cream Television Advertisements - Compilation

  • 1959
Looking for matching knitwear for the whole family? Bairns-Wear is the firm to choose.
19

Bairns-Wear: Fully Fashioned Knitwear

  • Sherwood
  • 1960-01-01
Liberté, égalité and fraternité in corsets, girdles and bras.
20

Liberty Foundations

  • Market Harborough
  • 1956-01-01
21

Buzby - Gossip

  • 1979
22

Buzby - Plumber

  • 1978
23

Buzby - Snowman

  • 1978
24

Buzby - Scrapyard

  • 1979
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