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The Spirit of His Forefathers

The Spirit of His Forefathers

One of the earliest surviving British adverts

There's some dram-antic stuff in this 30-second commercial from the dawn of cinema history. Dewar's had used the idea of a laird's ancestors being lured down from their painted portraits to share a whisky in a variety of advertising media before moving image came along. This version is the second surviving example on film, with an earlier American production of the same concept made by the International Film Company in 1897.

This British production made a late reappearance as part of a 1977 television commercial for Dewar's under the title The Whisky of His Ancestors to promote their advertising heritage.

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From the collection

Liquid Refreshment

What’s your tipple? Whether it's a nice relaxing cuppa or a swift half, this refreshing collection of drinks adverts has something for everyone. 

Learn about the dangers of night starvation, wonder whether it really can be good for you, and find out how to make things go better. Bottoms up!

48 videos in this collection

A young Michael Caine bursts on to the scene as a cheeky soldier in this delightful advert for Watney's beer.
1

What We Want Is Watney's Army

  • 1959
2

Guinness - RAF Flying Toucans

  • 1955
3

Pg Tips: Hairdressers

  • 1978
One of the earliest surviving British adverts
4

The Spirit of His Forefathers

  • 1900
5

Fun on the Farm

  • 1935
6

What Ho She Bumps

  • 1937
7

"Corona" Cordials taken hot - are good to drink and good for you

  • 1938-01-01
8

There is going to be a Great Demand for - "Corona" Fruit Drinks

  • 1938-01-01
9

South Sea Sweethearts

  • 1938
10

Love on the Range

  • 1939
11

Coco and the Bear

  • 1946
12

Horlicks Advert: Dan Dare

  • 1956
13

The Man with a Girder

  • 1959
14

Guinness Shipwright Version 1

  • Hebburn
  • 1960
15

Guinness - Factory

  • 1962
16

Coca-Cola: Refreshes You Best - Bowling

  • 1963
17

Coca-Cola: Things Go Better With Coca-Cola - Diving, Bowling and Tennis

  • 1964
18

Coca-Cola: Alan Beale

  • 1966
19

Coca-cola: Biba's Boutique

  • 1967
20

Coca-cola: Piccadilly

  • 1967
21

A Guide to Goodness

  • 1967
22

Guinness Export - The Man (Version 1)

  • 1968
23

Guinness Export - The Man (Version 2)

  • 1968
24

Guinness Export - The Man (Version 3)

  • 1968
25

Carling Black Label Bike Girl

  • 1971
26

Guinness - Young Barmaid

  • 1972-12
27

Guinness - Hop Farm

  • Bodiam
  • 1974
28

Brooke Bond D: Tea Party

  • 1977
29

Guinness - Do It Yourself

  • 1975-01
30

Cinema Commercial for Charbonnier Red

  • 1976-01-01
31

Guinness - Streebe-Greebling (English)

  • 1976-10
32

Guinness - Kung Fool

  • 1977-02-21
33

Guinness - Ploughman

  • 1977-09-12
34

Whitbread Trophy 'shakespeare' 'a'

  • 1978
35

Guinness - End of Play

  • 1978
36

Guinness - Talking Lesson

  • 1979
37

Guinness - Film TEST

  • 1979-12
38

Guinness - April Fool

  • 1981
39

Guinness - April Fool (Animatic Version)

  • 1981
40

Babycham: Clovelly

  • Clovelly
  • 1973
41

Babycham: Tennis

  • 1957
42

Domestic Help

  • 1952
A Sunday evening radio ritual for 1930s listeners young and old comes to the cinema screen for your pleasure.
43

Meet the Ovaltineys

  • 1940
Far-out guys and groovy gals drop doses of good strong coffee in this psychedelic 1968 ad for the hot black stuff.
44

Good Strong Coffee

  • 1968
45

Dolly Put the Kettle On

  • 1947
46

Guinness - Cycle Race (Version 1)

  • 1963
47

Ace of Clubs

  • 1947
48

Coca-Cola: Hey Coke - Party

  • 1958
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