Today's Video Link

Here's another great classic commercial…the Alka-Seltzer "spicy meatball" commercial. Legend has it that it wasn't terribly successful in terms of selling the product but given how much attention it attracted, I'm not sure I believe that. Legend also has it that it was pulled from the air due to protests from Italian anti-defamation groups and I find that somewhat easier to accept. Anyway, it was created by the legendary advertising king, Joe Sedelmaier, who did many well-remembered campaigns.

The lead actor is a gent named Jack Somack, who had a rather fascinating acting career…fascinating because it began late in life. Mr. Somack was a chemical engineer who in 1967, at age 48, decided he'd gotten into the wrong line of work and that he wanted to be an actor. He began studying and auditioning, mingling with wanna-be actors half his age, and he managed to get some stage roles. It was when he landed this commercial in '69 that he first began to make a living as a performer and he remained one, working quite often for the rest of his life.

I don't know who played his wife but the stage manager is the wonderful Ronny Graham, a very funny man who left us way too soon.

Here's the commercial…