BP Super Commercials (1950s)

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  • Release Date: 11th February 2009
  • Asset ID: 802314
  • Synopsis: B&W commercials from the 1950s, including Terry Thomas and other celebrities of the day being 'BP Supermen', as well as various animations.
  • Shotlist: 00:01:00 Terry Thomas ad. Actor Terry Thomas parps his horn at BP Super service station (studio). The attendant rushes out and says “Mr Terry Thomas!” TT says “How do you do? I’m very good. I can see you are. Good show!” After a comic exchange the attendant recommends BP Super. TT is already a Super Fan and shows a badge on his waistcoat to prove it. End caption: ‘Join the BP Super Men’. 00:01:16 Comedian Jimmy Edwards honks his horn to attract attendant at BP Super service station (studio). He asks the man to fill ‘er up. Attendant says he’ll give him 6 of the best of BP Super (“no sooty deposits”). Jimmy takes his cap off to show a BP Super badge inside. 00:02:24 Man in bowler hat starts engine; voiceover says “The dangerous 5 minutes has begun”; man looks at camera with alarm. Cut to BP scientist in white coat in laboratory. He explains that during the first 5 to 10 minutes of switching an engine on from cold, it suffers more wear than in 67 hours of continuous driving. Graph shows that BP Super Energol Visco-Static Motor Oil the wear is greatly reduced. Energol being poured into engine. 00:03:34 Map of London and surrounding areas. V/O asks us to imagine driving from London to Leeds non-stop. POV shot as we drive along road, slowing down to let children cross (assisted by traffic policeman), accelerating up hill. Man sitting in sport open-top car switches on engine. V/O states that the engine suffers more wear in the first 5 minutes than in the entire 6 hour journey to Leeds. Mechanic pours Special Energol into sporty car engine. Man is seen driving sporty car with hood up in the rain, hood down on a fine day. POV from the car as the benefits of Energol – ‘Easy Starting, 80% less engine wear’ appear on the road before us. 00:04:45 TV magician David Nixon honks on horn to attract attendant. He does a card trick for the man then asks for petrol. Attendant says he shouldn’t ask for petrol when he could ask for BP Super and explains the benefits (including “more miles per shilling”). The attendant gives David back the card he used in the earlier trick; by sleight of hand David changes it to a BP Super playing card and says “You keep it”. End caption: ‘Join the BP Super Men’. 00:05:55 Comedian Tommy Trinder sounds his horn at studio BP Super service station. Comical exchange, including Tommy saying to camera “Who wrote this script?” Attendant extols the virtues of BP Super. Tommy opens his coat to reveal BP shield on his jumper and says “You too can be BP Supermen! Ha ha, you lucky people!” End caption: ‘Join the BP Super Men’. 00:07:05 Animated ad. Flag at top of mast on ship; gang-plank is put out, Admiral walks down and looks through telescope, gets in car and drives up hill. He’s annoyed to be passed by several other cars going much faster. Puts out anchor, SOS sign on aerial, looks through telescope and sees sign ‘Change Up To BP Super!’ Petrol pump taps him on shoulder, fills up his car and off he speeds, so fast that he flies into the air, holding onto the steering wheel in a horizontal position. Jaunty jingle with admiral saying “Super, duper” in time. End caption: ‘BP Super – for more energy per gallon’. 00:08:10 Animated ad. Small jockey on large horse; he gets off, leads horse into stables and reappears driving a car. He stops at traffic light but when he gets the green he’s annoyed to see all the other vehicles racing off first. Petrol pump taps him on shoulder, fills up his tank and off he goes, in horizontal position, holding onto steering wheel and passing other vehicles. At a bridge the car takes off into the air. A horse looks out of a van and laughs, saying “That’s what I call horse power! And it’s all yours, when you change up to BP Super” (sounds like Hattie Jacques). Jockey still flying through the air, past clouds, the sun etc. Horse looks out of the bonnet to say “Super duper” at the appropriate point. End caption: ‘BP Super – for more energy per gallon’. 00:09:21 Short version of animated admiral ad above. 00:09:57 Short version of animated jockey ad above.
  • Production Company: None
  • Licensing Restrictions: None
  • Viewing Restrictions: Public
  • Format: Digibeta_Small
  • Alternative Language Notes: None