The most famously forgotten product trade characters, the brothers Bert and Harry Piels (for Piels Beer), were so successful that newspapers printed schedules of when their commercials aired. On WNYC this week, the fabulous cultural commentator, Sara Fishko aired a fascinating homage to Bert and Harry.
In the 1950s, Young & Rubicam created Bert and Harry Piels, the fictitious animated owners and pitchmen for the New York brewery. The voices of the droll comedy duo Bob and Ray, brought the cartoons to life. Harry (Bob Elliott) was tall and soft-spoken, always calming down the short loudmouth Bert (Ray Goulding) when something went awry. The commercials were arguably even better than the product.
Incidentally, if Bert and Harry remind you a little of Sesame Street's Bert and Ernie; well, any resemblance is either in the mind of the beholder or true.
The next best thing to a frosty cold one, is listening to vocally soothing Ms. Fishko's wonderful report.
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