Revlon "Charlie" Commercial with Bobby Short - 1970s

[CandysAllMediaReview]

I was a kid when these commercials were new! I loved the song and Bobby Short was perfect for it. Brings back great memories!!

[manipool]

Oh it was Shelley's fault. She was a pretty model who couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. They picked her I think because she was in the Charlie commercials and the boss on Charlie's Angels was called Charlie. Not enough of a reason in my opinion. They should have just paid Farrah what she wanted although Cheryl Ladd was good.

[bigsoundp]

@manipool It has nothing to do with Farrah (but yes, Cheryl Ladd was...fantastic, my favorite Angel of them all). But it was Kate Jackson that Shelly Hack replaced. I probably liked Kate better than Shelly, but Tanya Roberts was hotter than either of them.

[ihatestupidsignups]

I love this stuff, and its getting SUPER hard to get. Can't find the little bottles at all, and the big bottles, are not even a certainty. This is the smell of the early 70's! The only drawback ever was a woman telling me I smelled like her grandmother. I guess Charlie grew up.......

[Rookielove1]

I loved Shelley Hack on Charlie's Angels!

[bptopcat]

Shelley Hacks' smile during the final shot of her as she leans toward the camera and flips her hair,,,: Perfectiion! Beautifully lit.

[slcrawford2003]

it was thanks to the Charlie comercials that Shelley was picked as charlie's 4th angel. Unfortunately she only lasted for one season. It realy wasn't Shelley's fault, the scripts were already in place and they basicly just crossed out Sabrina and wrote in Tiffany. Shelley was simply stunning in commercials and in Charlie's Angels.

[TheHellgrammite]

Just guessing, but maybe the ad team was not up to speed on the venacular used just a few years prior regarding the Vietnam conflict.

Can't say for sure why the fragance failed but I'm fairly certain that few people wanted to smell like Charlie.

[agfagaevart]

@TheHellgrammite

The perfume was a big hit in the UK, for some reason. This advert ran on TV well into the 1980s.

[ihatestupidsignups]

@TheHellgrammite Failed? Charlie was a top seller for years! Time passes, the spinoff fragrances are gone, but Revlon STILL makes Charlie blue!

[teletubetodd]

This is a classic. I remember first seeing it in 1977, and it stuck with me. A great jazz jingle (in league with the then-popular film, "New York New York" starring Liza Minnelli and Robert De Niro) with fluid, deep photography. Thanks for bringing this back. Rest in peace, Bobby Short.

[littlecasino60]

I remember this commercial...and recently saw it 'satirized' on a rerun of "That '70s Show", but they called it 'Jackie.' It's an iconic fragrance!

[angeleyez77520]

I'm gonna try walking into Casa Ole like this next time I go LOL I'll say hi to everybody & do a spin or two...kinda WOW them...

[seshta]

Quintessentially American. Love the memories....love the vintage car

[chickiepieone]

Thanks MNewsy for the info. I appreciate it...

[polarisathena]

Charlie is the name of my cat.

[Beatnikzombie]

I always thought these commercials were lame. They were trying to make women feel that if they were a modern woman of the 70's they would wear this. Looking back, at least you knew what the commercial was for. Today's perfume commercials are so vague that you're really not sure.

[MNewsy]

it was filmed at the then Hippopatomus club, in a brownstone in the east 60's. a very exclusive club back then.

[chickiepieone]

Great video! Does anyone know which New York City hotel this was filmed at? I know Bobby Short performed at the Cafe Carlyle but I don't believe the commercial was filmed there. I believe someone mentioned a "Madison Avenue" hotel. Does anyone know actually where?

[jrmetmoi]

Am i the only one who actually likes Charlie (the one from the 90s when they came out with different versions)? LOL

[jrmetmoi]

They need more singing and dancing and crazy smiling in today's commercials and for once I'm not being sarcastic or bitchy! LOL

[MultiAldo2009]

As stated elsewhere, Shelley Hack was one of the most beautiful women in television and certainly a worthy model for this product!!! Television needs her back!!!

[FaerieCrone]

I still wear Charlie!

[franzchick66]

FEMINISM!

[devolve42]

Charlie's enormous mouth, well, it's alright.

[lookingintothepast]

One of the few ads that was produced across the pond and could compete with UK productions..great ad

[FRANKIESHANOWSKIY2K0]

what a cool tune i love it we also ran the advert over here in the uk

shelley hack sold it until the 80's and gave it a miami vice flavor

to it by replacing shelley hack with sultry star sharon stone

but the 70's version was original and pure classic advert.

[headley62]

She has more fun in 31 seconds than I have in my entire life.

[digitalArtform]

My wife and I ran into Bobby Short in a hallway at the Carlyle Hotel in Manhattan in the 80s.He paid no attention to us, but he collected himself, took a deep breath, said, 'showtime,' under his breath, before stroding into the room where he regularly played to greet his audience. It was a pretty neat moment to see.

[StukInBuf]

I remember this ad a lot in the mid 1970s on New York television.

For me, most notably, I recall this as one of the "station break" ads halfway through "Charlie's Angels" or something. Then, after the commercial, Larry Kane would come out with an "Eyewitness News" teaser such as "City transit workers prepare to strike; film at 11."

Classic advertising at its BEST!

[yellowbrickroadss1]

And they call it BLOW>>>>>

[franzchick66]

my mom said not to try this because it's for old ladies like her. I still want to try it but this song is so catchy! I might try it.

[gummybearmistress]

@franzchick66 my mother in law just gave me a set. Don't get it!!! It is for old ladies.

[flipsyboy]

This is what all supermodels in the late 1970s wore with their glimmering cream-colored pantsuits and matching hats when they popped over to the Carlyle in their 30s color-coordinated luxury convertibles to hear Bobby Short play.

[pewmanfustudios]

A horrible smelling perfume that had a brilliant ad campaign.

[circusitch]

I remember this in 1976. My mom bought this perfume not too long before she died.

[TralfazConstruction]

@circusitch :This was my late-wife's signature fragrance when she was 22 back in '80.

[circusitch]

@TralfazConstruction Bittersweet commercial, huh. Sorry to hear.

[TralfazConstruction]

@circusitch : I reason it, or console myself, in knowing that I was fortunate in having what so many still seek; someone that loved me and cared for me.

[FRANKIESHANOWSKIY2K0]

@TralfazConstruction

it was sad for you to lose someone that you adored and loved

i should know i lost my mother to cancer in the 80's and i was so young

at the time so i simplifly with you and all the others who has lost some one

that they loved and my heart goes out to you all.

[TralfazConstruction]

@FRANKIESHANOWSKIY2K0 : I appreciate your kind sentiments. I often think of how affected our daughter, 26 years-old at the time, in having lost her mother when she was so young. I ponder what it does to a person. I was privileged, and extremely fortunate, to have had both parents living, guiding and advising me until as recently as three years ago. My Dad died just over four short months ago and I feel now somewhat, at age 54, as an orphan. There were good times. I offer my sympathy to you.

[Youttubi]

I liked Shelly Hack on Charlie's Angels.

[2nd2nun1]

Great commercial! Middle school memories. The best part of the tune is 0:11 - 0:18. Unforgettable piano melody.

[SmilingBill66]

This brings back memories. My father worked for Revlon back then. He sold to all the drugstores in eastern New England . He told me Charlie was Revlon's biggest seller. He said the fragrance was ok, but the commercial literally sold the product. And of course Shelly Hack was a big hit.

[themitch1966]

Farrah Fawcett-Majors,Kate Jackson,Jaclyn Smith,Cheyl Ladd,Shelley Hack & Tanya Roberts. Is it just me or should they have stpped after the adorable Cheyrl Ladd left the series?

[themitch1966]

@themitch1966 Actually I think Kate Jackson is the one who left the series last,but my memory has gotten old and faded!

[retrosexual2]

@themitch1966 Cheryl Ladd never left.....she was on from the 2nd season until the last.

[themitch1966]

@retrosexual2 Point well taken. Thanks for jogging my memory back into place!!

[lisaluvsjoee]

The perfume was so so..but I love the Bobby Short diddy!!!

[QuaintTaint]

Who is singing?

[GospelAccording2ME]

Wow, this song has an incredible hook.

[jonwiley]

Shelly Hack. one of modeling's mysteries

[schlitze1]

ha ha ha, this really brings back memories. will people look back on the commercials of today with such nostalgia? no way

[mrScififan2]

childhood memorirs

[ghb61]

I would been funny to see her spin around in the middle of the restaurant the way she does, and knock into a waiter carrying a tray of food.

[sugarshula64]

Thanks for reminding me, Paul. LOL.

[annachestnut]

Love Shelley. Remember her in Annie Hall? She was the face of the time.

[dramaticguy]

I liked Shelley Hack in Charlie's Angels,she wasn't in long enough.

[thebadguyhall]

Hell Yeah Dude!!!

[thebadguyhall]

There's a fragrant that's here today and they call it.

JACKIE!

A flashy sent for your nasal caves and they call it.

JACKIE!

It's kind of you kind of now Jackie.

Kind of free kind of wild Jackie.

She won't be pretty like Jackie is but you'll smell like.

JACKIE!!

[write2ap]

What an entrance! I love Shelley Hack and this commercial.

[duranduran97]

My aunt gave one two me for christmas, an di saw this commercial on That 70s Show, only for Jackie.... lol

[thebadguyhall]

Me too.

[TheSpleen99]

Can you find a link to this Steve Martin spoof?

[nutdip]

This makes me think of the "Arrow" commercial.

"Me and my Arrow....takin the high road..." LOL

[TralfazConstruction]

'Nutdip': research the sad genesis of that song written and performed by the late Harry Nilsson for an ABC prime time cartoon called: "The Point".

I recall both the cartoon and the derived Arrow commercial from when they both ran originally.

[Syrinx77]

I still love this! Does anyone recall when Steve Martin spoofed this ad on a tv show he did? Hilarious!

Also, does ANYone remember a cologne commercial from around this same time where you hear this dark sounding synthesizer & all you see is a man's bare chest & a woman's hands slowly roving down it? There's a male voice-over & at the end the man grabs the woman's wrists.

It was supposed to be sooo sexy, but I remember thinking it was funny :)

[FRANKIESHANOWSKIY2K0]

@Syrinx77

by any chance was it a comedy sketch show called saturday night live

because bill murray also did one called swill tonic water that was a parodie

of perrier water because if it was i rememberd watching a rerun of the show here in the uk

on a local tv channel.

[Lookinland]

its still selling today

theres a male charlie cologne out

charlie blue

[TralfazConstruction]

The perfume, the campaign promoting it was all about everything the late 1970s embodied. As such, with the infusion of the very smart piano and vocals by the late genius, Mr. Bobby Short , it is the perfect looking-glass back into those times, a reflection of what we thought we were or what we believed we wanted to be. I recall this commercial as though I saw it just yesterday and now here it is. Fascinating.

[RetrolandVideo]

This modern woman of the seventies had complete and total control over everyone she met... thanks to Charlie..?

I wonder if she and the Enjolie woman were friends?

[Joeinps]

Sure ,,I'll let it go ! And on top of it I wish nothing but wonderful thin for you and your mother. She must be so proud of you !!

[Joeinps]

God I miss Bobby Short !

[charlestonchewy]

And after doing this commercial, Shelley Hack went on to become one of Charlie's Angels. How ironic.

[redape6870]

can you still buy this stuff? from the ad and the era i'd say the stuff must've made the wearer smell like a French Whore!

[Joeinps]

And exactly how much experiance is it that you have with French Whores ?

[redape6870]

just your mom. but i digress. ;^)

[Joeinps]

She wasn't french Asshole !

[redape6870]

just let it go, dude. it was a joke. you set yourself up for that one totally! actually, i never fucked a french whore, but i did smoke pot with one one time. i retract the mom joke. can we be friends now?

[Paulosoy]

The cleaning lady who worked at my house, when I was a kid wore it...it was a cheap perfume....I remember it was a stinky smell, yes much alike a french whore...jaja

[Bobchai]

I LOVED this ad, and it's nice to see it again! 5 stars, and being shared.

[genia106]

My Darling,

Thank you for this. I love it. I love Bobby and that must be some great perfume!

Smooch. Genia

[rednop44]

The strut when she gets out of her car is pretty cool.

[spectrum10]

A most original fragrance and, I might add, a most original commercial.

[spectrum10]

she looks very alluring at 0:25

[jazzyjay334]

I remember this ad as a kid. Singing to it, even spoofing it when I was joking on some of my fellow classmates in school. That's also the way I got familiarized with Bobby Short and got into his music. Classic TV commercial!

[Abinidad2]

What a fantastic ad! I gotta give it to Revlon. They sure got it right!

[GQBlue3]

Nobody can walk like Shelley Hack ... get it girl! LOL

[Krispcremelatina]

If I'm not mistaken, she ended up one of Charlies girls on Charlies Angels!!! I love this commercial......Flashbacks!!

[PeerlessPaavo]

You're not mistaken.

[ladvita32]

kinda WOW!