Oofie Tests Some Luggage
Award-winning American Tourister advert from 1970
Today’s gif is from a 1970 television advertisement for American Tourister luggage. The ad turns the standard “stress-test” paradigm on its head, employing a gorilla to test the sturdiness of the product. As per IMBD, the acting credits are attributed to “Oofie.” My searching found no further credited screen appearances for this talented primate.
Notably, while most folks that watched television during the 70’s probably remember this award-winning ad, they probably mis-remember the product’s brand name: American Tourister was the advertiser and top competitor for rival Samsonite, the latter frequently mistaken as the advertised brand in the Gorilla spot. The two were separate companies until a merger in 1994.
Encyclopedia.com: American Tourister, Inc.
New York Times: "Advertising: D.B.B. Dominates Andy Awards" 5/17/71
Woot!: "The Debunker: Did Gorillas Ever Beat Up Samsonite Luggage?" by Ken Jennings, 8/27/13
IMDB: American Tourister: Gorilla
Brands corner: American Tourister
The Big Ad: 1970's American Tourister Luggage Gorilla Commercial, 7/31/21
I was 10 when this commercial first aired. But you didn't have to be a kid to think it is hilarious. Commercials using animals are always great. My family had American Tourister luggage but it was only ever handled by us when we drove cross country to see Gramma and Grampa. Thanks for the memories, Martini!