Did you know…..Royal Crown Cola (Created in 1909) used to be one of the most innovative companies in the beverage industry? It came out with the first canned soda, the first caffeine-free soda, and the first 16-ounce soda. It was the first to take diet cola mainstream, and the first to stage nationwide taste tests (Source).
BUT due to lack of strong marketing skills (compared to Coke and Pepsi) and a diet cola ingredient controversy in the 1960’s, RC became a back burner cola to the big names.
Today’s post is going to feature some of the 1940’s advertising that RC Cola created when it decided to invest money into print and television ads, hiring stars like Bing Crosby, Joan Crawford and Shirley Temple, to state “You Bet RC Tastes Best!”.
1940’s Celebrity Vintage Ads of Royal Crown Cola
RC Cola must have paid a pretty penny to have Betty Grable in their ad. At this time, Betty’s famous “Pin-up” image was in every soldiers hands, launching her into super stardom. -1940’s vintage ad.
Anne Baxter (lets take a moment to admire her hair and dress in this ad…wow!).
The Little Rascals-1941 vintage ad. “Our Gang’s voted in a new member…Royal Crown Cola!”
Gene Tierney-1945 vintage ad. You can see Gene in “A Bell for Adaho”. Fantastic 1940s swimsuit!
Source: Flickr
“I prefer Royal Crown Cola anytime – winter or summer”.
This same goes for when Gary Cooper says drink the cola.
Rita Hayworth, star of “Gilda” agrees that RC Tastes best!
Good old Bing Crosby and his horse, in their vintage ad. You can see Bing in “Road to Utopia”.
Source: Flickr
Hot Lips Page probably drinks an RC Cola before every show!
Paulette Goddard, took the taste test and she picked Royal Crown Cola! Great two piece summer outfit Paulette.
Even Skating Champs like Sonja Henie love the taste. Cute hair flower!
And that my friends is the end of today’s sampling of images because this post could go on and on for days (they used a lot of celebrities during this time period). For my last request, I will encourage you to read this super interesting post on the History of RC Cola by Metal Flosses, HERE (it’s very informative).
Question Time: Have you tried RC Cola? Do you love it? Is it truly better than the big names as many people state? I don’t know if we can get it in Canada but I’m going to take a look.
While scouring the internet for all things vintage and interesting I stumbled upon a cool article about the history of everyone’s favorite Ginger drink..”Canada Dry’s Ginger Ale“. Well maybe it’s not everyone’s favorite but it sure is a fav of mine and also TRULY Canadian (not just using the name here). And since I love sharing cool Toronto history with you, today’s post will be highlights from the beginnings of this drink and then showcasing a bunch of my favorite vintage ads I found from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.
Source: eBay
Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
NOTE: If you click on any of the items featured below and they are not available, don’t fret! Hit the search button and see what else is on the websites. There are 1000’s and 1000’s of items being listed daily.
‘Canada Dry’-Toronto’s Original Beverage and the Champagne of Ginger Ales
The beginning (History Highlights):
Source: BlogTO
*In 1890, Canadian pharmacist and chemist John J. McLaughlin of Enniskillen, Ontario opened a carbonated water plant in Toronto after returning from Brooklyn where he is was working in the pharmacy business.
*McLaughlin set himself the goal of developing a pale, dry ginger ale, ostensibly as a non-alcoholic rival for champagne but more likely in the hope of surpassing the popular ginger ales then on the market (Source).
*In 1904, McLaughlin created “Canada Dry Pale Ginger Ale”, which was a refined version of their long produced “McLaughlin’s Belfast Style Ginger Ale”.
*”It has a snap and a tingle; a smart spry taste,” early ads claimed. It was known as “the champagne of ginger ales” for its light taste and was marketed with a beaver icon and a map of Canada (Source).
*Rapid growth and popularity quickly followed after it’s launch, with plants opening up in other areas of Canada and the trade name registered in 1907.
*The sweet drink was even appointed to the Royal Household of the Governor General of Canada where the label featuring a beaver atop a map of Canada was replaced with the present Crown and shield.
*Canada Dry stayed in the family business till the 1920s, where growing popularity in the United States had the family expand into New York City (Note: McLaughlin died suddenly in 1914).
*It was sold in 1923 to P. D. Saylor and Associates, who renamed it Canada Dry Ginger Ale, Inc. and forever removing the ties to Toronto.
*It has been in United States hands ever since (being purchased by several companies over the years).
Side Note: His brother, Samuel McLaughlin, was busily growing their father’s business into what would eventually become General Motors of Canada during the beginnings of Canada Dry.
Source: Wikipedia
For a full detailed history lesson on Canada Dry make sure you check out the ‘BlogTO’ article HERE.
The Vintage Advertising:
1937-So many “Remedies” from one drink. Love the tennis outfit on our lovely cover model.
Esther Williams for Canada Dry, 1956. Do you think those are her kids (according to the ad) or “fake kids”?
Another endorsement ad- Mary Hartline, 1951. Mary is wearing a cute 1950s skating outfit.
Source: flickr
Annie Oakley loves her Ginger Ale and some great BBQ recipes.
Source: Attic Paper
Lastly, here is a Vintage (1930’s ish) Canada Dry Ginger Ale Recipe Book that I recently stumbled upon on Etsy. “When its Party Time its Canada Dry time!”
Souce: Etsy
What fun Party Drink Recipes for Kids on this page (and adults too). Great ideas for your next Holiday Party, Birthday Party or Zoom Party!
