Wednesday’s ad is for Blatz Beer, from 1949. The ad is part of Blatz’s “I lived in Milwaukee, I ought to know” series from the later Forties and Fifties that featured prominent celebrities, sports figures and famous folks from Milwaukee claiming to know “Blatz is Milwaukee’s Finest Beer” because they lived there, or near there, at some point in their lives. This one features well-known actor Pat O’Brien, who was born and raised in Milwaukee.
Tuesday’s ad is for Blatz Beer, from 1951. The ad is part of Blatz’s “I lived in Milwaukee, I ought to know” series from the later Forties and Fifties that featured prominent celebrities, sports figures and famous folks from Milwaukee claiming to know “Blatz is Milwaukee’s Finest Beer” because they lived there, or near there, at some point in their lives. This one features actor William Gargan, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, but like many of the Blatz spokespeople, he’s visited Milwaukee.
Monday’s ad is for Blatz Beer, from 1951. The ad is part of Blatz’s “I lived in Milwaukee, I ought to know” series from the later Forties and Fifties that featured prominent celebrities, sports figures and famous folks from Milwaukee claiming to know “Blatz is Milwaukee’s Finest Beer” because they lived there, or near there, at some point in their lives. This one is a second ad featuring professional bowler Hank Marino, who moved to Milwaukee in 1930 to open his own bowling alley. In the first ad, he was bowling in a coat and tie, whereas here he’s more casual, with an open white shirt and no tie. But he’s still got that goofy grin.
Sunday’s ad is for Blatz Beer, from 1949. The ad is part of Blatz’s “I lived in Milwaukee, I ought to know” series from the later Forties and Fifties that featured prominent celebrities, sports figures and famous folks from Milwaukee claiming to know “Blatz is Milwaukee’s Finest Beer” because they lived there, or near there, at some point in their lives. This one features sculptor Dick Wiken, who was born in Milwaukee. Accounts refer to him as an architectural sculptor, and after 1945 most of his work involved larger commissions, like his sculpture of Diana on the Milwaukee Athletic Club building.
Saturday’s ad is for Blatz Beer, from 1952. The ad is part of Blatz’s “I lived in Milwaukee, I ought to know” series from the later Forties and Fifties that featured prominent celebrities, sports figures and famous folks from Milwaukee claiming to know “Blatz is Milwaukee’s Finest Beer” because they lived there, or near there, at some point in their lives. This one features cartoonist E. Simms Campbell, who was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and worked most of his professional life in new York City, but according to the ad copy he’s visited, or at least “been to Milwaukee.”
Friday’s ad is for Blatz Beer, from 1952. The ad is part of Blatz’s “I lived in Milwaukee, I ought to know” series from the later Forties and Fifties that featured prominent celebrities, sports figures and famous folks from Milwaukee claiming to know “Blatz is Milwaukee’s Finest Beer” because they lived there, or near there, at some point in their lives. This one features actor Dan Duryea, who was born in White Plains, New York, but according to the ad copy he at least at some point in his life “lived in Milwaukee.” This is the second celebrity that did a second ad for Blatz that I’ve found. I thought there was only Alfred Lunt, but then I found this second Duryea one.
Thursday’s ad is for Blatz Beer, from 1949. The ad is part of Blatz’s “I lived in Milwaukee, I ought to know” series from the later Forties and Fifties that featured prominent celebrities, sports figures and famous folks from Milwaukee claiming to know “Blatz is Milwaukee’s Finest Beer” because they lived there, or near there, at some point in their lives. This one features character actor Brian Donleavy, who was born in Ireland. When he was around ten, his family moved to Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. According to the ad, he also served in the Wisconsin National Guard and lived for a time in Milwaukee.
Wednesday’s ad is for Blatz Beer, from 1951. The ad is part of Blatz’s “I lived in Milwaukee, I ought to know” series from the later Forties and Fifties that featured prominent celebrities, sports figures and famous folks from Milwaukee claiming to know “Blatz is Milwaukee’s Finest Beer” because they lived there, or near there, at some point in their lives. This one features stage actor Alfred Lunt, who was born in Milwaukee. Keen observers will recognize that this is the second ad with Mr. Lunt, with a completely different set of photos and ad copy. As far as I can tell, this is the only person who was featured in more than one ad.
Tuesday’s ad is for Blatz Beer, from 1950. The ad is part of Blatz’s “I lived in Milwaukee, I ought to know” series from the later Forties and Fifties that featured prominent celebrities, sports figures and famous folks from Milwaukee claiming to know “Blatz is Milwaukee’s Finest Beer” because they lived there, or near there, at some point in their lives. This one features race car driver Myron Fohr, who completed the Indianapolis 500 two times, finishing 4th and 11th. He, at least, was born in Milwaukee.
Monday’s ad is for Blatz Beer, from 1951. The ad is part of Blatz’s “I lived in Milwaukee, I ought to know” series from the later Forties and Fifties that featured prominent celebrities, sports figures and famous folks from Milwaukee claiming to know “Blatz is Milwaukee’s Finest Beer” because they lived there, or near there, at some point in their lives. This one features comedian Sid Caesar, who was best known for his variety television series Your Show of Shows. He was born in Yonker, New York, but according to the ad, he’s one of an increasing number of celebrities doing these ads who merely visited Milwaukee.
