The Signs & Rhymes Of Burma Shave

I loved this program. O.K., now that I've gotten that out of my system, let's talk Burma Shave. From the mid-1920s to the early 1960s, travelers on American roads were likely to see the Burma Shave roadside advertisements. "Brother speeders/let's/ rehearse/all together/"Good Morning, Nurse." /Burma Shave." This "jingle," which appeared on six signs alongside the road, was just one of hundreds from the Burma-Vita Co. of Minneapolis, the creators of Burma Shave--a brushless shaving cream. Narrated by Jon Esther, The Signs & Rhymes of Burma Shave tells the fascinating story of the rise of the Burma-Vita Co., the brilliant new advertising system of road signs (labeled a "freak campaign" early on by the marketing experts), and the growth of the "jingle" writing from the work of the Odell brothers who owned and operated Burma-Vita to the weekly jingle-writing contests which became an American pastime. Members of the Odell family, retired Burma-Vita employees, jingle writers, collectors, and farmers (who leased the land for the signs and helped maintain them) all contribute to the telling of this fascinating story. And, throughout the program the viewer is treated to the jingles, many of which stressed public safety. Others were just good old corny fun: "This cream/makes a farmer's daughter/plant her/tu-lips/where she oughter/Burma Shave." An excellent slice of Americana, The Signs & Rhymes of Burma Shave is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (Available from: Sentimental Productions, 1400 State Ave., P.O. Box 4005, Cincinnati, OH 45204.)