Humphreys (Unigate)
Encyclopedia
The British
milk company Unigate
produced a series of TV advertisements in the 1970s featuring characters called the Humphreys. The Humphreys were milk thieves whose only visible presence was a red and white striped straw with which to suck up the milk. TV personalities of the time, including Barbara Windsor
, Arthur Mullard
and Rod Hull
featured in the adverts, but the campaign is best known for the slogan: "Watch out, watch out - there's a Humphrey about!"
A merchandising campaign accompanied the adverts and the Humphrey-themed mugs, milk bottles and straws are now collectors items.
Several campaign stickers were produced: "Watch Out, Watch Out, There's a Humphrey About" which features two red and white striped straws projecting from a pocket; "Watch Out for the Humphrey Patrol" which features a row of the tops of thirteen red and white striped straws; and "Drink it Quick, Humphreys are Slick" which features a red and white striped straw projecting from a partially-drunk glass of milk are just three examples. Three different full sticker sheets can be seen here.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
milk company Unigate
Unigate
Uniq plc is a British food manufacturer. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.-History:...
produced a series of TV advertisements in the 1970s featuring characters called the Humphreys. The Humphreys were milk thieves whose only visible presence was a red and white striped straw with which to suck up the milk. TV personalities of the time, including Barbara Windsor
Barbara Windsor
Barbara Ann Windsor, MBE , better known by her stage name Barbara Windsor, is an English actress. Her best known roles are in the Carry On films and as Peggy Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders....
, Arthur Mullard
Arthur Mullard
Arthur Ernest Mullard, original surname Mullord was an English comedy actor.- Early life :...
and Rod Hull
Rod Hull
Rodney Stephen Hull , better known as Rod Hull, was a popular entertainer on British television in the 1970s and 1980s. He rarely appeared without Emu, a mute, highly aggressive arm-length puppet of the flightless emu bird...
featured in the adverts, but the campaign is best known for the slogan: "Watch out, watch out - there's a Humphrey about!"
A merchandising campaign accompanied the adverts and the Humphrey-themed mugs, milk bottles and straws are now collectors items.
Celebrities featuring in the Humphrey ads
- Muhammed Ali
- Rod HullRod HullRodney Stephen Hull , better known as Rod Hull, was a popular entertainer on British television in the 1970s and 1980s. He rarely appeared without Emu, a mute, highly aggressive arm-length puppet of the flightless emu bird...
- Sid JamesSid JamesSid James was an English-based South African actor and comedian. He made his name as Tony Hancock's co-star in Hancock's Half Hour and also starred in the popular Carry On films. He was known for his trademark "dirty laugh" and lascivious persona...
- Henry McGeeHenry McGeeHenry McGee was a British actor, best known as straight man to Benny Hill for many years. McGee was also often the announcer on Hill's TV programme, delivering the upbeat intro "Yes! It's The Benny Hill Show!"...
- Frank MuirFrank MuirFrank Herbert Muir was an English comedy writer, radio and television personality, and raconteur. His writing and performing partnership with Denis Norden endured for most of their careers. Together they wrote BBC radio's Take It From Here for over 10 years, and then appeared on BBC radio...
- Arthur MullardArthur MullardArthur Ernest Mullard, original surname Mullord was an English comedy actor.- Early life :...
- Barbara WindsorBarbara WindsorBarbara Ann Windsor, MBE , better known by her stage name Barbara Windsor, is an English actress. Her best known roles are in the Carry On films and as Peggy Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders....
Several campaign stickers were produced: "Watch Out, Watch Out, There's a Humphrey About" which features two red and white striped straws projecting from a pocket; "Watch Out for the Humphrey Patrol" which features a row of the tops of thirteen red and white striped straws; and "Drink it Quick, Humphreys are Slick" which features a red and white striped straw projecting from a partially-drunk glass of milk are just three examples. Three different full sticker sheets can be seen here.
External links
- UK TV Commercials page featuring the lyrics to the Humphrey song.