Darth Vadar won't always be there when you cross the road.
July 9, 2010 10:49 AM Subscribe
Any of us who lived as kids in the UK in the 1970s will remember two things: being yelled at by adults, and being subjected to the Green Cross Code ads in which celebrity adults told us how to cross the road safely. So if getting yelled at by famous people while you are jaywalking is your idea of a good time, regale in commands from footballer Kevin Keegan, rocker Alvin Stardust, boxer Joe Bugner, Elvis impersonator Les Gray, the bumbling Dad's Army, and even the real Darth Vadar.
Remember kids: A car will mash your shit to fuck! They're out to kill you!
posted by boo_radley at 11:07 AM on July 9, 2010
posted by boo_radley at 11:07 AM on July 9, 2010
Every now and then there is a good YouTube comment ...
From the Alvin Stardust one: "Presumably Gary Glitter wasn't available that day."
posted by yhbc at 11:13 AM on July 9, 2010
From the Alvin Stardust one: "Presumably Gary Glitter wasn't available that day."
posted by yhbc at 11:13 AM on July 9, 2010
I saw this one when I was younger on the Young Ones, and would recite it for laughs as a kid, only to find out later is was a parody of this Think Bike PSA.
posted by chambers at 11:14 AM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by chambers at 11:14 AM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
So if getting yelled at by famous people while you are jaywalking is your idea of a good time
Bearing in mind, of course, that no-one had the slightest idea what jaywalking was at the time. It was a baffling word I heard in films much later that I had to look up.
There were some awesome public information films around, from that era. Don't forget the hilariously bizarre Jimmy Saville in his patronising seat belt ones.. Watch out ladies, you may ruin your pretty face!
posted by Brockles at 11:19 AM on July 9, 2010
Bearing in mind, of course, that no-one had the slightest idea what jaywalking was at the time. It was a baffling word I heard in films much later that I had to look up.
There were some awesome public information films around, from that era. Don't forget the hilariously bizarre Jimmy Saville in his patronising seat belt ones.. Watch out ladies, you may ruin your pretty face!
posted by Brockles at 11:19 AM on July 9, 2010
I think the UK PSAs can sometimes be more effective than US ones. In the US they either focus on the grim implications of "what if," the depressing aftermath, or the spectacle of the accident, rather than just getting your attention and understanding the warning itself.
It's somewhat like that old saying about the guy(the US, in this case) who, when you point to something, pays more attention to the finger than what is being pointed at.
posted by chambers at 11:24 AM on July 9, 2010
It's somewhat like that old saying about the guy(the US, in this case) who, when you point to something, pays more attention to the finger than what is being pointed at.
posted by chambers at 11:24 AM on July 9, 2010
chambers: "
I think the UK PSAs can sometimes be more effective than US ones. In the US they either focus on the grim implications of "what if," the depressing aftermath, or the spectacle of the accident, rather than just getting your attention and understanding the warning itself. "
Wasn't there a UK PSA that gave kids PTSD?
posted by boo_radley at 11:25 AM on July 9, 2010
I think the UK PSAs can sometimes be more effective than US ones. In the US they either focus on the grim implications of "what if," the depressing aftermath, or the spectacle of the accident, rather than just getting your attention and understanding the warning itself. "
Wasn't there a UK PSA that gave kids PTSD?
posted by boo_radley at 11:25 AM on July 9, 2010
There were some Canadian PSAs about work safety that were so graphic they were described as 'landmines' on your TV, just lying in wait to get you. NSF...um...just Not Safe...
posted by chambers at 11:30 AM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by chambers at 11:30 AM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
OMG NOT THE SOUS CHEF PSA PLEASE GOD NO!
posted by maudlin at 11:33 AM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by maudlin at 11:33 AM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
THE GREEN CROSS CODE MAN CAME TO MY SCHOOL I SAW HIM
posted by mippy at 11:34 AM on July 9, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by mippy at 11:34 AM on July 9, 2010 [2 favorites]
I work in ads, and it's rare now that one has the same impact as I see so many of them. However, this is possibly as harrowing as they get. I think Northern Ireland have real problems with accidents as their ads are very strong.
Meanwhile, this ad warning drivers to watch out for bikers is rather nice.
posted by mippy at 11:36 AM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
Meanwhile, this ad warning drivers to watch out for bikers is rather nice.
posted by mippy at 11:36 AM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
"learn your blinking Pelican signals"... uh, I know that the British have a lot of slang, but WTF is a "blinking pelican signal"?
Also, those Canadian PSA which I saw when they first aired are indeed landmines and nearly made me scream out loud when I first saw them.
posted by GuyZero at 11:41 AM on July 9, 2010
Also, those Canadian PSA which I saw when they first aired are indeed landmines and nearly made me scream out loud when I first saw them.
posted by GuyZero at 11:41 AM on July 9, 2010
I work in ads, and it's rare now that one has the same impact as I see so many of them. However, this is possibly as harrowing as they get . I think Northern Ireland have real problems with accidents as their ads are very strong.
Oh my god, mippy, that's crazy. Harrowing is exactly the right word for it.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 11:41 AM on July 9, 2010
Oh my god, mippy, that's crazy. Harrowing is exactly the right word for it.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 11:41 AM on July 9, 2010
I've always wondered if Dave Prowse did the dialog as Vader. Now I know...and once heard...can never be unheard...
OK, so Lucas made a really, really good decision. That time.
posted by Xoebe at 11:48 AM on July 9, 2010
OK, so Lucas made a really, really good decision. That time.
posted by Xoebe at 11:48 AM on July 9, 2010
no-one had the slightest idea what jaywalking was at the time
I recall back in 1978 our newspaper printed an AP photo of a nude man crossing a California street and said he was cited for jaywalking, so I (age 9) thought it was the word for streaking when not actually running. Finally figured it out years later.
posted by crapmatic at 11:49 AM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
I recall back in 1978 our newspaper printed an AP photo of a nude man crossing a California street and said he was cited for jaywalking, so I (age 9) thought it was the word for streaking when not actually running. Finally figured it out years later.
posted by crapmatic at 11:49 AM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
PhoBWanKenobi, imagine watching that first thing in the morning in a meeting. All the coffee in the world couldn't prepare me for that.
posted by mippy at 11:50 AM on July 9, 2010
posted by mippy at 11:50 AM on July 9, 2010
WTF is a "blinking pelican signal"?
A pelican crossing is a pedestrian crossing with a standard set of three lights (red, amber, green) for traffic and a two light (walk or don't walk) system for pedestrians. So knowing your pelican signals would tell you when you, as a driver could move off again. For traffic the light will go from red to blinking (flashing) amber to green. Red means you must stop, flashing amber means you must give way to pedestrians in the crossing, but may proceed with caution if it is clear.
There's also a slight play on words, as blinking is often used as an intensifier in the UK along the same lines as fricking in the US.
posted by IanMorr at 12:14 PM on July 9, 2010
A pelican crossing is a pedestrian crossing with a standard set of three lights (red, amber, green) for traffic and a two light (walk or don't walk) system for pedestrians. So knowing your pelican signals would tell you when you, as a driver could move off again. For traffic the light will go from red to blinking (flashing) amber to green. Red means you must stop, flashing amber means you must give way to pedestrians in the crossing, but may proceed with caution if it is clear.
There's also a slight play on words, as blinking is often used as an intensifier in the UK along the same lines as fricking in the US.
posted by IanMorr at 12:14 PM on July 9, 2010
I also remember Tufty the Squirrel. You could, IIRC, join The Tufty Club, membership of which was available upon answering a few simple questions about how to cross the road.
posted by essexjan at 12:23 PM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by essexjan at 12:23 PM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
It's Dark Vader.
And they're called lightsavers.
posted by Quantum's Deadly Fist at 12:41 PM on July 9, 2010
And they're called lightsavers.
posted by Quantum's Deadly Fist at 12:41 PM on July 9, 2010
Jesus christ, that sous chef...
I'll be having take out tonight.
posted by fontophilic at 12:43 PM on July 9, 2010
I'll be having take out tonight.
posted by fontophilic at 12:43 PM on July 9, 2010
Dave Prowse opened the video shop on my street. There was bunting. It was like having royalty visit. Just like it, but BETTER.
posted by jontyjago at 12:48 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by jontyjago at 12:48 PM on July 9, 2010
"Tufty Fluffytail"
I think I have some old dusty 8mm films of her; doing things that I wouldn't deem safe.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 12:56 PM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
I think I have some old dusty 8mm films of her; doing things that I wouldn't deem safe.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 12:56 PM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
WTF is a "blinking pelican signal"
Mind your own blinking pelican business, you winking penguin...
posted by Phanx at 1:31 PM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
Mind your own blinking pelican business, you winking penguin...
posted by Phanx at 1:31 PM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
Mind your own blinking pelican business, you winking penguin...
Naff orff!
posted by djgh at 1:41 PM on July 9, 2010
Naff orff!
posted by djgh at 1:41 PM on July 9, 2010
I think vadar is the Spanish verb for "to breathe loudly while simultaneously talking."
posted by condour75 at 1:56 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by condour75 at 1:56 PM on July 9, 2010
When you have the ad featuring Darth Mole or Darth Serious, call me.
posted by panboi at 3:14 PM on July 9, 2010
posted by panboi at 3:14 PM on July 9, 2010
WTF is a "blinking pelican signal"
A pelican crossing is a...
You shouldn't humour them by answering this sort of thing, it will only make them ask about belisha beacons. There are some things better left unexplained.
And don't forget to: ""Look right, look left, look right again!"
posted by Quinbus Flestrin at 8:31 PM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
A pelican crossing is a...
You shouldn't humour them by answering this sort of thing, it will only make them ask about belisha beacons. There are some things better left unexplained.
And don't forget to: ""Look right, look left, look right again!"
posted by Quinbus Flestrin at 8:31 PM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
I had no idea a pelican crossing and a zebra crossing were two different things.
My parents have been lying to me all these years!
posted by madajb at 11:29 PM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
My parents have been lying to me all these years!
posted by madajb at 11:29 PM on July 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
That's Aussie Joe Bugner, thankyou. ;)
Here's a clip of the real Darth Vader whacking his head in a cheesy TV sci fi show. Bonus: he's topless. And silver. And wearing a very revealing skirt. [31 SECONDS LONG]
posted by uncanny hengeman at 5:20 AM on July 10, 2010
Here's a clip of the real Darth Vader whacking his head in a cheesy TV sci fi show. Bonus: he's topless. And silver. And wearing a very revealing skirt. [31 SECONDS LONG]
posted by uncanny hengeman at 5:20 AM on July 10, 2010
I also remember Tufty the Squirrel . You could, IIRC, join The Tufty Club, membership of which was available upon answering a few simple questions about how to cross the road.
I've still got my badge...
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 7:05 AM on July 10, 2010
I've still got my badge...
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 7:05 AM on July 10, 2010
HE CAME TO MY SCHOOL MIPPY I SAW HIM TOO.
And then my mum made me a Green Cross Code man dressing up outfit because that is how cool my mum is.
posted by Helga-woo at 7:13 AM on July 10, 2010
And then my mum made me a Green Cross Code man dressing up outfit because that is how cool my mum is.
posted by Helga-woo at 7:13 AM on July 10, 2010
We had a song in Ireland. Beat into anyone of my generation, we can sing it on command. Know the code! We were also mad for PSA's about not driving your tractor with the forks up, not carrying fishing rods straight up and not drowning in slurry pits.
posted by Iteki at 3:33 PM on July 11, 2010
posted by Iteki at 3:33 PM on July 11, 2010
It's interesting that the UK videos seem to be directly advocating crossing in the middle of the street, where all us NY'ers were deliberately taught _not_ to cross in the middle.
posted by madajb at 6:18 PM on July 12, 2010
posted by madajb at 6:18 PM on July 12, 2010
Madajb, we don't have crossings at every junction like you do, and jaywalking isn't a crime here. It's safer in the middle of the street because you only have to deal with traffic coming from two directions, left and right.
posted by Helga-woo at 4:46 AM on July 13, 2010
posted by Helga-woo at 4:46 AM on July 13, 2010
Naff orff!
posted by Sys Rq at 9:36 PM on July 12 [+] [!]
Naff off!
posted by djgh at 4:42 PM on July 13, 2010
posted by Sys Rq at 9:36 PM on July 12 [+] [!]
Naff off!
posted by djgh at 4:42 PM on July 13, 2010
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Thank god!
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 10:52 AM on July 9, 2010