Burke Family Grape-Nuts® TV Commercial, 1968 - 70 

“It fills you up -- not out.”

 

FINAL BROADCAST VERSION 30 second spot:

Opening scene: desert home, backyard swimming pool, underwater.
Action: “Dennis” swims toward female figure, pushes her up, above water.

Dialogue:

[Mrs. Burke exclaims, “Oh!”]
Dennis: “Oh no, Mrs. Burke!”
Mrs. Burke: “Don't worry about it, Dennis.”
Dennis: “I thought you...you were Dale!”
Mrs. Burke: “Dale's my teenage daughter. We're often confused. How do I stay so slim?
Exercise, and I watch what I eat. Like Post Grape-Nuts for breakfast. It fills you up -- not out.”

Scene: Interior dining table, family at breakfast eating Grape-Nuts.

Announcer: “Like the Burkes, your whole family will enjoy the chewy, nut-like flavor of Grape-Nuts.
Delicious Post Grape-Nuts. It fills you up -- not out.”

 

EARLIER PRODUCTION VERSION 30 second spot:

This earlier dialogue from the first version produced is identical, except for the last two lines:

Mrs. Burke: “Dale's my teenage daughter. We're often confused. How do I stay so slim? Exercise, and Post Grape-Nuts for breakfast. Fills you up -- not out.”

Announcer: “Like the Burkes, your whole family will enjoy the chewy, nut-like flavor of Grape-Nuts.
Post Grape-Nuts helps you stay in good shape. It fills you up -- not out.”

Seems the “Truth in Advertising” overseers did not like the wording from the script that suggested Mrs. Burke stayed “so slim” just with “exercise, and Post Grape-Nuts for breakfast.” This line was later
voiced over for the final broadcast version. The closing narration was also modified from the original. Subtle distinctions that illustrate some of the changes taking place at this period in the history of television advertising.

A 12 second spot, with less dialogue, also aired.

[Copywriter: Vida Pernick. Transcriptions © 2002 Burke Family Archives]