Shop Loot Crate
2015
07.02

Metal Man and Shorty - C-3PO and R2-D2 knockoffs in a 1978 wine infomercial

Metal Man and Shorty, obvious ripoffs of C-3PO and R2-D2 from Star Wars, star in this marketing film for Taylor Wines from 1978.

Watch as Metal Man dances to disco music…
C-3PO and R2-D2 from Star Wars disco dancing
C-3PO Star Wars knockoff disco dancing

… and Shorty has a “close encounter” with Karen Christy, Playboy Playmate of the Month December 1971.

Full 20 minute video:

More Info:

This marketing film from Dallas Production Company, Bill Stokes Associates, highlights the impact of new ideas and new material for Taylor Wines as they compete in the 1978 “Holiday Race for Space,” a somewhat inexplicable marketing scheme that is described with the aid of “Metal Man” and “Shorty,” an obvious homage to Star Wars characters C-3PO and R2D2. Join the marketing team at Taylor Wines as they look at new packaging and displays, and Metal Man and Shorty dance to groovy 70s tunes and get love from the ladies! Also included are previews of the new Taylor Wine holiday commercials, one of which features jazz pianist Count Basie.

via io9 and Texas Archive of the Movie Image