February 26 . . .
On this day in 1936, automotive history took a giant leap forward with a very small car: the Volkswagon hit the roads, changing the face of American driving forever. It soon became a staple mode of transportation in Europe, and when it was imported to the U.S., the ubiquitous ‘Bug’ soon became a beloved icon and an affordable means of transport, particularly among younger people who enjoyed an alternative to the boxy sedans of the day. In the early 1960s, a series of brilliant TV commercials spotlighted its unique properties; one classic spot shows a very young and befuddled Dustin Hoffman searching in vain for the engine.
Celebrate the unveiling of a cultural icon with Woody Allen’s futuristic comedy, ‘Sleeper’ (1973). Allen plays a jazz musician who is cryogenically frozen and awakes 200 years in the future. ‘Sleeper’ may be Allen’s most out-and-out funniest film. He joins with underground rebel Diane Keaton to overthrow the fascist government, discovering the joys of the ‘orgasmatron’ along the way.
What has all this got to do with Volkswagons, you ask? Not much, really – but there is one gag that is probably the best endorsement the VW Beetle ever had. I won’t spoil it; just enjoy. And if you still can’t get enough, watch Disney’s perennial family favorite ‘The Love Bug’ (1964), about a talking VW named Herbie. It was so successful it actually spawned a series of sequels. They can drive you buggy.
Since I don't want to spoil the 'Sleeper' joke, here's a rare alternative . . click here to see Dustin Hoffman hawking a VW sedan in a TV commercial from 1966 . . .
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