(Some Bewitched fans may remember a tiny clip of this commercial that was used in accordance with Chevrolet's sponsorship of the 1999 Grammy awards)When Bewitched began, Chevrolet alternated with Quaker Oats as the advertising sponsor for the show. There were other popular shows that were also sponsored by Chevrolet, Bonanza being one of them. Here we have a very rare commercial spot for the new 1965 Chevrolet cars. This unusually long (by today's standards) ad first aired on Sunday, September 27, 1964 and ran 5 and a half minutes in length. It immediately followed the conclusion of the sixth season episode of Bonanza: "The Hostage." This episode ran without commercial interruption, as part of an agreement between the Bonanza producers and their longtime sponsor Chevrolet to air one episode per season sans interior ads.
It's a truly special find because it included the stars of Bonanza: Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker and Michael Landon, plus the star of The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Robert Vaughn and filmed on the Bonanza set. But it's especially intriguing for the appearance of the three stars of Bewitched: Elizabeth Montgomery, Agnes Moorehead and Dick York, because it was shot in color! At this time Bewitched was still being filmed in black and white, so here we get another glimpse of our favorite witches in natural living color!
It's just a little bit of magic that this gem survives. Read the actual dialogue spoken below the images.
To see the complete Bewitching Bonanza commercial click HERE!
(5.9 MB)