Did you know…..Royal Crown Cola (Created in 1909) used to be one of the most innovative companies in the beverage industry? It came out with the first canned soda, the first caffeine-free soda, and the first 16-ounce soda. It was the first to take diet cola mainstream, and the first to stage nationwide taste tests (Source).

BUT due to lack of strong marketing skills (compared to Coke and Pepsi) and a diet cola ingredient controversy in the 1960’s, RC became a back burner cola to the big names.

Today’s post is going to feature some of the 1940’s advertising that RC Cola created when it decided to invest money into print and television ads, hiring stars like Bing Crosby, Joan Crawford and Shirley Temple, to state “You Bet RC Tastes Best!”.

RC Cola Tastes Best

1940’s Celebrity Vintage Ads of Royal Crown Cola

RC Cola must have paid a pretty penny to have Betty Grable in their ad. At this time, Betty’s famous “Pin-up” image was in every soldiers hands, launching her into super stardom. -1940’s vintage ad.

1940s Vintage Ad for RC Cola featuring Betty Grable in this vintage food ad. Betty is shown in various illustrations drinking Royal Crown Cola.

Anne Baxter (lets take a moment to admire her hair and dress in this ad…wow!).

1940s vintage ad for Royal Crown Cola featuring Anne Baxter as the celebrity on the ad wearing an outstanding 1940s ad.

The Little Rascals-1941 vintage ad. “Our Gang’s voted in a new member…Royal Crown Cola!”

1940s vintage ad for Royal Crown Cola featuring the Little Rascals.

Gene Tierney-1945 vintage ad. You can see Gene in “A Bell for Adaho”. Fantastic 1940s swimsuit!

1940s vintage ad for Royal Crown Cola featuring Gene Tierney in a 1940s swimsuit holding an RC Cola.
Source: Flickr

“I prefer Royal Crown Cola anytime – winter or summer”.

This same goes for when Gary Cooper says drink the cola.

1940s vintage ad for Royal Crown Cola featuring Gary Cooper in a cabin drinking the soda.

Rita Hayworth, star of “Gilda” agrees that RC Tastes best!

1940s vintage ad for Royal Crown Cola featuring Rita Hayworth in a 1940s evening gown holding a Royal Crown Cola.

Good old Bing Crosby and his horse, in their vintage ad. You can see Bing in “Road to Utopia”.

1940s vintage ad for Royal Crown Cola featuring Bing Crosby and a horse.
Source: Flickr

Hot Lips Page probably drinks an RC Cola before every show!

1940s vintage ad for Royal Crown Cola featuring Hot Lips Page and his orchestra.

Paulette Goddard, took the taste test and she picked Royal Crown Cola! Great two piece summer outfit Paulette.

1940s vintage ad for Royal Crown Cola featuring Paulette Goddard in a two piece 1940s top and shorts and platform shoes. See Paulette in "Duffy's Tavern".

Even Skating Champs like Sonja Henie love the taste. Cute hair flower!

1940s vintage ad for Royal Crown Cola featuring Sonja Jenie in a 1940s dress, hair flower and wearing her skates.

And that my friends is the end of today’s sampling of images because this post could go on and on for days (they used a lot of celebrities during this time period). For my last request, I will encourage you to read this super interesting post on the History of RC Cola by Metal Flosses, HERE (it’s very informative).

Question Time: Have you tried RC Cola? Do you love it? Is it truly better than the big names as many people state? I don’t know if we can get it in Canada but I’m going to take a look.

FURTHER READING: Vintage Advertising 1920s – 1960s (Archived Blog Posts)

Thanks for stopping by!

Liz

10 Comments on The 1940’s Celebrity Vintage Ads of Royal Crown Cola

  1. I don’t think we ever had RC Cola in the UK, I may be wrong, but I don’t remember it in my lifetime. They certainly must’ve been popular over the pond, though, with all those celebrities advertising it. Wonderful images a always. xx

    Reply

    • From my research for this post, I don’t recall ever seeing that RC made it over to the UK so you are mostly likely correct on that statement.

      I would of loved to have read the stats on whether this advertising campaign worked for them, would be a nerdy thing to know 🙂

      Reply

  3. Thanks to summers spent in the public library, reading through MGM and movie books, I know all these stars LOL. I can see the seam in Grable’s stockings in my head, so of course they had to show her gams. Why was John Wayne’s the only one that spoke incorrect English? RC “taste” best? They needed an editor there. So many stars–rugged Gary Cooper in his Daniel Boone fringed jacket. Anne’s amazing hair (I would never want to wash the style out). Sadly, mine would look more like Paulette’s (frizzing and poofy at the bottom). We DO have RC Cola in Texas! I’ve had it several times. I’m a Coke loyalist but will admit that RC is “mucho mas mejor” than Pepsi. We also have an RC loyalist at my church named Ron. It was only last month that he was raving about its superiority on facebook. Have you heard the song, “Gimme An R C Cola and a Moon Pie” by Big Bill Lister? It sounds pretty hick but it’s fun.

    Reply

    • Doing the research for this post, I stumbled upon this Moon Pie and RC Cola craze. I am going to source out the song thanks for pointing that out!

      I would also never wash out Anne’s hair either..ever. Like birds might eventually be living in it, but I would make sure they are tucked in so nobody could see them lol!

      Reply

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