J R Hartley Reimagined

Dabbling in nostalgia can be a risky advertising strategy, as this new spot for Yell from Rapier proves...The ad aims to update the Yellow Pages J R Hartley ad, which first aired in 1983, for the modern era. For those of a certain age, this classic ad (shown below) will be fondly remembered: it starred an elderly gentleman (actor Norman Lumsden) seeking out a book on fly fishing from a number of second-hand bookshops. After he returns home empty-handed, his daughter suggests searching via the Yellow Pages. He finds the book, and the final scene then reveals that it is in fact written by him. The spot struck a chord with popular culture and was spoofed in a number of sketches in the 80s by comedians including Harry Enfield and Fry & Laurie.