Milk Endorsement/Commercials

In 1968 The Cowsills were signed to a million dollar deal to promote milk for the American Dairy Association.

Newpaper article announcing signing

Fun Facts:

1. Newspaper articles talked about the milk commercials being shot in ten venues around Newport, but I have found twelve venues.

2. The commercials were filmed in more places than just Newport. The one with the totem poles was shot at Knotts Berry Farm. Did you want to catch one filming of the one with the cows? You'd need to go to Wisconsin for that. Beach one? Try Paradise Cove in Malibu.

3. The wardrobe lady for the shoots was also the lady who worked with the likes of Hedda Hopper.

4. Bob remembers the freezing water of Newport Harbor as he was thrown overboard from the Black Pearl, only to get to the surface and hear "OK We need to do it again. Take two."

5. Susan remembers being told by the wardrobe people that she needed to take a shower more often. Perhaps the tom-boy in her didn't understand why, but she started taking one every day. Barbara would go, "Look at you!"

6. Bob remembers that at the time it was seen as a selling out of your music if you did these type things. Hence, it wasn't considered cool at the time.

7. Due to this "un-coolness", during one shoot at St. George High School, boys were out heckling during the shoot. After they all had enough, Bud turns to Paul and says, "Paul ..." Paul proceeds to beat up the leader of the gang. Barbara was there cheering him on. "Get him, Paulie. Get him."

8. The whole concept was hard on Barry. During the Bellevue Ave. shoot, Barry's friends were there making fun of the process and that lead to many a tear.

9. Jewell was the name of the 1968 Milker Cow Of The Year that the C's were photographed with.

10. Although they remember the shoots as fun, the one bad thing they all remember is the warm milk. Never cold.

11. Bill and Bob wrote the song "It's A Good Day" to rival "Indian Lake." The song was changed to "It's A Milk Day" and used in the commercials, but Bill and Bob never received any money for it.

Video Commercial Shoot Locations:

Twelve Venues Used In Filming Of The Cowsills Milk Commercials

1. Intersection of Bellevue and Memorial Avenues
2. Halidon Hall (Tree)
3. Cushing House
4. King Park
5. Newport Harbor
6. Airport
7. Hanging Rock
8. Castle Hill Lighthouse
9. Normandie Mansion
10. Martha Codman House
11. Miramar
12. St.George's High School for Boys

Bellevue and Memorial Intersection

Then
Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now

Cowsill Tree - 21 Harbor View Drive

Then
In the Halidon Hall Tree
Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now
(Photo by Nina H. S.)

Cushing House "The Ledges" - Cushing House is located off Ocean Avenue just west of Bailey's beach.

Then
Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now

King Park - 125 Wellington Ave

Then
Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now
(Photo by Debbie H.)

Newport Harbor - The Newport Harbor is a view our Cowsills have seen a million times. Other Cowsill sites (like King Park and Bannister's Wharf) grace it's edges.

Then
Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now
Newport Harbor

Airport - 211 Airport Access Rd

Then
Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now

Hanging Rock - 583 3rd Beach Rd

Then
Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Then
Print Ad

Now

Castle Hill Lighthouse - 800-870 Ocean Ave

Then
Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now

Normandie Mansion - 232 Ocean Avenue

Then
Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now

Martha Codman House - 304 Bellevue Avenue

Then
Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now
(Photo by NSGT)

Now
(Photo by David B.)

Miramar - 646 Bellevue Avenue

Then
Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now

St. George's High School for Boys - 372 Purgatory Road

Then
Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now

Elsewhere Around The Country

Knotts Berry Farm - Buena Park, California

Then
Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now

Paradise Cove - Malibu, California

Then
Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now

Wisconsin

Then
Screen Shot From Milk Commercial

Now
Note: Of course this isn't the same exact spot.

Billboards:

Stella has this Milk Billboard

Milk Billboard

Collectors 45:

Front reads:
"All My Days," "Nothing To Do," "The Fun Song," "The Milk Song"
Four Cowsills' originals, never-before-released.

Back reads:
The Cowsills Collector's Record
Presented by american daily association
In all fifty states, and Europe as well, the "big sound" of the Cowsills is being applauded as a new dimension in rock music. Featured here are four original compositions by the Cowsills. "Because the songs have only a limited edition and are not being released through record stores," says Bill, leader of the group, "we expect them to be collector's items."
With a schedule crowded with personal and recording sessions, the Cowsill have to be enthusiastic milk drinkers. "How else could we get enough energy in a hurry to keep going," says Bob. "For us, milk really is the lift that lasts."
The Cast:
Bill Cowsill . . . Guitar
Barry Cowsill . . . Guitar
John Cowsill . . . Drums
Susan Cowsill . . . Vocal Only
Bob Cowsill . . . Guitar and Piano-Organ
Paul Cowsill . . . Piano-Organ
Barbara Cowsill . . . Vocal Only

MGM Reocrds
Manufactured by MGM Records Division; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., 1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10019