“The Cannon’s Name is Johnny Reb”

Published: March 11, 2017 13 comments

I assume this commercial for Remco’s Civil War cannon is from the centennial. Any of you out there own one and, if so, did it really get you the girl? I have my doubts.

[Uploaded to YouTube on March 10, 2017]
13 comments… add one
  • Bret Mannon Dec 16, 2020 @ 17:33

    I got a Johnny Reb Cannon for Christmas 1961. After watching a test fired cannon ball sail across the room I promptly put my palm against the muzzle to see if the next round would hurt. A mild sting was the only damage. Good! I’m not going to be able to damage anything and get in trouble, I thought! I suspect I’m not the only kid to try that test.
    The carriage was destroyed by a barrage of BB gun target practice when I was about age thirteen but the barrel survives to this day. I’ve found that small powdered donuts or onion rings make an amusing projectile when I occasionally drag the cannon out to demonstrate to unsuspecting target friends.

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  • William McDougald Nov 22, 2019 @ 3:59

    Just picked one up in great condition, complete, nice box, with the HTF vinyl battle flag. It’s a chick magnet today just like it was in 1961.Oiled up the firing mechanism and it’ll shoot the cannon balls 35 feet, it’s brutal at close range and will leave a mark.

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  • Pete Oct 1, 2017 @ 20:43

    Well I just bought one of these with 4 plastic cannonballs and in working condition for $7 at the local Goodwill. It does shoot the cannonball around 30 plus feet!

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  • bob carey Mar 13, 2017 @ 16:29

    I wonder why there weren’t any Black Confederate cannoneers portrayed in the commercial, Kevin maybe you can research this oversight on the part of Remco.
    BTW I am old enough to remember this toy and the commercial.

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  • hankc9174 Mar 13, 2017 @ 4:26

    also from the 60’s: I wonder how many eyes were put out by that cannon.

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  • Neil Hamilton Mar 12, 2017 @ 17:52

    I had one too, but I renamed mine Billy Yank!

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  • David Tatum Jr Mar 12, 2017 @ 3:57

    I had one, I gave it to my grandson. Gotta protect the home front !

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    • David Tatum Jr Mar 12, 2017 @ 5:07

      Mr. Tatum,

      I don’t mind approving a harmless comment, but please don’t expect me to approve a link to your website on which you have trashed me in the past.

      CWM

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  • James Owen Mar 11, 2017 @ 16:37

    LoL! Looks like fun!

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  • Andy Hall Mar 11, 2017 @ 9:06

    At twelve bucks, that was not a cheap toy (via measuringworth.com):

    Current data is only available till 2015. In 2015, the relative price worth of $11.98 from 1961 is:
    $94.90 using the Consumer Price Index
    $74.60 using the GDP deflator

    Current data is only available till 2015. In 2015, the relative amount consumers spend worth of $11.98 from 1961 is:
    $119.00 using the value of consumer bundle

    Current data is only available till 2015. In 2015, the relative wage or income worth of $11.98 from 1961 is:
    $109.00 using the unskilled wage
    $141.00 using the Production Worker Compensation
    $219.00 using the nominal GDP per capita

    Current data is only available till 2015. In 2015, the relative output worth of $11.98 from 1961 is:
    $384.00 using the relative share of GDP

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  • Meg Groeling Mar 11, 2017 @ 8:47

    Gotta love the little nurse in her whites & cap!

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  • Christian McWhirter Mar 11, 2017 @ 5:37

    Fun fact: I met my wife my firing a Confederate cannon at her. I suspect many of you have similar stories.

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    • Kevin Levin Mar 11, 2017 @ 5:44

      I assume you weren’t the same age as the kids in the commercials. 🙂

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