Above are two marvelously elaborate one-minute TV spots for Shasta Colas. Both are period pieces that reference silent comedy filmmaking –and both are elaborately conceived (especially the first) and beautifully executed. Which is quite the opposite of the product they’re shilling for. Shasta was (and still is) a quite dreadful series of mixing colas, best hidden within alcoholic drinks. I wasn’t even sure they were still in business but of course Costco carries them as well as some very iffy sounding chains I’ve never heard of. Their legacy, such as it is, are the 1970s commercials they were responsible for greenlighting. Better to watch these commercials the partake of their product.