Humphreys (Unigate)

The British milk company Unigate produced a series of TV advertisements in the 1970s featuring characters called the Humphreys. The Humphreys were milk thieves whose only visible presence was a red-and-white striped straw with which to suck up the milk. TV personalities of the time, including Barbara Windsor, Arthur Mullard, Rod Hull and Spike Milligan, featured in the adverts; but the campaign is best known for the slogan: "Watch out, watch out—there's a Humphrey about!" written and sung by Mike Batt.

A merchandising campaign accompanied the adverts; and the Humphrey-themed mugs, milk bottles, and straws are now collectors' items. The campaign was devised by John Webster of the Boase Massimi Pollitt advertising agency.

Celebrities featuring in the Humphrey ads

• Muhammad Ali
• Benny Hill
• Rod Hull
• Sid James
• Henry McGee
• Spike Milligan
• Frank Muir
• Arthur Mullard
• Barbara Windsor

Several campaign stickers were produced, including:

• "Watch Out, Watch Out, There's a Humphrey About", featuring two red-and-white striped straws projecting from a pocket
• "Watch Out for the Humphrey Patrol", featuring a row of the tops of thirteen red and white striped straws
• "Drink it Quick, Humphreys are Slick", featuring a red-and-white striped straw projecting from a partially drunk glass of milk.

Three different full sticker sheets can be seen online.

External links

• UK TV Commercials page featuring the lyrics to the Humphrey song.