Described in The Telegraph’s obituary of him as a “publisher, wit and author,” Michael Russell is best known for writing the spoof memoirs of J. R. Hartley – the charming mythical old man of Yellow Pages advert fame in the 1980s. Bournemouth born, Oxford educated and a father of three, Russell loved horse racing and fishing and was known for his “extremely shrewd judgement as to which books would sell in shops.” His one-man company produced over 500 books by the time of his death and amongst titles that were hits were Richard Spitzy’s How We Squandered the Reich – a book that described Hitler as being “like a cross between a head waiter and a chimney sweep.”
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Why don’t they make adverts like this anymore?
So good to be reminded of this during the lockdown – cheered me up no end.
Had forgotten all about this. Brought a tear to my eye, little forgotten memories. Lovely.
I quite agree June. A simply glorious memory.
I so so remember this advert. Brought a tear to my eye, as June said.
I wish they made adverts like this today. Such a charming story and the obituary reminded me of it – so I thought it would lift some spirits right now to share it more widely.
A lovely idea Matthew
I always enjoyed the advert but the remake more recently was laughable.
Sounds like the kind of guy you could happily go for a pint with