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Argentine Ants Advertisement (1968)

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Argentine ants

Original classification rating: G. This clip chosen to be G

Clip description

In this television advertisement, seen here in its entirety, Trapper Tom (Barry Crocker) is hunting Argentine ants in a forest. He comes across a reward sign posted on a tree and explains how children can obtain a ‘licence to hunt Argentine ants’ from their local council. Two children pick up their licence, ant-hunting tube and badge from a council office. Trapper Tom promises a ten dollar reward to the first children to spot an Argentine ant nest in their neighbourhood.

Curator’s notes

by Poppy De Souza

This entertaining advertisement is cleverly designed to target a young audience. It presents a serious initiative (one which assists in the identification of an agricultural pest) in a fun way through Barry Crocker’s entertaining performance as Trapper Tom, complete with exaggerated actions and pantomime facial gestures, silly pith helmet, safari suit and magnifying glass. His dialogue is carefully scripted to convey basic information about the initiative – how to obtain an ant-hunting kit, the need to ask parents for permission – but also convincingly present it as a fun after-school activity through Trapper Tom’s clowning. The character addresses the camera as if he is speaking directly to the young audience, which ensures the necessary information is conveyed clearly and effectively.

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australianscreen is produced by the National Film and Sound Archive. By using the website you agree to comply with the terms and conditions described elsewhere on this site. The NFSA may amend the 'Conditions of Use’ from time to time without notice.

All materials on the site, including but not limited to text, video clips, audio clips, designs, logos, illustrations and still images, are protected by the Copyright Laws of Australia and international conventions.

When you access australianscreen you agree that:

  • You may retrieve materials for information only.
  • You may download materials for your personal use or for non-commercial educational purposes, but you must not publish them elsewhere or redistribute clips in any way.
  • You may embed the clip for non-commercial educational purposes including for use on a school intranet site or a school resource catalogue.
  • The National Film and Sound Archive’s permission must be sought to amend any information in the materials, unless otherwise stated in notices throughout the Site.

All other rights reserved.

ANY UNAUTHORISED USE OF MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY RESULT IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY.

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