The 1960s was a golden age for television and for cigarette advertising. In 1963 television ad revenues were $!.59 billion ($14.1 billion 2021). Tobacco advertising accounted for about 11% of that total ($1.75 billion 2021). There were only three television networks, and in prime time, tobacco companies sometimes had the advertising slot on all three.
Representative of the programs was I’ve Got a Secret, sponsored by RJR’s Winston cigarette. It was one of several popular shows that featured a panel, usually four well-known New York celebrities who tried to guess the occupation, or the identity, or the secret of a guest.
Looking back along Tobacco Road, connections with fellow travelers can come in surprising ways. If you have read Going Down Tobacco Road, you will probably recall the picture of Robin Williamson Edwards in her tobacco leaf swimsuit, Miss Tobacco Festival 1956. I was introduced to Robin by her younger sister, Renée Williamson Godwin, a friend who lives here in Charlotte. Renée did not tell me that she had a degree of fame like her sister. She kept it a secret. You can find it by clicking HERE.
Renée shared with me that she had to have a talent to enter the Miss South Carolina contest in 1960, and her only talent was as a seamstress – a talent she obviously used well.
Renée has been a good sport, allowing me to share this clip. She is an equally gracious and lovely lady today, but with admittedly more life experiences than she had in 1960. She confided that sister Robin accompanied her to New York, the first trip there for either of them. And they were so awed that they never left their hotel.
I loved watching the clip from I’ll Got A Secret .I was more surprised when she said she went to Limestone College. This was the college I attended as well . Renee was a very talented seamstress indeed .