Freakies
Encyclopedia
Freakies was a brand of sweetened breakfast cereal
produced by Ralston
and sold in the United States
. The cereal was Ralston's first major venture into the presweetened RTE (Ready-to-Eat) cereal market. The marketing thrust of Freakies was initially led by marketing manager Jay Brown, with marketing manager Jack Forcelledo following Brown and taking the Freakies into additional test markets and eventually national rollout. Cocoa and Fruity Freakies, as well as, several additional presweetened cereal products were developed under Forcelledo's watch. The creative for Freakies was developed by Wells, Rich, Greene advertising agency, NYC. Jackie End was the lead creative and copywriter of the TV commercials as well as many of the back package panel storylines. The cereal entered the marketplace in 1972 and was taken off the shelves in 1976. A Cocoa version called "Cocoa Freakies" was available in 1973 and a fruit version titled "Fruity Freakies" was available in 1975-1976.
The Freakies were made up of seven creatures named Hamhose, Gargle, Cowmumble, Grumble, Goody-Goody, Snorkeldorf and the leader BossMoss.
In the mythology of the Freakies, the seven went in search of the legendary Freakies Tree which grew the Freakies cereal. They found the Tree, realized the legend was true, and promptly took up residence in the Tree which then became the backdrop for all the TV spots and package back stories. In 1987, a new Freakies cereal was made, depicting the characters as aliens from another planet. Boss Moss and Grumble were still the same, but the other characters were replaced by new ones, named Hugger, Sweetie, Tooter and Hotdog.
features a scene where Ray Peterson, portrayed by Tom Hanks
, is on his couch eating from a box of Freakies.
They also appear in the 2007 film Flakes
, when Neal Downs, portrayed by Aaron Stanford
, receives a box of Freakies for his small New Orleans eatery, which serves a wide variety of cold cereal.
Breakfast cereal
A breakfast cereal is a food made from processed grains that is often, but not always, eaten with the first meal of the day. It is often eaten cold, usually mixed with milk , water, or yogurt, and sometimes fruit but sometimes eaten dry. Some cereals, such as oatmeal, may be served hot as porridge...
produced by Ralston
Ralcorp
Ralcorp Holdings is a manufacturer of various food products, including breakfast cereal, cookies, crackers, chocolate, snack foods, mayonnaise, pasta and peanut butter. The company is based in St. Louis, Missouri. The majority of the items Ralcorp makes are private label, store brand products. It...
and sold in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The cereal was Ralston's first major venture into the presweetened RTE (Ready-to-Eat) cereal market. The marketing thrust of Freakies was initially led by marketing manager Jay Brown, with marketing manager Jack Forcelledo following Brown and taking the Freakies into additional test markets and eventually national rollout. Cocoa and Fruity Freakies, as well as, several additional presweetened cereal products were developed under Forcelledo's watch. The creative for Freakies was developed by Wells, Rich, Greene advertising agency, NYC. Jackie End was the lead creative and copywriter of the TV commercials as well as many of the back package panel storylines. The cereal entered the marketplace in 1972 and was taken off the shelves in 1976. A Cocoa version called "Cocoa Freakies" was available in 1973 and a fruit version titled "Fruity Freakies" was available in 1975-1976.
The Freakies were made up of seven creatures named Hamhose, Gargle, Cowmumble, Grumble, Goody-Goody, Snorkeldorf and the leader BossMoss.
In the mythology of the Freakies, the seven went in search of the legendary Freakies Tree which grew the Freakies cereal. They found the Tree, realized the legend was true, and promptly took up residence in the Tree which then became the backdrop for all the TV spots and package back stories. In 1987, a new Freakies cereal was made, depicting the characters as aliens from another planet. Boss Moss and Grumble were still the same, but the other characters were replaced by new ones, named Hugger, Sweetie, Tooter and Hotdog.
Appearances in pop culture
The 1989 film The 'BurbsThe 'Burbs
The 'Burbs is a 1989 American black comedy thriller film directed by Joe Dante starring Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher, Rick Ducommun, Corey Feldman and Henry Gibson. The film was written by Dana Olsen, who also has a cameo in the movie...
features a scene where Ray Peterson, portrayed by Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks
Thomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and director. Hanks worked in television and family-friendly comedies, gaining wide notice in 1988's Big, before achieving success as a dramatic actor in several notable roles, including Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia, the title...
, is on his couch eating from a box of Freakies.
They also appear in the 2007 film Flakes
Flakes (film)
Flakes is a 2007 American comedy film, directed by Michael Lehmann and starring Aaron Stanford and Zooey Deschanel. This film was written by Chris Poche & Karey Kirkpatrick-Plot:...
, when Neal Downs, portrayed by Aaron Stanford
Aaron Stanford
Aaron Stanford is an American actor, best known for his role as Pyro in X2 and X-Men: The Last Stand films, and Doug Bukowski in the 2006 The Hills Have Eyes remake....
, receives a box of Freakies for his small New Orleans eatery, which serves a wide variety of cold cereal.