He wore a blue and white striped conductor’s hat, couldn’t have been more than 10-years-old, and was able to engineer a train entirely by using… a box of Good & Plenty? We’re talking, of course, about Choo-Choo Charlie, the official mascot for Good & Plenty licorice candy.
Debuting in the early 1950s, Choo-Choo Charlie was an engineer who could operate locomotives on railroads simply by shaking a box of Good & Plenty in a circular motion. That’s one box, by the way. It only took one box to operate this train and its accompanying caboose where Choo-Choo Charlie’s female sidekick and her pup munched on the candies. As the trio sped along the rail tracks, they sang along to a jingle that seemed to keep them chugging along as much as their candy-operated efforts did.
“Once upon a time there was an engineer,
Choo-Choo Charlie was his name we hear.
He had an engine and it sure was fun,
He used Good & Plenty candy, to make his train run.
Charlie says, ‘Love my Good & Plenty!’
Charlie says, ‘Really rings the bell!’
Charlie says, ‘Love my Good & Plenty!’
Don’t know any other candy, that I love so well!’”
The jingle, written by advertising executive Bernard Russ Alben, was a hit with consumers. Suddenly, Choo-Choo Charlie was everywhere — on board games, in comic books, and even had a stint where he ran for (Class) President. He was more than sweet talk. Choo-Choo Charlie vowed that if he were elected, there would be Good & Plenty candy for all of his classmates!
“Choo-Choo Charlie, vote for President,
So kids will have a friend in government.
When he wins, we’ll all have lots of fun,
And there’ll be Good & Plenty candy for everyone.
Charlie says, ‘Love my Good & Plenty!’
Charlie says, ‘Delicious yessiree!’
Charlie says, ‘Love my Good & Plenty!
And a vote for Good & Plenty is a vote for me!’”
While Choo-Choo Charlie might have been phased out from advertising in recent decades, the candy is still a hit with fans. A young Jason Alexander sings the jingle alongside several other actors in a 1980s tribute to the original Choo-Choo Charlie commercial spots. There’s even a #NationalGoodAndPlentyDay celebrated each year on October 24th. Mark it down on your calendar now and don’t forget to share all your favorite moments with the candy!
The original melody “The Ballad of Casey Jones” was never copyrighted – as most folk songs of the early 20th century – and is therefore in the public domain.
Good thing too, as we might have been singing a very different song today….
“Once Upon a Time There Was an Engineer,
Choo – Choo Charlie Was His Name, We Hear…
He Had an Engine, It Was All in Sport,
Until Casey Jones (Junior) Took His Ass to Court.”
I’m almost64 years old and to this day, I sing choo-choo Charlie to my dog…I still eat the candy of course and still find my childhood in those moments….I do have a question ..who were the singers for that commercial? The box used to be black…and at that time cost about a dime..I use to shake the box like the commercial …thanks for the memories….
Choo Choo Charlie was a hit in Milford, Delaware U.S.A. in 1964
I am the Ambassador of the Wotld and. the Real Santa Claus ????
And I graduated # 8 out of 310 in My High School Class at Milford Senior High School in The Graduation Class ? of ” 1973 ” let’s give my fellow. Classmates a round of Applause. !!!
Best Wishes,
Steven Craig Towers
Dover, Delaware U.S.A. ???
I remember choo-choo charlie ,charlie tuna,plus so many others I have collected over the years ,
Didn’t Charlie go into Indian territory in one of the ads when the girl asks ‘where are we Charlie?”
U hope I remember correctly this one?
Good & Plenty, Good & Plenty… (horn = whooo .. whoo)
(Charley) “10 more minutes to Good&Plentyville”
(Girl) “ I’ll have some Good&Plenty, Please”
(Charley) “sorry….all sold out”
etc
? Hope 🤞 I got the gist of the basics correct?
Love this candy and the jingle.