Two (Very) Old Friends Recall the Glories of 1934 in Charming Ads for Steak 'n Shake

Percy and Walter's journey through the past

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Nothing sells fast food like cranky old people reminiscing and/or bickering with each other.

That's what GSD&M is hoping, because their three new spots for Steak 'n Shake depend on it. The three ads star Percy and Walter, whose recollections of 1934 (the year Steak 'n Shake was founded) are dim at best. All three spots were directed by Joachim Back, who won an Oscar for his short film The New Tenants back in 2010.

In "You Can't Trust Machines," Walter goes on a measured rant about powdered milkshakes and veers dangerously close to bringing up the onion on his belt before the ad cuts to the official Steak 'n Shake pitch.

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