The Retroist

My family did its food shopping once a month. We had a strict list of foods we generally stuck with, but my mother allowed some flexibility. All of us were allowed to pick a treat that was just for us. While at the store, I would fret the entire time, trying to decide on what I would pick but also trying to negotiate an extra treat so I would not have to choose. Very often, the thing I finally decided upon might surprise people. It was not a cookie or a chip. It was a nice-sized red bottle of a drink I loved, Hawaiian Punch. Buying into the marketing, I always assumed this drink got its start in our 50th state. I would eventually find out its origin was an ocean away from Hawaii.

Hawaiian Punch began in 1934, but its story is tied to a broader trend in American pop culture. During the early 20th century, Hawaii was becoming increasingly popular. Travel posters, Hollywood musicals, and popular songs romanticized the islands as an exotic paradise. Because of its climate, the fruits grown there were considered novel. Flavors like pineapple and passion fruit were gaining traction in the American market. The idea of a drink that could capture the essence of these tropical flavors came at the perfect time.

In a garage in Fullerton, California, A.W. Leo, Tom Yates, and Ralph Harrison created a new confection under the company name Pacific Citrus Products. Originally known as Leo's Hawaiian Punch, it started life as a syrup that you could put on top of ice cream. The syrup mixed five juices: orange, pineapple, passion fruit, guava, and papaya.

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Leo’s Hawaiian Punch was at least a local hit, enough so that it attracted imitators. In 1940, the LaVida Bottling Company was served an injunction preventing them from using the Hawaiian Punch name on a soft drink it sold. A Superior Court judge declared that they were unfairly using the name trademarked by Pacific Citrus Products. Not only was LaVida ordered to stop using the name, they also had to give a full accounting of profits made while using it. This shows the product was popular enough to copy, and imitators were also serving it in a different format. The 1940 injunction was part of a growing trend in the food and beverage industry where companies began aggressively protecting brand names as packaged goods became more common in American households.

This was a heyday for soda fountains and ice cream parlors. Those businesses, along with bars, were the main customers for the product. While being used in these businesses, it became clear that customers enjoyed the flavor when mixed with plain or carbonated water and sometimes alcohol. Seeing an opportunity in 1946, the company was renamed Pacific Hawaiian Products, and Reuben P. Hughes took over the brand. Hughes wanted to sell directly to consumers, so he introduced a one-quart bottle filled with concentrate that you could buy at your local market.

After World War II, Hawaiian Punch started to take off in a big way. In 1950, the company launched its ready-to-serve version in 46-ounce cans. Five years later, in 1955, they introduced frozen concentrate. Around the same time, the brand began experimenting with new flavors. In 1954, they introduced Sunshine Yellow, a twist on the classic red flavor. The original Hawaiian Punch, which had been a mix of orange, pineapple, and other tropical juices, became known as the "Rosy Red" flavor. Sunshine Yellow replaced the orange juice and red coloring with a bright yellow hue. By the early 1960s, these products were distributed through more than 700 food brokers in the United States and sold by major grocery chains, independents, and military outlets, with international distribution expanding as well.

In 1961, Pacific Hawaiian acquired Royal Master Corporation, which made shoe-shining equipment, and later Cinch Products, which produced cake mixes and related items. Both subsidiaries had established sales networks, and their annual sales were expected to grow substantially. That year, the company launched Hawaiian Punch Sunshine Yellow Frozen Concentrate and Hawaiian Punch-On-A-Stick and planned a regional rollout of a concentrated and ready-to-drink exotic fruit drink line under the label “King of the Islands.” By this time, Hawaiian Punch had become a household name across the United States. It was time to go public.

In 1962, the company was listed on both the New York and Pacific Coast stock exchanges under the ticker PHP. President Reuben P. Hughes marked the occasion by purchasing the first 100 shares at the New York Stock Exchange. At the time, it operated four plants in California and Hawaii, had about 4,300 shareholders, and had grown annual sales from $1.1 million in 1952 to $23.7 million in 1961. The company had paid uninterrupted quarterly dividends since 1955 and had recently completed a 2-for-1 stock split, leaving 1,701,992 shares outstanding.

Later in 1962, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company entered negotiations to acquire the business in a stock deal valued at over $42 million. The plan called for exchanging one Reynolds share for every 1.8 Pacific Hawaiian shares, pending shareholder approval. At the time, the company produced Hawaiian Punch concentrates and frozen drinks, operated plants in California and Hawaii, and owned subsidiaries such as Hawaiian Fruit Growers Exchange, Cinch Products, and Royal Master Corporation. Its main plant was in Kahului, Maui, where it processed passion fruit, guava, and papaya for its products. At the time, tobacco companies like R.J. Reynolds were diversifying into packaged foods and drinks to offset growing health concerns about smoking and to reach new markets.

The brand underwent another shift when R.J. Reynolds completed its acquisition. The company began marketing Hawaiian Punch not just as a juice but also as a cocktail mixer. In 1973, the brand introduced single-serve 8-ounce cans, and in 1976, a powdered version of the drink was launched. From its humble beginnings, Hawaiian Punch had grown into a versatile product available in several formats, including liquid, powdered mix, and frozen concentrate.

In 1961, the Atherton-Privett ad agency created a 20-second Hawaiian Punch commercial produced by John Urie and Associates in Hollywood. Directed by Jean Guy Jacques, with characters Punchy and Oaf designed by Bob Guidi and John Urie, it featured Ross Martin as Punchy’s voice delivering the line, “Hey! How ’bout a nice Hawaiian Punch?” and Urie voicing Oaf’s “Sure.” Animated by Rod Scribner, the ad ended with Punchy leaning on a can of Hawaiian Punch saying, “Wasn’t that a refreshing commercial?” The spot won numerous awards. Punchy fit neatly into a broader advertising movement of the era that used animated mascots to make products more memorable and appealing to children. Although Punchy predated RJR’s ownership, the company expanded his presence into TV, magazines, comics, school items, toys, clothing, and more, calling him “the best salesman the beverage has ever had.” Punchy and Oaf (sometimes called Opie) remained in commercials into the 1980s and returned briefly in the early 1990s.

In one of his more unusual promotions, Punchy hit the campaign trail in 1972. That is when RJR Foods launched the “Punchy-for-President” campaign to promote Hawaiian Punch, turning its cartoon mascot into a tongue-in-cheek presidential candidate. Timed to a major supermarket industry convention, the stunt was designed to capture the attention of grocery buyers and secure better shelf space, especially against the drink’s more popular foe, Hi-C.

Public relations director John Frango scripted Punchy’s speeches with playful slogans like “We have nothing to feature but Hawaiian Punch” and even wrote a campaign song, “Punchy Days Are Here Again.” The campaign targeted children, ages three to twelve, who were seen as the most influential in persuading parents to buy the drink. By handing out “I’m for Punchy” labels and tying the promotion to store displays, RJR boosted sales of Hawaiian Punch, which at the time totaled about $50 million annually. The effort blended humor, character branding, and retail strategy, further cementing Punchy as the face of the product.

If you happened into Sea World in the 1970s/1980s and wandered past the Walrus pool on your way to the Sky Ride and happened to take a left instead of a right, you would find yourself in the magical Hawaiian Punch Village. There Punchy reigned and not only served up delicious Hawaiian Punch, but he had and animatronic band to entertain and sooth your frazzled nerves.

I was at Sea World in the eighties, when this should have still been open, but it weirdly didn’t make much of an impression. Which is weird since I loved the drink so much that bought a Hawaiian Punch raft to use while at the beach during that very trip. Maybe it was closed? Whatever the case, I have major regrets.

Advertising and promotions would continue, but one of my favorite ads for the product would be created in 1987. That is when this commercial with music by Mark Mothersbaugh from DEVO was released. The music and visuals are something. Enjoy the fuller 90 second version.

By the 1990s, Hawaiian Punch changed ownership again, with Procter & Gamble taking over. The brand eventually went to Cadbury Schweppes in 1999, and in 2008, it became part of Dr. Pepper Snapple Group. When Dr. Pepper Snapple merged with Keurig Green Mountain in 2018, Hawaiian Punch came under the umbrella of Keurig Dr Pepper. Today, the drink is still a favorite in many households. Hawaiian Punch is available in various flavors, like Fruit Juicy Red and Green Berry Rush, and is sold in ready-to-drink bottles, powdered mixes, and large containers.

More recently, Hawaiian Punch has responded to pressure from consumers with health concerns about the sugary drink. They have replaced some of the sugar with artificial sweeteners in an attempt to stay relevant. This reflects a larger shift in the beverage industry toward lower-sugar or artificially sweetened drinks, driven by consumer health concerns and changing dietary guidelines. Sadly, if you are a fan of the original, it is no longer available. For those who grew up with it, the taste now exists only in memory, a reminder of how products, like our own childhood experiences, rarely remain unchanged.

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On the July 2025 Monthly Update I talk about what's been going on with the site and podcast, but also some other things going on in my life and some random thoughts I have. They include:

• Jaws 2

• The Sandlot

• Caveman Movies

• Zinka

• Like Cola

• DEVO in Concert

• Overseas auctions

• Going back to the movies more often

• Supporting newspapers

Thanks for your supp…

Like many people at the time, I was really into the early 80s 3D revival. With interesting 3D offerings on TV and on the big screen, it was fun time to be watching stuff. Not many of these entertainment events were well-reviewed at the time, and because of the limitations of home 3D viewing, not many of them have managed to find modern fandom.

I saw Jaws 3D at the theater with my best friend at the time. We were both enthusiastic about the prospect and unlike some critics, we were wow’d by the 3D effects. So much so that we completely ignored everything else about the movie and needed to see it again. Even then I am not sure, we weren’t just anticipating the FX and not paying attention to the plot or the acting.

On today’s show I will discuss Jaws 3D. I will talk about the road to making the sequel, the writers, the director, the music, its reception and much more. While filming Jaws 3D wasn’t easy, you don’t hear the same horror stories about production that you hear about the first two films. Still, pre-production was messy with producers leaving and at least one writer very unhappy with how the film turned out.

I might come across like I am defending Jaws 3D and I am. I am aware that it is not a great film. It is imperfect, but it also is interesting. Not only because it opted to use 3D technology, but because it took a big chance trying to change the formula of the first two Jaws’ films. Not all these decisions were good ones, but I think in retrospect especially they make the film watching or rewatching at least once.

You can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page.

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If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated.

Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape.

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• This is the 347th episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 22 of the new season.

• This is a sequel to my Retroist Jaws and Jaws 2 podcast and it will be helpful if you listen to them both.

• I had a lot of retro audio I wanted to add, but I limited myself. I think at least 4 minutes were cut there.

• My 3D glasses are long gone, but at least I got to enjoy them for a while after the movie. I thought I looked pretty cool in them.

• Riding my bike to the theater was one of my great joys of the summer and I remember retrieving them from our hiding place and riding home talking about each special effect we could remember.

• Not John Williams, but a really nice soundtrack.

• I will repeat, they could have done a lot with Jaws toys. I owned a few plastic and robber sharks as a kid. I think some might have even been branded (in a rip-off way) as Jaws. While they did make some Jaws merchandise, they should have leaned into some monstrous toys.

• Watch The Making of 'Jaws 3-D': Sharks Don't Die (TV Movie 1983) online.

• Bonus Clipping should be up at the same time the episode comes out and see if people prefer it that way.

• Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy.

Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend.

The Retroist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Also Available on Patreon

When The Sandlot hit theaters, I missed it. It did well, but it came and went before I could make time to see it. Lucky for me, I worked in a video store, and when the film was released on VHS, it did very well. We could get a full shelf in a shipment, and sell out of it in a weekend. This was amplified during the Christmas season. Then all we had t…

In 1978, Philip Morris purchased the 7Up company. While they are better known as a seller of tobacco products, they had purchased Miller Beer in 1969 and found some success there. So, what would they do with a beverage company best known for its caffeine-free “Uncola” product? Release a cola. But what sort of cola would they release, and what would they call it?

For the name, we need to go back to the 1960s. In 1963, 7Up entered the diet soda market. They created a product based on their lemon-lime formula but sweetened with cyclamate instead of sugar. Cyclamate is an interesting substance. When combined with saccharin, it masks the off-tastes of both sweeteners. Unfortunately, tests in animals at extremely high dosages showed a risk of cancer. So, the use of cyclamate eventually ended, though not for a few more years.

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Instead of calling their new beverage Diet 7Up, they opted for a new brand name and Like soda was born. Marketed primarily to women, they continued to sell it under that name until 1969, when the US government banned the use of cyclamate in general-purpose foods. At that point, they switched the name to Diet 7Up and retired the Like name for the time being.

Diet sodas thrived, but as the decades passed, people began to look at another ingredient they thought might be worth removing from sodas: caffeine. Why? As you might guess, concerns over caffeine’s effects, such as nervousness, sleep disruption, and its potential for mild dependence, had led consumers to seek alternatives without giving up drinking cola.

This was not a new idea. Canada Dry had experimented with reduced-caffeine colas under the names Sport and Spur. Royal Crown had a sugar and caffeine-free cola called RC100 in the late seventies. Pepsi also entered the market, releasing Pepsi Free in 1982, which was 99.7 percent caffeine-free. That same year, 7Up decided to release its own cola. They would be competing against at least one cola heavyweight, but Pepsi did not have 7Up’s established reputation in the caffeine-free market.

When Philip Morris bought 7Up, they looked at the market and realized that sugar-based colas made up 60 percent of soda sales. That made creating a new cola drink a top priority. To differentiate themselves, they leaned into what they already knew: minimal caffeine. They also decided to revive the name of their old diet variation and call it Like Cola.

Test marketing began in April 1982 in eight cities: St. Louis, Missouri; Rochester, New York; Norfolk, Virginia; Dayton, Ohio; Madison, Wisconsin; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Phoenix, Arizona; and San Diego, California. They spent 2.3 million dollars in these areas, which comprised about five percent of the US population at the time. They distributed coupons and ten-ounce samples of the soda in homes and stores. Ads ran on radio, television, and in newspapers. Leading with the slogan, “You don’t need caffeine. And neither does your cola,” these markets responded well to what 7Up was offering: a cola with a flavor profile similar to Coke and Pepsi, but containing only one percent caffeine, which was just 0.04 milligrams in a twelve-ounce can. Many people said it tasted most like Pepsi and that makes sense. Like Cola used a syrup formula designed to mimic the sweetness and smoothness of Pepsi, while minimizing the bitterness associated with caffeine.

7Up was already drawing criticism from its rivals at the time. In a well-known ad featuring Phillies pitcher Tug McGraw, he pushes aside caffeinated sodas in favor of an ice-cold 7Up. Pepsi countered by saying that 7Up was using scare tactics and that caffeine did not pose a health hazard. Coca-Cola responded by pointing to the historical use of caffeine in drinks going back 4,000 years.

Perhaps sensing they were onto something, 7Up emphasized the lack of caffeine even more. The company’s president and CEO at the time, Edward Frantel, said, “The often-heard claim that added caffeine is essential to the taste of a cola is just that, a claim. The added caffeine is not needed, for any reason, in Like.” Yes, colas are flavored with the kola nut, which naturally contains caffeine, but ninety percent of the caffeine in colas at the time was added caffeine.

More pointedly, what sort of monster would give their kids caffeine?

The test campaign ran for six months and was successful enough that they expanded greatly, adding sixteen new markets to the original eight. Most of the original test markets were places where the company owned the bottler-distributor or where the bottler did not already have a major cola in distribution. This gets to the core of the soda business: distribution. Soda was bottled regionally. While they could ship the ingredient concentrate to local markets, from there it still needed to be bottled and distributed. Coke and Pepsi already dominated most markets, so to grow beyond the test, 7Up needed a strategy to become more self-reliant or to convince an existing bottler to switch to Like.

While still in the testing phase, they had not made a decision and were engaged in negotiations that continued throughout 1982. According to the company, they did not need to announce anything until 1983. Two options being considered were to rely on another part of the Philip Morris company and have Miller Beer distributors handle distribution, or to build their own plants to produce and bottle Like.

My family first encountered Like Cola on a road trip. Whenever we stopped for gas, I enjoyed browsing whatever store they had to look for unusual snacks. Having heard about Like but not yet seen it in my area, I asked my mother if we could buy some. I picked up two cans. The design felt very early 80s, with bold diagonal white text saying Like and gold shooting-star designs trailing blue and gold lines behind them. It was simple but effective. We drank them quickly, enjoyed the taste, compared it favorably to Pepsi, and looked forward to trying it when it showed up in our town. Little did we know that although Like Cola would be available for a few years, getting it in our part of New Jersey would not be easy.

The reason was that Like’s expansion was slow and eventually stalled. The problem of finding distributors turned out to be serious. Making matters worse, the market adapted quickly. As mentioned, Pepsi had released its caffeine-free product that same year, and Coca-Cola followed not long after.

I would scan store aisles looking for clues as to when it might arrive in my town. While I found some mentions, none of them led to shelf space in the supermarkets we visited. Two things stood out from that time. Like Cola was mentioned in connection with NASCAR. Not being familiar with the sport, I did not realize that they were a major sponsor of the 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Series. This led to the Like Cola 500 at Pocono Raceway on July 24 of that year. Even more memorable was The 7Up Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Game, which started in May 1984.

Meanwhile, they were running some good commercials. A notable one featured comedian Tim Conway making a convincing case for the “7Up of colas.”

Or this one that leaned into Pac-mania with a narrator discussing Like at the arcade, surrounded by kids, while playing a Pac-Man ripoff called “Cola Nuts.” This is by far my favorite of their commercials.

Unfortunately for Like Cola, taking on Coke and Pepsi proved to be too big of a challenge. Adding to that, the sale of 7Up in 1986 to a company that deprioritized the product made it clear that Like’s days were numbered. It lingered in stores for the rest of the 1980s but continued to fade until it made its final appearance around 1992. Although, it would linger in overseas markets much longer. Coincidentally, 1992t was the year Crystal Pepsi arrived, marketed as a caffeine-free, clear alternative to traditional colas. It would not last as long as Like Cola.

Like Cola remains an interesting footnote in soda history. It showed that even companies with experience in caffeine-free products could struggle against the distribution networks and brand power of Coke and Pepsi. Although Like Cola had its fans and made a distinct contribution to the caffeine-free cola trend of the 1980s, it ultimately could not overcome the logistical and competitive challenges it faced.

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My family was very excited to see Jaws whenever it came on television, but never mustered the same enthusiasm for its first sequel. Because of this, I had an opportunity to read a copy of the Jaws 2 novelization before I saw the film. I really enjoyed the book and was hopeful that the film would match it, but I was surprised to find they were different. While many times after this it would happen, this was the first instance of where I found a book more enjoyable than a film.

On today’s show I will discuss Jaws 2. I will talk about the road to making the sequel, the change of directors, the novelization, the music, its reception and much more. As you might remember if you listened to my Jaws podcast, it was fraught with problems. So it probably won’t surprise you to learn that the sequel might have had just as many.

Over the years I have come to enjoy Jaws 2 for what it is, a lighter more over the top sequel to a much better film. As directed it is a great film to watch during any summer and I am pleased to finally be able to discuss it here on the podcast.

You can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page.

Support the Retroist on Patreon

If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated.

Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape.

🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒

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• RSS

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If you like what you are hearing, the Retroist is also a blog and newsletter. So subscribe below to get the newest articles delivered right to your Inbox.

• This is the 346th episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 21 of the new season.

• This is a sequel to my Retroist Jaws podcast and it will be helpful if you listen to that episode first.

• Like with my Jaw’s podcast, I had a lot of retro audio I wanted to add, but I limited myself. Jaws 3 Podcast?

• I like film novelizations, but only a handful did I enjoy more than the movie. This one is near the top of my list. It does a lot with the subject, moves at a nice pace, and I think is better than the original Jaws novel.

• The novelization has an interesting quirk. It hints at stuff from the original novel as opposed to just the original movie.

• Really fun soundtrack.

• They could have done a lot with Jaws toys. I owned a few plastic and robber sharks as a kid. I think some might have even been branded (in a rip-off way) as Jaws. While they did make some Jaws merchandise, they should have leaned into some monstrous toys.

• Bonus Clipping should be up at the same time the episode comes out and see if people prefer it that way.

• Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy.

Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend.

The Retroist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Zinc oxide is a mineral that sits on top of the skin and reflects UV rays, making it one of the most effective ingredients for broad-spectrum sun protection. In the early 1980s, its use as a sun protecting face cream was purely practical. White, sticky, and utilitarian. Still, if you needed to protect your skin, its sun-blocking power made it a must-have for lifeguards and frequent beachgoers. It was especially common on noses, and the image of a sun-baked beachgoer with a white zinc-covered nose became a recognizable cultural reference. It was effective, but it wasn’t attractive. But what if it could be? What would it take to make that happen, what might it look like, and most importantly, would people use it?

Two California surfers in their twenties, Michael Rodgers and Tony Casella, had an idea in 1982. They wanted to add color to sunscreen. It would take them over three years and the help of a chemist, but in 1986 they released their own line of colorful zinc-based sunblock. They called it Zinka. Here they are on the news promoting their new product that summer.

Zinka used traditional zinc oxide, but with added moisturizing cream and coconut. Consumers might have appreciated the smell and texture, but it was the vibrant colors that stood out. The original lineup included ten bold colors, such as Neon Pink, Blue Marine, Purple, Brite Yellow, and Neon Green. These choices fit perfectly with the visual style of the mid-1980s.

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Marketing started small. Zinka promoters visited beaches and ski areas with product samples. They didn’t just hand them out. They offered to paint people’s faces. You might be applying your usual sunscreen when suddenly, you see people around you with brightly colored stripes and spots. You ask what’s going on. Before long, everyone on the beaches and slopes of California is talking about Zinka.

By the spring of 1986, sporting goods stores began stocking the product. Some even encouraged employees to paint their faces in the store. This helped build word-of-mouth ahead of summer. The pricing was accessible. A tube containing three-quarters of an ounce sold for about $3.95.

A 1986 news report listed sales figures and they were exploding. Starting at just $2,000 in sales in February by July, when the report was published, they were estimating sales of $400,000. That is almost $1.2 million in 2025 dollars.

As more people started using Zinka, Casella and Rodgers paid attention to how it was used. Women matched the colors to their outfits. Younger users adopted it as everyday sun protection. Kids treated it like face paint. This became one of Zinka’s main strengths. Parents who had struggled to get sunscreen on their kids now found the children wanted to put it on themselves. The bright colors also made it easy to see when reapplication was needed.

Fortunately, that wouldn’t be too often. Zinka was waterproof, so it didn’t wash off easily with sweat or swimming. The natural pigments also didn’t stain skin. You could paint yourself blue like a smurf and go about your day without a hint of lingering color afterward.

Zinka was doing so well that they quickly added a new product selling Ztick, a colored lip protector with SPF rating of 15. This, of course, was available in ten colors, and usually cost about $2.

Another product they added was the Zinka Tote in 1987. This was a little container that you could strap onto your watch, sunglasses, or ski poles. It could hold enough Zinka for touch ups or an entire re-application when you are on the go.

I started seeing Zinka that same summer, during a family trip to the Jersey Shore. It was both confusing and exciting. In my handful of years, I had never seen anything like it. While not everyone on the boardwalks of New Jersey was wearing colored sunscreen, it was a visible trend. I wanted to try it. As summer came to a close, my mother brought home a small jar of sunscreen. It wasn’t Zinka, but a product following the same trend. It was called Le Zink.

Le Zink was another colored zinc brand. It appeared not long after Zinka launched. An Australian company released it around the same time, and by summer 1986, it had reached U.S. store shelves. Sold in 0.35-ounce containers for about $5, Le Zink had a similar concept and price point. Both brands operated in parallel, though there is no record of a direct rivalry. Zinka held a strong place in surf culture and broader U.S. retail. Le Zink remained more niche, found mostly in malls and drugstores.

Zinka continued to grow and expand its product line. But by the early 1990s, fashion trends had shifted. Muted tones and utilitarian outdoor wear were coming into style. Neon colors began to feel outdated. At the same time, environmental concerns about coral bleaching led many to seek clearer, mineral-based sunscreens. Zinka adapted, adding clear formulas to its product line. Even so, sales slowed during the 1990s. The brand still found loyal use among surfers and outdoor enthusiasts.

In the mid-2010s, retro style made a return. Zinka re-emerged, appearing again on social media and in surf shops. The company reintroduced several neon shades, now with 25 percent zinc oxide, water resistance, and sweat protection for up to 80 minutes. All that effort found new fans and today, Zinka remains available online and in surf shops, maintaining its niche status among lifeguards, skiers, and now nostalgic sun-seekers.

Zinka’s story is a wonderful example of a niche product that captured a cultural moment and managed to survive long enough to enjoy a second life. While it might have started there, its appeal was never only about sun protection. It was a mix of function, fun, and fashion that turned sunscreen into something people wanted to wear. And while it might not be as widespread as it once was, its colorful imprint still lingers.

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The first time I saw Jaws was on television and I found it terrifying and compelling. After seeing it, I needed to see it again and again. It was one of the first video tapes my family rented and an early purchase of mine once I started getting a discount at Suncoast Motion Picture Company as an employee. That tape was used so often its slip cover was shredded and the tracking on the tape became impossible. I guess what I want to say is, I love this movie. So I am very happy to redo my original Jaws podcast for the 50th anniversary of the film’s release.

On the show, I talk about one of my early encounters with what might have been a shark at the Jersey shore. Then I move onto the movie itself. I discuss its troubled production, the people in front of and behind the camera, alternate casting, its music, reception, and much much more.

Jaws changed the movies. While it might have come out in the 70s and I didn’t get to see it in theaters until much later. Every movie I saw in my childhood was different because this film existed. So if you haven’t seen Jaws, please check out out and if you have seen it, I think its time you return to it.

You can support the Retroist by joining my Patreon. Supporters will get member-only shows and audio extras associated with the show. Click the giant button below to check out the Patreon Page.

Support the Retroist on Patreon

If you have a moment, please stop by Apple Podcasts or wherever you might download the show and perhaps give the show a quick rating. It is very much appreciated.

Maybe I will release this Podcast on Cassette? Join Patreon for a chance to get a mixtape.

🛒 Visit the Retroist Store 🛒

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• This is the 345th episode of the Retroist Podcast and episode 20 of the new season.

• This is a redo of episode 40 of the Retroist Podcast. I have wanted to get this one redone for a while. The old version of that episode has officially been retired.

• I had a lot of retro audio I wanted to add, but I limited myself. Some of it might show up in a follow-up episode. (Just when you thought it was safe to listen to podcasts again).

• This Jersey Shore trip meant a lot to me. I spent a lot of time alone walking along the water and hanging out at the boardwalk. It was great, our place wasn’t big or fancy, required some cleaning when we moved in, but we could have our dogs and the whole family could fit (slightly cramped). Sad when we had to head home.

• I tried to match up as much of my original episode as possible, but then add some new stuff and streamline some of the presentation I didn’t like.

• In an early apartment I lived in with roommates we had a little shrine to Robert Shaw in the corner. We has images of him cut out and tapes to the wall. Whenever we would watch Jaws we lit a candle under it.

• Bonus Clipping should be up at the same time the episode comes out and see if people prefer it that way.

• Promotional image used in this post was provided by Christopher Tupa. This was art that Christopher provided all the way back in 2010 and its nice to see it back on the front page of the site again.

• Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy.

Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend.

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On the June 2025 Monthly Update I talk about what's been going on with the site and podcast, but also some other things going on in my life and some random thoughts I have. They include:

• Spider-Man Gets Married

• Concerts and OMD

• Viewmasters

• King of the Hill Returning

• The Weather

• OutRun on the Big Screen

• Denim Gremlins

• The Video Store Podcast

• Sledge Hammer

• Robotron

• …

Sledge Hammer premiered in the fall of 1986 and while it wasn’t a massive hit, it did well enough in the ratings to warrant a second season. Sadly, two seasons is all it would get. During those 41 episodes, it picked up a lot of rabid fans who were hungry to rewatch the show. So almost immediately they started showing up at the video store I worked a…