Jack O'Brien doing a commercial for Municipal Auto Sales on 36th Street in Miami photo

Don Boyd | all galleries >> Memories of Old Hialeah, Old Miami and Old South Florida Photo Galleries >> 1950's and 60's - Jumpin' Jack O'Brien Photo Gallery - click on image to enter > Jack O'Brien doing a commercial for Municipal Auto Sales on 36th Street in Miami

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	Photo Courtesy of Gary Licko

Jack O'Brien doing a commercial for Municipal Auto Sales on 36th Street in Miami

Miami, Florida

Anyone who grew up in Miami in the 50's and 60's has memories of seeing this showman's commercials for used cars at Municipal Auto Sales. This location was across the street from the original first Burger King which blossomed into a worldwide chain, second only to McDonald's.

Jeff Levine advises that this photo was taken by WTVJ, Channel 4 at the time.

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Jack O'Brien		15-Oct-2007 20:34
This picture was taken "out the back door" at channel four. We had the big signs at all three tv stations and we would run the cars by "Live" and then head off to the other two stations to do the commercials all over again...there was a time when I had to ride a helicopter from Channel four to channel seven, to just make it in time...one day, it quit (the helicopter) over Biscayne Bay and we got wet and I missed the 4:30 pm commercial. If you look closely at the camera, you will see just one lens (wide angle) on it...they didnt even have zoom lenses back then...and, oh yes, at the beginning all the commercials were in black and white...color didnt come in til much later. Jack O'Brien jumpinjack@comcast.net

Cathy Blondell		13-Oct-2007 16:48
We moved from Coral Gables (I went to Merrick and St. Theresa) to Perrine in 1960. Our little Cutler Ridge Jr. High School crowd found out where Jumpin Jack lived, which was right around the Colonial Palms Golf Course. We used to make random house calls by honking our horn and some daring prankster would knock on his door. Always the entertainer, he would always come out, usually jumping, and give a great welcome to his little fan club. It was always hoot. On another note, our family would gather around the bathroom door while my little sister sold cars from the tub, hitting the side, and yelling "Sold! For $1.00!" She has not lived down her Ed Mark"em Down Lane impersonation to this day.

Carlos Betancourt		04-Sep-2007 01:17
I lived at 3240 nw 38 st between 1964 - 1966 I would walk by Municipal Auto Sales, cross 36th st go pass the Burger King to school (Melrose Elementry.) I remember once getting into a fight with another kid and one of the salesmen coming out to stop the fight.

Don Boyd		17-Jul-2007 00:38
On July 16th, Jumpin Jack writes: "Well now, let me see....since I last posted here I have had heart attack number 4... it's all that good living I do up here in Cane Ridge, Tennessee (20 miles south of Nashville) my heart doctor is amazed that I can still walk around and he says I must have a second heart in back on the first one...cause my front one is more than half dead. It's the good Irish stock I come from!! I have been "down" for about two months, but I now and up and working again and all is right with the world. Called Charlie Baxter when I got his number from one of you, but he never did call me back, so I guess he doesnt remember me or whatever...I sure do wish him well and if any of you is in contact with him, please say "hi" for me. I will be collecting pictures of Jumpin Jack and some Municipal Auto Sales things and sending the along as soon as I dig them out of the attic...going to the attic is NOT on my things to do list just yet...too steep of a climb...damn, I am almost 80 and, if I remember correctly, that is NOT middle age any more! Enjoy this site a lot... My e-mail address is jumpinjack@comcast.net should you care to say hello. Jack!"

Jeff		16-Jul-2007 03:13
Ed "Mark 'Em Down" Lane took over a lot location on NW 7th Avenue that was originally Tropical Motors Used Cars - possibly owned by Tropical Chevrolet... After Ed Lane Auto Sales fell by the wayside, it was the home of Executive Motors - whose TV commercials were originally pitched by Joel Hamilton [who, in the 1950's cut a 45 for Roulette Records] and later Tony Gallo... If you recall, Joel Hamilton moved on to running bigger auto dealships such as Miami Lincoln-Mercury...

Jeff		16-Jul-2007 03:09
I surely cannot type very well... and my buddy Seth would be so upset if I didn't correct my error... It's Seth Bramson, not Branson...

Jeff		16-Jul-2007 03:07
I acquired the negative for this print directly from WTVJ - Channel 4. It's now part of historian Seth Branson's archive.

martha pierson		22-Jun-2007 02:14
ed-mark-em-down lane was located in the 50's on the corner of Curtiss Parkway & 36th st in Virginia Gardens. One of my parents neighbor's rushed over to the car lot just after his commercial aired and the car "had been sold", but he had another one for a few hundred dollars more.

billy coates		21-Jun-2007 17:47
i also remember ed mark em down lane who used to say "if you come down now we'll through in the back steat for free " he was located behind the howard johnson on nw 7 ave and 96 st --he was before jack obrian there also was a blonde buxsom model type women who sold cadilacs on nw 36 st and about 3 ave she did live commercials

George W Young		21-Jun-2007 01:30
Jack O'Brian is alive and well in Middle Tenn. He just sent my buddy a picture of himself on the lot at MAS standing beside a Corvette. If you e-mail me, I can get you in touch with him. gfyoung@bellsouth.net

Wally Bray		20-Jun-2007 17:16
I remember the line Jack O'Brian said at the end of the spot. "The best for less at MAS, Municipal Auto Sales. Thank You!

Tyler Penny		16-Jun-2007 11:54
Another car huckster from that era was Ed "Mark-em-down" Lane. He would always slap the car door as it started to drive away. That was until the mechanics pulled one on him. They loosened the door so that the driver could push it loose when he slapped. I would love to see a replay of the look on his face when the door fell off.

Guest		09-Jun-2007 22:02
I've been trying to find Jack O'Brien since losing touch with him in 1974 when he had an office supply place in South Miami. If anyone knows of his whereabouts, please post it here. After 32 years, I'm fearful that he's no longer with us, but it would mean a lot to have some details. Thanks

Don Boyd		03-Jun-2007 19:45
ALL of us looked so young years ago, even your dad. What is he doing now? Don

Guest		03-Jun-2007 18:33
that is my Dad!!! He looks so young!!! :)