Wally the bird - Commercial spokes-bird for Western Airlines who made his debut in 1955. Wally is a rather big beaked, plump yellow bird who sits on the outside tail wings of the Western Airline luxury flights. Sipping champagne as the airplane sailed through the sky, Wally recites his famous quotation: "It's the O-O-ONLY way to fly!" (the ad campaign had him flying both propeller and later jet planes). Wally was designed by John Urie, assistant  animator at John Hubley Storyboard Productions. Les Goldman originated the phrase "It's the only way to fly." The campaign was created by Buchanan Advertising Agency. Reportedly, Wally's derived his name from the phrase "Western Airlines Loves You."   Shepard “Shep” Menken provided Wally's voice.

TRIVIA NOTE:  On episode #9 "Witch or Wife" on the occult sitcom BEWITCHED, Endora the witch (Agnes Moorehead) spoofs the Western Airlines ad when she snags a ride on a jetliner. Of course, instead of reserving a seat onboard, she sits outside the aircraft at the tail fin and sips champagne. As the plane soars through the skies, she looks into the camera and says "It's the only way to fly"

             

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