When I think of classic holiday ads the brand Rotor-Rooter doesn’t usually come to mind, but the plumbing company is out this year with a new “horror” film trailer/ad that probes one of the darker sides of the holidays—all that overeating and digesting and subsequent visits to the bathroom to, well, you get the picture. And the impact all that thankful gormandizing can have on the household pipes and drains.  

It’s a cleverly done piece of filmmaking by the agency Doe-Anderson, particularly if you enjoy potty humor. And who doesn’t? Especially around the holidays. 

The film begins by flashing across the screen a couple of award credits-- “Plumb Scary Official Selection” --being one. Then the action begins with a shot of a dark entryway to a large home seemingly filled with a large chattering crowd. The door bell rings and a harried voice inside the house pleads for someone to answer it.  

The scene cuts quickly, accompanied by ominous music, to a plate piled high with food scraps being scraped into a tall kitchen garbage can. Another quick scene cut to faucets that begin to sputter.  

Then another cut to a person half seen in the bathroom flushing the toilet. The pace picks up as more and more visitors take turns relieving themselves (all you see is the flushing part). The tension mounts...Is something about to burst?  

Another quick cut to a buzzing phone on a table, next to a wrench and a hat with the Roto-Rooter logo. (The phone’s screen saver is branded too.) The letters SOS flash across the phone screen.   

The graphic, “It’s Coming,” suddenly flashes on the screen, accompanied by a voice answering the SOS call: “Thank you for calling Roto-Rooter, how can I help you?”  

There’s definitely trouble at the other end of the line where splashing and gurgling noises can be heard as a high-pitched voice (possibly that of a child) squeaks out, “the whole house is making noises!”  

Scary stuff, right? It’s times like these I’m glad I live in an apartment building with a super on the premises.  

The film title is revealed: “Brown Friday: For Your Pipes It’s No Holiday,” which is being released November 29.  

Happy Thanksgiving. Don’t overeat. Your pipes will thank you for it.