I have a tube of Noxzema Lather Cream as well. I love the scent. It's the quintessential old school scent. The only downside is that I can't get the lather down. I've seen Noxzema cream in a tub at Target before. I have never used it as a pre shave though. And no, I'm not talking about the shaving cream.
For Mac users, we are missing that Flash plug-in just in case you didn't know. I have no idea what you posted.
Tried to add some Noxema creme (the blue tin stuff) to my Nivea sensitive shaving lotion. It ended up stifling the lather that is normally produced. Noxema (blue tin) by itself just seems too clogging. In a pinch you would be better off with KY.
Prep soap/cream is close. Actually you can shave just fine with Noxzema facial cleaner it just won't lather so use it brushless.
And now today, it works! (I thought it was a flash video.) I remember those commercials! No way that guy is shaving with a blade, but I didn't notice that at the time.
I wouldn't add it to my lather. Just use it as preshave. I've done it with rinsing and without, and both worked fine. My skin just doesn't tolerate it well. Drys me out really bad.
Dollar store brand works well for me. A thin coat all over beard - not enough to see it on your face or not much of it. I let it sit on the face for a minute or two, splash some water on my face and face lather right on top.
When I was searching for better shaves before I found wetshaving I actually shaved with noxema cold cream and a mach 3 for a few months. Worked well enough and had good cooling effect, but it's not anywhere near a good lather.
I don't think liking the smell of Noxzema is weird at all. I, too, love that smell as it reminds me of my best childhood summers as that's what my mom would rub on my sunburned skin to sooth me at night before going to bed. In the early/mid 90's i found the Noxzema shave cream and LOVED it and used it exclusively until it was discontinued.