Where’s the Tofurky, Chuck?
“Charlie Brown is cooking up a special treat…”
Here’s a short and sweet CBS promo for A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving that aired almost 40 years ago to-the-day.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving was the 10th Peanuts special to air and first hit TV screens on November 20, 1973.
Previously on 70s Spots (Thanksgiving): Mrs. Cubbison’s Stuffin’ Mix (1979)
David Cassidy on ‘The Partridge Family,’ circa 1973
The sad news we were hoping not to hear so soon has come in. Musician, actor, and pop idol David Cassidy has died at the age of 67.
This one really depresses me as, like many of you, I’ve been a fan since childhood. I’ve also felt that The Partridge Family and The Brady Bunch have been the pop culture pillars propping up Bionic Disco.
That said, I’d prefer not to dwell on the loss of the man, but instead to celebrate David Cassidy’s talent and charisma. The things that helped make him one of the most popular personalities of the Seventies. Let’s enjoy a few Partridge Pop installments from days past. Thank you for the music and entertainment, David!
Partridge Pop: ‘I Can Feel Your Heartbeat’ (1970)
(Originally appeared on Bionic Disco June 5, 2014)
“I’m a man of my word…” (David Cassidy, ‘The Partridge Family,’ 1970)
“I Can Feel Your Heartbeat” appeared on The Partridge Family Album, the fictional pop rockers’ debut disc. The tune is a funky, wah-wah pedal-flavored number written by Wes Farrell, Jim Cretecos and Mike Appel.
“Love. Love. Can’t you feel your heartbeat..?” (Susan Dey, ‘The Partridge Family,’ 1970)
“I Can Feel Your Heartbeat” has always been a favorite of mine. And at a brief two minutes in length – it’s over much too soon. Feel the heart…beat.
Partridge Pop: ‘Walking In The Rain’ (1973)
(Originally appeared on Bionic Disco November 14, 2012)
David Cassidy sculpted his hair into some really interesting shapes in the 70s
‘The Partridge Family,’ 1973
In our second installment of Partridge Pop we feature The Partridge Family singing the Phil Spector-Barry Mann-Cynthia Weil classic, “Walking in the Rain.”
This short and sweet tune comes from season three of The Partridge Family and the episode entitled, “The Eleven-Year Itch.” It originally aired February 2, 1973. Bert Convy and Jodie Foster were featured co-stars and can be seen in the clip.
Emmy Award-winner, Bert Convy and Academy Award-winner, Jodie Foster together again – for the very first time.
‘The Partridge Family,’ 1973
“Walking in the Rain” appeared on the L.P., The Partridge Family Notebook, which released in November of 1972.
German single for ‘Walking in the Rain,’ 1972
Note the fantastic face on Jeremy Gelbwaks in the lower left. That’s the kind of thing that got the kid booted from the show.
Mrs. Cubbison’s Stuffin’ ‘n’ Dressin’
“Beats the stuffin’ outta any other!”
With the Thanksgiving holiday almost upon us, it’s time to bring out a few commercials appropriate to the season. Today, enjoy a spot for Mrs. Cubbison’s Dressing and Stuffin’ Mix from November of 1979. More Thanksgiving goodness tomorrow.
Previously on 70s Spots: Triscuits (Betty Buckley) & Wheat Thins (Sandy Duncan) (1977)
A Triscuit, a truscuit. A yellow box so rustic.
“Baked only by Nabisco.”
We’ll call today’s post: “Snackin’ 77!” First up, Betty Buckley (Eight Is Enough) in a January 1977 commercial for Nabisco Triscuits.
After that, Sandy Duncan (Funny Face) in an April ’77 spot for Nabisco Wheat Thins. You may remember that Duncan did a series of spots for Nabisco.
Previously on 70s Spots: Enjoli Perfume & Aqua Velva After Shave (Pete Rose, 1979)
More Sandy Duncan at Bionic Disco: Mood Music: Paul Lynde, Sandy Duncan – ‘Bad, Bad Leroy Brown’ (1974)
‘Murder On The Orient Express’ Trailer Title Card, 1974
‘How We Made The Original Murder On The Orient Express’
With a remake in theaters, the time is right for a quick look back at the making of the original Murder on the Orient Express film in 1974.
The Guardian quote:
“The cast were all such huge stars, yet somehow the film cost only $4.5m. Were there any divas? No, they were well behaved, although Lauren Bacall insisted on having her shoes made in Paris, Albert Finney got paid more because his Hercule Poirot had most of the lines, and Sean Connery got a percentage because he was such a big star. The rest all got paid the same: $100,000 each.”
Leonid Brezhnev 1970s Photo Mondadori And Getty Images Via The Guardian
‘The Soviet 70s: How Russians Made Pools Of Light In The Totalitarian Darkness’
Angus Roxburgh, author of Moscow Calling: Memoirs of a Foreign Correspondent, writes about his two years living in Soviet Russia in the 1970s.
The Guardian quote:
“Western stations such as the Voice of America, the BBC and Radio Liberty were known collectively as ‘voices’. I remember sometimes hearing their call-signs at night, ringing out in the darkness from a nearby apartment, and you knew that there were people around who thirsted for the truth. Without the invention of radio, the Soviet authorities could have kept their citizens in complete darkness.”
London, 1973 by Norman Craig
‘London In 1973, In All Its Grainy Black And White Glory’
Jump back in time to London, England in 1973. These black & white photographs capture bell-bottomed street scenes, subways, and the theater.
Flashbak quote:
“These wonderful photos of London in 1973 are shown with kind permission of Belfast-born Norman Craig”
Previously on 70s Stories: ‘Brady Bunch’ Slot Machine, Evel Knievel, Wim Wenders
‘Sunday, Monday, Happy Days!’ Funshine Friday, What-a-day!
Happy Funshine Friday! To get us started on a wild and wonderful weekend – here’s two mind-melting clips from The Brady Bunch Variety Hour in 1977.
First, we find the Brady cast, with an assist from Rip Taylor, singing and dancing their way through the theme to Happy Days. If you survive that, you can enjoy H.R. Pufnstuf imitating Elton John in a number reminiscent of “Crocodile Rock.” Is this the greatest website on the internet or what?!
Previously on Funshine Friday: ‘Land Of The Lost’ Season Premiere Promo (1976)
More Brady Bunch at Bionic Disco: Brady Bunch Moments: ‘Television-itis!’ (1973)
More H.R. Pufnstuf at Bionic Disco: Trailer Tuesday: ‘Pufnstuf’ (The Movie, 1970)