Featuring a digital recreation of the ‘Battle of the Sexes’?
“Don’t watch television tonight – play it!”
Here’s a timely find, with the recent Battle of the Sexes film still in theaters. It’s Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in a spot for the Atari video game console. The commercial, also featuring Jack Palance, aired in December of 1978.
After that, we have a spot from November ’78 for the Magnavox Computer Color 330 TV set.
Previously on 70s Spots: Post Alpha-Bits Cereal (1975 & ’78)
Adventure time with Alpha-Bits!
“An adventure in every bowl!”
Pouring out two bowls of Post Alpha-Bits cereal today. The first commercial aired in 1975 and features metal license plate prizes. These are perfect for attaching to your banana seat bikes.
The second spot aired in 1978. This one is fully-animated and brings a “weird tree” and “crazy chicken” to the breakfast table. Good thing you’ve got your Alpha-Bits!
Previously on 70s Spots: Gravy Train & Purina Dog Meal (June Lockhart, 1977)
More Post cereal at Bionic Disco: Saturday 70s Spots: Crazy Cartons Cereal (1977)
Not pictured, Lassie, just out of frame
“A big improvement in taste.”
Pouring out tasty bowls of dog food today. In the first commercial, June Lockhart (Lassie, Lost In Space, Petticoat Junction) dishes out the Gravy Train. The spot aired in 1977.
After that, a commercial featuring a magical floating bag of Purina High Protein Dog Meal. Decent special effects for May 1977 (the month Star Wars debuted) in this one. I used to kind of like these spots as a smaller person. “Hey, look at that. She’s taking chunks out of that crazy bag!”
Previously on 70s Spots: Datsun ‘Saves’ & ‘We Are Driven’ (1979)
More June Lockhart at Bionic Disco: Funshine Friday: ‘These Are The Days’ (Animated Series, 1974)
More Purina at Bionic Disco: 70s Spots: Purina Puppy Chow & Cat Chow (1977)
Running on regular
“Datsun saves again!”
A pair of Datsun commecials are up today. In the first, we have two Datsun tag lines for the price of one; “Datsun saves,’ and “We are driven!” The spot, from June 1979, extols the virtues of a soon to disappear Regular gasoline.
After that, a spot featuring numerous folks sitting down. Get your decade-ending models before they’re gone in this commercial from November ’79.
Previously on 70s Spots: Radio Shack Tape Recorder & TRS-80 Computer (1978)
Keep it Realistic
“A real bargain for people on the go!”
Two spots for Radio Shack to get your weekend underway. First, we find pianist Peter Nero extolling the virtues of a somewhat pricey cassette tape recorder. The big draw here is the ability to record off the radio. Sounds cool to me. I would have found this appealing at age 11. The spot aired in October 1978.
Second, a fun commercial for Radio Shack’s TRS-80 computer. A steal at only 600 smackers! The spot aired December ’78.
Previously on 70s Spots: Brylcreem ‘Bounce’ & Schick Super Chromium (1971)
‘Member that one time The Bradys went to Vegas?
(‘The Brady Bunch’ slot machine, 2017)
‘Brady Bunch’ Slot Machine
A mind-blowing new slot machine featuring The Brady Bunch is set to hit casinos in early 2018. A wide selection of video and sound clips from the show are featured.
I’ll need to stay far away from this thing if I want to hang onto my money. It’s pushing all my buttons (pun intended). Head over for a video view of the incredible machine in action.
MeTV Quote:
“Everi has included clips from the sitcom in the new slot machine, including a bonus play mode that promises to bring Maureen McCormick’s Marcia Brady ‘back to life’ and references perhaps the show’s most iconic clip from the episode ‘Her Sister’s Shadow,’ in which Jan moans to the Carol and Mike, ‘Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!’”
Snake Canyon, Idaho
Evel Knievel Snake Canyon Jump
Smithsonian.com has a video available which takes a look at Snake Canyon, Idaho as it appears today while looking back on Evel Knievel’s 1974 attempt to cross the gorge in a rocket. Make the jump?
Wim Wenders Self-Portrait, 1975
Wim Wender’s Seventies Polaroids
German film director, Wim Wenders’ 1970s-era Polaroids are the subject of an article at the New Yorker magazine. You’ll want to see what developed.
New Yorker Quote:
“For Wenders, it’s as if the Polaroid images were recorded on both sides, capturing the photographer’s inner vision and the outer world at the same time. For someone who remembers New York and American places from the nineteen-seventies, even dimly, Wenders’s Polaroids (which will go on display later this month in an exhibit at the Photographers’ Gallery, in London) offer the feeling of a time capsule, of a trove of personal memories that conjure an entire lost world.”
Previously on 70s Stories: ‘Sesame Street,’ Janis Joplin & The Eagles
More Brady Bunch at Bionic Disco: Brady Bunch Moments: Peter Gets Fired (1973)
More Evel Knievel at Bionic Disco: Full Movie: Evel Knievel (1971)