Saturday 70s Spots: Bernie Kopell & Bob Hope (1976)

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Bernie Kopell as Ludwig von Calculatus (National Semiconductor commercial, 1976)

Bernie Kopell as Ludwig von Calculatus (National Semiconductor commercial, 1976)

“Sold more handheld calculators…than anybody else in America.”

Handheld calculators! The Love Boat! Bob Hope! We’ve got a mighty mix for today’s vintage spots. First in the queue, The Love Boat‘s Bernie “Doc” Kopell for National Semiconductor calculators. The spot aired in September of 1976.

After that, take in a commercial starring Bob Hope for Texaco service stations. This one aired in early January ’76 and was produced in 1975.

Bernie Kopell For National Semiconductor, 1976

Bob Hope For Texaco Gasoline, 1976

Previously on 70s Spots: The New Chevrolets (1979)

More Bernie Kopell at Bionic Disco: Show Toppers: Mel Brooks’ ‘When Things Were Rotten’ (1975)
More Bob Hope at Bionic Disco: ‘The Muppet Show’ – Bob Hope Sings (1978)

Rad Ads: Lee Riders Jeans (1976)

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Lee Riders Jeans. ('Ebony' magazine, August, 1976)

Lee Riders Jeans. (Ebony magazine, August, 1976)

“For those who think it’s time to get down to earth, back to basics.”

Check out that “authentic western styling”! Lee Riders Jeans originally appeared in the August, 1976 issue of Ebony magazine.

(Source: Ebony)

Previously on Rad Ads: Burger King ‘Have It Your Way’ (1976)

Trailer Tuesday: ‘Airport’ (1970)

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'Airport' trailer title, 1970

‘Airport’ trailer title, 1970

“The First Lady of the American stage, Helen Hayes, plays the mind-boggling, huggable, perpetual stowaway, Ada Quonsett…”

We haven’t enjoyed a good trailer in quite some time, so let’s fly right into one. Here’s the Coming Attraction for 1970’s Airport. The trailer for this early “Disaster Movie” is a long one featuring a parade of stars including; Dean Martin, George Kennedy, Jacqueline Bisset and Burt Lancaster.

Smackeroo!

Smackeroo!

It’s hard to watch this clip and not think of the 1980 comedy flick Airplane! Let the smacking commence.

‘Airport’ trailer, 1970

Airport Wiki, IMDb

Airport_1-Sheet_1970

Previously on Trailer Tuesday: ‘Jaws 2′ (1978)

Music For Monday: Bee Gees, ‘How Can You Mend A Broken Heart’ (1971)

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'What makes the world go round?...' (Bee Gees, 1971)

‘What makes the world go round?…’ (Bee Gees, 1971)

On this edition of Music for Monday we check in on the Bee Gees. Here they are performing the happy-sad classic, “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart” on European TV in 1971.

“How Can You Mend A Broken Heart” was the Bee Gees first US #1 single and appeared on the Trafalgar L.P. of September ’71.

Bee Gees: ‘How Can You Mend A Broken Heart,’ 1971

Previously on Music for Monday: James Gang (Joe Walsh), ‘Walk Away’ (Live ’71)

More Bee Gees at Bionic Disco: 70s Shots: The Reapers, Bowies & Bee Gees

Sunday 70s Spots: The New Chevrolets (1979)

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Save hundreds! (Chevy Chevette commercial, 1979)

Save hundreds! (Chevy Chevette commercial, 1979)

“This is it, America – the new Chevrolet!”

Let’s take a lazy Sunday afternoon drive with Chevy. Here we have two commercials that aired at the start of January, 1979 and were produced a bit earlier in ’78.

First up, a spot showing off the new Caprice and Impala models. After that, a commercial extolling the money-saving virtues of the Chevette. Take them for a drive below.

*Update: A helpful YouTube viewer let’s us know that the spokesperson in the Chevette ad is future game show host, Peter Tomarken.

‘The New Chevrolet’ Commercial, 1979

Chevy Chevette Commercial, 1979

Previously on 70s Spots: Xerox Meets ‘The Jeffersons’ (1975)

Saturday 70s Spots: Xerox Meets ‘The Jeffersons’ (1975)

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Franklin Cover just prior to beginning his 10-year run as Tom Willis on 'The Jeffersons.' (Xerox commercial, 1975)

Franklin Cover just prior to beginning his 10-year run as Tom Willis on ‘The Jeffersons.’ (Xerox commercial, 1975)

“You can count on it for making copies…if not commercials.”

Today, we’ve got a pair of Xerox commercials that aired in January of 1975 and were produced a bit earlier in 1974.

The first spot stars Franklin Cover, who later in ’75 would begin his 10-year, co-starring role as Tom Willis on The Jeffersons. I couldn’t tell you the actor’s name in the second spot, but his voice sounds mighty familiar from 70s-era voice over work. Roll ’em!

Xerox Portable Copier Commercial, 1975

Xerox Copier ‘Thrifty’ Commercial, 1975

Previously on 70s Spots: 70s Fashion – Cotton Fabrics (1975)