Esso gasoline helps eliminate ‘drivey sad face’ (Esso, 1971)
“Esso is doing more.”
OK, time to “fill ‘er up” with our Daily 70s Spot. Here we have an Esso Gasoline commercial touting the horrors of vehicle “hesitation.” Spot aired in October of 1971. Not long after, I believe just a few months later in ’72, Esso changed their name to Exxon.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: ‘Coke Adds Life’ Coca-Cola ‘Waterfall’ (1978)
I’m not sure it ‘adds life,’ but it does look refreshing (Coca-Cola, 1978)
“Is it hot where you are? It’s cool where we are. Ice cold Coca-Cola.”
Let’s pour out our Daily 70s Spot. Today we have a Coca-Cola commercial featuring the long-running “Coke adds life” campaign. We also have a lovely, gurgling waterfall and a sing-a-long tune. It must be summertime. Spot aired in July of 1978.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Mercury Marquis (1972)
‘Just You, Just Me”s dancin’ fool (‘The Groove Tube,’ 1974)
The Groove Tube hit theaters in January of 1974. This low-budget comedy, written produced and starring Ken Shapiro, parodied television with a series of wild, off-color segments. Sketches included a kids show take-off with Koko the Clown reading illicit literature to children and an evening news parody that directly influenced Saturday Night Live‘s Weekend Update.
Richard Belzer (L) and Ken Shapiro (R) in ‘The Groove Tube,’ 1974
The Groove Tube was produced for 200k and went on to earn over 20 million at the box office. You’ll want to tune in for the first film work by Chevy Chase and comedian Richard Belzer.
Here’s the original theatrical trailer and my favorite moment, the “Just You, Just Me” dance in the streets of NYC.
Previously on Trailer Tuesday: ‘The Last Detail’ (1973)
‘At the sign of the cat…Rawr!’ (Lincoln-Mercury commercial, 1972)
“Built better to ride better.”
Let’s hit the showroom and drive out our Daily 70s Spot. Here we have a commercial featuring Ford’s hot, new Lincoln-Mercury Marquis Brougham for 1973. Spot aired in November of 1972.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Polaroid ‘Polavision Instant Movies’ (1978)
Talk about making love to the microphone (Billy Joel, ‘Big Shot,’ 1978)
Billy Joel’s “Big Shot” first appeared on the musician’s Grammy Award-winning L.P., 52nd Street, of October, 1978.
This guitarist has just inspired Nintendo to create Mario the Plumber
“Big Shot” was released as a single in early 1979 and by late March had peaked at #14 on the Billboard “Hot 100.” Here’s the original promotional video, likely filmed in late ’78.
Previously on Music for Monday: JJ Cale Tribute – Lynyrd Skynyrd, ‘I Got The Same Old Blues’ (’75)
Enjoying the magic of ‘Instant Movies’ (Polaroid Polavision commercial, 1978)
“The more fun you have – the more fun you have when you play it back seconds later on your Polavision player.”
All righty, let’s wheel out our Daily 70s Spot. Here’s a fairly rare Polaroid commercial for the short-lived ‘Polavision Instant Movies‘ camera and player. Another excellent idea from Polaroid, however, unlike the popular still camera, this one didn’t catch fire. Polavision was phased out in 1979. Spot aired in July of 1978.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Colt 45 Malt Liquor ‘Sherwood Forest’ (1970)