This little guy. You remember him, don’t cha? (Cheerios, 1978)
“When you want the great taste of Cheerios – just Cheer-y-odel.”
This weekend our Daily 70s Spots will feature an ancient and forgotten Cheerios mascot. Here’s the first commercial with “Animated Stick Figure on Blackboard Guy.” Spot aired in 1978.
*Note: “Animated Stick Figure on Blackboard Guy” may not be the mascot’s actual name.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Aurora ‘Red Dunes – Sand Vans’ Model Race Cars (1972)
Knights of the commune roundtable (‘A Doonesbury Special,’ 1977)
Welcome to the almost-weekend. It’s Funshine Friday time and today we jolt your memories by presenting in its entirety, A Doonesbury Special.
BD and Zonker – the huddle’s Yin & Yang (‘A Doonesbury Special,’ 1977)
A Doonesbury Special originally aired on NBC on November 27th, 1977. This 25-minute animated version of the famed comic strip was written by its creator, Garry Trudeau and directed by Trudeau along with John and Faith Hubley (The Electric Company).
Here’s a Wikipedia chunk on the special:
“In 1977, Trudeau wrote a script for a 26-minute animated special. A Doonesbury Special was produced and directed by Trudeau, along with John Hubley (who died during the storyboarding stage)[4] and Faith Hubley. The Special was first broadcast by NBC on November 27, 1977. It won a Special Jury Award at the Cannes International Film Festival for best short film, and received an Academy Award nomination (for best animated short film), both in 1978.[4] Voice actors for the special included Barbara Harris, William Sloane Coffin, Jr., Jack Gilford and Will Jordan. Also included were two songs ‘sung’ by the character Jimmy Thudpucker (actually actor/singer/songwriter/producer James Allen ‘Jimmy’ Brewer), entitled ‘Stop in the Middle’ and ‘I Do Believe’, also part of the ‘Special’.”
I was a huge Doonesbury fan as a kid and watched this at age 11 when it first aired. I hadn’t seen it again (until I re-watched it today) in over three decades. Rejoin Zonker, Mike and friends and refresh your humor bone below.
Previously on Funshine Friday: (Bicentennial Week) Mind-Blowing Bicentennial Cartoon, ’200′ (1975)
These Sand Vans are so fast even the power supply has a racing stripe! (Aurora ‘Red Dunes’ model race cars set, 1972)
“Aurora. We’re for real.”
Let’s lay down some track and slot in our Daily 70s Spot. Today we have an Aurora model race cars commercial featuring the groovy ‘Sand Vans’ of the ‘Red Dunes’ set. Spot aired in January of 1972.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Bird’s Eye Wisconsin Style Vegetables (1975)
It’s Bonnie Parker! Kinda sorta. (‘The Crossroads Crash,’ 1973)
School movie time! Yes, yes, you can run the projector. Now sit down and enjoy this surprisingly watchable 1973 safety film, Crossroads Crash, or to give it its full title, National Safety Council Defensive Driving Course – The Crossroads Crash.
Mr. Speedy-pants is busted (‘The Crossroads Crash,’ 1973)
This 10-minute movie starts with a slapstick Bonnie & Clyde-style bank robbery and shows off many gas-guzzling 70s cars in Chicago and suburban Illinois. Roll it!
Previously on School Movies: Skateboard Sense (mid-1970s)
Not looking at the missing tooth…not looking at the missing tooth…
“You’ll think it’s the real McCoy.”
OK, let’s cook up the Daily 70s Spot. Today we have a Bird’s Eye commercial featuring frozen “Wisconsin Country Style Vegetables.” Real Wisconsin folk can be found within. Uh, within the commercial – not in the packet of vegetables. Spot aired in November of 1975.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Dutch Masters President Cigars (1978)
Downtown Cincinnati in September, 1975 (Lyntha Scott Eiler/National Archives, Records of the Environmental Protection Agency)
David Rosenberg from the Behold photo blog at Slate.com has written up an excellent story entitled, “Searching for the ’70s and Finding America.” The article highlights a number of wonderful images taken by various photographers for the Documerica Project in the 1970s.
Here’s a choice quote and a few shots to soak up:
“Founded by Gifford Hampshire, Documerica lasted about six years, hired roughly 70 photographers, and knocked out 115 assignments in all 50 states. Photographers were paid $150 a day plus film and expenses and were given the creative freedom to interpret environmental issues outlined to them from EPA employees.
The results—22,000 images—ended up documenting environmental issues and brought another meaning to environment that focused on local neighborhoods, social issues, political changes, and the remarkable fashion trends typical of the 1970s.
The National Archives in Washington, D.C., edited through the archives of Documerica and has put on view an exhibition titled “Searching for the Seventies: The Documerica Photography Project” that will run through Sept. 8 in the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery.”
Portland, Ore., in April 1974 (David Falconer/National Archives, Records of the Environmental Protection Agency)
Brooklyn, N.Y., in June 1974 (Danny Lyon/National Archives, Records of the Environmental Protection Agency)
New Ulm, Minn. in October 1974 (Art Hanson/National Archives, Records of the Environmental Protection Agency)
Read and see more at Slate.com and at the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery.
Previously on 70s Shots: Everyday life in the hood: NYC, Ford & Pele