‘You know who you are, baby…’ (Tijuana Smalls, 1972)
“10 small cigars. 10 for the road.”
Time to light up our Daily 70s Spot. Here’s a Tijuana Smalls cigar commercial featuring freewheeling individuals prancing around iconic California scenery. Dune buggies and the Golden Gate Bridge included. Spot aired on New Year’s Day, 1972.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Yellow Pages with animated mascot (1979)
‘The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh,’ trailer title, 1979
“An astrological disco sports extravaganza!”
For this week’s Trailer Tuesday we celebrate comic genius Jonathan Winters (who left us to our fates on April 12th).
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh, a disco-fueled sports comedy, hit theaters in November of 1979. The film starred Winters, Julius “Dr. J” Irving, Meadowlark Lemon of the Harlem Globetrotters, Flip Wilson and Stockard Channing (among many others).
Harry Shearer, Jonathan Winters and M. Emmet Walsh in ‘The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh’ (1979)
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh features a failing pro basketball team, the Pittsburgh Pythons, who begin re-making their team with a variety of wacky amateurs – all born under the astrological sign of Pisces. Once the new “fishy” players are in place, the team’s fortunes begin to turn around. Many 1970s basketball stars (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, for example) make cameos and Harry Shearer and Debbie Allen appear in the early stages of their careers.
Take in the trailer below. If you are so inclined, you can watch the flick on-demand via Warner Brothers.
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh Wiki, IMDb
Previously on Trailer Tuesday: Walter Matthau in ‘Kotch’ (1971)
Hey! It’s ol’ whats-his-name – the Yellow Pages mascot (1979)
“Let the Yellow Pages do your talking.”
Our Daily 70s Spot is a Yellow Pages Southwestern Bell commercial featuring an animated mascot with an “Irish” accent. I remember this mascot fellow but an internet search failed to turn up his name or any additional info. He seems to have faded into obscurity. Commercial aired in November of 1979.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Volkswagen Rabbit (1976)
‘Do I have to spell it out? C.H.E.E.S.E.A.N.D.O.N.I.O.N.S.’
“I have always thought – in the back of my mind – cheese and onions.”
Monday. “Tax Day.” I think we can all use a good laugh…and a Yellow Submarine Sandwich.
Here’s The Rutles with “Cheese and Onions” from their March, 1978 TV special, All You Need Is Cash.
Previously on Music for Monday: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, ‘American Girl’ (live ’78)
‘You gotta drive it to believe it.’ (Volkswagen Rabbit, 1976)
“The best car in the world for under $3,500.”
Happy new week. Your Daily 70s Spot features the frisky Volkswagen Rabbit. Road & Track magazine likes the Rabbit better than Toyota, Datsun, Pinto, Vega and on and on. You can probably pick up a nice, used Rabbit with your tax return. Hey, why not?
Commercial aired in July of 1976. Jump to it.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Tupperware Commercial (1972)
‘Tupperware – really locks it in!’ (1972)
“Lock in freshness.”
Here’s your Daily 70s Spot, freshness fans. A Tupperware commercial encouraging you to hold a sales party in your home. In them days – that was how you purchased your Tupperware products. Spot aired in August of 1972.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Wish-Bone Italian Dressing (1978)