Rare ‘Star Trek’ convention footage (1976)

James 'Scotty' Doohan, 'Star Trek' convention, 1976

James ‘Scotty’ Doohan, ‘Star Trek’ convention, 1976

Thanks to The Retroist for this excellent find: a brief amateur documentary covering an early Star Trek fan convention in Denver, Colorado in the fall of 1976.

Join the 'Star Trek' club. 'Star Trek' convention, 1976

Join the ‘Star Trek’ club. ‘Star Trek’ convention, 1976

YouTube poster, ultimessence, has this to say about his unique video:

“One of the earliest Star Trek conventions occurred in 1976 at the Northgenn Mall in Denver Colorado in Fall of 1976.

Only 7 years after the series ended, Star Trek already had a very strong cult following in the US and even abroad. There were small fan clubs popping up all over the world, so after a while it had such momentum that someone began organizing these gatherings into conventions…At homes, schools, malls, they eventually had to rent large convention halls to accommodate the throngs of devoted ‘trekkies’.

This one had Leonard Nimoy (Spock) and James Doohan (Scotty), so I had to bring my super 8 movie camera to the Mall to film it. I brought my old pal Terry McCoy as the on-camera reporter to interview the cults and play with the toys.”

Leonard 'Spock' Nimoy, 'Star Trek' convention, 1976

Leonard ‘Spock’ Nimoy, ‘Star Trek’ convention, 1976

My fellow sci fi geeks – you’ll enjoy this great discovery. Roll it.

Star Trek, Early Convention at Northglenn Mall, CO, 1976

Daily 70s Spot: McDonald’s ‘family of four’ commercial (1972)

"You deserve a break today." (McDonald's, 1972)

“You deserve a break today.” (McDonald’s, 1972)

“Feed a family of four for under $4.00.”

Daily 70s Spot time. Drive on up and accompany this haggard father into McDonald’s as he attempts to feed his starving family for less than five bucks. I apologize for the cliche but I can’t help but adding “Thems were the days!” Commercial aired on New Year’s Day, 1972.

*Note: The actor who plays the father is the same fellow from the 1973 Pringles spot. Wish I knew his name. He was popular in early-70s advertising.

Daily 70s Spot #68: McDonald’s ‘Family of Four’ Commercial, 1972

Previously, on Daily 70s Spot: Harveys Bristol Cream (1974)

Trailer Tuesday: ‘Papillon’ (1973)

Steve McQueen is Henri 'Papillon' Charrière. ('Papillon,' 1973)

Steve McQueen is Henri ‘Papillon’ Charrière. (‘Papillon,’ 1973)

Papillon, directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman, flew into theaters in December of 1973. This drama about two prisoners (McQueen & Hoffman) attempting to escape from the Devil’s Island penal colony off the coast of French Guiana was the fourth highest-grossing film of the year.

Dustin Hoffman is Louis Dega. ('Papillon,' 1973)

Dustin Hoffman is Louis Dega. (‘Papillon,’ 1973)

I saw Papillon in the theater at seven-years-old and thoroughly enjoyed it. If my mother couldn’t find a babysitter she’d simply take me along to the movies with her. I’m glad she did. I saw a lot of classics that way. I’m sure I watched Papillon again on TV in the 1970s but I haven’t seen it since. I plan on another viewing this evening to see how it holds up. Why not join me? Catch the original trailer below.

‘Papillon’ Theatrical Trailer, 1973

Papillon Wiki, IMDb

Papillon_1-Sheet_1973

Previously, on Trailer Tuesday: ‘Silver Streak’

Daily 70s Spot: Harveys Bristol Cream (1974)

"One of the nicest ways to show that you care." (Harveys Bristol Cream, 1974)

“One of the nicest ways to show that you care.” (Harveys Bristol Cream, 1974)

“It’s the best there is.”

Our Daily 70s Spot is a high class, on-the seas affair for Harveys Bristol Cream Sherry. The actress appears to be Joan Van Ark of Dallas & Knots Landing fame. Commercial aired in 1974.

Daily 70s Spot #67: Harveys Bristol Cream Commercial, 1974

Previously, on Daily 70s Spot: Kal Kan dog food (1978)

Music for Monday: ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, ‘My Bologna’ (1979)

'Never gonna stop. Eat it up. Such a tasty snack...' ('Weird Al,' 'My Bologna')

‘Never gonna stop. Eat it up. Such a tasty snack…’ (‘Weird Al,’ ‘My Bologna’)

Music three days in a row here at the ‘Disco? Sure, why the heck not! Today we turn our eyes and ears to the major label debut of “Weird Al” Yankovic.

“Weird Al”‘s “My Bologna,” a take-off on The Knack’s “My Sharona,” was released in December of 1979 (just qualifying as a 70s single). Enjoy a two-and-a-half minute performance from a 20-yr-old Al and his accordion. A star is born.

‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, ‘My Bologna’ (December, 1979)

More on Al and “My Bologna” at Rolling Stone
WeirdAl.com

Previously, on Music for Monday: The Persuaders, ‘Thin Line Between Love and Hate’

Daily 70s Spot: Kal Kan Dog Food (1978)

"Now that's one lucky dog!" (Kal Kan, 1978)

“Now that’s one lucky dog!” (Kal Kan, 1978)

“It’s meat made complete.”

Our Daily 70s Spot is for Kal Kan and their “Chunky Beef Dinner” dog food. Everyone brings their dog down to the butcher shop with them don’t they? Spot aired in 1978.

Daily 70s Spot #66: Kal Kan Dog Food Commercial, 1978

Previously, on Daily 70s Spot: Coca-Cola ‘Marina’ commercial (1977)