‘Elvis in Hollywood’ – all the hits from his biggest movies!
Elvis is in the building for our Daily 70s Spot. The commercial on-tap is for the Elvis in Hollywood two-record set which aired in 1977 (the year of The King’s passing.) 20 of Elvis’ biggest movie tunes stretched out over four sides of vinyl. Most of these songs are less than three minutes long and could have fit on a single L.P. But hey, how about that full-color booklet?!
Rock-A-Hula baby!
Daily 70s Spot #26: ‘Elvis in Hollywood’ 2-Record Set Commercial, 1977
There he is – ‘The World’s Greatest Athlete’! (Jan-Michael Vincent, 1973)
Walt Disney Productions’ The World’s Greatest Athlete isn’t a particularly well-remembered movie. The sports comedy released 40-years-ago this month (February, 1973) and was quite successful in its day, ending up the 16th highest-grossing film of the year. That’s higher than classics like Sleeper and High Plains Drifter.
Jan-Michael Vincent starred as Nanu, a Tarzan-like orphan from Africa who is fast enough to outrun a speeding cheetah. A desperate-for-success college coach from America, Sam Archer (John Amos) and his assistant, Milo (Tim Conway) discover Nanu and cart him off to the US. Amazement and Disney-approved chuckles await the stunned collegiate crowds. Howard Cosell makes an appearance as a track announcer to provide some 1970s sports authority to the farcical proceedings.
I couldn’t come up with the proper theatrical trailer but here’s a nifty 30-second TV spot from ’73 and a 90-second clip from the film. Disney is offering up the movie for rent if you are so inclined. Run it.
The World’s Greatest Athlete, TV Trailer, 1973
The World’s Greatest Athlete, Clip with Howard Cosell, 1973
‘Surely, you must be interested in buying a Ford?’ (‘Yes, but stop calling me Shirley.’)
A rather serious, pre-Airplane!Leslie Nielsen stars in our Daily 70s Spot for Tuesday. Nielsen wants to send you the “Car Buying Made Easier” book and help you better understand the benefits of owing a Ford. The commercial aired in November of 1972.
Daily 70s Spot #25: Leslie Nielsen for Ford Motors Commercial, 1972
Nice jacket, Lord Dundas! (David Dundas, ‘Jeans On,’ 1976)
David Dundas (now, Lord David Dundas) released his song “Jeans On” in 1976. The tune, originally written for Brutus Jeans TV commercials, rose to #1 in Germany, #3 in the UK and #17 in the US (Feb. 1977).
My guess is that you may have completely forgotten about this song but once you hear it again memories will come flooding back. Wear it!
(*The original clip was removed from youtube. Here’s a replacement. Not as good, but better than none.)
Raise a glass – here’s to good friends! (Ziggy character glasses, 1978)
A short and sweet Daily 70s Spot is now ready for your viewing pleasure. This one is a 15 second commercial for Ziggy cartoon character 7-Up glasses at Kenny King’s. The spot was captured in May, 1978. Kenny King’s is a now-defunct Ohio restaurant chain that was later bought out by KFC.
Frankie thinks Bic is slick (Bic commercial, 1972)
Daily 70s Spot time. Why is Frankenstein encased in ice and why is a Bic pen his savior? Watch this spooky, silly commercial recorded from the television airwaves in August of 1972 and scratch your bolted-heads in wonder. The Bic ice-pick. Write on!
