Did you hear the one about the talk show host and the talking bird?
We haven’t checked in with Johnny Carson in a while – so let’s remedy that with a tasty two-minute clip.
In this edition of A Johnny Carson Moment, our favorite talk show host brings on frequent guest, Joan Embrey and shares a laugh with a talking Myna bird named Howard. The episode originally aired December 17th, 1976.
Previously, on A Johnny Carson Moment: Frank Sinatra, Don Rickles (11.12.76)
“Speed Burners – speedin’ down the line!”
“That spring-tension motor makes ’em move out!”
Fast-action TV flashback! Our Daily 70s Spot drops a trio of tiny race cars on the kitchen floor and ratchets up the excitement. This commercial for Mego Speed Burners aired in 1978.
Previously, on Daily 70s Spot: ‘Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’ promo (1977)
‘The Return of the Pink Panther’ trailer title, 1975
Blake Edward’s The Return of the Pink Panther was released in May of 1975. The comedy, starring Peter Sellers, ended up bringing in almost 42 million dollars at the box office, earning a #6 placing on the top 10 highest-grossing films of the year list.
Sellers had already appeared as Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther (1963) and A Shot in the Dark (1964) and his performance in The Return of the Pink Panther really connected with 1970s-era audiences, driving them into fits of laughter. Me and my 9-year-old buddies certainly lapped it up, giggling and repeating the best lines for months afterward. The next film in the series, The Pink Panther Strikes Again, was even better, but we started paying attention (and I began idolizing Sellers) with Return.
Chief Inspector Clouseau walking the beat. (Peter Sellers, ‘The Return of the Pink Panther,’ 1975)
There are so many wonderfully silly moments in The Return of the Pink Panther that it’s difficult to single out one as a favorite. But Clouseau hassling a blind organ player and his monkey while a bank robbery takes place behind his back is a dandy. I also enjoyed seeing Sellers dressed as a Swiss(?) hotel room attendant (with an outrageous mustache) who thrashes the place in a fruitless search for clues.
Below, we have the original Return of the Pink Panther theatrical trailer and if that isn’t enough to sate your appetite, a compilation of seven different TV spots from ’75 is also available. Watch for some funny out-takes with the cast cracking up.
An interesting note: looking at slates used in a few scenes, June 30th and July 27th, 1974 are revealed as days filming took place.
The Return of the Pink Panther Wiki, IMDb
Previously, on Trailer Tuesday: Disney’s The World’s Greatest Athlete
Thanks, YouTube accounts: oldhollywoodtrailers and GRFilmFarm1
‘He thrilled audiences with his electric performance in A Star Is Born.’ (Kris Kristofferson, 1977)
Our Daily 70s Spot is a 1977 TV promo for the theatrical re-release of Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
The movie (which the TV series Alice was later based on) first appeared in 1974. After star Ellen Burstyn won the ‘Best Actress’ Oscar for her performance and Kris Kristofferson‘s fame escalated after A Star Is Born (1976,) Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore was pushed out to movie houses for another go-around. The narrator of the TV spot is actor Michael Bell.
Previously, on Daily 70s Spot: Harlem Globetrotters for Vitalis (1971)
The Captain’s heart is breakin’. (John Travolta on ‘The Captain & Tennille Show,’ 1976)
After listening to Toni Tennille and John Travolta sing “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”…you’ll appreciate Elton John and KiKi Dee’s original version even more.
This momentous television match-up occurred when the extremely popular Travolta guest-starred on The Captain & Tennille Show in 1976. Enjoy!?
Previously, on Music for Monday: David Dundas, ‘Jeans On’
Meadowlark Lemon hates greasy hair! (Harlem Globetrotters for Vitalis, 1971)
Happy Monday, funtastic friends and nerdy neighbors. Here’s your Daily 70s spot; Meadowlark Lemon and the Harlem Globetrotters for Vitalis hair tonic. Commercial aired in April of 1971.
If you were a kid in the 70s you loved the Harlem Globetrotters. That was the law and that’s how it was. Also, did you know that you can still buy Vitalis today? I thought it had gone the way of the Dodo, but no, no.
Previously, on Daily 70s Spot: Johnson & Johnson Diapers commercial with Juliet ‘Nanny’ Mills (1977)