Welcome to the weekend. Here’s a trio of super 70s shots for you to soak up; a LIFE spread on early-70s NYC street gang The Reapers, David and Angie Bowie stepping out and the Bee Gees on the verge of winning five Grammy Awards. Feast upon the images.
Gang of New York: The Reapers, 1972
The Reapers, Eddie & Yevette, New York, 1972 (John Shearer, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)
Today’s Daily 70s Spot shows off the animated duo (Punchy and Opie) who advertised Hawaiian Punch throughout the 1960s, 1970s and beyond. In this commercial the island team are pitching a “Win Hawaii Sweepstakes” with a vacation, a Chevy Malibu station wagon and one thousand smackers up for grabs. The spot was recorded from the airwaves in the late 1970s. It looks like “1978” listed in the text at the end but it’s too indistinct to be sure. Punch it!
Daily 70s Spot #22: Hawaiian Punch ‘Win Hawaii Sweepstakes’ Commercial Late 1970s
Plas and Penny in a cozy moment (The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show, 1979)
The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show was produced by Ruby-Spears and originally ran on ABC from 1979 to 1981. The show featured DC Comics elastic hero, Plastic Man, and also offered a variety of segments starring Baby Plas, Fangface and Fangpuss, Mighty Man and Yukk and Rickety Rocket.
Do the Hula-Hula! (The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show, 1979)
Voice actors for The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show included Michael Bell as Plastic Man, Joe Baker as Polynesian sidekick, Hula-Hula and Melendy Britt as Penny.
The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show TV Intro, 1979
Judd Hirsch argues with himself over polyester slacks (JCPenney, 1972)
Your Daily 70s Spot for Friday features a pre-TaxiJudd Hirsch for JCPenney polyester slacks. Watch Hirsch split into three and chat with himself about the merits of JCPenny’s $13.00 washable trousers. These pants have such a lovely burgundy color and prominent creases. How could you deny them? Commercial grabbed in November, 1972.
‘1-Adam-12, 1-Adam-12. See the post at Bionic Disco. A disturbance.’ (Kent McCord & Martin Milner, 1973)
Show Toppers is now in session. Today, we take a look at a cop classic featuring a pair of L.A.’s finest, patrolling the streets in Adam-12. Created by Dragnet‘s Jack Webb (along with R.A. Cinader,) Adam-12 originally ran for seven seasons from September, 1968 to May, 1975. The series had a healthy re-run life throughout the 1970s and beyond.
William Boyett is Sgt. ‘Mac’ MacDonald (Adam-12, 1973)
Adam-12 starred Martin Milner as the seasoned pro, Officer Pete Malloy, and Kent McCord as the fresh, young rookie, Officer Jim Reed. William Boyett co-starred as the pair’s station sergeant, “Mac” MacDonald. Gary Crosby (Bing’s son) made frequent guest appearances as the somewhat smug, Officer Wells.
In recent months, I’ve been re-watching Adam-12 (the whole shebang is available on Netflix) and have been enjoying the blast of nostalgia. I’m currently midway through 1971 and the rapport between Malloy and Reed is still a decent reason to watch. However, I take particular pleasure in recognizing various Los Angeles locations and noting what changes the ensuing decades have brought. The hippy-holdover fashions and hip lingo of the youthful citizens is smile-inducing as well.
Two clips are up for you to spy below. The first is the season 6 intro from 1973 and the second is a rather cool and rare promo from around 1975. See the woman. Shots fired…
Remember, kids – speed boats and drinking don’t mix (Pabst Blue Ribbon, 1977)
Water! Flames! Beer! Here’s your Daily 70s Spot and it’s time for action! Strap in tight for this manly Pabst Blue Ribbon commercial featuring a crew of hard-working stunt boat pilots. Commercial captured from the tube in 1977. Oh, and don’t hold me to this – but it sure sounds like actor David Janssen providing the narration.
“Pabst Blue Ribbon knows that to pilot a boat through a wall of flame…is a challenge that’s just not for everyone.”
