Funshine Friday: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids

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Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids blasting the bubblegum (Hanna-Barbera, 1973)

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids blasting the bubblegum (Hanna-Barbera, 1973)



Hanna-Barbera’s Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids‘ 13 episodes originally ran on NBC, debuting in September of 1973. The usual HB formula was on tap here and the animated series featured a teenage pop group fighting crime along with their wacky dog.

Elvis and a Monkee? (Frank Welker as Elvis the dog and Micky Dolenz as Wally)

Elvis and a Monkee? (Frank Welker as Elvis the dog and Micky Dolenz as Wally)



Voice were provided by Chip Hand, Kristina Holland, Judy Strangis, Mickey Dolenz and Frank Welker. Warner Archive has just put the complete episodes up for sale on DVD-to-Order and here’s how they describe the show:

“As the infectious and kickin’ title tune informs us, Butch Cassidy is a teen singing sensation with a swinging difference – he’s also one hepcat superspy! To paraphrase the pop top-secret lyrics (for your ears only!), Butch picks his axe and gets a call on his one-of-a-kind mod spy ring, and he and his back-up band are on the go-go to solve every mystery and help the bad guys take a fall. With a grueling tour schedule that sees Butch and the band (level-headed bassist Stephanie, lovely tambourinist Merilee, comical percussionist Wally and his dog Elvis) playing at the hottest hot-spots all over the globe Butch brings rocking righteousness to the nefarious, everywhere on Earth and even under the sea.”

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids Episode Preview Clip

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids Cartoon TV Intro, 1973

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Funshine Friday: Sabrina the Teenage Witch

Daily 70s Spot: Chevrolet Impala ‘See the U.S.A.’ commercial (1972)

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No need to fear wild bear attacks in your new 1972 Chevy Impala

No need to fear wild bear attacks in your new 1972 Chevy Impala



Your Daily 70s Spot, leading you into the weekend, is for the Chevrolet Impala. This ad was part of the ‘Building a better way to see the U.S.A.’ campaign and was seen on TV screens in January of 1972.

Daily 70s Spot #7: Chevrolet Impala ‘See the U.S.A.’ Commercial, 1972

Previously, on Daily 70s Spot: The Isley Brothers ‘Showdown’ promo, 1978

Show Toppers: ‘The Courtship Of Eddie’s Father’ (1969-72)

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Brandon Cruz as Eddie Corbett ('The Courtship of Eddie's Father,' circa 1971)

Brandon Cruz as Eddie Corbett (‘The Courtship of Eddie’s Father,’ circa 1971)

“People let me tell ya ’bout my best friend…”

On this edition of Show Toppers we offer up the intro for The Courtship of Eddie’s Father. This sitcom, based on a movie of the same name from 1963, is especially well-remembered by young folks (like myself) who grew up watching reruns in the 1970s.

The Courtship of Eddie’s Father originally ran on ABC from September, 1969 to March, 1972 and starred Bill Bixby as 30-something widower, Tom Corbett and Brandon Cruz as his precocious six-year-old son, Eddie. The Corbett’s Japanese housekeeper was played by Academy Award-winning actress, Miyoshi Umeki and show creator and producer, James Komack, played family friend, Norman.

Tom (Bill Bixby) and Mrs. Livingston (Miyoshi Umeki) ('The Courtship of Eddie's Father,' circa 1971)

Tom (Bill Bixby) and Mrs. Livingston (Miyoshi Umeki) (‘The Courtship of Eddie’s Father,’ circa 1971)

1970s-related cast factoids: Bill Bixby went on to star in The Incredible Hulk TV series (1977-1982). Brandon Cruz appeared in The Bad News Bears (1976). James Komack created and produced Chico and the Man (1974) and produced Welcome Back, Kotter (1975). Miyoshi Umeki presumably had enough of the limelight and went into self-imposed retirement for the remaining decades of her life.

The Courtship of Eddie’s Father TV Intro Circa 1970

The Courtship of Eddie’s Father Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Show Toppers: Arnie

Daily 70s Spot: The Isley Brothers “Showdown” promo (1978)

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'The Isley Brothers - Showdown. You better be there!' (Wherever fine records and 8-track tapes are sold)

‘The Isley Brothers – Showdown. You better be there!’ (Wherever fine records and 8-track tapes are sold)



Here’s a late night promo for The Isley Brothers “Showdown” album. This soulful commercial was captured from the television airwaves in May of 1978. The ‘Brothers are gonna take you to the next phase – so get your azzingear!

Daily 70s Spot #6: The Isley Brothers “Showdown” promo (1978)

Previously, on Daily 70s Spot: Bell System ‘Super Switcher’ commercial (Late 70s)

Mood Music: Lenny and the Squigtones, ‘StarCrossed’

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Prehistoric Spinal Tap (Lenny and the Squigtones rock 'Laverne & Shirley,' 1976)

Prehistoric Spinal Tap (Lenny and the Squigtones rock ‘Laverne & Shirley,’ 1976)



According to my once-young mind, many of the best moments on TV’s Laverne & Shirley (1976-1983) involved the lovable morons known as Lenny and Squiggy. The characters were created and perfectly played by Michael McKean and David Lander. You probably remember this well.

What you may not remember is that McKean and Lander released an L.P. entitled Lenny & Squiggy Present Lenny and the Squigtones in 1979. I was a proud owner of that slab of wax and a darn fine collection of humorous music and banter it was. Here’s a clip of Lenny and Squiggy from the first season of Laverne & Shirley, where they perform the tune “StarCrossed,” which later appeared on their album.

Lenny and the Squigtones perform ‘StarCrossed’ on Laverne & Shirley, 1976

Previously, on Mood Music: Wings, ‘Goodnight Tonight’

Daily 70s Spot: Bell System ‘Super Switcher’ commercial (Late 70s)

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Your laptop probably outruns this thing now. (Bell System 'Super Switcher' computer, late-1970s)

Your laptop probably outruns this thing now. (Bell System ‘Super Switcher’ computer, late-1970s)


“What you are about to see is the world’s most revolutionary telephone switching invention…”

Here’s a great spot for ancient technology fans. A late 1970s-era commercial for the new computerized Bell System ‘Super Switcher’ telephone service. It cost Bell over 400 million smackers. Hope you appreciated it.

Daily 70s Spot #5: Bell System ‘Super Switcher’ Commercial (Late 70s)

Previously, on Daily 70s Spot: Western Airlines ‘Lion Tamer’ commercial (1975)