Daily 70s Spot: Friskies Buffet commercial (1974)

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'Hey! You got peanut butter in my Turkey & Giblets!' (Friskies Buffet,1974)

‘Hey! You got peanut butter in my Turkey & Giblets!’ (Friskies Buffet,1974)



A very good Saturday to you. I’m going to try something half-crazy here at the ‘Disco and I hope you’ll have an achingly good time coming along for the ride. For the entirety of 2013, my plan is to post a TV commercial from the 1970s every single day. This is in addition to the usual daily post, mind you.

I’ve missed the first few days of the year but let’s see if I can drop a nostalgic 70s spot on you for the next 353 days or so. Tune in each day for a short & sweet 15, 30 or 60 second commercial along with your morning coffee. Let’s get started with a Friskies Buffet ad you may remember. A line of hungry felines nudge each other away from 17 varieties of kitty gruel. Meowie wowie!

Daily 70s Spot #1: Friskies Buffet Cat Food Commercial (1974)

Funshine Friday: Sabrina the Teenage Witch

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'It's Sabrina - her magic powers can get her out of trouble!' ('Sabrina the Teenage Witch,' 1970)

‘It’s Sabrina – her magic powers can get her out of trouble!’ (‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch,’ 1970)



Filmation’s Sabrina the Teenage Witch began her animated life as part of The Archie Comedy Hour (1969-70). She was spun off into another series, Sabrina and the Groovie Goolies, for a season on CBS in 1970-71. Thereafter, the ‘Goolies left for their own show and Sabrina went solo, running until 1974. She returned once again in 1977 for The New Archie and Sabrina Hour.

Have you got all that? Which witch is which? It’s as clear as mud, I know.

We are laughing. We are friends and we are laughing...

We are laughing. We are friends and we are laughing…



Jane Webb provided the voice of Sabrina and many Archie Comics characters, such as Mr. Weatherbee and Jughead, can be found romping their way through the limited-animation cartoons. And Reggie. Reggie was always such a jerk, wasn’t he? Enjoy the intro below.

Sabrina The Teenage Witch TV Intro, 1971

Sabrina the Teenage Witch Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Funshine Friday: The New Adventures of Flash Gordon

Show Toppers: ‘Arnie’ (1970)

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Herschel Bernardi is 'Arnie,' CBS, 1971

Herschel Bernardi is ‘Arnie,’ CBS, 1971

Arnie is a lesser-known situation comedy that ran for two seasons on CBS, from September, 1970 to September, 1972. 48 episodes were produced and they starred Herschel Bernardi (d. 1986) as Arnie Nuvo, a faithful rank-and-file employee suddenly promoted to executive status at the Continental Flange Company.

Up until a few days ago, I hadn’t heard of this short-lived series (I was too young during its initial run and never saw any reruns) but after watching an episode I’ve become a fan. The show is charming and much of the comedy stems from easy-going Arnie gently clashing with the company’s wealthy and well-meaning boss, Hamilton Majors. Majors is played with scene-stealing panache by Roger Bowen, who you may remember as Col. Henry Blake in the film M*A*S*H* (1970).

Herschel Bernardi (Arnie) and Roger Bowen (Hamilton Majors)

Herschel Bernardi (Arnie) and Roger Bowen (Hamilton Majors)

Arnie’s wife is portrayed by the sexy and funny Sue Ane Langdon. Del Russel and Stephanie Steele play Arnie’s teenaged kids, Richard and Andrea. In an unsuccessful attempt to boost flagging ratings, Charles Nelson Reilly was added to the cast in 1972. It’s a shame Arnie didn’t last another season or two and hasn’t been made more widely available. Catch the show’s intro below.

Arnie TV Intro

Arnie Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Show Toppers: Alice

Bionic Disco: The most popular posts of 2012

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Good day, 1970s aficionados! Since everyone loves an informative and sexy list – let’s look at the most popular/most viewed posts here at Bionic Disco for the year 2012.

Not surprisingly, beautiful ladies are at the very top of the list. Coming in at second place we have beautiful cars. Probably, not very surprising either. But who knew The Jerk would be the most popular movie trailer on the site last year? Not me! Have a look at the top 10 – and thanks for your continued readership!

It really was a beautiful decade

It really was a beautiful decade



Bionic Disco: The Most Popular Posts of 2012

1. Babes of the 1970s: Lovely ladies

2. 1970s Corvette Stingray Gallery

3. Then and Now: ‘Car Wash’ film location, Los Angeles

4. Sherwood Schwartz, ‘Brady Bunch’ Creator, Dies

5. 70s Celebs: Flip Wilson

6. Bewitched: The final season

7. Steve Martin’s ‘The Jerk’ Trailer (’79)

8. Good Times: Watch full episodes this week

9. Brady Bunch Moments: Porkchops and Applesauce

10. Funshine Friday: Wacky Races Intro

Trailer Tuesday: Gene Hackman in ‘The Conversation’

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Gene Hackman is Harry Caul in 'The Conversation,' 1974

Gene Hackman is Harry Caul in ‘The Conversation,’ 1974



Francis Ford Coppola‘s The Conversation was released in April of 1974, right between the director’s better-known films; The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II. The thriller, set in San Francisco, stars Gene Hackman as a freelance surveillance expert who secretly records a conversation which may lead to the death of the couple being spied upon.

The Conversation is a compelling, tense picture with an excellent performance from Hackman as the socially-awkward and paranoid lead. Having watched it last night for the first time, I’d definitely recommend a viewing if you’ve let this one slip by. You’ll catch excellent co-stars like John Cazale (Dog Day Afternoon), Cindy Williams (American Graffiti) and a pre-Star Wars Harrison Ford – and take in some San Fran scenery from the early 70s. Watch the original trailer below.

The Conversation Theatrical Trailer, 1974

The Conversation Wiki, IMDb

The_Conversation_1-sheet_1974

Previously, on Trailer Tuesday: The Hindenburg

Music for Monday: B. J. Thomas, ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head’

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Doesn't appear to be all wet - but we'll take his word for it. (B.J. Thomas, 1970)

Doesn’t appear to be all wet – but we’ll take his word for it. (B.J. Thomas, 1970)



B. J. Thomas released “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” in October of 1969. The reason you are seeing a 60s tune here, written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach for the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, is that it was the very first #1 song of the 1970s.

Although “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” was later covered by many artists, including Engelbert Humperdinck, Johnny Mathis and Perry Como, Thomas’ version went to #1 in the US, Canada, Norway and South Africa and grabbed the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

B.J. Thomas ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,’ 1970

Previously, on Music for Monday: Deep Purple, ‘Highway Star’