No need to fear wild bear attacks in your new 1972 Chevy Impala
Previously, on Daily 70s Spot: The Isley Brothers ‘Showdown’ promo, 1978
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)
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 Wiki, IMDb
Previously, on Show Toppers: Arnie
‘The Isley Brothers – Showdown. You better be there!’ (Wherever fine records and 8-track tapes are sold)
Previously, on Daily 70s Spot: Bell System ‘Super Switcher’ commercial (Late 70s)
Prehistoric Spinal Tap (Lenny and the Squigtones rock ‘Laverne & Shirley,’ 1976)
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.
Previously, on Mood Music: Wings, ‘Goodnight Tonight’
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.
Previously, on Daily 70s Spot: Western Airlines ‘Lion Tamer’ commercial (1975)
‘The time is 1973. The place is Earth. How did they get here?’ (‘Escape from the Planet of the Apes,’ 1971)
I can remember seeing Escape from the Planet of the Apes with my mother, sister and our family friend, Bernie, when I was a mere four-and-a-half-years-old. We all enjoyed the socially-relevant adventure story and for years afterward, Bernie’s high-pitched imitation of the baby ape saying “Mama!” never failed to make us giggle. Roll the trailer.
Escape from the Planet of the Apes Wiki, IMDb
Previously, on Trailer Tuesday: Gene Hackman in ‘The Conversation’