70s Spots (International): Jean’s West & Cherry Blossom

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The second skateboard handstand photo I've posted this week. Freestylin'! (Jean's West, 1978)

The second skateboard handstand photo I’ve posted this week. Freestylin’! (Jean’s West, 1978)



This time around on 70s Spots we feature some nifty 70s-era TV commercials from outside of the United States. Whether or not you’re familiar with the products on offer – the ads are fun and bring back memories of the decade.

First, we have a spot from Italy for Jean’s West pantaloni featuring some wicked cool skateboarding and feathered hair. If the YouTube comments (and my internet searches) are correct, the ad features skateboarder Ed Nadalin and was shot in Rome in 1978.

The Beatles called. They want their chocolate submarine back. (Cherry Blossom, 1970s)

The Beatles called. They want their chocolate submarine back. (Cherry Blossom, 1970s)



The second spot on display is a slightly trippy animated commercial from Canada for Lowney’s Cherry Blossom chocolate. You’ll like this one. The animation will remind you of Levi’s & 7-Up ads from the same era. Unwrap it below.

Italian Jean’s West ‘Skateboarding’ TV Commercial, 1978

Canadian Lowney Cherry Blossom Animated TV Commercial, 1970s

Previously, on 70s Spots: Life Savers Candies

Mood Music: Wings, ‘Goodnight Tonight’

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'You can say anything - but don't say 'Goodnight,' tonight.' (Wings, 1979)

‘You can say anything – but don’t say ‘Goodnight,’ tonight.’ (Wings, 1979)



Paul McCartney and Wings released “Goodnight Tonight” in March of 1979. Just about everything McCartney released in the 1970s shot its way into the Top 20 and the man’s first serious flirtation with disco was no exception. “Goodnight Tonight” hit #5 in both the US and UK.

The stand-out sound on the track is McCartney’s bubbling, muscular bass line and it makes this one stand the test of time. Give ‘er a spin.

Wings ‘Goodnight Tonight’ Promotional Video, 1979

Previously, on Mood Music: T-Rex, ‘Metal Guru’

Funshine Friday: The New Adventures of Flash Gordon

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'Blasting off on a desperate mission to save Earth.' ('Flash Gordon,' 1979)

‘Blasting off on a desperate mission to save Earth.’ (‘Flash Gordon,’ 1979)



The New Adventures of Flash Gordon, or simply, Flash Gordon, originally aired on NBC from September, 1979 to November, 1982. Filmation produced 32 episodes of the cartoon and based the cast on the original 1930s newspaper comics. Old Timey characters such as Ming the Merciless, Dale Arden and Hans Zarkov appear in the animated series. Today, the show is considered some of Filmation’s best work.

The man of the hour - fiddling with his joysticks. ('Flash Gordon,' 1979)

The man of the hour – fiddling with his joysticks. (‘Flash Gordon,’ 1979)



Voices for the series were provided by; Robert Ridgely (Flash Gordon), Diane Pershing (Dale Arden), Alan Oppenheimer (Hans Zarkov) and a favorite that keeps popping up here in recent weeks – Allan ‘Sam the Butcher’ Melvin (King Vultan).

The New Adventures of Flash Gordon TV Intro, 1979

The New Adventures of Flash Gordon Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Funshine Friday: The All New Popeye Hour

Show Toppers: ‘Alice’ (1976)

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'There's a new girl in town, 'cause I'm feelin' good!' ('Alice,' TV title, 1978)

‘There’s a new girl in town, ’cause I’m feelin’ good!’ (‘Alice,’ TV title, 1978)



Alice first aired on CBS in August of 1976 and ran for nine seasons until July of 1985. The show was based on the 1974 movie Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (which netted its star, Ellen Burstyn, an Oscar.)

The film and series follows a New Jersey mom who moves to Arizona with her young son while looking for work as a singer. She ends up employed as a waitress at a greasy eatery called Mel’s Diner.

The TV cast stars Linda Lavin as Alice, Vic Tayback (reprising his movie role) as Mel, Beth Howland as Vera and the show-stealing Polly Holliday as Flo – famous for the catchphrase “Kiss my grits!”

The pride of Mel's Diner: Flo (Polly Holiday,) Vera (Beth Howland,) and Alice (Linda Lavin,) 1976

The pride of Mel’s Diner: Flo (Polly Holiday,) Vera (Beth Howland,) and Alice (Linda Lavin,) 1976



Below, you’ll find the intro for Alice season one. I did a fair bit of scrounging around and the version embedded is the best available. As a bonus treat, I’ve included a better quality short scene, also from season one.

Alice TV Intro, 1976

Alice Season One ‘Kiss My Grits’ Scene, 1976

Alice Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Show Toppers: The Bad News Bears (TV, 1979)

School Movies: Skateboard Sense (mid-1970s)

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Sure. That looks safe. ('Skateboard Sense,' mid-1970s)

Sure. That looks safe. (‘Skateboard Sense,’ mid-1970s)



Here’s a great little discovery for you to enjoy today. A nine-minute film from the mid-1970s (I’d guess around ’75 or ’76) called Skateboard Sense.

Dude took a spill. ('Skateboard Sense,' mid-1970s)

Dude took a spill. (‘Skateboard Sense,’ mid-1970s)



This gnarly and radical movie from Sid Davis Productions and the Pro/Am Skateboarding Racing Association features some seriously old school boards (and haircuts). If you keep your eyes peeled you’ll also get a nice look at 70s-era L.A. and the Hollywood area. What are you waiting for? Grab your green sparkle helmet and Santa Cruz board and view it!

‘Skateboard Sense,’ Sid Davis Productions, Mid-1970s

Previously, on School Movies: ‘When You Grow Up’ (1973)

(Source: Archive.org)

Happy New Year: Looking back 40 years to Jan. 1973

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Happy New Year everyone!!! I hope 2013 finds you well and all of your hopes and dreams are fulfilled. At the very least, I hope you have a year free of parking tickets and “fiscal cliffs.”

Many 40th anniversaries are approaching in this chilly month of January. Let’s look at some of the significant events of four decades ago and see what we need to prepare ourselves for.

Elvis wishes you a Happy New Year! ('Aloha from Hawaii,' Jan. 1973)

Elvis wishes you a Happy New Year! (‘Aloha from Hawaii,’ Jan. 1973)



Events of 40-Years-Ago – January, 1973

(Jan. 01) United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark become members of the European Economic Community (which later evolves into the European Union). Britain’s Prime Minister at the time is Edward Heath.

(Jan. 01) CBS sells the New York Yankees to a group led by George Steinbrenner. The price: 10 million dollars.

(Jan. 13) Eric Clapton performs at the Rainbow Theatre in London, England and the show is later released as an L.P.

(Jan. 14) Super Bowl VII is played. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Washington Redskins (14–7). The Dolphins achieve the NFL’s first “Perfect Season.”

(Jan. 14) Elvis Presley performs in Hawaii and the worldwide satellite broadcast ratings are record breaking.

(Jan. 15) President Nixon announces the end of offensive action in Vietnam.

(Jan. 20) President Nixon is inaugurated for a second term.

(Jan. 22) The landmark Roe v. Wade case is decided.

(Jan. 22) George Foreman defeats Joe Frazier in Kingston, Jamaica and grabs the Heavyweight World Championship title.

(Jan. 22) Former U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson dies at his Texas ranch at the age of 64.

(Jan. 26) Actor Edward G Robinson dies, aged 79.

(Jan. 27) President Nixon signs The Paris Peace Accords ending US involvement in the Vietnam War.

Elvis Presley Sings ‘C.C Rider,’ During ‘Aloha From Hawaii’ Broadcast, January 14, 1973