Brady Bunch Moments/Partridge Pop: Christmas Extravaganza

The Brady Bunch and The Partridge Family Christmas L.P.s (1970/1971)

The Brady Bunch and The Partridge Family Christmas L.P.s (1970/1971)



Merry Christmas everyone! To celebrate the day we’re blending together two segments – Brady Bunch Moments and Partridge Pop – into one glorious explosion of holiday cheer. A messy and fun December treat!

BRADY BUNCH MOMENTS

The Bradys looking a mite uncomfortable for Christmas

The Bradys looking a mite uncomfortable for Christmas



In this edition of Brady Bunch Moments we feature the first season episode of The Brady Bunch from December 19, 1969. Carol loses her voice and lo-and-behold gets it back just in time to sing for Christmas. It’s a gol’ dang miracle!

The Brady Bunch, ‘O Come All Ye Faithful,’ December, 1969

PARTRIDGE POP

There's probably a clever joke to made here about Partridges and pear trees - but I'm feeling lazy

There’s probably a clever joke to made here about Partridges and pear trees – but I’m feeling lazy



On Partridge Pop, we bring you a holiday nugget from season two, “Don’t Bring Your Guns To Town, Santa,” which originally aired on December 11, 1971. Stick with the clip through the first few moments to watch the family sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and cavort around the tree.

The Partridge Family, ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,’ December, 1971

Read about the L.P.s: Merry Christmas From The Brady Bunch (1970) and A Partridge Family Christmas Card (1971)

Previously, on Brady Bunch Moments: Greg’s Thanksgiving movie
Previously, on Partridge Pop: ‘Walking in the Rain’

Music for Monday: The Kinks, ‘Father Christmas’

The Kinks and 'Father Christmas,' 1977

The Kinks and ‘Father Christmas,’ 1977



Happy “Day Before.” I hope you’ve gotten all of your shopping done. Time to relax and listen to some jolly music.

Here’s The Kinks with their sarcastic, yet lovely tune, “Father Christmas.” “Father Christmas” was originally released as a single in November of 1977 and didn’t appear on an L.P. for many years.

The Kinks, ‘Father Christmas,’ 1977

Previously, on Music for Monday: Slade, ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’

Post #500 – 70s stories in the news: Dirty Harry, Cathy Lee Crosby’s Wonder Woman & more

***Ho ho ho! This is post #500 here at Bionic Disco so I’m doing a bit of extra celebrating today. I think I’ll have a second sip of Boone’s Farm Strawberry Wine this morning. Thanks so much to everyone for bookmarking us, visiting and commenting. You guys rule!***

I’ve collected a good chunk of 1970s-related stories in recent days and have a healthy batch for you to peruse. Dig in.

1971 Eastwood Photos, U.S. National Film Registry Names ‘Dirty Harry’ A Cultural Treasure

Clint Eastwood on the set of 'Dirty Harry,' 1971. (Photo: Bill Eppridge. Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)

Clint Eastwood on the set of ‘Dirty Harry,’ 1971. (Photo: Bill Eppridge. Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)

LIFE has a photo gallery up with shots of Clint Eastwood on the set of Dirty Harry in 1971. Most of the images were not run in the magazine at the time so chances are high that you haven’t seen them previously.

Additionally, the U.S. National Film Registry has named a new batch of 25 films as cultural treasures. The list contains two films from the 1970s; Dirty Harry and Two-Lane Blacktop – both from 1971. Only two 70s films? What the hey?

LIFE Quote:

“But what’s also revealing — and all these years later, somehow kind of sweet — is the way LIFE talked about Eastwood in the cover story that ran in the magazine in July 1971, five months before Dirty Harry hit theaters and, quickly, became a controversial cultural touchstone. Right there, on the cover of the issue, is the (perhaps) tongue-in-cheek words observation that sets the tone for the profile inside: ‘The world’s favorite movie star is — no kidding — Clint Eastwood.'”

Cathy Lee Crosby’s Forgotten Wonder Woman TV Movie, 1974

Cathy Lee Crosby as 'Wonder Woman,' 1974

Cathy Lee Crosby as ‘Wonder Woman,’ 1974

Before Lynda Carter played the role, Cathy Lee Crosby appeared as Wonder Woman in a 1974 TV movie. Now, the Warner Brothers Shop will burn a Wonder Woman DVD-to-order if you’d care to grab a piece of comic book-related history. If you hop over there you can watch a (rather strange) three-minute clip.

Also, Jef Burnham at FilmMonthly has reviewed Crosby’s turn as the Amazonian. You can read a chunk below.

FilmMonthly Quote:

“Here, William M. Marston’s ass-kicking Amazonian princess of DC Comics is reimagined as an international super spy in the employ of the American government. She still has her gold bracelets, her invisible jet, and she even originates from Paradise Island (although the details of her origin are never made clear), but writer John D.F. Black, who actually co-wrote Shaft (1971) with Ernest Tidyman, adds an espionage spin to the whole affair.”

Other recent 1970s-related stories you may wish to chew on:

PopSpots: Neil Young’s After the Gold Rush L.P. (1970) – Uncovering the exact NYC cover photo location

The Guardian: Apollo 40 years on: how the moon missions changed the world for ever

HuffPost: Jimmy Carter: Marijuana Legalization Is Smart

Steve Martin Twitter: Early photo of Martin onstage, 1970

Slate: Classic kid’s L.P., Free To Be…You And Me 40th anniversary history and interviews

NY Times: ‘All in the Family’ in DVD Boxed Set

Mood Music: Paul McCartney, ‘Wonderful Christmastime’

Paul McCartney wishes you a 'Wonderful Christmastime'

Paul McCartney wishes you a ‘Wonderful Christmastime’



Paul McCartney recorded “Wonderful Christmastime” during sessions for his solo L.P. McCartney II in 1979. The tune was released as a single in November of that year and has become a holiday staple in the ensuing decades.

I can remember seeing the single on the shelf (featuring McCartney in a Santa suit) at Tower Records on Sunset here in L.A. and being pleasantly surprised. I was a 12-year-old Beatle fanatic yet had no idea McCartney would be releasing a new record for Christmas. I purchased it and still have it to this day. Let’s give the rare “Wonderful Christmastime” video a spin!

Paul McCartney “Wonderful Christmastime,” 1979

Previously, on Mood Music: ‘One Foot in Front of the Other’

Funshine Friday: Uncle Croc’s Block

'Welcome to Uncle Croc's Block...nutty people - man, we got'em!'

‘Welcome to Uncle Croc’s Block…nutty people – man, we got’em!’



Filmation’s Uncle Croc’s Block was a short-lived ABC morning series that ran for half a season – from September, 1975 to February ’76.

The show parodied children’s programming and starred Charles Nelson Reilly (Lidsville) as the unhappy titular host. Croc’s assistant, Mr. Bunny Ears, was played by Alfie Wise (Hooper) in a yellow bunny costume. Jonathan Harris (Lost in Space) co-starred as the show’s director, Basil Bitterbottom.

'The only alligator who can talk.' Charles Nelson Reilly as Uncle Croc, (Filmation,1975)

‘The only alligator who can talk.’ Charles Nelson Reilly as Uncle Croc, (Filmation,1975)



Uncle Croc’s Block also spoofed hit TV shows of the day and guest stars such as Phyllis Diller and Marvin Kaplan appeared as Witchie Goo Goo and Captain Marbles/Billy Bratson respectively.

Cartoon segments that ran on series included; M*U*S*H*, Fraidy Cat and Wacky & Packy (with voices provided by Allan ‘Sam the Butcher’ Melvin of The Brady Bunch).

Uncle Croc’s Block TV Intro, 1975

Uncle Croc’s Block Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Funshine Friday: Space Sentinels

Show Toppers: Chico and the Man

Freddie Prinze and Jack Albertson are 'Chico and the Man,' 1974

Freddie Prinze and Jack Albertson are ‘Chico and the Man,’ 1974



Chico and the Man debuted on NBC in September of 1974 and ran (mostly on Friday evenings) for four seasons until July of 1978. The show was set in the Barrio District of East Los Angeles and starred young Latino comic Freddie Prinze as Chico and Jack Albertson (Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory) as the racist widower with a heart of gold, Ed, or “The Man.”

East L.A. cool ride, 1975 ('Chico and the Man' TV intro)

East L.A. cool ride, 1975 (‘Chico and the Man’ TV intro)



The sitcom, which also featured appearances by Scatman Crothers and Della Reese, was a ratings success and sat in the top three from fall 1975 to spring ’76. Unfortunately, things came to a tragic end when Freddie Prinze took his own life on January 28, 1977. The show struggled on, trying new twists like adding a 12-year-old to the cast, but ratings dropped and Chico and the Man was eventually canceled in the summer of ’78.

Here are the intros for the first two seasons. The first season shows the cast interacting, while the second offers up a nice view of East Los Angeles in 1975.

Chico and the Man, Season One, 1974

Chico and the Man, Season Two, 1975

Chico and the Man Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Show Toppers: Big John, Little John