70s Spots: Christmas commercials; Norelco, Coca-Cola, Burger King

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We were so starved for holiday animation that 10 seconds of Santa on a shaver was eagerly awaited. (Norelco, 1978).

We were so starved for holiday animation that 10 seconds of Santa on a shaver was eagerly awaited. (Norelco, 1978).



Ready to bask in some warm advertising memories? Here’s three holiday-themed television commercials from the 1970s for you to snuggle.

Thankfully, little Jimmy was easy to please

Thankfully, little Jimmy was easy to please



First up, we have the famed Norleco Santa riding the shaver spot. Following that, we have a cola classic, “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” aka “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke.” Lastly, you’ll witness the joy in a youngster’s eyes as a Burger King doll is clutched close. Nothing says Christmas like a stuffed mascot toy and a handful of gift certificates!

Norelco Santa, December, 1978

Coca-Cola Season’s Greetings, Mid-to-Late 1970s

Burger King, Christmas, 1977

Previously, on 70s Spots: Johnny Cash for Lionel Trains

Trailer Tuesday: ‘The Hindenburg’ (1975)

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George C. Scott in 'The Hindenburg,' 1975

George C. Scott in ‘The Hindenburg,’ 1975



A “Disaster Movie” two-years in-the-making, The Hindenburg was released on Christmas Day, 1975. The movie is a fictionalized account of the Hindenburg zeppelin disaster of 1937. Based on the 1972 book by Michael M. Mooney, producer and director Robert Wise, along with a trio of writers, presents a sabotage theory that leads to the airship’s explosion and loss of dozens of lives.

Critics in ’75 were generally unkind, but The Hindenburg ended up as the 15th top grossing film of the year and grabbed two Oscars for sound and visual effects. George C. Scott, Anne Bancroft, William Atherton, Roy Thinnes, Gig Young, Charles Durning and many other notable actors appear in the epic.

The Hindenburg, Theatrical Trailer, 1975

The Hindenburg Wiki, IMDb
The Hindenburg review at Every70sMovie

The_Hindenburg_1-sheet_1975

Previously, on Trailer Tuesday: Black Christmas

Music for Monday: Slade, ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’ (1973)

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'So here it is - Merry Xmas everybody!' Slade, December, 1973

‘So here it is – Merry Xmas everybody!’ Slade, December, 1973



English rockers Slade released “Merry Xmas Everybody” at the beginning of December, 1973 and it became the #1 song in the UK over the holiday.

This stomp-a-long glitter rock classic remains a Christmas staple in Great Britain and has sold over a million copies. It has also been voted the country’s favorite Xmas tune. Give it a spin!

Slade, ‘Merry Xmas Everybody,’ ‘Les Dawson Xmas Special,’ 1973

Previously, on Music for Monday: Van Halen, ‘You Really Got Me’

70s Spots: Johnny Cash for Lionel Trains

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'It's Lionel Trains 'n' Truckin' - where the highway meets the track.'

‘It’s Lionel Trains ‘n’ Truckin’ – where the highway meets the track.’

Here’s a pair of mid-1970s spots for Lionel Trains featuring Johnny Cash.

As a special bonus treat we have a video featuring Cash in his 1974 TV feature “Ridin’ the Rails.” Trains, Americana and Christmas. Choo choo! Have a great Sunday.

Johnny Cash for Lionel Trains, 1970s #1

Johnny Cash for Lionel Trains, 1970s #2

Johnny Cash, ‘Ridin’ the Rails,’ 1974

Previously, on 70s Spots: Rolo Candies

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

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'Put one foot in front of the other - and soon you'll be walkin' out the door!'

‘Put one foot in front of the other – and soon you’ll be walkin’ out the door!’



Rankin/Bass’ Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town made its TV debut in December of 1970. The “Animagic” Christmas special features the voices of Mickey Rooney (Kris Kringle / Santa Claus), Fred Astaire (Narrator), Keenan Wynn (Winter Warlock) and Paul Frees (Burgermeister) and is filled with many sing-a-long tunes.

Today, you’ll want to hit the clicker below and rock the bells along with Santa as he belts out “One Foot in Front of the Other.” This one will cheer you right up and we can all use a shot of joy right about now.

‘One Foot in Front of the Other,’ Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, 1970

Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Mood Music: biG GRunt, ’11 Mustachioed Daughters’

Funshine Friday: ‘Space Sentinels’ (1977)

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'The greatest team the world has ever known - the Space Sentinels!'

‘The greatest team the world has ever known – the Space Sentinels!’



Space Sentinels (also known as The Young Sentinels) was produced by Filmation and the series’ 13 episodes originally ran Saturday mornings on NBC beginning in September of 1977.

A trio of superheroes, Hercules (strength), Mercury (speed) and Astrea (shape-changer), team up to help humankind “survive and flourish.” The young do-gooders are aided by a powerful alien named Sentinel One and his maintenance operations robot, MO.

'Space Sentinels'; Mercury, Astrea, Hercules. Filmation, 1977.

‘Space Sentinels’; Mercury, Astrea, Hercules. Filmation, 1977.



Space Sentinels was directed by Hal Sutherland and featured the voices of George DiCenzo, Evan C. Kim, Dee Timberlake and producer Lou Scheimer.

Space Sentinels TV Intro, 1977

Space Sentinels Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Funshine Friday: The Krofft Supershow