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

Music for Monday: Deep Purple, ‘Highway Star’

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Time to break the speed of sound with Deep Purple and 'Highway Star,' 1972

Time to break the speed of sound with Deep Purple and ‘Highway Star,’ 1972



Deep Purple’s “Highway Star” is the lead-off track on the March, 1972 L.P., Machine Head.

Machine Head is Deep Purple’s most successful album and spent 118 weeks(!) on the US Billboard chart, reaching a high of #7. “Smoke on the Water” is the best-known track on the L.P. but if you prefer something more hard-driving you’ll want to spin “Highway Star.”

Here’s the band performing live on German TV’s Beat-Club in 1972. Watch for Ian Gillian’s improvised vocals and Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord’s awesome guitar and organ solo freak-outs. Drive on!

Deep Purple “Highway Star,” Live On ‘Beat-Club,’ German TV, 1972

Previously, on Music for Monday: The Kinks, ‘Father Christmas’

70s Spots: Life Savers Candies

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'Suck 'em slow and suck 'em fast. The fun on your tongue is made to last!' (Life Savers, mid-1970s)

‘Suck ’em slow and suck ’em fast. The fun on your tongue is made to last!’ (Life Savers, mid-1970s)

Time for a commercial break – from out of the past! You didn’t see that one coming did you? Well, buckle your…computer chair belts…for today on 70s Spots we feature a double dose of Life Savers.

Henry Fonda remembers when Life Savers first launched around 1918

Henry Fonda remembers when Life Savers first launched around 1918

The first spot you’ll find below features lovable animated monsters singing about “22 flavors” of roll candy and lollipops. The creatures on display have always reminded me of The Beatles Yellow Submarine flick. If I’m not mistaken, Life Savers has re-shown this animated ad in recent years for a bit of nostalgic temptation.

The next ad features actor Henry Fonda returning to his home town of Omaha and reminiscing about the candy. It’s likely you won’t have seen this one since 1978. Roll it!

Life Savers, ’22 Flavors’ Animated Spot, 1976

Life Savers, Henry Fonda ‘Omaha’ Spot, 1978

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

Mood Music: T-Rex, ‘Metal Guru’

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'Sitting there - in your armor-plated chair, oh yeah!' (T-Rex, 'Metal Guru,' 1972)

‘Sitting there – in your armor-plated chair, oh yeah!’ (T-Rex, ‘Metal Guru,’ 1972)

I meant to post this rockin’ tune around Christmas but you know how things can get over the holidays. Still, we’re not yet into the new year and can continue celebrating.

Here’s Marc Bolan and T-Rex performing their UK #1 hit single, “Metal Guru,” 40-years-ago on Top of the Pops. Yes, turning up the volume and disturbing the neighbors is perfectly acceptable for this one.

T-Rex, ‘Metal Guru,’ Top of the Pops, Christmas, 1972

Previously, on Mood Music: Paul McCartney, ‘Wonderful Christmastime’