Funshine Friday: ‘The All New Popeye Hour’ (1978)

'The All New Popeye Hour' TV title card, CBS, 1978

‘The All New Popeye Hour’ TV title card, CBS, 1978



Hanna-Barbera’s The All New Popeye Hour originally ran on CBS from September, 1978 to September, 1981. After that, the show was cut to 30 minutes and re-titled The Popeye and Olive Show.

The All New Popeye Hour was inspired by the Popeye comic strips of the 1930s (Thimble Theatre) and featured Popeye in his old sailor’s outfit, reverted Brutus’ name to Bluto and often featured Popeye’s “family” members; Swee’Pea, Poopdeck Pappy and four troublesome nephews.

You think your family is a bit weird? Be thankful. ('The All New Popeye Hour' cast, 1978)

You think your family is a bit weird? Be thankful. (‘The All New Popeye Hour’ cast, 1978)



Popeye was played by originating actor, Jack Mercer, Olive Oyl by Marilyn Schreffler and Bluto by Allan Melvin (The Brady Bunch). Additional cast voices were provided by cartoon greats Daws Butler as Wimpy and Frank Welker as Dinky Dog. Dinky Dog was an additional animated segment that featured a giant sheepdog.

The All New Popeye Hour TV Intro, 1978

The All New Popeye Hour Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Funshine Friday: Uncle Croc’s Block

Show Toppers: ‘The Bad News Bears’ (TV, 1979)

Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome your 1979 Bad News Bears!

Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome your 1979 Bad News Bears!

The Bad News Bears motion picture is one of my all-time favorites. And if you grew up in the 1970s and are a regular reader of this site, I’m willing to bet it’s one of yours as well. Today, on Show Toppers we take a look at the short-lived television series based on the classic film.

The Bad News Bears TV series originally ran Saturday evenings on CBS from March, 1979 to July of 1980. Jack Warden (Heaven Can Wait) played former minor-league ball player, Morris Buttermaker and Tricia Cast played his ex-girlfriend’s daughter, Amanda. Corey Feldman, Catherine Hicks, Greg Forrest, Sparky Marcus, Meeno Peluce, Phillip R. Allen, Billy Jacoby (aka Billy Jayne) and many others filled out the large cast.

Jack Warden and Tricia Cast in 'The Bad News Bears. ' CBS, 1979

Jack Warden and Tricia Cast in ‘The Bad News Bears. ‘ CBS, 1979

Grab a look at the TV intro below. If this piques your interest you may want to jump to Youtube and explore around. Full episodes may or may not be available. *Cough. Cough.*

The Bad News Bears TV Series Intro, 1979

The Bad News Bears Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Show Toppers: Chico and the Man

Dec. 26, 1970: Rare radio DJ footage

Don Schuster rocks Detroit on December 26, 1970

Don Schuster rocks Detroit on December 26, 1970



Happy Boxing Day all. Here’s six minutes of rare footage I found fascinating and hopefully you will too.

On Saturday, December 26, 1970, the day after Christmas, Detroit radio DJ Don Schuster can be seen showing off the W4 studio. Schuster, who sports a deep “radio” voice but looks to be about age 19, displays the UPI Tele-Type machine and explains how songs played are on “the computer” (an automated reel-to-reel tape system). The young pro can also be seen playing Beatles tunes, introducing commercials for Sly & the Family Stone and 8-Track Stereos and playing the “#1 L.P in the country” Abraxas by Carlos Santana. Roll it!

December 26, 1970: Detroit DJ Don Schuster WWWW In-Studio Footage

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