Mood Music: Paul McCartney, ‘Wonderful Christmastime’

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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

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'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

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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

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’