In this edition of “Rad Ads” we execute a graceful crane-kick and leap back 33 years to the November, 1979 issue of Black Belt magazine.
Peeking inside we find all sorts of goodies that warrant a second look; from “Kickin’ Jeans” to “BIONICPUNCH” gloves and “BIONICKICK” boots. Yep, I couldn’t resist products with those tasty monikers. Here’s half a dozen ads. Kick that sucka! (By clicking one image you can easily enlarge and scroll through them all. Look to the lower right and click the next image link).
As you have likely heard by now – actor Larry Hagmanpassed away on Friday. 1970s-era fans will best remember Hagman as Major Anthony Nelson on reruns of I Dream of Jeannie (1965-1970) and as J.R. on nighttime soap, Dallas (1978 -1991).
Hagman should also be remembered for a great performance as Art Carney’s ner-do-well son in Harry and Tonto (1974) and for numerous appearances in TV series, TV movies and films such as Medical Center (1973), Sarah T. – Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic (1975), Harry O (1975), Ellery Queen (1975), The Eagle Has Landed (1976), McMillan & Wife (1977) and many, many more.
“It is with sad news that we announce Larry passed away this afternoon, Friday, Nov. 23, 2012. His family has released this statement:
‘Larry was back in his beloved Dallas re-enacting the iconic role he loved most. Larry’s family and close friends had joined him in Dallas for the Thanksgiving holiday. When he passed, he was surrounded by loved ones. It was a peaceful passing, just as he had wished for.’
The family requests privacy at this time.”
Absolutely no one cooler…according to my six-year-old self. ‘Speed Racer,’ 1967
Happy Funshine Friday! To celebrate my Birthday today I’m going to post the old 1960s/1970s-era intro and outro for Speed Racer. This is one of those shows produced in the 1960s that ran constantly in reruns throughout the 1970s.
Speed Racer was my hands-down favorite growing up and I caught it on TV whenever possible. That tended to be difficult as it seemed to jump around quite a bit in the local syndication scheduling in Los Angeles. At least, that’s how I remember it. I would search for a magical Speed Racer episode, but rarely find one.
“Hurray for candy!!! I mean Speed! Did I say candy? Yum!” Spritle and Chim-Chim, ‘Speed Racer,’ 1967
The clip below presents the opening and closing credits with the Trans-Lux text and old Speed Racer logo. This is the closest I could find to what we would have seen as kids. These days, the Trans-Lux title has disappeared and a more modern, colorful Speed Racer logo is in place. Rev it up and go to it!
Time to dress up as pilgrims and go door-to-door caroling again! ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,’ November, 1973
Happy Thanksgiving, fellow USA-dwellers! It’s time to butter the toast, pop the corn, pass out the jelly beans and get to feasting! And what better way to celebrate the day than to enjoy a few memorable moments from 1973’s A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving!
I grew up with this CBS special helping to define the holiday and I’m willing to bet most of you did too.
I’ll be recreating this meal today. Hope my guests are appreciative. ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,’ November, 1973
Today, as you sit at your ping pong tables and munch on your pretzel sticks don’t forget to give thanks (yes, for family and friends, but also) to Charles Schulz and the Peanuts gang!
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving – Opening/Football Kick-Off
“On Nov. 20, 1973, CBS slotted ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,’ — sponsored by Interstate Brands, the parent of Dolly Madison cakes and pies — at 8 p.m. Eastern to kick off its Tuesday night lineup. The Peanuts cartoons had become such ratings blockbusters by this time that the network had no problem preempting ‘Maude,’ the ‘All In The Family’ spinoff that would finish as the sixth most-watched show of the 1973-74 season.
Against the short-lived NBC crime drama ‘Chase’ and the medical sitcom ‘The New Temperatures Rising Show,’ ABC’s second attempt to find a starring vehicle for comedian Paul Lynde, ‘Thanksgiving’ easily won the time period, averaging a 27.8 rating and 43 share of the television audience.”
‘Our Pilgrim Fathers’ aka ‘Through Hardship To Freedom’ written, produced and directed by Gregory Brady. Music direction and narration by Gregory Brady ‘The Brady Bunch,’ 1970
On this day-before-Thanksgiving Brady Bunch Moments we turn to our favorite family and their seasonally-relevant episode. In season two‘s “The Un-Underground Movie,” which originally aired October 16, 1970, we watch Greg’s homemade film entitled Our Pilgrim Fathers.
Capt. Jones of The Mayflower takes an imaginary arrow to the hambone ‘The Brady Bunch,’ 1970
Watch Greg’s cinematic masterpiece in its entirety below. You’ll especially enjoy the dramatic slo-mo “Special Effects” just “like in those real ‘arty’ movies.”
And as an added holiday treat – here’s another BBM from a few months back that’s been getting a ton of search-engine hits the past two weeks: Alice’s Thanksgiving moustache
Brady Bunch Moments: Alice’s Thanksgiving moustache
Originally posted on August 5, 2012 by David Moore
The Bradys pause to mock Alice during the filming of Greg’s docudrama, ‘Our Pilgrim Fathers,’ October, 1970
On this mesmerizing edition of “Brady Bunch Moments” – filming for Greg’s Thanksgiving school project is going well despite problems with his (over) actors and some unexpected wardrobe malfunctions.
Click below to enjoy this two-minute clip from “The Un-Underground Movie” episode which originally aired during the second season of The Brady Bunch on October 16, 1970.
Sing proudly! Howard Da Silva as Ben Franklin, ‘1776,’ 1972
Heading back 40 years once again – a movie you may have seen with the family for Thanksgiving was the musical 1776.
Released November 17, 1972, 1776 was the celluloid version of a successful stage hit and starred William Daniels as John Adams, Howard Da Silva as Ben Franklin, Ken Howard as Thomas Jefferson and Blythe Danner as Martha Jefferson.
Interesting 1970s-era facts: The exteriors for the movie were filmed in Burbank, CA at the Warner Ranch and an entire colonial Philadelphia street was created. Unfortunately, most of the sets were destroyed by fire in the mid-70s.
President Richard Nixon asked producer Jack Warner to have the song “Cool, Cool, Considerate Men” removed from the movie version as it offended his political sensibilities – and it was. Many years later it was restored. Thankfully, the editor did not destroy the negative as he was asked to do.
