Trailer Tuesday: ‘1776’ (Movie Musical, 1972)

Posted on by

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.

‘1776’ Movie Trailer, 1972

1776 Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Trailer Tuesday: Jeremiah Johnson

Music for Monday: Johnny Nash, ‘I Can See Clearly Now’

Posted on by

“Gonna be a bright, bright sun-shiny day.”
Johnny Nash, ‘I Can See Clearly Now,’ 1972

Good Monday to you, folks. Thanksgiving is fast approaching and that got me to thinking about songs that were hits over past seasons. 40-years-ago, for the entire month of November, 1972, a single song sat at the very top of the Billboard US “Hot 100” charts. That song was “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash.

“I Can See Clearly Now” came from the album of the same name which released in July of ’72. An interesting note: Nash’s L.P contains tunes written by Bob Marley including “Stir It Up.” Some of Marley’s first work to be heard outside of Jamaica.

Here’s Nash singing live on The Midnight Special in 1973. Let it cheer you up. Don’t cost nuthin’.

Previously, on Music for Monday: Elton John, ‘Honky Cat’ (live, ’72)

A Johnny Carson Moment: Frank Sinatra, Don Rickles (11.12.76)

Posted on by

Johnny Carson to Frank Sinatra: “When you’re in a romantic mood…when you’re trying to make out. Whose records do you put on?”
‘The Tonight Show,’ Nov. 12, 1976

On the evening of November 12, 1976 The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson welcomed a special guest by the name of Frank Sinatra. As happened fairly often in the 60s and 70s, Don Rickles made a “surprise” appearance, walking onto the set mid-conversation. Watch the Hollywood shenanigans unfold below.

Previously, on A Johnny Carson Moment: Carnac the Magnificent (05.25.76)

Mood Music: Nazareth, ‘Dear John’

Posted on by

Dan McCafferty wants to be your man
Nazareth, ‘Dear John,’ 1972

Are you in the mood to groove? I said…are you in the mood?! Well, damnit – this will help. Here’s Nazareth performing “Dear John” live on TV in 1972.

“Dear John” (pay no attention to VH1 calling the song “I Wanna Be Your Man”) appeared on Nazareth’s self-titled debut L.P. released in November of 1971.

I know it looks like the drummer is wearing a costume. He isn’t. Can you dig it?

Previously, on Mood Music: Bob Marley and the Wailers, ‘Concrete Jungle’

Funshine Friday: ‘The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie’ (1972)

Posted on by

You never know what you’ll get – but you know it’s gonna be good –
‘The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie,’ 1972

On this week’s Funshine Friday we feature – Saturday! That’s right, this time around we take a look at The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie which launched in September, 1972.

An animated version of ‘Nanny and the Professor’?
I haven’t seen this in 40 years and I need to see it again. Stat!

The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie was a rare bird as it brought together diverse companies such as Warner Brothers, Hanna-Barbera, Filmation and Rankin/Bass and aired different cartoons and occasional live-action kids shows each week. Several cartoons, such as The Brady Kids, made their first appearances on the show.

The hour-long episodes offered up an abundance of fun titles. A partial list includes; animated versions of Nanny and the Professor and That Girl, The Banana Splits, Popeye, Looney Tunes, Lassie, Dr. Frankenstein, Robin Hoodnik, Willie Mays, Yogi Bear, Blondie and Gidget. Whew!

ABC Saturday Superstar Movie Intro

ABC Saturday Superstar Movie 1972 Promo Spot

The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Funshine Friday: Jeannie

Show Toppers: What’s Happening!!

Posted on by

You know you love this tune!!
‘What’s Happening!!,’ TV intro, 1976

This week’s Show Toppers features What’s Happening!!, which ran on ABC from summer 1976 to spring 1979. The sitcom was loosely based on the film Cooley High (1975) and followed three Watts-based L.A. teens along with their their family and friends.

Rerun and Raj moments before being booted from class.
‘What’s Happening!!,’ 1976

The teen trio in question were intelligent leader, Roger (aka “Raj”) played by Ernest Thomas, dim but lovable, Dwayne played by Haywood Nelson and rotund dancer, Rerun played by Fred Berry.

Dee “I’m gonna tell Momma” Thomas and Dwayne “Hey, hey hey!” Nelson
‘What’s Happening!!,” 1976

The cast was rounded out by Shirley Hemphill (Shirley), Mabel King (Mabel) and Danielle Spencer as Raj’s younger sister, Dee. Henry Mancini wrote the funky and fantastic theme song. Play it!

What’s Happening!! TV Intro

What’s Happening!! Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Show Toppers: Busting Loose (1977)