Election Night 1972

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John Chancellor and the NBC Nightly News team are standing by.
Presidential Election Coverage, Tuesday, November 07, 1972

Did you stay up late watching the 2012 election results on TV last night? I sure kept an eye or three peeled.

As is our wont here – let’s jump back four decades and take a look at some classic footage from the 1972 presidential election which occurred 40 years ago to-the-day.

Sweaty-lipped and smiling, Nixon claims the prize.
November 08, 1972

If you’ll remember (or have studied your history) Richard Nixon was re-elected president in what they called a “landslide” over his challenger, George McGovern. Here’s 12 minutes of NBC coverage from the night, Nixon’s televised victory speech and McGovern’s concession speech. I’m no fan of Nixon, but he’s certainly a fascinating figure. Leap back into history!

NBC 1972 Election Night Highlights

Nixon Victory Speech

McGovern Concession Speech

Trailer Tuesday: Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown

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8-year-old kids solo rafting the rapids? Sure, why not!

There’s some kind of race for the White House going on today, isn’t there? I kid. I’ve already voted. Hope you have or will as well.

Brought to you by the Peanuts TV special production team of Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson, Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown released to movie theaters on August 24, 1977. Just eight days after the death of Elvis Presley and exactly one week before my baby brother, Jon, was born. I remember going to see this one at age 10, on my own, in a North Hollywood theater and enjoying it.

However, even at such a young age (and being a Peanuts fanatic) I felt the movie wasn’t quite as good as A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving or the Christmas special. But it was certainly an entertaining 76 minutes with the gang.

I couldn’t find a proper trailer for you, but to compensate, we have the opening titles (with theme song) and a 1977 TV spot.

Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown Opening Credits/Theme

“We’re in this movie too, sir”
“Stop calling me ‘sir'”

Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown 1977 :30 Second TV Spot

Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Trailer Tuesday: The Goodbye Girl

Music for Monday: Johnny Cash, ‘One Piece At a Time’

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The moment Johnny Cash and Wayne Kemp invented ‘Psychobilly’
‘One Piece At a Time,’ spring, 1976

“I got it one piece at a time – and it didn’t cost me a dime.
You’ll know it’s me when I come through your town.”

Johnny Cash’s “One Piece At a Time” was written by Wayne Kemp and recorded and released by Cash in early 1976. This humorous, rockabilly-flavored tune hit #1 on the Billboard “Country Singles” chart and #29 on the Billboard “Hot 100.”

The song tells the tale of a General Motors auto plant worker who steals the parts to build his own Cadillac “One Piece At a Time.” The single comes from an L.P. of the same name.

I love how at the start of this clip (apparently shown on Top of the Pops, July, 1976 – but performed elsewhere) Cash can barely be bothered to fake playing his guitar. Nevertheless, he appears to be having a great time singing. Enjoy.

Johnny Cash: ‘One Piece At A Time,’ 1976

Previously, on Music for Monday: Average White Band, ‘School Boy Crush’

Rad Ads: LIFE magazine, Nov. 03, 1972

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40 years ago this week LIFE magazine published their November 03, 1972 edition featuring Joe Namath on the cover.

With a hearty thanks to Google Books, let’s dip inside this issue and take a loving look at 10 “Rad Ads” from four decades back. This’ll be fun. (By clicking one image you can easily enlarge and scroll through them all. Look to the lower right and click the next image link).

That’ll do ‘er for now. Did you notice the abundance of harvest gold/yellow in the ads? Welcome to 1972.

Previously, on Rad Ads: Billboard (March, 1978)

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

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Bob Marley and the Wailers make their UK TV debut
‘Old Grey Whistle Test,’ 1973

Enjoying your weekend? Well, why not enjoy it just a little bit more? Here’s Bob Marley and the Wailers with “Concrete Jungle.”

“Concrete Jungle” originally appeared on Marley’s April, 1973 L.P., Catch a Fire. The version on display below comes from an appearance that year on the UK’s Old Grey Whistle Test. The band’s first appearance on British TV.

Note: The clip ends somewhat abruptly, but the three and a half minutes that are there are magic.

Previously, on Mood Music: Carl Perkins, ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ (live, 1971)

Funshine Friday: The Houndcats

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“These cats is rough (ruff?)”
‘The Houndcats,’ 1972

“Yeah, anytime there’s a rumble out West. Who do you call? You call the best!
‘Cause everyone knows it’s as simple as that. The best in the West is a Houndcat.”

DePatie-Freleng produced 13 episodes of The Houndcats and they originally ran on NBC from September, to December, 1972.

Ladies & gents, your 1972 Houndcats!

The Houndcats were a mixed group of felines and canines called; Stutz (Michael Bell), Putty Puss (Joe Besser), Rhubarb (Daws Butler/Arte Johnson), Ding Dong (Stu Gilliam) and Mussel Mutt (Aldo Ray).

The show was a sort of animated Mission: Impossible with the ‘Cats using their varied abilities to solve assignments. Catch the intro below and have a happy Funshine Friday!

The Houndcats Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Funshine Friday: The Roman Holidays