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

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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!!

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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)

Partridge Pop: ‘Walking in the Rain’ (1973)

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David Cassidy sculpted his hair into some really interesting shapes in the 70s
‘The Partridge Family,’ 1973

In our second installment of Partridge Pop we feature The Partridge Family singing the Phil Spector-Barry Mann-Cynthia Weil classic, “Walking in the Rain.”

This short and sweet tune comes from season three of The Partridge Family and the episode entitled, “The Eleven-Year Itch.” It originally aired February 2, 1973. Bert Convy and Jodie Foster were featured co-stars and can be seen in the clip.

Emmy Award-winner, Bert Convy and Academy Award-winner, Jodie Foster together again – for the very first time.
‘The Partridge Family,’ 1973

“Walking in the Rain” appeared on the L.P., The Partridge Family Notebook, which released in November of 1972.

The Partridge Family, “Walking in the Rain”

German single for ‘Walking in the Rain,’ 1972
Note the fantastic face on Jeremy Gelbwaks in the lower left. That’s the kind of thing that got the kid booted from the show.

Previously, on Partridge Pop: ‘Together We’re Better’

Trailer Tuesday: Jeremiah Johnson

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Robert Redford and his pre-mountain-man face
Jeremiah Johnson, 1972

40-years-ago next month, Warner Brothers released Sydney Pollack’s Jeremiah Johnson to theaters.

The adventure epic stars Robert Redford (hot off his appearance in The Candidate) as a man disillusioned with his time served in the Mexican War. Johnson drops out of society and moves to the frigid mountains to be alone. Both joy and sorrow follow.

I can remember my Mother taking me to see this film when I was only six-years-old and I really took to it. In fact, all of us who went, loved it. Growing up, I listed it as one of my favorite movies. I don’t think I’ve seen Jeremiah Johnson in 30 years. Time to throw a log on the fire, put my feet up and remedy that.

Jeremiah Johnson Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Trailer Tuesday: Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown

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

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Get back!
Elton John performs ‘Honky Cat’ live in London, 1972

I spent the last hour searching around looking for a good 1970s song relevant to Veteran’s Day (technically yesterday, but many have today off as a holiday) and came up empty. I had a few options in mind but no quality visuals could be uncovered.

Instead, let’s listen to Elton John, live in London, belting out “Honky Cat” as he debuts his Honky Chateau L.P. in ’72. A great song celebrates the living and those who have passed into the beyond. Kick it cats!

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

Full Movie: Evel Knievel (1971)

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It’s a patriotic day, right?
George Hamilton is ‘Evel Knievel,’ 1971

It’s time to kick back and watch a movie on this long weekend. Apparently the 1971 film, Evel Knievel, starring George Hamilton, is now public domain and fair game for posting and “enjoying.”

If you can get through the opening monologue you’ve got it made. There’s actual footage in this one of Evel’s leaps and spills. Fire that sucker up and I hope you make the jump!

Stay for the footage of Knievel cracking himself to pieces
Caesar’s Palace, 1967

Evel Knievel movie at Wiki, IMDb