A Bruce Lee Moment: Nunchucks at noon

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Bruce Lee is ‘Billy Lo’ in ‘Game of Death,’ 1972/1978

It’s time for A Bruce Lee Moment! This two-minute clip features a nunchaku battle where Lee faces off against the Third Floor Pagoda Guardian, Pasqual (Dan Inosanto). The battle comes to us courtesy of the film Game of Death.

Game of Death (released in 1978) features footage shot of Bruce Lee in 1972 and was “finished” by piecing that footage together with new actors and Lee doubles. Enjoy a brief moment with the real deal.

Game of Death Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on A Bruce Lee Moment: Destroying O’Hara

Mood Music: Rick Springfield, ‘Hooky Jo’

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Rick Springfield belts out ‘Hooky Jo’ on Aussie TV circa 1972

Here’s an odd bit of Mood Music for your Saturday that you may not have heard before – Rick Springfield’s “Hooky Jo” from 1972. The single comes from Springfield’s debut L.P., Beginnings.

“Hooky Jo” is super poppy and you’ll likely be singing along by the end of the tune. The song is about war but it’s hard to say which conflict. The Civil War? Vietnam? One thing’s for certain – you’ll never hear another cow bell and whistling breakdown this fantabulous. Enjoy!

Rick Springfield Wiki, Beginnings review at No Depression

Previously, on Mood Music: The Muppets, ‘Movin’ Right Along’

Funshine Friday: The Barkleys

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The Barkleys, 1972

“Arnie Barkley, he’s the head of the Barkley house. Agnes Barkley, is his devoted and loving spouse…”

DePatie-Freleng’s The Barkleys originally ran on NBC for 13 episodes beginning in September of 1972. The animated series featured a family of anthropomorphic dogs seemingly based on the live-action sitcoms All in the Family and The Honeymooners.

Ralph Kramden, uh, Arnie Barkley’s “Bark is worse than his bite!”

The great character actor, Henry Corden provided the voice of grouchy dad, Arnie and Joan Gerber played his wife, Agnes. Julie McWhirter, Gene Andrusco and Steve Lewis provided voices for the younger family members.

Here’s the intro for the show. Have a happy Funshine Friday!

The Barkleys Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Funshine Friday: CB Bears

Show Toppers: Swiss Family Robinson

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Irwin Allen’s slight ‘disaster’ – ‘Swiss Family Robinson,’ 1975

Only 20 episodes of Irwin Allen’s Swiss Family Robinson were filmed and they originally ran Sunday evenings on ABC from September, 1975 to April, 1976.

Yep, that young gal in pony-tails is Academy Award winner, Helen Hunt

The TV show, based on the adventure novel and influenced by the Disney flick, starred Martin Milner (Adam-12) as shipwreck-survivor, Karl Robinson, who builds a new life on a desert island. The Robinson family were played by Pat Delaney (Lotte Robinson), Willie Aames (Fred Robinson) and Eric Olson (Ernie Robinson.) An 11-year-old, Helen Hunt played fellow survivor, Helga Wagner. Cameron Mitchell played, Jeremiah Worth (who was on the island years earlier following a shipwreck of his own.)

Swiss Family Robinson Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Show Toppers: Diana Rigg in ‘Diana’

70s Spots: ‘Big Fig’ for Fig Newtons

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‘Big Fig” for Fig Newtons circa 1970s.
I was going to put a bad pun here about “Gettin’ figgy with it,” but thought better of it.

Here’s a pair of spots for a lovable advertising mascot of the 1970s, “Big Fig,” who extolled kids and their parents on the virtues of Nabisco’s Fig Newton cookies.

First up, we have “Big Fig,” (played by actor, James Harder) singing his theme song and dancing. This spot seemed like it ran during every commercial break for a year or two. It was ingrained in our young impressionable minds.

Next, we have a more general, family spot where “Big Fig” invades the kitchen. Scary and wonderful. Enjoy.

Previously, on 70s Spots: Doritos with Avery Schreiber

Return to the Bionic Disco homepage for more mind-expanding 1970s pop culture!

Trailer Tuesday: Over the Edge

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Matt Dilion is Ritchie White in his debut film, ‘Over the Edge,’ 1979

Over the Edge arrived in theaters at the tail-end of the 70s in November of 1979. The film, directed by Jonathan Kaplan, features future star Matt Dillon in his first-ever role.

Over the Edge was inspired by real-life events and focuses on a group of extremely bored (read: troubled) teens in suburban Northern California who rebel against the establishment and end up causing major havoc in and around their high school. All of this angst and destruction is set to an excellent soundtrack featuring Cheap Trick, The Cars and The Ramones.

Though later re-packaging of the film focuses on Dillon – the real star of the movie is Michael Kramer who (besides a brief comeback in the 90s) seems to have left acting behind.

Michael Kramer is Carl in ‘Over the Edge,’ 1979

God, this could almost be a scene from my Junior High years. The horror!

Over the Edge Wiki, IMDb