Trailer Tuesday: ‘The Muppet Movie’ (1979)

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One of the best films of 1979, ‘The Muppet Movie.’
‘Can you picture that?’

The Muppet Movie hit theaters in June of 1979. This musical comedy starring everyone’s felt favorites did extremely well at the box office and ended up the 7th highest-grossing film of the year. With a ton of laughs, a heart-warming story and excellent tunes such as “Moving Right Along” and “The Rainbow Connection,” The Muppet Movie deserves to be right up there with The Jerk and Kramer vs. Kramer.

I saw the movie at least two or three times in the theater in the summer and fall of 1979 and am pleased to report that it holds up well to this day. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll rush out and buy the DVD. Unfortunately, The Muppet Movie is not yet available on Blu-ray. Enjoy the original theatrical trailer and Steve Martin’s cameo as a snotty waiter below.

(*Note: The original trailer was removed from YouTube and now seems impossible to find. Here’s a TV spot replacement.)
The Muppet Movie Theatrical Trailer

The Muppet Movie Steve Martin Cameo

The Muppet Movie Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Trailer Tuesday: Foxy Brown

Music for Monday: Van Halen, ‘Dance the Night Away’

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“Won’t’cha turn your head my way?”
Van Halen, “Dance the Night Away,” 1979

Happy Labor Day to those of you in the US! And to everyone, Happy Monday! What do we do when we have the day off? We “Dance the Night Away” of course.

Van Halen released “Dance the Night Away” in 1979 and it became their first US top 20 hit – rising to #15 on the Billboard “Hot 100”. Enjoy this concert-footage video of the band in their classic late-70s period. It’s hairy good.

Previously, on Music for Monday: Ian Hunter, “Once Bitten, Twice Shy”

70s Spots: The Carpenters – Rare Japanese Commercials

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“From the Heart”…comes Japanese chocolate.
The Carpenters for Hi-Crown Chocolate (1974)

I hope you are enjoying a lazy September Sunday. To help keep you relaxed – here’s a pair of rarely-seen spots The Carpenters made for Japanese television in the early to mid-1970s.

First up, Karen and Richard sing a tune which seems to be entitled “From the Heart” for Hi-Crown Chocolates. In the second spot, the brother and sister duo ride the waves and help sell a Suntory-brand soda called “Pop”. Pop & sweets. A perfect pairing.

“The Queen of Pop” (See what I did there?)
Karen Carpenter for Suntory Pop (1977)

The Carpenters Wiki, RichardandKarenCarpenter.com

Previously, on 70s Spots: 7-Up blowing bubbles, blowing minds

Home video games are 40 years old

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That’s one heck of a controller!
Odyssey TV commercial circa late 1972/early ’73.

Home video games are officially 40 years old this week. The first home system, the Magnavox Odyssey, shipped to retailers in August of 1972. The first known instance of the system being on sale to the public dates to an ad from August 28th, ’72. Video Game site Gamasutra has the full skinny on the ancient machine. Happy Birthday!

Gamasutra Quote:

“…the Odyssey — based on Baer’s prototype ‘brown box’ console (now living in The Smithsonian), but with some flourishes added by Magnavox — is as primitive as can be. Using overlays that stuck onto a user’s television set, players would move simple white objects around on a screen and play simulations of roulette, a simple skiing game, and even a quasi-educational game involving U.S. geography.”

Magnavox Odyssey Wiki

Magnavox Odyssey came with one hell of a package

Funshine Friday: The New Adventures of Gilligan

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‘They found themselves a shipwrecked clan – north on Gilligan’s Isle.’
The New Adventures of Gilligan, 1974

Filmation’s animated series The New Adventures of Gilligan first aired on Saturday mornings on ABC in September of 1974. The series ran through 1975 and 24 episodes were produced. A batch of re-runs were shown during the ’76-’77 season and it moved to Sunday mornings.

Almost all of the actors from the live-action Gilligan’s Island TV show provided their speaking roles with the exception of Dawn Wells (Mary Ann) and Tina Louise (Ginger). You may remember that Gilligan’s little buddy on this series was a monkey called Snubby. Oh, the hilarity! Enjoy the show’s intro and exit below. Happy Funshine Friday!

The New Adventures of Gilligan Wiki, IMDb

Heck, yes, I’d trust these guys with my life!

Previously, on Funshine Friday: Baggy Pants & The Nitwits

Show Toppers: ‘Wait Till Your Father Gets Home’ (1972-74)

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Wait Till Your Father Gets Home intro,1972

Hanna-Barbera’s Wait Till Your Father Gets Home made its debut on primetime TV in 1972 and ran until 1974. 48 episodes were produced. After The Flintstones and before The Simpsons came along, Wait Till Your Father Gets Home was the only animated show on in the evening that lasted more than one season.

Tom Bosley (Happy Days) provided the voice of the father, Harry and Joan Gerber played his wife, Irma. Kristina Holland played the daughter, Alice. Both David Hayward and Lennie Weinrib (H.R. Pufnstuf) played the oldest son, Chet and both Jackie Earle Haley (Bad News Bears) and Willie Aames (Eight Is Enough) played youngest son, Jamie.

I was a big fan of this show and especially enjoyed Bosely’s interactions with his wacky, right-wing conspiracy theorist neighbor, Ralph (played by Jack Burns). “It’s the Russians, Harry. The Russians!”

‘WAIT TILL YOUR FATHER GETS HOME’ TV INTRO (1972)

Wait Till Your Father Gets Home Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Show Toppers: Room 222