70s shots: Star Wars footprints at the Chinese Theater

Here’s a great “70s shot” for you to enjoy on this summer anniversary. 35 years ago, on August 3rd, 1977, Star Wars characters; C-3PO, R2-D2 and Darth Vader signed their names and left their footprints in the cement at Mann’s Chinese Theater (aka Grauman’s Chinese) in Los Angeles, California.

The official Star Wars Facebook page presented the photo below in commemoration of the day. Nice one.

Star Wars characters immortalized barely three months after the film’s release. Mann’s Chinese Theater, August 3, 1977. (Photo via Star Wars Facebook page)

Funshine Friday: Mission: Magic!

Rick Springfield’s cartoon debut in Mission: Magic!, 1973

Filmation’s Mission: Magic! first aired September through December, 1973 on ABC. 16 episodes of this animated series were produced and they featured the voice and likeness of actor and singer Rick Springfield.

Springfield, aged 23 and still sporting an Australian accent, would usually perform a song in each episode while assisting a group of youngsters called “The Adventurers Club” and the magical Miss Tickle.

Mission: Magic! Wiki, IMDb

Show Toppers: ‘Kojak’ (’73 -’78)

No lollipop? No shades? What the hell? Telly Savalas as ‘Kojak’,’ 1973.

It’s time to launch a new reoccurring segment here at Bionic Disco with the catchy title of “Show Toppers.” Herein, we’ll post intros for television shows of the 1970s – both well-known and obscure. Let’s start things off with a New York-based detective series you may remember fondly.

Kojak, created by Abby Mann, originally aired on CBS from October, 1973 to March, 1978. The show stars Telly Savalas as the boldly bald Greek American, Lieutenant Theodore Kojak. The character was known for dressing in sharp suits, constantly sucking on a lollipop and uttering the catchphrase, “Who loves ya, baby?”

Other cast members include: Dan Frazer as Captain Frank McNeil, Kevin Dobson as Detective Bobby Crocker and Telly’s real-life brother, George Savalas (aka Demosthenes) as Detective “Fatso” Stavros.

Kojak Wiki

**Watch full Kojak episodes for free at IMDb.

70s stories in the news: CBS to reboot ‘Brady Bunch’, ‘Super Friends’ Alden dies

It’s time to catch up on recent 1970s-related stories. Ripped from the news we have word on a possible prime time return of The Brady Bunch, actor Norman Alden passing away and more. Read on.

A new Brady Bunch for CBS?

Vaughn reboots the Bunch. (Image skillfully manipulated by Bionic Disco)

Deadline are reporting that actor Vince Vaughn is co-developing and executive producing a possible reboot of The Brady Bunch for CBS. The new version of The Brady Bunch, written by Mike Mariano (My Name Is Earl), will focus on Bobby Brady who is now divorced with a set of his own kids. Read more.

After hearing the news, Susan “Cindy Brady” Olsen took to Twitter to say “BB redux? Who knows? When I heard about the first movie I thought it was a crazy idea – but it turned out great!

Deadline Quote:

“I hear Vaughn came up with the idea for the new Brady Bunch and teamed with Mariano. Mariano and Lloyd Schwartz, son of the late Sherwood Schwartz, will executive produce the CBS project along with Vaughn, Victoria Vaughn and Peter Billingsley through Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Picture Show Prods.

CBS TV Studios has the rights to the original series as it was produced by its predecessor Paramount Television. The studio has a lot of experience successfully reviving old series. There are three reboots now on the air now: CBS’ Hawaii Five-0 and the CW’s 90210 and Beauty And The Beast — all of them produced by CBS TV Studios.”

Norman Alden has died

Norman Alden

Famed character actor Norman Alden passed away on Friday, July 27th at the age of 87. Alden was a talented man with a distinctive voice who never seemed to be without work throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s.

70s fans will best remember Alden as Frank Heflin on Electra Woman and Dyna Girl (1976), Coach Fedders on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1976) and as the voice of Aquaman on Super Friends (1973, 1977). A small sampling of shows Alden appeared on throughout the 70s include; My Three Sons (1970), Ironside (1972), The Streets of San Francisco (1972-75) and Kojack (1975).

For more on Norman Alden hit Alden’s IMDb, Alden’s Wiki and NormanAlden.com.

Screen Crush Quote:

“Calling Alden prolific undermines his massive contributions to the entertainment industry. Though he’s best known for playing tough guys in ‘Tora! Tora! Tora!’ and ‘Semi-Tough,’ he also appeared in ‘Back to the Future’ (where he played diner owner Lou), Tim Burton’s ‘Ed Wood’ (where he played a cameraman), ‘They Live’ and ‘Patch Adams,’ with Robin Williams.

Alden’s television credits are staggering. He had a multi-episode run on ‘Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.’ He appeared on such iconic shows as ‘Perry Mason,’ ‘Bonanza,’ ‘The Andy Griffith Show,’…‘Hogan’s Heroes,’ ‘Dallas,’ ‘The Rockford Files’ and many, many more.”

Norman Alden as Frank Heflin on Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, 1976

Other 70s stories you may be interested in:

American Flags From Apollo Missions Still Standing

Groovy 1973 Archival Film Celebrates Landsat Satellite Launch

Lifetime Picks Up Renee Zellweger-Produced Drama ‘Cinnamon Girl’ To Pilot

Doctor Who (1978-79) actress Mary Tamm dies

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

7-Up ‘Bubbles’ TV commercial, 1974

Here’s a pair of ultra-colorful and slightly trippy 1970s-era TV commercials for 7-Up. Both of the spots feature a heady mix of animation and live-action and show off the 1920s and 1950s looks that were popular once again during the decade. Drink ’em up.

Trailer Tuesday: ‘Logan’s Run’ (1976)

Michael York – from Musketeer to Sandman,. Logan’s Run, 1976

Logan’s Run released to theaters in June of 1976. This sci fi classic, directed by Michael Anderson, stars Michael York as Logan 5 and Jenny Agutter as Jessica. The unlikely pair attempt to escape from a society that wants them dead for the crime of being over the age of 30.

I’m a huge fan of this film and saw it when it was originally released. Until Star Wars came along the following summer it was the best sci fi film we 70s kids had ever seen. The movie also looms large in my personal life as (decades later) my wife was celebrating her 29th birthday with a Logan’s Run-themed get-up – complete with a crystal on the palm of her hand – on the night we first met and fell in love. Awwwwww!

Babes of the 70s #21 – Jenny Agutter. Logan’s Run, 1976

‘Logan’s Run’ Trailer, 1976

Logan’s Run Wiki, IMDb

Logan’s Run 1-sheet. (Photo via: Jon’s Random Acts of Geekery)