Trailer Tuesday: ‘Americathon’ (1979)

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Americathon, 1979. ‘The ultimate spectacle is now a movie.’

Satirical comedy, Americathon, hit theaters in late summer, 1979. The film stars John Ritter as the 1998 US President when America has run “out of gas, oil and cash.” An “Americathon” is held to save the country from bankruptcy and foreclosure. Much mayhem and minor hilarity ensues.

Fun facts: A healthy number of the film’s 1979 comedy predictions have come true; China accepting capitalism and becoming a world power, the fall of the USSR, extreme reality TV and…the Beach Boys still playing together 20 years later.

A ton of stars appear in the picture including Meatloaf, Elvis Costello, Fred Willard, Harvey Korman, Jay Leno and George Carlin (who provides narration). View the trailer below.

For more:
Americathon review at Every 70s Movie
Americathon Wiki, IMDb

Music for Monday: Kraftwerk, ‘Radio-Activity’

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Ralf Hütter and Kraftwerk activate French radio, 1978

Highly-influential electronic band, Kraftwerk, formed in Düsseldorf, Germany in 1970. The group released the song “Radio-Activity” in October of 1975. The clip below captures the band performing for French TV in 1978.

Man? Machine? Or something altogether better? Press play and electrify your Monday.

Kraftwerk Wiki, Kraftwerk.com

70s Spots: Pink Panther Flakes cereal

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Post’s Pink Panther Flakes, early 1970s

Post launched Pink Panther Flakes on the unsuspecting breakfast-eating public in the early 1970s – likely around 1972 or ’73 – to go along with their sponsorship of The Pink Panther Show.

Enjoy a 60 second TV spot for this mostly-forgotten, early morning treat.

“Tickle me pink!”

Mr. Breakfast Pink Panther Flakes Quote:

“Post Cereals co-sponsored The Pink Panther Show, a Saturday morning kid’s show, in 1972. This cereal was created as tie-in for that program.

The cereal consisted of bright, bubblegum-pink, sugar-coated corn flakes. Most people remember Pink Panther Flakes as being extraordinarily sweet-tasting. The ‘pink’ didn’t add a distinct new flavor, so the taste could be compared to ordinary Sugar Frosted Flakes with more sugar.

One interesting feature of this cereal was that it’s pink coloring ran off of the flakes and into the milk almost immediately after the flakes got wet.”

Pink Panther Flakes box, early 1970s (Photo via “jeffrey” at Mr. Breakfast.com)

Brady Bunch Moments: Whipped cream wipe-out

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“Two Lover’s Delights.” “Would you care for whipped cream?”

On this installment of “BBM” we feature the flavorful, October 26, 1973, “Marcia Gets Creamed” episode from the final season of The Brady Bunch. Marcia and Jan are working at Mr. Haskell’s ice cream shop when Marcia’s boyfriend walks in with his new date. Whipped cream madness ensues.

Fun fact: Marcia’s beau, Jeff, is played by Michael Gray of Shazam! fame.

Worthless fact: It always bothered me that Mr. Haskell hired Marcia first, thought enough of her to promote her to Afternoon Manager, then fires her, while keeping Jan. What a jerk!

Previously, on “Brady Bunch Moments”: Greg grabs a goat

More Michael Gray at Bionic Disco: 70s Magazines: Shazam’s Micheal Gray Tiger Beat Collection, Funshine Friday: Shazam!

Funshine Friday: Godzilla (animated series, 1978)

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‘Friend to humanity’. Godzilla, 1978.

Hanna-Barbera and Toho produced 26 episodes of the animated Godzilla series and the first show aired as part of the The Godzilla Power Hour in September of 1978. The show is somewhat notorious for featuring Godzilla’s inept young cousin, Godzuki.

Because Godzilla’s distinctive roar could not be used due to copyright limitations, Ted Cassidy (of The Addams Family) provided the creature’s voice. Not long after working on the show, Cassidy passed away in January of 1979.

Celebrate the melding of Lurch and Godzilla and have a happy Funshine Friday and a spooky Friday the 13th!

Godzilla Intro:

1978 NBC Saturday Morning Promo with The Godzilla Power Hour (Jana of the Jungle, The Fantastic Four and Lost Island):

Godzilla animated series Wiki, IMDb

70s stories in the news: ‘Happy Days’ lawsuit settled, 70s Sci Fi & woodcut art

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Hey kids! it’s time for a trio of 1970s-related stories from the past week or so. Explore the recent news and art bits.

Happy Days Actors Settle Lawsuit

Happy Days’ Most and Williams seem pleased with the CBS settlement


Way back in July, 2011 I brought you a report on Marion Ross and fellow Happy Days cast members suing CBS for a cut of merchandise revenue. According to CNN the $10 million dollar lawsuit has now been settled and Ross, Anson Williams, Don Most and Erin Moran are apparently pleased with the outcome. Read about it.

CNN Quote:

“The case had been scheduled to go on trial on July 17 in Los Angeles. The settlement followed a ruling in June by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Allen that the actors may be entitled to revenues from the sale of DVDs with their images on them.

‘I’m very satisfied with the settlement. And that’s all I can say,’ cast member Anson Williams, who played ‘Potsie,’ told CNN.”

Amazing!:Sci Fi Heroes of the 70s Art

A tasty section of Dusty Abell’s 70s heroes artwork. Hit the text link below for the complete (giant) image.


An artist who goes by the name “~dusty-abell” has created and posted an amazing work entitled “Television’s Sci-Fi and Superheros of the 70s” over at deviantART. The illustration features a large number of characters including the cast of the original Battlestar Galactica and Space: 1999, Wonder Woman, The Man From Atlantis and many more. Sure, there’s heroes from the 60s and 80s included as well, but that’s fine and dandy. Richard Benjamin in 1977’s Quark? Nice one!

Have a full-blown look-see. (source: Badass Digest)

Artist’s Quote:

“Well, here it is in luxurious digital color! This thing has preoccupied so much of my free time I’m grateful to have finally finished it, although at the same time, it has been one of the funnest things I’ve ever done…I hope I included a favorite of yours along with all the rest of the coolest bunch of characters to hit a television screen in an age, enjoy my friends!”

Unique: 1970s Woodcut Art

The Woodcuttingfool makes the cut


Loren at Woodcuttingfool contacted me with links to his very cool and unique woodcut artwork. There are many classic film and celebrity-related images at his site including 70s-era gems such as The French Connection, Woody Allen’s Manhattan and Richard Nixon. Eyes on.