Evel brings his own ride to the amusement park. October 25,1975.
On October 25th, 1975 Evel Knievel attempted to set a world record by jumping 14 Greyhound buses at Kings Island amusement park in Ohio. The jump was broadcast on ABC’s Wide World of Sports and garnered the highest ratings in that show’s history.
Did you catch this jump when it was originally broadcast? How does your memory serve? Was Knievel successful? Have a look below and enjoy an “Evel Knievel Moment”.
*Note: Apologies for the poor video quality. The originally posted video was removed by YouTube.
In honor of Ernest Borgnine, who passed away yesterday, here’s the trailer for The Poseidon Adventure (released December, 1972) and an extra treat video with cast members remembering the shoot.
The Poseidon Adventure – hell of a cast for a heavenly disaster
‘He’s my favorite honky…’ Steve Martin performing ‘King Tut’, 1979
A good Monday to you, Bionic brothers and sisters. In this installment of ‘Music for Monday’ we throw in a slight curve and present Steve Martin performing his hit single, “King Tut,” live in 1979. Stick with the clip for a surprise appearance by another 1970s icon.
For your enjoyment, I’ve also included Martin’s original performance of the tune on Saturday Night Live in ’78.
Released as a single in April of 1978, “King Tut” sold over a million copies and rose as high as #17 on the Billboard Hot 100. Funky Tut!
Ernest Borgnine as Sheriff Lyle ‘Cottonmouth’ Wallace in Convoy, 1978
Ernest Borgnine died today at the age of 95. Perhaps best known for his Academy Award-winning turn in the film Marty and for being a series regular on McHale’s Navy (1962-66) and Airwolf (1984-86), Borgnine worked actively in the 1970s and I’ll list out a few appearances you may remember.
In 1976, Borgnine starred as Joe Cleaver in the short-lived TV series Future Cop (which we featured back in April). Borgnine also made many TV movie appearances with roles in Jesus of Nazareth (1977) and All Quiet on the Western Front (1979) among others. He also appeared in a two-part Little House on the Prairie in 1974.
Thank you, Mr. Borgnine for the entertainment – especially The Poseidon Adventure which, for some reason, really struck a chord with my family in the 70s. I was a huge fan when I was five and six-years-old.
“During an acting career of more than 60 years, the Connecticut native worked with Helen Hayes on Broadway, with Gary Cooper and Spencer Tracy in film, and, for a much younger generation, as a voice actor in SpongeBob SquarePants on television. He and Frank Sinatra signed their Christmas cards ‘Fatso’ and ‘Maggio,’ their respective characters in 1953’s From Here to Eternity, a breakout role for Borgnine.
Borgnine’s secret for long-term success was to not be another Hollywood pretty face.
‘I was a character actor. Do I look like a good-looking man? No,’ he said in a 2011 interview timed to his acceptance of the Screen Actors Guild’s Life Achievement Award. ‘But, see, I keep working when the rest of the boys are retired.'”
Kenner Smash-Up Derby Set, 1970s. ‘Comes with everything you see right’char.’
Here’s a quick TV spot for Kenner’s SSP Smash-Up Derby Set circa early to mid-1970s. I well remember this commercial being in heavy rotation when I was a kid. 35 years later I can still sing along.
“Crash, bang, smash ’em up! it’s Smash-Up time my friend!”
Hey, 1970s fans – Don’t forget – you can find Bionic Disco on Facebook and Twitter! Get your nostalgic memories massaged daily via the miracle of modern social technology. It’s coated in sugar yet still low in calories. You’re soaking in it!
