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

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.

An Evel Knievel Moment: Kings Island 14 Bus Jump

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.

Read more: Evel Knievel on ABC’s Wide World of Sports

Trailer Tuesday: The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

Ernest Borgnine in The Poseidon Adventure, 1972

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

The Poseidon Adventure – The Cast looks Back

The Poseidon Adventure Wiki, IMDb

Music for Monday: Steve Martin, ‘King Tut’

‘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!

Live with special guest, 1979

Saturday Night Live, 1978

Ernest Borgnine has died, 1970s work remembered

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.

Borgnine’s 70s film work included Willard (1971), The Poseidon Adventure (1972), The Devil’s Rain (1975), Convoy (1978) and The Black Hole (1979).

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.

Ernest Borgnine Wiki, IMDb

Borgnine in Convoy, 1978:

USA Today Quote:

“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.'”

70s Spots: Kenner SSP – Smash-Up Derby Set

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!”

(Smash-Up Derby photos via: Vintage Toys & Memorabilia and Jalopnik.)