Trailer Tuesday: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

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Gene Wilder creating a world of pure imagination, 1971

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory was released 41 years ago this month in 1971. I adored the movie (based on Roald Dahl’s book) from the moment I caught it on TV in the early 70s. In fact, I’ve yet to meet anyone who grew up in the 70s who isn’t a fan.

I’ve followed Gene Wilder’s career ever since and was also enamored with Jack Albertson (who played “Grandpa Joe”.) I met Albertson (who I also knew from The Poseidon Adventure and Chico and the Man) in the late 70s at Farmer’s Market in Los Angeles. I recognized him and asked for an autograph. I must have been around 10-years-old. I don’t remember much about it except that he asked me to wait for him to make a phone call first before he signed his name on a slip of paper. I remember thinking it was taking a long while as I watched him chatting in the phone booth. Phone booth, yeah. Remember those?

Regretfully, years later, I lost that slip of paper. Albertson passed away in 1981.

Jack Albertson, quintessential grandpa of the 70s

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Wiki, IMDB

Music for Monday: Rick Derringer, ‘Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo’

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Rick Derringer gettin' koo koo, 1973

Rick Derringer wrote the tune “Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo” and it was first recorded and released by Johnny Winter in 1970. Derringer released his own version of the song in 1973 for his All American Boy L.P. and it rose to #23 on the Billboard US “Hot 100” charts.

Enjoy this Derringer video from 1973 and enjoy your first Monday in June.

Richard Dawson has died, a video remembrance

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Richard Dawson on Family Feud, 1978 - wondering who he'll kiss next...

As you may have heard by now, TV sitcom star and Emmy-award-winning game show host, Richard Dawson, has died, aged 79. Dawson was best known for hosting TV’s Family Feud (1976-1985) and for portraying Cpl. Newkirk on Hogan’s Heroes (1965-1971).

In the 1970s Dawson also appeared on a wide variety of TV shows such as Match Game, McCloud, Love, American Style, Laugh-In, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, Fantasy Island and The Love Boat. I watched my fair share of Family Feud as a kid and was a big fan of Hogan’s Heroes – which ran in reruns throughout the 70s. Thanks for the entertainment, Mr. Dawson!

BBC Quote:

“After starting his career as a stand-up comedian, Dawson married the English pin-up Dors in 1959. The couple settled in California but he was devastated when she walked out on him and they divorced in 1967.

By then, he was known as the Cockney prisoner of war in Hogan’s Heroes, which ran on CBS from 1965 to ’71. He became Family Feud’s host when it launched on the ABC network in 1976 and won a daytime Emmy Award in 1978 for best game show host. At its height, Family Feud was one of the most popular programmes on US TV, airing 11 times a week – five in daytime and six in the evening.”

Richard Dawson on Family Feud, 1978


Richard Dawson on Hogan’s Heroes, 1967

Richard Dawson Wiki, IMDb

Funshine Friday: Will The Real Jerry Lewis Please Sit Down

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'There goes Jerry Lewis...'

Filmation’s Will the Real Jerry Lewis Please Sit Down made its debut on ABC in September of 1970 and 18 episodes were produced.

The cartoon featured Jerry Lewis characters made famous in the actor’s films and the show’s title is a play on the final question from the game show To Tell the Truth. While Jerry Lewis did not provide his voice, David Lander, who later played Squiggy on Laverne & Shirley, did. Not too shabby.

Enjoy the show’s intro and closing below and have a happy Funshine Friday.

(Thanks, YouTube poster toontracker.)

WTRJLPSD, 1970. Can you name them all?

Brady Bunch Moments: Don’t play ball in the house…

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The Brady Bunch, 1970. 'There goes my camping trip...'

Time for another exciting “Brady Bunch Moment”. Today, we take a look at the boy’s ill-advised basketball shenanigans that lead to a heartbreaking household accident. Peter’s camping trip is sure to be canceled…or is it?

This choice moment appeared on The Brady Bunch in the “Confessions, Confessions” episode of season two and first aired on December 18, 1970.

Greg: “Mom’s favorite vase.”

Bobby: “She always says, ‘Don’t play ball in the house.'”

70s stories in the news: Sex Pistols & Olivia Newton-John

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Sex Pistols, 'God Save the Queen', 1977. 35 years on...same queen, same Pistols.

The Sex Pistols have re-issued their “God Save the Queen” single to celebrate the song’s 35th anniversary. A limited-edition 7″ picture disc has been made available to commemorate the original which released on May 27, 1977. Read about the release at the official Sex Pistols site and enjoy a remembrance of the Pistol’s jubilee boat trip down the Thames at The Guardian.

Pistols Quote:

“Originally released on May 27th 1977, during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, ‘God Save The Queen’ made its mark in history. The BBC amongst others refused to play it and although it technically out-sold the Number 1 record of the week (The First Cut is the Deepest by Rod Stewart) ‘GSTQ’ peaked at Number 2 in the singles charts. The powers-that-be refused to acknowledge it but the Sex Pistols were Number 1.

On the Jubilee holiday itself, June 7th 1977, the Sex Pistols arranged their own Jubilee tribute with a boat trip along the River Thames in full view of the Houses of Parliament. After playing a handful of songs Police boarded the boat and arrested several people; including the band’s then manager Malcolm McLaren.”

In other 70s-related news, CNN chats with Olivia Newton-John. (Yes, I enjoyed putting these two stories together in the same post.)

Olivia Newton-John CNN Interview:

“Singer Olivia Newton-John talks about her earliest career aspirations and how she stays fit and healthy at 63.”