Trailer Tuesday: International Velvet

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Tatum O'Neal in International Velvet (aka Bad News Horses), 1978

International Velvet, the sequel to famed Elizabeth Taylor-vehicle, National Velvet, released in the summer of 1978. The movie stars Tatum O’Neal as Sarah Brown, an American girl who’s been shipped off to England to live with relatives after the tragic death of her parents. Many horses are ridden and numerous tears shed in this sentimental coming-of-age tale.

Grab a look at the trailer and keep your eyes open for Anthony Hopkins and Christopher Plummer. There’s some quality actors and nice scenery in this one even if the end result is less-than-classic status:

Music for Monday: Peter Gabriel, ‘Solsbury Hill’

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Peter Gabriel, 'Solsbury Hill', 1977

Happy Monday, Bionic people. Please enjoy one of my favorite Peter Gabriel songs from 1977. “Solsbury Hill” was Gabriel’s debut solo single and reached the top 20 in his native UK and top 70 in the US.

Bee Gees’ Robin Gibb has died

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Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees ,1975

Unfortunately, we have another passing to report; Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees has died today of colorectal cancer, aged 62. Brother, Maurice, passed away in 2003. You can read more about Robin Gibb’s illustrious life and early passing at USA Today and The Los Angeles Times.

USA Today Quote:
“Robin, who had been hospitalized for pneumonia and underwent surgery last year to remove a growth from his colon, was central to the group’s success both as a songwriter and a vocalist. He was the original lead singer, and his tangy, tremulous tenor and older brother Barry’s deeper, breathier, falsetto-prone voice were constants as the Bee Gees traversed a wide range of musical styles.

Though the family act first gained attention in the ’60s for Beatle-esque pop tunes, they moved into orchestral rock and then the soaring disco that made them superstars in the late ’70s. Their contributions made 1977’s Saturday Night Fever soundtrack a No. 1 album for 24 straight weeks, earning them chart-topping singles in Stayin’ Alive, Night Fever and How Deep Is Your Love.”

Here’s a video remembrance – the Bee Gees singing a medley live in 1975:

70s Spots: Florence Henderson for Klean ‘n Shine

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Henderson (still sporting the Brady hairdo) for Klean 'n Shine, 1970s

Throughout the 1970s Florence Henderson (of The Brady Bunch) sold us a variety of products. Here’s two mid-70s spots for Klean ‘n Shine featuring Flo.

You know the all-purpose product works especially well because they spelled “clean” with a “k”!

(Thanks YouTube posters Commercialjukebox & WhatsAYak)

Funshine Friday: Speed Buggy

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Speed Buggy crew waves hello, 1973

Hanna-Barbera’s Speed Buggy first aired September through December, 1973 on CBS, and afterwards, spent much time in reruns on NBC and ABC. The show featured the dune buggy in question (voiced by Mel Blanc) and his three human buddies; Tinker, Mark and Debbie. 16 episodes in all were produced.

Enjoy the show’s intro and have a happy Funshine Friday!

Remote control Tinkerin'. Speed Buggy, 1973

Click here to view a high quality version of the intro on YouTube – looks like Warner Bros. is cracking down on embed vids of the show.

Speed Buggy Wiki, IMDb

Donna Summer has died, a video to remember

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Donna Summer performs on The Midnight Special, 1978

Donna Summer, queen of 1970s disco and 80s pop, has died at age 63. The Guardian are reporting that the five-time Grammy award winner passed away on Thursday from cancer.

Summer’s biggest 70s hits included “I Feel Love”, “Last Dance”, and “Love to Love You Baby”.

The Guardian Quote:

“Summer, a native of Dorchester, Massachusetts, died Thursday in Florida, according to the showbiz website TMZ, which first reported the news. A family statement later confirmed the death.

Born LaDonna Adrian Gaines, Summer broke into the music business in her early 20s as a backup singer for the soul group Three Dog Night. Her first hit, Love to Love You Baby, reached the No 2 spot on the Billboard charts in 1976. The string of hit singles that followed – Could It Be Magic, Last Dance, Hot Stuff – revolutionised 1970s disco.”

Enjoy this “Bad Girls” video in remembrance.

Donna Summer Wiki