Earth Day 1970s: EPA’s ‘Documerica’ photos

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How’s your Earth Day going? I hope you’re having a good time and raising a glass to ol’ Mother Earth.

Last year I wrote a bit about the very first Earth Day in 1970 and provided you with news footage from the day. This year I’d like to point you at a collection of photographs over at HuffPost. From 1972-1977 the Environmental Protection Agency set up a “Documerica” program and tasked photographers with documenting issues of environmental concern.

Below, you can grab a look at a few shots from the 70s. Hop over to HuffPost for a look at “Then & Now” comparisons.

Lower Manhattan, NYC, May, 1973



Boston, Mass. Logan Airport construction. May, 1973



Boston, Mass. April, 1973



Boston, Mass. Circa 1970s



Cleveland, Ohio. July, 1973

70s Spots: Cap’n Crunch’s Cinnamon Crunch cereal

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Jean LaFoot brings you Cinnamon Crunch cereal - mid-70s. 'How did such a bad guy guy come up with such a good cereal?'

In the early to mid 1970s Quaker Oats unleashed the delicious Cinnamon Crunch cereal on the public. As the official line goes, Cinnamon Crunch was created by bad guy pirate and Cap’n Crunch nemesis Jean LaFoot. Turns out LaFoot’s cereal was yum-tastic. Enjoy a healthy TV spot.

Cinnamon Crunch 70s box. Pic courtesy of 'jeffrey' at MrBreakfast.com

Funshine Friday: ‘The Brady Kids’ (Animated, 1972)

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Filmation's The Brady Kids, 1972. 'The youngest one is Bob.'

Two consecutive days featuring The Brady Bunch? Why the hell not?! Today, we take a look at Filmation’s animated series from 1972-73, The Brady Kids.

22 episodes were created and the actual Brady Kids provided their own voices for season one. In season two, egged on by their agents, Barry Williams, Christopher Knight and Maureen McCormick held out for more cash – and were replaced for the last five shows.

You may remember the Brady menagerie of pets in this cartoon featured a freakish, red mynah bird named Marlon, a dog called Mop Top and puckish pair of pandas named Ping and Pong. Why? Only Filmation can say for sure.

Here are the somewhat animated Bradys...and that damn bird, Marlon

Ping, Mop Top and Pong. Or is it Pong, Mop Top and Ping? Ah, whatever.

Here’s the intro for the show:

Now, enjoy a Brady song. Go on, you’ve earned it. Have a happy Funshine Friday!

Brady Bunch Moments: ‘Oh, my nose!’

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The Brady Bunch, 1973. 'Hey, you guys...oh, my nose!'

As per usual, we’re well overdue for a classic Brady Bunch Moment. Join in the fun below as Marcia gets smacked right in the kisser with Peter’s poorly thrown football. Yikes. That’s gonna leave a mark…

This Brady Bunch Moment first graced American TV screens on February 9th, 1973 in “The Subject Was Noses” episode during season four.

Rad Ads: Life Magazine, October, 1972

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Put on your diamond-studded spectacles – it’s “Rad Ad” time.

Flipping through the October 13, 1972 issue of Life Magazine we come across a number of charming, strange and frightening advertisements that deserve deep investigation. Grab a look-see! (Click on any ad to enlarge and scan through all with ease.)

Winston Fancy Pants! I need these immediately. I don't smoke - but these are smokin' hot!



The great Buddy Hackett wants you to buy an Aladdin thermos



Swinging salmon flares alert!



Radioactivity. Who knew it was so good for you?



Now there's a friendly looking fellow



Underwhelmed. There's a unique advertising angle.



I'm surprised that rust-colored appliance isn't pale yellow or avacado green. They went for choice #3.



Nice Kaftan and turtleneck combo!

Trailer Tuesday: Phantom of the Paradise

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Phantom of the Paradise, 1974.

On Halloween day, 1974, a film destined to become a cult classic was released. Phantom of the Paradise, written and directed by Brian De Palma, stars Paul Williams as a record producer called Swan, Jessica Harper as an aspiring singer named Phoenix and William Finley as Winslow Leach (aka The Phantom).

Sadly, actor William Finley passed away on Saturday at age 69. By pure coincidence, I had already planned to present Phantom of the Paradise as this week’s featured trailer before Finley had passed. I was even reading up on the man at IMDb and within hours Finley had died. I’m a bit nervous about choosing next week’s trailer.

More Info: In Memory of William Finley: 5 Things You Might Not Know About ‘Phantom Of The Paradise’

Phantom of the Paradise Wiki, IMDb