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

Music for Monday: The Temptations, ‘Masterpiece’ (1973)

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The Temptations 'Masterpiece'. Yep.

Happy Monday, good people. Get out yer seats, turn up the volume and stomp all over your desk to the Temptations performing “Masterpiece” on Soul Train.

The full-length L.P. version of “Masterpiece” ran over 13 minutes and was released in February of 1973. Enjoy a 3-minute performance below and seek out the original to truly blow your mind.

70s Spots: Commercial collection from ’77 & ’78

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The Clorox Lady: 'I'll give you $50 for those sneakers.'

Time for a commercial break. Let your memory do the walking through this set of TV spots from 1977 and 1978. Ford trucks, 3 Musketeers, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Cap’n Crunch and a rare preview for the short-lived sitcom The San Pedro Beach Bums are just a few of the glorious goods on display. Click it.

(Thanks YouTube poster Genius7277)

Funshine Friday: Harlem Globetrotters Cartoons

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Harlem Globetrotters cartoon intro, 1970

Hanna-Barbera’s Harlem Globetrotters cartoon debuted in September, 1970 and ran for 22 episodes until September of 1972. Real-life Globetrotters such as “Meadowlark” Lemon and “Curly” Neal were featured along with a spunky manager called Granny and a dog mascot named Dribbles.

Super Globetrotters cartoon intro, 1979

Nine years later the team had acquired heroic powers and Hanna-Barbera launched The Super Globetrotters in September, 1979 to celebrate. Have a happy Funshine Friday!

Harlem Globetrotters Wiki, The Super Globetrotters Wiki

Then and Now: ‘Car Wash’ film location, Los Angeles

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Workin' at the Car Wash, yeah. Circa 1976.

Universal Pictures released the slice-of-life comedy Car Wash in October of 1976. The movie, featuring appearances by Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Antonio Fargas and The Pointer Sisters, was filmed at an actual car wash located on the corner of Rampart and 6th street in Los Angeles.

Unfortunately, that famed car wash has been torn down and replaced by a nondescript shopping mall. I’ve taken the liberty of grabbing a few screens from the film and providing you with Google Street Map shots of the location as it stands today. Shed a tear, my friends. Shed a soapy tear.

Car Wash Film Locale at 6th & Rampart, L.A., CA, 1976


Car Wash Locale, 6th & Rampart, L.A., CA., 2012

Al's Coffee Shop, 6th & Rampart, 1976


Al's and Big 6 Market, 6th & Rampart, 1976


Al's Coffee Shop and Big 6 Market, 6th & Rampart, 2012

Car Wash Wiki, IMDb

Google street View: 6th and Rampart, Los Angeles, CA

Back to the Bionic Disco homepage for more 70s pop culture!