70s Spots: Hostess and kids, they go together

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Hostess TV spot, 1976. 'Fresh, wholesome Hostess. cup cakes, fruit pies, golden Twinkies...'

It’s time for a quick commercial break. Watch this clip for Hostess from 1976 (or thereabouts).

When I was a kid I could eat buckets full of Hostess pies, cup cakes and Twinkies if given half a chance. Thankfully, I wasn’t. I did have a Hostess pie-eating contest with myself once and ate something like 7 or 8 pies in-a-row, only stopping when I ran out of money. And no, I didn’t feel ill. I’m not sure I could eat more than one these days without getting a bit queasy.

Pay attention to the TV spot below. Recognize the kid with the headphones and cymbals? That’s Erin “Ahmad Abdul-Rahim” Blunt of Bad News Bears fame.

Funshine Friday: The New Scooby-Doo Movies with Don Knotts

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The New Scooby-Doo Movies, 1972. Shaggy and Don Knotts share a frightened moment.

Continuing our appreciation of Don Knotts, we celebrate this Funshine Friday with a scene from The New Scooby-Doo Movies from 1972.

Don Knotts plays himself as he buddies up with Shaggy – the only other person on the planet as nervous and as easily frightened. Enjoy this minute of fun and praise the great Mr. Knotts!

Update: The YouTube user has deleted the video. Enjoy the show’s intro instead.

In celebration of Don Knotts

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Don Knotts on The Andy Griffith Show (1962). The famed sitcom was a 1970s re-run staple.

The great comedic actor Don Knotts, best known for portraying Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show, left this world six years ago today (February 24, 2006) at the age of 81. In remembrance of the man who was a childhood favorite of mine, let’s take a look at two of the film roles he played in the 1970s.

First up we have this scene featuring Don Knotts and Tim Conway in Disney’s The Apple Dumpling Gang from 1975. A hugely successful film for Disney in the 70s. Yes, really!

Next, we have Knotts in a Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo TV spot from 1977. All hail the master!

Time Covers 1973

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In posts past, we took a look at exceptional Time Magazine covers from 1970, 1971 and 1972. Today, let’s turn our gaze to the year 1973.

The Watergate scandal exploded into the news in ’73 and many Time covers featured the beleaguered face of President Richard Nixon. Additionally, Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned and Gerald Ford was in as the new VP. Quite a heavy year in politics.

Time/Cover Source

TV Time: ‘Apple’s Way’ (1974)

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Apple's Way, 1974. Haha! Don't spill that lemonade!

Is that the time? Hush now, kids, Apple’s Way is starting. We’ll talk after…

Apple’s Way was first telecast on February 10th, 1974 and ran for a season until January ’75. Ronny Cox starred as the father, George Apple, who left the madness of L.A. and moved the family to Iowa. Lee McCain played the mother, Barbara. Teen heartthrob, Vincent Van Patten co-starred as Paul Apple.

Halfway through the run some retooling was done on the show. The episodes took a more serious bent and Kristy McNichol replaced Franny Michel as the daughter, Patrica Apple. If you’d like, you can explore more at Wikipedia and IMDb.

Additional reference: The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows (OOP book by Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh).

Trailer Tuesday: Superchick

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Joyce Jillson is 'Superchick', 1973. 'Mistress of the Martial Arts with a black belt wrapped around her super body.'

“She’s all that every woman wants to be – supercharged!” Tuesday morning means it’s time to roll out a fresh movie trailer. Today, let’s enjoy a B-movie from 1973 enthusiastically-entitled Superchick.

Superchick stars Joyce Jillson as flight attendant Tara B. True who makes hot, weekly stop-overs in New York, Miami and Los Angeles. Many hot pants died to bring you this coming attraction.

Superchick IMDb, Superchick at Eccentric Cinema (*Nudity warning.)

Superchick 1-sheet, 1973