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

Music for Monday: Three Dog Night, ‘Joy to the World’

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Three Dog Night's Chuck Negron (and his mustache) perform 'Joy to the World" aka 'Jeremiah was a bullfrog'

In the hubbub of this President’s Day I almost forgot to lay some Monday music on you. Here’s Three Dog Night singing about what they’d do if they were president King of the World.

Three Dog Night’s “Joy to the World” was released as a single in February of 1971 and made it to the top of the Billboard US charts. You don’t often hear Three Dog Night’s name bandied about with the likes of Elton John and the Stones, but they were one of the most successful bands of the 1970s. According to the band’s official Web Site, by 1975 the group had sold nearly 50 million records. Not too shabby.

President’s Day Special: Carter vs. Ford, 1976

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Jimmy Carter, the 39th PotUS, circa 1976 election

Happy President’s Day to my fellow human beings in the US! Many of us are lucky to have today off as we bask in the glorious memory of former presidents Washington and Lincoln. This being a 70s-centric site, I thought we’d take a look back at the election year of 1976. Incumbent President Gerald R. Ford was facing off against the up-and-coming Governor of Georgia, Jimmy Carter.

I don’t have to tell you how it all turned out (*Spoiler: Carter won*) but it’s fascinating to look at the two political combatant’s television advertising as they vied for the minds of the American public. A down-to-earth peanut farmer with a giant smile versus a quiet, ex-football player who was never elected by the public (Ford took over when Nixon resigned in ’74).

I was only nine-years-old during this election battle but I was fascinated by it. I collected Carter-Mondale pamphlets and pins and spent many hours watching the Democratic National Convention during the summer of ’76 on TV. What a strange kid.

Gerald R. Ford, 38th PotUS, circa 1976 election

Jimmy Carter TV Spot #1 (featuring Mary Tyler Moore):

Gerald Ford Spot #1 (“Steady Course”):

Jimmy Carter TV Spot #2 (Campaign Promo):

Gerald Ford Spot #2 (Campaign Promo):