Music for Monday: Barry Manilow, ‘Mandy’ (1978)

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Barry Manilow, 'Mandy', 1978. 'You kissed me and stopped me from shaking.'

Welcome to another fine Monday, Bionic people. Today, we have Barry Manilow performing on Germany’s Star Parade from November 2nd, 1978. Manilow sings his number #1 hit from 1974, “Mandy”.

C’mon, admit it to yourself and you’ll feel much better. You love this song and you are a big Barry Manilow fan. It’s OK. There now, doesn’t that feel better?

Barry Manilow: ‘Mandy’ on ‘Star Parade’ (1978)

If you need further consolation tinkle over to – Barry Manilow.com. Happy Monday!

Funshine Friday: ‘The Lost Saucer’ (Jim Nabors, 1975)

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The Lost Saucer, 1975 - Jim Nabors has never been 'Fum'-ier.

Funshine Friday has arrived! Time to relive a childhood weekend “classic”. Today, we check out the intro to Sid & Marty Krofft’s The Lost Saucer.

The Lost Saucer made its debut in September, 1975 and starred Ruth Buzzi and Jim Nabors as the lovable androids Fi and Fum. Jarrod Johnson and Alice Playten co-starred as young Jerry and his babysitter, Alice. Only 16, 30-minute episodes were produced. Catch the intro below.

‘The Lost Saucer’ TV Intro (1975)

70s Spots: Polaroid – Garner & Hartley

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Polaroid, 1970s. You had one.

In the late 1970s and early 80s Polaroid Cameras were advertised by the charming team of actors, James Garner (Maverick, The Rockford Files) and Mariette Hartley (The Twilight Zone, Star Trek). They had real charisma together and we enjoyed each new “mini-episode”. Many folks mistakenly believed that the two were married in real life, but that was not the case.

1978

1979

Polaroid Box by designer Paul Giambarba, 1977

Polaroid Box by Giambarba, 1977

Polaroid filed for bankruptcy in 2008 and stopped making the iconic instant film and cameras. In 2010 the company name was purchased and “vintage-style” Polaroid cameras are now back on the market.

Trailer Tuesday: Apocalypse Now

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Apocalypse Now, 1979. Martin Sheen "In country."

Director Francis Ford Coppola released Apocalypse Now in August of 1979 after a long, troubled shoot and editing process that ran from March, 1976 until release. Thankfully, instead of a disaster we were presented with a powerful classic that did well at the box office, won many awards and garnered rave reviews.

My father took me to see Apocalypse Now in what must have been the opening or a special premiere week at a theater in San Francisco in ’79 and we received a glossy promotional booklet for the film which I still have packed away somewhere. Take in the trailer below.

Apocalypse Now Wiki, IMDb

Happy New Year: #1 Song, Jan. 1972 – Melanie, ‘Brand New Key’

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Melanie - 'Brand New Key', Jan. 1972

Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2012 is a wonderful year for you and yours. Let’s celebrate the day by going back exactly 40 years and enjoying the number one song for January 1st, 1972.

The beautiful and talented Melanie Safka was at the top of the charts at the beginning of ’72 with her tune “Brand New Key“. Relax with it below. A “Brand New Key” for a brand new year.

‘Pitch In’ Public Service Spot

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'Pitch In' so we can call it 'America the Beautiful' once again.

As I’ve mentioned before, saving the environment, stopping pollution and other ecology-minded issues really caught steam and gained attention in the 1970s. The public service announcement below was typical of the era. The “Pitch In” campaign was sponsored by the US Brewers Association (see, the beer can folks really do care!) and I well remember these types of TV spots and the iconic “Pitch In” signs seemingly everywhere you looked.

The person who posted this spot on Youtube says its from 1975 but I believe it was produced earlier, likely in 1971. My guess is based on the clothing and cars seen in the spot as well as a Wikipedia listing for the author of the “Pitch In” jingle, Steve Karmen, where the tune’s creation date is 1971.

When you’re done watching the PSA do remember to crumple it into a ball and toss it in the trash, mmkay?