Trailer Tuesday: The Wanderers

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The Wanderers, 1979. They roam around...the Bronx

Happy Trailer Tuesday, good people. Last week, we brought you a look at famed 70s gang flick, The Warriors. Today, we grab a look-see at the other urban gang pic from 1979, The Wanderers.

The Wanderers is not as well known or as celebrated as The Warrriors but, in my opinion, is an even better film. My Dad took me to see this in San Francisco in ’79 when I was 12 or 13. Such good taste! Enjoy the trailer.

‘The Wanderers’ Theatrical Trailer, 1979

Return to the Bionic Disco homepage for more mind-expanding 1970s pop culture!

Music for Monday: Orleans, ‘Dance With Me’

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Orleans, 'Dance With Me', 1975. 'I want to be your partner...'

Men with beards, playing acoustic guitars and singing earnestly. Yes, this is the 1970s and this is Orleans singing “Dance With Me.”

“Dance With Me” first appeared on the L.P. “Orleans II” (which only saw release in Japan and Europe) in 1974. The next year, the song appeared domestically on the album “Let There Be Music.” By October of 1975 it had risen to number 6 on the US Billboard charts. Kick back, pour yourself a Tab with rum and enjoy the mellow sounds. Happy Monday, man.

Photo Gallery: ‘The Brady Bunch Variety Hour’

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Sid and Marty Krofft produced nine, hour-long Brady Bunch specials for ABC. The Brady Bunch Variety Hour made its debut on November 28, 1976 and eight additional specials appeared through May of ’77 bearing the shortened title, The Brady Bunch Hour.

These Brady Bunch specials are a wonder to behold and difficult to sit through – and yet…I love them. They’re so incredibly of the era and over-the-top. The kitsch factor is off-the-charts. The set had a built-in swimming pool where the Krofttette Dancers performed. A swimming pool, I tell ya! The Brady costumes were colorful and wild, the comedy painful and a wealth of 70s TV superstars, such as; Tony Randall, Lee Majors and Farrah Fawcett made guest appearances. Rip Taylor was a series regular.

Actress Susan Olsen (aka Cindy Brady), wrote a book about the much-maligned and rarely-seen specials entitled Love to Love You Bradys: the bizarre story of The Brady Bunch Variety Hour (*link now defunct). On the web site promoting the book I found these fantastic Brady photos. Enjoy them below and I’ll leave you with this quote, also from Olsen’s book site:

“The book Bad TV, by Craig Nelson, named ‘The Brady Bunch Hour’ the worst variety show in the history of television, and in 2002 TV Guide declared it the 4th Worst Show of All-time.”

Brady Bunch Variety Hour Photo Gallery:











The Brady Bunch Variety Hour Wiki, IMDb

Return to the Bionic Disco homepage for more mind-expanding 1970s pop culture!

Funshine Friday: Help!…It’s the Hair Bear Bunch!

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Help!...it's the Hair Bear Bunch!, 1971. 'We don't even bite!'

Good morning and happy Funshine Friday! As per usual, at the start of the weekend, it’s time for a cartoon from the 1970s. Today, we have the intro for Help!…It’s the Hair Bear Bunch!, a Hanna-Barbera production, which originally ran on CBS from September, 1971 to January, 1972.

The hippie era was still very much alive in this bunch. Have fun!

Robert Hegyes Has Died: Epstein Of ‘Welcome Back, Kotter’

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Robert Hegyes as Juan Epstein on 'Welcome Back, Kotter,' 1975

NJ.com (New Jersey On-Line) is reporting that actor Robert Hegyes, of Welcome Back, Kotter fame, has died of an apparent heart attack at age 60. Mr. Hegyes passed away “after suffering chest pains at his Metuchen home this morning.”

Hegyes, who said he modeled the character of Juan Luis Pedro Philippo DeHuevos Epstein after Chico Marx, suffered a heart attack a number of years back and was in failing health. We’ll miss you, Robert. Thanks for the laughs.

Enjoy a nice, long segment from the first episode of Kotter, featuring Epstein and fellow Sweathogs, below.

*Note: The original video we linked to has been taken down. Enjoy this substitute.

‘Welcome Back, Kotter’ Clip

Today, in the 70s: Vietnam War report (Jan. 26, 1972)

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Nixon and troops, early 70s (Photo: the newnixon.org)

Let’s take a look at what was being reported on this day, January 26th, 1972. President Richard Nixon and the Vietnam War were in the headlines and in the hearts and minds of the public. Read what The People History.com has listed below.

The People History.com Quote:

“26th January, 1972 : A recap was printed in a U.S. newspaper which revealed a summary of Nixon’s Eight-Point plan to end the Vietnam War. One of the actions revealed in this recount of Nixon’s plan was that of an action proposed eight months prior to this time.

The plan presented eight months prior was a plea for the release of all prisoners of war in exchange for U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam. In addition to U.S. withdrawal, this plan also included an agreement that South Vietnam’s Nguyen would step down come time for a new election.

It was also recorded in print on this day that Nixon had dispatched Henry Kissinger, his security advisor, to Paris at least a dozen times since August 4, 1969. The reason for these attempted contacts was to make negotiations with North Vietnam.

In one news source, a quote by Nixon revealed what Nixon has said was the original withdrawal date from Vietnam-May 31, 1971. This plan was rejected by North Vietnam at the next private meeting which had taken plan on June 26th, only less than a month later.

Instead, North Vietnam made a counter nine-point offer that insisted that the U.S. overthrow the government of North Vietnam. If North Vietnam had accepted the United State’s original eight-point plan presented by Nixon, the U.S. troops would have withdrawn within six months and Indo-China cease-fire would have taken place.”