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.
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.
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.
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' 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?
Hong Kong Phooey, 1974: 'Number one super guy!'
Happy Funshine Friday, Bionic peoples! On this fine start-of-the-weekend morning we cast ourselves back to 1974 and let the intro for Hong Kong Phooey wash over us in a pleasant manner.
Hong Kong Phooey was a Hanna-Barbera production and featured the dulcet tones of actor Scatman Crothers as the illustrious Mr. Phooey. The show originally aired from September 7, 1974 to December 21, 1974. Have a great Funshine Friday!