Apollo 15 ‘Moon Buggy’ Mission 40th Anniversary (’71)

Posted on by

40 years ago this week NASA launched the Apollo 15 mission from Cape Canaveral (July 26, 1971.) Astronauts James Irwin, David Scott, and Alfred Worden conducted the first mission utilizing a “Moon Buggy” and two of them spent three long days on the surface of the moon. When the mission was safely concluded (August 7th, 1971) NASA called it their most successful manned flight. Check out some fantastic Apollo 15 photos from LIFE Magazine below and raise a glass for the moon-walkin’ Apollonauts.

I didn't think anything was cooler than a real Moon Buggy but those Stingrays back there may qualify

James Irwin, David Scott, and Alfred Worden

Why does the movie 'Capricorn One' come to mind?

And now I'm thinkng 'Planet of the Apes'

Sources: Boing Boing, LIFE, Apollo 15 Wiki

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes Trailer (’72)

Posted on by

Urban gorillas in red jumpsuits brandishing shotguns. I'd recommend giving them whatever they demand.


Let’s take three and a half minutes out of our Saturday to view the trailer for 1972’s Conquest of the Planet of the Apes. Conquest was the fourth Apes film (a follow-up to Escape from the Planet of the Apes) and starred Roddy McDowall, Don Murray, Natalie Trundy and Ricardo Montalban. I saw this film in the theater and later on TV when I was a kid and was both repulsed and fascinated by it. Damn these dirty stinking apes. How I love them!

“Watch the screen explode as man faces ape in the ultimate revolution.”

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes Wiki, IMDb

Rad Ads: Blondes Selling Booze (’76)

Posted on by

Hey kids, here’s half a dozen eye-catching American magazine ads from mid to late 1976. I think we’ll make this a new Bionic Disco feature and from time to time bring you a selection of memorable, forgotten and ridiculous advertisements from the 70s. Feast your eyeballs on the first batch of goods below.

Lord Handsome-Smythe and his award-winning facial hair about to enjoy an Ambassador Scotch



The Triumph TR7 in Forest Green. I'll take two!



It's a Fact that no one remembers this brand



Portable 8-Track players. Now with 100% less Chevy Van.



What a stunningly fantastic television image!



'Aalborg Akvavit' Danish lover, uh...liquer

Steve Martin’s ‘The Jerk’ Trailer (1979)

Posted on by

Steve Martin in The Jerk ('79) - 'Be somebody!'

Just coming in at the tail end of of the 1970s we have the trailer for Steve Martin’s The Jerk. The Jerk released on December 14th, 1979 and is still a highly-watchable, very funny movie. In fact, The Jerk sits at #89 on AFI’s list of top comedies and at #48 on Total Film’s.

For myself and my Jr. High buddies The Jerk loomed large in our lives, was quoted often and in the most inappropriate of situations. I still don’t see why my teachers didn’t find Navin Johnson’s words of wisdom as humorous as we did. “He hates these cans! Stay away from the cans!” and “The new phone book’s here! The new phone book’s here!” Sigh. Comedy gold.

“It was never easy for me.
I was born a poor black child.”

‘The Jerk’ Trailer, 1979



The Jerk Wiki, The Jerk IMDb

TV Time: Star Wars Millennium Falcon Commercial (’79)

Posted on by

One of the ultimate toys of the late 70s. Got one hiding in your attic? Send it over!


It’s time for another classic Star Wars toy commercial from the 1970s. Let’s take a look at this :30 spot featuring one of the most prized and collectible Star Wars toys – the Millennium Falcon! Watch carefully, this may be the only time you see Chewbacca speak English.

*Note: I know this spot has a 1977 copyright but the Falcon wasn’t released until 1979 and is more likely from that year. Enjoy.

Kenner Toys Millennium Falcon

The Runaways: ‘Saturday Night Special’ (’79)

Posted on by

The Runaways - Saturday Night Special - 1979

Alright folks, I may have just missed a ‘Music for Mondays’ post (I was out of town at San Diego Comic-Con) but here are The Runaways performing ‘Saturday Night Special‘ in 1979. This awesome tune appeared on the ‘And now…The Runaways‘ L.P. released on Cherry Red in the U.K. in 1979 (it didn’t make it to the States until ’81.) Rock on!



The Runaways Wiki