Let’s take a look at some cool (and slightly bizarre) trading cards from the 1970s. I collected many different types in my childhood including various Star Wars series cards and I sure as hell wish I still had them all. You can view the full article I pulled these from at Dangerous Minds. I’ve added release dates for your convenience.
Mork & Mindy 1978
Good Times 1975
Brady Bunch 1971
Bionic Woman 1976
Sad news today for fans of classic 60s and 70s TV sitcoms. Sherwood Schwartz, creator of “Gilligan’s Island” and “The Brady Bunch” has died at age 94.
Schwartz, born November 14, 1916 in Passaic, New Jersey, started off as a writer for Bob Hope before moving into TV, working on “The Red Skelton Show” and “My Favorite Martian” among others.
The Professor and, uh...all the rest...
“Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale,
A tale of a fateful trip
That started from this tropic port
Aboard this tiny ship”
Schwartz said this of the microcosm of “Gilligan”:
“It’s one world, and we all have to learn to live with each other.”
The Brady Bunch. Thanks Sherwood, for my extended family.
“Here’s the story of a lovely lady
Who was bringing up three very lovely girls
All of them had hair of gold, like their mother
The youngest one in curls”
Schwartz said of “The Brady Bunch”:
“…it dealt with real emotional problems: the difficulty of being the middle girl; a boy being too short when he wants to be taller; going to the prom with zits on your face.”
He forgot to mention footballs in the face, exploding volcanoes and bad luck tikis but that’s OK. Thank you so much Sherwood Schwartz for your wonderful shows which brightened our childhoods with much entertainment and laughter. Wherever you are now – have a fancy drink in a coconut shell on me.
Sources: Read the last ever interview with Schwartz at the wonderful Classic Television Showbiz blog as well as an appreciation at the L.A. Times, and obits at The NY Times and NPR. You may also wish to investigate the Sherwood Schwartz Wiki.
40 years ago Time Magazine reported on the quickie divorce of Elliot Gould and Barbara Streisand in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on July 9th, 1971. Gould, aged 32 at the time, was dating (a pregnant) Jenny Bogart, age 19.
Gould and Bogart (and presumed law team) in '71.
Time Quote:
“In the Dominican Republic to file for a quickie divorce from Barbra Streisand, Actor Elliott Gould, 32, walked hand in hand from the courtroom with pregnant Jenny Bogart, 19. Gould announced that he was the father of her baby, due to be born ‘around Christmas.’ Furthermore, Jenny announced defiantly, she and Elliott will continue to live together out of wedlock because ‘we don’t believe in marriage.’ “
Note: Gould and Bogart were, in fact, married twice. In 1973 and again in 1978.
Gould appeared in Ingmar Bergman’s film The Touch and Alan Arkin’s Little Murders in 1971. Streisand released the albums Stoney End and Barbra Joan Streisand in 1971.
Elliot Gould Wiki, Barbra Streisand Wiki, Time article
Billy Preston, his band, and their incredible afros on The Midnight Special '73
Happy Monday, Bionic Pals! I know just what you need to get your week started off with a bang – a top tune! Hit the clicker below and enjoy Billy Preston performing his #1 hit “Will It Go Round in Circles” on The Midnight Special in 1973. “Will It Go Round in Circles” first appeared on Preston’s “Music Is My Life” L.P. in 1972. Warning: you will want to grow out your afro after viewing this video. Can you dig it?
“Will it go round in circles?
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky?”
*Note: The original video was deleted from YouTube. Enojy Preston on The Tonight Show from Aug. ’73 instead.
Broadway Joe for Brut cologne - 'If you're not gonna go all the way, man...why go at all?'
Here’s 30 seconds of pure manly bliss. 70s superstar, NY Jets Quarterback Joe Namath for Brut cologne. Blow-dried locks, beige suit and giant shirt collar all present and accounted for. You know you want to rush out and buy a bottle after viewing this one. Go Joe!
“After the game. After anything. Brut goes all the way.”
Former First Lady, Betty Ford has died at the age of 93. The wife of U.S. President Gerald Ford, who served (post Watergate scandal) from August, 1974 to January, 1977, Betty Ford will be remembered for bravely speaking out about her breast cancer surgery and for founding the substance abuse recovery center which carried her name.
Betty and Gerald Ford. A hug in the White House, 1970s.
Betty Ford was well-liked by the 70’s public who admired her candid, public mentions of her family’s trails and tribulations, support of women’s rights and her populist overtures, such as the wearing of a trendy Mood Ring and chattering on a CB radio where she went by the handle “First Mamma.” Some folks were so fond of her they wore Gerald Ford campaign buttons that read “Betty’s Husband for President ’76.”
Here’s an ABC News snippet of Gerald Ford’s 1974 inauguration with Betty Ford at his side.