TV Time: Star Wars Droid Factory

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Hey Kids! It’s time for another vintage Star Wars toy commercial – this time circa 1979. The Star Wars Droid Factory let kids build a three-legged R2 unit and even create their own droids from scratch. I didn’t have this toy – but I sure as heck wanted one. It’s got an official Star Wars crane fer god’s sake!

Seconds later the giant child swallowed R2-D2 whole

“Help the Jawas build R2-D2 and hundreds of other droids! 33 interchangeable droid parts build up to 5 robots at one time, including an R2-D2 with 3 legs or a 4-wheeled robot that rolls. Movable crane snaps onto platform and carries parts from “supply” to the “assembly line”; specially designed ramp allows the Jawa action figures to “roll out the droids”! Figures not included. Ages 5 and up. $11.95″



Droid-in-a-Box!



YouTube poster, Droid Factory box pic & details

TV Time: ABC Sunday Night Movie – The Longest Yard

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Sunday night. Time for popcorn and a movie on broadcast TV.

Recorded off the TV in 1979, this ABC Sunday Night Movie promo urges you to watch this evening’s flick – Burt Reynold’s 1974 prison football comedy – The Longest Yard.

In the late 70s, Cable TV was in a fledgeling state, Betamax recorders were damn expensive (we sure didn’t have one) and video rental stores were virtually non-existent. Most folks looked forward to recent movies (and by recent I mean a couple of years old) finally making an appearance on the living room boob tube. The films were heavily edited, cursing was over-dubbed and commercials interrupted every 10 to 15 minutes – and yet we endured. Kids today with their movies on wrist watches and such! They don’t know just how easy their access to filmed entertainment is. Stay off my lawn!, etc., etc.

(Source: MrClassicAds) The Longest Yard IMDb, The Longest Yard Wiki

Paul McCartney & Wings: Junior’s Farm

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Recorded in Nashville, Tennessee and released 25 October, 1974 – Paul McCartney & Wings’ single Junior’s Farm rode the tractor of success all the way to #3 in the US charts and #16 in the UK.

Sir Paul may have been growing secret plants down on the farm

“You should have seen me with the poker man
I had a honey and I bet a grand
Just in the nick of time I looked at his hand.”

Be on the look-out for Wings lead guitarist Jimmy McCulloch in this performance who died a few years later in 1979 at the tragically young age of 26.

Rolling Stones Live: June 3rd, 1972

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On this day – June 3rd – cranking back 39 years to 1972 – The Rolling Stones performed at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, BC, Canada. This concert was the opening night of the band’s latest and greatest tour (sometimes called the S.T.P Tour.)

The Stones were ready to show off the Exile on Main St. L.P. which was released a few weeks earlier in May. The opening act for the tour? Stevie Wonder. Yeah, not a bad evening’s entertainment.

Twins...Glimmering

Grab a bottle of J.D., put your feet up and enjoy this video of the Stones playing ‘Happy’ live in ’72. Back then, Mick ‘n’ Keef could almost stand one another. Almost makes ya cry ‘Happy’ tears.

Rolling Stones, ‘Happy,’ Live, 1972

Rolling Stones Line-Up: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mick Taylor, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts with Nicky Hopkins, Bobby Keys and Jim Price.
Set List:
1. Brown Sugar
2. Rocks Off
3. Gimmie Shelter
4. Bitch
5. Tumbling Dice
6. Happy
7. Honky Talk Women
8. Loving Cup
9. Torn and Frayed
10. Sweet Virginia
11. You Can’t Always Get What You Want
12. Ventilator Blues
13. Midnight Rambler
14. All Down The Line
15. Bye Bye Johnny
16. Rip This Joint
17. Jumpin’ Jack Flash
18. Street Fighting Man

(Source)

TV Time: Star Wars Extra Large Action!

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Here’s a super rare Star Wars Television commercial for your Thursday morning enjoyment. “Kenner’s Star Wars Large Size Action Figures” (sold separately, mind you.) R2-D2, C-3PO, Han Solo and “The Stormtrooper” are featured. If you got one of these steroid-injected action figures under the ol’ Xmas tree in ’79 you were a lucky lil’ bastard indeed.

Holy crap! Look at the size of that Stormtrooper, Han! You'd better shoot first.

This particular Star Wars toy spot aired on Chicago TV on Friday, November 16th 1979. Remember kids, you can push R2-D2’s secret button to open his hidden compartment!

(Source)

TV Time: Alpha-Bits and Jackson Hits

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Yesterday, we watched in awe as David Cassidy and The Partridge Family shilled for Rice Krispies. Today, we turn our gaze to 1973 and sing along with Micheal Jackson and the Jackson 5 as they extoll the virtues of a breakfast piled high with Post Alpha-Bits Cereal. Do I have to spell it out for you? It’s as easy as ABC…Hah! Did you spot the clever tie-in there? Yeah, Post Cereal did too.

Edwardian breakfast lovers - The Jackson 5

Sing it out now:

“Grab your Alpha-Bits and come with me. We’re eating through the alphabet from a to z.”

Gettin' up for Alpha-Bits is EZ!