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!

TV Time: Snap, Crackle, Partridge Family

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In the early 70s TV’s sensational singing siblings, The Partridge Family starred in a few Kellog’s Rice Krispies commercials. The refrain was “Wakin’ up! Wakin’ up,” and in the first spot poor put-upon Reuben (Dave Madden) had to pour the milk and serve out the bowls. But, hey, that’s the manager’s job.

Hurry up with the pouring Reuben. Rehearsing in the garage is hungry work.

In the second spot, sleepy Keith Partridge (David Cassidy) is roused by a shout from the kitchen by Mom (Shirley Jones – his real life Step Mom, if we take things literally.) The lyric kindly explains all as we watch:

“We’ve got Shirley fixin’ breakfast. Wake up Keith!
Keith is turnin’ over. Wants to sleep. Wants to sleep.”

David and his pyjamas love that cracklin' Rice

These ads must have been filmed after the first Partridge Family season (1970) because we see Brian Forster as Chris Partridge, the replacement drummer for Jeremy Gelbwaks. 1972 or ’73 is my guess. Enjoy a bowl.

Soft Launch? You Bet’cha!

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Well, hello folks. Welcome to Bionic Disco’s first semi-official day on the web. We’ve been hiding behind closed doors brewing up the 70s goodness and the time has finally come to launch ourselves into public view.

Welcome to Bionic Disco!

Start digging around the pop museum here at the ‘Disco and you’re sure to unearth some funny, frightening and fanciful memories of the 1970s. Bookmark us and return often for a hearty dose of whimsical (and occasionally meaningful) flashbacks.

To get you off to a roaring start – why not feed your Pet Rock, soak up some long lost TV with Holmes & YoYo or sing along with the Bay City Rollers? Have fun you turkeys! Haha – you’re so moted!

‘The Streak’: Number One for May, 1974

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For some reason, in the early 1970s a fair number of people felt compelled to shed their clothes at televised events and unexpectedly “Streak” across the screen. It got so you never knew whether or not a stranger in the nude would invade that evening’s sporting event or TV interview.

Running in the buff became such a phenomenon that country singer Ray Stevens wrote and recorded a novelty tune entitled “The Streak” – and it raced nakedly all the way to number one for three weeks: May 12 – June 1, 1974.

Ray Stevens and 'The Streak' on Top of the Pops 1974. Play that funky joke whistle!

Interesting Factoids: “The Streak” sold over five million copies worldwide and is ranked at No.8 on Billboard‘s Top Hits of 1974.

“Choice Lyric: I’s just in here gettin my car checked, he just appeared out of the traffic. Come streakin’ around the grease rack there, didn’t have nothin’ on but a smile.
I looked in there, and Ethel was gettin’ her a cold drink. I hollered, “Don’t look, Ethel!” But it was too late.
She’d already been mooned. Flashed her right there in front of the shock absorbers.”

Ray Stevens Wiki

Jeff Conaway Passes

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Jeff Conaway, best known to 70s fans as Kenickie in the film Grease and Bobby Wheeler on TV’s Taxi, has passed away at the age of 60. Conaway had been in a coma since May 11th and was under care at Encino Tarzana Medical Center where “the actor’s family decided to take him off life support on Thursday, after doctors said there was no hope of recovery.” You can find further details at CBS News.

Conaway with Kaufman on Taxi, 1978

Interesting Factoids:
The film Grease was released in 1978. According to IMDB, Conaway “had to walk slightly stooped so John Travolta would appear taller.” Additionally, although Conaway played the role of Kenickie in the film, in the Broadway production he was cast as Danny Zuko.

Conaway played the role of hillbilly kid Willie in 1977’s Pete’s Dragon and appeared on Happy Days in both ’75 and ’76 as Rocko.

Conaway was nominated for Golden Globe Awards for TV Supporting Actor for Taxi in 1979 and 1980.

Jeff Conaway at IMDB, Jeff Conaway Wiki