Bionic Disco

70s Commercials: ‘Bad News Bears,’ Chex Mix, Samsonite, United Airlines (1976)

Posted on July 13, 2021 by David Moore

Alrighty, it’s time for a little 1976. As per usual, I have four vintage commercials lined up for you. First, a rare curiosity. Two cast members from The Bad News Bears in a spot for Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings. I’m pretty sure that’s Jackie Earl Haley reprising his Kelly Leak role. I’m less sure that’s Gary Lee Cavagnaro as Mike Engelberg, but I believe it is him after experiencing a growth spurt a year after filming.

After that one, you’ll find spots for Chex Patio Mix (with a narrator who has to be Beth “Vera” Howland of Alice), Samsonite, and United Airlines.

‘BAD NEWS BEARS’ Vs. ‘BINGO LONG ALL-STARS’ COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{TV promo for the movie ‘The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings’ featuring actors Jackie Earl Haley (Kelly Leak) and Gary Lee Cavagnaro (Engelberg) of ‘The Bad News Bears’ cast. Spot aired July 1976.}

CHEX PATIO MIX COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Bicentennial-themed Chex Patio Mix commercial featuring a narrator who sounds like Beth Howland (‘Alice’). Spot aired June 1976.}

SAMSONITE SUITCASE COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Samsonite suitcase commercial featuring built-in cartwheels. The woman with the suitcase is actor Loretta Tupper. Spot aired December 1976.}

UNITED AIRLINES ‘FRIENDLY SONG’ COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{United Airlines commercial featuring a “friendly” song. Spot aired June 1976.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Chicken Of The Sea, Betty Crocker, Ford Granada (1975)

More Bad News Bears: Trailer Tuesday: ‘The Bad News Bears’ (1976)

More Chex cereal: 70s Spots: 9-Lives & Bran Chex (1977)

More United Airlines: 70s Spots: United Airlines ‘Friendship Service’ (1974)

Music For Monday: Norman Greenbaum, ‘Canned Ham’ (1970)

Posted on July 12, 2021 by David Moore

Today, we know Norman Greenbaum for his perennial hit “Spirit In The Sky,” but he also had a Top 40 chart placement with “Canned Ham.”

“Canned Ham,” a short, rocking number, appeared on the 1970 LP Back Home Again and rolled its way into the Cash Box Top 40 in June of 1970 (#46 on Billboard‘s Hot 100). I find it mildly amusing that a person named Norman Greenbaum had hits singing about Jesus and ham. You can fry it up below.

NORMAN GREENBAUM ‘CANNED HAM’ (1970)

Previously on Music for Monday: The Intruders, ‘I’ll Always Love My Mama’ (1973)

70s Commercials: Chicken Of The Sea, Betty Crocker, Ford Granada (1975)

Posted on July 9, 2021 by David Moore

A very good 1975 to you. We’re rolling into a quartet of vintage commercials from the year featuring Chicken of the Sea, Betty Crocker cakes & candies (yes, candies!), Ford Granada, and Vise Grip. It’s not easy making an interesting commercial for a Vise Grip but they just about pull it off here. Watch and enjoy.

CHICKEN OF THE SEA JINGLE COMMERCIAL (1975)

_{Ralston Purina Chicken of the Sea brand canned tuna fish commercial featuring a catchy jingle aired November 1975.}

BETTY CROCKER CAKES & CANDIES COMMERCIAL (1975)

_{Betty Crocker Devil’s Food Cake Mix & Chocolate Fudge Frosting Mix commercial featuring “easy” candy recipes on the box. Spot aired November 1975.}

’76 FORD GRANADA ‘TEST TRACK’ COMMERCIAL (1975)

_{1976 model Ford Granada commercial featuring a test track comparison to the Mercedes-Benz 280. Spot aired November 1975.}

VISE GRIP COMMERCIAL (1975)

_{Vise Grip commercial featuring two fellas in a hardware store aired May 1975.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Jell-O, AMC Matador, Wrangler, Power Tennis (1974)

More Betty Crocker: Daily 70s Spot: Betty Crocker Snackin’ Cake (1974)

More Ford: 70s Spots: ’71 Ford LTD (Rod Serling, 1970)

Classic 70s Music Ads: The Guess Who, ‘Hand Me Down World’ (1970)

Posted on July 8, 2021 by David Moore

_{The Guess Who, ‘Hand Me Down World’ ad via Cash Box July 11, 1970}

The Guess Who’s “Hand Me Down World” released in the summer of 1970 and snagged a chart placement of #17 on the US Hot 100. The tune was written by the Canadian rocker’s new lead guitarist Kurt Winter and appeared on the Share The Land LP. Spin it now!

THE GUESS WHO, ‘HAND ME DOWN WORLD’ (1970)

Previously on Classic 70s Music Ads: Earth, Wind & Fire, ‘Evil’ (1973)

From The Vault: Avon Calling (1970)

Posted on July 7, 2021 by David Moore

**A classic post from the Bionic Disco vault. The following originally appeared July 28, 2014**

_{Avon ‘For Everybody.’ (LIFE magazine, July 17, 1970)}

“Ordering everything for everybody is easy when the doorbell rings and it’s AVON CALLING.”

Hey, those are some nice Peanuts bath time products. Daily 70s Ad #198: Avon Calling originally appeared in the July 17, 1970 issue of LIFE magazine.

(Source: LIFE)

Previously on Daily 70s Ad: Dodge Sweptline Pickup (1972)

70s Commercials: Jell-O, AMC Matador, Wrangler, Power Tennis (1974)

Posted on July 6, 2021 by David Moore

We’re focused on 1974 today and a lovely set of “new” commercials. Enjoy spots for Strawberry Jell-O, the AMC Matador (don’t see many of those on the road these days), Wrangler women’s fashions, and Power Tennis with Bobby Riggs.

JELL-O ‘AFTER SCHOOL’ COMMERCIAL (1974)

_{General Foods Strawberry Jell-O brand gelatin commercial featuring Jenny Schrang of Miami making after school treats. Narrator is Peter Thomas. Spot aired March 1974.}

AMC MATADOR CAR COMMERCIAL (1974)