70s Commercials: Bell Telephone, Ford Mustang, ‘Time After Time’ (1979)

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Today, we’re focused on the last year of the seventies – 1979. Our quartet of spots features Bell System Telephone, the new Ford Mustangs, a childhood favorite film of mine, Time After Time, and presumably delicious Idaho Potatoes. Dig in.

BELL TELEPHONE ‘REACH OUT!’ JINGLE COMMERCIAL (1979)

Bell System telephone commercial featuring a famous jingle aired December 1979.

FORD MUSTANG ‘NEW BREED’ COMMERCIAL (1979)

Ford Mustang commercial featuring the 1979 line-up; 2-Door, 3-Door, and Ghia. Spot aired January 1979.

‘TIME AFTER TIME’ TV TRAILER (1979)

Television trailer for the motion picture ‘Time After Time’ starring Malcolm McDowell, Mary Steenburgen, and David Warner. Spot aired September 1979.

IDAHO POTATOES COMMERCIAL (HEMINGWAY, 1979)

Idaho Potato Commission commercial featuring writer-conservationist Jack Hemingway (son of Ernest). Spot aired February 1979.

Previously on 70s Commercials: Hunt’s Manwich, Tang, ‘Courtship Of Eddie’s Father’ (1970)

More Bell Telephone: Daily 70s Ad: Bell System Telephone ‘Choosey Beginners’ (1978)

More Ford Mustang: Daily 70s Spot #540, 541: Ford Mustang II Cobra & Maverick (1976)

More Malcolm McDowell: Trailer Tuesday: ‘A Clockwork Orange’

70s Commercials (Buried Treasures): Janitor In A Drum, United Airlines, Ford (1974-78)

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Here’s a batch of seventies commercials that appeared on the ol’ YouTube channel when the website was on hiatus. From 1974, we have Janitor in a Drum (how do they fit them in there?), United Airlines, and Ford’s 1975 line-up. Lastly, from ’78, a spot for Lip Quencher lipstick.

JANITOR IN A DRUM COMMERCIAL (1974)

Janitor In A Drum commercial aired February 1974.

UNITED AIRLINES ‘FRIENDSHIP’ COMMERCIAL (1974)

United Airlines commercial featuring a friendship theme and actor Sorrell Booke (‘The Dukes of Hazard’) aired September 1974.

’75 FORD LINE-UP COMMERCIAL (HUGH DOWNS, 1974)

Ford commercial featuring the 1975 line-up; Elite, LTD, and Granada. Spot aired September 1974.

LIP QUENCHER LIPSTICK COMMERCIAL (1978)

Lip Quencher lipstick commercial featuring eight new shades. The actor-model appears to be Shelley Smith. Spot aired September 1978.

Previously on 70s Commercials (Buried Treasures): Budweiser, ’20/20′, Pepsi & Chevy (1976-78)

More United Airlines: 70s Spots: United Airlines To Hawaii & Trailways Bus (1978)

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

More Lip Quenchers: 70s Spots: Lip Quenchers Lipstick (1978)

Classic 70s Music Ads: George Harrison, ‘Living In The Material World’ (1973)

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George Harrison, ‘Living In The Material World’ ad via Cash Box June 02, 1973

George Harrison’s Living In The Material World LP released on May 30, 1973 and climbed all the way to #1 on the US charts. The highly-anticipated studio follow-up to All Things Must Pass featured the hit single “Give Me Love,” which also grabbed #1.

Let’s have a listen to the record’s title track as it’s a crackin’ tune I, and perhaps you, haven’t heard in a while. Note: a good version was difficult to find so this one has subtitles. Please bear with it.

GEORGE HARRISON, ‘LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD’ (1973)

Previously on Classic 70s Ads: Todd Rundgren, ‘Be Nice To Me’ (1971)

More George Harrison: Daily 70s Ad: George Harrison And The ‘Big Button’ (1976)

70s Commercials: Hunt’s Manwich, Tang, ‘Courtship Of Eddie’s Father’ (1970)

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Welcome to a new month and a fresh batch of seventies commercials. Most of today’s spots are from 1970 and you can dive into Hunt’s Manwich, Tang, The Courtship of Eddie’s Father (a favorite of very young me), and Yardley’s Sigh Shadow with Pamela Sue Martin.

HUNT’S MANWICH COMMERCIAL (1970)

Hunt’s Manwich hamburger sandwich sauce commercial featuring new Bar-B-Que flavor aired in Fall, 1970.

TANG ‘SPACEMEN’ COMMERCIAL (1970)

Tang orange-flavored energy breakfast drink commercial featuring an Apollo astronaut theme. Narrator sounds like Peter Thomas. Spot aired April 1970.

‘THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIE’S FATHER’ PROMO (1970)

Promo for TV series ‘The Courtship of Eddie’s Father’ starring Bill Bixby, Brandon Cruz, Miyoshi Umeki, and James Komack aired in 1970.

‘SIGH SHADOW’ MAKEUP COMMERCIAL (PAMELA SUE MARTIN, EARLY ’70S)

Yardley of London Sigh Shadow makeup commercial featuring actor Pamela Sue Martin (‘Nancy Drew Mysteries,’ ‘Dynasty’). Spot aired in the early 1970s (best guess 1971-72).

Previously on 70s Commercials: Pillsbury Egg Baskets, Pinto Pony & More (1975)

More Hunt’s: Rad Ads: Hunt’s Manwich Sandwich Sauce (1978)

More Courtship of Eddie’s Father: Show Toppers: The Courtship Of Eddie’s Father

Celebrating 10 Years Online

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Bionic Disco is celebrating 10 years online this weekend! On May 30, 2011 the first public post went live. It was a “Soft Launch” kind of thing as I’d been writing and putting up a few articles behind-the-scenes for some weeks prior.

I’d like to send out a hearty “thank you!” to everyone who visits and has visited over these many years. I’m not throwing in the nostalgic towel any time soon so there’s plenty more seventies memories to come. I sincerely thank you for doing The Hustle along with me at the ‘Disco.

Music For Monday: New York Dolls, ‘Showdown’ (Live, 1974)

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New York Dolls’ cover of Archie Bell’s “(There’s Gonna Be A) Showdown” was released as a B-side to “Puss ‘N’ Boots” in 1974 and appeared on the band’s second LP Too Much Too Soon.

Here’s the famed, thrashy rebels performing the tune on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert in ’74. It’s an aggressive, sleazy version and worthy of your attention. Let it roll.

NEW YORK DOLLS, ‘(THERE’S GONNA BE A) SHOWDOWN’ (LIVE, 1974)

Previously on Music for Monday: Brighter Side Of Darkness, ‘Love Jones’ (1972)

More New York Dolls: Daily 70s Ad: New York Dolls ‘Too Much, Too Soon’ (1974)