Holiday Repeats: ‘4th Of July Parade’ Sing-A-Long & Bicentennial ’76

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A very happy Independence Day Bionic friends! Let’s turn the time-clock back and revisit two posts celebrating the day; Holiday Sing-A-Long: ‘The 4th Of July Parade’ From ‘Rudolph’s Shiny New Year’ (1976) & America’s Bicentennial: July 4th, 1976.

"There's a happy celebration in each town across the nation..." (Rankin/Bass, 1976)

“There’s a happy celebration in each town across the nation…” (Rankin/Bass, 1976)

“On this island, every day is the 4th of July!”

Happy 4th of July to all who are celebrating at home and abroad! To get us in the proper mood, here’s “The 4th of July Parade” song from Rankin/Bass’ Rudolph’s Shiny New Year.

"...At the 4th of July Parade!" (Rankin/Bass, 1976)

“…At the 4th of July Parade!” (Rankin/Bass, 1976)

Rudolph’s Shiny New Year first aired in December of 1976 (topping off the Bicentennial celebrations). In the clip below you can hang out with Ben Franklin, Rudolph and the Baby New Year. Music & lyrics by Johnny Marks. Music arranged & conducted by Maury Laws. Let the festivities begin!

‘The 4th Of July Parade’ From ‘Rudolph’s Shiny New Year,’ 1976

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America’s Bicentennial: July 4th, 1976

Happy 4th of July, folks! From 1974 throughout 1976 America was gripped with a “Bicentennial fever” of sorts.

The omnipresent ('74-'76) Bicentennial symbol

It started with the government unveiling the official Bicentennial logo (above) and went on to encompass TV commercials featuring Ben Franklin and other 1776-era figures, “Bicentennial Minute” public service announcements, numerous Bicentennial postage stamps being issued and the painting of local fire hydrants red, white and blue. Really, pretty much any paintable or printable surface seemed to sport red, white and blue colors from ’74-’76.

I can distinctly remember vacationing at my grandparent’s place in Houston, Texas and watching TV coverage of the massive flotilla of ships streaming into the New York Harbor while fireworks exploded overhead. The 1976 Summer Olympics would follow soon after (July 17th) and it just felt good to be an American.

Have a look at this great footage (below) from ABC on the long-awaited day of celebration. It’s a real slice-o’-life moment from 42 years ago. If you like what you see, you can continue onto parts 2-5 easily enough. Have a great extended weekend and an enjoyable 70s flashback!

Sunday, July 04, 1976: “From the American Broadcasting Company’s Bicentennial Center in New York City…Harry Reasoner.”

Read more: Bicentennial, ’76 Summer Olympics, Bicentennial postage stamps, Harry Reasoner

70s Spots: Mego Micronauts Toys & Kenner Girder & Panel Playset (1977)

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‘From the Micronauts collection…’

“All have interchangable parts!”

Let’s spill out the toys on the living room floor and get to playing. We’ll start with Mego’s Micronauts. After that, it’s Kenner’s Girder & Panel Bridge & Skyscraper Action Building Set. Whew, what a mouthful. Both spots aired in 1977.

Micronauts Toy Commercial (Mego, 1977)

Kenner ‘Girder & Panel’ Toy Commercial (1977)

Previously on 70s Spots: Green Giant & Pfeiffer Salad Dressing (1979)

70s Spots: Green Giant & Pfeiffer Salad Dressing (1979)

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Ike Eisenmann voices Sprout circa 1979

“Up in the valley of the Jolly Green Giant…”

We’re enjoying a vegetable-based meal today with Green Giant’s Niblet Ears corn on the cob. This commercial featuring the famed harvest mascot and The Little Green Sprout aired in March of 1979.

We’re also having a large salad tossed with Pfeiffer “talking” salad dressing. This spot aired in August of ’79.

Green Giant ‘Corn On The Cob’ Commercial (1979)

Pfeiffer ‘Talking’ Salad Dressing Commercial (1979)

Previously on 70s Spots: Red Lobster Restaurant & Kool-Aid (1977)

70s Spots: Red Lobster Restaurant & Kool-Aid (1977)

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The Red Lobster sailors are eager to serve you

“Where America goes for seafood.”

Eat, drink, and be merry in a 1977-style with our commercials today. First, a spot from November ’77 for Red Lobster restaurant. Second, one for Kool-Aid from April of ’77.

Red Lobster Restaurant Commercial (1977)

Kool-Aid Commercial (1977)

Previously on 70s Spots: Hartz Pet Collar & Raid Yard Guard (1971)

70s Spots: Hartz Pet Collar & Raid Yard Guard (1971)

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‘From Hartford to Honolulu…’

“The collar that conquers the flea.”

As summertime approaches, our retro-thoughts turn to the influx of insects. Here now, are two related commercials from August of 1971.

First up, a spot for the Hartz 90-Day Collar for dogs and cats. Second, a spot for Raid Yard Guard. Oh, my – the spraying! I had forgotten about this product.

Hartz Pet Collar Commercial (1971)

Raid Yard Guard Commercial (1971)

Previously on 70s Spots: Red Barn (Loni Anderson) & Church’s Fried Chicken (1977)

70s Spots: Red Barn (Loni Anderson) & Church’s Fried Chicken (1977)

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Loni sez: ‘It’s a Garden of Eatin’!’

“We have fresh ideas at Red Barn!”

Here’s a pair of restaurant-fast food commercials from the fall of 1977. In the first, WKRP in Cincinnati‘s Loni Anderson appears in mildly comedic spot from November of that year.

After that, another November ’77 commercial, this one for Church’s Fried Chicken from the Kentucky market.

Red Barn Commercial (Loni Anderson, 1977)

Church’s Fried Chicken Commercial (1977)

Previously on 70s Spots: Kodak Film & Timex Watches (1970)