70s Stories In The News: Making ‘Orient Express’ 1974, Soviet Life, London ’73

‘Murder On The Orient Express’ Trailer Title Card, 1974

‘How We Made The Original Murder On The Orient Express’
With a remake in theaters, the time is right for a quick look back at the making of the original Murder on the Orient Express film in 1974.

The Guardian quote:
“The cast were all such huge stars, yet somehow the film cost only $4.5m. Were there any divas? No, they were well behaved, although Lauren Bacall insisted on having her shoes made in Paris, Albert Finney got paid more because his Hercule Poirot had most of the lines, and Sean Connery got a percentage because he was such a big star. The rest all got paid the same: $100,000 each.”

Leonid Brezhnev 1970s Photo Mondadori And Getty Images Via The Guardian

‘The Soviet 70s: How Russians Made Pools Of Light In The Totalitarian Darkness’
Angus Roxburgh, author of Moscow Calling: Memoirs of a Foreign Correspondent, writes about his two years living in Soviet Russia in the 1970s.

The Guardian quote:
“Western stations such as the Voice of America, the BBC and Radio Liberty were known collectively as ‘voices’. I remember sometimes hearing their call-signs at night, ringing out in the darkness from a nearby apartment, and you knew that there were people around who thirsted for the truth. Without the invention of radio, the Soviet authorities could have kept their citizens in complete darkness.”

London, 1973 by Norman Craig

‘London In 1973, In All Its Grainy Black And White Glory’
Jump back in time to London, England in 1973. These black & white photographs capture bell-bottomed street scenes, subways, and the theater.

Flashbak quote:
“These wonderful photos of London in 1973 are shown with kind permission of Belfast-born Norman Craig”

Previously on 70s Stories: ‘Brady Bunch’ Slot Machine, Evel Knievel, Wim Wenders

Funshine Friday: ‘Brady Bunch Variety Hour’ Clips (1977)

‘Sunday, Monday, Happy Days!’ Funshine Friday, What-a-day!

Happy Funshine Friday! To get us started on a wild and wonderful weekend – here’s two mind-melting clips from The Brady Bunch Variety Hour in 1977.

First, we find the Brady cast, with an assist from Rip Taylor, singing and dancing their way through the theme to Happy Days. If you survive that, you can enjoy H.R. Pufnstuf imitating Elton John in a number reminiscent of “Crocodile Rock.” Is this the greatest website on the internet or what?!

The Brady Bunch Sing The ‘Happy Days’ Theme (1977)

H.R. Pufnstuf Imitates Elton John (1977)

Previously on Funshine Friday: ‘Land Of The Lost’ Season Premiere Promo (1976)

More Brady Bunch at Bionic Disco: Brady Bunch Moments: ‘Television-itis!’ (1973)

More H.R. Pufnstuf at Bionic Disco: Trailer Tuesday: ‘Pufnstuf’ (The Movie, 1970)

70s Spots: Enjoli Perfume & Aqua Velva After Shave (Pete Rose, 1979)

‘I’m a woman!’

“I can bring home the bacon. Fry it up in a pan.”

Today, we have two scented campaigns you’ll likely remember. First, we have a classic commercial for Enjoli Perfume from November of 1979. This series of spots featured a jingle based on Peggy Lee’s “I’m A Woman.”

After that, from June of ’79, Pete Rose runs the bases and Joe Morgan makes the stop for Aqua Vela After Shave. Sing it with me now, “There’s something about an Aqua Velva Man!”

Enjoli Perfume ‘I’m A Woman’ Commercial (1979)

Aqua Velva After Shave Commercial (Pete Rose, 1979)

Previously on 70s Spots: Breyers Ice Cream & Di-Gel (1978)

More Aqua Velva at Bionic Disco: Daily 70s Spot #385: Aqua Velva ‘Herbal & Musk’ (1975)

More Pete Rose at Bionic Disco: 70s Spots: Pete Rose, Pele, Don Knotts for Atari

70s Spots: Breyers Ice Cream & Di-Gel (1978)

Peachy keen

“I like pickles…but they don’t like me!”

Today, we’ve got a pair of spots from 1978. I’m not saying these two commercials go hand-in-hand necessarily…

Firstly, one for Breyers Peach Ice Cream from April of ’78. Second, a commercial for Di-Gel from October of ’78 featuring a memorable tagline and jingle.

Breyers Ice Cream Commercial (1978)

Di-Gel ‘But, They Don’t Like Me’ Commercial (1978)

Previously on 70s Spots: Kellogg’s Corn Flakes (1972)

More Breyers at Bionic Disco: 70s Spots: Breyers Strawberry Yogurt (1978)

More Di-Gel at Bionic Disco: Daily 70s Spot #520: Di-Gel ‘Relief’ (1979)

70s Spots: Kellogg’s Corn Flakes (1972)

Fishin’ up some Kellogg’s

“Good. Pure. Simple.”

A pair of commercials today for Kellogg’s Corn Flakes. One features a father and son fishing outing, the other three friends on a biking trip “out West.” The spots aired in early January 1972 and were likely produced in 1971. Sprinkle some sugar on them and enjoy.

Kellogg’s Corn Flakes ‘Fishing’ Commercial (1972)

Kellogg’s Corn Flakes ‘Biking’ Commercial (1972)

Previously on 70s Spots: ‘King Kong’ & ‘Kojak’ (1976)

70s Spots: ‘King Kong’ & ‘Kojak’ (1976)

It’s good to be King

“The most exciting original motion picture event of all time.”

The never subtle Dino De Laurentiis released his version of King Kong in December of 1976. I saw it in a movie theater at the age of 10 and enjoyed it. I also developed a crush on Jessica Lange. I don’t believe I’ve seen the film since. I have the feeling it doesn’t stand up to adult scrutiny. You can enjoy this TV commercial for the film, also from December ’76.

After that, a spot for CBS detective series Kojak, starring Telly Savalas. This one aired on the same day in ’76.

‘King Kong’ Movie Commercial (1976)

‘Kojak’ TV Promo (1976)

Previously on 70s Spots: Arrid Extra Dry & Vitalis (Pete Maravich, 1970)

More Kojak at Bionic Disco: Show Toppers: ‘Kojak’ (’73 -’78)