Joe Namath, Salesman of the Seventies. (Hamilton Beach commercial, 1977)
“It cooks and fries anything at all.”
Greetings, one and all! It’s high time I updated the ‘Disco and rolled out some vintage commercials.
Today, we’re visiting with Joe Namath and “Mother Tums.” Our first spot finds Broadway Joe offering up some cooking options with the Fry-All Deep Fryer from Hamilton Beach. After that, an appearance by “Mother Tums,” a product mascot who didn’t quite catch on. Both spots aired in December of 1977.
Before Mel opened his diner he was a ship’s captain – and shaving specialist! (Vic Tayback, Edge commercial, 1970)
“To cut yourself you almost have to try.”
Here’s two commercials from November of 1970 featuring known personalities. First, we have actor, Vic Tayback (prior to being cast as Mel on Alice) for Edge shaving gel.
After that, one of the first US astronauts, Wally Schirra, for America’s railroads.
Edge Shave Gel Commercial With Vic Tayback, 1970
America’s Railroads Commercial With Wally Schirra, 1970
“You should have seen this terrace when I was a bachelor. Every night, girls in satin pant-suits, see-through blouses, and lots of imported wine.”
I hope everyone has recovered from their holiday feasting. As you kick back relaxing and reminiscing, why not enjoy some vintage commercials?
First, an oh-so-70s spot for Italian Swiss Colony wine featuring a (former) swinging bachelor. After that, a humorous Gatorade spot with a Western movie star and his stunt double. Both commercials aired in July of 1975.
Happy Thanksgiving, Bionic pals! Here’s some Thanksgiving holiday favorites from years past. 70s’ style reruns, if you will. May your celebrations be bountiful!
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (And Appreciating Our Pop Culture)
Time to dress up as pilgrims and go door-to-door caroling again! ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,’ November, 1973
Happy Thanksgiving, fellow USA-dwellers! It’s time to butter the toast, pop the corn, pass out the jelly beans and get to feasting! And what better way to celebrate the day than to enjoy a few memorable moments from 1973’s A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving!
I grew up with this CBS special helping to define the holiday and I’m willing to bet most of you did too.
I’ll be recreating this meal today. Hope my guests are appreciative. ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,’ November, 1973
Today, as you sit at your ping pong tables and munch on your pretzel sticks don’t forget to give thanks (yes, for family and friends, but also) to Charles Schulz and the Peanuts gang!
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving – Opening/Football Kick-Off
“On Nov. 20, 1973, CBS slotted ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,’ — sponsored by Interstate Brands, the parent of Dolly Madison cakes and pies — at 8 p.m. Eastern to kick off its Tuesday night lineup. The Peanuts cartoons had become such ratings blockbusters by this time that the network had no problem preempting ‘Maude,’ the ‘All In The Family’ spinoff that would finish as the sixth most-watched show of the 1973-74 season.
Against the short-lived NBC crime drama ‘Chase’ and the medical sitcom ‘The New Temperatures Rising Show,’ ABC’s second attempt to find a starring vehicle for comedian Paul Lynde, ‘Thanksgiving’ easily won the time period, averaging a 27.8 rating and 43 share of the television audience.”
‘Our Pilgrim Fathers’ aka ‘Through Hardship To Freedom’ written, produced and directed by Gregory Brady. Music direction and narration by Gregory Brady ‘The Brady Bunch,’ 1970
And now, we turn to our favorite family and their seasonally-relevant episode. In season two‘s “The Un-Underground Movie,” which originally aired October 16, 1970, we watch Greg’s homemade film entitled Our Pilgrim Fathers.
Capt. Jones of The Mayflower takes an imaginary arrow to the hambone ‘The Brady Bunch,’ 1970
Watch Greg’s cinematic masterpiece in its entirety below. You’ll especially enjoy the dramatic slo-mo “Special Effects” just “like in those real ‘arty’ movies.”
And as an added holiday treat – here’s another BBM from a few months back that’s been getting a ton of search-engine hits the past two weeks: Alice’s Thanksgiving Moustache
The Bradys pause to mock Alice during the filming of Greg’s docudrama, ‘Our Pilgrim Fathers,’ October, 1970
On this mesmerizing edition of “Brady Bunch Moments” – filming for Greg’s Thanksgiving school project is going well despite problems with his (over) actors and some unexpected wardrobe malfunctions.
Click below to enjoy this two-minute clip from “The Un-Underground Movie” episode which originally aired during the second season of The Brady Bunch on October 16, 1970.
A bucket o’ ’75. (Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial, summer 1975)
“Hey, it’s a Kentucky Fried Chicken Day.”
It’s Sunday in the Seventies. Time to head out for a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Today, we’ve got two vintage spots on display for the company not-yet-known as KFC.
Fist up, a “Party Pleaser Month” spot from October of 1972 with narration by the Colonel. After that, a picnic spot from July 1975 with a Hitchcock-style cameo from the Colonel. That man has to qualify as a 70s mascot.
Jim is sporting the Brylcreem bounce. (Brylcreem commercial, October 1972)
“A little dab of Brylcreem on your hair gives you the Brylcreem bounce.”
Here’s two fun spots from the fall of 1972. The first, a Brylcreem commercial from October ’72, features a fellow called Jim and a Beach Boys-style jingle. Does anyone still use Brylcreem? It first appeared in the 1920s and is still available today.
After that, enjoy an Alka-Seltzer spot from November ’72 with a weekly poker game theme.
