From The Vault – Show Toppers: ‘Adam-12’ (1968-75)

*Post originally appeared on Bionic Disco January 31, 2013.*

"1-Adam-12, 1-Adam-12. See the post at Bionic Disco. A disturbance." (Kent McCord & Martin Milner, 1973)

‘1-Adam-12, 1-Adam-12. See the post at Bionic Disco. A disturbance.’ (Kent McCord & Martin Milner, 1973)

Show Toppers is now in session. Today, we take a look at a cop classic featuring a pair of L.A.’s finest, patrolling the streets in Adam-12. Created by Dragnet‘s Jack Webb (along with R.A. Cinader,) Adam-12 originally ran for seven seasons from September, 1968 to May, 1975. The series had a healthy re-run life throughout the 1970s and beyond.

William Boyett is Sgt. 'Mac' MacDonald (Adam-12, 1973)

William Boyett is Sgt. ‘Mac’ MacDonald (Adam-12, 1973)

Adam-12 starred Martin Milner as the seasoned pro, Officer Pete Malloy, and Kent McCord as the fresh, young rookie, Officer Jim Reed. William Boyett co-starred as the pair’s station sergeant, “Mac” MacDonald. Gary Crosby (Bing’s son) made frequent guest appearances as the somewhat smug, Officer Wells.

In recent months, I’ve been re-watching Adam-12 (the whole shebang is available on Netflix) and have been enjoying the blast of nostalgia. I’m currently midway through 1971 and the rapport between Malloy and Reed is still a decent reason to watch. However, I take particular pleasure in recognizing various Los Angeles locations and noting what changes the ensuing decades have brought. The hippy-holdover fashions and hip lingo of the youthful citizens is smile-inducing as well.

Two clips are up for you to spy below. The first is the season 6 intro from 1973 and the second is a rather cool and rare promo from around 1975. See the woman. Shots fired…

‘ADAM-12’ SEASON 6 TV INTRO (1973)

RARE ‘ADAM-12’ NBC PROMO (1975)

Adam-12 Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Show Toppers: The Streets of San Francisco

70s Commercials: Vicks Sinex, KFC ‘Extra Crispy,’ Mustang II, Kodak (1973-76)

Today’s mind-bending batch of seventies commercials originally aired between 1973 and 1976. You’ll find Vicks Sinex nasal spray featuring two blockheads, Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Extra-Crispy style, the 1976 Mustang II line-up, and Kodak film. You remember film cartridges. I know you do.

VINEX SINEX ‘THE BLOCKBUSTER’ COMMERCIAL (1973)

Vicks Sinex decongestant nasal spray commercial featuring two men with concrete blocks for heads. Spot aired September 1973.

KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN ‘EXTRA CRISPY’ COMMERCIAL (1974)

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) commercial featuring an Extra Crispy chicken jingle and a farm family at dinnertime. Spot aired October 1974.

’76 FORD MUSTANG II LINE-UP COMMERCIAL (1975)

Ford Mustang II commercial featuring 1976 vehicles & features; MPG, Ghia, Hardtop, 2 + 2, Stallion, and Cobra II. Spot aired November 1975.

KODAK FILM ‘TIMES OF YOUR LIFE’ COMMERCIAL (1976)

Kodak film commercial featuring kids playing in a park. Spot aired July 1976.

Previously on 70s Commercials: Sara Lee, Pepto-Bismol, McDonald’s Fries, Baby Peek-A-Boo (1970-72)

More Vicks: Daily 70s Spot #512: Vicks Sinex Nasal Spray (1977)

More KFC: 70s Spots: Kentucky Fried Chicken ‘Colonel Talks’ (1971)

More Ford Mustang II: 70s Spots: ’78 Ford Mustang II (1977)

More Kodak: 70s Spots: Kodak Instant Cameras (Dick Van Dyke, 1976 & ’78)

Music For Monday: Anita Ward, ‘Ring My Bell’ (1979)

A very happy Monday to everyone. It’s time for some music and I’ve got a disco classic queued up. Here’s Anita Ward with “Ring My Bell,” performed on Dutch TV’s TopPop show on June 23, 1979.

“Ring My Bell” was written by Frederick Knight and originally appeared on Ward’s debut LP Songs of Love. “Ring My Bell” grabbed the #1 spot on both the US and UK charts.

ANITA WARD, ‘RING MY BELL’ (‘TOPPOP,’ 1979)

Previously on Music for Monday: The Intruders, ‘She’s A Winner’ (1972)

70s Commercials: Sara Lee, Pepto-Bismol, McDonald’s Fries, Baby Peek-A-Boo (1970-72)

Yes, that’s a young Edward Herrmann contemplating a french fry in the above photo. Today, we’re loitering in the early seventies and I’ve got the usual set of dusty but delightful spots for you. Enjoy commercials for Sara Lee chocolate cake, Pepto-Bismol, McDonald’s, and Hasbro’s Baby Peek-A-Boo doll. Let’s hang out again on Monday.

SARA LEE CHOCOLATE CAKE COMMERCIAL (EARLY 1970S)

Sara Lee Chocolate Cake commercial featuring a taste comparison to homemade. Spot aired in the early 1970s.

PEPTO-BISMOL ‘DINER’ COMMERCIAL (1970)

Pepto-Bismol antacid commercial featuring a late night diner. Spot aired Fall 1970.

MCDONALD’S FRIES COMMERCIAL (EDWARD HERRMANN, 1971)

McDonald’s French Fries commercial starring actor Edward Herrmann (‘Eleanor and Franklin,’ ‘Gilmore Girls’). Spot aired in 1971.

BABY PEEK-A-BOO DOLL COMMERCIAL (HASBRO, 1972)

Hasbro Baby Peek-A-Boo doll commercial featuring a mother and daughter. Spot aired in 1972-73.

Previously on 70s Commercials: Vlasic Pickles, Cheerios, Toyota Tercel, ‘Just Friends’ (1979)

More Sara Lee: 70s Spots: Sara Lee Cakes & La Choy Chinese Food (1978)

More Pepto-Bismol: Daily 70s Spot: Pepto-Bismol ‘You’ll Thank Me’ (1974)

More McDonald’s: 70s Spots: McDonald’s ‘Summer Song’ & ‘Seahawks’ (1979)

More Dolls: 70s Spots: Sweet April Doll (Remco, 1973) & Baby Needs You Doll (Mego, 1977)

70s Commercials (Buried Treasures): Ben-Gay, Kraft Cheese Singles, Parkay, Char-B-Que (1970-78)

*“Buried Treasure” commercials appeared on the Bionic Disco YouTube channel but not here on the website.*

Today, we’re dipping into the Buried Treasure file for a fine assortment of vintage seventies spots. Soak up commercials for Ben-Gay, Kraft’s American Cheese Singles & Parkay, and the Char-B-Que cooker.

BEN-GAY PAIN RELIEVER COMMERCIAL (1978)

Ben-Gay pain relieving ointment commercial featuring a school bus driver. Spot aired November 1978.

KRAFT AMERICAN CHEESE SINGLES COMMERCIAL (1970)

Kraft American Singles (pasteurized processed cheese food slices) commercial featuring sandwich meal suggestions. Narration by Ed Herlihy. Spot aired January 1970 (likely produced in 1969).

KRAFT PARKAY MARGARINE STICKS COMMERCIAL (1970)

Kraft Parkay Margarine Sticks commercial featuring cooking suggestions. Narration by Ed Herlihy. Spot aired January 1970 (likely produced in 1969).

CHAR-B-QUE COMMERCIAL (1977)

Electric Char-B-Que grill commercial. Spot aired May 1977.

Previously on 70s Commercials (Buried Treasures): Fab, Schlitz, Polaroid, United Airlines (1971-76)

More Kraft Cheese: 70s Commercials: Quaker Oatmeal, Talkabout Toy, Cracker Barrel, Zest (1970-71)

More Kraft Parkay: Sunday 70s Spots: Kraft Parkay Margarine & Spaghetti Meals (1974)

Super 70s Ads: Chevy Camaro (1977)

It’s 1977 and “people who love to drive” will want a new Chevy Camaro. That’s just science. This fine advertisement ran in the January 24, 1977 issue of New York magazine. “Driving gloves are optional.”

Previously on Super 70s Ads: New Year’s Eve With Wayland & Madame And Tavares (1979)