Daily 70s Ad: Saks Fifth Avenue, Houston (1975)

Saks Fifth Avenue, Houston. ('Texas Monthly' magazine, Jan.1975)

Saks Fifth Avenue, Houston. (‘Texas Monthly’ magazine, Jan.1975)


(Click ad to enlarge)

“Little lady fauntleroy, her coat wool-and-silk.”

Texas chic. Daily 70s Ad #28: Saks Fifth Avenue, Houston originally appeared in the January, 1975 issue of Texas Monthly magazine.

(Source: Texas Monthly)

Previously on Daily 70s Ad: Mattel – Monogram Model Kits (1970)

Funshine Friday: ‘Willy Wonka’ – ‘Pure Imagination’ Song (1971)

"In a world of pure imagination..." (Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka, 1971)

“In a world of pure imagination…” (Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka, 1971)

The weekend is almost here. Time for a ray or two of Funshine to warm our cockles. Here’s the wonderful Gene Wilder singing “Pure Imagination” from the 1971 classic, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

In the clip below, we find the lucky children and their parents touring Wonka’s factory. They have just entered the candy gardens with the chocolate river and are allowed to eat their fill of the environment. This is one of the greatest, most magical movie scenes a 70s’ child experienced. It’s a favorite of mine and probably helped turn me into the young candy fanatic I became. Enter the world…

‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’: Gene Wilder Sings ‘Pure Imagination.’ 1971

Previously on Funshine Friday: ‘The Little Prince’ – ‘Be Happy’ (1974)

Daily 70s Ad: Mattel – Monogram Model Kits (1970)

Mattel - Monogram Model Kits. ('LIFE' magazine, Nov.13, 1970)

Mattel – Monogram Model Kits. (‘LIFE’ magazine, Nov.13, 1970)


(Click ad to enlarge)

“Monogram Model kits are wild.”

Here’s the final Mattel spot for the week. This one features “Fun & Games” like Snoopy’s Sopwith Camel model and the Mirror Mania board game. Daily 70s Ad #27: Mattel – Monogram Model Kits originally appeared in the November 13, 1970 issue of LIFE magazine.

(Source: LIFE)

Previously on Daily 70s Ad: Mattel – Hot Wheels Sizzlers (1970)

A Johnny Carson Moment (Full Episode): David Letterman, Bruce Dern (1979)

David Letterman visits Johnny Carson. ('The Tonight Show,' 12-20-1979)

David Letterman visits Johnny Carson. (‘The Tonight Show,’ 12-20-1979)

Today marks Jay Leno’s last night hosting The Tonight Show. So, naturally, we turn to…Johnny Carson and his guest, David Letterman. No snub intended to Leno, but Bionic Disco being a 70s-centric site, we’re presenting a full episode of The Tonight Show from December 20, 1979.

You’ll enjoy watching this time capsule for Johnny’s monologue with mentions of Zody’s, Mork and Mindy, G.I. Joe, The Incredible Hulk and Ricardo Montalban. Afterward (9:30), Johnny and Ed McMahon take a look at 1979 Christmas toys with Batman and Star Trek action figures and the Mr. Mouth board game. There’s also an early version of the “Snuggie” presented. Some original commercials are included such as; Clairol Herbal Essence shampoo, a promo for Spielberg’s 1941 and Orson Welles for Paul Masson wine.

Guests are Bruce Dern (40:20), David Letterman (50:40) and Opera Singer, Judith Blegen (59:20).

‘Tonight Show with Johnny Carson’ Full Episode: Bruce Dern, David Letterman & Xmas Toys, 12-20-1979

Previously on A Johnny Carson Moment: Burt Reynolds’ Whipped Cream Incident (1974)

Daily 70s Ad: Mattel – Hot Wheels Sizzlers (1970)

Mattel - Hot Wheels Sizzlers. ('LIFE' magazine, Nov.13, 1970)

Mattel – Hot Wheels Sizzlers. (‘LIFE’ magazine, Nov.13, 1970)


(Click ad to enlarge)

“This is the fastest car in the world.”

I had plenty of slick-looking Hot Wheels in my collection as a kid. And those flexible, orange plastic tracks were everywhere too. The cars were great but those tracks needed a little help. They couldn’t stand up to my roughhousing.

Daily 70s Ad #26: Mattel – Hot Wheels Sizzlers originally appeared in the November 13, 1970 issue of LIFE magazine.

(Source: LIFE)

Previously on Daily 70s Ad: Mattel – Barbie (1970)

Mood Music: Roy Clark, ‘I Never Picked Cotton’ (1975)

"I never picked cotton - but my mother did, and my brother did, and my sister did...' (Roy Clark on 'Hee Haw,' 1975)

“I never picked cotton – but my mother did, and my brother did, and my sister did…’ (Roy Clark on ‘Hee Haw,’ 1975)

Roy Clark originally released “I Never Picked Cotton” (written by Bobby George and Charles Williams) in the spring of 1970. The song, from the L.P of the same name, hit #5 on Billboard’s “Hot Country Singles” chart.

Here’s Clark performing the song on TV’s Hee Haw in 1975. It’s the hot pick for the day.

Roy Clark on ‘Hee Haw’: ‘I Never Picked Cotton,’ 1975

Previously on Mood Music: Ringo Starr, ‘Drowning In The Sea Of Love’ (1977)

More Roy Clark at Bionic Disco: Roy Clark, ‘Malagueña’ (‘The Odd Couple,’ 1975)