Bill Russell won eleven NBA championships. He also has a friend named Ron.
“Long distance is the next best thing to being there.”
Time to get on the court and dribble out our Daily 70s Spot. Today we find basketball great, Bill Russell (Boston Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics) for long distance telephoning. The commercial aired in December of 1975.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Holiday Inn (1972)
Holiday Inns still look exactly like this, right?
“The most accommodating people in the world.”
Time to check-in to our Daily 70s Spot. Here’s one for Holiday Inn. The commercial, featuring a variety of lovely vacation destinations, was filmed in 1971 and aired on Jan 01, 1972.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Hanes ‘Invisible Man’ (1977)
David McCallum for Hanes. (1977)
“Hanes. So comfortable you forget you have it on.”
Time to slip into our Daily 70s Spot. Today we take a look at Hanes underwear and their commercial featuring the ‘Invisible Man.’ Spot aired in 1977.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Datsun ‘Lil’ Hustler’ pickup (1975)
Look at that lil’ blue hustler go! (‘Ants in the Pantry,’ 1970)
Happy Funshine Friday, folks. Friday is fun-day (I don’t care what your boss says)! Therefore, it’s time to consume a cartoon featuring The Ant and the Aardvark. Ants in the Pantry made its theatrical debut in June of 1970. Enjoy it in its entirety below.
Previously on Funshine Friday: ‘Jason of Star Command’ (1978)
They were going to call it the ‘Wee Huckster’ but they changed their minds. (Datsun ‘Lil’ Hustler,’ 1975)
“America’s No.1-selling small truck.”
Time to fire up the Daily 70s Spot. Here we have a commercial for Datsun’s Lil’ Hustler pickup truck. Yes, the vehicle is really called the “Lil’ Hustler.” There’s nothing strange about that whatsoever. At all. Move along. Spot aired in November of 1975.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Ivory Soap (early 1970s)
‘Struck by Lightning” TV title, 1979
Today on Show Toppers we have a real rarity. Give yourself a hearty pat on the back if you remember this one. Struck by Lightning originally ran Wednesday evenings on CBS from September to October, 1979. 11 episodes were filmed but only three were ever shown in the US (the UK saw them all in 1980).
The sitcom stars Jeffrey Kramer as Ted Stein, the great-great-grandson of Dr. Frankenstein, who inherits an ancient inn in Massachusetts. Frank (aka Frankenstein), played by Jack Elam, still lives at the Brightwater Inn and convinces Ted to stick around and recreate a formula that will keep him alive.
Frank (Jack Elam) and Stein (Jeffrey Kramer) (‘Struck by Lightning,’ 1979)
The Struck by Lightning cast was rounded out by Millie Slavin as innkeeper Nora, Jeff Cotler as her son, Brian, Bill Erwin as a boarder called Glenn and Richard Stahl as Walt, a real estate agent. Catch the shocking intro below with its surprising theme song, “You Are So Beautiful.”
‘STRUCK BY LIGHTNING’ TV INTRO (1979)
Struck by Lightning Wiki, IMDb
(Additional reference: The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows by Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh)
Previously on Show Toppers: ‘Hawaii Five-O’ (1970s)