70s Commercials (Buried Treasures): Marathon Candy Bar, American Airlines, AFX Race Cars, IBM Typewriter (1971-78)

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

On this batch of Buried Treasures we have an assortment of commercials ranging from 1971 all the way to ’78. First, it’s Patrick Wayne for the Marathon candy bar. Following that, we have an nifty animated spot for American Airlines, some Aurora AFX race cars, and Vernee Watson in a commercial for IBM typewriters.

MARATHON CANDY BAR COMMERCIAL (1973)

Marathon candy bar commercial featuring Quick Carl and actor Patrick Wayne as Marathon John. Narration by Dan Ingram. Spot aired in 1973.

ANIMATED AMERICAN AIRLINES COMMERCIAL (1971)

American Airlines commercial featuring animated airplanes. Spot aired January 1971 (produced in 1970).

AURORA AFX ‘MANZA SPIDER’ RACE CAR SET COMMERCIAL (1972)

Aurora toy race car commercial featuring the AFX Manza Spider set. Spot aired November 1972.

IBM TYPEWRITER ‘SECRETARY’ COMMERCIAL (1978)

IBM electronic typewriter commercial featuring an assortment of secretaries. The secretary in the red shirt is actor Vernee Watson (‘Welcome Back Kotter,’ ‘Capt. Caveman’). Spot aired November 1978.

Previously on Buried Treasures: Continental Airlines, Plymouth Satellite, Gallo Wine, Procter & Gamble (1972-78)

More Marathon Candy: 70s Spots: Marathon Candy Bar (1974 & ’75)

More American Airlines: Daily 70s Ad: American Airlines ‘Universal Studios, California’ (1973)

More Aurora: Daily 70s Spot: Aurora ‘Red Dunes – Sand Vans’ Model Race Cars (1972)

More IBM: 70s Spots: IBM Selectric Typewriter (1976)

Classic 70s Music Ads: ‘Pete’s Dragon’ (Helen Reddy, 1977)

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‘Pete’s Dragon’ soundtrack LP ad via Record World magazine November 1977

Here’s a colorful ad for Walt Disney Production’s Pete’s Dragon soundtrack. As you may remember, Pete’s Dragon is part live-action, part animated, and as the ad mentions, features Helen Reddy’s “Candle On The Water” song.

I remember seeing the film in ’77 at the tender age of 10, but I can’t say I remember Reddy’s tune. Apparently the song was nominated for an Academy Award. Let’s have a listen.

HELEN REDDY, ‘ CANDLE ON THE WATER’ (1977)

*Update: Well, now that I listen to it – I do remember it. The brain is a wonderful thing.

Previously on Classic 70s Music Ads: Cheech & Chong, ‘Sister Mary Elephant’ (1973)

70s Commercials: Franco-American Rotini, Heinz Ketchup, Shout, VW Rabbit (1976)

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If you joined us in recent days you may have guessed that this batch of seventies commercials is focused on 1976. We’ve got spots for Franco-American Rotini, Heinz Ketchup’s famed “Anticipation” campaign, Shout stain remover, and the Volkswagen Rabbit. Have at ’em.

FRANCO-AMERICAN ROTINI COMMERCIAL (1976)

Franco-American Rotini and Rotini & Meatballs commercial featuring a disappearing family. Spot aired November 1976.

HEINZ KETCHUP ‘ANTICIPATION’ JINGLE COMMERCIAL (1976)

Heinz Tomato Ketchup commercial featuring the “Anticipation” song by Carly Simon. Narration by Casey Kasem. Spot aired March 1976.

‘SHOUT IT OUT!’ COMMERCIAL (1976)

Shout heavy duty stain remover spray commercial. Narration by Sterling Holloway of ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ fame. Spot aired March 1976.

VW RABBIT COMMERCIAL (1976)

Volkswagen Rabbit car commercial featuring ‘Road & Track’ magazine accolades. Spot aired July 1976.

Previously on 70s Commercials: Chef Boyardee, ABC ‘Still The One,’ Flintstones Vitamins, Hefty Bags (1977)

More Franco-American: 70s Spots: Franco-American (1974), Milky Way (1975) & More

More Heinz: Daily 70s Spot: Heinz French Fries (1978)

More Shout: 70s Spots: Shout & Heet (1975)

More VW Rabbit: Daily 70s Spot: Volkswagen Rabbit (1976)

Music For Monday: Latimore, ‘Let’s Straighten It Out’ (1974)

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Latimore’s smooth and sexy description of a strained relationship, “Let’s Straighten It Out,” was originally released in 1974. The song was written by the artist, Benjamin Latimore, and appeared on the Let’s Straighten It Out – More, More, More Latimore LP. Have a listen below and bask in the greatness of this US #1 R&B and #31 Hot 100 hit.

LATIMORE, ‘LET’S STRAIGHTEN IT OUT’ (1974)

Previously on Music for Monday: Tyrone Davis, ‘Turn Back The Hands Of Time’ (1970)

70s Commercials: Chef Boyardee, ABC ‘Still The One,’ Flintstones Vitamins, Hefty Bags (1977)

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We’re lingering in 1977 on this fine Friday. You’ll find commercials for Chef Boyardee, ABC, Flinstones Vitamins, and Hefty Trash Bags (with Jonathan Winters). Go! Run off into the weekend and enjoy yourselves. I’ll see you back here on Monday.

CHEF BOYARDEE SPAGHETTI SAUCE COMMERCIAL (1977)

Chef Boyardee Spaghetti Sauce commercial featuring Mrs. Doris Maccarino and a comparison to Ragu. Spot aired September 1977.

ABC ‘STILL THE ONE’ PROMO (1977)

ABC promo featuring a take on the Orleans song ‘Still The One.’ Spot aired July 1977.

FLINTSTONES VITAMINS COMMERCIAL (1977)

Flintstones Vitamins commercial featuring a kid beating the odds. Narrator sounds like Ralph Bell. Spot aired September 1977.

HEFTY GARBAGE BAGS COMMERCIAL (JONATHAN WINTERS, 1977)

Hefty Super Weight Tall Kitchen Garbage Bags commercial starring Jonathan Winters as the Hefty Man. Spot aired August 1977.

Previously on 70s Commercials: Little Caesar’s Pizza, International Scout, Pan Am, McCulloch Chainsaw (1978)

More ABC Promos: 70s Spots: ‘Owen Marshall’ & ‘The Crooked Hearts’ ABC Promos (1972)

More Flintstones Vitamins: Daily 70s Spot: Flintstones Vitamins (1974)

More Hefty & Jonathan Winters: 70s Spots: Jonathan Winters For Hefty (1978)

From The Vault: Dickies ‘Working Class’ Wear (1978)

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Dickies ‘Working Class’ Wear. ('Popular Mechanics' magazine, November, 1978)

Dickies ‘Working Class’ Wear. (‘Popular Mechanics’ magazine, November, 1978)

“We’d sell a lot more if they weren’t so damned durable.”

A happy prisoner and his cheerful guards. Daily 70s Ad #320: Dickies ‘Working Class’ Wear originally appeared in the November, 1978 issue of Popular Mechanics magazine.

*Post originally appeared on Bionic Disco November 27, 2014.*