70s Commercials: ‘Carpenters’/’Olivia!,’ Arthur Treacher’s, Subaru Brat, C.W. Post (1978)

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1978 is here and we’ve achieved “Prime Seventies.” Just watch the following ABC promo for back-to-back TV specials featuring The Carpenters, John Davidson, Suzanne Somers, Olivia Newton-John, Andy Gibb, and ABBA. Just…wow!

Following that, enjoy spots for Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips, the Subaru Brat, and C.W. Post cereal. On a minor note, I never saw an Arthur Treacher’s growing up in 70s-80s Southern California. Guess they were/are more of a Midwest and East Coast thing.

‘CARPENTERS’/’OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN’ TV SPECIALS PROMO (1978)

ABC promo for ‘The Carpenters: Space Encounters’ and ‘Olivia!’ TV specials. In addition to Karen and Richard Carpenter & Olivia Newton-John, guest stars include John Davidson, Suzanne Somers, Andy Gibb, and ABBA. Narration by Ernie Anderson. Spot aired May 1978.

ARTHUR TREACHER’S FISH & CHIPS COMMERCIAL (1978)

Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips restaurant commercial. Narrator may be Danny Dark. Spot aired in 1978.

SUBARU BRAT COMMERCIAL (1978)

Subaru Brat car commercial featuring a ‘fun’ theme. Spot aired May 1978.

C.W. POST CEREAL COMMERCIAL (1978)

C.W. Post cereal commercial. Spot aired January 1978 (likely produced in ’77).

Previously on 70s Commercials: McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish, Honeycomb Cereal, VW Rabbit, Spray ‘N Wash (1977)

More Carpenters: 70s Spots: The Carpenters – Rare Japanese Commercials

More Olivia Newton-John: 70s Stories In The News: Little Richard, Susan Dey, Grease, Saturday Night Fever

More Arthur Treacher’s: 70s Spots (Winter Holidays): Arthur Treacher’s ‘Santa’ (1979)

More Subaru: 70s Spots: ’74 Subaru, Snoopy’s Doghouse & More

More Post Cereals: 70s Spots: Pink Panther Flakes Cereal (1971 & ’72)

Music For Monday: Chase, ‘Get It On’ (1971)

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Bill Chase’s rocking jazz band Chase released their biggest hit “Get It On” in 1971. The song was written by Bill Chase and Terry Richards and appeared on the group’s eponymous debut LP. 50-years-ago this month “Get It On” grabbed a #24 chart placing on the US Hot 100.

Tragically, Bill Chase and band members Walter Clark, John Emma, and Wally Yohn were killed in a plane crash in August of 1974. Let’s spin the tune below in their memory.

CHASE, ‘GET IT ON’ (LIVE, 1971)

CHASE, ‘GET IT ON’ (STUDIO VERSION, 1971)

Previously on Music For Monday: Norman Greenbaum, ‘Canned Ham’ (1970)

70s Commercials: McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish, Honeycomb Cereal, VW Rabbit, Spray ‘N Wash (1977)

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A very happy Friday to you. Today’s batch of commercials aired in 1977. You can enjoy spots for McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish, Honeycomb cereal, Volkswagen Rabbit, and Spray ‘n Wash. Stay safe out there and have a great weekend.

MCDONALD’S FILET-O-FISH COMMERCIAL (1977)

McDonald’s commercial featuring the Filet-O-Fish sandwich and Henry aka ‘Jaws’ played by actor Paul O’Keefe. Spot aired March 1977.

HONEYCOMB CEREAL ‘MUMMY’ COMMERCIAL (1977)

General Foods ‘New’ Post Honeycomb cereal commercial featuring ‘Big Mummy,’ ‘Big Monster’ aka Frankenstein, and the Honeycomb Hideout Gang. Spot aired in 1977.

VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT COMMERCIAL (1977)

Volkswagen Rabbit commercial featuring a “General Motors 5-Car Showdown” with Buick Opel, Toyota Corolla, Subaru DL, and Datsun B-210. Spot aired August 1977.

SPRAY ‘N WASH COMMERCIAL (1977)

Spray ‘n Wash stain remover commercial featuring actor Ron Masak covered in mustard aired August 1977.

Previously on 70s Commercials: ‘Bad News Bears,’ Chex Mix, Samsonite, United Airlines (1976)

More McDonald’s: 70s Spots: McDonald’s ‘The Big Meal’ (1971)

More Honeycomb Cereal: Saturday 70s Spots: Super Sugar Crisp & Honeycomb Cereal (1977)

More Volkswagen: Daily 70s Spot #488, 489: Volkswagen Scirocco & Rabbit (1975)

More Spray ‘n Wash: Daily 70s Spot: Betty White for Spray ‘n Wash (1976)

Classic 70s Music Ads: Elvis Presley, ‘I’m Leavin” (1971)

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Elvis Presley ‘I’m Leavin” ad via Billboard magazine July 10, 1971

50-years-ago this week Elvis was gearing up to perform in Tahoe and releasing his new single “I’m Leavin’.” “I’m Leavin'” was written by Sonny Charles and Michael Jarrett and did not appear on an Elvis LP until the 1980 boxed collection Elvis Aron Presley.

There’s something about the plethora of “La La La’s” heard in this tune that I find appealing. The public liked it enough to award a chart placing of #36 on the US Hot 100 and #23 in the UK. Spin it below.

ELVIS PRESLEY, ‘I’M LEAVIN'” (1971)

Previously on Classic 70s Music Ads: The Guess Who, ‘Hand Me Down World’ (1970)

70s Commercials (Buried Treasures): Catherine Deneuve For Mercury, Tin Can Alley, Admiral TVs, Miller (1977)

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

Two big celebrity appearances in this set of vintage commercials. First, we find Catherine Deneuve for Mercury Monarch. After that, it’s Chuck Connors for the Tin Can Alley toy. Lastly, spots for Admiral TVs and Miller beer.

’77 MERCURY MONARCH COMMERCIAL (CATHERINE DENEUVE, 1976)

1977 Mercury Monarch Ghia commercial featuring actor Catherine Deneuve. Spot aired November 1976.

TIN CAN ALLEY TOY COMMERCIAL (CHUCK CONNORS, 1977)

Ideal’s Tin Can Alley toy commercial featuring actor Chuck Connors (‘The Rifleman’). Spot aired December 1977.

ADMIRAL TV SET COMMERCIAL (1977)

Admiral Super Solarcolor television set commercial featuring the Admiral Admiral mascot (played by actor Louis Nye). Spot aired November 1977.

MILLER BEER ‘STUNTMEN’ COMMERCIAL (1977)

Miller High Life beer commercial featuring Hollywood-style Western stuntmen. Spot aired September 1977.

Previously on 70s Commercials (Buried Treasures): Grease Relief, Chevy Chevette, Eastern Airlines, ‘Easter Bunny’ (1976-77)

70s Commercials: ‘Bad News Bears,’ Chex Mix, Samsonite, United Airlines (1976)

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Alrighty, it’s time for a little 1976. As per usual, I have four vintage commercials lined up for you. First, a rare curiosity. Two cast members from The Bad News Bears in a spot for Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings. I’m pretty sure that’s Jackie Earl Haley reprising his Kelly Leak role. I’m less sure that’s Gary Lee Cavagnaro as Mike Engelberg, but I believe it is him after experiencing a growth spurt a year after filming.

After that one, you’ll find spots for Chex Patio Mix (with a narrator who has to be Beth “Vera” Howland of Alice), Samsonite, and United Airlines.

‘BAD NEWS BEARS’ Vs. ‘BINGO LONG ALL-STARS’ COMMERCIAL (1976)

TV promo for the movie ‘The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings’ featuring actors Jackie Earl Haley (Kelly Leak) and Gary Lee Cavagnaro (Engelberg) of ‘The Bad News Bears’ cast. Spot aired July 1976.

CHEX PATIO MIX COMMERCIAL (1976)

Bicentennial-themed Chex Patio Mix commercial featuring a narrator who sounds like Beth Howland (‘Alice’). Spot aired June 1976.

SAMSONITE SUITCASE COMMERCIAL (1976)

Samsonite suitcase commercial featuring built-in cartwheels. The woman with the suitcase is actor Loretta Tupper. Spot aired December 1976.

UNITED AIRLINES ‘FRIENDLY SONG’ COMMERCIAL (1976)

United Airlines commercial featuring a “friendly” song. Spot aired June 1976.

Previously on 70s Commercials: Chicken Of The Sea, Betty Crocker, Ford Granada (1975)

More Bad News Bears: Trailer Tuesday: ‘The Bad News Bears’ (1976)

More Chex cereal: 70s Spots: 9-Lives & Bran Chex (1977)

More United Airlines: 70s Spots: United Airlines ‘Friendship Service’ (1974)