Riding the Retro Metro: Mid December, 1976!

Redartz:  Season's greetings, one and all! For a bit of a holiday indulgence, today we've pulled the ol' Retro Metro out of the garage for a trip back to the middle of December, 1976. Just to get a taste of the festive excitement and cultural diversion we all enjoyed waaaay back then...



First off, here's a look at the popular music that might have been playing while we eagerly scoured the Sears Wishbook for Christmas treasures . But to be honest, at that time I wasn't actually wishbooking, I was going out on my very first date (yes, with an actual girl; took her to see "2001: A Space Odyssey" at the local cinema; might explain why I never got a second date with her).



Popular on the US Billboard charts:
 "Tonight's the Night" by Rod Stewart
"The Rubberband Man" by  The Spinners
"Muskrat Love" by The Captain and Tennille
"More Than a Feeling" by Boston
"Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" by Elton John

 Apparently the impact of the holiday season on the US pop charts in 76 was minimal. Although, the  Captain and Tennille hosted a televised Christmas variety special , joined on the schedule by Bing Crosby's White Christmas Special and Perry Como's Christmas in Austria.

  Meanwhile, across the big pond...

 High on the UK Music charts:  
"Under the Moon of Love" by Showaddywaddy
"When a Child is Born" by Johnny Mathis
"Somebody to Love" by Queen
"Portsmouth"  by Mike Oldfield
"Bionic Santa" by Chris Hill

At least in the UK there was some holiday spirit represented on the audio airwaves. Johnny Mathis for the traditional types. And "Bionic Santa" for the more contemporary. I'd never heard of this, and had to investigate. So here it is...

Quite amusing; much like the 'break in' comedy records of Dickie Goodman that chuckled up the pop charts in the early to mid 70's.

 
Of course the Christmas season was well in evidence on the television airwaves by mid-December. 1976 saw the debut "Rudolph''s Shiny New Year", a sort of sequel to the classic 1964 Rankin/Bass "Rudolph".

If you were scanning the channels during those wintry weeks, you also might have caught Frosty the Snowman, and the Grinch.

You just gotta love Jimmy Durante belting one out in the snow!

 

And everyone knows that you don't get to watch all that tv wonderment without paying the price in commercial advertising. So here are several such ads that would have been running back then. How could anyone ever forget the Norelco Santa riding his shaver?
 

Ronald McDonald gets into the holiday act, along with a few friends...

 

Next up, a familiar tune from the folks at Coca Cola...

And finally, for all those who invited 'Andre for the holidays'...

Meanwhile, down the street at the local magazine vendor, the spinner racks were full of four color holiday fun. Archie and the 'kid' books were more winter themed, but Marvel certainly had some spirit. Always loved that Spider-Man cover. Incidentally, DC was kind of sparse with the Christmas covers this season...

And there you have it, folks: Hope this evoked a few fond memories for those of us who were around at the time. I also hope you share some of those memories, thoughts, impressions, good feelings and bad jokes. From your friends at BitBA to all of you, the very best of wishes for the holidays and the year to come!

Rank and File: Christmas Shows, Movies, and Specials!

Martinex1: Well it is December and it seems like the whole month is full of good tidings and cheer.   The Christmas decorations are going up in the neighborhood and the children are getting antsy with anticipation of a jolly old elf's arrival.   And as I hang lights and stockings I am awash with nostalgia.  I am reminded of how our family would gather in my grandparent's living room throughout the season and tune their large TV console onto various holiday specials and old movies.

Unlike today when I can find almost anything through DVDs or DVR, four decades ago we were committed to a handful of channels and a tight schedule.   We had to coordinate carefully but there were some shows that we could never miss. There are a few that still seem as fresh to me as they ever did; there are a handful that still bring a lump to my throat or a tear to my eye.   I will share my top three holiday must-sees... what are yours?

1) It's a Wonderful Life.  Frank Capra's 1946 classic follows George Bailey's trials and tribulations through the prism of life-affirming hope, respect, friendship, and grace.  Jimmy Stewart at his "aw-shucks" best.   Lionel Barrymore as the Scrooge-like Mr. Potter.   Donna Reed long before starring in her own iconic TV show.  Zuzu's petals.  Befuddled Uncle Billy.   The distraught pharmacist Mr. Gower.    Ernie and Bert.   The old Savings and Loan.  And Clarence, the angel trying to earn his wings.   Using an almost Twilight Zone-like trope, George gets to see his life if he was never born at all.  I still marvel at the dance on the edge of the pool under the gym floor.  I still chuckle at the scene when Mary hides in the bushes.   And I cannot help but sniffle when George's friends gather in support.   For me, this movie captures much of the season's spirit in a deceptively simple approach.

2) The Year Without a Santa Claus. The 1974 animated special from the holiday powerhouse Rankin-Bass Productions, shares the story of the year that Santa Claus wasn't feeling well after Thanksgiving.  He was discouraged by the thought that nobody cared about Christmas anymore so he decided to take a break.  Jingle and Jangle, his hapless elves, take a young reindeer Vixen to prove to Santa that there is still holiday cheer in the world.  With characters like Heat Miser and Snow Miser, wonderful musical interludes,  the style of animation at its peak, and the vocal talents of Mickey Rooney, Shirley Booth and Dick Shawn this is my favorite of the Rankin-Bass pack.

3) A Charlie Brown Christmas.  The first and the best of the Peanuts special pulls all of the right elements together in a peaceful explanation of the meaning of the holiday.   With incredibly beautiful music from jazz great, the Vince Guaraldi Trio, the cartoon has a feel like no other.  Even the annually presented commercials from Dolly Madison and Coca-Cola seemed special.  And who can ever forget that Charlie Brown Christmas tree or the iconic dance scene with the whole gang.

So those are my top three but there are many more... so if you are a fan of Rudolph, Frosty, White Christmas, Nestor the Long-Eared Donkey, Home Alone, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Elf or even Die-Hard  let us know what you think and share your memories.