The Classic/Retro Pop Culture Thread

Discussion in 'TV & Media' started by The Old Mixer, Jan 11, 2016.

  1. gblews

    gblews Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Richie Havens was one of my all time facorite '60's singers. There are a group of artists whose voices I would love to have been born with and Richie is prominent on that list.

    With Richie Havens and Terry Callier's deaths (2012 and 2013 respectively), two towering figures in folk music (especially black folk music), left us.
     
  2. The Old Mixer

    The Old Mixer Mih ssim, mih ssim, nam, daed si Xim. Moderator

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    _______

    Dragnet 1968
    "The Big Shipment"
    Originally aired December 28, 1967
    Tuesday, September 26 (1967): Friday and Gannon are working the night watch out of Narcotics Division following a failed sting operation involving a heroin sale when Captain Trembly (Clark Howat) gets a call about the crashed plane, which is said to be carrying 150 pounds of marijuana and $100,000 worth of heroin. At the scene they're filled in on the situation by a uniformed sergeant played by William Boyett, who uses the word "weed" without making it sound like it's in quotation marks. Friday wants to turn the scheduled delivery of this shipment into a new sting operation, so he sign-o-the-timesily convinces the gathered reporters to sit on the story for six hours.

    The pilot of the plane is identified by the rental agency and the detectives investigate an address that he'd given, but it's obviously a false one when Friday and Gannon knock on the door at 1:45 a.m. to wake up a married couple. Some further investigation turns up a tip from a cab driver who dropped off a man with a limp in the area that they're searching based on the false address. Evidently scouring apartment lobbies, they find an name and address that match the ones given by the pilot after a couple of transpositions, his actual name being Jerome Frank rather than Frank Jerome. They go to the apartment and speak to his wife (Lorraine Gary), who says that she hasn't seen him, wasn't aware of the true nature of the cargo that he was smuggling, informs them that that he lost a leg in Vietnam and has a girlfriend, and gives them her address.

    They go to the address and bust in to find Frank (Fred Vincent) with his prosthetic leg off. They arrest both him and his girlfriend (Elaine Devry). He thinks he's got his bases covered with the people he was smuggling for because he's the one who called the reporters about the crashed plane, but when Friday informs Frank that he killed the story, he persuades Frank to cooperate and give him details about the scheduled drop. The detectives set up a multi-team stakeout with the shipment planted at the location, an obviously fake but very elaborate vacant field set. They arrest the two men who arrive to pick up the shipment (John Sebastian and Julian Burton, the former not the one from The Lovin' Spoonful) and take them downtown. One of them pretends to be deaf and dumb, but Friday conveniently finds a receipt from a record store in his wallet and he squeals about the identity of the big man they were working for.

    Dragnet51.jpg
    Dragnet52.jpg

    The radio callsign of the car that Friday and Gannon are using is 1-Kay-80.

    And so the Dragnet marathon reaches payoff, as we've finally caught it up with...

    _______

    The Wild Wild West
    "The Night of the Arrow"
    Originally aired December 29, 1967
    Jim and Artie have been assigned to look into worsening Indian relations, with the obvious obstacle being General Baldwin (Robert Wilke), an outspoken Indian hater whose victories have made him a presidential contender, such that President Grant (Roy Engel)--who actually shows up at the train a couple of times to talk to the boys, because sitting presidents get around that easily--doesn't dare touch him. Baldwin's daughter, Aimee (Jeannine Riley, formerly of Petticoat Junction), seems to have eyes for West as well as a knack for showing up where the trouble is. There's an ambush at the fort that quickly appears to be a set-up; during the ambush, Jim fires a flare projectile from his pistol. Disguised as a cavalry lieutenant, Artie uses a wind-up lockpick to break into the office of Col. Rath (Frank Marth) and finds evidence that the Indians were cavalry officers in disguise.

    It sounds like Conrad had a cold in at least one scene. When Jim returns with Aimee from a hostile but non-lethal encounter with some Indians while trying to find Strong Bear, her clothes all cut up and Jim not wanting to tell the General about the incident for fear of escalating the situation, Jim is placed under arrest. Artie gets himself arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct to compare notes with Jim, who escapes by using thermite on the bars of his window to make a rendezvous arranged by Oconee, the "half-breed" liaison (Robert Phillips) who's been making a big show of being disgruntled with white men, but it's a trap to make it look like Jim killed Strong Bear. Jim falls into a pit but survives because it has a ledge not too far down, and escapes with the help of his ever-handy piton pistol, but not before Aimee wanders into the scene and causes him to fall back in by stepping on his fingers.

    In the meantime, Artie has effected his own escape by changing disguises in his cell, pretending to be a down-on-his-luck trapper type who wants to stay for free grub. It turns out that Rath, Oconee, and Aimee were in cahoots to underhandedly help the General to get elected. Artie turns the tables on them by pretending to be Strong Bear rising from the dead for the benefit of the Indians whom Oconee has been manipulating, which in retrospect wouldn't be Artie's finest moment.

    Chronological note: It's said to be 1874.

    ______

    Are you doing a Marcie there?

    I hadn't been listening to the lyrics that closely, but looking into it, it seems there was a reason for that. The song was written by Bobby Goldsboro and originally performed by male artists (Johnny Darrell's version having been a hit on the Country chart in 1968). Carr was doing a gender-swapped version of the song.

    I'm looking forward to seeing more of him at that festival thing that's happening in August....
     
  3. The Old Mixer

    The Old Mixer Mih ssim, mih ssim, nam, daed si Xim. Moderator

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    _______

    55 Years Ago This Week


    Selections from Billboard's Hot 100 for the week:

    Leaving the chart:
    • "Hey, Bobba Needle," Chubby Checker (9 weeks)
    • "Nadine (Is It You?)," Chuck Berry (10 weeks)
    • "Needles and Pins," The Searchers (10 weeks)
    • "Stay Awhile," Dusty Springfield (7 weeks)
    • "The Way You Do the Things You Do," The Temptations (11 weeks)

    Recent and new on the chart:

    "Once Upon a Time," Marvin Gaye & Mary Wells

    (May 2; #19 US; #3 R&B; #50 UK)

    "What's the Matter with You Baby," Marvin Gaye & Mary Wells

    (B-side of "Once Upon a Time"; #17 US; #2 R&B)

    Total Beatles songs on the chart: 6

    And new on the boob tube, Ed's guests this week include Gerry & The Pacemakers in their second week on the show, performing "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" again, as well as their 1963 UK hit and future US hit "I Like It"; Dusty Springfield performing "Stay Awhile" and "I Only Want to Be with You"; and Phyllis Diller...all shown on Best of the Ed Sullivan Show.

    _______
     
  4. gblews

    gblews Vice Admiral Admiral

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    So would I, except he died in 2013. :(
     
  5. The Old Mixer

    The Old Mixer Mih ssim, mih ssim, nam, daed si Xim. Moderator

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    I was referring to an upcoming event in 50th Anniversaryland.
     
  6. TREK_GOD_1

    TREK_GOD_1 Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Not that's a song...and perfectly suited for Springfield's great vocal range.
     
  7. RJDiogenes

    RJDiogenes Idealistic Cynic and Canon Champion Premium Member

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    He's got experience with those newsboys. Did I mention that TCM showed -30- not too long ago?

    What a master of disguise. :rommie:

    Not to mention his pants down.

    At last. :D

    The more things change.....

    He was a man of action. He couldn't be confined to the Oval Office. :rommie:

    You got it, sir. :D

    Ahh, that explains that.

    I don't remember this at all, but it's not especially memorable.

    I like this one better.
     
  8. The Old Mixer

    The Old Mixer Mih ssim, mih ssim, nam, daed si Xim. Moderator

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    _______

    50 Years Ago This Week


    And The Old Mixer is the size of an apple. Very Beatlesque.


    Selections from Billboard's Hot 100 for the week:

    Leaving the chart:
    • "Dizzy," Tommy Roe (15 weeks)
    • "Don't Give In to Him," Gary Puckett & The Union Gap (9 weeks)
    • "I Can Hear Music," The Beach Boys (10 weeks)

    Re-entering the chart:

    "In-a-Gadda-da-Vida," Iron Butterfly

    (Originally charted Aug. 24, 1968, reaching #30 US and spending 12 weeks on the chart; reaches #68 US this run)


    New on the chart:

    "I Threw It All Away," Bob Dylan

    (#85 US; #30 UK)

    "Let Me," Paul Revere & The Raiders

    (#20 US)

    "Israelites," Desmond Dekker & The Aces

    (#9 US; #1 UK)

    "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)," Jr. Walker & The All-Stars

    (#4 US; #1 R&B; #13 UK)


    And new on the boob tube:
    • The Saint, "Portrait of Brenda"

    _______

    Jack Webb was in other stuff? You're destroying the illusion!

    They're both obscuros, but "Once Upon a Time" has caught on with me more so far.
     
    Last edited: May 11, 2019
  9. RJDiogenes

    RJDiogenes Idealistic Cynic and Canon Champion Premium Member

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    Congratulations! You're in the 90th percentile by dates.

    Classic. :mallory:

    He's using his "Heaven's Door" voice.

    Hardly a man is now alive who remembers this one.

    A strange classic. :rommie:

    I didn't recognize the title at first, but this is a good one.

    Er... maybe Joe Friday has an identical cousin.
     
  10. TREK_GOD_1

    TREK_GOD_1 Vice Admiral Admiral

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    While it was a successful song, it was never the darling of radio playlists beyond that year (meaning oldies stations in the following decade). However, it received a short-lived burst of new interest when it was used as the end credits music for Gus Van Sant's independent film classic (the best movie of his career), Drugstore Cowboy (Avenue Pictures, 1989).

    Instant classic, and fit so much of the mood of the period.
     
  11. The Old Mixer

    The Old Mixer Mih ssim, mih ssim, nam, daed si Xim. Moderator

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    Had to look up what that was about. :p I'm just going by the fruits on the website.
    Weight: 7 lbs., 12 oz.
    Length: 20-1/2 in.

    A welcome return to the playlist, however long it lasts. Full-on psychedelic rock seems to have faded at this point, in favor of trends like...country rock:

    Or more immediately, his "Lay Lady Lay" voice. This album was off my radar because it's not on the RS list, but I just got it, though I haven't listened to it yet. I should note that on the album front, my purchasing and listening is on track, though my reviewing has fallen behind somewhat. Hoping to get back on that soon.

    As their more forgettable hits of this era go, though, it's not too bad.

    Noteworthy here is that it's an early example of a reggae hit in the US. As for its retro value, I certainly heard it on oldies radio in the 2000s.

    Yeah, this is one of those where I often draw a blank at the title, but when I put it on, it's an "Oh, that!"

    RJ, you'll be happy to know that Me just got into Season 3 of Petticoat Junction this morning...which means Lori Saunders...IN COLOR!
     
  12. TREK_GOD_1

    TREK_GOD_1 Vice Admiral Admiral

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  13. RJDiogenes

    RJDiogenes Idealistic Cynic and Canon Champion Premium Member

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    Oh, that's a shame. 72 sounds so young to me now. RIP, Peggy Lipton. :(

    I worked in women's health for 22 years, so you'll find me throwing in stuff that's gibberish to civilians. :rommie:

    Right. There was a time, early on, when I didn't even realize this was Dylan.

    I've got it in my MP3 folder. I remember it from the 70s more than the 60s. The go-to Top 40 station in Boston before FM took over, WRKO, was really good about throwing older songs into the mix. Maybe all Top 40 stations were, but that's the one I had.

    Yeah, that was exactly it. :rommie:

    Groovy. That's what Petticoat Junction is all about for me. :D
     
  14. Doc Mugatu

    Doc Mugatu Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Thanks to the IMDB's Freedive I have been revisiting "Dallas" (1978-1991). Right now I'm about a quarter of the way into season 3. I was really hooked on the series during it's original run and can still see why. It is definitely compelling and terrifically fun. No other villain has been so captivating than J.R. Ewing (R.I.P. Larry Hagman). I started a slow walk away from the series after the death of Bobby and over the course of the dream season so it'll be interesting to see the episodes beyond that point. I do have to say that with a lot more life under my belt I do sympathize with Sue Ellen a 1000% more than I did the first time around. Of course season 3 ends with one of the greatest cliffhangers ever, "Who shot J.R.?" Great stuff.
     
  15. The Old Mixer

    The Old Mixer Mih ssim, mih ssim, nam, daed si Xim. Moderator

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    That is a shame and it does seem too young these days.

    Honestly, that sax riff should be the title of the song!

    My Mom used to watch it. The TV stayed on CBS Friday nights with the Incredible Hulk / Dukes of Hazzard / Dallas lineup. I paid attention for a bit surrounding the "Who Shot J.R.?" thing. Even elementary school boys were abuzz about that.

    Somebody let me know if they hear anything about Me running Mod Squad episodes in tribute to Peggy. There's nothing currently on their site, but it was announced in the middle of the weekend.
     
  16. RJDiogenes

    RJDiogenes Idealistic Cynic and Canon Champion Premium Member

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    I wasn't actually a fan of Dallas, but I always taped it because my Mother and Grandmother watched, and it gave us something to talk about. :rommie: The best thing about the dream season was that it featured Jenilee Harrison, who I had a big crush on.

    I actually correctly guessed whodunit, and that suspect actually had long odds. I should have placed a bet. My guess was based on an article I saw that said her contract had only been renewed for the first several episodes of the next season. :rommie:

    Nothing yet. Their bi-weekly email usually comes on Tuesday, sometimes Wednesday, so maybe there'll be something then.
     
  17. The Old Mixer

    The Old Mixer Mih ssim, mih ssim, nam, daed si Xim. Moderator

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    The site has stories up about her and Doris Day now, but nothing about tribute episodes.
     
  18. RJDiogenes

    RJDiogenes Idealistic Cynic and Canon Champion Premium Member

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    That's what I'm seeing, too, and no emails have come. I don't think they've ever had The Doris Day Show, so I'm not sure what kind of a tribute they'd have for her.
     
  19. The Old Mixer

    The Old Mixer Mih ssim, mih ssim, nam, daed si Xim. Moderator

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    _______

    The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
    Directed by Sergio Leone
    Starring Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach
    Released December 23, 1966 (Italy); December 29, 1967 (US)

    I think I mentioned upthread that I hadn't been getting into the prior installments of the Dollars trilogy much. I can certainly see where they were stylistically influential, but this is one of those cases where I feel more on the same page with the original critics. I'm not big on characters having to be "likeable," but there's nothing much to invest in with these films. Eastwood's character is labeled "The Good," but we barely see the slightest hints of conscience, compassion, and morality from him toward the end of the film, which is when the best stuff happens. The rest just sort of rambles. With that in mind...




    That was a nice bit at the end, teasing us into thinking that Blondie was just going to let Tuco hang, then having him pull his old trick of shooting the rope, which had been their con game earlier in the film--Blondie collecting the reward for turning him in, then rescuing him from hanging in that manner.

    I also thought it was a bit of an odd choice to have a Western set during the Civil War rather than the usual timeframe of after it. I have to wonder if there's anything that I hadn't known to look for in the previous two films to contradict that.

    _______

    https://www.metv.com/videos/the-doris-day-show
    Decades has Binged it in the past as well.
     
    Last edited: May 15, 2019
  20. RJDiogenes

    RJDiogenes Idealistic Cynic and Canon Champion Premium Member

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    Apparently, "Good" is relative in the Old West. "Ugly," on the other hand, seems to fit right in.

    Huh. I don't remember ever seeing it on the schedule. They do have several episodes available online. Looks like they're doing their tribute to Tim Conway by airing Tim-centric Carol Burnett episodes next week, but nothing yet about Peggy Lipton or Doris Day.