The Classic/Retro Pop Culture Thread

[gblews]

The Sly, Slick, and the Wicked," The Lost Generation

This song crossed over? Classic r&b single.

Maybe," The Three Degrees

I was never a huge fan of this group, but this is a virtuoso gospel rave up. Lead singer has a helluva voice.

Teach Your Children," Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Never one of my favorite of this band’s songs. Really bland and uninspired.

Tighter, Tighter," Alive and Kicking

Always loved this song. Great melodys and vocal performances. Don’t think I ever knew the title.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Now this one has a b&w version of next season's color credits, with their distinctly different logo.

You'd think a brand would be more permanent.

This one seemed a bit odd to me. Too many people who didn't already know Jason who were putting too much personal stake in his reputation.

The idea of paralleling her husband with Jason was a good one, but they didn't seem to refine it enough.

I thought you were the one who was all into words and phrases.

I was going to say something about Anti-Squiggy Syndrome.

But yeah, the 3+ minute spoken intro is a bit...indulgent.

She'd probably do well with either singing or spoken word, but this was a very odd construction for a single.

When they get to the song, it's a cover of one originally recorded by the Chantels

Now that's pretty nice.

Let's see...you turned 9 in 1970...I was an infant...we are the children!

I guess that was a song that worked.

Of interest about this enjoyable one-hitter is that the song was co-written and co-produced by Tommy James...which you can kinda hear if you're listening for it.

That's interesting. I'll listen to it with that in mind.

That's being generous...Johnny Rivers is practically a lounge singer.

I don't really know much about Johnny Rivers, but I think that's a really cool song.

I haven't seen enough of it to know how that element plays out, but as I understand it, they're trying to keep him from spilling the beans about them but feel that they can't risk just eliminating him. The kind of conceit you need to accept in a (pseudo-)fugitive premise show...like Jack McGee not being able to put 2+2 together regarding John Doe.

Unless I'm missing something, which I could very well be, it's a very large conceit.

 

[The Old Mixer]

_______

50th Anniversary Catch-Up Viewing

_______

Hawaii Five-O
"No Blue Skies"
Originally aired December 5, 1968

A singer (Tommy Sands) turns to cat burglary when his musical efforts fail to satisfy his mounting gambling debts.

When Joey Rand's (Sands) usual go-between in delivering the jewels to the syndicate is out of town, her roommate is supposed to sub for her, but is caught trying to skip the islands by the syndicate's guy, who strangles her at the airport. When her body is found with a stolen jewel on it, the 5-O team narrows in on the usual go-between, Rand's ladyfriend Valerie Michaels (Sandra Smith), and Rand himself. They mop up the syndicate's end of the operation, but need to get something on Rand. McGarrett's efforts to get Michaels to talk pay off after Joey lets a loyal pal get shot doing a burglary job to give him an alibi. In the climax, Rand gets shot trying to draw on McGarrett and dies. More bookin' and less shootin'!

Sands, who had a brief stint of chart success as a teen idol in the late '50s, performs several songs in his character's role as a nightclub singer, including "It Only Takes a Moment," "This Land Is Your Land," and "Goin' Out of My Head". What he doesn't sing, oddly enough, is the song referenced in the title and in dialogue, most notably his dying scene.

_______

Dragnet 1969
"Narcotics (DR-16)"
Originally aired December 5, 1968

A businessman assists Friday and Gannon in organizing the "Smarteen Club."

This is the city: Los Angeles, California. I work here. I carry a badge.

I love those!

Thursday, July 18 (1968): Friday and Gannon are working out of Narcotics Division following an incident with a juvenile potential jumper who turns out to be on LSD when they're approached at HQ by a local businessman, Robert Squire (Howard Culver, another actor playing different characters in consecutive episodes, having been one of the business owners in the previous installment). Squire has an idea for combatting the drug problem...to think of the kids who are pushing the drugs as "the competition" and fight them on their level, by organizing upstanding, drug-free kids to spread the word against drug use. They arrange a meeting in a high school classroom, which is attended by a handful of students. When one of them points out that it's supposed to be a youth organization but adults seem to be running the show, a young woman named Ann Flynn (Heather Menzies) steps up and takes charge, initiating a brainstorming session in which they decide to run a campaign and come up with several slogans to use, including:

• S.O.S. Stamp Out Stupidity
• Keep Off the Grass
• Any Moron can smoke Pot...And...Most Morons Do!!
• When flower children go to Pot...they become Blooming Idiots.

Friday enlists the aid of a friend who works as an illustrator at Disney Studios to draw up posters using the kids' slogans, by the time he's done, they also have:

POT and PILLS
TRIP or TRAP!!

Stupidity starts
with the first drag, pop, pill or fix!

Speed Kills!
Don't "METH" around!

POT
Plenty
Of
Trouble​

All branded with the Smarteens logo, which includes the S.O.S. slogan accompanied by a footprint.

But things look bad at the next meeting when most of the hour passes and only a couple of the kids show up. When the detectives and Squire are ready to call it quits, a large group of students suddenly arrives, filling the classroom. Ann explains that she decided to hold a pre-meeting at her place to make sure everyone knew what the group was about, and one of the kids who'd showed up early was meant to tell them...but nobody asked him. Friday and Gannon leave the meeting, confident that matters are in good hands.

Shortly over a year ago, Smarteens came into existence. There are now several thousand members in Southern California alone. The great majority of today's youngsters are bright and decent human beings. When they have a clear-cut choice to make, they generally make the right decision. Remember, drug addiction is easier to prevent than to cure.

_______

this is a virtuoso gospel rave up

Are rave ups generally so talky?

Never one of my favorite of this band’s songs. Really bland and uninspired.

An oldies radio classic, a nice bit of country pop, and it has a times-signy message.

The idea of paralleling her husband with Jason was a good one, but they didn't seem to refine it enough.

That was OK, but the way they played the friend going into drunken depression was a bit bizarre. Either he was secretly in love with Jason, or thought that he had cowardice cooties.

She'd probably do well with either singing or spoken word, but this was a very odd construction for a single.

It reminds me of Tina Turner's spoken intro for "Proud Mary," but that was less than a minute.

I guess that was a song that worked.

Did it...?

 

[RJDiogenes]

When her body is found with a stolen jewel on it

Plot element repetition!

In the climax, Rand gets shot trying to draw on McGarrett and dies. More bookin' and less shootin'!

At least have them fall in the drink. I love it when they fall in the drink. Or at least I like saying "in the drink."

What he doesn't sing, oddly enough, is the song referenced in the title and in dialogue, most notably his dying scene.

Last-minute rights issues?

I love those!

I'm a little disappointed.

(Howard Culver, another actor playing different characters in consecutive episodes, having been one of the business owners in the previous installment).

I wonder if they shoot episodes simultaneously, like King Kong and Most Dangerous Game.

(Heather Menzies)

TV Jessica.

Friday enlists the aid of a friend who works as an illustrator at Disney Studios

Interesting....

Ann explains that she decided to hold a pre-meeting at her place to make sure everyone knew what the group was about, and one of the kids who'd showed up early was meant to tell them...but nobody asked him.

So much for putting teenagers in charge.

Friday and Gannon leave the meeting, confident that matters are in good hands.

Except for that quiet kid.

That was OK, but the way they played the friend going into drunken depression was a bit bizarre. Either he was secretly in love with Jason, or thought that he had cowardice cooties.

Either of which would have been an interesting twist.

It reminds me of Tina Turner's spoken intro for "Proud Mary," but that was less than a minute.

It reminds me of the Gettysburg Address.

Did it...?

Relatively speaking....

 

[The Old Mixer]

50th Anniversary Cinematic Special

Beneath the Planet of the Apes
Directed by Ted Post
Starring James Franciscus, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, Linda Harrison, and Charlton Heston
Released May 26, 1970

Beneath the Planet of the Apes is a 1970 American science fiction film directed by Ted Post and written by Paul Dehn. It is the second of five films in the original Planet of the Apes series produced by Arthur P. Jacobs. The film stars James Franciscus, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, and Linda Harrison, and features Charlton Heston in a supporting role.

In this sequel, another spacecraft crashes on the planet ruled by apes, carrying astronaut Brent who searches for Taylor and discovers an underground city inhabited by mutated humans with psychic powers. Beneath the Planet of the Apes was a success at the box office but met with mixed reviews from critics. It was followed by Escape from the Planet of the Apes.

The first half of the film seems a little too much like a reprise of the first, what with our new crashed astronaut, Brent (Franciscus), getting the lay of the land, learning where he really is, and whatnot. Franciscus looks puny compared to Heston...especially obvious when they're reunited and fight.

While the movie seems to have taken some critical beating in its day, there is some contemporaneous social messaging going on, with Ursus's (James Gregory) "military adventurism" and the resulting chimp protest clearly meant to be roughly analogous to Vietnam. David Watson does a serviceable impression of Roddy McDowall, who isn't in this one, as Cornelius.

Other familiar faces, not covered in ape masks, are found among the mutants, including Victor Buono and Jeff Corey--the latter of whom I wouldn't have recognized if I hadn't seem him listed.

It doesn't seem likely that NYC could have gotten completely buried underground in 2000 years.

"Ape shall not kill ape"...setup for a future film.

The mutants' bomb worship is satirical, but kind of broad...including the hypocrisy of the mutants claiming to be peaceful because they get their enemies to kill each other. This is paralleled by ape hypocrisy--claiming that man is evil, capable of nothing but destruction, even as they're waging a military campaign against beings whom they've never met.

The bomb control console reminds me of the Kryptonian crystals in Superman's Fortress.

Of note, this movie gives us the chronological end of the Apes saga, putting the next film in the saga in the position of being both sequel and prequel, with that and the next two setting up how the world that Taylor found came to be.

_______

Plot element repetition!

I noticed that.

At least have them fall in the drink. I love it when they fall in the drink. Or at least I like saying "in the drink."

I'll have to remember to use it where appropriate.

 

[gblews]

Are rave ups generally so talky?

Actually, I was referring to the singing part of the song, but there is a long history of spoken word intros and verses In black popular music that goes back many decades. This song, however, has a spoken intro that is longer than most I’v heard.

The tradition started in black churches (which is also where rap came from). It is most evident at the end of the service as the sermon winds down and generally, with no break, the choir slides into a song that mirrors the pastor’s message just as The 3 Degrees did in their song.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Beneath the Planet of the Apes

There are so many odd things about this movie, most of which went right by me when I first watched it, starting with the weird title. I liked pretty much anything POTA related as a young chimp, but this was not my favorite of the movies, for several reasons. One of those was the psychic mutants. I've always had mixed feelings about psychic stuff in fiction, and the mutants just seemed out of place somehow. Basically, I would have preferred more exploration of the Apes World-- which we finally got in Marvel's excellent POTA magazine a few years later.

The first half of the film seems a little too much like a reprise of the first, what with our new crashed astronaut, Brent (Franciscus), getting the lay of the land, learning where he really is, and whatnot.

And coincidentally running into Nova.

Franciscus looks puny compared to Heston...especially obvious when they're reunited and fight.

That's another odd thing about the movie that occurred to me at some point-- that Heston would consent to a secondary role.

It doesn't seem likely that NYC could have gotten completely buried underground in 2000 years.

Mud splash from an offshore nuke.

The mutants' bomb worship is satirical, but kind of broad...including the hypocrisy of the mutants claiming to be peaceful because they get their enemies to kill each other. This is paralleled by ape hypocrisy--claiming that man is evil, capable of nothing but destruction, even as they're waging a military campaign against beings whom they've never met.

It's even more fitting today-- everybody's preaching one thing and doing another. But, really, that's been the nature of ideology since the beginning of time.

Of note, this movie gives us the chronological end of the Apes saga, putting the next film in the saga in the position of being both sequel and prequel, with that and the next two setting up how the world that Taylor found came to be.

When you think about it, this is one nutso movie (and TV and comics) series. I'd love to see more movies made within that bizarre, rubbery continuity.

 

[The Old Mixer]

There are so many odd things about this movie, most of which went right by me when I first watched it, starting with the weird title.

It's a classic, schlocky B-movie sequel title--Bride of Frankenstein, Son of Kong, Beneath the Planet of the Apes!

I liked pretty much anything POTA related as a young chimp, but this was not my favorite of the movies, for several reasons. One of those was the psychic mutants. I've always had mixed feelings about psychic stuff in fiction,

You're not another of those who can accept all sorts of strange, impossible phenomena in fiction, but not mental powers...?

and the mutants just seemed out of place somehow.

I recall having felt similarly when I first saw the film, but was more open to the idea this time around. Having established in the previous film's climax that this was post-nuclear Earth and that Taylor was heading into a Forbidden Zone where apes dare not tread, finding a society of human mutants was a legitimate development in that direction.

That's another odd thing about the movie that occurred to me at some point-- that Heston would consent to a secondary role.

He wasn't interested in reprising the role and only agreed to appear in the film if Taylor died.

I'd love to see more movies made within that bizarre, rubbery continuity.

The reboot films are all you could expect along those lines in this day and age.

 

[RJDiogenes]

It's a classic, schlocky B-movie sequel title--Bride of Frankenstein, Son of Kong, Beneath the Planet of the Apes!

Much more random, I think. I always thought it would be cute to do something called East of the Planet of the Apes, paradoxically set in California.

You're not another of those who can accept all sorts of strange, impossible phenomena in fiction, but not mental powers...?

In part it depends on the venue, and mind powers seemed a jarring addition to the Apes concept. But, in general, mental powers are not something I take to.

I recall having felt similarly when I first saw the film, but was more open to the idea this time around. Having established in the previous film's climax that this was post-nuclear Earth and that Taylor was heading into a Forbidden Zone where apes dare not tread, finding a society of human mutants was a legitimate development in that direction.

Yeah, there's nothing wrong with it per se, but I guess the thing with both the mental powers and the mutants is that they detract from the Apes concepts of inverted evolution and an Apes-dominated world. I certainly have no problem with exploring different cultures and so forth in that world, like they did in the Apes magazine. Like the Zombie Apocalypse, there's literally a whole world to explore.

He wasn't interested in reprising the role and only agreed to appear in the film if Taylor died.

Usually in situations like that it's an all-or-nothing thing.

The reboot films are all you could expect along those lines in this day and age.

Yeah, and they don't look very appealing. There is an anthology of short stories set in the original "continuity," but I haven't read most of it yet.

 

[The Old Mixer]

_______

50th Anniversary Catch-Up Viewing

_______

Hawaii Five-O
"By the Numbers"
Originally aired December 12, 1968

Steve McGarrett and his special investigative team are called in when a winning ticket in a numbers game turns out to be a loser and a young Army corporal is accused of a crime.

The Wiki summary is an incomprehensible, rambling mess, which is why I didn't use it...but it does mention that our top-billed guest is former Rifleson Johnny Crawford. His character, Private Jerry Franklin, is on leave from "Nam and waiting at every arriving tour bus for a visit from his wife, who hasn't been in touch, when his buddy, Private Joseph Crewes, shows Jerry his winning numbers game ticket. But when Crewes tries to cash it in, the guy who sold it to him, John Lo (Randall Kim), won't pay up. A fight ensues and Crewes is knifed to death in an alley. The Governor puts McGarrett on the Crewes case because there have been too many incidents of soldiers on leave getting killed.

Jerry visits a bar popular with the servicemen, which is run by Philip Lo (Will Kaluva), older brother of John and the underworld figure who runs the numbers game (and whom McGarrett has already visited in his investigation). Jerry's just there looking for female companionship, thinking that his wife has deserted him, but when Irene Park (Ann Helm)--Lo's mistress and bargirl, who's secretly conspiring with George Barker (Jonathan Lippe [Goldsmith]), Lo's third-in-command--learns that Jerry was friends with Crewes, she gets him really drunk and takes him back to the place that Lo bought for her to set him up to be framed for Lo's murder.

Jerry goes into hiding after the murder, but McGarrett sniffs out from the get-go that it was a frame. The team starts taking people involved in the killings of Lo and Crewes, including John Lo--his brother's second-in-command, who's set up to be caught at Franklin's shabby hideout by Barker. But when McGarrett starts putting the heat on Irene, Barker has her arrange a rendezvous with Jerry (who's been desperately trying to contact her, naively thinking that she could help clear him). When Jerry arrives at the Waikiki Shell amphitheater, it's Barker and his goons who meet him...but they're quickly surrounded by McGarrett & Co. (who've made Irene sing in the nick of time), and Barker is taken alive...


In the coda, Jerry finally gets his visit from him wife.

It was nice seeing Crawford, but while I found him very likeable on The Rifleman, he wasn't a very strong adult actor.

_______

Dragnet 1969
"Internal Affairs (DR-20)"
Originally aired December 12, 1968

A police officer recommended for the LAPD's Medal of Valor is accused of assaulting a civilian.

This is the city: Los Angeles, California. I work here. I carry a badge.

Lovin' it!

Thursday, October 10 (1968): Friday and Gannon are working the day watch out of Internal Affairs Division when they're assigned to investigate Ed HIllier (John McCook), a patrol car officer who's been accused of brutality by a suspect in custody...at a familiar-looking station, where they report to Lt. Moore...who doesn't seem to look familiar to Friday and Gannon, even though Art Gilmore has played five of the captains they've worked under (three of them recurring). Moore arranges for them to talk to to everyone they need to, including the arrestee himself, John Meadows (Peter Duryea), who describes how, during the arrest of a drunken buddy outside of a party he was hosting, he confronted Hillier and grabbed for his badge, following which Hillier decked him. They also talk to a couple of very familiar patrol car officers, who were the back-up unit at the scene of the arrest, but didn't arrive until after the alleged slugging took place...so they can only testify to the aftermath, which included Hillier saying something to the senior back-up officer about being very sick. Their involvement in the episode is limited to this scene. And of course, they talk to Hillier himself, who describes how he's become increasingly frustrated with anti-police behavior, which has included multiple cases of his patrol car being vandalized, and that he lost his cool when Meadows tore his uniform while grabbing for his badge and showered him with insults, which included calling him a pig. Friday takes the opportunity to--What else?--give him a good lecture about lack of appreciation from the public being part of the job. The stories of witnesses to the incident vary, but many of them corroborate the grabbing of the badge and the insults. His wife also pays a voluntary visit, pleading with the detectives not to let Ed lose his job.

On October 20, John Meadows pleaded guilty in Municipal Court, City of Los Angeles, to the charges of interfering with a police officer and resisting arrest, both misdemeanor offenses. On that same day, the Chief of Police of the City of Los Angeles made a decision in the matter of Officer Edward Hillier....

John Meadows was given a thirty-day sentence in the Los Angeles County Jail. Since it was his first offense, the sentence was suspended.

The accused police officer, Edward Hillier, waived his right to a hearing by a board of his superior officers. In a judgment of the chief of police, he was considered to have used excessive force in the apprehension of John Meadows. He was suspended from duty for thirty days with complete loss of pay and benefits.

From "ADAM-12"
MARTIN MILNER
as Officer Pete Malloy
and
KENT McCORD
as Officer Jim Reed

If the scene that I've seen in promos of Gannon describing Reed and Malloy to Friday was originally from this episode, then it was lost to syndication editing.

_______

 

[RJDiogenes]

Jerry visits a bar popular with the servicemen

Now that I think of it, there should be a ton of servicemen in Hawaii at that time, getting involved in 5-0 adventures.

Jerry's just there looking for female companionship, thinking that his wife has deserted him

Not that something might have happened to her and he should go help her.

and Barker is taken alive...

Now that "Book 'im, Danno" has taken over, I guess nobody will be going into the drink anymore. Then it would have been "Give 'im mouth-to-mouth, Danno."

In the coda, Jerry finally gets his visit from him wife.

He was just a fool waiting on the wrong block.

It was nice seeing Crawford, but while I found him very likeable on The Rifleman, he wasn't a very strong adult actor.

Probably not the right part for him. Although in another kind of story he could have represented the boy next door being sent off to war.

Lovin' it!

Damn it! I miss my history lessons!

even though Art Gilmore has played five of the captains they've worked under

The LAPD relied more heavily on cloning than we thought.

If the scene that I've seen in promos of Gannon describing Reed and Malloy to Friday was originally from this episode, then it was lost to syndication editing.

Aw, man, after waiting so long....

 

[The Old Mixer]

55 Years Ago This Week

June 6 – The single "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones is released. It becomes the band's first number one single in America.

Way to spoil the bottom of the post, Wiki!

June 7 – Kakanj mine disaster: A mining accident in Kakanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina, results in 128 deaths.
June 10 – Vietnam War – Battle of Dong Xoai: About 1,500 Viet Cong mount a mortar attack on Đồng Xoài, overrunning its military headquarters and the adjoining militia compound.

June 11 – A day earlier than scheduled, Paul returns with Jane from their holiday in Albufeira, Portugal....Epstein wants Paul to be in the UK at midnight, when the news embargo of the Beatles MBE announcement is lifted. The other Beatles returned from their respective holidays in the previous few days.

https://www.beatlesbible.com/1965/06/11/beatles-awarded-mbes/

June 12 – The Beatles' MBE award is massive news around the world. After a morning viewing, for the first time, of Help!, at Twickenham Film Studios, the Beatles hold a press conference there. Displaying his ambivalence towards the MBEs, John arrives 70 minutes late having had to be fetched in his car by Brian Epstein.

https://www.beatlesbible.com/1965/06/12/press-conference-mbe-announcement/

This is the announcement of the awards...the boys will be invested with their MBEs in October.

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Note John's "bed head," because he slept in.


Selections from Billboard's Hot 100 for the week:

1. "Back in My Arms Again," The Supremes
2. "Wooly Bully," Sam the Sham & The Pharoahs
3. "Crying in the Chapel," Elvis Presley
4. "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)," Four Tops
5. "Help Me, Rhonda," The Beach Boys
6. "Mr. Tambourine Man," The Byrds

8. "Wonderful World," Herman's Hermits
9. "Ticket to Ride," The Beatles
10. "Just a Little," The Beau Brummels
11. "Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter," Herman's Hermits
12. "It's Not Unusual," Tom Jones
13. "For Your Love," The Yardbirds

15. "She's About a Mover," Sir Douglas Quintet

17. "I'll Never Find Another You," The Seekers
18. "Silhouettes," Herman's Hermits
19. "True Love Ways," Peter & Gordon
20. "Queen of the House," Jody Miller
21. "Just Once in My Life," The Righteous Brothers

23. "Baby the Rain Must Fall," Glenn Yarbrough
24. "Nothing Can Stop Me," Gene Chandler
25. "Before and After," Chad & Jeremy
26. "Do the Freddie," Freddie & The Dreamers
27. "Shakin' All Over," Guess Who?
28. "Concrete and Clay," Unit Four plus Two

31. "Catch the Wind," Donovan
32. "Bring It On Home to Me," The Animals

38. "You Were Made for Me," Freddie & The Dreamers
39. "Count Me In," Gary Lewis & The Playboys
40. "Yes, I'm Ready," Barbara Mason
41. "What the World Needs Now Is Love," Jackie DeShannon
42. "Give Us Your Blessings," The Shangri-Las
43. "Seventh Son," Johnny Rivers
44. "You Really Know How to Hurt a Guy," Jan & Dean
45. "Oo Wee Baby, I Love You," Fred Hughes
46. "I've Been Loving You Too Long (to Stop Now)," Otis Redding

49. "Reelin' and Rockin'," The Dave Clark Five

51. "You Turn Me On (Turn On Song)," Ian Whitcomb & Bluesville

53. "Here Comes the Night," Them
54. "Cara, Mia," Jay & The Americans

57. "A World of Our Own," The Seekers

63. "Too Many Rivers," Brenda Lee

67. "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," The Rolling Stones

70. "Tonight's the Night," Solomon Burke

83. "Set Me Free," The Kinks

Leaving the chart:

• "I Know a Place," Petula Clark (12 weeks)
• "Iko Iko," The Dixie Cups (10 weeks)
• "I'll Be Doggone," Marvin Gaye (12 weeks)
• "Ooo Baby Baby," Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (11 weeks)
• "We're Gonna Make It," Little Milton (11 weeks)

Recent and new on the chart:

"Tonight's the Night," Solomon Burke

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(May 29; #28 US; #2 R&B)

"Here Comes the Night," Them

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(May 29; #24 US; #2 UK)

"Set Me Free," The Kinks

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(#23 US; #9 UK)

"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," The Rolling Stones

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(#1 US the weeks of July 10 through 31, 1965; #19 R&B; #1 UK; #2 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time)

Ah, Rolling Stones...there you are.


And new on the boob tube:

• Gilligan's Island, "A Nose by Any Other Name" (season finale)

_______

Now that I think of it, there should be a ton of servicemen in Hawaii at that time, getting involved in 5-0 adventures.

There's a service angle in the next episode as well.

Not that something might have happened to her and he should go help her.

I think he was still at a base, and the wives were coming in from the mainland to see the men, so I imagine his travel options were limited. And he was trying to get ahold of her via phone.

Now that "Book 'im, Danno" has taken over, I guess nobody will be going into the drink anymore. Then it would have been "Give 'im mouth-to-mouth, Danno."

Seems they're not yet done with climaxes that involve the bad guy being shot and taking a dramatic fall...but how/where he falls will vary.

June 27-29 on Decades...looks like Jim and Artie are on for 55th Anniversary Viewing!

And as my DVR and future viewing schedule is looking to be getting more and more packed, I've stopped recording The Fugitive and deleted the episodes that I had, as it's the only series I had going on that wasn't lining up with either viewing era. Maybe someday.

 

[gblews]

"Here Comes the Night," Them(May 29; #24 US; #2 UK)

I’m still waiting to hear a Van Morrison song I don’t like.

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," The Rolling Stones

This song was a HUGE hit at my high school. It had that driving beat which was reminiscent of a Motown song, and of course that incredible riff.

I remember a performance of Satisfaction they did on a TV show (I want to say Sullivan, but not sure), and for some reason you couldn’t hear the riff, or at least it wasn’t as prominent as it was on the record. They played the chords underneath the riff, but the lead seemed muffled or something. Very disappointing.

 

[The Old Mixer]

I remember a performance of Satisfaction they did on a TV show (I want to say Sullivan, but not sure), and for some reason you couldn’t hear the riff, or at least it wasn’t as prominent as it was on the record. They played the chords underneath the riff, but the lead seemed muffled or something. Very disappointing.

Would it be this one?

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[RJDiogenes]

"Tonight's the Night," Solomon Burke

I don't believe I've ever heard this, but it sounds nice. And he sounds like a Robert E Howard character.

"Here Comes the Night," Them

Very nice. I had no idea Van Morrison was involved.

"Set Me Free," The Kinks

Not their best, but, hey, it's the Kinks.

"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," The Rolling Stones

A very satisfying stone-cold classic.

Ah, Rolling Stones...there you are.

Indeed.

There's a service angle in the next episode as well.

Interesting. I'm curious about how often that will happen and in what contexts.

I think he was still at a base, and the wives were coming in from the mainland to see the men, so I imagine his travel options were limited. And he was trying to get ahold of her via phone.

I suppose a guy in his position would be prone to self pity, but, geez, she could have been lying in a ditch somewhere or something!

Seems they're not yet done with climaxes that involve the bad guy being shot and taking a dramatic fall...but how/where he falls will vary.

"Staunch his wounds... then book 'im, Danno."

June 27-29 on Decades...looks like Jim and Artie are on for 55th Anniversary Viewing!

I approve.

And as my DVR and future viewing schedule is looking to be getting more and more packed, I've stopped recording The Fugitive and deleted the episodes that I had, as it's the only series I had going on that wasn't lining up with either viewing era. Maybe someday.

I liked the first and last episodes, but other than that I'm not really all fired up about watching it.

 

[The Old Mixer]

50 Years Ago This Week

June 7 – The Who become the first act to perform rock music (their rock opera, Tommy) at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York.
June 8 – A coup in Argentina brings a new junta of service chiefs; on June 18, Roberto M. Levingston becomes President.
June 11 – The United States gets its first female generals, Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington.
June 12 – NDFLOAG guerrillas attack military garrisons at Izki and Nizwa in Oman.
June 13 – The Long and Winding Road becomes the Beatles' 20th and final single to reach number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Selections from Billboard's Hot 100 for the week:

1. "The Long and Winding Road" / "For You Blue", The Beatles
2. "Which Way You Goin' Billy?," The Poppy Family (feat. Susan Jacks)
3. "Everything Is Beautiful," Ray Stevens
4. "Get Ready," Rare Earth
5. "Love on a Two-Way Street," The Moments
6. "Cecilia," Simon & Garfunkel
7. "The Letter," Joe Cocker w/ Leon Russell & The Shelter People
8. "Up Around the Bend" / "Run Through the Jungle", Creedence Clearwater Revival
9. "Make Me Smile," Chicago
10. "The Love You Save" / "I Found That Girl", The Jackson 5
11. "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," Melanie
12. "Ride Captain Ride," Blues Image
13. "Daughter of Darkness," Tom Jones
14. "My Baby Loves Lovin'," White Plains
15. "The Wonder of You" / "Mama Liked the Roses", Elvis Presley
16. "Hitchin' a Ride," Vanity Fare
17. "Come Saturday Morning," The Sandpipers
18. "American Woman" / "No Sugar Tonight", The Guess Who
19. "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)," Three Dog Night
20. "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)," The Temptations
21. "Question," The Moody Blues
22. "United We Stand," The Brotherhood of Man
23. "Let It Be," The Beatles
24. "Vehicle," The Ides of March
25. "Reflections of My Life," The Marmalade
26. "It's All in the Game," Four Tops
27. "Band of Gold," Freda Payne
28. "Turn Back the Hands of Time," Tyrone Davis
29. "For the Love of Him," Bobbi Martin
30. "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)," Diana Ross
31. "Gimme Dat Ding," The Pipkins
32. "Hey, Mister Sun," Bobby Sherman
33. "Love Land," Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
34. "Spirit in the Dark," Aretha Franklin w/ The Dixie Flyers
35. "Sugar, Sugar" / "Cole, Cooke & Redding", Wilson Pickett
36. "Little Green Bag," George Baker Selection
37. "Mississippi Queen," Mountain

39. "Check Out Your Mind," The Impressions

41. "Soolaimón (African Trilogy II)," Neil Diamond

43. "Are You Ready?," Pacific Gas & Electric
44. "I Want to Take You Higher," Sly & The Family Stone

47. "O-o-h Child" / "Dear Prudence", The Five Stairsteps

49. "A Song of Joy (Himno a La Alegria)," Miguel Rios

54. "Westbound #9," The Flaming Ember

56. "Teach Your Children," Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

58. "Tighter, Tighter," Alive and Kicking

64. "Freedom Blues," Little Richard

69. "Lay a Little Lovin' on Me," Robin McNamara

83. "Spill the Wine," Eric Burdon & War

87. "The Sly, Slick, and the Wicked," The Lost Generation
88. "Maybe," The Three Degrees

90. "Save the Country," The 5th Dimension

95. "Silver Bird," Mark Lindsay
96. "Make It with You," Bread

Leaving the chart:

• "ABC," The Jackson 5 (13 weeks)
• "Puppet Man," The 5th Dimension (8 weeks)
• "Spirit in the Sky," Norman Greenbaum (15 weeks)
• "Viva Tirado, Part I," El Chicano (9 weeks)
• "Woodstock," Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (11 weeks)

New on the chart:

"Save the Country," The 5th Dimension

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(#27 US; #10 AC; #41 R&B)

"Silver Bird," Mark Lindsay

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(#25 US; #7 AC)

"A Song of Joy (Himno a La Alegria)," Miguel Rios

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(#14 US; #1 AC; #16 UK)

"Make It with You," Bread

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(#1 US the week of Aug. 22, 1970; #4 AC; #5 UK)


And new on the boob tube:

• The Ed Sullivan Show, Season 22, episode 35, featuring Connie Francis, Tel Smit, and Szony & Agnes

_______

I don't believe I've ever heard this, but it sounds nice. And he sounds like a Robert E Howard character.

Decent song...and Solomon Burke's come up here a couple of times before.

Very nice. I had no idea Van Morrison was involved.

Now I woulda sworn that had come up before, and recently...

Not their best, but, hey, it's the Kinks.

A nice-sounding song...and it should be, because it's an unsubtle remake of their previous hit, "Tired of Waiting for You"...hence its mediocre chart performance.

A very satisfying stone-cold classic.

The only song that ranks higher on the list will be coming up here next month.

Interesting. I'm curious about how often that will happen and in what contexts.

I don't recall if this came up in the pilot, but it seems that Steve McGarrett is formerly of Naval Intelligence.

I approve.

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Actually, the viewing list for next season is getting so packed that I think I might hold back all of the 55th anniversary shows for the following hiatus season.

 

[RJDiogenes]

"Save the Country," The 5th Dimension

Another snappy 5th Dimension tune. I've got a feeling of deja vu. Did this come up recently here?

"Silver Bird," Mark Lindsay

The "Arizona" guy, and this sounds thematically similar. I wonder if he's singing about the same woman.

"A Song of Joy (Himno a La Alegria)," Miguel Rios

This sounds like it should be a Christmas song.

"Make It with You," Bread

I love this. Bread did a bunch of great stuff.

Decent song...and Solomon Burke's come up here a couple of times before.

I guess the name just struck me that time.

Now I woulda sworn that had come up before, and recently...

Did it? Well, you know my memory. Maybe it was the same post as "Save the Country."

I don't recall if this came up in the pilot, but it seems that Steve McGarrett is formerly of Naval Intelligence.

I wonder if he served in Vietnam.

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No Artie. A nice reminder that Suzanne Pleshette was in the premiere, though.

 

[The Old Mixer]

_______

55th Anniversary Viewing

_______

Gilligan's Island
"My Fair Gilligan"
Originally aired June 5, 1965

Gilligan saves Mrs. Howell's life and the Howells decide to adopt him, and change him into "Gilligan Thurston Howell IV"—an endeavor which results in problems for all concerned.

Gilligan is trying to catch butterflies when he nabs Mrs. Howell in his net, having spotted a decorative variety on her hat. He then saves her from a falling boulder (which he'd just helped to shake loose before coming down the cliff). The decision to adopt is informed by the Howells having no children of their own. The Howells give him a crash course in being a millionaire, while the others start to treat him differently, thinking about what his wealth might mean to them while also walking on eggshells around him, effectively keeping him at arm's length.

Gilligan has a dream sequence in which he's a king, the Howells are his royal parents and advisors, and the others are supplicants who all want things from him but won't play with him. He impulsively sentences them to execution, can't rescind the order, and wakes up while trying to reject his kingship. Back in the waking world, he enlists the aid of the others in getting out of becoming a Howell by acting (to paraphrase Thurston's words) "crude, rude, bullish, and vulgar" at his debut. He succeeds, but the Howells keep to themselves that they've seen right through his ruse, admiring where his heart is at.

In the coda, the Skipper learns that he's now responsible for having saved Mrs. Howell's life, and Thurston starts talking about adopting him.

_______

Another snappy 5th Dimension tune. I've got a feeling of deja vu. Did this come up recently here?

A couple of times...when I first saw the Sullivan installment (in late '17 I presume) and when I reviewed it as 50th anniversary business last year. This is the Laura Nyro song that was earlier performed, sounding a lot like the 5th Dimension, by Canadian band the Sugar Shoppe, featuring a young Victor Garber:

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Maybe it's just because it was the first I'd heard the song, but I think I like the Shoppe's version better, at least going by that performance. Here's their single, which sounds different still:

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The "Arizona" guy, and this sounds thematically similar.

And musically. Kinda meh, but I got it.

This sounds like it should be a Christmas song.

This one doesn't appeal to me on a pop or classical level, so I did not get it.

I love this. Bread did a bunch of great stuff.

Startin' to feel like the '70s in here...

I wonder if he served in Vietnam.

This was in relation to an incident that had happened 15 years earlier, so more likely Korea (which I think they referenced).

 

[gblews]

Would it be this one?

That’s the one. The riff on the recorded version had an effect on Kieth’s guitar, I think, and maybe it couldn’t be recreated on Ed’s stage? Mystery to me.

"Save the Country," The 5th Dimension

Maybe it's just because it was the first I'd heard the song, but I think I like the Shoppe's version better,

The Sugar Shoppe version of “Save” is simply better than the 5th Dimension’s. Shoppe’s had stronger vocals and much a better vocal arrangement.

Save the Country is suppose to be a reverent anti war anthem, but the 5th Dimension turn it into a bouncy little pop tune that loses the song’s poignant message. Sappy, I know, but I love this song’s optimistic outro, “We can build a dream with love, I know. We can build a dream with love...”.

Something to think about in these turbulent times.

 

[RJDiogenes]

The decision to adopt is informed by the Howells having no children of their own.

They must have temporarily disowned Thurston IV at that time. Perhaps he voted for a Democrat or something.

He succeeds, but the Howells keep to themselves that they've seen right through his ruse, admiring where his heart is at.

Again, the essence of Gilligan's Island.

A couple of times...when I first saw the Sullivan installment (in late '17 I presume) and when I reviewed it as 50th anniversary business last year. This is the Laura Nyro song that was earlier performed, sounding a lot like the 5th Dimension, by Canadian band the Sugar Shoppe, featuring a young Victor Garber:

Ah, yes, Victor Garber... nee Beautiful Flower.

Startin' to feel like the '70s in here...

Indeed!

This was in relation to an incident that had happened 15 years earlier, so more likely Korea (which I think they referenced).

Turns out that Jack Lord was 48 when Hawaii 5-0 started, and he served during WWII. I'm sure they wanted McGarrett to be younger than that, of course.