Purely '70s
The 1970s was a decade of transition. The decade began with the Vietnam War in full flower, hippies roamed the lands and the airwaves, the optimism of Camelot was long gone, man walking on the Moon had become routine, and a whole generation was restless. It was also a big time of change for Hollywood, with major changes in film themes and techniques, as well as more hard-hitting drama and social issues dominating television. It was also the decade of bellbottoms, feathered hair, disco, punk, Watergate, Patty Hearst, Kent State, Billy Jack, vigilantes, "jiggle" shows, Sweathogs, the Fonz,and a tv series about the Korean War that lasted almost 3 times longer than the actual war.So pop in some Foghat and take a slow ride through the wonder of the 70s.
List activity
552 views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
308 titles
- CreatorWilliam BlinnStarsWalt DisneyPaul FreesClarence NashA Disney-produced anthology covering many different genres.By the 1970s, this was known as The Wonderful World of Disney, and was shown on Sunday nights, on NBC. It was no longer (per se) a marketing tool for the parks and animated films (though some of that was still there); instead, it was mostly a showcase for the live action films and animated shorts, which would be grouped together in themes, with new animated bridging sequences (like the Ludwig Von Drake narrated "Kids is Kids" or the "Ranger of Brownstone"). Here, you would see things like The Absent Minded professor or Pollyana, or newer fare, like The Mystery in Dracula's castle or the Whiz Kid films, or The Omega Connection (aka The London Connection, in the theatrical version). You didn't get the animated features (usually, though that changed, to a degree, in later years), which were still reserved for theatrical re-release; but, you got some good stuff.
- CreatorBob ClaverStarsRobert KeeshanHugh BrannumJames E. WallDaily children's program hosted by Captain Kangaroo.Bob Keeshan was still going strong, in the 70s, along with Mr Greenjeans, Bunny Rabbitt and Mr Moose, with ping pong balls and other fun.
- StarsJim McKayHoward CosellMuhammad AliABC's weekend extravaganzas about everything that can be called a sports event.It started in the 60s; but was a mjor component of Saturday afternoons, in the 70s. The format of the show would foreshadow the approach of ESPN, in its infancy. In the 70s, it was a showcase for Evel Knievel's jumps, Harlem Globetrotters basketball games, Vasily Alexi weightlifting records, Rodrina and Zetsev skating dominance, Muhammad Ali fights (especially the lead up to the Inoki fight and the Thrilla in Manilla and Rumble in the Jungle), and endless repeats of Vinko Bogataj's ill-fated ski jump ("...the Agony of Defeat..." ABC's sports team, under producer Roone Arledge, was the best in network broadcasting.
- StarsMonty HallCarol MerrillJay StewartAudience contestants picked at random, dressed in ridiculous costumes, try to win cash or prizes by choosing curtain number 1, 2 or 3. Hilarious situations occur, from winning a rotten prize to jackpot.Another 60s game show creation that was a staple of the 70s, on ABC. Host Monty Hall offered constestants (often dressed in outlandish costumes to gain Hall's attention) a chance at different prizes, often upping the ante by offering them a chance at a bigger prize. The danger lay in the Zonks, gag prizes that were randomly hidden, leaving contestants to decide whther to gamble on winning a bigger prize or losing what they already had to a gag. Tons of Rice-a-roni were distributed on this and other 70s game shows. Hall's sport cats had to be seen to be believed.
- CreatorMerv GriffinStarsArt FlemingDon PardoMel BrooksA quiz competition in which contestants are presented with general knowledge clues in the form of answers and must phrase their responses in the form of questions.60s game show that was still a 70s favorite, hosted by Art Fleming, with Don Pardo as announcer. Forever immortalized by Weird Al Yankovic's "I lost on Jeopardy."
- CreatorMerrill HeatterBob QuigleyStarsPeter MarshallKenny WilliamsCliff ArquetteContestants guess the correctness of celebrities' answers in order to win spaces in a tic-tac-toe game.It began in the 60s but was a staple of 70s daytime tv, featuring minor celebrities offering various true or false answers to questions from host Peter Marshall. Paul Lynde was the regular center square, giving some of the most outlandish answers. Noted for its ribald humor, it ranged between lame and hilarious within the same segment.
- CreatorE. Roger MuirNick NicholsonStarsBob EubanksJohnny JacobsJames FarentinoMarried couples compete to see how much they really know about each other.Regular viewing in the early 70s, and revived in the later 70s. Bob Eubanks asked newly married couples innuendo-laced questions about preferences of each of their partners. One has to wonder about the divorce rate among the contestants as fights were common.
- CreatorDigby WolfeStarsDan RowanDick MartinGary OwensThe original rapid fire sketch comedy show.Laugh-In was still going strong, in the early 70s. Richard Nixon had even apepared, in 1968, which is believed to have got him many votes, though he was a regular target, after the election and even moreso in the 70s.
- CreatorLeonard FreemanStarsJack LordJames MacArthurKam FongThe investigations of Hawaii Five-0, an elite branch of the Hawaii State Police answerable only to the governor and headed by stalwart Steve McGarrett.Crossing well into the 70s, one of the classic police shows, featuring the special team, operating in Hawaii. Book 'em, Danno!
- StarsPatrick CargillNatasha PyneAnn HollowayA comedy of the life of a divorced father and his two daughters.UK sit-com, starring Patrick Cargill as the divorced father of two teenage daughters. One of the earliest shows to be seen on American PBS stations, as well as the A&E Network, in the mid-80s.
- CreatorJimmy PerryStarsArthur LoweJohn Le MesurierClive DunnA ragtag group of Home Guard volunteers prepare for an imminent German invasion during World War II.Iconic British comedy about the Home Guard, during WW2. Arthur Lowe stars.
- CreatorSherwood SchwartzStarsRobert ReedFlorence HendersonAnn B. DavisThe misadventures of a large family united when a widower and a widow marry.The show premiered in the fall of 1969; but the show is probably the most "Pure 70s" of any. Two widowed people start a new life together, complete with three girls and three boys; plus, a housekeeper and various pets (who mysteriously disappeared). They all moved into a wonder of architecture, with one bathroom and no toilet! The Brady Bunch has always been a cockeyed view into the early 70s, with polyster clothes, liberal doses of paisly, longish hair, groovy slang, and silly situations. It also was an early attempt at exploring a blended family, complete with life lessons and plenty of meatloaf. It was corny as all heck; but, heartwarming and endearing.
- CreatorGraham ChapmanEric IdleTerry JonesStarsGraham ChapmanJohn CleeseTerry GilliamThe original surreal sketch comedy showcase for the Monty Python troupe.The legendary tv series features both a capping of the 60s and the dawn of the 70s. It followed on the heels of the Beatles and the British music invasion, seemingly picking up the remnants of that spirit and carrying it on into the new decade. It features satires of authority and social conventions, as well as surreal events and characters. It proved to be groundbreaking and highly influential on the generations of British comedians who followed Python.
- StarsGarry MooreBill CullenKitty CarlisleFive-day-a-week syndicated revival of one of Goodson-Todman's most durable and longest-lived formats: A celebrity panel determines which of three contestants is the actual person associated with a given story.Syndicated version of the long running CBS show, where a panel of celebrities tries to guess which of three suspects is the actual person who is described by the host (a variation on What's My Line). In this period, it was presented by Gary Moore and, later, Joe Garagiola, and featured regulars Bill Cullen, Kitty Carlisle, and Peggy Cass.
- DirectorDennis HopperStarsPeter FondaDennis HopperJack NicholsonTwo bikers head from L.A. to New Orleans through the open country and desert lands, and along the way they meet a man who bridges a counter-culture gap of which they had been unaware.The film was produced and released in 1969; but, it ushered in a new era in filmmaking in Hollywood, which would take shape in the 1970s. The story also serves as a transition from the 60s into the 70s. Following in its wake would be smart, independently produced films which explored dramatic themes, social issues, and attempt to exert a new independence from the studios.
- CreatorJames L. BrooksStarsLloyd HaynesDenise NicholasMichael ConstantineTeacher Pete Dixon tries to teach the students at Walt Whitman High to be tolerant. He's assisted by girlfriend and school counselor, Liz and student teacher (later teacher) Alice. The students love him.James L Brooks began making a name for himself with this tv series, set in a high school, with a racially diverse population and staff. The series delivered comedy and drama in equal doses.
- StarsStuart MargolinBarbara MinkusWilliam CallawayAn anthology comedy series featuring a line up of different celebrity guest stars appearing in anywhere from one, two, three, and four short stories or vignettes within an hour about versions of love and romance.Anthology comedy series, usually featuring two stories per episode, plus little joke clips added to pad things out. it often featured the same actors in multiple roles; but is probably best known for broadcasting the pilot for what would become Happy Days.
- CreatorJoe RubyKen SpearsJoseph BarberaStarsDon MessickCasey KasemNicole JaffeA group of teenage friends and their Great Dane (Scooby-Doo) travel in a bright green van solving strange and hilarious mysteries, while returning from or going to a regular teenage function.Debuting at the end of the 60s, and continuing into the 70s, this is the cartoon show that set the tone for much of Saturday morning, throughout the 70s. The concept of a group of teenagers and a pet or non-human companion solving mysteries pretty much originated with this show. This series was great, with many memorable stories and sequences. However, the formula became endlessly repeated until you could pretty much predict the course of any episode about a minute and a half into the run time. Howver, there was no Scrappy Doo here.
- CreatorDavid VictorStarsRobert YoungJames BrolinElena VerdugoDr. Marcus Welby, a general practitioner, and Steven Kiley, Welby's young assistant. The two try to treat people as individuals in an age of specialized medicine and indifferent physicians.Long running and acclaimed medical show, with Robert Young and James Brolin. Welby was a heck of a lot less scary than my own doctor.
- CreatorMarty KrofftSid KrofftStarsJack WildBillie HayesLennie WeinribThe adventures of a boy trapped in a fantastic land with a dragon friend and a witch enemy.Created by Sid and Marty Krofft, featuring actors in suits and puppets, as well as live actors. Jimmy, a young boy, finds a magical flute, which the villain Witchiepoo, seeks, She sends a fantastic boat to temp him and lure him out to sea, where she throws him into a storm. Jimmy ends up on Living Island and is rescued by HR Pufnstuff, the mayor of Living Island. Together, they seeks to defeat Witchiepoo's various schemes. It was thoroughly surreal and set the standard for the Krofft shows that followed.
- CreatorBob CampChuck TatelyStarsRich LittlePaul FreesDave BarryA classy, resourceful panther has plenty of hilarious misadventures, outwitting those who annoy him with his clever tricks.The Pink Panther movie shorts came to television and new shorts were created. Though it started in 69, it was a viewing staple of the 70s, with work from the Depatie-Freleng studios. Also featured was the Inspector (based on Clouseau) and rebroadcasts (and new cartoons) of The Ant and the Aardvark, plus Mr Jaws (in later seasons).
- CreatorAl C. WardFrank GlicksmanStarsJames DalyChad EverettChris HutsonLocated in the Los Angeles, California area, the Medical Center was an otherwise unnamed hospital complex that was part of a larger university campus.Long running CBS medical drama, starring Chad Everett.
- StarsBenny HillHenry McGeeJackie WrightA skit based show with Benny Hill, often containing smutty humour.Though he had been on tv and in movies before, Benny Hill was synonymous with 70s British comedy.
- CreatorJoan Ganz CooneyLloyd Morrisett Jr.StarsJim HensonFrank OzCaroll SpinneyOn a special inner city street, the inhabitants, human and muppet, teach preschool subjects with comedy, cartoons, games, and songs.Coinciding with Generation X, and still going strong today. In my day, it featured some cartoon segments, with Batman & Robin and Superman (produced for the show by Filmation), as well as the character David, who was forced to leave the show, in scandal (shades of Elmo) and saw the 70s debuts of Snuffalupagus, the Count, and many other characters.
- CreatorRay CameronStarsBarry CryerLes DawsonRay MartineA weekly comedy panel show in which two teams of three comedians each play for points by telling jokes on a subject chosen by the host. While a comedian was telling a joke, a member of the other team could interrupt by pressing the buzzer and finishing the joke to score bonus points for their team. The turn did not end, however, until the comedian whose proper turn it was finished a joke with a punchline. At the end of the show, the team with the most points won a gag trophy of a jester carrying the Yorkshire Television chevron logo.Game show favorite of the 70s, hosted by Bill ullen, who also appeared on 70s favorite To Tell the Truth.