Monday 25 February 2013

1976, Television: “Rich Man, Poor Man”

The American television series "Rich Man, Poor Man" premiered on ABC on February 1, 1976. It was produced by Universal Television and starred Peter Strauss, Nick Nolte and Susan Blakely. The series was based on the best-selling 1970 novel by Irwin Shaw. A sequel,  "Rich Man, Poor Man Book II", aired from September 1976 through March 1977.

Synopsis
Spanning from 1945 through the late 1960s it followed the divergent careers of the German immigrant Jordache brothers. Rudy Jordache (Peter Strauss) was the rich man, a well-educated and very ambitious businessman. Tom Jordache (Nick Nolte), the poor man, was a rebel who eventually turned to boxing to support himself. Axel and Mary were their parents, and Julie Prescott was Rudy's lifelong sweetheart who eventually married him.
Nick Nolte and Peter Strauss
Nick Nolte
Susan Blakely
Main Cast
  • Peter Strauss as Rudy Jordache
  • Nick Nolte as Tom Jordache
  • Susan Blakely as Julie Prescott
  • Edward Asner as Axel Jordache
  • Dorothy McGuire as Mary Jordache
  • Robert Reed as Teddy Boylan
  • Gloria Grahame as Sue Prescott
  • Kim Darby as Virginia Calderwood
  • Bill Bixby as Willie Abbott
  • Fionnula Flanagan as Clothilde
  • Tim McIntire as Brad Knight
  • Ray Milland as Duncan Calderwood
  • Lawrence Pressman as Bill Denton
  • Talia Shire as Teresa Santoro
  • Craig Stevens as Asher Berg
  • Norman Fell as Smitty
Susan Sullivan
Talia Shire
Awards
  • Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Series: Alex North (1976)
  • Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series: David Greene (1976)
  • Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series: Edward Asner (1976)
  • Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in Comedy or Drama Series: Fionnula Flanagan (1976)
  • Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor – Television: Edward Asner (1977)
  • Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress – Television: Josette Banzet (1977)
  • Golden Globe for Best TV Actress – Drama: Susan Blakely (1977)
  • Golden Globe for Best TV-Series – Drama (1977)

Opening Credits

Sunday 17 February 2013

1975, Film: “Farewell, My Lovely”

On August 8, 1975 "Farewell, My Lovely" premiered. Directed by Dick Richards, the film is based on Raymond Chandler's novel "Farewell, My Lovely" (1940), which had previously been adapted for film as "The Falcon Takes Over" (1942) and “Murder, My Sweet” (1944). Main stars were Robert Mitchum as detective Philip Marlowe and Charlotte Rampling as Helen Grayle. Mitchum would return to the role of Marlowe three years later in a 1978 remake of The Big Sleep.

Synopsis
Philip Marlowe (Robert Mitchum) is hired by Moose Malloy (Jack O'Halloran) to locate his former girl friend Velma, a former dancer at a nightclub. Marlowe finds that once he has taken the case, events put him in dangerous situations, and he is forced to follow a trail of double-crosses before he is able to locate Velma...
Robert Mitchum
Charlotte Rampling
Robert Mitchum and Charlotte Rampling
Main Cast
  • Robert Mitchum as Philip Marlowe
  • Charlotte Rampling as Helen Grayle
  • Sylvester Stallone as Jonnie
  • John Ireland as Lt. Nulty
  • Sylvia Miles as Jessie Halstead Florian
  • Anthony Zerbe as Laird Brunette
  • Harry Dean Stanton as Detective Billy Rolfe
  • Jack O'Halloran as Moose Malloy
  • Joe Spinell as Nick, Brunette's thug
  • Kate Murtagh as Frances Amthor
  • John O'Leary as Lindsay Marriott
  • Walter McGinn as Tommy Ray
  • Jim Thompson as Judge Baxter Wilson Grayle
Robert Mitchum and Jack O'Halloran
Robert Mitchum

Trailer

Thursday 14 February 2013

1973, Cars: Volkswagen Passat (Typ 32/33 B1)

German car manufacturer Volkswagen introduced the Passat (Dasher in the US) in 1973. Initially four body types (Typ 32) were marketed, two- and four-door fastback sedans and three- and five door hatchbacks. Externally all four shared a design styled by the Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. The name derives from the German word for trade wind (Passat), subsequently Volkswagen named most vehicles after prominent winds, including Golf (after the Gulf stream), Jetta (after Jet stream), and Scirocco (after Sirocco).
Volkswagen Passat B1 3-doors (Typ 32) 1974
Volkswagen Passat B1 5-doors (Typ 32) 1974
The first Passat was a fastback version of the mechanically identical Audi 80 sedan, introduced a year earlier. A five-door station wagon (Variant, Typ 33) was introduced in 1974. The Passat was intended as a replacement for the Volkswagen Typ 3 (Volkswagen 1500/1600) and Typ 4 (Volkswagen 411/412).
Volkswagen Passat B1 5-doors (Typ 32) 1974
Volkswagen Passat B1 Variant (Typ 33) 1974
The Passat originally used 4L OHC 1.3 l (40 kW) and 4L 1.5 l (55 kW or 63 kW) petrol engines also used in the Audi 80. Front-wheel drive, with either a four-speed manual transmission or three-speed automatic. The Passat was, after the K70, the second Volkswagen with a front-mounted engine, water cooling and front wheel drive.
Volkswagen Passat B1 3-doors (Typ 32) 1977
Volkswagen Passat B1 5-doors (Typ 32) 1977
Volkswagen Passat B1 Variant (Typ 33) 1977
In August 1975 the 4L 1.5 was enlarged to 1.6 l with unchanged power ratings and slightly higher torque ratings. In July 1978 the Passat Diesel became available, equipped with the 1.5 l Diesel engine from the Golf (37 kW). In February 1979 a fuel-injected 1.6 l version became available, the Passat GLI.
Volkswagen Passat B2 3-doors (Typ 32B) 1981
The car received a facelift in 1977, featuring an upgraded interior with new dashboard, repositioned indicators and new bumpers. The Passat B1 was succeeded by the Passat B2 (Typ 32B) in 1981. The B1 remained in production in Brazil at the São Bernardo do Campo plant until 1988.
Volkswagen Passat B1 (Typ 32) Dutch Advert

Tuesday 12 February 2013

1972, News: Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I)

On May 26, 1972 Richard Nixon and Leonid Brezhnev sign the SALT I treaty in Moscow, as well as the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and other agreements. SALT I is the name for the treaties that emerged from the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks in 1972.

This dialogue between the Soviet Union and the United States of America aimed to limit the growth of strategic weapons and the strength of the nuclear arsenals of both superpowers.
Athi Karjalainen, left, Finalnd's foreign minister, toasts Gerard C.Smith, center,
chief U.S. negotiator, and Vladimir S. Semonov, right, chief Soviet negotiator,
at the opening ceremony in Helsinki (17 November 1969)
Signing of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks Treaty in the Kremlin, Moscow,
USSR, on May 26th, 1972. Principle signatories: Richard Nixon,
President of the United States and Leonid Brezhnev, General Secretary of
the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
United States President Richard M. Nixon shaking hands with
the General Secretary of the Community Party of the Soviet Union Central Committee,
Leonid Brezhnev after signing the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty
 at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 26, 1972.
The first session talks between the Soviet Union and the United States were held in Helsinki from 17 to 22 November 1969. The discussions on the content of the Convention were held in Vienna. On May 20, 1971 Moscow and Washington came to an agreement in terms of restricting the development of anti-ballistic missile systems, but there was no agreement on the limitation of missiles intended for offensive tasks. This succeeded in 1972. On May 26, 1972 the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Leonid Brezhnev and U.S. President Richard Nixon signed a treaty to limit anti-ballistic missile systems and an interim treaty on the limitation of strategic offensive weapons.
 
President Nixon comment on SALT I


SALT I talks (1970)

Sunday 10 February 2013

1971, Television: “Keromar”


This Belgian/Flemish BRT (now VRT) television series was broadcast for the first time on Wednesday 24 February 1971. The series, produced by Rik Van den Abbeele, was directed by Senne Rouffaer. Writer Louis De Groof, who also wrote "Captain Zeppos" and "Axel Nort", based "Keromar" on the hippie culture and the "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy by Tolkien.

Synopsis
The Kerts are a peaceful people living in Neropal. One day their existence is brutally disturbed with the arrival of the aggressive Bolts, they intend to conquer Neropal. One Kert, Timbal, who possesses an arrow which never misses its target, plans to stop the Bolts...
Janine Bischops, Senne Rouffaer and Mike Verdrengh
Mike Verdrengh and Annelies Vaes
Cast
  • Mike Verdrengh as Timbal
  • Chris Lomme as Rikki
  • Annelies Vaes as Ismel
  • Senne Rouffaer as Goerki
  • Ann Petersen as Gwin
  • Jan Pauwels as Assam
  • Nand Buyl as Kelpie
  • Jan Decleir as Odo
  • Rik Andries as Ostrik
  • Janine Bischops as Rinda
  • Ronny Waterschoot as Obigal
  • Marc Bober as Wallimir
  • Jeanine Schevernels as Toela
  • Alex Wilequet as Alverik
  • Gerda Marchand as Orna

Keromar DVD release Press Presentation ("De Rode Loper", VRT, 2009)


Thursday 7 February 2013

1970, Music: Eurovision Song Contest

The 15th Eurovision Song Contest was held on 21 March 1970 at the RAI Congrescentrum in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Willy Dobbe presented the festival and of the 12 participants Dana (Dana Rosemary Scallon) won for Ireland with "All Kinds of Everything".

It was Ireland's first win, 9 of the 10 Belgian jury members awarded their votes to Ireland. The UK were second, six votes behind Ireland. Luxembourg received zero votes. Austria , Finland, Norway, Portugal and Sweden withdrew from contest because they disagreed with the result of 1969 and the voting structure. Notable performers were Mary Hopkin (UK) and Julio Iglesias (Spain).
 

Draw
Country
Artist
Song
Place
Points
01
Netherlands
Hearts of Soul
"Waterman"
7
7
02
Switzerland
Henri Dès
"Retour"
4
8
03
Italy
Gianni Morandi
"Occhi di ragazza"
8
5
04
Yugoslavia
Eva Sršen
"Pridi, dala ti bom cvet"
11
4
05
Belgium
Jean Vallée
"Viens l'oublier"
8
5
06
France
Guy Bonnet
"Marie-Blanche"
4
8
07
United Kingdom
Mary Hopkin
"Knock, Knock Who's There?"
2
26
08
Luxembourg
David Alexandre Winter
"Je suis tombé du ciel"
12
0
09
Spain
Julio Iglesias
"Gwendolyne"
4
8
10
Monaco
Dominique Dussault
"Marlène"
8
5
11
Germany
Katja Ebstein
"Wunder gibt es immer wieder"
3
12
12
Ireland
Dana
"All Kinds of Everything"
1
32

First Place Dana with "All Kinds of Everything"
Second Place Mary Hopkin with "Knock, Knock Who's There?"
Third Place Katja Ebstein with "Wunder gibt es immer wieder"

Fourth Place Julio Iglesias with "Gwendolyne"

Dana and Mary Hopkin

Dana Clip 1970

Sunday 3 February 2013

1969, Cars: Ford Capri

The Ford Capri was introduced in January 1969 at the Brussels Motor Show. The new fastback coupé was mechanically based on the Cortina and built in Europe at the Dagenham and Halewood plants in the United Kingdom, the Genk plant in Belgium, and the Saarlouis and Cologne plants in Germany. Initially the car was named Colt but Ford was unable to use the name as it was trademarked by Mitsubishi. The Capri name was previously used for the Ford Consul Capri (1961-1962) produced by Ford of Britain. The new Capri was, after the Escort, the second Ford produced by Ford of Europe (1967).
Ford Capri MkI 1969
Ford Capri MkI 1969
Ford Capri MkI 1969
Ford Capri MkI 1972 (Facelift)
The Capri MkI was available with a variety of engines. The continental model used the Ford Taunus V4 engine in 1.3, 1.5 and 1.7 L engine displacement, while the British versions were powered by the Ford Kent (Anglia/Cortina) straight-4 in 1.3 and 1.6 L form. The British Ford Essex V4 engine 2.0 L & German Cologne V6 2.0 L were the top of the range engines. At the end of 1969 new sports versions were added: the German 2300 GT using a double carburettor with 92 kW, and the British 3000 GT with the Essex V6 engine with 103 kW. In April 1970 the Capri was also sold in North America, South Africa and Australia. These versions used the British Kent 1.6 engine. In 1972 the Capri MkI received a new and more comfortable suspension, an updated front, enlarged tail-lights and new seats.
Ford Capri MkII 1974
In February 1974, the Capri II was introduced. The new car had a shorter bonnet, larger cabin and a hatchback rear door. Ford offered 1.3-litre (40 kW), 1.6-litre (53 kW), 1.6-litre GT (65 kW), or 2.0-litre (73 kW), 2.3-litre (79 kW), and 3.0-litre V6 engines.
Ford Capri MkIII 1978
The Capri Mk III was introduced in 1978. At launch the existing engine and transmission combinations of the Capri II were carried over, with the 3.0 S model regarded as the most desirable model although the softer Ghia derivative with automatic, rather than manual transmission, was the bigger seller of the two V6-engined models.The last Capri was made on 19 December 1986. A total of 1,886,647 cars were produced.

Advert Ford Capri MkI (Australia, 1969)

Two adverts Ford Capri MkI (UK and France, 1969)

Ford Capri MkI introduction at the Brussels Mptor Show (1969)

Advert Ford Capri MkII (UK, 1974)


Advert Ford Capri MkII (UK, 1974)

Advert Ford Capri MkII (Germany, 1974)


Advert Ford Capri MkIII (UK, 1981)
Brochure Ford Capri MkI (Norway, 1969)
Brochure Ford Capri MkII (Norway, 1976)
Brochure Ford Capri MkIII (Germany, 1983)

Friday 1 February 2013

1968, Film: “Rosemary's Baby”

"Rosemary's Baby" premiered on June 12, 1968. This American psychological horror film was written and directed by Roman Polanski, it was based on the 1967 novel "Rosemary's Baby" by Ira Levin. The main cast includes Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon and Maurice Evans. The film was produced by William Castle.

Roman Polanski envisioned Rosemary as a robust girl, and he wanted Tuesday Weld or his own wife Sharon Tate for the role. Since the book had not reached bestseller status yet, the producer was unsure the title alone would guarantee an audience for the film, and he felt a bigger name was needed for the lead. Patty Duke was considered for the lead but ultimately the role went to Mia Farrow, at the the time she was very popular as Allison MacKenzie in the television series Peyton Place and her unexpected marriage to Frank Sinatra had made her a household name.
John Cassavetes and Mia Farrow
Mia Farrow
Synopsis
When Rosemary (Mia Farrow) and Guy Woodhouse (John Cassavetes) move into their apartment, they meet their neighbours, a very friendly elderly couple named Roman (Sidney Blackmer) and Minnie Castevet (Ruth Gordon). Guy begins to spend a lot of time with them and strange things start to happen. Then Rosemary becomes pregnant and she suspects that her neighbours have special plans for her child...
Ruth Gordon and Mia Farrow
Main Cast
  • Mia Farrow as Rosemary Woodhouse
  • John Cassavetes as Guy Woodhouse
  • Ruth Gordon as Minnie Castevet
  • Sidney Blackmer as Roman Castevet
  • Maurice Evans as Hutch
  • Ralph Bellamy as Dr. Abraham Sapirstein
  • Charles Grodin as Dr. Hill
  • Patsy Kelly as Laura-Louise
Sidney Blackmer and Mia Farrow
Awards
  • Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress: Ruth Gordon (1969)
  • Academy Awards, Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Ruth Gordon (1969)

Original Trailer