1975: Car spotting: Aalst, Statieplein

Left to right:

Volkswagen T2a, Renault 16, Opel Kadett B 2-door Limousine, Opel Kadett B 2-door Fastback, Toyota Corolla E20, Vauxhall Viva HB, unknown car.

1974: Music / Television: “Top à Claude François”

On 14 September 1974 the "Deuxième chaîne couleur de l'ORTF" (now France 2) broadcasts the third "Top a Claude François" show. The first two shows were broadcast on 20 January 1973 and 19 January 1974.

The television show "Top à ...", created and produced by Maritie and Gilbert Carpentier, focused

each time on a different host, singing, dancing and playing sketches with artist friends. Some of the artists were Charles Aznavour, Petula Clark, Joe Dassin, Sacha Distel, Jacques Dutronc, Claude François, Johnny Hallyday, Mireille Mathieu, Michel Sardou, Sylvie Vartan and many others. At peaks the show had more than 15 million viewers and was broadcast in 20 countries around the world. A total of 54 shows were produced from 1 April 1972 to 2 December 1974.

Claude François, Dani and Michel Sardou

Claude François, Dani, Maritie and Gilbert Carpentier

In this "Top à Claude François" the stars, in order of appearance, were Claude François, Michel Sardou, Dani, The Rubettes, Coluche, Alain Chamfort, France Gall, The Rolling Stones (video), and Gilbert Becaud.

Claude François and Gilbert Becaud during rehearsals

Claude François and France Gall during rehearsals

Claude François and France Gall during rehearsals

Performances

• Claude François with "Je suis le mal aimé". Michel Sardou sings along with the refrain.
• Claude François and Michel Sardou perform a potpourri and chat together between the songs: "J'habite en France", "Sha la la la", "Et Mourir de plaisir", "Le Lundi au soleil", "La Maladie d'amour" and "Je veux l'épouser pour un soir".
• Michel Sardou with "Je veux l'épouser pour un soir".
• Dani with "La vie à vingt cinq ans". Claude François sings along with the refrain.
• The Rubettes with "Sugar baby love".
• Claude François and a little girl with "Le téléphone pleure".
• Coluche with the sketch "C'est l'histoire d'un mec" (sur le Pont de l'Alma).
• Alain Chamfort with "Adieu mon bébé chanteur".
• France Gall with "La Déclaration d'amour".
• Superb duet between Claude François and France Gall: France sings excerpts of "Ne sois pas si bête", "Laisse tomber les filles", "Poupée de cire, poupée de son" et "Sacré Charlemagne". Claude Claude sings excerpts from "Pauvre petite fille riche", "J'y pense et puis j'oublie", "Les Choses de la maison". Between the songs they chat.
• Claude François and the Claudettes/Clodettes with "Une chanson populaire".
• Claude François sings the refrain of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and presents a video with The Rolling Stones singing "It's only rock'n roll".
• Potpourri between Claude François and Gilbert Becaud, they sing excerpts of "La solitude ça n'existe pas", "Viens à la maison", "Saturday night", “Ein bißchen Glück und Zärtlichkeit” (German version of “Un peu d'amour et d'amitié”), "Le Jour où la pluie viendra", "Quand tu danses", "L'important c'est la rose", "Comme d'habitude" and "Et maintenant".
• Gilbert Becaud with "L'Hirondelle".
• Claude François and the Claudettes/Clodettes with "La Musique américaine"
• Claude François with "Le mal-aimé".

Claude François and France Gall during rehearsals

Claude François and France Gall during rehearsals

Trivia

• Claude François died on 11 March 1978, aged 39.
• Claude François and France Gall had a relationship between 1964 and 1967, after the breakup he wrote the song "Comme d'habitude" ("As Usual") with France Gall in his mind. The song was reworked in 1968 by Paul Anka as "My Way" for Frank Sinatra.
• This is the only time Claude François and France Gall sang together.
• "La Déclaration d'amour" was the first France Gall song written by Michel Berger, Gall and Berger married in 1976. 

"Top à Claude François": duet Claude François and France Gall


"Top à Claude François": France Gall with "La Déclaration d'amour"


"Top à Claude François": Gilbert Becaud and Claude François


"Top à Claude François": Claude François with "Le téléphone pleure"

1973, Belgian Comics: “De belevenissen van Jommeke” “De vruchtenmakers”

In 1973 a new "De belevenissen van Jommeke" (translation: "The Adventures of Jommeke") album is published: "De vruchtenmakers" (translation: "The Fruit Makers"). The comic series was created by Jef Nys in 1955, it was first published in "Kerkelijk Leven" (translation: "Religious Life"). In 1959 the first full length adventure appeared in the newspaper "Het Volk". After the bankrupcy of "Het Volk" in 2010, the stories were published in the newspapers "Het Nieuwsblad", "De Gentenaar" and "De Standaard". The main character is "Jommeke", an 11-year-old boy.

No 56 "De vruchtenmakers"

No 56: "De vruchtenmakers"

• black and white
• story and drawings by Jef Nys
• published by "Het Volk"
• republished in colour, 1980 by "Het Volk"

The main characters in this story are Jommeke, Flip (his parrot), Filiberke (his best friend), Theofiel (his father), Marie (his mother), professor Gobelijn, Annemieke, Rozemieke, and Choco.

Choko and Rozemieke or Annemieke

Filiberke, Flip and Jommeke

Synopsis

Marie (Jommeke's mother) plants a palm tree in her garden, but Filiberke (Jommeke's best friend) cuts it accidentally down. To restore the tree Jommeke calls the help of Professor Gobelijn. The professor discovers a timber growing substance...

Flip, Jommeke, Annemieke and Rozemieke

Professor Gobelijn, Jommeke and Flip

Trivia

• Jommeke has been translated into French as "Gil et Jo", in English as "Jeremy and Frankie", in German as "Peter und Alexander" and in Swedish as "Peter och Alexander".
• The name of the main character "Jommeke" is based on a folk figure from Wilrijk (near Antwerp), the village where Jef Nys lived. 

Jommeke, Flip, Theofiel and Marie

1972, Car spotting: Amsterdam, Leidseplein

Left to right

First row (parked)

Volkswagen T2a, Daf 55, Peugeot 404, Citroën ID/DS, Simca 1301/1501

Second row

Opel Kadett B Caravan, Volkswagen T2a, unknown car, Mercedes-Benz W110

Third row

Volkswagen 1200/1300 (Beetle) (behind the Beetle, an unknown car), a very rare Ford (Taunus) 17M P7a, Peugeot 404, Volkswagen T1

Fourth row

Citroën Dyane

Fifth row

Ford Cortina Mk II Estate

Sixth row

Mercedes-Benz W110, unknown car probably Ford Escort Mk I

1971, Cars: Mazda Grand Familia / 808 / 818 / Mizer / Savanna / RX-3

In 1971 Japanese car maker Mazda introduced the Mazda Grand Familia. The car was initially intended as a replacement for the smaller Mazda Familia. However, with the 1970s energy crisis, the Mazda Familia stayed in production due to its fuel economy.

The new car was sold as Mazda Grand Familia in Japan, Mazda 808 in Australia, Mazda 808 (1.6 engine) or Mazda Mizer (1.3 engine) in the VS and Mazda 818 in Europe. Cars with a rotary engine were sold as Mazda Savanna in Japan and Mazda RX-3 in the rest of the world.

Mazda Grand Familia 1300 (Japan, 1971)

Mazda 808 Station Wagon (USA, 1971)

Mazda Grand Familia Coupé S (Japan, 1972)

The car was available in three body styles: a two-door coupé, a four-door sedan and a five-door station wagon. At first the Mazda Grand Famila / 808 /818 was offered with a 1.272 cc (64 kW) or 1.490 cc (68 kW) inline four cylinder engine. In 1973 the 1.490 cc engine was replaced by a 1.586 cc (74 kW) inline four cylinder engine. The Mazda Savanna / RX-3 had a 10A rotary engine with 982 cc (78 kW) (licensed from NSU), in 1973 it was replaced by the 12A rotary engine with 1.146 cc (97 kW).

Mazda Savanna Coupé (Japan, 1973)

Mazda Savanna Sedan (Japan, 1973)

Mazda RX-3 (Europe, 1975)

In 1975 the car was facelifted with round headlights and new taillights. In 1978 production ends with 625439 Mazda Grand Familia / 808 / 818 built. The Grand Familia was also produced in South Korea (Mazda license) as the Kia Brisa II / Kia K303 from 1975 to 1981.

Mazda Grand Familia Coupé (Japan, 1975)

Mazda 818 Coupé (Europe, 1976)

Mazda 818 Sedan (Europe, 1975)

Mazda 818 Station Wagon (Europe, 1975)

Commercial Mazda Savanna Coupé (Japan, 1972)

Commercial Mazda RX-3 Station Wagon (USA, 1972)

Brochures

Mazda 818 (Netherlands, 1973)
Mazda 818 (Netherlands, 1975)
Mazda 818 (Netherlands, 1976)
Mazda 818 / RX-3 (Netherlands, 1973)

1970, Television: Doomwatch

9 February 1970 "The Plastic Eaters", the first episode of the British science fiction television series "Doomwatch", is broadcast on BBC1. The series, created by Gerry Davis and Kit Pedler, starred John Paul as Dr. Spencer Quist, Joby Blanshard as Colin Bradley, Simon Oates as Dr. John Ridge and Vivien Sherrard as Barbara Mason. From 1970 to 1972 three series were produced with a total of 38 episodes. Unlike most science fiction series “Doomwatch” was set in the then present day (1970) and delt with the dangers of modern science.

In 1972 Tigon British Film produced a "Doomwatch" film with Ian Bannen and Judy Geeson as new characters. In 1999 Channel 5 produced a new "Doomwatch" TV film subtitled "Winter Angel".

John Paul as Dr. Spencer Quist, Joby Blanshard as Colin Bradley
and Simon Oates as Dr. John Ridge

Plot

The "Department for the Observation and Measurement of Scientific Work", nicknamed Doomwatch, is a scientific team under the leadership of Nobel Prize winning physicist Dr. Spencer Quist. His team initially consisted of Dr. John Ridge a former intelligence agent, Colin Bradley a computer specialist, Toby Wren (Robert Powell) an eager young researcher and secretary Pat Hunnisett (Wendy Hall). The main aim of the department is to keep an eye on the environment and supervise governmental and private sector research to prevent pollution or other disasters...

Simon Oates as Dr. John Ridge, Joby Blanshard as Colin Bradley, John Paul as Dr. Spencer Quist,
Robert Powell as Toby Wren and Wendy Hall as Pat Hunnisett

Synopsis "The Plastic Eaters"

A commercial airliner to San Pedro in South America crashes after the mysterious meltdown of all plastic on board. Scientist Tobias ‘Toby’ Wren from "Doomwatch" is sent off to investigate the crash...

Robert Powell as Toby Wren in the fourth episode "Tomorrow, the Rat"

Trivia

• "Doomwatch" was very popular, it had as high as 13.6 million viewers at its peak.
• The BBC didn't have a proper archiving policy until 1978 so only 24 episodes survived.

"Doomwatch" opening credits (1970)

1969, Designs: cars, furniture, electronics, clothes

Bertone-BMW 2800 Spicup

Design by Bertone, Italy.
Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1969.

Bertone-BMW 2800 Spicup at the Bertone stand at the Geneva Motor Show in 1969

Bertone-BMW 2800 Spicup, side view

Bertone-BMW 2800 Spicup, interior

Bertone-BMW 2800 Spicup, back view

Mini Clubman and Mini 1275 GT

Front redesign by Roy Haynes (British Leyland), UK 1969.

Original Austin/Morris Mini design by Alec Issigonis (British Motor Corporation (BMC) 1959), UK.

Mini Clubman (1969)

Mini 1275 GT (1969)

Mini Clubman Estate (1969)

Mary Quant Boots and Dresses

Utrecht Shoe Fair, designed by Mary Quant, UK 1969

Boots and dresses by Mary Quant (1969)

Boots and dresses by Mary Quant (1969)

Panasonic R72 "Toot-a-Loop"

Transistor radio, Japan 1969

Panasonic R73, in the three standard colours (1969)
(green was only available in Australia)

Panasonic R73, in the three standard colours (1969)
(green was only available in Australia)

Olivetti Valentine Typewriter

Designed by Perry King and Ettore Sottsass, Italy 1969.

Olivetti Valentine in standard red/orange (1969)

Olivetti Valentine in standard red/orange (1969)

Artemide Mezzachimera Table Lamp

Designed by Vico Magistretti, Italy 1969.

Artemide Mezzachimera Lamp (1969)

Telcer Bobo Phone

Designed by Sergio Todeschini, Italy 1969.

Telcer Bobo Phone (1969)

ABBA circa 1972  with Telcer Bobo Phone, promotion for the single Ring Ring

Flexform Tubo (Tube chair)

Designed by Joe Colombo, Italy 1969.

Flexform Tubo (1969)

Flexform Tubo (1969)

1968, Film: "Un soir, un train"

The Belgian-French coproduction "Un soir, un train" (English: "One Night... A Train") was released on 22 November 1968 in France. The surrealist enigmatic drama, based on the novel "De trein der traagheid" (1953) by Johan Daisne (Herman Thiery), was directed by André Delvaux. The main cast includes Yves Montand and Anouk Aimée. The music was written by Frédéric Devreese. The song "La fleur de l'été", written by André Delvaux and Frédéric Devreese, was performed by Nicole Croisille.

The main themes in the movie are the linguistic barrier between the Dutch speaking Belgians (Flemish) and the French speaking Belgians (Walloons) and the barrier between life and death with the unknown village as a transition state between life and death.

Anouk Aimée as Anne and Yves Montand as Mathias

Yves Montand as Mathias, Hector Camerlynck as Hernhutter
and François Beukelaers as Val

Anouk Aimée as Anne and Yves Montand as Mathias

Synopsis

Mathias (Yves Montand) a Belgian professor of linguistics at a university and writer of Flemish plays, is living with his mistress, the French theatre costume designer Anne (Anouk Aimée). After a quarrel about moral questions, they take a train to attend a congress. While Mathias sleeps, Anne disappears. The train stops in the middle of the country and Mathias gets off the train with an old colleague Professor Hernhutter (Hector Camerlynck ), and an ex-student Val (François Beukelaers)...

Anouk Aimée

Yves Montand

Main cast

• Yves Montand as Mathias
• Anouk Aimée as Anne
• Adriana Bogdan as Moira
• Hector Camerlynck as Hernhutter
• François Beukelaers as Val
• Michael Gough as Jeremiah
• Senne Rouffaer as Elckerlyc
• Domien De Gruyter as Werner
• Jan Peré as Henrik 

"Un soir, un train" opening credits