1977: Our Lives Through Commercials

FredFlix: The World We Knew

[@lesbw356]

O.J. In a movie called The Killing Affair…..wow talk about the prediction of the century!!!!!

[@lloydmarshalljr1951]

Well... now he's no longer on the earth himself.

[@onefatstratcat]

What a great decade to be a teenager :)

[@stendec-dd3he]

When commercials then are more entertaining than programming now, we got to get back on track.

[@freddyhoyt1849]

I remember these commercials from 1977 when I was 8 years old

[@continentalgin]

The T-bird comes with a radio. Nice!

[@artamussumatra6286]

So does the Chevette, but air conditioning….. I doubt it $$$$ 😆

[@continentalgin]

@@artamussumatra6286 Didn't matter anyway, because the custom installed Blaupunkt cassette deck was going in with heavy Jensen speakers in a quad formation.

[@doggedout]

That OJ l Elizabeth Montgomery movie did not age too well. "The ax will fall!"

[@1cpascal]

It was surprising to see an ad for a word processor from as early as 1977. I thought that they weren't introduced until the late 1980s.

[@StudioZ7]

The prices came down considerably by the late 1980s, so practically anyone who wanted one could get one.

[@usmc-veteran73-77]

Everything in 1977 was so simple compared to 2023. Plus, my last year in the USMC, I was discharged 4 Oct 77. Semper Fi from an old Marine Sergeant.

[@elifoust7664]

My ETS ARMY 22 OCT 77

[@usmc-veteran73-77]

@Eli Foust that's cool, within a couple weeks. I was discharged when I was stationed at Camp LeJeune. Where were you stationed when you were discharged?

[@elifoust7664]

@@usmc-veteran73-77 Ft.Campbell,Ky.553rd MP K-9

[@usmc-veteran73-77]

@Eli Foust after my 4 years, I returned to Charleston, West Virginia, and sold for a corporation. Where are you from?

[@elifoust7664]

@@usmc-veteran73-77 Reside in Florida, I was a Navy brat in Portsmouth,Va.66-67.Lived in Puerto Rico, 67'70..Mt Pleasant, SC 70-72...Dad retired 72 moved to Sunshine State.

[@simplysteve68]

Jonatham Winters was goofy as Mork and Mindy's kid "Merth". Let's all be a Pepper too. Lol Super crunchy KFC, Thanks for making me hungry Fred. 😆😂🤣

[@FredFlix]

It's almost dinner time, Steve.

[@NickvonZ]

I miss those high tech video games!

[@percey]

A great year to be 10 years old!

[@richardrykala925]

Hey Fred Flix🙂🙂🙂Yup , not only remember these Commercials but have them🙂 Man the music and toys were great back than, just the Commercials back than much more entertaining ,talented classy than anything on television these days, just didn,t get into Star Wars , if you collect Kenners going for real big $$$$$ at auctions these days, I have my own Gigantic Toy Collections, Hot Wheels,Marx,Lionel,Ideal etc etc . Still got my Atari and some I bought at estate sales years back, still new in the box🙂 I still have some Burger Chef coupons and playsets and drinking cups. Use to watch alot of those Renco Commercials here in Detroit, chops,dices slices mixes etc etc🤣 My father had a 1979 T Bird, ( he worked at the Ford Rouge Plant in Dearborn)I remember back in 1987 or 88 the Catalytic Converter caught fire when I was backing it down our driveway, my foot started to get hot and I started seeing smoke, burn,t a whole thru the floor🤣🤣🤣. Which after me and my brother when shopping for classic cars, had to be made 1973 or before. Nice Ford Models didn,t rust like the 70 Galaxy my father had before. In 1977 we were still watching Sanford and Son,All in the Family,Rockford Files and Cannon here in Detroit . Didn,t like Dr Pepper taste, like flat pop🤮🤣🤣🤣 Was a Pepsi, Vernor and Faygo kid or guy myself🙂. Hell ya Kentucky Fried Chicken tasted great back than, nice crispy and crunchy, what was it for a bucket back than 3 or 4.99 for 10-15 pieces, now its all oily or something, made me run to the toilet YUK!!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣 Somebody certainly messed with the Colonels receipe thats for sure. When the Colonel was alive his Chicken was the tops, the same thing just happen with Bob Evans. when he passed away heirs to the Bob Evans fransize messed with the quality of the food. Didn,t care for the Chevette but way better than the Vega, those started to rust as soon as they left the factory. Love big cars

[@FredFlix]

Good comment, Richard.

[@helanesolomon1724]

James Coburn was perfect for commercials.

[@BELCAN57]

Schlitz.... Light !

[@lorimidwife]

My teen years, lots of fun and anxiety over silly little friendship issues!

[@zendwayne]

The lady in the Thunderbird commercial I believe was Cheryl Ladd from Charlie’s Angels.

[@merce10554]

I thought that too. ☺️

[@itiswhatitaintanditaintwha1427]

I was so crazy nuts about Star Wars, back then. I must've seen it about 5 times that year!

[@theoneandonly6431]

You, me and just about every other kid between 5 and 15 back then.

[@itiswhatitaintanditaintwha1427]

@@theoneandonly6431 Touche'

[@creatinotionchannel2680]

Pioneer commercial sounds like Burgess Meredith narrating.

[@FawleyJude]

I can relate to the Pioneer ad about the kid playing drums. I played drums as a kid and got the same response from people, except I didn't make it to rock star status like the guy does in the commercial. The thing I like about the Pioneer audio equipment was the wood grain on all of it.

[@eringo-bragh4243]

I can't believe that I still have that receiver

[@heygetoffmylawn1572]

Thank you, Fred Flix, for the time you spent compiling this most excellent collection of TV history for us. Very deeply appreciated. 👍

[@FredFlix]

Thank you, HGOML.

[@creatinotionchannel2680]

I loved David Naughton in those commercials.

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

ME too.. cuz he had a GORGEOUS backside in the commercial!

[@zendwayne]

There’s another future Charlie’s Angel in the Charlie perfume commercial. Shelly Hack.

[@tomklock568]

Well, this sure brings back those days. A lot I've forgotten about. Thanks Fred!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Tom.

[@markbeauseigneur5947]

Great content but like I said before I sure yearn for those days. Thanks 👍

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Mark.

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

I sure they'd bring back original TAB! I LOVED that stuff! Fred, you did it again, excellent job!

[@FredFlix]

Thank you, Nunetc.

[@tomklock568]

It wasn't bad. I'd rather be a Pepper though 😀

[@lesliegoodman-malamuth9796]

Tab was the only sugarless soda available in the residence hall vending machines. This made Tab a treat, especially when doing the wash, as the machines lived in the laundry rooms. Just remembered that when I typed other people’s papers, I required a cold Tab in addition to the usual payment. Or more Tabs, depending on the length of the papers.

[@Aniontedone]

Time Machine transport me back to 14 years old. Thanks!!!!

[@ChickenWingSoup]

Brings back my childhood.

[@robertscott2210]

Good memories in this one Fred, I had forgotten about many of those products. TV wasn't TV back then without the late night record commercials lol. 👍👍👍

[@merce10554]

True. ☺️

[@michaelboyce9373]

K- Tel especially

[@DrummingMan1]

Ha ha ha ha love it! I was sweet 16 that year and I remember it well going from a somewhat lonely an innocent child to a young adult tested for some trouble but good times! Thanks, Flintstone

[@davidcheung7789]

The Sony Betamax VCR's were very expensive at $1,200.00+ and they weighed over 28 lbs. I was 11 years old and if you lived in NYC back then like I did, it was really tough. There were street gangs all over the city, the crime rate was out of control and it all culmulated with the July 13th blackout. However, I do miss those days.

[@samstephens378]

A killing Affair, starring OJ Simpson Talk about taking your work home with you. 🤔

[@robertscott2210]

Ohhh, I see what you did there lol 😆 👍👍

[@robertscott2210]

@@billmurray7473 Maybe there's a copy on Betamax somewhere 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@banjo1241]

Thanks, Fred!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, banjo.

[@sirdarklust]

I remember most of these.

[@ThisGuyFrritz]

Those commercials I remember way back before I was a teenager. Here are the ones I can recall: - Star Wars (of course) - Atari 2600 - Space Mountain at Disneyland - Ford Thuderbird - Franco American (now replaced by Campell's) - The Bionic Woman - Dr. Pepper - Charlie - Chevy Chevette (my first car was a '79 Chevette)

[@Dani92670]

My first car was an '81 Chevette!

[@sentforth5]

I'm 15 again...thanks, Fred!!!

[@tadool5352]

Excellent set and I remember them all! Thanks for taking the time to put these together they really lifted my mood!

[@211inprogress]

OJ Simpson, a killing Affair... 💀 😂

[@robertscott2210]

The age old question; does art imitate life or does life imitate art?

[@theoneandonly6431]

And he plays a cop no less. Isn't that a laugh?

[@wayfarer4578]

This is awesome, Fred. I was 5 years old in 1977 and remember all of these except for the Xerox commercial. By the way, the actor who played the bartender in the James Coburn commercial was veteran character actor, Ford Rainey. I remember him best playing Steve Austin’s dad on the Six Million Dollar Man. Thanks for the walk down memory lane!

[@tigre7739]

Takes me back to one of my favorite years!! I turned twelve that summer, and I thought Star Wars was the most epic movie ever at that time, my friends and I were crazy about it! I4 know we watched all of these commercials I'm sure, I distinctly remember the ones with Jonathan Winters and Florence Henderson. We also watched all the shows advertised, except I don't ever remember watching the one that starred Elizabeth Montgomery and OJ. Recognize two Charlie's Angels, which was another show we watched, Cheryl Ladd in the T-Bird commercial and Shelley Hack in the Charlie perfume commercial. Another great trip down memory lane! Thanks Fred! 😀

[@rogerscottcathey]

First computer. Atari Writer was a good word processor. No mouse needed

[@Forcemaster2000]

This was a great look back in time! 1977 was one of my favorite years too!

[@5argetech56]

Another Winner Fred!! Loved seeing Robbie the Robot for K-Tel.. I lived through all these commercials and remember them so well!

[@FredFlix]

Thanks, 5arge.

[@garywright7826]

I was 20 yrs old. Great memories !

[@carolinebrown8965]

Love this !

[@merce10554]

David Naughton 2 years before "Makin' it". But yeah, Dr. Pepper was a lovely ad. And Charlie... so cool, a whole lot better than the fragrance. ☺️ I just love this series, Fred. Thanks. 💜🤟

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Mercedes.

[@merce10554]

@@FredFlix 💜🤟

[@robertromero8692]

Great look at 70s culture and technology, Fred. It fascinates me that there was actually a commercial for high fidelity components. I loved Pioneer back in the day. In fact, I still have a Pioneer receiver (much more advanced than 70s tech, of course). I love that you included the famous David Naughton commercial. There's a definite creepiness about that commercial for the OJ movie.

[@FredFlix]

You said it, RR!

[@joeylocognato2198]

Hey Mr. Fred, we just got done watching this most recent post of yours. Vitamix, as per my grandparents, has head quarters in Cleveland. Burgess Meredith, was born and raised in Cleveland. I really wanted to leave a comment on your prior post, but the comments section was turned off. It was pretty cool though to hear you as the voice over. We're getting closer Mr. Fred my parents were 3 and my grandparents were 29 in 1977. Thank you again, we cannot wait to see your next post. BTW: that little boy playing drums on the little girl's head( just like me at that age). Didn't have a need for girl's then. I must say now that I'm grown, up things have changed!🤣 God bless you and your family, be safe .🙏

[@JeffFrmJoisey]

Great job Fred!! 77 was in college and not much TV watched, WB Kotter was 1 of the only shows I made time to watch.

[@Dani92670]

Hey Jeff, up your nose with a rubber hose! No wait, RUBBA hose I think it was. Lol, remember that line from a young John Travolta? My best years were in NJ.

[@JeffFrmJoisey]

@@Dani92670 🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@Litauen-yg9ut]

Ahh , I got a kick out of the monk and the xerox machine then, and brought a smile to my face now. And pretty sure I still have that Music Machine record somewhere in the basement. Good ol' Robbie..

[@tubekxb]

I'd completely forgot about those Shell commercials where a car breaks through. Of course, no one who was around could forget the Charlie commercial - possibly one of the most memorable of the 70s.

[@rays7437]

I LOVE this one!!!

[@gregggoss2210]

Another memory stirrer. Hey, by the way Fred, Honey West is the Decades binge this weekend. Watching an episode right now with a very young Joe Don Baker.

[@FredFlix]

I've been watching it today too, Gregg.

[@paulinayexannihtorres1709]

Tank You My Friend

[@matthewbaduria]

Thank you Fred Flix,for the time you spent compiling this most excellent collection of television history for everyone.

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Matthew.

[@tellemomma9780]

Thank u for the work you put in Fred! Always grateful!

[@deementia6796]

Thank goodness that Mrs. Brady did her part to make sure kids in the mid 70's didn't succumb to scurvy via TANG!

[@catmama3816]

I have the full set of Star Wars figures from 1977 when I was 11 and get them. Still have them!

[@lindaeasley5606]

I remember that Xerox and the monks commercial well 👍

[@TL_oS]

Awesome comp😺

[@MediaWest]

wow, xerox really blew it. they were years ahead of everyone. no wonder jobs saw the xerox parc in 77, and made the lisa. great stuff.

[@joelcda6883]

Great compilation ... thanks, Fred! Among other things, I enjoyed seeing two pilots from Airplane! in the commercials. "We have clearance, Clarence! Roger, Roger!"

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, Joel.

[@luisreyes1963]

Wonder which was the epitome of technology, the Atari 2600 or the Vita-Mix? Thanks for the memories, FredFlix. ⚙️

[@thetraveler2561]

Love it Fred!

[@alittlepastmidnight]

So O.J. Starring in "A Killing Affair" How Apropos! Xerox! Once a Great company. what happened? The K-Tell commercial was Great!! (Remember those "Record Clubs) Columbia etc. that they all wanted us to join.! all those stores they said they K-Rell was sold in are long gone! the DR. pepper commercial really brought back memories! Tang? is it still around. I thought it was great!! The Chevette, goes to show just how Gullible us Americans can be! we didn't learn from the Vega!!! Oh Boy! keep em coming Fred! The video quality and sound on some of them is not so great. this had to be taken off of a VHS tape. Beta max was High Quality!

[@salemslotandmore8278]

Thanks for the Video 😀

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, SL&M.

[@kevinnelson66]

The late Richard Anderson (Oscar Goldman on The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman) used to be the Shell Man.

[@LaDracul]

Gee, even that Atari commercial had a SW reference in it...

[@lennomenno]

Schlitz beer gave me the schlitz.

[@luisreyes1963]

TAB was worse...🤢

[@TIMOTHYJAMES-wk2yk]

Great stuff...thanks Fred!!

[@FredFlix]

You're welcome, ?? (can't see your name)

[@TIMOTHYJAMES-wk2yk]

@@FredFlix Tim W.

[@adrianarciga2537]

Woow 10000 STARS❤❤❤❤❤

[@michaelboyce9373]

Things now sadly missed.

[@Qboro66]

The Charlie commercial with the great Bobby Short... I remember it well..

[@Ij-jan]

Thanks for the video

[@alfred9915]

Thank you for posting! It was great! New subscriber here.

[@FredFlix]

Welcome aboard, Alfred.

[@KendraEMoyer]

My sister and friend got into a fight over that Luke Skywalker doll and ripped it's head off. It was my brother's doll and he did not ever get over that. Flashbacks.

[@MDCSWildcats86]

The Schlitz Light ad at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="186">3:06</a> was parodied by the barely-alive Del Rancho restaurant chain for it's "Steak Sandwich Supreme", using a then 7yo boy as the "cowboy", and a similar music score.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

I still have my _American Graffiti_ action figures.

[@elc1960]

Not sure if it's him, but it sure sounds like the late Jack Reynolds doing the voiceovers on three of these commercials: the K-Tel ad at the very end, the end of the Disneyland spot, and as the main announcer on that VitaMix ad.

[@michaelboyce9373]

Fr different TV shows from different TV Channels!

[@Colonel_Chrome]

One little nitpick. The Star Wars action figure commercial would have been from 1978. While the movie came out in 1977, Kenner was unprepared for the success of the movie and the demand for figures, so the first wave launched in 1978. The only Kenner commercial from 1977 would have been for the infamous Early Bird kit.

[@Tr0nzoid]

I scrolled down to see if someone pointed this out. Also a lot of the people keep referring to the Atari 2600 which wasn't called the 2600 until 1982.

[@FredFlix]

Ooops!

[@JohnShields-xx1yk]

I was 17 and I remember thinking those computer things were so useless to regular people.lol, I wasn't the brightest bulb in the tree.

[@joeheid2776]

O J Simpson and The Killing Affair. Who knew?

[@luisreyes1963]

Not as shocking as that Police Woman episode about Sgt. Pepper being accused of being a lesbo...👄

[@wheeler71]

👍👍🖖

[@tfrank2103]

24 hour banking is great ! I can do my banking at home while sitting on the toilet lol

[@luisreyes1963]

Now it can be done on your smartphone via your bank's app. 📱

[@thepman1964]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="192">3:12</a>, <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="232">3:52</a>, <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="344">5:44</a>, <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="786">13:06</a> - Can you not superimpose test over the commercials? You can always identify notable people in the description text. Please keep the commercials intact. That said, great compilation of commercials. I turned 13 in Nov, 1977. Star Wars became the focus of my world. Burger Chef was superior to me over McDonald's, and I loved that they offered the Star Wars-themed kids meal packaging. I still have my original 4 Star Wars posters from Burger Chef! Welcome Back, Kotter was one of my favorite TV shows. I didn't have an Atari 2600 until late 1981, but I used to beg my mom to leave me at the demo display at Sears while she went shopping at our local mall. I was obsessed with all things Disney as a kid, saw all the films, and remember the Space Mountain commercials. I finally got to ride it in 1979 during my first-ever visit to Disney World. I also fondly remember the Kentucky Fried Chicken "Real Goodness" ad campaign. Also developed a fondness for Tab as a teenager. As far as diet sodas go, it tasted much better than diet Coke, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, etc. It was like it was designed from the ground up, and not just a watered-down, 'lite' version of an existing beverage. I really enjoy your videos. Thanks!

[@elc1960]

Ah, FredFlix has posted a new video that contains Star Wars commercials...the farts...ummm, I mean the FORCE is strong with this one. Hope you're having a decent year so far!

[@FredFlix]

Kinda chaotic but thanks, elc1960.

[@luisreyes1963]

That Star Wars promo was the last hurrah for Burger Chef.

[@michaelpaul5801]

crusty and warm.. just how i remember em

[@onecoolcat2478]

A Killing Affair staring OJ Simpson......talk about foreshadowing.......

[@jbray34]

The killing affair really if they only knew in the future 😂

[@kevinnelson66]

The legendary bonfire episode of M*A*S*H.

[@riflemusket]

Ernie Anderson shilling for the ‘77 Ford Thunderbird. Ah, the 70s.

[@frankwafer6919]

😃💯👍👍!

[@PyramidOfBubbles777]

Who is the voice at the 11 minute mark?

[@shnibby69]

Whoa! A lesbian plot on Police Woman?! Angie Dickinson! I like to watch! Fred! This 64 year old codger rank’s your content Numero Uno!

[@FredFlix]

Delighted to know, shnibby69.

[@theoneandonly6431]

I bet that beta max system probably cost about $500 back in 1977. That's about $2500.00 in 2023.

[@nicoleberry2750]

@FredFlix I would like to know if you take requests.

[@FredFlix]

I will hear any suggestions. Nicole.

[@jorgezarco9269]

Ever been in a cockpit before? Ever seen a grown man nekkid?

[@mr.classic6823]

Ah Beta Max the Original DVR