TV-Inspired Incredible Hulk Story Album by Power Records

 

Hey, I'm back! I don't know for how long, but I've finally managed to get a few minutes to blog. What I'm sharing today is something I didn't know existed until a month or so ago.

I'm sure you're familiar with Power Records, the action story division of children's music company Peter Pan Records, that released a lot of fun items in the 70s and 80s. I recently came across a story album on YouTube featuring the Incredible Hulk. This wasn't surprising to me, as Power released a number of story albums featuring superheroes from DC and Marvel Comics.

What did surprise me, however, is that one of these albums was based NOT on the Marvel Comics iteration of the character, but on the TV series version. In this series of four stories, David (not Bruce) Banner wanders the country and runs afoul of human villains rather than supervillains, just like he did in the TV series. This was a treat to listen to, as the stories are quite faithful to the TV series format. You won't hear the Hulk say "HULK SMASH!" in this version, but you will hear a sincere but amusing attempt by the voice actor to give a frightning roar as the green-skinned giant.

Enjoy!

OK, So Maybe It'll Be Awhile

 

Hello everyone! Yeah, that message from January when I say I'll be blogging soon! Obviously, I was incorrect. And I'm afraid it will still be some time before I post anything new.

Life is just extremely busy, from my daugher turning 21, to my son turning 18, and now we're preparing for my son's high school graduation. So it appears this blog will continue to be quiet for some time, perhaps even until this year's Countdown to Halloween. We'll see.

But I refuse to throw in the towel. I get too much joy from posting here. If you want to enjoy my more frequent ramblings, please check me out at my various socials at this here Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/brianarnold

Otherwise, see you here soon!

Yep, I'm Still Here

 

Hello all! I hope you had a great holiday season and are starting off the new year on the right track.

For me, blogging during the winter months has become difficult as I've gotten older. I'm busier, have different responsibilities than when I first started blogging way back in 2007 (!), and my inspiration for blogging takes a hit. After being so focused on blogging about holiday-related topics for three months, I'm left with an "OK, now what?" situation January through September. I'll get the occasional idea, but if I don't note it down somewhere, it vanishes in the ether between my ears, often never to appear again.

Plus, on top of the usual "getting back to business" activities that seem to make up January, this week in particular I've been hampered with COVID (bout number 3 for me since January of 2022) as well as snowy/frigid weather. I nearly slipped on ice on the stairs outside my house; I caught myself, but not without twisting something in one of my knees. COVID plus snow shoveling plus twisted knee equals WTF!!!

So please be patient with me. I do intend to be a year-round blogger; just hang in there and I'll amaze you with some wondrance you didn't know you needed but can't do without!

Thanks! Happy New Year!

Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin Eve '86

 

Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed the Rockin' Eve production I featured earlier this week that welcomed 1982. Today, I feature the show that welcomed 1986. Enjoy below or on YouTube here.

I'll be back after the holiday. Happy New Year!

Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve '82

 

Hello all! I hope you had a very Merry Christmas--I certainly did! I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with family, great gifts, and great food. That's all you can ask for Christmas! Now it's time to look ahead to New Year's Day, and we do that with the full presentation of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve welcoming in 1982!

Every network has it's own New Year's Eve program these days, but back in the day, Dick Clark was the only game in town. Here he welcomes 1982 with performances by Alabama, Rick Springfield, Barry Manilow, and others. Hosted by Charlene Tilton and Tom Wopat (man, this really IS 1982!)

Enjoy the show below or directly on YouTube here. I hope to have another Dick Clark program this week. Thanks!

The Gathering, Christmas TV-Movie starring Ed Asner (1977)

 

Here we are, my last Christmas post before the big day! And today I have a sobering but untimately life-affirming film for you.

The Gathering is a TV-movie produced by Hanna-Barbera (!) and stars Ed Asner as an embittered husband, father, and businessman who re-enters his family's lives after walking out on them many years ago, seeking reconciliation for his actions before he dies of a terminal illness. Maureen Stapleton plays Asner's estranged wife, who urges the rest of the family to forgive Asner for his bitter ways. Originally airing on ABC TV on December 4th, 1977, the film also stars Gregory Harrison, Bruce Davison, Veronica Hamel, James Karen (the Pathmark guy!), and John Randolph (Clark Griswold's father from Christmas Vacation!), among others.

Unfortunately, the YouTube channel administrator doesn't allow embedding for their videos, so please watch the movie directly on YouTube here.

Enjoy! I'll have more holiday-themed stuff for you next week.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Classic Christmas TV Commercials 2023 Edition

 

Today's post will be lean and mean, as my free time is increasingly less free the closer we get to Christmas Day.

Here, I offer some Christmas commercials of the past, with less commentary than I usually give. Enjoy these holiday-themed shills for Woolworth's, Ponderosa, Seafood Shanty seafood restaurants, and more!

Thanks!