“AS SEEN ON TV: 70s BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL” at Oddball Films September 4, 2009

Event: “As Seen On TV: 70s Back To School Special”. Guest curator Pete Gowdy and Oddball Films present an evening of rare, weird and wonderful 1970s TV on 16mm, dredged from the massive Oddball film archive. An After-School Special, primetime, Saturday morning, documentary, cartoons and of course, commercials will all be represented- highlights include: “The Pinballs” with Kristy McNichol; “Is A Career in Radio or Television For You?”, a hilarious gem from 1971; several episodes of the Saturday morning “Hot Dog” shorts; plus 1970s commercials, promos, cartoons and much, much more.
Date: Friday, September 4, 2009 at 8:30PM
Venue: Oddball Films, 275 Capp Street, San Francisco 94110
Admission: $10.00 RSVP Only to: 415-558-8117 or [email protected]
Web: http://www.flarerecord.com/?p=306
"As Seen On TV”
70s Back To School Special

On Friday, September 4, Guest Curator Pete Gowdy and Oddball Films present a veritable orgy of 1970s television on 16mm. Although perhaps not the greatest decade in television history, for most of us growing up then it was a massive presence- primetime, Saturday morning cartoons, after school specials and re-runs. The Oddball Films archive is full of titles originally intended for transmission to the masses- most of it hasn’t seen the light of day (or the twilight of the rumpus room) for decades. Showtime is 8:30PM and admission is $10.00. Seating is limited so RSVP is preferred to: [email protected] or 415-558-8117.

Highlights Include:

“The Pinballs” (Color, 1977)
ABC After School Special starring 70s tomboy icon and Dynamite Magazine cover girl Kristy McNichol in a heartwarming tale of a tough-skinned foster kid who is bounced from home to home. Fresh from her success playing Buddy on the Family TV show, Kristy was just three years away from her peak in the teen sex comedy Little Darlings. Since the early 90s, she is firmly in the “where are they now” category. "Me an' Harvey and Thomas J., we're like pinballs. Somebody came along with a dime, put it in, pushed a button and out we came, ready or not. You don't see pinballs helping each other now do you? Because they can't, they're just things." Scores an 8 out of 10 stars on kristymcnichol.net.

“Kids For Sale” (Color, 1979)
Hard-hitting documentary on the commercial exploitation of children by television broadcasters and commercials. Produced by Action For Children’s Television, the group founded by Presidential Medal of Freedom winner Peggy Charren, the group some blame for the demise of locally produced children’s programming (no revenue) and the rise of Barney, the purple dinosaur travesty.

“Is A Career in Radio or Television For You?” (Color, 1971)
Hilarious career guide to the “glamorous” world of radio and television with lots of campy early 70s fashions and ‘fros and super funky music.

“Hot Dog: How They Make ???” (Color, 1971-2)
Saturday morning TV shorts where kids ask how something is made, make guesses, then get smart-alec answers from Woody Allen and Joanne Worley (Laugh-In), before it’s off to the factory for the real answer.
Three surprise episodes.

PLUS! Snippets and clips, show promos, Saturday morning cartoons, and those delightful 1970s commercials. BYOBFSS (Bring Your Own Bowl of Frosted Sugar Smacks).

Official Website: http://www.flarerecord.com/?p=306