PBS Identification, 1982

Funny how the littlest snippet of video can trigger a wave of childhood memories... Like this retro-electro PBS station identification, circa 1982...

Canadian Pulp and Paper Pavilion

This is one of my favorite pavilions!

The architecture of the Canadian Pulp and Paper pavilion was that of a groovy, stylized forest. There were 44 treetops, the tallest of which reached the height of an 8-storey building. A sculpture on the outside of the pavilion symbolized an unwinding roll of paper.

This pavilion was dedicated to one of Canada's richest natural resources: forests and their derived products.

There were 4 major exhibits in this pavilion. The first section used whimsical sound effects and animation to describe forest legends across the world. The second section included 2 unusual theatres, with walls that suggested huge unwinding rolls of paper. The third section described the Pulp and Paper Industry's impact on the Canadian Economy.

The final section, Lab 67, was presented as a science whiz show. Lively demonstrations dealt with the chemical aspect of paper production, including it's unlimited future uses. Visitors could also see French Canadian artisans creating paper by hand.

photos: (top) alamedainfo.com
(bottom) FOS productions

Madge the Manicurist

I grew up watching soap operas with my mom as a kid. Real gems, too, like Search for Tomorrow and Another World...

I also grew up with Madge the Manicurist.

Madge appeared in Palmolive commercials during these daytime shows. Working at the "Salon East Beauty Parlor", she would secretly soak her customer's hands in the famous green dishwashing liquid, while telling them about Palmolive dish soap for at home.

The customer was usually shocked to find out that their hands were actually soaking in that very same dishwashing liquid for their manicure. "You're soaking in it!" Madge would reveal slyly, followed up by "Palmolive softens hands while you do dishes", to soothe her customer's qualms...

Madge the Manicurist was created in 1966 by the Ted Bates Ad Agency, for the Colgate-Palmolive company. Jan Miner was the actress who portrayed Madge for almost 30 years, until 1992.

Jan Miner was constantly stopped in airports, Madge was known all across the world: in France her name was Françoise, the Germans called her Tilly, while the Finnish knew her as Marissa. International Palmolive commercials were never dubbed, Jan Miner actually read all the lines phonetically!

images: myspace.com and flickr.com

Video!

I'm very excited to be adding videos to my blog!

Check out the vintage TV dinner ad from 1970: "Just meat and potatoes... and good!"

I've also included the opening titles of the 1967 Avengers season, in glorious full color! This is possibly the coolest TV show theme, ever. Gotta love the way Emma Peel shoots off the champagne cork with a gun, only to later toss her hair aside with that same gun...

When appropriate, I'll be including videos in future posts...

image: plan59.com

The Netherlands Pavilion

The Netherlands pavilion's architecture contrasted strongly with the old-world charm associated with Holland. Located on Île Sainte-Hélène, the pavilion once stood where the Piknic Électronik is held today.

The roof and walls of the pavilion were suspended from an immense space frame that was made up of 35 miles of aluminum tubing and put together like a giant erector set. The result was a striking, futuristic structure, with a light, airy feel.

The pavilion's main focus was on the age-old battle between the Netherlands and the sea: it was the theme for three major exhibits.

The first exhibit was a huge model of the Zeeland Delta project, using 700 gallons of water to demonstrate the hydraulic complex that would provide the Netherlands with greater protection against the sea and increased fresh water supply. The second exhibit demonstrates the importance of the Rhine delta, using film to recreate the sensation of a ship sailing down the busy Rhine. The third exhibit featured a scale model of the Rotterdam, which was, in 1967, the world's busiest port.

Other displays covered topics such as the geography of the country, housing and urban planning (in one of the world's most densely populated areas), communications, culture and scientific achievements. There was a model of Amsterdam made of cork, and visitors could "call" the city's mayor (which was answered by a recorded message).

There was a section devoted to the arts, as well as a restaurant which served Dutch specialties.

photos: (top) expo67.ncf.ca

(bottom) FOS productions

"Les boîtes à gogo" Video

Michèle Richard in all her mod-girl glory, 1966.

I Love Lucy

I Love Lucy debuted on October 15, 1951.

A pioneer of the television situation comedy, I Love Lucy was the first to have a live studio audience.

From the beginning, millions were cast under the spell of the scheeming Lucy trying to forge her way into showbusiness. The chemistry between Lucy, her onscreen husband Ricky (played by real-life husband Desi Arnaz), and their best friends Fred and Ethel, is what made the show magic.

At first, CBS executives were worried that audiences wouldn't find Lucy's mixed marriage believable. They were also concerned about Desi Arnaz's heavy cuban accent. But Lucille Ball was adamant, and the executives finally agreed on the condition that Desi Arnaz or Ricky Ricardo's name not appear in the show's title. Desi Arnaz finally agreed to the title "I Love Lucy" the "I" being his inclusion.

Lucille Ball's mastery of physical comedy is key to the funniest scenes on the show: whether she was tipsy from an alcohol-based vitamin syrup or stuffing herself full of chocolate, the audience was left in stitches...

The show has been rerun ever since. For over 50 years it has been playing somewhere in the world.

I Love Lucy will forever remind me of my maternal grandmother who absolutely adores I Love Lucy...

image source unknown