CHARLIE'S ANGELS OPENING CREDITS

     My all-time favorite tv show from the 70s is hands down "Charlie's Angels".  This show caught my attention like no other, and I watched it faithfully up until the last Tanya Roberts episode.  Of course, you can't beat the original cast in Season One (Farrah, Kate, and Jaclyn), but I do love me some Cheryl Ladd, who did an amazing job in her own right.  I did give Shelley Hack and Tanya Roberts a chance, and didn't dislike them... but let's be real, some of the magic had dimmed by that point.

WATERLOO BY ABBA

     It just wouldn't be the 70s without ABBA, and in 1974 they burst onto the music scene with their massive debut hit, "Waterloo".  The song hit #1 in many countries, and became a top ten hit in the US.  "Waterloo" would eventually sell over 6 million copies, making it one of the most successful songs ever.  This is classic ABBA and the start of an amazing career and legacy by the European supergroup.  The song is also a definitive representation of Europop at its finest.  But then again, pretty much all of ABBA's songs are.

THE FILMS OF 1970

KLUTE

   

   
     A care-free call girl named Bree Daniels (Jane Fonda) seems to be the only connection to a strange case of a missing man.  Small-town detective John Klute is assigned the case, as he is a personal friend of the  man.  He is a mixture of lone cop and private eye- as he has been hired privately by the family.  His trail leads him to New York City's seedy underground world of high class hookers, pimps, and drug addicts.  Which is where he meets Bree. Knowing full well that she will probably refuse to help, Klute taps Bree's phone to gather evidence to blackmail her into helping him.  But he soons discovers that Bree has been getting terrifying phone calls from an obviously disturbed man, and this person maybe connected to the disappearance of his friend.

       Alan J. Pakula created one of the most memorable films of the 70s with "Klute". It's a nifty suspense thriller with stunning acting and character study.  Sutherland is quietly haunting as Detective Klute, and equally holds his own against the unbelievable Fonda.  New York City itself becomes a huge character in "Klute", it adds grit and realism to the film.  "Klute" is a mystery that almost ventures into downright terror at times.  The scene where Fonda tries to seduce Klute and he quietly realizes a man is on the roof spying through the skylight is quite chilling.  Michael Small's utterly creepy score only adds to the suspense.  You can see this film being an obvious influence on Brian DePalma, especially in "Dressed To Kill".

      Jane Fonda delivers one of my favorite performances of her career as call-girl Bree. Fonda's performance is truly one to behold, and deserves to be seen.  Oddly, the film itself should have just been called "Bree", instead of "Klute".  Fonda simply owns this movie.  It's a wonderfully nuanced performance, and that's no offense intended towards Donald Sutherland.  He is sensational as he always is and perfectly compliments Jane.  But this is Fonda's movie, plain and simple.

     This is an intensely atmospheric film that shows us the true grit and grime that  resides in the city that never sleeps.  It's truly original too.  It presents itself as many things- besides the suspense and mystery, there is a love story.  It's also a very intelligent character study, and a very well-made film to boot.  "Klute" is easily one of the best films to come out of the decade.  As an added bonus, Fonda's hairstyle became one of the most copied hairstyles of the 70s- second only to Farrah's classic do.

     "Klute" is ranked #531 on the list of 1001 FILMS YOU MUST SEE BEFORE YOU DIE.

SUMMER BREEZE by SEALS AND CROFTS

     It's just not summertime without hearing Seals and Crofts mega-hit from 1972, "Summer Breeze".  This song instantly evokes a lazy, hazy summer day in the 70s- you can feel and even smell the 70s with this song.  This is classic mellow 70s pop.  AM gold at its finest!

   

RIP DONNA SUMMER

     Wow... talk about timing.  For the past month I've been in a huge Donna Summer mood- and now she's suddenly gone.  I'm speechless.  So here's another gem from the divine Miss Summer, hands down the eternal Queen of Disco.

LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY BY DONNA SUMMER

     Disco legend Donna Summer started her amazing and influential career in August of 1975 with the release of her first single, "Love To Love You Baby".  The song became an instant smash in the clubs, especially the gay clubs.  The single would be certified gold, and was one of the first singles to help popularize the new 12" format. It would be the first of many disco smashes from Donna, and it perfectly captures the essence of the 70s in all their glory.