GAF View-Master

If you grew up in the 1960s or 1970s chances are either you or a close friend had a GAF View-Master. By today's standards, it might not be terribly exciting as you can not only see 3D images but experience 3D visualizations with VR headsets like the HTC Vive, Oculus, or even something as inexpensive as Google Cardboard. So when I was small I had one of these handheld View-Master viewers and looked at great mini-episodes of my favorite network TV shows, like Julia, Mod Squad, and even The Partridge Family. 

Then my parents bought me the View-Master Projector and I could share with friends my favorite TV shows or a host of other reels like the Florida Everglades.  The cool part of this was it was 3D!!  The downside to the concept was unless your parents were wealthy, your friends kept seeing the same reels over and over.

I still have quite a few of the reels, complete with tattered packaging. When Diahann Carroll passed away in 2019, I searched for a near vintage set of View-Master reels from her TV series Julia.  I vividly remember watching both Julia and The Doris Day Show when I was very small and wanted a trip down memory lane.

Sony TR-650

So, it's been ages since I posted anything to this blog. But I have been turning my house upside down searching for a gorgeous Sony TR-650 transistor radio. You say, how can a transistor radio be gorgeous? Well, just look at this radio - it is the IBM Selectric I of the transistor radio world.  Beautiful lines and that wonderful large central speaker.

What is killing me is that not only did I have a pristine TR-650, but it was also in the original box just like you see to the left of the image above.  It was complete - radio, leather case, earpiece, and instructions.  Now, of course, I located my other TR-650 with the smashed speaker grill.

And if you do not believe me as to the beauty of this unit - check out this video

IBM Selectric I

A sexy typewriter you say?  Yes, this is one perfectly designed typewriter in both form and function.  This typewriter and its ball type element revolutionized the 1960s office.  And if you do not believe me, talk to a secretary from the era and they will confirm.

Space Commander 200 TV Set and Clicker

Wow - here is the set and the clicker!

HERE IT IS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I lived in Illinois - I would have purchased this.  This is without doubt the finest looking stove EVER.

Rant!!

I haven't ranted about anything yet, so I figured it is time to rant about something.  As I sit here watching That Girl, I realize that there are only 2 more 9:30 PM episodes before the programming boneheads at MeTV move it to an early morning time slot.   I promised myself that I would not pop a cork and start attacking other programs in their evening lineup that could be shifted rather than That Girl.    Oh, and here is a representation of their general wisdom - why the hell do you run a commercial for That Girl during the show itself??  Of course I know when it is on - I am watching the show already!  Maybe if you ran the commercial during MTM you could pick up viewers.

What is the big deal about this program?  Well, it really is an amusing TV Show - Marlo Thomas is perfect in the role. Yes, yes being the daughter of Danny Thomas certainly opened the door for her to land the part. But, those connections could not keep the show on for five seasons - the public found the weekly antics of Ann Marie making her way as a young actress in NY funny.   Is That Girl the best sit-com from the 1960s? Probably not - but it is quite entertaining and was created from two writers from the Dick Van Dyke Show.  Are some episodes less than stellar? Sure, but no program - even those that garnered Emmy after Emmy - had clunkers (including MTM).

So, now I am going to go back to watching That Girl and giggle. I enjoy many other classic TV shows, but no one can make me laugh out loud like the adventures of Ann and Don.

Inside Zenith Space Commander Remote

An associate snapped this great image of the inside of my Space Commander 400 remote.