Dateline: Events/Headlines – Week Of March 15, 1974 In News, Pop Culture, Tech, Celebrity, Sports, Entertainment & Fascinating Facts
In The News
President Nixon says he won’t step down, declaring that the Presidency had been weakened by the surrender of confidential White House tapes and documents. The President said that a resignation would weaken the office even further.
Special Watergate prosecutor Leon Jaworski subpoenas documents from President Nixon. It was the first subpoena by Jaworski’s office since July, when former special prosecutor Archibald Cox subpoenaed tapes of nine presidential conversations. Nixon refused to comply and had Cox fired.
Seven Arab nations lift the five-month old oil embargo against the United States, but Libya and Syria will continue the embargo. Also, OPEC says they will raise prices. The average price per barrel last year was $2.50 and this year, is expected to hit around $11.60.
Three die by bombs and two express trains are ambushed in a fresh wave of violence in Northern Ireland. The attacks followed an announcement by the Irish Republican Army that it was stepping up attacks against British security forces.
In London, Princess Anne and her husband, Mark Phillips, escape injury when a man pumped a number of bullets into their car as it was traveling to Buckingham Palace from Trafalgar Square. Both escaped injury. Princess Anne is the daughter of Queen Elizabeth II.
Julie Nixon Eisenhower says that President Nixon will hold more news conferences – perhaps as often as once a week. “It’s something he has always know he should do, because he’s very good on his feet, but he didn’t want to take the time” she said.
Fascinating Facts – March 15, 1974
At the urging of his family to get his mind off the disappearance of his son, Stephen Malenda of Mentor Ohio went fishing. Unfortunately, he hooked what turned out be his son. “I said, oh god, what have I got? Timmy? I pulled him up and saw his face. There was blood on it. I started hollering and screaming. I left the rod there and went to get help.” Timmy had been missing since January 25.
In Atlanta, 25 men, wearing dresses and wigs - hold up a store and leave in four waiting taxicabs. The men made off with sunglasses, panty hose, beverages and ice. The store clerk said one of them offered to sell him a picture of the Madonna and before leaving, wrote the clerk a check for $546.80. While giving the clerk a check, he said he would be the next president of the United States. Police found the men at the home of Ken Stephens and charged him with inciting to riot, creating turmoil, operating a dive, abusive language and carrying a pistol without a license. 19 others were rounded up and arrested at the same location.
Sports news – March 15, 1974
Washington Redskin Duane Thomas is free on bond after jumping on the hood of a car after seeing his wife and three children in it. Witnesses said Thomas pounded on the windshield with a baseball bat while riding on the hood as the motorist drove off. The driver abandoned the car and ran away. Thomas told the police he wanted the driver to let his wife and kids out of the car. The driver was not identified.
Race driver Peter Revson (36) is killed in a flaming crash during practice runs for the South African Grand Prix. Revson was an heir to the Revlon cosmetics fortune. His younger brother was killed in a racetrack accident in Denmark in 1967. The same year, he was injured in an accident and was quoted as saying - “I always drive with butterflies in my stomach.”
Prices at the Supermarket – March 15, 1974
At the mart - Planter’s Peanuts - 12oz can - .78 ... Kimbie Disposable Diapers 30 count Box - $1.54 ... Hi C drinks 46oz can - all flavors - .46 ... A jar of Ragu Spaghetti Sauce w/meat - .79
At the store - Levi’s 501’s for guys - $8.88 ... Levi’s Denim Bells for guys - $10.26 ... Levi’s Denim jackets for guys - $11.42 ...
Music news – March 15, 1974
Elvis Presley (39) gives his first concert in Memphis in 13 years. In a glittering white jumpsuit he told the audience - “Hello Memphis, it’s good to be home.”
The Grand Ole Opry is performed at the famed Ryman auditorium in Nashville for the last time. On hand in front of 4000 fans - President Nixon along with Roy Acuff and a slough of stars. The President played the piano and did a yo-yo act. From Nixon: “Your music does make America better - it is good for Americans to hear it. We come away better for having heard it.”
Stevie Wonder says he plans to move to Africa and work with charities helping underprivileged children, particularly the blind.
The Smothers Brothers launch their local Los Angeles comeback at the Troubadour, but their performance provoked nonstop heckling from a smashed customer, who refused to be silenced and who eventually took a swing at Ken Fritz, the Brothers’ manager. It was non-other than John Lennon, who also cut two women with thrown glass. Eventually, Lennon had been ejected from the club. During the evening, Lennon could be heard singing with the Smothers Brothers on “The Legend of John Henry” and threw-out one-liners, enough for Tom Smothers to remark – “this is sure a test.” Others tried to quiet Lennon including companion Harry Nilsson.
Entertainment/Hollywood/Celebrity news – March 15, 1974
31 members of a Hollywood TV film crew are killed when their chartered plane crashes into a mountain near Bishop, California. The crew was with the David Wolper Company and had just finished shooting an episode for his ABC-TV series “The Primal Man” ironically titled “The Struggle For Survival.”
Passing - Chet Huntley (62) famed NBC newscaster of abdominal cancer.
Passing - actor Edward Platt (58). Best known as the CONTROL chief on TV’s Get Smart. Found dead in his apartment in Santa Monica, CA of a heart attack.
Playing in Las Vegas –
Andy Williams, Lennon Sisters – Caesars
Bobby Gentry – Desert Inn
Sandler & Young – Flamingo
Milton Berle, Frank Sinatra Jr. – Frontier
Dean Martin – Grand
Liberace – Hilton
Burt Bacharach/Mike Curb Congregation – Riviera
Wayne Newton – Sands
Jerry Lewis and Mel Torme – Sahara
Cyd Charisse - Thunderbird
Best-selling books – March 15, 1974
“Burr” - Gore Vidal, “The First Deadly Sin” - Lawrence Sanders, “The Joy Of Sex” - Alex Comfort, “The Secret Life Of Plants” - Peter Tompkins.
Television news – March 15, 1974
Singer-compose Mac Davis will star in a weekly music-variety hour this summer on NBC.
First tabloid TV show is being proposed. “Flash!!!, is being developed by Planet Earth Productions a new company based at Samuel Goldwyn Studios. The series will star former news anchor Alex Dreir in a video version of tabloid papers such as the National Enquirer. Planet Earth says it has arranged for several tabloid newspapers to lend an assist. The half-hour pilot will be produced this spring.
Another Special, “There’s No Time For Love Charlie Brown” – On CBS-TV this week.
WLS-TV is one of the first Chicago TV stations transmitting from the new Sears Tower.
Top TV shows – March 15, 1974
The Waltons, All In The Family, Sanford And Son, Barnaby Jones, Sonny & Cher, Mannix, MASH, Hawaii Five-O, Ironside, Cannon, Kojak, The Six Million Dollar Man, Maude, Gunsmoke, Glen Campbell Special Pilot-Marriage Times Four, Happy Days, Mary Tyler Moore, Apple’s Way, Here’s Lucy.
Saturday Night Television listings/programs/TV guide – March 15, 1974
CBS - All In The Family, MASH, Mary Tyler Moore, Bob Newhart Show, Carol Burnett Show ... NBC - Pilots - Twice In A Lifetime, Night Games ... ABC - The Partridge Family, ABC Theater
NBC Pilots - each 90 minutes ... “Twice In A Lifetime” starring Ernest Borgnine, Arte Johnson and Della Reese. A Comedy about an ex-Navy cook who buys his own tugboat .... “Night Games” - Barry Newman, Henry Darrow and Stefanie Powers - Pilot for Petrocelli.
In syndication tonight - Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert - Ike & Tina Turner host.
Monday night television listings/programs/TV guide – March 15, 1974
CBS – Gunsmoke, Here’s Lucy, Salute to James Cagney
NBC – The Magician, NBC Monday Night at the Movies, Tonight Show
ABC – The Rookies, Movie, Wide World of Entertainment
PBS – Uncle Sam Requests The Pleasure Of
The Magician – A diabolical toy maker uses tries to use real bombs in his plane toys. The Rookies – Willie becomes ill after giving mouth-to-mouth to an ex-con.
American Film Institute Salute To James Cagney – Frank Sinatra hosts. Also appearing – Jack Lemmon, Doris Day, Frank Gorshin, Charlton Heston, Gov. Ronald Reagan, Cicely Tyson and John Wayne.
Top pop hit music singles(top-40) USA – March 15,1974
“Seasons In The Sun” - Terry Jacks, “Hooked On A Feeling” - Blue Suede, “Bennie And The Jets” - Elton John, “Boogie Down” - Eddie Kendricks, “Jet” - Paul McCartney & Wings, “Rock On” - David Essex, “Sunshine On My Shoulder” - John Denver, “Mockingbird” - Carly Simon & James Taylor, “Eres Tu (Touch The Wind)” - Mocedades, “Dark Lady” - Cher, “Come And Get Your Love” - Redbone, “Oh My My” - Ringo Starr, “The Lord’s Prayer” - Sister Janet Mead.
Top music albums – March 15, 1974
“The Way We Were” - Barbra Streisand, “Planet Waves’ - Bob Dylan, “Greatest Hits” - John Denver, “Court And Spark” - Joni Mitchell, “Tales From topographic Oceans” - Yes, “Hotcakes” - Carly Simon, “Tubular Bells” - Mike Oldfield, “Goodbye Yellowbrick Road’ - Elton John, “Band On The Run” - Paul McCartney & Wings, “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim” - Jim Croce.
Some top movies – March 15, 1974
The Exorcist - Ellen Burstyn, Jason Miller, Linda Blair
Magnum Force - Clint Eastwood ad Dirty Harry
Billy Two Hats - Gregory Peck, Desi Arnaz Jr.
Sleeper - Woody Allen, Diane Keaton
The Last Detail - Jack Nicholson
Man On A Swing - Cliff Robertson, Joel Gray.
Serpico
American Graffiti
Chariots of the Gods
Mame
Walking Tall
Blazing Saddles