Back in Time Today
The 1970s was a unique decade for children’s television, filled with imaginative and often bizarre programming. Some of these shows, while intended for young audiences, left a lasting impression of unease and curiosity. Whether it was the strange characters, eerie settings, or unconventional narratives, many of these series managed to both entertain and spook their viewers. Here’s a look back at 15 shows from the ’70s that creeped us out as kids.
1. Sigmund and the Sea Monsters
A slime-covered sea monster named Sigmund befriends two boys in a world where the ocean holds many secrets. Sigmund’s family wants to drag him back to the murky depths, creating an ongoing conflict. The puppet design was grotesque, with multiple eyes and a texture reminiscent of seaweed. The underwater scenes were filled with shadows and echoes, enhancing the creepy atmosphere. Sigmund’s innocent nature amidst his family’s hostility added a layer of complexity, making the show both intriguing and unsettling.
2. The Bugaloos
The Bugaloos were a rock band of humanoid insects living in a magical forest. Their music was their weapon against Benita Bizarre, a villainous diva obsessed with silencing their tunes. Benita’s outrageous outfits and exaggerated expressions made her a memorable antagonist. The Bugaloos, with their oversized wings and quirky instruments, appeared both enchanting and strange. The forest setting, with its towering flowers and peculiar landscapes, added to the surreal and creepy ambiance of the show.
3. Lidsville
Lidsville introduces us to a world where hats come to life, ruled by the wicked Horatio J. HooDoo. The hats, each with its own personality, added a whimsical charm, but the potential for turning hats into mindless servants was chilling. HooDoo’s booming laughter echoed throughout Lidsville, creating a sense of foreboding. The vibrant yet chaotic world felt like a surreal circus, with its whimsical charm often overshadowed by the underlying eerie presence of HooDoo and his schemes.
4. Land of the Lost
Trapped in a prehistoric dimension, a family encounters dinosaurs and the ominous Sleestak. These slow-moving, reptilian creatures were the stuff of nightmares, with their hissing sounds and glowing eyes. The mysterious pylons, emitting eerie lights and sounds, added an element of sci-fi intrigue. The show’s atmosphere was a blend of adventure and suspense, with the family’s struggle for survival against prehistoric threats. It was an exploration into a world where the ancient past met a strange, otherworldly future.
5. H.R. Pufnstuf
A young boy finds himself kidnapped by a talking boat and stranded on an island governed by H.R. Pufnstuf, a giant dragon. The villain, Witchiepoo, is determined to steal the boy’s magic flute. Her shrill laughter and bizarre antics were both humorous and terrifying. The island, filled with talking trees and unusual characters, had an unsettling dreamlike quality. The show’s vibrant colors and odd character designs made it feel like a kaleidoscope of chaos, leaving young viewers both entertained and slightly unsettled.
6. The New Zoo Revue
A giant rabbit, a blue elephant, and a pink hippo teach life lessons with an offbeat charm. The characters, while colorful and cheerful, had an uncanny lifelikeness that was unsettling. Their exaggerated expressions and forced cheerfulness created a vibe reminiscent of a cult indoctrination. The show delivered moral lessons in a setting that felt both familiar and surreal. The juxtaposition of friendly characters with an eerie atmosphere made for a unique viewing experience, blending education with a touch of the bizarre.
7. Electra Woman and Dyna Girl
Electra Woman and Dyna Girl fought crime in a world where villains were as colorful as they were creepy. Characters like the Spider Lady brought a mix of campiness and fear with their over-the-top costumes and maniacal plans. The show’s special effects were charmingly low-budget, adding to its quirky appeal. Despite its playful tone, the bizarre villains and cheesy backdrops created an atmosphere that was both entertaining and oddly unsettling, making it a unique entry in the superhero genre.
8. The Ghost Busters
In this precursor to the famous franchise, two detectives, aided by a gorilla, hunted ghosts in a slapstick manner. The show featured rubber-suited monsters and a laugh track that often highlighted the absurdity. The ghostly figures, while intended to be comical, often had an unsettling appearance. The setting, filled with cobwebs and flickering candles, provided a classic haunted ambiance. It was a comedic play on horror, mixing lighthearted antics with monsters that could easily haunt a child’s imagination.
9. Uncle Croc’s Block
Hosted by a cigar-chomping crocodile, Uncle Croc’s Block was a variety show like no other. The puppets were bizarre, with characters like Baby Bloop bringing an eerie, uncanny presence. The show’s segments were disjointed, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that was both fascinating and unsettling. Uncle Croc’s sarcastic humor and the show’s frantic energy made it a unique satire on children’s television. Despite its comedic intentions, the unsettling puppetry and chaotic structure left a lasting, eerie impression.
10. The Banana Splits Adventure Hour
The Banana Splits were a rock band of animal mascots, hosting a variety of whimsical segments. Their permanent smiles and over-the-top antics were both amusing and unsettling. The show’s skits, featuring costumed animals and live-action cartoons, created a psychedelic, dreamlike ambiance. The vibrant colors and eccentric characters made it feel like an animated amusement park. Although meant for fun, the exaggerated cheerfulness and surreal scenarios occasionally bordered on the creepy, turning laughter into bemused wonder.
11. Ark II
In a desolate future, Ark II traveled through a barren landscape, delivering hope and knowledge. The show featured a talking chimpanzee and a young crew navigating the eerie remnants of civilization. The post-apocalyptic setting, with its empty cities and silent roads, created a haunting atmosphere. Ark II combined educational themes with sci-fi elements, capturing the imagination while unsettling viewers with its stark vision of the future. The contrast between the hopeful mission and the desolate world made it uniquely memorable.
12. Space Academy
Space Academy took young viewers on a journey to a school among the stars. The robot Peepo, with its glowing eyes, was both endearing and unnerving. The academy’s sterile, futuristic design had a haunting beauty, with its vast spaces and artificial intelligence. The young cadets embarked on adventures that blended wonder with a touch of eeriness. The ambiance, filled with unknown possibilities and eerie quiet, provided a fascinating glimpse into a future where human curiosity met the mysteries of the cosmos.
13. Jason of Star Command
Jason of Star Command was a thrilling escapade through space, featuring daring adventures and peculiar antagonists. Dragos, the villain, with his demonic cyborg appearance, added a layer of dark intrigue. The rubber-suited aliens and imaginative, though low-budget, special effects created a campy yet captivating experience. It was a unique blend of science fiction and fantasy, where each episode promised new worlds and strange encounters. The series charmed with its adventurous spirit while keeping an undercurrent of suspense and mystery.
14. The Secrets of Isis
The Secrets of Isis followed a schoolteacher who discovered ancient Egyptian powers. Her transformation into a goddess was magical, with special effects that added an eerie charm. The show’s exploration of mythology and magic created a captivating mix of education and adventure. Each episode uncovered new secrets and mystical challenges, immersing viewers in an ancient world. The transformation scenes, with glowing effects and ethereal music, were enchanting yet slightly haunting, adding mystery and allure to the narrative.
15. Big John, Little John
Big John, Little John was a whimsical tale of transformation, where a man could randomly turn into a young boy. This body-swap premise was both humorous and bizarre, exploring the challenges of living between two identities. The comedic situations arising from the sudden changes brought levity, while the underlying theme of identity added depth. It was a quirky exploration of self-discovery, wrapped in a lighthearted narrative. The unpredictable transformations kept viewers guessing, blending humor with a touch of the surreal.