Help identifying a British Children's TV series 1970s featuring timeslip, etc

[Muninman]

I am really hoping someone can help me to identify this series. This has defeated me for some time.

Here goes: a children's television drama series. Date between 1972-1976. Repeated at least once.

It featured some magical / timeslip element and involved a family. About the only thing I can recall in any detail is that at the very end of the final episode the children find a pendant or medal in a box of cornflakes to demonstrate that what happened was real. A kind of token.
I recall watching it twice with my mother, and on the second time anticipating the discovery in the cereal. My mum died in late 1976 so I can be very sure that it was first broadcast around 1974 or 1975 at the very latest. I also recall that it was relatively light-hearted. It might well have been either the BBC or ITY. ITV tended to come up with more modern and original dramas while the BBC focused on classic book adaptations at that time. Genome has not come up with the answer.

Most internet searches come up with the classics of Changes / Timeslip / Shadows / Tomorrow People. But all seem to be just outside the timeframe, longer and more serious.

Any help will be gratefully received.

[Muninman]

I had one more go at Genome and I think I have answered my own question - Man Dog (a six part serial featuring travellers from the future) and broadcast twice in January 1972 and June 1973. Can anyone please confirm? It seems to be largely forgotten and possibly scrubbed from the archives.

[uedcaribou]

I totally get how frustrating it can be to remember a show so vividly but not be able to track it down! Your description rings a bell, but like you, the big names like Timeslip and Tomorrow People don’t quite match up, especially with the lighter tone and the cereal box pendant part. I wonder if it could have been part of a one-off children’s series or even a special that didn’t get as much attention as the big classics.

Have you tried checking out any British TV nostalgia forums or Facebook groups? I’ve had some luck with similar searches for old shows through those. Sometimes, people who grew up in the same era have these collective memories that help put the pieces together. It might also be worth looking at old ITV or BBC schedules around that time in TV archives—occasionally you find gems that slipped under the radar. I hope you get to the bottom of it; I know how satisfying it is when you finally find that long-lost show!

[Muninman]

I totally get how frustrating it can be to remember a show so vividly but not be able to track it down! Your description rings a bell, but like you, the big names like Timeslip and Tomorrow People don’t quite match up, especially with the lighter tone and the cereal box pendant part. I wonder if it could have been part of a one-off children’s series or even a special that didn’t get as much attention as the big classics.

Have you tried checking out any British TV nostalgia forums or Facebook groups? I’ve had some luck with similar searches for old shows through those. Sometimes, people who grew up in the same era have these collective memories that help put the pieces together. It might also be worth looking at old ITV or BBC schedules around that time in TV archives—occasionally you find gems that slipped under the radar. I hope you get to the bottom of it; I know how satisfying it is when you finally find that long-lost show!

Many thanks for your response, Caribou. But if you read my second reply I am 99% sure I have found the programme I was searching for. That stated, it would be great if any forum users could confirm Man Dog (or Mandog) fits with my memories.

[dannyboy]

I've been trying to remember this for years on and off. The only thing I could remember was the cereal packet scene and that the bad guys were called the Galas. Google Mandog tv series in Wikipedia and I think you'll agree we've cracked it?
I remember a bit towards the end when the Galas were approaching with futuristic ray guns to kill off the humans only to disappear into thin air. I was about nine at the time and remember being frightened by it.
Thanks for solving it, now, where can we get a copy?

[Muninman]

Thanks for your response, Danny. You clearly recalled more than I did. It sounds like Mandog is the one we both recall. According to a few sources it has probably been scrubbed, but there is one short clip on YouTube.

[andrec]

The time period of Mandog would be right up my alley for watching children's TV programmes, yet I have absolutely no recollection of it at all. It could be that there was something on ITV that I watched instead, but from the plot synopsis sounds like something I would have enjoyed. Shame if it was wiped.

[dannyboy]

Thanks for your response, Danny. You clearly recalled more than I did. It sounds like Mandog is the one we both recall. According to a few sources it has probably been scrubbed, but there is one short clip on YouTube.

I also remember the cereal box had some sort of cut out mask on it. Many of the cereals in early 70s would have cut outs on them. Characters from Star Trek or Gerry Anderson series etc. Knights in armour were on Corn Flakes if I remember correctly. I guess they wouldn't appeal to the PlayStation generation of today.