It's About Time And Then I Wrote Happy Birthday to You (1966–1967) Online

The series opens as astronauts, Mac (Frank Aletter) and Hector (Jack Mullaney) touch down near a prehistoric swamp. They quickly spot prehistoric peoples and a dinosaur and run back inside their space capsule. The catchy opening credits tell that the men flew through the barrier of time back into the prehistoric era. The men realize the incredible feat they have accomplished and set out to explore this mysterious land. They are surrounded and confronted by the cave people including Clon (very familiar tough guy/gangster thug character actor Mike Mazurki) and Boss (familiar TV character actor Cliff Norton). Mac and Hector are saved by the young Breer (Pat Cardi) whom they saved from a dinosaur earlier. They comically teach the cavemen how to shake hands. Breer introduces the astronauts to his parents Gronk (Joe E. Ross, "Car 54 Where Are You?", "The Phil Silvers Show") and Shag (Imogene Coca, "Your Show of Shows", Aunt Edna in "National Lampoon's Vacation"). They explain Breer was having to spend a day alone in the jungle, a custom to become a man. Hector explains that where they come from they have birthday parties. Breer's attractive blonde sister Mlor (Mary Grace) catches both astronaut's eye as she prepares roasted mastodon. Hector happily says, "I've never had that." When Hector lights a match he is accused of being an evil spirit and the astronauts are held prisoner in a cave. Shag and Mlor help them to escape by providing fur loincloths to appear as fellow cavemen. Cornered again by Clon and Boss, Shag talks them into trying the new custom of a birthday party and sparing the astronauts. Things go awry, however, when the cave people bring Breer a present. This is a fun, engaging, and comical episode. A fine entry into an absurd short series.

"It's About Time" (1966-67) was created by the late, great Sherwood Schwartz who gave us "Gilligan's Island" and "The Brady Bunch". The fantasy comedy ran for 26 episodes in the vein of his "Gilligan's Island" with this series also about travelers sent off course and stranded in a jungle setting with absurd plots. Being produced at the same time, "It's About Time" shares some of "Gilligan's" sets, props, and incident music. And it's little surprise that star Jack Mullaney has Gilligan-like goofy traits with sayings and actions that mimic him.

Joe E. Ross with his rough-around-the-edges looks and primitive sense of humor ("Oooo Oooo") was great casting as Gronk. Imogene Coca as Shag/Shad, however, seems a waste of her talents, although she is predictably good in any role. Mike Mazurki is another piece of great casting, and Cliff Norton also does a fine job with the caveman role.

I'm watching the series for the first time (as a 26-year-old) in chronological order, but understand how it can get repetitious after a few episodes. Yet, it's still startling to see the complete role reversal of having the cavemen travel to the 20th century near the end, in an attempt to save the short-lived series.

I've enjoyed the matte shots (albeit simplistic), conveying the viewer to the prehistoric era. Starting off, the series has some funny dialogue and situational comedy. It's silliness is part of its fun. If you allow the absurdity to be part of the enjoyment, it can be a fun series.