It’s About Time (CBS 1966-1967, Frank Aletter, Jack Mullaney)

It’s also about a theme song that more people remember than the actual show it came from. But back in the 60’s, It’s About Time was indeed a series. It featured Captain Glenn McDivitt (a.k.a. Mac) and Hector as two astronauts who broke through the time barrier and landed in a prehistoric world.

In this paleontologist’s paradise, the two spacemen met and befriended a Stone Age family: Shad, Gronk, and their children, Breer and Mlor, who welcomed the astronauts with open arms. But not everyone was as friendly. There was also Boss, the hostile leader of the cave people, as well as his wife, the aptly named Mrs. Boss, and his henchman Clon.

Halfway through the season, Mac and Hector brought the family back with them to modern day New York, and the focus of the show shifted to Shad and co. as they adjusted to 20th century urban life. That little switcheroo gimmick had been used in the movies many times before (and would be used again in Crocodile Dundee and others), but it was a novel approach to a weekly TV series. Another mid-season change was the addition of General Morley as Mac and Hector’s commanding officer.

Despite the clever set-up, It’s About Time only lasted a single season on CBS’ prime time schedule. But even more than three decades later, there are still 60’s kids who can’t get that catchy theme tune out of their heads.

theme song
“It’s about time, it’s about space,
About two men in the strangest place.”
“It’s about two astronauts, it’s about their fate,
It’s about a woman and her prehistoric mate.”

production details
USA / CBS – Redwood – Gladasaya – United Artists / 26×25 minute episodes / Broadcast 11 September 1966 – 27 August 1967

Creator: Scherwood Schwartz

cast
Frank Aletter as Mac MacKenzie
Jack Mullaney as Hector Canfield
Joe E. Ross as Gronk
Imogene Coca as Shad
Mary Grace as Mlor
Pat Cardi as Breer
Cliff Norton as Cave Boss
Mike Mazurki as Clon
Kathleen Freeman as Mrs. Boss
Frank Wilcox as General Morley
Alan DeWitt as Howard Tyler
Jan Arvan as Dr. Hamilton