When Children's TV and Movies Crossed the Line into Nightmares

In recent times, particularly with success in series such as The Midnight Society, we've seen a growing concern among parents about content that might be too scary for young viewers. However, this fear is nothing new. The dark side of children's media has a long and sometimes harrowing history, especially in the 1970s.

Why Are Kids' Shows Scary?

Scary content for children is often a topic of debate. While the The Midnight Society series, featuring a group of kids telling spooky stories around a campfire, has quickly become a sensation, it isn't the first time the genre has delved into scary themes with children as the audience. Some episodes, like Monster House, are particularly harrowing, especially with the titular house and the return of Oz's Nome King and Queen Mambi, causing nightmares for many.

A Darker Decade: Scary TV Shows of the 1970s

The 1970s in the UK saw a trend of scare tactics in children's television, with shows airing at tea-time and leaving some parents and children equally unnerved. Let's take a look at some of these classic series:

1. Tomorrow's People (1973)

One of the long-running series, Tomorrow’s People, aired at around 1730hrs. Some episodes featured genuinely out-there content, including telepathy, telekinesis, and teleportation. Characters would get killed off and were all teens, adding a somber and eerie atmosphere to the show. Some episodes were truly frightening, with lasting impressions still resonating with viewers decades later.

2. Doctor Who (Tenth Doctor Era)

Even in the 1970s, the Doctor Who series, under Tom Baker's tenure, maintained a certain level of scariness. Episodes that followed the second doctor era are still fairly frightening, with themes of alien invasions and cosmic horror.

3. Children of the Stones (1977)

Children of the Stones aired at 1700hrs and struck a chord with many viewers, even today. The opening titles evoked a feeling of a classic horror film from the 1970s. My mother was genuinely scared during her viewing. Set in an idyllic British county village, the show had sinister undertones with choral chanting as the soundtrack, ancient stones that morphed into people and back to stones, disappearing kids, and characters that changed personality. Aliens were also a part of the series, creating a terrifying atmosphere during what would normally be a quiet and relaxed family tea-time. I had nightmares for weeks afterward.

4. Jigsaw (1979)

Another show to make a deep impression, Jigsaw featured the grotesque Nosybonk, a character that parents and children alike found unsettling. The show was primarily aimed at children but carried a grotesque theme that many found disturbing.

5. Worzel Gummidge (1979)

During this era, even beloved children's shows took on a darker tone. Worzel Gummidge, a character who regularly pulls off and swaps heads, was a fixture in Sunday tea-time children's television. Many found his antics disturbing, especially those aimed at a younger audience.

6. The Boy from Space (1980)

The Boy from Space introduced viewers to the haunting feeling of being followed. The Thin Man, the character, is a recurring figure that leaves a lasting impact on children who watched it.

7. Chocky (1984)

One of the more unique shows, Chocky featured an invisible alien friend. This concept was initially fascinating but quickly became a source of fear for many children and their parents.

8. The Tripods (1984)

The Tripods remains a frightening and influential series, even now. The concept of an oppressive alien occupation felt both eerie and relevant.

9. Moondial (1988)

Moondial, set in an interesting sci-fi context, saw a girl find a portal through time. However, the show’s suspenseful and mysterious nature contributed to its scariness.

10. Special Mention - Day of the Triffids and The Survivors

Two mid-70s early evening TV shows, Day of the Triffids and The Survivors, deserve a special mention. These shows were aimed at a younger audience but contained elements that were too frightening for many kids to handle, leaving some with long-lasting nightmares.

It is clear that the history of children's entertainment is filled with stories that can be both captivating and daunting. While the content designed to scare may have evolved over the decades, the underlying fear in storytelling remains a powerful tool. Today, we see a greater emphasis on creating child-friendly content, but a quick peek into the past reveals that some of the most beloved shows of the 1970s were also the most terrifying.