Between 1981 and 1984, the first network for kids (Nickelodeon) broadcast an unusual show called THE THIRD EYE.

The Third Eye was a anthology showcase of supernatural themed television shows from the UK and New Zealand – and scared the mess out of me during my single digit years. Images from UNDER THE MOUNTAIN – a mini-series about a pair of fraternal twins using psychic warfare to battle giant slug aliens – haunted me for many years (I was around five or six years old when I saw the series). It has only been a couple of years since the internet enabled me to figure out the television show that scarred me as a child. A couple of weeks ago, I discovered that several episodes of UNDER THE MOUNTAIN was available at Google Video – and I also just learned that a major motion picture version of UNDER THE MOUNTAIN (which was based on the book by Maurice Gee) is to begin production later this year.

I thought some fellow Mobians might enjoy the links below:

These are the television serials that made up the anthology:

UNDER THE MOUNTAIN (video)

CHILDREN OF THE STONES (video)

INTO THE LABYRINTH (video)

THE HAUNTING OF CASSIE PALMER (no video)

THE WITCHES AND THE GRINNYGOG (no video)

CHILDREN OF THE STONES is available on DVD (Region 2) and the INTO THE LABYRINTH was once available on PAL VHS. None of the other serials have ever been made available in a legitimate form.

Looking at a lot of these sites brought back a flood of early to mid '80s shows that Nickelodeon blasted into my head such as BANAMAN, COUNT DUCKULA, LIVEWIRE, KID COURT, & of course YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON TELEVISION.

Absolutely. The Third Eye was one of my favorite series (as it were) as a teen, and the random assemblage of serials, originating from different countries, and decades made trying to re-see them or even identify them correctly, a bit of a quest, up until a couple of years ago, when the web and various groups on it, came to fill in the gaps.

Children of the Stones is terrific, and still holds up, after all these years.

Under the Mountain is my personal fave. It's a shame that it's never seen a video or DVD release, as it's ambitious, highly original, and ends on a note that's not all peaches and cream. Some great music at times, as well. Fans of Doctor Who would particularly enjoy it, but sadly, I know of no British friends that have ever heard of it...

The others I haven't had the chance to re-watch, but would buy in a heartbeat.

I've picked up this habit myself (though I don't remember ever watching The Third Eye). Which is why I already own Children of the Stones. I've also picked up Timeslip (R1 edition) and Round the Twist (R4 edition), an Australian show (four series total) based on the stories of Paul Jennings. Ace of Wands is available (all the remaining elements at least), and I keep eyeballing it, but haven't made the plunge. I'm mulling Catweazle, too. I'll pick up A Box of Delights one of these days, though I still think the ending is a cop out.