# What the hell was this kids cereal from the 70's called? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 22, 2002, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560 "2002-03-22T17:40:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MagicalSilverKey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@MagicalSilverKey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicalSilverKey)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/1 "2002-03-22T17:40:31Z")
I remember some goofy kids cereal back when I was a kid, in the late 70s that IIRC, was also a short lived Sat. morn cartoon. It was bunch of stupid clunky looking robots, the leader of which, looked like a giant vaccum cleaner to me, and was named, Cecil. I remember collecting stickers from the cereal boxes. What the heck was this stuff named? Does anyone else remember this cartoon robot gang and the cereal ?? ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/2 "2002-03-22T17:46:35Z")
I was hoping it would be Freakies or Grins & Smiles & Giggles & Laughs, two obscure 70s cereals I remember and ate. But alas, it’s not. ---
**Author:** ![MagicalSilverKey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@MagicalSilverKey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicalSilverKey)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/3 "2002-03-22T17:53:42Z")
While we are it, what was the General Mills Monster cereal that is now extinct…? They still make: FrankenBerry BooBerry (\< my favorite of the lot) Count Chocula there USED to be a werewolf one! What was it? ---
**Author:** ![Theobroma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@Theobroma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theobroma)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/4 "2002-03-22T17:57:56Z")
Song playing in head: We are the Freakies, We are the Freakies, and this is our Freakies Tree! We never miss a meal… 'Cause we love our cer-e-eeeel! (Anybody remember the rest of the words? Where’s **Fenris** when you need 'im? -Theobroma ---
**Author:** ![pluto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f08c70/32.png) [@pluto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pluto)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/5 "2002-03-22T17:59:34Z")
Slow day, **MSK**? This only triggered memories of Quisp and Quake for me, whose spokespersons were aliens, IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![Theobroma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@Theobroma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theobroma)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/6 "2002-03-22T18:00:56Z")
By the way, the werewolf was “Fruit Brute” IIRC. -Theobroma, who practically grew chocolate fangs from eating so much Count Chocula in the 70’s ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/7 "2002-03-22T18:09:08Z")
I wouldn’t (expletive deleted) know, 'cause the only (expletive deleted) cereal available in the HamletParents household was Cheerios or Wheaties. No (expletive deleted) sugar cereal for us. Nope. No way. While all the other (expletive deleted) kids at (expletive deleted) school had AlphaBits or Sugar Smacks, we sat down and had our bowl of Wheaties. Blah boring, (expletive deleted) Wheaties. [sub]Not that I’m bitter[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![LindyHopper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@LindyHopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LindyHopper)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/8 "2002-03-22T18:22:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MagicalSilverKey \* > \*\*While we are it, what was the General Mills Monster cereal that is now extinct…? > > They still make: > > FrankenBerry > BooBerry (\< my favorite of the lot) > Count Chocula > > there USED to be a werewolf one! What was it? \*\* Well, I don’t know about your OP, but as to monster cereals, there was also once one called “Yummy Mummy”. Fruit flavor with vanilla marshmallows. However, “Technically, Yummy Mummy was not classified as a “Monster Cereal” by General Mills.” So maybe this doesn’t count. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/9 "2002-03-22T18:23:05Z")
a snippett about the werewolf: [http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/3278/cereal-generalmills.html](http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/3278/cereal-generalmills.html) Fruit Brute Fruit Brute (1974) is a werewolf. He was discontinued in 1982. We understand that a Fruit Brute box shows up occasionally in Quentin Tarantino movies. It appeared in Pulp Fiction (a scene in which Vincent calls Lance on his cell phone, Lance is eating a bowl of Fruit Brute), and Reservoir Dogs. A more comprehensive list of cereals can be found at [http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/3278/cereal-index.html](http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/3278/cereal-index.html) I have no idea what the robot one was. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/10 "2002-03-22T18:34:04Z")
[http://www.awn.com/mag/issue4.06/4.06pages/storyclampett/storyclampett2.php3](http://www.awn.com/mag/issue4.06/4.06pages/storyclampett/storyclampett2.php3) Beany and Cecil may be the answer. The internet scares me sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/11 "2002-03-22T19:14:50Z")
King Vitamin! Have breakfast with the king, King Vitamin! With the sweet corn taste! And all the vitamins you need. Wait, not that one. ---
**Author:** ![MagicalSilverKey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@MagicalSilverKey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicalSilverKey)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/12 "2002-03-22T19:45:48Z")
Frute Brute! That’s the GM Monster one. Thanks, Theobroma & Nurse Carmen. I’m not sure about the “Beany & Cecil” cite name, but I will investigate, thanks. Stay away from Kaboom! It’s **evil clown** cereal!!! :::shudder::: Plus they don’t call it Kaboom! for nothin’! Flatulence follows consumption! ---
**Author:** ![Clucky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@Clucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clucky)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/13 "2002-03-22T20:00:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pluto \* > \*\*Slow day, **MSK**? > > This only triggered memories of Quisp and Quake for me, whose spokespersons were aliens, IIRC. \*\* Good, I’m not the only one who remembers that cereal. People look at me like I have vestigial wings when I mention Quisp. That was the best cereal ever to be discontinued. ---
**Author:** ![pluto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f08c70/32.png) [@pluto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pluto)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/14 "2002-03-22T20:02:33Z")
Other answers have danced around this but I think I’ve found the answer: It **is** _Grins & Smiles & Giggles & Laughs_, manufactured by Ralston. Cecil is the robot that makes the cereal. Check out this link from **NurseCarmen’s** post: [http://www.lavasurfer.com/cereal-ralston2.html](http://www.lavasurfer.com/cereal-ralston2.html) It has a description of the characters with graphics and everything. Cecil _does_ look like a vacuum cleaner. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/15 "2002-03-22T20:16:27Z")
Everyone probably knows this already, but it’s common practice for cereal companies to put out a tie-in to a popular fad/cartoon character/whatever, and then yank it once the sales go down. Anyone remember _Pac-Man_ cereal? ---
**Author:** ![MagicalSilverKey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@MagicalSilverKey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicalSilverKey)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/16 "2002-03-22T20:47:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pluto \* > \*\*Other answers have danced around this but I think I’ve found the answer: It **is** _Grins & Smiles & Giggles & Laughs_, manufactured by Ralston. Cecil is the robot that makes the cereal. Check out this link from **NurseCarmen’s** post: [http://www.lavasurfer.com/cereal-ralston2.html](http://www.lavasurfer.com/cereal-ralston2.html) It has a description of the characters with graphics and everything. Cecil _does_ look like a vacuum cleaner. \*\* Thanks Pluto. Although the pictures dont appear as I (vaguely) remember them, that MUST be the one. :eek: I used to love The Real Ghosbusters Cereal. They had some kick ass large 3d holograms on the boxes, 3 of which I still have stored away. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/17 "2002-03-22T21:40:46Z")
Beaten to it again, dang. I had a _Grins …_ lamp when I was a kid, the body in the shape of Cecil and the shade with the other characters on it. ---
**Author:** ![Cabbage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@Cabbage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabbage)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/18 "2002-03-22T22:47:19Z")
I believe my mom still has some magnets on her refrigerator that came from a box of _Grins & Smiles & Giggles & Laughs_.🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Elvis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@Elvis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elvis)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/19 "2002-03-22T22:52:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Clucky \* > \*\* > > Good, I’m not the only one who remembers that cereal. People look at me like I have vestigial wings when I mention Quisp. That was the best cereal ever to be discontinued. \*\* Quisp was reinstated or whatever for a little while recently. Imagine my surprise turning down the cereal aisle at the local Key Food to discover an entire disply of Quisp, at the discounted price of $2.99 a box! ---
**Author:** ![FalconFinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@FalconFinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FalconFinder)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560/20 "2002-03-22T22:57:23Z")
Ok, let’s see what I remember about the Freakies cereal song: Oh I wonder, I wonder, I wonder, who grew the Freakies tree? We love our Freakies cereal, oh darlin’ yes we do, we love our freakies cereal, cuz it’s good for me and you, oh I wonder, I wonder, I wonder, who grew the Freakies tree? Now, this is what I remember my sister singing and if I recall, she had to sing this for a spring recital. For some odd reason, her class did TV shows themes and songs from commericals one year. I could be WAY off… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-was-this-kids-cereal-from-the-70s-called/99560.md?page=2)