This was really a sixties product. Originally named Kellogg's Sugar Stars. First came out in 1966, and Huckleberry Hound first appeared on the box. In 1967, Huck introduced a Billy Goat character, in a TV commercial, as the new pitchman. The cereal was caramel flavored, and quite good! Sugar/Caramel Stars disappeared before 1968 ended. The commercial with Huck and Billy Goat first aired in Feb., 1967 on the "Mighty Heroes" cartoon show, among others on Saturday morning. 1967 was also the year that Kellogg's and Hanna-Barbera ended the cross-promotion after nine years. H-B characters were replaced by ones created by Kellogg's, such as Ogg the Caveman and the Smackin' Brothers.

From the Saturday morning cartoon vault, a later TV commercial for Sugar (Caramel) Stars with the Billy Goat. Box design changed to having a crescent moon pictured, holding a cereal bowl. This aired on the "Batman-Superman Adventure Hour" over CBS (10/12/68). No, Adam West (RIP) didn't voice the cartoon hero. It was Canadian actor Olan Soule, who also voiced Batman on the 1973 "Super Friends" series. After a short, unsuccessful career in soft-porn films, West did return to voice Batman in a newer series of Filmation cartoons in 1977, as did Burt Ward as Robin. Ward declined offers to voice Robin in the 1968 and 1973 series, and Casey Kasem was on hand to do those shows as Robin. West made a bigger comeback in voicing his own character in "Family Guy," as the not-so-transparent mayor of Quahog.

In 1969, Kellogg's (Caramel) Sugar Stars boxes (and others) had the offer of the Banana Splits Adventure Club for a quarter and two box tops. Front of box had a cartoon crescent moon instead of the Billy Goat. A year later, Kellogg's offered the Dick Dastardly Vulture Squadron kit. Each had message decoder, shoulder patch, pennant, poster, certificate, membership card and a booklet with games, puzzles, do-at-home projects, and a few pro-social reminders. ABC Television offered a similar kit in 1969, promoting its "Super Saturday" cartoon lineup, for half a buck. Low demand for membership kits prompted the network to end the promo in early 1970. "Super Saturday" kits are impossible to find, but "Banana Splits" and Vulture Squadron kits are on eBay...for a price.

For $200, eBay has a bizzare assortment of items relating to the Banana Splits Club membership kits of 1968-69. Along with the complete kit, negative proofs of cereal boxes for Frosted Flakes and Caramel Stars (crescent moon pictured), directly from the printer. Also, advertising for season two of "Banana Splits Adventure Hour" on NBC. The live-action (and controversial) "Danger Island" segment was replaced by a new cartoon, "Micro Ventures." The cartoon was a cross between "Fantastic Voyage" and "Land Of the Giants." "Danger Island" was criticized on how the jungle natives were made up and acted (buffoonish, a la Hanna-Barbera). 20 episodes made the series. Featured was Ronnie Troupe, who later played Polly on "My Three Sons."

From the Saturday morning cartoon vault, an earlier TV spot for Caramel Stars with the Billy Goat. Back of box had a cut-out mobile of the Solar System. This aired on "Secret Squirrel" over NBC (11/27/65). One of many James Bond parodies. Secret (Mel Blanc) and Morocco Mole (Paul Frees) took mission orders from a British chief (Frees). Filler cartoons were "Hillbilly Bears" and "Winsome Witch." Kellogg's sponsored entire show. Other ads for Cocoa Krispies, Sugar Smacks, Corn Flakes and Sugar Pops with different Hanna-Barbera characters. Network promos for "Walt Disney World of Color" and "Fireball XL5," a British marionette adventure show.

From the Saturday morning cartoon vault, Huckleberry Hound and the Billy Goat discover their box of Caramel Stars missing. Outside, a bear starts eating it, thinking it's honey. Huck lures the bear away from the cereal with real honey, but the box is already empty. Huck opens a safe and takes out another box of cereal. This aired on "Road Runner" over CBS (9/17/66). Other commercials for Kellogg's Froot Loops with Mel Blanc as Toucan Sam, who takes his diapered kids to a zoo. Also, M&M's candy, Oreo cookies by Nabisco and Barbie by Mattel. Network promos for "Beagles" cartoon plus "Tom & Jerry" and "Lost In Space." Ad Council PSA for President's Council on Mental (the R word). A small disabled boy is greeted by Lyndon Johnson. They join hands and start walking together.