Ace of Wands (TV series)

Last updated

Ace of Wands
AceofWandsTitleCard.jpeg
Genre
Created by Trevor Preston
Directed by
  • Pamela Lonsdale
  • John Russell
StarringMichael MacKenzie
Theme music composer Andy Bown
Opening theme"Tarot"
Ending theme"Tarot"
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series3
No. of episodes46 (26 missing)
Production
Running timec. 25 mins
Original release
Network ITV
Release29 July 1970 (1970-07-29) 
29 November 1972 (1972-11-29)

Ace of Wands is a British fantasy children's television show broadcast on ITV between 1970 and 1972. Created by Trevor Preston and Pamela Lonsdale and produced by Thames Television, the series starred Michael MacKenzie as Tarot. It ran for two seasons of thirteen episodes, and a third season of twenty.

Contents

Premise

The title, taken from the name of a tarot card, describes the principal character, called Tarot (played by Michael MacKenzie), who combined stage magic with real supernatural powers and fought various evildoers. Tarot owned a pet owl named Ozymandias played by Fred Owl. [1]

Plot

In the first two series, Tarot is assisted by Sam Maxstead (Tony Selby), a reformed convict, and by the orphan Lillian "Lulli" Palmer (Judy Loe). Lulli shares a telepathic link with Tarot, which enables them to communicate over great distances. After having to leave the programme because of prior commitments, in the final series, this pair were replaced by brother and sister Chas (Roy Holder), a photographer, and Mikki (Petra Markham), a journalist, who had similar roles in the series. She also shared a telepathic link with Tarot. A character named Mr Sweet (Donald Layne-Smith) who runs an antiquarian bookshop often has the answer to Tarot's questions. Sweet is based in a university for the last series.

Cast

Episodes

Missing episodes

The first two series of the show have been wiped. The final series is intact and available on DVD. Variable quality audio recordings of nine episodes of Series Two are available here on YouTube.

Series 1 (29 July–21 October 1970)

"One and One and One are Four"

3 episodes. Tarot is on the trail of a cure for paralysis. In the wrong hands, those of Madame Midnight (Hildegarde Neil) and accomplice Teddy Talk (Michael Standing), it is a formidable weapon. With Frederick Peisley as Prof Ekdorf, David Prowse as Kal, Tony Caunter as Six, Daphne Heard as Ma Epps, Bruce Boa as Mr. America and Jan Conrad as Mr. Russia.

"The Mind Robbers"

4 episodes. Old adversary Senor Zandor (Vernon Dobtcheff) has kidnapped two government ministers. Tarot traces them to a mysterious house where he meets Fat Boy (Michael Wynne) and strange creatures. With Sheelah Wilcox as Miss Jelicoe, Geoffrey Lumsden as Sir William, Terry Walsh as Castor and Alan Chuntz as Pollux.

"Now You See It, Now You Don't"

2 episodes. A bank robbery leads to a villain with delusions of grandeur in a houseboat filled with computers and Nazis. With Christopher Benjamin as Falk, Kevin Stoney as a bank Manager, Tim Curry as a cashier, Ray Barron as Macready, Alan Tucker as Gaston and Billy Cornelius as a Guard.

"The Smile"

4 episodes. Master art thief Tun-Ju (Willoughby Goddard) and accomplice Mrs Kite (Dorothy Reynolds) plan to steal the Mona Lisa. Featuring John Barron as Bartlett Bonnington, Reg Lye as Digger Farmer, Patrick McAlinney as Sir Patrick Landau, Diana King as Lady Landau and Tom Gan as a Japanese bodyguard

Series 2 (21 July–13 October 1971)

"Seven Serpents, Sulphur and Salt"

3 episodes. Mr Stabs (Russell Hunter), an evil magician, plans with the help of Polandi (Harriet Harper) and servant Luko (Ian Trigger) to steal the missing segment of the Secret Seven Serpents from Tarot. Featuring Jack Woolgar as Charlie Postle and Llewellyn Rees as Mr. Christopher.

"Joker"

3 episodes. Children have gone berserk. Tarot investigates, and meets the fiendish Uncle Harry (Dermot Tuohy) and his strange troupe of traveling entertainers. Featuring Carmen Munroe as The Queen, Roy Holder as The Jack, Walter Sparrow as the King, George Waring as the Headmaster, Sheila Raynor as the Headmistress and Lorna Heilbron as Miss Pascoe

"Nightmare Gas"

3 episodes. Thalia (Isobel Black) and her brother Dalbiac (Jonathan Newth) steal H23, a gas, which causes a deep sleep and vivid nightmares from which the victim dies of shock after 23 minutes. Featuring Laurence Carter as Dr Winthrop, Lewis Wilson as Police Sergeant and Alan Chuntz as Trooper

"The Eye of Ra"

4 episodes. Ceribraun (Oscar Quitak) sets out to steal a huge diamond called the Eye of Ra which it is claimed will turn people into chalk. Tarot traces him and is made prisoner of a talking computer who plans to use giant chess pieces to crush him to death. Featuring Edward Jewesbury as Mr Quince, Nicholas Smith as Fredericks, Charles Morgan as the Computer.

Series 3 (19 July–29 November 1972)

"The Meddlers"

3 episodes. New assistants Chas and Mikki live in a flat overlooking a street market which is under a curse. Involved in this is Mockers (Barry Lineham) the local prophet of doom. Also Paul Dawkins as Dove, Michael Standing as Spoon, Norma West as Chauffeuse and Stefan Kalipha as Drum.

"The Power of Atep"

4 episodes. Strange dreams after a meeting with medium John Pentacle (Sebastian Graham-Jones) leads Tarot and his companions to Egypt. Here, in Atep's tomb, they encounter a High Priest (Michael Mulcaster) and double, Quabel. With Michael Rose as a tramp, Joe Dunlop as Fergus Wilson.

"Peacock Pie"

3 episodes. Mr Peacock (Brian Wilde) has the irresistible power of suggestion: torn strips of paper can "become" bank notes and people do things they do not want to do. With Jenny McCracken as Young Mrs. MacFadyean, Dorothy Frere as Mrs Macfadyean, Valerie Van Ost as the Manager.

"Mama Doc"

3 episodes. When one of Mr Sweet's colleagues vanishes, Tarot traces him to a bizarre Doll's Hospital where Mama Doc (Pat Nye) and assistant Bobby (Michael Mundell) change people into dolls. With Robert Grange as Prof. Dorian, Wendy Hamilton as Posy Peagram, Ivor Roberts as Dr. MacDonald.

"Sisters Deadly"

3 episodes. Chas returns from a photo assignment with no memory of the assignment or that he robbed a village post office, which leads Tarot into a plot to kidnap a NATO Commander-in-Chief. With Henrietta Rudkin as Mathilda Edginton, Bartlett Mullins as Postmaster, Sylvia Coleridge as Letty Edgington, James Bree as the Major.

"The Beautiful People"

4 episodes. Two beautiful girls Dee (Susan Glanville) and Emm (Vivian Heilbron) refuse Mikki entrance to a small town fete, which leads Tarot into an investigation of extraterrestrials with strange powers. With Edward Hammond as Jay, Kathleen Sainsbury as Elderly Woman.

Production

Music

The theme song "Tarot", was written and performed by Andy Bown (now with Status Quo). It was available at the time as a single. [1]

Off-shoots

The character of Mr. Stabs, played by Russell Hunter, is defeated by Tarot in Series 2, returned, again played by Hunter, in a 1975 episode of the horror-themed children's anthology series Shadows in the episode "Dutch Schlitz's Shoes" (Series 1, episode 6). This episode was also written by Trevor Preston. The character returned once more, this time portrayed by David Jason in a 1984 prequel story for another children's anthology series Dramarama . This episode, simply entitled, "Mr. Stabs" was Series 2, episode 7 of the series and was again written by Preston.

Home media

A DVD of all existing episodes was released by Network UK in July 2007. It featured a new documentary in three parts by classic television enthusiasts and experts Andrew Pixley and Simon Coward.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Thomas (actor)</span> Canadian actor and comedian

David William Thomas is a Canadian actor, comedian and television writer, known for being one half of the duo Bob and Doug McKenzie with Rick Moranis. He appeared as Doug McKenzie on SCTV, for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award out of two nominations, and in the film Strange Brew (1983), which he also co-directed. As a duo, they made two albums, The Great White North and Strange Brew, the former gaining them a Grammy Award nomination and a Juno Award.

<i>Blank Check</i> (film) 1994 film by Rupert Wainwright

Blank Check is a 1994 American comedy film directed by Rupert Wainwright and starring Karen Duffy, Brian Bonsall, Miguel Ferrer, James Rebhorn, Tone Lōc, Jayne Atkinson and Michael Lerner. It was released on February 11, 1994, by Walt Disney Pictures. The film follows a boy who inherits a blank check and uses it to buy a house under an alter ego, but is soon being searched for by several members of the bank he cashed it under. Upon release, the film received negative reviews, but was a box office success grossing $39 million on a $13 million budget.

<i>Climax!</i> American anthology TV series

Climax! is an American television anthology series that aired on CBS from 1954 to 1958. The series was hosted by William Lundigan and later co-hosted by Mary Costa. It was one of the few CBS programs of that era to be broadcast in color, using the massive TK-40A color cameras pioneered and manufactured by RCA, and used primarily by CBS's rival network, NBC. Many of the episodes were performed and broadcast live, but, although the series was transmitted in color, only black-and-white kinescope copies of some episodes survive to the present day. The series finished at #22 in the Nielsen ratings for the 1955-1956 season and #26 for 1956-1957.

<i>Dramarama</i> (TV series) British TV series or programme

Dramarama is a British children's anthology series broadcast on ITV between 1983 and 1989. The series tended to feature single dramas with a science fiction, supernatural and occasionally satirical theme. It was created by Anna Home, then head of children's and youth programming at TVS; however, the dramas themselves were produced by a total of twelve ITV regional companies. Thus, each episode was in practice a one-off production with its own cast and crew, up to and including the executive producer.

<i>Shadows</i> (TV series) British TV series or programme

Shadows is a British supernatural television anthology series produced by Thames Television for ITV between 1975 and 1978. Extending over three series, it featured ghost and horror dramas for children.

<i>Kipps</i> Book by H. G. Wells

Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul is a novel by H. G. Wells, first published in 1905. It was reportedly Wells's own favourite among his works, and it has been adapted for stage, cinema and television productions, including the musical Half a Sixpence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Root Boy Slim</span> American musician (1944-1993)

Foster MacKenzie III, known professionally as Root Boy Slim, was an American musician and songwriter.

<i>Ace Ventura: Pet Detective</i> (TV series) Canadian animated series based on the film of the same name

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is an animated television series based on the film of the same name. The series was produced by Morgan Creek Productions, Funbag Animation Studios, Nelvana Limited, for the first two seasons and Odyssey Entertainment for the third and final season. It aired for two seasons from 1995 to 1997 on CBS. A third season and reruns of previous episodes aired on Nickelodeon from 1999 to 2000.

Roy Trevor Holder was an English film and television actor who appeared in various programmes including Ace of Wands, Z-Cars, Spearhead, the Doctor Who serial The Caves of Androzani. His first notable appearance on the screen was in the 1961 film Whistle Down the Wind and he then appeared in Franco Zeffirelli's The Taming of the Shrew (1967), and Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush (1967).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Ryan (actor)</span> English actor, author, action director and voice actor

Mark Ryan is an English actor, author, singer, and action director. He portrayed Mr. Gates in the Michael Bay/Starz production of the pirate show Black Sails, Nasir in the British TV series Robin of Sherwood, and is known for his work for the Transformers film franchise.

Michael Donovan is a Canadian voice actor and director.

Magical Emi, the Magic Star is a magical girl anime series by Studio Pierrot. It was simultaneously released as a manga by Kiyoko Arai. The third magical girl series created by Studio Pierrot, Magical Emi also appears in two feature-length OVAs, as well as the Adesugata Mahou no Sannin Musume and Majokko Club Yoningumi A-Kukan Kara no Alien X OVAs.

"Pete" is a two-part episode from the science fiction sitcom Red Dwarf's eighth series. Part I was first broadcast in the United States on 7 March 1999 and then on the British television channel BBC2 on 25 March 1999. The second part was broadcast the same day as the first part in the US and on 1 April for the British broadcast. The first part was written by Doug Naylor and the second was written between Naylor and Paul Alexander. Both parts were directed by Ed Bye. The two parts are often collectively cited as among the weakest examples of a Red Dwarf story in the show's history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ain't She Sweet</span> 1927 song written by Milton Ager and Jack Yellen

"Ain't She Sweet" is a song composed by Milton Ager, with lyrics by Jack Yellen. It was published in 1927 by Ager, Yellen & Bornstein, Inc. It became popular in the first half of the 20th century and typified the Roaring Twenties. Like "Happy Days Are Here Again" (1929), it became a Tin Pan Alley standard. Both Ager and Yellen were elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

<i>Ghost Squad</i> (TV series) British television series

Ghost Squad, known as G.S.5 for its third series, was a crime drama series that ran between 1961 and 1964, about an elite division of Scotland Yard. In each episode the Ghost Squad would investigate cases that fell outside the scope of normal police work. Despite the show and characters being fictional, an actual division did exist within the Metropolitan Police at the time.

Philip Charles MacKenzie is an American actor and television director. He is best known for his role as Donald Maltby on Brothers, and as Ted Nichols on Open House, which he worked on with his current wife, Alison La Placa.

"Under the Knife" is the twentieth episode of the television series Gotham. It premiered on FOX on April 20, 2015 and was written by John Stephens, and directed by TJ Scott. In this episode, Gordon and Bullock continue to track down The Ogre. Meanwhile, Bruce digs deeper into Wayne Enterprises' corrupt board and Nygma makes an unexpected move.

Only You (<i>Once Upon a Time</i>) 22nd episode of the 5th season of Once Upon a Time

"Only You" is the twenty-second episode of the fifth season of the American fantasy drama series Once Upon a Time and the first part of the show's fifth-season finale, which aired on May 15, 2016.

"Prisoners" is the sixteenth episode of the second season, and 38th episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The episode was written by executive producer Danny Cannon and directed by Scott White. It was first broadcast on March 28, 2016. In the episode, Gordon is sent to prison after being framed by Nygma into the murder of Theo Galavan and Carl Pinkney. Meanwhile, Cobblepot continues to bond with his father while his stepmother and step-siblings plan to kill him. This episode also has the fewest cast members as only Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, Robin Lord Taylor and Cory Michael Smith appear.

Trevor Preston (1938–2018) was a British screenwriter. He wrote the series Out and created the series Ace of Wands. He also wrote a 1976 TV movie adaptation of James and the Giant Peach. in 1981 he received the Bafta Television Writers' Award for the TV series Fox.

References

  1. 1 2 Williams, John, Ace of Wands (1970–72), BFI ScreenOnline, retrieved 22 February 2013