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{{about|the children's television show|the Tarot card of the same name|Ace of Wands (Tarot card)}} {{about|the children's television show|the Tarot card of the same name|Ace of Wands (Tarot card)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox television {{Infobox television
| show_name = Ace of Wands | image = AceofWandsTitleCard.jpeg
| image = | caption =
| caption = | genre = {{Plainlist|
| genre = ], ], ] * ]
* ]
* ]
}}
| creator = ] | creator = ]
| director = ]<br />] | director = {{Plainlist|
* Pamela Lonsdale
* John Russell
}}
| developer = | developer =
| presenter = | presenter =
| starring = ] | starring = Michael MacKenzie
| voices = | voices =
| narrated = | narrated =
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| language = English | language = English
| num_series = 3 | num_series = 3
| num_episodes = 46 | num_episodes = 46 (26 ])
| list_episodes = | list_episodes =
| producer = | producer =
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| camera = | camera =
| runtime = c.&nbsp;25 mins | runtime = c.&nbsp;25 mins
| network = ] | network = ]
⚫ | first_aired = {{Start date|1970|07|29|df=yes}}
| picture_format =
| audio_format = mono | last_aired = {{End date|1972|11|29|df=yes}}
| first_run = | related =
⚫ | first_aired = {{Start date|1970|7|29|df=y}}
| last_aired = {{End date|1972|11|29|df=y}}
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
| related =
| website =
}} }}
'''''Ace of Wands''''' is a fantasy-based British ] show broadcast on ] between 1970 and 1972, created by ] and ] and produced by ]. The title, taken from the name of a ] card describes the principal character, called "Tarot" (played by ]) who combined stage magic with supernatural powers. Tarot has a pet Owl named ], played by Fred Owl.{{r|BFI}} The series was later replaced by ] in 1973. '''''Ace of Wands''''' is a British ] ] show broadcast on ] between 1970 and 1972. Created by ] and Pamela Lonsdale and produced by ], the series starred Michael MacKenzie as Tarot. It ran for two seasons of thirteen episodes, and a third season of twenty.


==Premise==
⚫ ''Ace of Wands'' ran for two seasons of thirteen episodes and a third season of twenty. Many, if not all, of the first 26 episodes are believed to have been ], although the final season is intact. In the first two series Tarot is assisted by Sam Maxstead (]), a reformed convict and Lillian Palmer known by her nickname, Lulli (]), an orphan. 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 (]), a photographer, and Mikki (]), a female journalist, who have very similar roles, she also sharing 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. Mr. Stabs, played by ], is defeated by ''Ace of Wands'''s lead ''Tarot'', yet returns, again played by Hunter, in an episode of the anthology series '']''. The character's final appearance was in '']'', this time portrayed by ]. However, the ''Dramarama'' story was a prequel to the previous ones.
The title, taken from the name of a ] card, describes the principal character, called Tarot (played by Michael MacKenzie), who combined ] with real supernatural powers and fought various evildoers. Tarot owned a pet owl named Ozymandias played by Fred Owl.{{r|BFI}}


==Plot==
⚫ A DVD of all existing episodes was released by Network UK in July 2007 and features a new documentary in 3 parts by Classic TV enthusiasts and experts Andrew Pixley and Simon Coward.
⚫ In the first two series, Tarot is assisted by Sam Maxstead, a reformed convict, and by the orphan Lillian "Lulli" Palmer. 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, a photographer, and Mikki, a journalist, who had similar roles in the series. She also shared a telepathic link with Tarot. A character named Mr Sweet who runs an antiquarian bookshop often has the answer to Tarot's questions. Sweet is based in a university for the last series.


==Cast==
⚫ The theme music, "Tarot" was written and performed by ] (now with ]). It was available at the time as a single.{{r|BFI}}<!-- The whole of the opening piece is available on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVwOjHow42M-->
* Michael MacKenzie as Tarot
* ] as Sam Maxstead
* ] as Lulli Palmer
* ] as Chas Diamond
* ] as Mikki Diamond


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


===Series one (29 July to 21 October 1970)=== ===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 (]) and accomplice Teddy Talk (]), it is a formidable weapon. With ] as Prof Ekdorf, ] as Kal, ] as Six, ] as Ma Epps, ] as Mr. America and Jan Conrad as Mr. Russia.


===="The Mind Robbers"====
⚫ * '''"One and One and One are Four"''' - 3 episodes. Tarot is on the trail of a cure for paralysis which in the wrong hands, those of Madame Midnight (]) and accomplice Teddy Talk (]), is a formidable weapon. Also - ] as Prof Ekdorf, ] as Kal, ] as Six, ] as Ma Epps, ] as Mr. America and Jan Conrad as Mr. Russia.
* '''"The Mind Robbers"''' - 4 episodes. Old adversary Senor Zandor (]) has kidnapped two Government ministers and Tarot traces them to a mysterious house where he meets Fat Boy (Michael Wynne) and some strange creatures. Also - Sheelah Wilcox as Miss Jelicoe, ] as Sir William, ] as Castor and Alan Chuntz as Pollux. 4 episodes. Old adversary Senor Zandor (]) 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, ] as Sir William, ] 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. ] as Falk, ] as Bank Manager, ] as a Cashier, ] as Macready, Alan Tucker as Gaston and Billy Cornelius as a Guard.
⚫ * '''"The Smile"''' - 4 episodes. Master art thief Tun-Ju (]) and accomplice Mrs Kite (]) plan to steal the Mona Lisa. Also - ] as Bartlett Bonnington, ] as Digger Farmer, ] as Sir Patrick Landau, ] as Lady Landau and Tom Gan as Japanese bodyguard


===Series two (21 July to 13 October 1971)=== ===="Now You See It, Now You Don't"====
⚫ 2 episodes. A bank robbery leads to a villain with delusions of grandeur in a ] filled with computers and Nazis. With ] as Falk, ] as a bank Manager, ] as a cashier, ] as Macready, Alan Tucker as Gaston and Billy Cornelius as a Guard.


===="The Smile"====
⚫ * '''"Seven Serpents, Sulphur and Salt"''' - 3 episodes. Mr Stabs (]), 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. Also - ] as Charlie Postle and ] as Mr. Christopher.
⚫ 4 episodes. Master art thief Tun-Ju (]) and accomplice Mrs Kite (]) plan to steal the ]. Featuring ] as Bartlett Bonnington, ] as Digger Farmer, ] as Sir Patrick Landau, ] as Lady Landau and Tom Gan as a Japanese bodyguard
⚫ * '''"Joker"''' - 3 episodes. Tarot investigates why children suddenly go ] and meets the fiendish Uncle Harry (Dermot Tuohy) and his strange troupe of travelling entertainers. Also - ] as The Queen, ] as The Jack, ] as The King, ] as The Headmaster, ] as The Headmistress and ] as Miss Pascoe
⚫ * '''"Nightmare Gas"''' - 3 episodes. Thalia (]) and brother Dalbiac (]) steal the deadly hallucinatory gas H23, a gas which causes a deep sleep and vivid nightmares from which the victim dies of shock after 23 minutes. Also - Laurence Carter as Dr Winthrop, Lewis Wilson as Police Sergeant and Alan Chuntz as Trooper
⚫ * '''"The Eye of Ra"''' - 4 episodes. Ceribraun (]) decides to steal a huge diamond called the Eye of Ra which it is claimed will turn people into chalk and tracing him, Tarot is prisoner of a talking computer who plans to use giant chess pieces to crush him to death. Also - ] as Mr Quince, ] as Fredericks, ] as the Computer.


===Series three (19 July to 29 November 1972)=== ===Series 2 (21 July–13 October 1971)===
===="Seven Serpents, Sulphur and Salt"====
⚫ 3 episodes. Mr Stabs (]), an evil magician, plans with the help of Polandi (Harriet Harper) and servant Luko (]) to steal the missing segment of the Secret Seven Serpents from Tarot. Featuring ] as Charlie Postle and ] as Mr. Christopher.


===="Joker"====
⚫ * '''"The Meddlers"''' - 3 episodes. New assistants Chas and Mikki live in a flat overlooking a street market which is under a curse and involved in this is Mockers (Barry Lineham) the local Prophet of Doom. Also - Paul Dawkins as Dove, ] as Spoon, ] as Chauffeuse and Stefan Kalipha as Drum.
⚫ 3 episodes. Children have gone ]. Tarot investigates, and meets the fiendish Uncle Harry (Dermot Tuohy) and his strange troupe of traveling entertainers. Featuring ] as The Queen, ] as The Jack, ] as the King, ] as the Headmaster, ] as the Headmistress and ] as Miss Pascoe
⚫ * '''"The Power of Atep"''' - 4 episodes. Strange dreams after a meeting with medium John Pentacle (Sebastian Graham-Jones) leads Tarot and companions to Egypt where in Atep's tomb he encounters a High Priest (Michael Mulcaster) and double, Quabel. Also - Michael Rose as a Tramp, Joe Dunlop as Fergus Wilson.

⚫ * '''"Peacock Pie"''' - 3 episodes. Mr Peacock (]) has the irresistible power of suggestion where torn strips of paper can become bank notes and people do things they do not want to do. Also - Jenny McCracken as Young Mrs. MacFadyean, Dorothy Frere as Mrs Macfadyean, ] as the Manageress.
===="Nightmare Gas"====
⚫ * '''"Mama Doc"''' - 3 episodes. When one of Mr Sweet's colleagues vanishes, Tarot traces him to a bizarre Doll's Hospital where Mama Doc (]) and assistant Bobby (Michael Mundell) change real people into dolls. Also - Robert Grange as Prof. Dorian, Wendy Hamilton as Posy Peagram, ] as Dr. MacDonald.
⚫ 3 episodes. Thalia (]) and her brother Dalbiac (]) 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
⚫ * '''"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. ] as Mathilda Edginton, ] as Postmaster, ] as Letty Edgington, ] as The Major.

⚫ * '''"The Beautiful People"''' - 4 episodes. Two beautiful girls Dee (Susan Glanville) and Emm (]) refuse Mikki entrance to a small town fete, which leads Tarot into an investigation of extraterrestrials with strange powers. Also - Edward Hammond as Jay, Kathleen Sainsbury as an Elderly Woman.
===="The Eye of Ra"====
⚫ 4 episodes. Ceribraun (]) sets out to steal a huge ] 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 ] as Mr Quince, ] as Fredericks, ] 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, ] as Spoon, ] as Chauffeuse and ] as Drum.

===="The Power of Atep"====
⚫ 4 episodes. Strange dreams after a meeting with medium John Pentacle (]) 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 (]) 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, ] 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 (]) and assistant Bobby (Michael Mundell) change people into dolls. With Robert Grange as Prof. Dorian, Wendy Hamilton as Posy Peagram, ] 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, ] as Postmaster, ] as Letty Edgington, ] as the Major.

===="The Beautiful People"====
⚫ 4 episodes. Two beautiful girls Dee (Susan Glanville) and Emm (]) 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 ] (now with ]). It was available at the time as a single.{{r|BFI}}<!-- The whole of the opening piece is available on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVwOjHow42M-->

==Off-shoots==
The character of Mr. Stabs, played by ], is defeated by Tarot in Series 2, returned, again played by Hunter, in a 1975 episode of the horror-themed children's anthology series '']'' 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 ] in a 1984 prequel story for another children's anthology series '']''. 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.


==References== ==References==
Line 79: Line 122:


==External links== ==External links==
⚫ * <nowiki>aceofwands.net</nowiki> is no longer valid
⚫ *
⚫ *
* {{IMDb title|0065269|Ace of Wands}} * {{IMDb title|0065269|Ace of Wands}}
⚫ * <nowiki>aceofwands.net</nowiki> is no longer valid
* {{tv.com show|ace-of-wands|Ace of Wands}}
⚫ *
*
⚫ *
*
* {{Screenonline TV title|id=1189004}}


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Latest revision as of 00:00, 5 August 2024

This article is about the children's television show. For the Tarot card of the same name, see Ace of Wands (Tarot card).

1970 British TV series or programme
Ace of Wands
Genre
Created byTrevor Preston
Directed by
  • Pamela Lonsdale
  • John Russell
StarringMichael MacKenzie
Theme music composerAndy 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
NetworkITV
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.

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.

Plot

In the first two series, Tarot is assisted by Sam Maxstead, a reformed convict, and by the orphan Lillian "Lulli" Palmer. 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, a photographer, and Mikki, a journalist, who had similar roles in the series. She also shared a telepathic link with Tarot. A character named Mr Sweet 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.

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.

References

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

External links

Categories: