Lord Emsworth
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Feb 21, 2020 16:56:46 GMT
I picked up the Network DVD of Ace of Wands off eBay the other day It's arrived I'll be watching episode one this very evening Watch this space I'm sure most of you remember Ace of Wands but, if not, here's a refresher... 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 title, taken from the name of a tarot card, describes the principal character, called "Tarot" (played by Michael MacKenzie), who combined stage magic with supernatural powers. Tarot has a pet Owl named Ozymandias, played by Fred Owl. The series was replaced by The Tomorrow People in 1973.
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Post by Charles Bronson on Feb 21, 2020 19:31:02 GMT
Yes I remember the Ace Of Wands series, but I don't recall the plot at all L. E. I bought a couple of Series that were broadcast for kids a few years back. I hope you enjoy it.
Charles.
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Lord Emsworth
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Feb 22, 2020 15:30:12 GMT
I watched The Meddlers last night I'd not seen this series since being a kid in the 70s when it was first broadcast. I was 10 at the time. I recall my sister, who is one year younger than me, and I loved this series and were genuinely freaked out by quite a few of them. Watching the The Meddlers it's easy to see why. The opening episode is quite menacing. The Meddlers was the first episode of Ace Of Wands’ third series - sadly the only series of the show left intact by ITV’s policy of erasing and reusing the then-expensive videotape. People who know more about this stuff than me suggest these were better episodes and that by series three the show was in relative decline.
The Meddlers introduces new characters to the show. Tarot's old accomplices Roy (Tony Selby) and Luli (Judy Loe) had moved on between series two and three. They were replaced by Petra Markham (Mikki) of Get Carter fame, and Roy Holder (Chas). Roy Holder is quintessentially early 70s.
Roy Holder as Chas Back to The Meddlers, the action all takes place in a street market. It looks like East London and there's some amazing location scenes. It looks really gritty and run down. Anyone know where it was filmed? In addition to Tarot and his two compadres, there's a prophet of doom street preacher with a mobile pulpit called Mockers, and three threatening street magicians led by the surly looking and scary Spoon.
Meanwhile strange things are happening at the market, is is a 100 year old curse or something more straightforward? Sadly the subsequent two episodes cannot maintain the level of threat and atmosphere of the first episode but it is still a very enjoyable watch.
Not surprisingly the effects and some of the continuity looks pretty basic by modern standards but it is easy to see why, for people of a certain age, there's still so much affection for this series. Amusingly, Tarot's owl Ozymandias gets his own credit in the cast list. He's played by Fred Owl. Another credit goes to Ali Bongo who advised on the magic in the show. The next story is called The Power Of Atep - looking forward to it
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Sparky
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Post by Sparky on Feb 25, 2020 10:34:33 GMT
Great Theme Tune by Andy Bown!
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Lord Emsworth
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Feb 27, 2020 10:55:04 GMT
Great Theme Tune by Andy Bown! An all time favourite of mine
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Lord Emsworth
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Feb 27, 2020 10:56:35 GMT
Trevor Preston wrote the lyrics - there's a bit which sounds like it's Tarot card he's a bananaman, it's only latterly I decided it must Tarot card he's a phenomenon, which makes a lot more sense however even that is completely wrong. I've pasted the lyrics below
Jet white dove Snow black snake Time has turned his face From the edge of mystery Where running is no race
Ageless night Careless day Fate reaches out a hand To touch the edge of destiny A story with no end
Tarot cards Tarot the diamond man Tarot guards Wherever he can Tarot cards Tarot the diamond man Tarot guards with mystic hands
Falcon sun Leopard moon Minds searching for tomorrow Take what you can from yesterday The rest beg - steal - or borrow
Iron roads Asphalt sky Windows made from water Son of secrets - mystery's child Ruler of eight quarters
Velvet roofs Tattooed streets Patterns made from words Laughter echoes in the dark Life hovers like a bird
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Lord Emsworth
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Feb 27, 2020 11:00:08 GMT
By the way, one other thing, the lines....
Falcon Sun Leopard Moon
Caused a bit of controversy back in the day.
It's a Wicca invocation and the Mary Whitehouse brigade complained that kids might be drawn to the occult.
Never did me any harm mind... All Hail Satan
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Sparky
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Post by Sparky on Feb 27, 2020 12:59:18 GMT
By the way, one other thing, the lines....
Falcon Sun Leopard Moon
Caused a bit of controversy back in the day.
It's a Wicca invocation and the Mary Whitehouse brigade complained that kids might be drawn to the occult.
Never did me any harm mind... All Hail Satan
My Brother and I never had the inclination to draw a 5 pointed pentangle on the floor, light candles and watch Jim'll Fix it....
Now really impress me Lord E and find a copy of the theme tune on a 45!
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Lord Emsworth
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Feb 27, 2020 14:58:50 GMT
My Brother and I never had the inclination to draw a 5 pointed pentangle on the floor, light candles and watch Jim'll Fix it.... Now really impress me Lord E and find a copy of the theme tune on a 45!
Yes indeed Sparky - it's pretty rare I do know someone who tracked one down Fortunately it is on a few compilations - so I have a copy that way Mine is on the wonderful Magpie comp
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Post by Sparky on Feb 29, 2020 7:42:45 GMT
Yes indeed Sparky - it's pretty rare I do know someone who tracked one down Fortunately it is on a few compilations - so I have a copy that way Mine is on the wonderful Magpie comp Oh my! I want to order a copy of this. Great find Lord E!
The track title "Things go better with Coke..." had me howling with laughter. In the 70s that would have conjoured up images of children playing in the hot sun drinking ice cold Coca-Cola. These days it conjours up images of kids stood in a toilet rolling up five pound notes and trying a different (and more expensive) coke....
How times change!
Seriously, the "Magpie" them I understood was the Spencer Davis Group - but always assumed it was Steve Winwood on vocals. Eddie Hardin' sounds a lot like Winwood.
Never realised that "CCS" (of Top of the Pops) was something to do with Alexis Corner.... amazing what you learn when you read the sleeve notes!
Going to have to try and get to a few more Record Fairs I think!
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