The Magic Land of Allakazam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Magic Land of Allakazam |
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Cast at the show premiere in October 1960.
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| Created by | Mark Wilson |
| Starring |
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| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of episodes | 98 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | |
| Picture format | NTSC |
| Original release | 1 October 1960 – 26 December 1964 |
The Magic Land of Allakazam was a popular television show about magic. It starred the American magician Mark Wilson. The show aired from 1960 to 1964. Many people believe it helped make magic a respected form of entertainment on TV.
Contents
The History of Allakazam
How the Show Started
The idea for The Magic Land of Allakazam began in Texas. Mark Wilson first created a local magic show in Dallas in 1955. This show became very popular. It then grew into other shows in cities like Houston and San Antonio.
Bringing Magic to National TV
With new video recording technology, Mark Wilson wanted to share magic with everyone. He worked with Alan Wakeling to create The Magic World of Allakazam. This was the first magic show ever recorded on videotape. It was also the first to be shown all across the country.
First Airing and Cast
The show first appeared on October 1, 1960. It was shown on the CBS network. Every Saturday morning, families could watch it for two years. Mark Wilson's wife, Nani Darnell, often helped him with the tricks. Their young son, Greg Wilson, also appeared on the show. A fun character named Rebo the Clown was played by Bev Bergeron. Other actors like Bob Towner and Chuck Burns played different characters too.
Show Format and Sponsors
The early shows were in black and white. Kellogg's Cereals helped pay for the show. Mark Wilson had special rules for his TV magic. He believed it was important for viewers to see exactly what the live audience saw. This meant no quick camera cuts during a trick. It made the magic feel more real and amazing.
The Land of Allakazam
The show also featured puppet stories. These stories took place in a magical place called the Land of Allakazam. The King was played by Bob Towner. His friend Perriwinkle was played by Chuck Barnes. They often faced off against the evil magician Evilo, also played by Bob Towner.
Moving Networks and Legacy
In 1962, The Magic Land of Allakazam moved to the ABC network. It continued to air every week without missing a single show. After 1965, the series was shown in many countries around the world. It was one of the most-watched shows on Saturday mornings. Many famous magicians today say that Mark Wilson's show inspired them when they were young.
Watching Allakazam Today
If you want to see the magic, some episodes are available. Mark Wilson has released the first 24 shows on DVD. These are grouped into six different sets. You can also find episodes from his later show, Magic Circus, from the 1970s.
