"Blacke's Magic" (1986) TV series

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

John Llewellyn Moxey

Seasons:

1 | unknown

Release Date:

5 January 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A magician and his con-man father solve mysteries using a combination of sleight of hand and con games.

Plot Keywords:

Magic | Detective | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 1 nomination

Cast

R.J. Adams	...	Art Baer (3 episodes, 1986)
Hal Linden	...	Alexander Blacke (3 episodes, 1986)
Harry Morgan	...	Leonard Blacke (3 episodes, 1986)
Mark Shera	...	Lieutenant Ted Byrnes (2 episodes, 1986)

Runtime:

60 min (13 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "St. Elsewhere: Black's Magic (#4.22)" (1986)

more like a made-for-t.v. of "The Sting", than magic.

Enjoyable plots, but there was very little magic to see, which I thought was the main idea of the series. The main character, Alexander Blacke, was not as self-reliant nor as self-directed as was Anthony Dorian in "The Magician" series that had come before it. I also missed how the magician, using only his own wit and skills, solved the mystery/problem without much outside help as did Blacke seem to need from his carny father, let alone from many other characters in each episode. Hal Linden may not have been the best choice for this series, perhaps someone with a more bold personality, instead of Hal's lighthearted demeanor. Maybe it should have been called " Blacke's Acts ". Still, it was fun to watch.