UK, 15 September 1956-20 April 1957
1 series, 30 episodes, average 24m each
35mm film, black and white [episodes 1-15], colour [episodes 16-30], 4:3
mono, English
A British fantasy television series.
Premise
The continuing adventures of Sir Lancelot and other members of the court of Camelot, including King Arthur and Merlin the magician.
Credits
Regular Crew
Sapphire Films for ITC
Executive Producer: Hannah Weinstein
Producers: Sidney Cole, Dallas Bower, Bernard Knowles
Music: Edwin Astley
Studio: Nettleford Studios
Regular Cast
William Russell (Sir Lancelot)
Bruce Seton (King Arthur)
Jane Hylton (Guinevere)
Cyril Smith (Merlin)
Robert Scroggins (Brian)
Episodes
The Knight with the Red Plume (15 September 1956)
Directed by: Ralph Smart
Written by: Leslie Poynton, Ralph Smart
Guest Cast: Brian Worth (Sir Kay); Andrew Crawford (Sir Gervaine); Peter Bennett (Leonides)
The Ferocious Fathers (22 September 1956)
Directed by: Ralph Smart
Written by: Leighton Reynolds
Guest Cast: Ballard Berkley (Sir Ugan); Norah Gorsen (Helen)
The Queen’s Knight (29 September 1956)
Directed by: Ralph Smart
Written by: Leslie Poynton
Guest Cast: Brian Worth (Sir Mordred); Edwin Richfield (Sir Tor); John Dearth (King Pell)
The Outcast (6 October 1956)
Directed by: Bernard Knowles
Written by: Leslie Poynton
Guest Cast: Patrick McGoohan (Sir Glavin); David Morrell (Sir Kay); Simone McQueen (Mary)
Winged Victory (13 October 1956)
Directed by: Arthur Crabtree
Written by: John Ridgely
Guest Cast: Nigel Greene (King Mark); Douglas Argent (Prince Boudwin); Mary Wood (Queen Isoult)
Sir Bliant (20 October 1956)
Directed by: Bernard Knowles
Written by: John Ridgely
Guest Cast: Frederick Treves (Sir Rolf); Derry Nesbitt (Breuse)
The Pirates (27 October 1956)
Directed by: Bernard Knowles
Written by: Leslie Poynton
Guest Cast: Noell Purcell (Llian); Paul Williamson (Sir Lionel); Derry Nesbitt (Mac Kevin)
The Magic Sword (3 November 1956)
Directed by: Arthur Crabtree
Written by: Leighton Reynolds
Guest Cast: Eddie Malin (Father Till); John Cazabon (Father Telford); Norman Mitchell (Telmah)
Lancelot’s Banishment (10 November 1956)
Directed by: Anthony Squire
Written by: Peggy Philips
Guest Cast: Derek Aylward (King Marhaus); Zena Walker (Lady Angela); Derry Nesbitt (Firth)
Roman Wall (17 November 1956)
Directed by: Arthur Crabtree
Written by: Harold Kent
Guest Cast: Jennifer Jayne (Iolta); Gerald Cross (Trullus); Nigel Green (Probus)
Caledon (24 November 1956)
Directed by: Bernard Knowles
Written by: Leighton Reynolds
Guest Cast: Robert Scroggins (Brian); George Murcell (Jaggyd); Nigel Green (farmer); David Morell (Sir Kay)
Theft of Excalibur (1 December 1956)
Directed by: Bernard Knowles
Written by: H.H. Burns, Peggy Philips
Guest Cast: Robert Scroggins (Brian); Alfie Bass (Barny Brandygore); David Bough (Michael); Derry Nesbitt (Tristram)
The Black Castle (15 December 1956)
Directed by: Bernard Knowles
Written by: Leslie Poynton
Guest Cast: Peter Coke (Torwald); Douglas Argent (Trebizond); Michael Blakeman (Lorraine)
Shepherd’s War (22 December 1956)
Directed by: Bernard Knowles
Written by: Leslie Poynton
Guest Cast: Jennifer Jayne (Elsa); Derry Nesbitt (Chad); Meadows White (Adrian)
The Magic Book (29 December 1956)
Directed by: Arthur Crabtree
Written by: Leighton Reynolds
Guest Cast: Dan Cunningham (Sir Bernard); Nora Cheyney (Lydia); Douglas Argent (Sir Hugh); Edward Judd (soldier)
The Ruby of Radnor (5 January 1957)
Directed by: Laurence Huntington
Written by: H.H. Burns
Guest Cast: Colin Tapley (Everard); Edward Judd (Garth); Eric Corrie (Sir Robert)
The Lesser Breed (12 January 1957)
Directed by: Bernard Knowles
Written by: Peggy Philips
Guest Cast: Ann Stephens (Sella); Gerald Heinz (Eck); Wilfred Brambell (fisherman); Edward Judd (auctioneer)
Witches Brew (19 January 1957)
Directed by: Terry Bishop
Written by: Peggy Philips
Guest Cast: Leonard Sachs (King Rolf); Maxine Audley (Eunice); Richard Hearne (Hendrick); Edward Judd (soldier)
Sir Crustabread (26 January 1957)
Directed by: Bernard Knowles
Written by: Leslie Poynton
Guest Cast: Virginia Vernon (Lady Lynette); Hector Ross (Baron); Alan Edwards (Sir Grinamore)
Maid of Somerset (2 February 1957)
Directed by: Bernard Knowles
Written by: Selwyn Jepson
Guest Cast: Patricia Kneale (Ellen); Brian Derby (John); Duncan Lewis (King Meliot); Edward Judd (James)
Knight Errant (9 February 1957)
Directed by: Bernard Knowles
Written by: Peggy Philips, Selwyn Jepson
Guest Cast: Margaret Anderson (Helen); Hazel Penwarden (Bragwaine); Julian Somers (Kafan)
Double Identity (16 February 1957)
Written by: Harold Kent
Directed by: Laurence Huntington
Guest Cast: Howard Pays (Sir Richard/Sir Alfred); Diana Fairfax (Lady Margaret); John Bailey (Sir John); Edward Judd (priest)
The Lady Lilith (23 February 1957)
Directed by: Laurence Huntington
Written by: Leslie Poynton
Guest Cast: Shirley Cooklin (Lilith); Richard Leech (Sir Liones); Edward Judd (Sir Ivor)
The Bridge (2 March 1957)
Directed by: Peter Maxwell
Written by: Peter Key
Guest Cast: Derek Aylward (King Marhaus); Zena Walker (Lady Angela); Edward Judd (Sir Grint)
The Ugly Duckling (9 March 1957)
Directed by: George More O’Farrell
Written by: Leslie Poynton
Guest Cast: Carol Marsh (Sybil); Ian Whittaker (Gault); Edward Judd (Sir Christopher)
Knights Choice (16 March 1957)
Directed by: Peter Maxwell
Written by: Peggy Philips
Guest Cast: Alison Leggatt (Morgan Le Fay); Robert Hardy (Sir Rupert); Derek Waring (Balin)
The Missing Princess (23 March 1957)
Directed by: Desmond Davis
Written by: Leslie Poynton
Guest Cast: Mary Steele (Princess Anne); Linda Grey (Marta); John Horsley (Athelred)
The Mortaise Fair (6 April 1957)
Directed by: Laurence Huntington
Written by: Leslie Poynton
Guest Cast: William Franklyn (Baron Mortaise); Richard Hearne (Rajah); Martin Benson (Hassim); Edward Judd
The Thieves (13 April 1957)
Directed by: Bernard Knowles
Written by: H.H. Burns
Guest Cast: Colin Tapley (Lord Vanton); Edward Judd (King’s man); Jack Melford (Norrin)
The Prince of Limerick (20 April 1957)
Directed by: Laurence Huntington
Written by: Leslie Poynton
Guest Cast: Jerome Willis (prince); Thomas Duggan (Baron Wicklow); Lyne Furlong (princess)
References
Books
British Television An Illustrated Guide (2nd edition) p.54 – illustrated note
The ITV Encyclopedia of Adventure pp.36-41 – credits, episode guide, short article
