Alias the Jester
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Alias the Jester | |
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| Format | Animated television series |
| Created by | Brian Cosgrove Mark Hall |
| Developed by | Cosgrove Hall Films |
| Starring | Richard Briers Jimmy Hibbert Myfanwy Talog Brian Trueman Brian Wilde |
| Opening theme | "Alias the Jester" by Keith Hopwood and Malcolm Rowe |
| Country of origin |  United Kingdom |
| Language(s) | English, Polish, and Spanish |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | John Hambley |
| Running time | 10 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | ITV, CBeebies, and V-Me |
| Original run | 13 November 1985 – 20 February 1986 |
Alias the Jester is an animated series created by Cosgrove Hall Films, airing in 13 episodes on ITV starting on November 13 1985. The show also aired during the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's (ABC) after school timeslot and is considered one of the Classic ABC shows.
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[edit] Synopsis
The show follows the adventures of a time traveller by the name of Alias and his dog-like companion Boswell. After their malfunctioning ship gets stuck in the Earth's magnetic pole, they crash-land in a Middle Age kingdom called Houghton Bottoms, ruled by the diminutive King Arthur and his Queen Edith. Taking up a secret identity of sorts as Alias the Jester, he gains employment at the court and befriends the bumbling court wizard Meredith. When the situation calls for it, Alias instantly changes back into his red uniform, which enables him to fly, and presumably a degree of super strength, which he can use to face the various villains of the show. Each episode inevitably ends with Arthur firing Alias and Meredith.
[edit] Characters
Alias the Jester - A "time traveller bold" as said in the title track. After crashing in the Middle Ages he gets a job as a jester for King Arthur. He also fights crime as the Red Knight, who the wizard Meredith believes he summoned. Alias is a stereotypical hero in many ways, possessing an urge to do what is right, however he also has a distinct but subtle sarcastic edge, which he sometimes uses in conversation, especially with Meredith. The feathers on his head appear to be part of his head rather than his suit as they are seen moving and could be the source of his flight.
Boswell - Alias' dog-like alien companion, apparently possessing a fairly high intellect as he is able to understand Alias and take orders. He is, however, only able to communicate with beeping and honking sounds, which presumably make up his language. Often he is among the first to sense danger.
Meredith - The bumbling but well-meaning court wizard of King Arthur. In an attempt to save the kingdom from its various enemies, he tried to summon a magical Red Knight. At that moment, completely coincidentally, Alias' ship crashed. From that point on, Meredith believes him to be the hero he had summoned.
[edit] Episode List
- Alias the Jester
- The Ring
- The Amazing Dancing Bear
- The Viking Airship
- Ready When You Are, King Arthur!
- The Giant's Visit
- The Walking Island
- Monster of the Lake
- Magic Metal
- The Lost Ark
- Revenge of the Najjer
- Fiery Fred
- Amaranth and the Beast
[edit] DVD release
The entire series was released on DVD in March 2006 alongside Avenger Penguins.
[edit] Voice cast
- Richard Briers - Alias
- Jimmy Hibbert - Boswell, Queen Edith, Sir Pinkly
- Myfanwy Talog - Princess Amaranth
- Brian Trueman - King Arthur, The Black Najjer
- Brian Wilde - Meredith
[edit] Credits
- Written by: Brian Trueman
- Music: Keith Hopwood, Malcolm Rowe
- Layout: Chris Randall, Jean Flynn, Stephen Thomas, Ted Pettengell
- Storylines: Tony Garth, Chris Randall
- Animation: Dan Whitworth, Denise Heywood, Andy Wilson, Phil McMylor, Meryl Edge, Stephen Thomas, Jean Flynn, Robert Newman, Phil Morris, Kay Widdowson, Janet Nunn, Arthur de Cloedt, George Jackson, Denise McAllister, Gary Owen, Clinton J. Priest, Margaret Riley
- Backgrounds: Margaret Riley, Barbara Alcock, Diane Wren, Malcolm Turner, Nick Pratt, Kevin Smith
- Special Effects: Roy Huckerby
- Painting: Lorraine Thomas, Judy Ringrose, Bev Phillips, Joan Storey, Yasodha Huckerby, Andrea Hancock, Jackie Mitchell, Lynn Hardie, Karen Brumell, Gloria Vassilou, Lesley Scott, Tony McAleese, Edmund Williams, Stephen Simpson, Sue Halliwell, Mark Povey, Andy Wilson, Simon White, Yasodha Gopal, Stephania Giani
- Camera: Frank Hardie, Wendy Hardie, Wendy Senior, Peter Kidd, Phil Atack, Mark Sutton
- Editing: Nigel Rutter, Nibs Senior, Zyggy Markiewicz, Jane Hicks, Stephen Perry, David Crompton
- Assistant Director: Jean Flynn
- Production Supervisor: Bob Burrows
- Executive Producer: John Hambley
- Produced by: Brian Cosgrove, Mark Hall
- Directed by: Chris Randall
- © Cosgrove Hall Productions MCMLXXXVI
