Mandrake the Magician (1954 TV Pilot)

Country:	USA / English

In 1954 there was made a 30 minutes unaired tv pilot in black and white, shot partly at the NBC’s studios in New York and partly on location in Bermuda. The tv pilot is based on Lee Falk's comic strip "Mandrake the Magician".

Plot

Mandrake (Coe Norton) has a gig at the Parakeet Club. His last illusion is the Vanishing Princess. Backstage when Narda (Lisa Howard) starts to crawl out of a box she’s kidnapped. When she’s missing Mandrake thinks she went back to the hotel. Then he gets a call from the kidnappers. He’s given an address and told to come alone.

Lothar (Woody Strode) goes most of the way with him. When he gets there he’s told by Mr.Brown that his group is looking for secret agent Edwards. He’s got some information they don’t want to get off Mordica Island. In the cellar is Edwards aide Wilson. Narda is also being held there.

Wilson won’t talk so Mandrake is told to hypnotize him into telling Edward’s location. He says a sub is coming to pick them up and he gives the location of the cave where they’ll be met. Mr.Brown doesn’t keep his word and tells Mandrake he and Narda are staying put.

Cast & Crew

Writing credits

• Joseph (Joe) Bates Smith

Director

• Will Jason

Producer

• Ellwood Walters

Cast

• Coe Norton as Mandrake
• Woody Strode as Lothar
• Lisa Howard as Princess Narda
• Robert Ellenstein as Wilson
• Carl Frank as Mr. Brown