Broadcast history
Two series were produced, the first airing from September 1972 to March 1973 and the second from September 1973 to March 1974. Although it was mainly aimed at children, it was shown in the Sunday teatime family timeslot and gained a wide audience, becoming popular enough to make the general Top 20 ratings. It was repeated regularly, although often on a regional basis, for many years, its last full repeat run being on Sunday mornings from 1986 to 1988 (a further repeat run was planned for the summer of 1990, but cancelled because of objections by
Equity after repeat fees had not been re-negotiated
[1]). Having been shown in several major US markets when it was initially produced, it also aired in the United States on
Nickelodeon in the 1980s. In July 2009,
Retro Television Network picked up all 104 episodes of
The Adventures of Black Beauty and
The New Adventures of Black Beauty, and affiliates began airing the show, listing both shows as simply
Black Beauty.
Plot
The series was not an adaptation of
the book by
Anna Sewell, but a "continuation" featuring new characters created by
Ted Willis, most prominently Dr James Gordon, played by
William Lucas, and his children Vicky, played by
Judi Bowker (who became Jenny, played by
Stacy Dorning, in the second series) and Kevin, played by Roderick Shaw (at the beginning of the
New Adventures it is mentioned that Kevin had gone to sea and become a
Midshipman). Supporting characters included Dr. Gordon's loyal housekeeper Amy Winthrop, played by
Charlotte Mitchell, and a local boy, Albert Clifton, portrayed by Tony Maiden. Other writers for the series included
David Butlerand
Richard Carpenter, while directors included
Charles Crichton and
Peter Duffell. The series, which was filmed mainly at Stockers Farm,
Rickmansworth,
Hertfordshire, was widely acclaimed for its high production values and quality of writing and acting, and at times had remarkable English gothic overtones for a children's series
Main cast
Dr. James Gordon –
William Lucas (52 episodes, 1972–1974)
Amy Winthrop –
Charlotte Mitchell (52 episodes, 1972–1974)
Kevin Gordon –
Roderick Shaw (51 episodes, 1972–1974)
Squire Armstrong –
Michael Culver (31 episodes, 1972–1974)
Vicky Gordon –
Judi Bowker (26 episodes, 1972–1973)
Jenny Gordon –
Stacy Dorning (25 episodes, 1973–1974)
Police Constable Dickins –
Kenneth Thornett (16 episodes, 1972–1974)
Albert Clifton –
Tony Maiden (14 episodes, 1972–1974)
Ned Lewis –
Stephen Garlick (11 episodes, 1973–1974)
