Alias the Jester

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Alias the Jester
"Alias the Jester" title screen
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 Flag of the United Kingdom 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 November 13, 1985 – 1986
External links
IMDb profile

Alias the Jester was an animated series created by Cosgrove Hall Films, airing in 13 episodes on ITV starting on November 13th 1985. The show also aired during the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's (ABC) after school timeslot and is considered one of the Classic ABC shows.

Contents

[edit] Synopsis

The show followed the adventures of a time traveller by the name of Alias and his dog-like companion Boswell. After their malfunctioning ship got stuck in the Earth's magnetic pole, they crash-landed 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 called for it, Alias could instantly change back into his red uniform, which enabled him to fly, and presumably a degree of super strength, which he could use to face the various villains of the show. Each episode would inevitably end 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 believed 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 believed him to be the hero he had summoned.

[edit] Episode List

  1. Alias the Jester
  2. The Ring
  3. The Amazing Dancing Bear
  4. The Viking Airship
  5. Ready When you are, King Arthur!
  6. The Giant's Visit
  7. The Walking Island
  8. Monster of the Lake
  9. Magic Metal
  10. The Lost Ark
  11. Revenge of the Najjer
  12. Fiery Fred
  13. Amaranth and the Beast

[edit] Cast

[edit] Credits

Written by 
Brian Trueman
Music 
Keith Hopwood, Malcolm Rowe
Layout 
Chris Randall, Jean Flynn
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
Backgrounds 
Margaret Riley, Barbara Alcock, Diane Wren, Malcolm Turner
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
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

[edit] External links