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''Magic Mansion'' is an American sitcom that broadcast on the AFRTS television network from January 8, 1965, until June 1, 1968.〔Cameron, David, Magic Mansion Revisited (Part I), Swapsale Magazine Online ()〕〔Internet Movie Database Magic Mansion (TV Series 1965–1967) - IMDb〕〔''Magic Mansion – New AFRTS Network show'', Ryukyuan Review, Naha, Okinawa, December 23, 1966 page 2〕 Its weekly programs were televised live before a studio audience.〔Cameron, David, Magic Mansion Revisited (Part II) Swapsale Magazine Online ()〕〔()〕 The sitcom was transitional for television because it was one of the last live non-variety show broadcasts and one of the first to use the new medium of videotape.〔Wilson, Jeremy, ''Television from Armed Forces'', Radio & Television News, 2nd Qtr. 1989 (reviews )〕〔(Flixster.com Production Data: ''Magic Mansion'' )〕 Air Force Staff Sergeants James Mortensen and David Castle created the show for family audiences in the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM).〔〔 It starred Warren Chaney, Harriett Zorich, Jerry Jacobson, Earle Klay, Dick Hancock and Vincent Rizutto.〔“Women in Uniform”, ''Family Magazine Section'', Stars and Stripes (newspaper), April 27, 1966, pages 9 – 12.〕〔( Creative Director ''(Warren Chaney Bio)'' )〕〔(Screened (AFRTS data entry) )〕 Sgt. Mortensen produced the sitcom, which was written and directed by US Army Captain (OF-2) Warren Chaney.〔Internet Movie Database ''(Magic Mansion Plot Summary and Cast Data)'' ("Magic Mansion" (1965) - Plot Summary )〕 The music for the show's theme song was written by Corporal Larry Edisen. A multiple-camera setup format employing three cameras and a studio audience was used during production.〔〔Internet Movie Database ''(The Magic Land of Allakazam)'' The Magic Land of Alakazam (TV Series 1960–1964) - IMDb〕 == Premise == The main setting for the show was the ''Magic Mansion'', a large rambling manor with unending rooms and secret passages. Although created independently of each other, Hollywood's ''Magic Castle'' had a similar themed premise of magic.〔Magic Castle (The World Famous Hollywood Magic Castle )〕 Unlike Disney's ''Haunted Mansion'' (which opened in 1969), ''Magic Mansion'' was absent of ghosts, goblins or other haunted visitors.〔Disney World's Haunted Mansion (The Haunted Mansion | Walt Disney World Resort )〕 However the show did display a comradship with fellow magicians making guest appearances as did London, England's ''The Magic Circle''. The program would frequently use time at the end of a broadcast to teach viewers a feat of magic or illusion.〔 The AFRTS created world for Magic Mansion was populated with magic, illusions, mystery and strange comedic characters as had been Paul Winchell's ventriloquist world in ''The Paul Winchell Show'' or Mark Wilson's magical kingdom in ''The Magic Land of Allakazam''.〔Skookdays ''(The Paul Winchell Show)'' (The Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Show : Old Memories )〕 The show’s lead known only as ''The Magician'' was portrayed by real-life magician/ventriloquist, Warren Chaney. Chaney worked with two ventriloquist dummies, ''Danny O’Kaye'' and ''Bedford Bulkley'', both of whom were treated as real children during the production. Feats of legerdemain and stage magic were prominent in the programs but as with the show's ventriloquism, served only as a backdrop for the sitcom’s plot lines and stories.〔〔〔Internet Movie Database'' (Magic Mansion)'' Magic Mansion (TV Series 1965–1967) - IMDb〕 Assisting the ''Magician'' was ''Harriett'' (Harriett Zorich), the ''Mansion’s'' chief organizer and scheduler〔 and ''Lounsberry the Clown'' (Jerry Jacobson and Dick Hancock in later episodes). ''Lounsberry'' was a bumbling slapstick jester based upon a combination of Barnum and Bailey's Emmett Kelly and comedian, Harpo Marx. Like Marx and Kelly, ''Lounsberry'' never spoke but worked in pantomime. ''Rathmore'' (Earle Klay), a seven-foot lumbering Frankenstein like creature was the chief ''Mansion'' servant. Unlike the original monster, ''Rathmore'' was kind, considerate and though often confused, had a sense of humor.〔(Cameron, David, The Mansion Closes, Swapsale Magazine Online )〕 Within months of each other, similar characters were introduced to American audiences half way around the globe as'' Herman Munster''〔Internet Movie Database (Herman Munster)Herman Munster (Character)〕〔The Munsters Last Show ()〕 and ''The Addams Family''.〔TV.com ''The Addams Family'' (TV.com )〕 The three shows, created independent of each other, had one factor in common. They lasted two seasons and closed within months of the other.〔〔〔Internet Movie Database (The Addams Family) IMDb - The Addams Family (TV Series 1964–1966)〕 ''Danny O’Kaye'' and ''Bedford Bulkley'', the two ventriloquist figures appearing on the programs were obviously dummies, but were portrayed as real. The series often used a small child resembling ''Danny'' or ''Bedford'' to provide on-camera mobility.〔 ''Danny'' was the wisecracking kid, forever causing trouble and disrespecting anyone in authority. ''Bedford'' (the other figurer) was the country bumpkin fool, never quite understanding and always shades dimmer than those around him. ''Wappy the Magic'' Genii (Vince Rizutto) was a recurring magic lamp genii who could never remember who wished for what much less grant the wishes correctly. Cast members'' (most often Chaney and Rizutto)'' frequently donned makeup and various costumes to portray different characters on the show. Chaney did portray one reoccurring character, ''Professor Zibazabazobitip'', a nutty scientist who’s very essence personified the stereotype of the absent-minded professor. ''Magic Mansion'' broadcast during the Vietnam war years when hundreds of thousands of US troops were stationed throughout the United States Pacific Command in order to support ongoing combat operations.〔 Military families were frequently stationed alongside their spouses in nearby countries like Okinawa, Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines, etc. Hence, there was a need for original family programming. Celebrities touring the military bases in the pacific would seldom hesitate to make an appearance on the show. Guests making special appearances included Bob Hope, Patti Page, Danny Kaye, Guy Mitchell and John Wayne. Well-known magician Tony Slydini and ventriloquist, Peter Rich appeared in several episodes performing their specialties for the ''Magic Mansion'' skits.〔〔Magic Mansion Storyline (Magic Mansion (TV Series 1965–1967) - IMDb )〕 The series was considered a trailblazer for the Armed Forces Radio and Television Services because of its reach beyond regular broadcast venues.〔〔(Internet Movie Database ''(Magic Mansion Facts and Trivia)'' )〕 As one of the last sitcoms to broadcast live and one of the first to transition to videotape, ''Magic Mansion'' also became one of the last shows to produce fifty broadcasts a year.〔''As Television Changed'', Swapsale Magazine (online), June 5, 1996 (TELEVISION )〕 Members of the cast dedicated to the entertainment of US military personnel and their families frequently entertained at military bases, organizations and clubs throughout Europe and Asia.〔 Skits from the broadcast were often recreated to the delight of children from military families stationed at overseas bases and outposts. Since the broadcasts were live, family audiences were invited. Chaney would perform prior to the broadcasts as a warm-up comedian for the audiences and following the show, would spend time with the families and children, thanking them for attending.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Magic Mansion」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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