Series synopsis
The Secret City is an American kids family sci-fi & fantasy documentary television series that premiered on PBS on September 2, 1985. It ended on November 29, 1985. It stars Mark Kistler and Joel Gori.
The Secret City was a television program designed to teach children how to draw, starring Mark Kistler as as the fictional ‘Commander Mark’ who led viewers and in-studio club members through various drawing exercises in a sci-fi clubhouse setting full of fun, fantasy, and adventure.
While the show’s format essentially prioritizes instruction over narrative, ongoing ‘drama’ is created by the frequent addition of new key features to the emerging scenery of the giant Secret City mural. Often Speci ...
Premise
The Secret City was a television program designed to teach children how to draw, starring Mark Kistler as as the fictional ‘Commander Mark’ who led viewers and in-studio club members through various drawing exercises in a sci-fi clubhouse setting full of fun, fantasy, and adventure.
While the show’s format essentially prioritizes instruction over narrative, ongoing ‘drama’ is created by the frequent addition of new key features to the emerging scenery of the giant Secret City mural. Often Special Guests would appear on the show to demonstrate other art forms or practical applications for drawing skills.
The show was created by John Price & Mark Kistler, based on Bruce McIntyre's AVDP. Much of the series was edited live in-camera and was shot in a somewhat semi-scripted format. It was produced at Maryland Public Television through private funding by Children's Video Associates, and intended for broadcast via national PBS syndication. It also aired on TVOntario.
Premise: Learn to draw with Commander Mark.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Mark Kistler as Commander Mark
- Joel Gori as Cindy/MetaMan/Zebtron
Guest cast
- Joan Boccino as Special Guest
- Fred Miles as Special Guest
- Dick Schaefer as Special Guest
- Al Grosso as Special Guest
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 65 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 65 | September 2, 1985 | November 29, 1985 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Moonscape Building US Log Line: [ Debut: "Fun, fantasy and adventure" are the tools used by host Commander Mark to teach youngsters the joys of drawing. First up: using squares to create a table, wedding cake.] |
September 2, 1985 |
| 2 | Flying Saucers | September 3, 1985 |
| 3 | Mountains With Lids | September 4, 1985 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | PBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 2, 1985 |
| Last aired | November 29, 1985 |
| Status | ended |