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This Catweazle page attempts to provide for an overview of the Catweazle phenomena. It lists the television series, magazine articles with background information of the series and more. Then you will also find some of the merchandizing of the time. I may have some of this (not all of what you see a picture of on this site I have!), however I am still interested in additional information and or the merchandizing itself. Feel free to contact me!

Catweazle is a magician from the time of the Normans. In an attempt to escape from his Norman pursuers he tried out a spell, however instead of flying as a bird he was casted 900 years into the future. With the help of two boys he uses magic in an attempt to return to his own time. Shot on location in England it became equally popular in England, Australia, Germany and the Netherlands.

Catweazle theme (0:39)

Directors: Quentin Lawrence (1st series)
   David Lane & David Reid (2nd series)
Writing credits: Richard Carpenter
Year: 1970/71
Produced by: ‘London Weekend Television’ (LWT) [uk]
Episodes: 26
Length (each): 30 min
Language: English
Colour: colour

(Dutch bookcover)

Robin Davies ....
Carrot Bennet

Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell ....
Mr. Bennet

Neil McCarthy ....
Sam Woodyard

(Dutch bookcover)

Gary Warren ....
Cedric Collingford

Moray Watson ....
Lord Collingford

Elspet Gray ....
Lady Collingford

Peter Butterworth ....
Groom

Gwen Nelson ....
Mrs Gowdie  

Catweazle on video
All the 26 episodes are available on video. Issued during 1998 in England, all episodes on 8 tapes. 2 years later also available as 2 box sets. Once available from 'Blackstar'.
Added on this video release is ‘Brothers in magic’, a 20 min reunion of Geoffrey Bayldon and Robin Davies after 30 years, at Hexwood Farm location, reminiscing about the filming of ‘Catweazle’.

There was also a dutch release of Catweazle (with subtitles in dutch), I don't know how many of the episodes were released (known is the first 6 episodes on 3 videos). I also don't know when they came out. Anyone out there who knows?

It appears that there have in fact been plans to bring Catweazle to the big screen. Richard Carpenter did also prepare a script for such a feature film. The film project has been shelved for the time being, however it seems that those involved are keen to revive the project.

Catweazle publications based on the television series:

The television episodes are narrated in these 2 publications. ‘Catweazle’ & ‘Catweazle and the Magic Zodiac’. Both written by Richard Carpenter and with illustrations by George Adamson. Published with Penguin Books respectively in 1970 & 1971. From both titles appeared also hardbound copies, the Magic Zodiac is known to have a dustwrapper, published with Methuen & Co Ltd.

From both books there appeared also a dutch translation: ‘Catweazle, de Tovenaar van Saburac’ (1971) & ‘Catweazle, de Tekens van de Dierenriem’(1972), a publication from Van Holkema & Warendorf, Bussum (see illustrations elsewhere on this site or click here).

On the left here a German translation of the 2nd book, published in 1974 by Ravensburger.

Marrow Escape (1970)
On the left another publication from World Distributors (Manchester) Limited as were the 3 annuals. This is however a very thin publication and only carries the story ‘Marrow Escape’ with colour drawings (on the television this story was entitled: ‘The Battle of the Giants’). This appears the be much harder to get than the annnual publications.

Televisie Favorieten #15 (1971)
Here on the right you see a dutch compilation of the Catweazle Annual for 1971 & 1972, mostly its contents is taken from the first Annual, however 2 strip stories have been taken from the 1972 Annual. Noted is that all the strip stories in this dutch compilation are printed in full colour, when in the original english Annuals they appear with only one supporting colour. It was part of a series for ‘Television Favorits’ , the last one in the series (#15).

There were also some publications in the Netherlands:
‘Televizier' TV-magazine ca jan/jun 1972 (‘Catweazle en de Zilveren Schat' -5 episodes, probably a total of 10-12 episodes-)
‘Jamin Junior' #2 1972*  &  #8-26

These may contain Catweazle stories (they may be as a comicstrip or simply a written story with illustrations). The ones marked with * have articles in them relating to Catweazle. For full listing and texture of these articles (and more!) please click here. They usually contain interesting backgrond information about the series or other.

Catweazle Magic cards:   (© Promotion Services Limited)
Available through ‘Ready Brek' in 1971 (apparently also through ‘J. Lyons Ice Cream’). This is a set of 16 unnumbered & undated cards. The size is 2½' x 3½' (6,25 x 9 cm). On the frontside they have all a photo illustration of Catweazle with the name of the trick at the bottom. The backside provides the information of how the trick is performed. There are: ‘Magic joker’, ‘Magic tubes’, ‘Magic handkerchief’, ‘Magic penny’, ‘Magic escape’, ‘Vanishing sixpence’, ‘Vanishing wand’, ‘Vanishing coin’, ‘Vanishing rubber’, ‘Vanishing tumbler’, ‘Reappearing tumbler’, ‘Spot the spot’, ‘Boomerangs’, ‘Loopy loops’, ‘Catching a cigarette’, ‘Colour power’.

Catweazle Fortune Telling cards: 
There are some rumours about another set of 16 cards which were circulating at about the same time. However this has not been verified as yet. Anyone who can shed some light on this?

Catweazle poster:
A Catweazle poster is advertised in ‘Look-in 23 Jan 1971’.  Printed on heavy cartridge paper, size 30' x 20'.  Price: 30 pence.

Then in the Netherlands you were able to win this poster in a drawing contest. This was advertized in ‘Jamin Junior’ #16 1972 (100 posters were made available). The winners of this contest were announced in the last number of this magazine (#26 1972). Besides these posters you could also win other things.