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This is the first time Erica Desmond is seen. In this episode she is played by Lara Cochrane, who was a Production Assistant on the program (right). However, in episode 52 and all subsequent episodes she is played by Tudi Wiggins. |
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Dan Forrest is played by actor Paul Harding in this episode (right). Harding left the production after the pilot due to contract negotiations that did not work out. In all subsequent episodes Dan Forrest is played by actor Jon Granik. |
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Dan Forrest’s secretary, although nameless in episode one as it appeared on screen, has a full name (Ruth Gibson) in the pilot script |
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Dan Forrest’s secretary is busy talking to Phyllis on the phone when he interrupts her. |
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The conjure doll used in the pilot (right) is different than the conjure doll that appears in subsequent episodes, which has a rounder, darker head and face. The differences can be seen most clearly in episode 52, when the cryonics capsule is opened. |
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According to Dan Forrest, Jean Paul owns a brokerage house, a department store, three newspapers, a football franchise, motion picture and TV interests and real estate holdings, making him one of the richest men in the world. |
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Erica was six months pregnant at the time of her death. |
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This is the first and last time we see Jacques’ wife Huaco. In this episode she is played by Patricia Collins. |
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This is also the first and last appearance of actor Joe Austin as Dr. Menkin. Menkin’s body would appear in a later episode, but the actor playing the body is not the same. |
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There is no phone on Maljardin. |
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The first word the portrait of Jacques speaks is “Bravo!” |
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In this episode, Jacques casket shows the dates 1760-1789 (right). In subsequent episodes it is established that Jacques lived 300 years previously, and as such the dates on his casket are adjusted accordingly, to 1660-1689. His portrait, however, lists the correct date, even in this episode. |
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Beryl Ford (right) is the entertainer who sings at the French Leave Café. She performs “That Old Black Magic”, coincidentally at the same time that Jean Paul is opening Jacques’ casket. |
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Actor Bill Luxton, famous as one half of the Canadian television duo Uncle Willy and Floyd, appears, uncredited, as the bartender (right). |
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The character of Beryl Forbes, played by Nonnie griffin in the pilot, was originally to fill the role of voodoo priestess. When Griffin declined to continue with the series, her character was recast into Vangie Abbott, played by Angela Roland. |
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Nonnie Griffin was originally scheduled to play Vangie Abbott, but was replaced after the pilot episode after she was unable to negotiate an acceptable contract |
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Four caskets are seen in the crypt. Buried along with Jacques are Paul Emile DesMondes (1722-1756) and Louis Lucien DesMondes (1680-1700). Their relationship to anyone else is never explained. The final casket's occupant remainsa mystery. |
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The inscription on Jacques’ casket says the following: “He who disturbs my sleep has the devil to pay.” |
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The title music is slightly different for this episode only |
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The pilot episode was filmed in May of 1969 at CJOH-TV in Ottawa, with some small location work (mainly a shot of Quito approaching the mansion on Maljardin) being filmed at Casa Loma in Toronto. Scenes set on the island and at the Café were filmed in CJOH’s Studio “A” while scenes set in Dan Forrest’s office were actually filmed in the offices and corridors of CJOH, including the boardroom, where one of CJOH TV Director Stu Griffith’s boat paintings can be seen hanging on the wall. |
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EPISODE 2 |
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In this episode, when Jean Paul is possessed by Jacques he is shown in period dress (the same outfit Jacques wears in his painting). For the most part, this idea was dropped in subsequent episodes. However it does happen at least once more. |
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This is the first episode to feature Angela Roland as Vangie Abbott. |
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Dialogue in this episode indicates that Erica Desmond died earlier that day. |
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This is also the first episode to feature Bruce Gray as Tim Stanton |
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Jean Paul heads to bed at midnight; he has a 6am appointment to cross the channel. |
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Tim weighs 162 pounds |
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Tim owes money to some seedy characters, money he borrowed to help pay for his mother's medical expenses. Interest on Tim’s loan is $600 per month. |
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Tim is Irish. |
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| EPISODE 3 |
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In this episode, the dates of Jacques' life are corrected to 1660-1689 from the 1760-1789 of the pilot |
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This episode marks the first appearances of Dan MacDonald as Rev. Matt Dawson, Paisley Maxwell as Elizabeth Marshall and Sylvia Fiegel as Holly Marshall. |
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As Raxl climbs the stairs in the Great Hall, the boom mike can be seen and there’s a loud sound in the background. |
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This episode establisheds Holly's age as 20. She will inherit her father's money when she turns 21. |
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Actor Bill Luxton, famous as one half of the Canadian television duo Uncle Willy and Floyd, appears, uncredited, as a parishoner in the church scenes (Right).
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In the initial church scenes, the Rev. Dawson notices Holly sitting in a pew and comments that it's very nice to see her taking part in the service. As Sylvia Fiegel answers she flubs her lines, replying "I'm not resting", then correcting herself and saying "I'm not praying, I'm resting." |
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Later in the chuch, when Mrs. Marshall approaches the Reverend to speak with him, a
camera
shadow can clearly be seen moving over the pews as the camera follows her.
Also, the end of the studio wall and the studio lights can briefly be seen (Click on the photo to the right for detail). |
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When Quito closes the supposed stone wall leading to the secret temple, the door can be seen swinging back open behind actor Kurt Schiegl. |
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This episode also reveals a little about the mysterious Raxl's background. We learn that she was the daughter of a priestess, one of a long line of them. |
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Holly Marshall is running away from her life at Westley House, a sort of halfway home for wayard girls. It is established that she was sent there through the combined efforts of Rev. Dawson and her mother Elizabeth. |
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During a discussion about Erica's preservation process, Cosette Lee pronounces the word “cryonics” as “cryones” |
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As Cosette Lee climbs the stairs in the great hall towards the end of the episode, the boom mike can be seen and there’s a loud sound in the background. |
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Raxl mentions that Quito needs to take Jean Paul to the mainland "soon", and according to the previous episode Jean Paul was to leave for the mainland at 6am, which would place the time of this episode before 6am. However, seemingly, Reverend Dawson is preaching at church, which would indicate that some time has passed since the previous episode, despite the fact that the beginning of this episode seems to lead directly on from the previous one. |
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| EPISODE 4 |
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When Jean Paul is Jacques there is a ring on his finger that is used to indicate his possession. This is the first time this is seen. |
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Jean Paul/Jacques seems fascinated by the pen he uses to sign Dan’s documents, which makes sense given that Jacques would have never seen a pen of that type. |
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The cryonics capsule and pressure tanks last one month. |
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Dr. Patton mentions putting a man on the moon as fact, which places the timeframe of the episode after July 20, 1969. This would be in line with actual production of Strange Paradise, which took place in late August of 1969. |
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Beginning with this episode, Dan Forrest is played by John Granik. |
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The boat from Maljardin usually arrives on the mainland at noon daily. |
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Although the distance is never specified, Erica mentions she’s come “a couple of thousand” miles to see her sister |
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After Jean Paul/Jacques signs the contracts Dan provided to him with Jacques' signature, Dan calls “Al” to check the library and the heraldic society to find out who Jacques Eloi DesMondes really was. Later, in episode 18, Dan references this phone call, mentioning that his office followed up on Jacques and found he had been dead for 300 years. |
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Erica’s body is seen again for the first time since episode one as she is being put into cryonic suspension. This is the last time she is seen until episode 52. |
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The inscription on Erica’s casket says “Erica Desmond: A Little Sleep – A Little Slumber” |
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The painting of Marie Anne DesMondes, which appears over the mantle in subsequent episodes can be seen on the far wall of the dining room in this episode. |
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| EPISODE 5 |
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The baby that Jean Paul and Erica were having was a boy. |
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Dr. Menkin is mentioned and his body is seen in this episode, but his corpse is not played by Joe Austin, who played Menkin in the pilot episode. |
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According to Raxl, Jacques Eloi DesMondes married and then came to Maljardin for his wife to give birth, then he killed her. Then Raxl mentions that “we” exacted revenge, implying she had something to do with his death. |
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Jean Paul confirms that the baby Erica was carrying before she fell ill died, probably as a result of the eclamptic convulsions. Erica died about an hour later. |
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Despite the fact that Jean Paul is possessed by Jacques when bringing in Menkin’s body, the ruby ring is not seen on his hand. |
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When Jean Paul is about to wake up from his dream, an off stage voice can be heard telling him something, perhaps giving Colin Fox a cue to “wake up” |
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Raxl explains how in her religion, the conjure doll/pin keep the soul imprisoned in the body, which belongs to the devil. |
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This is the first syndicated episode copy where all the credits are shown. |
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In this episode we learn that Jacques' wife's name was Huaco. In reality, Huaco or Guaco is the generic name given in Peru mostly to earthen vessels and other finely made pottery artworks found in pre-Columbian sites such as burial locations, sanctuaries, temples and other ancient ruins. Huacos are not mere earthenware but notable pottery specimens linked to ceremonial, religious, artistic or aestetical uses in central andean pre-Columbian civilizations. The word Huaco derives from the term Huaca. Huacas are ruins or ancient structures -where most of Huacos are found - mainly funerary buildings. |
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Raxl clearly explains to Alison that she believes Jean Paul is possessed by Jacques, yet in later episodes Alison acts as though she has no idea what is wrong with Jean Paul. |
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The painting of Marie Anne DesMondes returns to its proper place over the mantlepiece in this episode |
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Vangie, Holly, Reverend Dawson, Tim, and Mrs. Marshall appear in the credits but not in the episode. |
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