The Adventures of the Black Stallion

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Adventures of The Black Stallion
Adventures of the black stallion.jpg
Season 1 DVD cover
Genre Adventure/Family
Starring Mickey Rooney
Richard Ian Cox
Theme music composer Terry Frewer
Opening theme We Know the Wind
Ending theme We Know the Wind (instrumental)
Country of origin Canada / France / New Zealand
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 3
No. of episodes 78
Production
Executive producer(s) Tom Parkinson
Producer(s) Jonathan Hackett
Production location(s) Canada / France / New Zealand
Running time 30 minutes
Release
Original network The Family Channel
Original release September 15, 1990 –
May 16, 1993
Chronology
Related shows The Black Stallion
The Black Stallion Returns
External links
[{{#property:P856}} Website]

The Adventures of The Black Stallion is a television series that starred Mickey Rooney and Richard Ian Cox, as a trainer and a teenaged horse racer and was loosely based on the book series by Walter Farley.[1] The series originally ran on The Family Channel from September 15, 1990 to May 16, 1993, before cancellation. It has since been shown in re-runs throughout the world.

Most of the episodes are set around Canada. During the second and third season, the show moves away from the farm, and has many episodes set in New Zealand, Paris and the United States. The Adventures of The Black Stallion was a Canada/France/New Zealand co-production and was filmed on location in British Columbia, Canada, as well as France and New Zealand.

Synopsis

The show follows the life of fifteen-year-old horse racer Alec Ramsay (Richard Ian Cox), his wild stallion The Black, and their trainer Henry Dailey (Mickey Rooney). In the series, Alec's father died before the series start, leaving Alec and his mother to run Hopeful Farm. The show focuses both on life at Hopeful Farm and on the racing circuit. During the first season, most of the races are unprofessional circuit races and match races because The Black's an unpapered horse, meaning there is no proof of his lineage. During the second season, The Black's history is uncovered and Alec is able to obtain his papers, allowing him to be raced on the professional circuits around the world.

The series maintained that Alec was the only one who can ride The Black.[2] He is known for having a violent temper with anyone besides Alec, though he does allow some people around the farm to hold his halter and lead him around, most notably Henry. He only seems to do grudgingly, however, and tends to be far less tolerant of others if Alec isn't around to keep him under control. To help keep the high-strung horse calm at the track, the gelding Napoleon is frequently taken on the road with them.

Characters

Reception

In 1991, the series was nominated for a Young Artist Award in the "Best Off-Prime Time or Cable Family Series" category, and while it lost to Harry and the Hendersons, Richard Ian Cox won the award for the "Best Young Actor Starring in an Off-Prime Time or Cable Family Series" category.[3] Cox was nominated again in 1992 for the "Best Young Actor Starring in a Cable Series" category.[4] In the same year, Mickey Rooney was nominated for a Gemini Award in the category of "Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role" for his portrayal of Henry Dailey.[5]

Episode list

When the show was first aired, many of the episodes were shown out of production order, especially during the first season.

Season Episodes Year Prod. line Region 1 Release Date
1 26 1990–1991 1xx December 5, 2006
2 26 1991–1992 2xx May 8, 2007
3 26 1992–1993 3xx May 27, 2008

Season 1: 1990–1991

# Title Director Writer Airdate Production code
1-01 "Where There's a Will" George Bloomfield Clive Endersby September 15, 1990 (1990-09-15) 101
Henry (Mickey Rooney) has an attack of angina while training Alec (Richard Ian Cox) and The Black and plans to quit training.
1-02 "Vigil" George Bloomfield Brad Wright October 20, 1990 (1990-10-20) 102
Napoleon gets kicked in the stomach by another horse and suffers from colic, a potentially lethal condition. The Black won't allow anyone into the barn, except Alec, as he keeps vigil over his friend.
1-03 "First Among Equals" Neill Fearnley Bill Hurst September 22, 1990 (1990-09-22) 103
Catherine has to overcome sexism as she tries to realize her dream of becoming a jockey.
1-04 "Long Way Home" Al Simmonds Dennis Foon September 29, 1990 (1990-09-29) 104
When Belle is blinded by a chemical substance, Alec leaves the road to be with her. This leaves Henry to bring the horses back by trailer, only to have The Black run away from him.
1-05 "Stowaway" Neill Fearnley Carl Binder October 27, 1990 (1990-10-27) 105
A teenage track star named Bobby, stows away in The Black's trailer after running away from his demanding father. Henry and Alec find themselves helping the two reconcile.
1-06 "A Friend in Need" Nanci Rossov Clive Endersby December 23, 1990 (1990-12-23) 106
Alec befriends a young man named Mike who has Down Syndrome and fights to overcome Langley's prejudice.
1-07 "Pony Express Ride" Ken Jubenvill Hart Hanson November 10, 1990 (1990-11-10) 107
Alec and The Black re-create the last Pony Express Ride, which turns into a fight for survival when a young Native American teen sabotages the trail and jumps Alec. Alec then befriends the young man.
1-08 "The Big Fix" Jim Purdy Rick Drew October 13, 1990 (1990-10-13) 108
A competing trainer and his sister try to fix a race by using an ultrasonic device to send The Black into uncontrollable rages.
1-09 "Star Quality" Peter D. Marshall Clive Endersby October 6, 1990 (1990-10-06) TBA
Alec is star-struck when he and The Black are hired to be in a movie, not realizing the director's plans will put their lives at risk. Guest star: Yvonne De Carlo.
1-10 "King of the Cowboys" Stuart Gillard Tom and Sally Drake November 3, 1990 (1990-11-03) 110
When Alec and The Black stop at a rodeo before a race, a former rodeo champion named Johnny King, wanting to make a comeback is determined to ride The Black.
1-11 "Killer" Peter D. Marshall Aubrey Solomon December 30, 1990 (1990-12-30) 111
A paparazzo photographer, attacked and injured by The Black, gets a judge to order The Black be destroyed as a dangerous animal, causing Alec to run away with him.
1-12 "Sweet Tooth" Stuart Gillard Lyal and Barbara Brown December 9, 1990 (1990-12-09) 112
The Black fails his drug test after a match race because he was given a chocolate bar which gets him disqualified from the race and Henry's license gets suspended. Henry and Alec must prove someone else did it.
1-13 "Last Race" Alan Simmonds Clive Endersby November 17, 1990 (1990-11-17) 113
Henry's illiteracy is used against him to get The Black in a claims race where he must carry a dangerous amount of extra weight and the losing horse will be forfeit to the winner. Guest star: Abe Vigoda
1-14 "Double Cross" Peter Rowe Fred Frame and Stephen Mitchell December 2, 1990 (1990-12-02) 114
A gambler named Lenard Grimes from Henry's past attempts to blackmail him into fixing one of The Black's races.
1-15 "Trapped" Ken Jubenvill Brad Wright December 16, 1990 (1990-12-16) 115
While stopped at an old friend of Henry's, Alec and a bratty asthmatic boy named Dennis get trapped in a grain silo.
1-16 "Fireworks" Paolo Barzman Brad Wright November 25, 1990 (1990-11-25) 116
Henry and Alec spend a holiday weekend with an old friend of Henry's and his 15-year-old alcoholic granddaughter named Jackie.
1-17 "The Black Pearl" Peter Rowe Lyal and Barbara Brown January 6, 1991 (1991-01-06) 117
A man claiming to be an old friend of Alec's father kidnaps Alec and The Black.
1-18 "The Long Run" Paolo Barzman Rick Drew January 13, 1991 (1991-01-13) 118
Alec, worried that he might be getting too heavy weighted to be a jockey, goes on a dangerous crash diet and exercise regimen.
1-19 "Kidnapped" Alan Simmonds Vincent Fournier January 20, 1991 (1991-01-20) 119
Alec, Henry, and Catherine give chase when The Black is stolen and taken to France.
1-20 "The Comeback" Alain Nahum Fabrice Ziolkowski and Luli Barzman January 27, 1991 (1991-01-27) 120
The Black loses his spirit after he must stay two weeks in a quarantine in France. (Note: At this point the show moves to Europe, primarily France, in part because the group must raise enough money to pay for The Black's flight home)
1-21 "The Choice" Bernard Dumont Martin Brossollet March 10, 1991 (1991-03-10) 121
When a friendly race ends in the painful death of another horse, Alec wants to stop racing The Black and considers accepting a scholarship to a French riding academy.
1-22 "Black at Heart" Jean-Pierre Prévost Renée Nelson February 3, 1991 (1991-02-03) 122
Tabari, the Arabian princess whose father originally bred The Black, tries to borrow him for one year in exchange for proof of his blood lines.
1-23 "Heart of Gold" Paolo Barzman Elizabeth Baxter February 10, 1991 (1991-02-10) 123
Catherine is swept off her feet by a charming Frenchman, while the team prepares for a charity event that culminates in an auction for a million dollars worth of diamonds.
1-24 "The Judge" Olivier Descamps Martin Brossollet February 17, 1991 (1991-02-17) 124
When a friend's horse comes up lame, Alec and the Black risk their lives by taking his place in a steeplechase to save the boy's farm from bankruptcy.
1-25 "Found Money" Paolo Barzman Jean-Vincent Fournier February 24, 1991 (1991-02-24) 125
Alec finds a cache of money that was stolen from a bank years ago by robbers who are still on the loose.
1-26 "The Neuchatel Stallion" Bernard Dumont Stéphane Palay March 3, 1991 (1991-03-03) 126
While visiting a French château for a match race, Henry encounters a glowing white stallion. Guest Star: Bruce Meyer

Season 2: 1991–1992

# Title Director Writer Airdate Production code
2-01 "Barn Burner" Bernard Dumont Jonathan Hackett September 1, 1991 (1991-09-01) 201
The Black's life is threatened by the only person more feared and hated than a horse thief, a barn burner. A young woman named Nicole Berthier was blamed for the barn burning.
2-02 "Diamonds" Michel Tréguer Martin Brossellet September 15, 1991 (1991-09-15) 202
When diamond thieves hid a bag of diamonds in The Black's trailer and discovered missing, Alec and Nicole become the hunted.
2-03 "Chateau Sauvage" Michel Tréguer Jean-Vincent Fournier September 22, 1991 (1991-09-22) 203
The Black is kidnapped by an excessive animal rights activist and will be shipped back to the Arabian Peninsula unless Alec can prove The Black wishes to stay with him. The Black finally comes back to Alec's possession after a while.
2-04 "Killer Stallion" Olivier Deschamps Fabrice Ziolkowski September 29, 1991 (1991-09-29) 204
Due to foul play, The Black is not only banned from the French racing circuit, but has a price on his head due to having drugs in his feed .
2-05 "Machine Rider" Olivier Deschamps Elizabeth Baxter September 8, 1991 (1991-09-08) 205
Alec brushes shoulders with a competing jockey who will do whatever it takes to beat The Black, including testing Alec's ability as a jockey while using a battery-orperated electric horsewhip.
2-06 "The Alhambra Zarr" Christian Le Hemonet Tracy Kennedy October 6, 1991 (1991-10-06) 206
Henry, Alec, Nicole, and The Black's lives are put into jeopardy after The Black's lineage is traced back to one of King Charles' stallions,The Alhambra Zarr.
2-07 "Almost Home" Alan Simmonds Charles Lazer October 13, 1991 (1991-10-13) 207
While waiting in a holding barn prior to the trip back to America, trouble rises when the veterinarian's son, an animal hater, sets his sights on hurting The Black Which means that Alec and Nicole must try to break him out.(Note: Nicole had stowed away in a cargo container, and ends up in Canada thinking that she is in the United States)
2-08 "Deadliest Bidder" Alan Simmonds Lyle Slack October 20, 1991 (1991-10-20) 208
A cunning and dangerous Arab, Salim Al Duwish, tries to steal The Black to resurrect his plague decimated herd. He attempts to shoot Alec for the Black, but the two got away.
2-09 "Blackout" Mitch Gabourie Dennis Foo October 27, 1991 (1991-10-27) 209
Resulting from a fall off The Black, Alec has amnesia and joins some local ranchers who name him John, to help shoot a wild mustang, The Black, recently spotted in the area, and makes the herd of mustangs escape the coral and the local ranchers, and Alec go after him. When The Black is found, Alec is told to shoot him. Then Alec remembers who he is and drops the gun and goes over to The Black.
2-10 "Detour" Mitch Gabourie Lyal & Barbara Brown November 3, 1991 (1991-11-03) 210
Driving to a race, Alec and Nicole are forced to take a detour which results in an ambush.
2-11 "Island Stallion" Bill Corcoran Dawn Ritchie November 10, 1991 (1991-11-10) 211
A mysterious island stallion named Lizzy's Edge, arrives on the scene with a beautiful young jockey named Elizabeth, a girl from a small remote island named Azul who Alec falls in love with.(Note: The stallion is named after Elizabeth)
2-12 "Ostracized" Bill Corcoran Jonathan Hackett November 17, 1991 (1991-11-17) 212
In The Black's first U.S. race, Alec must compete against a group of jockeys who take their practical jokes too far.
2-13 "Black Spirit" William Fruet Dawn Ritchie November 24, 1991 (1991-11-24) 213
Alec and The Black save the life of a Native American embark on a spiritual quest and in the process mend their own troubled relationship.
2-14 "Free Will" William Fruet Dawn Ritchie December 1, 1991 (1991-12-01) 214
The Black runs away when the rig breaks down, which results in being held captive by a ruthless businessman.
2-15 "Hard Road Home" Nicholas Kendall Jana Veverka December 8, 1991 (1991-12-08) 215
After being accidentally thrown from The Black, Alec is badly injured and is afraid to ride again.
2-16 "The Arkansas Twister" Nicholas Kendall Michael Mercer December 15, 1991 (1991-12-15) 216
Alec is upset at his mother's intention to remarry.
2-17 "Fatal Heart" Peter Rowe Renee Nelson (story), Lyal & Barbara Brown (teleplay) December 22, 1991 (1991-12-22) 217
While Alec is swept off his feet by a beautiful Chinese student named Lia Sing. It's discovered she is part of a ring that wants to steal The Black for stallion fights in China.
2-18 "Ticket to Ride" Peter Rowe Jean-Vincent Fournier December 29, 1991 (1991-12-29) 218
Nicole unexpectedly wins her first race as a jockey only to find herself involved with ruthless people who neglect to tell her she and the horse are expendable. (Note:In this episode, the only swear word was the word crap)
2-19 "Deadwood Kid" Alan Simmonds Michael Mercer January 5, 1992 (1992-01-05) 219
Alec, Nicole, and The Black find themselves in a ghost town at the mercy of a deluded man who has a plan for The Black's future.
2-20 "Horse of the Year" Alan Simmonds Jana Veverka January 12, 1992 (1992-01-12) 220
When The Black is named Horse of the Year, success goes to Alec's head and becomes a spoiled brat.
2-21 "If The Shoe Fits" Peter Rowe Dawn Ritchie January 19, 1992 (1992-01-19) 221
An unscrupulous vet tries to cripple The Black with the help of Nicole's father.
2-22 "Code of Silence" Peter Rowe Jana Veverka January 26, 1992 (1992-01-26) 222
A teenage motorcycle gang kidnaps The Black and leaves him to die.
2-23 "Black Tide" Alan Simmonds Louise Vincent February 2, 1992 (1992-02-02) 223
The Black is challenged by another black stallion who turns out to be The Black's son named Black Tide.
2-24 "Going, Going, Gone" Alan Simmonds Dawn Ritchie February 9, 1992 (1992-02-09) 224
Alec is tricked into putting The Black on the auction block.
2-25 "The Incredible Ride" Nicholas Kendall Phillipe Berenger February 16, 1992 (1992-02-16) 225
When Henry gets a concussion in a car accident, Alec and The Black are his only hope.
2-26 "Ties That Bind" Nicholas Kendall Dawn Ritchie February 23, 1992 (1992-02-23) 226
The Black falls into a 20-foot hole.

Season 3: 1992–1993

# Title Director Writer Airdate Production code
3-01 "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" Paolo Barzman Malcolm Macrury October 4, 1992 (1992-10-04) 301
The Black becomes uncontrollable after Alec leaves to follow Nicole back to France.
3-02 "The Race of Time" Paolo Barzman Peter White October 11, 1992 (1992-10-11) 302
An impromptu race pits Alec and Nicole against each other.
3-03 "The Knight's Contract" Emilio Pacull Etienne Baxter October 18, 1992 (1992-10-18) 303
Alec's dream mirrors reality when he must fight for Nicole.
3-04 "Bedside Manner" Laurent Bregeat Peter Mitchell October 25, 1992 (1992-10-25) 304
When a hunter's carelessness injures The Black, Alec must trust his horse to an unknown vet.
3-05 "Breakin' Loose" Jean Achache Stephane Palay November 1, 1992 (1992-11-01) 305
Henry sends Alec and Nicole into France, and ends up bailing them out of jail.
3-06 "Seeing Double" Laurent Bregeat Fabrice Ziolkowski November 8, 1992 (1992-11-08) 306
A foiled attempt to steal The Black ends with Black Tide being stolen.
3-07 "Back on Track" Jean Achache Dawn Ritchie November 29, 1992 (1992-11-29) 307
Alec races The Black to a hollow victory when his arch rival suffers a devastating fall.
3-08 "Winning Spirit" Peter Sharp Michael Mercer December 6, 1992 (1992-12-06) 308
When The Black loses an important race in France; Alec, Nicole, and The Black follow Henry to New Zealand.
3-09 "Nightmare" Peter Sharp Michael Mercer December 13, 1992 (1992-12-13) 309
Only Nate can convince Alec and The Black that a dangerous rogue stallion is not what he appears to be.
3-10 "Wild Oats" Mark DeFriest Peter Mitchell January 3, 1993 (1993-01-03) 310
Having escaped into the New Zealand countryside, The Black searches for freedom only to save Alec's life.
3-12 "Local Hero" Peter Sharp Peter Mitchell January 17, 1993 (1993-01-17) 311
Alec is cornered into racing The Black at the local fair, only to learn more is at stake.
3-11 "Driving Mr. Dailey" Mark DeFriest Elizabeth Baxter January 10, 1993 (1993-01-10) 312
When the truck breaks down, Henry and Nate are stuck on the road.
3-13 "Measure of a Man" Peter Sharp Etienne Baxter February 7, 1993 (1993-02-07) 313
Alec is challenged by a rival jockey to prove he can win on any horse.
3-14 "At the Gate" Dan McKirdy Julie Lacey February 14, 1993 (1993-02-14) 314
A devastating fall nearly ends Nicole's career as a jockey.
3-15 "Criss Cross" Dan McKirdy Dawn Ritchie February 21, 1993 (1993-02-21) 315
Alec and The Black endure a grueling cross-country race.
3-16 "Riding the Volcano" Peter Sharp Julie Lacey February 28, 1993 (1993-02-28) 316
Alec falls for a beautiful horse trainer. Guest star: Lucy Lawless
3-17 "A Gift Horse" Peter Sharp Peter Mitchell March 7, 1993 (1993-03-07) 317
Nicole gets more than she bargained for on her birthday.
3-18 "Racing in the Streets" Mike Smith Peter Mitchell March 14, 1993 (1993-03-14) 318
Nicole falls for a handsome man. Guest star: Christopher Atkins
3-19 "Back in America" Ian Mune Julie Lacey March 21, 1993 (1993-03-21) 319
Alec is tempted by a trip back to America.
3-20 "Pledging Allegiances" Aileen O'Sullivan Leo Cadie March 28, 1993 (1993-03-28) 320
Alec's plans to help support the Riding Therapy Center are jeopardized when Nate steals the family's horses to join a grooup.
3-21 "Tapu" Ian Mune Jana Veverka April 11, 1993 (1993-04-11) 321
On an archaeological expedition, Nicole and Kerry are nearly killed in an explosion set by a young Maori intent on preserving his heritage.
3-22 "A House Divided" Aileen O'Sullivan Jana Veverka April 18, 1993 (1993-04-18) 322
The family's future at Manukau Farm is jeopardized when Henry's cousin arrives demanding custody of Nate. Guest star: Susan Clarke
3-23 "A Day at the Beach" Mike Smith Jean Vincent Fournier April 25, 1993 (1993-04-25) 323
A day at the beach turns disastrous for Alec and Nicole.
3-24 "Legends Never Die" Ian Mune Michael Mercer May 2, 1993 (1993-05-02) 324
A former racing great steps in while Henry is gone. Guest stars: Conrad Bain and Marc Singer
3-25 "Glory Days" Ian Mune Peter Mitchell May 9, 1993 (1993-05-09) 325
Alec fears The Black may have to surrender his crown to Black Tide. Guest star: Teri Austin
3-26 "Under October Skies" Ian Mune Jana Veverka May 16, 1993 (1993-05-16) 326
The Black comes to the defense of a young mare being threatened by a wild stallion. Guest star: Margot Kidder

Other media

Film

Two earlier theatrical films, The Black Stallion (1979) and The Black Stallion Returns (1983), were also based Farley's book series.

DVD releases

Echo Bridge Entertainment released all three seasons on DVD in Region 1 in 2006, 2007, and 2008. These releases contain the episodes arranged in production order instead of air date.

Alliance Home Entertainment has released all three seasons on DVD in Canada.[6][7][8]

DVD Name Ep # Region 1 (US) Region 1 (CAN)
Season 1 26 December 5, 2006 October 19, 2010
Season 2 26 May 8, 2007 November 9, 2010
Season 3 26 May 27, 2008 February 22, 2011

References

General
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Specific
  1. ↑ Brooks, Tim & Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present (9th ed.). New York: Ballantine Books. ISBN 978-0-345-49773-4.
  2. ↑ Terrace, Vincent (2009). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2007 (Volume 1). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-3305-6.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B003Z9K5VC
  7. ↑ http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0041T52OU
  8. ↑ http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B004GDB7EU

External links

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