The Magician 1973
What is The Magician?
The Magician is an American television series that aired during the 1973–1974 season. The program features Bill Bixby in the lead role of Anthony Blake, a stage illusionist who also serves as a playboy philanthropist.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1973
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 21
- Runtime
- 60 minutes
- First aired
- Oct 2, 1973
- Last aired
- Apr 15, 1974
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- NBC
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure
- Updated
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 21 episodes and an average 60-minute runtime.
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Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
The Magician is an American television series that aired during the 1973–1974 season. The program features Bill Bixby in the lead role of Anthony Blake, a stage illusionist who also serves as a playboy philanthropist. Throughout the series, Blake utilizes his professional skills in illusion to solve difficult crimes as the situations arise. The character underwent a specific change regarding his identity following the production of the series pilot. In that initial episode, the protagonist was identified by the name Anthony Dorian. This adjustment was implemented by the production team due to a conflict with the name of a real-life stage magician. By relying on his unique talents and resources, the central character navigates various challenges to assist in criminal investigations. The series remains a notable entry in the career of Bill Bixby, showcasing his portrayal of a multifaceted lead character who balances a public life as a performer with his efforts to resolve complex mysteries.
Should you watch it?
“A charismatic illusionist solves crimes with his stage tricks.”
- Bill Bixby's engaging performance
- Unique blend of magic and mystery
- Classic 1970s TV style
- Only one season limits episode count
- Production values reflect its era
Watch it if you enjoy retro detective stories that combine sleight‑of‑hand with mystery.
The series is suitable for general audiences, featuring mild mystery and occasional suspense.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 21 episodes
- E1 The Manhunters Oct 2, 1973
- E2 The Vanishing Lady Oct 9, 1973
- E3 Illusion in Terror Oct 23, 1973
- E4 Lightning on A Dry Day Oct 30, 1973
- E5 Ovation for Murder Nov 6, 1973
- E6 Man on Fire Nov 20, 1973
- E7 Lady in A Trap Nov 27, 1973
- E8 The Man who Lost Himself Dec 11, 1973
- E9 Nightmare in Steel Dec 18, 1973
- E10 Shattered Image Jan 8, 1974
- E11 The Illusion of the Curious Counterfeit (1) Jan 14, 1974
- E12 The Illusion of the Curious Counterfeit (2) Jan 21, 1974
- E13 The Illusion of the Stainless Steel Lady Jan 28, 1974
- E14 The Illusion of the Queen's Gambit Feb 4, 1974
- E15 The Illusion of Black Gold Feb 11, 1974
- E16 The Illusion of the Lost Dragon Feb 18, 1974
- E17 The Illusion of the Deadly Conglomerate Feb 25, 1974
- E18 The Illusion of the Fatal Arrow Mar 4, 1974
- E19 The Illusion of the Lethal Playthings Mar 18, 1974
- E20 The Illusion of the Cat's Eye Mar 25, 1974
- E21 The Illusion of the Evil Spikes Apr 15, 1974
Frequently asked questions
When was The Magician originally broadcast?
It aired during the 1973–1974 television season.
Who plays the lead role?
Bill Bixby stars as the illusionist Anthony "Tony" Blake.
What is the basic premise of the series?
A playboy philanthropist who is a stage magician uses his tricks to help solve difficult crimes.
Why was the main character's name changed after the pilot?
The name was altered from Anthony Dorian to Anthony Blake to avoid conflict with a real‑life stage magician.
How many seasons did the series run?
The series ran for a single season in 1973–1974.