The Secret City

The Secret City

  • 1985
  • 1 Seasons
  • 65 Episodes
  •  6  (3)
  •   Ended

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.

The Secret City
Seasons
Cartooning - Club Day
65. Cartooning - Club Day
November 29, 1985
US Log Line: The Secret City mural is completed. Pre-Production Name (AVM); #165:"Cartooning" {Note: The Log Line as printed in TV Guide was inaccurate. Episode 65 was a Club Day and there are no mural segments on Club Days. The mural was completed the prior Thursday in episode 64. This error likely originates with the pre-production Program Listings developed for the show by Adler Video Marketing which stated "#165: "Cartooning." Cartoonist Al Grosso helps Commander Mark finish the secret city mural."}
Lettering - Club Day
60. Lettering - Club Day
November 22, 1985
Flying Bird - Club Day
40. Flying Bird - Club Day
October 25, 1985
Two-Headed Animal - Club Day
35. Two-Headed Animal - Club Day
October 18, 1985
Birthday Party - Club Day
25. Birthday Party - Club Day
October 04, 1985
Covered Cities - Club Day
20. Covered Cities - Club Day
September 27, 1985
Space Station - Platform
16. Space Station - Platform
September 23, 1985
Monorail - Club Day
15. Monorail - Club Day
September 20, 1985
Humanlike Hand Puppets
14. Humanlike Hand Puppets
September 19, 1985
Animal Hand Puppets
13. Animal Hand Puppets
September 18, 1985
Unibear - Club Day
10. Unibear - Club Day
September 13, 1985
Home
8. Home
September 11, 1985
Moonbots - Club Day
5. Moonbots - Club Day
September 06, 1985
Observatory
4. Observatory
September 05, 1985
US Log Line: A segment on computer art. Pre-Production Name (AVM); #104: "Shooting Stars"
Mountains With Lids
3. Mountains With Lids
September 04, 1985
Moonscape Building
1. Moonscape Building
September 02, 1985
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.]
Description
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.
  • Premiere Date
    September 02, 1985
  • Rating
    6  (3)