knock three times

Knock Three Times

1968 United Kingdom

Early Sunday evening presentation shown under the Heyday Theatre banner. This four-part children's adventure series was a modern version of Marion St. John Webb's story (originally published in 1917), starring 15-year old 4ft 5in Jack Wild, by this time internationally famous as the Artful Dodger in Lionel Bart's musical 'Oliver!' Wild was teamed with young Sally-Ann Jones - three years his junior but the same height - to play twins Jack and Molly. 

Comedienne Hattie Jacques starred as their Aunt Nancy, a magical lady who lead the children off into a world of fun and fantasy. The serial started at the children's 12th birthday party, presided over by Nancy. Later, when the twins are in bed, Molly has a dream about one of her presents, a pin cushion, which turns into a walking "Grey Pumpkin Man" (played by diminutive character actor Norman McGleen). The rest of the serial was devoted to Molly's fantasy world, where she and Jack got involved in all sorts of adventures. Two stars from Please Sir! appeared in the series; Erik Chitty and Liz Gebhardt.

Share on...

Published on December 28th, 2018. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Charmed

Also tagged Fantasy

A trio of sisters, known as The Charmed Ones, the most powerful good witches of all time use their combined "Power of Three" to protect innocent lives from evil beings.

Box of Delights

Also tagged Childrens Drama

John Masefield's enchanting children's fantasy The Box of Delights, tells the story of a young boy whose chance meeting with a Punch-and-Judy man leads him to a world where almost anything is possible.

Flight of the Heron

Also tagged Childrens Drama

Epic period drama made by Scottish Television and based on D.K. Broster's 1925 novel centred round fictional events at the time of the non-fictional Jacobite Rebellion of 1746 and leading up to the battle of Culloden.

Please Sir Film 1971
TVH Plus

Also starring Erik Chitty

Mr Hedges puts his neck on the line when he pleads the case for his unruly class 5C to be allowed to go to summer camp for the first time. He's soon regretting his faith in his pupils as chaos reigns right from the start...

Happy Holidays

Also starring Hattie Jacques

Comedy serial written by Peter Ling (co-creator of Compact and Crossroads) made by the BBC Children's Television department and broadcast throughout the school holidays of 1954.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Also starring Jack Wild

A 'lost' 1967 BBC2 anthology series adapting thirteen of Conan Doyle’s lesser-known tales, following Oxford acquaintances through eerie, comic, romantic, and mysterious adventures-showcasing his storytelling range beyond Sherlock Holmes

Danger Island

Also tagged Childrens Drama

A 12-year old boy overhears two sinister men plotting to assassinate their country's ruler.

Devil in the Fog

Also released in 1968

"In the beginning this tale tells how I, George, eldest born son of Master Salathiel Treet, strolling player and man of genius, came to have greatness thrust upon me."