The Fab Occult TV Detectives of The 1970s

The 1970s were an odd time, certainly more interesting and creative to me in terms of TV, fashion and music than today. Aside from the TV subgenre of MR James, folk horror and other supernatural fare, there was a particular strain of 'Occult Detection' that I recently rediscovered.

So, in the spirit of televisual investigation, here are a few shows and TV movies to check out, with debut episodes given, and often the whole series are available.

Baffled! (ITV 1973 in the UK)

Zodiac (ITV, 1974)

Ace of Wands (ITV, 1970-72, S3 only)

"Ageless night. Careless day. Fate reaches out a hand

To touch the edge of destiny. A story with no end."

Spectre (1977)

The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes (1971) In the 5th episode entitled 'The Horse of the Invisible', Donald Pleasence starred as occult detective Thomas Carnacki

The Norliss Tapes (1973)

The Sixth Sense (1972)

The Possessed (1977)

Ritual of Evil (1970)

Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1972, 1973,1974-75)

Good Against Evil (1977)

The World Beyond (1978)

Dr Strange (1978)

And at the flicks:

God Told Me To (1976)

In 1992, BBC1 had a later attempt with Moon & Son...

Now, if I was thinking of creating an new Occult Detective show, I would perhaps adapt some of Aleister Crowley's Simon Iff stories. Doubtful whether any mainstream broadcaster would go for it, bearing in mind the source. Hey ho.

Joe Fiedler Trio - Occult