Daktari, 1966
Leaving no stone unturned in our quest to remember all the rubbish or maybe not we used to watch in school holidays.
Daktari (Swahilli for Doctor) was an American drama originally screened in the USA in 1966. There were 89 episodes broadcast in USA over 4 series. The show was a regular fixture during the 1970’s on UK TV screens during kids summer holidays.
The series was based upon the 1965 film: Clarence The Cross Eyed Lion.
The concept was developed by producer Ivan Tors who was inspired by the work of Dr. Antonie Marinus Harthoorn and his wife Sue at their animal orphanage in Nairobi. It was Dr. Harthoorn helped invent the capture gun, and was a tireless campaigner for animal rights. He was known as Daktari by the local Swahili people.
Summary
Set at the fictional Wameru Study Centre for Animal Behaviour in East Africa, Daktari followed the work Dr. Tracy, daughter Paula and his staff, who frequently protect animals from poachers and local officials.
Tracy’s pets, a cross-eyed lion named Clarence and a chimpanzee named Judy, became hugely characters.
Clips
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Cast
Marshall Thompson – Dr Marsh Tracy
Cheryl Miller – Paula Tracy
Hedley Mattingly – District Officer Hedley
Hari Rhodes – Mike Makula
Details
Channel: CBS (USA), BBC1 (UK)
Created By: Art Arthur and Ivan Tors
Original US Transmission Dates: 11th January 1966 – 15th January 1969