Strange Paradise

30min

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Drama

Strange Paradise is a Canadian occult / supernatural soap opera of 195 episodes, initially launched in syndication in the United States on September 8, 1969, and later broadcast on CBC Television from October 20, 1969 to July 22, 1970. The production was the brainchild of producer Steve Krantz, in an attempt to capitalize on the phenomenal success of ABC's daytime serial Dark Shadows. To develop this series, Krantz hired actor-writer Ian Martin and veteran TV and radio producer Jerry Layton, both of who would be given screen credit for the creation of Strange Paradise. With the CBC and American broadcasters Metromedia and Kaiser Broadcasting handling distribution and co-production, the series was produced in Ottawa at CTV affiliate CJOH-TV and aired for 39 weeks, presenting three separate 13-week story arcs.

Episodes

Cast

Episode 1

1. Episode 1

30min

20th Oct 1969

Quito brought dry ice to the house. Raxl tried to get Dr. Menkin to change Jean Paul's mind about cryogenics. Alison was worried about her sister and asked Dan for help. Dan fired his chatty secretary. Jean Paul was approached by the spirit of Jacques. In a flashback, Jacques' wife was mad at him because of a revoving eye. Alison and Dan ended up in the Carribean. Dan booked them in two separate rooms at the French-Leave Cafe. Beryl sang ""That Old Black Magic"" at the French-Leave Cafe as Jean Paul found the conjure doll with the silver pin in Jacques's coffin.

Episode 2

2. Episode 2

30min

21st Oct 1969

Vangie and Alison talked about Tim's situation: he's in debt. Tim told Alison about how his mother died and he was forced to use loan sharks to pay for his mother's hospitalization. Jean Paul is possessed by Jacques and Jacques enjoys the world that he has reentered. Vangie convinced Alison to get Jean Paul to commission Tim to do an oil painting of Erica. Alison saved Tim from a thug looking to collect money. Jean Paul had Quito get more dry ice for Erica. Raxl and Quito entered a secret passage through a secret door in the crypt.

Episode 3

3. Episode 3

30min

22nd Oct 1969

Raxl and Quito went into the Temple of the Serpents. Holly tried to leave the church when Elizabeth confronted her. Matthew reprimanded Elizabeth over her parenting skills and then they discussed Holly's inheritance. Raxl visited her beloved mistress. Raxl feared the devil.

Episode 4

4. Episode 4

30min

23rd Oct 1969

The cryonics people arrived. Jacques possessed Jean Paul and indulged in wine when having breakfast with the cryogenics people. Dan returned to Alison to say that Jean Paul would be back to pick them up later. Alison was not relaxed by the thought. Raxl awoken Jean Paul who had no recollection of what had happened. Erica was locked away before Jean Paul could say goodbye. Raxl vowed revenge. Jean Paul signed Dan's papers with the signature: Jacques Eloi des Mondes. Alison coaxed Jean Paul to hire Tim to paint Erica.

Episode 5

5. Episode 5

30min

24th Oct 1969

Alison tries to visit Erica when she learns Erica is dead. Alison was scared by Quito and saw Erica in the cryogenic capsule. Quito was attracted to Jacques portrait and Raxl reprimanded him. Jean Paul consoled Alison. He told her the story of how Erica died. Raxl informed Jean Paul that Menkin wanted to leave the island. Alison asked Raxl about Jean Paul and she replied that evil walks among them. Raxl continued to talk about Jacques. A scream was heard outside and Jean Paul, possessed by Jacques, returned with Quito and the body of Dr. Menkin. In a dream, Jacques learned of the conjure doll and he realized he was possessed.

Episode 6

6. Episode 6

30min

27th Oct 1969

Episode 7

7. Episode 7

30min

28th Oct 1969

Episode 8

8. Episode 8

30min

29th Oct 1969

Episode 9

9. Episode 9

30min

30th Oct 1969

Episode 10

10. Episode 10

30min

31st Oct 1969

Episode 11

11. Episode 11

30min

3rd Nov 1969

Episode 12

12. Episode 12

30min

4th Nov 1969

Episode 13

13. Episode 13

30min

5th Nov 1969

Episode 14

14. Episode 14

30min

6th Nov 1969

Episode 15

15. Episode 15

30min

7th Nov 1969

Episode 16

16. Episode 16

30min

10th Nov 1969

Episode 17

17. Episode 17

30min

11th Nov 1969

Episode 18

18. Episode 18

30min

12th Nov 1969

Episode 19

19. Episode 19

30min

13th Nov 1969

Episode 20

20. Episode 20

30min

14th Nov 1969

Episode 21

21. Episode 21

30min

17th Nov 1969

Episode 22

22. Episode 22

30min

18th Nov 1969

Episode 23

23. Episode 23

30min

19th Nov 1969

Episode 24

24. Episode 24

30min

20th Nov 1969

Episode 25

25. Episode 25

30min

21st Nov 1969

Episode 26

26. Episode 26

30min

24th Nov 1969

Episode 27

27. Episode 27

30min

25th Nov 1969

Episode 28

28. Episode 28

30min

26th Nov 1969

Episode 29

29. Episode 29

30min

27th Nov 1969

Episode 30

30. Episode 30

30min

28th Nov 1969

Episode 31

31. Episode 31

30min

1st Dec 1969

Episode 32

32. Episode 32

30min

2nd Dec 1969

Episode 33

33. Episode 33

30min

3rd Dec 1969

Episode 34

34. Episode 34

30min

4th Dec 1969

Episode 35

35. Episode 35

30min

5th Dec 1969

Episode 36

36. Episode 36

30min

8th Dec 1969

Episode 37

37. Episode 37

30min

9th Dec 1969

Episode 38

38. Episode 38

30min

10th Dec 1969

Episode 39

39. Episode 39

30min

11th Dec 1969

Episode 40

40. Episode 40

30min

12th Dec 1969

Episode 41

41. Episode 41

30min

15th Dec 1969

Episode 42

42. Episode 42

30min

16th Dec 1969

Episode 43

43. Episode 43

30min

17th Dec 1969

Episode 44

44. Episode 44

30min

18th Dec 1969

Episode 45

45. Episode 45

30min

19th Dec 1969

Episode 46

46. Episode 46

30min

22nd Dec 1969

Episode 47

47. Episode 47

30min

23rd Dec 1969

Episode 48

48. Episode 48

30min

24th Dec 1969

Episode 49

49. Episode 49

30min

26th Dec 1969

Episode 50

50. Episode 50

30min

29th Dec 1969

Episode 51

51. Episode 51

30min

30th Dec 1969

Episode 52

52. Episode 52

30min

31st Dec 1969

Episode 53

53. Episode 53

30min

1st Jan 1970

Episode 54

54. Episode 54

30min

2nd Jan 1970

Episode 55

55. Episode 55

30min

5th Jan 1970

Episode 56

56. Episode 56

30min

6th Jan 1970

Episode 57

57. Episode 57

30min

7th Jan 1970

Episode 58

58. Episode 58

30min

8th Jan 1970

Episode 59

59. Episode 59

30min

9th Jan 1970

Episode 60

60. Episode 60

30min

12th Jan 1970

Tim is packed and ready to leave the island, despite Erica's objections that no one must leave. Jean-Paul is possessed by Jaques, who summones the spirit of the first murderer. Tim is lured into Jean-Paul's secret room, where is is strangled by Jean-Paul/Jaques. Elizabeth comes to Erica and Jean-Paul's bedroom, unaware of what is taking place behind the bookcase, and discovers Tim's lucky palet knife on the floor.

Episode 61

61. Episode 61

30min

13th Jan 1970

Jean-Paul realizes the truth about Erica after his possessed body murders Tim Stanton. Jean-Paul demands Erica turn over the silver pin and takes her and the doll down to confront the portrait of Jaques Eloi De Monde. Erica reveals her plans to take Holly Marshall's body and soul so she can live forever to Jean-Paul, and tells him everyone on the island must die. After arguing with Jaques, Jean-Paul drives the silver pin through his voodoo doll's head with no effect. Frustrated, Jean-Paul throws the doll into the fireplace, and Erica begins to burn. After rescuing the doll from the flames, Erica tells Jean-Paul he has no choice but to help her and Jaques, as they can possess him at any time and make him murder whenever they wish.

Episode 62

62. Episode 62

30min

14th Jan 1970

Jean-Paul frees Alison, Elizabeth and Holly and orders them to pack their things to leave later that day. Erica confronts Jean-Paul and discovers his hatrid for her and what she has become. Erica confesses to Alison, begging for help keeping everyone on the island. When she refuses, Erica tells her how much she hates her but how she could never harm her. Erica gathers everyone for a farwell drink of wine in the dining room, and slips something from her ring into the drink ment for Holly. Alison accidentally takes her glass and falls to the ground.

Episode 63

63. Episode 63

30min

15th Jan 1970

Alison switches Holly's poisoned wine for hers to save her from Erica and pays the ultimate price to prove to her sister how much she does love her. Jean-Paul rushes Holly and Elizabeth to the boat house with Raxil, only for them to return shortly after to report the boat missing.

Episode 64

64. Episode 64

30min

16th Jan 1970

Elizabeth becomes hysterical that she and Holly are going to die on Mal Jardin and has to be sedated in her room. Jaques uses his power to set the boat house on fire, Jean-Paul and Raxil run to try and put it out before the entire island is set ablaze. With Holly locked in her room watching over her mother, and no one else in the house, Erica entrances Holly and brings her before Jaques' portrait to stab the silver pin through her heart to gain her youth and spirit. As she goes to stab Holly, Elizabeth runs in the way and is killed. Holly finally sees Erica for what she really is, but with Erica cornering her with the silver pin it may be too late.

Episode 65

65. Episode 65

30min

19th Jan 1970

Jean-Paul saves Holly from Erica and has Raxl quickly take her to the boathouse. Jean-Paul and Erica have their final confrontation, and Jean-Paul uses her fear of fire to his advantage by setting the mansion on fire. Erica is consumed by the flames and vanishes in a blue fog. Jean-Paul lights Jaques Eloi De Monde's portrait on fire to put an end to his evil. As Jean-Paul escapes the inferno through the front doors Jaques tells him his curse will live on, where ever he goes, and that life for him will forever be "" a strange ... paradise""

Episode 66

66. Episode 66

30min

Jean-Paul awakens in Desmond Hall, the summer home from when he was growing up. There he is reunited with his cousin Ada and meets her new husband Laslo Thaxton. Raxl, Quito and Holly all survived the burning of Maljardin and have joined him at Desmond Hall. Jean-Paul is informed his brother Phillip Desmond left to visit him on Maljardin and has not been heard from since. As Holly sleeps, a mysterious woman visits her room and places her in a trance and tells her she's her friend. Back in bed, Jean-Paul is awoken to a bloodied ghost calling his name.

Episode 67

67. Episode 67

30min

Jean-Paul is disturbed by the visitor he received last night, though no one belives what he saw. Holly discovers a necklace in her room and loves it. Raxl recognizes it immediately as a sorcerer's stone and tries to take it from her to protect her. Holly becomes frightened and runs to Jean-Paul. While with Jean-Paul, Irene Hatter, the woman who visited Holly while she slept last night, pays a visit to the Hall and strikes up a friendship with Holly. Laslo later returns the stone to Holly. Jean-Paul goes to Phillip's room and is confronted by Laslo.

Episode 68

68. Episode 68

30min

Raxl calls upon the great serpent to destroy the ring of Jaques, and Jean-Paul suddenly feels great pain. Desmond Hall is visited by one of the mill's employees and Jean-Paul is not pleased with what he's learning about Laslo's running of the family business. Jean-Paul informs Laslo that he is the senior member of the Desmond family and in Phillip's absence he will be in charge of the family business. Emily Blair arrives at Desmond Hall, after receiving a hand delivered letter from Phillip inviting her to the Hall to do research on the Desmond family's history. Laslo tells her the handwriting on the letter is not Phillip's in an attempt to keep her from doing her research, but Jean-Paul catches her before she leaves and the two talk privately in the drawing room. Jean-Paul says the letter is authentic and allows invites her to perform her research.

Episode 69

69. Episode 69

30min

Episode 70

70. Episode 70

30min

Episode 71

71. Episode 71

30min

Episode 72

72. Episode 72

30min

Episode 73

73. Episode 73

30min

Episode 74

74. Episode 74

30min

Episode 75

75. Episode 75

30min

Episode 76

76. Episode 76

30min

Episode 77

77. Episode 77

30min

Episode 78

78. Episode 78

30min

Episode 79

79. Episode 79

30min

Episode 80

80. Episode 80

30min

Episode 81

81. Episode 81

30min

Episode 82

82. Episode 82

30min

Episode 83

83. Episode 83

30min

Episode 84

84. Episode 84

30min

Episode 85

85. Episode 85

30min

Jean-Paul makes his way to Irene's cottage, and the mark of death compells him to strangle her. Phillip leads Holly back to Desmond Hall, where Raxl locks Holly in her room to keep her safe from Jean-Paul. Raxl confronts Irene at the cottage after interrupting Jean-Paul's attempt on her life. On the docks, Jean-Paul comes across Agatha who is about to kill herself and saves her life.

Episode 86

86. Episode 86

30min

Episode 87

87. Episode 87

30min

Episode 88

88. Episode 88

30min

Episode 89

89. Episode 89

30min

Episode 90

90. Episode 90

30min

Episode 91

91. Episode 91

30min

Episode 92

92. Episode 92

30min

Episode 93

93. Episode 93

30min

Episode 94

94. Episode 94

30min

Episode 95

95. Episode 95

30min

Episode 96

96. Episode 96

30min

Episode 97

97. Episode 97

30min

Episode 98

98. Episode 98

30min

Episode 99

99. Episode 99

30min

Episode 100

100. Episode 100

30min

Episode 101

101. Episode 101

30min

Episode 102

102. Episode 102

30min

Episode 103

103. Episode 103

30min

Episode 104

104. Episode 104

30min

Episode 105

105. Episode 105

30min

Episode 106

106. Episode 106

30min

Episode 107

107. Episode 107

30min

Episode 108

108. Episode 108

30min

Episode 109

109. Episode 109

30min

Episode 110

110. Episode 110

30min

Episode 111

111. Episode 111

30min

Episode 112

112. Episode 112

30min

Episode 113

113. Episode 113

30min

Episode 114

114. Episode 114

30min

Episode 115

115. Episode 115

30min

Episode 116

116. Episode 116

30min

Episode 117

117. Episode 117

30min

Episode 118

118. Episode 118

30min

Episode 119

119. Episode 119

30min

Episode 120

120. Episode 120

30min

Episode 121

121. Episode 121

30min

Episode 122

122. Episode 122

30min

Episode 123

123. Episode 123

30min

Episode 124

124. Episode 124

30min

Episode 125

125. Episode 125

30min

Episode 126

126. Episode 126

30min

Episode 127

127. Episode 127

30min

Episode 128

128. Episode 128

30min

Episode 129

129. Episode 129

30min

Episode 130

130. Episode 130

30min

Episode 131

131. Episode 131

30min

Episode 132

132. Episode 132

30min

Episode 133

133. Episode 133

30min

Episode 134

134. Episode 134

30min

Episode 135

135. Episode 135

30min

Episode 196

136. Episode 196

30min

Episode 137

137. Episode 137

30min

Episode 138

138. Episode 138

30min

Episode 39

139. Episode 39

30min

Episode 14-

140. Episode 14-

30min

Episode 141

141. Episode 141

30min

Episode 142

142. Episode 142

30min

Episode 143

143. Episode 143

30min

Episode 144

144. Episode 144

30min

Episode 145

145. Episode 145

30min

Episode 146

146. Episode 146

30min

Episode 147

147. Episode 147

30min

Episode 148

148. Episode 148

30min

Episode 149

149. Episode 149

30min

Episode 150

150. Episode 150

30min

Episode 151

151. Episode 151

30min

Episode 152

152. Episode 152

30min

Episode 153

153. Episode 153

30min

Episode 154

154. Episode 154

30min

Episode 155

155. Episode 155

30min

Episode 156

156. Episode 156

30min

Episode 157

157. Episode 157

30min

Episode 158

158. Episode 158

30min

Episode 159

159. Episode 159

30min

Episode 160

160. Episode 160

30min

Episode 161

161. Episode 161

30min

Episode 162

162. Episode 162

30min

Episode 163

163. Episode 163

30min

Episode 164

164. Episode 164

30min

Episode 165

165. Episode 165

30min

Episode 166

166. Episode 166

30min

Episode 167

167. Episode 167

30min

Episode 168

168. Episode 168

30min

Episode 169

169. Episode 169

30min

Episode 170

170. Episode 170

30min

Episode 171

171. Episode 171

30min

18th Jun 1970

Episode 172

172. Episode 172

30min

19th Jun 1970

Episode 173

173. Episode 173

30min

22nd Jun 1970

Episode 174

174. Episode 174

30min

23rd Jun 1970

Episode 175

175. Episode 175

30min

24th Jun 1970

Episode 176

176. Episode 176

30min

25th Jun 1970

Episode 177

177. Episode 177

30min

26th Jun 1970

Episode 178

178. Episode 178

30min

29th Jun 1970

Episode 179

179. Episode 179

30min

30th Jun 1970

Episode 180

180. Episode 180

30min

1st Jul 1970

Episode 181

181. Episode 181

30min

2nd Jul 1970

Episode 182

182. Episode 182

30min

3rd Jul 1970

Episode 183

183. Episode 183

30min

6th Jul 1970

Episode 184

184. Episode 184

30min

7th Jul 1970

Episode 185

185. Episode 185

30min

8th Jul 1970

Episode 186

186. Episode 186

30min

9th Jul 1970

Episode 187

187. Episode 187

30min

10th Jul 1970

Episode 188

188. Episode 188

30min

13th Jul 1970

Episode 189

189. Episode 189

30min

14th Jul 1970

Episode 190

190. Episode 190

30min

15th Jul 1970

Episode 191

191. Episode 191

30min

16th Jul 1970

Episode 192

192. Episode 192

30min

17th Jul 1970

Episode 193

193. Episode 193

30min

20th Jul 1970

Episode 194

194. Episode 194

30min

21st Jul 1970

Episode 195

195. Episode 195

30min

22nd Jul 1970

Raxl instructs Jean Paul to strangle Irene, who she believes is Emily. When Jean Paul is unable to, Raxl goes after Irene, with the Mark of Death on her hand. Julien interrupts Raxl, and Jean Paul comes out of his trance. Irene tells the group that Raxl said she killed Agatha, and Julien forces Raxl to reveal her sins. Raxl admits to killing all of ""Jean Paul's"" victims and the Desmonds are freed of the curse. Raxl blesses Jean Paul and Emily's union and then goes up in flames. Julien tells Cort he is not his grandfather, that he is a spirit, Raxl's better half. Ada and Julien say goodbye. Jean Paul and Emily leave to marry and settle abroad and leaving Cort Desmond Hall.

First air date

20th Oct 1969

Last air date

22nd Jul 1970

Status

Returning Series

Type

Scripted

Original language

en

Networks