Secrets and Mysteries (1983–1989) User Reviews

All in all, a pretty good show

[pageclan-1 · 7 August 2011]

I saw this show on TV at the time, and later got some episodes of it on VHS (MPI Home Video) under the Title: "Secrets of the Unknown". This show came out soon after the In Search Of series, though, probably, too soon, as witness its short-lived run and uncanny similarity of the topics covered. A match-up of their episode titles shows heavy overlap. Even their disclaimers are almost identical. Notwithstanding that, the subject matter is naturally fertile ground for documentaries, and this series did an admirable job. The series was set in a surreal, library-like mansion, with various tools (computer databases, view-screens, time portals, and the like) to facilitate exploration of the topic at hand in each episode. It gave the show a nice flair, making it more engaging and enjoyable to watch. Recommended for those interested in this genre, or anyone else, for that matter.

A cult classic for history and paranormal buffs!

[hignerdingo · 10/10 · 27 January 2016]

I first came across this series through my interest in the Titanic. The eerie, dream-like mood, sci-fi steam punk computer equipment, and library-like set up of the host's place made me feel like I was a guest of a strange and fun librarian in his spooky castle! Since then I have occasionally found or collected other VHS tapes but I really wish the whole series would have put on a DVD set. I was also a big fan of In Search Of for years around that time too. Several of he episodes are actually very well done, even with regards to some of the period dramas enacted, while others tend to be somewhat hokey, but fun. The most valuable things about this program, throughout, are the testimonials and the interviews with those who have first hand accounts of certain events, people, and phenomenon discussed. These shows were done at a time when producers and others took their time in discussing their subjects in conversational, informative, gentle ways--a method sometimes eclipsed by the fast-pacing, comparatively lower information kind-of documentaries now seen on some networks. The always upstanding Edward Mulhare (The Ghost and Mrs. Muir) is also a great host! I highly recommend this show to fans of In Search Of, Dr. Who, Twilight Zone, Engineering Marvels, Ancient Mysteries, John Romer's various documentary series, or Sightings. Even people with even a casual interest in Amelia Earhart, Jack the Ripper, the Hindenburg, Bigfoot, Powers of the Mind, UFOs, Psychic Detectives, or Witches, this series is generally impressive. (The Witches episode is probably the best and most accommodating documentary on the Wicca spirituality you will find. English Ghosts, Pearl Harbor, Pyramids, Stonehenge, Dreams and Nightmares, Mystic Hitler, Bigfoot, Space, and Titanic are among the very best and most objective episodes in the series.)