Scattered amongst the serious and classic stories of this lamentably short-lived sci-fi series were one or two in lighter mode. I seem to recall that they could be identified by the Tony Hatch twangy guitar version of the theme music as opposed to the usual sombre piano offering. Vanishing Act was one of these.
Second rate hen-pecked magician Edgar Brocklebank buys a small trick box from a theatrical supplies shop. The box is part of the stage props of legendary magician The Great Vorg, who suddenly disappeared mysteriously. Edgar finds that any object placed in the box vanishes, but cannot be brought back. When demonstrating it to a friend it doesn't work, but then he realises the box needs to be re-charged by sunlight. He uses it in his act making small items like pencils disappear, to great acclaim. One audience member insists that Edgar uses his gold watch and the hapless magician then has to pay for it. However, Edgar becomes famous and wealthy and visits the shop again surmising there may be other props available. There are, in particular a large cabinet which he obviously purchases. Testing it out, he makes a broom disappear and then on stage a variety of lovely, costumed assistants step in, but never step out. As expected it's too good to last. He becomes attracted to one assistant Nancy and has get rid of his wife. However, her disappearance attracts the attention of the law and Edgar, about to be arrested, jumps into the cabinet and disappears. Seconds later he finds himself in a futuristic city where he is welcomed by The Great Vorg himself. I can't recall the explanation for the cabinet's power but Vorg says that it was a portal into the future. He relates how he knew his props were being used by the cascade of bits and pieces which materialised and then the parade of girls. He is aware that the Police destroyed the cabinet. Edgar asks about Nancy and is told she is there waiting for him. But, when he turns around he sees she is now ancient. Roll credits!
This episode was something of a palate-refresher. Maurice Denham, who seemed to be ageless, plays Edgar to a T and Derek Newark is the officious Police Inspector in typical farce mode. Godfrey Quigley plays Vorg with a leprechaun gleam in his eye. Great fun. Pity we can't watch it again. Remake anyone?
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