{{Short description|1974 British TV series}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox television | image = Hôtel Weisshorn, (2337m). Zicht op Saint-Luc (1655m) in Val d'Anniviers 01.JPG | image_upright = | image_size = | caption = The village of Saint-Luc, where the whole series was filmed. | alt_name = {{ubl|Ski-Boy|Ski Boy|Á Skis Redoublés|Genç Kayakçi}} | genre = Action/Drama | creator = {{ubl|Derrick Sherwin|Charles de Jaeger}} | director = {{ubl|Anthony Squire|Michael Ferguson|Martin Hall}} | producer = {{ubl|Derrick Sherwin|Lew Grade}} | presenter = | starring = {{ubl|Stephen R. Hudis|Margot Alexis|Robert Coleby|Frederick Jaeger|Patricia Haines}} | theme_music_composer = Anthony Isaac | country = United Kingdom | language = English | num_series = 1 | num_episodes = 13 | list_episodes = | executive_producer = {{ubl|Derrick Sherwin|Charles de Jaeger}} | camera = Multi-Camera | runtime = {{ubl|23 minutes|(except for the pilot episode)}} | company = ITC Entertainment | network = ITV | first_aired = {{start date|1974|5|13}} | last_aired = {{end date|1974|8|5}} | related = | image_alt = }} '''Skiboy''' is a British action TV-Series produced and created by Derrick Sherwin and Charles de Jaeger. The series ran for 13 episodes from 13 May 1974 to 5 August 1974 on ITV before being cancelled.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hGHGSSQB1oQC&q=Skiboy+Television+show&pg=PA156|title=Ingrid Pitt, Queen of Horror: The Complete Career|first=Robert Michael “Bobb”|last=Cotter|date=January 10, 2014|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-6189-9|via=Google Books}}</ref> The entire series was filmed at the mountainous location of Saint-Luc in Switzerland, where the plots for the episodes mostly center around dramatic events in the mountains.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JKy-kbWy_SQC&q=%22Skiboy%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA339|title=Federal Communications Commission Reports: Decisions, Reports, and Orders of the Federal Communications Commission of the United States|first=United States Federal Communications|last=Commission|date=August 12, 1975|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|via=Google Books}}</ref>
== Origins == During the 1960s and 70s, ITC Entertainment was responsible for producing ITV's numerous television series with plots concerning fantasy, science-fiction, and action. At the beginning of 1973, Derrick Sherwin, with the help of Dennis Spooner, developed an idea based on action and skiing, which was starting to become an extremely popular sport at this time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rarefilmfinder.com/movie.php?id=32632|title=Ski-Boy (1974) :: starring: Stephen R. Hudis, Sean Hyde|website=www.rarefilmfinder.com}}</ref> As for finding a location to film, Charles de Jaeger proposed to Sherwin that the ideal place would be in one of the most traditional villages of the Val d'Anniviers, in Saint-Luc.<ref name="4saisons">{{Cite magazine|url=https://issuu.com/4saisons.anniviers/docs/4saisons32web|title=Skiboy |author=Yanis Chauvel |magazine=Les 4 Saisons d'Anniviers |date=October 2018 |issue=32 |pages=6–7 |via=Issuu |lang=fr}}</ref> After having filmed the series successfully in the mountainous region in the winter of 1973–74, the double-length pilot episode, "Mountain Witch" was released on 13 May 1974.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nostalgiacentral.com/television/tv-by-decade/tv-shows-1970s/skiboy/|title=Skiboy | Nostalgia Central}}</ref> [[File:Platter lift Saint-Luc.jpg|thumb|Many episodes of the series were filmed near Bella-Tola, where now exists a skilift by the same name.]] [[File:Chalet Saint-Luc (2).jpg|thumb|Bobbie and Sadie are seen in the village of Saint-Luc many times throughout the series.]]
== Characters == === Bobbie Noel === Played by Stephen R. Hudis. Bobbie is the youngest son of the Noel family that resides in the mountains. His parents are owner of a hotel in his alpine hometown, and his brother, Jean, is part of the mountain rescue team. He is mostly followed by his girlfriend, Sadie (played by Margot Alexis), that also enjoys skiing, and his faithful dog, Gruff. In the series, he is regarded as being the main character, which he is called ''Skiboy'', and comes to the rescue in dangerous situations with his amazing skiing skills. His dream is to become an olympic skier, thereby, using Saint-Luc as practice, with the help of Jean.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kifim.ouest-france.fr/serie/skiboy/122052/|title=Skiboy|via=kifim.ouest-france.fr}}</ref> Bobbie is mostly seen wearing his yellow and black winter clothes.
==== Gruff ==== Gruff is a Lakeland Terrier that accompanies Bobbie everywhere he goes in the village.
=== Sadie McStay === Played by Margot Alexis. Sadie is Bobbie's girlfriend that resides with his family and friends at Saint-Luc. In the episodes, she is mostly seen skiing with him on the slopes.
=== Jean Noel === Played by Robert Coleby. Jean is Bobbie's older brother and is part of the mountain rescue team of Saint-Luc and is sometimes on duty at the hotel restaurant. When Bobbie is faced into hard situations, Jean is normally there to help Bobbie by bringing him tools, or even helping the pursuit of some bandits on the slopes.
=== Jacques Noel === Played by Frederick Jaeger. Jacques is Bobbie's uncle, and owner of the hotel. He is not seen on many episodes, but when seen, is helping Bobbie. In the episode ''Buried Menace'', he relays by radio, instructions on how to de-fuse a recently discovered bomb to Bobbie from an arms expert.
=== Jane Noel === Played by Patricia Haines (although played by Pauline Challoner in the episode ''Cold Shoulder''). Jane is wife of the hotel owner, Jacques, and mostly helps prepare meals for the inhabitants of the building. She also approves a hatred relationship between Bobbie's dog, Gruff.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvtime.com/en/show/322394|title=Skiboy|via=www.tvtime.com}}</ref> In some other versions of the show, she is referred to as "Claire".
== Episodes == === Plots === The plots of ''Skiboy'' depict dramatic events in a small alpine town. Bandits seeking hidden treasures in the mountains attract Bobbie's curiosity, or mysterious things happen in the village or on the mountain faces. And rarely, might there be some romance that is cut unexpectedly by danger.
=== Series One Episode List ===
{{Episode table |caption=Skiboy Episodes |background=#FFFFE6 |overall=3 |title=30 |director=20 |writer=35 |airdate=10 |prodcode=6 |episodes=
{{Episode list/sublist|Skiboy | EpisodeNumber = 1 | Title = '''Mountain Witch''' | DirectedBy = Michael Ferguson | WrittenBy = Derrick Sherwin | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|13}} | ProdCode = 101 | ShortSummary = Bobbie Noel and Sadie McStay live in the mountainous region of Saint-Luc in his uncle's hotel. Life in this location has permitted them to become excellent skiers. One day, an old lady with a sick little boy is discovered by the two young people. The woman tells them she had just been rejected from Bobbie's hotel by Bruno the concierge, claiming she is an evil witch. Bobbie starts to learn the origins of the lady, called the "Mountain Witch" by villagers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1036775/skiboy-1x01-mountain-witch|title=Skiboy: Mountain Witch | TVmaze|via=www.tvmaze.com}}</ref> ''Guest star: Anita Sharp-Bolster as Mountain Witch'' | LineColor = #FFFFE6 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Skiboy | EpisodeNumber = 2 | Title = Cry Wolf | DirectedBy = Michael Ferguson | WrittenBy = Bob Baker & Dave Martin | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|20}} | ProdCode = 102 | ShortSummary = While skiing on the slopes of Saint-Luc, Sadie has a terrible fall and is badly injured. Bobbie rushes to get help, but when he comes back to reassure her, Sadie is gone. Bobbie has to figure out what happened to her.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1036776/skiboy-1x02-cry-wolf|title=Skiboy: Cry Wolf | TVmaze|via=www.tvmaze.com}}</ref> ''Guest star: Paul Maxwell as Mr.McStay'' | LineColor = #FFFFE6 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Skiboy | EpisodeNumber = 3 | Title = Cold Shoulder | DirectedBy = Michael Ferguson | WrittenBy = Bob Baker & Dave Martin | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|27}} | ProdCode = 103 | ShortSummary = Romance is on the ski runs of Bobbie's village when two tourists meet. But the relationship between them becomes snowbound when they are stuck in the mountains. Bobbie is here to help them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1036778/skiboy-1x03-cold-shoulder|title=Skiboy: Cold Shoulder | TVmaze|via=www.tvmaze.com}}</ref> ''Guest stars: John Clive as Alastair & Jeremy Bulloch as Jeremy'' | LineColor = #FFFFE6 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Skiboy | EpisodeNumber = 4 | Title = Family Feud | DirectedBy = Anthony Squire | WrittenBy = Dennis Spooner | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|3}} | ProdCode = 104 | ShortSummary = Jacques is having problems with two villagers, who have had a prolonged quarrel on an incident that has happened many years ago. Sabotage is one of the claimed accusations. To solve the problem, they decide to enter a ski competition, forgetting that their youths have disappeared...<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1036779/skiboy-1x04-family-feud|title=Skiboy: Family Feud | TVmaze|via=www.tvmaze.com}}</ref> | LineColor = #FFFFE6 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Skiboy | EpisodeNumber = 5 | Title = Buried Menace | DirectedBy = Anthony Squire | WrittenBy = Bob Baker & Dave Martin | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|10}} | ProdCode = 105 | ShortSummary = An accident happens on the mountain as Bobbie and Sadie witness the fall of a filmmaker in a hole, where a bomb falls on him. The Noel Family sends a rescue operation, while a journalist goes illegally on the site to take pictures. After numerous attempts, Bobbie is forced to defuse the bomb.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1036780/skiboy-1x05-buried-menace|title=Skiboy: Buried Menace | TVmaze|via=www.tvmaze.com}}</ref> ''Guest stars: Michael Culver as Charles & Ingrid Pitt as Jo'' | LineColor = #FFFFE6 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Skiboy | EpisodeNumber = 6 | Title = Vanishing Trick | DirectedBy = Anthony Squire | WrittenBy = Tony Williamson | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|17}} | ProdCode = 106 | ShortSummary = Bobbie tries to rescue Sadie, who has been kidnapped by some unwanted bandits on the slopes of Saint-Luc.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1036781/skiboy-1x06-vanishing-trick|title=Skiboy: Vanishing Trick | TVmaze|via=www.tvmaze.com}}</ref> | LineColor = #FFFFE6 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Skiboy | EpisodeNumber = 7 | Title = Danger Trail | DirectedBy = Michael Ferguson | WrittenBy = Tony Williamson | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|24}} | ProdCode = 107 | ShortSummary = On a snowy day in the slopes, Bobbie and Sadie start to get stuck in an enormous snowstorm. They finally stop and try to await the storm to be finished. But while taking refuge, they hear a mysterious voice from behind that makes them want to push their investigations farther. This proves to be not a so good idea after all.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1036782/skiboy-1x07-danger-trail|title=Skiboy: Danger Trail | TVmaze}}</ref> ''Guest star: Paul Maxwell as Mr.McStay'' | LineColor = #FFFFE6 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Skiboy | EpisodeNumber = 8 | Title = Hot Ice | DirectedBy = Anthony Squire | WrittenBy = Derrick Sherwin | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|7|1}} | ProdCode = 108 | ShortSummary = Jane and Jean are approached by two men who want to be taken up Monk's Fall, a mountain close to Saint-Luc, but are declined by the two people. To find a guide, they dognap Gruff, Bobbie's dog, in exchange to be taken up the mountain. Bobbie accepts to guide them, but he discovers that the two bandits did not follow their promise...<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1036783/skiboy-1x08-hot-ice|title=Skiboy: Hot Ice | TVmaze}}</ref> ''Guest star: Hans Meyer as Reiner'' | LineColor = #FFFFE6 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Skiboy | EpisodeNumber = 9 | Title = Killer Dog | DirectedBy = Anthony Squire | WrittenBy = Derrick Sherwin | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|7|8}} | ProdCode = 109 | ShortSummary = Gruff is convicted of having killed six sheep in Saint-Luc. His family keeps persuading the village it's not him, but the dog is forced out of Saint-Luc on a car, driven by Bobbie. But finally, they discover the real truth, and are on the chase to catch the real theft.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1036784/skiboy-1x09-killer-dog|title=Killer Dog – Skiboy S01E09 | TVmaze}}</ref> | LineColor = #FFFFE6 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Skiboy | EpisodeNumber = 10 | Title = Unwelcome Guest | DirectedBy = Martin Hall | WrittenBy = Bob Baker & Dave Martin | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|7|15}} | ProdCode = 110 | ShortSummary = Two villagers are accusing each other of being the theft of an old stolen item. Bobbie tries to solve the problem, and see who of the two is right.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1036785/skiboy-1x10-unwelcome-guest|title=Skiboy: Unwelcome Guest | TVmaze|via=www.tvmaze.com}}</ref> ''Guest star: Anouska Hempel as Michelle'' | LineColor = #FFFFE6 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Skiboy | EpisodeNumber = 11 | Title = Death Mountain | DirectedBy = Michael Ferguson | WrittenBy = Dennis Spooner | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|7|22}} | ProdCode = 111 | ShortSummary = A famous female climber, Francoise Debra, just has accepted to climb Saint-Luc's highest peak by one of her friends, Phillip. But this decision worries her valet, Henri, who pleas her not to go. The valet forces himself to ask Jean Noel to help him persuade the climber not to climb the mountain. After a long discussion, the climber forgets her idea. But, sadly, it comes back to her mind and is decided to start climbing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1036786/skiboy-1x11-death-mountain|title=Skiboy: Death Mountain | TVmaze|via=www.tvmaze.com}}</ref> ''Guest star: Sally Geeson as Francoise Debra'' | LineColor = #FFFFE6 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Skiboy | EpisodeNumber = 12 | Title = Treasure Trove | DirectedBy = Michael Ferguson | WrittenBy = Bob Baker & Dave Martin | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|7|29}} | ProdCode = 112 | ShortSummary = While playing a friendly game in the snow, Bobbie tumbles over a pack of gold coins, which someone quickly comes to claim them. The stranger, Mathieu, also a hotel employee, claims it belongs to his dead father. But, Jacques, highly suspicious of the situation, proposes to donate it to church instead. This decision turns out into a big argument between the stranger and Jacques.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1036787/skiboy-1x12-treasure-trove|title=Skiboy: Treasure Trove | TVmaze|via=www.tvmaze.com}}</ref> | LineColor = #FFFFE6 }} {{Episode list/sublist|Skiboy | EpisodeNumber = 13 | Title = Breaking Point | AltTitle = Friday's Child | DirectedBy = Michael Ferguson | WrittenBy = Jeremy Paul | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|8|5}} | ProdCode = 113 | ShortSummary = Bobbie is uncomfortable watching her aunt talk to a newcomer. His family teases him, saying he is merely jealous, which proves to be true. But later, he discovers that the newcomer is a man searching for Sadie's widowed mother. Then he discovers another hardbreaking truth, one that says that Sadie's mother is usingthe newcomer to lure the girl out of Bobbie's family-friend relation. Bobbie must try to stop the scheme her friend's mother is making, and try to find out why.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1036788/skiboy-1x13-breaking-point-aka-fridays-child|title=Skiboy: Breaking Point (aka Friday's Child) | TVmaze|via=www.tvmaze.com}}</ref> ''Guest star: Barbara Shelley as Mrs.Mc Stay'' | LineColor = #FFFFE6 }} }}
== Production & Reception == === Episode Production === The episodes were filmed during the winter of 1973–74 at Saint-Luc in Switzerland, but were produced when the filming team got back to the United Kingdom. The first episode was broadcast on ITV on 13 May 1974, and the last one was aired on 5 August of that year. The filming team apparently had technical difficulties filming properly, and the people of Saint-Luc actually helped out the team.<ref name="4saisons" />
==== Production Team ==== {| class="wikitable" |+ Production Team |- ! Executive Producers !! Directors !! Producers !! Writers !! Adaptations !! Shootings !! Sound Recordings |- | {{ubl|Derrick Sherwin|Charles de Jaeger|Bruce Sharman}} || {{ubl|Anthony Squire|Martin Hall|Michael Ferguson}} || {{ubl|Derrick Sherwin|Lew Grade}} || {{ubl|Bob Baker|Dave Martin|Tony Williamson|Jeremy Paul|Dennis Spooner|Derrick Sherwin}} || Martin Hall || {{ubl|Tony Leggo|Jean Elissade}} || Ivan Sharp |- ! Music composers !! Production Directors !! Sets !! Assistant Producer !! Costumes !! Make-up !! Mounting |- | Anthony Isaac || {{ubl|Robert Simmonds|Thomas Bransten}} || Christopher Cook || Dickie Bamber || Richard Pointing || Victoria Morgan || {{ubl|Thimothy Gee|Alan Strachan}} |} ''This information comes from the end-credits of one of the available episodes on YouTube.''
=== Audience Reception === The show was rated poorly by the English audience, but was rated pretty successful in other countries. The exact Nielsen rating of the television show remains unknown to this date.
== Foreign Versions == Skiboy was translated into a variety of languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, Turkish, and Japanese. In those countries, the program was more successful than it was in the United Kingdom.
=== France === In France, the show was called ''Á Skis Redoublés''. The series aired in 1980 on FR3.
=== Spain === In Spain, it was called ''El esquiador''. The series aired originally in 1975 on Televisión Española.
=== Italy === In Italy, it was called ''Ski Boy''. The series aired originally in 1983 on an unknown channel.
=== Turkey === In Turkey, the series was named ''Genç Kayakçi''. The series' air date and channel of diffusion remains unknown to this date.
=== Japan === In Japan, the film was broadcast under the name アルプスのスキーボーイ (literally, 'Ski Boy in the Alps' ) by NHK from 25 November to 18 December 1974 in a slot 少年ドラマシリーズ (literally, 'Drama series for adolescent').<ref>{{Citation |title=少年ドラマシリーズ |date=2022-09-10 |url=https://ja.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=%E5%B0%91%E5%B9%B4%E3%83%89%E3%83%A9%E3%83%9E%E3%82%B7%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA&oldid=91396998 |work=Wikipedia |language=ja |access-date=2022-11-07}}</ref>
== External links == * List of episodes on [https://kifim.ouest-france.fr/serie/skiboy/122052/ Skiboy] * Skiboy: Hot Ice (1) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23lnt0Sgg5o] * Skiboy: Buried Menace (2) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOq2ZzNhMHk&t=132s] * Skiboy on [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0420451/fullcredits IMDb] * Read an article in French on [https://issuu.com/4saisons.anniviers/docs/4saisons32web issuu.com] (go to pages 6–7)
== References == <!-- Inline citations added to your article will automatically display here. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:REFB for instructions on how to add citations. --> {{reflist}}
Category:1974 British television series debuts Category:1974 British television series endings Category:British action television series Category:Television series by ITV Studios Category:Skiing mass media Category:Skiing television series