The Magician (1973)

Anthony Blake (Bill Bixby) was unjustly imprisoned in a South American country. Mastering the art of escapology, he and his cellmate managed to escape. However, his cellmate died afterward and left Blake a fortune. Putting his escape artist skills to use as a magician, Blake vowed to help others who were as helpless as he had been. Initially he traveled in a private jet piloted by good friend Jerry Anderson (Jim Watkins). Helping him in his crime-fighting was columnist Max Pomeroy (Keene Curtis), and Max's brilliant son Dennis (Todd Crespi). Later in the season, Blake abandoned the jet and took up residence in the Magic Castle. Max, Jerry, and Dennis were written out of the series, and Blake's new sidekick was club manager Dominick (Joe Sirola). The show lasted only one season, but gained a cult following and X-Files creator Chris Carter has cited it as one of his favorite TV shows when growing up. The show was also known for the fact that Bill Bixby performed all of his own magic (except in the pilot), with no trick photography of any kind, and that famous magician Mark Wilson was a technical advisor and Bixby's teacher.