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> What People Think - Fan Letters 1986 to 1987

> Save The Wizard (1986 to 1987)

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> What People Think - Index>> Fan Letters 1986-1987 >> Save The Wizard 1986-1987 >> Fan Memories 1990-Present > Fan Creations > Special Thanks > Links Index > Networking & Fan Clubs > Visitor Location Log > Anniversary Parties>Newsletter/Blog Archive

Memories of The Wizard - 1990's to Present

~ "Not many people watched or remember The Wizard." - #1 Fan Misconception ~

This page is for present day Fan Letters & transcriptions of posts from the Internet. All transcriptions from the internet will include a link to the source & original message as some slight editing may be done to remove foul language, personal information, & focus on the part of the message relavant to The Wizard. (IMDB Message Boards require a User Name & Password to view, respond or leave messages)

Please have fun reading through the messages below. If you wish to add your own memory of The Wizard, a member of the Cast &/or Crew, please send your memories to MemoriesofTheWizard@thewizardtvfansite.com to be transcribed on this page until an SQL database can be created for instant message additions. You are even welcome to add Fan Letters to your favorite person from The Wizard if you wish.

Everyone from The Wizard & David Rappaport's family sincerely appreciate & cherish each message.

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I was 12 when The Wizard was on tv and i remember how excited i use to get when i knew it was coming on that night, the next day all the kids at school would talk about The Wizard at recess, we all loved it and we all watched it, now with three boys of my own i would love to introduce them to The Wizard, we need to get this put on dvd.

Thanks


Colin Todd, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
August 28, 2009

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While working for US Robots of Carlsbad Calif, we were asked to supply a ‘robot in motion’ for the basement workshop scenes. I reported to the movie’s Property Manager. Interestingly, I had brought along a Camcorder and did some taping of the scenes that they were shooting (for the two days I was there). In those days, the camcorders were huge and VERY noticeable. Shortly after starting use the camcorder, a crew person came over to me and said “ …If you want to keep filming, you will have to pay a union cameraman to stand with you while you do it..is that what you want?”. I realized that I should stop filming and I put the camcorder down. Being a little sneaky, I went back to the camcorder and turned it on, while holding it at my waist—in all about 15-20 minutes of scenes captured to video. I wish I had kept what little I did tape, for I would surely upload it to the Wizard Fan site for all to enjoy. Unfortunately, it was written over long ago. Sorry.

Trivia point- We at US Robots were given a choice of cash for our efforts, or being ‘thanked’ in the credit roll. I think we chose credit—so for those with a copy of the movie, you should see US Robots in the ‘thanks to” section.

Another point- I asked my wife to come and pretend to be part of my technical staff. Since she had more time than me, she chatted with David Rappaport many times (while he was waiting on set) she told me that he was the ‘nicest guy she had ever met.'


By the way, when I was there in April 1986, the movie was named “The Wizard of Elm Street”.

Michael Stowers, age 47, Rocky Mount, VA, USA

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I remember watching this show when I was six. I didn't remember any of the details besides there was a little guy (that's what stuck in my brain). For the last, probably, couple years I have been searching the internet for anything based off that one clue. Today was a breakthrough I came across the Wikipedia listing with the episode guide and as I looked at the episodes one stuck out very vividly. It was the one where they found the girl raised by wolves. I can't believe it...I thought I would never figure out the name of this show. Now that that mountain is climbed, my question is who do I need to contact to get this thing on DVD?

Jeremiah R. - January 15, 2009

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From Colombia.....

We watched The Wizard when we were kids, and he inspirited to all of us to be curious and to create all of our ideas.

Vimos "El Hechicero" cuando eramos niños, y él nos inspiró a todos en ser curiosos y crear todas nuestras ideas.


Mi nombre/ My Name: Andrés Orozco O.
Edad/Age: 27


Thanks for Rescue The Wizard !

(an email just too beautiful to not leave exactly as sent) December 8, 2008

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Don’t know why but I was thinking of this show tonight. I remember it as one of my favorite childhood shows - it was apparently only on for one season in 1986 (I would have been 10). I don’t remember even thinking of this show except maybe a half dozen times since I was a kid, and not a single time since I’ve been active on the Internet.

Thinking about it now, there was a connection I made between the theme song (which you can still find on youtube) and the premise (genius creator who treats toys like inventions, etc) and myself somehow. I was obsessed with tearing things apart and creating things, and of course nintendo stole my mind away for quite a few years… but somehow by remembering this tonight, it helps me make sense of things a little better.

It’s hard for me to believe I’m the only wizard fan out there… it seems like it was a quirky show with only one season, can’t seem to find easily why it was canceled, but it just happened to be on during an important time in my life - and has somehow helped shape who I am.

Toad (online name), age unknown - April 11, 2008

Link: Toad's Blog on Supertoad.com

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Loved this show as a kid. It was James Bond crossed with Santa..lol

TaliesinMKE, age unknown - April 10, 2008

Link: WWW. RetroJunk.Com

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Thank you so much for this wonderful website! I won't say that I thought I was the only one who remembered this show, but I will say that I didn't know how to locate the rest of the fanbase. This show was one of my very favorite memories of 80s television -- an imaginative blend of comedy and action, science and mysticism. Picture this -- I cut my trick-or-treating short on Halloween night, because I had to get home to watch "Twist of Fate". I chose this show over chocolate - believe me, that was devotion! I became a huge fan of David Rappaport, and scoured the airwaves looking for any role he played. Unfortunately, as with so many other fans, I only have one remaining episode intact on a worn-out VHS cassette. Imagine my excitement the other night when I saw (mostly intact) the first two episodes of the show posted on You Tube! It was the first time I had seen them since they aired in the 1980s. Brilliant! Please add my name to the petition to get the show onto DVD.
P.S. -- If there are trivia buffs out there, lets see if anyone else remembers these! I have two TV credits not mentioned in any of the film and TV biographies I have seen on David Rappaport. One, a week's worth of appearances on the game show "Hollywood Squares". (I am not sure of the dates on that, but I know that it was pre-Whoopi Goldberg. It must have been around the time that "The Wizard" was on the air.) Two, an appearance in a music video. I saw this only once, entirely by chance. The song was "King of Portugal", by Al Stewart.

Amy Riovo - March 14, 2008

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I remember rushing home every day while I was in 4th grade so I could watch this show. My little brother and I would watch the show every day. My family had just relocated to New York from Pennsylvania, and I had no friends in our neighborhood. We were only in NY for 8 months or so before we went back to PA. I spent the next few years trying to find out about the show, always wondering what happened to it. To this day my brother and I still talk about it. We were too young to remember what happened in any of the episodes, but we fondly remember sitting on the couch and enjoying the show. I hope it gets released on DVD eventually, I would dearly like to share that very important part of my childhood with my young children.

Thank you for everything you are doing to try to bring this show out of the vault and back into the lives of the people who fondly remember it.


Best Regards,
Dave

February 28, 2008

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this was one of my favs in the 80's. I had forgotten about it though until I saw The Bride on TV.

Patty June, age unknown - February 22, 2008

Link: WWW.RetroJunk.Com

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Wow I haven't thought about this show since I was really little & I just remembered the very beginning of the show with the keyhole I never ever remembered it to be real but wow coming across your site made me remember alot more about it soo I just wanted to say thanks... If u can I'd also like to add my name to your petition.

Trent Owens ~ December 18, 2007

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Happy Birthday, Dave!

I still love you & am praying for all your friends & loved ones.

I miss you...you'll never know how much you impacted everyone who knew you & watched you on TV.

Love always,

Amanda Burchett ~ November 23, 2007

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I too thought I imagined this show...If it wasn't for the "ghost" episode...My dad, my brother, & I would watch this show together. It was awesome.

Ryan Schaul ~ November 6, 2007

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It's real! Oh my god, it did exist! I have deep in the recesses of my mind images of a midget who isn't allowed to eat candy using flubber to jump over a wall & making his sidekicks eat bugs. You have shown me those images weren't my imagination. Bless you!

Sweetestsadist ~ August 25, 2007

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My eldest was almost three years old, but this was his absolute favorite show--he was very upset when he couldn't see it anymore! I think he liked having a hero so close to himself in height...I remember it fondly & was saddened at the loss of both the show & the actor.

And yeah...I thought I was the only one who remembered this show!

Cathy Smith ~ August 18, 2007

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Well done, Jessica...You are doing a fantastic job keeping alive the memory of my friend, David. I live in Britain so I never saw the show, "The Wizard"...however, I saw many of David's stuff on British tv & of course, his movies. David was a friend I first met in an elevator, when he came to see a theatre show I was performing in London in December 1980. We remained pals right up until he went to America...after that, I never saw him again. He was lost to Hollywood & a terrible Gun Culture where British heroes succumb - yeah, America also killed John Lennon, another of my heroes. I wrote & performed a play about the assasination of John Lennon which I called "I am the Walrus". I was at the time writing a play about my friend Dave but have since put it on hold as it is not yet ready.

Anyway, Jessica, I wish you the best of luck in your attempt to resurrect "The Wizard".

Nabil Shaban ~ July 23, 2007

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After years of asking & nobody knowing I decided to google search for my long lost show. I was 8 years old when the Wizard aired & for its time on air I never missed an episode. i still remember the magic it held & I don't think anything will have that same feeling. I'm 28 now & I still remember. I think I still have the signed card David sent me in return to my letters. It said "May all your best wishes come true". I will always remember how Mr. Rappaport positively influenced my life.

Rest in Peace.

Justin Moore ~ July 22, 2007

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I don't remember the Wizard itself, but I remember David Rappaport very much. Mr. Rappaport starred in the European stage performance of Illuminatus, a book written by my father, Robert J. Shea, along with Robert Anton Wilson.

My father remained a fan of Mr. Rappaport throughout my childhood. We watched his career throughout TV and film. I was a huge fan of Time Bandits, a movie I watched hundreds of times as a child & still pull off the shelf when I want a fun movie to see.

I remember how excited my father was to see Mr. Rappaport on L.A. Law, a show my father & I used to watch every week. My father shouted with glee when he showed up on screen & ran to grab a VHS tape to tape it.

I was a Junior in high school when we heard that Mr. Rappaport had died. I remember how sad my father was at hearing the news. Mr. Rappaport's work was a great joy to both of us & we felt like some of that joy had died within us. It is wonderful, however, that he can continue to entertain even after his passing.

My father died of cancer in 1993. Like Mr. Rappaport, my father's work speaks for him even after his death. I remember how much I enjoyed being a fan of Mr. Rappaport along with my father. While others admire the Hollywood A List, we know a secret source of some of the best entertainment in film & TV. Being fans of Mr. Rappaport kept me closer to my father. I won't forget it.

I think I'll go watch Time Bandits with my wife.

Mike Shea ~ June 28, 2007

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I'm so excited to see that your website exists, that others remember & loved the show. I can't type fast enough!!! I was 14 when the show aired & pretty much ignored it for half the season, until something caught my attention & I was HOOKED!!! I looked forward to it all week. Unfortunately my family taped over the episodes & ALL THIS TIME I have wished to have them back.

Will someone PLEASE add my name to the petition, I cannot use the links in the site or get an email through myself, comes back as invalid.

Anyway, I remember the show was so...well, it was so...sweet. I remember Tillie being depressed because of being scorned at a social event & Simon (giving her a rose??) telling her that she had more class in her little finger thanthat other woman had in her whole body. I remember...oh so MANY things, & my favorite quote was (Simon, of course) saying "If you never give up, you never lose." That has stuck with me.

If the flashes of things that I do remember have touched me this deeply, I couldn't imagine what affect the rest of what I saw & have forgotten may have had.

I REALLY want to see this series again. Someone, PLEASE, add me to the petition, since I'm havnig trouble doing it myself. THANKS SO MUCH in advance. It's great to realize that I am not an isolated fan of an unappreciate show!

Melissa Aylmer ~ June 15, 2007

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I have so many fond memories of The Wizard. I first saw this show when I was in 7th grade. I had recently moved to a new state, & was feeling very depressed about leaving all of my friends. When The Wizard began airing, I immediately felt a connection to the show, & began imagining (wishing) that Simon McKay lived next door to me. I even wrote in my journal that "Tuesday nights are my favorite nights ever, because then I can watch TheWizard."

I'm afraid I spent many hours daydreaming about that show, & reliving each episode in my mind (unfortunately I did not record most of the episodes, & even worse, the few episodes I did record were accidently recorded over).

To make a long story short, I never forgot about The Wizard, & I was so upset to hear about his death, just two short weeks before the death of my other childhood hero, Jim Henson. I am so glad this website is here, so myself & others can relive those "glory days".

Jana ~ June 15, 2007

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Hi!

I was on youtube yesterday looking for Michael Dunn videos when I stumbled upon the intro to The Wizard! My mouth dropped open because I remembered it! When I was around 8-10 I was at a friend's house & The Wizard came on tv. I think the episode was Haunted Memories. Anyway, I remember loving it, but then I never saw the show again! This was around the early 90's (I'm 24.5 now, lol). I never knew the name of the show, I just remember a dwarf helping a little girl (well, I thought it was a little girl) with scary visions of a bad man coming toward her.

I was deeply saddened to hear of David's passing. How horrible to be wondering about a show for so long, & then finding out that the star you loved so much is gone.

Thank you so so much for making this site! It brings back memories.

P.S. I just signed the DVD petition.

Amanda Burchett ~ June 13, 2007

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I absolutely loved this show. I was 7 in 1986 so the episodes are all a blur except for the one where David invented some type of hand-held device that you could write words in the sky. For some reason, seeing him use that toy to write words in the sky really stands out in my mind. But I'm glad to be a part of this site & hope to see the official releases on DVD soon.

Dusty ~ May 11, 2007

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Remember how he was like a supergenius that could invent cool things like clown suits that would protect you in case of a nuclear holocaust but he wasn't allowed to have CANDY?!?!?!

Grendlesgirl, age unknown - April 29, 2007

Link: WWW.RetroJunk.Com

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I have great fond memories of The Wizard. So much so that I taped them & saved them when I had to move 2 yrs ago. In 1986 I was 44 & working hard toward that ever elusive retirement. The show was so much fun & the chemistry amongst the cast made it special. I'm delighted to have found this website.

Ann ~ April 29, 2007

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Great to find this site - although the memories are a bit rusty. I do remember the show - I think at, or near the time, I was also watching Auto-man & Manimal as well... I was 12 in 1986. Long live the single season shows &, Time Bandits is amazing. Sorry you got so depressed, D.R.

Rest in Peace.

Sascha ~ March 13, 2007

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I watched the show as a kid & have never forgotten about it, & I was extremely pleased to find this site. You've done a great job with the presentation, & keep up the campaign. It's good to find others who appreciate David's talents as much as I.

Jeremy Rowland ~ March 8, 2007

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Great page! Brings back alot of memories. Thought I was the only one who remembered this show. Nice Work!

Shane ~ February 18, 2007

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Yeah, I remember this. I always enjoyed watching this with my father. And the toys he "made" were amazing.

Crclaven, age unknown - February 14, 2007

Link: WWW.RetroJunk.Com

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I'm so grateful to have discovered this site. I've been thinking fondly of this tv show & David recently & started searching for info to share with MY kids. I can remember being so enraptured by The Wizard & David hiimself...what a talented actor. My goal is to get a few of the episodes on DVD & share them!

Dana ~ December 23, 2006

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This was really a nice treat to be here. I feel like David is not gone at all. We have his movies we can watch & "The Wizard" we can watch again. He lives inside of Jessica that did this site, can you feel him here? I can feel him here. Do not want to LEAVE.

I first watch "The Wizard" with my daughter. I came in from doing dishes & sat down to see what she was watching (1987) because she was only three years old. I fell in love with the show. Heather, my daughter, is grown up now but takes one of the tapes & watches it over & over. I am like all of David's fans was just heart broken when they cancel the show. I will be back!!!

Mary Specht ~ December 19, 2006

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It's hard to believe it has been 20 years since this show, & Mr. Rappaport, had such an affect on my life! My age at the time was 36 & I discovered it through my son who was 4 at the time it first started in the Fall of '86. It was not long before I was completely smitten with the show & especially it's star, along with the other cast members. My son was a budding young artist & loved to draw pictures of Simon & the gang. My fondest memories are just of looking forward to the show each week & spending it with my son sitting in my lap as we watched the adventures of Simon from week to week! I appreciated the show not only for the beautiful & touching character Dave Rappaport put into the Simon character, but also for the influence he had on my son, much more valuable than any other t.v. character at the time! I put a lot of effort into keeping the show on the air, but alas we know the outcome. It should have had another season for sure, & then at least we would have possibly had it in syndication! I hope we someday will find the one season of The Wizard available on dvd; it would be so fantastic. I'll do anything necessary to help bring this about. It was an important & historic show & should not be lost.

Cathy K. ~ November 13, 2006

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Of course the main thing I remember about the Wizard is David, & I loved the way he dressed & his personality. I was lucky enough, blessed actually, to spend the day with his mother on a visit to England shortly after his death. She told me that Simon had more David in him than any other character he played. I was glad to hear it. How old was I in 1986...OISH!...26! OUCH! This is a great website & so very thoughtful, keep up the good work!

Bex ~ November 2, 2006

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Ah yeah, i still remember that episode where that older lady beats some younger guy at armwrestling.
Good stuff.

Gusto - September 14, 2006

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Link: WWW.RetroJunk.Com

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i thougt this show was a dream! i loved it when i was younger, and i am glad to know it was real.

Jeniloo - July 2, 2006

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Link: WWW.RetroJunk.Com

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One night I was looking for a TV show I could watch with my two small daughters, and found "The Wizard". Simon McKay (David Rappaport) was a small man with a giant heart and immense intelligence, Tillie Russell (Fran Ryan) was his gruff yet kindly housekeeper, and Alex Jagger (Doug Barr) was the FBI agent that had to keep up with them, and protect Simon. Simon had developed weapons for the government, then decided that he couldn't do that any more, and disappeared for several years. Once he returned, he created wonderful toys. Of course, there would always be a bad guy, and Simon would use his toys to defeat him without guns or violence. My daughters and I remember this show with great fondness.

I regret that I never wrote to David Rappaport to tell him how much we enjoyed this lovely, gentle show and the characters they created.

Jfg1-1, age unknown - December 4, 2004

Link: IMDB.Com - The Wizard (1986) User Comments

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In 1986 I was pregnant with my first son, and I had a high risk pregnancy, I had to stay in bed and was scared that I might lose my baby. It was a very stressful time for me and one night I turned on the TV and there was this wonderful show The Wizard. And for 1 hour I could relax and forget my problems and my worries. It helped looking forward to this show every week.

I was really upset when they cancelled the show, I really wonder if we had the internet system up like we have now if we could have saved the show. One of the biggest regrets that I have is that I never did write to David Rappaport and let him know what a big help this show was during a time in my life when I most needed hope and a little peace of mind. I wonder if he ever realized what an impact he had on some of us out there.

AngelM58, age unknown - September 19, 2004

Link: IMDB.Com - The Wizard (1986) User Comments

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The Wizard was a favorite tv show of mine back when I was about 6. I don't remember much about it, but I do remember that the midget wizard was really cool! He also had candy which made the show MUCH better! I remember being so disappointed when the show went off the air. I guess it didn't help much that my older brother would taunt me by saying, "guess what show is on tonight? The Wizard!" Then after sitting in front of the tv for about 30 minutes and finally realizing that the show was NOT coming on, I would go watch Punky Brewster :) I fell for this scheme everyday for about a year...mean older brother. I am glad that other people have heard of the Wizard, I was beginning to think that maybe my brother had just made up the whole thing to trick me!

Beth, age unknown - February 28, 2002

Link: IMDB.Com - The Wizard (1986) User Comments

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I was ten years old when "The Wizard" began. It was a favorite new show of mine. I remember it being a show about a midget who makes inventions and has all sorts of adventures. At least now I know I wasn't imagining "The Wizard". Too bad it didn't last. It was an exciting show that not many people remember.

Muldernscully, age 26 - January 31, 2002

Link: IMDB.Com - The Wizard (1986) User Comments

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I remember watching "The Wizard" when I was about five years old, and thinking it was one the best things around. Although I can't remember much of what it was about, the cool inventions that dwarf Simon McKay made were one of the things that made it so appealing. Another was the whole magical aspect of the show. McKay in the title role was a lovable character who had lots of cool toys that he made (some of which seemed to defy the laws of physics). He could also do some really outstanding feats like running up walls and walking through fire. Was he really a wizard??...who knows? All I know is that he was pretty cool.

"The Wizard" was a really great programme, and it's a pity it didn't last past the second season, because not too many people remember it.

Taz-59, age unknown - April 15, 2000

Link: IMDB.Com - The Wizard (1986) User Comments

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David Rappaport is really cool climbing on buildings and saving people. The show was only on for two seasons but it was still one of my favourites when it was on.

Jarrod Lombardo, age unknown - August 29, 1999

Link: IMDB.Com - The Wizard (1986) User Comments

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email: themgt@thewizardtvfansite.com

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