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Moondial

Moondial is a British television serial made for children by the BBC and transmitted in 1988, with a repeat in 1990. It was written by Helen Cresswell, who also wrote the novel on which the series was based.

The story deals with a young girl, Minty, staying with her aunt after her mother is injured in a car accident. Minty spends much of her time wandering around the grounds of a nearby mansion, and is drawn to a moondial that enables her to travel back in time, where she becomes involved with two children, Tom, who lives in the Victorian era, and Sarah, who seems to live in "the previous century" to that, and must save them from their own unhappy lives.

Regarded as a nostalgic favourite by followers of 1980s BBC children's drama, Moondial employs extensive location filming and fantastical, dreamlike imagery.

The series was produced by Paul Stone and directed by Colin Cant. Other cast members include Valerie Lush as Minty's aunt Mary, Arthur Hewlett as the elderly, mysterious Mr. World and Jacqueline Pearce in the dual role of the vicious Miss Vole and the present-day ghost hunter Miss Raven.

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Created By

Helen Cresswell

Status

Ended

Original Name

Moondial

First Air Date

February 10, 1988

Last Air Date

February 10, 1988

Seasons

1

Episodes

6

Language

English

Production Companies

Networks

BBC One

S01E01

Part One

Moondial begins with an opening night sequence showing a girl in old fashioned nightdress running through a gateway and into a church ground, she then opens a very large gate and enters a garden garden - she reaches a large grey / white statue and clasps the moondial it supports. She then runs back towards a dark old house with a single light in the doorway. She runs along the path leading up to the light and then up some large stone steps. She peers inside and sees a small girl running towards her on the other side of the glass. Through the window a struggle between a young girl and an older person can be seen. After the death of her father Minty and her mother visit Aunt Mary (Minty's godmother). It is hoped that the break in the country will help Minty and her mother come to terms with the loss. Aunt Mary used to look after Kate when she was younger as Minty has her bedroom. Her mum shows Minty round the bedroom - full of old photos and in particular an old patchwork quilt full of A

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