Black Beauty is a pure black, thoroughbred horse in late 19th Century rural England who is adopted into the household of James Gordon, a local doctor and widower, and befriended by his daughter Vicky, son Kevin, and their friends Albert and Robbie.
The Adventures of Black Beauty (Season 1)
The Fugitive (Episode 1)
Writer: Ted Willis
Air date: 1972-09-17
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Dr James Gordon and his two children Vicky and Kevin move from London to the country. On the first day, Vicky brings home an injured horse, seeking her father's help. Everyone can see how the horse was treated. Later, the owner's son wants the stallion back but Gordon refuses. Vicky falls in love with the horse, but the family has no money to buy such a good horse.
The Hostage (Episode 2)
Writer: Victor Pemberton
Air date: 1972-09-24
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: An escaped convict holds Kevin and Black Beauty hostage, and forces Vicky to get food and clothes so he can complete his bid for freedom.
The Pit Pony (Episode 3)
Writer: Ted Willis
Air date: 1972-10-01
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: A young miner steals a pony sold for slaughter and with Vicky's helps hide it at home. The owner soon tracks them down and causes trouble for the young pair.
The Horse Thieves (Episode 4)
Writer: Richard Carpenter
Air date: 1972-10-13
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Vicky, Kevin and Black Beauty encounter two workmen who decide that stealing the horse is a means to a better life. Where they choose to hide Beauty is unfortunately the site of dynamite blasting, leading to a race to rescue the stallion.
Runaway (Episode 5)
Writer: Richard Carpenter
Air date: 1972-10-20
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: While riding Beauty, Vicky and Kevin encounter a threatening recluse at the Abbott farm. Despite being warned to stay away, the children persist in solving the mystery. When a runaway horse endangers young David Abbott, the children get their answer.
Warhorse (Episode 6)
Writer: David Butler
Air date: 1972-10-27
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Gordon and Vicky rescue a former army horse whose end seems near. New neighbour Robbie, sheltered by his grandmother, befriends with Vicky and Kevin, and becomes enchanted by the new horse Soldier.
The Horsemen (Episode 7)
Writer: Lindsay Galloway
Air date: 1972-11-03
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Beauty is at risk from a spoiled young woman used to getting everything that she wants. In order to save Beauty, Vicky enlists the help of a secret society sworn to protect the interests of horses.
The Duel (Episode 8)
Writer: Richard Carpenter
Air date: 1972-11-10
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Vicky discovers a young man wounded in a duel. She takes him home but the family is soon caught up in a dangerous and treacherous plot that places them all in peril.
The Viking Helmet: Part 1 (Episode 9)
Writer: David Butler
Air date: 1972-11-17
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Kevin and Robbie find an old helmet with a wing and lose the wing on the way home. An archaeologist from a nearby dig dismisses the helmet as a reproduction of little value, but when Robbie finds the wing, it is promptly stolen.
The Viking Helmet: Part 2 (Episode 10)
Writer: David Butler
Air date: 1972-11-24
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: The thief escapes custody and heads back to the excavation site in search of the missing gold wing. Robbie, believing he knows its location, rides Beauty to the area. While looking, he falls into a mud pit about to cave in.
Day of Reckoning (Episode 11)
Writer: Richard Carpenter
Air date: 1972-12-01
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Beauty starts showing unusual behaviour and Gordon suspects rabies. After Beauty attacks two men—including the new constable, she is ordered destroyed. But Vicky hides her horse, nothing is as it seems, and Beauty has a good reason for her actions.
Man Trap (Episode 12)
Writer: David Butler
Air date: 1972-12-08
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: New gamekeeper Ted Hewitt sets out snares and traps on Lord Eddington's estate to protect game and catch poachers. This doesn't sit well with Gordon, who, with Vicky, pays him a visit. While the men talk, Vicky learns Hewitt's wife, Beth, is pregnant and doesn't seem well.
Clown on Horseback (Episode 13)
Writer: David Butler
Air date: 1972-12-23
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Kevin and Robbie befriend an unfunny clown named Andy, while Vicky tries to help Dan tame Mr Collin's horse Thunder. It turns out Andy's skills and comedy are tied to working with horses.
Three Lock to Fortune (Episode 14)
Writer: David Butler
Air date: 1973-12-06
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Vicky's friend Colin returns from school and informs her that his grandfather's estate is to be auctioned. The kids learn of a family secret that if discovered, may provide the funds to save Colin's heritage. But they are in a race against time.
Recruiting Sergeant (Episode 15)
Writer: Lindsay Galloway
Air date: 1973-01-01
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Vicky discovers young Tom Honeywell hiding in the church cemetery, on the run after deserting the army. The local recruiter confiscates Beauty until Tom returns, and Kevin is tricked into enlisting in an effort to help. It is up to Albert and Beauty to make things right.
The Debt (Episode 16)
Writer: Richard Carpenter
Air date: 1973-01-20
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Amy's nephew steals Beauty after she refuses to give him £50 to get out of debt to a nefarious bookie. To rescue Beauty and her nephew, Amy must pawn her jewellery and hurry to the auction to bid on the horse.
The Horse Healer (Episode 17)
Writer: Lindsay Galloway
Air date: 1973-01-27
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: A vagabond natural healer is on the run from several people who hold him responsible for regrettable outcomes. Vicky and her father step in to give him temporary sanctuary, which is fortunate when Beauty suffers a severe laceration.
The Witch (Episode 18)
Writer: John Kane
Air date: 1973-02-03
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: While riding Beauty, Vicky meets an old woman, who many in town think is a witch. After she scares Kevin when he tries to retrieve a kite from the roof of her cottage, he sets out on Beauty for another try and is injured.
The Ponies (Episode 19)
Writer: David Butler
Air date: 1973-02-10
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Gordon has his hands full with a typhoid outbreak, but the children are concerned with an illness claiming Mr Garner's ponies. Albert brings his favorite, Chalky, into contact with Beauty and soon Vicky is trying to do everything she can to save Beauty.
The Ruffians (Episode 20)
Writer: Richard Carpenter
Air date: 1973-02-17
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: When Gordon interrupts a robbery, hooligans take first him, than Vicky captive. Needing his medical skills for one of their mates, they refuse to release them. It"s up to Kevin, Albert and Beauty to rescue them.
Two of a Kind (Episode 21)
Writer: David Hopkins
Air date: 1973-02-24
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Vicky and Kevin encounter siblings on the run from authorities, claiming to be orphans. A reformatory is missing two children and when items begin disappearing from the house, the truth comes out.
Foul Play (Episode 22)
Writer: Richard Carpenter
Air date: 1973-03-03
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: When neighbour Lady Faulkner discovers her racing horses are being drugged, their curiosity gets the best of them. After Gordon is attacked and Albert rescues the constable from a well, the pieces start to come together.
Sailor on a Horse (Episode 23)
Writer: David Butler
Air date: 1973-03-10
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: A secretive man moves into an abandoned cottage which engages Vicky and Albert's curiosity. Seemingly unrelated, the land and Beauty's paddock next to the Gordons is being sold by contentious lawyer Weems. The missing Thackeray heir seems to be key to both incidents.
Wild Justice (Episode 24)
Writer: Richard Carpenter
Air date: 1973-03-17
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Gordon is arrested for a cottage burning that belonged to Mr Skinner after he criticised its condition. Vicky, Albert, and their friend Jill work to clear his name but need Beauty's help.
The Barge (Episode 25)
Writer: Victor Pemberton
Air date: 1973-03-24
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: Vicky and Beauty befriend Maggie, an older woman living on the river whose son is just out of prison. A series of valuable art thefts occur and Vicky discovers the stolen paintings on Maggie's houseboat. With things looking grim for Albert and his mother, Vicky, her friends, and her horse search for the truth.
Father and Son (Episode 26)
Writer: David Hopkins
Air date: 1973-03-31
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: The arrival of entertainers in the village draw the Gordons and Albert into a custody battle. Mr Groat is keeping his son Stan away from his grandfather Woolgar but the boy's deadly illness forced Gordon to implement a solution.
Seasons
Episodes 26
Episodes 26