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Learn to draw with Commander Mark.
The Secret City was a television program designed to teach children how to draw, starring Mark Kistler as as the fictional ‘Commander Mark’ who led viewers and in-studio club members through various drawing exercises in a sci-fi clubhouse setting full of fun, fantasy, and adventure. While the show’s format essentially prioritizes instruction over narrative, ongoing ‘drama’ is created by the frequent addition of new key features to the emerging scenery of the giant Secret City mural. Often Special Guests would appear on the show to demonstrate other art forms or practical applications for drawing skills. The show was created by John Price & Mark Kistler, based on Bruce McIntyre's AVDP. Much of the series was edited live in-camera and was shot in a somewhat semi-scripted format. It was produced at Maryland Public Television through private funding by Children's Video Associates, and intended for broadcast via national PBS syndication. It also aired on TVOntario.
Seasons
Episode 1
Moonscape Building
27m
US Log Line: [ Debut: "Fun, fantasy and adventure" are the tools used by host Commander Mark to teach youngsters the joys of drawing. First up: using squares to create a table, wedding cake.]
Episode 2
Flying Saucers
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 3
Mountains With Lids
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 4
Observatory
27m
US Log Line: A segment on computer art. Pre-Production Name (AVM); #104: "Shooting Stars"
Episode 5
Moonbots - Club Day
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 6
Robot
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 7
Optical Illusions
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 8
Home
27m
US Log Line: Tips on drawing your home.
Episode 9
Animation
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 10
Unibear - Club Day
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 11
Flip Book
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 12
Go Underground
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 13
Animal Hand Puppets
27m
US Log Line: How to create 3-D mazes.
Episode 14
Humanlike Hand Puppets
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 15
Monorail - Club Day
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 16
Space Station - Platform
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 17
Architecture
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 18
Spaceships
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 19
Castles
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 20
Covered Cities - Club Day
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 21
SHOW: 21
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 22
Masks
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 23
Party Favors
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 24
Cake Decorations
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 25
Birthday Party - Club Day
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 26
Underground Village
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 27
Frog Family
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 28
Skylines
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 29
Space Landing
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 30
City Art - Club Day
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 31
Flags
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 32
Fences
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 33
Hot Dog Stand
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 34
Chain Power
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 35
Two-Headed Animal - Club Day
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 36
Coloring
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 37
Computer Color
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 38
Contraptions
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 39
SHOW: 39
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 40
Flying Bird - Club Day
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 41
SHOW: 41
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 42
SHOW: 42
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 43
SHOW: 43
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 44
SHOW: 44
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 45
SHOW: 45
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 46
SHOW: 46
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 47
SHOW: 47
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 48
SHOW: 48
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 49
SHOW: 49
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 50
Puppets - Club Day
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 51
Natural Design
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 52
Columns
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 53
Stripes
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 54
People
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 55
Faces - Club Day
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 56
Silhouettes
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 57
Disguises
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 58
People Moves
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 59
Spots
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 60
Lettering - Club Day
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 61
Igloo
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 62
Wishing Well
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 63
Flying Animals
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 64
Airplanes
27m
No overview is available.
Episode 65Latest episode
Cartooning - Club Day
27m
US Log Line: The Secret City mural is completed. Pre-Production Name (AVM); #165:"Cartooning" {Note: The Log Line as printed in TV Guide was inaccurate. Episode 65 was a Club Day and there are no mural segments on Club Days. The mural was completed the prior Thursday in episode 64. This error likely originates with the pre-production Program Listings developed for the show by Adler Video Marketing which stated "#165: "Cartooning." Cartoonist Al Grosso helps Commander Mark finish the secret city mural."}
