The All Electric Amusement Arcade


The All Electric Amusement Arcade is a seven-part British children's television serial aired on ITV in 1983. The show is a musical drama, with nearly every episode featuring an original song performed by in-universe band Electric Arc.
The first episode of the series is available at the BFI Mediatheque at the BFI Southbank.

Premise

Fifteen-year-old Bella Harper dreams of moving to Hollywood and becoming an actress. However, she is stuck in her hometown Graystone Beach with her broken family, so takes it upon herself to earn enough money to get her to her dream. She makes a deal with Mr Thomsett - manager of local dilapidated arcade
The All Electric Amusement Arcade; if she can turn around the fortunes of the arcade, she earns 20% of the profits. With the help of local band Electric Arc, she decides to renovate the arcade into an events space for the youth of the town.

Cast

Main

  • Bella Harper
  • Jake
  • Marcus
  • Deshaun
  • Cass
  • Dale
  • Mr Thomsett
  • Robert Harper
  • Susan Harper
  • Gran
  • Perry Harper

Minor

  • Mrs Thomsett
  • Daffyd Williams
  • Star Base
  • Mr McMorrow
  • Hawk
  • Councillor Hogan
  • Councillor Warren
  • Danny
David Jensen also appears as himself.

Tie-in Merchandise

7" Single

A single of one of Electric Arc's songs - "Honky Town Rap" - was released in 1983 by Red Bus Records. The B-side - "Just Another Song" is the theme tune to the show.

Novelisation

A novelisation of the series, by creator Gerard Macdonald, was released in September 1983 to coincide with the show's transmission. It was published by Fontana Lions in a paperback format.