Voodoo Factor, The

1 9 5 9 – 1 9 6 0 (UK)
6 x 30 minute episodes

This Saturday night thriller from ATV began with witchcraft on Hampstead Heath, a Malayan youth turning into a spider, and a putative zombie prowling the hospital wards.

Two years previously, several men, women, and children had died on a Polynesian island. Was it voodoo that killed them or the curse of the malevolent spider goddess they had offended? Or was it a 20th-century curse, more ruthless, deadly and undiscriminating?

The lives of several hundred people now hung on the answer as scientist David Whittaker (Maurice Kaufmann) found himself battling for the world’s survival against a disease spreading from the tropical island.

The stars of the series were giant spiders whose poison brought about terrifying changes in all who were bitten.

Music for the series was composed by Johnny Dankworth. The producer was Quentin Lawrence, and the script was by Lewis Greifer. The bird-eating spiders were provided by London Zoo.

Dr David Whittaker
Maurice Kaufmann
Marion Whittaker
Maxine Audley
Captain Ross
Charles Carson
Professor Axhem
Tony Church
Dr Tony Wilson
Philip Bond
Malayan Girl/Spider Goddess
Anna May Wong
Alice Simms
Jill Hyem
Jim Herring
Richard Burrell
Albert Williams
Frank Hawkins

Episodes

The Malayan | The Professor | The Spiders | The Elixir | The Missing Factor | Operation Lifeboat