What was Mr. Roarke?? - Fantasy Island (1977) Discussion

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] WllmLos 19 years ago

Mr Roarke was a very wealthy man who decided to use his money to create the ultimate fantasy resort. There was no magic to it - He could aford to hire actors to create an entire town or era. Supposedly the fantasy was very expensive.
When the new Fantasy Island came on with a whole new cast - there was in fact some sort of hocus pocus involved with the fantasies.

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[–] 19 years ago

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[–] Lobo305 18 years ago

I got the sense he has one of the fallen angels left behind by the angelic wars with Satan. According to some myths some of the angels (by neccessity) did some things to survive and win that were not quite up to Heaven's guidelines. As a result, they were forced to walk the Earth and do good deeds to earn their way back in. I think mr. Roarke was one of those former angels who was trying to get back - his time on earth had left him with a few vices, in love with a mermaid, anger management in certain situations, etc ... but overall he was much more good than evil. I think they should do an updated movie where he helps someone and as he walks away he begins to glow and then says goodbye to everyone since he's been 'called up.'

What was the updated series about, with the evilish guy who played a baddie on Star Trek (Guinan's counterpart)??? Didn't he explain or hint where the former custodian of the island had gone off too ???

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] FredI-7 18 years ago

oh boy - another trashy TV to movie transition because of a lack of ceativity (of the studios and of certain viewers)

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[–] fantasyislander 18 years ago

Oh geez. FredI-7 can buzz off, unless he means that movie updates usually aren't anywhere close to the atmosphere of the original. Sometimes I think it would be nice to have an update...then again, maybe not. I know one thing, I didn't like the remake one bit.

As to what Mr. Roarke was...my idea is that he's extraterrestrial. "Star Trek" was full of so-called aliens who looked just like humans. Why not take it an extra step and suggest that Mr. Roarke was one of them? Of course, as another post said, half the fun is wondering! :)

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[–] proudbrunette 12 years ago

If I remember correctly, that was left up to the viewers' imaginations. I got the impression, however that he was a kind of time traveller or shape shifter of objects.

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[–] Savybones 12 years ago

I've been watching them again and I believe he's an Angel.

on many episodes he looks up and THEN impossible things happen.

I'm wondering what Tattoo is now.

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[–] moonglum9 11 years ago

Dead.

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[–] caladon 11 years ago

I remember a later episode of FI where Roarke was granting a fantasy for a disabled dancer to be able to dance one more time. The dancer was played by Cyd Charisse. She ends up falling in love with Roarke. Roarke has also fallen in love with her. However, in order for Roarke to make her fantasy become permanent, he must give her up forever. In the end she has no memory of having been in love with Roarke; even though Roarke does.

During this episode when they're talking about getting married, she mentions about traveling around the world together. Roarke then explains to her that he doesn't exist away from Fantasy Island; at least not as he does there.

This led me to believe that he probably is an Angel who has been assigned to Fantasy Island in mortal or semi-mortal form in order to help people get their lives on the right track.

Since he always seems to enjoy seeing and helping people achieve happiness and balance in their lives, it's possible he volunteered to be there as long as he's needed.

Save the whales; collect the whole set.

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