Liliya Ivanova

The Third is Coming Handy

In turbulent times for France and herself, the first minister of the Kingdom of France, Cardinal Mazarin, asked Queen Anne of Austria to give him the names of four friends who successfully helped her in the fight against Cardinal Richelieu. Under pressure from Mazarin, Queen Anne calls the name D'Artagnan, lieutenant of the royal musketeers. Mazarin calls D'Artagnan and orders him to find Athos, Porthos and Aramis in order to attract them to his service...

The show was meant to compete with those on West German television. To this end it was fairly successful even attracting a following in parts of West Germany which could receive Eastern TV. Its production values were high. Apart from song and dance numbers and appearances from East German celebrities, almost every broadcast featured well-known stars from the west, often after their popularity had peaked in their home countries.