ALL SCI-FI

[Brent Gair]

This is the first Gerry Anderson show I saw as a child.

Some people may be very familiar with it and some may never have seen it. Of all the Supermarionation series, only Fireball XL5 had a U.S. network contract. Supercar would have been syndicated in some U.S. markets but not in others. Here in Canada, the situation was the exact opposite: all the Supermarionation series were carried except Fireball XL5 (which I never saw until I was 41 years old!).



I remember being mystified by the show. I knew that the characters weren't real people. I knew that they weren't cartoons. I had no concept of marionettes. I didn't know WHAT the heck I was looking at! It must also be said that the characters in Supercar were among the creepiest of all the Anderson puppets. These things could give the average pre-schooler some pretty intense nightmares.

The theme song came in two different flavours for the two different seasons. The first season song was extremely British:

http://youtu.be/E8m9Z010pM4

While the second season was more "choral' and, while still British, was less identifiably so:

http://youtu.be/phLI_5zH5nM?list=PLINTYszlyp9ZA-KCM_-FmHvCwJ4gOkgn7

The series is available on DVD (which I own).

[Eadie]

I own it too! Butch gave it to me for Christmas. Lots of fun!

[Bud Brewster]

Brent, I know just what you mean about those puppets being creepy! And the one that gave the cold sweats at night was the one that wore that maniacal grin all the time!

What evil thoughts were moving around in the dark mind behind that hideous grin? Just thinking about it still gives me goose bumps.

Yike! Here he is!
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Wait . . . wrong show. Sorry.

But the talking wooden head that REALLY creeps me out is Howdy's girlfriend, Hera Doody in Jason and the Argonauts!

When she opens those leathery eyelids and starts talking to the Argonauts, I just want to cover my eyes up.

Freaky!



"Hi, kids! What time it is?"
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[orzel-w]

[Krel]

I don't remember much about the show, but then I was only about 4 at the time. I do remember having the REMCO toy Supercar.

David.

[Rocky Jones]

Some station in the Dallas area showed it in the early '60s I guess, because I remember it well from back then. Fireball XL5 came soon after. I kind of liked Stingray, but by the time Thunderbirds came along I guess I was tiring of the string puppet shows and didn't watch that one much. While the air/space/etc. craft in those shows were impressive, I always found the puppet scenes a bit tiring after awhile.

[orzel-w]

I just glazed my eyes over during the marionette scenes and came back to life during the effects shots.
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...or not...

WayneO
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[orzel-w]

[Bud Brewster]

Oh . . . my . . . God. I need to call my therapist and see if she can work me in today.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Pow]

Gerry Anderson's productions were all fun & imaginative to watch. I remember SC as a kid. Thunderbirds is considered to be his biggest hit & most popular series.

I've been enjoying Joe 90,UFO,& Space:1999
on Youtube.
Saw his new Captain Scarlet(CGI)& was most impressed by the look of the show.

He left a huge sf legacy for fans.

[scotpens]

[Pow]

I had a crush on Lady Penelope from the live action Thunderbirds movie ,even though the film was a disaster itself requiring an IR rescue.

[Rocky Jones]

[Pow]

[Bud Brewster]