Obit: Gerry Anderson, created "Thunderbirds" marionette program

[CrankyYankee]

Mr. Anderson, the British creator of the TV series “Thunderbirds” renowned for his original and influential use of marionettes on TV, died Wednesday following a lengthy battle with mixed dementia. He was 83.

http://www.seattlepi.com/entertainm...birds-Creator-Gerry-Anderson-Dies-4149164.php

He also did 'Stingray', 'Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons', and the live-action series 'Space:1999' in 1975.

 

[ixnay]

Mr. Anderson, the British creator of the TV series “Thunderbirds” renowned for his original and influential use of marionettes on TV, died Wednesday following a lengthy battle with mixed dementia. He was 83.

http://www.seattlepi.com/entertainm...birds-Creator-Gerry-Anderson-Dies-4149164.php

He also did 'Stingray', 'Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons', and the live-action series 'Space:1999' in 1975.

[spaced out, echoey Lurch-like voice] This is the voice of the Mysterons... we know you can hear us... [/spaced out, echoey Lurch-like voice]

When was Scarlet made available for U.S. broadcast? I watched some eps as a middle schooler on WPHL-17 Phila. in the summer of 1973. Reading this obit brings back memories of "Spectrum is green" - and of one of my classmates imitating the Captain's Supermarionation-generated walk. The Rockettes doing their toy soldier bit had nothing on that!

RIP Gerry. Is Sylvia Anderson still with us?

ixnay

 

[Lamont Lester]

A few random thoughts. From Supercar to Space:1999 - Gerry Anderson produced the television of my childhood. The first TV theme lyrics that I learned were those to Supercar. My mom bowled and the battle each Wednesday night was to see which group would get to watch their favorite on the TV in the snack bar. Stingray or Lost in Space. Sadly, LIS won most weeks. On an old Sears 9 inch B&W set, the first time I saw the launch of Thunderbird 2 is etched in my childhood memory as one of the greatest things I'll ever see on TV. There is a second or two of the Virgil Tracy marionette looking straight at the camera riding "the slide" to TB 2 with a look as if he's saying "this is more fun than any of you kids will ever have." (Yeah...okay I know, I'm reading WAY too much into it.) But I loved those shows. Still do. When I bought my first DVD player, the first thing I watched from DVD was the first episode of Thunderbirds. One of my favorite DVD discoveries was 1969's "The Secret Service." As for Scarlet...the first time I watched it was in the 80s on Showtime. As for Sylvia, yes. She even received screen credit as a consultant to the 2004 Thunderbirds movie. I think I'll go watch a Fireball XL5 episode now. "A Day in the Life of a Space General," perhaps? Personally I feel that to write "F.A.B." would be woefully cliched. So allow me to offer Stingray's "P.W.O.R." instead.

 

[ixnay]

I have the vaguest memories of XL5 and don't remember watching much of the other Anderson Supermarionation shows, either.

I always thought Supermarionation looked more like Ken and Barbie dolls come to life than anything else, except maybe the presidents in the Hall of Presidents at Disney World. And does anyone else think Colonel White on Scarlet looked more than a little like a Ken doll-ized Lorne Greene?

ixnay

 

[Lamont Lester]

And does anyone else think Colonel White on Scarlet looked more than a little like a Ken doll-ized Lorne Greene?

ixnay

It was typical of Anderson to design his "characters" to look like real actors. Stingray’s Troy Tempest and James Garner, Thunderbird's Scott Tracy and Sean Connery, etc.

 

[mississippi fan]

I enjoyed the ones I got to see growing up; Superstar, Fireball X-15 (my favorite), Stingray, Captain Scarlett and the Thurderbirds. And Space 1999.

 

[ixnay]

And does anyone else think Colonel White on Scarlet looked more than a little like a Ken doll-ized Lorne Greene?

ixnay

It was typical of Anderson to design his "characters" to look like real actors. Stingray’s Troy Tempest and James Garner, Thunderbird's Scott Tracy and Sean Connery, etc.

Well, like I think I said, I have vague memories of Anderson's other shows so I wouldn't have noticed. If Scarlet himself looked like a celeb, I didn't notice (did he?). Was Anderson sending a subtle message by his replicating (other than appreciation to the real celebs)? Or did this come out of laziness?

ixnay

 

[CrankyYankee]

Sidebar: The theme from "XL5" is used now and then as bumper music on the overnight "Coast To Coast AM" radio program with George Noory.

 

[desertv]

And does anyone else think Colonel White on Scarlet looked more than a little like a Ken doll-ized Lorne Greene?

ixnay

It was typical of Anderson to design his "characters" to look like real actors. Stingray’s Troy Tempest and James Garner, Thunderbird's Scott Tracy and Sean Connery, etc.

Then there was Cliff Richard and the Shadows on Thunderbirds

 

[kirkiefan]

Mr. Anderson, the British creator of the TV series “Thunderbirds” renowned for his original and influential use of marionettes on TV, died Wednesday following a lengthy battle with mixed dementia. He was 83.

http://www.seattlepi.com/entertainm...birds-Creator-Gerry-Anderson-Dies-4149164.php

He also did 'Stingray', 'Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons', and the live-action series 'Space:1999' in 1975.

You forgot Mike Mercury in "Supercar" which was sydnicated roughly around 1962 and 1963 and Steve Zodiac in "Fireball XL-5" which aired on NBC on Saturday morning in 1964. ITC Entertainment distributed both shows as did "Stingray."

 

[ixnay]

Was Anderson sending a subtle message by his replicating (other than appreciation to the real celebs)? Or did this come out of laziness?

Well, WAS he???

ixnay