The science fiction of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson

[Zone Fighter]

TV SERIES
Supercar
Fireball XL5
Stingray (first color series, or colour if you're British)
Thunderbirds
Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons
Joe 90
The Secret Service
UFO
Space: 1999

without Sylvia:
Terrahawks
Space Precinct
Lavender Castle
New Captain Scarlet


SUPERCAR (1960/61)
39 episodes, 5 disk DVD set

1st season (26 episodes)
Graydon Gould - Mike Mercury
George Murcell - Professor Popkiss
David Graham - Dr. Horatio Beaker/Mitch
Sylvia Thamm - Jimmy Gibson

2nd season (13 episodes)
Graydon Gould - Mike Mercury
Cyril Shaps - Professor Popkiss and Masterspy
David Graham - Dr. Horatio Beaker/Mitch
Sylvia Anderson - Jimmy Gibson

Cyril Shaps died January 01, 2003

This is the oldest Gerry Anderson/Sylvia Anderson series available and the first "Supermarionation" (puppet) series. Super Car was filmed in black and white.

It's different from the later series in that its not about a government agency but a private lab (somewhere in Nevada). Mike Mercury takes off in Supercar to rescue people (Jimmy and his brother in first episode) or to deal with his archenemy Masterspy. It was apparently during the filming of the first season (or series according to the British) that Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Thamm decided to get married. They would divorce between the two seasons of Space: 1999 (1975).

Mike Mecury is the driver/pilot of Super Car. Dr. Horatio Beaker invented Super Car with help from Professor Popkiss. Jimmy Gibson lives with the Super Car teem since the death of his parents even though he has an an adult brother he could be living with. Mitch is Jimmy's pet chimp. Masterspy frequently tries to steal Super Car.

The first DVD in the set has an audio commentary by Sylvia Anderson.She said they received alot of criticism for setting the series in Nevada. They did it because (A) their largest market was the USA rather than the UK and (B) at the time a lot of testing was going on in Nevada so it made sense that a secret lab would exist in the desert in Nevada. Their previous series was western set in the USA, so my guess is some Brits resented another series set in the USA. When producing these shows they would always inflate the budget by at least 25% because they knew it would be cut and adding more then they needed insured that they would actually get what they needed. Sounds like government. In fact using puppets allowed them to create shows they couldn't have afforded to do otherwise. Those puppets were 1/3 the size of human actors and they could make miniature sets of any place in the universe. Most of the people who worked on Supercar would go on to work with the Andersons on their later series. According to Sylvia Anderson one of the secrets to making good childrens TV shows is not treating them like children shows, but putting in the same effort as you would for a major motion picture.

I've seen all 39 episodes (rented). It's not a bad little series. I like some of the others better, but it was a good start.


Supercar... Supercar...
With beauty and grace,
as swift as can be,
watch it flying through the air.
It travels in space,
or under the sea,
and it can journey anywhere.

Supercar... Supercar...
It travels on land,
or roams the skies,
through a heavens stormy rage,
It's Mercury-manned,
and everyone cries,
"it's the marvel of the age!"

Supercar... Supercar... Supercar!
-- Supercar theme, season 1


Next week: the second "Supermarionation" series and source of my favorite Anderson show ending theme song, "Fireball XL5".

[Xenorama ™]

I've seen all of Fireball, and it's very enjoyable, with a great theme (ending, I know).

[Zone Fighter]

I just received volume 4 in today's mail. Expecting the final volume next week. I really liked the color production photos on volume 3. Though they made me with Fireball XL5 had been in color.

[Zone Fighter]

Fireball XL5 - 1962, 39 episodes of 25 minutes each

Producer: Gerry Anderson
Associate Producer: Reg Hill

Voice Cast:
Paul Maxwell as voice of Colonel Steve Zodiac
Sylvia Anderson as voice of Venus
David Graham as voice of Professor Matt Matic/Zoonie/Lt. Ninety
Gerry Anderson as voice of Robert
John Bluthal as voice of Commander Zero

The interplanetary adventures of the crew of the World Space Patrol ship Fireball XL5, patrolling Sector 25 in the year 2062.

This series was in b/w. British television stations were still broadcasting in b/w into the 70s.

Colonel Steve Zodiac is the pilot of Fireball XL5
Venus is World Space Patrol's Doctor of Space Medicine and member of XL5's crew
Professor Matic is Fireball XL5's navigator
Robert is XL5's robot co-pilot
Commander Zero is the head of Space City, headquarters of World Space Patrol
Lt. Ninety is Commander Zero's assistant
Zoonie is Venus' pet La Zoon

When Colonel Zodiac with Venus or with the professor or with both leave Fireball in orbit, landing on the planet with "Fireball Junior", the ship's nose cone, Robert maintanes Fireball's orbit. The colonel also leaves Robert in charge of getting Fireball home on many occasions so he can relax with the rest of the crew in the ship's lounge.

Venus' pet, Zoonie, has a very limited vocabulary, it can most often be heared repeating "Welcome home!" over and over again. Robert also has a limited vocabulary, only repeating commands given it. When left alone with Zoonie, the constant refrain of "Welcome home" requires Robert to respond that he's maintining the course for home. Eventually Robert short-circuits and smoke pours out of him. Fortunantly Robert is still able to maintain the course. Zoonie's other phrase is "Howdy folks". Zoonie has limited inteligence and a great curiosity, not a good combination. It never means any harm but it still manages to demage or destroy equipment. Commander Zero is often infuriated by the creature but he's too tender hearted to kill it or have it locked up permenantly.

Robert is the only character Gerry Andserson has ever voiced, though Sylvia has voiced several characters in several series.

Fireball XL5 is one of an uncertain number of World Space Patrol vessels which guard the friendly planets of the universe. There are other XLs but of course the series focuses on XL5. There are also other smaller vessels such as the LP, light patrol vessels. XL5 goes on explority missions as well as rescue missions. Sometimes they encounter friendly aliens, sometimes hostile, the crew of XL5 has saved the Earth from invasion several times. Rockets must be extremely powerful in the year 2062 as Fireball XL5 can reach planets far from Earth in relatively short time periods. In one episode they left charted space on a journey that took 3 weeks.

I enjoyed Fireball Xl5, along with Captain Scarlet, it's my favorite supermarionation series. It's an enjoyable series if you can ignore the wires and don't expect anything too deep, every problem has to be solved by the end of each 25 minute episode.

In episode 38 the XL5 crew appears on television performing a musical number, just as the Supercar crew did at the end of that series. Because Colonel Zodiac sings the ending theme in the episode the ending credits featuring an instrumental version of the song.

In the final episode Fireball XL5 nearly becomes a real fireball when it encounters a space cloud of flameble gases. There is nothing in the episode itself to indicate that the series was concluding.


I wish I was a spaceman,
The fastest guy alive
I'd fly you 'round the universe
In Fireball XL5
Way out in space together
Conquerers of the sky
My heart would be a fireball, a fireball
Every time I gaze into your starry eyes

We'd take the path to Jupiter
And maybe very soon
We'd cruise along the Milky Way
And land upon the moon
To a wonderland of stardust
We'd zoom away to Mars
My heart would be a fireball, a fireball
'Cause you would be my Venus of the stars

[But though I'm not a spaceman
Famous and renowned
I'm just a guy that's down to earth
With both feet on the ground
It's all imagination
I'll never reach the stars
My heart is still a fireball, a fireball
Every time I gaze into your starry eyes

Fireball, fireball
Every time I gaze into your starry eyes

Firebal, fireball
Every time I gaze into your starry eyes]
-- ending theme Fireball XL5
[extra lyrics not heard on TV]
composed by Barry Gray
vocal by Don Spencer
released as a single, reached 32 in UK

I found a web page that has mp3 files of some of the music from Gerry Anderson shows, including this extended version of the ending theme to Fireball XL5 ufoseries.com/barry/

[Xenorama ™]

I watched this series based on the song alone. It's loads of fun, even if Zoony is one annoying character.

[GrimGhost]

A...new...Captain Scarlet?
Ok, officially a very very happy man now

[Zone Fighter]

Stingray - 1964
39 episodes, available in a 5 DVD set

Captain Troy Tempest - Don Mason
Lt. George 'Phones' Sheridan/X20 - Robert Easton
Lt. Atlanta Shore - Lois Maxwell
Commander Sam Shore/Lt. Fisher/Titan - Ray Barrett

Incendental voices by David Graham who did voices in Supercar, Fireball XL5. Thunderirds, The Secret Service and was the voice of many Daleks. Incentdental female voices by Sylvia Anderson.

Its 2064 Titan the evil leader of an underwater city decides to wage war on the surface dwellers. It's up to the World Aqua Security Patrol (WASP) and the super submarine Stingray, to stop him.

Captain Troy Tempest is in command of Stingray. Lt. George 'Phones' Sheridan monitors Stingray's sonar system, he's also the weapons officer.

Marina came to WASP from a race of people who live under the sea. She understands English perfectly but cannot speak. All of her people are mute. Unlike Tittan and his people Marina's people are friends of the surface dwellers. Marina rides along in Stingray in case they need someone who can breath underwater with special equipment and can swim fast.

Commander Sam Shore is the commanding officer of Marineville, WASP's command center. Marineville can slide underground in an emergency. Stingray is stored in an undeground bonker reached by an undersea tunnel. The Commander has the same personality as the Space City commander.

Commander Shore is assisted by his daughter Atlanta. Atlanta and Troy were apparently an item until Troy met Marina. The ending theme song is in fact a love song about "Aqua Marina".

The resident animal for this series is a seal named Oink.

Singray was the first Supermarionation series to be filmed in color. It's not nearlly as good as the two b/w series, Super Car and Fireball XL5. It's very slow moving much of the time.

"Marina, Aqua Marina
What are these strange enchanments that start whenever you're near?
Marina, Aqua Marina
What can't you whisper the words that my heart is longing to hear?
Marina, Aqua Marina
I'm certain to fall I know because you enthrall me so
Marina, Aqua Marina
Why don't you say that you'll always stay close to my heart?"
-- vocals Gary Miller

VWOR

[GrimGhost]

Just saw the trailer for the new Captain Scarlet series...CGI...*sigh* I'll still give it a chance if it makes it over to this side of the pond

[Zone Fighter]

Thunderbirds (1964-1966)
32 fifty minute episodes & 2 eighty-nine minute movies, Thunderbirds Are Go (1966) & Thunderbird 6 (1967)

voice cast:
Peter Dyneley - Jeff Tracy
Shane Rimmer - Scott Tracy
Sylvia Anderson - Lady Penelope Creighton Ward
David Holliday - Virgil Tracy
Matt Zimmerman - Alan Tracy
David Graham - Brains/Aloysius 'Nosey' Parker/Gordon Tracy/Kyrano
Christine Finn - Tin-Tin Kyrano/Grandma Tracy
Ray Barrett - John Tracy/The Hood

Operating from a secret island base, the Tracy family run the International Rescue service in the years 2065-2067, using five amazing Thunderbirds vehicles.

Thunderbirds is the first supermarination series to be made up of hour long (with commercials) episodes. It's also the first not to have vocals in the ending theme. In the UK this is the most popular Gerry & Sylvia Anderson series. Sylvia Anderson provided the voice for secret agent Lady Penelope Creighton Ward.

The entire series is available on DVD, 12 disks.

The 1st DVD includes the first 3 episodes and a short making of documentary, which describes the series as being in black and white, this is probably because TV stations in the UK were still b/w into the 1970s.

Both movies are available on individual DVDs, which are not part of the series set. "Thunderbird 6" actually came out after the series was finished.

"Zone Fighter, FAB"

[Xenorama ™]

someone should do a nice doc on the Andersons. that would be really cool.

i love this Thunderbird set, and someday will own it. i need to pick up THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO! since it's available at Fry's for $9.99 which is a good price. and it's got a bunch of nice features on it as well.

[amphiboid]

The Thunderbirds DVDs now available (the TV show and the movies) come pretty close to being the coolest things ever, anywhere. A very shiny, nifty coolness level has been achieved with these, I think.

The commentaries and docs on the feature film discs are also very nice. Good price, Maynard!

[Shonokin]

Fanderson.com produced a couple of documentaries on SPACE:1999 and some other shows.

I wonder if the new Captain Scarlet is showing up on Bittorrent, etc.

[Zone Fighter]

A documentary on Anderson really needs to have both Gerry and Sylvia because she had a lot to do with creating most of the shows. But I don't know that you could get them together. I read that when Fanderson was created and Gerry made president they club originators had to promise not to involve Sylvia. They credit her for their various roles but don't interview her for the fan magazine and don't have a link to her web page.

Sylvia has done commentaries on the DVDs.

[Xenorama ™]

i agree- and i would hope they could be professional enough to at least be interviewed- they wouldn't have to do it together, though that would be better for the people viewing the doc.

must have been something powerful bad to make it that rancorous.

[Zone Fighter]

The 5th and final disc of Stingray includes a short making of documentary which explains that there acutally was a water tank in the studio for the underwater shots. The marionettes were wired up to a device that was supposed to keep the movements of their lips insync with the pre-recorded dialogue, but sometimes a wire got crossed or the sound operator flipped the wrong switch resulting in a voice coming from the wrong puppet. The puppeteers were up high and could only see the tops of the puppets heads so an extra camera had to be added which was linked to a screen they could watch otherwise Captain Tempest might be staring at a wall while talking to Atlanta.

VWOR

[Zone Fighter]

The 11th Thunderbirds DVD has the final 3 episodes. The 12th DVD has two video documentaries and some text bonus material. The first new, color video is hosted by Brains and shows clips from the series. Brains voice is a little odd, probably because the voice actor is 40 years older. The second documentary is b/w and was made when Thunderbirds was still in production so it does have both Sylvia and Gerry Anderson.

Next: Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons

[Zone Fighter]

Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons (1967)
thirty-two 25 minute episodes

Voice Cast:
Francis Matthews - Captain Scarlet
Janna Hill - Symphony Angel
Sylvia Anderson - Melody Angel
Ed Bishop - Captain Blue
Jeremy Wilkin - Captain Ochre
Lian Shin - Harmony Angel
Liz Morgan - Rhapsody Angel & Destiny Angel
Paul Maxwell - Captain Grey
Donald Gray - Colonel White, Captain Black & Voice of The Mysterons
Gary Files - Captain Magenta
Cy Grant - Lieutenant Green
Charles Tingwel - Dr. Fawn

"The Mysterons, Sworn enemies of Earth, Possessing the ability to recreate an exact likeness of an object or person, But first, they must destroy.

Leading the fight, one man fate has made indestructable. His name, Captain Scarlet." -- opening sequence narration, by Ed Bishop (not credited but I recognized his voice)

The year is 2068. The security of Earth is in the hands of the top secret agency, Spectrum. To protect Spectrum agents true identities each male agent is refered to only by a code name consisting of rank and a color: Colonel White (head of Spectrum), Captain Blue, Lieutenant Green, etc. Female jet pilots are called "angels".

Due to a misunderunstanding Spectrum agents exploring the planet Mars open fire on an alien outpost discovered there. The alien's massive computer system is able to instantly repair the damage never the less it declares war on the human race.

The aliens, who call themselves the Mysterons, kill Captains Brown, Black and Scarlet, replacing them with duplicates which are complete with each man's memories and abilities, but programmed to serve the Mysterons. The fake Captain Brown is destroyed in an explosion during an attempt to assassinate the World President. An accident results in the fake Captain Scarlet regaining the real Captain Scarlet's loyalties to mankind and Spectrum. This Captain Scarlet is viritually indestructable (he can be wounded and feel pain but even normally
fatal injuries heal) becomes the Mysterons greatest enemy. The Captain Black replica remains under the control of the Mysterons.

In providing the voice for Captain Scarlet actor Francis Matthews mimics Cary Grant. Which I find odd. In the few roles I've seen Cary Grant he was the hero by accident. Ed Bishop (Captain Blue) would go on to play Commander Edward Straker, head of SHADO, in the Anderson's first live action series "UFO". Ed Bishop died June 8, 2005

Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons is the first supermarionation series produced by Century 21 Television, all previous series were by AP Films. This is probably the darkest of the Andersons' series. Although the other supermarionation shows had reacuring villains this is the first entirely about a group of hostile aliens bent on the destruction of the human race. And the good guys don't always win.

The entire series is available on a 4 disc DVD set. The first DVD includes an audio commentary by Gerry Anderson linked to the first episode. There is also a photo gallery. In his commentary Gerry Anderson mentioned that his staff thought he was nuts when he came up with the microphones in the Spectrum agent's hats, because microphones could never be that small. Now microphones are about 1/4 smaller than the size he invisioned.

I prefer Captain Blue's voice over Captain Scarlet's. In the first few episodes Captain Blue takes charge of missions, Captain Scarlet follows his orders. In these episodes Captain Scarlet keeps getting "killed". After awhile though Captain Scarlet takes charge with Captain Blue following his orders. For awhile Captain Scarlet doesn't get involved in these super dangerous situations but just when you may be wondering if they forgot the premise of the show he gets blown up again.

Characters in Captain Scarlet were created by Sylvia Anderson. Gerry Anderson was executive producer.

Ending theme (episodes 1-14):

"Captain Scarlet (followed by an electronic sounding echo)
(musical interlude)
Captain Scarlet (followed by an electronic sounding echo)
(musical interlude)
Captain Scarlet (followed by an electronic sounding echo)
(musical interlude)
Captain Scarlet (followed by an electronic sounding echo)
(musical interlude)
Captain Scarlet
(short musical interlude)
In-de-struc-table
Captain Scarlet"


I think they spent the lyrics budget on Fireball XL-5 and Stingray :-)

"Zone Fighter SIG"
(Spectrum Is Green)

[August]

In the UK and Japan, CAPTAIN SCARLET is more popular than THUNDERBIRDS, while the latter is considered the epitome of Supermarionation. CAPTAIN SCARLET is the most violent and action-oriented of the Supermarionation series, and is one of the reasons it's my favorite of the bunch. My favorite live-action series is UFO, but the extremely out-dated and outlandish civilian costume design is distracting at times -- everything else is top-notch. Too bad it was never given a second-season... I think that UFO is superior to SPACE: 1999 in terms of writing and character development.

[Zone Fighter]

The following is classified top secret:

(from DVD volume 2)

Code name: Captain Scarlet
Real name: Paul Metcalfe
Born: Winchester, England December 17, 2036
Rank: Field Agent

World Army Airforce Colonel by age 24, recruited to Spectrum as agent #1.

Killed by Mysterons who created a doppleganger which has his knowledge and memories but personality supressed, accident caused Paul Metcalfe's personality to amerge. Doppleganger now serves as Spectrum's Captain Scarlet.


Code name: Captain Blue
Read name: Adam Svenson
Born: Boston, Mass, USA August 26, 2035
Rank: Field Agent

World Aeoronautic Society test pilot, then WAS Security agent reponsible for discovering identities of enemy agents who had infiltrated the agency this led to recruitment as Spectrum agent #2.


Code name: Captain Black
Real name: Conrad Turner
Born: Manchester, England March 11, 2029
Rank: Former Field Agent / Mysteron Agent

Served in British Airforce during civil war of 2047, then World Space Patrol ("Fireball XL5"), recruited as Spectrum agent #3, chosen to lead mission to Mars. Mistaking Mysteron probe for a weapon he opened fire, starting the Mysteron war against humanity. Killed by Mysterons who replaced him with a doppleganger which is their most dangerous agent on Earth as he knows Spectrum's secrets.


Code name: Colonel White
Real name: Charles Gray
Born: London, England July 14, 2017
Rank: Commander-In-Chief

Officer in World Navy, Chief of Universal Secret Service British Branch, recruited to serve as Spectrum's Commander-In-Chief.


Code name: Lieutenent Green
Real name: Seymour Griffith
Born: Port of Spain, Trinidad January 18, 2041
Rank: Communications Officer

Wold Aquanat Security Patrol ("Stingray") Commander of Communications Installations, recruited to Spectrum as Chief Controller.


Code name: Captain Ochre
Real name: Richard Fraser
Born: Detroit, Mich, USA February 23, 2035
Rank: Field Agent

Licenesed pilot at age 16, recruited to Spectrum from World Government Police Corps.


Code name: Captain Magenta
Read name: Patrick Donaqhue
Born: Dublin, Ireland May 17, 2034
Rank: Field Agent

Parents moved family to New York, New York. Patrick became involved with Group 22 terrorists, served a prison term, joined New York mafia. Recruited to Specturm for knowledge of crime and criminals. Pardoned for all crimes by World Government.

(from DVD volume 3)

Code name: Captain Grey
Real name: Bradley Holden
Born: Chicago, Illinois, USA March 4, 2035
Rank: Field Agent


Code name: Dr. Fawn
Real name: Edward Wilkie
Born: Yalumba, Australia Juky 10, 2031
Rank: Chief Medical Officer


Code name: Destiny Angel
Real name: Julette Pontoin
Born: Paris, France August 23, 2040
Rank: Interceptor Pilot

Word Army Airforce pilot, commanding officer Women's Fighter Squadron, left to start own company.


Code name: Symphony Angel
Real name: Karen Wainwright
Born: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA January 6, 2042
Rank: Interceptor Pilot

Universal Secret Service agent, left to work for Charter Airlines as pilot.


Code name: Rhampsody Angel
Real name: Dianne Simms
Born: London, England April 27, 2043
Rank: Interceptor Pilot

Federal Agents Bureau agent working under Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward, taking command after Lady Penelope left to join International Rescue ("Thunderbirds"). After FAB closed down she went to work for Charter Airlines.


Code name: Harmony Angel
Real name: Chan Kwan
Born: Tokyo, Japan June 18, 2042
Rank: Interceptor Pilot

Built own custom airplane for solo flight around the world. Black belt in karate.


Code name: Melody Angel
Real name: Magnolia Jones
Born: Atlanta, Georgia, USA January 10, 2043
Rank: Interceptor Pilot

World Army Airforce pilot. Interested in languages, currently learning Japanese (from Harmony Angel?)

Note: except for Colonel White who is a widower the martial status of all other listed personnel is "single".

[There is no refrence to "Supercar" in these character biographies.]


Ending theme (15-32):

vocals: The Spectrum

Captain Scarlet
He's the one who knows the Mysteron game
And things they plan
Captain Scarlet
To his Martian foess a dangerous name
A super man
They crash him
And his body may burn
They smash him
But they know he'll return
To live again

Captain Scarlet
As the Angels are flying
Wing to wing
Into the scene
"Spectrum is green!"
Captain Scarlet
Though the Mysterons plan
To conquer the Earth
This indestructable man
Will show what he's worth
Captain Scarlet
In-de-struc-table
Captain Scarlet

[Zone Fighter]

Colonel White and Captain Black:
If you're thinking that the leader of Spectrum is Colonel White and the chief Mysteron agent is Captain Black because white symbolises good and black evil you would be wrong. According to Gerry Anderson, the leader of Spectrum is Colonel White because when you combine all the colors of the spectrum you get white. He doesn't say so, in his commentary on "Attack on Cloudbase", but the chief villains must be Captain Black because black is the abscence of color.

Captain Blue and Symphony Angel:
They're in love. Which is probably against the rules. Since all the male officers and all the female fighter pilots are single it would appear they were chosen in part because they had no spouse or children depending on them.

Captain Scarlet and Captain Black:
They can be killed, permenantly, by very high voltage electric shock. Why Captain Scarlet and Captain Black are superior to other Mysteron duplicates is not explained as far as I can recall.

The final line of the episode entitled "Inferno" is:
"Well, the Mysteron's won this round but the fight is not over yet" Unfortunantly Captain Scarlet was wrong the fight was over as the series was canceled. I was disappointed though not surprised that we did not see the capture of Captain Black, the Mysterons defeated or talked into ending the war. Instead it ends with a Spectrum failure and Mysteron success. What a way to end it. "UFO" and "Space: 1999" are also ended without resolution, and I expect Terrhawks is too.

"SIR"

[Zone Fighter]

Joe 90 (1968)

Len Jones voiced Joe McClaine aka W.I.N.'s Most Special Agent Joe 90
Rupert Davies voiced Professor Ian 'Mac' McClaine
Keith Alexander voiced Sam Loover, Deputy Head of W.I.N. London Office
David Healy voiced Shane Weston, W.I.N. Deputy Controller, Supreme Commander of W.I.N. London Office
Sylvia Anderson provides the voices for various female characters throughout the series.

Keith Alexander would later play SHADO Operative Lieutenant Keith Ford in the Anderson's first series to use human actors, UFO. Rupert Davies died in 1976. David Healy died in 1995 at age 64.

It is the year 2112. Professor Ian McClaine has invented Brain Impulse Galvanoscope Record And Transfer aka "The Big Rat" a machine which can record the knowledge and experience of any person then transfer this knowledge and experience to another. The professor demonstrates Big Rat to his friend Sam Loover by recording his own knowledge of a highly advanced computer system then transferring it to his (adopted) son Joe. Friend Sam turns out to be Deputy Head of the London branch of the World Intelligence Network and he convinces his superiors that W.I.N. should buy Big Rat and use it to provide what ever information their new agent, 9 year old Joe, should require to allow him to carry out his assignments.

Although all these "Supermarionation" series were theoretically for children, Joe 90 is the first to make a child the lead character. The series is a little dated, with the Soviet Union being a part of the first episode. I didn't notice any wires until the third episode, then I started noticing them more often, but that may be because the DVD picture is too clear. Episode 4 had a plot twist that fooled me, that doesn't happen very often. Episode 5 was the first to have a woman in a major role. Some episodes begin with a prologue which sets up the story before the opening credits, others start with the credits. Theme music is instrumental.

If you can accept the unreality of a 9 year kid with the knowledge and experience of the worlds best secret agents, pilots, doctors, musicians, engineers, etc, then Joe 90 is fun little series.

Joe 90: The Complete Series disc 1 features the first 8 episodes, 2 with optional audio commentaries. Disc 2 has no bonus material. There are 30 episodes altogether.

I'm half way through the series. My favorite episode, so far, is "Double Agent" (disc 2). WIN's Chief Currier is scanned without his knowledge and his brain wave pattern placed on Joe. What no one at WIN realizes is that the Chief Currier is a double agent, working for an unnamed enemy. So instead of following orders to carry top secret microfilm to Terran, Joe heads for Paris and then Copenhagen, because that's what the traitor would do.