Got no idea of when I first watch the programme. but I do remember having a plastic Supercar for bath playtime. if I recall it had no colour scheme, so dad painted it with plastic kit paint. Which eventually came off
I first saw this on the complete DVD boxset, and Supercar really has a great sense of humour, especially with Doctor Beaker's personality; David Graham's voice cast on this show was just the start of his legacy. When I watched the behind-the-scenes, that was when I learnt that Black Rock Laboratory was always 'blown to smithereens' at the very end of the opening titles of Thunderbirds.
I had a accident when I was 14 and lost most of my memory too, as a child. However, one thing was never forgotten- Supercar! I had the pleasure 40 years later to rewatch the series on DVD and was enraptured as much then as many years ago. I must say thank you so much for all the pleasure you have given me over the years with your superb programs.
I was probably 4 or 5 years old when this show was the center of my universe back in the early 60's. I love all of the marionette and model work by the Andersons. Astonishing creativity.
I was the envy of my first grade class back in the day because I had the SUPERCAR lunchbox and thermos. Today I have the 3 "Johnny Lightning" edition SUPERCARS. The SC black & white TV series edition, the CONDOR SC in black and the SC classic in color and all unopened. One should always keep a piece of their youth on them, be it mentally, physically or materially. Thank you Gerry Anderson for doing your part to help tame mankind with your vision, gift and talent. May GOD bless your legacy..
Yes it was something special and I always wanted a hover scooter and wondered how they recovered all those booster packs that were jettisoned over the ramp on take off.
Supercar was the first Anderson show I remember watching.For my 4th birthday my aunt enrolled me in the Supercar Fan Club. I still have the badge and Supercar Pilots Licence but alas have lost the 7 inch 45 rpm disc that came with it over the years.Supercar was the start for me , and I've been a life long fan since.To all members of Fanderson have a happy Christmas and a Fanderson new year.
Sixty years later and the creative brilliance and ingenuity of Anderson productions still shines! Nothing else compares even to this day. Kids today are enamored with computer games and cgi animation but for the generations that grew up watching them and for those now discovering them Anderson productions are unsurpassed!
I remember watching this show. I used to have toy version that had plastic discs that slipped in it, when you turned it on, it made the car twist and turn on its own. I still have a small 1:64th die cast version of the car.
I am so sorry we only got to see Princess Caroline of Bovania one time!!!! When this show premiered I was about 8 years old and I was delighted when I first saw that character!!!!
I have the series on DVD. I also have Four Feather Falls and Fireball XL5. I also have Stingray, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90, UFO, The Protectors, Space 1999, Terrahawks and Space Precinct.
I have Stingray, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90, and Terrahawks on DVD but not Four Feather Falls, Fireball XL5, UFO, The Protectors, Space 1999 or Space Precinct then.
If I remember correctly, it was early in 196 I became acquainted with Supercar. I instantly fell in love with it at the age of 7 years old. I was interested in miniature model cars and building them as well at that time. Supercar had a profound affect on me with the scale models and the puppets it was made with, that has lasted to this day, over 60 years. I have collected all sorts of memorabilia in that time span. I even had my sons interested in Supercar in the late 80s as well as my grandsons in the early 2010s. A fantastic work of art way ahead of it's time!!!
This was my favourite programme when I was a young fellow. It was on at 6.00pm on a Sunday night and was the best thing since sliced bread. I also really liked Fireball XL5. I had a plastic toy of Supercar and a plastic Fireball XL5 with a slingshot. You shot the toy into the air and a parachute came out the nose it floated back to the ground. Awesome times.
It was my favourite program from the day it was launched on TV. My 6th birthday was in January 1961, so it has stuck with me for a long time. I remember Four Feather Falls, that was my favourite till Supercar. As soon as they were available on VHS or DVD I could not resist getting them. Great TV days from the Andersons with more too come: Fireball XL5, Stingray, Thunderbirds etc.
Supercar Is A Classic. This Is Before Gerry Anderson's Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons Along With Stingray And Of Course Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds The Original Series. Thunderbirds Are GO!. Thanks Mate. X
I remember,as a child, coming home from school every day and watching Supercar, Torbor the eighth man, and the Gigantor. 1960?’ 61? I guess I was 7 or 8 years old.
I saw this when I was very young. I still love to see the episodes. I wish that they would produce a episodes with todays modern technologies in film production.
Great Primer episode and took me back to 1961 when I first saw Supercar and was amazed by its capabilities. I was also in the Supercar Club and had the gold badge for years. I also had a metal Budgie Supercar (anyone remember them?) which was the wrong colours but well made. I’ve got a 33rpm Introducing Supercar LP somewhere that I must dig out and play. I expect it will be “Most satisfactory” 😉 🚀
Loved all the puppet shows of those eras, I remember watching 'Supercar's predecessor 'Four Feather Falls' too . I also loved the short lived competitor sci-fi series, and often forgotten, 'Space Patrol' with it's eerie soundtrack. Not really quite up to the Andersons' technical standards but with some very good stories and totally bizarre alien species. The Anderson shows became increasingly ambitious and sophisticated and ground-breaking in their model work and sets, which overtook the limited possibilities with the puppets themselves, walking and action scenes went as far as they could. This limitation however makes them all the more endearing in hindsight.
And I hope that I speak for nearly every fan of every Anderson Production: EXCELLENT, SIMPLY EXCELLENT WORK Barry Grey, I am especially a fan of the music of UFO and Space:1999.
Saw Supercar maybe 1964 and before that was Twizzle, Torchy the Battery Boy and Four Feather Falls. Our TV was always sort of blowing up FZZZT ! So remember seeing it my Grandmothers. Always wanted to be a pilot so......and have just retired after 51years flying. 17 years RAF and the rest Civil Airlines. Supercar, Fireball XL5, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, UFO all inspired me ! Keep up the great videos, please.
I think the first watched Supercar in 62-63. I lived in the Tampa Bay Area and it came in on channel 13 which was a UHF station and you had to have a circular antenna on the back of your TV and had shitty reception. I bought the DVD set a couple of years ago. In my late 60’s I still enjoy the Anderson’s work.
Thank you! Gerry Anderson shows always had heart pumping intros with spectacular scenes and brilliant music really got you in, the outros were classic to from Aqua Marina, I wish I was a Spaceman, Captain Scarlet.. ha ha great memories
I saw the show from the beginning, joined the fan club, had the plastic models, and annoyed school teachers by endlessly drawing supercar. IIRC Meddings, the model maker, went on to work on James Bond. I met Anderson himself once at an RTS bash in London. Barry Grey I met when he had retired to Guernsey. Does anyone else remember the supercar startup checklist, "Fifteen Thousand, fire one!"? It became a catchphrase between me and my father.
This was a wonderful "back to the past" voyage! I remember seeing the series on WPIX channel 11 in New York City as a child. I wish to ask everyone: would a revival be successful, using the same new techniques done for the new Thunderbirds series, where digital animation is combined with real models? If a "Kickstarter" campaign is begun, I will gladly donate to produce the new Supercar series.
I remember watching these shows when I was a kid. There wasn't much to watch on the TV back then. There was also The Thunderbirds, I believe that is what it was called, which is similar to Supercar with puppets, but in color! Oh yeah, Fireball XL500,
When it was in Black and white on our TV, an icon of puppetry celebrated only a couple of days ago when we purchased, after hunting one down, the die cast model to sit on our work station.
Watched it from the get go, loved it at the time. Found a very nice and very cheap Hong Kong plastic knock-off model on a market about 1970 (with slide-out wings), pity they abandoned merchandising so quickly after the series ended.
I was ten when this came on the air. Hooked from day one and still a big fan. Have the toys Supercar, XL-5, stingray, Thunderbird's, Space 1999 a life long fan. 1963 I discovered Dr Who, 1964 I discovered Girls the rest they say id history. :o)
Like most of the earlier shows, my experience would be with the rather nicely restored Network DVD set from the mid 2000's. Mitch & Beaker are two of my favorite characters. David Graham always has a knack for voices.
You forgot to mention that Supercar had a GPS with a moving map display. They never explained how it was supposed to work, and the real GPS satellite system was decades away. I always remembered that detail in the show, and kinda wondered about it at the time. When I finally got a GPS of my own (in my smartphone) I realized That was It!!!
As a fan of Science Fiction and of the series UFO and Space: 1999, as well as being American, I am amazed by all the work Gerry Anderson and his excellent team have produced. Yet, it is in only the last few years that I am finding out about the earliest work. Until today: November 2020, I had never heard of Four Feather Falls. Supercar? An interesting concept, but like the series Superman it borders on the " cartoony ", but that's how it is when you are appealing to children, I suppose. My favorite of the many series that employed marionettes? Joe 90 (I hope I got that correct.). The concept and the many facets of the artwork, in my view, were excellent.
Ten to one, Masterspy's features were taken in jest from ITC's head Lou Grade after those tense negotiations; the resemblance is quite remarkable. For a sculptor, there is revenge under direction; did Gerry instruct that the features of his nemesis appear on Masterspy's face?
'Supercar' first aired on British Television in January 1961."I'll give you rundown on the situation!".Set in the Present Day, The show followed the adventures of a revolutionary new vehicle that could travel on land, under water, through the air and even into space. "We call it supercar!". "The Professor here took five years to build that!". From their desert laboratory at Black Rock, Nevada, The Supercar Team consisting of Test Pilot, Mike Mercury and Scientists, Professor Popkiss and Doctor Beaker worked to improve and develop this remarkable machine. In the first episode of the series comes to the rescue of Bill Gibson and his younger brother,Jimmy and pet monkey,Mitch, after their plane crashes at sea. Bill then repays this kind act by apparantently handing all responsibility for Jimmy and Mitch over to The Supercar Team and promptly scarpering. "There goes a charming guy!". Over the course of 39 episodes 'Supercar' would be put through her paces on everything from missions of mercy to assisting in various experiments and secret projects and even helping The Authorities apprehend all manner of dastardly villains. "Masterspy!...What are doing here?". Among the worst of these villains are the Supercar Team's arch enemy,Masterspy and his Sidekick, Zarin who are always looking to make an easy profit or to capture Supercar for themselves.Following the completion on production on 'Four Feather Falls', The A.P. Films Team had very little work on the horizon beyond producing four commercials and a travel film featuring Nicholas Parsons. "Hello!". Fortunately the company was saved from disaster thanks to the arrangement of a meeting with I.T.C. Head, Lew Grade at which Anderson pitched the idea for Supercar. After some tense negotiation, Grade finally gave Anderson a commission for 26, 25 minute episodes."You're about to see the latest epic from Supercar Studios in Black Rock!". This first meeting marks the beginning of an association between Anderson and Grade that would last right up until the end of production of 'Space:1999' in December 1976. And it all started with 'Supercar'. "Next shot!". The Supercar concept was actually an amalgamation of two ideas, One from Gerry Anderson, And One from 'Four Feather Falls' Writer, Hugh Wooodhouse. Anderson's idea included the central vehicle of Supercar, Her Brave Test Pilot and his Kid Sidekick While Woodhouse's focused on the eccentric Doctor Beaker using his considerable intellect to thwart various criminal schemes."Satisfactory...Most satisfactory!". With these two concepts combinded the new series would in theory appeal to the whole family, Children would be drawn to the exciting adventures of Mike Mercury and Supercar. And Adults could appreciate Doctor Beaker's bumbling approach to fighting crime. The skill with which these two ideas were into twine can perhaps be seen with The Heroic Mike soon developing a weary exceptance of the fact that Beaker usually finds trouble wherever he goes. The voice cast for 'Supercar' would be a mix of newcomers to the Anderson fold and some who have worked for him previously, David Graham, the only member of 'Four Feather Falls' cast who would return for 'Supercar' voiced Doctor Beaker Zarin, Bill Gibson. and Mitch The Monkey "Oh,Come now!...Oh,You're just saying that!".For which he spent a day studying the primates at London Zoo. George Murcell who had played the Villain, Diamond in Anderson's recent B Movie, 'Crossroads To Crime' would provide the voices of Professor Popkiss. "Sounds a good idea!".and The Sinsiter, Masterspy. Mike Mercury himself would be voiced by Canadian Actor, Graydon Gould whose performance square jawed rife bemusement the antics of doctor beaker."The things I do for you,Doc!". The final member of the supercar cast was to be Dialogue Director, Sylvia Thamm as the voice of Jimmy Gibson.Although uncredited for her performance on the first season her name would only become more prominent from this point on following her marriage to Gerry early in the show's production. Sylvia Anderson would also guest voice included including Doctor Beaker's occasionally seen cousin, Felicity who was esentially Doctor Beaker in drag."Coffee time!". Other recurring characters Harper, A disgruntled worker turned criminal and his partner Ben Judd a cockney safecraker who bore a strong resemblance to a later and much more famous Supermarionaton character."Yeah!, Well they're welcome to it!".Supercar itself was the first in a long line of star vehicles for Anderson's Supermarionation Heroes and was created in direct response to his belief never look while however putting them at the controls of a snazzy machine not only solve that problem but also added a new element of excitiement to the programmes and 'Supercar' also introduced a familiar feature of future Anderson productions, The launch sequence. A Second Season of 13 more episodes soon entered production but with some noticable changes. "Have you nothing to say about that?".George Murcell was unable to return for the new episodes, So instead Cyril Shaps would step in to voice Professor Popkiss and Masterspy. "Thank you very much!". Also not returning for the second season were Martin and Hugh Woodhouse who had written most of the scripts for the first season, However their departure was not by choice as the Anderson's decided to write the scripts themselves without even consulting the Woodhouse Brothers. Although still highly entertaining Children's Television the scripts written by the Anderson's were more firmly pitched at a young audience than those of the first and incorporated increasingly outlandish elements these included mad scientists with shrinking potions.take some getting total Drum playing apes talking to each other in beatnick style slang. And even aliens from a distant planet who can enter the dreams of sleeping human beings whenever they fell like it. for the Two new and unecessary additions to the cast in the form of runaway French Orphan, Zizi and Sister, Aunt Heidi who appeared to be a walking advertisement of the dangers of drug abuse however one contribution to The Gerry Anderson Universe that would soon become Legendary as the words 'Filmed In Supermarionation' made their debut on the show's end credits but following 39 episodes the future for the series was unclear. Over the next few months even as Fireball XL5 was getting under way rumours continued to persist would be continuing perhaps under new title. "Poppycock!". "I said poppycock!". Sadly Mike Mercury and The Supercar Team would not be returning for anymore adventures. Although some elements find their way into later productions. "What!".Barry Gray's incidental music for 'Supercar' would be heard right up find thier 'Space 1999' nearly 15 Years later."There's no gettting away with this one,Paul!".Supercar's canopy would be fitted to the submarine headcap for the 'Stingray' episode 'Raptures Of The Deep', While the Black Rock Laboratory itself made a final and rather and poignant appearance at the start of every single episode of 'Thunderbirds'."Now who's a fool?".While it may appear somewhat primitive compared to later productions, Supercar laid the groundwork Supermarionation Series that followed over the next few years. "Good Show!". having refined their techique during four feather falls The A.P. Films Team now began to incorporate model effects to further support their storytelling and they weren't afraid to stretched their skills their storytelling and they wernt afaid to supercar introduced to the Anderson Universe such crucial ideas as placing aquariums to create the illusion of being underwater exciting hi tech vechicles and locations and even those all important explosions. As a series in its own right however 'Supercar' can still stand tall and proud along side the shows that came after it.The series excelled in the quality of its characters and the qualily of it's writing which understood of treating yound minds with the respect they deserve. "What a Team!...You and Supercar!". Back in 1961 'Supercar' really was 'The Marvel of the Age' and it's very best episodes were never anything less than..."Most Satisfactory!...Man!".
I was a huge Supercar fan and badgered my parents to buy me a model one. At a good 12 inches long it was pretty good too. You also got a Supercar pilot's licence you could actually write your name in, which really IS Mike as well - I regarded That as sheer destiny! I think I've still got it somewhere..... Just as well if a disguised Masterspy pulls me up and demands to see it - cunning devil that he may be, he'll find I'm all legal and above board anyway.... I imagine Zarin will get the blame for that.
GAP: Supercar when will Jamie and Anderson Entertainment produce a color version 60th Anniversary Box Edition of their classic B&W EPISODES OF SUPERCAR ON BLU-RAY AND 4K DISC FOR THE FANS OF GERRY AND SYLVIA ANDERSON LIKE MYSELF! I CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR IT! THANKS! SINCERELY YOURS: HAROLD STEWART USA.
I wonder if Masterspy and Zarin are an hommage to characters played by Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre in movies like Casablanca and the Maltese Falcon.
David Graham is still alive as i write this and celebrates his 97th birthday on July 11th. Incidentally, I wonder if Freddie Mercury (born Farouk Bulsara but known as Freddie since he was at school) got the inspiration for his professional surname from Mike Mercury.
In the early 60’s Japan gave us Godzilla, Gamera, etc. Britain gave us Supercar, Thunderbirds etc. all pioneers in miniatures and puppetry. I wonder if Jim Henson & George Lucas were fans? I suspect so since George used some of the same studios in Slough to do Star Wars.
The little French girl was important so that girls to finally got have a girl character. Venus in Fireball XL5 was such a role model when I was little and all the real astronauts were men.
When did you first see Supercar? We really want to know how long it has stuck with you!
My first memory of "Supercar" was in September 1961.
1962 as a 5 year old kid
Got no idea of when I first watch the programme. but I do remember having a plastic Supercar for bath playtime. if I recall it had no colour scheme, so dad painted it with plastic kit paint. Which eventually came off
I first saw this on the complete DVD boxset, and Supercar really has a great sense of humour, especially with Doctor Beaker's personality; David Graham's voice cast on this show was just the start of his legacy. When I watched the behind-the-scenes, that was when I learnt that Black Rock Laboratory was always 'blown to smithereens' at the very end of the opening titles of Thunderbirds.
I had a VHS tape containing the pilot episode as well as the Joe 90 episode 'The Birthday' when I was younger
I had a accident when I was 14 and lost most of my memory too, as a child. However, one thing was never forgotten- Supercar! I had the pleasure 40 years later to rewatch the series on DVD and was enraptured as much then as many years ago. I must say thank you so much for all the pleasure you have given me over the years with your superb programs.
I was probably 4 or 5 years old when this show was the center of my universe back in the early 60's.
I love all of the marionette and model work by the Andersons. Astonishing creativity.
I was the envy of my first grade class back in the day because I had the SUPERCAR lunchbox and thermos. Today I have the 3 "Johnny Lightning" edition SUPERCARS. The SC black & white TV series edition, the CONDOR SC in black and the SC classic in color and all unopened. One should always keep a piece of their youth on them, be it mentally, physically or materially. Thank you Gerry Anderson for doing your part to help tame mankind with your vision, gift and talent. May GOD bless your legacy..
I had a plastic version of Supercar for my 6th birthday. Fireball XL5 was my all time favourite, and still is.
Yes it was something special and I always wanted a hover scooter and wondered how they recovered all those booster packs that were jettisoned over the ramp on take off.
I honestly did not know there were so many supermarionation series before Thunderbirds! WOW!
Don't forget forget Stingray.
That tune😬These TV series sparked the imagination and made us better, happier kids.
Supercar was the first Anderson show I remember watching.For my 4th birthday my aunt enrolled me in the Supercar Fan Club. I still have the badge and Supercar Pilots Licence but alas have lost the 7 inch 45 rpm disc that came with it over the years.Supercar was the start for me , and I've been a life long fan since.To all members of Fanderson have a happy Christmas and a Fanderson new year.
I watched all those shows in the 1960s.
“The first in a STRING of hits” I saw what you did there 😁😁
Brilliant bio of a great show 👍😊
He also refers to the shows as star VEHICLES for the characters. 5:28
Sixty years later and the creative brilliance and ingenuity of Anderson productions still shines! Nothing else compares even to this day. Kids today are enamored with computer games and cgi animation but for the generations that grew up watching them and for those now discovering them Anderson productions are unsurpassed!
1961 & 62 I was 4 -5 yrs old and Love this Series.
I remember watching this show. I used to have toy version that had plastic discs that slipped in it, when you turned it on, it made the car twist and turn on its own. I still have a small 1:64th die cast version of the car.
I am so sorry we only got to see Princess Caroline of Bovania one time!!!! When this show premiered I was about 8 years old and I was delighted when I first saw that character!!!!
Saw this here in New Zealand about 1963 loved it as a teen, now a word the commentator uses is Snazzy.
39 episodes between 1961 and 1962! Even over 2 years that is some production rate
I have the series on DVD. I also have Four Feather Falls and Fireball XL5. I also have Stingray, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90, UFO, The Protectors, Space 1999, Terrahawks and Space Precinct.
FAB and SIG.
Do you know please
I have Stingray, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90, and Terrahawks on DVD but not
Four Feather Falls, Fireball XL5, UFO, The Protectors, Space 1999 or Space Precinct then.
If I remember correctly, it was early in 196 I became acquainted with Supercar. I instantly fell in love with it at the age of 7 years old. I was interested in miniature model cars and building them as well at that time. Supercar had a profound affect on me with the scale models and the puppets it was made with, that has lasted to this day, over 60 years. I have collected all sorts of memorabilia in that time span. I even had my sons interested in Supercar in the late 80s as well as my grandsons in the early 2010s. A fantastic work of art way ahead of it's time!!!
In Detroit area, we got to see Supercar from Channel 9 in Windsor, Ontario.
Satisfactory, most satisfactory!
I was 9 years old. Me and my best friend Don would stop our childhood antics at make sure we got back to my from our bike excursions to watch it😊
This was my favourite programme when I was a young fellow. It was on at 6.00pm on a Sunday night and was the best thing since sliced bread. I also really liked Fireball XL5. I had a plastic toy of Supercar and a plastic Fireball XL5 with a slingshot. You shot the toy into the air and a parachute came out the nose it floated back to the ground. Awesome times.
Remember that and had the toy too
It was my favourite program from the day it was launched on TV.
My 6th birthday was in January 1961, so it has stuck with me for a long time.
I remember Four Feather Falls, that was my favourite till Supercar.
As soon as they were available on VHS or DVD I could not resist getting them.
Great TV days from the Andersons with more too come: Fireball XL5, Stingray, Thunderbirds etc.
I loved supercar as a kid. The sound track they use when its flying in nostalgic.
Supercar Is A Classic. This Is Before Gerry Anderson's Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons Along With Stingray And Of Course Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds The Original Series. Thunderbirds Are GO!. Thanks Mate. X
sweet ,sweet memories,
I remember,as a child, coming home from school every day and watching Supercar, Torbor the eighth man, and the Gigantor.
1960?’ 61? I guess I was 7 or 8 years old.
I saw this when I was very young. I still love to see the episodes. I wish that they would produce a episodes with todays modern technologies in film production.
I've got the DVD box set of Supercar, and it is MOST SATISFACTORY!
I also have Dvd Box set of Super car plus Fireball XL5 and Stingray
@ricwatt - Yes, I’ve got those ...! 👍
Any idea if or when Supercar and Fireballxl5 will be released on Bluray?
Great Primer episode and took me back to 1961 when I first saw Supercar and was amazed by its capabilities. I was also in the Supercar Club and had the gold badge for years. I also had a metal Budgie Supercar (anyone remember them?) which was the wrong colours but well made. I’ve got a 33rpm Introducing Supercar LP somewhere that I must dig out and play. I expect it will be “Most satisfactory” 😉 🚀
5:24 Great Scotland Yard. It's Parker From Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds. Thunderbirds Are GO!. Thanks Mate. F.A.B. X
finally my favorite show! so excited to watch.
Loved all the puppet shows of those eras, I remember watching 'Supercar's predecessor 'Four Feather Falls' too . I also loved the short lived competitor sci-fi series, and often forgotten, 'Space Patrol' with it's eerie soundtrack. Not really quite up to the Andersons' technical standards but with some very good stories and totally bizarre alien species. The Anderson shows became increasingly ambitious and sophisticated and ground-breaking in their model work and sets, which overtook the limited possibilities with the puppets themselves, walking and action scenes went as far as they could. This limitation however makes them all the more endearing in hindsight.
I must have been about 4 years old when I first saw Supercar and I was born in 1957. I loved it, Fireball XL5, Stingray and Thunderbirds.
And I hope that I speak for nearly every fan of every Anderson Production:
EXCELLENT, SIMPLY EXCELLENT WORK Barry Grey, I am especially a fan of the music of UFO and Space:1999.
Great video. Satisfactory, most satisfactory!
Saw Supercar maybe 1964 and before that was Twizzle, Torchy the Battery Boy and Four Feather Falls. Our TV was always sort of blowing up FZZZT ! So remember seeing it my Grandmothers. Always wanted to be a pilot so......and have just retired after 51years flying. 17 years RAF and the rest Civil Airlines. Supercar, Fireball XL5, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, UFO all inspired me ! Keep up the great videos, please.
I had to be 5 or 6 yr.old, still makes me smile.
I think the first watched Supercar in 62-63. I lived in the Tampa Bay Area and it came in on channel 13 which was a UHF station and you had to have a circular antenna on the back of your TV and had shitty reception. I bought the DVD set a couple of years ago. In my late 60’s I still enjoy the Anderson’s work.
Thank you! Gerry Anderson shows always had heart pumping intros with spectacular scenes and brilliant music really got you in, the outros were classic to from Aqua Marina, I wish I was a Spaceman, Captain Scarlet.. ha ha great memories
I saw the show from the beginning, joined the fan club, had the plastic models, and annoyed school teachers by endlessly drawing supercar.
IIRC Meddings, the model maker, went on to work on James Bond.
I met Anderson himself once at an RTS bash in London. Barry Grey I met when he had retired to Guernsey.
Does anyone else remember the supercar startup checklist, "Fifteen Thousand, fire one!"? It became a catchphrase between me and my father.
Yes, I remember that too.
It added immesurably to the build up of excitement....
This was a wonderful "back to the past" voyage! I remember seeing the series on WPIX channel 11 in New York City as a child. I wish to ask everyone: would a revival be successful, using the same new techniques done for the new Thunderbirds series, where digital animation is combined with real models? If a "Kickstarter" campaign is begun, I will gladly donate to produce the new Supercar series.
Watch it in the early 60s now I am 70 still like watching it like to find a model of the cas
I remember watching these shows when I was a kid. There wasn't much to watch on the TV back then. There was also The Thunderbirds, I believe that is what it was called, which is similar to Supercar with puppets, but in color! Oh yeah, Fireball XL500,
When it was in Black and white on our TV, an icon of puppetry celebrated only a couple of days ago when we purchased, after hunting one down, the die cast model to sit on our work station.
Watched it from the get go, loved it at the time. Found a very nice and very cheap Hong Kong plastic knock-off model on a market about 1970 (with slide-out wings), pity they abandoned merchandising so quickly after the series ended.
What a lot of knowledge!
The greatest of its time.
Four Feather Falls!!! Boy do I remember that one, Showin' my age I guess
This show premiered in the month and year I was born...👌
My favorite show when I was kid
all brilliant but my fave was Stingray, the underwater worlds were amazing and Marina.... (i was 10...)
I first heard of this series thanks to Home Video release in the 90's, but bought the complete DVD Box set in the 2000's.
I watched Supercar when I was young in the 70´s. It was the french version.
I had all (both) of the spinoff toys!!
My very favourite TV show as a kiddie when same age as my eldest grandson now, but not sure what he'd make if it!
An extremely well researched and edited video. Well done.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!
I was ten when this came on the air. Hooked from day one and still a big fan. Have the toys Supercar, XL-5, stingray, Thunderbird's, Space 1999 a life long fan. 1963 I discovered Dr Who, 1964 I discovered Girls the rest they say id history. :o)
This looks awesome.
When I was a kid, Supercar was my favorite show. It's funny, I don't remember the wires on the puppets back then.
Like most of the earlier shows, my experience would be with the rather nicely restored Network DVD set from the mid 2000's. Mitch & Beaker are two of my favorite characters. David Graham always has a knack for voices.
You forgot to mention that Supercar had a GPS with a moving map display. They never explained how it was supposed to work, and the real GPS satellite system was decades away. I always remembered that detail in the show, and kinda wondered about it at the time. When I finally got a GPS of my own (in my smartphone) I realized That was It!!!
I remember Mike on a few occasions had to eject and could heard screaming for help way out in the desert!
Quite charming!
Did you know we had a novelty ice cream lollie here in New Zealand called Joe 90
Super car was first series made by Gerry Anderson and second series music made by Barry Gray
As a fan of Science Fiction and of the series UFO and Space: 1999, as well as being American, I am amazed by all the work Gerry Anderson and his excellent team have produced. Yet, it is in only the last few years that I am finding out about the earliest work. Until today: November 2020, I had never heard of Four Feather Falls.
Supercar? An interesting concept, but like the series Superman it borders on the " cartoony ", but that's how it is when you are appealing to children, I suppose.
My favorite of the many series that employed marionettes? Joe 90 (I hope I got that correct.). The concept and the many facets of the artwork, in my view, were excellent.
(1:35) I want to know what this commercial is for! I love the retro sci-fi look. 😎
Love this show 🤗
Love this show📼
Goodness, I remember watching Supercar as a kid; My dad bought me a toy Supercar 59 years ago. No, I don't have it anymore.
"Primitive" ? no! it has stood the test of time which i suspect the CGI of today wont.
I thought the writing in the first 26 episodes was very engaging
I watched it as a kid- I had no idea it was a British TV show. I have a 1/43 die cast of it in a case not 5 feet from me right now.
I was living in Manila while in 9th grade. That’s when I watched Supercar.
I had the Supercar board game !!
Ten to one, Masterspy's features were taken in jest from ITC's head Lou Grade after those tense negotiations; the resemblance is quite remarkable. For a sculptor, there is revenge under direction; did Gerry instruct that the features of his nemesis appear on Masterspy's face?
I never spotted that at
all!
But now I realise that you're dead right....
'Supercar' first aired on British Television in January 1961."I'll give you rundown on the situation!".Set in the Present Day, The show followed the adventures of a revolutionary new vehicle that could travel on land, under water, through the air and even into space. "We call it supercar!". "The Professor here took five years to build that!". From their desert laboratory at Black Rock, Nevada, The Supercar Team consisting of Test Pilot, Mike Mercury and Scientists, Professor Popkiss and Doctor Beaker worked to improve and develop this remarkable machine. In the first episode of the series comes to the rescue of Bill Gibson and his younger brother,Jimmy and pet monkey,Mitch, after their plane crashes at sea. Bill then repays this kind act by apparantently handing all responsibility for Jimmy and Mitch over to The Supercar Team and promptly scarpering. "There goes a charming guy!". Over the course of 39 episodes 'Supercar' would be put through her paces on everything from missions of mercy to assisting in various experiments and secret projects and even helping The Authorities apprehend all manner of dastardly villains. "Masterspy!...What are doing here?". Among the worst of these villains are the Supercar Team's arch enemy,Masterspy and his Sidekick, Zarin who are always looking to make an easy profit or to capture Supercar for themselves.Following the completion on production on 'Four Feather Falls', The A.P. Films Team had very little work on the horizon beyond producing four commercials and a travel film featuring Nicholas Parsons. "Hello!". Fortunately the company was saved from disaster thanks to the arrangement of a meeting with I.T.C. Head, Lew Grade at which Anderson pitched the idea for Supercar. After some tense negotiation, Grade finally gave Anderson a commission for 26, 25 minute episodes."You're about to see the latest epic from Supercar Studios in Black Rock!". This first meeting marks the beginning of an association between Anderson and Grade that would last right up until the end of production of 'Space:1999' in December 1976. And it all started with 'Supercar'. "Next shot!". The Supercar concept was actually an amalgamation of two ideas, One from Gerry Anderson, And One from 'Four Feather Falls' Writer, Hugh Wooodhouse. Anderson's idea included the central vehicle of Supercar, Her Brave Test Pilot and his Kid Sidekick While Woodhouse's focused on the eccentric Doctor Beaker using his considerable intellect to thwart various criminal schemes."Satisfactory...Most satisfactory!". With these two concepts combinded the new series would in theory appeal to the whole family, Children would be drawn to the exciting adventures of Mike Mercury and Supercar. And Adults could appreciate Doctor Beaker's bumbling approach to fighting crime. The skill with which these two ideas were into twine can perhaps be seen with The Heroic Mike soon developing a weary exceptance of the fact that Beaker usually finds trouble wherever he goes. The voice cast for 'Supercar' would be a mix of newcomers to the Anderson fold and some who have worked for him previously, David Graham, the only member of 'Four Feather Falls' cast who would return for 'Supercar' voiced Doctor Beaker Zarin, Bill Gibson. and Mitch The Monkey "Oh,Come now!...Oh,You're just saying that!".For which he spent a day studying the primates at London Zoo. George Murcell who had played the Villain, Diamond in Anderson's recent B Movie, 'Crossroads To Crime' would provide the voices of Professor Popkiss. "Sounds a good idea!".and The Sinsiter, Masterspy. Mike Mercury himself would be voiced by Canadian Actor, Graydon Gould whose performance square jawed rife bemusement the antics of doctor beaker."The things I do for you,Doc!". The final member of the supercar cast was to be Dialogue Director, Sylvia Thamm as the voice of Jimmy Gibson.Although uncredited for her performance on the first season her name would only become more prominent from this point on following her marriage to Gerry early in the show's production. Sylvia Anderson would also guest voice included including Doctor Beaker's occasionally seen cousin, Felicity who was esentially Doctor Beaker in drag."Coffee time!". Other recurring characters Harper, A disgruntled worker turned criminal and his partner Ben Judd a cockney safecraker who bore a strong resemblance to a later and much more famous Supermarionaton character."Yeah!, Well they're welcome to it!".Supercar itself was the first in a long line of star vehicles for Anderson's Supermarionation Heroes and was created in direct response to his belief never look while however putting them at the controls of a snazzy machine not only solve that problem but also added a new element of excitiement to the programmes and 'Supercar' also introduced a familiar feature of future Anderson productions, The launch sequence. A Second Season of 13 more episodes soon entered production but with some noticable changes. "Have you nothing to say about that?".George Murcell was unable to return for the new episodes, So instead Cyril Shaps would step in to voice Professor Popkiss and Masterspy. "Thank you very much!". Also not returning for the second season were Martin and Hugh Woodhouse who had written most of the scripts for the first season, However their departure was not by choice as the Anderson's decided to write the scripts themselves without even consulting the Woodhouse Brothers. Although still highly entertaining Children's Television the scripts written by the Anderson's were more firmly pitched at a young audience than those of the first and incorporated increasingly outlandish elements these included mad scientists with shrinking potions.take some getting total Drum playing apes talking to each other in beatnick style slang. And even aliens from a distant planet who can enter the dreams of sleeping human beings whenever they fell like it. for the Two new and unecessary additions to the cast in the form of runaway French Orphan, Zizi and Sister, Aunt Heidi who appeared to be a walking advertisement of the dangers of drug abuse however one contribution to The Gerry Anderson Universe that would soon become Legendary as the words 'Filmed In Supermarionation' made their debut on the show's end credits but following 39 episodes the future for the series was unclear. Over the next few months even as Fireball XL5 was getting under way rumours continued to persist would be continuing perhaps under new title. "Poppycock!". "I said poppycock!". Sadly Mike Mercury and The Supercar Team would not be returning for anymore adventures. Although some elements find their way into later productions. "What!".Barry Gray's incidental music for 'Supercar' would be heard right up find thier 'Space 1999' nearly 15 Years later."There's no gettting away with this one,Paul!".Supercar's canopy would be fitted to the submarine headcap for the 'Stingray' episode 'Raptures Of The Deep', While the Black Rock Laboratory itself made a final and rather and poignant appearance at the start of every single episode of 'Thunderbirds'."Now who's a fool?".While it may appear somewhat primitive compared to later productions, Supercar laid the groundwork Supermarionation Series that followed over the next few years. "Good Show!". having refined their techique during four feather falls The A.P. Films Team now began to incorporate model effects to further support their storytelling and they weren't afraid to stretched their skills their storytelling and they wernt afaid to supercar introduced to the Anderson Universe such crucial ideas as placing aquariums to create the illusion of being underwater exciting hi tech vechicles and locations and even those all important explosions. As a series in its own right however 'Supercar' can still stand tall and proud along side the shows that came after it.The series excelled in the quality of its characters and the qualily of it's writing which understood of treating yound minds with the respect they deserve. "What a Team!...You and Supercar!". Back in 1961 'Supercar' really was 'The Marvel of the Age' and it's very best episodes were never anything less than..."Most Satisfactory!...Man!".
Brilliant - I watched this when I was a kid. I've just named my Tesla "SUPERCAR".
Master Spy Looks a bit like Baron Lew Grade !
That’s because he really was modeled on Lew Grade.
I watched it at the time! For some reason I was petrified of Torchy the battery boy!
I was born in 1957, remember it well, early 60's I would guess.
...great....loved it from the start. ..who did the early puppet sculpting ?
My mother would sing us to sleep with the Supercar theme. I would have been three.
Did Lew Grade have a hand in every tv show in the 50s-70s?
I was a huge Supercar fan and badgered my parents to buy me a model one.
At a good 12 inches long it was pretty good too.
You also got a Supercar pilot's licence you could actually write your name in, which really IS Mike as well - I regarded That as sheer destiny!
I think I've still got it somewhere.....
Just as well if a disguised Masterspy pulls me up and demands to see it - cunning devil that he may be, he'll find I'm all legal and above board anyway....
I imagine Zarin will get the blame for that.
GAP: Supercar when will Jamie and Anderson Entertainment produce a color version 60th Anniversary Box Edition of their classic
B&W EPISODES OF SUPERCAR ON BLU-RAY AND 4K DISC FOR THE FANS OF GERRY AND SYLVIA ANDERSON
LIKE MYSELF! I CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR IT! THANKS! SINCERELY YOURS: HAROLD STEWART USA.
I wonder if Masterspy and Zarin are an hommage to characters played by Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre in movies like Casablanca and the Maltese Falcon.
--The villain, Masterspy (1:11) oddly resembles this (1:50) TV executive, Anderson !!!
How manly along with XL5 and Stingray not forgetting Four Feather Falls. I found that Thunderbirds was camp
David Graham is still alive as i write this and celebrates his 97th birthday on July 11th.
Incidentally, I wonder if Freddie Mercury (born Farouk Bulsara but known as Freddie since he was at school) got the inspiration for his professional surname from Mike Mercury.
7:14 aliens that can enter the dreams of sleeping human beings sound like a really interesting concept worth exploring further.
I heard some bits from Supercar were repurposed into the building of FAB 1.
Can you upload Gerry Anderson Primer Lavender Castle Please
Are Lew Grade and Masterspy the same person?
It’s possible. Very possible.
Yes, as Gerry Anderson allegedly wasn't happy with the budget Lew Grade gave him, so created a puppet in his likeness.
@@trevorayson7593 So was it a compliment or insult?
In the early 60’s Japan gave us Godzilla, Gamera, etc. Britain gave us Supercar, Thunderbirds etc. all pioneers in miniatures and puppetry. I wonder if Jim Henson & George Lucas were fans? I suspect so since George used some of the same studios in Slough to do Star Wars.
The little French girl was important so that girls to finally got have a girl character. Venus in Fireball XL5 was such a role model when I was little and all the real astronauts were men.
Thanks
Thank YOU, Keith! 😃
Does any one know the name of the show which was a team of puppets one was a soldier in light blue camaflarg who looked and sounded like shaft
Dr Beaker could be Grandma's (from Thunderbirds') brother.
Geeze as a kid I watched it 😂Mitch 😆