m6526@ihuxn.UUCP (08/15/83)
Does anyone remember a show called the "Thunderbirds" ? The program use puppets or marianettes (sp?). Also, there was another show similar to that, but the charaters were underwater. I'm also reminded of a cartoon show, which I believe originated in japan. The primise of the show was that earth had been attack by aliens from outer space, and it had left the planet highly radioactive. The people of earth sent out a ship to go after these alien. For some reason, I seem to remember the word or title "Starblazers". Anyone out there remembers???
guy@rlgvax.UUCP (Guy Harris) (08/16/83)
Captain Scarlet, Fireball XL-5, Thunderbirds, Supercar, and Planet Patrol were
all marionette shows by Gerry and Silvia Anderson, all done in Britain. They
later moved onward and upward to the live-action shows "UFO" and "Space:1999".
Thunderbirds, if I remember correctly, was about a rescue team and their
collection of rescue vehicles (rocket planes, etc.).
Does anybody remember any crossovers between these shows? I vaguely remember
hearing about a crossover between Thunderbirds and another show.
Guy Harris
{seismo,mcnc,we13,brl-bmd,allegra}!rlgvax!guydickg@grkermit.UUCP (Dickson Goon) (08/16/83)
I remember watching the THUNDERBIRDS program when I was in high school, (late 60's - early 70's) here in Boston, Ma. It was one of a series of programs where the cast of characters were puppets (marionettes?) manipulated by strings. I don't remember too too much about it, but as I continue typing, I may recall more (so if this is a little disorganized, you'll know why). Well, here goes: The THUNDERBIRDS were vehicles invented by the only non-family member living at the island headquarters of INTERNATIONAL RESCUE, Mr. Brains. The rescue vehicles and their purpose are as follows: THUNDERBIRD 1 is the FAST-ARRIVAL vehicle, jet (rocket?)-powered; its purpose is to get the rescuer to the scene FAST and to determine what rescue equipment is needed. THUNDERBIRD 2 is the equipment vehicle, also jet-powered, but far slower (carrying the equipment). When it arrived, usually the real rescue work begins. THUNDERBIRD 3 is the OUTER SPACE vehicle; T1 and T2 were restricted to earth. Rescues in outer space were done using Thunderbird 3. It was launched from the island base. THUNDERBIRD 4 is the UNDER-WATER craft; it was ferried to the water sight by THUNDERBIRD 2 and launched near the rescue sight. There was also a satellite in space relaying the calls for help from wherever to the island base. Also, International Rescue had a core of agents that were used whenever any undercover work was needed. Basically, the format of the program was something happened, a rescue was needed, International Rescue was called, and the rescue was performed. The format was to be futuristic, and IR was a privately-owned, privately conducted operation. This is about as much as I can remember...is there anyone else that can elaborate, correct, or add more? I also would be interested. ...Dick Goon (...!decvax!genrad!grkermit!dickg).
davidl@orca.UUCP (David Levine) (08/17/83)
More T-bird stuff:
The orbiting space station was called Thunderbird 5.
Lady Penelope's pink (!) six-wheeled Rolls, FAB 1, could also be
considered a Thunderbird. Among other things, it had missles, machine
guns, sophisticated electronic surveillance equipment, and a
retractable hydrofoil for high-speed aquatic operation!
For some reason which I don't recall, the Tracy family wanted to keep
the existence of International Rescue secret. Anybody remember why?
There was also a woman on the island with a French accent and an absurd
name like Koo Koo. (She was NOT Mrs. Tracy. Mrs. Tracy was never seen.)
Again, anybody remember who she was?
-- David D. Levine (...decvax!tektronix!tekecs!davidl) [UUCP]
(...tekecs!davidl.tektronix@rand-relay) [ARPA]ray@utcsrgv.UUCP (Raymond Allen) (08/19/83)
The orbiting spacecraft was Thunderbird 5. Ray Allen utcsrgv!ray (416) 978-5036
daves@hp-kirk.UUCP (08/25/83)
#R:grkermit:-57900:hp-kirk:15600003:000:555 hp-kirk!daves Aug 19 08:01:00 1983 I thought someone would mention this before I did, but since no one has spoken up yet I will. The Thunderbird films/shows are showed periodicly on Showtime. This afternoon (and several other times in the next month) they are showing one episode called 'Thunderbirds n' (where n is some large number I forgot). Those of you lucky enough to be sinking much to much money in Showtime every month should take the chance to watch it. It is an ideal opportunity to escape back to your childhood for an hour or so. Dave Serisky hp-labs!hp-pcd!hp-cvd!daves
daves@hp-kirk.UUCP (08/25/83)
#R:grkermit:-57900:hp-kirk:15600004:000:373 hp-kirk!daves Aug 22 08:28:00 1983 Hopefully, everyone will read this before they pay any attention to my previous response. While the old Thunderbirds were entertaining, the new ones that Showtime is showing are poor animation (not marionettes) imitations of the old films. After watching about 2 minutes of them, my advice would be to avoid them at any cost. Dave Serisky ...hp-labs!hp-pcd!hp-cvd!daves
jts@cornell.UUCP (10/12/84)
From: jts (Jim Sasaki)
> Can someone match each son with [their] thunderbird ...?
Here you are:
Pilot Thunderbird
----- -----------
Scott 1 (the inter-atmospheric rocket)
Virgil 2 (the cargo rocket/plane)
Alan 3 (the space rocket)
Gordon 4 (the sub)
John 5 (the space station)
I always liked the pictures on the wall -- when, say, Scott wanted to phone
in, the eyes on his picture would flash; then when he talked, the picture
would turn into a video-phone.
One thing I can't remember: (I get this horrible feeling of deja vu, the
feeling that this has all been on the net before). Anyway, anyone remember
what "FAB" stood for? It was always pronounced as if it were "F.A.B.", and
it always seemed to the mean the same as "wilco".
Jim Sasaki (jts@cornell.ARPA, {decvax|ihnp4|uw-beaver|vax135}!cornell!jts)eich@uiucdcsb.UUCP (10/16/84)
/* Written 12:43 pm Oct 15, 1984 by jts@cornell in uiucdcsb:net.tv */
/* ---------- "Thunderbirds" ---------- */
Pilot Thunderbird
----- -----------
Scott 1 (the inter-atmospheric rocket)
Virgil 2 (the cargo rocket/plane)
Alan 3 (the space rocket)
Gordon 4 (the sub)
John 5 (the space station)
/* End of text from uiucdcsb:net.tv */
Say, they're all named after Mercury astronauts!chuqui@nsc.UUCP (Cheshire Chuqui) (12/03/84)
A while ago there was a discussion of the puppet TV show 'Thunderbirds are
Go!'. This morning I happened to be flipping around and caught a local
station playing 'Countdown to Disaster' which is one of the full length
movies that was done by the Thunderbirds Troope. I always enjoyed the show,
and watching it this morning made me remember why. Quite well done, quite
intelligent scripting, and the special effects are very effective. Here is
a show that really was done right. Unfortunately, it was playing against
the 49er's so I didn't see it all, but it was a hard decision to actually
turn the channel. I only with I'd caught it early enough to videotape it...
chuq
--
From the center of a Plaid pentagram: Chuq Von Rospach
{cbosgd,decwrl,fortune,hplabs,ihnp4,seismo}!nsc!chuqui nsc!chuqui@decwrl.ARPA
~But you know, monsieur, that as long as she wears the claw of the dragon
upon her breast you can do nothing-- her soul belongs to me!~