Author: 1266 Nick Williams

Gerry Anderson’s Funeral

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Gerry Anderson’s funeral will take place on Friday 11th January 2013 at 11:30 at Caversham / Reading Crematorium, followed by time to share memories over drinks and food at Phyllis Court, Henley-on-Thames from 12:30-15:30.

Mary and Jamie Anderson are keen that the day is a chance for family, colleagues and fans to share their memories of Gerry and celebrate an extraordinary life. However, space at the crematorium is limited so if you’re planning to attend please let them know via Facebook.

If you don’t have a Facebook account but would like to let Jamie know you’ll be there, please e-mail us and we’ll pass your message on.

Radio Tribute To Gerry Anderson

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

You may like to know that Radio Six International will be broadcasting an hour-long tribute to Gerry Anderson on Saturday. The programme will include music from every TV series Gerry worked on from Twizzle to Lavender Castle, except for the Japanese “Firestorm”. Also included will be the unused “Thunderbirds” theme.

The programme – The Tony Currie Show – can be heard online at www.radiosix.com on Saturday at (UK times) Midnight, 10am and 9pm. A number of USA , New Zealand and Singapore affiliates will also transmit the show locally. Details can be found on the Radio Six International website.

Gerry Anderson Has Died

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Gerry Anderson, known the world over as the film and television producer of Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and Space:1999 amongst many others, has died at the age of 83.

On hearing the news the chairman of Fanderson Nick Williams paid tribute to him:

“To those who met him Gerry was a quiet, unassuming but determined man. His desire to make the best films he could drove him and his talented teams to innovate, take risks, and do everything necessary to produce quite inspirational works. Gerry’s legacy is that he inspired so many people and continues to bring so much joy to so many millions of people around the world.”

Anderson’s unique style of filmmaking influenced the imaginations and careers of countless creatives that succeeded him, and his productions continue to be shown around the world to new generations of fans.

Gerry was diagnosed with mixed dementia two years ago and his condition worsened quite dramatically over the past six months. Having already decided with his family on a care home for himself earlier this year, he moved in there in October.

Until very recently Anderson remained interested and involved in the film industry, keen to re-visit some of his earlier successes using the latest technology available. His last producer credit came in 2005 on New Captain Scarlet, a CGI-animated re-imagining of his 1967 Supermarionation series, which premiered on ITV in the UK. Most recently he worked as a consultant on a Hollywood remake of his 1969 series UFO, directed by Matthew Gratzner.

He also worked as a celebrity ambassador for The Alzheimer’s Society, helping to raise awareness of the disease and much-needed funds for the society.

Gerry leaves three children from former marriages, Joy, Linda and Gerry Junior, his son Jamie and widow Mary.

Fanderson will pay a full tribute to Gerry Anderson in FAB 74, due in March 2013.

Dolores Mantez Dies

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Delores Mantez in the UFO episode Sub-SmashAs many fans will be aware, Dolores Mantez, much loved for her role as Lieutenant Nina Barry in UFO, died in November following a short illness.

Dolores began her career as a singer but went on to appear in a wide range of classic British TV shows in the 1960s and early 1970s, including Danger Man, Z-Cars, Randall and Hopkirk, The Avengers and The Onedin Line, as well as a number of West End productions and musicals. However, it is for her glamorous role as a Moonbase Operative in UFO that she is most fondly remembered. She starred alongside Ed Bishop in the dramatic two-hander Sub-Smash, widely regarded as one of the best episodes in the series and a firm favourite at convention screenings.

Fanderson offers its condolences to her family and will be providing a full obituary in the next issue of FAB.

Space Precinct Documentary to be released on BluRay

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

The cover artwork for a brand new feature-length documentary about Gerry Anderson’s  Space Precinct has been unveiled.

Dubbed ‘the story of the most ambitious British television series ever made’,  Space Precinct Legacy features brand new interviews with cast as well as rare and never-before-seen behind the scenes footage! The 90-minute documentary is slated for release in April 2013  and will be eagerly awaited by all fans of a series that has perhaps been unfairly ignored in recent years. It is directed by Paul Cotrulia and produced by Event Films Ltd.

Harry Oakes dies

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Fanderson was saddened to hear of the death of special effects cameraman Harry Oakes on 11th December. Harry began his association with Gerry Anderson when he joined the crew of Fireball XL5 and continued to work on Anderson productions up to Space:1999.  Following this he moved onto a  number of Hollywood blockbusters including Aliens, Superman, Memphis Belle and Flash Gordon before returning to work for Gerry Anderson on Space Precinct. A full obituary will appear in the next issue of FAB.

Harry’s death follows that of director Bob Kellett, who died on 27th November, and whose work included three episodes of Space: 1999.

A Christmas to Remember…

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Robert Harrop - Santa Phones from Stingray…and this one really will be memorable Christmas for one lucky Fanderson member, as we are running a special competition to win a new limited edition model courtesy of Robert Harrop! The figurine, featuring Phones in his full Santa outfit from A Christmas to Remember – the Stingray Christmas episode – has been hand-painted in ceramic resin and perfectly captures the comic moment when he is mistaken for an intruder by Troy Tempest!

The prize will be individually numbered on the base, will come packaged in a presentation box and be accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity.

To enter, all you need to do is correctly answer this simple question:

What kind of dressing is prepared for the meal in A Christmas To Remember?

Send your answer to: query@fanderson.org.uk with ‘Robert Harrop Competition’ in the subject line, quoting your full name and Fanderson membership number. Alternatively, you can mail your answer to Fanderson Committee, PO Box 12, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD10 0YE, again quoting ‘Robery Harrop Competition’ in the address.

The closing date for entries is 24th December.

Take a look at Robert Harrop’s other Gerry Anderson-themed collectables.

3,000 attend Cosford Flights of Fantasy

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

RAF Cosford Flights of Fantasy

Photo credit: Dalek Sram

Nearly 3,000 people descended on Cosford Flights of Fantasy over the weekend of 24th – 25th November to see an incredible exhibition of Gerry Anderson puppets and memorabilia at the .

Among the many highlights of an amazing model and props display at RAF Museum Cosford were vehicles and sets from Space:1999 and the original Captain Black and Steve Zodiac puppets.

Matt Zimmerman, David Graham and Shane Rimmer were also in attendance, and were interviewed in the Museum’s atmospheric underground theatre by Chris Bentley about their time on Thunderbirds and other aspects of their careers. The trio – fans’ favourites from many past conventions – provided great comic entertainment, showing they have lost none of their ability to perform before an audience.

Effects guru Brian Johnson also appeared as a surprise guest. Brian, who became famous for his work on Thunderbirds and as Head of Special Effects on Space 1999, also spoke about his involvement in two very different cult science fiction films, The Day the Earth Caught Fire and 2001 – A Space Odyssey.

Fanderson ran a sales table over both days of the event, selling new memberships and exclusive merchandise to existing members. Thank you to everyone who came to say hello!

Share your memories, comments and photos of the event on the Fanderson Forum

FAB 73

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

FAB 73Issue 73 of FAB, Fanderson’s flagship club magazine, was mailed to members last week.

Within these pages, we take a whistle stop tour of Joe 90 and examine everything from the music, to the influence of Mike Trim and the incredible, or at least indelible, jokes of Sam Loover. Stephen Baxter continues his potted history of the Fleetway publications of the 1990s with a look at the Stingray comic that coincided with the revival of the show on BBC2. Stingray fans can rejoice even further with this issue’s Midas Touch feature, in which Jordan Drakes reminisces about his fascination with a classic mini-album adventure.

But if you think this issue is only about Gerry Anderson’s Supermarionation productions, then think again! We’ve also got the first part of a special feature on Thunderbirds: 2068, the largely forgotten and rather tenuous Japanese cell animation reboot of the puppet series, plus retrospectives on the classic New Captain Scarlet episode Rat Trap and the last part of the Moonbase Alpha Personnel files.

FAB is available exclusively to Fanderson members, and joining is easy!

As well as receiving FAB, an annual membership gives you access to an exclusive range of merchandise that you won’t find in any high street shop or online retailer, plus reduced rates on Fanderson events and full access to the Fanderson forum.

Join Fanderson today

Shane Rimmer to attend event in York

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Scott Tracy - voiced by Shane Rimmera
Shane Rimmer, the voice of Thunderbird 1 pilot Scott Tracy, will be a special guest at the Movie Buffs Event at The Royal York Hotel on 2nd December. Shane will be appearing alongside Jeremy Bulloch of Boba Fett fame, from Star Wars.

Movie Buffs Collectors Fairs is a great way for film enthusiasts, collectors and dealers to get together.

To find out more information about the event visit the Movie Buffs website.