[UK] The Noble Art of Fireball XL5 on TPTV

Talking Pictures have added The Noble Art of Fireball XL5 to their free Encore streaming service.

In this fascinating 17-minute documentary by Fanderson member Jeff Smart, legendary TV Century 21 and Look-in artist Mike Noble talks about his work on Fireball XL5, Captain Scarlet, Zero X and Space:1999 comic strips, among others.

The programme will also be broadcast on Talking Pictures at 14:40 on Saturday 20th January 2024. Talking Pictures TV is a free vintage film and TV channel available in the UK on Freeview/Youview 82, Freesat 306, Sky channel 328 and Virgin 445.

Don’t forget Jeff’s Talking Thunderbirds series on Encore too! Encore is a free service – watch via the red button on internet-connected Freeview TVs,  or register to gain access to a wealth of classic television and films.

UPDATED: Let’s make it an Annual Affair!

UPDATED 23/11/23: Offer extended to end of December


As we prepare our winter mailing to all club members, we can now make remaining stocks of FAB Annual 2023 available to buy, just in time for Christmas.

And to really make it a Christmas to remember, until the end of November December we’ve got two great offers for you:

See all six items here. Just be sure to apply the relevant coupon code at checkout before you pay.


OFFER TERMS AND CONDITIONS (in addition to our standing Ts&Cs)

  • Discount will be applied to items as detailed above in the same transaction.
  • Apply either coupon code AnnualAffair3 or AnnualAffair6 before you pay to get the relevant discount detailed above.
  • Members must apply the coupon code themselves to get the discount. It cannot be applied after you have paid, and we cannot apply it retroactively.
  • This is an online-only offer. It cannot be redeemed via the post.
  • This offer ends on 30th November 2023, though Fanderson reserves the right to close the offer early.

UPDATED: Space:1999 items up for auction – 13/14th October

UPDATED 15/10/23: We’ve updated the listing to include hammer prices (in US$).


Heritage Auctions (“The World’s Largest Collectibles Auctioneer”) will be auctioning over 550 items from the film and television science fiction in The Greg Jein Collection on 13-14th October 2023.

The landmark Greg Jein Auction features the collection of the Oscar- and Emmy-nominated miniature-maker who helped create the mothership from Close Encounters Of The Third Kind and worked on most of the Star Trek movies and TV series since 1977. Jein spent decades putting together this unparalleled assemblage, which includes one of the largest collections of Star Trek props, costumes, models and production photos ever offered to the public, from the original series to nearly every big- and small-screen sequel and spinoff that followed. They’re joined by some of the most significant pieces from sci-fi and cinema history, including his mothership maquette. It spans Jein’s beloved 1940s and ’50s serials, including Spy Smasher and Commando Cody: Sky Marshal Of The Universe, to such 1960s TV shows as Batman and Lost In Space to 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Wars.

Lots likely to be of interest to Fanderson members:

  • 89041: photos from Supercar through to Joe 90 ($9,375)
  • 89429: Altares spaceship from The Day After Tomorrow ($15,000)
  • 89430: Gwent spaceship from The Infernal Machine ($13,750)
  • 89431: John Koenig spacesuit ($13,750)
  • 89432: Dr Helena Russell spacesuit ($13,750)
  • 89433: Moonbase Alpha rocket pack ($5,750)
  • 89434: Moonbase Alpha medical kits ($8,125)
  • 89435: three Moonbase Alpha uniforms ($18,750)
  • 89436: three Moonbase Alpha uniforms ($32,500)
  • 89437: two Moonbase Alpha uniforms plus Dr Helena Russell tunic ($16,250)

 

 

UPDATED: New Eagle documentary project on Kickstarter

UPDATED 9/10/23: Funding for this project was canceled by the project creator on Oct 9 2023.


The Eagle Has Landed is a proposed new documentary all about Space:1999‘s iconic spacecraft, by film-maker Jeffrey Morris.

The documentary will follow Morris as he investigates the origins of the iconic vessel and the ongoing global impact of a unique moment in human history—when people walked on the Moon.

The Eagle has garnered millions of fans across the globe—including luminaries in the worlds of film and TV production, real science, and science fiction. Interviews have been confirmed with, from Space:1999, Eagle creator and Visual Effects Supervisor Brian Johnson, Dr Helena Russell actor Barbara Bain and Chief Eagle Pilot Alan Carter actor Nick Tate. Also confirmed are builder of 1/4-scale Eagle Jan Wenneberg, astronaut Charles Duke, author Kevin J Anderson, special effects supervisor Bill George and film-maker Robert Meyer Burnett.

[UK] Space:1999 star guests at London Film Fair

  

Space:1999 guest stars Isla Blair (female alien, War Games and Carla Cross, Journey To Where), Julian Glover (Jarak, Alpha Child) and Oliver Cotton (spearman, The Full Circle) have been announced as star guests at the London Film Fair on 17th September 2023.

Established in 1973, the London Film Fair enables fans to meet the stars of their favourite classic cinema and cult television programmes. You’ll have the chance to get an autograph and have your photo taken with the guests. The London Film Fair will appeal to avid film buffs, collectors, archivists researchers and students making it a must attend event. The conventions also brings dealers from all over the UK, Europe, US, Canada, Australia and South America that specializes in vintage and modern film memorabilia. Items cover the history of cinema from the silents to the present day blockbusters.

With stalls selling stills, vintage posters, modern posters, programmes, magazines, books, DVDs, soundtracks, lobby cards, toys, autographs, videos, postcards, actors and directors signings, it’s a must for anyone with an interest in cinema and cult television!

The London Film Fair will be held on 17th September 2023 at The Royal National Hotel, 38-51 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0DG.


 

Will you win the FAB Challenge?

Something we’ve been asked for many times over the years is now, thanks to club members Matthew Teevan and Mark Whyte, finally available – the exclusive FAB Challenge card game from Fanderson!

Easy to play, but fiendish to master, FAB Challenge presents 40 of the greatest vehicles from Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s productions in a card game. Accompanying the brand-new vehicle artwork on each card is the FAB Spec & Tech, from which you must choose one item to beat your opponents and seize the hand!

LIMITED TIME INTRODUCTORY OFFER: We know that some members will want to play FAB Challenge with their friends and family, whilst keeping a set pristine (possibly unopened!). So, put two in your basket together and apply the coupon code FABChallenge before you pay and you’ll save £4! This offer will expire on 1st October 2023.

IMPORTANT: Members must apply the coupon code to get the discount. It cannot be applied after you have paid, and we cannot apply it retroactively.


 

1/4 scale Space:1999 helmet replicas [PRE-ORDER]

Cult collectibles manufacturer Sixteen 12 has announced their all-new 1/4 scale replica Moonbase Alpha helmet collection!

Slated to arrive in February 2024, these helmets are ¼ scale (measuring 182mm tall x 95mm wide on base) and are available in six call signs (for the yellow version – Koenig, Carter, Russell, Bergman, Morrow or Verdeschi), plus an anti-radiation special edition (from Brian The Brain).

Each helmet is available to pre-order now at the ‘early bird’ price of £69.99 plus shipping.

[AUS] Up to 50% off in ViaVision’s Big UK TV Sale!

Australian cult and classic film and television label ViaVision has a Big UK TV Sale now on, where you could save up to 50%!

Of particular interest to Fanderson members will be The Protectors in Classic ITV Bundle 2, Stingray, Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons and Space:1999 in Sci-Fi DVD Bundle. With over 50 titles included, there’s sure to be something for everyone, but hurry as the sales ends on 24th August!

 

A little holiday reading – FAB Express 104!

Our summer mailing went in the post to all Fanderson members today.

FAB Express 104 should soon start landing in current members’ homes, and will be included in the welcome package for new members along with FAB Annual 2023.

As per our new membership package, all members are now invited to renew their membership in time to be included in the winter mailing. We’re planning for FAB Express 105 and FAB Annual 2024 to follow this November, to everyone who renews their membership in time. Please wait until you receive the summer mailing before renewing your membership, as the letter enclosed has full details.

As usual, as a new magazine is published, FAB Express 103 has now been added to the back issues on the club website. In case you’ve missed it, we’ve also taken the opportunity to simplify things and go back to our three-price structure.

Keep your eye out for the postie!


 

Anton Phillips on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row

Space:1999‘s Dr Bob Mathias, actor Anton Phillips, is a guest on today’s edition of BBC Radio 4’s culture and arts magazine show Front Row.

75 years since The Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks from Jamaica on 22nd June 1948, Front Row marks the artistic and cultural contribution of a generation of people from the Caribbean, now characterised as the Windrush Generation, who arrived then, soon before or in the years following.

Presenter (and Space:1999 fan) Samira Ahmed talks with the Jamaican-born actor and director Anton Phillips about his career, including starring in Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s cult classic and directing James Baldwin’s The Amen Corner in a landmark production on the London stage. The eagle-eared will also hear Alibe Parsons (Communications Officer Alibe in Year Two) in a clip from The Amen Corner.

Click here to hear the programme or search on the BBC Sounds app (the programme may not be available if you’re outside the UK).