Thunderbirds

Special launch offer for exclusive Thunderbirds To The Rescue soundtrack

Posted on by Parker

To celebrate the third in our series of exclusive soundtracks to the Super Space Theater compilation movies, we’ve got a special offer for the rest of October!

Buy all three SST movies and get our Super Space Theater book and art prints half-price!

  • Log on to our website
  • Click here to go to our SST page, then put all three SST soundtracks and the SST book in your basket
  • Add anything else from our Shop that you’d like
  • Click on basket, then apply coupon code SSToct24 before moving on to pay. This will deduct 50% off the price of the book and art prints.

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

  • This offer is for Fanderson members only.
  • Members must buy both all three soundtracks and the SST book in the same transaction.
  • Each member can only use the coupon code once.
  • Apply the coupon code SSToct24 before you pay to get the SST book half price.
  • 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.

David Graham RIP

Posted on by Parker

In tribute to legendary Anderson voice artist David Graham, who died earlier today, Talking Pictures have re-released their mini-documentary about the actor.

Filmed by Fanderson member Jeff Smart, Talking Thunderbirds is a series of documentaries featuring interviews with people involved in making our favourite puppet TV show. In this episode, David Graham discusses his career, where the inspiration for Parker’s voice came from, being the voice of the Daleks, and other varieties of characters he’s voiced!

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.

New exclusive merchandise launched at London:1999!

Posted on by Parker

Fanderson is celebrating Space:1999‘s 50th anniversary with fans at the London:1999 convention this weekend.

As part of our programme of supporting independent conventions and events, we’re talking with fans and taking the opportunity to spread the word about Fanderson – the world’s only Gerry and Sylvia Anderson appreciation society – and to launch two great new pieces of exclusive club merchandise!

Hot on the heels of our soundtrack to the Super Space Theater Alien Attack compilation film, delegates at London:1999 are the first to buy the Destination Moonbase Alpha soundtrack CD! Not only that, but the club has righted a five-decade-long wrong by producing a sweet cigarette card set from Space:1999‘s second series! Both of these items will be available to order soon via the club website – just as soon as we’re home from London:1999.

As already announced, the third in our series of Super Space Theater soundtracks – Thunderbirds To The Rescue – will be launched at the 54321 FAB! Fanderson members’ day on 13th October. Book your place now!

Thunderbirds Memories Weekend

Posted on by Parker

Join author Sam Denham and other Anderson experts at Slough Museum’s Thunderbirds Memories Weekend!

Slough Museum is just round the corner from the former site of the fabled AP Films studios, and as part of their celebration of Thunderbirds‘ upcoming 60th anniversary they’re hosting a special weekend in which fans can share their memories and even bring along photographs and/or prized memorabilia to discuss with on-site experts.

You’ll see the museum’s own Thunderbirds exhibits as well as a special display of collectors’ items, and hear the story of AP Films and Century 21 Productions.

The event is being held on Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September, 10:00-16:00 each day, and entry is free! The Museum is located at 72 Buckingham Avenue, Slough SL1 4PN.

[UK] Thunderbirds (briefly) returns to Talking Pictures TV!

Posted on by Parker

Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s 1964 series Thunderbirds is returning to Talking Pictures TV (in the UK).

Saturday, 3rd August at 14:00 brings Terror In New York City, followed by Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons (Special Assignment) in its usual 15:00 slot. Unfortunately, it appears that this episode is a one-off, not a return of the series as hoped.

Talking Pictures TV is available in the UK on Freeview/Youview 82, Freesat 306, Sky channel 328 and Virgin 445, with a streaming service at www.tptvencore.co.uk

Property Master Peter Holmes’ auction on 30th May

Posted on by Parker

Century 21 Property Master Peter Holmes has decided to sell some of his collection from working on the latter Supermarionation series.

The items will be auctioned by Ewbanks as part of their Entertainment & Memorabilia Auction on 30th May 2024.

Peter’s lots are 5215 to 5236, but check the entire auction catalogue and you’ll also see this Sky One harness buckle and a selection of the sublime Arnold Putzu’s Look-in cover artwork too.

[UK] Anderson rarities to be screened at Southend Film Festival

Posted on by Parker

For the third year running, Fanderson is the proud sponsor of the Anderson On Film presentation as part of the Southend Film Festival, enabling fans to enjoy Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s work with other fans this summer… on film!

In this digital world it’s easy to watch programmes on your phone, to stream, or even to watch from DVD or Blu-ray Disc. This year’s Southend Film Festival gives Anderson fans a chance to have that collective experience of watching with fellow fans, thanks to the beauty that is celluloid film, not once but twice!

Fanderson member Mark Joseph loves to surprise attendees with rarities, and this year he’s secured a second slot to share some special films with fellow fans:

  • Wednesday 5th June at 19:00 – Thunderbirds Are Go from 35mm film, plus the Thunderbirds episode Trapped In The Sky scanned to show as much of the image as possible – revealing some aspects you were never meant to see!
  • Sunday 9th June 17:00 – Dick Spanner The Case Of The Human Cannonball and the unique The Missing Episode, featuring Shane Rimmer, plus special guest series creator Terry Adlam. This show also includes the ultra-rare Japanese home movie version of Thunderbirds Trapped In The Sky, plus Stingray Eastern Eclipse with 60th anniversary tribute!

The popular Southend Film Festival has been running for fifteen years in venues around Southend, Essex. The festival’s patrons are actors Ray Winstone, Vicki Michelle, Phil Davis and Tony Denham, and you can see all about it at www.southendfilmfestival.com.

Fanderson is delighted to be able to support fan-organised events such as this. If you need help or support with your Anderson event, please drop us a line at fanderson.org.uk@outlook.com.

 

[UK] All Fireball XL5 episodes and Century 21 Slough now on ITVX

Posted on by Parker

Although most episodes of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s productions have been available for some time on ITVX, free of charge, inexplicably only two episodes of 1962’s Fireball XL5 have been included. Now that’s been remedied, with all 39 episodes available from today on the streaming service.

Also added to ITVX today is the Century 21 Slough documentary:

On the eve of demolition, the former film studios where Stingray, Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons and Thunderbirds were launched are brought to life one last time. Join original AP Films team members as they say goodbye to the buildings, sharing memories as they tour recreated sets, models, and puppets alongside studio originals.

ITVX is free to view, with most of the Anderson content available ad-free too. There’s a free seven-day trial of the subscription Premium service (normally £5.99 a month/£59.99 a year) which offers even more content, ad-free, from the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Studio Canal.

Talking Pictures TV’s Noel Cronin awarded BEM

Posted on by Parker

Film producer, editor and founder of Talking Pictures TV, Noel Cronin has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the 2024 New Year Honours, for services to Television Broadcasting.

Talking Pictures TV is a free vintage film and TV channel, and is currently the UK broadcast home of Fireball XL5 and Thunderbirds. It’s available on Freeview/Youview 82, Freesat 306, Sky channel 328 and Virgin 445.

See more on this story at the Watford Observer.

Image: Talking Pictures TV

UPDATED: Talking Thunderbirds

Posted on by Parker

UPDATED 26/11/23: Judith Shutt added

UPDATED 6/11/23: Wanda and John Brown episode being broadcast on TPTV, Thursday 30th November at 19:40

UPDATED 1/11/23: Richard Conway added

UPDATED 19/10: Wanda and John Brown added

Talking Pictures TV’s online catch-up streaming service – Encore – is featuring exclusive short interviews with people who worked on Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s masterpiece series Thunderbirds.

Filmed by Fanderson member Jeff Smart, the Talking Thunderbirds series includes:

Puppet Operator Judith Shutt

Visual Effects Assistant Richard Conway

Puppeteers Wanda and John Brown

Art Director Bob Bell

Director and Writer Alan Pattillo

Voice Artist David Graham

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.