Thunderbirds (1965–1966)

In the 21st century, the Tracy family operate a unique private mechanized emergency response service.

Creators:

Gerry Anderson, Sylvia Anderson

Stars:

Peter Dyneley, Shane Rimmer, David Graham

Cast

Series cast summary:
Peter Dyneley	...	Jeff Tracy (32 episodes, 1965-1966)
Shane Rimmer	...	Scott Tracy (32 episodes, 1965-1966)
David Graham	...	Brains (32 episodes, 1965-1966)
Ray Barrett	...	John Tracy (30 episodes, 1965-1966)
Christine Finn	...	Tin-Tin Kyrano (30 episodes, 1965-1966)
Matt Zimmerman	...	Alan Tracy (29 episodes, 1965-1966)
David Holliday	...	Virgil Tracy (26 episodes, 1965-1966)
Sylvia Anderson	...	Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward (24 episodes, 1965-1966)

Storyline

In the 21st century, Jeff Tracy, a former astronaut, amasses a colossal fortune and decides that he must use it to benefit others. His answer to this desire is to create International Rescue, a unique private emergency response service equipped with customed designed vehicles and equipment that enable the organization to react to any crisis whether it be in sea, air, land, or space. Jeff's five sons volunteer to operate as the pilots and field agents, as well "Brains" (alias Hiram B. Hackenbaker) as the team engineer. In addition, Jeff's friend, Kyrano and his daughter Tin Tin agree to be the support staff. In addition to the field team, IR also maintains an intelligence network with Lady Penelope and her ex-con chauffer, Parker as the chief agents in this arm. The series depicts this team as they answer various calls for help around and beyond the world while they prevent enemies like the Hood from learning and exploiting their secrets

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Plot Keywords:

rescue | disaster | early warning system | secret identity | rescue team | 

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Genres:

Animation | Action | Family | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 September 1965 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

Donnervögel

Company Credits

Production Co:

AP Films (APF), Associated Television (ATV)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min 50 min (32 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Videcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When the launch sequence of Thunderbird 2 was shot, pilot Virgil Tracy was shown being taken to the craft in civilian clothing. When the completed sequence was cut together, he was seen to have mysteriously gained a uniform. To provide continuity, a scene was later shot and added showing his uniform appearing in the cockpit.

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Goofs

In five episodes, there are newspapers with the date Friday, 24 December 1964 on the front cover, and was clearly not intended to be seen by viewers. (Oddly enough, 24 December 1964 was a Thursday).

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Quotes

[Opening narration]
Jeff Tracy: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Thunderbirds are go!

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits include scenes from that week's episode. Gerry Anderson would later reuse this gimmick in "Space: 1999" (1975) and "Space Precinct" (1995).

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Space Travellers (1992)

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Soundtracks

"Flying High"
Performed by Gary Miller
Episode: {"Ricochet" (1964) (ep. #31)}

User Reviews

Find it, watch it, love it.

An ancient kids T.V. show featuring string puppets and models suspended on wires. Nobody's gonna watch this, right? Wrong.

From the superb intro sequence on you'll be hooked! It wins in every department: music, production, direction; even the model sequences, dated though the techniques now are, work brilliantly (and so they should - the guy who supervised them was Derek Meddings, who went on to do the effects for several of the Bond films, as well as Batman and Superman).

Find this series on tape or scan your T.V. listings. You won't regret it. There were 32 fifty-minute episodes and each was a little gem. There were also two cinematic feature films!

Thunderbirds Are Go!