thunderbirds creator gerry anderson and melbourne's bud tingwell to speak at acmi
In the mid 1960s, there was a groundbreaking television puppet series, which merged science fiction, adventure and espionage, without once ever tangling a marionette string.
On the eve of the release of the new Hollywood live-action remake, popcorn taxi revisits Thunderbirds Are Go!, the first Thunderbirds feature film shot in 1966, followed by a Q & A with creator, Gerry Anderson, on the phone from London.
In Melbourne, Gerry will be joined by multi-skilled actor Charles 'Bud' Tingwell, who - unbeknownst to many - did voice-overs for the Thunderbirds whilst living in London in the 1960s.
The ultimate puppet superheros, the Thunderbirds television series screened in 100 countries and is among the most fondly remembered television ever made. With its 'Super-Marionation'-animated characters (their strings endearingly in plain sight), supersonic vehicles and space-age gadgets, the Thunderbirds have inspired filmmakers as diverse as Stephen Spielberg and South Park creators, Matt Stone and Trey Parker.
Although the series has long since ceased production (in 1966), the worldwide cult phenomenon it has spawned is alive and well, having produced two original feature films and a shortly to released live-action remake, a massive web presence, not to mention a retail merchandising empire. Who can forget the Thunderbirds Mission Alert board game (launch your spaceship and carry out missions to save the crew!), the Thunderbirds Scott playsuit (buy it for your preschooler and set them on the road to geekdom early) or the Thunderbirds walkie-talkies (the ultimate in space-age communication for life here on earth).
THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO! - SYNOPSIS
Zero-X, a manned exploration mission to Mars crashes during lift-off on its maiden flight. Two years later an investigative committee finally concludes sabotage, and decides to call on the services of International Rescue to oversee security at the impending second launch. The second Zero-X successfully reaches its destination, but encounters unexpected hazards, ultimately leading to another call for assistance on its return to Earth. International Rescue responds and once again Thunderbirds are GO!
Published Friday, 3 September 2004
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