Supercar!

Supercar, (1960-1961) was created by Gerry Anderson and Reg Hill and marked several important advances for APF. Sylvia Anderson took on a larger role and became a partner in the company. The series was also the official debut of Supermarionation, the electronic system that made the marionettes more lifelike and convincing on screen. The system used the audio signal from the pre-recorded tapes of the actors' voices to trigger solenoids installed in the puppets' heads, enabling the puppets' lips to move in exact synchronisation with the voices of the actors.
One of Anderson's most successful ventures was inaugurated during the production of Supercar —the establishment of AP Films (Merchandising) Ltd, a separate company set up to handle the licensing of merchandising rights for APF properties; it was headed by Keith Shackleton (not the wildlife artist and TV presenter of the same name) an old friend of Anderson's from their National Service days.
APF's innovative merchandising made them a world leader in the field and they licensed a huge range of toys, books, magazines and related items. The worldwide popularity of their TV shows was coupled with astute marketing, and the combination made APF one of the most successful merchandising ventures of the decade. The die-cast metal toys from series such as Thunderbirds were hugely popular at the time and they now number among the most collectible toys of their kind. Models from almost all their series have been produced ever since by companies throughout the world, notably in Japan, where the Anderson series have a dedicated following.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Supercar
• Gerry
• Anderson
• Reg
• Hill
• Sylvia
• Supermarionation

[oldrocker74]

This not the original intro music...

[gerdenshed]

@oldrocker74

Do you know what the original music was?

Mark...

[boonehawks]

Hello Gerdenshed,

Cool video ! Love Gerry Anderson...

A marketing company came to Toms River New Jersey, U.S.A. before the release of the new Thunderbirds movie. Showing a special viewing of Sunprobe. I saw the ad in the news paper...there were 400 people...GERRY ANDERSON LIVES!!!!

[gerdenshed]

I grew up watching this stuff, It's just great...

Mark..

[CraftyGtrist]

wow I havent seen or heard this show since I was 5... the hair on my head just stood up seeing and hearing this!!! I Loved this even more than FireballXL5!!!

[gerdenshed]

Thanks Mark :-)

Mark....

[CH3CH2OCH2CH3net]

That was my absolute favorite show when I was 7.

(It probably has to do something with the reason why I like to drive 125 mph today, if I can find a place to do it without getting caught!)

[archon808]

Gerry Anderson also made the TV show Space Precinct which was cool at the time.

[Heyokat]

This was my brother and my favorite show! We must be about of an age. I would have KILLED for one of those Supercar models! Loved Fireball XL-5 too, and the early Anime and all, but supercar was my first love in this kind of show, and part, i thi k< of my lifelong love of Sci-Fi, Thanks for posting these!

[CYRAPHYM]

So did someone steal the "SUPER MARIO NATION' words for the video game? omg could it have happened or been sold....

[Roadracer987654321]

@The99Gambo

I still have the Space 1999 Eagle Transporter, My Uncle Keith Shackleton gave me when i was a kid on a family visit back home to the UK. I still have the Blue Thunderbird 2 he and my Aunt gave me when i was 4. I still have the UFO Green Army Tank which maybe i got myself... Neat having a Cool Uncle like that. I visited the Moon Set of Space 1999,used for Superman 2, & theJames Bond-The Spy Who Loved Supertanker Set because of him. I stood in front of Chris Reeve that same day

[Roadracer987654321]

Keith Shackleton is My Uncle. I have Memories of him picking me up in the air at Heathrow Airport when i was 4 years old in the 1970s. I have the Space 1999 Eagle Transporter Spaceship he gave me. It is right next to me.

We spoke in January on the phone. I almost called him today. Small World isn't it ?

[atlantajohn22]

I must have been 4-5 years old when I watched this program. It was only a distant memory until I found it on youtube. Thank you for posting it.

[GeorgeVreelandHill]

I loved Supercar as a kid.

I still do.

Thanks.

George Vreeland Hill

[The99Gambo]

To ether man (above). I too loved Supercar at 7. Dr Beaker rules!