Space Patrol (English series)

The futuristic 1963 series "Space Patrol" ("Planet Patrol" in the US) was an extraordinary, but not widely distributed, puppet show set in the year 2100.

As a kid I could never get into Thunderbirds, but Space Patrol fascinated me. This was mainly due to the soundtrack - no music at all, just weird electronic noises, way ahead of their time in 1963.

I was delighted a few years ago to discover that all 39 episodes survive. In 2003, Network Video released a DVD box set of the entire series (plus some wonderful rare extras). Since I first posted this clip on YouTube in August 2006, the box set has become very hard to find.

For further investigation, the ultimate Space Patrol resource is undoubtedly:
http://homepages.tesco.net/~space.patrol/SpacePatrol/Home.htm .

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• space
• patrol
• thunderbirds
• fireball
• gerry
• anderson
• puppet
• marionette
• supermarionation
• galasphere
• team
• america
• anime

[jsuttonus]

Sorry but this show makes no sense! They go to investigate a building collapse, some hippie on a spaceship fires a destructive ray of some sort, and the next scene they are planning a banquet? wtf

[auspete]

@jsuttonus In order to hopefully avoid copyright problems it is a vastly abridged glimpse of a full episode. I posted it 5 years ago simply to remind its original viewers about the show, and for its titles and end credits.

[CI5AgentSweeps]

I've had Volume 2 of this series on video for about 7/8 years, must have watched it countless times, is it worth forking out 45/50 quid to buy the entire series off amazon/ebay?

[auspete]

@CI5AgentSweeps If you've watched it that often then the box set is definitely worth having, if only so you can watch the other 35 episodes (plus all the extras which are brilliant). You shouldn't have to pay that much on Amazon or eBay considering the set was recently re-released. I paid 35 pounds for mine in 2003 when it was first released and I've never regretted it. Since the re-release I've even been considering getting a second set.

[pdogone1]

man oh man ive been looking for this had wrong name thought it was planet patrol thanks a million..have to see if its available for sale

[auspete]

@pdogone1 It was re-released by Network for ONE MONTH ONLY in early 2010 but copies are available via Amazon traders.

[ccoopey]

I also remember this is as a 5 year old. The electronic special audio effects used to scare the hell out of me, but I was glued. It was a great apprenticeship for William Hartnell vintage Dr Who which also had me hiding behind the sofa in those far off days of 405 lines and Radio Rentals TVs! Great to rediscover Space Patrol - well done auspete!

[SpareMomentStudios]

Nah, I think Gerry Anderson's mind was and always will be undefeated. The sophistication of Supercar, Fireball XL5, Stingray and especially Thunderbirds were better. Thumbs up if you agree!

[sumoldfool]

Glad I found this-had the name wrong too-the distinctive sound of the ship in flight has always been in my mind-does any body know of another early black and white show about astronauts looking for a lost spaceship on the Moon ? Those ships had a distinctive sound as well.

[primitivedave]

You have totally made my day!!!!! Haven't seen this for 40-odd years - I even remember the moving marbles. I'm still hooked...

[rowelinda89]

@fendermac Thank you so much for giving me the name of the puppet show that I've tried, and failed to remember for years and years! Now at last, my mind is at rest, (on this subject, at least)!

[rowelinda89]

Thanks very much to auspete, for uploading Space Patrol, which is what I was originally watching, before I decided to read the other comments.

[headgirlblues]

@auspete And many, many thanks for doing this....

[Kouban]

Wow, that female character sounds like a moron :(

[lifeson46]

@CenaTv2 thank you.