Space Patrol

I regret I don't recall much of this show, and I have no knowledge of it ever being rebroadcast or issued on video, but I believe it tried to be technically accurate in its predictions of foreseeable future technology. For example, the spaceships ('galaspheres' - spelling?) were toroidal, and rotated to simulate gravity. I also have an idea that they used suspended animation on long trips (journey times never seemed to be more than a couple of hours in Fireball XL5!), but can't be certain of that. In response to the question "why 39 episodes?": I believe that TV series are/were often commissioned for 13-week 'seasons', so 39 episodes = 3 series/seasons.

I don't remember this first time round but it's just started to be shown on Talking Pictures TV in the UK (As Space Patrol) so get over there quick!

Looks like a mid 1950s effort rather than ten years later but I love it. A few gadgets used so far, including "the plasticiser" and I can't wait to see lots more. A very nice model city but the cars don't half whizz along the roads a bit too quickly for the scale of it, but as it's set in 2100 they may be Tesla's Model 30, or nuclear powered is more probable.

Great fun which even the young may enjoy now but there is no colour which might spoil it a bit for them.

I've just started watching the television series Space Patrol (known as Planet Patrol in the US), a wonderful kids program created by a protégé of Gerry Anderson from the early sixties that also used marionettes. What really strikes me about this all but forgotten program is how influential it seems to have been on later sci-fi. From the very first episode you can see how Gene Roddenberry must have been heavily influenced by Space Patrol. The aggressive and masculine Martians with their high foreheads are certainly forerunners of the Klingons while the elfin and logical Venusians must have been inspirational in the creation of the Vulcans. Even some aesthetics like room dividers are very similar to those on the Enterprise. The main plot revolves around a close knit trio of friends and their adventures visiting various planets. While obviously Roddenberry had more inspiration than this kid's show, in some ways Star Trek feels like a grown up version of Space Patrol.

Unfortunately the DVD is OOP and sells for around $500 but if you search around the net... (hint, hint), you can find some episodes. The show is really hilarious both intentionally and unintentionally such as in the first episode when the 'brakes' go out on their spaceship and they almost crash into Jupiter. Or anytime they leave the ship there is a cut-scene of a ridiculous looking robot pacing back and forth behind sliding doors. Notice how the Colonel looks like Larry Tate from Bewitched.

This was a quite different and quirky SF puppet production done on the cheap. I am really looking forward to the videos because it will be so evocative of my childhood. There was never anything like it before or after - I don't think it can even be compared with Fireball XL5. Fantastic.

Although for children the content is quite watchable by any age. This series sticks in my mind as one of the best thought out scifi TV programs of the sixties. OK so we know Mars and Venus have no life as such but don't let this spoil your enjoyment. Exceptional animation at times and dialogue thats usually non PC. This is a true treasure that shows what can be done on a budget.

I think Gerry Anderson used some ideas for what followed. Fireball XL5 although had a bigger budget didn't come anywhere near Space Patrols story lines.

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