Gerry Anderson Primer: Four Feather Falls

Four Feather Falls was the third puppet TV show produced by Gerry Anderson for Granada Television. It was based on an idea by Barry Gray, who also wrote the show's music. The series was the first to use an early version of Anderson's Supermarionation puppetry.
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[@GerryAndersonTV]

Do you remember Four Feather Falls? Let us know!

[@maximusproboscus1527]

Yes, I watched Four Feather Falls when i was four !

[@colinp2238]

Four Feather Falls was the first production I can remember watching (aged 5) although I vaguely remember Torchy I think I was too young then to form impressions. I do remember the song to Torchy so that probably made some impression on me as a toddler.

[@rodneymackay2804]

Sadly this was aired well before my time and sadly never while growing up, but now as a tv & film collector, sits proudly in my collection of classic tv and with my Anderson collection

[@tonymcgeachin9906]

I don’t remember Torchie or Twizzle, but I do remember FFF, I was two and a half when it started,. The beginning of my love for all things Gerry Anderson.

[@timepoet77]

I wonder if this aired in the USA...

[@justjay926]

I never imagined I'd ever see four feather falls again. I loved this show. Thankyou so much for posting a happy memory from childhood 👍👏👏❤

[@marcusbain8743]

Yes I absolutely loved Four Feather Falls, as I did Torchie before it. Also Supercar after it. Wow this brings back some Happy memories. Thank you.

[@rowaddyvash]

Yes - I remember watching this as a child - I loved it back then. Thanks for posting this.

[@johnbrowne3950]

Happy to find this. A lot of people thought I was making it up or that I must have been on drugs and imagined the whole show. I had no idea it was a British production. Watched it every day after school in Canada.

[@karrenwatson567]

As I live in USA, Four Feather Falls never aired over here. I do own this series on dvd. I've watched it several times and I'm fascinated by how much the production team were able to create with the limited technology available at the time. I hope to add other Gerry Anderson series on bluray to my collection soon.

[@Larry]

Makes you think if Woody's Round Up from Toy Story 2 was influenced by this.

[@thesodorengines]

That's what I said as well

[@KingofPotatoPeople]

I’ll eat my hat if it’s not (but I’ll leave the feathers)

[@dicapriodelorean2888]

I was watching Toy Story 2 with my dad, and he said the same thing

[@chubbywhatknot6453]

For influenced by, read egregiously ripped off from.

[@ListerDavid]

I never thought of that before, I’d like to think it’s true.

[@basenjisofmasiyarink1831]

I have never seen this Gerry Anderson series before. This is just great!

[@WillyEckaslike]

kzbin.info/aero/PLyilvY2gByXGDSJ05tS-k1f-UI218fmmh

[@Whiteshirtloosetie]

RIP Nicholas Parsons

[@parkerproductions4546]

Nicholas Parsons is a legend! Thrilled to hear he starred in a Gerry Anderson production!

[@clarenceclutterbuck]

Me too. I think he reached his greatest heights in Radio 4's "Just a Minute" though.

[@studonaldson1497]

Oh dear, it’s taken me sixty years to finally discover this! Mentioned today for the first time ever by a friend so I’ve just googled and watched it. Thanks. I was born Feb ‘61 in England so missed out on it at the time but I do remember Supermarionation in Thunderbirds etc. so maybe alls not lost. Too much info? Hope not - I have some memory loss after a brain haemorrhage in 2009 and this type of info is so very reassuring, positive and therapeutic. I’ll now reattach the ‘hidden’ wires and turn my mobile off. Take care everyone, Stu X

[@stephencunliffe3879]

I was born in 1958 but still remember the Four Feather Falls ! Excellent !

[@steverogers500]

Not born when it first aired but bought it on DVD about a year ago and ended up binge watching it; it's that good. It has a wonderful charm about it that makes it a joy to watch.

[@elfpimp1]

Wow, first time I'd heard of this show. Now I want to watch it!

[@allysonmacintosh300]

Loved this show, I remember it clearly; I wasn’t aware there wasn’t a 2nd Season. It was ahead of its time. I was eight years old then, it left quite a mark on me…

[@michaelclarke124]

I am pleased to have this series on DVD.

[@LouisL1963]

This was before my time, but remember my family telling me it was one of the early Gerry Anderson shows. Would love to see some of these 🙂

[@colinp2238]

Four Feather Falls was the first production I can remember watching (aged 5) although I vaguely remember Torchy I think I was too young then to form impressions. I do remember the song to Torchy so that probably made some impression on me as a toddler.

[@user-ir1xz9oo7g]

Takes me back, loved Torchy & Twizzle too

[@iandeeley9033]

Great Primer! I've watched some of these episodes on KZbin years ago and is very charming!

[@aceyspud551]

Oh, Two-Gun Tex of Texas is a guy with the straightest deal. He keeps the law with the fastest draw and a nerve as strong as steel.

[@chrisc1553]

was listening to that when my notifications reminded me the primer was on great coincidence

[@keithnaylor1981]

I remember clearly my first TV programmes. My favourites were Tales of the Riverbank with real clever animals sailing a small motor boat, The Woodentops, with the greatest spotty dog you ever did see, and of course everyone's favourite - Bill and Ben, and by three I was fluent in the language of flob-a-lop. Shortly after I often went to topsy-turvy land with Torchy the Battery boy but even at my young age I wanted more realism, this came with FOUR FEATHER FALLS - REAL Cowboys and Indians and talking animals. This was the real world I lived in for years and it was wonderful! KAN 10.19 UK

[@rowaddyvash]

Exactly the same memories - Four Feather Falls, Tales of the Riverbank, Woodentops. I can still do the Woodentops walk! I also remember the cartoon Mighty Mouse, for some reason, although that might have been a couple of years later.

[@normanby100]

Used to be engrossed by it when I was an infant -and all the supermarionation shows. The Indian chief who magically appeared at the end of the end credits used to scare the shit out of me.

[@CJ-du6cr]

My Dad had a Four Feather Falls Annual (the one featured in the vid) which led me to wanting to find out what this series was. Fast forward a few years to when New Captain Scarlet was released on DVD & he got it for me for my birthday. It has a charm all of it's own that I think still works with modern audiences. My favorite characters are Rocky (with his wonderful British accent & the two hapless bandits who never seem to succeed with anything!!! Another wonderful Primer that is definitely helping to bring new audiences to some of these earlier shows.

[@roderickwhyte240]

My parents didn't have a TV until 1961 so I missed this show but I saw it in a comic strip - TV comic was it? The first Gerry Anderson I saw was 'Supercar' which aired on Midlands ITV from Sept 1961 to May 1962 and straight after repeated in another run twice(!) through 62 and 63. Meanwhile the next Gerry Anderson 'Fireball XL5' aired from April 63 to Dec 63. We liked that show at school - I remember us talking about it!

[@iandeeley9033]

Loved that they used the end titles track at the end!

[@keithnaylor1981]

Fantastic video! Love the old colour film, would like to see more of it. I'm sure I could still enjoy Four Feather Falls now, as I did nearly 60 years ago. It was REAL drama! KAN 10.19 UK

[@neilnotniel01]

I've heard so much about Four Feather Falls but it 's four years older than me and I don't remember any repeats (reruns) of it. I feel the need to watch it though!

[@WillyEckaslike]

kzbin.info/aero/PLyilvY2gByXGDSJ05tS-k1f-UI218fmmh

[@raychambers3646]

Watched it when first aired really looked forward every week.

[@paulbacchus1015]

Do you know I have never watched Four Feather Falls, It looks excelent jam solid full of idreas and imagination. No dought the first ever British Western. Paul Bacchus esq

[@lukegreen5341]

Four Feather Falls Is A Classic ITV Children's Television Series Of All Time. This Is Before Gerry Anderson's Supercar In 1961 And Fireball XL5 In 1962, The Secret Service In 1969, Joe 90 In 1968, Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet In 2005 And Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons The Original Series In 1967, Stingray In 1964 And Of Course Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds The Original Series In 1965. Thunderbirds Are GO! Thanks Mate. X

[@irisdainter6507]

I remember it. in the memory for some reason.

[@TheJlook2000]

ive heard of it but first time ive seen it here. it seems like something you'd dream about as a kid

[@quantumman1954]

Remember Four Feather Falls very clearly..Mum bought us a jigsaw puzzle of all the characters back in the day .

[@johnwright8814]

I remember it - just. I was very young.

[@octaviusfooks7194]

I swear Tex Tucker is the grandfather to Marshall Bravestarr. 1. The four magic feathers evolve into the four animal spirits (eyes of the Hawk, ears of the Wolf, strength of the Bear, speed of the Puma) 2. Rocky the horse would evolve to become 30-30

[@jerelmani]

Thanks for sharing this I never heard of this series. Looks oddly like woodies playhouse might have been influenced by this series (ala pixar)

[@thesodorengines]

Once again it's another Gerry Anderson series I saw on the filmed in Super Mario nation bluray.. so I can't help but wonder if show was the basis for the fictional series Woody's Roundup from Toy Story 2( I know that sounds strange but I just got a combined the two things I saw as a kid)

[@ACtheLegend]

It was, the TS2 creators have said as much in the past :)

[@masketorpe]

I used to watch this show in Uruguay, when i was kid, in my little town, i have 53 now, and is very difficult explain this to other people outside of my town, because seems nobody in Uruguay 🇺🇾 watch this except people from Melo, my birthplace. And is more difficult when the name of the show change in the translation, here was not Four Feathers Falls, was Four Feathers Sheriff( el Sheriff 4 plumas) imagine how hard was search this show in the net whit such information. So, thanks, i'm not crazy, people of my town whit my age, well, we think was a colective dream, all the Kids of that age Dreams whit this Sheriff, now we know the show exist

[@trevorrandom]

Anyone else think Toy Story was based on this?

[@philipadams5386]

I was aged 4 and 5 in 1960 so I was among the target audience of Four Feather Falls, but although I remember Twizzle and Torchy, I do not remember Four Feather Falls. I wonder if the series was not networked, and not sold to Southern TV, my local ITV contractor?

[@nativeofficial]

I used to watch this in the USA

[@mikesilva3868]

Great tv series 🦖

[@tonyrobinson362]

I remember one of my pals at school in 67 looked like Tex he was good to have on ones side if you got in a scrape.

[@mikes5637]

Blimey! Something actually before even my time!

[@bettyleeist]

three book”s in French,and one in English!The last book:UFO 1,was written by a:Robert Miall.There”s another Ufo book!It”s called:UFO

[@colinshaw3355]

Yes watched it as a child

[@darryllharden9141]

Four Feather Falls first aired on British Television on February the 25th,1960 ,And was the first puppet television series produced by A.P. Films, But wasn't based on a concept by Children's Author,Roberta Leigh."Different!. (NEIGH!.)". Instead the idea for 'Four Feather Falls' was dreamed up by Composer, Barry Gray. And entered pre production in 1959 while the final episodes of the first season of 'Torchy The Battery Boy' were being shot. "I'm sure they got a secret and they're not going to tell me what it is!". The series centred around The Old West Frontier Town of Four Feather Falls and the good folks who lived there. These included "Grandpa Twig!". "Martha Jones!". "Marvin Jackson!". "Dan Moss!". "Little Jake!". Doc Hagerty and Saloon Owner and Slim Jim." It's a classic he play.!,Yeah,especially when he hit the right notes!. But the show's central character's were Sheriff Tex Tucker, "Howdy,Folks!". His Dog, Dusty. "YAP, YAP!,Hiya,Folks!". And Horse, Rocky."Awfully pleased to meet you!". "He's a thoroughbred, You see!". After saving the life of his Son Macooya, Indian Big Chief Callamacooya gave Tex Tucker four magic feathers which he now wears in his hat. One feather allows Dusty to speak."Somebody's been telling me about a talking horse,I ask yer !".another the same for Rocky "Well really Old Boy,You can talk!".While the final two feathers allow Tex's guns to swivel and fire of their own accord. "But I didn't touch my guns!". Tex and his animal friends must now keep the peace in Four Feather Falls and protect their new friends from such no good lowlifes as Mexican Bandits, Pedro and Fernando."You'll kill Tex Tucker?"."Then I can run Four Feather Falls a mile away!". Horse Rustler,Big Ben. "When it comes to it, You see me murdered rather than lift a finger!". "I never said that!". And Renegade Indian Tribal Leader,Red Scalp. "Now,Red Scalp,Kill!". But no matter how bad things get, Sheriff Tex will always find time to grace us with a song. (🎵Give me those wooden shacks and open spaces, Happy huts and friendly faces, Way back in my home town.) Among the voice cast for Four Feather Falls were Denise Bryer who had been previously heard as Footso The Cat in 'The Adventures of Twizzle' " I like my store to look neat and tidy!".(DOORBELL RING!.)"Oh, my goodness!".(GUNSHOTS!.)And Kenneth Connor who had voiced Mr.Bumbledrop and a variety of other characters in 'Torchy The Battery Boy'."You sure got us out of trouble, Old timer!".(NEIGH!.) "My dear chap, the least I could do!".The two remaining members of the cast were Bryer's then Husband, Nicholas Parsons as the voice of Tex Tucker. "I got a Jail just made for skunks like you!". Plus someone who's career would be remain inextricably linked with The Gerry Anderson Universe for over 60 Years, David Graham."Sit down,Make yourself at home!"."Okay!".Also on vocal duties was Singer,Michael Holliday who provided Tex's singing voice and recorded songs for the show that were also released on vinyl. "What have I got to sing about sitting here with you?". 'Four Feather Falls' represented a significant step forward for The World of Gerry Anderson puppetry. Unlike the previous stringed puppets of Twizzle and Torchy The 'Four Feather Falls' puppets would be operated by wires made of very thin tungsten steel, Their more realistic heads would be sculpted from firbe glass rather than paper mache or wood, For the regular characters at least. and many of the characters now have the ability to move their eyes. Most significant of all however was the creation the lip of a new synch mechanism which allowed the puppets to speak."Gee,thanks Boss!". Unlike the characters of 'Torchy' whose various mouths, ears,beaks and moustaches were all operated by wires.The Four Feather Falls characters would speak via electronic impulses that would travel down the puppets wires to a solenoid in their head that would move their lips in time with their dialogue. "Well wouldn't you say a little bit of luck! I Would!"..Although the system itself had yet to be perfected and the term itself wouldn't even coined or even appear on screen until the second season of 'Supercar'. 'Four Feather Falls' marks the beginning of what was soon to become known as Supermarionation. "Are them mighty fine words,Eh,Jake?".The first episode of 'Four Feather Falls' was produced on a budget of Six Thousand Pounds at Islet Park, The Victorian Mansion that had served as the base of production for 'Twizzle' and 'Torchy' "Now get out of town and don't you ever come back!".However following the sale of the series to Granada Television and a need to expand the puppet stage. The production was relocated to a building at Ispwich Road on the Slough Trading Estate."That's how it all began,Jake!".This new larger studio would allow plenty of room for The Town of Four Feather Falls and it's surrounding countryside. Plus some more early model work in the form of the locomotive that ran through the town."STOP!...STOP!".'Four Feather Falls' was arguably the first Anderson series that could also offer appeal to an older audience."Hiya, Friends!". With The Wild West setting proving the opportunity to introduce regular villians for the first time. "Ah,Amigo We did it a good?,Heh heh heh!.".And despite the inclusion of magic feathers that allowed animals to talk the stories were pitched at a slightly more mature than those of 'Twizzle' or 'Torchy'. The show was also capable of being remarkable atmospheric and even sombre at times."He gonna shoot him in the back!". "Ain't nothing to stop him!".And although any deaths would be kept firmly off screen."You robbed that stage and you shot the driver, To bad you didn't know it was your own brother!". The show's characters often found themselves embroiled in gun fights to protect the town. "Just goes to show, You never can tell what's gonna happen from one minute to the next!". 'Four Feather Falls' was a hit with younger audiences and enjoyed a limited range of merchandising with the show's characters appearing on various books, games and even the cover of the TV Times. "Yippie!". Fully expecting that the series would be recomissioned for a second season The A.P.Films Team were suprised when they were told by Granada that no further episodes would be required."O.K. Fellas, Time to go!, Let's be on our way before the whole town knows about it!".It was time to saddle up and look to the future and to further the world of puppet entertainment with another exciting new series. Assuming they can find anybody mad enough to finance it. "Well horse lovers,That's about the long and the short of it!". Despite not carrying the words 'Filmed In Supermarionation', 'Four Feather Falls' still has a legitimate claim to the title of being the very first Supermarionation series. "Just as I figured!".Although available DVD in the U.K. The show is often overlooked by Anderson fans, But remains a hugely enjoyable and charming series populated by a large cast of lovable characters and deserves greater exposure."Well I be doggone!,In't that the darnest thing I ever heard!".'Four Feather Falls' brought to A.P.Films a new found focus on action and adventure rather than pure fairytale whimsy and presented an ambious iconcept on a unprecedented on a scale for a Children's Television Series made in 1959. Going forward the company would only produce bigger and more spectacular shows, But 'Four Feather Falls' will always remain a impressive first step in the right direction. "Well,So long for now folks!...I'll be seeing you!".(🎵Oh, Toogan Tex of Texas, Here's a guy with a straightest deal,But he keeps the law with the fastest draw and a nerve as strong as steel. Oh,Toogan Tex of Texas, Is a friend who'd never failed, But if you did wrong, wouldn't take him long to clap you right in Jail.)

[@andyscott6315]

Rip nicholas parsons

[@WheelsUp54]

I wish it was available on DVD in USA

[@john_smith1471]

@johnleasure There is a region ABC blu-ray dvd, sold by Network on air, called Filmed in Supermarionation, which has an episode of Four Feather Falls, the b/w picture looks stunning on a 1080p tv screen, other Anderson shows and extra features are on this double disc set.

[@WillyEckaslike]

all the episodes are here on youtube kzbin.info/aero/PLyilvY2gByXGDSJ05tS-k1f-UI218fmmh

[@timepoet77]

Did this series ever make it to the USA?

[@bettyleeist]

My mom(at the time,in:1977)didn’t think it was:”so red-hot”as a show,back then!I”m still “a big fan”of:UFO,though!And.......I’ve got

[@thomaswhalley807]

I Like to see Gerry Anderson Primer Supercar Stingray Dick Spanner and Lavender Castle

[@thomaswhalley807]

Can you upload Gerry Anderson Primer Supercar Stingray Dick Spanner and Lavender Castle

[@retrogamelover2012]

Part of me almost wonders how and if this show would get some revitalization, similar to Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet. Probably be a bit of a love letter to a lot of classic wild west media and stuff, with possibly some expansions on establsihed elements in the series, and possibly even some nods to the dark underbelly of the old west, considering the stuff going on during the time period. Probably would also be interesting to see a possible dynamic between the big chief and Red Scalp, as possibly almost like two sides of the indigenous people's sort of role of those times. One probably being all wise and acknowledging the potential goodness that the white man can be capable of, even in spite of what folks like the pilgrims did to their land (with Two Gun Tex essentially being a living example of that), and another being a tragic, almost sympathetic villain, so consumed by the bitterness and anger towards what the pilgrims, oil barons and rank-in-file zealots and white supremacists have done to their home, that they basically end up in some fruitless crusade to reclaim their home, by driving out the suppossed "white menace" from the land, regardless of who they are or their alignments.

[@bettyleeist]

2,also,by the same author.In my big,leather scrapbook,I have an Edward Bishop picture.And,yes!It”s signed by Edward Bishop!My mom

[@bettyleeist]

Just the titles of;Fireball x-L five(although,I’m sure it was on,in rerun”s in the United State”s).I didn’t “have much luck”with:Space 1999!

[@WillyEckaslike]

can anyone confirm if the series ever featured the song ..3 wheels on my wagon ?.....it seems to be a memory from my childhood

[@moodyguymick]

No, that song came later, sung by The New Christie Minstrels.

[@pennydreadful6525]

Martha Jones? Was Russell T a fan, then?

[@davidfrost2819]

Better than any John Wayne western by quite a mile and I,m serious too

[@5argetech56]

Question: Was Gerry Anderson involved in "SPACE PATROL" ??? It looked like Supermarionation puppetry?

[@Filmreviewonline]

5argeTech /\ Gerry was not involved with that. The Space Patrol connection is producers Arthur Provis and Roberta Leigh who Gerry had previously been involved with.

[@5argetech56]

@@Filmreviewonline I knew there was a connection.. thanks :)

[@oliverprice114]

6:41 Woody "That was a great show, why cancel it?" Stinky Pete "Two words; Sput-nik! Once the astronauts went up, children only wanted to play with space toys!"

[@ericpowell194]

Brill

[@robertclements8336]

It was a lot better when we were kids i am 71

[@tracytron7162]

Would love to see a modern reboot of this that’s 2D animated, though the production staff would definitely need to work closely with some native Americans to make sure that nothing is offensive or insulting to their heritage, given the touchy time period in which it takes place, and you’d DEFINITELY have to do background checks to make sure no racists are onboard with it

[@proudhon100]

They'll get Senator Elizabeth Warren as consultant.

[@johndonaldson3619]

Great show!..Acting was a bit wooden...ahaha...get it...oh, never mind...

[@wcharliewilson7004]

I personally know a couple of Navajo medicine men who would like to talk to you about this...

[@user-mz1pt3sc9m]

日本版タイトルは「魔法の拳銃」

[@benters3509]

I remember this as a child. I have not seen it since. Big Ben looks like a caricature of Jack Elam. Nowadays the looney PC brigade would have a field day about racist bias against Mexicans and Native Americans!

[@deanseawa]

This video is not working.

[@johndonaldson3619]

try now.....

[@JONNOG88]

I wonder if Four Feather Falls. Was the "inspiration" for. "Woody's Round Up. In Toy Story 2?? 🤔🤔You should get on the the blower to a lawyer. I've heard Disney aren't short of a few bob😜

[@wcharliewilson7004]

Imagine Anderson portraying blacks??

[@plausibleg.3170]

While I admire the genius of the Andersons. Portraying Mexicans and Indigenous people as the "bad guys" gives me pause.

[@jasonhebedead1710]

An all too common habit of the time unfortunately

[@Gambit771]

What's wrong with that. Can't have white people be the enemy all the time though I doubt you stop to pause at that thought.

[@Nadieabsolutamentenadie955]

i met this show by cronos films, a youtube channel that talk about a mexican show called el chavo del ocho, but in a video it talk about toy story, and tell about the inspiration of woody, talking about four feather falls, remembering the woody's show on toy story 2, very similar to FFF, the first puppet show that we saw in mexico was the thunderbirds, but not in the year it was created, but in 90´s in the unexistent channel central 4