The Women of UFO | Documentary Featuring Gabrielle Drake, Wanda Ventham and Sylvia Anderson

The women behind many of UFO's beloved characters discuss their time on the show - from the purple wigs and string vests to on set anecdotes of pranks and laughter.
Featuring Gabrielle Drake, Sylvia Anderson, Wanda Ventham and many more of the female cast.
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[@richardhodges3593]

As a ten year old, I was captivated by this series. Loved Gabriele Drake and her purple hair, which I thought was a direct consequence of her living on the moon!

[@zorglubmagnus455]

Wow that is such a smart comment. I would buy that.

[@realhorrorshow8547]

I think I had an idea like that at first. Then, I saw all the Moonbase female crew had the purple hair, but none of the men. So I assumed that purple wigs were the uniform. A very 60s idea.

[@londonlady227]

​@@realhorrorshow8547It's the rule that you couldn't style your hair properly..no hairspray allowed. 😊

[@bettyleeist]

I still watch this show of Ufo!🛸 I just love it,and I still watch it to this day.I have those ufo 🛸 comic strip’s as well!This is through the Fanderson store.🏬 I think Ufo 🛸 is a great show!😊

[@aliservan7188]

UFO is responsible for giving me a lifelong love of women with brightly coloured hair. I'm not even joking.... Gabrielle Drake... need I say more?

[@dominicliner1609]

The Moonbase girls are sexy and hot. ❤🌕

[@paulpaintshop103]

Back then blue hair didn't mean scary leftard.

[@aliservan7188]

@@paulpaintshop103 Awww didums! You scared of the widdle left? Bless your teeny heart

[@markyoungman148]

@@aliservan7188 Not scared of the widdle left - just worried that they have a vote, and are allowed to breed.

[@alfredrodriguez7106]

Amen to that..but this is an Era where women were women.... And you valued them for it.... Shame shows like this don't exist anymore.......

[@mikesaunders4694]

Grew up with this show in the early 70’s and absolutely loved it, wish they’d made more of it. It had really strong female characters that weren’t overplayed as “strong female characters”. Great stuff.

[@davidhoward4715]

What the hell does _overplayed as “strong female characters"_ mean? Is this an incel thing?

[@mikesaunders4694]

@@davidhoward4715 mmmm I had to look up what “incel” actually meant and if you read what I actually wrote you’d see I’m hardly a young man. What it means is that a strongly written character is just that….doesn’t need to be gender specific…..or written in a way to make some point that often is out of keeping with the story. Does that answer your question?

[@brealistic3542]

Wish they made more too.😔

[@Yandarval]

Blame Lew Grade of every Jerry Anderson programme only having, at most, two series. I believe Space:1999 was in a large part based off the script for season two of UFO.

[@andybrown4284]

Actual strong characters in their own right rather than being given strength by a committee of writers making everyone else patheticly useless

[@tomsenior7405]

This is bloody-lovely. I was surprised by the sudden flood of nostalgia to wash over me while watching this. An excellent job guys.

[@johannesfeigl5309]

Gabrielle Drake what a godess!!!!

[@therealpbristow]

@@johannesfeigl5309 My first ever crush! (I was six.) =:o}

[@Nooziterp1]

Nostalgia wasn't the only thing to wash over me when I saw Gabrielle Drake.

[@Nooziterp1]

@@johannesfeigl5309 Oh yeah she was gorgeous.

[@scofair5551]

Considering it was produced nearly 55 years ago, those women look like they've been in a time warp. They still have all their beauty. Well arranged video, Jamie Anderson 😃

[@kurtsnyder4752]

Jamie, son or daughter of G & S Anderson?

[@scofair5551]

@@kurtsnyder4752 Son of Gerry and Mary.

[@woofgbruk5947]

Always loved the theme tune for U.F.O, it`s really catchy!

[@lowbaritonewwj]

Barry Gray. You can purchase a cd of it, I know I did

[@FandersonUfo]

it was marvelous for women in sci fi to be portrayed as strong and capable members of the team at that time

[@Design_no]

But why wouldn't they? Since ww2 women weren't portrayed that way, they actually WERE that way.

[@FandersonUfo]

@@Design_no - indeed - as they always have been - not always portrayed as such on screen though - 🛸✨

[@garypautard1069]

These are all beautiful women and they certainly made us fellas look twice.

[@notreallydavid]

with lots of wiggly ass shots too

[@npc3po301]

God forbid a woman be portrayed as feminine and vulnerable

[@carolynandcocohaywood2638]

Loved this show and still watch it today. The Champions, UFO and Thunderbirds were my favourites as a child. They just seem so much better than what children have today.

[@lallancashire2201]

Great to celebrate the cast of this wonderful show 👍

[@hubertvancalenbergh9022]

I was fourteen going on fifteen and loved every bit of the series. Those sixties hairdos and miniskirts didn't go unnoticed in our all-boys school, I assure you. 🤪

[@Heavy-Metal-Spike]

Oh my goodness - could this have *_BEEN_* any better !?!?!??! My sincere thanks to all involved in producing this - but *_ESPECIALLY_* the talented ladies who are as charming, sexy, endearing & beautiful as they were when the series was originally transmitted. Now if I can only work out how to get a copy of that UFO manual shipped to Canada without doubling the price via couriers, I'll be a happy wee badger 😇

[@malicedownunder]

What a wonderful series of interviews. Well done to the whole cast and documentarians. Beautifully produced and certainly appreciated by fans. And all the ladies look fantastic to this day! I'm always amazed at how complicated and beautifully made the Anderson shows were.

[@NegdoshaManido]

So in the UK, the actor's American accent played a role in the popularity of Star Trek. When I was a kid, the English accent of the actors in U.F.O. made it stand out to me as something different and very cool. Of course, I loved the whole look and feel of the show as well. This documentary sure brought back fond memories of a great show and the wonderful and lovely ladies that were in it! : )

[@1maico1]

Well, William Shatner and James Doohan who played Scotty are Canadian!

[@jeffskillman9275]

What a great piece of nostalgia. I remember watching UFO as a young boy having received the Dinky Shado Mobile and Interceptor toys, thinking wow is this what 1980 would look like as the year flashed up in the titles. Still can’t believe it’s 2023 as these were the futuristic years. The ladies still look great. Wanda probably had most young boy’s attention on screen! Always wondered what Alec Freeman actually did as he always seemed to stroll round with just chatting with Ed Straker. Great show well ahead of its time.

[@himoffthequakeroatbox4320]

He was there to remind us that ugly people hadn't been eliminated by some kind of eugenics program.

[@stephenchappell7512]

Alec got ditched because the Yank's didn't like him

[@ronwhite8503]

Wanda always seemed a bit "blousey" to me. But Gabrielle Drake.........oh, my word! As a ten year old I thought she was amazing; as a sixty three year old I still think so.

[@santorini8423]

@@himoffthequakeroatbox4320 he was busy trying to kill Jack Carter😂

[@teeteringonthebrink.305]

Have you never worked with anyone who seemed to have plenty of time on their hands? I know I have.

[@oldtatshow]

An excellent production. All of the ladies look as lovely as ever and it is great that they have such vivid and fond memories of the show.

[@marklotinga]

That was nothing less than bloody brilliant. What fabulous women with equally fabulous stories to tell!

[@HampshireVideo]

So many lovely ladies that we grew up with in this show. Could you imagine sitting down to dinner with them all, it would be a riot. Much love to them all and thank you for such golden memories. ❤️

[@Puzzoozoo]

I'm now 66, but oh Gabrielle Drake when she was younger. 😍

[@papapabs175]

As a fellow 66 connoisseur of GD series 1 episode 11 is for us 👴🏼😍

[@realhorrorshow8547]

She's none too shabby now!

[@vinnyganzano1930]

I'm 59 and to be honest I still think she's amazing.

[@bettyleeist]

This is interesting to know about the behind the scenes of Ufo?🛸 And,yes….I know,that I’ve seen this interview before!And,yes….the Anderson’s were known for their puppet show’s in the 1960”s!Because,I used to watch the Thunderbirds show!It came on in the late ⏰ 1960”s in the afternoon.😊

[@mikewa2]

@@papapabs175as a fellow GD fan, search on google videos for ‘au pair girls 1972’ there are a number of videos, what you want is the full video 1hr24 mins quite a revelation!

[@toxicq2677]

Thank you so much for a wonderful trip down memory lane.

[@lifetimesofamultiplemediam1003]

This was my show back in the day. Nothing came close!… Excellent throwback documentary. Ayesha is so funny, what a wonderful personality.

[@Alway213]

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! I’m so lucky to have seen the whole series as a young boy growing up in the 60’s and 70’s. Loved it!

[@louissivo9660]

Loved this show when it came here to the US. I was a young boy falling in love with science fiction and UFO just had the perfect blend of the exotic and mystery of a different sort of alien invasion. I barely remember any details, except it was one of those that seemed a cut above the usual silliness on TV around this subject. This documentary brought back a lot of memories and scenes that I really don't remember. Thank you for the memories and even more for making the show originally.

[@james5460]

All those old scifi shows had the sexiest girls on TV for some reason, but Gabrielle Drake was my personal fave, she was the main reason to watch that show.

[@Outpost36]

Lovely documentary that has prompted me to re-watch this utterly lush series. Beautiful colours, people, costumes and sets... not to mention great music and stories. I wish TV could still be like this today.

[@goodoldbubba6620]

Gabby Drake was my first TV crush. This must have been 1971 or so. I was 5. Thus, I will always love her. I'm happy to have seen her (entirely) in Au Pair Girls many of decades later. I was not disappointed. 😋

[@mikes5637]

I must seek that out for, err.... research purposes.

[@jamespaton6047]

@@mikes5637 lol

[@goodoldbubba6620]

@@mikes5637 A very easy google search of her name with that movie title will get you links to what you seek. It was actually made about the same time as her UFO role. Exactly why it was not disappointing. 😆 😋

[@keithfreeman7725]

Gabrielle was the highlight of that film.

[@xr6lad]

Sorry mate. Stop trying to boost that standing in the hetro pecking order. At 5 years old you would not be having a crush on anybody b

[@Reaper4367]

Thank you to all Producers, Cast and Crew that brought this gem (and others) into our collective living rooms so many decades ago.

[@stephenkay4008]

Loved this! I remember pretty much halting a school friend’s birthday party to badger his Mum into turning on the tv to watch an episode - how precocious I was then! All the stars interviewed enjoyed themselves making the original show and clearly Ayshea is the Marina Sirtis of UFO! Anyone who’s seen convention footage of Marina will know what I mean.

[@Man_from_UNCLE]

And I do believe I read somewhere years ago that she was actually English. Maybe of Greek descent or something, but British

[@kevinjohnson-en9yz]

This was my favorite show of all time. Thank all the beautiful women for their contribution to a fictional world of beautiful intellegent supportive women. Simply put, it worked. it was too good. It was going in a dirrection that the evil powers that be didn't want. I was crushed when it ended. Simply devastated. I was 7 years old. I don't believe I will ever get over that childhood trama when they cancelled my show. All the women were gorgeous. Who could ask for more? There will never be another UFO. Love to all the cast.

[@markdowse3572]

UFO was programme making that was WAY ahead of its time. Brilliant! 💎 And the women were wonderful... 😍 Goes without saying, really - but it has to be said! 🤗 Of course not forgetting the best THEME ever written! 🎶👍 M 🦘🏏😎

[@pauldoree3967]

The Theme is also right up there for me. I have the complete series on my media server, haven't dipped in for a couple of years. I now need a complete re watch.

[@davidhollingdale5408]

I consider UFO to be the best thing the Anderson's made. Especially "A Question of Priorities" (with all due respect to the late Fd Bishop). For it's time,realistic and included some seriously adult themes. And it never felt the need to brow beat the viewers with the societal changes it portrayed. This is a superb look back at the show. 😁👍👏❤

[@douglachman7330]

Thank you not only Gerry but his equally amazing Sylvia Anderson, a wonderfully talented team.

[@brentstantonfun]

So glad you got these people together to interview about the show. It’s been a favorite since I was young. Today, my career for the last 30 years has been working as an assistant director on film and tv shoots. Thanks for deepening what is at the foundation of my own career.

[@stargazeronesixseven]

OMG! Gerry & Sylvia Anderson's UFO of the 1970s >>> That's about 52 years ago come 2023! Brought back so many fond memories! Thank You So Much for this Tribute of the Women of UFO! 🌷🌿🌏💜🕊

[@simonleib1992]

Col Lake was my first crush. And yes... that purple blouse and scarf look Wanda!

[@susanscott8653]

She looked amazing!

[@vinnyganzano1930]

​@@susanscott8653I can only agree, she looked stunning.

[@richardburke8566]

Every time I see a doc about an aspect of UFO it just remindes me what a brilliant show it was

[@moggridge1]

This was very good. Nice to hear from these ladies and their memories! 😊👍

[@johndonaldson3619]

That was great - thank you everyone!!!

[@Ruddigore]

A fantastic series and I loved many of the characters. I absolutely adored Wanda Ventham and nearly fell of my chair in amazement years later to find out she she is in fact Benedicct Cumberbatch's mum.

[@teeteringonthebrink.305]

I believe she was also Rodney Trotter's Mother in Law in Only Fools And Horses.

[@johnclay7644]

Nice concept of a documentary, some classic episode sequences. informative 30mins+ Well done.

[@mosespray4510]

Wonderful. All the ladies are so fun and well spoken. The show always puts a smile on my face.

[@johnpitt6480]

Enjoyed that! All my heartthrobs there! ❤️

[@lewi7275]

One of the best documentaries I’ve seen in a long time

[@dunning234]

Wanda Ventham and Gabrielle Drake I always see the ladies young and beautiful. Thanks all of them.

[@danmichaud580]

This was absolutely fabulous. I remember wanting to watch all the episodes. Living in Canada, I am sure there was one or two I've missed. The ladies have aged fabulously, still pretty as ever.

[@stephenchappell7512]

I can imagine your fellow Canadian James Cameron stole plenty of ideas off Gerry Anderson's shows

[@juliocesarpereira4325]

I remember going crazy about this series even before it premiered because of the channel ads.This documentary shows a very important side of UFO we tend not to take into consideration and one more time it shows Gerry and Sylvia Anderson were ahead of their time. I love Star Trek but to thing that UFO was moved to a later time because of it breaks my heart. Thanks for such wonderful documentary and to allow those wonderful actresses have their say.

[@iandeeley9033]

Hooray For The Women Of UFO! Happy International Women's Day!

[@Korea4Me]

I'm speechless. That was wonderful. Thank you.

[@paulbennett4548]

Excellent production lads, lovely to see them all again.

[@nicholasstark182]

UFO was a fantastic show - great documentary!

[@dianepatching742]

I grew with Gerry Anderson and his wonderful creations. How marvellous to hear the UFO ladies now and how it helped them. 👍

[@bhbluebird]

I loved this show as a kid. These are some great interviews.

[@stendec-dd3he]

One of the best, it always will be.

[@wngimageanddesign9546]

One of the best creations by the Andersons! And thank god for their vision for the female characters and roles. They were sensational, remarkably dynamic, and unforgettable. Love the fact, like Roddenberry's universe, everyone were equals.

[@jamesmurray8558]

Thank you for this mature show.

[@the-trustees]

I remember a scene from UFO that still sticks with me a quarter century later. Straker needed one of his crew, a woman, maybe black, but I can't be sure, to exit the sub through a torpedo tube. Straker told her how the water rushing in when they opened the tube's door would "feel like a sledgehammer" and I felt real empathy for an actress not in any danger at all, as she waited, pulse pounding, for it.

[@Kapricorn1]

This is fantastic, Ayshea sounds like a right laugh. Loved the purple wigs for moonbase, think I've found my next hair colour 💜, brilliant video.

[@thefurrybastard1964]

She was a bombshell back in the 70s.

[@clasicradiolover]

I remember this show. The part that stood out to me as a little boy was Stryker"s car with the gul wing doors and the purple wigs

[@vinnyganzano1930]

Loved this show and the incredible women in the cast were a big part of that.

[@Calvertfilm]

Not often I watch a KZbin video all the way through without skipping parts but this was very entertaining. Made me smile a few times.

[@UKMike2009]

A fantastic series and, because of my age at the time, my favourite TV actresses. What a great video - thank you for putting this up on YT.

[@stellarspacetraveler]

Jane Merrow is a film director today in Idaho. She is still very recognizable as the younger Jane and has aged very well. You can find her latest endeavors on the internet. I also think Straker needed to have his head examined after the way the episode with Merrow ended. :)

[@williamanderson5437]

I think this is the same Jane Merrow who wstared with Oliver Reed in 'The System' set in Roxham (Torquay) early 1960's another Brilliant Film.

[@paulbergin4239]

They were all bombshells to watch. I loved the whole lot of them.

[@CardiffOneOne]

This documentary originally featured on the UFO Blu Ray set a few years ago but nice to see it getting a KZbin release.

[@WilliamParmley]

Very pleased that this was such a serious treatment of these fine actors and their characters, and the contributions they made to the series. All their characters were portrayed as strong, capable, and intelligent. I had forgotten that Jane Merrow was in the cast -- she has shown up in so many places over the years, including Danger Man three times and The Prisoner once. I do wish Lt. Howell had had a bigger part in SkyDiver!

[@brettatton]

Marvelous! I was barely and teenager during the run of the show...they were all goddesses to me me!

[@quillerpen]

Great job! Lovely to hear from some of the cast who don't normally get to share their recollections and insights on the show

[@61citystars]

what a great show ufo is

[@scottfw1193]

A show that had great genuine (unforced) diversity ahead of its time. And some truly surreal groundbreaking episodes!

[@davidhoward4715]

"Unforced"? Really? Get a clue.

[@scottfw1193]

@@davidhoward4715 you have a point. I meant unforced in current diversity context. But yes, the diversity in UFO at the time was arguably a sop to US market. But I think a lot of fans found it refreshing and it was groundbreaking for the time

[@williamhaines-g6p]

@@davidhoward4715 American cities at the time going up in flames and Enoch Powell having just made a rather controversial speech

[@spiffer27]

Brilliant documentary. UFO is my favourite of all the Gerry Anderson shows.

[@fieldsofgold775]

I was a kid and loved this show. I even had my own string T shirts. 😂

[@Amaranthine1000]

One of the best sci fi series ever, loved this show, I kept looking for the purple wigs in the 80's but the only ones there were the hair metal bands. Such a great show, I wish there was a lot more. I have the DVD box set of UFO and watch it fondly from time to time

[@stephenpochly7003]

Just showa how Sylvia and Gerry had their finger on the pulse.

[@cerij4242]

I absolutely loved this show when it came out, and now I have found it again on Legend, It looks even better now as it was shot on film and now with HDTV it pops. The special effects still look fantastic in HDTV I was expecting to see big flaws but apart from reused interceptor scenes for cost saving the effects are still top notch.

[@ktmstardis6946]

Thanks for posting this & to all the lovely ladies of Shado. Fantastic series, loved every minute of it including all the characters & plots. I'm 61 years old & have a model UFO & Interceptor on my living room wall stand (dare I say also next to a Dalek & Cyberman)

[@allenedwards2940]

I remember watching this in the states as a kid in the 70's. I still get excited when I hear that theme music. I wish someone would do a retro reboot. keeping all the music and costumes. it would be so fun!!

[@ricardogustavo2019]

Iconic show of my teenage age! Wonderful interview with my adorable Ladies ❤!! Eternal thanks Gerry & Sylvia Anderson for so many pleasant moments in front of the TV. Greetings from BA, Argentina.

[@tempest411]

I had never heard of this show until a few years ago, finding some segments here on YT. It has an unmistakable charm and is very entertaining.

[@garryanthonystx]

Loved this show growing up, and still love it. From time to time I'll watch an episode or two. And the show open is still one of the best I have every seen.

[@mariebaxter473]

Be still my beating heart , such class from all these ladies

[@adonisnetworks]

I've never seen this show , since I was born well after the air date , amazed at the digital mastering from the original film .it's such a clean transfer !!

[@mrchrisd]

This was fantastic!! THANK YOU!!

[@videomentaryproductionschannel]

what a great video, that took me back fantastic memorys when life was good but could be hard

[@williambell4591]

Times seemed so much SIMPLER back then didn't it?.. ...I guess our parents were doing all the heavy lift back then - including providing the TV that I was watching this marvelous show on!.. 🫢🤔😋

[@jamesjames2070]

Awesome Thankyou

[@Marie579]

Really brilliant and insightful, girls you rock!

[@jamesthecat]

Brilliant fun, thank you!

[@paulnolan1352]

Excellent!. Boy, that takes me back!. A very popular and ahead of its time show that oozed excitement. Thanks for the memories.

[@eddyeroyal6024]

I watched this over and over great team

[@remy7009]

The String Vests were an Undergarment as part of an RAF Firefighters Crash Kit whilst on Fire Duties 🔥 All Gerry Andersons series were part of my Childhood ❤

[@stephenchappell7512]

Gerry Anderson himself was ex Raf

[@scofair5551]

I loved and still love Ayshea. So futuristic. Great seeing Ayshea.

[@myriaddsystems]

Never saw enough of these when I was young

[@michaellord9]

amazing how this takes me back, together with all my enjoyment and love for this series

[@garybrindle6715]

Just 3 years later in 72, I had the pleasure of starting to work with the Woman of the RAF..they were in uniform ,minus the wigs but every bit as professional as the UFO crew which captures the military sprit so well. In fact recently it was re broadcast twice on the Forces TV channel.

[@waynefisk5205]

absolutely wonderful in in retrospect. i have all the episodes in digital form and watch and share them with younger people that had no idea this had been on tv. i loved all the girls------btw, im 72 years old

[@MichaelS-pr9qn]

So Awesome! Thank you for this

[@cozmicpfunk]

I just love UFO! we had cable TV back in the 70's and this show came through the Los Angeles channel. I was glued to the TV every Saturday Night when UFO was on. It was Amazing Sci-Fi for its time and the Women are all just Gorgeous and amazing actors! The UFO women are true leaders, each of them were main cast characters and not just supporting cast sitting on standby next to the men. We have to thank Sylvia Anderson (and Gerry) for their vision of the future and how these incredible ladies were portrayed with intelligence and strength while not minimizing their femininity- they were sexy and smart. I was too young to fully appreciate the adult relationship themes, but I do remember wow, these are all beautiful and smart ladies and they are in charge of the men lol. Yes, this show was ahead of it's time on so many levels. And have to mention the visual effects, the vehicles and the moon base. The production value was amazing! A great Documentary, thank you for sharing with us

[@gaius_enceladus]

Awesome series! Everything from the costumes, the actors and actresses (especially them!) and the great theme music! The women *still* look great!

[@meljen8592]

I remember UFO fondly,still dip into it now,it was years ahead of its time,a marvellous series.

[@davidcrane5984]

Fantastic! Such lovely women, then and now.

[@williambell4591]

This was such. JOY watching this and seeing the ladies from back then in this video - thanks for having this up on KZbin! ❤💯 The ladies had me rolling w\their commentary - the "Jockstrap", and especially about the filming of the opening sequence "I don't think you can see my face?..." 😂🤣 (With the camera truck all close behind her w\a bunch od dudes, umm, camera men following close behind her - PRICELESS!! 😋💥💯) If I've only ever done ONE thing right it my life, it was WATCHING this show and listening to one of the BEST THEME SONGS ever for a SciFi \ TV show! If I could go back in time, one stop would be to see who and how they produced the theme music for this show!! 👍♥️ Heck, I'd be excited to watch a video about the UFO music production all by itself! Again, absolutely marvelous video! ⭐💯

[@kenchapman2126]

lovely ladies ,a great cast,I was a young teenager at the time and loved everything about the series’s,wish I could go back and fall in love with it all all over again,god bless you all.