Thunderbirds Are Go, "Sci-Fi on Strings." A Gerry Anderson Special.

A BBC 2 Radio show broadcast in 2000 all about Gerry Anderson. Presented by Bob Monkhouse. Featuring Anthea Turner, Cliff Richard and the Shadows, Barry Gray, Shane Rimmer, David Graham, Derek Meddings and Peter Wragg and many more.
I found the recording on a cassette tape and, as far as i could see, it wasn't available anywhere on the internet. This is my tribute to Gerry which i have been working on for the past year. It has crashed Movie Maker so many times, and it is too big by far for MM to save it, that in the end, it comes to you via a screen and audio recorder (sorry for the watermark!).
Enjoy!

[@tylerzorn6152]

November 2023, and at 61 this is a masterpiece there will never be anything Better than THUNDERBIRDS !!!! It was all simply the very best and taught a very special moral message. GOD BLESS each and every one of them forever !!!!

[@OnlyCircles]

Today i had given my thunderbird’s toys to my 3 years old son. I kept it safe for 30 years en now then next generation can play and let their fantasy do their thing. I am still a big fan en in love with the show.

[@aartman01]

I'm 60 now and I still love watching "Thunderbirds", one of the best TV shows ever. Gerry left a great legacy.

[@JULIAN8845]

THANK GOD HE MADE THEM ALL

[@allenjones3130]

And Gerry's son Jamie is keeping his father's legacy alive!

[@armandoacevedo6978]

Top Marks, Gerry!

[@warmflash]

I had dysfunctional violent violent parents. I dreaded weekends. Except Sundays. On Sunday STINGRAY was on. And for 22 minutes, I was free. Thank you Jerry Anderson and everyone who worked on SUPERMARIONATION. You made millions of children happy.

[@jameslatimer1432]

Gerry Anderson was a amazing man the whole team ❤️🙏😇❣️ bring it back on TV please ASAP

[@briane5706]

Barry Gray’s theme for Thunderbirds is one of the best ever composed for a TV programme.

[@JULIAN8845]

I THINK IF YOU PLAYED IT ANYWARE IN THE WORLD AS AUDIO ONLY IT WOULD BE KNOWN.THE DIGITIZED DVD'S WITH 5.1 ARE AMAZING

[@Wardads1]

Some numpty threw the marrionette heads out into an industrial bin ! Someone who knew their value rescued them thank goodness.

[@markhughes3345]

Thank you so much from a Canadian kid that grew up on Gerry's fantastic work. I am now in my 50’s and still think about the programs that this wonderful person brought into my life. Long live Gerry Anderson!

[@ultramegatrion]

Gerry can't be compared to no one..he's a one of a kind GENIUS!!!!!!

[@misterspock3561]

As a child (like everyone else) I started off with Supercar, then Fireball XL5, Stingray, etc.... Gerry, I want to thank you, Your shows were the best! I enjoyed watching them more than you can know!! I still watch them today!!! RIP and God Bless.

[@papabrtrk]

Kudos for their creativity of everything from the marionettes,the sets,backdrops and the vehicles which were ahead of their time! I’m 66 and still watch Thunderbirds on occasion and can appreciate everything about the show.

[@kevingreen3781]

Fantastic shows great to watch but in our day we had to wait a week for the next show not like today it was great being a kid 🧒 back then with shows to come home from school and watch Gerry Anderson I take my hat off to you thanks for the originality of all these shows you created you made being a kid back then and even now fantastic every generation in the future will always want to see these shows they will go down in history as the best shows of all time

[@noriyukiimada3300]

In Japan, Supercar was not introduced and I first watched Thunderbirds and was really got into it when I was a kid. Thanks G. Anderson. They really affects Japanese Kaiju films.

[@SiVlog1989]

No other shows are like Gerry's shows, the fact that he made such exciting shows with puppets shows all anyone needs to show the imagination the man had :)

[@robbradley1389]

I can watch Thunderbirds for hours on end.My partner thinks there is something wrong with me,but these are memories from my childhood,that still fascinate me even today.I loved the craft and the machines in the episodes,that's what held me I guess.I reckon every young boy wanted to fly with International Rescue and be a hero like the Tracy boys.Still watch and love Thunderbirds today as much as I did in my youth.

[@tomh6183]

Absolutely amazing work.And also way above anything that is put out today,tv or movies.No computer systems just models and REAL special effects.

[@danf321]

Who in their right mind would give this a Thumbs Down rating? Gerry's crew were brilliant story tellers which made the puppets very watchable. I must now watch my DVD set of Thunderbirds Are Go!!

[@ericpelote998]

This actually brought tears to my eyes as I think back to my childhood , from supercar to space 1999 !! Thank you Garry n sylvia Anderson . RIP

[@petercampbell1438]

The only children's TVs shows that both kids and adults can enjoy even years later - better by far anything on telly/film today! 👍

[@JimMcDade_Exploration]

I cherish the memory of rushing home from school to sit in front of the television to enjoy the adventures of the characters created by Gerry Anderson. We did not need computer-generated special effects or large television screens to enter the boundless universe of imagination created by Anderson.

[@rosesandsongs21]

I was born in '58 so I was right there and then watching (in a rather poor french translation but who cared) all those series as they or not very long after they came out in Canada... and I think part of me is still over there, captived to the point of forgetting I was hungry and that it was supper time! Thank you for posting this and thanks to all those involved in creating these wonders, you made a whole generation believe anything was and still is possible. Cheers, Rose.

[@soppdrake]

Born 58 too. Though I sat rivited in front of a little black and white telly in our front room in our council flat just outside Aldershot. Dreary place, even today. :-/ But these shows helped enormously to liven things up!

[@ktkt9982]

When necessity and serendipity weave together what magic is made. Thank you for uploading this fascinating documentary.

[@caatcher]

I go all the way back to Supercar. Also had a girlfriend once who looked like Venus from Fireball XL-5. Gerry and Sylvia Anderson rocked!

[@TheTurk56523]

The stimulation of a child's imagination. That was what children's television was if you compare children's programming of today (and I do call it PROGRAMMING).

[@blak1lyte]

The sheer love of their art.. in creating these actual series & sets...omg.... such dedication to create this for children. I love it! I have a Tracy Island with sounds...

[@cliffsmith23]

I'm old enough to have watched every Gerry Anderson program since Fireball XL5, and they have always been among my favourite childhood memories. I was lucky enough to interview Gerry in 2000, for a magazine article. I found him to be a charming, modest man, still full of enthusiasm and imagination. He was hoping to have the chance to make a new Thunderbirds movie, and I will personally never forgive Jonathan Frakes and Universal for disappointing him. I was happy to take the opportunity to thank Gerry personally for all the pleasure his programs had given me, which he accepted with characteristic modesty. A brilliant, wonderful man.

[@AlexDraco]

Agreed, and it's true Jonathan Frakes should have kept at what he did best : playing Commander Riker in Star Trek TNG... The Thunderbirds live movie is plain bad; Thunderbirds without puppets is an heresy, and shouldn't even be envisioned.

[@Randico1962]

F@#k Jonathan Frakes

[@user-yq3fz9ch5q]

I would make a mad dash from school to watch the shows. Definitely a part of my life.

[@DevInvest]

I can’t explain to those of you who didn’t t grow up with this.. The EXCITEMENT of a little boy (I’m sure girls loved it too, I’m referring to myself) hearing that theme song! Cartoons were only Saturday Mornings! You got up or you miss it! I was very lucky, my grandparents had a little money then and could afford to spoil me with the real cast metal Thunderbird toys.. My favorite was always TB2!

[@theresapoll]

I'm 60 years old and yes, l love Gerry Anderson shows and now l can watch them all the time...so grateful for his God gifted talent of puppets and my Thunderbirds dolls and action fgures...FAB!!!

[@djsimonrossprice9400]

Today's kids sadly never had the educational advantage we had with our children's TV.

[@BIGM-gg9ln]

grew up watching stingray and thunderbirds.greatest tv shows ever!

[@scottmyers63]

I am so glad ME-TV network is airing THUNDERBIRDS on Sundays at 5am Central time...via TIVO! AND I DO REMEMBER THIS SERIES!

[@Lizzy-cs9zy]

That was F.A.B.! I wish I could see more videos like this! Thunderbirds stole my heart!

[@w.hartnell-lives-on-while-6073]

A fitting tribute to a man, his company & their work, which gave so much pleasure to kids over the decades. Even as adults we can`t resist reliving the wonderful experience all over again. I`m glad, he came to realise, that he had achieved something great towards the end of his life. R.I.P. Gerry, we should be so lucky to see your like again. If you do not mind, I will add to my page. :)

[@antonyzara9980]

Awesome!! my favourite!!! :D

[@w.hartnell-lives-on-while-6073]

+Rohan Zener Because Gerry`s programs where on commercial t.v. they made much more of an effort with the merchandising, than the B.B.C. did then. But, to the best of my knowledge, the only game created was a Capt.Scarlet board Game, which I used to have myself. Perhaps, someone will follow your idea, if they continue to be as popular despite Gerry`s loss. :)

[@____________5402]

HALF HOUR!! HALF HOUR!! I haven't watched stingray in like 10 years and I still remember the half hour bit!

[@robertmurray0302]

I watched all his shows, starting with Super car, awesome show's.

[@michaelrimmington2458]

Memories! Memories! Used to watch with my children. Never missed an episode.

[@natalielidster7551]

Gerry and Sylvia Anderson may have died but their legacy will last forever in stingrey thunderbirds and captain scarlet rest in peace and thank you for our entertainment

[@almedawilliams6153]

I finally found this, unbelievable, my kids didn't believe me, this and stingray, this was the thing back in the day.

[@MissMarinaCapri]

Well done Gerry Anderson! Anything can happen in the next in the next thirty minutes!

[@alexchubbymclynn6060]

Gerry Anderson is genius! The world of Thunderbirds is one of a kind! A real hand-made magic! And I thank him and all the people involved for having let me in it. Regards from a Russian 56 year old fan.

[@ZnenTitan]

Now this is the future I wanted!!!

[@RGJubilee]

love this this is good tv shows I wish they will make more shows like this.this brings me back to my childhood.

[@josephmarrison4606]

R.I.P Gerry Anderson. I was shocked and sad when I heard that he died. Since I'd loved Thunderbirds so much.

[@myriaddsystems]

Pity

[@colinfarren8326]

Gerry was always such a humble man, typically British. Good job on the vid btw.

[@ShakepearesDaughter]

It's interesting to think that many people liked the older, more-cartoony style puppets best. Even as a little kid in the 1960s, having watched Stingray, Fireball XL5, and Thunderbirds, I thought that the Captain Scarlet puppets were outstandingly attractive, and the natural evolution of the style. I still love Captain Scarlet the most...cartoony is cute, but remains distracting to me. As an adult, Captain Scarlet is hands-down still the finest. I love the approach to a closer realism...when you watch them and realize they are still just puppets, that's where the spooky part really kicks in! And seeing Burt Reynolds' face sculpted in puppet form as Captain Scarlet is a real gas...with Cary Grant's (voice actor doing him) voice coming out of his mouth! Perfect.

[@jackjones7504]

Captain Scarlet as Kid was the best , as an adult it makes much more sense to me , Stingray no2 for me , Tbirds and Joe 90.

[@moodyguymick]

Captain Scarlet took itself way too seriously.

[@BlackSheepNara]

ShakespearesDaughter stop typing with one hand

[@paulmoy9736]

Thanks Gerry for giving me such a wonderful childhood.......it's a shame you're not around today.

[@aguilacalva2625]

amazing and wonderful; I saw many of those series in my childhood 👍🙂

[@2snowgirl520]

I loved these as a kid, and I still do.

[@michaela.mccracken4461]

R.I.P. Gerry Anderson R.I.P. Sylvia Anderson The masters of SUPERMARIONATION

[@derrickstott5231]

This is a phenomenal job of matching video to a radio programme. Unbelievably well researched and presented. FAB!

[@johnbockelie3899]

Disney , I'm.into cartoons!!! Anderson, I'm into puppets!!.

[@douglas9607]

Is that what this video was? This fellow matched video clips to a radio program. That IS phenomenal.

[@francisfrederick5600]

Thankyou to the legendary brilliant Gerry Anderson.R.I.P who touched many people before I was born his contribution to the UK t.v. at the time. Super Car. Fireball XL5 Stingray the legendary Thunderbirds Captain Scarlett Joe 90 the legendary UFO Space 1999 respect to the legendary Gerry Anderson i salute you for the memories of my Life.

[@M5guitar1]

As a kid raised in 60's these shows bring back many deep memories. I remember these theme songs, Stingray, Fireball XL5, Marina and of course the Thunderbirds. I wanted to be a pilot but ended up working as an engineer on the Space Shuttle, MIR and other space programs. These shows truly were an inspiration.

[@francisfrederick5600]

As a young boy who grew up in the late 60s i watched Bill and Ben the flowerpot men then super car and fireball XL5 i watched these classic shows on monochrome TV

[@bettyleeist]

I’ll have to watch;Stingray,someday.I missed this show,back in the 1960”s.

[@allanegleston4931]

thanks for showing his early work. four feather falls, twizzle and torchey the battery boy. like .

[@kevinwilliams5158]

Heroes Thunderbirds Are Go that said classic that I grew up on years ago

[@lindaeasley4336]

During the 1960s in the US, many kids loved this fascinating quality ,show .My younger brother was a big fan

[@altfactor]

R.I.P., Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. And thanks for all the great shows, both "Supermarionation" and live-action.

[@tonyromeo9222]

Thank you for this. I have all seasons of Thunderbirds, Stingray and Captain Scarlet, I love it. I also remember watching Supercar and Joe 90.

[@tylerzorn6152]

Walt Disney WOULD WISH, he will never be anything close to gerry Anderson. !!! Thunderbirds are go .......forever!!!!

[@robertmcqueen289]

Wonderful documentary which brings back wonderful childhood memories. Had a lot of these toys, l was a huge fan of Thunderbird 2, still have one on display today. I wonder why no-one mentioned his second movie 'Thunderbird Six'. It wasn't a bad movie, but it seems to have been forgotten in time. Once again, thank you for this posting. FAB

[@MultiPetercool]

I love the comparison of a marionette to a musical instrument!

[@myjanny82]

Thunderbirds forever.... Thank you Gerry..

[@paulmoy9736]

It's about time that the Thunderbird programmes were re-run again for the latest group of young children to amaze at.

[@jfsebastian283]

Super cool doc! Love all those puppet shows. Looking back, it was almost the equivalent of watching adults play with toys. Only they had a budget which included pyrotechnics...

[@postmanpat6]

Thanks so much for posting this broadcast. I love your work on the video. I hope it receives the recognition it deserves. Very well done. RIP Gerry

[@cessnaace]

I've been an Anderson fan for several decades now. I'm currently re-watching Space Precinct, and watching Terrahawks for the first time. Recently I watched The Lost Worlds of Gerry Anderson, which included The Investigator, Space Police, and The Day After Tomorrow. After I finish watching Terrahawks on DVD I will move on to The Secret Service. Great stuff. :)

[@Barracuda48082]

This would be a grand thing for Time Life to look into..tho nothing like oldies music but being in my 60's..I grew up on this stuff . black and white Arvin tube set with the doors to close after every night show, or the National Anthem and the test pattern at the end before static of no signal.

[@cessnaace]

@@Barracuda48082 Episode One has been posted on the Century 21 Films channel called "Nebula-75," filmed in Supermarionation and Superisolation. Plus there's the new "Kate Kestrel And The Terrahawks" in the works.

[@RugbyLeagueisbest]

Here was a man who was stuck in a traffic jam due to road resurfacing and came up with a Thunderbirds story! He had such a vivid imagination and IMO a wicked sense of humour. The best part about all GA's programmes was the SFX improved from Torchy right up to Space 1999 (rubbish show though). The teams he had have gone to greater things so the whole entertainment industry owes GA and his teams a big thank you. You wouldn't have today the SFX that he and his fellow pioneers created.

[@Admitos]

really amazing work...Respect to all tv workers !!!!!!!!!!! greetings from Hellas

[@danielmcfall4106]

When i hear the thunderbirds theme it just makes me smile ...and remember FAB

[@fireballxl-5748]

For those who don't know....FAB = Full Acknowledgement of Broadcast

[@FlashBlazbo]

Big Thank You to Aimi B. This brought back SO MANY memories. My earliest recollections of sci-fi marionette productions were Planet Patrol and Supercar. Eventually, I watched whatever I could receive on a pair of rabbit ears. :-)

[@Barracuda48082]

ha..I demanded my dad put a bigger antenna up so I could pick up Ontario, Canada from Michigan..running up to the attic..turning the antenna to a better reception..marked the clamp and pole..science man. As the internet boom began, aol was search spit..I began seeking soundtracks first..then clips and finally full episodes online from everywhere to download..way before DRM. I was a hog..never shared, just memorized everything I could play back

[@m1ian]

Just came across this. Very well put together and enjoyable.

[@fireballxl-5748]

Fireball XL-5 had the best theme song and Thunderbirds Are Go! was the best of all. Wonderfully detailed sets and great stories and great, I should say "super" marionation.

[@marceloribeirobarros]

AMAZING EVER ! Congratulations from one great Brazilian Thunderbirds Fan ! Thunderbirds forever ! Thanks Mr Gerry Anderson !

[@zemog9715]

WERE CAN I GET MY OWN G ANDERSON DOLLS. IM 63 And GREW UP WATCHING THUNDERBIRDS , FIREBALL XL5, SUPER CAR. WHAT A GREAT LEGACY FOR ALL GENERATIONS TO COME . GOD BLESS You JERRY A AND ALL THOSE WHO WORKED ON THE SHOW .

[@jamessullivan1714]

RIP Sylvia Anderson. I used to love this show!

[@michaela.mccracken4461]

RIP Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. I love this show and others too.

[@michaela.mccracken4461]

R.I.P. Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. I love their show, and tons others, too

[@michaela.mccracken4461]

R.I.P. Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. I love their show, and tons of others, too.

[@scoobycarr5558]

Sylvia had the iconic voice of Lady Penelope. To me Penelope is the Sherlock Holmes of Thunderbirds. Even though she is only a puppet!

[@ZedTee190]

Dwarfer Aimi - you have created a masterpiece of childhood memories, and a fitting tribute to Gerry Anderson and his work. Fantastic job you've done, thank you!

[@myriaddsystems]

Very high standard presentation, in fact, World Class!

[@KRYPTOS_K5]

Wonderful. A 3D real world using puppets or whatever is a better world including its fiction and its own sci-fi which are also better than today. Thanks to a less crowded and simpler material and local familial world. Thank you Mr Thunder Bird wherever you are. Thank you Gerry. Added: in fact, we need to praise all that amazing British (and Anglophone staff) team of creative co-workers from the original script to the voices, the special effects, symphonics, English bands, sound engineers, camera men and much much more. It could be called local high culture. It means an entire tied social and cognitive context of creative men (humanity). PS. One of the most extraordinary characteristics of the super marionette is (as observed in social philosophy for instance by R. Barthes applied to other creative situations) the presence of the old Greek idea of meta representation: "Salvamento Internacional" ie Thunderbirds Are Go is an explicit parody (like theatrical wrestling) of reality which embeds the deepest and simplest instincts of our souls naturally. So it makes us feel, say, about father, brothers, family, space flight, bravery, machines, villain (the enemy), the unknown, monsters, animals, etc etc more readily and promptly even without any type of associated explicit or implicit political goal like we commonly watch on classic greek parodies or mythical narratives. Regards from Brazil. And yes, even here in Brazil I had to had a plastic toy called the "Thunderbird island" in my childhood. And it was a tremendous and powerful Island which made me wished upon to be a typical "American" in that jumblie Island of "pilots, millionaires and astronauts". Including a strange smart guy with huuuuuge glasses on his face. GRIN

[@jameslatimer1432]

Great video Thunderbirds should be back on TV every day 100%

[@mvnorsel6354]

How much joy he gave the world, and still does. My favourite " Sun Probe" .

[@raysharp7695]

bob monkhouse voice of captain paul travers in thunderbirds are go, gerry anderson two masters gone to the man in the sky!

[@moodyguymick]

Brad Newman.

[@trevorgwelch7412]

A Great British Program With Great American Voices

[@karitahannikainen4734]

GENIOUS WORK! ❤,THANK YOU! Will save for later viewing. Was a kiddo when this on!@@!!! Love!

[@EveAla]

Thank you, Mr. Anderson!! Your work transcends television...you exposed previous generations to a cosmic-globalized character ethic.... YOu are the Gene Roddenberry of youth culture--worldwide!!! Plus your work serves as a globalized time capsule that humans continue to return to.....BRAVO!!!! to you for your life's work & legacy!!!! One that will be hard to follow

[@berendharmsen]

Nicely done! I found myself on a KZbin 'Gerry Anderson' hunt, and this was the nicest find yet. Nice work on the video. I didn't figure out until fairly late that the video was added later.

[@1flyingdutchman1]

This is timles and unique. I still love the shows. Thunderbirds are go with puppets are still verry good series. No computer anemation can compare that. The music explotions and vehicles 60 future style are unique. I wish the future would by like that!!!

[@DionysiusTW]

If I hadn't read your description, I would have assumed that this was an actual TV documentary. Great work!

[@johnbockelie3899]

I watched all of this when I was a kid.

[@lazchurchyard1229]

I think the great appeal of the marionettes was that a child could have a doll or figure, and almost accurately re-create a scene, or create new ones that still would "work". This is an appealing form of play that you can't really get with traditional or 3D animation, or live action.

[@dennisjansson6239]

Thunderbirds is AWSOME & i have ALWAYS LOVED Thunderbirds ever since TV4 aired it on Sweden with swedish voices. And International Rescue was called "Thunderbirdpatrullen" instead, wich means "Thunderbirdpatrol" in swedish wich i think is fitting. Thunderbirds & Gerry & Sylvia Anderson SHOULD be inducted to the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame on the Museum of Pop Culture. 💙💚❤💛🖤

[@TroyTempest63]

Excellent work & a fabulous tribute to the legendary Gerry Anderson.

[@stephenborsbey3864]

thanks for that. nice to see barry gray and joe 90 get mentioned.

[@markthompson50]

Bloody excellent editing of video over what was an original broadcast from a Radio show. Enjoyed it.

[@Barracuda48082]

😷 tears of joy. only our generation of boomers had the greatest shows..people had class and respect after being part of a war, we knew limits, had common sense and everyone could relate to each other. Work was pride, not price. You could say good morning to a neighbor in your pajamas, sipping a coffee at 5 am before dawn..and get one in return..no snide remarks . All be well..

[@soppdrake]

Just sat through this, totally enthralled. Magnificent job! Though never a member of Fanderson, I completely understand you people - there is something about this body of work which is extraordinary in the way it reached out and grabbed one's imagination. I grew up on these shows, my Mum said I loved Four Feather Falls and she even said I saw Twizzle, and I do remember watching Torchy (but they must have been repeats, surely). But I was absolutely hooked in from Fireball XL5 and onwards. Boy, was that something. I even remember seeing a teaser photo with a picture of a submarine craft with the words "Stingray - coming soon!". I had no idea what that was, but I was soon to find out! Thanks for the upload. Wonderful stuff.

[@breernancy]

Motivated my interest in science and engineering

[@GN007TRUST]

I didn't know I needed this until I saw it! Thank you for uploading the craft of my childhood! :D

[@mrprogjazzgto]

Comet is showing this now... This is so funny that I remember watching this back in the 1960s

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

Sorry, but if you didn't see this in the '60s as a kid, believing that "anything can happen in the next half hour," well, y'all missed out. Captain Scarlet, Thunderbirds, even UFO (the pinnacle of Gerry Anderson), just unbelievable.