Thunderbirds - To The Rescue

Product Information

While magnetic tape does still have its uses in the computing world, it has nowhere near the level of ubiquity it enjoys in Thunderbirds.

Continuity Nod: Several projects and vehicles, such as the Fireflash atomic powered airliner and the Sunprobe project, as well as characters involved in those projects, turn up more than once and reference the previous encounters. Not surprising really, they did still have the models after all.

Collection

Character Title: Let's face it, the Thunderbird machines are just as much characters in the show as the puppets themselves. Restricted Rescue Operation: The show runs on this trope, as the titular craft are designed specifically for rescue. Despite really specific equipment, expect a lot to go wrong, forcing an out-of-the-box solutions. Also, International Rescue must operate under strict secrecy, as they do not wish their technology to fall into the wrong hands. Thunderbirds debuted in September 1965 on the ITV network. The series was exported to around 30 countries during the 1960s. Periodically repeated, it was adapted for radio in the 1990s and has influenced many TV programmes and other media. Besides tie-in merchandise, the series has been followed by two feature film sequels – Thunderbirds Are Go and Thunderbird 6 – as well as an anime adaptation, a mime theatre show and a live-action film. A remake series premiered in 2015; the same year, three new episodes, based on tie-in audio plays and made using the same techniques as the original series, were created to mark its 50th anniversary. He Who Must Not Be Seen: In 30 Minutes After Noon, the main villain is not seen, and communicates with his subordinates by radio. There is also a brief scene where three British agents are discussing infiltrating the mission; we do not see the men, only their hats on the stand.

Later on, Tin-Tin and Brains visit Professor Blakely in the hospital, and he seems OK. Now that the world knows about their discoveries at Lake Anasta, Tin-Tin asks him how he feels about being a celebrity. He seems to take it in his stride, but then asks how the two of them are fixed up over the next few months. He has a new expedition planned already - some treasure lost in a sunken ship off the Caribbean, 400 years ago... As well as Jeff Tracy, English-Canadian actor Peter Dyneley voiced the recurring character of Commander Norman, chief of air traffic control at London International Airport. His supporting character voices were typically those of upper-class Englishmen. [83] Shane Rimmer, the voice of Scott, was cast on the strength of his performance on the BBC soap opera Compact. [86] Meanwhile, fellow Canadian Matt Zimmerman was selected at a late stage in the process. [83] The expatriate West End actor was given the role of Alan on the recommendation of his friend, Holliday: "They were having great difficulty casting the part of Alan as they wanted a certain sound for him, being the youngest brother. David, who [was] a bit older than I am, told them that he had this friend, me, who would be great." [98]

Costume Copycat: This happens in the "The Impostors". Two men pose as International Rescue, having copied the uniform, so they can commit crimes for which International Rescue will be blamed. Character Voices: John Belucci, Earl Hammond, Keith Mandell, Alexander Marshall, Lucy Martin [episodes 1-24]; Laura Dean [episodes 8, 15]; Maia Danziger [episodes 16, 18, 19, 20, 21]

A promising visit to Vancouver turns into a fight for survival, when the Science Minister and his crew become trapped within Metal City. The domed compound is under the control of Metal Head, an experimental 'living' computer forged from a portion of Dr. Budd's mind. The Thunderbird team must put their ingenuity to the test and find a way to bypass Metal Head's massive Droid army and rescue the hostages. In Terror in New York City, Ned and Joe are trapped underground in a cave which is slowly filling with water from an underground river. Although breathing apparatus is passed down to them from above, the tension rises as they wonder if they will be rescued before the air runs out. Not only that, but buildings above them are collapsing, which might cause the roof to cave in. Obstructive Code of Conduct: IR's policy of strict secrecy concerning their equipment when the Tracy family could possibly save thousands of lives, not mention make a spectacular profit, by licensing out the designs of their Thunderbird vehicles to the various nations and organisations wanting to augment their own emergency response forces. Presumably, this is to keep IR's equipment unique and the plot complication of keeping that secrecy. Although it's also stated that IR's technology could be used for destruction if it fell into the wrong hands.Off-Model: The Thunderbird craft in the Comic-Book Adaptation only vaguely resemble the models seen on screen. One wonders if the artist had seen an episode of Thunderbirds once and was trying to do it from memory. Cast Full of Rich People: Jeff is a billionaire, and he and his family are the focal characters, living in the lap of luxury on a private South Pacific island. The main secondary character is Lady Penelope, who downplays her wealth, yet still lives in an English stately manor with an awful lot of works of art and jewellery. In the interest of transatlantic appeal, it was decided that the main characters would be mostly American and therefore actors capable of producing an appropriate accent were used. [28] [38] British, Canadian and Australian actors formed most of the voice cast; the only American involved was stage actor David Holliday, who was noticed in London's West End and given the part of Virgil Tracy. [83] [86] [87] Following the completion of the first series, Holliday returned to the US. The character was voiced by English actor Jeremy Wilkin for Thunderbirds Are Go, Series Two and Thunderbird 6. [88] Big Anime Eyes: Due to the limits of the Supermarionation technology at the time, the puppets had heads that were disproportionately large with exaggerated facial features, including this trope. This turned out to be a good thing: when they developed the ability to use realistically-proportioned puppets for Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, they found that the smaller eyes were far less emotive, and went for a middle ground in Joe 90. Trailers Always Spoil: Every episode begins with a brief preview montage, essentially summarising the episode you are about to watch.

But then, the Hood moves in - declaring he'll destroy International Rescue, and then get the treasure - and fires a salvo of torpedoes at TB4... It often happens that rescuees and officials call them by their surname, so they're not secret about that, either; The recurring villain, The Hood, was never named in dialogue or credits in the original TV episodes, only in publicity materials. That plan, however, goes haywire when the Hood sees that International Rescue have arrived. Scott circles the lake, but doesn't see signs of anything amiss; the caravans are there, but with no signs of life. TB2 is about 2-and-a-half minutes away, when Scott says he can see Brains - and he's been buried in the sand! He tells his father he's going down to land. The Hood observes TB1 touching down, but he still believes he can get that treasure - and he'll destroy International Rescue, as well...General Starcrusher's spies have infiltrated the top secret X-15 project hidden behind Niagara Falls, with intent to lure IRO to the scene and steal their fabulous Thunderbird craft. Colour-Coded for Your Convenience:... or at least, to look stunning on your new colour TV. The flagship vehicles of International Rescue each have a bold, unique colour scheme: Seeking to distinguish his proposal from APF's earlier productions, Anderson attempted to pitch the stories at a level that would appeal to both adults and children. Whereas previous series had been broadcast in late-afternoon children's timeslots, Anderson wanted Thunderbirds to be shown during the evening to attract a broader family audience. [28] Sylvia remembers that "our market had grown and a 'kidult' show... was the next step." [29] The Andersons retired to their holiday villa in Portugal to expand the premise, script the pilot episode and compose a writers' guide. [28] [30] According to Sylvia, the writing process depended on a "division of labour", whereby Gerry created the action sequences while she managed characterisation. [30] The decision to make a father and his sons the main characters was influenced by the premise of Bonanza, as well as Sylvia's belief that the use of more than one heroic character would broaden the series' appeal. [31] [32] The Tracy brothers were named after Mercury Seven astronauts: Scott Carpenter, John Glenn, Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Gordon Cooper and Alan Shepard. [33]