McQualude
Member: Rank 3
Space Patrol (known as Planet Patrol in the US), was a wonderful kids program created by Roberta Leigh, a protege of Gerry Anderson, from the early sixties that used marionettes. What really strikes me about this all but forgotten program is how influential it seems to have been on Star Trek. From the first episode you can see how Gene Roddenberry must have been influenced: the aggressive and masculine Martians with their high foreheads and voracious appetites are certainly forerunners of the Klingons while the elfin, unemotional, vegetarian and logical Venusians must have been inspirational in the creation of the Vulcans. 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.
It aired from 1963-68. Always loved the robot pacing back and forth. How they "put on the brakes" to keep from ramming into Jupiter. And Colonel Raeburn looks like Larry Tate from Bewitched. The whole series is on Youtube, search for planet patrol.
"With alacrity sir!"
It aired from 1963-68. Always loved the robot pacing back and forth. How they "put on the brakes" to keep from ramming into Jupiter. And Colonel Raeburn looks like Larry Tate from Bewitched. The whole series is on Youtube, search for planet patrol.
"With alacrity sir!"