Thunderbirds Are Go!

No, not the Seattle Thunderbirds. No, not the Air Force Thunderbirds either! HERE is/are the Thunderbirds I refer to! I just watched an episode for the first time in many years. Oh, the memories! I never knew about the 2004 movie! It completely went under my radar! I LOVE exclamation marks!

Anyway, what fun. Filmed in Videcolor and Supermarionation in the 60's, this is a tv show I used to watch as a kid either in the late 60's or 70's. Today I saw episode 1 for the first time in my life. I saw the newly formed Thunderbird International Rescue team / members dispatched to save the day for the first time. Loved the launch of the aircraft from under the secret movable swimming pool (of course) at the luxurious, remote island location.

Thunderbird International Rescue DID save the day by removing the "Auto-Bomb Explosive Unit" from the landing gear of the revolutionary Fireflash passenger transport aircraft. Remember? It's the one that could fly at mach 6.

I used to watch random episodes but never saw this premier show, nor, I think, episodes 2 or 3 which were also on disc 1.

The occasional insertion of real-world footage and scenery adds an interesting (and hilarious) touch to this show about the team that "answers calls for help from around the world and beyond."

Among other identifiable models (ha! Get it? Models?!) such as Jaguars and General Motors cars, Ford Thunderbirds were used when specific civilian drivers were featured in an episode.

The retro-futuristic episodes include manual typewriters, smoky vehicle exhaust and audio clips of existing (or formerly existing) mechanical equipment and machinery.

There were a number of quotable lines in these first 3 episodes but the last one in episode 3 is the only one I bothered to document:
"These International Rescue boys sure have some great equipment."

Oh, come on...

So, in watching the special features on the DVD, I was made aware of a previous Supermarionation series by the same creator called Stingray. Now I have to check that out as well. I don't remember it specifically but I'm wondering if an episode or 2 will remind me that I've watched it before. I can't wait!

PS - I might have to update my Netflix subscription plan since the library doesn't seem to carry these movies! My queue is filling up fast. Drat!!
Ah, sweet - the King County Library System does have the Thunderbirds, if not the Stingray series. Woo!

Speaking of which...