The Gerry Anderson Frequently Asked Questions List

(Version 2.1)

Compiled By Kimberly Murphy-Smith

(kamurphy@ix.netcom.com)

Here are the answers to some of the more frequently asked questions by Gerry Anderson fans in print and on internet. I have attempted to compile a reasonably complete first primer for the new Anderson fan as well as a list of interesting trivia points for long-time Anderson devotees. Comments, corrections, additions, etc., are welcome.

Please address all correspondence to Kimberly Murphy-Smith: 

e-mail:        kamurphy@ix.netcom.com
snail mail:    9530 Canterbury Riding
               Laurel, Maryland 20723 USA

WHAT'S NEW IN THIS VERSION:

Grateful acknowledgement is given to Stephen Banks, Steve Beverly, Katie Bleathman, Terry Bowers, Ron DeMedeiros, Mike Dennison, Marc Frattasio, Jeffrey Kaplan, Lorrie Marchini, Marc Martin, Bob Neumann, J. Lester Novros II, Bernice Russell, Michael Troncoso, Ande Tucker, Helen Weber, and Simon Wickes for their invaluable assistance in researching and producing this FAQ. Special thanks to my evil twin (Mysteron clone?) Mary J. Rudy for first introducing me to CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS and reawakening my interest in Anderson fandom through generous gifts of books, magazines, and stories, many of which were also used in preparing this FAQ.

Copyright 1997 by Kimberly Murphy-Smith (kamurphy@ix.netcom.com). This archive may be freely copied and distributed as long as it is not altered or used for profit without express written consent of the author.

  1. Who is Gerry Anderson?
  2. What shows has he produced?
  3. Have any of them been on networks in the U.S.?
  4. Which of the Anderson shows is the most popular?
  5. Why was THUNDERBIRDS cut to a half-hour for its 1994 run on FOX?
  6. Why was David Holliday replaced with Jeremy Wilkin as the voice of Virgil Tracy for the last six episodes of THUNDERBIRDS?
  7. Most Anderson shows have a vocal theme of some sort. Wasn't there one planned for THUNDERBIRDS that wasn't used?
  8. I remember lots of video movies based on Anderson shows. Were these new films?
  9. What is Supermarionation?
  10. The puppets look different between THUNDERBIRDS and CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS. What happened?
  11. What does "F.A.B." stand for?
  12. What other commonly-used acronyms are there in Anderson productions?
  13. Is it true that STINGRAY's Marina the Mermaid was modeled after Sylvia Anderson?
  14. Sylvia Anderson suddenly stopped appearing in the credits of SPACE:1999. What happened?
  15. Captain Scarlet's voice sounds just like Cary Grant. Intentional?
  16. I thought I heard the voice of FIREBALL XL5's Steve Zodiac coming out of the World President's mouth in CAPTAIN SCARLET. Did I?
  17. Wasn't Patrick McGoohan supposed to be in CAPTAIN SCARLET?
  18. Wasn't CAPTAIN SCARLET recently called a "racist" show?
  19. Commander Straker in UFO looks and sounds an awful lot like Captain Blue in CAPTAIN SCARLET. Coincidence?
  20. What's the deal with the purple wigs in UFO?
  21. Wasn't the puppet for JOE 90's Sam Loover in another Anderson production?
  22. THE SECRET SERVICE's Father Stanley Unwin was played by British comedian Stanley Unwin. Coincidental names?
  23. Has Gerry Anderson ever done a voice for a character in his own shows?
  24. Which Anderson show had the most episodes?
  25. Which Anderson regular has done the most with him?
  26. Didn't Gene Roddenberry produce the second season of SPACE:1999?
  27. Why does the second season of SPACE:1999 look so different from the first?
  28. Didn't I see THUNDERBIRDS on MTV a few years back?
  29. Those writers' names in the TERRAHAWKS credits look made up. Are they?
  30. I thought I saw a pilot for SPACE PRECINCT with a different cast. What happened?
  31. Do any of the puppets, vehicles, etc., from the earlier series still exist?
  32. Are there any official sources of information (books, etc.) on Anderson productions?
  33. Are there any fan clubs out there?
  34. What kind of Anderson fan fiction is available?
  35. How do I meet other Anderson fans on internet?
  36. Are there any Anderson-specific World Wide Web pages?
  37. How do I get the Anderson FAQ between postings?
  38. How do I get Anderson-specific merchandise?
Pick a question or go to Kimberly's Home Page

This page has been accessed times since 1 March 1996.

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Kimberly Murphy-Smith

9530 Canterbury Riding

Laurel, Maryland 20723 USA

kamurphy@ix.netcom.com