Anderson FAQ #32--Books On Anderson Productions

32. Are there any official sources of information (books, etc.) on Anderson productions?

Several. Boxtree Publications has produced a series of behind-the-scenes books for STINGRAY, THUNDERBIRDS, SCARLET, and UFO/SPACE:1999 that are very good resources for the Anderson fan, though many have pointed out serious inaccuracies in the UFO/SPACE:1999 book; the three books on the Supermarionation series are now available in one volume, SUPERMARIONATION CLASSICS. The late Derek Meddings, designer of the F/X for almost all the 60's Anderson series as well as the first BATMAN movie, the SUPERMAN movies, and LIVE AND LET DIE, has written a book entitled 21ST CENTURY VISIONS, which details much of the magic of the model work in such series as THUNDERBIRDS, SCARLET, and UFO. The late Simon Archer's FAB FACTS, despite flaws, is considered the bible of Supermarionation and Gerry Anderson trivia. John Peel's THUNDERBIRDS-STINGRAY-CAPTAIN SCARLET:THE AUTHORISED PROGRAM GUIDE is a passible quick reference to the Supermarionation series with error-prone episode guides and decent background on the development of the Supermarionation art; the book has a strong THUNDERBIRDS bias and gives only superficial treatment to SUPERCAR, FIREBALL XL5, JOE 90, and THE SECRET SERVICE. Sylvia Anderson's autobiography YES, M'LADY is also considered a definitive source of information on Anderson productions. There are also tie-in books ("annuals") for most of the Anderson puppet shows available, mostly through rare book stores and specialty merchandisers, and some shows (SCARLET, THUNDERBIRDS) have story books for children available.

For the model builder, there are two modeling magazines that publish material about the Anderson models frequently. To find out more about these magazines, send a SASE or SAE and two IRCs to:

SCIENCE FICTION MODELER
Greg Martin, Publisher
15 Bovey Street
North Mackay, Queensland
4740
AUSTRALIA
mred@ozemail.com.au

SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY MODELER
Mike Recchia, Publisher
57 Lynwood Avenue
Clayton LeMoors
Near Accrington
Lancashire
BB5-5RR
UNITED KINGDOM

Japanese merchandising of Andersonalia is extensive. SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY MODELER writer Marc Frattasio lists the following books (written for the most part in Japanese) as "superb" sources:

GERRY ANDERSON AND THUNDERBIRDS by Asahi-Sonorama
THUNDERBIRDS BEST BOOK by Media Books
UFO SUPERGUIDE by Byakuya
THUNDERBIRDS SUPERGUIDE by Byakuya
THUNDERBIRDS AND ITC MACHINE LIBRARY by Dainihon
ITS THUNDERBIRDS CENTURY MODELING MANUAL by Dainihon
ITS THUNDERBIRDS CENTURY PERFECT MODELING MANUAL by Dainihon
THUNDERBIRDS THE OFFICIAL EDITION (actually the Japanese version of an English Gerry Anderson episode guide book by Boxtree)
THUNDERBIRDS AND INTERNATIONAL RESCUE by Model Art
THUNDERBIRDS ENTERTAINMENT BIBLE #1 by Bandai
THUNDERBIRDS ENTERTAINMENT BIBLE #2 by Bandai
THUNDERBIRDS ENCYCLOPEDIA by Mook

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