Gerry Anderson, creator of Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, UFO and Space: 1999 (among other shows) died today aged 83.Thunderbirds was a significant influence in my childhood interest in science fiction; it was a bright, optimistic show depicting a future full of extraordinary and wonderful machines (but very few people!).
Captain Scarlet was a far darker show, with the Mysterons, an alien race
probably based on Mars, waging a "cold war" against humanity because we
destroyed one of their Martian cities.
And UFO involved a secret organisation battling invading aliens with the help of hi-tech space-craft, set in... er... 1980. (ten years ahead when the show was made!)
Gerry Anderson forged much of my childhood image of the future. Rest in peace, Gerry - you will be remembered through your creations.
Gerry Anderson's influence spread through fandom far and wide -- Ed Straker and Col. Freeman later reappeared in Japan going by the names Gendou Ikari (as seen in his younger days) and Kozo Fuyutsuki; and in the second of the Evangelion remake films from 2009, the Eagle transporter is used to ferry the pair to a lunar base.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't noticed the similarity until now, but looking at images, particularly of Kozo, it's quite striking.
ReplyDeleteJust seen that the character designer for Evangelion expressly said he based Gendou and Kozo on Freeman and Straker.
Not seen the Evangelion remake, but the Eagle is such an iconic ship that it couldn't be accidental.