Space Patrol: Series One Overview Space Patrol started very well, weaving a beautifully conceived world (or worlds) with dynamic enthusiasm and even allowing some sequels to episodes. Some episodes fall a little flat (The Shrinking Spaceman & The Forgers have little to offer ideas wise) but on the whole, one can see the series grabbing the imagination of children, and holding it, very quickly. The extrapolation of facts about planets, plus the technical concepts such as the molung and elektran, are well conceived. Between them, The Swamps Of Jupiter and The Wandering Asteroid introduce the main characters, though at the expense of truly involving stories. It is Husky who comes over the strongest in the shortest space of time, incensed at his fellow Martians' crimes and concerned over the threat to his capitol, and it is no wonder he is often the best remembered of the crew. Introduced in The Wandering Asteroid, Professor Haggarty also provides a more interesting character in the tradition of dotty brilliant scientists, to counterpoint the more serious and straightforward staff of the Space Patrol itself. His counterpart on Mars, Professor Zeffer, also makes his debut here and would provide further variety, as well as plot devices, at other points throughout the series. The Slaves Of Neptune is the last 'introductory' episode for the main characters and gave us the series quirkiest and well remembered aspect in the shape of Martian parrot Gabbler. If there is one failing with the first thirteen episodes, it is that 2100 becomes a little 'crowded' event-wise, with three outer worlds making first contact for the first time. But the desire was to educate and for story telling purposes, one can at least understand why. This is at least balanced by the matter of factual landings on known or explored worlds like Mercury or the Moon. Standing out from the above average level of stories are The Slaves Of Neptune and The Robot Revolution. Both are dynamic and packed, losing the stock footage which defines the less well developed stories, which may had to have been filmed early on with less sets, puppets and resources available. The majority of the stories are above average, suggesting an enthusiasm and clear direction behind the scenes that defies the limitations of the production and budget. Reproduced here are the programme details from the London region of TVTimes: The Swamps Of Jupiter October 31 1963 - 5.25 pm Dart and his crew, seeking a lost party of scientists on Jupiter, come upon a band of criminals who are killing numbers of Lumis, the only wild animals on the planet. The Wandering Asteroid July 5 1963 - 5.25 pm An asteroid has been deflected from its orbit and is heading straight for the capital of Mars. Colonel Raeburn, Head of SPACE PATROL, gives Larry Dart an almost impossible assignment - to destroy the asteroid. The Dark Planet July 12 1963 - 5.25 pm Lary [sic] Dart and his Galasphere crew have an exciting and and dangerous time when they are sent to bring home one of the mysterious plants of Uranus.. The Slaves Of Neptune July 19 1963 - 5.25 pm Three space ships have disappeared mysteriously and Dart is instructed to investigate the matter. He and his crew soon find themselves in the grip of strange forces. Fires Of Mercury July 25 1963 - 5.25 pm When a planet becomes too cold to support life, something must be done quickly if the inhabitants are to survive. Space Patrol is given the task of solving such a problem. The Shrinking Spaceman August 1 1963 - 5.25 pm While Larry Dart and his crew are visiting the asteroid Pallas, Husky cuts his finger on a meteorite fragment. On returning to Earth the unfortunate Martian contracts an unheard of disease and begins to shrink Robot Revolution August 8 1963 - 5.25 pm In the depths of the Atlantic are underwater farms, manned by robot workers which obey the commands of men at all times - at least they do until a disaster occurs. The Cloud Of Death August 15 1963 - 5.25 pm In the year 2100 the weather is strictly controlled, so there is dismay at Space Headquarters when the sun is blotted out by a cloud which should not be there. It can only have been put there with evil intent. The Rings Of Saturn August 22 1963 - 5.25 pm No one from Earth has penetrated the mysterious flashing rings of Saturn, yet this is what Dart and his crew set out to attempt. Volcanoes Of Venus October 3 1963 - 5.25 pm Slim is sent to Venus to investigate a mysterious disease which is paralysing the population. He finds a serious and highly dangerous state of affairs on the planet. Mystery On The Moon October 10 1963 - 5.25 pm When Colonel Raeburn finds that criminals on the moon are operating a Lazer [sic] gun against Earth he sends Dart to investigate. The Patrol Captain has a disturbing report to make on his return. The Miracle Tree Of Saturn October 17 1963 - 5.25 pm The Earth’s food supplies are in danger when an unknown fungus is found to be destroying all plant life. It is thought that leaves from a tree on Saturn will help to avert disaster and Dart is sent to collect them. The mission turns out in an unexpected way The Forgers October 24 1963 - 5.25 pm Colonel Raeburn is trying hard to locate a gang of forgers which is flooding Earth with counterfeit notes. Without knowing it, Husky stumbles on a clue and leads the crew of Galasphere 347 into strange adventures on Mars Series One Production Characteristics • None of the Series One episodes appear to have the National Interest Picture Productions ident. • The early episodes have slightly different characters for the title captions - the O is more horseshoe shaped, and the S has a less defined 'tail'. • Early, less refined versions of the puppets: • A heavy lidded blinker puppet of Larry Dart in early scenes • Husky (only in some early footage) is far simpler in appearance • Slim is also rougher, with darker lips and larger eyes • The eyes on the Raeburn puppet do not seem to move • Marla's hairstyle is flicked out at the bottom. Most publicity shots show this style. • Variable versions of the opening theme. • The Galasphere Control Room has a transparent walkway. It starts off spotless but gets progressively dirtier throughout the production block. • The backs of the Galasphere chairs are square or only slightly rounded. • Husky's chair appears to run along a slot like Dart's and Slim's, though this is non functional and merely a painted stripe. • The communication device on Raeburn's desk is a small radar dish, while Marla has nothing. Raeburn's dish also changes size, with a smaller one apparent in cutaway shots which we feel were towards the end of the block. • The shape of the monitor screen in Raeburn's office, and most others seen, is square. • A much smaller Galasphere miniature is evident in model shots. This would appear to be the first built, and it is the one that is seen launching from Space Headquarters. • The hoverjets have a rim of metallic half-spheres. • The molungs are self contained helmets. • Scenes near the vacuum door show a black wire wrapped around one of the supporting uprights, seen to be used in stories such as The Cloud Of Death and Volcanoes Of Venus. • Fewer end title credits.