Space Patrol: Series OneA Overview The second 'series' of Space Patrol started well, with a classic in The Planet Of Thought. It then languished in stories that had good ideas but rather weak stories (The Glowing Eggs Of Titan, Time Stands Still and The Walking Lake Of Jupiter) before picking up and providing several of the series' best episodes. Having earmarked each of the major planets, this series saw moons such as Titan and Ganymede providing locations, and the first visitors from other star systems. This tendency to keep introducing new elements, rather than expand on aspects already seen, detracted a little from the format but no-one could deny that the ideas were still coming strong. Starting with The New Planet were five episodes that represent the peak of the series, with The Invisible Invasion matching the earlier Robot Revolution as another classic. Flanked by two superb episodes on either side, we see the educational, moral and dramatic pinnacles the series could reach fulfilled. Regrettably, the last two episodes see a down turn to just 'above average' and it was to mark a beginning of a change in fortune for the series. Reproduced here are the programme details from the London region of TVTimes: The Planet Of Thought November 7 1963 - 5.25 pm It is a disastrous day for Col. Raeburn when Tyro, the leader of the planet Neptune, persuades Raeburn’s secretary, Marla, to go to Neptune with him. The Colonel does not believe she has gone of her own free will and gives Dart the task of bringing her back. The Glowing Eggs Of Titan November 14 1963 - 5.25 pm When Dart and his crew make an emergency landing on Titan to repair their galasphere, they make a curious and far-reaching discovery. The Planet Of Light November 21 1963 - 5.25 pm Dart and Slim visit Lumen, a planet with no oxygen in its atmosphere. The Earth men need oxygen to survive but the gas means death to the people of Lumen Time Stands Still November 28 1963 - 5.25 pm Professor Haggarty has invented a special watch, which he thinks will have great value in the field of education. Larry Dart finds a very different use for it. Husky Becomes Invisible December 5 1963 - 5.25 pm Husky, visiting Mars with Larry Dart, becomes invisible through an accident. This proves of great value, but Husky does not want to be invisible for ever, and there seems to be no prospect of him returning to his normal state. The Walking Lake Of Jupiter December 12 1963 - 5.25 pm One of the lakes on Jupiter is found to contain water with extraordinary properties. This is of great interest to the scientists, but from being a matter of interest the water soon turns to being a matter of deadly peril to the planet. The New Planet December 19 1963 - 5.25 pm When Galasphere 347 goes off course into Deep Space all hope is given up for the safety of its crew. Dart and Husky cannot be aroused from their coma, but when a comet crashes into them they awake in time to find they are approaching a strange and undiscovered planet - a planet full of excitement and danger.. The Human Fish December 26 1963 - 5.20 pm Dart and his crew are sent to Venus to investigate fish who have become almost human in their behaviour The Invisible Invasion January 2 1964 - 5.25 pm While Dart and his crew are orbiting around Uranus, Husky sees a light on the planet which they learn is coming from the headquarters of the Duos, strange beings who inhabit the very heart of Uranus. The Duos, however, are in search of a less unpleasant atmosphere and decide to conquer Earth. How Dart and Husky helps to save Earth from their strange power is seen in today’s exciting story. The Talking Bell January 9 1964 - 5.25 pm Colonel Raeburn and Haggarty are on a hunting expedition when Raeburn shoots down an object shaped like a bell. Although not a human being, the bell has a voice and proves to be very intelligent, especially when Dart is buried in a cave without food and water. The Buried Space Ship January 16 1964 - 5.25 pm Col. Raeburn receives a message from Mars and learns that, as a result of terrible dust storms, the drought on the planet is getting worse. OPERATION ICE CUBE is put into action, but when Dart and his crew are forced to land on Pluto, the frozen planet, the Galasphere slides down into a crevasse among the ice and things look bad for Larry, Husky and Slim Message From A Star January 23 1964 - 5.25 pm No one believes Professor Zeffer when he tells them that he has picked up a message from Alpha Centauri, the nearest Star to our solar system. But when a strange being lands on Earth, it seems that the Professor’s story is not so fantastic. Explosion On the Sun January 30 1964 - 5.25 pm Colonel Raeburn is faced with a dangerous situation when a would-be dictator sets himself up on the satellite Ganymede and begins to interfere with the sun. Series OneA Production Characteristics • The National Interest Picture Productions ident before the opening titles on most episodes. • All regular puppets now seem standard and refined, with moving eyes (bar Slim and Marla). • Marla's hairstyle is curled in at the bottom and her fringe is neater. • The communication device on Raeburn's desk is a cylindrical lamp, which Marla also has. • The monitor screen in Raeburn's office is circular, as are most others seen from this point. • The Galasphere Control Room has an opaque walkway. • The backs of the Galasphere chairs are rounded off. • Husky's chair no longer has a slot - simply two holes. One is for when he is facing his console, the other for when he is moving onto the walkway. • More use of animations for space effects shots. • The hoverjets have a rim of metallic half-spheres. • The crew wear oxygen tanks along with their molungs. • There is new footage of the freezer unit dispensing mist. • Additional credits for Dubbing Editor, Recordist and 2nd Unit (bar The Planet Of Thought)