The Cast Of Space Patrol Dick Vosburgh - Captain Larry Dart The son of National Geographic Magazine editor Frederick G. Vosburgh, Dick Vosburgh was born on August 27, 1929 in New Jersey USA. He left home to study acting but after entertaining other prisoners-of-war at Stalag 17, Vosburgh began to contribute sketches for revues in London's West End. On the strength of this, he was assigned to script the first two series of The Braden Beat, only rarely returning to acting for cameos. "I was cast in a TV serial, as an obnoxious American comedian, very vulgar and un-funny." he recalled in a 1960s interview, "That was OK until I saw the cast-list. It read Dick Vosburgh as Himself!" Well known for his irrevent comedy scripts (and lyrics) for series such as The Illustrated Weekly Hudd (1967), At Last The 1948 Show (1967) & We Have Ways Of Making You Laugh (1968), Dick Vosburgh has also written for Dave Allen, Bob Monkhouse, Dickie Henderson and Ronnies Barker & Corbett. Above, left to right: Dick Vosburgh interviewed by Network Video, as he was in the 1960s, and on The Braden Beat. Comments by Dick Vosburgh can be read in Martin Hutchinson's comprehensive Cult TV feature. Selected Credits: • Happy Go Crazy (1954) ... Co-writer with David Climie • Closing Night (Sept. 1957) ... Co-presenter • Girls of the Latin Quarter (1959) ... Writer • The Braden Beat (ITV 1960-1965) ... Co-writer and Artist • Bresslaw & Friends (1961) ... Co-writer • Colonel Trumper's Private War (ITV Granada 1961) ... Co-writer with Bill Craig, Barry Took & Hugh Woodhouse • Paul Starr (Unseen Pilot Film 1964) ... Voice Artist • The Frost Report (BBC 1966) ... Co-writer • The Illustrated Weekly Hudd (BBC1 1966-67) ... Co-writer with Eric Davidson & Dave Freeman • At Last The 1948 Show (1967) • How to Irritate People (1968) ... Various • We Have Ways Of Making You Laugh (1968) ... Writer, Performer, Script-Editor • Monty Python's Flying Circus (BBC1 1969) 'Owl Stretching Time' ... as 'Van Der Burgh' • Don't Ask Us - We're New Here (BBC1 1969-70) ... Script Editor, Season 1 • Danny (LaRue) At The Palace (Stageshow, 1970) ... Co-writer w/ Barry Cryer • The Ronnie Barker Yearbook (BBC1 1971) ... Co-writer w/ Gerald Wiley (Ronnie Barker), Eric Idle, John Cleese, Graham Chapman • Ronnie Corbett In Bed (BBC1 1971) ... Co-writer w/ John Antrobus, Eric Idle, David Nobbs, Spike Mullins, Doug Fisher • The Two Ronnies (BBC1 1971) ... Co-writer • Tommy Cooper (ITV 1970s?) ... Writer & Script-editor • Carry On Laughing 'Orgy And Bess' (1975) ... Co-writer with Barry Cryer • I'm Bob, He's Dickie (ATV 1977-78) ... Co-writer with Garry Chambers & Bob Monkhouse • I'm Dickie - That's Showbusiness (ATV 1978) ... Co-writer with Garry Chambers • The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (CBS 1979) ... Voice of the Professor • Dave Allen (1981) ... Writer • Peter Cushing: A One-Way Ticket to Hollywood (1989) ... Interviewer • Strike It Rich (1990) ... Additional script contributions • Beertje Sebastian: De Geheime Opdracht (Sebastian, the cosmic bear) (199?) ... Voice Artist • Chuck Amuck: The Movie (1991) ... Narrator • We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story (1993) ... Voice Artist • A Saint She Ain't (Mucical Comedy/Theatre 1999) ... Writer • Damned If You Do (BBC Radio 2002) ... Writer • Tribute to Bob Hope (BBC Radio 2003) ... Writer/Presenter More recently, he has appeared with Denis King and Sarah Redmond in Beauty and The Beards (see above right), a fast-paced pocket revue with the accent very definitely on Laughter - "Hollywood, past and present... celebrity Hairpieces.. .The events of the day - It is All Grist To the mirthful mill of this wildly talented trio!" Ronnie Stevens - Slim, Husky, Professor Haggarty Born September 2nd 1930, Ronald Stevens (as he is sometimes credited) has carved an extraordinary and varied niche in character acting over fifty years. He attended the Camberwell School of Art and during the war served in the RAF and Royal Engineers. Subsequently he paid to train at PARADA. His first appearances were in revue, starting with Ad Lib in 1948, and Stevens was soon established as a valuable member of the revue guru Peter Myers' stable, with many acclaimed performances in the West End and around the country before making a more permanent move to film and television. As well as providing voices and singing songs for Roberta Leigh's earlier series Sara and Hoppity, Ronnie Stevens also narrated and voiced Noggin The Nog along with his friend Oliver Postgate, an experience he compares as "More comfortable, and less pressured." "Recording," he recalls in a recent interview, took place, "under a blanket in Roberta Leigh's attic - an improvised attempt to 'sound proof'," he adds. "Sometimes, before one had had a chance to read the script!" With further regard to the scripts, "There appeared to be only two plots! {Only} The circumstances changed." When asked about the fact that the original four cast members all had a grounding in comedy, he replied, "It was coincedence, but we did all get along extremely well." Did he have any comments for fans of the series? "They must have long memories!" Ronnie Stevens is also credited as providing voices for a later Roberta Leigh series Wonderboy and Tiger, but admits he has no recollection of this series at all! Further comments by Ronnie Stevens can be read in Martin Hutchinson's comprehensive Cult TV feature. Photos: Above: Ronnie Stevens in the late 1960s Right: Ronnie Stevens on The Mavis Brampton Show (with thanks to Peter Blight) Below, from top to bottom: As Harold Green in Doctor In Love As the Minister of Pollution in The Goodies (with thanks to Peter Blight) As Zoe's father in 'May To December', and a more recent photo. Selected Film Credits: • Top Secret (1952) ... Aubrey (uncredited) • Made In Heaven (1952) • Love In Paris (1953) • The Embezzler (1954) ... (uncredited) • The Scarlet Web (1954) ... Simpson • For Better For Worse (1954) ... (uncredited) • The Narrowing Circle (1955) • An Alligator Named Daisy (1955) ... Singer (uncredited) • As Long As They’re Happy (1955) ... Intruder (uncredited) • The Hornet’s Nest (1955) ... Bill • No Smoking (1955) ... BBC Man • Value for Money (1955) • Doctor At Large (1957) ... Waiter at hotel • I Was Monty’s Double (1958) ... Trenchcoated 'Tail' on Harvey • Batchelor Of Hearts (1958) ... Shop Assistant • Danger Within (1959) • I'm All Right Jack (1959) ... Hooper • Dentist In The Chair (1960) ... Brian Dexter • Doctor In Love (1960) ... Harold Green • Dentist On The Job (aka Get On With It! US) (1961) ... Brian Dexter • It's Trad, Dad! (aka Ring-a-Ding Rhythm US) (1961) ... TV Director • Nearly A Nasty Accident (1961) ... Flight Lieutenant Pocock • Very Important Person (aka A Coming-Out Party) (1961) ... Hankley • Carry on Cruising (1962) ... Drunk • On The Beat (1962) ... Oberon • A Pair Of Briefs (1962) ... Hotel under-manager • Doctor In Distress (1963) • A Home Of Your Own (1964) ... Architect • Give A Dog A Bone (1965) ... Ringo • Doctor In Clover (1966) ... TV Producer • San Ferry Ann (1966) ... Hiker • Smashing Time (1967) ... 1st Waiter • Goodbye Mr Chips (1969) ... Algie • Some Girls Do (1969) ... Peregrine Carruthers • All I Want Is You... and You... and You... (1974) ... Husband • Twelfth Night (1980) ... Sir Andrew Aguecheek • Morons From Outer Space (1985) ... Hotel Manager • Rarg (1988) • Killing Dad (1989) ... Barber • Blame It On The Bellboy (1992) ... Man on Plane • Brassed Off (1996) ... Albert Hall Judge • The Parent Trap (1997) ... Charles James, 'Grandfather' TV: • Duke And The Duchess (1958/59) ... Rodney • New Look (1959) co-starring with Bruce Forsyth & Jack Douglas • Bresslaw & Friends (1961) • Sara and Hoppity (1962) ... Hoppity, Shaggy, Mr Brown etc. • Tea At The Ritz (1963) ... Arnold Barnes • Noggin The Nog (1959/65) ... Co-narrator/Voices • The Avengers (1965) 'Death At Bargain Prices' ... Glynn • Wonder Boy And Tiger (1967?) ... Voice Artist • Orlando (1968) 'Orlando & The Fifi Affair' ... Fred Froidbottom • Wild, Wild Women (1969) • The Mavis Bramston Show (1966 - Channel 7, Australia) • The Goodies (1971) ... Minister of Pollution in "Pollution" • Rumpole Of The Bailey (1978/1992) • 'Rumpole and the Summer of Discontent' ... Mr Justice Parsloe • 'Rumpole and the Miscarriage of Justice' ... Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Parsloe • Terry And June (1979/87) 'The Family Way' ... Mr Biggs • Minder (1980) 'Don't Tell Them Willie Boy Was Here' ... TV Compere • Only When I Laugh (1980) 'It Can Damage Your Health'... Hargreaves • A.J.Wentworth BA (1982) ... Rawlinson • The Bounder (1982) 'Howard At The Majestic'... Wilson • Chance In A Million (1984) ... Mr Little 'Honour Thy Father And Mother' • Cover Her Face (TV mini-series 1985) ... Victor Proctor • Marjorie And Men (1985) ... Sid Parkin • Roll Over Beethoven (1985) ... Vicar • Yes, Prime Minister (1986) 'The Bishop's Gambit' ... Peter Harding • May To December (1989/94) ... Zoe’s father (semi-regular) • 'I Remember It Well' • 'Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom Wine' • Secret Weapon (1990) ... Prof. Barnaby • For The Greater Good (1992) ... Committee Chairman • As Time Goes By (1992/95) ... Eric • 'Judith's New Romance' • Goodnight Sweetheart (1993/96) ... Sidney Wix (semi-regular) • 'Would You Like To Swing On A Star?' • 'Nice Work If You Can Get It' • 'Turned Out Nice Again' Theatre: • Ad Lib (1956) • 10.15 (1951) • High Spirits (1953) • Intimacy at 8.30 (1954) • For Amusement Only (1956) • No Morpheus in the Underground (1959) • The Establishment (1960) • The Lily White Boys (1960) • The Lord Chamberlain Regrets (1961) • Is There Intelligent Life On Earth? (1964) ... Kolombo • Mr Whatnot (1964) ... Cecil • Love's Labour Lost (1972) ... Sir Nathaniel • The Gingerbread Man (1977) • The Lady's Not For Burning (1978) ... Matthew Skipps • A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (1986) ... Hysterium • Becket (1991) ... Cardinal Libby Morris - Marla & Cassie (Series One), Gabbler Canadian comedy actress and singer, born in Winnipeg, Canada, who came to England in June 1955 with husband disc jockey Murray Kash. According to a 1960s interview, they saved up for a holiday trip to London but liked it here so much they decided to stay! "At first things were tough," she recalls, "London was already full of Canadian actors looking for work - and Murray and I were last in the queue." Libby's luck changed when Jack Jackson chose her to mime to songs on Off The Record, becoming an immediate hit. She was given her own short one-off Meet Libby Morris in April 1956, and went on to appear in another one-off special vehicle for Bernard Bresslaw entitled Bresslaw And Friends, co-written by Dick Vosburgh, and appearing alongside alongside future Space Patrol voice artist Ronnie Stevens. A well known personality of the 1960s, she was often a guest on various variety shows, and was a regular on Don't Say A Word, an early charades based game show in the tradition of the more recent Give Us A Clue. Libby also had a good singing career, having had classical training, on her own with singles such as When Liberace Winked At Me (1956) and Anyone Can Whistle (1964), and receiving critical acclaim for her part in Come Blow Your Horn (see below). She has appeared more recently in 'Tourist Attraction', one of Maureen Lipman’s About Face series in 1991, and is believed to still be actively involved in theatre work. Comments by Libby Morris can be read in Martin Hutchinson's comprehensive Cult TV feature. Photos: Top: A young Libby Morris, from the 1950s Right: Libby Morris in the 1960s Below: Libby learns Space Patrol is being released on video... Bottom: With David Kossoff, in 'Come Blow Your Horn' Selected Filmography: • Climb Up The Wall (1960) .... Musical Revue with Russ Conway & Jack Jackson • Three on a Spree (1961) .... Trixie • Tiara Tahiti (1962) .... Adele Franklin • Promise Her Anything (1966) .... Clinic Mother • The Plank (1967) .... Tourist • Two for the Road (1967) .... American Lady (uncredited) • The Adding Machine (1969) .... Ethel • Not Quite Paradise (aka Not Quite Jerusalem - 1986) .... Mrs. Schwartz Notable TV appearances: • Four For The Show (Canadian TV - 1952) • Holiday Ranch (Canadian TV - 1954) • Off The Record (1955) • Meet Libby Morris (1956) • Two's Company (1958/9) • Bresslaw & Friends (1961) • Some Grist for Mervyn’s Mill (1963) .... Mrs Rosen • Sunday Night At The London Palladium (1964) • Don't Say A Word (1966?) .... Semi-regular • Mystery and Imagination: The Canterville Ghost (TV 1966) • Alexander the Greatest (1971) TV Series • Deceptions (1985) (TV) • London Embassy (1987) (mini) TV Series .... Helen Fleamarsh • Mike & Angelo (1989) .... Rita King's Mother • About Face (1991) .... Mrs Maldini in 'Tourist Attraction' Selected Theatricals/Musicals: • Come Blow Your Horn (1963) .... with Bob Monkhouse, Nyree Dawn Porter & David Kossoff (left) • Ad-Lib (1966) .... co-starring Larry Adler • Just Libby (1970s) .... her own one-woman show • Gypsy (South African tour of Stephen Sondheim musical, co-starring Bonnie Langford & Kim Braden - 1976. Soundtrack album released Philips, no.STO-774. HIghlights available on recent BBC CD) • Broadway Baby (1996) Review from1963: 'Get singing, Libby! It's Libby Morris facing up to David Kossoff in a play called 'Come Blow Your Horn'. Pity, really. Writers and composers should have been falling over themselves to get her into musicals, where she would have torn the place up. If you don't believe it, get a copy of her LP, on which she sings a love song to a vulture. But Miss Morris was never allowed to fulfil her potential, and didn't have a decent musical to her name.' Murray Kash - Colonel Raeburn Born in Canada of Polish parents, Murray Kash obtained a B.A. in Social Sciences at Toronto University. His first job was in radio as an announcer and disc jockey. He met his wife Libby Morris (see above) on a blind date arranged by a friend, and they remained in England after enjoying a vacation here. He has an impressive and lengthy list of radio, film and TV appearances to his name. He has written a couple of books: Speech Power: A Guide to Speech Communication with Clarity and Confidence, and Murray Kash's Book of Country Music. He was also the host of two syndicated radio talk shows, Prime Age Life Style and Murray Kash's Tales from Tin Pan Alley, and lectured in voice classes for actors and actresses until recently. His hobbies include photography and travel, and he now resides back in his native Canada where - after months of searching - Space Patrol: The Website was able to ask him a few questions about his work: Could you provide a potted history of yourself and how you came to be in the business ? Murray Kash: I joined various amateur dramatic groups, after I had worked with various teachers to help me overcome speech impediments like stuttering and stammering. Some of the teachers were broadcasters, others were drama teachers. I took a year in medical school, and a couple of years in Law - but then decided on being a performer - attended the BANFF School Of Fine Arts, majoring in the Drama course, followed by The Academy Of Radio And TV Arts. The headmaster was Lorne Greene, who became world famous as Ben Cartwright in the long-running TV series Bonanza. After graduation, I worked for several radio stations, as broadcaster, then a number of stage productions. Then decided to go to London, where there was much more opportunities in radio, stage, TV and film. Can you recall how you came to be involved in the production of Space Patrol. I believe at the time (circa 1962) you were doing comedy and variety television programmes on British television? That is correct. I did numbers of BBC radio shows - as Disc Jockey. Dramas, comedy shows with Ted Ray, Charlie Drake, Jewel & Warris, Dave King, Tony Hancock, as compere of panel shows - Shilling A Second, Can Do... Various stage productions - Dean (based on life of Jimmy Dean), Goodnight Mrs. Puffin (starring Irene Handl) etc. Films - Fire Down Below, Crooked Sky, etc. Do you have any recollection of the recordings themselves? The budget was so small, we recorded the series in the attic of Roberta Leigh’s home, not in a proper recording studio. Conditions were very primitive. Since it was winter time, the heating was minimal - regardless we enjoyed the work. All of the original cast members, including yourself, seemed to have a grounding in comedy to some degree. Do you recall if this was deliberate or a coincedence, and whether the comedy ‘atmosphere’ was prevailant between the cast, either at recordings or at other times? It was a wonderful team - playing numerous roles. We had participated in other shows written by Dick Vosburgh, so he knew our work. We also had worked with Ronnie Stevens, in various shows - on radio and TV. Did you have any particular thoughts on the stories or characters in Space Patrol ? It is such a long time ago. My memories are working and recording with a very talented cast and an exciting script. It was a challenge - to make every episode the best it could be. Apart from Colonel Raeburn, are there any other characters you recall playing in the series? Frankly, no - I would have to look at the series again. If there anything about the production of Space Patrol which sticks in your mind, either because it was unusual or you really loved/loathed it? We were a happy lot, regardless of the physical conditions - cramped, cold, etc. Remember we were doing a project that preceded Star Wars or any other sci-fi series - in film or animation. Photos: Top: Murray Kash in the 1970s Above left: Murray Kash with Morcambe & Wise (with thanks to Robin Evans) Above right: Murray Kash in 'Two Of A Kind' (with thanks to Robin Evans) Below: Murray Kash as the 1st welder in Time Lock (1957) Filmography: • Loser Takes All (1956) .... Proprietor of Taxi Bar (uncredited) • Fire Down Below (1957) .... Bartender (uncredited) • Time Lock (1957) .... 1st Welder • The Long Haul (1957) .... Jeff • The Crooked Sky (1957) .... Lewis • The King In New York (1957) (uncredited) • The Secret Man (1958) .... Waldo • The Silent Enemy (1958) .... Tattooed Sailor • The Bandit of Zhobe (1959) .... Zecco • Bobbikins (1960) .... Johnson • Our Man In Havana (1960) (uncredited) • The Cool Mikado (1962) • The Mouse on the Moon (1963) (uncredited) • The Sicilians (1963) .... George Baxter • The Girl Hunters (1963) .... Richie Cole • Strictly For The Birds (1963) .... Mario • The Bay of Saint Michel (aka Operation Mermaid/Pattern for Plunder 1963) .... Boor • The Crooked Road (aka Krivi Put 1964) • Devils Of Darkness (aka Talisman 1965) .... Gypsy Chief (uncredited) • Thunderball (1966) .... Number 11 (uncredited) • The Mercenaries (aka Dark of the Sun 1968) .... Cochrane • Under The Table You Must Go (1970) .... Voice • The Bunny Caper (aka The Games Girls Play 1974) .... Dr. Wolfgang Meyer • The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976) .... Dr. Zelmo Flek • Silver Dream Racer (1980) .... 1st TV Reporter • Niagara: Thunder of The Waters (1998) .... Narrator Above: Murray Kash with Whirligig.com moderator Mike Storey in the 1960s (reproduced with permission) Below: Murray Kash in 'Two Of A Kind' (with thanks to Robin Evans) Notable TV guest appearances: • Tales Of Adventure (1952-53) '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' • O.S.S. (Office of Strategic Services) (1957) [01] 'Operation Fracture' .... Pilot • The Count Of Monte Cristo (1957) 'Albania' .... Sentry • It Pays To Be Ignorant (BBC 1957) Comedy. Two comedy sketch specials. • H.G. Wells' Invisible Man (1959) 'The Mink Coat' .... Marcel • Two Of A Kind (1962/3?) with Eric Morcambe & Ernie Wise.... Guest Artist • Out Of The Unknown (BBC 2 1966) 'Lambda 1'.... American/Technician • The Forgotten Door (ITV/ABC 1966) .... Voice • Danger Man (1966) 'Are You Going To Be More Permanent?' .... American • Whoops Apocalypse (1982) 'Lucifer and the Lord' .... Donovan Selected Theatre Credits: • Goodnight Mrs Puffin (1960s) .... with Irene Handl • Dean (1960s?) Ysanne Churchman - Marla & Cassie (Series 2) Right: Ysanne Churchman in a 1970s portfolio photo Actress and voice artist, the daughter of actor Andrew Churchman and actress Gladys Dale, both of whom were well-known on the London stage and radio. As a child, Ysanne appeared on Children's Hour on the radio and in the play Gallows Glorious on the pre-war BBC TV, and later trained as a dancer at Cone-Ripman College. After work in repertory and theatre, she concentrated on radio and voice work for film and television, with her most famous early role being the part of Grace in the long running radio series The Archers at the time of the character’s demise in 1955. She has since played five other parts in the series. She married her husband Tony Pilgrim MBE in 1951 and they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 2001. Like Ronnie Stevens, Ysanne also worked on Sara And Hoppity, "...Doing the voice of Sara and other parts...", and it would seem the unavailability of Libby Morris for some of the second series of Space Patrol led her to being contacted by Roberta Leigh again, as, "...she invited me to join the Space Patrol cast." She recalls the episodes being "...recorded in the correct sequence." - like a radio play, though little else about the series, "...except it was always fun to work with Ronnie Stevens." Ysanne is more famous in the SF genre as the voice of Alpha Centauri in the two Peladon stories of BBC TV's Doctor Who and also as the voice of Soo, the house computer in the two Dominick Hide TV plays, in which she does a fair reprise of her Marla voice! On summarising her other work since Space Patrol, Ysanne says, "I read many stories and serial books on BBC Radio and was the first actress to be employed by Capital Radio, reading a serial book." As well as, "Educational TV, including Your Move and Speak For Yourself." Finally, did she have any comments for fans of the series? "It's good to know that not one but two more generations are now able to enjoy Space Patrol!" Ysanne retired in 1993 but still does the occasional voice-over and television appearance. Above: Ysanne Churchman as 'Grace Archer' in a 1950s publicity photo for The Archers radio series Selected Credits: • Children's Hour (BBC Radio) • Gallows Glorious (BBC TV 193?) • The Railway Children (BBC TV 1957) .... Ruth • The Archers (BBC Radio) .... Jennifer Archer (as a young child), Grace Archer, Barbara Drury, Joan Ilverton, Jocelyn Page, Mary Pound • Sense and Sensibility (BBC Home Service 1959/60) .... Marianne Dashwood • Sara & Hoppity (ITV 1960) .... Sara, Jimmy & other voices • Sherlock Holmes (BBC Radio 1969) .... Mary Sutherland • Crossroads (ITV 1960s/1970s) .... 4 different appearances • Doctor Who (1972) 'The Curse Of Peladon' .... Voice of Alpha Centauri • Doctor Who (1974) 'The Monster Of Peladon' .... Voice of Alpha Centauri • Doctor Who (1974) 'The Planet Of The Spiders' .... Spider Voices • Les Douze travaux d'Astérix (The Twelve Tasks of Asterix, 1976) ... Voice Artist, English Version • Beasts (ITV 1976) 'Special Offer' .... Joyce • Softly Softly (BBC 1970s) .... 4 different appearances • 1990 (BBC 1978) 'What Pleases The Prince...' .... PCD Clerk • Shoestring (1979) 'Knock For Knock' .... Woman's Voice • A Dance To The Music Of Time (1979) .... Milly • The Flipside of Dominick Hide (1980) .... Soo (House Computer) • Another Flip for Dominick (1982) .... Soo (House Computer) • Ghost in the Water (1982) .... Mrs. Parkes • Amy (TV 1984) .... Lilly • Starlings (TV 1988) .... Mrs. Grimshaw • Pyramid (Film Documentary 1988) ... Voice Artist • Prostitute (199?) ... Magistrate • Lipstick on Your Collar (TV 1993) .... Mrs. Atterbow • Oliver Twist (TV 1999) .... Woman in street Right: A young Ysanne Churchman, in another publicity photo for The Archers. If you know of any further credits we have missed, please contact us and let us know.