FOREWORD
"I wish I was a spaceman, the fastest guy alive..."
With a growing interest in the Space Race around the world it seemed the best place to take the next Supermarionation series and the crew of Fireball XL5. The wide range of alien planets encountered throughout allowed the team to continuously improve its special effects and fast-paced, exciting scripts. It sent A.P. Films’ reputation into the stratosphere when the series was networked on American television, an achievement almost unrivalled (even by its successors) which gives it a truly unique place in British television history.
FORMAT
In the 2060’s space is explored by the World Space Patrol and its fleet of XL spacecraft, led by the heroic crew of Fireball XL5, who encounter new life-forms across the solar-system.
FIREBALL XL5
Part of the World Space Patrol fleet of XL craft. The 300 foot long space craft is manned by a crew of four: pilot Steve Zodiac, Doctor Venus, Professor Matic and Robert the Robot. Has a detachable nose-cone (Fireball Junior) for investigation of planets, enabling part of the crew to remain in orbit. Fully equipped with defences.
SPACE CITY
Futuristic hub of the World Space Patrol and its craft. The skyline is dominated by the huge revolving control tower. In front of the tower sits the pride of the World Space Patrol: Fireball XL5.
COLONEL STEVE ZODIAC
Voice: Paul Maxwell
Heroic pilot of Fireball XL5.
VENUS
Voice: Sylvia Anderson
French Doctor of Space Medicine and Steve Zodiac’s love interest.
PROFESSOR MATTHEW MATIC
Voice: David Graham
Bespectacled genius and Fireball XL5’s navigator.
ROBERT THE ROBOT
Voice: Gerry Anderson
Sophisticated robot and co-pilot of Fireball XL5. Built by Professor Matic. When confused it lets off steam – literally!
ZOONY THE LAZOON
Voice: David Graham
Mischievous telepathic lazoon from the planet Colevio. Adopted by Venus as a pet. Has limited speech capabilities – its favourite catchphrases include ‘Welcome home’ and ‘Howdy small’.
COMMANDER WILBUR ZERO
Voice: John Bluthal
Grumpy Commander of the World Space Patrol.
LIEUTENANT 90
Voice: David Graham
Enthusiastic subordinate to Commander Zero with aspirations to get his ‘wings’.
ELEANOR ZERO
Voice: Sylvia Anderson
Commander Zero’s wife, tolerant of his brusque, cheerless nature.
JONATHAN ZERO
Voice: Sylvia Anderson
Eleanor and Wilbur Zero’s adventurous son.
JOCK CAMPBELL
Voice: John Bluthal
Scots engineer with love of haggis and bagpipes.
GRISELDA AND BORIS SPACE SPY
Voices: David Graham and Sylvia Anderson
Domineering wife and her down-trodden husband, founders of the Universe Spy Organisation.
PRODUCED BY
Gerry Anderson
DIRECTED BY
Gerry Anderson
David Elliott
Bill Harris
Alan Pattillo
John Kelly
TELEPLAYS BY
Gerry and Sylvia Anderson
Dennis Spooner
Alan Fennell
Anthony Marriott
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Reg Hill
PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
David Elliott
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
John Read
Ian Struthers
ART DIRECTOR
Bob Bell
SPECIAL EFFECTS
Derek Meddings
SCRIPT SUPERVISION
Gerry & Sylvia Anderson
PUPPETRY SUPERVISION
Christine Glanville
Mary Turner
PUPPET OPERATORS
Eddie Hunter
Judith Shutt
Yvonne Hunter
SCULPTORS
John Blundall
John Brown
MUSIC COMPOSED, ARRANGED AND CONDUCTED BY
Barry Gray
TITLE MUSIC ARRANGED BY
Charles Blackwell
TITLE MUSIC VOCAL
Don Spencer
CAMERA OPERATOR
Julien Lugrin
FOCUS PULLER
Alan Perry
SPECIAL EFFECTS LIGHTING
Ted Wooldridge
SPECIAL EFFECTS CAMERA OPERATOR
Paddy Seale
CHARACTER VOICES
David Graham
Sylvia Anderson
Paul Maxwell
John Bluthal
Gerry Anderson
EDITOR
Gordon Davie
David Lane
Eric Pask
SOUND EDITOR
John Peverill
SOUND RECORDING
Maurice Askew
John Taylor
SPECIAL EFFECTS ASSISTANT
Brian Johncock
MODELS
Eric Backman
Bill James
PROPERTY MASTER
Arthur Cripps
CHIEF ELECTRICIAN
Albert Scott
Westrex Recording System
Processing by Kays Laboratories Ltd
Made in association with ATV. An ITC World Wide Distribution. An APF Television Production. Filmed in Supermarionation.