The following is a reprint of an article that was featured in the April 1, 1976 issue of the TV Times.
Fly Me to the Moon!
Gerry Anderson has done it again with a new live action science fiction series set 50 years in the future! Although little is known about the premise at this early stage, it will however, take place in the same time as his other current series, "Space: 2022", which is almost finished filming the final episodes of Year Two at Pinewood Studios. And with half of the episodes of "Space: 2022" yet to be transmitted, it is creating quite the work load with cast and crew! I spoke with Mister Anderson briefly over the telephone, who although excited about the new series, is still very secretive and not saying very much. At least he has a title for the series!
Many of you remember Gerry Anderson from his very popular puppet shows in the 1960s, such as "Stingray", "Thunderbirds", and "Captain Scarlet", to name a few. Although the characters were 'wooden', the production values and effects were top notch! He transitioned to live action series with "UFO" in 1970. And then a few years later with "Space: 2019", which for the first time in his career, was popular enough to produce a second series, "Space: 2022". And as usual, the production values are just as impressive, even too good for television as many have said.
"It's basically a story of working class people in space", says Gerry. "For a different perspective, I decided to show the men and woman who work in the space industry. All the support and essential services most people take for granted. But their contributions are just as important as any astronaut or scientist." It's a large area to cover, but Gerry has that figured out too! "The story is primarily about pilots that haul cargo from the Earth to the Moon, and back again. Building materials, food & water, almost anything needed to keep the bases on the Moon and some space stations thriving as well" I asked him how this was to be accomplished, and where his inspiration came from.
"We were filming the second episode of "Space: 2022", the one where the new ship was being constructed. (For those of you who may not know, that episode was "Phoenix Rising"). And is some of the shots, we had modified some Eagle models to be used as cargo ships, and it all spun off from there. We also got letters from some fans who wanted more information on these ships." So while the cast and crew were busy on the current series, they were also working out stories & scripts, special effects, and casting on the new venture. Sets are already under construction at Pinewood, new models are being built by Martin Bower, and the Special Effects have started filming over at Bray Studios by Brian Johnson. Gerry was kind enough to send me a photo of the new model during filming.
The man crouching in the photograph is Nick Allder, who is a Special Effects director at Bray Studios. He has worked on both of the "Space" series, and is now adding "Star Lorries: 2023" to his CV. The model above him is called a 'Swallow', and will be the main vehicle in the series. Here they are filming a landing of a space lorry on the Moon. "There will be fleets of them." remarks Gerry. "Many companies will be competing for business, just like here on Earth, with some good, and some bad characters. A veritable power game in space!"
My final question to Gerry was, who will be in it? "We have cast James Garner in the starring role." As to why he went with an American instead of a British lead, Gerry replied, "A popular and well known American actor will help us sell the series to the United States, as we have done in previous live shows." And can you tell me anymore? "We have also signed Don Warrington from "Rising Damp" fame. It will be a different role for him, and that is all I will tell you at this time." I thanked Gerry for taking time out of his busy schedule and wished him luck on the new show. I know I am looking forward to it! Episodes of "Star Lorries: 2023" should hopefully start being transmitted sometime in mid 1977. In the meantime, we still have twelve more episodes of "Space: 2022" to watch!
Have a better one, Readers!
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