Toonhound - Stingray (1963-1964)

     "Anything can happen in the next half hour!"

    Captain Troy Tempest and George Lee Sheridan, aka "Phones", are the pilots of
    Stingray, a superior submarine ship employed by The World Aquanaut
    Security Patrol (WASP). The patrol has its headquarters in Marineville, where
    Commander Sam Shore his daughter Atlanta and Sub-Lieutenant Fisher monitor
    the oceans of the world, and direct Stingray and its crew to deal with deadly
    danger and submarinal subterfuge in all its forms...

    Set in the year 2065ad, the premise assumes that there are a number of aquatic
    humanoid races lurking in the ocean depths. Amongst them are Titan, ruler of
    Titanica, and his silver-skinned agent X-2 Zero. Titan has made slaves of a race of
    Aquaphibians and is hell-bent on using them and anything and eveything else at
    his disposal to wreak revenge on Troy Tempest and Stingray after they dared to
    steal away his mute slave Marina. In reality, Troy and Phones saved this beautiful
    tail-less Mermaid - daughter of Aphony, ruler of Pacifica - from a miserable fate.
    Marina now assists the crew when required as Stingray traverses the oceans.
    She also harbours a secret passion for Troy Tempest; a passion shared by
    Atlanta, who's waiting for him back on dry land.

       W.A.S.P. - The World Aquanaut Security Patrol

    Gerry and Sylvia Anderson do it again. This is a gem of a series; sparkling with
    action and adventure. There's more than enough excitement, fantasy and drama
    shoehorned in to each half-hour to keep even the most attention-deficient viewer
    riveted. Okay, maybe the undersea kingdoms aspect has dated since those original
    broadcast days, but fantasy fans can take that in their stride without complaint.
    Troy's love triangle adds some endearing soap opera qualities to the action too.
    Frankly, it's a perfect tv package.

  "Stingray" was actually the first children's tv series to be filmed in colour.
    Impressario producer Lew Grade had previously backed Gerry Andreson's
    "Supercar" and "Fireball XL5". He was so keen on Gerry's work he bought
    his company from him. "Stingray" was the first production made under the
    new ownership. It was filmed in a new studio on the trading estate in
    Slough, Berks. Old factory units were coverted in to sound stages by
    the production team, with the £75,000 invested by Mr. Grade.

    "Stingray" has quite a progressive attitude towards disability. Commander Sam
    Shore has lost the use of his legs and he negotiates his way around Marineville
    on a motorised hoverchair. His disability never hampens his work, and is rarely
    referred to by his colleagues. Alas, though, some of that positivity is countered
    by the attitude towards Marina. She takes time to communicate through expressive
    hand gestures - akin to sign Language - but her disability still frustrates Troy.
    He even "sings" about his frustrations over the end credits of the show!


   Stingray factoids

   » The chiselled good looks of Troy Tempest were fashioned after those of
      Hollywood actor James Garner.

   » Bug-eyed Agent X-2 Zero was based upon actor Claude Rains, whilst
      Titan has a hint of Laurence Olivier chiselled into his features.

   » In the episode "Ghost of the Sea" we learn how Sam Shore became disabled.

   » Marina has a pet seal called Oink. During an Arctic mission, he saves the
      crew and is adopted as the Stingray mascot.

   » The Aquaphibians traverse the oceans in fish-shaped craft called Terror Fish.

   » Titan bows to no one, except the fish god Teufel, who dwells in a tank in
      his thone room. Just as Roman Emperors would give prisoners and gladiators
      a "thumbs up" to save or deny them, so Teufel decides the fate of Titanica's
      foes by turning his back on them. Those rejected by him are carted away
      to the undersea prison of Aquatraz!

     Stingray - one heck of a ship

                      type: Mark III experimental craft
     time in service: 3 years
             top speed: 600 knots / Mark 4
     cruising speed: 400 knots
              armoury: 16 Sting Missiles
      power source: atomic generator
                             and twin Drumman hydrojets

     equipped with SVS - Surface Video Screen facility
     + 2 Aquasprites (underwater carriers)

    Stingray episodes

    1. Stingray                                     21. Tom Thumb Tempest
    2. Plant Of Doom                        22. Pink Ice
    3. Sea Of Oil                               23. The Master Plan
    4. Hostages Of The Deep             24. Star Of The East
    5. Treasure Down Below              25. An Echo Of Danger
    6. The Big Gun                             26. Invisible Enemy
    7. The Golden Sea                      27. Deep Heat
    8. The Ghost Ship                         28. In Search Of The Tajmanon
    9. Countdown                                29. Titan Goes Pop
    10.The Ghost Of The Sea           30. Set Sail For Adventure
    11. Emergency Marineville           31. Tune Of Danger
    12. Subterranean Sea                   32. Rescue From The Skies
    13. The Loch Ness Monster          33. The Cool Cavemen
    14. The Invaders                         34. A Nut For Marineville
    15. Secret Of The Giant Oyster    35. Trapped In The Depths
    16. Raptures Of The Deep           36. Eastern Eclipse
     17. Stand By For Action              37. A Christmas To Remember
    18. The Disappearing Ships          38. The Lighthouse Dwellers
    19. The Man From The Navy        39. Aquanaut Of The Year
    20. Marineville Traitor

     Further reading

     "The Complete Gerry Anderson: The Authorised Episode Guide"
      by Chris Bentley (Reynolds & Hearn 2003)

     "Stingray"
     by Dave Rogers (Boxtree 1992)

     Stingray on DVD

     Stingray: The Complete Series box set
                Region 2 / 5 discs / Carlton / April 2001

     Stingray: Vol. 1
                Region 2 / 7 eps / Carlton / April 2001

     Stingray: Vol. 2
                Region 2 / 7 eps Carlton / April 2001

     Stingray: Vol. 3
                Region 2 / 7 eps / Carlton / April 2001

     Stingray: Vol. 4
                Region 2 / 9 eps / Carlton / April 2001

     Stingray - Vol. 5
                Region 2 / 9 eps / Carlton / April 2001

     Stingray: The Complete Series box set
                Region 1 / 5 discs / A&E Home Video / December 2002

    created by Gerry & Sylvia Anderson

    producer:          Gerry Anderson
    assoc prod:       Reg Hill
    writers:             Gerry Anderson, Sylvia Anderson,
                            Alan Fennell, Dennis Spooner
    directors:          Alan Pattillo, David Elliott,
                            Desmond Saunders, John Kelly
    d.o.p:                John Read
    spfx lighting:     Ted Wooldridge
    camera ops:      Jimmy Elliott, Julien Lugrin
    music:              Barry Gray
                            title music vocal by Gary Miller
    spfx dir:            Derek Meddings
    art director:       Bob Bell
    sculptors:          John Blundall, John Brown, Wolfgang Manthey
    puppetry
     supervision:      Christine Granville, Mary Turner
    puppet
    operators:         Yvonne Hunter, Carolyn Turner
    wardobe:           Elizabeth Coleman
    editor:               David lane
    sound editor:     John Peverill
    dialogue ed:       Richard Best Jnr
    music ed:          Tony Lenny
    dialogue &
    character sup:    Sylvia Anderson
    sound:               Maurice Askew, JohnTaylor
    voices:              Don Mason (Troy Tempest)
                            Robert Easton (Phones)
                            Lois Maxwell (Atlanta)
                            Ray Barrett (Sam Shore)
                            David Graham


     On the web

     Fanderson
     Your first point of call...

     BBC Cult tv
     The Beeb's preserved cult site is most informative....

     Paul Jasper
     Paul Jasper's Stingray pages cut out the detail and opt for a quick clean fix.
     Pages are good, clean, efficient creations with concise information, pics and
     the  odd sound file or two thrown in for good measure....

      index »   previous »    next »

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			Stingray (1963-1964) producers: AP Films for ITC Worldwide puppets: Supermarionation / string and radio-controlled puppets episodes: 39 x 30mins
		"Anything can happen in the next half hour!" Captain Troy Tempest and George Lee Sheridan, aka "Phones", are the pilots of Stingray, a superior submarine ship employed by The World Aquanaut Security Patrol (WASP). The patrol has its headquarters in Marineville, where Commander Sam Shore his daughter Atlanta and Sub-Lieutenant Fisher monitor the oceans of the world, and direct Stingray and its crew to deal with deadly danger and submarinal subterfuge in all its forms... Set in the year 2065ad, the premise assumes that there are a number of aquatic humanoid races lurking in the ocean depths. Amongst them are Titan, ruler of Titanica, and his silver-skinned agent X-2 Zero. Titan has made slaves of a race of Aquaphibians and is hell-bent on using them and anything and eveything else at his disposal to wreak revenge on Troy Tempest and Stingray after they dared to steal away his mute slave Marina. In reality, Troy and Phones saved this beautiful tail-less Mermaid - daughter of Aphony, ruler of Pacifica - from a miserable fate. Marina now assists the crew when required as Stingray traverses the oceans. She also harbours a secret passion for Troy Tempest; a passion shared by Atlanta, who's waiting for him back on dry land. Gerry and Sylvia Anderson do it again. This is a gem of a series; sparkling with action and adventure. There's more than enough excitement, fantasy and drama shoehorned in to each half-hour to keep even the most attention-deficient viewer riveted. Okay, maybe the undersea kingdoms aspect has dated since those original broadcast days, but fantasy fans can take that in their stride without complaint. Troy's love triangle adds some endearing soap opera qualities to the action too. Frankly, it's a perfect tv package. "Stingray" was actually the first children's tv series to be filmed in colour. Impressario producer Lew Grade had previously backed Gerry Andreson's "Supercar" and "Fireball XL5". He was so keen on Gerry's work he bought his company from him. "Stingray" was the first production made under the new ownership. It was filmed in a new studio on the trading estate in Slough, Berks. Old factory units were coverted in to sound stages by the production team, with the £75,000 invested by Mr. Grade. "Stingray" has quite a progressive attitude towards disability. Commander Sam Shore has lost the use of his legs and he negotiates his way around Marineville on a motorised hoverchair. His disability never hampens his work, and is rarely referred to by his colleagues. Alas, though, some of that positivity is countered by the attitude towards Marina. She takes time to communicate through expressive hand gestures - akin to sign Language - but her disability still frustrates Troy. He even "sings" about his frustrations over the end credits of the show! Stingray factoids » The chiselled good looks of Troy Tempest were fashioned after those of Hollywood actor James Garner. » Bug-eyed Agent X-2 Zero was based upon actor Claude Rains, whilst Titan has a hint of Laurence Olivier chiselled into his features. » In the episode "Ghost of the Sea" we learn how Sam Shore became disabled. » Marina has a pet seal called Oink. During an Arctic mission, he saves the crew and is adopted as the Stingray mascot. » The Aquaphibians traverse the oceans in fish-shaped craft called Terror Fish. » Titan bows to no one, except the fish god Teufel, who dwells in a tank in his thone room. Just as Roman Emperors would give prisoners and gladiators a "thumbs up" to save or deny them, so Teufel decides the fate of Titanica's foes by turning his back on them. Those rejected by him are carted away to the undersea prison of Aquatraz! Stingray - one heck of a ship type: Mark III experimental craft time in service: 3 years top speed: 600 knots / Mark 4 cruising speed: 400 knots armoury: 16 Sting Missiles power source: atomic generator and twin Drumman hydrojets equipped with SVS - Surface Video Screen facility + 2 Aquasprites (underwater carriers) Stingray episodes 1. Stingray 21. Tom Thumb Tempest 2. Plant Of Doom 22. Pink Ice 3. Sea Of Oil 23. The Master Plan 4. Hostages Of The Deep 24. Star Of The East 5. Treasure Down Below 25. An Echo Of Danger 6. The Big Gun 26. Invisible Enemy 7. The Golden Sea 27. Deep Heat 8. The Ghost Ship 28. In Search Of The Tajmanon 9. Countdown 29. Titan Goes Pop 10.The Ghost Of The Sea 30. Set Sail For Adventure 11. Emergency Marineville 31. Tune Of Danger 12. Subterranean Sea 32. Rescue From The Skies 13. The Loch Ness Monster 33. The Cool Cavemen 14. The Invaders 34. A Nut For Marineville 15. Secret Of The Giant Oyster 35. Trapped In The Depths 16. Raptures Of The Deep 36. Eastern Eclipse 17. Stand By For Action 37. A Christmas To Remember 18. The Disappearing Ships 38. The Lighthouse Dwellers 19. The Man From The Navy 39. Aquanaut Of The Year 20. Marineville Traitor Further reading "The Complete Gerry Anderson: The Authorised Episode Guide" by Chris Bentley (Reynolds & Hearn 2003) "Stingray" by Dave Rogers (Boxtree 1992) Stingray on DVD Stingray: The Complete Series box set Region 2 / 5 discs / Carlton / April 2001 Stingray: Vol. 1 Region 2 / 7 eps / Carlton / April 2001 Stingray: Vol. 2 Region 2 / 7 eps Carlton / April 2001 Stingray: Vol. 3 Region 2 / 7 eps / Carlton / April 2001 Stingray: Vol. 4 Region 2 / 9 eps / Carlton / April 2001 Stingray - Vol. 5 Region 2 / 9 eps / Carlton / April 2001 Stingray: The Complete Series box set Region 1 / 5 discs / A&E Home Video / December 2002 created by Gerry & Sylvia Anderson producer: Gerry Anderson assoc prod: Reg Hill writers: Gerry Anderson, Sylvia Anderson, Alan Fennell, Dennis Spooner directors: Alan Pattillo, David Elliott, Desmond Saunders, John Kelly d.o.p: John Read spfx lighting: Ted Wooldridge camera ops: Jimmy Elliott, Julien Lugrin music: Barry Gray title music vocal by Gary Miller spfx dir: Derek Meddings art director: Bob Bell sculptors: John Blundall, John Brown, Wolfgang Manthey puppetry supervision: Christine Granville, Mary Turner puppet operators: Yvonne Hunter, Carolyn Turner wardobe: Elizabeth Coleman editor: David lane sound editor: John Peverill dialogue ed: Richard Best Jnr music ed: Tony Lenny dialogue & character sup: Sylvia Anderson sound: Maurice Askew, JohnTaylor voices: Don Mason (Troy Tempest) Robert Easton (Phones) Lois Maxwell (Atlanta) Ray Barrett (Sam Shore) David Graham On the web Fanderson Your first point of call... BBC Cult tv The Beeb's preserved cult site is most informative.... Paul Jasper Paul Jasper's Stingray pages cut out the detail and opt for a quick clean fix. Pages are good, clean, efficient creations with concise information, pics and the odd sound file or two thrown in for good measure.... index » previous » next »
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