"Actor: Sylvia Anderson"

• Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons - Vol. 1 - Episodes 1 To 6 | DVD | (17/09/2001) from £8.39   |  Saving you £7.60 (47.50%)   |  RRP £15.99

  First broadcast in 1967, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons was the most grown-up of all Gerry Anderson's SuperMarionation adventures. There are gadgets and toy-friendly machines galore, of course--like the Spectrum Pursuit Vehicle, the Angel Aircraft and Cloudbase itself--but, unlike the colourful fantasies of Stingray and Thunderbirds, this series' concern with an implacable, vengeful enemy, conspiracies and double-agents drew its inspiration from James Bond and the Cold War spy dramas of the 1960s. Special effects whiz Derek Meddings imbues the action sequences with a truly Bondian grandeur and, like the sinister Spectre of the Bond films, the Martian Mysterons seem all the more hostile for their unseen presence, their agents infiltrating every organisation dedicated to their destruction just as it seemed the Soviets were doing at the time. The indestructible Captain Scarlet is killed then resurrected every week (though not like South Park's Kenny), and more often than not the unstoppable Mysterons emerge triumphant, and always undefeated. The varied cast of Spectrum agents and their voice characterisations also aim at verisimilitude (Captain Scarlet, voiced by Francis Matt hews, sounds like a grim Cary Grant), while the puppetry is more realistic than ever. Now with newly remastered picture and Dolby 5.1 surround sound, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons still looks and sounds like the epitome of 60s cool. --Mark Walker

• Stingray - Vol. 1 - Stingray / Plant Of Doom / Sea Of Oil / Hostages / Treasure / Big Gun / Golden Sea | DVD | (02/04/2001) from £8.50   |  Saving you £7.49 (88.12%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Drums pound, the music bursts into life with a cry of "Stingray!... Stingray!" Who can resist? Stingray (1964) was the show Gerry Anderson made just before he really hit the big time with Thunderbirds (1965). He produced 39 episodes of the 21st century adventures of Troy Tempest, tall, dark and handsome (his voice based on James Garner's) captain of the titular submarine. Troy's mission: to protect the seas on behalf of WASP (World Aquanaut Security Patrol). With complex underwater model and puppet effects, this was ground-breaking television, especially as it was the first UK series to be made in colour, even though for years it was only seen in black and white. Special effects director Derek Meddings later graduated to the James Bond films, while Moneypenny herself (actress Lois Maxwell) voiced Atlanta Shore. Here, just as in the Bond films, she played second fiddle in our hero's affections, the mute Marina becoming Stingray's sex-goddess. The end credits even featured a song in her honour, "Aqua Maria", which became an international hit. As for the bad guys, half-man, half-fish Titan and his Terror Fish wage a dastardly war against humanity and the peaceful underwater citizens of Pacifica. Four decades on, the models and underwater sequences still impress and Stingray remains eccentric cult family entertainment. On the DVD: There are seven episodes on the first DVD volume, including the pilot episode, "Stingray", in which a Titan Terror Fish sinks a WASP submarine, leading to Troy and sidekick Phones falling into the hands of the evil Titan. This action-packed beginning introduces all the major characters and gadgets, setting the scene for the adventures to come. "Plant of Doom" sees Titan outraged that Troy has rescued his beautiful slave Marina. After consulting an undersea god he hatches a revenge plot using a deadly air-consuming flower. In "Sea of Oil" Atlanta is kidnapped by an underwater race who plant a bomb on Stingray, while in "Hostages of the Deep" Marina is threatened with death by swordfish blade. --Gary S Dalkin

• Joe 90 - Vol. 1 | DVD | (30/09/2002) from £9.99   |  Saving you £6.00 (60.06%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Joe 90 was Gerry Anderson's penultimate puppet show of the 1960s, following Captain Scarlet (1968) and preceding the little-known The Secret Service (1969). In 2112 professor Ian McClaine has invented the BIG RAT (Brain Impulse Galvanoscope, Record And Transfer), a machine for copying knowledge and experiences from person to person. WIN (World Intelligence Organisation) uses this to prime their top undercover agent before sending him into the field on missions which range from foiling international terrorists to recovering a nuclear weapon from beneath the polar ice. So far so good, but in perhaps the most mind-boggling concept ever to reach children's TV, that agent is McClaine's nine-year-old adopted son, Joe. Somehow even as it stays true to the Gerry Anderson techno-fantasy formula of secret organisations, gadgetry, and action-packed adventure full of spectacular explosions and violent death, Joe 90 remains blithely unconscious of its own implications. The missions are as globe-trotting as anything in Anderson's classic Thunderbirds series, and sometimes Joe does save lives, performing a risky brain operation or rescuing trapped astronauts. Yet even then his criminally irresponsible father brainwashes the lad each episode before placing him in a highly dangerous adult situation. Though the production values remain way ahead of anything else being done on British TV at the time, the question remains how did this ever seem like a good idea? On the DVD: Joe 90, Volume 1 contains the first six 25-minute episodes presented, as usual with Gerry Anderson DVDs, behind a lovingly crafted menu. As expected the 4:3 picture quality is superb and the mono sound is full, detailed and without a trace of distortion. There are also several pages of character biography and background information on the show, a photo gallery and a variety of other extras. --Gary S Dalkin

• Fireball XL5 - The Complete Series | DVD | (20/10/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £39.99

  Languishing in the vaults for decades, during which time it became a semi-legendary show among TV fans of a certain age, Fireball XL5 (1962) was Gerry Anderson's second puppet-animation science fiction series, the direct forerunner of Stingray (1963) and Thunderbirds (1964). This is the show on which Anderson established the formula for his later classics: a pseudo-military organisation engaged in desperate Earth-saving adventures against overwhelming odds; superb model work; puppets with very obvious strings but endearing personalities; iconic music by Barry Gray; and absolutely massive explosions. Colonel Steve Zodiac pilots the coolest spaceship then seen on British TV, the titular Fireball XL5, and is joined by medical officer Venus, a forerunner of Lady Penelope voiced by Sylvia Anderson, and comedy relief Prof Matt Matic (David Graham). Along for the ride is Robert the Robot, a thinner version of Robbie the Robot from Forbidden Planet (1956), a character who would soon turn up in Lost in Space (1965). The plots are ridiculous, with typically Cold War-era aliens routinely bent on planetary destruction for no reason, and there's zero attention to even rudimentary astronomy or anything else approaching actual science. Yet the gadgets, vehicles and puppetry are first-rate and the fast-paced, action-filled episodes are relentlessly entertaining. It's a cult just waiting to be reborn, and essential viewing for all Anderson fans. On the DVD: Fireball XL5 is presented with all 39 episodes (they run 25 minutes each) on five discs. Despite the colourful packaging, the episodes are all black and white, and the 4:3 picture is generally fine, though there are occasional instances of over-compression, which results in artefacting on smooth walls and the like. Some shots look a little soft, but detail is usually strong, making the models and puppets look better than ever. The mono sound is fine, if unremarkable. There are no extras beyond optional subtitles. --Gary S Dalkin

• Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons - Vol. 4 - Episodes 19 To 24 | DVD | (12/11/2001) from £4.89   |  Saving you £11.10 (226.99%)   |  RRP £15.99

  First broadcast in 1967, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons was the most grown-up of all Gerry Anderson's SuperMarionation adventures. There are gadgets and toy-friendly machines galore, of course--like the Spectrum Pursuit Vehicle, the Angel Aircraft and Cloudbase itself--but, unlike the colourful fantasies of Stingray and Thunderbirds, this series' concern with an implacable, vengeful enemy, conspiracies and double-agents drew its inspiration from James Bond and the Cold War spy dramas of the 1960s. Special effects whiz Derek Meddings imbues the action sequences with a truly Bondian grandeur and, like the sinister Spectre of the Bond films, the Martian Mysterons seem all the more hostile for their unseen presence, their agents infiltrating every organisation dedicated to their destruction just as it seemed the Soviets were doing at the time. The indestructible Captain Scarlet is killed then resurrected every week (though not like South Park's Kenny), and more often than not the unstoppable Mysterons emerge triumphant, and always undefeated. The varied cast of Spectrum agents and their voice characterisations also aim at verisimilitude (Captain Scarlet, voiced by Francis Matt hews, sounds like a grim Cary Grant), while the puppetry is more realistic than ever. Now with newly remastered picture and Dolby 5.1 surround sound, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons still looks and sounds like the epitome of 60s cool. --Mark Walker

• Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons - Vol. 5 - Episodes 25 To 32 | DVD | (12/11/2001) from £12.50   |  Saving you £3.49 (27.92%)   |  RRP £15.99

  First broadcast in 1967, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons was the most grown-up of all Gerry Anderson's SuperMarionation adventures. There are gadgets and toy-friendly machines galore, of course--like the Spectrum Pursuit Vehicle, the Angel Aircraft and Cloudbase itself--but, unlike the colourful fantasies of Stingray and Thunderbirds, this series' concern with an implacable, vengeful enemy, conspiracies and double-agents drew its inspiration from James Bond and the Cold War spy dramas of the 1960s. Special effects whiz Derek Meddings imbues the action sequences with a truly Bondian grandeur and, like the sinister Spectre of the Bond films, the Martian Mysterons seem all the more hostile for their unseen presence, their agents infiltrating every organisation dedicated to their destruction just as it seemed the Soviets were doing at the time. The indestructible Captain Scarlet is killed then resurrected every week (though not like South Park's Kenny), and more often than not the unstoppable Mysterons emerge triumphant, and always undefeated. The varied cast of Spectrum agents and their voice characterisations also aim at verisimilitude (Captain Scarlet, voiced by Francis Matt hews, sounds like a grim Cary Grant), while the puppetry is more realistic than ever. Now with newly remastered picture and Dolby 5.1 surround sound, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons still looks and sounds like the epitome of 60s cool. --Mark Walker

• Thunderbirds: Collection Part 2 (Vols 5 - 8 ) | DVD | (19/07/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £63.99

  The Man From MI5: A British spy vanishes while carrying atomic weapon blueprints. Lady Penelope is hot on the scent but is soon in great danger. Cry Wolf: An Australian operative is terrorised by the Hood. When his sons raise the alarm they are ignored by Jeff because the boys have ""cried wolf"" before. Danger At Ocean Deep: After the launch of the ship Ocean Pioneer.fears are raised that its potentially explosive cargo of liquid alsterene may mean impending di

• Thunderbirds: Collection Part 1 (Vols 1 - 4 ) | DVD | (19/07/2004) from £87.73   |  Saving you £-23.74 (-37.10%)   |  RRP £63.99

  Trapped In The Sky: Criminal mastermind the Hood puts a bomb on a plane. International Rescue must foil the Hood's evil plans and at the same time save Tin-Tin who is on board. Pit Of Peril: The Sidewinder a revolutionary mobile army unit disappears underground during testing. Brains concocts an elaborate and risky scheme to rescue the men on board. The Perils Of Penelope: Professor Borender an important scientist and Lady Penelope are both abducted. T

• Joe 90 - Vol. 5 - Episodes 25-30 | DVD | (27/01/2003) from £13.05   |  Saving you £2.94 (22.53%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Joe McClaine is a seemingly ordinary 9 year old boy. However his father has developed a marvellous method of transferring special brain patterns into his son's mind that allows Joe to acquire incredible skills. Soon Joe becomes an agent for the World Intelligence Network and uses his extraordinary enhancements to serve justice around the world... Another stunning Supermarionation series from the Gerry Anderson team that brought you 'Thunderbirds' 'Captain Scarlet' and 'Stingray'.

• Gerry Anderson - the Monochrome Years | DVD | (09/10/2006) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £99.99

  Gerry Anderson is a British producer who was to British TV in the 60's what Walt Disney was to U.S. TV in the 50's - THE purveyor of children's television. As the children of the 60's grew up so did Gerry's programming with more adult puppet shows and live-action dramas to appeal to his maturing audience. The list of shows which Anderson has produced is quite staggering encompassing something that will resonate with almost everyone. His credits range from Thunderbirds to Space 1999; Captain Scarlet to Stingray; Joe 90 and the Terrahawks. Gerry Anderson is truly a bastion of children's television and his works are celebrated here on this monolith of a box set. Includes: 1. Torchy The Battery Boy (Series 1) 2. Four Feather Falls 3. Supercar 4. Fireball XL5

• Joe 90 - Vol. 2 | DVD | (30/09/2002) from £14.83   |  Saving you £1.16 (7.82%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Joe 90 was Gerry Anderson's penultimate puppet show of the 1960s, following Captain Scarlet (1968) and preceding the little-known The Secret Service (1969). In 2112 professor Ian McClaine has invented the BIG RAT (Brain Impulse Galvanoscope, Record and Transfer), a machine for copying knowledge and experiences from person to person. WIN (World Intelligence Organisation) uses this to prime their top undercover agent before sending him into the field on missions which range from foiling international terrorists to recovering a nuclear weapon from beneath the polar ice. So far so good, but in perhaps the most mind-boggling concept ever to reach children's TV, that agent is McClaine's nine-year-old adopted son, Joe. Somehow even as it stays true to the Gerry Anderson techno-fantasy formula of secret organisations, gadgetry, and action-packed adventure full of spectacular explosions and violent death, Joe 90 remains blithely unconscious of its own implications. The missions are as globe-trotting as anything in Anderson's classic Thunderbirds series, and sometimes Joe does save lives, performing a risky brain operation or rescuing trapped astronauts. Yet even then his criminally irresponsible father brainwashes the lad each episode before placing him in a highly dangerous adult situation. Though the production values remain way ahead of anything else being done on British TV at the time, the question remains how did this ever seem like a good idea? On the DVD: Joe 90, Volume 2 contains the second set of six 25-minute episodes presented, as usual with Gerry Anderson DVDs, behind a lovingly crafted menu. As expected the 4:3 picture quality is superb and the mono sound is full, detailed and without a trace of distortion. There are also several pages of character biography and background information on the show, a photo gallery and a variety of other extras. --Gary S Dalkin

• Thunderbirds | DVD | (19/09/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £99.99

  Featuring all 32 'Thunderbirds' episodes ever made plus a bonus CD this strictly limited edition box set is the collection of the classic TV series to own! Episode Titles Trapped In The Sky Pit of Peril Perils of Penelope Terror in New York City Edge Of Impact Day Of Disaster 30 Minutes After Noon Desperate Intruder End Of The Road The Uninvited Sun Probe Operation Crash-Dive Vault Of Death The Mighty Atom City Of Fire The Impostors The Man From MI5 Cry Wolf Danger At Ocean Deep Move and You're Dead The Duchess Assignment Brink Of Disaster Attack Of The Alligators Martian Invasion The Cham Cham Security Hazard Altantic Inferno Path of Destruction Alias Mr Hackenbacker Lord Parker's Oliday Ricochet Give or Take A Million.

• Joe 90 - Vol. 4 - Episodes 19 To 24 | DVD | (11/11/2002) from £14.83   |  Saving you £1.16 (7.82%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Joe McClaine is a seemingly ordinary 9 year old boy. However his father has developed a marvellous method of transferring special brain patterns into his son's mind that allows Joe to acquire incredible skills. Soon Joe becomes an agent for the World Intelligence Network and uses his extraordinary enhancements to serve justice around the world... Another stunning Supermarionation series from the Gerry Anderson team that brought you 'Thunderbirds' 'Captain Scarlet' and 'Stingray'

• Joe 90 - Vol. 3 - Episodes 13 To 18 | DVD | (11/11/2002) from £17.79   |  Saving you £-1.80 (-11.30%)   |  RRP £15.99

  Joe McClaine is a seemingly ordinary 9 year old boy. However his father has developed a marvellous method of transferring special brain patterns into his son's mind that allows Joe to acquire incredible skills. Soon Joe becomes an agent for the World Intelligence Network and uses his extraordinary enhancements to serve justice around the world... Another stunning Supermarionation series from the Gerry Anderson team that brought you 'Thunderbirds' 'Captain Scarlet' and 'Stingra