Although an example of ephemera more closely associated with the decades previous, commercially available sheet music for popular chart tunes as well as those from television and film productions was still deemed a lucrative commodity in 1966. All of the Gerry Anderson productions boasted popular theme tunes and Barry Gray's work was seen as sheet music on many occasions right up until UFO in 1970. Cliff Richard And The Shadows too appeared regularly in the sheet music section of record shops and music supply outlets across the country.
It was no surprise then to find this sheet music, along with 'Shooting Star' available soon after the release of THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO in 1966. A one-sheet fold out edition it is probably not of interest to any others than hardcore THUNDERBIRDS collectors or fans of The Shadows. Prices for this item come nowhere near to being comparable to similar copies for shows such as CAPTAIN SCARLET AND THE MYSTERONS or JOE 90 which have been known to command prices in excess of £50 when seen in near mint condition. It is however another pleasing memento of the film.
With the appearance of Cliff And The Shadows looking to be a major coup for the production much was made of the band's visit to studios in Slough during the Autumn of 1966. Earlier in the year the entire line-up were photographed and measured by Christine Glanville, John Brown and rest of their team of puppet makers to ensure as close a likeness as possible for each of the diminutive artistes. Once the puppets had been completed and were ready for filming on the Swinging Star set the band were again invited to see how 'they' had all turned out.
With the production of THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO Century 21 as a multi-media company truly established itself. Given the high-profile of the production, as well as those to follow, facilities expanded and improved. One of these steps forward was the use of a permanent studio photographer. Doug Luke was based in Slough and became responsible for images seen in TV CENTURY 21, the annuals and other publicity material including specification sheets and other promotional imagery. Luke would continue in the industry after the demise of Century 21 and perhaps his greatest commission after the Anderson shows was when he performed similar duties on the Christopher Reeve SUPERMAN movies at Pinewood in the 1970s.
Jim Lewis
No comments:
Post a Comment