COUNTDOWN TO SHADOCON 2

After the success of last year’s event, plans for this year’s SHADO CON 2 are well under way with tickets now on sale. The day event has even been extended to the evening with the added extra of a big screen showing of the feature film, Doppelgänger aka Journey to the far side Of the Sun at the ‘Quad’ venue.

As many of you will know, Doppelganger is the UK title for Gerry & Sylvia Anderson’s live action sci-fi epic released in 1969. Its style and look is generally considered to be the precursor to UFO.  Although it’s probably better known these days by its more obvious U.S. title, Journey to the far side of the Sun, I’ve always thought Doppelganger was a much more mysterious and more apt title considering the film’s mirror Earth premise. 

This is the U.K. press book showing the original poster and a rundown of some of the scenes in the film. Interestingly, in the UK, Ian Hendry gets the star billing, whereas in the USA, unsurprisingly it's Roy Thinnes. 

The SHADO jeep, which first appeared Doppelgänger, will also be on show, meticulously restored by owner, James Winch.  

The jeep was discovered by pure chance after the wife of James’ friend, Space 1999 modeller Chris Potter spotted it in a photo on a Mini vehicle website.  It was in a very sorry state imminently awaiting the crusher in a Tenerife scrap yard. Apparently, the jeep had found its way there after appearing in a low budget, and as yet unidentified Sci-fi film, presumably filmed on Tenerife, or possibly on one of the other Canary Isles.

James’ spent a small fortune flying out to the scrap yard, buying it and getting it shipped back to England.

He then took on the mammoth task of stripping it down, sourcing spare parts and even having new sections manufactured.  Once it was completed, James’ put it through its MOT and now this superbly restored vehicle is legally roadworthy.

James also owns one of the cars from Doppelganger that didn't get used in UFO.

Another fan and private collector, Paolo Malaguti,  who incidentally owns the other Jeep known to exist will be attending and bringing some of his collection of models and props all the way from Italy.

 

Several guests who were associated with UFO have already been announced, although this list will no doubt increase.

Director Alan Perry will be making a welcome return visit. Alan worked as a camera operator on Stingray and Thunderbirds, before becoming a Director on Captain Scarlet, Joe 90, Secret Service and UFO. I’ve seen Alan several times and he’s always entertaining, telling stories not only of his time on Century 21’s UFO, but also early memories of working for the original AP films

The UFO episode, Psychobombs, which was directed by Jeremy Summers will be featured with proposed appearances by the two surviving actors, Deborah Grant and David Collings, who played the two of the three ‘Psychobombs’ .

 Sadly, the missing ‘Psychobomb’, was played by the late actor, musician and songwriter Mike Pratt who died in 1976. Mike played construction manager Clem Mason. The character is responsible for the destruction of Skydiver 3 as it leaves its hidden silo. In the plot an unseen Sky 4 ultimately destroys the Psychobomb controlling UFO.

Photo: ITV Studios

The actor, Mike Pratt is well known to cult TV fans starring as private eye, Jeff Randall in the ITC series Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), a role originally intended for the late comedian Dave Allen. Mike, as a songwriter also collaborated with the singer Tommy Steele, co-writing several of Steele’s hit records, including ‘Little White Bull’.

Photo: ITV Studios

UPDATE:  Although Deborah Grant was due to appear at Shadocon 2 she has unfortunately had to pull out due to work commitments.

Deborah Grant plays secretary Linda Simmonds who works for an unnamed executive, played by Alex Davion (Davion had a previous connection with Century 21, as he provided the voice of Zero X crew member, Greg Martin in the feature film Thunderbirds are Go)

Photo: ITV Studios

Deborah Grant is probably best known these days for playing Wendy on and off in the long running Lee Mack comedy series, Not Going Out. She was also a semi regular in the eighties BBC Jersey-based police drama Bergerac, playing the part of lead character, Jim Bergerac’s (played by John Nettles) ex-wife, Deborah.

Photo: ITV Studios

Simmons is the first Psychobomb we see taken over by a controlling UFO.  Following her Ufo encounter she has an altercation with an overzealous motorcycle cop, played by Gavin Campbell, which results in poor old Gavin’s character being strangled, but hey, That’s Life!

Paul Foster wastes no time in tracking down the delectable Miss Simmonds, and wastes even less chatting her up, buying her lunch and spending a romantic four hours with her - or is it all just down to alien  hypnotic power.  Whatever it is it’s a tough life being a Shado operative!

Photo: ITV Studios

David Collings plays Daniel Fredrick Clark, described as a Mr Average who coincidently works as a bank clerk.  He’s awoken from sleep and given his super human powers from the UFO. From then on his fate is sealed, culminating in the complete destruction of himself and the Fairfield Tracking Station.

David Collings already has a reasonable cult TV following due to his past appearances in Doctor Who (Revenge of the Cybermen, The Robots of Death, Mawdryn Undead), Sapphire & Steel (as Silver), and the final  Blake’s Seven  story  ‘Blake’ (as Deva ). He also provided the voice of Monkey in the UK dub of the Japanese fantasy comedy drama of the same name.

Alan Harris also makes a welcome return.  Alan appeared in several episodes and in particular the episode, Destruction when he played a Skydiver Sonar operator. He also briefly appears in ‘Journey to the Far Side of the Sun’

At the previous Shadocon, apart from UFO, Alan talked about his time working on Space: 1999 which led to him working on The Empire Strikes Back and Return of The Jedi.

Century 21 modelmaker Alan Shubrook is also attending. He will be hosting an all new hour long audio-visual presentation titled UFO – Behind the Scenes.  

Photo: ITV Studios

Actor David Sumner who played Lunar Shuttle Pilot, Craig in the episode, Kill Straker will also be attending. The Kill Straker episode was directed by Alan Perry, and contained the famous 'slapping' scene.

Ayshea Brough, who played Shado operative Lieutenant Ayshea   Johnson , will be making a welcome return to the venue. Here she is making an appearance in 'Psychobombs'.

Photo: ITV Studios

There will also be the usual signings, model and toy displays, traders and some exclusive merchandise.

It’s worth noting that this will be the last UFO convention organised by this particular group (Markers Universal).