I've often wondered who or what Britains based their shapely female space STARGARDS figure on in the 1980's.
One possible contender is the equally female character Crystal from the much older 1960's Space Angel cartoon as seen here on Transogram's Board Game based on the series.
Here's an episode of Space Angel, one of many on You Tube.
Do you remember this TV series?
I thought this was a modern day spoof at first, a bit like Nebula 75 is a fake Gerry Anderson show.
ReplyDeleteThis was because I had never seen or heard of it, and also because, the lip movements of the characters appeared to be superimposed actors mouths (which I believed to be a recent process), not animated ones.
According to IMDB however, it's genuine, from 1962, and the lip movement technique is an old one called Syncro Vox.
Who knew ?
I have never heard of Space Angel before, although the bearded gentleman on the box top looks a lot like actor James Robertson Justice. This was not the only series to use the very limited animation and superimposed moving mouth technique, I remember the series Clutch Cargo (1959-60) also used it. I probably saw it in the 1970s on TV in NZ, always thought it was very creepy and out of place in a cartoon.
ReplyDeleteI remember Space Angel on telly in the 60s. The Synchro Vox look was indeed very creepy. I was most amused when The Incredibles came out on DVD and one of the extras was a faux cartoon short done in this style.
ReplyDeleteAlthough,thinking about it, I can't quite remember if Space Angel was full animation or zoom and pan camera effects on static artwork like Skayne. Anyone remember that show?
I searched and found this reference. I'd almost forgotten Zokko! But this page lists Skayne as a Sports Reporter and I definitely remember a Jeff Hawke style adventure that ends with the infected hero bringing the cure to a Martian plague back to Earth...
https://missingepisodes.proboards.com/thread/410?page=5
I grew up with Space Angel and Clutch Cargo, and was obsessed with them for a bit. That Synchro-Vox animation technique was so cool and creepy to a kid. I even owned 16mm film on both series for a time in college, and we would howl with laughter watching them with a few pints. There was a third series, Captain Fathom, which never really got syndicated, but you can find it on Dollar DVDs sometimes. Another weird and wonderful animation technique from the glorious 60s.
ReplyDeleteClutch Cargo's a new one on me Zigg. I wonder if that was shown in the UK? Great insights all round fellas. The artwork has an unusually realistic look to it I think, in terms of anatomy. Like something you'd find in the pages of Creepy and Eerie when space was tackled by artists.
ReplyDeleteYes, the cartoon aspect of the shows were very much like "realistic" comic strips of the day (Mark Trail, etc.) But those creepy human lips! Wow!
DeleteClutch Cargo was huge in the U.S., "with his pals Spinner and Paddlefoot!" Great theme music, too - I'm sure its on YouTube.
Clutch Cargo is my new fave phrase. I just need a good time to use it!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite cartoons along with Johnny Quest
ReplyDeleteJohnny Quest looks great but I don't think I watched it as a kid in the UK Ed. I may have it on VHS in the attic.
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