CHASING DOVES

I just saw this spaceplane, the Dream Chaser. 

The view of it hanging vertically during testing reminded me of the Eurosec Dove from Doppleganger!

What do you think?

Looey

Oz Base

JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN DOPPELGANGER COLLECTABLES

Mention of Gerry Anderson's Journey to the Far Side of the Sun aka Doppelganger on the blog this week prompted me to look into any collectables it spawned.

I'll add to this post as and when but here's a starter for ten:

An Australian Daybill and Derek Meddings concept drawing auctioned at the Propstoreo of London/ L.A. https://propstoreauction.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/44/lot/9588/#

Journey To The Far Side Of The Sun - Original 14x11 Movie Set Of Lobby Cards

Journey to the Far Side of the Sun Polish Film Movie Poster, 1974, Mlodozeniec 1st dibs

Journey to the Far Side of the Sun Dove Spacecraft Kit [from Monsters in Motion] - make?

*

This is an interesting site listing all the vehicles in the film

https://www.imcdb.org/m64519.html

God I love this car! Its like my die-cast Astro 1!

UK TV CLASSIC SCI-FI TODAY INCLUDING GERRY ANDERSON!

On the UK Horror Channel today, some classic Sci-Fi TV for a lockdown Easter:

2pm        The Giant Claw
3.30pm   The Incredible Shrinking Man
5.10pm   20 Million Miles to Earth
6.50pm   Journey to the Far Side of the Sun/ Doppelganger [Gerry Anderson!]
10.45pm Fright Night [Roddy McDowell]

What will you be watching?

Diecast Doppelganger Spaceship from the film Journey to the Far Side of the Sun

Reader Jim P brought my attention to this neat die-cast spaceship from the Anderson movie Doppelganger which recently appeared on the Bay. A cute thing, does anyone know anything about this unidentified model?

Journey To The Far Side Of The Car Park by Mike B

The recent post about taking snaps of toys and models outdoors reminded me about the film ‘ Journey To The Far Side Of The Sun’ (or Doppelganger as it was known in Britain), Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s first live action Sci- Fi flick. The reason for the reminiscing was the rocket launch sequence seen in the film which took place outside in the Century 21 car park under the supervision of the late Derek Meddings who wanted a real sky backdrop.

I thought I’d dig out my DVD copy which I hadn’t seen for awhile and check it out.

The Andersons’, keen to move away from programmes aimed at children wanted to produce a film dealing with adult themes. The film’s central premise of a mirror image Earth on the other side of the Sun would take the viewer on ’ a thrill-a-minute space exploration adventure’, or so the press book proclaimed.

The original idea was intended as a TV hour long special, and then after several redrafts developed into a movie.

The final result is very glossy and laden with excellent special effects, but sadly the characters come across as stiff and clichéd. The adult themes have been all but edited out leaving plot threads that lead nowhere.

As far as I’m aware there was no merchandise to accompany the film, although considering it had an A certificate which meant children could see the film if accompanied with an adult it would have been a great opportunity to push the SWORD range as happened with the 2001:A Space Odyssey première in 1968.

The Apollo Saturn Rocket and the Space Glider were reminiscent of the Phoenix and the Dove spacecraft seen in the film. However, as Doppelganger was released in 1969, Century 21 toys would presumably have folded.

Sadly the film was a flop.. Disappointed but undeterred the Andersons’ went on to produce their first live action Sci- Fi TV series, UFO which reused props, music and footage from the film along with several of the actors.

 

 

I’ve done a few screen captures and a couple of scans from the pressbook.

B ekiM