Supercar was a children's TV show produced by Gerry Anderson's AP Films for ATV and ITC Entertainment . 39 episodes were produced between 1961 and 1962, and it was Anderson's first half-hour series. In the UK it was seen on ITV and in the US in syndication. The format utilizes puppets in a technique called supermarionation, a name that was first seen in the closing titles of the last 13 episodes.
Story
The premise deals with an experimental all-purpose vehicle, based in the Nevada desert, which can travel on land, fly through the air, and deep-sea dive. Characters include pilot Mike Mercury, inventor Professor Popkiss, his associate Dr. Beaker, child Jimmy Gibson, and Jimmy's pet chimp named Mitch. Stories revolve around crime solving and rescue, with occasional science fiction elements.
Supercar was a vertical takeoff and landing craft. On land it rode on a cushion of air rather than wheels. Jets in the rear allowed it to fly like a jet and retractable wings were incorporate in the back of car. Retrorockets on the side of the car slowed the vehicle. The car incorporated "Clearview" which had an inside television monitor that allowed the occupant to see through fog and smoke.
History
After Granada Television failed to renew Four Feather Falls, Anderson was approached by Lew Grade of ATV, who asked him to make a half-hour puppet show along similar lines. After developing the format and budgeting the series Anderson returned to Grade, who approved it but demanded a budget cut. Fortunately Anderson was able to make the necessary economies and brought the show in on budget.
Anderson always claimed that he invented a futuristic vehicle as an excuse to reduce the amount of walking the puppets had to do, which could never be made to look realistic. This was finally taken to its logical conclusion in Captain Scarlet, in which the puppets are almost never seen walking.
The complete series is available on DVD in the United Kingdom and North America.
See also: Thunderbirds and Fireball XL5.
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