Are there any U.F.O. or Space 1999 fans out there? Come on...you can admit it! I liked both shows but of the two U.F.O. was was my favorite. That catchy 70's era music...the leasure suits...the women! Martin Bower special effects! whats not to like! The Ed Straker car! The Mobiles! The Interceptors! The U.F.O's!

Now Space 1999 did have some coolness to it as well....The Martin Bower special effects! The Eagles! The Hawks! All of those Alien Ships! That catchy title toon! and lets not forget Martin Landau and Barbra Bain.

I cant for the life of me understand why there are not more styrene models from both series! At least Space 1999 had plastic kits if the Eagle and the Hawk and moonbase Alpha! U.F.O....just the toylike Imai kits from the 80's! Nothing from the mainstream hobby producers of the day. Yes, you can get expensive resin kits but not plastic! its a shame! I would love for Moebius to tackle the Shado Mobile or an Interceptor! With the detail that they have been giving us on the Irwin Allen kits can you imagine what Moebius could do with those? I think it's too soon to start pestering Dave about more..I want this ...I want that right now. Moebius plate is pretty full with all of the great kits they just announced at I hobby!

Sorry..getting off my soapbox now! U.F.O. or Space 1999. Which was your favorite?:cool:

That catchy 70's era music...the leisure suits...the women! Martin Bower special effects! whats not to like! The Ed Straker car! The Mobiles! The Interceptors! The U.F.O's!And two words: Gabrielle Drake!
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v6sMhKNFk_U/SBgDQoBo2lI/AAAAAAAABIc/88MN9fsZnYI/s400/GabrielleDrake.jpg
UFO was a bit campy and cheesy by today's standards, but the miniatures still look remarkably realistic and the stories were generally engrossing and fun to watch. And the women were gorgeous.

Space: 1999 started off with an absurd premise and went downhill from there. I found that show insufferably boring and pretentious, especially the later episodes that were heavy on the metaphysical/spiritual mumbo-jumbo. Nice looking spaceships, though.

Good question. I am a huge fan of most of the Gerry Anderson series, and have Supercar through to 1999 on dvd. But out of UFO & 1999, UFO is the only one I can watch repeatedly. Even UFO goes pretty weird and psychadelic in it later episodes. 1999 is so ridiculous, its like they were aiming for Star Trek and ended up with Dr Who, tho as you say, mostly good effects and miniatures. Martin Landau good as the thinking mans Kirk, Barbara Bain and her one single facial expression for 2 seasons terrible. Just my two cents.

gotta be ufo! i grew up not far from century 21 in slough (england) and 2 miles from space models in Feltham where some of the models including the large skydiver was built, extremely cool opening sequence.

I love them both equally. I was only seven when UFO came to US television here in the Atlanta area. I didn't know until a decade later that it was'nt a US produced show. Same went for 1999. Both shows came on right after the news at the 7p.m. time slot. I sometimes missed them due to my family eating dinner during that hour. I remember a small toy company released a 1:64 scale car that was painted the same color as Strakers car that looked an awful lot like it. I think I went through 3 0r 4 of those in the early 70's. I still have my original UFO lunch box.

I like 'em both - from what I can remember of them, anyhow. I've not seen much in the way of episodes of either in quite some time. In fact, I think the last time I watched more than a couple of minutes of each - usually from YouTube - was when SciFi Channel used to run them. And that was more than fifteen years ago, IIRC! :(

Anyhow, from what I recall, I liked Space:1999 better than UFO, as I found UFO to be somewhat dry and boring most of the time - going from memory. Yeah, Space:1999 was a bit silly, starting w/the premise as scotpens noted above. But it had heart in the first season, anyhow. Guess I'm a bit lover of cheese in my TV Shows. :D

Guess I need to get these series on DVD, neh? I think that after watching The Starlost, these two will be high drama and SFX!

.

UFO, to me, had the better writing and more mature storylines. I have all of UFO on DVD, but stopped at the first 1999 set because watching it reminded me of how bad it was at times.

But I will always love all the vehicles from both series. I'm a sci fi vehicle fan, and Anderson's vehicles were always right up there with Irwin Allen's in my heart.

UFO is an incredible show. I dont find it campy, and think it holds up great to this day. Gerry Andersons crowning achievement IMO. Thunderbirds was also pretty damn good if you can get past the puppets.

I watched both as a kid and loved them. I rented a few episodes of both a couple of years ago for a laugh. My wife had to leave the room and if it wasn't for the still very cool models, I wouldn't have been able to get through them. Both have great designs for modelers. For what it's worth, I think UFO holds up a little better than 1999.
Joe

UFO has always been my favorite oldie sci-fi show. Even snatched up a UFO lunchbox on my recent trip to Vermont. Even as a kid Space 1999 never grabbed my attention, though I do remember watching several episodes but never watched it again.
UFO on the other hand I have watched repeatedly on DVD since I bought them.

UFO by a mile. I watched it on TV first in the 70s. When 1999 came out, I liked the first couple of shows... but then it was BOR-ING. I can't say I have watched any of them again since they were first aired. Aside from good special effects, the show was slug like and dull.

Guess I'm a bit lover of cheese in my TV Shows.UFO is fine aged cheddar. Space: 1999 is Cheez Whiz.Thunderbirds was also pretty damn good if you can get past the puppets.What are you talking about? Hell, the puppets make the show. Lady Penelope was one hot piece of wood!

http://www.peteykins.com/sparklepics4/LadyPenelope.jpg

Well, so far the consensus seems to be U.F.O. and I have to agree! The shows were much more interesting and although somewhat cheesy they are still fun to watch. I remember when Space 1999 came on WPIX channel 11 in New York back in the 70's it was on right after Star Trek for a while and the difference was striking! Even though Trek was the older show it made Space 1999 look silly by comparison! The only thing that made it worthwhile to watch were those cool special effects! I liked Martin Landau and Barbra Bain from when they were on The old Mission Impossible TV series.

I have U.F.O. on DVD. I dont have Space 1999! That should tell you something!:)

UFO is fine aged cheddar. Space: 1999 is Cheez Whiz.What are you talking about? Hell, the puppets make the show. Lady Penelope was one hot piece of wood!

http://www.peteykins.com/sparklepics4/LadyPenelope.jpg

From the neck up, yes!

However, from the neck down, she could double for Gilligan. Not my cup of tea, or rather.....not my type of wood.

From the neck up, yes!

However, from the neck down, she could double for Gilligan. Not my cup of tea, or rather.....not my type of wood.Maybe this babe was more to your taste?

http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/attachment.php?attachmentid=94594&stc=1&d=1258224158

I have both UFO and Space:1999 on DVD and I pretty much enjoy them about the same. That being said, I pull out the Year 1 DVDs for Space:1999 the most, but occasionally get into watching UFO. I think that UFO is kind of an acquired taste because it is firmly tied to 1969-1970 in terms of production values and the look of the show, despite Sylvia Anderson's attempt to make the show look like it was 1980 - in retrospect, she was much further ahead of her time than she knew in terms of fashion and hairstyles.

Year 1 of Space:1999 is the most attractive to watch in terms of a "space" show. The first season was a bit smarter than the second season. Production values were higher due to a more extensive budget and the stories were told in a more straightforward fashion. Year 2 of Space:1999, despite the updated music, uniforms and sets, just came off like a cheap knockoff of the original. I liked the addition of the character, Maya, but the constant transformation into "monster-like" creatures nearly every week just made it a joke. I did like watching Catherine Schell for the most part though.

Bryan

I've got UFO on DVD but not Space:1999. The first, and for a long time the only, episode of Space:1999 that I saw happened to be "War Games" which was also the episode on the viewmaster reels. I REALLY thought it was a great series after that and read the books and novelizations (which were REALLY excellent to me back when I was 12-14 years old).

I've never gotten to see all the episodes of Space:1999 so I can't really say I wouldn't like it a lot. I don't think it will surpass UFO in my opinion from what few other episodes I have seen of it over the years.

The ships were DEFINITELY better in Space:1999 but everything else seems better in UFO.

I've never gotten to see all the episodes of Space:1999 so I can't really say I wouldn't like it a lot. I don't think it will surpass UFO in my opinion from what few other episodes I have seen of it over the years.

The ships were DEFINITELY better in Space:1999 but everything else seems better in UFO.

Perfesser -

You might want to think about renting a couple of discs from Netflix, if you're a member. There are actually quite a few good episodes in series 1 - Breakaway, Another Time Another Place, Testament of Arkadia, Black Sun, Force of Life, Space Brain, The Last Sunset & The Troubled Spirit are pretty good - as well was War Games, which you've already mentioned.

I usually revisit the series about once a year. I find series 1 to be very watchable, but series 2 is a bit of a challenge for me.

Bryan

UFO BLOWS Space 1999 out of the water by leaps and bounds for me...Far more realistic, better writing and thier hardware was fantastic for its time, and to me still holds up...The only things I liked at all about space 1999, were the hawks and eagles...that was about it...

Z

Which one had the undersea babe's in fishnet blouses?

That would be UFO's Skydiver crew.

UFO has my vote.

Are there any U.F.O. or Space 1999 fans out there? Come on...you can admit it! I liked both shows but of the two U.F.O. was was my favorite. That catchy 70's era music...the leasure suits...the women! Martin Bower special effects! whats not to like! The Ed Straker car! The Mobiles! The Interceptors! The U.F.O's!

Now Space 1999 did have some coolness to it as well....The Martin Bower special effects! The Eagles! The Hawks! All of those Alien Ships! That catchy title toon! and lets not forget Martin Landau and Barbra Bain.

I cant for the life of me understand why there are not more styrene models from both series! At least Space 1999 had plastic kits if the Eagle and the Hawk and moonbase Alpha! U.F.O....just the toylike Imai kits from the 80's! Nothing from the mainstream hobby producers of the day. Yes, you can get expensive resin kits but not plastic! its a shame! I would love for Moebius to tackle the Shado Mobile or an Interceptor! With the detail that they have been giving us on the Irwin Allen kits can you imagine what Moebius could do with those? I think it's too soon to start pestering Dave about more..I want this ...I want that right now. Moebius plate is pretty full with all of the great kits they just announced at I hobby!

Sorry..getting off my soapbox now! U.F.O. or Space 1999. Which was your favorite?:cool:



I love both shows and I'm sure there's many who would agree with you about wanting plastic kits from those shows. Unfortunately no manufacturers seem to want to do new kits (we've often let Moebius/Dave know so better not do that for a long time, and anyway Moebius must know by now that there's quite a few UFO and 1999 fans on here and other boards, who would like Moebius quality kits of these subjects, but they can only do so much). I think Moebius usually does subjects that they themselves have always wanted. Subjects that they know a lot about.

I recently rented the entire series of UFO on DVD and sampled a few episodes of SPACE:1999. I think the main difference is that UFO was trying to be James Bond, while SPACE was trying to be 2001:A SPACE ODYSSEY.

I think the episode "A Question of Priorities" is enough to give the edge to UFO. I can't think of any science fiction show of the era doing something that strong dramatically.

But then UFO also produced "Ordeal" and "Close Up." I am convinced that Gerry Anderson had absolutely no idea what made a good story. Fortunately, when he occasionally got hold of a good one, he didn't try to "improve" it.

And for people looking for models, there was recently an announcement of a new UFO movie. Hopefully this will give someone the incentive to produce a "classic series" line of models.

And two words: Gabrielle Drake!
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_v6sMhKNFk_U/SBgDQoBo2lI/AAAAAAAABIc/88MN9fsZnYI/s400/GabrielleDrake.jpg
UFO was a bit campy and cheesy by today's standards, but the miniatures still look remarkably realistic and the stories were generally engrossing and fun to watch. And the women were gorgeous.

I was recently looking for some UFO clips on YouTube and found it interesting that at least four people uploaded the clip of Gabrielle Drake changing into her leisure uniform.

I liked them both but I'd I'd have to say that I think UFO edges out 1999 just a bit. Both had really cool hardware, and I thought the earlier Space:1999 episodes were better than the later ones where Maya was introduced.

Which one had the undersea babes in fishnet blouses?That would be UFO's Skydiver crew.

Actually, the men were prettier than the women.

http://www.cloudster.com/Sets&Vehicles/UFO_SkyDiver/UFO_Question_of_Priorities_122.jpg

ooooo would you look at the knobs! garrrrr!

No way could I retire for the night with that image burned in my retinas.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xibTly9JtDk/Sv-DYfMTyVI/AAAAAAAACcA/yA_oNSngVeQ/skyOp.jpg

There was a 1999 ep where aliens granted the Moon an atmosphere by dropping millions of oxygen-generating probes. The Alpha crew reacted with great big smiles, and Koening casually slid open a window in Command and took a deep breath.

:eek:

Even as a teenager, I screamed at the TV. A moon base with sliding windows?! :freak:

UFO would never be that stupid.

1999 was trying for Star Trek, but nailed Lost In Space. Crazy costumes and premises, and the whole 'it's a mystery' solution to the third act. It was the first sci-fi show I turned off and went to do something else.

But then UFO was in my teenage years. The women alone guaranteed my interest. Just like Monty Python breasts.

Great special effects in both of them. Way ahead of anything until Star Wars.

There was a 1999 ep where aliens granted the Moon an atmosphere by dropping millions of oxygen-generating probes. The Alpha crew reacted with great big smiles, and Koenig casually slid open a window in Command and took a deep breath.

:eek:

Even as a teenager, I screamed at the TV. A moon base with sliding windows?! :freak:

UFO would never be that stupid.

The episode you're talking about is called "The Last Sunset"... Your memories of the plot are somewhat inaccurate.

A bit of trivia about the "sliding windows":

The script describes technicians refitting the windows after the Moon has an atmosphere. In the episode they appear to be able to just open a window. When the first corrosion is discovered, the script has Koenig ordering the windows replaced and Alpha repressurised with its own atmosphere.

Due to the length of the episode, these scenes were omitted, so having a moonbase that isn't normally suited to an atmosphere with windows that readily accomodate that is one of the "wonky" moments in Space:1999.

Bryan

Hmmmmm.

Well, I've come to the point where I can appreciate a show that overall has flaws but there's that kernel of...what, magic? a spark of a fascinating idea? I dunno. maybe it's just being wishy-washy.

On overall merits I do have to go with UFO. It's a shockingly DARK series when you really dig into it. And there were some very fine looking ladies in it.

Space:1999, if you can swallow the concept, wasn't too bad. Some of the shows, where they had a shadow of continuity between the episodes (abandoned because of concerns that it would make the show problematical in syndication), were not bad at all. Second season went right into the toilet.

The main thing about UFO that bugged me was how the writers decided that the Aliens could do ANYTHING, anything at all. So it's all well and good we can take down their spinny tops one at a time but they can flipping CONTROL TIME. I always had this odd idea that they had a base on some dark planetoid in an unusual orbit (as implied by the end credits). I would have liked to seen more of the concept of there being Alien 'agents', either willing or mind controlled, scattered about the Earth.

Col. Lake! RrrrOOOWWrrrr!

Col. Lake! RrrrOOOWWrrrr!

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xibTly9JtDk/SwGIdgZaKpI/AAAAAAAACcU/D4bk8ECLjv4/wanda.jpghttp://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/medium/JohnPayneasBarnabasCollinsSmall.jpg

Col. Lake! RrrrOOOWWrrrr!You have excellent taste in women, my friend. Wanda Ventham was indeed a classy beauty -- sort of a cross between Julie Christie and Honor Blackman.

http://www.fantascienza.com/magazine/imgbank/NEWS/TV/wanda-ventham.jpg

The episode you're talking about is called "The Last Sunset"... Your memories of the plot are somewhat inaccurate.

A bit of trivia about the "sliding windows":



Due to the length of the episode, these scenes were omitted, so having a moonbase that isn't normally suited to an atmosphere with windows that readily accomodate that is one of the "wonky" moments in Space:1999.

Bryan

So, in the script, was there a part when the atmosphere was rapidly deteriorating that Koenig ordered the "non-sliding" windows back on just in time?

So, in the script, was there a part when the atmosphere was rapidly deteriorating that Koenig ordered the "non-sliding" windows back on just in time?

I know where you're going with this, but the first signs of deterioration were when the Eagles started developing malfunctions, not when the atmosphere was being taken away. If you saw the episode, Koenig orders one Eagle to be stripped down and have all the parts to be coated with graphite to keep the ships from coming apart due to whatever was putting them out of service.

Bryan

As a kid, I have vague memories of UFO's original run. I remember thinking it was creepy. Later I did watch all of Space:1999 as it ran and loved it. Keep in mind I was 12 at the time.

I have since seen all of both series. It's difficult to compare them. UFO seems more of a kid's series in concept in that we have bad guys coming and always have to blow them away. But, the plotting and scenarios were often very adult in nature. 1999 seemed to be trying to have high-concept, mature themes, but generally devolved into everything exploding—which was great as a kid.

So, they both had flaws. From an adult perspective, I guess I still give the nod to season 1 of 1999. But not by much. UFO definitely has the babe factor with Lt. Ellis and Col. Lake and the Skydiver mesh hottie.

I like them both.

I liked Space 1999 more.I too saw U.F.O. but never followed it.I should add I liked Space 1999s 1st season much more than its second.After all the changes they jazzed and changed the show too much.Why do I like it?the first Season was entertaining and I just enjoyed it.I still have 2 Eagle kits 3 Moonbase Alphas and one of the Alien Space Vehicle model kits from MPC.

You have excellent taste in women, my friend. Wanda Ventham was indeed a classy beauty -- sort of a cross between Julie Christie and Honor Blackman.

http://www.fantascienza.com/magazine/imgbank/NEWS/TV/wanda-ventham.jpg

That's a pretty good description!

I was deeelighted when Alfred Wong created a 1/48 scale Hawk for Starship Modeler:
http://www.inpayne.com/models/1999hawkssm1.html

UFO had some great stories for some episodes, great sets and model work. I rewatched the whole thing recently and was surprised to see that it still holds up for the most part after all these years. There is much to say about the UFOs vulnerabilty to missiles and their inabilty to defend themselves but that's another discussion.

1999 started well and came up I thought with an interesting concept. But then came season 2 and Gerald Fried which led to a scene that would be repeated many times in the years to come: a British show being adapted to please the American audience.
The rest is history.

1999 started well and came up I thought with an interesting concept. But then came season 2 and Gerald Fried which led to a scene that would be repeated many times in the years to come: a British show being adapted to please the American audience.
The rest is history.

I think that you mean Fred Freiberger, who was the same guy that produced the 3rd season of the original 1960's Star Trek series, which was coincedentally cancelled after his involvement in it.

I quite agree - Space:1999 had a lot going for it originally, but the idea that the show needed to be reworked to draw in an American audience was a major faux pas on the part of ITC Entertainment. They should have left Anderson to his own devices.

Ultimaltey, Lord Lew Grade was a major deciding factor - he wanted to graduate from television and focus on backing films instead. There was a lot of success there, but when ITC backed the film, Raise the Titanic. The film cost ITC a lot financially and it never recovered from that outing. Lord Grade retired from active film production and ITC was downgraded as a distribution outlet for their many film and TV properties. The licensing for ITC has changed hands many times over the years, but it no longer exists as a stand alone company.

Bryan

Are there any U.F.O. or Space 1999 fans out there? Come on...you can admit it! I liked both shows but of the two U.F.O. was was my favorite. That catchy 70's era music...the leasure suits...the women! Martin Bower special effects! whats not to like! The Ed Straker car! The Mobiles! The Interceptors! The U.F.O's!

Now Space 1999 did have some coolness to it as well....The Martin Bower special effects! The Eagles! The Hawks! All of those Alien Ships! That catchy title toon! and lets not forget Martin Landau and Barbra Bain.

I cant for the life of me understand why there are not more styrene models from both series! At least Space 1999 had plastic kits if the Eagle and the Hawk and moonbase Alpha! U.F.O....just the toylike Imai kits from the 80's! Nothing from the mainstream hobby producers of the day. Yes, you can get expensive resin kits but not plastic! its a shame! I would love for Moebius to tackle the Shado Mobile or an Interceptor! With the detail that they have been giving us on the Irwin Allen kits can you imagine what Moebius could do with those? I think it's too soon to start pestering Dave about more..I want this ...I want that right now. Moebius plate is pretty full with all of the great kits they just announced at I hobby!

Sorry..getting off my soapbox now! U.F.O. or Space 1999. Which was your favorite?:cool:

Correction: Derek Meddings was in charge of UFO's FX. Brian Johnson was in charge of Space: 1999's. Martin Bower was a freelance model-maker on 1999, not an FX director.

Martin Hatfield, I'm surprised you didn't catch this gaffe.

UFO definitely has the babe factor with Lt. Ellis and Col. Lake and the Skydiver mesh hottie.

The Skydiver "mesh hottie" was Anouska Hempel, who also played Eagle pilot Bill Fraser's wife, Annette, in Space: 1999's second-season premiere episode "The Metamorph."

I always thought it unfair that the Skydiver's male crew got to wear the mesh shirts, but the female crew had to wear a shirt under the mesh. Poor things.

1999 started well and came up I thought with an interesting concept. But then came season 2 and Gerald Fried which led to a scene that would be repeated many times in the years to come: a British show being adapted to please the American audience.I think that you mean Fred Freiberger, who was the same guy that produced the 3rd season of the original 1960's Star Trek series, which was coincidentally cancelled after his involvement in it.Gerald Fried was the composer who wrote the distinctive music for several Star Trek TOS eps including "Amok Time."The Skydiver "mesh hottie" was Anouska Hempel, who also played Eagle pilot Bill Fraser's wife, Annette, in Space: 1999's second-season premiere episode "The Metamorph."One of her most memorable roles was as the whip-wielding plantation owner in Russ Meyer's 1973 exploitation melodrama Blacksnake. (Definitely not to be confused with Black Snake Moan!)
http://www.filmthreat.com/UploadImages/blacksnake%2002.jpg

I always thought it unfair that the Skydiver's male crew got to wear the mesh shirts, but the female crew had to wear a shirt under the mesh. Poor things.Well, those tan-colored undershirts DID make them look almost nekkid . . .

Gotta chime in on this one. I liked UFO MUCH better than Space: 1999. Although I liked it too and have both on DVD, UFO gets watched more often. This brings up the one tidbit that I have always wanted to mention. With 3 Interceptors and one shot each.....why didn't the aliens just send 4 ships???

Technically, there were supposed to be three guns in the Interceptors' anti-glare panels (in case they missed), but they were never used.