The Morecambe & Wise Show (1970)

Well I always knew there were more appearances of this space suit and helmet out there, I just wasn't expecting one of them to be in something as high profile as The Morecambe and Wise Show

This is from a sketch in the first episode of the BBC's run which aired on 1st of July 1970.

I've also found yet another appearance of this spacesuit and helmet which I'll be posting next and then I'm probably going to have to do an index of all the known  appearances, dates  and colour changes.

If you are new here and dont recognise them, these were the suits first used in Doppelgänger, a 1969 British science fiction film written by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson.  They then became even more prolific in the Anderson's TV series UFO, as well as being loaned out to make lots more appearances in other TV shows, adverts, book and record covers.

Steve

Doppelganger - Original Concept (1969)

I was having a little wander around the internet, looking for some pictures for another post and stumbled across this....

Found courtesy of The Prop Gallery website, this is the original concept art by Derek Meddings  for the Spacesuit first used in the 1969 film Doppelganger, AKA; Journey to the Far Side of the Sun.  The art has long since been sold but go visit the website for a good look around.

 

http://www.thepropgallery.com/derek-meddings-spacesuit-concept-design

 

I think that this is rather a special find for Say; Hello Spaceman, as its this suit in conjunction with the Moon Zero Two suit that first got me interested in tracking those spacesuits that feature in multiple media. And to think, it all started here beneath the pencil and paints of Derek Meddings, a man that designed so much of my childhood.  What a hero

 

 

Steve

Philip K Dick’s Electric Dreams (2017)

I was already quite excited about this show from the initial trailer;  It's the work of Phillip K Dick, it's a sci-fi anthology TV show and the cast contained some impressive acting talent.

Having seen further images and read which writers and directors are involved in each episode I'm now even more pumped

However, the space helmet featured at the end of the latest trailer has left me gobsmacked.

If that's not an original Doppelganger / UFO helmet, then its a very deliberate replica (With additional side lights).

Whilst these have had quite a bit of a career appearing in any number of TV shows, book covers and adverts, I don't believe I've got anything later than 1975 for them in the blog.  Quite where its been in all those years and why it's come out of retirement now remains to be revealed in the coming months but somebody out there knows their science fiction icons.

Some must watch TV, I think and most probably a few magazine interviews to be read afterwards.

Thank you Dave for the heads up on this.


Steve

The Heirs of King Kong (1968)

The Heirs of King Kong or "Gli eredi di King Kong" as they say in Italy is actually the film Destroy All Monsters, rebranded with a cheeky little reference to the greatest of the apes who of course isn't in the actual film.

And if you think  that's just a tad underhand and misleading perhaps you should have a closer look at the spacemen featured in both of these two Italian promotional posters.

Yes, those are indeed a couple of different images of Shado astronauts from the British TV series; UFO, who, unsurprisingly, also don't feature in this film. - Sneaky! 

This one is for you, Tim.  It seems you weren't the only one who thought the actual suits used in this film were uninspiring.


Steve

Journey to the Far Side of the Sun (1969) - Gallery 2

More lovely images from a childhood favourite that still delights me to this day.

Steve

Journey to the Far Side of the Sun (1969) - Gallery

All this and Christmas Too! (1971)

"Sid's daughter may be pregnant, but he is more interested in catching a pesky mouse. Things are further complicated by visits from an assortment of strange neighbours and relatives. A one-off festive situation comedy starring Sid James" 

This is an exciting find for me.  I grew up watching Sid James on TV and in the Carry On films. A comedy legend and here he is an a previously unknown one-off bit of Christmas nonsense and for reasons I'm not entirely sure of he's in a Doppelganger/UFO space suit.  Sid in a spacesuit at Christmas time is like Pigs in Blankets but for the eyes!  (not entirely sure that will translate outside of Blighty but suffice to say it's a very good thing)


Steve

Tomorrow's Pantomime - Decameron (1976)

Saw this today in an Oxfam Store.  The band were called Decameron.  The album was called Tomorrow's Pantomime and it was their fourth LP, released in 1976.  Obviously it caught my eye enough to note the names and research them online.  I've never heard of them or anything by them so I'm not sure it they are my cup of tea or not but I do like the use of the Journey to the Far Side of the Sun / Doppelganger helmet.  This has popped up in some obscure places over the years but this has to be one of my favourites...and one of the last.

 

Steve

UFO Gallery (1970) Part 2

 

 

Steve

UFO Gallery (1970) Part 1

It's time for one of our irregular gallery features.  And this time it's to look again at not only one of the finest spacesuit designs but also one of the hardest working space helmets on British TV, film and other related media.  Thank you Mr Anderson for making it all possible.  Look at the pretty pictures.

 

 

Steve