Like others at the time, I thought this puppet series was a Gerry Anderson production. However, eventually I realised it was from the same stable as Torchy The Battery Boy. Certainly, the puppets seemed more realistic than Anderson's, but Fireball XL5 obviously had more money thrown at it. The galasphere was intriguing since it didn't have a rocket shape, and the accompanying electronic music simply added to the weirdness. Unlike Fireball, which had adventures on fictitious planets, Space Patrol concentrated on visits to our own solar system. Alongside Fireball, Dr Who and Target Luna, Space Patrol latched on to the space exploration genre which seemed prevalent in the early sixties. Although Earthlings, Martians and Venusians were in an alliance, the inhabitants of other planets often seemed to be antagonistic or devious. Dealing with them was the remit of the bearded Captain Larry Dart and his crew Slim and Husky. Although, I can't ever recall seeing any other galaspheres or their crews. The year 2100 sets which obviously looked futuristic at the time, will now appear quaint. As they say, nothing dates quicker than yesterday's view of tomorrow. Gender roles are stereotyped. In fact I cannot recall any female characters other than secretary Marla and dutiful daughter Cassiopia. But then, the original Star Trek series didn't exactly promote Women's Lib!
Worth a nostalgic look if you come across it. One big plus point I recall is that one episode featured the only fist fight I've ever seen between puppets! Edit. Just remembered. Beards weren't the norm in the early sixties. Therefore,if me and my pals saw anybody sporting one we would all point and shout "Larry Dart!"
Review of Planet Patrol
