Stingray: The Complete Series—50th Anniversary Edition

After two successful sci-fi Supermarionation shows for British TV (but still before their signature Thunderbirds series), creators Gerry and Sylvia Anderson turned to undersea action in Stingray. The heroes are the World Aquanaut Security Patrol (WASP), deep sea agents whose exploratory mission is transformed into one of defense when the Aquaphibians attack from the submerged city of Titanica. The term “Supermarionation” refers to the Andersons' brand of marionettes, engaging puppets (with strings in full view) that serve as the stars of the show. Captain Troy Tempest (voiced by Don Mason) is the stalwart hero, supported by his co-pilot Phones (Robert Easton) and Princess Marina, a mute underwater dweller whom Troy rescues from the villainous Aquaphibians. Lois Maxwell (the definitive Miss Moneypenny herself) is the voice of Lt. Atlanta Shore, daughter of Troy's boss and Marina's rival for Troy's affections. There's also a blue-skinned Aquaphibian spy-on-the-surface who is a Peter Lorre clone (also voiced by Robert Easton) right down to the sniveling dialogue. The scripts are awkward (as is much of the action), but the souped-up submersibles are a blast, led by the state-of-the-art Stingray, and the series benefits from colorful design and creative science. While Stingray's odd and kitschy nostalgic appeal may interest some viewers, it's still second-rate compared to the more accomplished Anderson productions Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. Compiling all 39 episodes from 1964–65, extras include a “making-of” featurette, and an interview with Gerry Anderson. A strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker)