I’ve already featured Space: 1999, which I consider to be the best theme tune/opening titles sequence from a Gerry Anderson show, in my classic theme tunes feature.
However, this one ain’t half bad either. UFO was Anderson’s first live-action show and ran for just a single season of 26 episodes in 1970/71.
Set in a futuristic, silver-jumpsuited 1980, it told the story of Earth’s attempt to thwart a covert alien invasion. In particular, it told the adventures of the agents of a secret organisation set up to fight them, called SHADO (Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organisation) and led by commander Ed Straker (played by Ed Bishop).
A proposed second season was cancelled after pre-production work was carried out, some of which was later used as the basis for Space: 1999, though no link between the two shows is ever explicitly mentioned on screen.
The funny thing for me as I watch these opening titles is that I remember so many of the striking images they contain, even though I have very little memory of actually watching any episodes of the show. I guess I probably did see repeats of some episodes in the mid-to-late 70s, though I very pretty young at the time – but these opening titles sure made an impression!
Here is that original opening sequence:
And here is a nicely-edited, excellent quality, extended version of the theme tune and titles:
Hi Choob,
Another cool week of stuff, well done. If you fancy satisfying your lust for Space 1999 or UFO (or 1970′s women in spandex !) then they are being re-run on the ITV player.
You can see UFO here http://www.itv.com/ITVPlayer/Programmes/default.html?ViewType=1&Filter=2848
and Space 1999 here http://www.itv.com/ITVPlayer/Programmes/default.html?ViewType=1&Filter=532
Hope you enjoy.
Bridtownfan
“Set in a futuristic, silver-jumpsuited 1980″
That was a fairly accurate prediction of your 1980 wardrobe!!!
As you well know, it’s a fairly accurate description of the Choob’s 2009 wardrobe! But, then, silver never goes out of style!
Hey, Bridtownfan, good to know. I’ll be checking them out – I especially want to see again the episode of Space 1999 where Moonbase Alpha is almost destroyed by soap suds (I’m not making that up…)
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