Stingray

Stingray was a 1960's British children's TV show featuring marionettes various miniature special effects. Created by the legendary Gerry Anderson, the show was the precursor to Thunderbirds, the smash hit series currently enjoying a huge revival on television. The show's 39 half-hour episodes were originally screened on ITV in the UK and in syndication in the USA. Scriptwriters included Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, Alan Fennell (who went on to write for Thunderbirds), and Dennis Spooner. Barry Gray composed the music, and Derek Meddings was the special effects director. Stingray was, in 1964, one of Britain's first television series to be filmed in color, and certainly the first of the Andersons' productions to be filmed in color (something demanded by the lucrative US television market). The series was originally transmitted in black and white, however, as color television was not launched in the UK until 1967.

Set in the year 2065 in the underwater world of Marineville, the surface world is at peace and united under one democracy. Having conquered the galaxy, man has turned his attention to the exploration of closer frontiers, primarily the oceans that cover three-fifths of the Earth's surface and provide a vital new source of mineral resources. But this inner sanctum is peopled by many alien races, who are hostile to the surface people whom they see as invaders of their domain. One group, the Aquaphibians, a race of undersea warriors ruled by Titan, have sworn to invade the surface world and destroy the forces of the World Security Patrol, an international organisation set up to preserve world peace.

The hub of this organization is the World Aquanaut Security Patrol (WASP), an oceanic police force which patrols the seas of the world, protecting it from enemy threats. WASP's most powerful asset is the sleek and deadly underwater craft STINGRAY, a highly sophisticated combat submarine built for speed and manoeuvrability. The sub is capable of speeds of up to 600 knots, and can submerge to depths of over 36,000 feet. WASP is headquartered at Marineville, which is located somewhere near the west Californian coast of the United States. In the event of attack, the entire base can descend on hydraulic jacks into underground bunkers.

Troy Tempest, captain of the STINGRAY, has constant support from a complex cast of characters, among whom are George Lee Sheridan, known to his colleagues as Phones due to his expertise on the Hydrophone underwater communication system; crusty, hoverchair-bound Commander Sam Shore; and Marina, a tail-less mermaid from an underwater continent, rescued by Troy and Phones from her enslavement by Titan. Unable to communicate vocally with her friends, Marina understands what is said to her and makes herself understood by the expressive use of her hands. Passionately in love with Troy, Marina engages in friendly rivalry with Lt. Atlanta Shore, the assistant communications officer on STINGRAY, who also fell in love with Troy on their first meeting and constantly tries to get him to propose - despite the fact that she knows Troy's heart lies with Marina.

In the pilot episode, Stingray is attacked by Titan's forces, and Troy and Phones are captured. They are rescued by Titan's slave girl Marina, a beautiful mute young woman who can breathe underwater. Troy is immediately smitten with Marina, and Atlanta becomes jealous. Meanwhile Titan swears revenge for Marina's betrayal. Marina becomes a regular member of Stingray's crew, and later acquires a seal pup called Oink, who features in a number of episodes. Many subsequent episodes involve Titan's schemes to destroy Stingray and Marineville. These often fail due to the incompetence of Titan's spy, Surface Agent X-2-Zero.