TotalTelly.co.uk

Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV

Flipper - Original Series 1


RRP: £34.99
Our Price: £18.37 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

A 1964 television spin-off from the 1963 movie Flipper, Flipper - Original Series 1 is an adventure series that features extensive underwater photography and intriguing story lines involving a widowed park ranger, his two sons, and a clever dolphin named Flipper. This first season of Flipper finds brothers Sandy (Luke Halpin) and Bud (Tommy Norden), their father Park Ranger Porter Ricks (Brian Kelly), and their dolphin Flipper posted at the Coral Key Park and Marine Preserve where they're charged with upholding the law and responding to a variety of predicaments ranging from divers injured by shark attacks, to protecting visitors from incoming hurricanes, rescuing zoo animals from a sinking ship, and fighting congressional battles for continued funding to ensure the very existence of their marine preserve.

While Bud's and Sandy's impulsiveness sometimes get them into trouble, the boys and their father can be counted upon to remain clear-headed in times of crisis. More often than not, though, it's Flipper who fulfills the most crucial role in any given rescue attempt. Guest stars are numerous and include Andy Devine, Margaret Hayes, Dan Chandler, and Ric Applewhite. The underwater photography of marine life was cutting-edge in 1964 and holds up well to this day, providing a fascinating look at trained and instinctive dolphin behavior and marine ecosystems and, while some of the story lines may seem a bit dated to today's audiences, the bigger issues like marine preservation and doing what is right still ring true. Childhood adventure, peril, and suspense pervade each of the 30 half-hour episodes in this first season. Flipper - Original Series 1 promises to leave adults born in the nineteen-fifties and nineteen-sixties reminiscing fondly about their own childhoods and humming the Flipper theme song--what's more, their children (and perhaps grandchildren) will enjoy the program right alongside them and are more than likely to join in wholeheartedly on the refrain "Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning.." --Tami Horiuchi


Mostly a Splash
Review date: 2008-04-23 Rating: 8 out of 10

What better life could two boys imagine? Sandy (Luke Halpin) and Bud Ricks (Tommy Norden) live with their father Porter (Brian Kelly) on the beach. Literally. See, Porter is the ranger for Coral Key Park and Reserve, and they live within the park. Better yet, they have a pet dolphin they've named Flipper.

Life is never dull in the park. There are crises of all kinds to face. Natural dangers like shark attacks, two hurricanes, and poisonous snakes threaten the family and park visitors. But human dangers are just as real. How did a sunken car get in the middle of the preserve? Who is stealing from visitor boats in the park? Matters of the heart are even explored when Bud thinks that Porter's new friend is out to replace his dead mother and Sandy develops his first crush.

But through it all, it is Flipper who saves the day. This heroic dolphin seems to understand his human family and know exactly what they need. He's always showing up in the nick of time.

Let's be honest, this isn't great TV. The acting is mediocre at best, and the writing is lazy quite a bit of time. I can't count the number of episodes that drop or gloss over a plot point to make the time limit. Plus the effects are rather cheesy most of the time.

But let's not count out the charm of the shows. Even though I know the outcome (yes, this show is also predictable), I can get so caught up in the moment that I am on the edge of my seat. Quite a few of these shows got my heart pumping. And, while the spoken acting isn't that great, everyone does a good job of acting underwater. I had never realized just how much of the show was done silent since humans can't talk while diving. Yet I always followed the story.

And let's not leave out the scenery. The underwater shots are quite often breathtakingly beautiful.

This set is packed full of underwater fun. There are 30 episodes on four double sided DVD's. While some of the material doesn't look so good, most of the episodes still look great. The only extra is a trivia game, which is actually about dolphins in general and only marginally about the show. I actually learned quite a bit from playing it.

At the end of the day, the fun of this show outweighs the negatives. So if you have fond memories or love the water, get this set. Just be prepared to put up with some cheese.

Similar Products

Reviews


Absolutely Brilliant!!! Finally Season One on DVD!!!
Review date: 2008-02-04 Rating: 10 out of 10

Having recorded every episode from TV on VHS, it's a delight to see the light of day on quality DVD. And the picture quality is 10/10 considering it's age. The picture is crisp and sharp with vibrant colours. Unlike some shows Flipper was filmed on 35mm film and have been transfered to DVD by MGM who made this delightful TV Series. This TV show is family viewing at it's top with great storylines and underwater/Florida locations.

Featuring Luke Halpin (Sandy Ricks) from the original 'Flipper' 1963 film and it's sequel 'Flipper's New Adventure' (1964), the sucess and popularity spawned a three year TV Series spread over 3 seasons mounting to 88 Episodes.

Luke Halpin followed on into the TV Series, as well as the introduction of younger brother Bud Ricks (Tommy Norden). Brian Kelly who sadly passed away in 2003 played their father, Park Ranger Porter Ricks. As widower parent Porter Ricks does a fine job, as the storylines go which also touches topics including moral values without going into depth but are clearly shown on the surface of particular episodes from this first Flipper season which includes titles like 'Danger' 'City Boy' 'The Gulf Between'.

As for the DVD itself. There are 4 discs with 8 episodes on a 'one sided picture cover disc' unlike the region 1 version which is double-sided. As I mentioned before the picture quality is outstanding!!

Season 2 is expected sometime this year which will comprise of another 30 episodes. AND yet the same quality of stories!!

Whether your a nostalgic fan or for your family, Children of all ages will love Flipper!


Superb
Review date: 2008-01-31 Rating: 10 out of 10

My kids and I watched all 30 episodes in no time flat, and it is a tribute to the show that my teenage boys loved it so much. I guess that Amazon UK's release of Flipper is the US release with a different region coding, so come on Amazon, lets have a real exclusive with a release of the 2nd season (unless of course the DVD rights are held by the company who released this box set).

Wonderful
Review date: 2007-09-28 Rating: 10 out of 10

It is so great that we can now have these wonderful meetings with the heroes of our childhood - Sandy, Bud and Flipper - on DVD in absolutely brilliant picture quality. I am so happy to have these precious films and I am full of joy foreseeing the next season being published soon ... Thanks MGM!

Great nostalgia for you......and your kids
Review date: 2007-09-05 Rating: 10 out of 10

I used to love this show. I remember it being on during Saturday mornings before the pie throwing kids magazine shows came along. It's a great reminder of gentle times when kids TV was a little more wholesome & intelligent & Australia & the USA seemed much further away than they are now. I would much rather my kids watched this than the kind of trash that they watch these days. Good stories, great characters & wonderful sea creatures. Well done Amazon for bringing this out.

Product Details/Specifications


Recording label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
EAN: 5039036032896
Binding: DVD
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-08-06
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2

Add to Cart

© 2006 Darren Hester, DesignsByDarren.com, Some Rights Reserved.
Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional