The 1960s brought about a lot of change, particularly in the realm of entertainment. Television was just beginning to become widely popular, but despite the limitations of the time, a number of TV shows and movies found ways to captivate audiences of all ages. Space Angel Volume 1, which first aired in 1962 and starred Ned Lefebver and Margaret Kerry, was one such creation. Though it may seem dated by modern standards, the show's themes and messages are still applicable today, making it a timeless classic.
The show followed the adventures of Scott McCloud, a skilled pilot and space adventurer, and his crew, named Crystal and Taurus. Together, they flew through the cosmos, exploring new worlds and encountering all sorts of oddities along the way. The show's overall theme was that of exploration and discovery, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and the desire for knowledge.
What made Space Angel unique was the way in which it approached this theme. Rather than simply presenting viewers with a series of alien worlds to explore, the show also sought to educate its audience about the science behind space exploration. The show's creators worked closely with actual NASA engineers, consulting with them and incorporating their knowledge into the show's various episodes. This meant that while viewers were being transported to far-off worlds, they were also learning about the real-life physics and mechanics that would be involved in such exploration.
Of course, the educational content wasn't the only draw of Space Angel. The show's characters were also a big part of its appeal. Scott McCloud was a stoic, dependable hero, while Crystal, his female co-pilot, was a more lighthearted figure. Taurus, the ship's technician, brought comic relief to the series, though he was also valued for his technical expertise. Together, the three formed a successful team, one that was often called upon to face down dangerous or even deadly situations.
The show's episodes were split into two distinct halves. First, viewers would be given a fascinating glimpse into some new and unexplored section of the galaxy, complete with stunning visuals and strange new creatures. Then, the crew of the Starduster - McCloud's ship - would be tasked with a mission related to the area they'd just explored. Sometimes, this would involve rescuing stranded space travelers or investigating a scientific anomaly. Other times, the team would have to battle a deadly space monster or foil the plans of evil villains.
One of the most interesting things about Space Angel was its use of an animation technique known as "synchro-vox". Essentially, this involved filming real-life actors and then integrating their mouths into the cartoon characters' faces. The effect was somewhat jarring by today's standards, but at the time, it was seen as an exciting new way to bring animation to life. The show's creators clearly had a lot of fun with the technique, too, as evidenced by the way they made the characters' lips move in exaggerated and almost comical ways.
Despite its age, Space Angel remains an entertaining and engaging watch for viewers of all ages. Its combination of educational content, thrilling space battles, and quirky characters makes it a unique example of 1960s television. It's also interesting to note that the show was created during a time when space exploration was just beginning to capture the public's imagination. Many people believed that we would soon be making contact with extraterrestrial life, and Space Angel was one of the various pieces of media that helped to fuel this excitement.
All in all, Space Angel Volume 1 is a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the era in which it was created. It is certainly worth a watch for anyone interested in both the history of animation and the history of space exploration, and it remains a fun way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Space Angel Volume 1 is a 1962 science fiction movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 13 minutes.
