The Cham-Cham
| "The Cham-Cham" | |
|---|---|
| Thunderbirds episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 01 Episode 25 |
| Directed by | Alan Pattillo |
| Written by | Alan Pattillo |
| Cinematography by | Julien Lugrin |
| Editing by | Harry Ledger |
| Production code | 25 |
| Original air date | 24 March 1966 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
|
Voices of: |
|
Voices of:
Ray Barrett as
Cass Carnaby
Matthews Field Commander
Radio Maxwell DJ
Christine Finn as
Telephone Operator
David Graham as
Olsen
Captain Savidge
Hitchins
John Tate as
Maxie
Scheiler
Enemy Colonel
Matt Zimmerman as
Banino
Macklin
Enemy Lieutenant
"The Cham-Cham" is the 25th episode of Thunderbirds, a British 1960s Supermarionation television series co-created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. The penultimate instalment of series one, it first aired on 24 March 1966 on ATV Midlands. Alan Pattillo both wrote and directed the episode, which opens with a United States Air Force (USAF) aircraft being shot down during the radio transmission of a popular instrumental music track. International Rescue suspects sabotage, and Lady Penelope, Tin-Tin and Parker are dispatched to investigate the band's current tour venue — a hotel in the Swiss Alps. There, it is discovered that the attacks are being co-ordinated with the aid of a "Cham-Cham", an advanced computer sensitive to microtones and ultrasonic harmonics.
Filmed in late 1965, "The Cham-Cham" inspired innovation in AP Films' use of puppet characters; towards the end of the episode, the Penelope character performs a carefully choreographed cabaret dance, despite of the difficulties inherent in producing movement from the marionettes. Additionally, the episode marks the first occasion in any Supermarionation series that characters are seen skiing. Scripted to incorporate themes of espionage and show business, the filming of "The Cham-Cham" entailed the collaboration of singer Ken Barrie, who wrote the lyrics to series composer Barry Gray's Latin rhythm "Dangerous Game".
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