Barry Gray: The Composer behind the Works of Gerry & Sylvia Anderson

Children who grew up in Britain in the 1960’s were the first to see the science fiction of the late Gerry & Sylvia Anderson (1929-2012, 1927-2016). These works included a very characteristic set of musical scores that were all composed by the late Barry Gray (1908-1984).

Barry Gray (1908-1984)

The works to which we’re referring were mostly filmed using puppets in a format that Gerry Anderson dubbed as “Supermarionation”, but the later works were filmed with live actors. We’ve listed the main works below (excluding derivative works), which all have the music composed by Barry Gray.

• Works filmed in “Supermarionation”:
  • Supercar (TV series, 1961-1962, 25 episodes)
  • Fireball XL5 (TV series, 1962-1963, 39 episodes)
  • Stingray (TV series, 1964-1965, 39 episodes)
  • Thunderbirds (TV series, 1965-1966, 32 episodes)
  • Thunderbirds Are Go (Movie, 1966)
  • Captain Scarlett and the Mysterons (TV series, 1967-1968, 32 episodes)
  • Thunderbird 6 (Movie, 1968)
  • Joe 90 (TV series, 1968-1969, 30 episodes)
  • The Secret Service (TV series, 1969, 1 of 13 episodes)
• Live action works:
  • Journey to the Far Side of the Sun (Movie, 1969), also known as Doppelgänger
  • UFO (TV series, 1970-1973, 26 episodes)
  • Space: 1999 (TV series, 1975-1977, first 24 of 48 episodes)

Barry Gray’s music is characterised by the use of brass and percussion sections, as well as extensive use of leitmotifs. (A leitmotif is a short, constantly recurring musical phrase associated with a particular person, place, or idea.) His works also required the use of fairly large ensembles of musicians, as well as some unusual electronic instruments to produce some very unconventional musical notes and sound effects:

• An ondes martenot, which was invented in 1928 by French cellist Maurice Martenot  in an attempt to replicate the accidental overlaps of tones between military radio oscillators. 
• A swarmatron, which is an analogue synthesizer that uses a ribbon controller rather than a keyboard and is noted for its use of multiple oscillators that are linked through a ‘swarm’ control to create its distinctive sound and method of playing.

A live concert of Barry Gray’s music was performed in 2016 in Brighton, UK. Below is a YouTube video discussing the music and instruments that Barry Gray used:

Barry Gary’s Opening and Closing Themes

Included below are YouTube videos of the theme songs written by Barry Gray:

Supercar theme:

Fireball XL5 theme:

Stingray opening & closing themes with snippets:

Thunderbirds opening & closing credits with snippets:

Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons opening and closing themes:

Joe 90 opening and closing credits with snippets:

Journey to the Far Side of the Sun movie theme with other themes:

UFO opening and closing themes with snippets:

Space: 1999 first season opening theme:

Space: 1999 first season closing theme:

References

• 2016 Sci-Fi & Fantasy Celebrity Deaths
• Leitmotif
• Ondes Martenot
• Maurice Martenot
• Swarmatron

 

RIP Fredd Wayne

#RIP: actor Fredd Wayne has died at the age of 93. He will likely be best known for playing Benjamin Franklin in the fantasy / sitcom TV series #Bewitched. He also played Ben Franklin in #Voyagers; J.J. MacConnell in #WonderWoman (TV series); Paul Malloy / Barney Kamener in #TheTwilightZone; & more.

Our condolences to his family, friends & fans. May he rest in peace.

Fredd Wayne (1924-2018)

References

• Fredd Wayne, Who Played Benjamin Franklin on ‘Bewitched,’ Dies at 93

The 12th Season of “The Big Bang Theory” Is It’s Last

As the saying goes, “All good things must come to an end”. So it is for CBS’ long-running sitcom #TheBigBangTheory, whose upcoming 12th season will be it’s last. The reason for the show’s ending is actor Jim Parsons (who plays Dr. Sheldon Cooper), who reportedly was “ready to say goodbye.” CBS could not entreat Dr. Sheldon Cooper to stay for two more years, even though he stood to make more than $50 million if he did. Unfortunately, the show could not realistically go on without him.

The five original cast members (Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar) were reportedly making around $1 million per episode.

In a blog post, Mayim Bialik (who plays Amy Farrah Fowler), wrote,

“Am I happy? Of course not. This has been my job since Melissa Rauch and I joined the cast as regulars in season 4. I love my job. I love my castmates, and I feel such appreciation for our incredible crew, our brave writers, our entire staff, and our amazing fans. So many people are a part of our Big Bang family.

This is hard. I love coming to work and pretending to be Amy. She’s a riot. She’s me, and I am her. And soon she will not be mine to create.”

From comic books, cosplay, and interactions with well-known sci-fi & fantasy actors (as well as the deceased physicist Dr. Stephen Hawking), the show will forever be in the hearts of many sci-fi & fantasy fans. We, ourselves, will continue to enjoy the show as it enters its final season.

Jim Parsons

References

• You Can Thank Jim Parsons for The Big Bang Theory Coming to an End
• Big Bang Theory’s Kunal Nayyar Says Stars ‘Support Each Other’ Amid Reports Jim Parsons Ended Show
• Mayim shares her feelings about ‘The Big Bang Theory’ ending
• ‘The Big Bang Theory’ Closing In On 2-Year Renewal As Original Cast Nears New Deals

Chris Pine & Chris Hemsworth ‘drop out’ of “Star Trek IV”

Actors Chris Pine & Chris Hemsworth have both dropped out of “#StarTrek IV”. While deals with other returning cast members (Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg and John Cho) are expected to close, sources say that negotiations between Chris Pine & Chris Hemsworth and the companies making the new installment (Paramount Pictures and Skydance Media), have fallen apart. Both sides walking away from the table.

Both Pine & Hemsworth (who are both among Hollywood’s A-list when starring in DC or Marvel movies) are said to be asking the studios to stick to existing deals. But (according to insiders), Paramount contends that Star Trek is not like a Marvel or Star Wars movie and is trying to hold the line on a budget. In other words, Paramount is reneging on existing deals with Pine & Hemsworth by trying to force them into taking pay cuts as they try to budget a movie that is following the last film, which was a mediocre performer: Star Trek Beyond.

Chris Pine has played Captain James T. Kirk in the 3 movies since the “Star Trek” reboot began and Chris Hemsworth appeared briefly at the beginning of the first reboot as James Kirk’s father.

Chris Hemsworth & Chris Pine

While it’s unclear what is going to happen with “Star Trek IV”, Paramount and Skydance insiders say the movie remains a priority development and is not being put on hold. Whether that means they will try to recast Captain Kirk & Kirk’s father is to be seen.

References

• Star Trek 4: Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth ‘drop out’ of film
• Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth ‘Star Trek 4’ Future In Doubt as Talks Fall Through
• Simon Pegg Explains Why ‘Star Trek Beyond’ Failed at the Box Office

Harry Potter Movies Hitting the Big Screen Again

All 8 #HarryPotter movies and “#FantasticBeasts and #WhereToFindThem” are being re-released in September for the big screen. The 9 films will be shown from Aug. 31 through Sept. 6, 2018 at all 141 Cinemark XD locations. Festival passes that allow viewing all 9 films will be available for $25.

Cinemark XD theaters can be found in 32 states. Please note that not all Cinemark theaters are XD. We strongly recommend that you confer with a desired location to make sure that it’s an XD theater before purchasing any tickets for these showing.

References

• Harry Potter series hitting the big screens once again
• Cinemark Transports Fans into the Wizarding World through Exclusive Cinemark XD Movie Festival
• See All 9 Wizarding World Films in Cinemark XD
• Cinemark Full Theatre List

Sir Patrick Stewart to Reprise Iconic “Star Trek” Role in New Series

Sir Patrick Stewart will reprise the role of “#StarTrek: #TNG” Captain Jean-Luc Picard on the franchise’s new series to air on #CBS’ #AllAccess streaming service in the fall of 2019.

The much-beloved actor said,

“I feel I’m ready to return to him for the same reason — to research and experience what comforting and reforming light he might shine on these often very dark times.”

Sir Patrick Stewart tweeted,

“It is an unexpected but delightful surprise to find myself excited and invigorated to be returning to Jean-Luc Picard and to explore new dimensions within him. Read my full statement in the photo.”

 

Sir Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard

References

• ‘Star Trek’ Plans New Series With Patrick Stewart’s Jean-Luc Picard
• Tweet by Sir Patrick Stewart

Jeremy Bulloch Announces His Retirement

Actor Jeremy Bulloch, who played the iconic #BountyHunter #BobaFett in #StarWars, has announced his retirement from attending conventions. His announcement is listed below:

Dear Friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to stop attending conventions and hang up the Fett helmet. It has not been an easy decision to make. In 1979 I was called onto the set of Empire Strikes Back to play Boba Fett, and since that day it has changed the entire direction of my life in such a wonderful way. It has been a privilege to have had the opportunity to inspire so many generations of Star Wars fans. I have had over 20 years of traveling with my wife Maureen to some amazing countries and have met so many wonderful fans. Thank you all so much and we will miss you all.

‘May the Force be with you always’

Jeremy

We wish Jeremy all the best in his well-earned retirement!

Jeremy Bulloch

References

• Jeremy Bulloch Retires