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"Filmed in VIDECOLOR [explosions, drum roll, music builds to a climax] and SUPERMARIONATION"! The opening sequence of Thunderbirds is itself a master class in Gerry Anderson's marionette hyperbole: who else would dare to make a virtue out of the fact that (a) the show is in color and (b) it's got puppets in it? But everything about this series really is epic: Thunderbirds is action on the grandest scale, predating such high-concept Hollywood vehicles as Armageddon by 30 years and more (the acting is better, too), and fetishizing gadgets in a way that even the most excessive Bond movies could never hope to rival. Unsurprisingly, the visual effects are by Derek Meddings, whose later contributions to Bond movies like The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker echo his pioneering model work here.
As for the characters, the clean-cut Tracey boys take second place in the audiences' affections to their cool machines--the real stars of the show--while comic relief is to be found in the charming company of Lady Penelope and her pink Rolls (license plate FAB1), driven by lugubrious chauffeur Parker, whose "Yes, milady" catchphrase resonated around school playgrounds for decades. (Spare a thought for poor old John Tracey, stuck up in space on Thunderbird 5 with only the radio for company.) The puppet stunt work is breathtakingly audacious, and every week's death-defying escapade is nail-bitingly choreographed in the very best tradition of disaster movies. First shown in 1964 and now digitally remastered, Thunderbirds is children's TV that still looks and sounds like big-budget Hollywood. The Thunderbirds Mega Set contains 32 complete, uncut, and digitally remastered episodes on 12 DVDs. Bonus features include production stills photo galleries, two original 1965 "The Making of Thunderbirds" featurettes, the History of Thunderbirds, character biographies, and a Gerry Anderson biography/filmography. --Mark Walker Publisher: A&E Home Video
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Drive down memory lane in 22 of the most classic T-Birds ever built. Enjoy this collector's MONOPOLY game as you compete to own the most popular T-Birds of all-time. Relive 50 years of rich T-Bird history, from 1955 to 2005 as you celebrate the golden anniversary of one of America's most beloved cars. Buy the 1963 classic and the 1965 Anniversary editions; sell the 1995 40th Anniversary edition and the 2002 Concept Car and trade the 1980 25th Anniversary edition and the 1956 Early Bird. Wheel and deal until you bankrupt your opponents and own all of the title deeds. This is your chance to own them ALL before this classic Thunderbird is retired, so put the pedal to the metal! Game includes: Game Board, Deed Cards, T-Bird Money & Banker's Tray, 1955 Emblem and 2005 50th Anniversary Cards, 6 Collectible Pewter Tokens (1955 T-Bird, 1963 T-Bird Convertible, fins, steering wheel, continental kit and hard top) and Dice. For 2 to 6 players ages 8 and up.
Publisher: MONOPOLY
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With a series of terrific albums, Cassandra Wilson has established herself as one of the day's great vocalists and, in branching out from jazz into blues and folk and pop, paved the way for genre-crossing stars including Norah Jones. But the Mississippi native has rarely sounded as relaxed or winning as she does on "Thunderbird," which teams her with the stalwart O Brother Where Art Thou? producer T Bone Burnett. Recorded mostly in Los Angeles, the album is noteworthy not only for its roomy, atmospheric sound and experimental touches, but also for its improvised-in-the-studio approach. Working with innovative Burnett regulars including keyboardist (and co-producer) Keefus Ciancia, guitarist Marc Ribot, and drumming legend Jim Keltner, Wilson delivers such offbeat delights as "Going to Mexico," a dreamlike, funk-tinged tune built on a sample of "Hey Pocky A-Way" by New Orleans' Wild Tchoupitoulas. Eschewing the well-known pop tunes she usually covers, she lends her huskily seductive vocals to Jakob Dylan's wistful "Closer to You" and Burnett's dark "Strike a Match," to which she claimed co-ownership by changing the time signature and adding a lyric. The inspired contributors also include programmer and bassist Mike Elizondo (producer of Fiona Apple's "Extraordinary Machine") and guitarist Colin Linden, who wails on a gripping extended reading of Blind Lemon Jefferson's "Easy Rider" and duets with Wilson on the cowboy classic "Red River Valley," which eloquently sums up her ability to breathe jazz meaning into anything she chooses. --Lloyd Sachs
Publisher: Blue Note Records
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For five decades, the Ford Thunderbird has been a car that has taken America on a wonderful ride through the changes of its time. From the sporty classic two-seater that people still go nuts for over half a century after it was first built, to the retro reincarnation of today and everything in between from sleek convertibles and suicide-doored sedans to supercharged coupes, the T-bird has been an enthusiast's car for all seasons. Thunderbird: 50 Years takes a look at the golden history of every generation of this American classic, and details the development and evolution of one of Ford's best-known models year-by-year, in text and 200 photographs. Chapter by chapter, each generation of the T-bird is placed within the context of its time to help illustrate why the car evolved as it did. From the ever-desirable finned two-seaters of the 1950s, stylish and sporty convertibles of the late 1950s and early 1960s, suicide-door cruisers of the late 1960s, land yachts of the 1970s, aerodynamic turbo- and supercharged coupes of the 1980s and 1990s, and today's retro-influenced reincarnations, all are covered from an enthusiast's viewpoint. Learn what's rare and desirable in the lists of options, colors and production figures. See examples of the most desirable and collectible 'Birds around, including excellent originals and authentically restored jewels presented in color.- Complete history of the Thunderbird- Spectacular photography by David Newhardt- Sidebars touch on pop culture status and impact- Very detailed appendix with production features and options Author: Alan Tast
Publisher: Motorbooks
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Blast off into classic sci-fi adventure with the daring International Rescue team! Made up of fearless former astronaut Jeff Tracy and his courageous sons, the team protects against disaster in the year 2065.
When danger arises, the team springs into action, rushing to the scene in their futuristic Thunderbirds vehicles and facing trouble head-on with their high-tech devices. Working together to pull off amazing rescues and astonishing heroic feats, the Thunderbirds are Earth's best defense against catastrophe and sabotage. Publisher: A&E HOME VIDEO
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The brand new 2009 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games Silver Maple Leaf Bullion Coins have just been released from the Royal Canadian Mint! These gorgeous Olympic Silver Maple Leaf coins are the worlds first bullion coins promoting the spirit of the Olympic Games.
Second Year of Issue in a Three-Year Series
The 2009 issue of the Olympic Maple Leaf Silver coins is the second in a three-year series that started in 2008 and will continue until 2010, the year that the Winter Olympic Games will be held in Vancouver. The beautiful, three-year-only Olympic Winter Games Silver Maple Leaf coins are available in extremely limited quantities of coins minted per year.
Composition
Each one-ounce Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games Silver Maple Leaf coin contains 99.99% pure Silver and is an official bullion coin. Each coin bears a $5 face value.
Publisher: Royal Canadian Mint
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All TYC cabin air filters are manufactured with superior material and processes, with workmanship and performance backed by a comprehensive product warranty. The filters come in two types: Particulate and Carbon. The type of TYC cabin air filter you receive for your car will based on the type that is chosen by the Original Equipment for optimum performance (dust loading capacity and pressure drop). All TYC cabin air filters have the quality and filter performance (dust loading capacity and pressure drop) that is comparable to or exceeding the Original Equipment. These high quality cabin air filters enable peak operating efficiency of the vehicle heating & air conditioning system and provides clean air by trapping airborne allergens, pollen, mold spores, and dust that aggravate respiratory problems; Typical filter removes 2-12 grams of particulate matter during its service life and replacement is recommended every 12 months or 12,000 miles.
Publisher: TYC
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Blast off into interplanetary adventure with the first feature-length film starring the International Rescue team: millionaire ex-astronaut Jeff Tracy, his five stalwart sons, the fabulous secret agent Lady Penelope and, of course, their incredibly futuristic fleet of Thunderbird rescue ships! When the might spaceship Zero X is sabotaged on its first take-off for Mars, International Rescue is summoned to provide security for the second launch attempt. But after the ship successfully reaches its destination, it is attacked by rampaging alien life forms! Once again, the brave and resourceful International Rescue team is called into action. Can the team help the damaged ship re-enter Earth's atmosphere and prevent a crash-landing with devastating consequences?
Inspired by such disparate influences as Bonanza, James Bond, and the pop culture of '60s London, Thunderbirds burst onto the British television scene in 1964. The Tracey family of International Rescue consisted of retired astronaut and widower Jeff (a dead ringer for John Forsythe), and his five sons, each with his own Thunderbird rocket ship. They were assisted in their operations by the likes of Phil Spector look-alike Brains and Lady Penelope of the pink Rolls and baggy-faced chauffeur, Parker. The Hood, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the Yul Brynner of The King and I, is their archenemy. Thunderbirds Are Go was creator Gerry Anderson's first full-length feature. If the pacing is uneven and the supermarionettes (electronic puppets) not as expressive as the Claymation figures, it's an entertaining introduction nonetheless. The plot doesn't make much sense, but the special effects by Derek Meddings, who would provide the miniatures for several Bond features, hold up surprisingly well. And some of the set pieces are a real treat, particularly the Mars rescue and the dream trip to the Swinging Star, a cross between a '50s drive-in and a Christmas tree ornament. Cliff Richard and the Shadows contribute a couple of groovy numbers and perform--marionette style--at the Star for the entertainment of youngest son Alan (the "Little Joe" of the family) and the stylish Penelope, a plasticene version of Julie Christie. That surrealistic sequence alone is worth the price of admission. (Ages 5 to 12) --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Publisher: MGM (Video & DVD)
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A must have Set from Gerry Anderson. A Thunderbirds Action Island from 4 capsules. An amazing scene maxing out at 7 inches in height. The entire set features 4 pieces, making 2 different scenes, each with rockets blasting off from remote island bases in the ocean. Some rockets/' smoke trails are removable to change up the scenes to a more calming mood. An amazing set even for those who don/'t know the classic series most recently featured on G4 / Tech TV
Publisher: Yujin
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The full definitive history of Ford’s iconic Thunderbird sports car from 1950s dream, through to a year-by-year analysis of the production models. The American automotive scene was changed forever when Ford launched its legendary 1955 Thunderbird. Half a century and innumerable facelifts later, the Thunderbird still manages to capture the heart of American car enthusiasts with its sporting character and bold styling. This book covers the full story of the Thunderbird, from concept, the various yearly changes, through to its demise in the 1990s and rebirth in the new millennium (and its subsequent exit from the Ford line-up), looking at the model’s numerous competition exploits along the way. Written by an acclaimed motoring historian with full co-operation form the factory this is an extremely comprehensive reference. In addition, it is illustrated throughout with over 400 contemporary photographs, brochures and advertising and has a range of useful appendices meaning this is the only book on this subject you will ever need. Author: Brian Long
Publisher: Veloce
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