NewsThunderbirds

Alan Pattillo has died

Alan Patillo with Thunderbird 3

Alan Pattillo tends to Atlanta Shore in StingrayWe’re very sorry to learn of the passing of Alan Pattillo who died on 16th January 2020. He was 90. He had been living with Parkinson’s for over a decade having retired from the industry in the late 1990s. He directed the opening episode of Thunderbirds – Trapped in the Sky – setting the template for International Rescue’s adventures but had made his mark much earlier – directing seven episodes of Four Feather Falls (featuring the late Nicholas Parsons) during which time he brought a new directorial style to the puppet series which would become a key element of the Supermarionation formula.

He went on to direct 13 episodes of Supercar, 11 episodes each of Fireball XL5 and Stingray, as well as three other episodes of Thunderbirds and two episodes of Terrahawks and was script editor for 25 of Thunderbirds’ 32 episodes. He was also the writer of one of Thunderbirds’ best-known episodes – Attack of the Alligators.

Donations in his memory can be made to Parkinson’s UK.

 

Leave a comment

Prepare for life on Moonbase Alpha

UFO: The Complete Comic Collection

Related Articles

ArticleNews

Thunderbirds Thursday: Countdown to Gerry Anderson Day 2024 & TB2 Model Launch

Stand by for action, Anderfans! Gerry Anderson Day 2024 is fast approaching,...

Fireball XL5Merch NewsNewsThunderbirds

This week in Gerry Anderson news!

Boosters and circuits are all checked – it must be time for...

ArticleNewsThunderbirdsUncategorized

Thunderbirds Thursday: The Roots of Thunderbirds

Thunderbirds is rightly celebrated for its unique combination of spectacular special effects,...

ArticleNewsSpace: 1999StingrayThunderbirds

This week in Gerry Anderson news!

Launch stations – it’s time for the Gerry Anderson news roundup! This...