Fireball XL5

Fireball XL5 (1962)


star 6.1/10
From 11 Ratings

Summary

Fireball XL5 is a science fiction-themed children's television show following the missions of spaceship Fireball XL5, commanded by Colonel Steve Zodiac of the World Space Patrol. The show was produced in 1962 by husband and wife team Gerry and Sylvia Anderson through their company APF, in association with ATV for ITC Entertainment. While developing his new show, Anderson thought a brand of motor oil—Castrol XL—had an interesting sound. A phonetic change created the name "Fireball XL", with the "-5" added as the title seemed a bit flat without the numeral. The show featured the Andersons' Supermarionation, a form of puppetry first introduced in Four Feather Falls and Supercar and used again in their subsequent productions such as Stingray and Captain Scarlet. Thirty-nine black and white half-hour episodes of Fireball XL5 were made on 35mm film: all future Anderson series were produced in colour. Several Anderson series have been shown in syndication in the US, but Fireball XL5 is the only Anderson series to have run on a US network. NBC ran the series in its Saturday morning children's block from 1963 through to September 1965. A similar programme often confused with Fireball XL5 is Space Patrol, produced by Gerry Anderson's ex business partner and co-founder of AP Films, Arthur Provis due to a number of similarities and settings.

Where to Watch Fireball XL5 Online

You can now watch Fireball XL5 online on the following streaming providers in the United States.

  • Fireball XL5 Trailer

    Fireball XL5 Seasons

    Season 0

    First Air Date: 2002-01-01
    1 Episodes

    Season 1

    First Air Date: 1962-10-28
    39 Episodes

    Fireball XL5 Episodes

    Title Air Date Duration
    Season 1Episode 1Planet 4630 min
    Season 1Episode 2The Doomed Planet30 min
    Season 1Episode 3Space Immigrants30 min
    Season 1Episode 4Plant Man from Space30 min
    Season 1Episode 5Spy in Space30 min
    Season 1Episode 6The Sun Temple30 min
    Season 1Episode 7XL5 to H2O30 min
    Season 1Episode 8Space Pirates30 min
    Season 1Episode 9Flying Zodiac30 min
    Season 1Episode 10Space Pen30 min
    Season 1Episode 11Space Monster30 min
    Season 1Episode 12The Last of the Zanadus30 min
    Season 1Episode 13Planet of Platonia30 min
    Season 1Episode 14The Triads30 min
    Season 1Episode 15Wings of Danger30 min
    Season 1Episode 16Convict in Space30 min
    Season 1Episode 17Space Vacation30 min
    Season 1Episode 18Flight to Danger30 min
    Season 1Episode 19Prisoner on the Lost Planet30 min
    Season 1Episode 20The Forbidden Planet30 min
    Season 1Episode 21Robert to the Rescue30 min
    Season 1Episode 22Dangerous Cargo30 min
    Season 1Episode 23Mystery of the TA230 min
    Season 1Episode 24Drama at Space City30 min
    Season 1Episode 25187530 min
    Season 1Episode 26The Granatoid Tanks30 min
    Season 1Episode 27The Robot Freighter Mystery30 min
    Season 1Episode 28Whistle for Danger30 min
    Season 1Episode 29Trial by Robot30 min
    Season 1Episode 30A Day in the Life of a Space General30 min
    Season 1Episode 31Invasion Earth30 min
    Season 1Episode 32Faster Than Light30 min
    Season 1Episode 33The Day the Earth Froze30 min
    Season 1Episode 34The Fire Fighters30 min
    Season 1Episode 35Space City Special30 min
    Season 1Episode 36Ghosts of Space30 min
    Season 1Episode 37Hypnotic Sphere30 min
    Season 1Episode 38Sabotage30 min
    Season 1Episode 39Space Magnet30 min
    • Gerry Anderson

      as
    • David Graham

      as
    • Sylvia Anderson

      as Doctor Venus
    Production Gerry Anderson Producer
    Production Arthur Provis Producer
    Production Reg Hill Associate Producer

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