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{{short description|British television series}}
{{Short description|1960 British children's TV series}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2011}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| image = FourFeatherFalls.jpg
| image = FourFeatherFalls.jpg
| alt = Series titles over a waterfall
| alt = Series titles over a waterfall
| genre = [[Children's television series|Children's]] [[fantasy]] [[Western (genre)|western]]
| caption =
| genre = {{plainlist|
| creator = [[Gerry Anderson]] & [[Barry Gray]]
| writer = {{plainlist|
*[[Action (fiction)|Action]]
*[[Adventure (genre)|Adventure]]
*[[Children's television series|Children's]]
*[[Fantasy]]
*[[Western (genre)|Western]]}}
| creator = {{plainlist|
*[[Gerry Anderson]]
*[[Barry Gray]]}}
| writer = {{plainlist|
*[[Jill Allgood]]
*[[Jill Allgood]]
*Mary Cathcart Borer
*Mary Cathcart Borer
*[[Martin Woodhouse]]
*Phil Wrestler
*Phil Wrestler
}}
*[[Martin Woodhouse]]}}
| director = {{plainlist|
| director = {{plainlist|
*Gerry Anderson
*Gerry Anderson
*[[David Elliott (director)|David Elliott]]
*David Elliott
*[[Alan Pattillo]]}}
*[[Alan Pattillo]]
}}
| voices = {{plainlist|
| voices = {{plainlist|
*[[Kenneth Connor]]
*[[Kenneth Connor]]
*[[Nicholas Parsons]]
*[[Nicholas Parsons]]
*[[Denise Bryer]]
*[[Denise Bryer]]
*[[David Graham (actor)|David Graham]]}}
*[[David Graham (actor)|David Graham]]
}}
| endtheme = "Two Gun Tex of Texas" sung by [[Michael Holliday]]
| endtheme = "Two Gun Tex of Texas", sung by [[Michael Holliday]]
| composer = Barry Gray
| music = Barry Gray
| country = United Kingdom
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| language = English
| num_series = 1
| num_series = 1
| num_episodes = 39
| num_episodes = 39
| list_episodes =
| producer = [[Gerry Anderson]]
| producer = [[Gerry Anderson]]
| editor = {{plainlist|
| editor = {{plainlist|
*Bert Rule
*Bert Rule
*[[Alan Pattillo]]}}
*[[Alan Pattillo]]
*David Elliott
| cinematography = {{plainlist|
}}
*[[Arthur Provis]]
| cinematography = {{plainlist|
*[[John Read (producer)|John Read]]}}
*[[Arthur Provis]] (eps. 1{{ndash}}11)
| camera = [[Single-camera setup|Single]]
*{{Nowrap|[[John Read (producer)|John Read]]}} (eps. 12{{ndash}}39)<ref name = "Fryer2016">{{Cite book | last1 = Fryer | first1 = Ian | title=The Worlds of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson: The Story Behind International Rescue | year = 2016 | publisher = Fonthill Media | isbn = 978-1-78155-504-0 | pages = 38-49}}</ref>
| runtime = 12–13 minutes
}}
| company = [[AP Films]]
| distributor = [[ITV Granada|Granada Television]]
| runtime = 12–13 minutes
| network = [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]
| company = [[AP Films]] in association with [[Granada Television]]
| picture_format = {{plainlist|
| network = [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|1960|2|25|df=y}}
*[[Black and white]]
| last_aired = {{End date|1960|11|17|df=y}}
*[[35 mm movie film|35 mm film]]}}
| audio_format = [[Monaural|Mono]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|1960|2|25|df=y}}
| last_aired = {{End date|1960|11|17|df=y}}
|preceded_by = ''[[Torchy the Battery Boy]]''
| followed_by = ''[[Supercar (TV series)|Supercar]]''
}}
}}


'''''Four Feather Falls''''' is a British television programme, the third puppet TV show produced by [[Gerry Anderson]] for [[ITV Granada|Granada Television]] (now ITV Granada). It was based on an idea by [[Barry Gray]], who also wrote the show's music.{{r|BFI4FF}} The series was the first to use an early version of Anderson's [[Supermarionation]] puppetry. Thirty-nine 13-minute episodes were produced, broadcast by Granada from February until November 1960. The setting is the late 19th-century fictional Kansas town of Four Feather Falls, where the hero of the series, Tex Tucker, is a [[sheriffs in the United States|sheriff]]. The four feathers of the title refers to four magical feathers given to Tex by the [[Native Americans in the United States|Indian]] [[Tribal chief|chief]] Kalamakooya as a reward for saving his grandson. One of the feathers allowed Tex's guns to swivel and fire without being touched whenever he was in danger, two conferred the power of speech on Tex's horse and dog, and the fourth feather could summon Kalamakooya.
'''''Four Feather Falls''''' is a British [[Children's television series|children's]] [[Western (genre)|western]] television series, the third puppet TV show produced by [[AP Films]] (APF) in association with [[Granada Television]]. It was based on an idea by [[Barry Gray]], who also wrote the show's music.{{r|BFI4FF}} The series was the first to use an early version of APF's [[Supermarionation]] puppetry. Thirty-nine 13-minute episodes were produced between April 1959 and April 1960, and the series was first broadcast on the [[ITV network]] from February to November 1960.<ref name="Fryer2016"/>


The setting is the late 19th-century fictional Kansas town of Four Feather Falls, where the hero of the series, Tex Tucker, is a [[sheriffs in the United States|sheriff]]. The four feathers of the title refers to four magical feathers given to Tex by the [[Native Americans in the United States|Indian]] [[Tribal chief|chief]] Kalamakooya as a reward for saving his grandson. One of the feathers allowed Tex's guns to swivel and fire without being touched whenever he was in danger, two conferred the power of speech on Tex's horse and dog, and the fourth feather could summon Kalamakooya.
Tex's speaking voice was provided by [[Nicholas Parsons]], and his singing voice by [[Michael Holliday]]. The series was sporadically repeated on British television until 1968, and was released on DVD in 2005.


Tex's speaking voice was provided by [[Nicholas Parsons]], and his singing voice by [[Michael Holliday]]. The series was sporadically repeated on British television until 1968,<ref name="Fryer2016"/> and was released on DVD in 2005.
==Production==
American [[Western (genre)|Western]] television shows such as ''[[Wagon Train]]'' and ''[[Gunsmoke]]'' were popular with British audiences, therefore [[Gerry Anderson]] and his business partner [[Arthur Provis]] decided to make a [[cowboy]] series, based on an idea offered to them by [[Barry Gray]].{{r|BFI4FF}} Anderson considered the puppets with static heads, made by [[Christine Glanville]] for his earlier productions, to be unacceptable because the viewer could not tell which character was talking unless its puppet moved up or down. Anderson's aim was to make the puppets look as realistic as possible, the beginning of the [[Supermarionation]] puppetry process, although that term was not coined until his next series, ''[[Supercar (TV series)|Supercar]]''.


==Plot==
The puppets' [[papier-mâché]] heads were replaced by interchangeable hollow [[Fiberglass|fibre glass]] heads with internal rods that could move the eyes from side to side. The heads also contained sound-activated [[solenoid]]s, which allowed the puppets' lips to move automatically in synchronisation with the dialogue.{{r|NMM}} The electronics of the day required more space than would be available in a human-scale head, therefore all the puppets in ''Four Feather Falls'' had oversized heads.
The series is set in the fictitious late 19th-century [[Western (genre)|Western]] town of Four Feather Falls, Kansas, and features the adventures of its [[Sheriffs in the United States|sheriff]], Tex Tucker.


In the first episode, Grandpa Twink relates the story of how it all began to his grandson, Little Jake. Tex is riding up from the valley and comes across a lost and hungry [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indian]] boy, Makooya, and saves him. Tex is given four [[magic (paranormal)|magic]] feathers by the boy's grandfather, Chief Kalamakooya, as a reward for saving his grandson. Two of the feathers allow his guns to swivel and fire automatically (often while Tex's hands are raised),{{efn|The swivelling guns solved the problem of how a puppet cowboy could be quick on the draw without looking like he had gone into a spasm when one of his wires was suddenly yanked.{{r|BFI4FF}}}} and the other two allow his horse, Rocky, and his dog, Dusty, to speak. As Tex, his horse, and dog are very thirsty, Kalamakooya also makes a waterfall where there had been no water before, and so when the town was built it was named after Tex's feathers and the waterfall.
Except for the pilot episode, which was made in [[AP Films]]' studios at [[Islet Park]],{{r|tv.heaven}} the series was produced in a converted warehouse in the [[Slough Trading Estate]].{{r|NMM}} The cast assembled to record each script without seeing the puppets, much like recording a radio series; synchronisation of each character's speech with the movement of its puppet's mouth was performed later.{{sfnp|Parsons|2011|loc=The Joys of Television|ps=}} The show was filmed in black and white. {{r|tv.heaven}} Its tight budget precluded the use of sophisticated [[special effects]], and less-costly alternatives were used. For example, to achieve the effect of [[muzzle flash]]es, small specks of black paint were carefully applied to the [[35mm movie film|35 mm]] [[film negative|negative]]s so they would appear as white flashes on the finished prints. The wires used to control the puppets were eight feet long and made of [[tungsten]], an improvement on the curtain wire used in Anderson's two earlier puppet series (''[[The Adventures of Twizzle]]'' and ''[[Torchy the Battery Boy]]''), and were only 1/200 of an inch thick. Being shiny, the wires had to be blackened. The puppets were made one-third life size with the [[puppeteer]]s on a bridge eight feet above the set. The horses moved by being pulled along on a trolley, which meant the viewer never saw their feet when they were moving.


The characters of the town are Grandpa Twink, who does little but rest in a chair; his grandson Little Jake, the only child in town; Ma Jones, who runs the town store; Doc Haggerty; Slim Jim, the bartender of the Denison [[Western saloon|saloon]]; Marvin Jackson, the bank manager; and Dan Morse, the [[telegraph]]ist. Other characters appeared from time to time for only one episode, often just visiting town.
[[Continuity (fiction)|Continuity]] for the series was provided by [[Sylvia Anderson|Sylvia Thamm]], who later married Gerry Anderson.


The villains included Pedro, who was introduced in the first show and Fernando, who first appeared in the second episode as a [[sidekick]] and someone Pedro could blame when things went wrong, as they always did. Big Ben was another villain who appeared from time to time, as did Red Scalp, a renegade Indian. Other villains only appeared in single episodes.
==Plot==
The series is set in the fictitious late 19th-century [[Western (genre)|Western]] town of Four Feather Falls, Kansas, and features the adventures of its [[Sheriffs in the United States|sheriff]], Tex Tucker. In the first episode, Grandpa Twink relates the story of how it all began to his grandson, Little Jake. Tex is riding up from the valley and comes across a lost and hungry [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indian]] boy, Makooya, and saves him. Tex is given four [[magic (paranormal)|magic]] feathers by the boy's grandfather, Chief Kalamakooya, as a reward for saving his grandson. Two of the feathers allow his guns to swivel and fire automatically (often while Tex's hands are raised),{{efn|The swivelling guns solved the problem of how a puppet cowboy could be quick on the draw without looking like he had gone into a spasm when one of his wires was suddenly yanked.{{r|BFI4FF}}}} and the other two allow his horse, Rocky, and his dog, Dusty, to speak. As Tex, his horse, and dog are very thirsty, Kalamakooya also makes a waterfall where there had been no water before, and so when the town was built it was named after Tex's feathers and the waterfall.

The characters of the town are Grandpa Twink, who does little but rest in a chair; his grandson Little Jake, the only child in town; Ma Jones, who runs the town store; Doc Haggerty; Slim Jim, the bartender of the Denison [[Western saloon|saloon]]; Marvin Jackson, the bank manager; and Dan Morse, the [[telegraph]]ist. Other characters appeared from time to time for only one episode, often just visiting town. The villains included Pedro, who was introduced in the first show and Fernando, who first appeared in the second episode as a [[sidekick]] and someone Pedro could blame when things went wrong, as they always did. Big Ben was another villain who appeared from time to time, as did Red Scalp, a renegade Indian. Other villains only appeared in single episodes.


==Cast==
==Cast==
Line 81: Line 67:
* [[Kenneth Connor]] – Dusty the Dog / Rocky the Horse / Pedro the Bandit / Big Chief Kalamakooya / Bank Manager Marvin Jackson{{r|BFI4FF}} / Doc Haggerty / Saloon Owner Slim Jim Denison{{r|tv.heaven}} / Various
* [[Kenneth Connor]] – Dusty the Dog / Rocky the Horse / Pedro the Bandit / Big Chief Kalamakooya / Bank Manager Marvin Jackson{{r|BFI4FF}} / Doc Haggerty / Saloon Owner Slim Jim Denison{{r|tv.heaven}} / Various
* [[David Graham (actor)|David Graham]] – Grandpa Ebenezer Twink / Fernando the Bandit{{r|BFI4FF}} / Big Ben the Horse Rustler Bandit / Red Scalp the Renegade Indian{{r|tv.heaven}} / Various
* [[David Graham (actor)|David Graham]] – Grandpa Ebenezer Twink / Fernando the Bandit{{r|BFI4FF}} / Big Ben the Horse Rustler Bandit / Red Scalp the Renegade Indian{{r|tv.heaven}} / Various
* [[Denise Bryer]] – Martha 'Ma' Jones / Little Jake{{r|BFI4FF}} / Makooya the Little Indian Boy / Various
* [[Denise Bryer]] – Martha "Ma" Jones / Little Jake{{r|BFI4FF}} / Makooya the Little Indian Boy / Various


[[Denise Bryer]] had worked with Anderson on ''The Adventures of Twizzle'', and he wanted her to play some of the voices in ''Four Feather Falls''. Anderson visited Bryer at her home with some scripts and asked her husband, [[Nicholas Parsons]], to help by reading some of the other parts, including the sheriff Tex Tucker. Anderson liked Parsons' interpretation and offered him the job of providing Tex's speaking voice.{{sfnp|Parsons|2011|loc=The Joys of Television|ps=}}
[[Denise Bryer]] had worked with Anderson on ''The Adventures of Twizzle'', and he wanted her to play some of the voices in ''Four Feather Falls''. Anderson visited Bryer at her home with some scripts and asked her husband, [[Nicholas Parsons]], to help by reading some of the other parts, including the sheriff Tex Tucker. Anderson liked Parsons' interpretation and offered him the job of providing Tex's speaking voice.<ref name="Fryer2016"/>{{sfnp|Parsons|2011|loc=The Joys of Television|ps=}}

==Music==
The show's music and song lyrics were composed by [[Barry Gray]]. [[Michael Holliday]] provided Tex's singing voice, and [[Tommy Reilly (harmonica player)|Tommy Reilly]] performed the harmonica pieces.{{r|BFI4FF}} The best known song to come out of the series was "Four Feather Falls", sung in some episodes by Michael Holliday in the style of [[Bing Crosby]] and sometimes incorrectly described as the theme song to the series. The closing theme song was "Two Gun Tex of Texas." Holliday was paid £2000 for his singing work on the pilot episode, equivalent to about £38,000{{r|MeasuringWorth}}{{efn|Comparing the [[retail price index]] of £2000 in 1959, when the pilot episode was completed,{{r|tv.heaven}} with 2010}} as of 2010, a significant part of the show's £6000 budget.{{r|tv.heaven}} In all, Holliday recorded six songs for the series: "Four Feather Falls", "The Phantom Rider", "The Rick-Rick-A-Rackety Train", "Happy Hearts and Friendly Faces", "My Home Town", and "Two Gun Tex of Texas".{{r|tv.heaven}}


==Episodes==
==Episodes==
{{Episode table |background=#2F4F4F |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |prodcode= |episodes=
{{Episode table |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |prodcode= |episodes=
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber=1
| EpisodeNumber=1
Line 98: Line 81:
| ProdCode=1
| ProdCode=1
| ShortSummary=Whilst out in the desert Tex Tucker finds and shelters an Indian boy and is rewarded with four magic feathers by the boy's grandfather. Two of the feathers make his dog (Dusty) and horse (Rocky) speak whilst the last two control Tex's two guns. Tex decides to create a town called Four Feather Falls and the townsfolk make him Sheriff.
| ShortSummary=Whilst out in the desert Tex Tucker finds and shelters an Indian boy and is rewarded with four magic feathers by the boy's grandfather. Two of the feathers make his dog (Dusty) and horse (Rocky) speak whilst the last two control Tex's two guns. Tex decides to create a town called Four Feather Falls and the townsfolk make him Sheriff.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
Line 108: Line 90:
| ProdCode=10
| ProdCode=10
| ShortSummary=Pedro and Fernando buy some land where a road into Four Feather Falls is and hold the townsfolk to ransom by making them pay to either use the safe route the bandits have bought or use a more dangerous road.
| ShortSummary=Pedro and Fernando buy some land where a road into Four Feather Falls is and hold the townsfolk to ransom by making them pay to either use the safe route the bandits have bought or use a more dangerous road.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
Line 118: Line 99:
| ProdCode=11
| ProdCode=11
| ShortSummary=Tex rides off to the city to help out another Sheriff, unaware he's about to be set up as a horse thief.
| ShortSummary=Tex rides off to the city to help out another Sheriff, unaware he's about to be set up as a horse thief.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=3
| ProdCode=3
| ShortSummary=Pedro and Fernando plan to rid themselves of the sheriff, by switching his hat with the magic feathers for a normal one.
| ShortSummary=Pedro and Fernando plan to rid themselves of the sheriff, by switching his hat with the magic feathers for a normal one.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=7
| ProdCode=7
| ShortSummary=Tex is called away and lends his magic guns to Little Jake, who soon finds himself way over his head.
| ShortSummary=Tex is called away and lends his magic guns to Little Jake, who soon finds himself way over his head.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=6
| ProdCode=6
| ShortSummary=Pedro and Fernando fake an Indian attack on Four Feather Falls.
| ShortSummary=Pedro and Fernando fake an Indian attack on Four Feather Falls.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
Line 158: Line 135:
| ProdCode=5
| ProdCode=5
| ShortSummary=Pedro and Fernando team up with Red Scalp to plot against Tex.
| ShortSummary=Pedro and Fernando team up with Red Scalp to plot against Tex.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=4
| ProdCode=4
| ShortSummary=Pedro states that he has "gone straight" and will become a respectable member of the town but Tex doesn't believe his story.
| ShortSummary=Pedro states that he has "gone straight" and will become a respectable member of the town but Tex doesn't believe his story.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=17
| ProdCode=17
| ShortSummary=Grandpa Twink is a teller of tales and his buddies tease him about his supposed heroics. Twink redeems himself when he captures Indian Jack, a notorious renegade.
| ShortSummary=Grandpa Twink is a teller of tales and his buddies tease him about his supposed heroics. Twink redeems himself when he captures Indian Jack, a notorious renegade.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=9
| ProdCode=9
| ShortSummary=Tex and Dusty go off in search of a gun runner selling to renegade Indians, led by Red Scalp.
| ShortSummary=Tex and Dusty go off in search of a gun runner selling to renegade Indians, led by Red Scalp.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
Line 197: Line 170:
| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1960|5|05|df=y}}
| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1960|5|05|df=y}}
| ProdCode=21
| ProdCode=21
| ShortSummary=Zack Morrill a bandit wanted for murder, cattle rustling, horse stealing and train robbery, has a wanted poster outside the Sheriff's office offering a reward of £500 for the capture of him. Pedro sees the poster and decides to help Tex capture the criminal in return for the reward money.
| ShortSummary=Zack Morrill a bandit wanted for murder, cattle rustling, horse stealing and train robbery, has a wanted poster outside the Sheriff's office offering a reward of $500 for the capture of him. Pedro sees the poster and decides to help Tex capture the criminal in return for the reward money.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=14
| ProdCode=14
| ShortSummary=Little Jake and Makooya head to the creek for some fishing. Finding a cave along the way they decide on a little spelunking. They interrupt Red Scalp at work while he's manufacturing counterfeit money and he quickly seals them in.
| ShortSummary=Little Jake and Makooya head to the creek for some fishing. Finding a cave along the way they decide on a little spelunking. They interrupt Red Scalp at work while he's manufacturing counterfeit money and he quickly seals them in.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
Line 218: Line 189:
| ProdCode=8
| ProdCode=8
| ShortSummary=Pedro and Fernando set a fire on the outskirts of town to lure Tex away. All the while the bandits aim to rob the bank while Tex and the other townsfolk fight the fire.
| ShortSummary=Pedro and Fernando set a fire on the outskirts of town to lure Tex away. All the while the bandits aim to rob the bank while Tex and the other townsfolk fight the fire.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
Line 225: Line 195:
| DirectedBy=David Elliott
| DirectedBy=David Elliott
| WrittenBy=Phil Wrestler
| WrittenBy=Phil Wrestler
| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1960|5|26|df=y}}
| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1960|6|02|df=y}}
| ProdCode=20
| ProdCode=20
| ShortSummary=Sheriff Tucker receives a wanted poster for Blackie and Whitey Strutt who, along with a third man robbed a Wells Fargo office. Soon the trio arrives in Four Feather Falls.
| ShortSummary=Sheriff Tucker receives a wanted poster for Blackie and Whitey Strutt who, along with a third man robbed a Wells Fargo office. Soon the trio arrives in Four Feather Falls.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
Line 238: Line 207:
| ProdCode=33
| ProdCode=33
| ShortSummary=When several horses are stolen, the only suspects seems to be a buffalo. But it is actually a clever horse thief covering his tracks by wearing false buffalo hooves.
| ShortSummary=When several horses are stolen, the only suspects seems to be a buffalo. But it is actually a clever horse thief covering his tracks by wearing false buffalo hooves.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
Line 248: Line 216:
| ProdCode=19
| ProdCode=19
| ShortSummary=Two cattle rustlers, Johnny Pasto and The Nevado Kid, challenge Tucker to fight without his magic guns.
| ShortSummary=Two cattle rustlers, Johnny Pasto and The Nevado Kid, challenge Tucker to fight without his magic guns.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
Line 258: Line 225:
| ProdCode=16
| ProdCode=16
| ShortSummary=Pedro and Fernando overhear a message about a gold shipment heading to Four Feather Falls. So the pair pose as sheriffs so they can steal all the gold for themselves unaware that Big Ben also wants to steal the gold too.
| ShortSummary=Pedro and Fernando overhear a message about a gold shipment heading to Four Feather Falls. So the pair pose as sheriffs so they can steal all the gold for themselves unaware that Big Ben also wants to steal the gold too.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
Line 268: Line 234:
| ProdCode=22
| ProdCode=22
| ShortSummary=Tex is away visiting family and the marshal filling in for him, Ike Burns, is hopelessly ineffective. But the sheriff's a crook and is not a real lawman and is secretly in league with Big Ben and another outlaw called Johnny.
| ShortSummary=Tex is away visiting family and the marshal filling in for him, Ike Burns, is hopelessly ineffective. But the sheriff's a crook and is not a real lawman and is secretly in league with Big Ben and another outlaw called Johnny.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=15
| ProdCode=15
| ShortSummary=A new face arrives in town, with a plan to rob the bank and quickly teams up with Pedro and Fernando to help his scheme.
| ShortSummary=A new face arrives in town, with a plan to rob the bank and quickly teams up with Pedro and Fernando to help his scheme.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
Line 285: Line 249:
| DirectedBy=Alan Pattillo
| DirectedBy=Alan Pattillo
| WrittenBy=Jill Allgood
| WrittenBy=Jill Allgood
| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1960|7|7|df=y}}
| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1960|9|8|df=y}}
| ProdCode=29
| ProdCode=29
| ShortSummary=Ma Jones falls for a scam by two con men and is almost swindled out of her shop.
| ShortSummary=Ma Jones falls for a scam by two con men and is almost swindled out of her shop.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
Line 295: Line 258:
| DirectedBy=Gerry Anderson
| DirectedBy=Gerry Anderson
| WrittenBy=Phil Wrestler
| WrittenBy=Phil Wrestler
| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1960|7|14|df=y}}
| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1960|8|11|df=y}}
| ProdCode=25
| ProdCode=25
| ShortSummary=On election day for the role of Sheriff, Pedro decides to make a bid for the position but when he tries to cheat the town turns on him.
| ShortSummary=On election day for the role of Sheriff, Pedro decides to make a bid for the position but when he tries to cheat the town turns on him.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
Line 305: Line 267:
| DirectedBy=David Elliott
| DirectedBy=David Elliott
| WrittenBy=Phil Wrestler
| WrittenBy=Phil Wrestler
| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1960|7|21|df=y}}
| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1960|8|18|df=y}}
| ProdCode=26
| ProdCode=26
| ShortSummary=Tex's old friend, Cass Morgan, arrives in town looking for two men, Tobin and Billy Pinto, who he says killed his brother during a robbery. He tells Tex to stay out of it which he does until a telegram arrives telling Tex who the real killer is.
| ShortSummary=Tex's old friend, Cass Morgan, arrives in town looking for two men, Tobin and Billy Pinto, who he says killed his brother during a robbery. He tells Tex to stay out of it which he does until a telegram arrives telling Tex who the real killer is.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=18
| ProdCode=18
| ShortSummary=Marvin Jackson is trying to sell the Eureka Silver Mine, but the main buyer, Harman, pays Pedro and Fernando to pretend to be ghosts to bring the price down.
| ShortSummary=Marvin Jackson is trying to sell the Eureka Silver Mine, but the main buyer, Harman, pays Pedro and Fernando to pretend to be ghosts to bring the price down.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=24
| ProdCode=24
| ShortSummary=With the townspeople unhappy with Tex's dealing of a spate of robberies by a gang of thieves, Tex turns in his badge and joins the thieves as a crook.
| ShortSummary=With the townspeople unhappy with Tex's dealing of a spate of robberies by a gang of thieves, Tex turns in his badge and joins the thieves as a crook.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=23
| ProdCode=23
| ShortSummary=The Circle Z Ranch is under siege from Morg Fenton and Big Ben, but Tex discovers it is outside his area of jurisdiction and cannot help defend it.
| ShortSummary=The Circle Z Ranch is under siege from Morg Fenton and Big Ben, but Tex discovers it is outside his area of jurisdiction and cannot help defend it.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=31
| ProdCode=31
| ShortSummary=A medicine man arrives in town claiming to have a cure for everything and almost puts Doc Haggerty out of business before it is discovered where the true source of the medicine comes from.
| ShortSummary=A medicine man arrives in town claiming to have a cure for everything and almost puts Doc Haggerty out of business before it is discovered where the true source of the medicine comes from.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=30
| ProdCode=30
| ShortSummary=Fernando bears a striking resemblance to another master criminal, called Pancho Gomez, so Pedro comes up with an idea to get the $200 reward money for capturing him.
| ShortSummary=Fernando bears a striking resemblance to another master criminal, called Pancho Gomez, so Pedro comes up with an idea to get the $200 reward money for capturing him.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=34
| ProdCode=34
| ShortSummary=Missouri Mike arrives in town claiming to be able to sell things to people they didn't even know they wanted including selling safes $5 each with a free bottle of brandy. But the brandy is drugged and Mike is actually a criminal planning to rob the town blind with a master key to the safes.
| ShortSummary=Missouri Mike arrives in town claiming to be able to sell things to people they didn't even know they wanted including selling safes $5 each with a free bottle of brandy. But the brandy is drugged and Mike is actually a criminal planning to rob the town blind with a master key to the safes.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=13
| ProdCode=13
| ShortSummary=Pedro and Fernando try to swindle the people of Four Feather Falls out of their savings by claiming to have found gold on their land.
| ShortSummary=Pedro and Fernando try to swindle the people of Four Feather Falls out of their savings by claiming to have found gold on their land.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=12
| ProdCode=12
| ShortSummary=Fernando and Pedro try and get arrested so they can spend the night in jail. The pair want dig underneath the jailhouse and on into the bank to rob it.
| ShortSummary=Fernando and Pedro try and get arrested so they can spend the night in jail. The pair want dig underneath the jailhouse and on into the bank to rob it.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=35
| ProdCode=35
| ShortSummary=The railroad finally comes to Four Feather Falls connecting it to Dallas, however someone keeps sabotaging the tracks.
| ShortSummary=The railroad finally comes to Four Feather Falls connecting it to Dallas, however someone keeps sabotaging the tracks.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=32
| ProdCode=32
| ShortSummary=Big Ben needs Tex's help after being falsely accused of stealing cattle.
| ShortSummary=Big Ben needs Tex's help after being falsely accused of stealing cattle.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=2
| ProdCode=2
| ShortSummary=Pedro and Fernando take "Doc" Haggerty and hold him hostage for ransom.
| ShortSummary=Pedro and Fernando take "Doc" Haggerty and hold him hostage for ransom.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=32
| ProdCode=32
| ShortSummary=Rocky has a toothache, but nothing anyone says can persuade him to have his tooth removed by Doc Haggerty.
| ShortSummary=Rocky has a toothache, but nothing anyone says can persuade him to have his tooth removed by Doc Haggerty.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=36
| ProdCode=36
| ShortSummary=The 'fastest and bestest in the westest' Gunman, Buck Reevers, arrives in town, worrying Tex that he will attract other gunmen to the town.
| ShortSummary=The 'fastest and bestest in the westest' Gunman, Buck Reevers, arrives in town, worrying Tex that he will attract other gunmen to the town.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=39
| ProdCode=39
| ShortSummary=Tex takes part in the rodeo against Silver City's best rider, Bart Stevens, who decides to cheat by using Pedro and Fernando to sabotage his opponent.
| ShortSummary=Tex takes part in the rodeo against Silver City's best rider, Bart Stevens, who decides to cheat by using Pedro and Fernando to sabotage his opponent.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=38
| ProdCode=38
| ShortSummary=Red Scalp leads an Indian war party on a raid to ambush the train from Dallas and steal the $10,000 payroll on board, with the help of the bank messenger William J. Haddon.
| ShortSummary=Red Scalp leads an Indian war party on a raid to ambush the train from Dallas and steal the $10,000 payroll on board, with the help of the bank messenger William J. Haddon.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=28
| ProdCode=28
| ShortSummary=Big Ben tells Pedro and Fernando that a partner of his is paying good money for horses. He persuades the banditos to steal all of the horses in Four Feather Falls, which they do including Tex's own horse Rocky.
| ShortSummary=Big Ben tells Pedro and Fernando that a partner of his is paying good money for horses. He persuades the banditos to steal all of the horses in Four Feather Falls, which they do including Tex's own horse Rocky.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
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| ProdCode=37
| ProdCode=37
| ShortSummary=The townspeople plan a party for Tex's birthday.
| ShortSummary=The townspeople plan a party for Tex's birthday.
| LineColor=#2F4F4F
}}
}}
}}
}}

==Production==
American [[Western (genre)|Western]] TV shows such as ''[[Gunsmoke]]'' and ''[[Wagon Train]]'' were popular with British audiences, so APF's [[Gerry Anderson]] and [[Arthur Provis]] decided to make a [[cowboy]] series based on a story concept pitched to them by [[Barry Gray]].<ref name="Fryer2016"/>{{r|BFI4FF}} According to Anderson, ''Four Feather Falls'' "was really me trying to make the sort of films I used to see in the cinema."<ref name="Archer&Hearn">{{Cite book | last1 = Archer | first1 = Simon | author1-link = Simon Archer (author) | last2 = Hearn | first2 = Marcus | title = What Made Thunderbirds Go! The Authorised Biography of Gerry Anderson | year = 2002 | publisher = [[BBC Books]] | location = London, UK | isbn = 978-0-563-53481-5 | pages = 49-55 | chapter=Strings Attached}}</ref> APF offered Gray about £100 (£{{Inflation|UK|100|1959|r=-3|fmt=c|cursign=£}} in {{Inflation/year|UK}}) to buy his idea, which was originally titled ''Two Gun Tex Tucker''. This was changed to ''Two Gun Tex of Texas'', then ''The Sheriff of Four Feather Falls'' before the final title was chosen.<ref name="LaRivière2014">{{Cite book|title=Filmed in Supermarionation|first1=Stephen|last1=La Rivière|author1-link=Stephen La Rivière|year=2014|edition=2nd|orig-year=2009|publisher=Network Distributing|location=London, UK|isbn=978-0-992-9766-0-6|pages=35-64|chapter=''Four Feather Falls''}}</ref>

Development began in late 1958 while the first 26 episodes of ''[[Torchy the Battery Boy]]'' were still in production, and without the knowledge of APF's employer [[Roberta Leigh]], with whom Anderson planned to sever ties in the aim of becoming an independent producer.<ref name="LaRivière2014"/> The pilot episode, "How It Began", was produced in April 1959 on a budget of £6,000 (about £{{Inflation|UK|6000|1959|r=-3|fmt=c|cursign=£}} in {{Inflation/year|UK}}).<ref name="Bentley2008">{{Cite book | last1 = Bentley | first1 = Chris | title = The Complete Gerry Anderson: The Authorised Episode Guide | publisher = Reynolds & Hearn | location = London, UK | edition = 4th | year = 2008 | orig-year = 2001 | isbn = 978-1-905287-74-1 | page = 31}}</ref> A full series of 39 episodes was commissioned by [[Granada plc|Granada]] after APF's intended distributor, [[Anglo Amalgamated]], turned it down.<ref name="Archer&Hearn"/> Except for the pilot, which was made in APF's studios at Islet Park House in Maidenhead,{{r|tv.heaven}} all episodes were made in a converted warehouse on the [[Slough Trading Estate]].{{r|NMM}} Previously owned by special effects artist [[Les Bowie]], this provided quadruple the floor space of Islet Park House, where the crew had been filming in a re-purposed [[ballroom]].<ref name="Archer&Hearn"/> After moving to the Slough estate in June 1959, APF upgraded its new facilities with the installation of a director's [[control booth]] and [[video assist]] TV monitors to guide the puppeteers, who operated the marionettes from a [[Dexion]] bridge built several feet over the set.<ref name="LaRivière2014"/> The model set representing the town of Four Feather Falls measured {{Convert|30 x 15|ft|m}}.<ref name="Bentley2008"/> Filming in Slough ended in April 1960.<ref name="Bentley2008"/>

Anderson considered the puppets with static heads, made by [[Christine Glanville]] for his earlier productions, to be unacceptable because the viewer could not tell which character was talking unless its puppet moved up or down. For ''Four Feather Falls'', the [[papier-mâché]] heads were replaced by interchangeable hollow [[fibreglass]] heads with internal rods that could move the eyes from side to side. The heads also contained sound-activated [[solenoid]]s, which allowed the puppets' lips to move automatically in synchronisation with the dialogue.{{r|NMM}} The electronics of the day required more space than would be available in a human-scale head, therefore all the puppets in ''Four Feather Falls'' had oversized heads, though the bodies as a whole were one-third life size. Anderson's aim was to make the puppets look as realistic as possible, the beginning of the [[Supermarionation]] puppetry process, although that term was not coined until his next series, ''[[Supercar (TV series)|Supercar]]''.

The wires used to control the puppets were eight feet long and made of [[tungsten steel]], an improvement on the curtain wire used in Anderson's two earlier puppet series (''[[The Adventures of Twizzle]]'' and ''Torchy''), and were only 1/200 of an inch thick. Being shiny, the wires had to be blackened. The horses moved by being pulled along on a trolley, which meant the viewer never saw their feet when they were moving.

The voice cast assembled to record each script without seeing the puppets, much like recording a radio series; synchronisation of each character's speech with the movement of its puppet's mouth was performed later.{{sfnp|Parsons|2011|loc=The Joys of Television|ps=}} The tight budget precluded the use of sophisticated special effects, and less costly alternatives were used. For example, to achieve the effect of [[muzzle flash]]es, small specks of black paint were carefully applied to the [[35mm movie film|35 mm]] [[film negative|negative]]s so they would appear as white flashes on the finished prints. The [[production design]] and puppet costuming were more detailed than those of ''Twizzle'' and ''Torchy''.<ref name="Peel1993">{{Cite book | last1 = Peel | first1 = John | author1-link = John Peel (writer) | title = Thunderbirds, Stingray, Captain Scarlet: The Authorised Programme Guide | year = 1993 | publisher = [[Virgin Books]] | isbn = 978-0-86369-728-9 | pages=10-11; 26}}</ref>

[[Continuity (fiction)|Continuity]] for the series was provided by [[Sylvia Anderson|Sylvia Thamm]], who later married Gerry Anderson. Provis, who left APF mid-production due to disagreements over the direction of the company, was given a five per cent share of the profits from the series.<ref name="LaRivière2014"/>

==Music==
The show's music and song lyrics were composed by [[Barry Gray]]. [[Michael Holliday]] provided Tex's singing voice, and [[Tommy Reilly (harmonica player)|Tommy Reilly]] performed the harmonica pieces.{{r|BFI4FF}} The best known song to come out of the series was "Four Feather Falls", sung in some episodes by Michael Holliday in the style of [[Bing Crosby]] and sometimes incorrectly described as the theme song to the series. The closing theme song was "Two Gun Tex of Texas." Holliday was paid £2,000 (about £{{Inflation|UK|2000|1959|r=-3|fmt=c|cursign=£}} in {{Inflation/year|UK}}) for his singing work on the pilot episode{{snd}}a significant part of the pilot's £6,000 budget.{{r|tv.heaven}} In all, Holliday recorded six songs for the series: "Four Feather Falls", "The Phantom Rider", "The Rick-Rick-A-Rackety Train", "Happy Hearts and Friendly Faces", "My Home Town", and "Two Gun Tex of Texas".{{r|tv.heaven}} The recording was conducted at [[Gate Studios]] in Borehamwood.<ref name="LaRivière2014"/>


==Syndication==
==Syndication==
The series was repeated in some British TV regions on a sporadic basis up until 1968. In December 2004, it was announced that the rights had been acquired by Network, and it was released on three [[DVD region code#2|Region 2]] DVDs in May 2005. It is the only Supermarionation series not yet released to DVD in North America as of January 2006. Sylvia Anderson wrote two British children's annuals based on the show, published by Collins in 1960 and 1961. The first book featured a short text story based on the pilot episode of the TV series.
''Four Feather Falls'' was the first APF series to be fully networked on [[ITV (network)|ITV]], that is shown by all regional franchises of the network simultaneously.<ref name="Fryer2016"/> The series was repeated in some British TV regions on a sporadic basis up until 1968.<ref name="Fryer2016"/> In December 2004, it was announced that the rights had been acquired by Network, and it was released on three [[DVD region code#2|Region 2]] DVDs in May 2005. It is the only Supermarionation series not yet released to DVD in North America as of January 2006. Sylvia Anderson wrote two British children's annuals based on the show, published by Collins in 1960 and 1961. The first book featured a short text story based on the pilot episode of the TV series.


== In other media ==
==Other media==
The show was adapted into [[comics]] form and published as an ongoing strip in [[Polystyle Publications]]' ''[[TV Comic]]''. The ''Four Feathers Falls'' strip was drawn by Neville Main, and appeared from issue #439 (14 May 1960) until issue #564 (6 October 1962).
The show was adapted into [[comics]] form and published as an ongoing strip in [[Polystyle Publications]]' ''[[TV Comic]]''.<ref name="Peel1993"/> The ''Four Feathers Falls'' strip was drawn by Neville Main, and appeared from issue #439 (14 May 1960) until issue #564 (6 October 1962). Sylvia Anderson wrote a ''Four Feather Falls'' [[Annual (comics)|annual]]. A tie-in [[board game]] was also released.<ref name="LaRivière2014"/>


==References==
==References==
Line 498: Line 458:
{{citation |last=Clark |first=Anthony |title=BFI Screenonline: Four Feather Falls (1960) |contribution=Four Feather Falls (1960) |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/455659/index.html |publisher=BFI Screenonline |access-date=8 January 2013}}
{{citation |last=Clark |first=Anthony |title=BFI Screenonline: Four Feather Falls (1960) |contribution=Four Feather Falls (1960) |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/455659/index.html |publisher=BFI Screenonline |access-date=8 January 2013}}
</ref>
</ref>

<ref name="MeasuringWorth">{{citation |last=Officer |first=Lawrence H. |title=Five Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a UK Pound Amount, 1270 to Present |publisher=MeasuringWorth |url=http://www.measuringworth.com/ppoweruk/index.php |year=2009 |access-date=21 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124192556/http://www.measuringworth.com/ppoweruk/index.php |archive-date=24 November 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


<ref name="NMM">
<ref name="NMM">
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Portal|Television|Fantasy}}
*[http://www.nostalgiacentral.com/television/kids/fourfeatherfalls.htm ''Four Feather Falls'' at Nostalgia Central]
*[http://www.classickidstv.co.uk/wiki/Four_Feather_Falls ''Four Feather Falls''] at ClassicKidsTV.co.uk
*[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0163445/ ''Four Feather Falls'' at IMDb]


*{{IMDb title|0163445}}
*[https://nostalgiacentral.com/television/tv-by-decade/tv-shows-1950s/four-feather-falls/ ''Four Feather Falls'' at Nostalgia Central]
{{Gerry Anderson}}
{{Gerry Anderson}}


[[Category:1960s British children's television series]]
[[Category:1960 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:1960 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:1960 British television series endings]]
[[Category:1960 British television series endings]]
[[Category:Fiction set in the 19th century]]
[[Category:1960s British children's television series]]
[[Category:AP Films]]
[[Category:1960s Western (genre) television series]]
[[Category:British children's action television series]]
[[Category:Black-and-white British television shows]]
[[Category:Black-and-white British television shows]]
[[Category:ITV children's television shows]]
[[Category:British children's action television series]]
[[Category:English-language television shows]]
[[Category:British children's fantasy television series]]
[[Category:British children's fantasy television series]]
[[Category:Marionette films]]
[[Category:British English-language television shows]]
[[Category:British television shows featuring puppetry]]
[[Category:British television shows featuring puppetry]]
[[Category:Children's television series about talking animals]]
[[Category:Fantasy Westerns]]
[[Category:ITV children's television shows]]
[[Category:Marionette films]]
[[Category:Television series about bandits]]
[[Category:Television series by AP Films]]
[[Category:Television series set in the 19th century]]
[[Category:Television shows about magic]]
[[Category:Television shows about Native Americans]]
[[Category:Television shows adapted into comics]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Kansas]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Kansas]]
[[Category:1960s Western (genre) television series]]
[[Category:Western (genre) television series featuring gimmick weapons]]

Latest revision as of 23:23, 27 December 2024

Four Feather Falls
Series titles over a waterfall
GenreChildren's fantasy western
Created byGerry Anderson & Barry Gray
Written by
Directed by
Voices of
Music byBarry Gray
Ending theme"Two Gun Tex of Texas", sung by Michael Holliday
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes39
Production
ProducerGerry Anderson
Cinematography
Editors
Running time12–13 minutes
Production companyAP Films in association with Granada Television
Original release
NetworkITV
Release25 February (1960-02-25) –
17 November 1960 (1960-11-17)

Four Feather Falls is a British children's western television series, the third puppet TV show produced by AP Films (APF) in association with Granada Television. It was based on an idea by Barry Gray, who also wrote the show's music.[2] The series was the first to use an early version of APF's Supermarionation puppetry. Thirty-nine 13-minute episodes were produced between April 1959 and April 1960, and the series was first broadcast on the ITV network from February to November 1960.[1]

The setting is the late 19th-century fictional Kansas town of Four Feather Falls, where the hero of the series, Tex Tucker, is a sheriff. The four feathers of the title refers to four magical feathers given to Tex by the Indian chief Kalamakooya as a reward for saving his grandson. One of the feathers allowed Tex's guns to swivel and fire without being touched whenever he was in danger, two conferred the power of speech on Tex's horse and dog, and the fourth feather could summon Kalamakooya.

Tex's speaking voice was provided by Nicholas Parsons, and his singing voice by Michael Holliday. The series was sporadically repeated on British television until 1968,[1] and was released on DVD in 2005.

Plot

[edit]

The series is set in the fictitious late 19th-century Western town of Four Feather Falls, Kansas, and features the adventures of its sheriff, Tex Tucker.

In the first episode, Grandpa Twink relates the story of how it all began to his grandson, Little Jake. Tex is riding up from the valley and comes across a lost and hungry Indian boy, Makooya, and saves him. Tex is given four magic feathers by the boy's grandfather, Chief Kalamakooya, as a reward for saving his grandson. Two of the feathers allow his guns to swivel and fire automatically (often while Tex's hands are raised),[a] and the other two allow his horse, Rocky, and his dog, Dusty, to speak. As Tex, his horse, and dog are very thirsty, Kalamakooya also makes a waterfall where there had been no water before, and so when the town was built it was named after Tex's feathers and the waterfall.

The characters of the town are Grandpa Twink, who does little but rest in a chair; his grandson Little Jake, the only child in town; Ma Jones, who runs the town store; Doc Haggerty; Slim Jim, the bartender of the Denison saloon; Marvin Jackson, the bank manager; and Dan Morse, the telegraphist. Other characters appeared from time to time for only one episode, often just visiting town.

The villains included Pedro, who was introduced in the first show and Fernando, who first appeared in the second episode as a sidekick and someone Pedro could blame when things went wrong, as they always did. Big Ben was another villain who appeared from time to time, as did Red Scalp, a renegade Indian. Other villains only appeared in single episodes.

Cast

[edit]
  • Nicholas Parsons – Sheriff Tex Tucker (speaking voice)[2] / Telegraph Operator Dan Morse[3] / Various
  • Michael Holliday – Sheriff Tex Tucker (singing voice)[2] / Various
  • Kenneth Connor – Dusty the Dog / Rocky the Horse / Pedro the Bandit / Big Chief Kalamakooya / Bank Manager Marvin Jackson[2] / Doc Haggerty / Saloon Owner Slim Jim Denison[3] / Various
  • David Graham – Grandpa Ebenezer Twink / Fernando the Bandit[2] / Big Ben the Horse Rustler Bandit / Red Scalp the Renegade Indian[3] / Various
  • Denise Bryer – Martha "Ma" Jones / Little Jake[2] / Makooya the Little Indian Boy / Various

Denise Bryer had worked with Anderson on The Adventures of Twizzle, and he wanted her to play some of the voices in Four Feather Falls. Anderson visited Bryer at her home with some scripts and asked her husband, Nicholas Parsons, to help by reading some of the other parts, including the sheriff Tex Tucker. Anderson liked Parsons' interpretation and offered him the job of providing Tex's speaking voice.[1][4]

Episodes

[edit]
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateProd.
code
1"How it Began"Gerry AndersonMary Cathcart Borer25 February 1960 (1960-02-25)1
Whilst out in the desert Tex Tucker finds and shelters an Indian boy and is rewarded with four magic feathers by the boy's grandfather. Two of the feathers make his dog (Dusty) and horse (Rocky) speak whilst the last two control Tex's two guns. Tex decides to create a town called Four Feather Falls and the townsfolk make him Sheriff.
2"Trouble in Yellow Gulch"Gerry AndersonPhil Wrestler3 March 1960 (1960-03-03)10
Pedro and Fernando buy some land where a road into Four Feather Falls is and hold the townsfolk to ransom by making them pay to either use the safe route the bandits have bought or use a more dangerous road.
3"Frame-Up"Gerry AndersonPhil Wrestler10 March 1960 (1960-03-10)11
Tex rides off to the city to help out another Sheriff, unaware he's about to be set up as a horse thief.
4"Pedro Has A Plan"Gerry AndersonPhil Wrestler17 March 1960 (1960-03-17)3
Pedro and Fernando plan to rid themselves of the sheriff, by switching his hat with the magic feathers for a normal one.
5"Sheriff for a Day"Gerry AndersonPhil Wrestler24 March 1960 (1960-03-24)7
Tex is called away and lends his magic guns to Little Jake, who soon finds himself way over his head.
6"Indian Attack"Gerry AndersonPhil Wrestler31 March 1960 (1960-03-31)6
Pedro and Fernando fake an Indian attack on Four Feather Falls.
7"A Close Shave"Gerry AndersonPhil Wrestler7 April 1960 (1960-04-07)5
Pedro and Fernando team up with Red Scalp to plot against Tex.
8"Pedro's Pardon"Gerry AndersonPhil Wrestler14 April 1960 (1960-04-14)4
Pedro states that he has "gone straight" and will become a respectable member of the town but Tex doesn't believe his story.
9"The Toughest Guy in the West"Gerry AndersonPhil Wrestler21 April 1960 (1960-04-21)17
Grandpa Twink is a teller of tales and his buddies tease him about his supposed heroics. Twink redeems himself when he captures Indian Jack, a notorious renegade.
10"Gun Runners"Gerry AndersonPhil Wrestler28 April 1960 (1960-04-28)9
Tex and Dusty go off in search of a gun runner selling to renegade Indians, led by Red Scalp.
11"Jail Break"Gerry AndersonPhil Wrestler5 May 1960 (1960-05-05)21
Zack Morrill a bandit wanted for murder, cattle rustling, horse stealing and train robbery, has a wanted poster outside the Sheriff's office offering a reward of $500 for the capture of him. Pedro sees the poster and decides to help Tex capture the criminal in return for the reward money.
12"Trapped"David ElliottPhil Wrestler12 May 1960 (1960-05-12)14
Little Jake and Makooya head to the creek for some fishing. Finding a cave along the way they decide on a little spelunking. They interrupt Red Scalp at work while he's manufacturing counterfeit money and he quickly seals them in.
13"Dusty Becomes Deputy"Gerry AndersonPhil Wrestler19 May 1960 (1960-05-19)8
Pedro and Fernando set a fire on the outskirts of town to lure Tex away. All the while the bandits aim to rob the bank while Tex and the other townsfolk fight the fire.
14"A Lawman Rides Alone"David ElliottPhil Wrestler2 June 1960 (1960-06-02)20
Sheriff Tucker receives a wanted poster for Blackie and Whitey Strutt who, along with a third man robbed a Wells Fargo office. Soon the trio arrives in Four Feather Falls.
15"Buffalo Rocky"Alan PattilloJill Allgood2 June 1960 (1960-06-02)33
When several horses are stolen, the only suspects seems to be a buffalo. But it is actually a clever horse thief covering his tracks by wearing false buffalo hooves.
16"Gunplay"David ElliottPhil Wrestler9 June 1960 (1960-06-09)19
Two cattle rustlers, Johnny Pasto and The Nevado Kid, challenge Tucker to fight without his magic guns.
17"Escort"David ElliottPhil Wrestler16 June 1960 (1960-06-16)16
Pedro and Fernando overhear a message about a gold shipment heading to Four Feather Falls. So the pair pose as sheriffs so they can steal all the gold for themselves unaware that Big Ben also wants to steal the gold too.
18"A Little Bit of Luck"David ElliottPhil Wrestler23 June 1960 (1960-06-23)22
Tex is away visiting family and the marshal filling in for him, Ike Burns, is hopelessly ineffective. But the sheriff's a crook and is not a real lawman and is secretly in league with Big Ben and another outlaw called Johnny.
19"The Best Laid Plans"Gerry AndersonPhil Wrestler30 June 1960 (1960-06-30)15
A new face arrives in town, with a plan to rob the bank and quickly teams up with Pedro and Fernando to help his scheme.
20"The Ma Jones Story"Alan PattilloJill Allgood8 September 1960 (1960-09-08)29
Ma Jones falls for a scam by two con men and is almost swindled out of her shop.
21"Election Day"Gerry AndersonPhil Wrestler11 August 1960 (1960-08-11)25
On election day for the role of Sheriff, Pedro decides to make a bid for the position but when he tries to cheat the town turns on him.
22"Gunfight on Main Street"David ElliottPhil Wrestler18 August 1960 (1960-08-18)26
Tex's old friend, Cass Morgan, arrives in town looking for two men, Tobin and Billy Pinto, who he says killed his brother during a robbery. He tells Tex to stay out of it which he does until a telegram arrives telling Tex who the real killer is.
23"Chance of a Ghost"Gerry AndersonPhil Wrestler28 July 1960 (1960-07-28)18
Marvin Jackson is trying to sell the Eureka Silver Mine, but the main buyer, Harman, pays Pedro and Fernando to pretend to be ghosts to bring the price down.
24"Once A Lawman"David ElliottPhil Wrestler4 August 1960 (1960-08-04)24
With the townspeople unhappy with Tex's dealing of a spate of robberies by a gang of thieves, Tex turns in his badge and joins the thieves as a crook.
25"Landgrabbers"Gerry AndersonPhil Wrestler11 August 1960 (1960-08-11)23
The Circle Z Ranch is under siege from Morg Fenton and Big Ben, but Tex discovers it is outside his area of jurisdiction and cannot help defend it.
26"A Cure For Everything"Alan PattilloJill Allgood18 August 1960 (1960-08-18)31
A medicine man arrives in town claiming to have a cure for everything and almost puts Doc Haggerty out of business before it is discovered where the true source of the medicine comes from.
27"Bandits Abroad"David ElliottJill Allgood25 August 1960 (1960-08-25)30
Fernando bears a striking resemblance to another master criminal, called Pancho Gomez, so Pedro comes up with an idea to get the $200 reward money for capturing him.
28"Safe As Houses"David ElliottMartin Woodhouse1 September 1960 (1960-09-01)34
Missouri Mike arrives in town claiming to be able to sell things to people they didn't even know they wanted including selling safes $5 each with a free bottle of brandy. But the brandy is drugged and Mike is actually a criminal planning to rob the town blind with a master key to the safes.
29"Gold Is Where You Find It"Gerry AndersonPhil Wrestler8 September 1960 (1960-09-08)13
Pedro and Fernando try to swindle the people of Four Feather Falls out of their savings by claiming to have found gold on their land.
30"Gold Diggers"Gerry AndersonPhil Wrestler15 September 1960 (1960-09-15)12
Fernando and Pedro try and get arrested so they can spend the night in jail. The pair want dig underneath the jailhouse and on into the bank to rob it.
31"First Train Through"Alan PattilloJill Allgood22 September 1960 (1960-09-22)35
The railroad finally comes to Four Feather Falls connecting it to Dallas, however someone keeps sabotaging the tracks.
32"A Bad Name"David ElliottPhil Wrestler29 September 1960 (1960-09-29)32
Big Ben needs Tex's help after being falsely accused of stealing cattle.
33"Kidnapped"Gerry AndersonMary Cathcart Borer6 October 1960 (1960-10-06)2
Pedro and Fernando take "Doc" Haggerty and hold him hostage for ransom.
34"Teething Troubles"David ElliottJill Allgood13 October 1960 (1960-10-13)32
Rocky has a toothache, but nothing anyone says can persuade him to have his tooth removed by Doc Haggerty.
35"Fancy Shooting"David ElliottMartin Woodhouse20 October 1960 (1960-10-20)36
The 'fastest and bestest in the westest' Gunman, Buck Reevers, arrives in town, worrying Tex that he will attract other gunmen to the town.
36"Ride 'Em Cowboy"Alan PattilloJill Allgood27 October 1960 (1960-10-27)39
Tex takes part in the rodeo against Silver City's best rider, Bart Stevens, who decides to cheat by using Pedro and Fernando to sabotage his opponent.
37"Ambush"David ElliottJill Allgood3 November 1960 (1960-11-03)38
Red Scalp leads an Indian war party on a raid to ambush the train from Dallas and steal the $10,000 payroll on board, with the help of the bank messenger William J. Haddon.
38"Horse Thieves"Alan PattilloPhil Wrestler10 November 1960 (1960-11-10)28
Big Ben tells Pedro and Fernando that a partner of his is paying good money for horses. He persuades the banditos to steal all of the horses in Four Feather Falls, which they do including Tex's own horse Rocky.
39"Happy Birthday"Alan PattilloJill Allgood17 November 1960 (1960-11-17)37
The townspeople plan a party for Tex's birthday.

Production

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American Western TV shows such as Gunsmoke and Wagon Train were popular with British audiences, so APF's Gerry Anderson and Arthur Provis decided to make a cowboy series based on a story concept pitched to them by Barry Gray.[1][2] According to Anderson, Four Feather Falls "was really me trying to make the sort of films I used to see in the cinema."[5] APF offered Gray about £100 (£3,000 in 2023) to buy his idea, which was originally titled Two Gun Tex Tucker. This was changed to Two Gun Tex of Texas, then The Sheriff of Four Feather Falls before the final title was chosen.[6]

Development began in late 1958 while the first 26 episodes of Torchy the Battery Boy were still in production, and without the knowledge of APF's employer Roberta Leigh, with whom Anderson planned to sever ties in the aim of becoming an independent producer.[6] The pilot episode, "How It Began", was produced in April 1959 on a budget of £6,000 (about £176,000 in 2023).[7] A full series of 39 episodes was commissioned by Granada after APF's intended distributor, Anglo Amalgamated, turned it down.[5] Except for the pilot, which was made in APF's studios at Islet Park House in Maidenhead,[3] all episodes were made in a converted warehouse on the Slough Trading Estate.[8] Previously owned by special effects artist Les Bowie, this provided quadruple the floor space of Islet Park House, where the crew had been filming in a re-purposed ballroom.[5] After moving to the Slough estate in June 1959, APF upgraded its new facilities with the installation of a director's control booth and video assist TV monitors to guide the puppeteers, who operated the marionettes from a Dexion bridge built several feet over the set.[6] The model set representing the town of Four Feather Falls measured 30 by 15 feet (9.1 m × 4.6 m).[7] Filming in Slough ended in April 1960.[7]

Anderson considered the puppets with static heads, made by Christine Glanville for his earlier productions, to be unacceptable because the viewer could not tell which character was talking unless its puppet moved up or down. For Four Feather Falls, the papier-mâché heads were replaced by interchangeable hollow fibreglass heads with internal rods that could move the eyes from side to side. The heads also contained sound-activated solenoids, which allowed the puppets' lips to move automatically in synchronisation with the dialogue.[8] The electronics of the day required more space than would be available in a human-scale head, therefore all the puppets in Four Feather Falls had oversized heads, though the bodies as a whole were one-third life size. Anderson's aim was to make the puppets look as realistic as possible, the beginning of the Supermarionation puppetry process, although that term was not coined until his next series, Supercar.

The wires used to control the puppets were eight feet long and made of tungsten steel, an improvement on the curtain wire used in Anderson's two earlier puppet series (The Adventures of Twizzle and Torchy), and were only 1/200 of an inch thick. Being shiny, the wires had to be blackened. The horses moved by being pulled along on a trolley, which meant the viewer never saw their feet when they were moving.

The voice cast assembled to record each script without seeing the puppets, much like recording a radio series; synchronisation of each character's speech with the movement of its puppet's mouth was performed later.[4] The tight budget precluded the use of sophisticated special effects, and less costly alternatives were used. For example, to achieve the effect of muzzle flashes, small specks of black paint were carefully applied to the 35 mm negatives so they would appear as white flashes on the finished prints. The production design and puppet costuming were more detailed than those of Twizzle and Torchy.[9]

Continuity for the series was provided by Sylvia Thamm, who later married Gerry Anderson. Provis, who left APF mid-production due to disagreements over the direction of the company, was given a five per cent share of the profits from the series.[6]

Music

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The show's music and song lyrics were composed by Barry Gray. Michael Holliday provided Tex's singing voice, and Tommy Reilly performed the harmonica pieces.[2] The best known song to come out of the series was "Four Feather Falls", sung in some episodes by Michael Holliday in the style of Bing Crosby and sometimes incorrectly described as the theme song to the series. The closing theme song was "Two Gun Tex of Texas." Holliday was paid £2,000 (about £59,000 in 2023) for his singing work on the pilot episode – a significant part of the pilot's £6,000 budget.[3] In all, Holliday recorded six songs for the series: "Four Feather Falls", "The Phantom Rider", "The Rick-Rick-A-Rackety Train", "Happy Hearts and Friendly Faces", "My Home Town", and "Two Gun Tex of Texas".[3] The recording was conducted at Gate Studios in Borehamwood.[6]

Syndication

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Four Feather Falls was the first APF series to be fully networked on ITV, that is shown by all regional franchises of the network simultaneously.[1] The series was repeated in some British TV regions on a sporadic basis up until 1968.[1] In December 2004, it was announced that the rights had been acquired by Network, and it was released on three Region 2 DVDs in May 2005. It is the only Supermarionation series not yet released to DVD in North America as of January 2006. Sylvia Anderson wrote two British children's annuals based on the show, published by Collins in 1960 and 1961. The first book featured a short text story based on the pilot episode of the TV series.

Other media

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The show was adapted into comics form and published as an ongoing strip in Polystyle Publications' TV Comic.[9] The Four Feathers Falls strip was drawn by Neville Main, and appeared from issue #439 (14 May 1960) until issue #564 (6 October 1962). Sylvia Anderson wrote a Four Feather Falls annual. A tie-in board game was also released.[6]

References

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Notes

  1. ^ The swivelling guns solved the problem of how a puppet cowboy could be quick on the draw without looking like he had gone into a spasm when one of his wires was suddenly yanked.[2]

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Fryer, Ian (2016). The Worlds of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson: The Story Behind International Rescue. Fonthill Media. pp. 38–49. ISBN 978-1-78155-504-0.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Clark, Anthony, "Four Feather Falls (1960)", BFI Screenonline: Four Feather Falls (1960), BFI Screenonline, retrieved 8 January 2013
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Four Feather Falls", Four Feather Falls | A Television Heaven Review, Television Heaven, archived from the original on 15 October 2012, retrieved 21 January 2013
  4. ^ a b Parsons (2011), The Joys of Television
  5. ^ a b c Archer, Simon; Hearn, Marcus (2002). "Strings Attached". What Made Thunderbirds Go! The Authorised Biography of Gerry Anderson. London, UK: BBC Books. pp. 49–55. ISBN 978-0-563-53481-5.
  6. ^ a b c d e f La Rivière, Stephen (2014) [2009]. "Four Feather Falls". Filmed in Supermarionation (2nd ed.). London, UK: Network Distributing. pp. 35–64. ISBN 978-0-992-9766-0-6.
  7. ^ a b c Bentley, Chris (2008) [2001]. The Complete Gerry Anderson: The Authorised Episode Guide (4th ed.). London, UK: Reynolds & Hearn. p. 31. ISBN 978-1-905287-74-1.
  8. ^ a b Thom, Emma (27 December 2012), "Supermarionation: Gerry Anderson, a life in puppetry", Supermarionation: Gerry Anderson, a life in puppetry, National Science and Media Museum, retrieved 1 May 2020
  9. ^ a b Peel, John (1993). Thunderbirds, Stingray, Captain Scarlet: The Authorised Programme Guide. Virgin Books. pp. 10–11, 26. ISBN 978-0-86369-728-9.

Bibliography

  • Green, Paul (2009), Encyclopedia of Weird Westerns, McFarland, ISBN 978-0-7864-4390-1
  • Parsons, Nicholas (2011), With Just a Touch of Hesitation, Repetition and Deviation: My Life in Comedy, Mainstream Publishing, ISBN 978-1-84596-712-3
  • Pirani, Adam (1989), The Complete Gerry Anderson Episode Guide, Titan Books, ISBN 978-1-85286-216-9
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