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A
For Andromeda
 UK
/ BBC / 7x45m-e / 1961 3 Oct - 14 Nov
Writer: Fred Hoyle, John Eliot / Design: Norman James /
Producer: Michael Hayes, Norman Jones
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 Scifi
drama serial. In 1970 in the Yorkshire Dales a
group of scientists receive radio signals from
space, once decoded these give them the ability
to build a super computer. The computer
demonstrates it's power by creating a girl
called Andromeda, one of the scientists decides
the computer must be destroyed.
'A For Andromeda' (1961-62), is a half-forgotten
gem from the BBC. This groundbreaking seven part
science fiction serial would have become an all
time classic and popular video series had the
BBC not committed a criminal act of folly and
wiped the tapes.
In the early sixties the BBC made a habit of
wiping tapes in order to record over them, and
in doing so did not consider the possibility
that some of the shows they were wiping might
have become classics that could have been
enjoyed by future generations.
Surprisingly, even in the early sixties there
were some viewers who had audio-visual recording
equipment and some parts of episodes do exist
and are occasionally seen at science fiction or
television conventions however when
shown these clips usually leave audiences cold
because they are shown out of context.
'A For Andromeda' was a serial that had to be
followed to be fully appreciated.
The serial was co-written by acclaimed
astronomer Fred Hoyle and veteran writer John
Elliot. Hoyle's scientific knowledge and
Elliot's writing skills combined beautifully to
produce a character driven science fiction story
that was both believable and exciting. The
tragedy of the BBC's wiping of the tapes is
magnified by the fact that 'A For Andromeda' was
ahead of it's time and it's theme of the
discovery of extra-terrestrial intelligence and
its possible consequences is highly topical
today. There is no doubt that had the BBC not
have wiped the tapes 'A For Andromeda' would
today be a much repeated and talked about
science fiction serial.
In 1962 a 6x45m-e sequel appeared called The
Andromeda Breakthrough which saw
scientist John Fleming forced on the run
with Andromeda and having to join forces with Madeleine Dawney when a toxic enzyme threatens
to destroy the Earth. In the sequel Susan Hampshire played the role of
Andromeda.-
by Graham Howard and Memorable
Television.
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Cast
PETER HALLIDAY as John Fleming / ESMOND KNIGHT
as Prof Reinhart / MARY MORRIS as Madeleine Dawnay / GEOFFREY LEWIS as Dr Geers
/ JULIE CHRISTIE as Christine/Andromeda / FRANK WINDSOR as Dennis Bridger / PETER DUCROW
as Dr Hunter / PATRICIA KNEALE as Judy Adamson |
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