Century 21 Organisation

The Century 21 Organisation was a group of companies founded by Gerry Anderson in the early 1960s to expand on his television production company, AP Films (APF; later Century 21 Productions). In addition to APF, the group included:

  • a property licensing company, AP Films (Merchandising) – established in 1960 as an APF subsidiary, later Century 21 Merchandising;[4]
  • a record label, Century 21 Records (established in 1964)[5] – a joint venture with Pye Records, producing soundtracks and tie-in audiobooks;
  • a toy manufacturer, Century 21 Toys (established in 1966) – formed by Century 21's acquisition of toymakers J. Rosenthal;[6][7]
  • a publishing company, Century 21 Publishing or Century 21 Publications (established in 1966).[1] In partnership with City Magazines, it created the comics titles TV Century 21 and Lady Penelope, among others. It also published tie-in novels through Armada Books.[8]
Century 21 Organisation
Industry
Genre
PredecessorAP Films
Founded1962 (name registered)[1]
FounderGerry Anderson
FateDefunct
HeadquartersUnited Kingdom
Key people
ParentAssociated Television[3]
Subsidiaries

Most of the companies' activities were marketing of products created by Century 21 Productions — in particular the TV series Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons and Joe 90,[9] although some spin-off media were based on characters and machines from other media franchises, often connected to Lew Grade's ITC Entertainment.

History

The various "Century 21" brands predate Century 21 Productions — immediately following completion and the first TV screening of Thunderbirds, AP Films was renamed Century 21 Productions to align it with its growing merchandising sister companies Century 21 Merchandising, Century 21 Toys, Century 21 Records,[10] and Century 21 Publishing.

By the beginning of 1969, Century 21 Productions had become financially over-stretched. Within a few months, they had disbanded their three warehouse-sized studios on the Slough Trading Estate.

Century 21 Publishing

From 1965 to 1969, Century 21 Publishing partnered with the published City Magazines to produce weekly comics titles based on Anderson's Supermarionation properties. Century 21 packaged the comics, hiring the editors, writers and artists, which were then printed and distributed by City Magazines. The imprint's most prominent and long-running titles were TV Century 21 (later known as TV21) and Lady Penelope; three other related titles — Solo, TV Tornado, and Joe 90 Top Secret — eventually merged into TV21.

Century 21 Merchandising acquired a line of plastic science fiction toys manufactured in Hong Kong, which they marketed under the name Project SWORD. Although not based on Anderson's creations, Project Sword did feature in two series of comic strips and text stories published by City Magazines/Century 21 Publishing. The only Anderson craft made by the line was a model of Zero-X, the spacecraft which first appeared in the film Thunderbirds Are Go.[11] A comic strip series based on the toys appeared in the short-lived comic Solo. After Solo was merged into TV21, a second series of stories — text, illustrated by comics artists such as Ron Embleton and Don Lawrence — appeared. The publisher also released a Project SWORD annual, featuring text and comic strips.[11]

In June 1969 the entire staff of Century 21 Publishing were given a month's notice. A small nucleus of staff from the disbanded division were taken on by Leonard Matthews[12] and Alf Wallace — the ex-managing editors of Fleetway Juvenile Comics; and Eagle and Odhams' Power Comics line, respectively — who were now operating an independent studio off Fleet Street under the name of Martspress.[12] Martspress packaged the relaunched version of TV21 which soon phased out the Anderson-related content.

Century 21 Records

Mini-albums

A range of 37 "mini-albums" (7-inch EPs) were released under the Century 21 label. These were a combination of original material, with abridgments of TV episodes with linking narration, and soundtracks.

Issue numberTitleSeriesNotes
MA100Journey to the MoonFireball XL5Original story. Featuring Steve Zodiac and Venus in 'Project Apollo', with the voices of Sylvia Anderson, John Bluthal, David Graham and Paul Maxwell.
MA101Into Action with Troy TempestStingrayOriginal story.
MA102A Trip to MarinevilleStingrayOriginal story.
MA103Introducing ThunderbirdsThunderbirdsOriginal story. A prequel to Trapped in the Sky, in which Lady Penelope visits Tracy Island for the first time. Intended to acquaint potential TV viewers with the series' premise.[13]
MA104Marina SpeaksStingrayOriginal story.
MA105TV21 Themesn/aBarry Gray Orchestra musical recording.
MA106The DaleksDoctor WhoAbridged recording of episode 6 of the TV serial The Chase.
MA107F.A.B.ThunderbirdsOriginal story. While investigating reports of supposed attacks by the legendary Abominable Snowman in the Himalayas, Lady Penelope and Parker are abducted by a disguised Hood. Features an original song, "The Abominable Snowman", composed by Barry Gray and sung by Sylvia Anderson and David Graham.
MA108Thunderbird 1ThunderbirdsAbridged recording of the TV episode Trapped in the Sky, narrated by Scott Tracy (Shane Rimmer).
MA109Thunderbird 2ThunderbirdsAbridged recording of the TV episode End of the Road, narrated by Brains (David Graham).
MA110The Stately Home RobberiesThunderbirdsOriginal story featuring Lady Penelope. A series of burglaries at various British stately homes draws Lady Penelope and Parker into a conspiracy to raid the Tower of London and steal the Crown Jewels.
MA111Lady Penelope Themesn/aBarry Gray Orchestra musical recording.
MA112Thunderbird 3ThunderbirdsAbridged recording of the TV episode Sun Probe, narrated by Alan Tracy (Matt Zimmerman).
MA113Thunderbird 4ThunderbirdsAbridged recording of the TV episode Terror in New York City, narrated by Gordon Tracy (David Graham).
MA114The Perils of PenelopeThunderbirdsAbridged recording of the TV episode The Perils of Penelope, narrated by Parker (David Graham).
MA115Topo Gigio in LondonTopo Gigio
MA116Great Themes from Thunderbirdsn/aBarry Gray Orchestra musical recording.
MA117Space Age Nursery Rhymesn/aBarry Gray Orchestra musical recording.
MA118Lady Penelope and ParkerThunderbirdsAbridged recording of the TV episode Vault of Death, narrated by Lady Penelope (Sylvia Anderson).
MA119Brains and Tin-TinThunderbirdsAbridged recording of the TV episode Desperate Intruder, narrated by Tin-Tin (Christine Finn).
MA120International RescueThunderbirdsAbridged recording of the TV episode The Impostors, narrated by Scott Tracy (Shane Rimmer).
MA121ThunderbirdsThunderbirdsAbridged recording of the TV episode Day of Disaster, narrated by Gordon Tracy (David Graham).
MA122Lady PenelopeThunderbirdsAbridged recording of the TV episode The Cham-Cham, narrated by Parker (David Graham).
MA123BrainsThunderbirdsAbridged recording of the TV episode Alias Mr. Hackenbacker, narrated by Brains (David Graham).
MA124Brink of DisasterThunderbirdsAbridged recording of the TV episode Brink of Disaster, narrated by Parker (David Graham).
MA125Atlantic InfernoThunderbirdsAbridged recording of the TV episode Atlantic Inferno, narrated by Gordon Tracy (David Graham).
MA126RicochetThunderbirdsAbridged recording of the TV episode Ricochet, narrated by Brains (David Graham).
MA127Tingha and Tucker in Nursery Rhyme TimeTingha and Tucker
MA128One Move and You're Dead!ThunderbirdsAbridged recording of the TV episode Move – and You're Dead, narrated by Tin-Tin (Christine Finn).
MA129Thirty Minutes After NoonThunderbirdsAbridged recording of the TV episode 30 Minutes After Noon, narrated by Parker (David Graham).
MA130Tingha and Tucker and the Wombaville BandTingha and TuckerFeatures cover versions of Beatles songs.
MA131Introducing Captain ScarletCaptain Scarlet and the Mysterons

An adaptation of the first episode of the TV series, The Mysterons, set during its dénouement, and featuring audio flashbacks with some newly recorded dialogue. The plot concerns Colonel White reporting to a military conference investigating the events of the first episode, surrounding Spectrum's first encounter with the Mysterons and its mission to protect the World President. The story ends with the news that the Mysteron double of Captain Scarlet has returned to life and that the officer's loyalty to Spectrum can be restored with the aid of an advanced computer (a feature of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's original TV script for the episode, but cut from the final version).

MA132Captain Scarlet and the MysteronsCaptain Scarlet and the MysteronsOriginal story. The World Air Force plane Goliath has been taken over by the Mysterons and is now on a collision course with Atlantic Airport. Scarlet must board the aircraft and destroy it before it reaches its target.
MA133Captain Scarlet Is IndestructibleCaptain Scarlet and the MysteronsOriginal story. The Mysterons threaten to destroy the World Cultural Council.
MA134Captain Scarlet of SpectrumCaptain Scarlet and the MysteronsOriginal story. The Mysterons threaten to destroy the Moon.
MA135Captain Scarlet versus Captain BlackCaptain Scarlet and the MysteronsOriginal story. Captain Black steals a Spectrum Pursuit Vehicle equipped with one of the organisation's new electro-ray rifles. Pursued by Scarlet and Blue, he takes two children hostage.
MA136Captain Scarlet T.V. Themesn/aBarry Gray Orchestra musical recording.

References
  1. Bentley, Chris (2017). Hearn, Marcus (ed.). Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons: The Vault. Cambridge, UK: Signum Books. pp. 20–21. ISBN 978-0-995519-12-1.
  2. Rogers, Dave; Marriott, John; Drake, Chris; Bassett, Graeme (1993). Supermarionation Classics: Stingray, Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. London, UK: Boxtree. pp. 204–205. ISBN 978-1-85283-900-0.
  3. Hearn, Marcus (2015). Thunderbirds: The Vault. London, UK: Virgin Books. p. 226. ISBN 978-0-753-55635-1.
  4. Archer, Simon; Hearn, Marcus (2002). What Made Thunderbirds Go! The Authorised Biography of Gerry Anderson. London, UK: BBC Books. p. 69. ISBN 978-0-563-53481-5.
  5. Archer, Simon; Hearn, Marcus (2002). What Made Thunderbirds Go! The Authorised Biography of Gerry Anderson. London, UK: BBC Books. p. 135. ISBN 978-0-563-53481-5.
  6. Vreede, Paul. "Jack Rosenthal". triangspacextoys.info. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  7. Archer, Simon; Hearn, Marcus (2002). What Made Thunderbirds Go! The Authorised Biography of Gerry Anderson. London, UK: BBC Books. p. 136. ISBN 978-0-563-53481-5.
  8. Bentley, Chris (2001). The Complete Book of Captain Scarlet. London, UK: Carlton Books. p. 108. ISBN 978-1-84222-405-2.
  9. Merchandising at Big Rat
  10. Archer, Simon; Nicholls, Stan (1996), Gerry Anderson: The Authorised Biography, ISBN 978-0-09-978141-7, p. 111.
  11. Project Sword: The Forgotten Plastic Anderson Rockets of the Sixties
  12. George Beal, Obituary: Leonard Matthews, The Independent, 5 December 1997
  13. Bentley, Chris (2005) [2000]. The Complete Book of Thunderbirds (2nd ed.). London: Carlton Books., p. 349
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