The third show of Season 1 (SOS Dolphin) was filmed one year earlier (1963) as a pilot immediately after they filmed the last sequence for the second feature movie "Flipper's New Adventure" - Luke Halpin is wearing the same red t-shirt in the last scene of the movie and the opening scenes of the TV show.
Luke Halpin as Sandy Ricks did all his own stunts throughout the Flipper TV series including the "Shark Hunt" show in Series 2 where he wrestled to the surface some large nasty sharks that were caught on large hooks. The only exceptions were in "300 Feet Below" Series 1 and "Firing Line 2" Series 3 when the dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry doubled for Luke - the first being a 20 foot dive from a helicopter into the ocean and the second dodging stunt explosives designed to look like the skiff was being fired at by naval guns.
Brian Kelly, born February 14 1931, was only 16 years older than onscreen son Luke Halpin: in fact at the time ''Flipper'' aired Kelly claimed 1934 as his year of birth.
Flipper was played by five female dolphins, mostly Susie, Kathy, and occasionally Patty, Scotty, and Squirt. A male dolphin, Clown, was used for the tail-walk shots. All were trained by Richard O'Barry.
Dolphin trainer Richard O'Barry said on a few occasions he ran an extension cord down to the Miami Seaquarium so that the dolphins who acted in the Flipper TV show could see themselves when the shows they acted in screened on air. He said they were very self aware.