I watched a "SuperMarionation" themed day yesterday on the SF TV Channel, comprising episodes of Stingray, Thunderbirds and Joe 90 and it struck me how much Anderson's puppets had evolved from Stingray, through Thunderbirds to Joe 90. Before Joe 90 the puppets looked toy-like with large heads and stunted limbs. However the puppets in Joe 90 have bodies that are correct in all proportions and faces that look human (in fact they look so human the visual effect can be a bit weird). I especially noticed it in scene in a church where the congregation puppets had such lifelike facial features that, for a second, I thought I was watching inserted library stock of human extras but they were all puppets, all with unique human facial features. Gerry Anderson had reached his goal with Joe 90 of having miniature people but it's a pity the scripts were a bit top-heavy with their wish-fulfilment fantasies of many of Britain's oppressed 10 year-old boys.
11 Reviews
Had its moments, but not brilliant overall
rt-ingram8 August 2016
Joe 90 had a concept that most children would dream of; after all, who wouldn't want to go on missions with the brain patterns of someone to succeed? This in itself seems quite a winning concept; however, the show wasn't as successful as the other Gerry Anderson productions, and in its own right.
One of the problems with the show, and why I didn't feel it was as a big a hit, is that the first episode was rather weak; it featured a 'this is what could happen' scenario that just didn't work. Fortunately, the later episodes were much better, but this may put you off seeing the rest of the series.
Not brilliant, but still had its good moments.
One of the problems with the show, and why I didn't feel it was as a big a hit, is that the first episode was rather weak; it featured a 'this is what could happen' scenario that just didn't work. Fortunately, the later episodes were much better, but this may put you off seeing the rest of the series.
Not brilliant, but still had its good moments.
Severely Underrated Show
richardjohnmalin17 January 2002
This show just doesn't seem to receive the popularity it deserves. It was made after Captain Scarlet and quite a few years after Thunderbirds when the puppet animation had improved considerably. Perhaps because it details the exploits of a young boy it seems in some way "for the kids". But some kid's show! The carnage in some episodes is unbelievable, like the time Joe "borrows" a MIG jet fighter off the Russians, they come after him, he blows them all out of the sky AND goes back to destroy the base! The hardware is as good as Thunderbirds if not as varied. Joe's dad's car for example. Not only does it look good whilst driving it flies too.
This is one of my best remembered shows from childhood days and when it is repeated I always sit down and watch. Good ol' Joe, may you never grow old and may you work for the World Intelligence Network indefinitely.
This is one of my best remembered shows from childhood days and when it is repeated I always sit down and watch. Good ol' Joe, may you never grow old and may you work for the World Intelligence Network indefinitely.
Wow What A Cool Show!
verbusen2 January 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I only watched two episodes of Joe 90 on the DVD release but I was very much entertained! I saw the "origin" episode and I was like wow Joe is killing a lot of people how cool is that for a show featuring a 9 year old boy?! Than we find out its a dream sequence and I'm like OK I can see that as a way out but it was still cool, lets try another episode. This one Joe blows the ever lovin crap outta the bad guy with a hand grenade and I mean blows him up! I watched it with my teen kids and they laughed really hard as did I but I was also into Joe kickin the bad guys butts! Definitely more for boomers like me who grew up with Thunderbirds, I don't remember ever seeing it as a kid probably because of the awesome violence, it was not shown in the US. Vietnam and John Kerry saying we are raising a generation of monsters and all! LOL, highly recommended!
The Schoolboy Spy!
ShadeGrenade7 October 2008
Warning: Spoilers
If you were male, between the ages 9-12, wore spectacles, and attended British schools in the late '60's/early '70's, the chances were you were saddled with the unfortunate nickname 'Joe 90'. Bullies relentlessly taunted poor kids with that moniker, at least until 1975 when the I.T.V. sitcom 'Get Some In!' began. Then they would be rechristened 'Matthew Lilley' ( in honour of one of its characters ).
For the uninitiated, 'Joe 90' was a 'Supermarionation' production made by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, their first since 'Captain Scarlet & The Mysterons'. Nine year old Joe McClaine is an agent for W.I.N. ( World Intelligence Network ), run by Shane Weston. Joe's father, a brilliant scientist, has created a device called B.I.G. R.A.T. which stores brain patterns on computer tape and transfers them to people. Each week, in the course of an assignment, Joe would be given the brain patterns of either a racing driver, cat burglar, nuclear physicist etc. The thinking was that little Joe's age made him an unlikely ( and therefore useful ) candidate for the job of spy. The drawback was he would have to wear glasses at all times. If he lost these ( and frequently did ), he would also lose the skill needed for the job.
Little Joe had had a largely undeserved bad press over the years, reaching its height in 1990/97 when John Major was British Prime Minister.
Barry Gray came up with a magnificently catchy theme, the sets ( particularly the spinning B.I.G. R.A.T. ) dazzled, and the writers came up with adventures far beyond the scope of many similar live-action shows. In one episode, Joe went into outer space and, in another, blew up a Red Chinese rocket base. Plots such as these were conspicuously lacking in say 'The Champions' and 'Mission: Impossible'. The sex factor was, of course, zero. Joe was too young for it, and no-one else seemed interested in it either ( though I thought there was something suspect about 'Uncle' Sam Loover ).
It was slightly off in its timing. Spy shows were on the way out. Earlier that year, 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' was cancelled, and 'The Avengers' would not last much longer. Joe had just missed the boat.
I have heard it said children did not take to Joe because he came across as too nice, too much of a daddy's boy. Fair comment. But, had he been presented realistically as a whining, farting, nose-picking brat, he would never have gotten on air. Not at that time, anyway.
In the final episode, Joe celebrated his tenth birthday, ruling out the possibility of a sequel. As a title, 'Joe 100' did not have quite the same ring, being better suited as an I.M.D.B. user name.
Gerry and Sylvia stayed with the world of international espionage for their next show - 'The Secret Service' - in which the hero was an eccentric priest ( voiced by Stanley Unwin ) who spoke gobble-de-gook and shrank people.
There was a fair amount of merchandising. Dinky produced a model of Professor McClaine's flying car and Uncle Sam Loover's. Joe had his own comic - 'Joe 90 Top Secret' - which is best remembered today for giving the British public a foretaste of 'Star Trek'.
'Joe' enjoyed repeats throughout the '70's ( usually during school holidays ) and was seen on B.B.C.-1 in ( ironically ) the '90's. If he was not as popular as 'Thunderbirds' and 'Stingray', well, you cannot win them all. If nothing else, he meant that Michael Caine's 'Harry Palmer' was not the only '60's secret agent to wear specs.
For the uninitiated, 'Joe 90' was a 'Supermarionation' production made by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, their first since 'Captain Scarlet & The Mysterons'. Nine year old Joe McClaine is an agent for W.I.N. ( World Intelligence Network ), run by Shane Weston. Joe's father, a brilliant scientist, has created a device called B.I.G. R.A.T. which stores brain patterns on computer tape and transfers them to people. Each week, in the course of an assignment, Joe would be given the brain patterns of either a racing driver, cat burglar, nuclear physicist etc. The thinking was that little Joe's age made him an unlikely ( and therefore useful ) candidate for the job of spy. The drawback was he would have to wear glasses at all times. If he lost these ( and frequently did ), he would also lose the skill needed for the job.
Little Joe had had a largely undeserved bad press over the years, reaching its height in 1990/97 when John Major was British Prime Minister.
Barry Gray came up with a magnificently catchy theme, the sets ( particularly the spinning B.I.G. R.A.T. ) dazzled, and the writers came up with adventures far beyond the scope of many similar live-action shows. In one episode, Joe went into outer space and, in another, blew up a Red Chinese rocket base. Plots such as these were conspicuously lacking in say 'The Champions' and 'Mission: Impossible'. The sex factor was, of course, zero. Joe was too young for it, and no-one else seemed interested in it either ( though I thought there was something suspect about 'Uncle' Sam Loover ).
It was slightly off in its timing. Spy shows were on the way out. Earlier that year, 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' was cancelled, and 'The Avengers' would not last much longer. Joe had just missed the boat.
I have heard it said children did not take to Joe because he came across as too nice, too much of a daddy's boy. Fair comment. But, had he been presented realistically as a whining, farting, nose-picking brat, he would never have gotten on air. Not at that time, anyway.
In the final episode, Joe celebrated his tenth birthday, ruling out the possibility of a sequel. As a title, 'Joe 100' did not have quite the same ring, being better suited as an I.M.D.B. user name.
Gerry and Sylvia stayed with the world of international espionage for their next show - 'The Secret Service' - in which the hero was an eccentric priest ( voiced by Stanley Unwin ) who spoke gobble-de-gook and shrank people.
There was a fair amount of merchandising. Dinky produced a model of Professor McClaine's flying car and Uncle Sam Loover's. Joe had his own comic - 'Joe 90 Top Secret' - which is best remembered today for giving the British public a foretaste of 'Star Trek'.
'Joe' enjoyed repeats throughout the '70's ( usually during school holidays ) and was seen on B.B.C.-1 in ( ironically ) the '90's. If he was not as popular as 'Thunderbirds' and 'Stingray', well, you cannot win them all. If nothing else, he meant that Michael Caine's 'Harry Palmer' was not the only '60's secret agent to wear specs.
Fantastic - pass me specs !
manimal9930 June 2008
Joe 90 was one of those precious shows from the Century 21 stable from the glory days of the swinging sixties.
The show depicts the adventures of a young boy who, with the aid of his scientist father (Joe was adopted) is able to assume the brain patterns of any one, provided he wears a special pair glasses.
Typically this might be the brain pattern of a pilot or a computer expert.
This allowed the show's story lines to venture into territory that otherwise would have been impossible
One of the really memorable things about the show was the absolutely cracking title sequence with music by Barry Gray which really set the adrenaline flowing, and could only have been produced in the late sixties.
The whole show oozed quality and imagination of the type that you simply do not get in kids shows today.
This was a truly great and memorable show so come back Joe 90, we need you !
The show depicts the adventures of a young boy who, with the aid of his scientist father (Joe was adopted) is able to assume the brain patterns of any one, provided he wears a special pair glasses.
Typically this might be the brain pattern of a pilot or a computer expert.
This allowed the show's story lines to venture into territory that otherwise would have been impossible
One of the really memorable things about the show was the absolutely cracking title sequence with music by Barry Gray which really set the adrenaline flowing, and could only have been produced in the late sixties.
The whole show oozed quality and imagination of the type that you simply do not get in kids shows today.
This was a truly great and memorable show so come back Joe 90, we need you !
Best of Supermarionation
derekchalmers6 November 2001
Stingray was good, Thunderbirds were fantastic, and Captain Scarlet was awesome - but for me Joe 90 was the best of all. Maybe because I was about "Joe's" age when I watched it that it seemed all the more wonderful.
Typical Gerry Anderson - superb sets, rocking explosions and fantastical vehicles. What more could you want! Haven't seen it for years on TV but as all the others have made it back to UK TV fingers crossed...
Thanks Gerry!
(P.S. Every kid I grew up with who wore glasses probably hates this show!)
Typical Gerry Anderson - superb sets, rocking explosions and fantastical vehicles. What more could you want! Haven't seen it for years on TV but as all the others have made it back to UK TV fingers crossed...
Thanks Gerry!
(P.S. Every kid I grew up with who wore glasses probably hates this show!)
An essential to any Thunderbirds Fan
flemmshell3 September 2021
Joe 90 is the next series that sticks in my mind as a favourite next to Thunderbirds and Stingray. Great story lines to this series, more so than Thunderbirds. I prefer this to Captain Scarlet. Definitely an essential to add to your Gerry Anderson collection.
Just as good as Thunderbirds if not BETTER
flemmshell24 October 2021
This is so underrated but I remember Joe 90:as clearly as watching Thunderbirds as a child of the late 60s. I love all Gerry Anderson's work but Thunderbirds, Joe 90, Stingray have to be my favourites. Following Captain Scarlet which this is in the style of. And of course another underrated series is The Secret Service. Not forgetting of course the charming black and white series of Fireball XL5, Supercar. Never get bored of watching these. Great storylines, effects and attention to detail.
Two different takes
Conductor4710 July 2007
Actually there's two versions around of the first episode.
The original one where the mission was just a scenario, then there was a later compilation of episodes were the 'scenario' elements were taken out and he actually did blow up everything.
Of course the idea of a Westerner sneaking into a Russian base, jumping into a fully armed fighter, and taking off, and battling back to the West - was obviously a great idea...
... years later, the whole episode was ripped off to become a Clint Eastwood movie called Firefox...
The similarities are rather extreme, then there's that episode of Space: 1999 where a crew come across an abandoned derelict spacecraft, and find a lone creature that attacks the crew and eats them, with one lone survivor escaping in a life pod, whose story is not believed. I think that became a movie or two as well...
The original one where the mission was just a scenario, then there was a later compilation of episodes were the 'scenario' elements were taken out and he actually did blow up everything.
Of course the idea of a Westerner sneaking into a Russian base, jumping into a fully armed fighter, and taking off, and battling back to the West - was obviously a great idea...
... years later, the whole episode was ripped off to become a Clint Eastwood movie called Firefox...
The similarities are rather extreme, then there's that episode of Space: 1999 where a crew come across an abandoned derelict spacecraft, and find a lone creature that attacks the crew and eats them, with one lone survivor escaping in a life pod, whose story is not believed. I think that became a movie or two as well...
Not The Best Gerry Anderson Show
Big Movie Fan18 June 2002
When you compare Joe 90 to other Gerry Anderson series such as Thunderbirds, Stingray or Captain Scarlet it just seems totally inferior. To be honest, it was rather average despite it's interesting premise.
The hero was Joe 90, a nine year old boy who could take on the brain patterns of some of the greatest minds. He then went on many missions to save the day. It was a good idea-a nine year old boy on missions to save the world. The series wasn't totally bad but it just wasn't exciting enough for me. I even liked 80's Gerry Anderson series Terrahawks better which is saying a lot.
Young children may appreciate the show more but I don't think it will appeal to adults.
The hero was Joe 90, a nine year old boy who could take on the brain patterns of some of the greatest minds. He then went on many missions to save the day. It was a good idea-a nine year old boy on missions to save the world. The series wasn't totally bad but it just wasn't exciting enough for me. I even liked 80's Gerry Anderson series Terrahawks better which is saying a lot.
Young children may appreciate the show more but I don't think it will appeal to adults.
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