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Flipper to the Rescue
by Guy Belleranti
Flipper the dolphin came to NBC television in 1964 for a three year 88
episode run. A family friendly 30 minute program inspired by the 1963
movie of the same name, this series followed the adventures of a widowed
Florida Park ranger, his two sons and, of course, the family’s pet,
Flipper the dolphin.
Brian Kelly played Porter Ricks, the father. Luke Halpin played his
older son Sandy, and Tommy Norden played younger son Bud. Halpin also
stared in the 1963 film, with Chuck Connors playing Porter Ricks.
The program was pretty popular, especially among children and young
teens. It featured adventure, action, humor and good values. It also had
some excellent color underwater photography as it followed Flipper’s
exploits.
Flipper was sort of like
Fury,
Lassie or Rin Tin Tin - always coming to
the rescue of others, stopping poachers and so on.
Andy Devine (Jingles of television’s Wild Bill Hickock) had a recurring
role as old salt Hap Corman in the program’s first season. The following
year Swedish actress Ulla Stromstedt appeared many times as an
oceanographer named Ulla Norstrand.
One of the memorable things about the program had to be the theme song
and its singable lyrics. To this day I can still hear them.
The show’s popularity led to the 1964 theatrical film Flipper’s New
Adventure. This movie also featured Brian Kelly and Luke Halpin playing
the same parts they had in the series.
And in 1996 a new Flipper motion picture was released. This one starred
Paul Hogan (of Crocodile Dundee fame) and Elijah Wood (Frodo in the Lord
of the Rings trilogy).
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