Whirlybirds

Whirlybirds
Series titles over an image of a Bell 47 helicopter
Also known as ''The Whirlybirds
Copter Patrol''
Genre Adventure
Created by Art Napoleon
Jo Napoleon
Starring Kenneth Tobey
Craig Hill
Sandra Spence
Nancy Hale
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 3
No. of episodes 111
Production
Executive producer(s) Mort Briskin
N. Gayle Gitterman
Camera setup Single-camera
Running time 25 minutes
Production company(s) Desilu Productions
Distributor CBS Films
Release
Original network Syndication
Picture format Black-and-white
Audio format Monaural
Original release February 4, 1957 (1957-02-04) – January 18, 1960 (1960-01-18)[1]

Whirlybirds (sometimes called The Whirlybirds or Copter Patrol) is a syndicated American drama/adventure television series, which aired for 111 episodes — broadcast from February 4, 1957, through January 18, 1960.[1] It was produced by Desilu Studios.

Plot synopsis

The program features the exploits of Chuck Martin (Kenneth Tobey) and Pete "P. T." Moore (Craig Hill), owners of a fictitious helicopter chartering company, Whirlybirds, Inc., in the American West. Martin and Moore sell their services to various clients at the fictional airport Longwood Field.

The Whirlybirds series was, like I Love Lucy, a product of Desilu Studios. One particular episode of I Love Lucy, Number 140, became pivotal to the Bell 47's public image as the definitive light helicopter of the 1950s. In No. 140, titled "Bon Voyage" and first aired on CBS on January 16, 1956, Lucy Ricardo misses the sailing of her trans-Atlantic ocean liner and commandeers a friendly pilot of a Bell 47G to fly her to the ship; Jack Albertson guest stars in this episode. Down she goes on the hoist, in a studio sequence carefully staged using a 47G cabin mockup. Desilu Studios, intrigued by the Bell 47 and its manufacturer, began discussions with Bell Aircraft about how the entertainment potential of the Bell 47 might be further developed for a television audience. The result of this collaboration became The Whirlybirds.

Tobey and Hill did not fly the helicopters on the show. That task was handled by expert helicopter pilots Ed Fuderich, Bob Gilbreath, and Harry Hauss of National Helicopter Service, Inc.

After production of the series ended, Kenneth Tobey reprised his role as Chuck Martin in episode #223 of the long-running television series, Lassie. Titled "The Rescue", the Lassie episode was broadcast on October 2, 1960. Chuck Martin uses a Bell 47G to rescue a trapped Timmy Martin (Jon Provost).

Production notes

The series was originally supposed to air on CBS, but was instead put into syndication by CBS Films. Series filming started in 1956.

The first four episodes were titled The Whirlybirds and the rest simply Whirlybirds. Many episodes were directed by Harve Foster and Robert Altman. The creators were Art Napoleon and Jo Napoleon. Assistant Directors Bruce Bilson and Sid Sidman handle 2nd unit filming.

The series was filmed on location in California. The production first used the Santa Susanna Airport in Simi Valley. The airport, no longer in existence, was near the Iverson Ranch, a dude ranch used to film westerns. Later episodes were filmed at the San Fernando Airport, which is also now closed. Much of the open area seen around both airports in the series has since been developed.

Helicopters used

The two helicopter types used were Bell models, a 47G and a 47J Ranger; the tail numbers were N975B and N2838B (and N1538B as back-up), respectively. In reality, many helicopters played the role of N975B. Other Bell 47Gs owned by National Helicopter Service were used in the filming with "N975B" decals covering their actual registrations.

Guest stars

Episodes status

Some copies of the series are sold on the internet, but no officially authorized DVD sets are available. The U.S. National Archives possesses a complete set of original 16 mm prints. The original 35mm film prints of the series are no longer available; unfortunately, extant video copies are inferior with poor contrast/low-resolution images, some emulsion scratches, and with 16mm projector film-gate dirt visible in the frame corners. Considering the many generations of dubs made of this series, the soundtracks of most episodes remain in relative high fidelity.

Syndication

After production of Whirlybirds ended, CBS returned 39 of the 111 episodes to syndication and retitled the series, Copter Patrol.

International airings

In the United Kingdom, it was shown by the BBC in the late 1950s and early 1960s and repeated in the 1970s and late 1980s. In Italy, RAI dubbed many episodes in the early 1960s with the title Avventure in elicottero.

Episodes list with original air dates

Whirlybirds - The first season

Whirlybirds - The second season

Whirlybirds - The third season

References

  1. 1 2 Database (undated). "Episode List for Whirlybirds (1957)". The Internet Movie Database. Accessed December 27, 2010.
  2. ↑ Disk 8 of collection sold by "Classics4Lymphoma"
  3. ↑ Disk 8 & 9 of collection sold by "Classics4Lymphoma"
  4. ↑ Disk 11 of collection sold by "Classics4Lymphoma"
  5. ↑ Disk 9 of collection sold by "Classics4Lymphoma"
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