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. In addition to APF, the group included:
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, 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, and Century 21 Publishing.
By around 1969, the merchandising, toys and publishing arms were under the control of a new entity, Century 21 Enterprises. At the same time, Century 21 Productions had become financially over-stretched. Within a few months, the company had shut down its 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 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. 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.
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 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. Martspress packaged the relaunched version of TV21 which soon phased out the Anderson-related content.

Mini-albums by Century 21 Records

A range of 37 "mini-albums" 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.
MA104Marina SpeaksStingrayOriginal story
MA105TV21 ThemesBarry 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
MA109Thunderbird 2ThunderbirdsAbridged recording of "End of [the Road (Thunderbirds)|End of the Road]", narrated by Brains
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 ThemesBarry Gray Orchestra musical recording
MA112Thunderbird 3ThunderbirdsAbridged recording of "Sun Probe", narrated by Alan Tracy
MA113Thunderbird 4ThunderbirdsAbridged recording of "Terror in New York City", narrated by Gordon Tracy
MA114The Perils of PenelopeThunderbirdsAbridged recording of "The Perils of Penelope", narrated by Parker
MA115Topo Gigio in LondonTopo Gigio
MA116Great Themes from ThunderbirdsBarry Gray Orchestra musical recording
MA117Space Age Nursery RhymesBarry Gray Orchestra musical recording
MA118Lady Penelope and ParkerThunderbirdsAbridged recording of "Vault of Death", narrated by Lady Penelope
MA119Brains and Tin-TinThunderbirdsAbridged recording of "Desperate Intruder", narrated by Tin-Tin
MA120International RescueThunderbirdsAbridged recording of "The Impostors", narrated by Scott Tracy
MA121ThunderbirdsThunderbirdsAbridged recording of "Day of Disaster", narrated by Gordon Tracy
MA122Lady PenelopeThunderbirdsAbridged recording of "The Cham-Cham", narrated by Parker
MA123BrainsThunderbirdsAbridged recording of "Alias Mr. Hackenbacker", narrated by Brains
MA124Brink of DisasterThunderbirdsAbridged recording of "Brink of Disaster", narrated by Parker
MA125Atlantic InfernoThunderbirdsAbridged recording of "Atlantic Inferno", narrated by Gordon Tracy
MA126RicochetThunderbirdsAbridged recording of "Ricochet", narrated by Brains
MA127Tingha and Tucker in Nursery Rhyme TimeTingha and Tucker
MA128One Move and You're Dead!ThunderbirdsAbridged recording of "Move – and You're Dead", narrated by Tin-Tin
MA129Thirty Minutes After NoonThunderbirdsAbridged recording of "30 Minutes After Noon", narrated by Parker
MA130Tingha and Tucker and the Wombaville BandTingha and TuckerFeatures cover versions of The 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.
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. ThemesBarry Gray Orchestra musical recording