Flipper - The Original Series, Season 1
A 1964 television spin-off from the 1963 movieFlipper,Flipper--Season Oneis an adventure series that features extensive underwater photography and intriguing story lines involving a widowed park ranger, his two sons, and a clever dolphin named Flipper.  This first season ofFlipperfinds brothers Sandy (Luke Halpin) and Bud (Tommy Norden), their father Park Ranger Porter Ricks (Brian Kelly), and their dolphin Flipper posted at the Coral Key Park and Marine Preserve where they're charged with upholding the law and responding to a variety of predicaments ranging from divers injured by shark attacks, to protecting visitors from incoming hurricanes, rescuing zoo animals from a sinking ship, and fighting congressional battles for continued funding to ensure the very existence of their marine preserve.  While Bud's and Sandy's impulsiveness sometimes get them into trouble, the boys and their father can be counted upon to remain clear-headed in times of crisis.  More often than not, though, it's Flipper who fulfills the most crucial role in any given rescue attempt.  Guest stars are numerous and include Andy Devine, Margaret Hayes, Dan Chandler, and Ric Applewhite.   The underwater photography of marine life was cutting-edge in 1964 and holds up well to this day, providing a fascinating look at trained and instinctive dolphin behavior and marine ecosystems and, while some of the story lines may seem a bit dated to today's audiences, the bigger issues like marine preservation and doing what is right still ring true.  Childhood adventure, peril, and suspense pervade each of the 30 half-hour episodes in this first season.Flipper--Season Onepromises to leave adults born in the nineteen-fifties and nineteen-sixties reminiscing fondly about their own childhoods and humming theFlippertheme song--what's more, their children (and perhaps grandchildren) will enjoy the program right alongside them and are more than likely to join in wholeheartedly on the refrain "Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning. . . ." (Ages 5 and older)--Tami Horiuchi