One of the Strangest Tv series to be shown on Iranian TV before the Revolution that reached some Cult Status was a German Sci Fi adventure entitled “Orion Hasht” better known in Europe as Raumpatrouille – Space Patrol Orion. Its Card Board Sets and Corny Special Effects had some charm nevertheless but contrasted with the more Popular Sci Fi American TV series like Star Trek or Space 1999. Iranians were always fascinated by German Technology particularly their Car industry. BMW and Opel cars flourished in Iran and Peykan was also trying to adopt German technical knowhow to promote Iran’s National Car Industry. Princess Soraya the Shah’s Former Wife was also half German and the Shah of Iran had acquired part of the KRUPP German Steal industry by the late 60’s.
Soraya and Shah State visit to West Germany (1950’s)
Plot:
The occasionally ironic series focuses on the adventures of commander Cliff Allister McLane (Dietmar Schönherr, who was the German voice of James Dean) who commands the fast cruiser Orion during a war with the alien “Frogs” and often gets in trouble with the government of Earth. His crew is of “international” composition (although, in fact, national states have been abolished by that time), namely the Italian weapons officer Mario de Monti (Wolfgang Völz, German voice of Walter Matthau), Japanese astronavigator Atan Shubashi (Friedrich G. Beckhaus), Scandinavian engineer Hasso Sigbjörnson (Claus Holm), French communications officer Helga Legrelle (Ursula Lillig), and the Galactic Security Service officer, Russian Tamara Jagellovsk (Eva Pflug). More on the Series here
Opening in Black and White (English Subtitles):
Opening (In Color):
Launching of the Orion Space Ship from under the Sea:
Wierd Dance on the Space Station ( under the Sea):
Trailer:
The Starlight Casino and Giant Fish:
