S.O.S Dolphin

This episode was filmed in 1963 the day after Luke Halpin completed filming the last scene in the Flipper sequel movie "Flipper's New Adventure" (FNA) when Halpin was only 16 and Norden was 11 (Halpin is wearing the same red t-shirt in the final FNA movie scene and in this TV series pilot). The rest of Season 1 was filmed in the summer of 1964 when both boys were a year older. This is particularly noticeable with Halpin because he not only looks younger in this episode but acts more childlike in the pilot (calling his Dad Pa and getting so excited over small things like going for a swim and being with Flipper and Pete the pelican - things that were evident in the FNA movie). By the time the TV series proper began in the summer of 1964, Halpin was 17 but acting as the 15 year old Sandy. He seems much more natural and mature in the regular season episodes than in this pilot

FNA acted in some ways to transition the Ricks family situation from the original Flipper movie which starred Chuck Connors as the Porter Ricks to the kinder and more telegenic Brian Kelly who is first seen in this role in FNA. The 1963 TV pilot first introduces Tommy Norden as Bud and has Porter in his eventual TV series role as the Park Ranger based at Coral Key Preserve (in FNA he was still at Park Ranger school) and in the original movie Porter Ricks was a fisherman.

You can tell this episode is an experiment. The plot line was a little clumsy because Flipper is somewhat responsible for the plight of the scientist until he rescues the situation whereas the 'Flipper to the rescue' plot line was to dominate the whole series. The episode features a mini sub that was to become a recurring prop in numerous episodes. It seemed a little odd that it was not made the first episode for all these reasons and maybe was inserted to save the cost of an episode.

You can tell this episode is different from the others. First of all, the boys call their father "Pa." Though this somehow worked for Andy Griffith, I cringe at it in this show...I'm glad they dropped that.

We also see the family dog which isn't seen in very many episodes. Pete is also present. Right off, we're shown that Porter Ricks is going to be very protective of his children.

A couple things that rubbed me the wrong way:

First of all, the boys are both very excited they get to go swimming. Considering the fact they love on the bay, I'm surprised at how serious they were. Second of all, flipper is responsible for the scientist's getting hurt - but later he's deemed the hero for saving his life. That's a bit contrary to my way of thinking. Also, Porter doesn't put much faith in Flipper. It's not until the end that he learns Flipper is indeed something special.

Sandy (Luke Halpin), Bud (Tommy Norden), and Flipper are playing around underwater, and are startled by the appearance of a small submarine. It's John Lasell, playing a poisonous fish specialist; he is looking for the poisonous "scorpion fish" in the area, and emerges to ask Ricks (Brian Kelly) why he's allowed his sons to swim in the dangerous waters. The scorpion fish has already killed; and, a chance encounter with the sea creature might have killed Bud or Sandy. Ricks did not know of the danger, and orders his sons to stay out of the water. Mr. Lasell returns to his search, but is bothered by Flipper, who is in a playful mood. When he tries to shoo Flipper away, Lasell accidentally comes into deadly contact with the scorpion fish. By the time he reaches his sub, the poison has rendered him helpless…

Since this is the first-filmed "pilot" episode of the TV series, there is a "showcase" feel to some of the footage, which is nice, albeit unnecessary for the story. The family dog present appears in a few early episodes. Also, notice the title song is different; by the series premiere-aired episode, it was improved upon. Linda Bennett appears as an attractive woman Ricks wards off the quarantined beach; she was obviously included as a romantic interest for Porter Ricks. Lasell (later memorable as Dr. Peter Guthrie on "Dark Shadows") performs well; the fact that Flipper is responsible for his mishap seems somehow inappropriate.

**** S.O.S. Dolphin (10/3/64) Leon Benson ~ Brian Kelly, Luke Halpin, Tommy Norden