Flipper (1964)
The classic NBC family adventure series starring a remarkable bottlenose dolphin and the Ricks family of southern Florida.
Flipper - Series Information
- Original Title: Flipper
- First Air Year: 1964
- Last Air Year: 1967
- Created by: Ricou Browning, Jack Cowden
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Family, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-G
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 26 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 88
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 19, 1964 (United States - TV-G), September 19, 1964 (Germany - 6), September 19, 1964 (France - NR), September 19, 1964 (Brazil - L), September 19, 1964 (Italy - T), September 19, 1964 (Spain - 7)
- Networks: NBC
- Alternative Titles: Flipper (DE), Flipper le dauphin (FR), Flipper (US)
- Production Companies: Miami Seaquarium, Ivan Tors Films, MGM Television
- Production Countries: United States of America
Flipper - Plot
Flipper, from Ivan Tors Films in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television, is an American television program first broadcast on NBC from September 19, 1964, until April 15, 1967. Flipper, a bottlenose dolphin, is the companion animal of Porter Ricks, Chief Warden at fictional Coral Key Park and Marine Preserve in southern Florida, and his two young sons, Sandy and Bud. The show has been dubbed an "aquatic Lassie", and a considerable amount of juvenile merchandise inspired by the show was produced during its first-run.
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Flipper - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Ricou Browning
- Jack Cowden
Main Cast
- Luke Halpin
- Brian Kelly
- Tommy Norden
- Andy Devine
- Dan Chandler
- Cheryl Miller
- Pat Henning
- Ricou Browning
- Margaret Hayes
- Barbara Feldon
Writers
- Orville H. Hampton
- Lee Erwin
- Leonard B. Kaufman
- Alan Caillou
Flipper - FAQs
Where can you stream Flipper the 1964 series?
Flipper is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads. You can also catch it for free with ads on The Roku Channel. It's a great option for family viewing nights without needing a premium subscription.
Was Flipper played by a real dolphin?
Several trained bottlenose dolphins played Flipper throughout the series, with a female dolphin named Suzy being the primary performer. Female dolphins were preferred because they were considered more docile and easier to train. The dolphins were housed and trained at the Miami Seaquarium in Florida.
Who are the main cast members of Flipper?
The core cast features Brian Kelly as Porter Ricks, the widowed chief warden, with Luke Halpin and Tommy Norden as his sons Sandy and Bud. The series also featured Andy Devine, Cheryl Miller, and Dan Chandler, with notable guest appearances by a young Burt Reynolds and Daniel J. Travanti.
Did Burt Reynolds appear in Flipper?
Yes, Burt Reynolds made a guest appearance in Flipper before his rise to stardom, playing a character named Al Bardeman. Daniel J. Travanti, later famous for Hill Street Blues, also appeared as Commander Willard. The show served as an early platform for several actors who went on to major careers.
How many seasons and episodes does Flipper have?
Flipper ran for three seasons on NBC, totaling 88 episodes. Season 1 and Season 2 each contained 30 episodes, while Season 3 wrapped up with 28 episodes. The series aired from September 19, 1964, through April 15, 1967.
Why was Flipper called the aquatic Lassie?
The nickname stuck because Flipper followed the same beloved formula as Lassie — a loyal, intelligent animal companion rescuing humans and solving problems alongside a family. Just as Lassie was the quintessential canine hero, Flipper became the definitive dolphin hero of American family television in the 1960s.
When did Flipper first air on television?
Flipper premiered on NBC on September 19, 1964, and ran until April 15, 1967. The series was produced by Ivan Tors Films in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television, with much of the production taking place at the Miami Seaquarium in Florida.
What is the content rating for Flipper?
Flipper carries a TV-G rating, making it suitable for all ages. The show was designed as wholesome family entertainment, featuring adventure, humor, and heartwarming stories centered on a dolphin and two young boys — with no content that would concern parents of any era.
More About Flipper
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