Details

Release year: 1964

Storyline

Ranger Porter Ricks is responsible for the animal and human life in Coral Key Park, Florida. Stories center on his 15-year-old son Sandy and 10-year-old Bud and, especially, on their pet dolphin Flipper.

Top credits

Cast

Brian Kelly — Porter Ricks
Luke Halpin — Sandy Ricks
Tommy Norden — Bud Ricks
Flipper — Flipper, Ferdinand

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Did you know

• Luke Halpin as Sandy Ricks did all his own stunts throughout the Flipper TV series including the "Shark Hunt" show in Series 2 where he wrestled to the surface some large nasty sharks that were caught on large hooks. The only exceptions were in "300 Feet Below" Series 1 and "Firing Line 2" Series 3 when the dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry doubled for Luke - the first being a 20 foot dive from a helicopter into the ocean and the second dodging stunt explosives designed to look like the skiff was being fired at by naval guns.

• Flipper was played by five female dolphins, mostly Susie, Kathy, and occasionally Patty, Scotty, and Squirt. A male dolphin, Clown, was used for the tail-walk shots. All were trained by Richard O'Barry.

• When Kathy (who played Flipper most often) died in the arms of trainer Richard O'Barry in 1970, he left his job and became active in protecting dolphins from capture and hunting.