| (The
following information has been taken from diverse sources, but mostly
comes from “Century 21” No.15, Winter 1993, a Special Captain Scarlet
issue, with a Complete Spectrum Encyclopaedia. Anyway, details of all
characters' backgrounds derive on one way or the other from “Century
21”, through press handouts, annuals, comics strips, etc.)
SPECTRUM PERSONNEL:
The Angels Pack:
|
RHAPSODY ANGEL |
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Real name : |
Dianne Simms |

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Place of birth : |
Chelsea, London, England |
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Date of birth: |
27 April 2043 |
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Height: |
5 Ft. 6 Ins. |
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Weight: |
124 Lbs |
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Eyes: |
Blue |
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Hair: |
Red |
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Other Distinguishing features: |
None |
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Voice provided by: |
Elizabeth Morgan |
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Characteristics: |
The facial features of Rhapsody Angel was based
on 1960’s model Jean Shrimpton. |
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Spectrum rank and attributions: |
Angel aircraft fighter pilot. |
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Personality profile: |
Both on and off duty Dianne Simms is charming,
sophisticated, with a dedicated responsibility towards Spectrum, her
fellow officers and pilots. Off duty Rhapsody has a bright and
bubbly personality (“Spectrum Strikes Back”)., with a love of
chess, and she and Symphony angel have been attempting to redesign
the already available Three-dimensional chess board with new rules
for it, as mentioned by President Younger in “The Mysterons”. |
|
History: |
Dianne Simms is the daughter of World Government
official, Lord Robert Simms. Educated first at an unnamed girls’
public school, Dianne then moved onto London University, England
(aged 19) taking degree level courses in law and sociology. There
she entered the swinging party life of a debutante from a wealthy
family. But soon the endless parties and hangers-on began to bore
her, and she longed for some adventure and excitement in her life. I
was, however, at one particularly dreary party that Dianne was
introduced to Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward (from “Thunderbirds”.
She was born on the 24th of December 1999, so would have been 63 at
the time), the then still head of the Federal Agents Bureau, the
world’s largest independent detective agency, and Britain’s top
secret agent (well, who would have suspected an old lady of being a
spy?). Lady Penelope recognised her longing for a life of action and
adventure, and suggested Dianne should join the FAB. And so she was
delighted when she was accepted (early 2063) and sent for special
training. After her initial development course Dianne was given may
difficult and dangerous assignments, in the UK and abroad, sometimes
with other members of the FAB, but often alone. She succeeded many
times in outwitting the enemy and bringing certain espionage agents
to justice, but with the starting of International Rescue’s
updated adventures printed in “TV Century 21”, Lady Penelope
retired from the FAB to join the magazine’s editorial team as
chief IR consultant/advisor (to ensure an accurate portrayal of the
historic rescue organisation’s exploits). And the position of
supreme commander of the FAB was offered over to Dianne Simms. Under
her auspices the FAB continued to be a highly distinguished and
respected independent detective agency, and her ingenuity, intellect
and coolness against imminent danger made her the most sought after
free-agent in Europe. She repeatedly turned down job offers from
other security organisations, and when the FAB was unfortunately
forced to close in 2065 she instead joined the Euro-Charter Airline
Company as chief security officer. The selection committee for the
newly created Spectrum organisation had closely followed Dianne’s
career and realising her tremendous potential, chose her to become
one of their five Angel pilots in late 2066.
NOTES: The episode “Place of Angels” states
that Rhapsody lived for a time in Manchester, England. Unfortunately
Rhapsody’s official biography from the first Captain Scarlet
annual (1967) cannot be reconciled with either the “Captain
Scarlet” series, details from the “Thunderbirds” series or
Lady Penelope’s biography, so only the “flavour” of Rhapsody’s
biography from the annual has been used. Please consider the fact
that International Rescue (from “Thunderbirds”) was a secret
organisation from 2024-2026, but not in 2066 when the fictional
accounts of popular heroes of the “past/present” (such as
International Rescue) were being printed in a “current day”
setting (meaning these accounts were updated and set in 2066) in “TV
Century 21” magazine, when the people and craft of IR were then
public knowledge. The Angels strip in “Action 21” magazine even
lists Rhapsody as joining the Airways Light-Freight Agency, Norfolk,
when the FAB was forced to close, but here is used the official
annual’s version of Euro-Charter Airline Company. |
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Notes of interest: |
While giving voice to Rhapsody Angel, Elizabeth
Morgan used a British accent. In contrast, she played Destiny Angel,
using a French accent.
|

Elizabeth Morgan |
|