Lost In Space went where no family series had gone before
It had space ships, stranded castaways, monsters and a robot. How could this pioneering TV series, which paved the way for the likes of star Trek, not be a hit?
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When viewers in the US settled down to watch a new show about the Robinson family, 50 years ago today they were not getting the usual sitcom or family drama. And, while it centred on a group of castaways, it was certainly no Gilligan’s Island.
Lost In Space, centred on the adventures of a family of space travellers wasn’t riveting or cutting-edge drama, the show is still fondly remembered by fans. Perhaps more significantly, its ratings success helped pave the way for other 60s prime-time science fiction series such as Star Trek (which continues to this day on the big screen), The Time Tunnel and Land Of The Giants.
Lost In Space was conceived by American producer and director Irwin Allen. Famous for his sci-fi blockbuster films The Lost World and Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea, Allen wanted to break into television. In 1964 he pitched an idea to CBS executive James Aubrey about a family lost among the stars.
He was partly inspired by a comic titled Space Family Robinson but, to avoid being sued for plagiarism, CBS asked for permission to use the name Robinson in the show and allowed the publishers of the comic to later use the title Lost In Space on their covers.
Several weeks after Allen delivered his successful pitch, Aubrey turned away Gene Roddenberry and his idea for Star Trek (pitched as a kind of “Wagon Train to the stars”) saying they already had a more commercial science fiction show.
PREDICTING 1997
This was to be a serious space drama set in the future (1997). In the development stage there were even talks with NASA about involving them in the series, to promote the US space program. NASA backed out when it realised the creators of Lost In Space were not interested in scientific accuracy.
The cast included Guy Williams, known for playing Zorro in a popular TV series, as Professor John Robinson, head of the family and the expedition. His wife Maureen was played by stage actress and screen veteran June Lockhart. Playing their oldest daughter Judy was Norway-born Marta Kristen. Their second oldest daughter Penny was played by Angela Cartwright, famous for playing Brigitta in The Sound Of Music. Billy Mumy, famous for playing a boy with telekinetic powers in an episode of The Twilight Zone, was cast as youngest child Will. Mark Goddard, with a CV of mostly western roles, played Major Don West, love interest for Judy.
A ROBOT STAR IS BORN
Also aboard the Robinson’s ship was a character simply known as “robot”. Actor Rob May wore the costume but Dick Tufeld provided the voice whose most famous catchphrase was “Danger, danger! Warning, warning!”
Executives also insisted on adding an antagonist, casting veteran stage and television actor Jonathan Harris Dr Zachary Smith, who stows away on the Robinson’s ship, sabotages it and causes it to become lost and then spend the remainder of the series bemoaning his lot (“Oh, the pain”.)
SERIOUSLY CAMPY
The Robinson’s ship Jupiter II took off on September 15, 1965, and became a ratings winner. Renewed for a second season it went from being shot in black and white to full colour.
However any serious intent the series may have ever had, evaporated long before the second season as producers realised the show appealed mostly to a younger audience.
Writers focused more storylines on Will, the robot and the thwarted schemes of Dr Smith, to the annoyance of Williams who had thought he would be star of a serious drama.
The success of the campy Batman series also resulted in Lost In Space becoming more camp as the show progressed.
The series ran for three seasons but was cancelled because ratings were falling, production costs were rising, the writers were running out of ideas and the cast and crew running out of enthusiasm.
WHAT THE ROBINSONS DID NEXT:
Guy Williams: Gave up acting and went to live in Argentina, enjoying the wealth he had gathered from investments. He died in 1989
June Lockhart: Made mostly guest appearances on TV and the occasional movie since the series ended. She did a cameo in the 1998 film remake.
Marta Kristen: Concentrated on raising a daughter and has appeared mostly in TV commercials.
Mark Goddard: Continued acting and later had some success on police drama Adam 12, but has also pursued a career in education.
Billy Mumy: Continued to act after the show ended, never getting major roles but also had a sideline career in music and a memorable cameo in the 1989 film
Angela Cartwright: continued acting but has also had a successful career as a photographer
Jonathan Harris: Found it hard to get away from camp villain roles but later re-established himself as a character and voice actor. He died in 2002.
Originally published as Lost In Space went where no family series had gone before
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