Lost In Space - Complete DVD Collection (DVD)

...desk, all of the entire Lost In Space the complete series on DVD. The bad news is that, as they are only journalist's review copies, I have to send them all back. Within one week…

Still, the last time I saw the first episode was when I was knee high to a grasshoppers so it was interesting to see how the series first began, all those years ago. The first episodes were in black and white which lasted for some time until Irwin Allen the ...
...known galaxy to become: "hopelessly lost in space".

Several episodes in there was clearly a change in direction. Apparently this was initiated by Jonathon Harris, the actor who played Dr Smith. Dr Smith was changed, slowly, from a totally evil murderous traitor into a craven, bungling coward. Many people believe that this idea saved the show. Jonathon Harris spent night after night burning the midnight oil thinking up the ... more

The good news is that I have, on my desk, all of the entire Lost In Space the complete series on DVD. The bad news is that, as they are only journalist's review copies, I have to send them all back. Within one week…

Still, the last time I saw the first episode was when I was knee high to a grasshoppers so it was interesting to see how the series first began, all those years ago. The first episodes were in black and white which lasted for some time until Irwin Allen the producer was able to convince the studio to go to the extra expense of colour. And it has to be said that this idea did work very well, as it mean that the production department was able to go all out with colourful costumes and backdrops, etc.

The concept of the series was an interesting one. In 1997 (well, that was 30 years into the future!) overpopulation was such a major concern that the US government had decided to colonise outer space with families that had bee specially chosen.

The first family was the Robinson family. They, along with their pilot Don West, would go to a suitable planet at Alpha Centuri in suspended animation (a five year trip) and set up the first experimental family colony on the planet that had been identified as suitable for potential colonisation.

The crew were made up of children Will, Penny and Judy Robinson, their parents Professor John Robinson and Maureen Robinson.

An extra member of the crew was Doctor Zachary Smith, a US Air force doctor who was also a traitor, who had rigged the robot on the ship to destroy the craft along with the Robinson family and Don West, whilst they were in suspended animation.

Due to accidentally becoming trapped on the spacecraft the Jupiter 2, Doctor Smith caused the craft to go off course. An accidental excursion into hyperdrive made the craft hurtle from the known galaxy to become: "hopelessly lost in space".

Several episodes in there was clearly a change in direction. Apparently this was initiated by Jonathon Harris, the actor who played Dr Smith. Dr Smith was changed, slowly, from a totally evil murderous traitor into a craven, bungling coward. Many people believe that this idea saved the show. Jonathon Harris spent night after night burning the midnight oil thinking up the dozens of alliterative insults that he heaped upon the head of the poor, long-suffering robot.

The cast were as follows:
Prof. John Robinson Guy Williams
Maureen Robinson June Lockhart
Don West Mark Goddard
Judy Robinson Marta Kristen
Will Robinson Billy Mumy
Penny Robinson Angela Cartwright
Dr. Zachary Smith Jonathan Harris
Robot Bob May
Robot (voice) Dick Tufeld (Who also served as narrator on the show)

Incidentally, Angela (although she appeared to be a typical all-American girl) was actually born in Lancashire! In the show she had a monkey who, with the addition of false ears, was pressed into service as an alien pet. Who Penny Cartwright decided to call Debbie.

Some episodes were spoiled by the "cheapness" of Irwin Allen. For example, a scene filmed in mission control must have been a firm favourite with Mr Allen. For what other reason could Mr Allen have had for using the same scene at least twice?!

Some of the episodes are good, some less than good. There are, however, some very interesting extras, including an original 1966 CBS radio interview with Jonathon Harris. We learn about his original career as a qualified pharmacist, and how he managed to rid himself of his Brooklyn accent by watching hundreds of British B movies and learning to speak in a more British way.

If you know someone who is a fan of Lost in Space this is the ultimate item and would make a wonderful Christmas present or maybe even a handsome retirement gift.

According to the Ciao price comparison service it should cost you about £38.00, including postage and packing.
 

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