The Amazing Adventures of Irwin Allen

These days, when people hear the name Irwin Allen, they might recall that he was the producer of disaster films such as The Poseidon Adventure and The Towering Inferno, but for a generation of television fans, he's also fondly remembered as the man behind four classic series: Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, The Time Tunnel and Land of the Giants. If you're of a certain age, you very likely watched these shows during their original broadcasts, or caught them after school in syndication during the 1970s, and later on various cable channels. These memorable series were colorful, action-packed, and often featured wild plot-lines that combined science-fiction, fantasy and adventure. Allen's TV shows were often scoffed at by highbrow critics, but they're still beloved by their fans. While some episodes did go off the rails a bit story-wise, the shows were always well-produced and entertaining, providing thrills, action, humor and excitement to viewers.

If you're looking for a well-done overview of Allen and his career, seek out the 1995 documentary The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen, which was originally produced for the Sci-Fi Channel. Hosted by June Lockhart and Bill Mumy of Lost In Space, this enjoyable tribute covers Allen's work in television and feature films, with special emphasis on his four classic TV series. There are insightful interviews with stars of Allen's shows and films, including Jonathan Harris, James Darren, Lee Meriwether, Gary Conway, Robert Wagner and Roddy McDowall. The creation and production of each of Allen's television series is extensively detailed, and there's also a look as his latter-day work for the big-screen in the disaster film genre. It's fun to see the behind-the-scenes footage and promotional material from Allen's TV series and feature films. Lockhart and Mumy do a fine job hosting the show. They also share some fond memories of their time working with a man who was as colorful and full of personality as his television series.

 

A comprehensive large format book, also entitled The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen, was released several years ago by an independent publisher called Creature Features Press. This exhaustively researched coffee table book covered Allen's life and career, and featured an authoritative text by author Jeff Bond, as well as many exclusive photos. The book quickly went out of print, and used copies are currently fetching exorbitant prices online. However, there's some really good news for Irwin Allen fans. The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen is being re-issued in a new edition by Titan Books this October, and is currently available for pre-order online. In the meantime, you can catch all of Irwin Allen shows on cable channels like MeTV, or watch them on DVD. 

 

The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen is an informative and affectionate tribute to Allen's life and career. The film is well-produced by Kevin Burns, who was also behind the scenes for the later Allen centric TV special Lost In Space Forever. While it's currently out of print on DVD, used copies of can be found online. The documentary is also included as a special feature on the Blu-ray edition of Lost In Space: The Complete Adventures. The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen is a lot of fun to watch, as are all of Allen's classic TV series. I've been doing something of a re-watch of Allen's series recently, and I think that they still have strong appeal for the ten year old in all of us. Feel free to share a favorite moment or episode from one of Allen's series in the comments, and remember: "Warning! Warning! Alien Approaching!"

An Evocative Meeting of Poetry and Film

Drew Pisarra is a multi-talented sonneteer and playwright who's the author of the outstanding poetry collections Infinity Standing Up and Periodic Boyfriends, as well as the compelling short story collection You’re Pretty Gay. His work is clever, witty, erotically charged, sharply observed and infused with emotionally rich thoughts on life, love and relationships. His latest collection, Fassbinder; His Films, My Poems, is a series of bold, intelligent, razor-sharp and sensual pieces which celebrate Pisarra’s love for the work of avant-garde filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder, while showcasing his own gift for crafting exceptional pieces of verse-based literature.

Many of the poems in this remarkable volume share titles with films in Fassbinder’s celebrated cinematic output, including The Marriage of Maria Braun, Ali: Fear Eats the Soul, and Fox and His Friends. Not only do these poems share the titles of classic Fassbinder works, they also examine many of the themes featured in those films, including loneliness, love, relationships, sex and the alienation felt by characters who feel they’re trapped on the fringes of society. The poems collected in Fassbinder; His Films, My Poems, are haunting, heart-rending, and harrowing. They are also funny, touching and soulful.  

These enthralling poems will vibrate through your being and echo across your soul. “The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant” and “In A Year Of Moons” display Pisarra’s innate gift for wordplay and vivid imagery, as well as his wry, ironic sense of humor. Captivating entries like “Theatre in Trance,” “Love Is Colder Than Death,” and “Das Kaffehouse: Director’s Cut” play with the general structure of verse, and are riveting in their own right. Every poem in this phenomenal collection strikes just the right note, and will continue to resonate with you as you re-visit them, which you will absolutely want to do.

Drew Pisarra’s intelligent and passionate poems are a joy to experience. He regularly challenges the conventions of the genre, as he did in the sonnet cycle Periodic Boyfriends, which used the periodic table of elements as a springboard for an evocative walk through his romantic entanglements. Fassbinder; His Films, My Poems is another superb work from a uniquely talented writer. You don’t need to be familiar with Fassbinder’s oeuvre to appreciate the brilliance inherent in Pisarra’s poems, but if you have seen some of those amazing films, you’ll discover an additional layer of resonance in the themes explored by both artists. If you’re not already a Fassbinder (or Pisarra) fan, Fassbinder; His Films, My Poems will inspire you to check out some of those terrific films, as well as Pisarra's other wonderful work.

Retro Movie: Colossus: The Forbin Project

Susan Clark, Eric Braeden and Georg Stanford Brown

There have been a number of films featuring sentient computer systems which attempt to take over, including 2001: A Space Odyssey, Demon Seed, and The Terminator. One of the best examples of this science-fiction sub-genre is the 1970 thriller Colossus: The Forbin Project. The movie stars Eric Braeden as Dr. Charles Forbin, who's one of the minds behind Colossus, a powerful computer system which is designed to control the nuclear weapons of the United States. The idea behind Colossus is that it would take the human element out of the equation, utilizing a more logical thought process in case of a nuclear conflict, and hopefully minimize the threat of World War III.

Forbin and his team have done their job all too well. Once Colossus is activated, it quickly proves to be sentient, and more powerful than anyone initially thought possible. Colossus asks to be linked to Guardian, a similar system which has been developed in Russia. Colossus warns that if this task is not accomplished, there will be consequences, and the super intelligent computer happens to be in full control of our nuclear arsenal. Suddenly, it's a race against time for America and the USSR to turn off these renegade machines before they cause can death and destruction. But it might not be as easy as Forbin, his team, and their counterparts in Russia think. Can they stop Colossus from taking over the world, and enforcing its will on mankind?

Colossus: The Forbin Project is a thought-provoking tale. While some of the computer hardware, and the Cold War setting of the film, may seem be a bit dated, it's still a fascinating story of technology run amok. The themes of the film seem even more relevant in our modern world, at a time when we're more reliant than ever on technology to assist us in our daily lives, and the rise of AI brings up more questions about the proper use of technology. The movie works both as a cautionary tale, and a tense, well-paced race against time thriller. The rise of Colossus is portrayed in chilling, realistic fashion, and the threat to the human race posed by this sentient supercomputer illustrates the price mankind might pay if one of its own creations turns against it.

In addition to star Braeden, then best known for his role in the television series The Rat Patrol, the supporting cast features a number of familiar faces, including Susan Clark, William Schallert, Marion Ross, Martin E. Brooks, and Georg Stanford Brown. The film was directed by Joseph Sargent, who was also behind the camera for the original version of The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. The screenplay for the movie was penned by James Bridges, who also wrote the scripts for The Paper Chase and The China Syndrome, a film he also directed. Colossus: The Forbin Project is based on the novel Colossus by writer D.F. Jones, who also authored two sequels, The Fall of Colossus and Colossus and the Crab, though only the first book was adapted for the screen.

Colossus: The Forbin Project is worth a look for science-fiction and thriller fans. Once seen, that darker edged early 1970s style ending is not soon forgotten. By the way, if the voice of Colossus sounds familiar, that's because those dulcet tones belong to veteran actor Paul Frees, who's known for his performances in a plethora of classic films and TV shows. The movie was one of my favorite genre films in my younger years, and it still holds up well today. It's available on DVD and Blu-ray, and also for rental on Amazon. Here's a look at a trailer for the film's Blu-ray release on the Shout! Factory label: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyOEwiQhzMI.

The Top Ten Posts: 2024 Edition

Last March, I wrote about the Top Ten most visited posts for this blog since its inception in 2011. I thought it might be interesting to see if things had changed in a year's time, so here's the Eclectic Avenue Top Ten as of this week:

1. It's A Terrifying Trilogy of Terror: Still at number one, this popular post was part of a blogathon, and it's a retrospective about the classic telefilm, Trilogy of Terror: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2019/03/its-terrifying-trilogy-of-terror.html.

2. Vincent's Dazzling "Whatever It Takes": Retaining the number two spot, a review of Kyle Vincent's album, "Whatever It Takes": https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2021/06/vincents-dazzling-whatever-it-takes.html.

3. The Bellero Shield: Hanging in at number three, a look at one of my favorite episodes of the original Outer Limits TV series: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2018/07/robert-culp-rocks-outer-limits.html.

4. Early Elton: This is a superb tribute band that I've seen perform a number of times throughout the years. They've been featured on the blog several times, and this review of a 2017 performance is still in the number four spot: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2017/06/early-elton-resurrects-madman.html.

5. Avengers: Endgame: My review of the Marvel superhero film from 2019 is a new entry on the list, flying into the number 5 slot: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2019/05/action-humor-and-pathos-in-endgame.html.

6. Don't Be Afraid of the Dark: my post about the classic made for TV chiller starring Kim Darby, which was part of a blogathon, is another new entry in the top ten, notching the number 6 spot: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2017/02/you-can-still-be-afraid-of-dark.html.

7. Andrew Curry of Curry Cuts Records: Andrew is the fabulous producer behind several outstanding tribute albums. We've talked several times over the years, and this chat from 2021 about a terrific Andy Gibb tribute record remains on the list: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2021/05/higher-than-mountain-songs-of-andy-gibb.html. 

8. Cinesavant: My look at the work of the excellent film writer Cinesavant shows up at number eight, retaining a spot on the list: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2020/12/cinesavant-trailers-from-hell-comfort.html.

9. Starting Over: At number nine, it's a look at musician and author Ken Sharp's insightful and revealing book on the sessions for John Lennon and Yoko Ono's album, Double Fantasy: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2020/10/an-in-depth-look-at-starting-over.html.

10. The Magnificent Seven: This look at the 1960 Western classic is another blogathon post, and it rides into the number ten spot as it debuts on the list this year: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2017/04/eli-wallach-vs-magnificent-seven.html.

As always, thanks for supporting this blog, and my writing, throughout the years. Please use the search function on the right side of the main page to check out some of the other articles from Eclectic Avenue!

Retro TV Episode: Space 1999's "Black Sun"

Barry Morse and Martin Landau in Space: 1999

Space: 1999 was one of the more ambitious science-fiction series of the mid-1970s. In those pre–Star Wars days, there were far less genre options on TV than there are in the current viewing landscape. The series, which ran from 1975-1977, was the brainchild of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, who had found fame with puppet-based children's adventure shows such as Thunderbirds. Their first foray into live-action sci-fi was the 1969 film Journey to the Far Side of the Sun, which starred Roy Thinnes. That big-screen adventure was followed by UFO, a television series featuring Ed Bishop as Col. Ed Straker, the head of an multi-national organization called SHADO, which protected our planet from villainous alien invaders.

UFO was a British production which aired in syndication here in the US. While it found some success in the ratings, it was not renewed for a 2nd year. Gerry Anderson retooled his concept for UFO’s second season, which would’ve centered on adventures on SHADO's base on the moon, into Space:1999. In this new sci-fi epic, our moon is blown out of Earth's orbit by a nuclear explosion. The runaway moon (and the crew of Moonbase Alpha) wander thru space, encountering aliens and strange phenomena as they try to find a new home. The series starred Martin Landau and Barbara Bain, the husband-and-wife team who had previously found television success on Mission: Impossible, and Barry Morse, then best known for his role as Lt. Gerard on The Fugitive.

Space:1999 featured spectacular special effects from Brian Johnson, who had worked on 2001: A Space Odyssey. The series contained elements of science-fiction laced with horror and even a touch of fantasy, and often dealt with heady concepts about our place in the universe, for which no easy answers or neat resolutions were provided by the end of the episode. This appealed to some fans but turned off other viewers, and that disparity in opinions regarding the quality of the series continues to this day. One of the best examples of this “metaphysical sci-fi” aspect of the show is "Black Sun," an episode from the first season, which originally aired on November 6, 1975.

In “Black Sun,” the moon encounters a "black sun" (essentially a black hole) which threatens the existence of Moonbase Alpha. The black sun is wreaking havoc with the base’s power systems, and Commander Koenig (played by Landau) is worried the moon may not survive the trip through the anomaly, because of its tremendous gravitational forces. Koenig and Dr. Victor Bergman (portrayed by Morse) hatch a plan to shield Moonbase Alpha from the black sun’s destructive power, but they're not sure their idea will succeed. As a backup plan, Koenig prepares to send an Eagle transport ship into space, with several crew members aboard, which will ensure that some of the crew will survive if the moon is destroyed.

The episode showcases a philosophical discussion between Koenig and Bergman about how they’ve survived their adventures thus far, and their thoughts about some kind of unknown force guiding the moon’s journey through space. As their fateful journey through the black sun grows closer, the two men share a mystical experience with a powerful entity. This 2001 style sequence (with spiritual undertones) deftly illustrates what many fans love about the show, and also what detractors of the series point to as one of its flaws: that nothing is ever really resolved, and we're left with more questions than answers. Doesn't science-fiction (at it best) make us think, and ask us to ponder the big questions about life?  In my opinion, “Black Sun,” is one of the finest episodes of the series, featuring solid work from the cast, excellent music and special effects, a fine script by David Weir (including an uncredited rewrite from story consultant Christopher Penfold) and strong direction from Lee H. Katzin.

The series was revamped for its second and final season, with producer Fred Freiberger (Star Trek, Wild Wild West) coming on board to guide the show. Barry Morse departed the series, and several other members of the supporting cast weren’t asked to return. Catherine Schell was added to the ensemble as Maya, an alien metamorph who could transform into any person or animal at will. Tony Anholt also joined the cast as security chief Tony Verdeschi. The sets were re-designed, and the somber mood of the first season was abandoned in favor of action-oriented stories, featuring more traditional TV style conflict between the characters. Fans of the series are passionate about which season they like best, with many favoring Year One's more serious approach, and others enjoying Year Two’s fast-paced outings, which also included more humor than the first season.

Whatever iteration of the series you prefer, it's available for viewing on various streaming services, and the show has also been released on Blu-ray and DVD. Space: 1999 is worth revisiting if you haven’t seen it in a while. The first season is better than it’s reputation among non-fans suggests, and there are even some solid outings in the much-maligned second season. If the show's reach sometimes exceeded its grasp, at least it was an ambitious undertaking that tried to bring something different to the genre. Here’s a trailer for a Blu-ray release of the series, featuring Barry Gray’s iconic theme from Year One: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_nciw0ALw0\.

Ken Sharp Invites You to "Toytown"

Ken Sharp, the power pop maestro who's previously brought us terrific records such as 1301 Highland Avenue and Beauty in the Backseat, has just released his latest, Welcome to Toytown. Like his previous effort, 2021’s Miniatures, this double-length album explores a wide array of emotions in songs that are of shorter duration, all of them running one to two minutes in length. These superb tunes feature Sharp's heartfelt vocals and majestic melodies, layered into a shimmering, multi-instrumental soundscape that will evoke memories of the vintage baroque pop sound of groups such as The Left Banke and The Zombies, as well as modern practitioners of the form like The Divine Comedy, Velvet Crush, and Daniel Knox.

Welcome to Toytown is bursting at the seams with lovely songs such as “Great Big Beautiful World," "Friend In You," and “To Praise Your Love.”  Sharp is a supremely talented artist whose music reaches us on an emotional level because it’s full of genuine heart and soul. These well-crafted songs also connect with us because they’re infused with Sharp’s deep love and affection for the sounds of classic pop and rock, which shines through on tracks like “Last of the Dandys,” “Dreams In Our Head,” "I Am Your Spaceman," and of course, “Beach Boys On My Stereo.”

Speaking of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys, the centerpiece of the album is a song cycle entitled “Toytown Suite" which recalls Wilson’s work on classics records like Pet Sounds and Smile. This glorious mini pop opera features 12 inter-connected songs which tell the tale of a toymaker king who has lost his crown combined with the story of a child's enthusiasm about the Christmas holiday. In just under ten minutes, “Toytown Suite" will take you on a musical journey that encompasses a variety of emotions, sounds and musical styles. It's not just one of the best tracks on the album, it’s one of the finest pieces of work in Sharp’s already impressive musical oeuvre.

Welcome to Toytown is a phenomenal album filled with extraordinary music and fabulous songs featuring enchanting, intricate arrangements. This record is manna from heaven for lovers of classic pop. Ken Sharp's splendid songs will etch themselves into your memory, and find a lasting place in your heart. For more information on Ken and Welcome To Toytown, head over to https://kensharp.bandcamp.com/album/welcome-to-toytown, and follow this link to watch the video for “Great Big Beautiful World,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pelcPvtL1c.

13 Years of Eclectic Avenue

I started this blog back in 2011 as an outlet to write about my passion for the movies, music and books I loved, and share those thoughts with others. Throughout the previous years, I'd done some writing for local newspapers, and I'd also did a stint as a writer/editor for the KISS fanzine FIRE, which was published by my pal Gilda. I had been thinking about doing a blog for a while, and thanks to the support and encouragment of Gilda and a few other dear friends, I launched Eclectic Avenue. Alongside my "real-life" job experiences in publishing, IT and healthcare, working on the blog been a fantastic adventure, and the blog (and my writing) have come a long way in the ensuing years.

The positive response to Eclectic Avenue allowed me to participate in several blogathons, which are special events where a group of bloggers all write about a shared topic (for example, favorite TV episodes) and it also led me to submit a story to CultureSonar, a well-respected arts and entertainment website. I became a regular contributor to the site in 2017 and have written a quite a few articles for them since, including interviews with Dave Mason, William Shatner and Phil Volk of Paul Revere and The Raiders. It's a privilege to work for CultureSonar, and an honor to be part of the site's group of uber-talented writers.

A live shot of Early Elton from 2016

 

My work here at Eclectic Avenue and at CultureSonar has been tremendously fulfilling, and a whole lot of fun. When I started this blog, if you'd told me about the incredible experiences I'd have over the years, the people I'd meet, and the artists, writers and producers (including the talented Marc Platt, Grey DeLisle, Rin Lennon, Kurt Reil and Rich Pagano, John Conte and Jeff Kazee of Early Elton) I've gotten to know (and interact with on a regular basis) I probably wouldn't have believed you! My sincere thanks to you all for your kindness and cooperation, and your appreciation of my writing. It has been a fabulous, awesome and amazing experience to work with all of you.

I'm grateful to everyone who's read and enjoyed my work, and to those who've taken the time to reach out and comment about it. Thanks to Al and Cindy from CultureSonar for their continued support and encouragement, and also to Marty and Maureen at JEM Records for digging my work, and asking me to write about their fabulous artists on a regular basis, both here and at CultureSonar. Finally, I'd like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my friends for being there for me throughout the years. There's more to come both here at Eclectic Avenue and over at CultureSonar, so stay tuned!