Customer Reviews

Irwin Allen Television Productions, 1964-1970: A Critical History of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, The Time Tunnel and Land of the Giants

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Jon Abbott's book should not be looked on as just another TV series episode guide. There are already many of those available and that's not what Mr. Abbott's book is about. Instead, the author guides us episode by episode through the four science fiction series that Irwin Allen produced back in the '60s, giving his critical evaluations of each hour-long show. Since we're dealing with opinions here, one might find them at variance with the author. I personally find that refreshing. Others may vehemently disagree with some of his assessments. Each series, VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA, LOST IN SPACE, THE TIME TUNNEL, and LAND OF THE GIANTS is given its own section of the book, with a series overview preceding the episode appraisals. The book is professionally produced and nicely put together, making a nice addition to one's library.

This book is a major disappointment. The author says he is a fan, and that may be so, but the majority of the book is concerned with the guest stars of each of the episodes of the four series that Irwin created. He uses as research old articles, web info, and his own magazine work, and has obviously not done any new research into Irwin and the series. If he did, and the files ARE available for research at UCLA, he would see how he perpetrates all of the standard cliches about the man, 'he was cheap'; Real research shows he wasn't; he reused monsters and costumes because he was 'cheap'; Study the hisory of TV in the United States at the time, to understand why and how; and many more too numerous to mention. Fresh interviews with the actors, writers who are still with us, the guest stars he so often mentions the work of , and Irwin's creative staff members would have been more helpful. Interviews with Kevin Burns, Sheila Allen, Bill Creber, the Network execs of the time would absolutely have given a better picture than the same old tired information that anyone can get on the web, and not pay a ridiculous amount of money for.
After reading the book, I have to agree with the reviewer who said it was a rehash... it is... Perhaps new information would have made the book much, much better.

Although I disagree with many of his assessments, particularly ones pertaining to "Voyage To the Bottom of the Sea"("The Human Computer" is a classic episode), the book does contain a lot of interesting information and is worth having in your collection.

This book is available directly from Macfarland books, rather than indepedant sellers (who appear to be bumping the price up a tad!) at the RRP of $39.95.

Ignore the 2 poor reviews (one by someone who hadn't even bought the book when he wrote the review...!)

If you enjoy Irwin Allen's work, this is a must-purchase. You may not agree with some of the episode assessments (we all have different tastes eh?) but it's an enjoyable and sometimes thought provoking book. And there isn't really anything else quite like it on the subject. Sure, maybe you can garner all that stuiff by spending hours on the 'Net, but who wants to do that?

A bit expensive but worthwhile.

To a kid growing up in the late '50s and early '60s, there were certain names that meant that you were going to have a good time at the movies if you loved horror, fantasy or sci fi. films: Vincent Price, Ray Harryhausen, William Castle, Roger Corman, etc. One name that meant you were going to have a good time at the movies or in front of your tv set was Irwin Allen.
Allen is basically known for three different periods. In the early '60s, he produced 2 large-scale Cinemascope sci. fi. films:The Lost World in 1960 and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea in 1961. Starting in 1964, he produced the first of his 4 popular sci fi. series: Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. It was followed by Lost in Space in 1965, The Time Tunnel in 1966 and Land of the Giants in 1968. In 1972, he moved back to the big screen with the two best films of the disaster genre cycle: the legendary Poseidon Adventure in 1972 and the academy award-nominated Towering Inferno in 1974.
This book covers Allen's 4 sci. fi. series. After a short biography of Allen, the writer goes into detail about the creation of each series. Following that, he describes every episode of the 4 series, giving the basic plot and critical comments about whether he enjoyed each episode or not.
I enjoyed 3 of the 4 Allen series, Voyage, Time Tunnel and Giants. (I was never that great a Lost in Space fan.) I absolutely loved this book. I read it a couple years ago and enjoyed every moment of it. If you enjoyed sitting in front of that tv watching any or all of Irwin's series, you will love it too.

Retro fun! Exclusive interviews with cast and crew, production dates and details that we come to expect from a McFarland book, but the price is a bit steep. There is critical analysis for most of the episodes, but that is leverage for all the reference material you can find. The author admits he is a fan and questions the science of the stories. There are rare photos of unaired TV pilots and behind-the-scenes photos. The index is excellent and a biography about Allen. I always thought Lost In Space got too silly by the third season, but this book made me go back and rewatch the episodes again. That's a good book.

Nothing new here. Rehash of old stuff already out there. Not worth the $$$

Since this book has yet to be published I don't know exactly what it will include, but if it includes what the review says it will include, it is all old news. Bill Anchors put out decent episode guides already and most of the information is on the internet. Save your money and do a search on the internet for Irwin Allen and get the same information for free.