"Lost In Space", whether you love it or hate it, was grand fun for kids growing up in the 60s. I know, I was one of them. I was 6 years old when this show premiered on Australian TV in glorious black and white in 1966. It created an absolute flap around the school yard and I fondly remember running about the grounds with my friends yelling "Warning, warning!" in my best imitation of the robot. Most kids my age just loved the show and I think this was due to the quality of the ensemble cast and their amazing talents, especially Jonathan Harris and Billy Mumy. The scripts, whilst admittedly corny in seasons two and three, were generally very literate and well written and some of the season one episodes are worthy classics of science fiction, especially episodes like "My Friend Mr. Nobody." On that note, the "Nobody" episode was sheer brilliance. The hauntingly beautiful score by a young "Johnny Williams," the quality of the story and the sheer wonder it evoked...just beautiful! I well remember being moved to tears in the final scene when "Mr. Nobody" reveals what he truly is...surely one of the most powerful scenes of any science fiction show of the period.
The other important element, for me, was that Jonathan Harris was brilliant in his use of the English language and his constant sniping at the robot was a source of inspiration for me to learn more about words and their meanings. It worked so well I ended up becoming a teacher...thanks to "Lost in Space."
The other important element, for me, was that Jonathan Harris was brilliant in his use of the English language and his constant sniping at the robot was a source of inspiration for me to learn more about words and their meanings. It worked so well I ended up becoming a teacher...thanks to "Lost in Space."