Publicity Photo-Guy Williams & June Lockhart as John & Maureen Robinson Publicity Photo-Guy Williams & June Lockhart as John & Maureen Robinson

Upstaged by a robot...

In 1965, Irwin Allen created Lost in Space, a series about a family of space travelers who become marooned in a strange galaxy when their mission goes awry. To head the cast, Allen signed veteran actors Guy Williams and June Lockhart in the roles of husband and wife scientists, John and Maureen Robinson.
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Screen Capture-John & Maureen kissing goodbye before entering the blastoff freezing chambers Screen Capture-The sudden thaw from the freezing tube nearly kills Maureen Screen Capture-John embracing Will Screen Capture-John holding Maureen after she saved his life
Screen captures courtesy of JH

The original cast was rounded out by Marta Kristen, Angela Cartwright and Billy Mumy, respectively, portraying the Robinson children, Judy, Penny and Will Robinson. Actor Mark Goddard was cast as the pilot of the spacecraft, Don West. The original pilot episode, No Where to Hide, showed promise of a series worthy of the acting talents of the stars and cast.

Screen Capture-John Robinson possessed by alien being in Follow the Leader Screen Capture-John and Maureen talking about the future Screen Capture-John & Will studying an alien spacecraft Screen Capture-John and Maureen sharing a chuckle
Screen captures courtesy of JH

However, somewhere between that original pilot, which was never aired and the actual premier of the series in a new pilot, The Reluctant Stowaway the focus of the show shifted dramatically. Added to the cast were a talking robot and veteran actor Jonathan Harris in the role of Dr. Zachary Smith, a spy who sabotages the spaceship and causes it to become hopelessly lost in space.

Screen Capture-John in a deadly duel with high voltage sabers from The Challenge Screen Capture-John & Maureen listening with amusement to a fellow crew member Screen Capture-John Robinson Screen Capture-John and Don using the Jupiter 2 radio Screen Capture-John bracing for a fight
Screen captures courtesy of JH

The addition of the robot and Smith to the cast of characters, set the stage for the show to become a farce, which bordered on insulting the intelligence of its viewers. With each progressive week, the focus of the show shifted from the Robinson family's dilemma and the unknown of encountering strange galaxies to a moronic comedy focusing on Dr. Smith, the robot and Will Robinson, running amok while involving the rest of the cast in one ridiculous fiasco after another.

Screen Capture-John testifying in a space trial Screen Capture-Close up view of John Screen Capture-John begrudgingly helping Maureen with the laundry Screen Capture-John roughed up after a fight Screen Capture-John with the scheming Dr. Smith
Screen captures courtesy of JH

Guy Williams, the intended star of the show, was relegated to a supporting role and his character Dr. John Robinson, who was the commanding officer of the spacecraft, became little more than the ineffective leader of an uncontrollable crew. June Lockhart was also forced into a supporting role and her character Maureen, who was introduced in the unaired pilot as a respected scientist, became a woman who had no control over her children and who did little more than prepare meals and wash dirty laundry. All in all, the situation had to be a galling one for the two stars.

Screen Capture-John restraining an angry Don West Screen Capture-John, Maureen, Penny, Judy & Don Screen Capture-An angry John Robinson Screen Capture-John & Don desperately trying to dislodge an explosive adhered to John's chest Screen Capture-John & Will after John survives a deadly hunting game in Hunter's Moon
Screen captures courtesy of JH

In spite of the mostly inane storylines, the writers did manage to provide Guy with several scripts that allowed him to display his acting talent. In the first season's The Challenge, Guy was able to put his fencing skill to test against co-star Michael Ansara in a lethal duel using high voltage sabers. In Follow the Leader he is possessed by a murderous being intent on killing the crew of the Jupiter 2. Second season's The Deadly Games of Gamma 6 pitted John against an alien opponent in a deadly game of Russian Roulette. Hunter's Moon, a third season show, had John as the quarry being hunted by an alien ruler . And finally the third season show, The Anti-Matter Man gave Guy the chance to play a dual role when John Robinson is transported to an alternate dimension and meets his evil counterpart. Outside of these episodes, Guy had few chances to stretch his acting ability.

Screen Capture-John and Maureen in a tender moment Screen Capture-John and Dr. Smith Screen Capture-Will watches as John tries to dynamite a volcano closed Screen Capture-John Robinson Screen Capture-John, Maureen and Dr. Smith
Screen captures courtesy of JH

Irwin Allen and his team of writers, evidently concerned that the original premise for Lost in Space would not attract viewers, compromised the integrity of the show by resorting to gimmicks and cheap laughs; or as Guy himself called it, "the cutes." While Lost in Space lasted for three seasons and was a hit in its time slot, interest in the show faded quickly. When Lost in Space was cancelled before the start of the 1969 television season, it vanished from the network airways and was virtually forgotten, seemingly proving that Allen's change in focus did not work in the long run.

Screen Capture-John and Don Screen Capture-John taking aim with his space gun Screen Capture-John steadies Maureen before leaving the Jupiter 2 to make an outer space repair to the craft Screen Capture-John making a point Screen Capture-John and Maureen having a serious conversation
Screen captures courtesy of JH

By comparison, Producer Gene Roddenberry and the writers of Star Trek which premiered a season after Lost in Space, proved that a series centered on future space exploration could be done with taste and dramatic success. Although Star Trek also lasted only three seasons and struggled initially for viewer loyalty; Roddenberry never compromised the principles of his idea and he was rewarded in the long run, by not only a hit television series, but one that spawned numerous spin-off shows and seven feature length motion pictures starring the original television cast.

Screen Capture-John using the radio Screen Capture-John & oldest daughter Judy Screen Capture-An alternate universe evil John taunts the real John in The Anti-Matter Man Screen Capture-An alternate universe evil John prepares to switch places with John in The Anti-Matter Man Screen Capture-John imprisoned by his evil counterpart in The Anti-Matter Man
Screen captures courtesy of JH





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