The Worst Film Ever

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

One of the best films i have seen

Better Late Then Never

Originally conceived as a 'Swiss Family Robinson in space', this series ran for three seasons, starting out in B&W and then transitioning into colour in the second and third seasons. At the time TV executives assumed that it was a competitor for 'Star Trek' and whilst one might watch both shows, they really are very different.'Guest star' Jonathan Harris plays Dr Smith, and his antics provide much of the material in most episodes. The other actors, regardless of billing, have relatively minor roles, playing largely one-dimensional characters; they must have been bored stiff. The exception to this is provided by Will (Bill Mumy) and the robot, who have more to do. Interestingly, there are a similar number of Star Trek (TOS) episodes, and the costs per episode were comparable (Star Trek costing about 20-25% more); yet LIS looks a bit shonky and Star Trek, by and large, doesn't. Most of LIS is shot on the same sets, using various recycled props of various kinds. The Jupiter II sets were apparently incredibly expensive; I'd have to say it doesn't show. The music on LIS is a strong point though; here John Williams cut his teeth, and Alexander Courage contributed too.The premise of LIS is that the Earth is badly overpopulated, yet the family has three children. The plots mostly assume that they are 'lost' yet Earth appears to be relatively close-by; they quite regularly get close to it and then return to their starting point, ready for next week's episode. Space travel appears not to take very long. You would have to say that realism didn't play much of a part in the thinking of the show's creators.The problems with LIS though largely stem from the scripts; there is precious little in the way of drama or peril, and there is no sign of any exploration of deeper concepts or much curiosity as might befit true space explorers. In series 1 and 2 almost every week some new (and wildly improbable) character turns up, usually Dr Smith gets involved with them for his own selfish motives, comes unstuck, puts others in danger and gets rescued/survives somehow. Things are a bit different in series three, but against a background of rising costs, and poor audience demographics, it was too little, too late. Well, I say "danger, danger, Will Robinson! Same-y scripts, lacking in depth, are ruining what might otherwise have been a good show!"Like many U.S. series, there are too many episodes that were too much the same; like diner coffee, you can have nearly as much as you like, but it isn't really that good and you soon find that you don't really hanker for much more of the same. More is less; had they made half as many episodes, but each one well, it would have better show overall.

Yes I did watch this as a youngster, but quickly lost interest after the first year. I mean most science fiction of the period was pretty idiotic, but this one stretched it so far beyond the unintelligible...I mean it had them crossing 'galaxies' while never even achieving anything beyond the speed of light. And all the actors were white, of course (Allen didn't cross the racial lines until 'Giants'). While I like Guy Williams and June Lockhart, and even Billy Mumy. Dr. Smith just became extremely annoying after a time, as well as a stereotypical 'queen' (and I hadn't even realized I was gay at the time). Anyway the characters were all just cardboard cutouts. After a while it wasn't even dumb mindless fun. Just the same recycled plots over and over again. Anyway, re-watching this in my dotage hasn't improved anything. But then network TV hasn't gotten much better over the years. I mean the shows produced on the CW network are just as dumb as this ever was. In fact I wouldn't be surprised it they did an updated version. In the end, all I can is thank goodness for Star Trek.

This was one of the dumbest sci-fi shows. When the Lost in Space debuted in the 60's I eagerly waited for each show. As it progress the shows lack of writing talent made each episode inane and I quickly lost interest in it. Thank goodness Star Trek came along. The episodes disintegrated in nonsensical stories of regurgitated fairy tales, fake-stupid looking monsters and women actors who did stupid things and could not defend themselves. The show became dominated by the antics of Will, Dr. Smith and the robot. If Dr. Robinson and Don had given Dr. Smith a good right across the jaw it would have enhanced the show greatly because that's what we all wanted to do! On the side there was Penny much like 'Elly May' and her critters which added nothing and the undeveloped romance between Major West and Judy. Lost in Space had potential but became a comical circus show.

I was three when it first premiered hence I vividly remember seasons 2 and 3 in its original run. Favorite out those later years the Anti-matter Man (yr#3) and the ladies caught in the cross-fire of a conflict between two aliens (yr#2). Sadly I forgot the name of the later.I saw season 1 much later (for some reason it's rarely shown when I catch it in syndication)--It's an entirely different atmosphere. The family is not looking to get back home as much as surviving where they're living. That first planet was not explored in depth I say after the first half dozen episodes. Thereafter it was aliens, advanced machinery and their robot growing sassy (towards Smith) and lovable. Smith was a monster in yr#1--and changing him to...Just before yr #2 he appeared to have a mental breakdown of a sort after seeing one too many ugly aliens. That's when the show jumped the shark; Smith transformed into that.But throughout the series all three years the family were a family. The cast was selected well, not only acting as a close loving unit but the Robinson kids looked like brother and sister. And here too, treatment of a plot aspect sank...Will got too much exposure whereas Judy had virtually none. And Will and Penny were teens--kiddie stories fit their age group. But what killed it was the over-the-top whimsy of year three--Too many reworked fairy stories and kookiness--Absolute worse being the human carrot. For all its flaws I rank #2 in liking those 1960's Irwin Allen programs.