The Fantastic Worlds of Irwin Allen (tribute)

Writer, director, producer Irwin Allen (1916-1991) gifted many generations lots of memorable thrills and fun with his scifi films and tv shows. He was very successful at it and also became the target of lot of criticism and backlash. Yeah, sure there was a lot of cheesy, crappy stuff in his tv series, but nonetheless it was entertaining...while he is not revered like Gene Roddenbery was for a single series, 'Star Trek', Allen gave us more shows we loved like 'Voyage To the Bottom of the Sea' (based on the movie), "Lost in Space", "The Time Tunnel" , "Land of the Giants" and among his many credits there are films like "The Story of Mankind", "The Lost World", "The Poseidon Adventure", "The Towering Inferno" and many others.

Irwin Allen passed away in 1991 at age 75 and in 1995 a documentary titled 'The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen' was made and with it was also released a trading cards set and an album with the themes of his most celebrated series.



This thread will pay homage to his tv shows and films.

 

Irwin Allen productions were awesome.

 

They were campy and stupid, really

Die

 

One common denominator in many Allen's productions, besides the big sets, special effects and great musical score (mainly from a young John Williams) was the casting of beautiful sexy female actresses.

Vitina Marcus in 'The Lost World"


Lee Meriwether aka Catwoman in 'Time Tunnel'


Deanna Lund & Heather Young in 'Land of The Giants'



Marta Kristen in 'Lost in Space'


and also manly lead actors (unlike today's many ambiguous tv actors).

Guy Williams (Zorro himself!)

"Land of the Giants" Gary Conway



Richard Basehart & David Hedison



Robert Colbert & James Darren (he was a pop singer) in "Time Tunnel"

 

The special effects! The miniature models designs still look good after all these decades!

The gorgeous Seaview submarine and the Sea Flying Sub.


The Jupiter II




and the awesome Robinson's terrain chariot was not just a prop, it actually worked (of course the set limited how far it could be drove).


a few years ago a fan made an exact replica (see video below).



The Spindrift Ship from the future (1983 ) "Land of the Giants" because it can only transport 12 persons I guess this ship was only for VIP people.

 

You were not even born at that time. Shut up!

 

Nah, they were great for the '60s
What are you on 'bout, faaaaaaaaagOt?

 

Lost In Space was fuckin mental!


Time Tunnel was great - just for Lee Merriweather:

 

The Poseidon Adventure and the Towering Inferno alone puts Irwin Allen in the pantheon of Hollywood legendary producers.