Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Supernatural

Why was Jonathan Harris (Dr. Smith) originally left out of the Lost In Space opening credits?

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A: He joined late. He signed on after the pilot was already shot, meaning he had to be listed as a “Special Guest Star” in every single episode.

 

Lost in Space is a classic 1960s sci-fi television series that follows the adventures of the Robinson family, their pilot, a reluctant stowaway, and a robot as they attempt to survive after their spacecraft is knocked wildly off course.
  • Years Active: 1965–1968 (3 seasons, 84 episodes)

  • Creator: Irwin Allen

  • Main Cast: Guy Williams (John Robinson), June Lockhart (Maureen Robinson), Mark Goddard (Don West), Marta Kristen (Judy Robinson), Angela Cartwright (Penny Robinson), Bill Mumy (Will Robinson), Jonathan Harris (Dr. Zachary Smith), and Bob May / Dick Tufeld (The Robot).

Major Production Blooper: The “Two-Legged” Alien Monkey

In the first season, Penny Robinson adopts an alien pet named Bloop (or the “Debbie the Bloop”). Because the budget couldn’t afford a complex animatronic, the production crew put a furry alien costume mask and makeup on a live chimpanzee named Judy (who was borrowed from Daktari).

The major, hilarious blooper occurred because chimpanzees frequently despise wearing headpieces. During several takes, the chimp would get annoyed, rip the alien ears right off her head, and break character by dropping to all fours or chewing on the props. Despite editing efforts, sharp-eyed viewers can easily spot moments where the “alien” looks exactly like a frustrated Earth chimpanzee trying to claw out of its costume.

What caused the network to abruptly cancel the show despite its strong ratings?

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A: Budget cuts and the B-9 Robot. CBS was facing skyrocketing production costs, and the delicate props (like the Robot) were incredibly expensive to maintain and repair.

 

Lost in Space is a classic 1960s sci-fi television series that follows the adventures of the Robinson family, their pilot, a reluctant stowaway, and a robot as they attempt to survive after their spacecraft is knocked wildly off course.
  • Years Active: 1965–1968 (3 seasons, 84 episodes)

  • Creator: Irwin Allen

  • Main Cast: Guy Williams (John Robinson), June Lockhart (Maureen Robinson), Mark Goddard (Don West), Marta Kristen (Judy Robinson), Angela Cartwright (Penny Robinson), Bill Mumy (Will Robinson), Jonathan Harris (Dr. Zachary Smith), and Bob May / Dick Tufeld (The Robot).

Major Production Blooper: The “Two-Legged” Alien Monkey

In the first season, Penny Robinson adopts an alien pet named Bloop (or the “Debbie the Bloop”). Because the budget couldn’t afford a complex animatronic, the production crew put a furry alien costume mask and makeup on a live chimpanzee named Judy (who was borrowed from Daktari).

The major, hilarious blooper occurred because chimpanzees frequently despise wearing headpieces. During several takes, the chimp would get annoyed, rip the alien ears right off her head, and break character by dropping to all fours or chewing on the props. Despite editing efforts, sharp-eyed viewers can easily spot moments where the “alien” looks exactly like a frustrated Earth chimpanzee trying to claw out of its costume.

Why did the Robot’s actor look completely different when the suit’s head was taken off?

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A: Two people played him. Bob May was inside the suit running the physical movements, but announcer Dick Tufeld provided the famous voice from a recording booth.

 

Lost in Space is a classic 1960s sci-fi television series that follows the adventures of the Robinson family, their pilot, a reluctant stowaway, and a robot as they attempt to survive after their spacecraft is knocked wildly off course.
  • Years Active: 1965–1968 (3 seasons, 84 episodes)

  • Creator: Irwin Allen

  • Main Cast: Guy Williams (John Robinson), June Lockhart (Maureen Robinson), Mark Goddard (Don West), Marta Kristen (Judy Robinson), Angela Cartwright (Penny Robinson), Bill Mumy (Will Robinson), Jonathan Harris (Dr. Zachary Smith), and Bob May / Dick Tufeld (The Robot).

Major Production Blooper: The “Two-Legged” Alien Monkey

In the first season, Penny Robinson adopts an alien pet named Bloop (or the “Debbie the Bloop”). Because the budget couldn’t afford a complex animatronic, the production crew put a furry alien costume mask and makeup on a live chimpanzee named Judy (who was borrowed from Daktari).

The major, hilarious blooper occurred because chimpanzees frequently despise wearing headpieces. During several takes, the chimp would get annoyed, rip the alien ears right off her head, and break character by dropping to all fours or chewing on the props. Despite editing efforts, sharp-eyed viewers can easily spot moments where the “alien” looks exactly like a frustrated Earth chimpanzee trying to claw out of its costume.

Why did the Jupiter 2 spaceship sets routinely collapse or wobble during filming of Lost in Space?

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A: Frugal production. Producer Irwin Allen was notoriously cheap. The control panels were often painted cardboard, and the crew used staples and duct tape to keep the walls from falling over between takes

 

Lost in Space is a classic 1960s sci-fi television series that follows the adventures of the Robinson family, their pilot, a reluctant stowaway, and a robot as they attempt to survive after their spacecraft is knocked wildly off course.
  • Years Active: 1965–1968 (3 seasons, 84 episodes)

  • Creator: Irwin Allen

  • Main Cast: Guy Williams (John Robinson), June Lockhart (Maureen Robinson), Mark Goddard (Don West), Marta Kristen (Judy Robinson), Angela Cartwright (Penny Robinson), Bill Mumy (Will Robinson), Jonathan Harris (Dr. Zachary Smith), and Bob May / Dick Tufeld (The Robot).

Major Production Blooper: The “Two-Legged” Alien Monkey

In the first season, Penny Robinson adopts an alien pet named Bloop (or the “Debbie the Bloop”). Because the budget couldn’t afford a complex animatronic, the production crew put a furry alien costume mask and makeup on a live chimpanzee named Judy (who was borrowed from Daktari).

The major, hilarious blooper occurred because chimpanzees frequently despise wearing headpieces. During several takes, the chimp would get annoyed, rip the alien ears right off her head, and break character by dropping to all fours or chewing on the props. Despite editing efforts, sharp-eyed viewers can easily spot moments where the “alien” looks exactly like a frustrated Earth chimpanzee trying to claw out of its costume.

What happened when actor Mark Goddard (Major West) got too aggressive during an action Lost in Space scene?

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A: He kicked through the spaceship. Goddard threw a kick so hard his foot went completely through the flimsy plywood and cardboard wall of the Jupiter 2, halting production for hours to patch it up.

 

Lost in Space is a classic 1960s sci-fi television series that follows the adventures of the Robinson family, their pilot, a reluctant stowaway, and a robot as they attempt to survive after their spacecraft is knocked wildly off course.
  • Years Active: 1965–1968 (3 seasons, 84 episodes)

  • Creator: Irwin Allen

  • Main Cast: Guy Williams (John Robinson), June Lockhart (Maureen Robinson), Mark Goddard (Don West), Marta Kristen (Judy Robinson), Angela Cartwright (Penny Robinson), Bill Mumy (Will Robinson), Jonathan Harris (Dr. Zachary Smith), and Bob May / Dick Tufeld (The Robot).

Major Production Blooper: The “Two-Legged” Alien Monkey

In the first season, Penny Robinson adopts an alien pet named Bloop (or the “Debbie the Bloop”). Because the budget couldn’t afford a complex animatronic, the production crew put a furry alien costume mask and makeup on a live chimpanzee named Judy (who was borrowed from Daktari).

The major, hilarious blooper occurred because chimpanzees frequently despise wearing headpieces. During several takes, the chimp would get annoyed, rip the alien ears right off her head, and break character by dropping to all fours or chewing on the props. Despite editing efforts, sharp-eyed viewers can easily spot moments where the “alien” looks exactly like a frustrated Earth chimpanzee trying to claw out of its costume.

Why did June Lockhart (Maureen Robinson) have a completely unique commute to the Lost in Space studio?

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A: She drove a vintage 1923 fire engine. An avid antique car lover, she frequently drove a bright red, clanging old fire truck named “Cordelia” directly onto the 20th Century Fox lot.

 

Lost in Space is a classic 1960s sci-fi television series that follows the adventures of the Robinson family, their pilot, a reluctant stowaway, and a robot as they attempt to survive after their spacecraft is knocked wildly off course.
  • Years Active: 1965–1968 (3 seasons, 84 episodes)

  • Creator: Irwin Allen

  • Main Cast: Guy Williams (John Robinson), June Lockhart (Maureen Robinson), Mark Goddard (Don West), Marta Kristen (Judy Robinson), Angela Cartwright (Penny Robinson), Bill Mumy (Will Robinson), Jonathan Harris (Dr. Zachary Smith), and Bob May / Dick Tufeld (The Robot).

Major Production Blooper: The “Two-Legged” Alien Monkey

In the first season, Penny Robinson adopts an alien pet named Bloop (or the “Debbie the Bloop”). Because the budget couldn’t afford a complex animatronic, the production crew put a furry alien costume mask and makeup on a live chimpanzee named Judy (who was borrowed from Daktari).

The major, hilarious blooper occurred because chimpanzees frequently despise wearing headpieces. During several takes, the chimp would get annoyed, rip the alien ears right off her head, and break character by dropping to all fours or chewing on the props. Despite editing efforts, sharp-eyed viewers can easily spot moments where the “alien” looks exactly like a frustrated Earth chimpanzee trying to claw out of its costume.

How hot did it actually get inside the 90kg B-9 Robot suit,on Lost in Space?

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A: Over 54°C. Operator Bob May frequently suffered from heat exhaustion, passing out twice inside the unventilated fiberglass suit.

 

Lost in Space is a classic 1960s sci-fi television series that follows the adventures of the Robinson family, their pilot, a reluctant stowaway, and a robot as they attempt to survive after their spacecraft is knocked wildly off course.
  • Years Active: 1965–1968 (3 seasons, 84 episodes)

  • Creator: Irwin Allen

  • Main Cast: Guy Williams (John Robinson), June Lockhart (Maureen Robinson), Mark Goddard (Don West), Marta Kristen (Judy Robinson), Angela Cartwright (Penny Robinson), Bill Mumy (Will Robinson), Jonathan Harris (Dr. Zachary Smith), and Bob May / Dick Tufeld (The Robot).

Major Production Blooper: The “Two-Legged” Alien Monkey

In the first season, Penny Robinson adopts an alien pet named Bloop (or the “Debbie the Bloop”). Because the budget couldn’t afford a complex animatronic, the production crew put a furry alien costume mask and makeup on a live chimpanzee named Judy (who was borrowed from Daktari).

The major, hilarious blooper occurred because chimpanzees frequently despise wearing headpieces. During several takes, the chimp would get annoyed, rip the alien ears right off her head, and break character by dropping to all fours or chewing on the props. Despite editing efforts, sharp-eyed viewers can easily spot moments where the “alien” looks exactly like a frustrated Earth chimpanzee trying to claw out of its costume.

What near-fatal accident on Lost in Space involving the Robot almost crushed child star Bill Mumy?

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A: A tipping hazard. During a scene on a poorly padded set, the heavy 90kg robot suit accidentally toppled forward, nearly crushing Mumy’s leg.

 

Lost in Space is a classic 1960s sci-fi television series that follows the adventures of the Robinson family, their pilot, a reluctant stowaway, and a robot as they attempt to survive after their spacecraft is knocked wildly off course.
  • Years Active: 1965–1968 (3 seasons, 84 episodes)

  • Creator: Irwin Allen

  • Main Cast: Guy Williams (John Robinson), June Lockhart (Maureen Robinson), Mark Goddard (Don West), Marta Kristen (Judy Robinson), Angela Cartwright (Penny Robinson), Bill Mumy (Will Robinson), Jonathan Harris (Dr. Zachary Smith), and Bob May / Dick Tufeld (The Robot).

Major Production Blooper: The “Two-Legged” Alien Monkey

In the first season, Penny Robinson adopts an alien pet named Bloop (or the “Debbie the Bloop”). Because the budget couldn’t afford a complex animatronic, the production crew put a furry alien costume mask and makeup on a live chimpanzee named Judy (who was borrowed from Daktari).

The major, hilarious blooper occurred because chimpanzees frequently despise wearing headpieces. During several takes, the chimp would get annoyed, rip the alien ears right off her head, and break character by dropping to all fours or chewing on the props. Despite editing efforts, sharp-eyed viewers can easily spot moments where the “alien” looks exactly like a frustrated Earth chimpanzee trying to claw out of its costume.

Who was originally chosen to play Dr. Smith on Lost in Space before Jonathan Harris stepped in?

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A: Carroll O’Connor. The future All in the Family star was almost cast, which would have made Dr. Smith a much rougher, less flamboyant villain

 

Lost in Space is a classic 1960s sci-fi television series that follows the adventures of the Robinson family, their pilot, a reluctant stowaway, and a robot as they attempt to survive after their spacecraft is knocked wildly off course.
  • Years Active: 1965–1968 (3 seasons, 84 episodes)

  • Creator: Irwin Allen

  • Main Cast: Guy Williams (John Robinson), June Lockhart (Maureen Robinson), Mark Goddard (Don West), Marta Kristen (Judy Robinson), Angela Cartwright (Penny Robinson), Bill Mumy (Will Robinson), Jonathan Harris (Dr. Zachary Smith), and Bob May / Dick Tufeld (The Robot).

Major Production Blooper: The “Two-Legged” Alien Monkey

In the first season, Penny Robinson adopts an alien pet named Bloop (or the “Debbie the Bloop”). Because the budget couldn’t afford a complex animatronic, the production crew put a furry alien costume mask and makeup on a live chimpanzee named Judy (who was borrowed from Daktari).

The major, hilarious blooper occurred because chimpanzees frequently despise wearing headpieces. During several takes, the chimp would get annoyed, rip the alien ears right off her head, and break character by dropping to all fours or chewing on the props. Despite editing efforts, sharp-eyed viewers can easily spot moments where the “alien” looks exactly like a frustrated Earth chimpanzee trying to claw out of its costume.

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What caused a near-mutiny among Lost In Space cast regarding a giant vegetable

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A: The “Carrot Nightmare” episode. Guy Williams and June Lockhart were so humiliated by a script featuring a giant talking space carrot that they openly mocked it, forcing multiple re-shoots because the cast couldn’t stop laughing.

 

Lost in Space is a classic 1960s sci-fi television series that follows the adventures of the Robinson family, their pilot, a reluctant stowaway, and a robot as they attempt to survive after their spacecraft is knocked wildly off course.
  • Years Active: 1965–1968 (3 seasons, 84 episodes)

  • Creator: Irwin Allen

  • Main Cast: Guy Williams (John Robinson), June Lockhart (Maureen Robinson), Mark Goddard (Don West), Marta Kristen (Judy Robinson), Angela Cartwright (Penny Robinson), Bill Mumy (Will Robinson), Jonathan Harris (Dr. Zachary Smith), and Bob May / Dick Tufeld (The Robot).

Major Production Blooper: The “Two-Legged” Alien Monkey

In the first season, Penny Robinson adopts an alien pet named Bloop (or the “Debbie the Bloop”). Because the budget couldn’t afford a complex animatronic, the production crew put a furry alien costume mask and makeup on a live chimpanzee named Judy (who was borrowed from Daktari).

The major, hilarious blooper occurred because chimpanzees frequently despise wearing headpieces. During several takes, the chimp would get annoyed, rip the alien ears right off her head, and break character by dropping to all fours or chewing on the props. Despite editing efforts, sharp-eyed viewers can easily spot moments where the “alien” looks exactly like a frustrated Earth chimpanzee trying to claw out of its costume.
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