Irwin Allen Television Productions

Irwin Allen Television Productions, 1964-1970
A Critical History of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, The Time Tunnel and Land of the Giants

It took me a week to go through every page and before I post my review of this book, I'd like to add a brief commentary that explains why this book may or may not be good for you. For many years, McFarland Publishing, located in North Carolina, was a company that provided a product you could feel certain you got your money's worth. Their books were (and still are) expensive. I paid as much as $95 for a book, but always believed that it was worth every penny. Reference works that were well-researched, and completely thorough. You knew what you were getting when the subtitle read "A History," "A Biography" or "Complete Episode Guide." Then they began putting out hap-hazard publications that were not well researched, laden with errors and when you contacted the publishing company about the errors, they didn't bother responding with concern. Sometime around 1992 or 1993 I began noticing a lack of quality in their books and began sending a few back for a refund or credit. Their book on Raymond Burr, for example, was purchased in 1999 and when I discovered a listing of his radio work wasn't even complete (it had about a tenth of his radio credits), I sent it back. 

Lately, McFarland has been publishing more books with subtitles such as "A Critical History," "Essays About..." and "Collected Essays." Which means you are not buying a reference guide, but someone's critical opinions (much like book reviews) posing as thorough reference guides. Some people prefer essays and critical opinions and if that is what you crave, you'll love this book. However, if you want a reference guide that provides more information than what you can gleam looking up imdb, then do not buy this book.

It appears half of the trivia and criticism is nothing more than brief biographies and screen credits of actors who made guest appearances. An example? Under the pilot episode of Lost in Space, the author writes: "The President of the USA in 1997 is portrayed by Ford Rainey, who had previously played the role in "Hot Line" and "Doomsday," two episodes of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (set in the '70s!) and would play Abraham Lincoln in "The Death Trap," an episode of The Time Tunnel. He was demoted to a mere General in Allen's short promo film for The Man from the 25th Century, an unsold series concept. Other SF roles include two episodes of The Invaders, "Panic" and "Summit Meeting," and "I, Robot" for The Outer Limits. He was frequently cast as figures of authority, and never failed to transcend the visual cliche and give them depth. Rainey also appeared in "The Bionic Woman" and "The Return of the Bionic Woman," two landmark episodes of The Six Million Dollar Man, and then in "The Bionic Dog," an episode of the Bionic Woman series. He also had brief roles in episodes of the classy '80s series Wiseguy and China Beach."

Now I ask, what does most of this have to do with the pilot episode of Lost in Space? Many episodes feature lists like this and while it might be cool to know the name of the guy in the rubber monster suit, it gets boring to read a lengthy paragraph listing the Republic cliffhanger serials and television appearances and movies he also appeared in. Frankly, it steers away from the subject at hand. Most of his references, as evident in the bibliography and the text (should you choose to do what I did and read it from page one to page 321), came from articles in TV Zone and Starlog. Plot summaries for episodes are reduced to a single sentence each. Photographs are the same ones that have appeared in magazine articles.

In short, while it was an interesting read and I did learn a few things and there was a bit of trivia here and there regarding certain episodes, I felt I could have gotten more just by browsing the internet. The retail price is a bit steep for a book of this count. I paid $39.95 for the paperback version and I felt it was only worth half that price. Remember, I have paid as much as $95 for books totaling 300 pages and those I found to be worth the price. I don't gauge the value of a book by the price or the page count. Simply by the contents.

Worst thing I can say about this book is that it makes those amateur, unauthorized, homemade books put out by Alpha Control Press, even with grammatical errors and mistakes, a bargain of a price. And that speaks volumes.

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Science Fiction Theatre: Television Program

From 1955 to 1957, Science Fiction Theatre, a semi-documentary series, explored the "what ifs" of modern science. Placing an emphasis on science before fiction, television viewers were treated to a variety of complex challenges from mental telepathy, robots, man-eating ants, killer trees, man's first flight into outer space and the possibility of visitation from outer space. Hosted by Truman Bradley, a former radio news commentator, Science Fiction Theatre became an influential program for the time, courtesy of Ivan Tors, a man with a healthy regard for science and nature. 

Hollywood actors Gene Barry, Ruth Hussey, Gene Lockhart, Basil Rathbone, Howard Duff, William Lundigan and Vincent Price are but a few who lent their talents. This 530-page book documents the entire history of the television program with biographies about Fred Ziv, Ivan Tors and Truman Bradley; behind-the-scenes production details; and an episode guide for all 78 episodes including dates of production, fake science props, cast list, salary fees, location shooting, and much more!

I am not exaggerating about the details. The talent fees for every actor who appeared on the series is provided. The dates of production, location shooting, behind-the-scenes trivia, original story treatments and plot proposals that later became actual shooting scripts, and much more. The photographs are magnificent. All behind-the-scenes photos reveal the inner workings of the series and this is the cream and sugar on a meats and potatoes book. Grams continues to set the standard of how books on retro television should be written and published.

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Barbara Payton: Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye

Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye: The Barbara Payton Story is the heartbreaking saga of the wild and free-spirited actress who hit Hollywood in the late 1940s, equipped with little more than a suitcase full of dreams, a ravenous hunger for fame and a devastating beauty---only to see each one of her dreams destroyed by a disastrous private life that led her straight through the gates of Hell. Gutsy, vulnerable--and doomed--Barbara Payton blazed across the motion picture stratosphere in record-time, only to collapse in a catastrophic free-fall from which she would never recover.

Payton first gained notice in the 1949 film noir, Trapped, co-starring Lloyd Bridges. In 1950, she was given the opportunity to make a screen test for John Huston's production of the forthcoming MGM crime drama The Asphalt Jungle. She wasn't chosen and the part of the sultry mistress of a mob connected lawyer went to Marilyn Monroe.

After being screen-tested by James Cagney and his producer brother William, Payton starred with Cagney in the violent noir thriller Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye in 1950. William Cagney was so smitten with Payton's sensual appeal and beauty that her contract was drawn as a joint agreement between William Cagney Productions and Warner Brothers who together saw fit to bestow on Payton a salary of $5,000 a week; a large sum for an actress yet to demonstrate star power at the box-office.

Rumor has it that Hollywood is in the process of making a big screen bio pic about Barbara Payton with Scarlet Johanssen in the lead. I hope it works out. I never heard of Barbara Payton until I got this book and read it (took me four days to read). 470 pages thick and small print. And I enjoyed every bit of this book. The author, John O'Dowd, should be commended for his hard work because it shows. Archival photos from USC, UCLA, the Library of Congress and many others were consulted and they are reprinted with glorious quality. Another winner from Bear Manor Media.

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Boris Karloff: The Man Remembered

Since his death in 1969, Boris Karloff remains one of Hollywood’s most famous figures. He is still revered for his talent, his many qualities that earned him admiration and respect, and, of course, his landmark role as the Monster in the 1931 movie classic Frankenstein.This biography, the result of many years of interviews and extensive research, examines Karloff the person, as well as the actor. His work (which lasted more than half a century) in films, radio, television, and the theater is covered in detail, highlighted with accounts by many who knew him and worked with him. Among the contributors are Robert Anderson, Peter Bogdanovich, Ray Bradbury, Julie Harris, Tony Randall, Ronald Reagan, Eli Wallach, and Jonathan Winters. With the support of the Karloff family, Gordon Shriver pays tribute to this much-loved performer who will never be forgotten.

Gord Shriver wrote a facinating look at Boris Karloff and is perhaps the most obscure of the Karloff books out there. This is a result of a small press that doesn't market the book very well. Every Karloff historian who thinks they have every Karloff book ever printed might be surprised to discover they don't have this one. The book is loaded with interviews with cast and crew who worked with Karloff, offering a perspective most books don't offer. A great read and not dry with facts like an encyclopedia. A great read.

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American Old-Time Radio Networks

This book is a history of commercial broadcast radio networks in the United States from the 1920s to the present. It covers the four transcontinental webs that operated during the pre-television Golden Age, plus local and regional hookups, and the developments that have occurred in the decades since, including the impact of television, rise of the disc jockey, the rise of talk radio and other specialized formats, implications of satellite technology and consolidation of networks and local stations.

I am not a fan of the history of old-time radio, but I enjoy listening to the shows. This book is not centered on any specific genre or radio program. It covers all the larger and independent radio chains such as the Texas State Network, the Don Lee Broadcasting System and the Liberty Broadcasting System, among others. Lengthy chapters on ABC, Mutual, CBS and NBC are included. A chapter about the FCC and their earliest efforts at censorship are included. The best part was on page 191 that documents (briefly) Ed Wynn's Amalgamated Broadcasting System.

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Wagon Train: The Television Series

The text gives you a basic history of the show with commentary from the remaining series stars - Robert Horton, Denny Miller, Robert Fuller - and assorted guest stars. The exclusive interviews the author was able to compile is extraordinary. Directors, assistants and authors were also interviewed. Jim Rosin then organized the commentary from his interviews to let everyone else tell the story. Kind of a written transcript of a filmed documentary. The book also covers the impact of Ward Bond's death during season four, Robert Horton's departure at the end of season five, and the subsequent three seasons with different leads.

There are a lot of gorgeous photographs inside. The episode is a bit skimmed, and I am ashamed to say you can get the same information plus more on any website including imdb and tv.com. Most books offer more than what you find on the web. There is no index which makes it difficult to find your favorite episode. What was the title of the episode with Michael Rennie? You have to flip through the pages till you find it.

I discovered there are two versions of this book, the second one pictured above. A nice attractive cover. The publishing company, Autumn Road, is apparently an independent that offers a quality product. The pages are thicker than usual books so you can tell money was backed into the quality. If the company ever decided to offer a more expanded edition, with an index, it would be a welcome addition to my collection.

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Francis X. Bushman, actor

Francis X. Bushman had a life like no other. He was the screen's first great romantic idol, a bodybuilder, an artist's model, a Broadway and stock company actor, a husband (four times), a father (six times), a dog breeder, a songwriter, a vaudeville headliner, a radio performer, a television personality, a senior citizens' advocate. He lived an exaggerated life, both as a free-spending multi-millionaire star and a bankrupt has-been. After all the accolades and criticisms, he was that rare kind of man who had no regrets.

Lon Davis has written a number of books about silent cinema and has made a name for himself with preserving a large part of Hollywood history with his tomes. He doesn't speed his books out and he takes his time to do it right. This is one of those books that I wish more people wrote about silent screen heroes.

Some of the photographs are truly rare because I have never seen many of them. I have a collection of Francis X. Bushman photos and sent them to a magazine recently for publication. Bushman's widow wrote the introduction, a joyous surprise. his entire story is told chronologically and each chapter is devoted to a time period. 1911-1915, 1915-1918, etc.

To get an idea of how in-depth Lon Davis got with his book, he even covers Bushman's television and radio credits and did not stay with just the silver screen. With having to write an awful book review the other day it makes me happy to know I can still balance the reviews with books like this. way to go, Lon!

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