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By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the problem of nuclear waste disposal had become a global issue. To help solve it, a base with an international staff was established on the moon. It served as a research facility for various aspects of the space program, at the same time it monitored the disposal and storage of all nuclear waste being shipped from Earth to the moon. But, as could be ex- pected when humans are involved, something went wrong. A previously unknown form of magnetic radiation began to build up in the disposal areas. Action was taken quickly, but not soon enough. On September 13, 1999, the moon, Moonbase Alpha, and her 311 person crew were blasted from Earth orbit by a tremendous nuclear ex- plosion. The disaster caused untold damage on Earth and placed the moon on a trajectory out of the solar system, forcing the Alphans to become totally self sufficient, and begin the search for a new planet they could claim, settle and call home. PUTTING IT TOGETHER Thus was the basic premise of Gerry Andersion's science fiction spectacular. Space: 1999 was filmed at Pinewood and Bray Studios just outside London. Anderson, perhaps best known for his supermarionation series such as Thun- derbirds and Stingray, brought together an impressive group of people to create the most expensive television series to date. Brain John- son created and supervised production of the special effects at Bray Studios. The late composer Barry Grey developed the haunting, yet moving music that would compliment the ac- tion of the first series of episodes. Rudi Gernreich, known worldwide for his fashion creations, was brought in to design the Mooncity costumes. Knowing he would have to capture the American audience to make his series a success, Anderson did his best to do just that. He came to America to cast the parts of the two leading characters, Commander John Koenig and Medical Officer Doctor Helena Russell. Commander John Koenig, native of Brooklyn, New York, was born at the beginning of the United States venture, the venture that would lead into space and to the world of 1999. He grew up with space flight and lunar landings. |
He turned his early childhood interest in space into practical applications as an astrophysicist. He was involved in much of the early deep space ex- ploration, but found himself aimed more toward the administrative aspect of the space program as he approached middle age. It was his reputation as a top administrator that landed him on the moon, in command of Moonbase Alpha, only days before its departure from Earth. Brooklyn native Martin Landau was Anderson' choice to portray John Koenig. Probably best known for his role as Rollin Hand in the popular American series Mission: Impossible, Landau liked what he saw and agreed to take the part. It meant moving to London for an extended period of time, but the move posed no real problem as his wife, Barbara Bain, best known for her role as Cinnamon Carter also on Mission: Impossible, was to portray Doctor Helena Russell. They simply moved their family from Beverly Hills to London for the duration of the filming. Chicage born and bred Helena Russell opted for the medical field. She chose the area of space medicine as her specialty, and was awarded many prizes and honors for her advances in the field. After the death of her astronaut husband, Doctor Russell was offered the position of Chief Medical Officer on Moonbase Alpha, an oppor- tunity she could not turn down. Also on the base at the time of Breakaway was Professor Victor Bergman, a Nobel Prize winning scien- tist. There as a civilian on a research project, Bergman became chief advisor and confidant to his long-time friend, John Koenig. Bergman acted as a calming influence on all of the Alphans and had the singular distinction of being the only man to have suc- cessfully accepted an artificial, mechanical heart. Some believed that enabled him to detach himself from the stresses felt by the others, to free him- self of the emotions that often caused a difficulty in judgement among the other humans. Barry Morse brought Victor Bergman to life for the first series of episodes. The Canadian actor was well known for his stage and movie work, as well |
as his role of Lt. Philip Gerard on the American series The Fugitive from 1963-1967. Contract problems prevented Barry from returning to the role when the second series began filming, but he has not been idle. Most recently Barry could be seen in the syndicated miniseries Sadat, portraying Israeli Prime Minister Begin, and in London Weekend TV's Whoops, Apocalypse. Actors and acresses known to European audiences were brought in to fill the roles of the secondary charac- ters. Australian born Nick Tate por- trayed Chief Eagle Pilot Captain Alan Carter, also a native of Australia. Zienia Merton was cast in the role of Data Analyst Sandra Benes; Prentice Hancock landed the role of Paul Morrow. Alpha's Chief Controller, and second in line for official com- mand of Alpha. Finally, Clifton Jones was Alpha's computer expert, David Kano. CHANGING STYLES Not until the entire first series of twenty-four episodes was complete did Anderson and ITC begin marketing Space: 1999. They sold all two dozen episodes in one packeage. All three major American networks turned the series down, but individual stations snapped it up quickly. Many saw it as a welcome alternative to network programming, and some even preem- ted the scheduled network offerings to air 1999 instead. Although the American response was not as over- whelming as they hoped, there was enough interest to create a second series of episodes. Over a year had passed between the wrapup of the first season and the beginning of the second. Some of the previous cast and crew were not available, so major changes had to be made. Anderson's producer for the first series, Sylvia Anderson, had moved on to other projects, so Freddie Freiberger was brought in as producer (you may remember him from the third season of Star Trek). He instigated many of the cast and format changes. Gone were many of the Year One secondary characters, including Paul Morrow, David Kano and Victor Bergman. Ex- planations of their individual fates |
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