The Production Guide
Martin Landau archives
Hold the unit together

A draft letter from Martin Landau to producer Gerry Anderson, dated 25th April 1975. If completed and sent, this would have been typed up by his secretary.

The first series had completed filming, and they would soon prepare the publicity tour for the first broadcasts in August and September. They were also waiting for ITC to commission a second series, although that decision would not arrive until December.

In a US television series of the time, a second series normally followed quickly after the first, sometimes with just a short break of a few months. After the series ended, actors, directors and crew would look for their next job, and the longer the gap, the more likely you would lose valuable talent. Landau mentions specifically the studio stages, which could be booked by other productions, and then the SFX crew.

The later comments are unclear, but the "concessions" suggest changes for the second series were being proposed (we don't know from who, but this is long before Fred Freiberger was involved). Those concessions could be a faster schedule, as proposed later.

April 25 75

Gerry -

I think it's important that you hold the unit together -

Get the stages in order - at a 'good' price - (if nothing is a good price)

Keep the special effects people together - for they are invaluable + have perfected their skills to an incredible point.

If we lose that - as you've said, you have in the past - it means starting afresh over! And that's a bad trip!

But we can't at this time make any concessions - for we feel, the concessions we could make would not compensate for what else will happen - but then hope is spent - every month - every week for that matter - + it would not serve as well - either here - nor there- to make these kinds of adjustments -

We never have - not will we! A few go ahead - to them - on getting levels you have + exclude with relation to your pdr

I understand you need to keep things from scattering. However - - - !?1?!

This is the stand we must take,

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