Catacombs Reference Library
Space 1999 - WTVJ PRESS RELEASE

WTVJ channel 4 in Miami, Florida, released this 2 page press release for the start of Year 1. Note the reference to Earth's early warning defence system - an early concept completely missing from the series format as filmed.

WTVJ NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Lynn Patrick
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"SPACE: 1999"

MARTIN LANDAU AND BARBARA BAIN TO STAR
IN SPECTACULAR, NEW SCIENCE FICTION SERIES

This Fall the husband and wife team of Martin Landau and Barbara Bain will be brought together for the first time since co-starring in "Mission: Impossible" to star in the most expensive and spectacular space science fiction series ever produced for television - "Space: 1999." The hour-long series will premiere on WTVJ, Channel 4 Wednesday, September 10 at 7:00 p.m.

Barry Morse, who is best remembered as Lt. Gerard in "The Fugitive," will also star with the Landaus in "Space: 1999." Produced by the Independent Television Corporation at a cost of $6,500,000, the series is set far out in space where 311 men and women originally based on Earth's moon find themselves launched on an unexpected journey across the universe.

The story opens in the year 1999 when the moon is blasted out of Earth's orbit by a spectacular thermonuclear explosion. With it is launched Moonbase Alpha and the men and women who were based there from all the nations of the Earth to man an early warning defense system.

Weekly adventures on "Space: 1999" will depict their quest for a compatible planet, struggles for survival, defense against the fantastic life forms found in space and conflict with the awesome forces of the universe itself.

Martin Landau will portray Commander John Koenig, who has the overwhelming responsibility of commanding Moonbase Alpha. Barbara Bain will play the part of Dr. Helena Russell, the Chief Medical Officer on the new world whose sphere of influence extends to Commander Koenig, with whom she shares a close relationship based on mutual respect and attraction. Barry Morse will portray Professor Victor Bergman -- the scientist whose remarkable work is most responsible for the establishment of Moonbase Alpha. Together the three form the triumverate which makes the heavy decisions on which the fate of the space travelers depends.

Such internationally-acclaimed stars as Catherine Schell, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and Joan Collins will also be featured in important guest roles on "Space: 1999." Producing the series is Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, who have been producing science fiction films for TV and motion picture release for the past 12 years. Brian Johnson designed and engineered the exciting and imaginative special effects for the series, and internationally-known fashion designer Rudi Gernreich created the space-age costumes.