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Saga

Saga

Saga (strapline "Adventure Stories for Men") was originally a Macfadden title from the 1950s, full of war and cowboy stories, but by the 1970s it was into conspiracy theories, UFOs and sensationalist articles. The February 1976 issue, volume 51 number 5, had a cover photo and colour article, pages 39-41, "Blasting into the future with Space: 1999", alongside articles about Evil Knievel and Nazis. The magazine ended in the 1980s.

There was another 3 page article in October 1976 about Year 2, titled "The Other Side Of The Universe" (p47-49).

This season's television sensation, Space 1999, has grabbed the nation's imagination. Is this series an actual look at life in the 21st Century?

Space: 1999, the most expensive and spectacular science fiction series ever produced for television has be- come this year's TV sensation. Produced by ITC at a cost of $6.5 million, the series is set beyond the turn of the century, far out in space where 311 men and women originally based on the Moon find themselves launched on an unexpected journey across the universe.

Space: 1999 utilizes the most awe- some array of "hardware" since the classic film by Stanley Kubrick 2001, A Space Odyssey. All sorts of ships, space gear, and the entire catalogue of futuristic equipment required for life in space has been constructed especially for the show. For the ultimate in detail, the internationally known fashion de- signer, Rudi Gernreich, has created costumes, projecting his conception of styles in the year 2000.

A key to the series, of course, is the special effects and photography that makes many a viewer feel he is aboard Moon Base Alpha with Commander Koenig (Martin Landau) and Dr. Helena Russell (Barbara Bain). The men responsible for some of the most vivid, exciting, and imaginative aspects of Space: 1999 are Brian Johnson, designer and director of special effects department, and special effects director Nick Allder. As a matter of fact, Johnson was responsible for the amazing events seen in 2001 and is the genius behind the 12-man team of special effects and camera crew for Space: 1999. Allder is the leader behind the camera and has worked on many award winning films.

Whether the adventures of the men and women aboard Moon Base Alpha will take place 25 years from now is pure speculation. But we're sure if they asked any of the millions of viewers of Space: 1999 to join up for a tour of duty as a crew member there'd be no shortage of takers. Next stop is Jupiter. Anyone care to sign up?