Catacombs Reference LibraryPress
Space 1999 lands on TV
Catacombs Reference Library
TV Week, Aug 17-Aug 23, 1975, cover and page 17, The Sun-Telegram, San Bernardino, California. The TV station is KHJ in Los Angeles.
Space: 1999, a new syndicated science-fiction series, will be seen (via a Special Preview in Southern California ONLY) on KHJ, Channel 9. Saturday (Aug. 23) from 7 to 8PM. The all-new. series will be seen on a weekly basis this Fall on Channel 9 in that same time period beginning Saturday (Sept. 20). It will also Premiere on both KERO, Channel 23, 6 in Bakersfield, and on KGTV, Channel 10, San Diego on Saturday (Sept. 13) a week earlier-at 7 to 8PM. The new series stars Martin Landau and Barbara Bain (teaming for the first time since their appearance together in their memorable run on Mission Impossible) and Barry Morse, best remembered as Lt. Gerard on The Fugitive.
Filmed in England and produced by ITC at a cost of $6,500,000, the series is set in 1999, when the moon is blasted out of earth's orbit. On it are 311 men and women from all nations of Earth. originally based there to man an early-warning defense system and to repel invaders. The catastrophe is caused by a series of spectacular thermonuclear explosions that tear away portions of the moon and completely alter its gravitational relationship with Earth.
With Moonbase Alpha intact, the remainder of the moon careens inexorably away from Earth. It can never return, and becomes the only world for its inhabitants whose goal now is to find a compatible planet on which to settle. Self-sustaining. the base is able to maintain survival conditions. Food, air and water recycling installations are powered with atomic and solar energy. All systems necessary for life functions of the people. and the computer-governed operations of the complex machinery are operative-making the run- away moon totally self-supporting.
Space: 1999 also utilizes the most spectacular array of hardware' ever built for a television series. All sorts of space ships, space gear and the entire catalog of futuristic equipment required for life in space has been constructed for the production. For the ultimate in detail, the internationally known fashion designer, Rudi Gernreich, has created costumes, projecting his conception of styles in the year 2000. In addition, the special effects and photography have produced many incredible scenes that lend excitement and suspense to the thought-provoking stories. Credit must go in particular to two men, Brian Johnson, designer and director of the special effects department (best known for his amazing events in 2001, A Space Odyssey and The Tamarind Seed) and special effects director Nick Allder (credits include Khartoum, A Man for All Seasons, and The Battle of Britain.)
Martin Landau stars as Commander John Koenig who was assigned the awesome responsibility of commanding Moonbase Alpha, Earth's outpost in space, for his combination of outstanding leader- ship qualities, superior space knowledge and unequalled administrative ability. An American, Commander Koenig is an astrophysicist of high repute who has been a pilot and an astronaut in his time. Asked to help on Alpha's design, he has been gradually drawn into the project and finally persuaded to become its Commander.
As Dr. Helena Russell, Barbara Bain is the Chief Medical Officer on the new world, and her sphere of influence extends to Commander Koenig, with whom she has an understandable close relationship based on mutual respect and attraction. Also an American, she is the daughter of a West Coast physician and has followed in her father's medical footsteps, gradually expanding into the challenges of space medicine, rising in her profession to become Moonbase Alpha's Chief of Medical Section.
Professor Victor Bergman (Barry Morse) is the scientist whose remarkable work is most responsible for the establishment of Moonbase Alpha. He has also developed most of the equipment in use there. At one time Commander Koenig's mentor and teacher, the professor has remained a close personal friend.
Both Martin Landau and Barbara Bain are life members of the famed actors studio, where Martin also teaches. Ms. Bain holds the distinction of being the only actress to have won three Emmy's three years in a row-as Best Actress. The new series is also well stocked with internationally acclaimed stars in important guest roles.