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Science-fiction series set for fall TV
Catacombs Reference LibrarySan Antonio Express (Texas), September 1975.
By Leona Pappas, Television Editor
The time is 1999
The place?
The moon.
"Space: 1999" the most expensive space science-fiction series ever produced for television will be on the air this fall in San Antonio. It will be seen on KSAT-TV each week.
Starring Martin Landau, Barbara Bain and Barry Morse. the series was produced in England by Sir Lew Grade's ATV organization.
Since the demise of the popular "Star Trek" series on NBC, television viewers have been chomping at the bit for more. There have been many efforts to get one of the networks to start up production again on "Star Trek." But to no avail.
So, Sir Lew picked up the ball and ran with it. He has 24 episodes of the series ready, at a cost of S6,500,000.
As "Space 1999" begins, the folly of man's decision to store atomic waste matter on the far side of the moon results in a catastrophe.
A series of thermonuclear explosions occur that tear away portions of the moon and completely alter its gravitational relationship with Earth. The moon is blasted out of Earth's orbit. It can never return.
Aboard are 311 helpless, hopeless inhabitants, whose goal now is to find a compatible planet on which to settle. Thus a fateful journey of 311 men and women begins.
This is the first series Landau and Miss Bain have worked together since "Mission: Impossible." Landau stars as Commander Koenig, leader of Moonbase Alpha. Miss Bain stars as Dr. Helena Russell, chief medical officer of the new world of Moonbase Alpha. Morse is Professor Victor Bergman. a scientist who was most responsible for the establishment of the operation.
Morse will be remembered in his role as Lt. Gerard in "The Fugitive." He was the pursuer of David Janssen.
"Our intent was to produce a series which would finally fulfil the original intent of the Prime Time Access Rule." said Abe Mandell, president of Independent Television Corporation. the New York- based arm of ATV
"The economics of our industry have provided a safe return on prime time access programming for properties costing in the area of S40.000 a half hour. But animal and game shows, on tape, are really not what the Rule is all about.
"We produced a series that has every buiklt-in PLUS we could think of. This may be considered a challenge to network programming."
Space: 1999 copyright ITV