Catacombs Reference LibraryPress
Space: 1999 May Fill A Void
Catacombs Reference LibraryThis was an agency news report by John Hanauer that was syndicated to local newspapers in the USA on 18 September 1975. It also appeared under the title "Effects great, but where's humor" [sic](28 September)
by John Hanauer
NEW YORK (UPI) - Those science fiction fans who have been lamenting the loss of "Star Trek" may find solace in "Space: 1999"
While the networks have been busily imitating themselves and each other, alternating situation comedies with detective stories and doctor dramas, Independent Television Corporation has produced a $6 5 million series of 24 one hour episodes of expensively crafted, beautifully detailed science fiction epic for syndication.
"Space: 1999" has been bought by about 150 stations, almost all of them network affiliates. Some have already put the show on the air or are about to do so. Others are holding it in reserve in case the natives get restless with standard network fare.
The show has been put together in England but stars the American husband-wife acting team of Martin Landau and Barbara Bain, last seen together in "Mission: Impossible."
The real stars of the show, however, are the special effects people who have put together a daring look into a possible future.
The first show sets up the series premise. Martin Landau commands the earth station on the moon, Moonbase Alpha, and Miss Bain is its chief medical officer, British actor -Barry Morse (Lt. Gerard In "The Fugitive") plays a scientist-friend-adviser to Landau and Bain.
The moon is being used as a dump for radioactive garbage. Because of a peculiar scientific effect, which appears logical if you don't stare at it hard, a catastrophic explosion blasts the moon out of its earth orbit onto an uncharted journey beyond our solar system.
Moonbase Alpha remains intact to support life for the 300 men and women based there. Their quest is for a world on which they can settle but a lot happens along the way.
The explosions look like the Fourth of July gone bananas, the sets have the stark simplicity that is as traditional to the make-believe future as the claw foot is to Georgian furniture, and the jersey costumes are by Rudi Gernreich.
There are bound to be comparisons with "Star Trek." For openers, this is a more expensive production, although in a later episode the aliens shown look like leftovers from an Enterprise adventure.
If two episodes are any guide, this show, like "Star Trek," draws on classic science fiction for its themes, a distinct plus that puts It light years ahead of kiddie-level science fiction efforts such as "Lost in Space" or "The Starlost "
Its strength is in its glorious special effects, which are given the kind of tender loving care in detail seldom seen on the small screen. This show cries for color viewing - it just won't be as effective in black and white, and in those areas where reception is tricky the audience will lose out.
The series' weaknesses are in characterization and humor, both of which are too little in evidence. Space: 1999 needs to draw its audience into closer identity and empathy with its leading characters, who have all the warmth of a computer readout...
As for humor, forget it - certainly that's what Space: 1999 did. The show isn't funny but for science fiction fans it surely is fun.