Of course, once Harris converted Smith from a "cunning villain" into a "crafty, but lovable coward" a few episodes later, he became the "star" of the series, and stayed, keeping his "Special Guest Star" status through the entire series.
After the pilot was filmed, Irwin realized he needed "something" to add suspense and tension for the first few episodes (in which he "stretched out" scenes from the original pilot film), so he created "Colonel {Dr.} Zachary Smith", the enemy agent who ended up going along with the Robinsons for the ride. Jonathan Harris realized this was a "golden opportunity" for him, and finagled a deal with Allen to appear in the first few episodes, with "Special Guest Star" billing...
Yes, this promo was prepared before the series' premiere in September 1965; footage from the unaired version of the pilot was used, with music cues from "Nervous Man In A Four Dollar Room"- and one from Fred Steiner's "A Hundred Yards Over the Rim" at the end- utilized for this promo.
If you're paying attention, you'll notice the absence of Dr. Smith and the Robot in this promo. That's because the footage shown here was from the original pilot that didn't include the characters of Smith and the Robot.
In the 1970s WTAF channel 29 Philadelphia used to play this commercial to advertise when they were showing reruns of Lost in Space. I have a reel audio recording of it from 40 years ago. This is the only CBS network promo I have ever seen for Lost in Space yet CBS must have made others. Thanks for sharing.
@IstvanN1961 In the summer of '68, the network put together a much different style of commercial. The survival angle of the one shown here was tossed out in favor of an emphasis on the sheer fantasy trip that the show had become. The narrative went something like, "You'll see aliens; Flying saucers; Interplanetary travel at the blink of an eye!". The spot closed with the summation, "Tune in each week for wacky, way-out futuristic adventure!". The images were taken from year three episode clips.
@IstvanN1961 If only. I have not seen the commercial since, nor does anyone else seem to remember it. Yet I know it wasn't a dream, as I distinctly remember our local south Florida CBS affiliate running it repeatedly on weekend afternoons...They had their own copy which they used to fill out commercial breaks.
@danzamphi I remember this promo well, from the summer of 1965. I was a small child at the time, but it really stuck with me. The music used is a Jerry Goldsmith composition from the "Twilight Zone" episode titled "Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room". I will never forget it!
Oh, yes, Allen also knew he HAD to add some kind of futuristic "companion" for the Robinsons, and came up with "B-9"...
fromthesidelines 1 week ago
Of course, once Harris converted Smith from a "cunning villain" into a "crafty, but lovable coward" a few episodes later, he became the "star" of the series, and stayed, keeping his "Special Guest Star" status through the entire series.
fromthesidelines 1 week ago
After the pilot was filmed, Irwin realized he needed "something" to add suspense and tension for the first few episodes (in which he "stretched out" scenes from the original pilot film), so he created "Colonel {Dr.} Zachary Smith", the enemy agent who ended up going along with the Robinsons for the ride. Jonathan Harris realized this was a "golden opportunity" for him, and finagled a deal with Allen to appear in the first few episodes, with "Special Guest Star" billing...
fromthesidelines 1 week ago
OMG! It's been a long time since I've seen this network tv promo for"LIS".Thanks for bringing it back all of us here at"You Tube!".
4thekidsTV 4 months ago
@4thekidsTV You are welcome!
helenofirvine 4 months ago
Is that why doctor smith was a permanent special guest star?
starsiegeplayer 5 months ago
Before the Doctor & Robot even :) QC
Quaaludedude714 5 months ago
Yes, this promo was prepared before the series' premiere in September 1965; footage from the unaired version of the pilot was used, with music cues from "Nervous Man In A Four Dollar Room"- and one from Fred Steiner's "A Hundred Yards Over the Rim" at the end- utilized for this promo.
fromthesidelines 7 months ago
If you're paying attention, you'll notice the absence of Dr. Smith and the Robot in this promo. That's because the footage shown here was from the original pilot that didn't include the characters of Smith and the Robot.
Actionguy1 9 months ago
In the 1970s WTAF channel 29 Philadelphia used to play this commercial to advertise when they were showing reruns of Lost in Space. I have a reel audio recording of it from 40 years ago. This is the only CBS network promo I have ever seen for Lost in Space yet CBS must have made others. Thanks for sharing.
IstvanN1961 1 year ago
@IstvanN1961 You are welcome!
helenofirvine 1 year ago
@IstvanN1961 In the summer of '68, the network put together a much different style of commercial. The survival angle of the one shown here was tossed out in favor of an emphasis on the sheer fantasy trip that the show had become. The narrative went something like, "You'll see aliens; Flying saucers; Interplanetary travel at the blink of an eye!". The spot closed with the summation, "Tune in each week for wacky, way-out futuristic adventure!". The images were taken from year three episode clips.
danzamphi 1 year ago
@danzamphi I would love to see that!
IstvanN1961 1 year ago
@IstvanN1961 If only. I have not seen the commercial since, nor does anyone else seem to remember it. Yet I know it wasn't a dream, as I distinctly remember our local south Florida CBS affiliate running it repeatedly on weekend afternoons...They had their own copy which they used to fill out commercial breaks.
danzamphi 1 year ago
@danzamphi I remember this promo well, from the summer of 1965. I was a small child at the time, but it really stuck with me. The music used is a Jerry Goldsmith composition from the "Twilight Zone" episode titled "Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room". I will never forget it!
Actionguy1 11 months ago