The Fantasy Worlds Of Irwin Allen

Once upon a time there was a young man who absolutely loved radio and movies. So much so, that he decided to make them his life work.

After struggling in Hollywood for years and learning and picking up tips from radio and movie making professionals, he took a step of faith.

At first he became a radio DJ, writer and producer.

Soon he was writing, directing and producing his own films of all genres from documentaries to Westerns, crime and mystery and much more.

So successful were his films that he garnered quite a name for himself among the Hollywood studios and executives. One of his biggest friends and supporters was the comedian Groucho Marx.

Known for his cost-cutting, and talent for bringing films on time and under budget Irwin Allen soon became a talent to be reckoned with.

Before long he graduated from making ‘B’ movies to big budget films, again in all genres.

When television started to garner more and more viewers Irwin took a bold step and started to make TV films and ventured into TV programs.

You might recognize a few of them: Lost In Space, The Time Tunnel, Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea, Land Of The Giants and a few lesser know series.

So successful were his TV series that once again Hollywood movie executives came knocking on his door.

Beginning with The Poseidon Adventure (which became a mega-movie super hit) Irwin followed with a string of ‘disaster’ films each popular and successful in their own right. He also continued to dabble in TV series and films.

Actors, actresses, production crews and directors appreciated Irwin’s talent and most liked him despite his tendency to bark orders and cut costs.

Did you know that Irwin introduced to the world a future musical giant? Does the name John Williams sound familiar? It should, he’s responsible for blockbuster movie soundtracks for such films as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jaws, E.T. and dozens more.

In The Fantasy Worlds Of Irwin Allen by author Jeff Bond, with a foreword by Billy Mumy and published by Titan Books, the life and career of Irwin Allen is documented beginning when he was a young man up until his death.

The book contains hundred of photos, production art, behind-the-scenes candid photos and merchandise and promotional images along with commentaries and memories from film and TV individuals in front of and behind the cameras.

The huge hardbound book (almost 1 1/2 inches thick) is so jam-packed with photos and text it will literally take hours just to pour over the material let alone read it.

On a personal note: I absolutely loved his 1960s’ TV shows. I was a huge fan of Lost In Space, The Time Tunnel et al. I really enjoyed his disaster films and many of his later TV and movie films and TV shows.

This is a great book not just about an amazing individual, but also about his ground-breaking work, the inner workings of the film and TV industries, production challenges, set designs, costumes, special effects-and all things film and TV. I highly recommend it.

I just love looking at the photos and art spotlighting scene set-ups, practical visual effects, rehearsals and more.

Psalms 126:5 - They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.