Wagon Train
Space Craze of the 1960's
July 03, 2010
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
NASA’s Golden Age of Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo during the 1960’s inspired television decision makers to use space as a theme.
I Dream of Jeannie featured Larry Hagman as Tony Nelson, an astronaut in the starring male role. Several scenes featured Captain (later Major) Nelson’s job responsibilities at Cape Canaveral, known as Cape Kennedy from 1963 to 1973. Nelson lived in a small house in Cocoa Beach with Jeannie, a beautiful blonde genie played by Barbara Eden who couldn’t stop herself form trying to help her master. Nelson met Jeannie after his space capsule splashed down and he washed up on the beach. He found her bottle, opened it, and out came Jeannie. He rescued her and she served him as payback. Eventually, they married.
Set in the future, Star Trek explored worlds, universes, and planets. The U.S.S. Enterprise went where no man had gone before. Essentially Wagon Train in space, Star Trek showcased the adventures of the Enterprise staff. The episodes were often allegories about peace, war, brotherhood, and racism.
Lost In Space showed us a space launch gone awry. A space takeoff on Swiss Family Robinson, Lost In Space depicted weekly adventures of the Robinson family on strange planets. Initially, the Robinsons’ mission is to colonize space for the United States. A foreign agent, Dr. Zachary Smith, caused the Robinson’s space craft to malfunction. His efforts backfire as he can’t leave the space craft before it launches. Smith becomes the comic relief, foil, and wacky neighbor character.
The Twilight Zone had episodes with a space theme. The Little People tells a lesson about bullying.
Astronauts William Fletcher and Peter Craig encounter a malfunction with their space ship, so they land on a planet to make repairs. Craig discovers an area inhabited by people who are the size of ants. He destroys their property and declares himself their god. He forces them to build a statue of him. Fletcher finishes repairing the space craft but Craig wants to stay. You reap what you sow. Two giant explorers from another planet are repairing their ship. One accidentally kills Craig. The “little people”are ecstatic and they bring the statue down.
david@davidkrell.com
NASA’s Golden Age of Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo during the 1960’s inspired television decision makers to use space as a theme.
I Dream of Jeannie featured Larry Hagman as Tony Nelson, an astronaut in the starring male role. Several scenes featured Captain (later Major) Nelson’s job responsibilities at Cape Canaveral, known as Cape Kennedy from 1963 to 1973. Nelson lived in a small house in Cocoa Beach with Jeannie, a beautiful blonde genie played by Barbara Eden who couldn’t stop herself form trying to help her master. Nelson met Jeannie after his space capsule splashed down and he washed up on the beach. He found her bottle, opened it, and out came Jeannie. He rescued her and she served him as payback. Eventually, they married.
Set in the future, Star Trek explored worlds, universes, and planets. The U.S.S. Enterprise went where no man had gone before. Essentially Wagon Train in space, Star Trek showcased the adventures of the Enterprise staff. The episodes were often allegories about peace, war, brotherhood, and racism.
Lost In Space showed us a space launch gone awry. A space takeoff on Swiss Family Robinson, Lost In Space depicted weekly adventures of the Robinson family on strange planets. Initially, the Robinsons’ mission is to colonize space for the United States. A foreign agent, Dr. Zachary Smith, caused the Robinson’s space craft to malfunction. His efforts backfire as he can’t leave the space craft before it launches. Smith becomes the comic relief, foil, and wacky neighbor character.
The Twilight Zone had episodes with a space theme. The Little People tells a lesson about bullying.
Astronauts William Fletcher and Peter Craig encounter a malfunction with their space ship, so they land on a planet to make repairs. Craig discovers an area inhabited by people who are the size of ants. He destroys their property and declares himself their god. He forces them to build a statue of him. Fletcher finishes repairing the space craft but Craig wants to stay. You reap what you sow. Two giant explorers from another planet are repairing their ship. One accidentally kills Craig. The “little people”are ecstatic and they bring the statue down.
Lou's On First
May 26, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
Yesterday, Memorial Day marked the traditional, if unofficial, start to summer.
And that means one of America’s favorite pastimes will be in full swing.
Reading.
On planes, boats, and trains, you’ll find people deep into their books.
At the beach, the community swimming pool, or a park, you’ll find people learning, escaping, or merely enjoying through the wonders provided by the written word.
I suggest a heartfelt biography about Lou Costello written by his youngest child Chris along with Raymond Strait.
Lou’s On First is a no holds barred book about one of the entertainment industry’s greatest treasures – Lou Costello.
But that treasure came with an extremely high price.
The title is a takeoff on Abbott and Costello’s trademark comedy routine Who’s On First?
Lou’s On First recounts Costello’s life from his youngest daughter’s perspective.
You’ll learn about the rotund comedian’s early days as an athlete in Paterson, New Jersey.
You’ll learn the real story about how he and Bud Abbott formed their legendary partnership, rose to great successes, and dealt with the tension between them.
And you’ll learn how Costello dealt with massive obstacles to happiness in his life.
Being bedridden for a year because of rheumatic fever.
The death of his one-year-old son on the day Abbott & Costello were set to return to their radio show after Costello’s illness and Costello's consequent adherence to show business legend -- The show must go on.
IRS investigations.
Abbott & Costello dissolved their partnership in 1957. Lou Costello appeared as a solo act. He made several appearances on The Steve Allen Show where he recreated burlesque bits with regulars Tom Poston and Louis Nye.
Often, comedians make terrific dramatic actors.
Jackie Gleason in The Hustler.
Michael Keaton in Batman.
Steve Martin in Grand Canyon.
Lou Costello could have been in that category.
He started making some inroads with television dramas. He appeared in the Blaze of Glory segment of General Electric Theater.
Abbott & Costello’s former producer Howard Christie was producing Wagon Train at the same time. He asked Lou to continue dramatic acting in the Wagon Train episode The Tobias Jones Story.
Unfortunately, Lou Costello did not get the chance to spread his acting wings.
He died on March 3, 1959.
Lou’s On First explores Lou Costello’s life with respect for the comedian’s work, admiration for his generosity, and love for his gift of laughter.
It’s a behind the laughter look at a man with the extraordinary gift of comedy and the unfortunate burdens of tragedy.
Lou’s On First. Make it your first read of the summer.
david@davidkrell.com
Yesterday, Memorial Day marked the traditional, if unofficial, start to summer.
And that means one of America’s favorite pastimes will be in full swing.
Reading.
On planes, boats, and trains, you’ll find people deep into their books.
At the beach, the community swimming pool, or a park, you’ll find people learning, escaping, or merely enjoying through the wonders provided by the written word.
I suggest a heartfelt biography about Lou Costello written by his youngest child Chris along with Raymond Strait.
Lou’s On First is a no holds barred book about one of the entertainment industry’s greatest treasures – Lou Costello.
But that treasure came with an extremely high price.
The title is a takeoff on Abbott and Costello’s trademark comedy routine Who’s On First?
Lou’s On First recounts Costello’s life from his youngest daughter’s perspective.
You’ll learn about the rotund comedian’s early days as an athlete in Paterson, New Jersey.
You’ll learn the real story about how he and Bud Abbott formed their legendary partnership, rose to great successes, and dealt with the tension between them.
And you’ll learn how Costello dealt with massive obstacles to happiness in his life.
Being bedridden for a year because of rheumatic fever.
The death of his one-year-old son on the day Abbott & Costello were set to return to their radio show after Costello’s illness and Costello's consequent adherence to show business legend -- The show must go on.
IRS investigations.
Abbott & Costello dissolved their partnership in 1957. Lou Costello appeared as a solo act. He made several appearances on The Steve Allen Show where he recreated burlesque bits with regulars Tom Poston and Louis Nye.
Often, comedians make terrific dramatic actors.
Jackie Gleason in The Hustler.
Michael Keaton in Batman.
Steve Martin in Grand Canyon.
Lou Costello could have been in that category.
He started making some inroads with television dramas. He appeared in the Blaze of Glory segment of General Electric Theater.
Abbott & Costello’s former producer Howard Christie was producing Wagon Train at the same time. He asked Lou to continue dramatic acting in the Wagon Train episode The Tobias Jones Story.
Unfortunately, Lou Costello did not get the chance to spread his acting wings.
He died on March 3, 1959.
Lou’s On First explores Lou Costello’s life with respect for the comedian’s work, admiration for his generosity, and love for his gift of laughter.
It’s a behind the laughter look at a man with the extraordinary gift of comedy and the unfortunate burdens of tragedy.
Lou’s On First. Make it your first read of the summer.