The Starlost

[mego73]

Been Netflixing out the DVD's of The Starlost, a 1973 science fiction show done on videotape.

It was created by Harlan Ellison but he ended up disowning it and slapping his Cordwainer Bird name on the credits because it was originally supposed to be a better quality production.

The effects on the show are generally chroma key and the exterior model effects shots look like they are shot on Super 8 film.

It had Keir Dullea from 2001 and had other guest stars with "sci-fi cred" like Walter Koenig, Barry Morse and John Colocis.

Despite it's visual clunkiness the show was somewhat well done. I'd love to see the show it would've been had they didn't shortchange it and p*** Ellison off.

[mazinz]

amazon.com recently had a super sale and this set was part of it. They reduced the price to $21.00.

[Joe90]

It was a Canadian production and I remember it well. Visually, it wasn't anywhere near the quality of Anderson's Space:1999 and was reminiscent of of Dr Who episodes from the 1960's. Well, to me at least. Clunkiness and Shortchanged are two apt descriptors.

Still, for $21 it's worth the investment of time and money to watch it.

[palitoy]

It was going to be the next big thing, then all the investment fell out and it became a cheaply shot Canadian series. They even tried to hire Roddenberry but he declined.

Some of the early FX are present but I find the show badly paced. Somebody should try and bring it back, it's a great concept.

[txteach]

I remember watching this as a kid and really liking it. I never knew the name though.

[MysteryWho]

See, it's still fifty bucks in Canada. I can't see paying that.
I'd still like to watch it through one more time.
It is pretty slow from what I recall.

[johnmiic]

If you want to see how the premire would differ and get Ellisons own account of the unscrupulous producer of the show and how it went awry track down the book: Phoenix Without Ashes on Amazon. It is not written by Ellison himself but he forward is. It really doesn't satisfy my urge to enjoy more adventures-it is still too short an adaptation, in the sort of James Blish style of Trek adaptations, but there are tantalizing bits of info like what happened to our solar system and why the Ark had to be built. I don't see why Ellison didn't let the writers who were talented just write the novels and see the whole concept thru to it's conclusion. A really great concept left un-fufilled.

[Captain]

I agree this deserves a redo! It's sort of a classic thats just obscure enough a producer could toy with it without running into fan backlashes. Great premise, tons of potential.

[mazinz]

To be honest with you, I have never heard of this show beforehand. It was either the original post on here (or some other forum) where I first heard the name. I was born the year this was made (1973). When it did air in the US, I was either too young to remember it or missed it completely (from re-runs, I assume this had some??)

At any rate I looked up some info on it and it easily seemed like something I would like. I took a chance and purchased the set for $21.00 off Amazon when they had their recent sale.

I just finished watching the first disc now and I absolutely love this show. It is pretty well done all considering. I do not want anything spoiled, but I am hoping the rest of the episodes have the same caliber as the first four I watched

The really sad part is that this space drama would have done very well nowadays. Then again being shot on digital with all new computer effects might have ruined it

Either way this was a hidden gem and I thank you for bringing it to my attention. The crappy Sci-Fi channel needs to air this

[bobws]

They probably did air it, 20 years ago! but it was short-lived and of small fanbase and not really brought back since. i remeber it from it's first run and thought it was good and wished it kept going.
but back in those days Sci-fi shows got 1 year to grab your attention or were gone. if theyu were lucky they got a second year. if they were relly good they made it to 3. then most networkd figured if Star Trek didn't last beyond 3 we don't need to make anything else go further either.
When Next Gen came back and lasted 7 years in syndication and ruled then networks took notice again. but still only channels like sci-fi or USa would give longer runs to shows.
with the exception being Smallville which we can't seem to get rid of! i wouldn't mind them still going if clark had finally graduated to the suit and became superman about 4 years ago when they added lois. what they've done to the character since has just soooo wimped him out it's unbelivable!
Please if you are gouing to tell superman stories , USE SUPERMAN, NOT CLARK! If Welling is unwilling to wear the suit stop the show recast and start Metropolis next Fall.
Enough ranting, there were several fun series that just never took or were to silly to survive over the last 30 years but every one of them has fans. just check out this short list i can remember.

Logan's Run
V
Manimal
The Powers Of Matthew Star
The Greatest American Hero
Battlestar Galactica
Quark
Misfits of Science
Buck Rogers

[mego73]

I thought the writing on many of the episodes was pretty good. If only they did these on film, instead of video (although I get a kick out of the video based look) the whole cheese factor might've been reduced.

It seems that even when effects are not so good, it works better when everything is on film.

There are always rumors that Ellison's original concept or script might end up becoming a movie or TV show in the future.

[mazinz]

I final finished watching the series and man I wish it had been picked up. On top of a "will they save the ark" premise, the show's last episode leaves us with the possibility that Garth stays a partolman.

Though some of the later eps (return of Oro) should have never been made. The episode was just horrible and the old man they found should have been shot for bad over acting.

I am thinking I might be able to make a fan edit that finally gives them a good (as well as an alternate bad) ending

I had no idea they had made 5 tv movies by merging episodes together. I then found out they were offically released on disc in the UK. I found a super cheap seller on ebay where the total with shipping was like $16 US.

[MysteryWho]

I'm working through this show now. It is as slow as I anticipated, but there is a strange charm that waxes and wanes throughout the episodes. The only conclusion I've come to so far is that it might have worked if it had been a half hour. It actually could've been a Canadian Doctor Who if it had known when to be serious and when to be silly. The acting is actually pretty good, but video makes all acting look bad no matter how good it is. Oh, and speaking of Dr. Who, monsters and make-up would've also been great.

[Captain]

In the words of a Canadian TV producer in that era; "Monsters? Make up?...Film?......That costs money man! We have a budget of $50.00 (in Canadian Tire money) and by God, we will make this episode for $50.00!!!"

The above phrase works for every Canadian TV show made in the Seventies....with the possible exception of Swiss Family Robinson. they had a budget of $60.00/episode, and it was real money too!!

[kennermike]

I cant believe I have never seen this a must!!!