Lost In Space-A Day At The Zoo (1968)
Before Red Dwarf there was. Lost In Space! Whether this was originally meant to be a Sci-Fi comedy is beyond me but it's fab nevertheless! Sigh, yet again, Dr Smith's egotistical plans find him way above his head!
This episode like so many of this show has me in stiches mainly because of the silly plots of a one Dr Zachary Smith who predates Arnold Rimmer by the best part of 30 years. This episode begins innocently enough, with Penny falling into a 'flower trap' & being captured by an alien-Humanoid "Carny" (I know) Farnum B. for his zoo. The name Farnum B. is a disturbing take on the owner of a poor Elephant that the animated movie Dumbo was based on. Anywho, we get a Caveboy & various other characters based on Earths history including Sir Mordred. Farnum B. is like a poor-mans, renegade Timelord with all the charms & grace that come with it.
Poor Penny. Pun intended, exterminate me! LOL!!!
It's not long before Dr Smith, Will & Judy Robinson, & Major West are also captured to be zoo exhibits. Oggro is the Caveboy who was captured. Dr Smith tries to bluff his way out of the situation by using The Robot to challenge the Knight which turns out to be a more powerful robot, oh, Dr Smith you scheme-monger!
Halloween 3 fans, look out for the android, 19th Century lady scene, what does that remind you of?! Seriously, Farnum's spaceship is Tardis-like in techno-speaking. Does it go to other times or just other planets? Hilariously, despite his original lame attempt at escape, of the captors Dr Smith enjoys captivity. Each cell is specified to their own unique tastes: Caviar, champagne, & the finest tastes including tons of silver 'sesterstii' which Dr Smith helps himself to for, "pocket money". Will's attempt to escape with Caveboys help back-fires for both he & Farnum, you used the wrong 'Stargate?' & end up in Oggro's original planet, complete with giant reptile .
Danger, Will! Queensbury rules!
Not everyone is happy. The happy couple Judy Robinson & Major Don West (mainly Major West) aren't so grateful to be exhibits for nosey aliens, in fact Major West royally loses his rag, first at Farnum, then at Dr Smith. A great exhibit for the nosey aliens, like an angry Lion! Seriously, are you surprised?! Dr Smith, in the absence of Farnum, takes it upon himself to be the grand showman seeing as the nosey aliens pay in diamonds, gems, ruby's, etc.
I ADORE Penny's cell, adapted to her quintessential personality, but the scene in which her baby-brother Will (before he got stranded in Oggro's planet) complains about being trapped in her 'sissy-girls cell' is Bart Simpson-sque in nature & hilarious. Dr Smith, meanwhile is raking in the aliens who want to observe Earthlings in their "native habitat", the Robot crying "Roll up! Roll up!" His buzz doesn't last as Don surprises him with a ray-gun, lol!
Vinyl is out of fashion??!!
Will & Farnum are rescued by the very Caveboy Farnum was least expecting to save them, maybe you should reconsider your child-cruelty, Farnum? Anywho, Oggro is promoted to second in "Carny" command & Dr Smith? Dumped, literally via parachute!
Okaly, this is the usual part of this blog/review where I brag about why this so fab.
I begin to wonder if a certain Red Dwarf episode (Legion) was influenced by this, or this is a mere coincidence (?) Dr Smith pre-dates Arnold Rimmer in his self-centred, neurotic genius. Almost every episode Dr Smith gets himself & the crew into trouble with his wacky schemes! This beautiful Sci-Fi comedy only lasted three seasons, the creators pulled the plug, the philistines!
Sci-Fi innocence at it's best!
No copyright infringement. Oh, the pain ! The pain!
Borgduck aka Stewart.
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