Barney Slater Movies
John Wayne plays a lawman who has to deal with the problems of fatherhood in a big way in Cahill: United States Marshall. Wayne is J.D. Cahill, whose singular desire to track down law breakers strains his relationship with his two teenage sons --17-year-old Danny (Gary Grimes) and 12-year-old Billy Joe (Clay O'Brien). The film begins as Cahill is hot on the trail of a gang of outlaws. After the big showdown, he returns to town to discover that the local bank has been robbed. The sheriff and the deputy have been killed, and four bank robbers are imprisoned in the jail. He is stunned when he finds out that one of the robbers in jail is Cahill's son Danny. It seems that during Cahill's absence from home, his two sons have been enticed into a criminal life by nefarious outlaw Abe Fraser (George Kennedy). ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Wayne, Gary Grimes, (more)
- 1969
Ben Cartwright finds himself in the uncomfortable position of choosing between two old and treasured friends, both of whom abuptly re-enter his life after 27 years. Charlie Sheppard (Robert Wilke), formerly Ben's prospecting partner, is now a wanted outlaw, while Jess Waddell (Morgan Woodward) has become a trigger-happy bounty hunter. The situation gets worse when Charlie is forced to kidnap Ben's son Hoss. Written by Barney Slater, "Old Friends" was intially broadcast on December 14, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, (more)
- 1968
The Jupiter 2 is virtually taken over by a huge, ever-growing plant which Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris) has brought aboard against orders. Even worse, the Robinsons are denied permission to land on a planet occupied by Sobram (Abraham Sofaer), the last living descendant of a once-proud warrior race. The only way that Sobram will permit the ship to touch ground is for one of the Robinson party to agree to wage war against him--using high-tech weapons that could well destroy everyone and everything! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
In the final telecast episode of Lost in Space (though not the final one filmed), the Jupiter 2 lands on a planet that serves as the dumping ground for all the garbage of the universe. The resident alien junkmen look longingly upon the Jupiter 2, intending to trap the ship in their magnetic clutches. While the Robinsons do their best to resist the junkmen, greedy Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris undermines their efforts: indeed, Smith should be wearing a sign reading "Will Trade Robot Memory Banks for Food"! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Beautiful but dangerous enemy agent Felicia Vabar (Kate Woodville) engineers the theft of valuable NATO missile-defense plans. Fortunately, only half of the plans are in Vabar's possession: It is up to the IMF to protect the other half--and, of course, to recover the already stolen documents. Journeying far behind the Iron Curtain, Rollin puts his life on the line when he apparently arranges a deal with Vabar and her henchmen. Written by Barney Slater, "The Spy" was first telecast on January 7, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1967
Jim Phelps (Peter Graves) takes over as head of the Impossible Missions Force in "The Widow." This time, the target is Alex Cresnic (William Cresnic), the world's largest heroin dealer. The IMF's mission is to persuade Cresnic's buyers that he has double-crossed them. First step: to convince Cresnic that Cinnamon is the widow of his partner Mark Walters (Joe Maross)--who is still very much alive. (Written by Barney Slater, "The Widow" first aired September 10, 1967, as the opening episode of Mission: Impossible's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1967
Guest stars Fritz Weaver and Hazel Court are cast as Erik and Catherine Hagar, who operate a fraudulent charity organization from their lavish European estate. The IMF agents attempt to destroy the Hagars' racket by ruining the couple's "perfect" marriage. Essential to the success of this plan is the retrieval of a fortune in platinum, hidden in the Hagars' billiard table. First broadcast November 12, 1967, "Sweet Charity" was written by Barney Slater. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Barbara Bain, (more)
- 1967
When an experiment in atomization goes awry, John (Guy Williams) is thrust into a bizarre antimatter world, festooned with orange grass and polka dot leaves--and the home of John's own evil lookalike. While his villainous doppelganger takes his place at the Robinson camp, the "real" John is closely guarded by "Drun", the nasty antimatter twin of Don West (Mark Goddard), and by an evil clone of the Robot. It is up to the genuine Robot, with the help of Will (Billy Mumy) and the hindrance of Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris), to set things right. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
In the final episode of Lost in Space's second season, Penny (Angela Cartwright) saves the life of an alien named Arcon (John Carradine), who entrusts her with a valuable amulet. Not long afterward, a trio of sinster space thugs show up, demanding that Penny give up the amulet, or else the rest of her family will die a horrible death. Making Penny's choice all the more difficult is the fact that the amulet holds the power to destroy the universe. (Trivia note: the costumes worn by the villainous "Saticons" were previously seen in the episode "Wreck of the Robot"). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
The planet is invaded by the mechanical denizens of INDUSTRO, who turn out to be tiny duplicates of the Robinsons' robot. Appointing the Robot as their leader in a mission to take over the universe, the diminutive invaders are dismayed to discover that the Robot is too kind and gentle for such an undertaking. Thus, they exchange the Robot's personality with that of the treacherous Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris)--and vice versa. This is the episode that opens with Smith being given the "Gulliver" treatment by the mini-robots (who are actually a group of Lost in Space tie-in toys created by Remco!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
This classic episode gets under way when the Robinson's Robot is suddenly enveloped by gaseous vapors. As as result, the Robot grows to the size of a house--and even more disturbing, he is in danger of breaking down and self-destructing. In true "Fantastic Voyage" fashion, Will (Bill Mumy) and Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris) venture inside the Robot in hopes of repairing him before it is too late. Lost in Space fans will recognize many of the many props seen in this episode as having been used in previous installments--while several will take on importance in the episodes to come. (Did Irwin Allen ever throw anything away?) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Lost in Space meets The Munsters as former "Grandpa Munster" Al Lewis guest stars as Zalto, a somewhat seedy space sorcerer. In hopes of flying Zalto's spaceship back to earth, Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris) offers his services as the sorceror's apprentice. Unfortunately, the combined bungling of Zalto and Smith ends up seriously imperiling the Robinson family. This episode is highlighted by a wheezy vaudeville routine between Jonathan Harris and Al Lewis, reportedly improvised on the set when the script came up a bit short. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Hit by a strange missile, the Jupiter 2 crash-lands on a fog-shrouded planet, ruled over by a curious hermit named Captain Tiabo (Wally Cox) and his monstrous pet bird. Vowing to wipe out the Robinsons, Tiabo schemes to create a huge and loyal army to destroy the Jupiter 2--and never mind that the diminutive soldier's dreams of conquest are only pathetic delusions. But though Tiabo ultimately proves to be a washout, Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris) definitely poses a threat to all concerned when he drinks a "nectar" that transforms him into a human bomb! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
The Robinson party is arrested and brought before the Galaxy Tribunal Justice, there to be tried for various crimes that they have supposedly committed while lost in space. Curiously, Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris) is not apprehended, on the assumption that he is guiltless. But after a series of black-and-white "flashbacks" culled from the series' first-season episode, it is proven beyond doubt that Smith and Smith alone is responsible for all the trouble allegedly caused by the Robinsons. This poses a problem for the series' "good guys" (and good girls): Should Smith be rescued from the Tribunal, or should he be left behind for punishment? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
A fifteen-year-old Kurt Russell appears in this episode as Quano, the 11-year-old prince of a faraway planet. Accompanied by his father, the Ruler (Michael Ansara), Quano arrives on the Robinsons' planet, where the two aliens challenge John (Guy Williams) and Will (Bill Mumy) to a test of superiority. The two Robinson men accept the challenge, little realizing that if they win, the rest of their family loses. . .their lives! This episode allows Guy Williams to show off the swordfighting prowess that had distinguished his previous TV stint as Zorro. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Veteran movie heavy Torin Thatcher guest stars as The Trader, an intergalactic con artists who arrives on the Robinsons' planet in a ship full of attack dogs. As a means of drumming up business, the Trader conjures up a storm which destroys the Robinsons' food and water supply. Recognizing a kindred spirit when he sees one, conniving Dr. Smith persuades the Trader to take him in exchange for supplies; the deal is that Smith will become the Trader's slave--but only after a period of 200 years! Unfortunately, the good doctor hasn't read the fine print of the Trader's iron-clad contract. This episode marks a reunion between actor Torin Thatcher and director Nathan Juran, who'd previously worked together on the 1957 fantasy film The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
When Penny (Angela Cartwright) offers refuge to an intergalactic thief named Ohan (Larry Ward), the fugitive gratefully entrusts a small disc to her, telling the girl that it will lead her to untold riches. At the behest of greedy Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris]), Penny follows the disc to a magic ring that bestows the "platinum touch" upon its owner. Inasmuch as this is obviously a retelling of the King Midas legend, guess who gets the platinum touch--and guess who turns into platinum. Werner Klemperer takes time off from his Hogan's Heroes duties to play an outer-space detective named Bolix. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Injured after falling down a hole in a cave, John (Guy Williams) awakens to find himself a changed man. Specifically, the spirit of the centuries-old alien warrior Canto now possesses John's body and a good portion of his mind--a portion which increases every time John falls asleep. Thus enslaved by Canto, John imprisons the rest of his family and prepares to murder his own son Will (Bill Mumy)! Listen as the Robot sums up the cowardice of Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris) by paraphrasing "The Prisoner of Zenda" in this, the final episode of Lost in Space's first season, and the last one filmed in black and white. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Michael Rennie returns as The Keeper in this conclusion of a two-part story. Thanks to Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris, the Keeper's menagerie of space monstrosities is running wild on the Robinsons' planet. Only the Keeper can recapture these hideous creatures and return them to his intergalactic zoo--but he will do so only on condition that the Robinsons allow him to add Will (Billy Mumy) and Penny (Angela Cartwright) to his collection. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Michael Rennie, who earned his sci-fi/fantasy chops as the benevolent alien Klatu in The Day the Earth Stood Still, essays a far less benign characterization in this, the first episode of a two-part story. Rennie plays the titular Keeper, the curator of an intergalactic zoo comprised of monstrosities gathered from all over the galaxy (two of each). Careless Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris) accidentally releases the Keeper's hideous monstrosities, who threaten to destroy the Robinsons' planet unless the family agrees to a set of frightening "conditions." Although we're not supposed to notice, sharp-eyed viewers will recognize several of the monsters appearing herein as "carryover" creatures from earlier Lost in Space episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Setting off an explosion in a ionized bog, Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris) releases an invisible three-toed monster, bent on mass destruction. While the Robinsons recognize the monster for what it is (even though they can't see him), Smith is convinced that the creature is actually the ghost of his Uncle Thaddeus--and decides to hold an impromptu séance which may prove disastrous for all concerned. Note the cast's new wardrobe in this episode (exactly where did they purchase it?) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
The Robinsons' robot doesn't like the looks of the old, dilapidated robot that Will (Bill Mumy) has found and has decided to fix up. It seems that Will's robot is actually a "robotoid", capable of making its own decisions without human intervention. Sure enough, the robotoid turns out to have an evil streak, and is bent upon capturing the Robinsons and killing off their robot. The "villain" in this episode is played by the immortal Robby the Robot of Forbidden Planet fame, who like the Lost in Space robot was created by Bob Kinoshita. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
When the Skipper (Alan Hale Jr.) shows signs of losing his strength, the Professor (Russell Johnson) concludes that the Castaways are seriously deficient in Vitamin C. Alas, there is only a handful of orange seeds left on the island, which Gilligan (Bob Denver) is assigned to guard throughout the night. Inevitably, our hero falls asleep at his post, leading to a surrealistic "Jack and the Beanstalk" nightmare in which the Skipper is cast as the Giant! Incidentally, the "Little Gilligan" in the dream sequence is played by Patrick Denver, the real-life son of series star Bob Denver. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Ryan Denver
- 1966
In one of the series' most famous episodes, an incredibly handsome "golden man" named Keema (Dennis Patrick) materializes before the the astonished eyes of the Robinson women. The head of an alien civilization, Keema begs the ladies to help him defeat his mortal enemy, a hideously ugly froglike creature (Ronald Cans). Only Penny (Angela Cartwright) is able to see through Keema's gorgeous façade and to realize that--surprise, surprise!--beauty is only skin deep. (As a bonus, we get to see another of the Robinsons' time-saving inventions: the "potato-chipulator"). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
The planet is besieged by a band of black-shrouded mechanical aliens, who promptly steal the Robinsons' robot. It is the aliens' intention to take the robot apart and study how it works--the better to create their own machine that will (they hope) enlist all the other machines in the universe for a full-scale "revolution". Racing against time to prevent the aliens from taking over literally everything, the Robinsons are again impeded by the incompetence of Dr. Smith (Jonathan Harris). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
