A very, very sad start to the new year with the passing on Tuesday 23rd January 2018 of one of the most popular stars of Irwin Allen’s television productions, Robert Dowdell, who was best known for his role of Lt. Commander Chip Morton in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. Much loved around the globe, Chip was often the straight guy to several other comedic characters in the show, and he played the role superbly. Irwin Allen also featured Robert in two of his made for television movies, City Beneath the Sea (1971) and Outrage (1986). He will be sorely missed by his legion of fans and will live on through his work and the love that engendered. Our thoughts at this time are with all of his family, friends, and fans.

Facebook notice from Robert’s cousin

We have learned the very sad news that Emmy award winning and Oscar nominated Art Director and Production Designer Rodger E. Maus, who worked for many of Irwin Allen’s productions, passed away last month (16th March 2017) at the age of 84. You only have to browse around our site to see the results of his work, be it the design of the Lost in Space Space Pod or the sub-orbital spaceship, the Spindrift, from Land of the Giants.

We were honoured to meet with Rodger Maus in 1992 in Los Angeles and he was a charming gentleman. Below is a photograph of Rodger reading our Land of the Giants 25th Anniversary Special.

Rodger Ernest Maus Obituary

A memorial to celebrate the life of actress Francine York (who passed away in January) is being held on Sunday 23rd April 2017 at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood LA. If you would like to attend, please click the image below for a PDF flyer containing details of the event.

Click here or on image above for PDF of Francine’s Memorial Flyer

Francine York Memorial Celebration

Lawrence Montaigne, a guest in several Irwin Allen TV episodes, passed away on 17th March 2017 at the age of 86. Irwin Allen fans will know him from The Time Tunnel episodes Massacre (as Yellow Elk, 1966) and Idol of Death (as Captain Alvarado, 1967) as well as Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea episode Man-Beast (as Dr. Braddock, 1968) . He also appeared as Dr. Aquila in the City Beneath the Sea presentation reel in 1969. We understand that he has recently been working on revising his autobiography for Jacobs Brown Press based upon his book “A Vulcan Odyssey.”

Hollywood Reporter Obituary

The upcoming Profiles in History Hollywood Auction 62 on 21 December 2013 features a number of Irwin Allen items including an original Flying Sub miniature, the Polidor and Vulcan sub props, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea TV title art, a rare Will Robinson figure and several scripts.

Profiles in History Hollywood Auction 62 – Irwin Allen Lots

Profiles in History Web Site

The Warner Brothers shop is releasing City Beneath the Sea on DVD.  Here is a preview:

The DVD can be ordered within the US from the Warner Brothers Shop web site. Thanks to Lars Liljeblad for letting us know.