*BODY AND SOUL* ARCHIVES
This is the Voice SpeakingThe
following letters are from Dick Tufeld the voice of the Robinson
Robot and the narrator of LIS
Dick
Tufeld |
Robinson Robot WritesThe
following letters are from Bob May the original actor who internally
portrayed the Robinson Robot
Bob
May |
Issue 14 These legendary men are on their way to Australia for a once-in-a-lifetime convention, with the Robinson Robot. It is an event not to be missed!. Listed below are short biographies on these two behind-the-scenes heroes. "WARNING! WARNING! DANGER! DANGER! IT DOES NOT COMPUTE!" Dick Tufeld These legendary expressions are now part of our modern day vocabulary. They were all spoken by Dick, one of America's most recognisable and famous voice artists. He began his career at the age of 16 working as an announcer. Following his graduation, he became an announcer at NBC in Hollywood. Success came quickly to Dick as he started narrating the most popular television shows of our time, that have included The Hollywood Palace, Peyton Place, The Time Tunnel, Elvis-Hawaii, Get Smart, Zorro, Space Patrol and of course Lost In Space. After Lost In Space he has continued his craft on countless other assignments that have included the Emmy awards, the Grammy awards, the Wonderful World Of Disney, and hundreds of motion picture trailers. He is married with four children. Bob May For a long time it was a secret - but yes, the Robot was internally controlled by actor, Bob May. Zany is the word for versatile Bob who started his show business career at the age of 2, working with his comedic family 'Olsen and Johnson'. After a vaudeville education he was soon acting, dancing and directing in theatres all over the USA. Hollywood beckoned, and before long Bob was featuring in motion pictures, such as Jailhouse Rock, Beach Blanket Bingo and The Nutty Professor. Television then followed as Bob appeared in The Lieutenant, Dr Kildare, Mr Novak and of course, Lost In Space. After Lost In Space, Bob went back to theatre and nightclub performing interwoven with further acting for major studios. He is married with two children.
Issue 15 AFTER THE ROBINSON ROBOT BODY AND SOUL TOUR, BOB MAY AND DICK TUFELD NOW SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES... To the Australian People. April 25th 1996 How does one truly express one's feelings when it comes to Sydney and the Australian people? Especially, I want to thank Glenn, Richard Maurice, Ian Stahlhut, Matthew Adams, Blake Edgerton, Robin Gray, Kingsley Sutton and our publicist Lionel Midford. To Anne McClenahan, Miriam Lazaro, Natalie Waters, Sally Newport and her children Sarah, Mark and Andrew. I particularly want to thank my Australian Robot crew: Roman Krzton, Wayne McAuliffe, John Norton, Brad Murphy and the Best Robot stand-in I've ever had ... Lewis Morley. To all the Aussie fans and new friends we have made (whose names I can not remember, but I know your faces!) To the Hotel Lawson, for its courteous and gracious care by all of the hotel personnel; the Sydney Harbour Robot Cruise with our fans and our fun ship crew on Sydney Harbour (the sights from Sydney Harbour are the best in the world); the fabulous "Phantom of the Opera" night; the outstanding Yolu Dance Theatre performances; the visit to your famous Sydney Opera House- the Sydney Centrepoint Tower restaurant (with its breathtaking views); the Intergalactic Dinner at the gorgeous Bankstown Sports Club (it was the great Las Vegas night); the wondrous Powerhouse museum- the fantastic Sydney Aquarium, the beautiful Darling Harbour with its beautiful restaurants and shops; the Chinatown restaurant. The fun, joy and thrill of the Featherdale Wildlife Park, holding those beautiful Koalas, feeding the Kangaroos, beholding the Emus, watching the Wombats and learning all about Australia's animals; appearing on Australian Television, Radio and in the print media (the people we met in your media business are so friendly and down to earth); the thrill of seeing our "Robinson Robot-Body and Soul Tour" posters advertised all over your beautiful city (and what great posters they were!) and all the incredible sightseeing! A Special thankyou to Glenn for bringing my wife Judy and I with the very talented and fun Dick Tufeld with his charming and delightful wife Adrienne to Australia. We will never forget the wonderful warmth and the helpfulness of the Australian people. Your very special appreciation and response to our shows thrilled us as it would any performer. As I said in Sydney, we will never forget all of you and your beautiful country, which will stay deep in our hearts forever. Leaving Australia and all of you was the hardest part, but our bags are packed and we are ready to come back any time you want us, and believe me, "That does Compute!" With
deepest love to all, To our new dear friends in Australia April 16th 1996 It's been about a month now since we departed from the Sydney International Terminal, officially ending "The Robinson Robot - Body and Soul Tour", but our ten fabulous days in Australia remain unforgettably etched in our memory banks as one of the greatest experiences of our lifetime. It was absolutely (to use a phrase that my wife Adrienne heard in Sydney and now voices constantly in Los Angeles) - "Bloody Great!" We have been asked many times since returning "What was the highlight of your trip?" Well, there were endless highlights: ... The breathtaking Sydney Opera House and Harbor ... The absolutely astonishing Glebe Island Bridge ... the simply incredible Yolnu and Moeyoengu Koekaperr Aboriginal Dance Troop we saw on a Wednesday night at the Belvoir Street Theatre ... The unforgettable view from Sydney Tower. The Intergalactic Dinner at the Bankstown Sports Club was a magical evening we rarely ever experience ... And of course getting the chance to spend time and share a thousand laughs with Bob and Judy May. The Mays arrived in Australia several hours before we did, and when we checked in to the Hotel Lawson, there was a great message in my room from Bob .... when I lifted up the toilet seat, there was an 8x10 picture of Bob and the Robot taped to the bottom of the seat cover inscribed "Welcome to Australia Dick!" I told Bob the next day that I have been in the toilet many times in my life, but never expected to find him there! To name one singular highlight of the trip is really quite easy: It was getting the opportunity to meet and be with the people of Australia. YOU made us feel welcome from the moment our Qantas plane landed and you were thoughtful and kind and an absolute delight to be with every single moment of our visit. We can never thank you enough. You are the best! And we will never forget. We will always remember: working with the talented and extraordinary gifted Lewis Morley ... the friendship and great professional skill of our publicist Lionel Midford ... Lunch with Pete Graham from 2WS FM at the Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon in Parramatta ... Barrister Richard Maurice (he said I had a wicked sense of humour; believe me - his is equally, make that more wicked!) ... John Norton (does Lee really plan to marry you on October 11th? Why?? John it was wonderful of you to call us from Brisbane to inquire about our trip to New Zealand. Many thanks) ... Anne and Ken McClenahan (Anne, I'd pay to see and hear you anywhere in the world! What a gift for comedy you have!) ... Brad Murphy (It was you, Brad, who came up with the brilliant idea of naming the show "The Robinson Robot - Body and Soul Tour", but why did YOU have to stack all the chairs and do the heavy lifting?) ... Wayne McAuliffe and Miriam Lazaro - what a great, sweet pair! (Miriam, thanks again for the pictures and especially the Violet Crumble bars. We think about you two often!) ... Kingsley Sutton (we really appreciate your thoughtful card and the pictures; we send our best to you and your lovely parents), Steven Carteris (Steven, your nice card arrived recently. It was much appreciated! I'll keep talking - you keep writing!) Steve Altham, (from Melbourne, I think) who made and presented us with the most amazing Lost In Space flag. It's truly incredible! Still others we cannot forget: Matthew Adams and Ian Stahlhut (what a huge contribution they've made to LIS in Australia!) and Paul Heller (always wearing that wonderful smile) .... And Roman Krzton (who did everything backstage and then more!) ....... And Brian Dee who supplied video and audio expertise And Natalie Waters (whose ongoing helpfulness and continual good cheer were truly heartwarming and a pleasure to be around. Furthermore, she is the only person I know to have figured out that "The qualities of John Robinson and Don West accentuated the disjunction of their inspirational prowess to Dr. Smith's cowardice" …I wonder if Irwin Allen was aware of that!!??) And Lucey Stapleton, the Psychologist from Queensland, who will be visiting Denver this summer and Coralle Johnson (Did I sign 10 or was it 30 autographs for you? .... It doesn't matter-- It was a great pleasure!) .... and Mark Alstrope from Adelaide, who thoughtfully asked us to phone his good friend Mark Atkinson (paralyzed in an intensive care hospital from a terrible motorcycle accident three weeks earlier) ... We did - and we will never forget it! Sunday morning, March 15th, with a plane to catch back to Adelaide, Mark Aistrope RAN across the Glebe Island Bridge to the Hotel Lawson to hand deliver to us the most touching note that we have ever read. Mark, we treasure it. …….. And to all of you, whose names I just can't remember at this moment, but whose faces and enthusiasm and kindness and friendship I will never forget - Thankyou. You can't imagine how wonderful you made us feel, and how wonderful it was to be with you. Then, there's Sally Newport ... a dear friend, a tireless worker, mother of three absolutely adorable children. Sally was making arrangements, confirming appointments, wrapping up details, dealing with problems, endlessly driving us around and always being helpful, answering constant questions with a smile .... all while performing her most essential function: telling Glenn while he was driving, where to turn left, where to turn right, when to get out of the left lane, when to get into the right lane, when to get off the highway, when to slow down, and cautioning which set of Traffic lights had the Red Light Cameras! And thank God she did. Glenn, sometimes preoccupied and who has lived in Sydney all his life, did not always remember the quickest way to get to where we were going. Sally did! And finally, Glenn - one of the greatest Lost In Space fans in the world and a loyal and true friend. It was Glenn who conceived the idea for the Robot tour, planned tirelessly to make it a reality, accepted full responsibility for all details (including financial) and deserves monumental credit for producing an event Australian fans will long remember (as we will, too!) Let me tell you about Glenn. Ever since I saw the film "The Right Stuff ", I have had this thing (there's no other way to say it) about the incredible sound that seems to come from the very bowels of the earth - The awesome drone of the Aboriginal sound stick - the Didjeridu. About three and a half years ago, something quite long appeared in our mailbox - Glenn had sent me a Didjeridu! I have tried to master the sound for about 42 months now, and of course I never will. Regrettably, what I seem to have mastered is not unlike the sound of breaking wind. For that, I have always blamed the instrument .... I am not responsible for that sound! So, at our recent tour of the Sydney Opera House, at an Aboriginal gift shop, I could hardly wait to try out six or seven Didjeridus. I did not, however make a purchase. When I blew into them, they all sounded as wretched as mine. A remarkable lady named Michelle, who worked in the gift shop (valiantly trying to save a sensitive public) gave me a booklet - "PLAY AND ENJOY THE DIDJERIDU OF THE AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL (A NEWCOMER'S GUIDE)". I will never forget her! At the end of our tour when leaving Sydney, while waiting for our plane to be called at the International Departure Terminal, I wandered into the 'Rainbow Serpent' - a shop housing about a dozen more Didjeridus. Understandably, I could hardly wait to try them all. And one - only one, - almost sounded authentic when I blew into it! My elation was tempered by the fact that it cost a great deal of money, and the shipping charges made it even worse. In a rare moment of sanity, I cautioned myself "You're out of you're mind!, forget it!" So I passed on the illogical purchase and we boarded the plane. But Wait! For the next five days in New Zealand and then for the following ten days back home, I was beside myself ... furious and despondent that I had not made my essential purchase! Desperate and frustrated that I had blown my one great opportunity, I of course called Glenn (lucky Glenn!) I described the airport shop, the sound stick and the price as best I could remember and asked if he could call the shop and see if the Didjeridu were still available. A day later he faxed me. "I think I have tracked it down" he wrote, and he described it. But something didn't sound quite right. So I called him back, redescribed it and asked if he would check with the shop one last time. Here is the essence of Glenn: Two days later he called me from his cellular phone. He had driven from Greenacre to the Sydney International Airport, contacted the store manager (an obviously lovely lady named Carla Buscemi) who escorted him through security without a passport and into the shop. He put Carla on the phone with me, - we narrowed it down to two instruments. 'Can you play them Carla?" I asked. She said she could, and yes she can! Now this is almost surreal: for the next 20 minutes (I mean 20 minutes) Glenn positioned his phone at the end of each of the Didjeridus as I repeatedly requested Carla to "blow on the first one, now the second one, now the first one again, now the second again, and one more time - the first one!" and on and on for 20 mnutes! Finally I said "I think that's the one!" I gave Glenn my credit card number and he had it shipped to me. (In a subsequent phone call, Glenn said the people in the shop at the time were absolutely astonished and incredulous at the scene taking place). I thanked Carla for her great patience and understanding in dealing with a mentally challenged person on the phone. I also pointed out that 'in accordance with Aboriginal law and custom women are not allowed to play a Didjeridu. "I not an Aboriginal", she replied, "I'm Italian! so I don't care!!" Well, it finally arrived! Yesterday! I received a very long package from the Australian Post, - and guess what! It's Not the right one! However it is magnificent looking and much more decorative than the other. And, actually I can now get a fairly authentic sound from it. ..at the cost of a bloody lip! I tend to overdo things (that's my style) and apparently because of excessive practice on my new toy, I developed and broke a blood blister on my upper lip. In any event, you're all invited to my first concert at the Belvoir Street Theatre. And if you're lucky - it may not be in the too near future. Check with the venue's director, Samantha Saunders, for the best seats. She's great! - even though my attempted sounds are not. But blame Glenn for all of this, he started it! Sometimes the passing of days, months, years has a way of dimming the prism that illuminates a wonderful experience in a remarkable place. But not this time I think. For we take with us too many great memories of too many great people in a truly great city in a truly great country. We have photographs. We have video tape. And we have the fabulous posters that were plastered all over the walls and fences of Sydney advertising "The Robinson Robot - Body and Soul Tour". But most importantly - to take with us through time - we have YOU ... in our heads and in our hearts! to give to you cannot compare with what you gave to us. As I said before - we will never forget. And we thank you - all of you - always! Dick Tufeld
Issue 16 Hi everyone. It is my esteemed honour to express my total delight with issue No 15 of Alpha Control, Please allow me to elaborate: Front cover photo by Miriam Lazaro captured our enjoyment with the beautiful harbour skyline coupled with the fantastic Sydney Opera House. Inside cover artwork by John Parkinson captured the fun that Dick and I had in Australia. The great editorial that puts Alpha Control at the top for all Lost In Space fans and well into my heart. The interview of Bill Mumy by my good buddy Ian Stahlhut was enjoyable and very informative. The three reports of our Australian tour by Steven Cateris was depicted well and brought to mind fond memories. The Aussie Fox video release report was great, and the 'What's Extra?' column was very interesting as was The Old, the New and the Deadly. 'My Brief Encounters with LIS people' by Ed Shifres. It's always nice to be remembered. The 1995 Lost In Space cast anniversary review, reminded me that we all had a great time in Boston USA last year, with all the snow and the fans. Especially the fan who was 'dressed up' and walked straight up to me revealing that he was a Robot made of pie pans! There Were Giants in the Earth said it all: They were Giants and we will miss them all. The Body and Soul Ruminations by McAuliffe. Thanks Wayne for all the nice things you said. Letters to the Editor made me very proud that Dick and I have brought the people of Australia, a sense of the fun and the spirit that we had during our time on Lost In Space. Our tour was a time that my wife and I will never forget! The inside back cover artwork by Mark Dorais captures the essence of Lost In Space and brought back wonderful memories to me! The back cover artwork by Frantz Kantor is absolutely gorgeous!!!! All the photos by Glenn, Dale Sinden, Miriam Lazaro, John Norton, Steven Cateris, Steve Althain, Marta Kristen, Anne McClenahan and Colin Gabriel captured it all and in conclusion: That does compute! And I thank you all. Your
devoted Robot Hi to everyone in Australia Issue 15 of Alpha Control was indeed marvellous and was a wonderful reminder of the faces, places and people of our unforgettable trip. And speaking of that... had a recording session four days ago with Jonathan Harris! It's a radio commercial for Perkins Family Restaurants, a dining chain located in the midwestem and southern sections of the USA. It was Dr smith and the Robot together AGAIN. and to say I loved it would be a massive understatement. The commercial copy wasn't that creative or brilliant - but Jonathan was!! What he brought to the reading put everybody - I mean everybody - on the floor in hysterics. Was he that funny? Did the Trojan Horse have a wooden tail?? You bet! After the session the two of us sat around for a good 45 minutes and talked mostly about you... about Australia, the conventions the LIS fan club, and about many of you individually! ... Your ears should be burning. It was great! Recently, club members Lee and John Norton were married and I understand it was quite beautiful and at the end of the night, Lee and John stepped on to a huge speedboat and in the blackness of the night they sped off into the distance. Must have been a wonderftd sight! (Of course getting married and disappearing into the night isn't all that unusual... Just kidding guys!!) Congratulations to you both! We send our love and best wishes for a long and healthy life together. And since we're talking about wonderful evenings, LISA committee member Anne McClenahan came to Los Angeles a few months ago and called. We were delighted! Anne was staying with her cousin who lives here. We invited the two of them to dinner and guess who the cousin turned out to be - actress Carmen Duncan! Adrienne and I had an unbelievable evening with two of the most charming, gracious and funny ladies on the continent! I have had a few more enquiries about the following subject, so I'll close with this, (you may have to re-read my last letter in Alpha Control 15 to understand) last June 16th was father's day here in the states. Two of our children (They're not really children- they just act that way around me, sometimes) called the Australian Consulate. They said for the sake of our mother's sanity, can you find you help us find someone in Southern California who can give our father didjeridu lessons - he's driving us crazy!! This led to all kinds of suggestions; subsequent phone calls led to the best father's day gift I ever received - a didjeridu lesson. Now, it hasn't been easy, but I'm getting better - more or less. And I've had a lot of help from my friends; Carmen Duncan has a son who plays the Didjeridu in the classic Aboriginal stance - on one leg. I tried that. I fell on my head. I tried that again. I fell on my head again. I will not try that again! I complained to Anne McClenahan about the anatomical impossibility of circular breathing - playing the Didjeridu without ever stopping for a breath (exhaling through the mouth while inhaling through the nose) - that's the way it's done! She wrote to me about her husband Ken's friend Alister ... who suggested I practice by blowing air into a straw in a glass of water while inhaling through the nose. "It's not that hard, " he said ... Okay. I tried that. Alister forgot to mention one thing: you almost drown when all the water runs up your nose ... But great news! I can circular breath kind of now... I can even make the sound of a dingo. Bring your Click sticks. Wait though... there's still one problem. All my life, I've had a deviated septum. I can only breath out of one side of my nose at a time. So when I take a quick inhalation through my nose while exhaling through my mouth, I'm still not getting enough air, and still have to stop for a breath. That's not going to stop me, you know. I'm going to schedule Septum Surgery. That'll do it! I'll keep you informed. Don't put those click sticks away yet!... Our
best to all of you!
Issue 17 10th March 1997 To the greatest Lost In Space fans in the world. If memory serves me correctly, (don't ever bet on my memory) it was exactly one year ago today that we spent our first day in Australia, highlighted by the fabulous Sydney Harbour Cruise & the unforgettable experience of meeting with so many of you. I know Mark Goddard will be visiting you this October; what a marvelous treat he'll have to look forward to! During the past 12 months we've exchanged mail, faxes, and phone conversations with a number of our Australian friends, and it's always a wonderful pleasure. Time does march on: John and Lee Norton got married in Ferny Grove; Miriam Larzaro and Wayne McAuliffe got engaged in Bexley and Anne McClanahan got even funnier in Croydon... There were some falling outs along the way, and then some falling ins... Steven Cateris was singularly responsible for my becoming a Violet Crumbles junkie (I'm seriously considering Rehab), and my slowly improving skills on the didjeridu are becoming, I suspect, somewhat less than legendary… Some things, of course, never change. The Glebe Island Bridge is still unbelievably beautiful piece of architecture. King's Cross is still ... well, King's Cross. And Glenn is still obsessively terrified of Red light cameras. Couple of things we're really looking forward to: Mark Aistrope from Adelaide says he plans to visit L.A. in September, and Anne McClenahan thinks she'll be here in June. Hope more of you can visit.- That would be great. And, of course, the now endlessly discussed Lost In Space movie will be viewable before another year has passed. We're as curious about it as you are. I think we'll all miss the nostalgia and familiar faces of the characters we've seen for so many years, but I know that this film will have extraordinary special effects and production values. While I know it can never be the same as the show we grew up with... hopefully, it will be great on it's own level. There is a Robot character in the script, and I've received many phone calls from many people asking if the movie's producers have contacted me. The answer is Yes... I heard from them last week. We'll see how it all works out. Jonathan Harris called a few days ago. It's always a great treat talking to him; he sounded well and happy. I know the movie's producers would dearly love for Jonathan to accept a role in the Lost In Space picture, but at the time of our conversation, at least.. he indicated he had absolutely no interest in doing that. I also know it will be a lesser picture without him. We're
fine ... miss all of you... Adrienne joins me in sending our
very best! Hi to everyone in Australia. I've just come back from appearing at a three day Creation Convention in Pasadena called Grand Slam. There were thousands of people there and I shared the stage with William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and Darth Vader. (There's a foursome for you!) It was just great! It is still my honour to say how fantastic issue No 16 of Alpha Control is; entertaining from start to finish. I always enjoy reading every issue of Alpha Control. The Mark Goddard interview was just great, he is a talented guy, he's a great actor, he really is. I thought Mark would have said more about Mr Monroe with his foot fetish ...there's more to that story you know. Mark will probably tell it all when he's in Australia. Great to read the Deforest Kelly letter, sounds like he had a great time in Australia, it reminded me of the Australian tour I had with Dick Tufeld virtually one year ago now. The time that was shown to me and my wife by Glenn and his friends in Australia, is now one of my greatest memories. I will never forget the Aussie fans. I liked very much the Steven Cateris review of the LISA Winter convention, very informative and well written. Steven, I'm checking your spelling, it's excellent! The J2 files were well done, My congratulations to Dai Buckley, Ron Gross and John Parkinson. The art work by Frantz Kantor is second to none. Just superb. The Chris Meys article about our space ship 'flying" is wonderful. I'd love one of those. I wonder how New Line Cinema will make the Jupiter II look in the upcoming movie. I'm sure it'll be well done. Speaking of the movie, the Lost In Space fans have always wanted to have this movie, and before too long there going to get it. I can only wish New Line Cinema/Prelude Pictures all my best wishes and that it will be a super picture. The will be done properly. I hear that the movie Robot might be computer animated and it may look different, but some things will never change, I have always been the Robot from Lost In Space and I always will be. As far as my involvement in the movie goes, I haven't been approached yet, but I have never knocked back a job, so we'll see how everything works out. Lost In Space has now entertained three generations and we are now staring on our fourth. My daughter Debra has just had a baby boy, Devin, (He'll be a great Lost In Space fan) so I'm now a grandfather! Mother and baby are doing well. Finally to all those unforgettable Lost In Space fans who came to see Dick Tufeld and 1, in The Robinson Robot-Body and Soul show one year ago, I thank you all. Bob May Sylmar, California U.S.A.
Issue 18 August 8th 1997 To our dear friends in Australia - We've had a major heatwave in Southern California the past few days - got up to 46 degrees Celsius in some parts of town, - but, honestly, nothing's been hotter around here than Lost In Space. "TV Guide looks at Science Fiction," well produced by Kevin Burns, aired recently. It was a one hour TV special with a ton of Sci-fi clips, hosted by William Shatner. I got to announce the show and provide the Robot's voice, and Bob May, my partner in Robotian crime, was again brilliant with his legendary moves. The Altoid Mint advertisements, recently all over New York, are now all over L.A. The omnipresent posters show a full shot of the Robot with a huge red graphic reading "Warning Will Robinson!" They're visible at every bus stop around town. The trailer for the Lost In Space movie has been running all over the country, receiving a rather remarkable audience response. It's all high tech footage, special effects, no identifying information or titles, and then, - at the very end - a voice says: "Next year - prepare for the most human adventure of all" (fade to black). The Lost In Space graphic comes up, & you hear the Robot's familiar "Danger, Will Robinson, Danger!" I was told about the reaction of four theatre audiences. (one in New York; three in L. A) They stood. They applauded. They cheered. Amazing!! At the end of August, a Sci-fi convention "StarCon '97", was held in Pasadena. Many celebrities on hand, Best of all - June, Jonathan, Billy, Marta and Angela were all there, along with Francine York, Bob May and myself from Lost In Space. Everyone looked wonderful, and we had a chance to visit for two great days. The event was well publicised with interviews and features on local television channels all dealing with Lost In Space. CNN also covered the happenings on their "Show Biz Today" show. They carried a quick Robot sequence, with Robby the Robot blinking, Bob May talking and me, quietly grinning. (or was that a gas cramp?) Access Hollywood - a nationally syndicated TV show, also ran a recent piece with Bill Mumy, Bob May & myself talking about you know what. They plan a lengthier, focused follow up to air in November. The Sci-fi Channel is going to run another 18 hour Lost In Space marathon in October. They taped conversations with all the cast, and many of the clips will run between and during the many episodes airing this October 16th. (Wonder why they chose that date?) And finally, the Los Angeles Times recently ran a huge, three page, Lost In Space story in their Calendar section. The headline read "The Lost In Space movie is coming -- but don't worry, the Robot's back! ". It was a really in depth feature, with pictures and information about the original TV cast, and contained a lot you wanted to know about the forthcoming motion picture. So, you get the point. Lost In Space is at it's absolute zenith of popularity and notoriety. And the movie is already receiving more pre release publicity than any picture in recent memory. Lots more to come! So Stay Tuned -- Adrienne (Deadliest of the Species) joins me in sending our very best wishes to all of you, Oh, and by the way.. I think I have a real shot for an Olympic Gold medal in Sydney -- given for the highest degree of futility achieved in Didjeridu performance. I've now mastered the sounds of the Dingo. The Emu is next. Then I'm going for the Rainbow Serpent of mythology. (Don't worry they'll drag me away long before that!) All of you - Be Well! Dick Tufeld Studio City, California U.S.A. To all my Aussie friends in Australia It's been one convention after another, with one really special convention-. Star Con 1997 held in Pasadena, in which the cast, the Robot and Dick Tufeld. (minus Mark who was in Boston. and we all missed him) Recently, I had the privilege and the honour to work as the Robot, with William Shatner on a TV special called TV Guide looks at Science Fiction, produced & directed by my good friend Kevin Bums. Mr. Shatner is a great star and fun to work with. Dick Tufeld and I appeared together on Access Hollywood TV show and the Sci-fi channel, and you all know how much fun it is when Bob May and Dick Tufeld are together! I hope that all my friends in Australia are looking forward to our special day: October 16th 1997. The original Blast-off date of the Jupiter II. As I told you in the last issue of Alpha Control. my daughter Deborah presented my wife Judy and I with a beautiful and healthy grandson named Devin - so now I'm a grandfather ... however, he will not be the new Robot. I still love that job, and can still fit inside with ease. Miss all of you, and your beautiful country. Your Robot pal Bob May Sylmar, California U.S.A.
Issue 19 February 5th 1998. To our dear Australian friends First of all, let me be the last (or the first depending on this publishing date) to wish all of you a happy & healthy new year. (Better late than never!) 1997 wound up with a lot of excitement for the Tufelds. In September, we spent 18 days in Hong Kong, Tokyo & Kyoto -- all of which was truly wonderful. Then, in the middle of October -- the 16th, if you must know - the entire cast from the Lost In Space TV series gathered at the Museum of Television & Radio in Beverly Hills for a special celebration of the Jupiter II's blast-off into what is starting to look like immortality. It was a terrific festive evening. Everyone was there (including Mark Goddard who had just gotten back from Sydney). Everyone was well and everyone looked wonderful. Ten days later we went back to London to record the Robot's voice for the Lost In Space movie at Shepperton Studios. Working with the movie's director, Stephen Hopkins in Post Production was a great experience. He's a hands-on director, knows what he wants and is looking for, and is always open to suggestions. It was a five hour session and I enjoyed every minute of it; plus I got to see a lot of absolutely awesome footage! The movie's special effects will really knock you out!! In all, we spent a week in London. Got to visit with friends I'd worked with on the Tom Jones TV show in the late 70's, and friends from Tokyo were also in town during our visit. So we had a great time. And then we went to Paris for four days after that! Can't think of a more memorable October - November. New Line has come out with a lot of Lost In Space toys. From the TV series, an 11" talking Robot (whose head lights up & swivels), a talking Robot Christmas tree ornament, a 3" Robot key chain, and get this -- a T-Shirt with the Robot's picture that also talks! (If that doesn't remove the T-Shirt ban at LIS fan club dinners, I don't know what will.) There's more to come: A blue Robot and a silver Robot from the movie (they talk too), a Sega computer game with a ton of Robot dialogue, and for those of you who want the best for your teeth --- a Robot Toothbrush! And there's more to come. The merchandise is unbelievable. Last Sunday February 1st -- There was a comic book & Sci-Fi convention at the Shrine auditorium in Los Angeles attended by 2,500-3.000 people. Lost In Space was there to promote the movie with producer/screen-writer Akiva Goldsman. Gary Oldman, Mimi Rogers, Matt LeBlanc, Lacey Chabert and Jack Johnson all in attendance. It was my chance to meet my new and very impressive Robinson family. There was a lot of press and television coverage. A friend of mine from Sydney called the following morning; said he nearly fell off the chair when he saw me being interviewed on Channel 7 that night. and Glenn of L.I.S.A. faxed and called me the next day too to say that he saw it as well. The movie's getting remarkable pre-release publicity. It will open in the States April 3rd--April 9th in Australia and the Hollywood premiere is now scheduled for Sunday March 29th. And finally - and perhaps the best -- we've had a couple of visits here from Australian L.I.S.A. members. Mark Aistrope from Adelaide was here in October with some friends; and just a few days ago we had a chance to visit with committee member Anne McClenahan and her cousin Carmen Duncan. Had a wonderful time with all of them! More
to come, talk to you soon. To all my Aussie friends. It's still hectic convention time for me, one after another. There's been television too, just recently, I appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, set up by Kevin Burns & New Line Cinema. As the Robot, I rolled on stage and the audience gave out a tremendous roar. Then I had a short conversation with Jay Leno. Matt LeBlanc was on the show too - his a big fan of Lost In Space, I like him a lot, he was there with his friend Matthew Perry. I’ve just come back from the "Bob May Hollywood Party Cruise" it was treinendously successful, we had a whole bunch of stars with us cruising to Ensenada for three days and niglits on the ship "The Holiday". I've got the sea cruise bug now, as we are organising another cruise - an Hawaiian starting December 2nd; five ports and four islands, it's going to be exciting as hell. If any Aussies are interested, drop me a line care of LISA As you know, it won't be long till the movie New Line Cinema have sent me many Robot products and I've done a lot of signings for them. Even though Jonathan, Billy, and myself aren’t in the movie, my message is simple: you fans have been asking for it for years, New Line has heard you - now you're getting the movie. You've made up your mind about the series, go see the movie, support it and have an open mind about it. Miss
your beautiful country, take care all my Australian buddies.
Issue 20 To our dear friends in Australia: It's been exactly six months since my last letter to you, and from a "Lost In Space" perspective, a lot has been, and is, going on. It was great attending the movie's premiere at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood on March 29th, and there was a marvelous party at the Hollywood Palladium after that. Everyone from the movie cast was there along with director Stephen Hopkins and writer/producer Akiva Goldsman. The premiere had a huge amount of media coverage, and I was asked to do a number of television interviews. The TV interviewer from London stopped me cold when she asked "If you knew you were going to be Lost In Space forever, and could take only two items with you --- what would you take?" Well, that question was quite unexpected, the camera was rolling and, as usual, they had to pry my foot out of my mouth when I finally blurted out: "Food --- and a Urinal". The interviewer collapsed with laughter, and I collapsed with embarrassment. Obviously, you can't take me anywhere.... On April 3rd, the day the movie opened in 3,350 theaters here in the States, the "Lost In Space Return to Earth" convention (with the original TV cast) got under way at the Hollywood Entertainment Museum. Much has been said and written about this event, on line and off, pro and con. I can tell you this: artistically, it was great! The entire cast was in wonderful form... terrific panel discussions... dynamite displays... the overall presentation probably the best of any Lost In Space convention. Billy Mumy and his band. the Jenerators. played on Saturday night and Jonathan hosted a really good Sunday breakfast. And the fans loved it all! But --- the weather was lousy!! It rained steadily for two days severely. impacting the size of the crowds... In addition, other events were also scheduled in the city those days: all of which put the financial success of the convention in serious jeopardy. Producers Gary Sohmers and Fred Shenuan. and Kevin Bums of Foxstar Productions really deserved a great deal more. In the middle of May, Angela Cartwright asked Bill Mumy and me to serve as judges for the annual St. Michael's School-Coldwater Canyon Chili Cookoff. We had a really fun day, quite notable for a couple of reasons; first of all, Bill Mumy has not had one bite of meat in twenty years. (If that doesn't qualify him as an expert judge, I don't know what does.) And, of course, asking me to judge a Chili Cookoff brings new meaning to the term: "Blast Off!" Went to Las Vegas early in July along with Mimi Rogers and Jack Johnson from the movie cast. There was a huge video tape dealers' convention there (about 10,000 attendees), and New Line Cinema hosted a gala party at Liberace's former home the night before. We were all at the LIS display booth for conversation and autographs the next day. I got a lot of requests from people to "do the Robot's voice". It's always a kick to watch their eyes light up and see them smile when I do. The Lost In Space videos, by the way, will hit the stores October 6th, here in America, and I think a very large buying frenzy is anticipated... maybe as much as 90-100 million dollars. I understand New Line plans to spend around 20 million dollars to promote the video sales. For those of you who follow such things -- the movie, as of this date, has grossed 69 million dollars in North America & about 29.5 million internationally. It just opened in England last week (it was number one), with France and the rest of Europe yet to follow. It opens in Japan in December, where it should be very successful. Along with all the merchandise sales (now they're coming out with a talking Robot watch!) plus the forthcoming videos - I think the entire movie package may accurately be termed a financial success, and perhaps might trigger a sequel. Hope so. Something really nice happened last June. Icons (a company in Burbank) is manufacturing a full size replica Robot from the TV series with all the electronic sights and sounds. It's going to sell for around 8000 U.S. dollars. Along with Bob May, I was invited to lunch and to visit their facility and was absolutely delighted to meet (for the first time!) Robert Kinoshita. Robert, as many of you know, was the Art Director for the series; he designed Robby the Robot, and, of course, our favorite Robot. We had never met. You can imagine what a great pleasure and honor this was for me. Couple of quick notes: With the movie opening last week in Ireland, I did a radio interview a few days ago for a station in Dublin with Sean Moncrief, and another radio piece recently with Leon Byner that aired in Adelaide (our friend Mark Aistrope's home town). I really enjoy getting such requests from overseas, and am constantly amazed at how thoroughly knowledgeable the interviewers are. Danger Will Robinson! -- Danger!! Kevin Bums is at it again!! He's in the middle of producing and filming the ultimate Lost In Space documentary, "Lost In Space Forever". We'll all be in it. I understand Jonathan is even going to shave his moustache and wear his original Dr. Smith suit for the project. (Why do I think he's getting paid A LOT for this??) I think you'll see video clips of Jonathan, Bob May, Mark Goddard and me taken in Australia, and -- this is REALLY big -- astute comments made by Glenn while wearing his black suit!! Could I make that up?? It's not to be missed!!! And finally.... it's always great to see L.I.S.A. Committee member, Anne McClenahan when she visits over here. We got to do that a few weeks ago; this time her husband, Ken, was able to come along. So that made it doubly great. His presence, of course, forced both Anne and me to attempt good behavior. Never easy for Anne. Virtually impossible for me. Since we won't have another chance to say this in print before their November wedding -- Adrienne and I want to send our love and congratulations to two of our all time favorites, Miriam Lazaro and Wayne McAuliffe. They're finally doing it -- on November 22nd in Sydney -- and we're thrilled! (Actually, I suspect they've always been doing it in Sydney ... ) I'll comply with their request and send them my invaluable pre-nuptual advice and counsel. And speaking of weddings -- our youngest son, Craig, married Carole in Santa Monica on July 12th. It was wonderful. We think she's wonderful. Hopefully. we might recover by the turn of the century. Don't bet on it... Love
to all. From Adrienne, too. To all my fans in Australia. 10th August 1998 I'm in the process of writing a book about my show-business family and, of course, I'm still doing lot of conventions and public appearances. Just recently I appeared at Pasadena Starcon ‘98 with Angela Cartwright and Vitina Marcus. The ladies have never looked so beautiful. Technology has caught up with the May household, and no"- I'm on the Internet, everyone is quite welcome to visit my website at www. robot-B9.com I've had a look at your L. I.S.A. club website, and it is very good indeed. The April 3rd "Return to Earth Convention" at the Hollywood Museum was great fun, and we had some great laughs. It was great to see everyone (the LIS cast) once again and I was very pleased to see Vitina Marcus, Francine York and Lou Wagner at the convention. I haven't seen Lou for years. Has anyone noticed all the great Lost In Space toys? I have to thank New Line Cinema for two things, (1) The movie regenerated love and interest in our television show. (2) They bought out a whole bunch of great merchandise connected with the TV show. I had a lunch reunion recently with the original Robot design and maintenance crew, whom I haven't seen since Lost In Space finished. There was Johnny Burgazie, Bill Myatt, and the designer of the Robinson Robot himself, Robert Kinoshita. Robert is a wonderful man, he's 84 years old now and as soon we saw each other, we exchanged the biggest hug. You better believe there was a lot of reminiscing and quite a few stories told at that lunch. I have been told that Lost In Space is playing on Australian television again, on the Seven Network, every Sunday night. And right from the beginning too. Have a look at the first three episodes, I actually walk the Robot in the shots. That caused me a lot of pain and blood! I remember saying to Robert there has to be a better way than this, and so the Robot team bolted the legs together and I rolled in every full shot scene after that. We
to see you one day again in Australia, miss your beautiful country
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Issue 21 November 30th, 1998 To our dear friends in Australia - With the Holiday season and The New Year fast approaching, we have good news and bad news to report: The good news is that Kevin Bums' splendid documentary, "Lost In Space Forever", had its first Los Angeles TV airing this past weekend. Skillfully produced, directed and edited, the one hour television special is a wonderful summation of the show's "before", "after", and "now" phases that's guaranteed to please every genuine Lost In Space fan (which includes every one of you) ... The bad news is that Glenn (legendary member of the LISA committee) who was filmed speaking earnestly and effectively and thoughtfully about Lost In Space's amazing life in Australia (all this whilst wearing his legendary black suit) --- Glenn ended up --- regrettably -- on the cutting room floor. Mon Dieu! Quel donimage!! What a pity !!! What can I say? --- But -- when you have the opportunity --- see the show anyway. All the cast is at their very best. Jonathan and Billy are great. Angela and Marta look fabulous. June, as always, is a delight. Mark still has it going -- big time. Bob May has come up with some really innovative, knockout Robot moves that you've never seen before. You'll like host John Larroquette. And Jonathan, Billy and the Robot have some really funny dialogue in the sketch that ends the show. Don't miss it. And perhaps at the next LIS convention, we can package and sell "Glenn:-- the lost Black Suit videos." Great idea. Had a funny experience in New York about a month ago. We were having dinner with five friends from Tokyo at the Park Avenue Grill. One of our party mentioned to our young waiter that I was the voice of the Robot. "You're kidding!", he exclaimed. "Do it! Do it!! Do the voice!!!" So I did the obligatory "Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!! Our waiter is a Bubble-headed Booby!". "Oh my God!". he said -- "That's it! That's it!". Then -- thirty minutes later (between the first course and the main course) he brought the Chef from the kitchen over to our table. Said the waiter to us: "He (the Chef) doesn't believe me! Do the voice for HIM!!". So then I did it for the Chef who shouted out "I don't believe it!! I don't believe it!!". And then -- about two hours later -- as we were all leaving the restaurant, the Maitre de rushed up to Adrienne and excitedly asked. "Which one is he? Which one is the Robot??" I never cease to be amazed that over thirty years later -- The Robot character still generates that kind of joyful and enthusiastic response. When I last wrote to you in August, I mentioned a telephone interview we did with Leon Byner for his Adelaide radio program. Well, Leon came to Hollywood a few weeks ago with his camera crew (Scan Dinning & John Briggs) and we got together for a television interview for Adelaide, and for dinner, after that. Lovely guys -- big Lost In Space fans -- and we'll look forward to seeing them again when they return in March. Our friends, Miriam Lazaro and Wayne McAuliffe, who we met during "The Robinson Robot - Body and Soul Tour" in Sydney in 1996 --- got married on November 22nd. From all reports, it was a beautiful wedding and a truly wonderful day. Wish we could have been there. I know all of you join us in wishing them a lifetime of joy and happiness and health, And to all of you -- Adrienne and I send our very best always-, have a wonderful holiday season and the happiest of all New Years! Dick Tufeld Los Angeles, U.S.A. 5th December 1998 To my fans in Australia. This year has had me doing a lot of conventions and public appearances, and no doubt I'll be doing a lot more in 1999, 1 really do enjoy meeting the fans of Lost In Space. This year had its ups and downs, however there have been many great events; meeting new friends and seeing old pals, the In Space Movie premiere, and the filming of "Lost In Space Forever" - a new hour-long TV special. With great thanks to Kevin Bums, who did a fantastic Job of producing and directing this TV special, it was so enjoyable working again with Jonathan Harris (Dr. Smith) and Bill Mumy (Will Robinson), both exceptional actors and total professionals. We all had a lot of fun, and with the talents of the great Dick Tufeld, we proved without a shadow of doubt, that we still have the magic! Again thanks to Kevin and his super staff. I rang Jonathan Harris on his birthday, November 6th and wished the best. I told him I was very pleased to working with him again as I was, all those years ago. When you see the TV special, you will just adore Jonathan in character again. To say that you don't adore Jonathan, is to say you're not interested in breathing. Lots of people have been visiting my Website, there's always lots to talk about, so if you're on-line, please feel free to contact me on www.robot-b9.com A big thank you to all those folks that have bought my "Robot Memories" documentary video. through this magazine. I'm very proud of that production that Mike Clark and I put together in the early 90's. I'm even happier about the cheques that are sent to me and Mike - Thank you Australia. I’m doing a show/convention in Fresno on 22nd, 23rd and 24th of December '98 and then I'm shooting to Los Angeles, "There my wife Judy and I will be spending Christmas eve with my daughter Deborah and my grandson Devin. (January 7th, he'll be two years old!) Then, on Christmas day I'll be spending the day with my son Marty and grandson Dakota. Lately the grandchildren have been exhibiting so much energy, I've got a feeling they are going to turn out to be professional football players. I wish all my fans in Australia a very merry festive season, Judy and I miss all of you down there - our bags are packed and ready to visit you all again, at a moments notice. Merry Christmas!
Issue 22/23 June 17, 1999 To our dear friends in Australia, Gotta few Lost in Space links for you this time around... so fasten your seat belts... might be a bumpy ride. Readers of Alpha Control know all about Kevin Bums. He's been at 20th Century Fox and their Foxstar Productions for over a dozen years now and it was Kevin who rescued the original LIS Robot from a dusty prop spent many MANY thousands of his own dollars having it rebuilt to original specifications, and more, than anyone, has been the enduring keeper of the Lost In Space flame. Kevin was the producer of "The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen" as well as "Lost In Space Forever." Recently Kevin formed a new production company, Prometheus Entertainment, that'll be housed within the Fox Television Studios in West Los Angeles. And - we understand New Line Cinema (who owns all the Lost In Space properties) has asked Kevin to consider helping develop a POSSIBLE (may never happen!) new LIS project - perhaps for TV, perhaps for film, perhaps a series, and with the original television cast some thirty years later. Whoa!! Now THAT'S something to think about!! As George Eastman said when his company, Eastman Kodak, first introduced photographic roll film in 1888 -We'll see what develops. AND SPEAKING OF KEVIN BURNS AND SPEAKING OF THE ROBOT: It's up for sale ... Honest!! In case you haven't already heard - Ebay.com. the huge web auction site, has been listing it for bid, the past few days and it's yours for the taking. You better have a few dollars stashed away, though... minimum acceptable bid is $150,000 (US)!! KEVIN BURNS - FINAL NOTE: He recently acquired a prop from one of his favourite TV shows, "The Munsters" - the Electric chair! Knowing Kevin's obsession with authenticity, don't be surprised if he turns it into a working model and has it electrified. If visiting his home - I urge you to be careful where you sit. THE MONEY LINE: Story in Daily Variety last March about New Line Cinema signing a string of global partnerships on most of its foreign deals. The new agreements will enable New Line to reduce and cover a large percentage of its production costs. On "Lost In Space for example, New Line leveraged as much as 70 million dollars on the 90 million production cost out of foreign sales. The film grossed about 140 million world-wide, including 70 million dollars 'in the US and 16 million in the UK. THE McCLENAHAN REPORT: One of the nicest things about our Robinson Robot Body and Soul Tour 'in 1996 was meeting Anne McClenahan ... a wonderful lady and REALLY FUNNY. After hearing her at the Bankstown Sports Club, I remember telling her, "You ought to be a stand up comic". Well, it came to pass. The company she works for, Picker Australia (supplier of gamma machines for nuclear medicine), sends her to LA on business every once in awhile and she was here about a week ago with her lovely associate, Jennifer Wells. Seems they dropped into the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip one evening for some music. Afterwards they went across the street to the legendary Comedy Club where the comedian on stage started making less than respectable comments about Australian ways and accents. Anne in the audience, started heckling him... and he said, "Well, if you think you can do any better - why don't you up on stage" Of course, asking Anne if she'd like to do comedy is a little like asking Bill Clinton if he has any interest in sex. Anne did... went through a couple of her routines... and brought down the house.' When she was done, the chagrined comic asked her when she was going back to Australia and asked If he could use her material until she came back to the States. Pretty funny..... LOST IN TIME: About a year ago, Trendmasters, the toy manufacturer had me record a ton of stuff for a talking Robot animated watch, it occurred to me recently that I had never heard of the watch being available anywhere. So I called Trendmasters. They told me that, for whatever reason, the watch never went into production. I asked if one was obtainable anywhere. They said they'd check... and a week later called to say they had found a sample in Asia and were sending it to me. Well - it's a knockout item! Press a button and the Robot tells you the exact time - minute by minute - 24 hours a day ... along with many many familiar Robot phrases from the show... and while this is taking place, the animated Robot on the LCD dial readout is waving its arms, spinning it's head or flashing his chest light. There are sounds and music... even Dr. Smith can be seen and heard. It's really a kick!! It's also a stopwatch, an alarm and has a time and date readout as well. If it ever goes into production, check it out. Hope it becomes available one day.... 2ND GENERATION STUFF: Several months ago, Adrienne and I had dinner with Kevin Bums and his sister at The Grill 'in Beverley Hills - We all fell down when the maitre de turned out to be Mark Goddard's handsome and affable son. Michael… There's more. A few weeks after that, we stopped in for some pizza at Ciaoti's, a local restaurant. One of the young waitresses with the greatest smile in the world stopped by to say hello. She was absolutely adorable - a family trait, I think. It was Angela Cartwright's beautiful 17-year-old daughter, Becca. We couldn't stop raving about her 3RD GENERATION STUFF: Went to an LA Dodger game recently. Sitting two rows in front of us was Michael Goddard (see above paragraph), his lovely wife and their beautiful 5 month old son, Mark's grandchild! Don't want you to think I'm feeling old or anything like that ... not till we hit the 4th generation anyway... TUFELD UPDATE: Enjoyed working on "The Sirnpsons" a while back. I know that episode with the Robot screened in Australia recently, it was fun to do, and the production people on that show are the nicest you'll ever find anywhere... Talked to Jonathan, too, around that time... he sounded well; its always nice touching bases with him... Oh, and I really enjoyed this: was doing some promo narration for the WB network about three weeks ago when Mark Hamill came into our room to also do some work for them - We were both all grins as Star Wars finally got to hang out with Lost In Space. I know the crew got a huge kick out of it... Me too. Dick
Tufeld June 19, 1999 To my fans in Australia, Hello from a very hot Los Angeles, I believe it's winter in Australia at the moment and boy, we need some of that. As I told you last time, I'm writing a book about my family, but in addition I now have plans under way for a "Robot Memories" video sequel. It will encompass all the important Lost In Space events since 1990 and a few surprises as well. I'll keep you posted on that. Otherwise, I've been attending quite a few big Sci-fi Conventions, on average about two a month, all over the U.S.A. (My autograph table keeps getting bigger and bigger). I've just appeared at two big conventions; one was called Grand Slam, at Pasadena with June Lockhart & Steve Catalano (Guy Williams' son). The other was Fright-Vision at Akron Ohio with Mark Goddard-, this event was very special as I was surrounded by Robinson Robots. It was the first get-together of the Robot B-9 builders club, consisting of fans from all over the country who have built perfect replica Robots ... and it was very hard job to judge a winner!!! With all my conventions. I am meeting alot of visiting Aussies. and whenever I do, I give them a big hug, because I was treated so well in Australia and I can't wait to come back one day. Do you know I'll be 60 of age on the 4th September? But I've gotta tell you I feel like I'm 22 ... and I act like I'm five! Ha'Ha' My wife Judy, my grandchildren (Devin is now two years old, and he's 3 foot, 4 inches tall! - if he gets any taller I'm going to hire him as a security guard!) and I are really enjoying life at the moment and are very much looking forward to the future! Lots of Love and Luck - your Robot pal. Bob
May
Issue 24 To our dear friends in Australia - Some rambling, babbling and shared thoughts this time around: Only a couple more months left in the century and, like you, we're all looking forward to the millennium and new century. It's hard to conceive that the next 100 could have the incredible technological advances of the 20th century... and yet we all know it's not only likely, but VERY probable. So hang on to your space suits and prepare for blast off. Should be quite a ride! LOST IN SPACE seems to be in a semi quiescent state at the moment. We continue to hear slight rumblings, however, about this and that... so perhaps in the near future, there'll be much more to talk and speculate about. In the meantime... LOST IN WEB SITES: Always something to click into on the many LIS sites. You all know about LISA at www.lisa.org.au .... And for fans of the Robot, friends Daniel and Paul Monroe have had a terrific site, THE MAGNETIC LOCK, going for over a couple of years now... available at http://members.aol.com/dmd7371067/robot.htm The newest one, THE B9 ROBOT BUILDERS CLUB, has been up and running for six months or so. Jeff Baudin, who put together an absolutely AMAZING Robot, is quite active in the organization. If you haven't done so, check it out at www.robotbuilders.net/B9/index.html It's really good! LOST IN SUSPENSION: Adrienne and I were in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago to attend the wedding of Judy and Max Bryer's lovely daughter, Victoria. It was a really wonderful black tie affair at the Resort at Summerlin. The morning of the nuptials I woke up horrified. I had forgotten to bring along the SUSPENDERS for my tuxedo pants ... which needed them, and had no belt loops for a belt! And I was really annoyed about having to spend another $35-40 for a new pair. That afternoon we were in the new Bellagio Hotel where several men's shops are located. Went into three of them.... they didn't have any suspenders. I asked, "Is there a shop here in the hotel that might sell suspenders? " (It was about 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside, and I certainly wasn't going to wander around town looking in that heat.) "You might try Armani's or Hermes, " the clerk suggested. Well, I wasn't going to Armani's. I told Adrienne they'd probably cost $75-100 in that upscale store. So we walked into Hermes and asked for suspenders. The clerk brought out two pair. "How much are they, " I inquired. (They looked pretty much like what I had hanging in my closet back home) "This pair is only $360... aren't they lovely," he answered. 'And how much are the others?" (I was keeping a straight face ... not easy)...... Oh, aren't they wonderful! They're only $480, " was his response. Talk about sticker shock!! Just think - for only about $900 (tax included) you can have TWO pair of suspenders! So guess who kept pulling his pants up ENDLESSLY all night long at the wedding. Actually I would have pinned the pants to my shirt except I was terrified that I might bend over suddenly... LOST IN THE MEN'S ROOM: The Grammy Awards is one of the most successful musical events on live television. It's been around for about 30 years, and seen annually by millions of viewers around the world. I've been privileged to announce 16 of them, and NEVER will I forget my first one. It was held at the Hollywood Palladium on Sunset Boulevard - one of this town's nicer dance palaces. One problem though... Because the Palladium wasn't a huge facility that could accommodate all the necessary television production - there was no room in which to set up the announcer and his microphone. Not a room. Not a closet. Not even a broom closet. So where did they put me?? Well, for the first and last time in the history of television --- how about the MEN'S ROOM!! Here's the good news: tile floors - tile walls - tile ceiling. Unbelievable acoustics and reverberation! I never sounded so good!! Here's the bad news; the room had to continue being a men's room even during the broadcast. So - you guessed it. In the middle of the show while I was in the middle of some big time announcement... microphone ON -- some guy walks into the toilet stall right next to me, does what he has to do, and FLUSHES the water closet while I'm talking my heart out... to help punctuate my listing of some award winners. Oh, and then the viewers heard loud running water as he thoroughly washed his hands and God knows what else. It was quite a remarkable effect, believe me... LOST MY MIND: Find out how Richard Tufeld turned BEET RED and almost died from his embarrassment. And he hasn't forgotten it to this day....Read about it in the latest Alpha Control Issue 24. To all of you --- a wonderful, happy and healthy New Year and Century!! Dick
Tufeld To my fans in Australia. I'm still doing a lot of public appearances and conventions. I've just celebrated my 60th birthday; last September 4th, and boy, did the May household have a blast. My son Marty, daughter Debbie, and my grandchildren Devin and Dakota were all there and you better believe there was a lot of laughter to get through that night. Great to see Lost In Space Forever coming out on video throughout Australia for the first time in the world. Look for it from October 27th 1999 'in your favourite video store. Jonathan, Billy, Dick Tufeld and I poured our heart and soul into that project, so if you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favour and buy it! Look closely at the last scene, you will notice that I (the Robot) have the final summation of the fate of the Jupiter II I recently had dinner with Richard Hatch (from Battlestar Galactica fame) and his girlfriend Sophie. Richard is a great guy, a great actor, and he has just shown me his self-funded pilot for a new Battlestar Galactica movie in a small studio across the road from Paramount. After seeing it, I can tell you it's fantastic. I feel that if he gets this project going, it will be the biggest hit in Sci-fi to this date! He is pitching it to the American television networks at the moment and we wish him the best with his pilot. To all my Aussie friends, I understand you will be celebrating the year 2000 before we do, because of international time differences. So I hope whatever you are doing, or what your plans may hold, you will have a damn good time, because I will be with my family! Till next time, Lots of Love and Luck - your Robot pal Bob
May
Issue 25 To our dear friends in Australia: Well, the big news in our family is that Adrienne and I are going to be grandparents again! Our son Craig and his wife, Carole, are expecting a baby and the due date is July the 4th - Independence Day over here. If you saw the great old movie about songwriter George M. Cohan starring James Cagney - you know that the great song in that picture that immortalizes that date is I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy --- born on the 4th of July!! If the baby's birthday really turns out to be July the 4th -- Carole and Craig are threatening to name the child -- Yankee Doodle Tufeld. Really makes you root for July 3rd, 5th, 6th or any other day of the month, doesn't it.... HOW TO SOLVE A BIG PROBLEM: For several months now a pesky gopher has been systematically destroying our backyard lawn. Tried getting rid of it by using traps, gopher granola (strychnine), gopher smoke bombs, even chewing gum (that it would choke on) --- nothing worked! Finally, in desperation, I left my copy of Bob May's Robot Memories out in the backyard one night. And guess what??? --- the gopher never came back! Whoa!!! AND SPEAKING OF BOB: -- He and Mike Clark are in the midst of producing a follow-up video to Bob's 1990 Robot Memories. It should be coming out pretty soon. Bob says it will focus on his fabulous fan conventions and travels over the world -- which means there should be a lot of footage of our wonderful Australian Robinson Robot - Body and Soul Tour in 1996. I'll be anxious to check it out. Get to check out Marta Kristen a lot these days. She's featured in a television commercial for Advil (an aspirin-like product) that's running a lot here in the States. We see her digging in her garden saying 'I used to have aches and pains --- but no more... since I've been taking Advil!" She looks and sounds absolutely wonderful! Perhaps we should all start taking Advil... UPDATE ON LOST IN SPACE: Rights to the original TV series have now reverted back to Sheila Allen. Sheila and our good friend Kevin Bums at 20th Century Fox (Prometheus Productions) have a long history of working together... so don't be surprised if Kevin tries to develop and perhaps syndicate some sort of new (and much desired) television version of LIS. Hope it happens!! Rang up Glenn this morning to say "G'Day, Mate Happy Birthday!!" He actually claims he's now 27 years of age. Uhhh... I don't think so, Dorian.... Wish we could be there to buy you a Bluey or two. Hope you have a great year! And finally -- can hardly wait until September and the Sydney Olympics! You know all the world will be watching you do yourself proud!! To all of you -- all our best always! Dick
Tufeld To my fans in Australia I loved the last Alpha Control; I loved everything from the articles to the artwork. You have the best Lost In Space magazine - period! ... Well, I've got some exciting events to share; firstly, my son Marty has given us a new granddaughter, her name is Chelsea-Cheyenne. She's a very welcome addition to our other grandchildren; Dakota and Devin. You know, instead of these new family members making us feel older, we are actually acting younger! We have a blast with them! There was a short period last year where I wasn't so well, however I'm feeling great now. My family and I celebrated Christmas 1999 here at my home and all was wonderful. Secondly, I'd like to announce here in Alpha Control, that I am in pre-production with producer Mike Clark for a video sequel to my 1990 Robot Memories. Mike and I are re-teaming after exactly ten years, to create Robot Memories Act II. We will have an exclusive interview with the Robinson Robot designer; legendary Robert Kinoshita (now 86 and is very active) for very the first tune ever! The energetic art director will recall how he was hired on Lost In Space and how he came to create the character that I ended up portraying. Of very special interest will be Robert's original photos; showing how he designed our mechanical friend including a 'bubble' type washing machine he created out of transparent plastic in the 1940's. That bubble was the basis for the B9's bubblehead, twenty-five years later. If that isn't enough, he even talks about designing his famous Robby the Robot! (Not that we really need to know about him!) Also interviewed for the first time, is the classic Robot crew from the original series; Johnny Borgese and Bill Myiatt. The former Fox technicians helped to fabricate the Robot, and then maintained him during the series. Johnny even brought some never-before-seen stills, shot behind the scenes of Lost In Space. Primarily it be almost a travel documentary entailing my many treks all over the world with my Lost In Space fans of the last decade. We will feature many LIS convention fans and show their sensational home-built Robots. We just came back the Fright Vision 2000 convention in Akron, Ohio (30th March-April 2nd) where Mike and his team filmed some key scenes with 'The B9 Robot Builders Club' This was a fantastic convention for many reasons. I appeared 'm front of more than six thousand fans - and I was completely surrounded by quite a few full size replicas of our favourite friend... I was given the difficult & wondrous task of presiding over the 'Best Robot' contest, carefully inspecting the Robots to decide on a winner. As I was judging, Guy Williams' son (Steve) made a priceless appearance - dressed in his father's original Zorro outfit. Surprise! We chewed up the scenery, crossing sword blades in an entertaining interview. Another high point of the day was a surprise appearance by my son Marty - who I didn't recognize at first... because he entered wearing a 'Robot Halloween' costume. It was a great ambush, all filmed for our up-coming video. Additionally my buddy Dick Tufeld and Australia will be represented as well, with great footage of our 1996 'Robinson Robot-Body and Soul Tour'! You will also see exclusive footage of 1998's Return To Earth Convention and behind-the-scenes video shot during the making of The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen and Lost In Space Forever. Plus LIS TV specials, numerous guest appearances, promos, a gallery of models/toys and more. It's going to be a lot of fun, I'll keep you posted as to when you can buy a copy! Finally, we will be looking forward with anticipation to seeing the 2000 Olympics, as we have such wonderful memories of Sydney. My wife Judy and I send all our love to all and I want you to know that I miss all my fans constantly in Australia, and I'm ready to come back anytime you will have me! Till next time, Lots of Love and Luck - your Robot pal. Bob
May
Issue 26/27 In our last issue of Alpha Control, we reported about a very special Lost In Space individual who was 'not well'. We were referring to Dick Tufeld. (Lost In Space's narrator and voice of the Robinson Robot). The greatest announcer of our time would lose his golden voice... would be told by doctors that he had a paralysed vocal chord -- that he would no longer be able to speak above a whisper. This story is far from fiction. It is filled with the kind of despair, hope, courage and strength that few of us are ever subjected to or must reach for. And it is also about the dedication of skilled doctors sharing an unshakable will of resolve. Dick Tufeld has lived this story. He tells it now; exclusive to LISA as the voice Lost In Space now speaks once again... THESE
ARE EDITED HIGHLIGHTS ONLY TO READ MORE - JOIN LISA NOW! - "To our dear friends.... I'm not the most religious person in the world, but what I'm about to tell you IS, by all standards, nothing less than a miracle. For the past six and a half months, I have been unable to speak... could only whisper... often with a volume level even less of a whisper. Frustrated, bewildered -- I simply could not talk! Around the end of last March -- I lost my voice... completely. Could not utter a sound. I presumed I was going through a siege of laryngitis. But after about five days of that, I thought I'd better see a doctor. When a videotape was made of my vocal chords, it was visually obvious that my left vocal chord was completely PARALYSED". "An immediate X-ray and subsequent cat-scan showed the shocking cause; there was a tumor. And among other things, it had impacted and damaged the nerve leading to that vocal chord. Such damage was almost always irrevocable, I was told. ...We were in shock. My speech, as I knew it, would not be returning... Devastating, as that was to contemplate, there were, of course, bigger concerns that had to be dealt with -- and were. Two months of radiation and chemotherapy would follow. It was not the best of summers. Didn't exactly have the time of my life. Not exactly a million laughs. But we got through it. And -- with great results. All successful. All positive. All hopeful." "One of the most heart warming aspects of all of this was the ongoing kindness and affection of the Lost In Space cast. Along with Kevin Bums of 20th Century Fox, they called, mailed, sent cards, flowers, Violet Crumbles, gifts. And while, when they called, I couldn't speak to them on the phone -- Adrienne and I were deeply affected by their obvious expressions of love and concern. Add our dear Australian friends to that list: LISA; all of you helped illuminate some of our darkest moments". "Let me try to explain about my voice. The vocal chords, when properly working, sit side by side and nearly touch each other while vibrating... resulting in the sound we know as speech. Because my left vocal chord was totally paralysed (due to nerve damage) -- it could not move to be able to virtually touch the normal chord. Instead of coming together -- there was air space between the two chords. And so, there was no volume and there would be no sound". "Dr. Edward Kantor, one of this country's most pre-eminent physicians specializing in vocal problems (he's taken care of Streisand, Sinatra, Gene Simmons of KISS, and many famous others) and who first videotaped my paralysed vocal chord - recently introduced me to Dr. Shawn Nasseri. I met with Nasseri. He described a surgery developed by a Japanese plastic surgeon about 25 years ago. Comparatively rare and not well known, the paralysed vocal chord is physically MOVED ... could be repositioned MUCH CLOSER to the working chord. The gap between them would be eliminated. The working vocal chord would be able to touch the paralysed one. Dr. Nasseri told me, 'I think we can get most of your voice back". "I
didn't really believe him, but understandably felt that ANY
kind of sound would be an improvement over what I had.
So on October 6th, at Ceddar-Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Nasseri,
assisted by Dr. Randy Shnitman, began the four and a half hour
procedure... After surgery, Adrienne and I and our four children
were absolutely euphoric. Not only was I speaking ---
but speaking with my old voice! You could hear me across
the room. And I sounded just like my old self! I called
my brother from the hospital. "How are you?, "
I asked. He said, "Oh, my God!" and
started to cry. The
day after surgery, I could say PS:
Family Update: Last letter in last Alpha Control issue, I mentioned
we had a grandchild due on the 4th of July. Well, Samuel Tucker
Tufeld missed Independence Day -- but he did arrive on BASTILLE
DAY, July 14th 2000. Beautiful child! You KNOW I'm objective,
don't you? To
my fans in Australia.
Artwork courtesy Mark Dorais |
