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L.I.S.A.
CONVENTIONS
As usual expectations among the committee and the staff was high. Once the doors opened to the fans it was all go with attendance well up with many new fans attending for the first time. In addition to this fans attended the Convention from as far away as Perth, Western Australia, Queensland and Papua New Guinea. The dealers tables were besieged by eager fans wanting to purchase any LIS related item and asking many, many questions. That of the fans reflected the enthusiasm felt by the LISA Committee and excited fans took their seats waiting for the program to begin. After
greeting everyone, Glenn turned the microphone over to
Annie McCLenahan who gave a critique of the first of the featured
programs, Following the screening came the first of the LISA Raffles with prizes such as autographed Cast photos, Inkworks Card sets and many more on offer. As Easter had only just finished there were several Easter Baskets featuring Eggs and plush toys mixed in amongst the LIS prizes. Fans were treated to a selection of outtakes from the LIS Movie and opinions were divided as to whether the deletion of these scenes should have been made. Scenes featuring the adult Blawp, a more detailed explanation of the time bubbles and the hydroponics Garden scene were among those shown. In many ways these scenes rounded out some of the more annoying plot holes and in hindsight should have been included in the theatrical release. These scenes were from the as yet unreleased Australia DVD version of the movie.
The
Guy Williams Special Feature touched everyone's heart.
Click
here for a Special Tribute The
next featured episode was SPACE CREATURE one of the series’
most nerve-racking adventures. For what was
Before calling the day to an end Glenn teased the crowd with just a hint of what was to come at the next Convention in August. A five minute compilation of scenes from LIS FOREVER was played to cheers from the audience!! As with all Conventions all too soon it came time to go. Often the Committee and others involved with organizing an event like a LISA Con become just names on a page so it was of great pride to all the Committee that several fans came up and introduced themselves. This is the kind of reward that we at LISA work towards.
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THE
TIME MERCHANT. 
involved as well as featuring Guy Williams in a more central
role than as usual for season three episodes. Guy stands as
the sensible reasonable man caught in a world as twisted and
bizarre as any of Salvador Dali’s paintings. Amongst the
chaos as the Time Merchant’s machine is destroyed Guy is
the solid rock for his son to depend upon. It is his level headedness
that gets them back to the planet. Smith’s self sacrifice
by running aboard the Jupiter as it is lifting off returns the
time line back to the way it was meant to be. 
Highlight
of the day was the 
and
Lost in Space were heavily featured but it was Guy’s six-episode
appearance in Bonanza that surprised most fans. Being accustomed
to seeing Guy as either Zorro or John it was a revelation to
see him perform as "Will Cartwright", Ben Cartwright's
nephew. Guy’s six performances as ‘Will’ were
sensitive and quite different from his many other roles and
we were reminded that he was quite a diverse and accomplished
actor. Typecasting is a terrible thing and all too often we
can forget that actors have other lives and roles out of those
that made them famous. It is a pity that his role in Bonanza
was such a short lived one. This was the first of many surprises.
The
next was the never before seen screen test for Lost
in Space. This
footage ran for around 10 minutes and had Guy sitting facing
the camera answering questions asked by, the unseen, Irwin Allen.
Guy is asked a few questions and given certain direction from
Allen and we see a nervous but talented actor respond. There
had been doubts as to whether Guy could be convincing as the
father of an eighteen year old daughter so Allen’s questions
were designed to show studio executives that Guy was indeed
the man for the job. On screen he laughs smokes and acts naturally.
supposed
to be a children’s show SPACE CREATURE is a taught
psychological drama showcasing the idea of being careful of
what you wish for. While all involved have good roles it falls
to Smith Will and John to carry the show. As one by one the
members of the ship disappear Will is left behind to fend for
himself. Will’s loss of his father while trying to return
everyone to the ship is truly harrowing. Kudos’ to Bill
Mumy for a fine strong performance. Jonathan Harris’ performance
of Smith runs the entire gamut going from clown to fearful enemy.
It is perhaps the last few minutes of the episode where Smith
gains control of himself that the episode rises above standard
children’s fare. There is nothing in this episode that
would appear in any children’s show today. Even the cheapness
of the Space Creature itself can be overlooked. For most of
the episode it is obviously a man in a white sheet but when
it attacks the Jupiter it is a large clawed beast. Also Smith
is threatening without ever once actually striking Will. His
positioning and manner betray him as being possessed by the
creature.
