Issue 17

To my friends and fans in Australia

Throw another shrimp on the Barbie!! Actually, throw three on, because my wife, Evelyn and son John, will be coming with me to Australia, to the great city of Sydney, in October 1997. I've been looking forward to visiting Australia ever since Glenn and I first discussed the possibility of such a trip when we first met in Boston, years ago.

My dear friend, Jonathan Harris - Dr. (Oh the pain!) Smith told me, in rhetoric that only he could reiterate, that the experience of Australia should be a must on everyone’s travel list. The special ingredient, he added, is the very warm receptive Aussie fans of Lost In Space. I'm looking forward to the day we meet, converse, share "Space" stories and have a lot of laughs.

Before that day I'll continue to teach "my" kids at School, enjoy my family, attend a few autograph conventions and film a cameo role in the upcoming Lost In Space - The Motion Picture. You fans probably know more about the picture than I do, up to this point, but I'll be happy to fill you all in about the making of the movie from my perspective! Should be fun!

Until the shrimps are on the Barbie...

Best regards and bless you,

25th February 1997

Issue 18

To my friends and fans in Australia

It won't be long now before my family and myself arrive in one the most beautiful places in the world - Australia. My son John and I watch the Discovery Channel quite a lot admiring the Australian landscape, the beauty of the animals and the splendour of Sydney Harbour is just breathtaking. The people seem very friendly. Whenever I've talked to anyone about your country, they say "Oh my God, it's the place to be". It's very exciting.

I look forward to trying a nice Fosters beer and perhaps a meat pie, but the most important thing is for me is meeting the people and knowing that the fans from Lost In Space are coming out to say hello is more than I could ask for.

At my convention you'll hear a lot about the new movie, you will be able to ask me any question at all. I'm very candid about everything that has happened in my life and I'll have a lot of good stories to tell you about Lost In Space - a lot of back stage stories. I'll have news that no-one has ever heard. There will be a lot of surprises about Lost In Space.

Looking forward to meeting you...

Best regards and bless you,

25th July 1997

Artwork by Frantz Kantor

Issue 19

G'day to all my Australia friends. A note of thanks for your warmth and hospitality - is insufficient for the gratitude that rings in my heart. Evelyn and John join me in singing the praises of your beautiful country and outstanding people. We carried with us a part of all you, when we crossed the great Pacific to the United States. That crossing was sad, yet happy and hopeful.

Sad because our new found friends were left on Australian shores.

Happy because we embraced memories of a land and people that would be with us for all time

Hopeful because those memories would motivate us some day to return to the country down under and once again share our time with good friends.

So good friends, let me say that we are in good health and spirit. Evelyn and my teaching: careers are rewarding and John will soon be finishing a successful first year in school. We intend to be at the premiere of the Lost In Space movie on March 29th 1998, 1 am selfishly hoping that the movie is a smash hit so they will soon get involved with the sequel. According to the writer Akiva Goldsman, there is a good chance of my being in the second movie as the same character I recently portrayed; But things change.

I am also unselfishly hoping that the movie is a smash hit for all the wonderful people who put so much positive energy into the making of Lost In Space, but especially for the fans all over the world who remember the old series in such a fond and loving way. The making of the movie - that experience as I have said so often, even though my part was small, was the highlight of my 40 years in the acting profession.

My other life highlight is being with all of you in Australia, thank you for everything and God bless you all.

October 16th, 1997

Issue 20

G’day to all,

It's been a great summer, this winter here in Massachusetts for the Goddard's. Hope it has been a great winter this summer for all our friends in beautiful Australia. This year, Sports have taken over, Evelyn, John and I are playing golf or tennis almost daily. Swimming of course, is our way to refresh after our athletic activities, plus it's a great way to get out of an extended heatwave.

June Lockhart, Marta Kristen and Angela Cartwright joined me in a science fiction convention in Boston recently. The ladies are as beautiful as ever and it's always a pleasure to be in their company. Angela travelled to Boston with her son Jesse, who is one terrific young man.

My terrific young man; John and my lovely wife Evelyn will cross the Atlantic Ocean one more time, (it's been twice before for the Lost In Space movie production) with me to attend a convention in Blackpool England on September 26th and 27th 1998. It's been sponsored by David Prowse (Darth Vader from Star Wars) and promises to be a jolly-bloody-good time. (That's Brit talk Maties!)

There is a possibility of a Lost In Space cruise to the Bahamas next May (1999) ... more details later, if anyone is interested, in spending 10 days with three beautiful ladies (June, Marta and Angela), a teacher (me) and a tin can (Bob May).

Miss you all, and look forward to the day when we can once more be with you all in Australia.

July 24th 1998

Revelations of a Pilot's Wife

Issue 20

Dear Glenn, Sally, Annie, Ken, Dai, Steven, Roman, Ian, John, Natalie,
Lionel, and all our other Australian friends, (and, of course, Andrew and Mark and Sara Newport too!)

For those of you who have taken a trip to the States, you know it takes several weeks just to catch your breath and get caught up. It seems that things are finally back to normal. In fact, I was just looking at all the wonderful pictures we took in Australia, now neatly tucked into the family photograph album and feeling a bit nostalgic. That shouldn't be hard to imagine considering all the warmth and kindness you showed Mark, myself and John during our trip.

Thinking back, we held up quite well at the airport saying our good-byes UNTIL everyone left. Then I felt very sad, kind of like an abandoned child whose parents have just dropped her off at camp or college. So many people, so much warmth, and then --poof!-- everyone disappeared. So this letter is not only to say thank you but to assure myself that you all really do exist and are still leading your own unique lives "Down Under".

And there really are so many thank you's to acknowledge, not only for your wonderful hospitality, but your many lovely gifts. The beautiful flowers I received have faded, but not from memory. John still looks at his Jenolan Caves book and "Snugglepot and Cuddlepie" while in his bedroom cuddling with his own giant kangaroo.

Mark looks dashing in his aboriginal silk tie, making quite a pair with his wife wearing her lovely silk scarf - that is, when she isn't in her jeans and terrific Australian t-shirt. And when she isn't re-reading the lovely letter Dai wrote, she's trying to figure out who gave us the wonderful glass paperweight of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge which now graces our home. If it bothers me too much and I start to feel ill, I just whip out the medicinal wonder products, courtesy of Annie and Ken, rather than stealing Mark's vintage bottle of beer. There were so many lovely gifts and gestures that I feel afraid of overlooking someone or something. If I have, please know that it is simply my memory deciding to remind me I'm not as young as I used to be.

I have raved about Australia's magnificent harbour to all who will listen. But most importantly, and I mean this genuinely, I treasure the greatest gift you gave me learning the true meaning of hospitality. Thank you so much for everything, both for myself and John. He cried at the airport when our plane took off and has told me more times than I can count on my fingers, "I miss Andrew." As for that handsome man who accompanied us to Australia, I'll let him speak for himself (You know how temperamental these science fiction "stars" are!)

Thank You All and Many Blessings,

July 24^th 1998

Artwork by Frantz Kantor

Issue 21

G'day to all

It's always a joy to talk to my good friends in Australia, via Alpha Control. Let me tell you what I've been doing - in the last week of September, my family and I attended and enjoyed David Prowse's Multicon Convention in Blackpool England. We stayed at The Lakes District, at the house of Beatrix Potter - home of the Peter Rabbit characters. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth and really awe-inspiring. We did an awful lot of sightseeing and boat sailing around the district. We did a lot of fun things there. When I arrived back in the States, my son Michael informed me I had become a Grandfather with the arrival of his son Nicholas Goddard, born in October 1998.

I continue to do Sci-fi conventions here in the States - October 31st, I went to New Jersey with Jonathan Harris, Marta Kristen and Angela Cartwright. We all celebrated Jonathan's 85th birthday with a big cake which he shared with the fans. Soon after, I worked with Marta 'in Cleveland. November 21st, I worked with June Lockhart and Guy Williams' son Steven Catalano in Washington DC. He signed pictures of Guy with "In memory of my father Guy Williams - Steve Catalano". It was nice being with Steve - he is very much like his father.

People Magazine are doing a story on me. They have taken pictures of my family and then went to the school where I teach, taking pictures of my class. The profile will hopefully come out early 'in 1999 and I'll look forward to that. Have you noticed the great Lost In Space merchandise now available? Trendmasters have released superb figures of Don West, Judy and Will Robinson, Dr Smith, the Carrot Man and the Cyclops - coupled with a superb model Jupiter II. They are terrific. In the USA, they're exclusive to Target stores, however every store from Boston to Washington is all sold out - amazing!

I'll be spending this Christmas at home with my beautiful wife Evelyn, with a great tree and lots of presents for my little son John. We get some snow - its a lot of fun making snowmen. Last year I made a snowman on my front lawn that resembled the Robot - it looked good too! He lasted quite a while. I wish all my fans in Australia Happy Holidays. Evelyn, John and I miss all of you down there - really looking forward to the day when we can come back and see you all.

November 24th 1998.

Issue 22/23

It's always great to talk to my Australian Friends, I've just finished school term and the Goddard's are getting away to Vermont for a brief vacation. When I get back, my older son Michael will be visiting us, which will give me my first look at my grandson Nicholas. I am very much looking forward to that meeting.

June 24, 1999

Artwork by Frantz Kantor

Issue 24

G'day to all

Always great to talk to my Australian friends. In my last report, I told you I was offered a movie role, playing a Hollywood agent. Well, I accepted the part and filming has now finished. It's a contemporary thriller called Overnight Sensation, I feel it's the best work I've ever done and I'm very happy with it. Ten minutes of it was shown at the recent American Independent Film Festival in New York City as a work in progress, and it was well received.

Not that the acting has bitten me again, but I've just received another independent movie role offer from Cleveland. They will be using people like Lou Feringno, Paul Peterson and Butch Patrick along with band members of Backstreet Boys and N. Sync. It will be called What Comes In Silence which will about newsroom drama. I've told them I can do it, if I can fit it in to my teaching schedules around March 2000.

Last July 23-5, I attended a Boston convention with most of the Lost In Space cast. It was a treat, seeing Marta, Angela (with sister Veronica) Billy and Jonathan again, it was just terrific. On future weekends I'll be busy meeting lots of Lost In Space fans at numerous conventions. I'll be appearing in New Jersey; October 29-31, Massachusetts on November 5-7, New York on November 12-14th and then on to Ohio; November 27-28th 1999.

At home life is great raising my son John, I'm playing lots of tennis with him. On New Year's Eve 2000, I'll be celebrating over dinner at a very special restaurant with my wife Evelyn and of course John, then we'll drop into a friend's party, but we'll be home in time to see in 2000. You know, it's just another year!

My Mother Ruth will celebrate her 100th birthday on January 26th 2000. Yes, I'm aware that's also Australia Day, so I'll be thinking of you during my Mum's birthday party. She's doing real well you know.

Good luck in the Australian Republic Referendum on November 6th 1999, I'm sure Australians will make the right decision.

Mark Goddard.
October 20, 1999

Issue 25

G'day to all

Life's been going very good, my mom (Ruth) celebrated her 100th birthday on the 26th January with a great party - we had 140 blood relatives there, including grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren!  What a party!

... The movie in which I have just acted in called: What Comes In Silence (I played the part of an agent; Abe Pollard) has been shown in the lower east side festival in New York and the Las Vegas film festival.  Word of mouth is that it's very good.  It has a heart-warming and intelligent story without sex and violence.  

I'm still appearing at a lot of conventions, in fact, there's one next week in Chantilly, Virginia, I’m excited about doing with Marta Kristen.  We're going to do a stage skit presentation for the fans called 'Sure thing'.  It'll be great. ...On the 20-21st May I'll be m Detroit, then Orlando Florida in June, Seattle in August, then New York 'm June.

To other news, I'm working on a children's book called The Travelling Ant, with a friend from Connecticut doing the artwork for me. I hope that works out. ...And finally Kevin Bums (20th Century Fox) called recently.  He is gearing up to do a biography for the A&E channel about my former co-star Adam West, and asked permission to use a clip of Adam and I from Robert Taylor's Detectives for the upcoming special.  I'm sure it'll be interesting.

Later this year, my wife Evelyn, my son John and I are going to spend some time at Hilton Head, South Carolina.  It's right by the shore and it'll be a tennis vacation for us.  We all play tennis - although little John is favouring baseball a lot!  One thing is for sure, come September, we all will be looking forward to the Sydney Olympic Games.

You know we will watching, and thinking about all our Australian friends.

Mark Goddard.
May 11th, 2000

Issue 26/27

Gday to all

I've just got home from a Cleveland Frightvision convention where the entire cast of Lost In Space celebrated a reunion (6th-8th April 2001). We all were there; June, Marta, Angela, Billy, Bobby, Jonathan and me. All went fine, it was handled well and the promoters were wonderful to us. It was greatly attended too - there were thousands there. People came from all over the world and yes, there were some Australians there (Hi Jeanette!). I even met the president of a Lost In Space fan club from Brazil - his name was llias.

I also met some guys from a company called Classic Collectibles; they're promising to start manufacturing and distributing Lost In Space Robots and Jupiter ll's soon. That'll be good for the fans. All of the cast is well and in good health, actually, about a month prior we attended another LIS cast reunion in Orlando Florida for a MegaCon convention, and all was fine, but I believe last weekend's Cleveland show will be our last.

The Sydney Olympics were greatly received here, but it didn't work too well for me because of the time delays - when we finally got to see the broadcast, it was old news. However Australia came off the real winner and I wouldn't be surprised to hear that a mass of American tourists are on their way to visit your country.

I've got some more (convention) shows planned for after Easter in Boston, Las Vegas and Baltimore, plus another Chiller convention. But now I'm looking forward to sharing some time with my family, as my son John will soon celebrating his 10th birthday. That will be a great party for sure.

But right now for me, it's back to being a school teacher.

All my love to all the Australian fans.

Mark Goddard
April 9th 2001

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