Glenn: Thanks very much for your time. First of all, apologies for the fact we're going to take you so far back into time... and congratulations on your recent birthday!

 Angela: Oh, thank you! (laughs)

 G: Thank you for being part of a serial that has given so much joy to so many people for a long time. Angela, you've been acting for most of your life. Can you please tell me about the Danny nomas Show?

 A: Sure, the Danny Thomas Show... I was cast in that in 1956 - I was four - and it was for seven years. I played Danny's daughter (he was a nightclub entertainer). I don't even know if you have that in Australia...

 G: Yes.

 A. You do? Really? It took a long time to get to England, I know. So, the whole show ran for eleven years.

 G: We have a show in Australia called The Golden Years of Television and it's been bought up on that. It did do an original run some time ago - I don't know when - but it does come up on television. How did you feel about your first appearance on television, can you remember?

 A: I don't remember because I was only four on television (laughs)...

 G: Do you still see Danny Thomas today?

 A: Oh, every now and then I do.

 G: That show was of course, Angela, before the Sound Of Music. What can you recall about Sound Of Music?

 A: Well, I was eleven when I did Sound Of Music and I remember that pretty clearly. We went to Austria and filmed it there. We just had our 25th Anniversary for that also, when they re-released it.

 G: What was Julie Andrews like to work with?

 A: She was great! She really was. She'd been nominated for Mary Poppin's as we were in Austria. She was in Salzburg when she won the Academy Award for that, So nobody really knew the impact she would have by having won that award and being in a successful movie before. Besides that, the movie just had wonderful music and everything. It was really neat.

 G: Had you seen the show?

 A: Oh yes, they had a big premiere here, and it was great to see it on the large screen, because they have released it on video and on TV, and there's a whole generation who've only seen it that way. On the big screen it's really good.

 G: Moving on to Lost In Space, how did you get the part of Penny Robinson?

 A: Well I don't know where my name came up or whatever, but Irwin Allen had called me into his office to meet with me. I walked in and he said, "Oh, I can't believe that you're this young! I thought you'd be forty-five, smoking a cigar..." - I don't know why he said that. That was so strange! But I guess I had been on television for a long period of time and he didn't know whether I was old, whether I was young or whatever.

 G: What are your memories of the pilot of the show (No Place To Hide) that was shot back in 1964?

 A: The pilot was a real adventure (laughs)... we were inundated with water and rocks... we were suspended... it was hysterical. We had a really fun time doing the pilot.

 G: Looking back on the first five episodes - I don't know whether you can recall, they were extremely interesting - how do you look back at them? Do you think they are still exciting television today?

 A: (pause)... I think that, for its time, when it was released it was very new and innovative. There hadn't been a space show ... like Buck Rogers you know... but it seemed that it really captured - I know in America - a lot of Americans~ imagination, you know, with the Space program and everything like that. I guess it was creative for its time, since of course with Star Wars and all these films, the special effects kind of... (laughs) leave a lot to be desired in it! But for its time, I think it was creative.

 G: One of the very first episodes that highlighted you was My Friend, Mr Nobody. I think a well-crafted episode. Can you reflect upon that episode at all?

 A: Only from seeing it. It was a black & white episode, and I just remember it basically from seeing it. I don't remember much about filming it, but I liked the episode.

 G: Did you ever have a friend like Mr Nobody at your particular age - do you remember the story of Mr Nobody and how it was the friend you had at your time of need?

 A: Uh-huh... I had a horse. An imaginary horse.

 G: Were you watching LIS every Wednesday night on CBS here?

 A: Well, I seem to have seen all the shows at one time or another, so I probably watched them I don't know if I've watched them every week... (laughs)... going back quite a-ways here, you know!

 G: Really sorry about that how did you feel about the costumes that were worn on the show and what was your favourite season costume  ?

 A: Well, definitely wasn't the third year, where I had long hair and they made me wear a wig so my hair would be short. That was not my favourite costume. I guess the most relief was when they replaced the space suits that were, very stiff and hard, and they had invented lame space suits. That, probably, was a favourite because it became much more comfortable, the others were very, very uncomfortable and very hot. I guess the little skirt with the tights was the easiest to wear, (laughs) because that was the coolest; but we were growing so fast that they kept adding pieces to our costume, so that got to look kinda weird after a while!

 G: That's probably why you had more costumes than anyone else in the show.

 A: Did l? Oh, I didn't know that ...(laughing)

 G: Some of the guest artists on LIS were fascinating. There was one episode called The Magic Mirror with Michael J. Pollard, who is currently in the Dick Tracy movie which is doing great guns in Australia at the moment. Can you reflect upon that episode or Michael J. Pollard at all?

 A: Umm, let's see ... I remember him. what do you remember from when you were fourteen? (laughing)…  Let me-tell you it's so difficult… and it's so interesting that the fans and the people that love the shows, they're so fresh in their minds and they remember every detail, and when we were filming them we were filming them every week. You know, we got our script, we learned our parts, we did our role, we went to school, and they're not as clear. I do remember the episode but I don't remember anything outrageous, I mean the things I remember that were really outrageous is the water in the Chariot, where the water was coming down, and just being soaking wet for like, three days! Guy Williams shot us all with the laser gun once and we had to redo the entire scene in the cave where all the rocks came down…

 G: That was in the pilot?

 A: That was in the pilot, yes. In later years, in the Great Vegetable Rebellion... (laughing)... where we all took root just because it was such a silly episode! I mean you just couldn't help but remember that.

 Q: Maybe part of the appeal of LIS is that it appeals to all levels; there are serious episodes, there are simple fantasy episodes, there's just something for everybody in the show. Maybe that's the reason for its success do you think?

 A: I don't have the slightest idea (laughs)! I just think that it captured people's imagination, you know, and I think they related to the character ages: there were the kids, and there were the teenagers, and there was Don who was the handsome guy, and the adults. I guess it had something for everyone.

 G: You mentioned in the 3rd season that they didn't cut your hair... they actually put a wig on?

 A: They did.

G: Can you explain why they did that? Or they just told you that you had to do that and that was it?

 A: They said my hair was very black in the camera, when my back was to the camera, and so they asked me to cut it. I was seventeen... was I seventeen? How old was I? Fifteen... sixteen? I can't remember! Anyway, I was SOME age... (laughing) you'll have to work out how old I was... and I didn't want to cut my hair, so they said, " OK, we'll put a wig on you!", and that was murder having to wear that little wig... (laughs) that little ridiculous thing that sat on my head!

 G: I think you looked very good...

 A: Did you? Well good! All right... (laughs)

 G: There's a lot of talk at the moment, Angela, about colourisation, and we're getting a lot of movies - especially from Warner Bros - that have been colourised. Do you actually think that maybe the first season of LIS will be colourised? And if it is, do you think it should be touched or should it remain the way it is?

 A: My thoughts on colourisation? I actually prefer the black and white - I enjoy watching films that are in black and white and I don't know... I've seen colourised films before but it kind of takes the magic away. There's a depth to the film when you watch it in B&W that just isn't there when it's colourised. So I would prefer to see LIS left as it was originally shot. Then you would always know what season it was... (laughs)

 G: That's a point. Angela, looking back at all the scientific pieces of hardware that were on the show - that still stand up very well today - like the Jupiter II and the Chariot, the Robot and the Space Pod. They still look very interesting today as they did back then. Do you have any opinions of how good the sets were back in those days, or how good it still looks today?

 A: I think they've come a long way in 25 years, I mean I think the rocks and did look like they were real. I think the monster costumes left a bit to be desired... you know, some of the equipment and the flashing lights on the main floor... it filmed very welt it looked very exciting. The elevator kind of jerked a little bit, you know, as it went down. But for its time, I think, it was quite remarkable, some of the things that were on it.

 G: On the first stage of the Jupiter II, was there ever a second stage down below, or was that, of course, another stage?

 A: It was just a hole down there... nothing. You were just stuck in that... (laughs) cage! I'm waiting for them to yell "Cut!"... I mean, it was like being in a hole... I have no nightmares about it however, so...

 G: Maybe it would have made a good wine cellar?

 A: It probably would have.

 G: I've read some reports where Mark (Goddard) and Bill (Mumy) had played some tricks on poor Bob May, who was inside the Robot suit of course. Are you guilty of doing any tricks like this to either Bob May or fellow cast members?

 A: You'll have to ask Billy about his wicked days, I don't know. No, I don't think I did any tricks... (laughs) did I? I don't remember! I don't know, I mean there were just fun things we did, but I don't think we.... hey! It was a long show (laughing)... we all got kind of bored at times...

 G: Maybe there's one thing that you might remember, that was brought up in the interview that I've read: a tremendous water fight between yourself and Bill. That would have gone back a long time, but maybe it's permanently in your mind?

 A: No, I remember water fights! Yes! There were water fights - I admit it! OK, so shoot me!

 G: Destroy anything?

 A: I don't think so, we weren't destructive children. We were just having fun, since we weren't in a situation of being in a play yard with a lot of kids and being able to play like they did. I mean, we just ran around, and we hid, and play hide-and-go-seek... and had water fights... like that!

 G: Angela, do you still get fan mail even today all around the world from many places?

 A: Yes, get lots of fan mail.

 G: Get any from Australia at all?

 A: I do. I've received quite a few letters from there.

 G: Do you write back to them?

 A: Yeah, when they're at where I am they are sent to the store here - they do get answered. A lot of times things get lost or forwarded and I see that the post date’s a year or so old, so in those cases I have a hard time answering right on time, if I don't receive them.

 G: Because you're busy, of course.

 A: Well, no. I try to answer all fan mail that I receive.

 G: That's good. Angela, of course the 1st season finished and 2nd season came along in strong colour. What is your opinion of the colour shows compared to the B&W ones? Do think it was much better, colour-wise or production-wise?

 A: I think I preferred the B&W ones, actually. The earlier shows... I guess it was a year of trying to find its niche. The B&W started out a lot more serious and then the 2nd season had a more comic turn to it, and became more satire. I know in the beginning it started out a serious show and the adventures of this family and stuff, and then it kind of deviated from that. I guess it was just as popular later on as it went into that theme with the Robot and Dr Smith.

 G: Angela, do you think that the role of Penny Robinson has been your most popular role, or have you done something that you're more proud of or better?

 A: It depends on how old the people are, the fans are. Danny Thomas was extremely popular: Linda Williams... little smart remarks I used to make, and I was young I was four - when it started. That was popular. I'd have to say Sound Of Music was one of my most popular, though. I still get mail all over the world from that movie. It was such a favourite with everybody, and being 25 years also this year, it's kinda nostalgia time for me...

 G: Back to LIS, you were always given the animals during the show, including of course the 'bloop', Debbie. Why do you think they gave you the animals to keep on the show?

 A: I don't know. I know I worked in the hydroponic garden quite a bit. I guess I was supposed to be the 'animal person' ... (laughs) ... the 'plant person' ... I don't know! It gave my character something to do - to have that 'bloop'... that 'bloop' that bit me, once! It was a miserable little chimpanzee... (laughs)

 G: I was going to ask was he easy to handle...?

 A: (laughing) He wasn't! I think that's why he was finally written out of the show - he attacked somebody... anyway...

 G: One of the things you used to do on the set of 20th Century Fox was explore tunnels, between takes, sometimes explore big tunnels that were underneath the studio. Do you remember that at all?

 A: Oh, yes! I remember that.

 G: Were they long tunnels? Did you actually get lost in them for a little while to escape ... from the director?

 A: (laughs)... Escape from the director! I don't remember when we used to go down there, it must have been when we had a stretch of time, when we were out of school. They were actually the air conditioning tunnels - they were big, huge fans - and they went under all the sets across the entire lot. We probably risked our lives daily, I don't know... (laughs)... now I'm older and I think about it and go,

 "Man! That was wild!" But it was very exciting because it was very dark and creepy - you'd go by and there would be these big gushes of wind and stuff - it was fun!

 G: Of all the episodes you did of LIS, can you remember any funny incidents, or stories that you recall today in making the series or behind the scenes?

 A: (laughs) I think you know all of them! The only ones I remember you've already asked me about. Let me see ... we used to do little funny things that no-one would know about. For example, the show The Invaders - I don't know whether you've heard of that show - the aliens used to have a little finger, so when there was a 'raking seven' shot of the entire family talking to an alien or something, we'd stand there and point our little finger at them, just through the whole shot, because we had to sit and watch them. So now you're going to have to watch them again to see if you can find them, huh?

 G: I don't know which episode that is...

 A: I don't either! We did it more than once though, we did it a lot... (laughs)... now you know!

 G: Do you have a favourite episode of LIS?

 A: Of LIS... I did like 'Mr Nobody'. When I watched it I liked the theme of that. The funniest was The Great Vegetable Rebellion - that was so strange that we couldn't believe we were filming it. I don't think I have an absolute favourite.

 G: Your children, Angela, can you tell me about them?

 A: I have two children, 9 and 5, a girl and a boy. They're just wonderful kids. They are a real important part of my life.

 G: Have they seen their Mum on television, either on Sound Of Music or LIS and if so, what did they say?

 A: Actually, I took them to see Sound Of Music on the big screen - they were totally entranced with it - because they had only ever seen it on the little screen, and they loved it. With LIS they haven't really said that much about it. My youngest one has a hard time relating to his mother as being a child - it's kind of a weird age. My daughter can kind of understand it, you know, that parents are children at one point. I don't even remember thinking that my Mom and Dad could possibly be a child, so it's hard. But I know with video today, when people can see a video of themselves growing up, they won't experience it the same. My parent's generation weren't able to see themselves as children on TV, to see how they acted and reacted and stuff like that. I was because I grew up on television - and I was able to watch myself as a kid on Danny Thomas and LIS and stuff

 G: Do you think your children will be actors and actresses?

 A: I've no idea. I just want them to do something that makes them happy.

 G. Angela, how did you feel about the death of Guy Williams when you heard about it?

 A: It was very sad. It's always sad to experience someone that you've worked with, you know, to pass on. He was great in the role; he did a lot of good parts.

 G: What prompted you to decide to leave acting? What have you done since LIS?

 A: Well, after LIS I went on working, doing guest parts and commercials, things like that. Recently I've really taken up doing more of photography, which I've been doing since I was 18, it's really a love of mine. I've been photographing children professionally now for about five years. I started this store fifteen years ago, "Rubber Boots". My husband and I started it as a business together. I always wanted to do something that was stable. Acting is just not stable. I mean, you don't know where your next part is or your next role. It gave me a constant in my life, and a strength. I don't really feel like I've retired from acting - I continue to do things - but basically I wanted to raise my kids, I wanted to be home to raise them. Being a mother was very important to me. They have brought me a lot of joy and Pm glad I could be there for them. You can't always dictate the roles you're going to get, whether they're going to take you out of town, or whether you're going to be on a series that, you know, is very time consuming. I just did not want to commit to something like that. I only wanted to be with my kids. So that's it in a nutshell!

 G: Why the name "Rubber Boots"?

 A: We don't have any boots in the store... it's just.... stuff! Things! Just things that give people pleasure, you know, cards and gifts and we just have a whole range - a potpourri - of stuff.

 G: Angela Cartwright, thank you very much for your time.

 A: Your welcome.