LISA Publications

~ ISSUE 9 & 10 ~ ISSUE 11 ~ ISSUE 12 ~ ISSUE 13 ~

~ ISSUE 14 ~ ISSUE 15 ~ ISSUE 16 ~ ISSUE 16A ~

ISSUES and COVERS 9 - 16

From Issue 9/10 onwards there is an attempt to standardize the look of the Alpha Control although there are some exceptions. There is a change of logo for the front cover and features within the magazine are in a standard two-column format. Picture quality improves as the issues progress. The Cast Commentaries that appear in the later issues can be read in full in the cast Correspondence section of the LISA Site.


ISSUE NINE & TEN

Issue Nine & TenVolume No. Two.
Issue Number Nine and Ten.
Date - May - July 1994.

Price - $2.50. 87 pages. This is a double issue and heralds in a new era and direction for LISA. The title page returns to page two, the Table of Contents is on page three and there is only one editorial now. It does not state who wrote the editorial but it outlines the new direction (LISA is now incorporated and run by a committee), a brief history of LISA and LISA's future. The editorial also announces that the magazine has a superior print quality though some photos are still very grainy. There is an advert for LISA's next two Conventions - 10th September and 27th November 1994. Matthew Adams has a one-page article on the advent of Pay TV in Australia followed by a continuation of his series on the Video Releases, plot synopsis and reviews. Steven Cateris reviews the March 19th, 1994 Convention titled 'Saticon One'. Steven's convention reviews are very concise (See Convention section of the LISA site) and runs for six pages. A 'Media Watch' covers the appearance of Malachi Throne in Star Trek TNG. 'Focus On…' continues with Matthew focusing on the episode 'The Time merchant'. Matthew's 'Salute to Quantum Leap' comes to a conclusion and runs for 10 pages. 'Mutiny on Sydney Harbor' is the first of two reviews by Steven Cateris dealing with Jonathan Harris' tour. 'Mutiny on Sydney Harbor' covers the harbor cruise organized by LISA for Jonathan and LISA members. This report also contains a 'Media Watch' on Channel 10 who has purchased new prints of the TV shows 'Bewitched' and 'I Dream of Jeannie'. 'Meditations of a Galactic Castaway or The Doctor Down Under!' is Steven's second review of the Jonathan Tour and covers the one man show at the Seymour Centre and runs for six-pages. There is a 'Media Watch' on The Sound of Music. A very special article follows next with 'Jonathan Harris - A Personal Biography', which was supplied, to LISA by the great man himself - Jonathan Harris. This is a first for the magazine! 'Biography' subject this time round is Dennis Patrick - Mr. Keema. Member Ian Stahlhut writes a five-page report on his meeting with Jonathan during Jonathan's tour. The photos in this article are from the One man and Robot Tour. At the last LISA Convention, members were handed a survey asking questions about what they think about LISA. The results are printed here. 'Letters to the Editor', 'Space Trader' and 'Welcome Stranger' run next. A video review of 'Never Fear, Smith is Here!' by Mathew Adams follows. The video was taped over five days of Jonathan's Tour and every aspect of the show is presented. There is an advert for the video followed by an article by Glenn Ware called 'Never fear Smith was here!' and covers the tour from an insider's perspective and runs for seven pages. 'The Latest on The Lost In Space Movie' is an article from the USA magazine 'The Daily Variety' and was written by Dan Cox and supplied by Ed Shifres. There is an advert for the next LISA Convention September 10th, 1994. A story buy Richard Maurice titled 'Visit to a Hostile Producer' and 'Next Issue' and an announcement of an upcoming tour by Francine York finish the magazine.

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ISSUE ELEVEN

Issue ElevenVolume No. Two. Issue Number Eleven.
Date - November 1994 to January 1995.

There is no price tag. 52 pages. Inside cover has a cute photo of a young Bill Mumy and Angela Cartwright. Page two is the table of Contents and an announcement of the cancellation of Francine York's visit. The editorial again explains the reasons behind Incorporation as well as a TV spot on the show 'Wonderworld'. There is no author listed. Ian Stahlhut provides a tale of his trip to the states and meeting with Jonathan Harris. Matthew Adam's reviews of Fox Releases continue. Page 10 is an advert for the next LISA Convention November 27th and Page 11 is a full-page ad for LISA's Lost in Space Trading Cards. These were 'originally' only available to Convention attendees although they are available now on the secondary market. There is an advert for 'Never Fear Smith Is Here' Video. Page 13 starts an eight-page installment of Mathew Adams' new story - 'The Old, The Deadly And The New'. It is a Lost in Space Star Trek TNG cross over story. This is Part One. 'Focus On…' continues with 'The Great Vegetable Rebellion' falling under its eye. An 'Angela Cartwright Interview' is conducted by Glenn Ware and runs for seven pages. 'Biography' puts Kurt Russell under the spot light this issue. 'Home Grown Alien' is an article by Brad Murphy on an idea on where all the aliens who plagued the Robinson's came from. 'Caterisnews' is a new name for Steven Cateris' regular Convention reviews. This runs for eight pages and features a pic of the then LISA Committee. It also contains two 'Media Watch' -one on 'Botany Bay' (featuring Jonathan Harris) and 'The Day the Earth Stood Still'. Stuart Rawe supplies an Article titled 'Never Fear Voyage is Here!' and is about 'Voyage To The Bottom of the Sea'. There is also a review on a cartoon series called 'Visionaries'. 'Space Trader', a Lost in Space 'Wonderwords' puzzle, 'Welcome Stranger', another puzzle, 'A solemn Moment Please' (a list of LISA members who's membership have expired) and 'Letters to the Editor' finish off the issue.

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ISSUE TWELVE

Issue TwelveVolume No. Three. Issue Number Twelve.
Date - February 1995 to April 1995.

No price tag. 72 pages. The table of contents is first up along with a 'STOP PRESS !!!' notice announcing the upcoming convention 'THE ROBINSON ROBOT - THE BODY AND SOUL TOUR' featuring Bob May and Dick Tufeld. The editorial outlines the state of the LISA club and also gives a run down of what is in this issue. A full-page advert for three LISA Conventions features next - included in this is the Robinson Robot Tour. Seven pages of LISA's Constitution follow next. It is complex but complete. There is a two page 'Report From The Treasurer'. There is an eleven page 'Dick Tufeld Interview' conducted by Glenn Ware in which Dick discusses his life and career. There is a 'LIS Crossword' supplied by Richard Maurice. 'Caterisnews' continues with a complete review of the September 10th Convention running for seven pages. 'The Old, the New and the Deadly' continues for seven pages and features both the Saticons and the Borg! There is an advert for LIS merchandise and Collectables from the company Entertainment Today. Ian Stahlhut gives a review of the appearance by LISA's Robot on the TV show 'Wonderworld'. Ian was inside the Robot for the filming of the sequence. Maureen Fairbairn contributes an article titled 'My Memories of Lost In Space'. There is an advert for Jeff Storey's restoration of the original flight deck from the Jupiter Two. The Flight Deck has been reconstructed in Jeff's basement. 'Lost In Space, Literature, Movies and Me' is an article covering the influences of other media on Lost in Space and is by member Milly Vranes. Stuart Rawe supplies an article on 'Irwin's Writers' from his four television series. There is an advert for 'Other Lost in Space & Related Fan Clubs' including Giants Log, Astral Traveller and LISFAN. Matthew Adams continues his view on Pay TV in 'PAY TV - Overseas Experience Observed' and details some of the criteria that Pay TV should follow Steven Cateris supplies another complete review of a LISA Convention - November 27th, 1994. Reproduced in this issue is a cover of a 'Columbia House' edition of a 'Lost in Space' Video release. The covers are very different from the Australian releases. There is a two-page advert for a LISA Convention April 2nd, 1995 and the LISA Lost In Space Collector Cards. 'Sci Fi Addicts' is a run down on what classic Sci Fi movies have recently been released on video. There is a 'Media Watch' snippet on Channel Seven and it's screening of the original Star Trek. 'Space Trader', 'Letters to the Editor', LISA application Form, application form for Trek Australis (a Star Trek Fan Club) and 'Welcome Stranger' round out the magazine. The back cover is artwork by Franz Kantor.

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ISSUE THIRTEEN

Issue ThirteenVolume No. Three. Issue Number Thirteen.
Date - May - August 1995.

No Price Tag. 83 pages. Inside cover features a copy of the Second Season Video release flyer (in store July 5). The front cover is a world's first and is of Bob May and Jonathan Harris filming Lost In Space. The Table of contents is again on page 2 and there is another 'Correction' printed at the bottom this time announcing that the 'Robinson Body and Soul Tour' has been pushed back due to unforeseen circumstances. This issue sees the very first time that a LIS star writes 'exclusively' for the Alpha Control. The name of the column is 'Meditations of a Galactic Castaway' and is by the great one himself, Jonathan Harris. Jonathan talks about his trip to Australia and how he reads every 'Letter to the Editor'. He also mentions taking part in the filming of 'The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen.' The column is dated September 15th, 1995. The editorial is by Matthew Adams and discusses the release of volumes 16 to 18 of the LIS Videos. He also welcomes Jonathan aboard as a regular contributor. The 'Treasurer's Report' shows that LISA is a very healthy entity. The 'Media Watch' is on the new advert for Foxtel Pay TV as it has a very small clip from LIS episode 'Wild Adventure'. Glenn Ware interviews the Robot in the 'Bob May Interview'. The interview is very concise and runs for eight pages. Bob discusses his life, career and working with Jonathan Harris. There is an advert for the LISA Convention on the 8th October 1995 plus a two page advert announcing the 'Robinson Robot Body and Soul Tour' Conventions and functions. Jeff Storey's basement is featured in more detail this issue with photos of the reconstructed Jupiter Two Flight Deck. The work on the flight deck is astounding! Matthew Adams' 'Fox Release - Review' is in two parts with the first being a comparison between the TV versions of the episodes and those available on the current releases. The differences are varied and many. The second part of the reviews contains the plot synopsis as they appear on the Video Releases. There are two half-page adverts - one dealing with LIS Movie news and Lost In Space on the Internet. There is another first for Alpha Control this time in the form of 'The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen'. The article was supplied by Mike Clarke and pictures supplied by Kevin Burns, producer of the special. The photos are of Bill Mumy, June Lockhart, the Robot and the rebuilt Gemini 12/Jupiter Two. There is an advert for Lost In Space merchandise. Part Three of 'The Old, the New and the Deadly' continues on for nine pages. A 'Media watch' covers the appearance of Fritz Feld in the Bob Hope movie 'The Great Lover'. Steven Cateris reviews the April 2nd LISA Convention. He includes pics of the convention with one in particular showing the Committee holding up a fan built Laser Rifle (that fan being me - K.J. Pellew). This review contains a quote that has been heard many times since - "Star Trek made you think, Lost in Space made you feel". Also in the photos is an original LIS space Helmet. The solution to last issues Crossword is supplied along with a 'Media Watch' snippet on Channel Ten's inappropriate placing of ads in programs. New contributors, Anne and Ken McClenahan supply a humorous story made up from the titles of all 83 LIS episodes. Oscar winner Steven Spielberg gets a serving of scorn in 'Spielberg - A man with No Imagination' by Matthew Adams. The article deals with different aspects of Spielberg's career and the familiarity of many of his ideas. Coming in for particular attention is Spielberg's' new show called 'Earth Two' which is about a family that gets trapped on a strange planet and befriends a mysterious man who maybe evil. Sound familiar? This issue features Part One of Ed Shifres 'My Brief Encounters With Lost In Space People'. In this excerpt he meets June Lockhart, Steve Williams (Guy's son) and Bill Mumy. Ian Stahlhut contributes 'My Favorite Episode?' Which one you might ask as Ian gives his views of how his favorite episode changed as he grew older. John Parkinson contributes a very interesting article entitled 'Would The Real Jupiter Two Kindly Reveal Herself?' which shows how the Jupiter Two set changed appearances from pilot to season to season. He supplies comparison drawings of the Jupiter from original Gemini 12 form to flying models to the full sized mock ups as well as listing the individual changes. Another article showing changes made is 'Robinson Robot 1969 - 1989'. These were the dark years for our favorite robot and shows what happened to him after the show was cancelled. Two ads follow this article;- the LISA Lost In Space Collector cards issued at Conventions and 'Other Lost In Space & Related Fan Clubs'. 'Letters to the Editor', 'Media Watch' snippet on Walter Burke in 'My Fair Lady', 'Space Trader' and 'Welcome Stranger' complete this issue.

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ISSUE FOURTEEN

Issue FourteenVolume No. Three. Issue Number Fourteen.
Date - September - December 1995.

No Price tag. 86 pages. Inside front and rear covers feature photos from 'The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen' and show June Lockhart and Jonathan Harris. The table of contents appears on page two. 'Meditations of a Galactic Castaway' by Jonathan Harris (dated January 10th 1996) is first off the rank with the editorial; coming in next. The Editorial is now called 'This is Alpha Control'. The editorial touches on topics such as Jonathan's contributions, 3rd Cast Reunion in Boston, the video Releases and Movie information. The 'Treasurers Report' again reports that the club is healthy. Glenn Ware's interview with Bob May continues and is followed by a full three page advert for the upcoming 'Robinson Robot Body and Soul Tour' and functions. 'It's Coming Soon…Finally' is an advert for the upcoming release of the CD soundtrack to 'The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen' TV special. 'Lost in Space - The Movie' provides the most current information of the upcoming movie. A special column for this issue is 'Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson! From Mrs. Brady' and is written by 'Carol Brady' herself, Florence Henderson. Florence was touring Australia at the time of printing. 'Cosmic Crossword Number Two' makes an appearance. The internet gets a plug with 'Lost in Space on the Internet' covering the website 'Lost in Cyberspace' and 'Mark Goddard Now on the Internet' detailing Mark's foray into the world wide web with 'Mark Goddard's Lost and Found in (Cyber) Space'. An ad for LISA's Summer Convention follows as does the announcement of the next five LISA Lost In Space Collector Cards. Part Four of 'The Old, The New And The Deadly' continues for another six pages. There are more Fox Releases covering Volume 22 to Volume 24 and again the differences between the aired versions and the Video Release are exposed. There is a very interesting article by Natalie Waters called 'A Woman's Perspective' and is an in depth look at one woman's view of the men of the Jupiter Two. The middle two pages are hand drawn posters promoting a Lost In Space movie and not necessarily THE Lost In Space movie. Ian Stahlhut and Glenn Ware review the special 'The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen' and features an overhead schematic of the main stage of the special and an advert for the American Video Release. Steven Cateris reviews LISA's Winter Convention of July 15th, 1995 as well as the Spring Convention of October 8th, 1995. Again these are very in depth and concise reviews. There is a reproduction from the Sydney Morning Herald, from Tuesday February 8th, 1966 showing the Premiere of Lost In Space on the 0-10 Network throughout Australia. There is an ad for the 'Robinson Robot Body and Soul Tour'. There is a brief history of 20th Century Fox. There are ads for 'LIS Merchandise' and 'Other Lost in Space Clubs etc…'. There is a short review of the life and times of Kevin Burns and there is a nice big clear picture of Kevin Burns and Jonathan Harris. Ed Shifres series continues with him this time meeting Bob May, Marta, Jonathan, Bill and June. He also met up with Fritz Feld. 'Jupiter 2 lands in Boston U.S.A' is Ian Stahlhut's take on the 30th Anniversary Reunion. Ian also conducted a videoed 'one on one' interview with Bill Mumy. There is a two-page ad on the American Video Releases. 'Letters to the Editor', 'Space Trader' and 'Welcome Stranger' are the final items.

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ISSUE FIFTEEN

Issue FifteenVolume No. Four. Issue Number Fifteen.
Date - January - April 1996.

No price tag. 86 pages. The format is now well established. Table of Contents, 'Meditations of a Galactic Castaway' and 'Editorial' start the magazine. 'An Interview with Bill Mumy' is conducted by Ian Stahlhut and is a transcript of Ian's video one on one interview mentioned in Issue Fourteen. 'Bill Mumy's Space Cases' is an article by Bill Mumy and Glenn Ware on Bill's other lesser-known 'current' TV show, 'Space Cases' shown on the Nickelodeon Network. The other 'current' series is of course 'Babylon Five'. There is an advert for an answering machine (or something similar) recording by Dick Tufeld titled 'Stop Press. Special Recording Offer Exclusive to LISA Members'. The offer is made by Dick as a way of saying 'Thanks' for the support during the tour. There is a 'Media Watch' on Dr. Andrew Thomas who was Australia's first Astronaut. 'The Robinson Robot Body and Soul Tour' is reviewed in three articles; - 'The Sydney Harbor Robot Cruise' by Steven Cateris, 'The Robinson Robot Movie Night' and 'The Robinson Robot Body and Soul Convention'. Each review is concise and contains several photos of Bob May and Dick Tufeld with and without their favorite Robot. Milly Vranes critiques the LIS episode 'The Anti Matter Man' in 'Anti-Matter and the Enemy Within'. There is a copy of the press release covering the upcoming Movie and is a very basic plot synopsis. The CD set 'The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen' is given the full-page ad treatment while the Australian Video release occupies the center pages. This is of interest as it shows both sets of collectable Cards issued with the videos. There is a set of three 'Iterstella Pop UP Cards' as well as a set of thirty color trading cards. LISA supplies the images and text for both items. The Fox Video Releases (and the extras contained in them) reviews continue as does 'The Old, The New, And The Deadly'. There is a 'Media Watch' on Malachi Throne's appearance on Babylon Five. Ed Shifres is back, this time with Robert Easton who played Mr. Lacey in the episode 'Return From Outer Space'. There is an advert for two LISA Conventions, 9th June 1996 and 10th November, 1996. Steven Cateris reviews the Convention of 4th February, 1996 and again the review is lengthy and highly detailed. There is a new section this issue dedicated to the passing of LIS stars - 'There were Giants In The Earth' and covers the recent passing of John Abbott, Don Richardson and Robert Hammer. Ed Shifres/The Hollywood Reporter supplies the report. There is a 'Media Watch' on a wild storm that struck Australia on the anniversary of the premiere of LIS. Two new 'exclusives' for Alpha Control with the first columns written by Bob May and Dick Tufeld (see Cast Correspondence section of the LISA Website). Wayne McAuliffe offers his views of the recent tour in 'Body and Soul Tour Ruminations'. 'Letters to the Editor', 'The Galaxy Gifts', 'Maureen's Cosmic Crossword', 'Space Trader' and 'Welcome Stranger' finish the issue.

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ISSUE SIXTEEN

Issue Sixteen Volume No. Four. Issue Number Sixteen. The Final Issue
Date - August 1996.

No Price tag. 8 pages. This issue is an oddity in that it is NOT an official LISA release and is included in this section for historical purposes only. It was sent to members of LISA announcing that the club had folded and the reasons for closing are explained within. There are no regular features as such. The editorial is by Matthew Adams and he talks about his involvement in the club and his love of LIS. 'My Lost In Space Art' is an article by John Parkinson on his passion for drawing artwork with LIS themes. Included is a piece of artwork by John showing John Robinson in the Flying Belt and the Cyclops. There is a tribute to LISA's 'Robinson Robot' titled 'The Robinson Replica Robot' by Richard Maurice. Brad Murphy offers insights into the building of his Robot in 'The Robot and I'. John Parkinson remembers the day that LIS premiered in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia in the appropriately named 'Lost In Space Premieres in Brisbane'. Included is a photocopy of an original advert for the event. There is a final Treasurers report, which gives a round down of the club's status as well as results to the survey conducted at the convention held on the 9th June. Also included in this report is section dealing with a new club called 'The Friends of Science Fiction'. This actually leads in to an article on that club and an address is supplied for people to make enquires should they wish to do so. An article called 'Your Gift' offers a free video (The LISA Commemorative Video) to the first 50 people to write in. The video is exclusive footage shot at the Boston Convention, Robot Body and Soul Convention as well as some extra footage. There is an article titled 'Final Transmission' offering more reasons for LISA closing. The inside rear cover is a fine drawing by John Parkinson featuring The Robot and the Cyclops. The rear cover is an application form for the Friends of Science Fiction.

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ISSUE SIXTEEN A

Issue Sixteen AVolume No. Four. Issue Number Sixteen.
Date - May - August 1996.

There is no Price tag. 82 pages. LISA and Alpha Control Live! The Title page has a small note at the bottom of the page stating that the Editors of the Alpha Control are the LISA Committee. The table of Contents, 'Meditations of a Galactic Stowaway' and 'This is Alpha Control!' are all back. The editorial does not make mention of the so-called 'Final Issue'. There is another 'Treasurer's Report' by the clubs new Treasurer, Anne McClenahan. The club is healthy. 'Mark Goddard Interview' by Glenn Ware runs for 10 pages and is the first part of a series. The latest press release covering the upcoming LIS movie is dealt with over three pages including a transcript snippet from the Script. A new feature begins this issue with 'The 'J2 Files' and features Blueprints and text on the Jupiter Two. The artwork is by Dai Buckley and Ron Gross while the text is by William Anchors, Gary Stork and Dai Buckley. 'One Level or Two?' is an article by John Parkinson and discusses the inconsistencies of the Jupiter Two set. The artwork is excellent and John offers up some interesting ideas on the Jupiter Two. 'The Evolution of the Jupiter Two' is by Ron Gross and covers similar ground to the previous article. The ingenuity and cleverness of the LIS fans is displayed in the Article 'Jupiter Two in Flight' and its sister article 'Model Jupiter Two Levitates' by fan Chris Moys. Chris builds a very small-scale model of the Jupiter Two and then has it fly and has the pics to prove it! The article goes through all the stages that Chris went through to have a Jupiter Two fly. 'The Old, The New, And The Deadly' is replaced by 'The New, The Younger and the Safer!' and is the conclusion of the 'The Old, The New, And The Deadly' and is written by Matthew Alister. It is the last time that fan Fiction appears in the Alpha Control. Ed Shifres is back meeting with many various LIS Stars. 'Media Watch' is on the Sci Fi Channels Lost In Space marathon. 'Net News' is an article by Milly Vranes covering LIS's proliferation on the Internet. Original Star Trek star Deforest Kelley writes exclusively for Alpha Control in this issue in 'And Here's To You, Dr. Smith From Dr. McCoy'. There is a transcript from the 30th Anniversary Reunion Question and Answer section in 'Who Said What at The 30th Cast Anniversary' and runs for three pages. There is an ad for Dick Tufeld Answering Machine messages. Stuart J. Rawe writes 'It's Irwin's material' which is dissection of the usages and over usage of props from Irwin's shows. Dai Buckley writes an interesting article on Hydroponics in 'Lost In Space and the Hydroponics Garden' and is highly detailed on this particular science. 'Everyone's Aunty Loves Lost In Space' is by Ian Stahlhut and deals with Australia's ABC Television Network and its' coverage via two shows (TVTV and McFeast) of Jonathan Harris' Tour and the LISA Club. TV coverage continues with 'Maynard Mayhem On Cable Television' being a look at Cable TV host Maynard F. Sharpe. Maynard is quite a character and some of his favorite shows are LIS, Time Tunnel, Voyage and Land of the Giants! He also likes Batman. All these shows get an airing on his 'Planet FX' show on cable. 'John Williams the Most Popular Film Composer In The World' is an in depths look at the composer and his work on Irwin Allen TV and Movies. The 'Winter 1996 Convention' gets the Steven Cateris treatment followed by an advert for the Spring 10th November 1996 Convention and Summer Convention 9th February 1997. 'Letters to the Editor', two competitions, 'Galaxy Gifts', 'Space Trader' and 'Welcome Stranger' round out this issue.

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