Lost in Space: The True Story
by Ed [foreword by Ib Melchior] Shifres
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Book Summary Information
Author: Ed [foreword by Ib Melchior] ShifresEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1998-03
ISBN: 1881636178
Number of pages: 365
Publisher: Republic Books
Book Reviews of Lost in Space: The True Story
Book Review: Get your facts straight, mister!
Summary: 1 Stars
Ed Shifres' book is the kind of lurid tell-all that frustrated filmmaker wanna-bes just love. Why? Because it justifies why they just can't seem to make it in tinseltown. (See: "The Rat Race" by Ed Wood, equally delicious!) Originally published as "Space Family Robinson: The True Story" -- and then re-titled "Lost in Space: The True Story" because Shifres and his co-conspiriatorial publisher wanted to "cash in" on New Line's mega-budget motion picture -- the book provides a series of shrill and largely unsubstantiated claims that Irwin Allen ripped-off the concept for "Lost in Space" from Ib Melchior (a modestly successful producer/director during the early 1960s). Unfortunately, Shifres only details Melchior's side of the story. The fact that a comic book called "Space Family Robinson" pre-existed both Melchior's AND Allen's screen treatments is barely examined. Equally suspect, is the failure of the author to mention that, minus the general premise of a "Swiss Family Robinson" in space, the television series called "Lost in Space" ultimately bore little or no resemblence to either the Melchior OR the Irwin Allen/Shimon Wincelberg treatments. (Doctor Smith and the Robot -- easily the series' most popular and identifiable characters -- are not in Melchior's treatment at all!) In any event, a case of coincidence is treated as a smoking gun. (Not very convincingly, I'm afraid.) Worse is the fact that Melchior's "revelations" come out of hiding -- not when Irwin Allen is around to defend himself -- but when New Line is producing a big-budget motion picture. Since legal threats are rampant in Mr. Shifres' book, perhaps the Irwin Allen Estate should take notice. I believe they have grounds for a libel suit.
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