IRWIN ALLEN NEWS NETWORK
A warm welcome to the Irwin Allen News Network (IANN). Established in 1994 by Giants Log, with the late Paul Zastupnevich as president, IANN has focussed on bringing the wonderful worlds of Academy Award winning producer Irwin Allen to a wider audience. Working with fans, cast and crew around the world, IANN has published dozens of newsletters, specials and web sites to promote the television shows, movies, performers, and the production crew working so hard behind the scenes.
We hope you will enjoy browsing around the site and that you will find new material of interest. We welcome your ideas and input to help us to continue to bring the work of Irwin Allen to new generations. For more on how to use the IANN website, please visit our How to Use the IANN Site page.
If you would like to contribute research, personal memories of working on the productions, articles, photos, artwork and other creative ideas, please do contact us. We are continually developing the site whenever we have a spare moment, and the extent to which we can do this depends on everyone who has fond memories of these shows and movies.
If you hover the mouse pointer over the picture above, you can identify and visit the pages dedicated to each of the Irwin Allen productions.
IRWIN ALLEN NEWS VIA TWITTER
Latest Irwin Allen related news will be sent out via Twitter. If you have any upcoming events featuring Irwin Allen stars that you would like us to mention, please send us details.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Land of the Giants Bumper Stickers
As it is Halloween week, here are some vintage 1960's Halloween themed Land of the Giants bumper stickers. These would have been a great treat to hand out to children who were trick or treating and wearing their Land of the Giants Halloween costumes (Captain Burton, Dan Erickson, Giant Professor, Giant Witch, and Giant Cat). There were also super size 3.5 inch buttons (badges) with the same style of MY BAG design.
THE IRWIN ALLEN SHOW PHOTOGRAPH
A rare photograph of Irwin Allen in his early television show, The Irwin Allen Show, is available for sale through Royal Books. The photograph shown above is courtesy of Royal Books and was taken by photographer Leo Kanter during filming of the episode featuring Buster Keaton on 22nd May 1949. The full description from Royal Books is below.
Original photograph of Buster Keaton and Irwin Allen on The Irwin Allen Show, May 22, 1949
Vintage photograph of Buster Keaton and Irwin Allen by photographer Leo Kanter, 1949. Signed and dated, "May 22, 1949," in white ink by the photographer in the lower right corner, stamped on the verso "Leo Kanter / May 22, 1949."
Famed silent film comedian, Buster Keaton, made his first television appearance on May 2, 1949 on "The Irwin Allen Show," seen in the photograph on offer here. His appearance seven months later, on December 22, 1949 on the live CBS television variety show, "The Ed Wynn Show," is often incorrectly attributed as Keaton's first television appearance.
From the archive of the PIX Agency, an American photo house that acted as an intermediary between emigre photographers (as well as those still living in Europe) and the American magazine and newspaper market between 1935-1969.
8 x 10 inches with narrow margins, archivally matted in a 14 x 18 inch 8-ply mat. Near Fine.
[Book #162898]
INFINITY MAGAZINE #77
Infinity Magazine #77 features a 4 page article on the early years of Ray Harryhausen's career. Ray Harryhausen worked on Irwin Allen's 1956 movie The Animal World. The magazine is available from the Infinity website in both paper and digital formats.
JAMES DARREN
The incredibly sad news that we have heard in the past few hours is that James Darren, star of Irwin Allen's The Time Tunnel, passed away on Monday September 2nd, 2024, at the age of 88. James not only starred in The Time Tunnel, but also guest starred in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and appeared in the presentation reel for The Man from the 25th Century and in the 1971 television movie, City Beneath the Sea.
James Darren in The Time Tunnel episode The Day the Sky Fell In
James Darren in the Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea episode The Mechanical Man
James Darren in City Beneath the Sea
James Darren in The Man from the 25th Century
VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA 60TH
14th September 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the broadcast of the pilot episode of Irwin Allen's television imagining of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Eleven Days to Zero. 60 years ago, millions of children and their families were entranced by this adventure series, and so many more have discovered the show since. Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea is ageless and will hopefully continue to stand the test of time by entertaining many more generations.
HERITAGE AUCTIONS - 25-26 JULY 2024
We spotted a rare find in the latest auction from Heritage Auctions, 25-26 JULY 2024 Hollywood/Entertainment Signature® Auction #7361, namely Irwin and Sheila Allen's directors chairs. We remember seeing Irwin's chair in their sitting room when visiting with Sheila in the 1990s. Sheila's chair says "Mother" on the back, the role she played in the 1985 television movie Alice in Wonderland. The auction also features a couple of Alice in Wonderland items. The directors chairs sold for $5,750 (including the buyer's premium).
JULIEN'S AUCTIONS, THE IRWIN ALLEN STORYBOARDS
An auction took place on Saturday 15 June 2024 at Julien's Auctions, dedicated to The Irwin Allen Storyboards. These are all original art pieces including storyboards from The Poseidon Adventure, The Towering Inferno, and The Swarm. Many of these pieces of artwork were drawn by Tom Cranham.
The Irwin Allen Storyboards (images courtesy of Julien's Auctions, juliensauctions.com)
JULIEN'S AUCTIONS - 12-14 JUNE 2024
A number of Irwin Allen related collectibles featured in the 12-14 June 2024 Julien's Auctions Hollywood Legends, Danger, Disaster & Disco Auction including the original 17 foot Seaview filming prop which sold for an astonishing $222,250 (including Buyer's Premium).
Irwin Allen Related Items (images courtesy of Julien's Auctions, juliensauctions.com)
FANTASY WORLDS OF IRWIN ALLEN - 2024 BOOK RE-RELEASE
Great news for Irwin Allen fans, especially those who weren't able to afford or get hold of the original The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen by Jeff Bond. The cost of shipping such a substantial book overseas will have been prohibative for many. Advance orders are now being taken in both the US and UK for a re-release of this amazing book which is being re-published with a fresh cover design and a lower price point by Titan Books on 15 October 2024.
DABNEY COLEMAN
Dabney Coleman who played a Deputy Chief in The Towering Inferno passed away on Thursday 16th May 2024. He is probably best known for his appearance in the 1980 movie 9 to 5 with Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton, and Lily Tomlin.
ANIMAL WORLD GALLERY
We are gradually going through our memorabilia collection, much of which has been stored away for decades, and will be adding to individual movie and TV galleries. Here is the gallery for one of Irwin Allen's earliest movies, The Animal World.
HERITAGE AUCTIONS - 16 MAY 2024
A number of Irwin Allen related collectibles featured in the latest auction from Heritage Auctions on Thursday 16 May 2024. Heritage Auctions - 2024 May 16 Hollywood/Entertainment Showcase Auction #41187 included several toys, books, and posters.
Irwin Allen Collectibles Auction Items (images courtesy of Heritage Auctions, HA.com)
INFINITY #71 - THE TOWERING INFERNO 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Infinity Magazine #71 features a beautiful 6 page article to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of The Towering Inferno and also includes a double, centre page poster. The magazine is available in both print and digital format.
HERITAGE AUCTIONS - THE GREG JEIN COLLECTION 29 MARCH 2024
Coming up on 29th March 2024 is the The Greg Jein Collection Hollywood/Entertainment Showcase Auction #41185 which includes some further Irwin Allen props and scripts.
ORIGINAL VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA PROP
Up for auction in January-February 2024 on eBay was the original 32 inch UN Attack Submarine/Polidor filming miniature prop which appeared in both the movie and TV versions of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. This prop is originally from the collection of Academy Award-nominated visual effects specialist Greg Jein..
UN Attack Submarine Prop Auction Gallery
For more on this prop, please visit the Polidor Prop Gallery
INFINITY #69 - MARK GODDARD TRIBUTE
The latest issue of Infinity magazine (#69) features an excellent 6 page tribute to Lost in Space star Mark Goddard, written by Mark Phillips. This magazine and back issues can be purchased directly from the Infinity website in both print and digital format. Note that there have been several articles on the Irwin Allen shows and their cast members in previous issues of Infinity magazine, so it is worth browsing through their back issues too.
THE TIME TUNNEL COMPUTERS
This is The Time Tunnel Computer Console prop seen in the time tunnel complex. The photo was taken by D.F. Diamond at a prop warehouse in California. Below is a YouTube video showing the computer console at the prop warehouse.
JULIEN'S AUCTIONS 14-15 DECEMBER 2023
Julien's Auctions Hollywood Legends: Robots, Wizards, Heroes & Aliens Auction held on 14-15 December 2023 featured 5 Irwin Allen props and costumes including the original stunt B-9 Robot.
HERITAGE AUCTIONS - THE GREG JEIN COLLECTION 14-15 OCT 2023
2023 has brought us some amazing auctions featuring major Irwin Allen props and collectibles, and the 14-15 October 2023 Heritage Auction continued that theme. The Greg Jein Collection Hollywood Platinum Signature® Auction #7278 included several Irwin Allen props. The top sale price for an Irwin Allen related item was $350,000 (including Buyer's Premium) for the Robot Feet.
Here is a lovely video from "The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of" showing the Chariot prop which sold for $162,500 (including 25% Buyer's Premium) at the The Greg Jein Collection Hollywood Platinum Signature® Auction #7278.
IRWIN ALLEN: MASTER OF DISASTER COLLECTION
Released on 12th September 2023 (in the US) is the blu-ray set Irwin Allen: Master of Disaster Collection featuring 7 television and theatrical release movies. The set features the following movies: The Poseidon Adventure, When Time Ran Out, Fire, Flood, Cave-In, Hanging by a Thread, and The Night the Bridge Fell Down.
Irwin Allen: Master of Disaster Collection Blu-Ray set at Amazon US (#ad)
Irwin Allen: Master of Disaster Collection Blu-Ray set at Amazon UK (#ad)
HERITAGE AUCTIONS - THE IRWIN ALLEN COLLECTION 29 JULY 2023
July 2023 brought us an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime, opportunity to bid on a vast collection of original Irwin Allen props, paintings, drawings, and collectibles. The Heritage Auctions - Irwin Allen Collection auction took place in session 5 of the 3 day Hollywood/Entertainment Signature® Auction #7351 from 27 to 29 July 2023. Click here for the press release from Heritage Auctions (HA.com).
Winning bids ranged from $625 to $350,000 (including buyer's premiums of 25%). The top 5 purchase prices (including buyer's premium) were for the following items:
- Original John Berkey Final Poster Artwork for The Towering Inferno, sold for $350,000
- The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen Robot built by Greg Jein, sold for $237,500
- Original Hero B-9 Robot Walkable "Bermudas", sold for $212,500
- Guy Williams "John Robinson" Season 1 Tunic, sold for $200,000
- Bill Mumy "Will Robinson" Season 1 Costume Ensemble, sold for $187,500
HERITAGE AUCTIONS - IRWIN ALLEN COLLECTION CATALOG
Here is the cover of the catalog for the Heritage Auctions Irwin Allen Collection featuring the final poster artwork by John Berkey for The Towering Inferno. This packed catalog is a collectible in itself.
HELP NEEDED WITH RESEARCH
The main focus of our efforts at the Irwin Allen News Network is to document the history of all of the Irwin Allen movies and television shows and this implies extensive levels of research. We are particularly trying to credit actors and crew who didn't receive on-screen credits in the productions.
We are also studying the movies, trying to identify as many people as possible who appeared on screen and this is proving to be a never-ending challenge. We have recently added a gallery of faces from The Poseidon Adventure and The Time Travelers amongst others and have several faces we cannot yet identify. If you can help with any of these missing names with corroborating pictures of the unnamed actors, please contact us.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Every so often we will showcase something from different creative fans on this main page. The image above shows several pieces of original artwork and model building from fans around the world. Click on each image to see more of this wonderful work. You can also see more outstanding work from other artists, animators, and model builders by visiting the creativity showcase and models pages on this site.
IRWIN ALLEN FILMOGRAPHY
Click here or on the image below to see the Irwin Allen filmography credits.
IRWIN ALLEN BLOG
We have set up a new blog for general chat, all the little bits of information we come across, and to highlight the latest news in the Irwin Allen worlds.
IRWIN ALLEN GALLERY
We have built a new structured and searchable Irwin Allen Gallery with lots of different bits and pieces on anything and everything related to the Irwin Allen productions. It includes new showcases of the work of the talented and creative fans, without whom there would not be many new things in the Irwin Allen universe to enjoy. If you would like your work and collections showcased here, you are welcome to send material via the Email link in the IANN contact page.
ARCHIVE
This website is a tribute to Irwin Allen, the performers, the production crews, and the studios who made the television shows and movies a reality. It is also a tribute to all the people who help to keep these productions alive for future generations.
