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.
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
David O'Brien Spindrift Build
David O'Brien has built a customised version of the Polar Lights Land of the Giants Spindrift kit with lighting. Click on the image above or the link below to view a photo gallery, an informative build presentation, and a video of David's Spindrift build.
GENE HACKMAN
Shocked and stunned to hear the tragic news regarding the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife who were found at their home in New Mexico on Wednesday 26th February 2025. Gene Hackman is prominent and much loved and respected in the Irwin Allen universe for his leading role as Reverend Frank Scott in The Poseidon Adventure. It is going to take time for everyone to digest and understand this very sad news. Our heartfelt sympathies go to all of their loved ones.
BBC: Gene Hackman: One of Hollywood's greatest 'tough guys'
ABC Obituary: Gene Hackman, Oscar-winning star of 'Hoosiers' and 'Unforgiven,' dies at 95
BEHIND THE SCENES ON THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE
The Hackman Brothers on the set of The Poseidon Adventure
Behind the Scenes on The Poseidon Adventure
Brothers Gene and Richard Hackman behind the scenes in Scarecrow (1973)
Big Finish - Tunnel Vision
News release 31st January 2025: Big Finish Productions are bringing out an exciting new audiobook drama series for Irwin Allen's The Time Tunnel:
"Story details are revealed for The Time Tunnel: The Nightmare Begins, Big Finish Production’s full-cast audio drama continuation of the classic Irwin Allen TV show, coming February 2025."
Land of the Giants Aurora Model Kit Retail Banner Poster
This original Land of the Giants Aurora Model Kit Retail Banner Poster (printed in 1968) went up for auction on eBay (eBay seller WWolst12) and sold for an astonishing $1,575 on Monday 27th January 2025.
Here is the seller's description of the item:
"This auction is for a rare and original 1968 printed Aurora Model Kit Retail Poster that advertises the Land of Giants Kit “Is Here!” Measuring 22” long by 8 ½” wide, this authentic poster features artwork by Harry Schaare, and it is in excellent, clean condition with vibrant, un-faded colors. In our close-up photographs, you can see a very tiny tear in the lower left-hand corner and a faint crease to the lower right-hand edge. There are no other problems or any restorations."
https://www.ebay.com/itm/356479281787
In all our decades of collecting and research, this is the first time we have seen an original printing of this poster. In recent years, there have been glossy reproductions of this poster (we have a copy), yet this is the only time to date that an original has come up for sale. The seller, Rhode Island Internet Consignments Inc. Lindsey Wolstenholme, has very kindly given us permission to show this rare find to visitors.
THE CAST OF THE STORY OF MANKIND
We have spent over a decade on and off researching Irwin Allen's 1957 movie The Story of Mankind and trying to identify as many people in the cast as we can. One person we are struggling to identify is the actor who plays Thomas Edison. If anyone is able to verify who this is, please let us know.
CHRISTIAN JUTTNER
We have just learned through the Hollywood Reporter that Christian Juttner (Paul Durant in The Swarm) has died of natural causes at the age of 60 on 29 November 2024. Christian appeared in several well-known television shows and movies during his ten year acting career which began at the age of 7. His list of credits includes Bewitched, Ironside, The Bionic Woman, and Wonder Woman.
THE TIME TUNNEL CARTOON
Above is the latest cartoon from talented artist Gordon Foulds, paying tribute to The Time Tunnel and The Master of Disaster. 2024 has marked the loss of a major star of Irwin Allen television, James Darren of The Time Tunnel, whilst on a happier note, the year has coincided with the 50th Anniversary of Irwin Allen's The Towering Inferno. This cartoon brings the two productions together.
THE TOWERING INFERNO 50th ANNIVERSARY
Monday 16th December 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the World Premiere of Irwin Allen's blockbuster movie The Towering Inferno. The premiere was held at the Avco Center Cinema in Westwood, Los Angeles on Monday 16th December 1974. Before the premiere, regular Irwin Allen stuntman Orwin C. Harvey performed a daring stunt, being set on fire, and leaping off the Avco Cinema Center roof. A Premiere dinner was held that evening at the Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.
The Towering Inferno Red Carpet TV Coverage hosted by Dick Strout, Ruta Lee, and Bill Welsh
Towering Inferno stuntman Orwin C. Harvey
The New York Premiere was held at the National Theatre on Broadway on Wednesday 18th December 1974 followed by a supper party with 500 attendees at the Four Seasons Restaurant, hosted by Twentieth Century Fox chairman, Dennis Stanfill. The premiere beneficiary was the New York Diabetes Association. Stuntman Orwin Harvey again performed a stunt jumping off the roof of the National Theatre.
The San Francisco Premiere for The Towering Inferno was held at two locations, the Parkside Theatre and the Alexandria Theatre, on Thursday 19th December 1974. The West Coast Benefit Premiere was held in honour of the FLAME youth program sponsored by the San Francisco Fire Department. The photo above shows two fire engines holding up the banner that would be placed on the front of the Alexandria Theatre. There was a display and demonstrations of fire department equipment by the San Francisco Fire Department at the premiere. Note that many San Francisco firemen and residents appeared in the movie itself.
Crowds outside the Parkside Theatre for the Premiere of The Towering Inferno on 19th December 1974
Irwin Allen receiving an award at the San Francisco Premiere of The Towering Inferno
Guests arriving at the Alexandria Theatre for the Premiere of The Towering Inferno on 19th December 1974
A post-Premiere dinner was held at the San Francisco Mark Hopkins Inter-Continental Hotel with 300 attendees including Robert Wagner, Natalie Wood, and Richard Chamberlain. The photo above shows San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto presenting Irwin Allen with an honorary fire helmet from the San Francisco Fire Department.
The Gala European Premiere of The Towering Inferno was held in London at the Warner West End Cinema (near Leicester Square) on 29th January 1975. Irwin and Sheila Allen flew over for the event, accompanied by Paul Zastupnevich. Paul often joked that he went with Irwin and Sheila on their honeymoon. Here is a very special and historic colour British Movietone film showing Irwin, Sheila, and Paul's arrival at Heathrow and their attendance at the London premiere.
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.
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. This amazing book has been re-published with a fresh cover design and a lower price point by Titan Books and is available now in both the US and UK.
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)
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.
