Thursday, June 6, 2019

Don Matheson And Deanna Lund: On Land Of The Giants' Special FX

"There was no way you could compete with them. I knew that going in. They were bigger than we were. When it was your turn, you gave it your best shot. The whole concept of Land Of The Giants was more of a star than any of us."

-Don Matheson, Starlog Magazine #162 (p.63)-



"Unfortuantely, what happens... is the actors become props for the special FX. That was the show's one weakness. You didn't really get to know us."

-Deanna Lund, Starlog Magazine #181 (p.30)-



Sadly, it the lack of character with Land Of The Giants' overreliance on effects that became a glaring weakness. Lund suggests the series couldn't have it both ways. Perhaps television at that time on Irwin Allen's watch couldn't. It's too bad because it really could have. It could have been an ideal mix of action adventure and character drama.

To further make the point regarding what Land Of The Giants so badly needed, character, Lund noted if someone had decided not to return had the series been picked up for a Season Three it wouldn't have been a loss at all. The show wouldn't have been hurt. "Nobody was indispensable." To Irwin Allen the props were the thing.

For those readers disinterested in Land Of The Giants, the next entry will be my last for a time.

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1 comment:

  1. ChaseFebruary 25, 2023 at 9:40 PM

    Love Deanna but she's totally wrong. ALL the people who watched the show knew that the people and characters were WHY they watched. It seems the actors didn't get it, the non fans like you didn't get it and the true fans did. The one thing fans agree on is not the effects but that the actors and the characters is WHY they love LAND OF THE GIANTS. https://www.facebook.com/groups/307377003053819
    https://scificfanhorrormedia.blogspot.com/search/label/LAND%20OF%20THE%20GIANTS

    When Betty and/or Barry were missing WE felt it. We liked them. We knew them. We saw how they reacted and felt it, too. It's amazing how many people don't see this or get this. Maybe read the FLIGHT OF FEAR LOTG book. It shows how the characters evolved and changed and they did through their adventures. We didn't need to get hit over the head with it. As for LOST IN SPACE having better characterization...NO, it did not.

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