The Starlost

The Starlost
The Starlost title card from the original series.
Genre	Science fiction Drama
Created by	Harlan Ellison (as Cordwainer Bird)
Written by	Harlan Ellison (as Cordwainer Bird) George Ghent Norman Klenman Martin Lager
Directed by	Harvey Hart Martin Lager George McCowan Leo Orenstein Ed Richardson Joseph L. Scanlan
Starring	Keir Dullea Gay Rowan Robin Ward
Country of origin	Canada
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	16
Production
Executive producer(s)	William Davidson Gerry Rochon Douglas Trumbull Jerome M. Zeitman
Producer(s)	William Davidson Ed Richardson Gerry Rochon Douglas Trumbull Jerome M. Zeitman
Editor(s)	Bernie Clayton Gordon Stoddard
Camera setup	Single-camera
Running time	50 mins.
Production company(s)	20th Century Fox Television CTV Television Network Glen Warren Productions
Distributor	20th Century Fox Television
Broadcast
Original channel	CTV
Original run	September 22, 1973 (1973-09-22) – January 5, 1974 (1974-01-05)

The Starlost is a Canadian-produced science fiction television series devised by writer Harlan Ellison and broadcast in 1973 on CTV in Canada and syndicated to local stations in the United States. The show's setting is a huge generational colony spacecraft called The Ark, which has gone off-course. Many of the descendants of the original crew and colonists are unaware, however, that they are aboard a ship. The series experienced a number of production difficulties, and Ellison ended up disowning it before the first episode even aired.

Premise

Discovering that the destruction of the Earth will happen in the future, humanity builds a multi-generational starship called "The ARK" which was around 80 kilometres (50 mi) wide and 320 kilometres (200 mi) long. The ship contains dozens of isolated biospheres, each kilometres across and housing people of different cultures. Early in the voyage an unexplained disaster struck with the ARK suffering damage and the command crew killed. The ARK had some kind of automatic damage control and disaster systems which sealed off each biosphere and kept the inhabitants alive, even though the command crew had died off.

Centuries later, a young man, Devon (Keir Dullea), a resident of Cypress Corners, a biosphere with an Amish-like culture, discovers that his world is far larger and more mysterious than he had realized. Considered an outcast because of his questioning of the way things are, especially his refusal to accept the arranged marriage of Rachel (Gay Rowan), the girl Devon loves and who loves him and his friend Garth (Robin Ward), Devon inadvertently finds his way into the service areas of the ship and uncovers its fate by accessing a computer data station that explains the purpose of the ARK and hints at its problems. Devon then returns to Cypress Corners to tell his fellow biosphere-dwellers about what he has learned but is put on trial for heresy and condemned to death. Helped to escape on the night before his execution by Garth, Devon convinces Rachel and Garth to come with him and after making their way to the bridge they have found that it had been damaged and its control systems made in-operative, the crew killed (a few skeletal bodies are lying there) and the ARK is on a collision course with a Class G star similar to the Sun. Devon, Rachel and Garth realize the only hope to save The ARK (and the colonists onboard) is to find the backup bridge and reactivate the navigation and propulsion systems. Occasionally, they are aided by the ARK's partially functioning computer systems portrayed by William Osler (1933-2008).

The scenario drew on themes common to science fiction. It also had obvious potential for an interesting, developing story arc as the trio made more discoveries about the ship and contacted cultures previously isolated in other biospheres.^{[citation needed]}

20th Century Fox was involved in the project with Douglas Trumbull as executive producer. Science fiction writer and editor Ben Bova was brought in as science advisor.^{[citation needed]}

Development and production

Harlan Ellison was approached by Robert Kline, a 20th Century Fox television producer, to come up with an idea for a science fiction TV series consisting of eight episodes, to pitch to the BBC as a co-production in February 1973. The BBC rejected the idea. Unable to sell "The Starlost" for prime time, Kline decided to pursue a low budget approach and produce it for syndication. By May, Kline had sold the idea to 48 NBC stations and the Canadian CTV network.

To get Canadian government subsidies the production was shot in Canada and Canadian writers produced the scripts from story outlines by Ellison.

Before Ellison could begin work on the show's production bible, a writers' strike began, running from March 6 to June 24. Kline negotiated an exception with the Writer's Guild, on the grounds that the production was wholly Canadian — and Ellison went to work on a bible for the series.

A drawing from the Magicam patent showing the basic arrangement of the system - a servo controlled dolly along with a secondary periscope camera filming a model background.

Originally, the show was to be filmed with a special effects camera system developed by Doug Trumbull called Magicam. The system comprised two cameras whose motion was servo controlled. One camera would film actors against a blue screen, while the other would shoot a model background. The motion of both cameras was synchronized and scaled appropriately, allowing both the camera and the actors to move through model sets. The technology did not work reliably. In the end, simple blue screen effects were used, forcing static camera shots.

The failure of the Magicam system was a major blow — as the Canadian studio space that had been rented was too small to build the required sets. In the end, partial sets were built, but the lack of space hampered production.

As the filming went on, Ellison grew disenchanted with the budget cuts, details that were changed, and what he characterized as the progressive dumbing down of the story. Ellison's dissatisfaction extended to the new title of the pilot episode; he had titled it "Phoenix Without Ashes" but it was changed to "Voyage of Discovery".

Before the production of the pilot episode was completed, Ellison invoked a clause in his contract to force the producers to use his alternative registered writer's name of "Cordwainer Bird" on the end credits. This was a signal to anyone who knew him to show how disgusted he was with the whole business (see Alan Smithee for the motion picture industry equivalent).

Sixteen episodes were made. Fox decided not to pick up the options for the remainder of the series after seeing how badly it was doing in the ratings. Bova, frustrated that his advice was ignored, saw the first show when it was broadcast and quit. He asked the producers to take his name off the credits of all the shows but he did not have a clause like Ellison's in his contract, so he remained credited.

TV scriptwriter Norman Klenman stated that he was called in to work on The Starlost because the production team were unable to deal with Ellison. Klenman claims he rewrote the pilot script, hired the writers for the series, chose the themes of the episodes and wrote four and heavily rewrote eight more episodes.

Afterwards

On March 31, 1974, Ellison received a Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay for the original script (the pilot script as originally written, not the version that was filmed). A novelization of this script by Edward Bryant, Phoenix Without Ashes, was published in 1975; this contained a lengthy foreword by Ellison describing what had gone on in production. In 2010 the novel was adapted in comic book form by IDW Publishing.

Bova, in an editorial in Analog Science Fiction (June 1974) and in interviews in fanzines, made it clear how disgruntled he had been as science adviser. In 1975, he published a novel entitled The Starcrossed, depicting a scientist taken on as a science adviser for a terrible science fiction series.

Timeline

Date A.D. and Time	Event
2285	Earthship ARK leaves Earth prior to a catastrophe of galactic proportions
	Dome wars
2381/01/01	Spaceship Pisces leaves Earthship ARK to explore planets suitable for colonization
2385	Accident on Earthship ARK which is locked onto a collision course with a Class G star
2390/02/19 06:00	About when Spaceship Pisces crew initially believed they returned
2790/04/03 03:20	Oro's Xar 531 spacecraft crashes into Earthship ARK
2790/05/02 12:30	Garth, Devon, and Rachel break into Alpha Bridge Complex
2790	The Alien Oro, and Idona depart for Planet Xar
2790	"Present" date

Episodes

Episode	Title	Synopsis
1	"The Beginning" a.k.a. "Voyage of Discovery"	Forced to leave his village because of persecution, Devon discovers his people live on a huge spacecraft
2	"Lazarus from the Mist"	While Garth is held by "cavemen" descendants of the service crew, Devon and Rachel awaken a scientist from suspended animation to help repair the Ark
3	"The Goddess Calabra"	The trio visit a biosphere populated only by men, whose governor desires to marry Rachel, who resembles a goddess worshipped in the community
4	"The Pisces" (also titled "The Return")	An exploratory vessel returns after an apparent ten-year journey, but in reality has been hundreds of years.
5	"Children of Methuselah"	Thinking they've found the backup bridge of the Ark, they discover a module occupied by children who believe they've been piloting the Ark since it left Earth
6	"And Only Man Is Vile"	A scientist intent on breeding a hardier race of humans tries to prove man is too selfish
7	"Circuit of Death"	A disillusioned man triggers the self-destruction of the Ark but intends to escape; he and Devon must undergo miniaturization to stop the detonation
8	"Gallery of Fear"	A computer desires to become autonomous and tricks the trio into completing its programming
9	"Mr. Smith of Manchester"	The trio find their way past a mysterious high-security biosphere entrance and discover a distrusting, power-mad ruler who tries to assure them of his peaceful intents while he pollutes his city to produce armaments
10	"The Alien Oro"	An alien sent on a reconnaissance mission has crashed into the Ark and is now harvesting parts to repair his ship to return home; Garth falls for a woman who must leave with Oro in order to survive
11	"The Astro Medics"	After Devon is injured by radiation, a medical ship that orbits the Ark comes to his aid, but the doctor who can help him is too intrigued by the possibility of helping aliens who've signalled for help
12	"The Implant People"	The trio visit a biosphere where a despotic servant to the leader terrorizes the population with pain produced from mandatory implants
13	"The Return of Oro"	Oro returns... as commander of Earthship Ark. He tells the trio and their temporary companion that his home world can support the people from Earth, but Devon discovers otherwise when a robot is asked the correct questions
14	"Farthing's Comet"	A scientist alters the Ark's course to pass through a comet's tail so he can study it; Devon must make an EVA to rewire a panel so the service reactors can be fired again; cometary debris damages the biospheres
15	"The Beehive"	The trio visit a science installation where a scientist has bred giant mutant bees
16	"Space Precinct"	Garth decides to return to Cypress Corners, but he is recruited into the inter-ark police force by an officer intending to take a flight to assist in resolving an interplanetary conflict

• According to "Starlog Photo Guidebook TV Episode Guides Volume 1" (1981), there are two other episodes: "God That Died" and "People In The Dark". It is not known if these are two un-aired episodes, unfinished episodes, or scripts that never got filmed.

Episodes of the original series were rebroadcast in 1978 and further in the 1982. A number of episodes were also edited together to create movie-length instalments that were sold to cable television broadcasters in the late 1980s.

Movie	Episodes
The Starlost: The Beginning	"Voyage of Discovery" and "The Goddess Calabra"
The Starlost: The Return	"The Pisces" and "Farthing's Comet"
The Starlost: Deception	"Mr. Smith of Manchester" and "Gallery of Fear"
The Starlost: The Alien Oro	"The Alien Oro" and "The Return of Oro"
The Starlost: The Invasion	"The Astro Medics" and "The Implant People"

Commercial releases

All 16 episodes were at one time available in a VHS boxed set.

The first DVD release was limited to the five feature-length edited versions.

In fall 2008 the full series was released on DVD by VCI Entertainment. Aside from the digitally remastered episodes, a "presentation reel" created for potential broadcasters is also included. Hosted by Dullea and Trumbull, and predating Ellison's departure as he is credited under his own name with creating the series, the short feature includes sample footage using the later-abandoned Magicam technology, some filmed special effects footage taken from other productions along with model footage from the film Silent Running to represent the "Earthship Ark" concept, and a different series logo. Dullea's character is also referred to by a different name than that used in the final production.

Major characters

Episode	Name	Actor	Character (in order of appearance)
1	Jeremiah	Sterling Hayden	Leader of Cypress Corners congregation
1-	Devon	Keir Dullea	Adult outcast and orphan from Cypress Corners
1-	Rachel	Gay Rowan	Devon's love interest, Garth's betrothed, "Goddess Calabra"
1-	Garth	Robin Ward	Blacksmith from Cypress Corners
1	Abraham	Gillie Fenwick	Wise old 'fool' in Cypress Corners
1-	Mu Lambda 165	William Osler	Sphere Projector visualization programmed for general information; also computer voice and narrator
1,5	boy and 4 Prosecutor	Scott Fisher	short-straight red hair
1,8	Rachel's mother	Aileen Seaton
1,8,13	Garth's father	Jim Barron
2	Dr. Gerald W. Aaron	Frank Converse	Enclosure 78 Row 54 Section C, 090-40-6930, age 40 years, Radiation virus terminal 2hrs. A-34S Communications electronic engineer
2	James T. Atkinson		2nd of 17 Earthship ARK design and construction engineers suspended in cryonic vault
2	Sergeant	Doug McGrath	Leader of degenerate vault security guard descendants
2	1st Tube Dweller	Clive Endersby
2	2nd Tube Dweller	Mel Tuck
2	Jane Gregory-Aaron	Vivian Reis	Nuclear engineer, Dr. Gerald W. Aaron's long-dead wife
3	Captain Brad	Michael Kirby	promoted to Colonel Government house guard
3	Governor	John Colicos	Governor of State
3	Shaliff	Barry Morse	Head-priest of Temple, formerly Colonel in Guard
4	Colonel M. P. Garroway	Lloyd Bochner	Commander of ARK vessel Spaceship Pisces, age 44 years, 6', weight 173, health rating AAG3
4	Captain Janice	Diana Barrington	Electronic technician field promoted to Captain of Spaceship Pisces
4	Navigator Teale	Carol Lazare
4	Admiral Baines		unknown, only Gold Security Clearance rank crew
4	Captain Rodgers		unknown
4	Captain Armstrong		Former Captain of Spaceship Pisces, died while on away mission
4	A. C. Garroway		long-dead relative of Colonel M. P. Garroway
4	Milton Carnes, Mabel Carnes, and George Carnes		long-dead relatives of Captain Janice
4	Rick Malloy		long-dead 32 year-old boyfriend of Navigator Teal
4	Daisy Garroway		long-dead daughter of Colonel M. P. Garroway
5	1	David Tyrell	Captain of Alpha (bridge) complex, boy, medium-curly blonde-red hair
5	Grand Council
6	Dr. Asgard	Simon Oakland
6	Dr. Diana Tabor	Irena Mayeska
6	Lethe	Trudy Young	woman
6	Village Elder	Tim Whelan
6	Villager A	John Bethune
7	I. A. Richards	Percy Rodriguez	electronic technician, First Class, from Biosphere Alpha 5, Valerie's father, former leader of dissolved & defeated citizens' party administrative assembly (by control party)
7	Valerie Richards	Narene Virgin	epileptic daughter of I. A. Richards, from Biosphere Alpha 5
7	Cort	Calvin Butler	Valerie Richards's friend, Biosphere Alpha 5 security
8	Daphne	Angel Tompkins	woman
8	Magnus	Allen Stewart-Coates	Earthship ARK commander's personal computer
8	Monster	Danny Dodgkins
8	Admiral George Austin	William Clune	first officer commanding Earthship ARK
8	computer voice	Jim Barron
9	Secretary	Pattie Elsasser
9	Trent	Pat Galloway	aide
9	President Mr. Smith	Ed Ames
9	City man	Les Ruby
9	Nurse	Doris Petrie
10	Egreck 419B2 Idona	Alexandra Bastedo	could not have children
10 & 13	Oro of planet Xar	Walter Koenig	Alien

Credits

Episode	Name	Role
1-8-	William Davidson	Producer
1-8-	Douglas Trumbull	Executive Producer
1-8-	Jerry Zeitman	Executive Producer
1-16	Cordwainer Bird (pseudonym for Harlan Ellison)	Creator; Writer, Episode 1
2	Douglas Hall	Writer
2	Don Wallace	Writer
1-	Leo Orenstein	Director
2-	Ed Richardson	Associate Producer
2,6	Norman Klenman	Story Consultant
2,6	Jack McAdam	Production Designer
2,6	Ben Bova	Science Consultant
2,6	Shirley Mann	Costume Designer
2,6	Karen Hazzard Ltd.	Casting
2,6	Score Productions Inc.	Music Producer
2-	Carol Davidson	Make-Up
2,6	Bob Bowkett	Properties
2,6	Maurie Jackson	Technical Director
2,6	Peter Edwards	Lighting Director
2,6	Gordon White	Art Director
2-	Doug Drew	Audio
2,6	Percy Brinkworth	Video
2,6	Barrie Diehl	Unit Production Manager
2-	Gary Smith	Unit Production Manager
2,6	Ray Fitzwalter	Studio Director
2,6	Mary Lou Fraser	Production Assistant
2,6	Derrett Lee	Production Co-ordinator
2,6	Larry Wells	Wardrobe
2,6	Bob Colouhoun	Model Construction
2,6	Gordon Lowe	Model Construction
2,6	Mereline Thompson	Model Construction
2,6	Lissa Calvert	Model Construction
2,6	Lori Margolis	Model Construction
2-	Ed Brennan	Post Production Supervisor
2,6	Gordon Stoddard	Video Tape Editor
2,6	Wally Weaver	Re-Recording
2,6	Wally Harris	Re-Recording
2-	Bob Kozak	Sound Editor
2-	In the Sunrise	Graphic Design
2-	The McLaughlin Planetarium	Research Assistance and Visual Materials
2-	Glen Warren Productions Ltd.	Executive Producer
2,6	Gerard Rochon	Executive Producer
2-	Arthur Weinthal	Executive in Charge of Production
4	Jonah Royston	Story and Writer
4	George Ghent	Writer
4	Joseph L. Scanlan	Director
6	Shimon Wincelberg	Writer
6	Ed Richardson	Director & Associate Producer
6	Bill Rennie	Unit Production Manager
6	Cy Fawcett	Floor Manager
6	Larry Wells	(unknown)
6	Pat Burrows	Make-up Artist
6	Art Claridge	Audio
6	Doug McCormick	Post Production Supervisor
6	Malcolm Fox	Sound Editor
6	Phillip Stephens	Model Construction
7	Norman Klenman	Writer
7	Peter Levin	Director
8	Douglas Trumbull	Visual Effects
1-	Keir Dullea	Devon
1-	Gay Rowan	Rachel
1-	Robin Ward	Garth
1-	William Osler	Host/Computer Voice

See also

• Pandorum

External links

• The Starlost at the Internet Movie Database
• The Starlost: Deception at the Internet Movie Database
• The Starlost: The Alien Oro at the Internet Movie Database
• The Starlost: The Beginning at the Internet Movie Database
• Episode titles & Original airdates
• Episode guide with original airdates, synopses, and cast & crew credits
• "The Starlost" fansite
• Episodes 1, 4, 6, 7 & 8 at GUBA
• Ark: A nine-webisode remake posted July 23, 2010 on the Hulu website.