WE RECALL THIS show as being as ambitious a filmed network adventure series as there has ever been. The appearance of this one was upgraded and enhanced courtesy of loftier budgetary considerations, highly realistic sets and a quite competent regular cast.
BEING THAT, WHILE this was aimed at general audiences, the "family" viewer-ship, it was decided early on to give the leads to a couple of youthful, Matinée Idol types. Hence we have James Darren and Robert Colbert cast as the two lead scientists. Appearing in most competent support are a pair of the most reliable players. Whit Bissell portrays the Army General and John Zaremba as the rather long in the tooth and gray-bearded scientist.*
THE SERIES FOLLOWED the tried and true theme of the Post World War II Science Fiction, established during the 1950's. That plot element used the formula that: Modern Science + our Military = the World saved. This peculiarity persists right to this day.
IF WE WOULD point to any flaw in the show, it would not be how the Tunnel would deposit the time traveling twosome; but rather just where the pair would find themselves. For example, Mr. Darren and Mr. Colbert would land in Pompey, Italy, Roman Empire in the days just before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D.. then at episodes end, the would be transported to the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Or they might be caught in the French Revolution, going to the Guillotine, only to "escape" to the Little Big Horn and Custer's Last Stand in 1876.
YOU DO GET the picture, right Schultz? It seemed unlikely, even to us "kids", that the pair's movements through the annals of time to all of these important historical dates and happenings. Of course, if the week's episode brought us to a boring day, with nothing exciting going on, the show wouldn't be there.
WHEN ALL IS considered, even with this glaring "flaw" present, producer Irwin Allen's THE TIME TUNNEL deserved a better fate than just its one season in the sun.
NOTE * Veteran character actor, John Zaremba was a well known and highly success supporting player in the 1950's and in many more years following. Among his stronger presence credits are his role as double agent Herbert A. Philbrick's (Richard Carlson) FBI handler in the I LED THREE LIVES TV Series. He also had an extended run as the commercial spokesman for Hill's Brothers Coffee in the 1970's and '80's.
BEING THAT, WHILE this was aimed at general audiences, the "family" viewer-ship, it was decided early on to give the leads to a couple of youthful, Matinée Idol types. Hence we have James Darren and Robert Colbert cast as the two lead scientists. Appearing in most competent support are a pair of the most reliable players. Whit Bissell portrays the Army General and John Zaremba as the rather long in the tooth and gray-bearded scientist.*
THE SERIES FOLLOWED the tried and true theme of the Post World War II Science Fiction, established during the 1950's. That plot element used the formula that: Modern Science + our Military = the World saved. This peculiarity persists right to this day.
IF WE WOULD point to any flaw in the show, it would not be how the Tunnel would deposit the time traveling twosome; but rather just where the pair would find themselves. For example, Mr. Darren and Mr. Colbert would land in Pompey, Italy, Roman Empire in the days just before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D.. then at episodes end, the would be transported to the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Or they might be caught in the French Revolution, going to the Guillotine, only to "escape" to the Little Big Horn and Custer's Last Stand in 1876.
YOU DO GET the picture, right Schultz? It seemed unlikely, even to us "kids", that the pair's movements through the annals of time to all of these important historical dates and happenings. Of course, if the week's episode brought us to a boring day, with nothing exciting going on, the show wouldn't be there.
WHEN ALL IS considered, even with this glaring "flaw" present, producer Irwin Allen's THE TIME TUNNEL deserved a better fate than just its one season in the sun.
NOTE * Veteran character actor, John Zaremba was a well known and highly success supporting player in the 1950's and in many more years following. Among his stronger presence credits are his role as double agent Herbert A. Philbrick's (Richard Carlson) FBI handler in the I LED THREE LIVES TV Series. He also had an extended run as the commercial spokesman for Hill's Brothers Coffee in the 1970's and '80's.