Originally titled "Space Family Robinson", but changed as CBS was concerned that the title was too close to the title of the Disney film Swiss Family Robinson (1960).
Carroll O'Connor was considered for the role of Dr. Smith.
The first season was shot in black and white.
Storylines featured in the original unaired pilot were later integrated over the first 4 episodes.
The Robinsons find themselves stranded on the planet Preplanis.
The Robinsons' robot was created by Robert Kinoshita, the same man who designed Robbie the Robot for Forbidden Planet (1956). Indeed, Robbie the Robot makes a guest appearance in 1x20, "The War of the Robots".
The first sci-fi series to last more than one season.
The robot was never given a name.
Jonathan Harris was the first actor to receive a Special Guest Star status on a TV series.
Irwin Allen pitched his idea for the series to CBS programmer James Aubrey, who immediately snapped up the idea. A couple of weeks later Gene Roddenberry pitched his idea for "Star Trek" (1966) to Aubrey, who turned him down as he felt that "Lost in Space" was the more commercial of the two.
The budget for each show in the first season was $130,000, a modest amount for such a series. This was fortunate as the Jupiter II set had cost $350,000, making it the most expensive TV set at the time.
Guy Williams' original Season 1 velour shirt is currently on display in Planet Hollywood, Dallas, Texas.
June Lockhart had the biggest parking space on the 20th Century-Fox lot because she would often drive her favorite vehicle to work - a 1913 fire truck.
Jonathan Harris was responsible for coming up with a lot of his sarcastic comments to the robot himself.
The robot cost $75,000 to produce and weighed in excess of 200 pounds. Two of them were made for the series.
The robot's chest lights and motorized feelers were powered by an electrical cord which can occasionally be spotted.
The pilot episode was budgeted at $400,000 and was largely filmed in the Mojave Desert.
Although the Robinsons take off in the Jupiter II, they take flight in the Gemini XII in the pilot episode (the name change meant that the original pilot could never be aired).
Debbie the Bloop (a dressed up chimp) makes her debut in 1x3 "Island in the Sky".
Episodes 1x16 and 1x17 "The Keeper" Parts I and II comprise the only two-parter in the run of the series.
The entire cast has a radical costume change in episode #1.19 "Ghost in Space".
The space ship was originally named "Gemini XII", but was changed to avoid confusion with the then-current NASA program.
The props used in this show, (such as the computers and guns) also were used in "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" (1964), "The Time Tunnel" (1966), "Land of the Giants" (1968) and "Batman" (1966).
The computer used in the series is the Burroughs B-205. This computer, with its flashing light console and large reel-to-reel tape drives, would appear multiple times in 1960s' motion pictures and television. Among its screen credits are The Angry Red Planet (1960),"Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" (1964),The Time Travelers (1964),Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine (1965),"Hogan's Heroes" (1965), "The Time Tunnel" (1966), 'Batman (1966)',Fantastic Voyage (1966), "The Green Hornet" (1966), "Land of the Giants" (1968), The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969), The Towering Inferno (1974), The Right Stuff (1983)and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999).
There were actually two pilots filmed for the show. The original didn't have Doctor Smith, but the network executives wanted an antagonist so they added his character for the second pilot.
It has long been rumored that Dr. Smith was only supposed to be on for a few episodes and then get killed off. This was never true, just a probable scenario imagined by Jonathan Harris, who was listed as special guest star throughout the run of the series. This billing occurred because the billing of the other six actors was already contractually set before the show went into production as a series. "Special Guest Star" was Harris' request and producer Irwin Allen eventually agreed.
The series takes place in the future of 1997; the film based on the series, Lost in Space (1998), began production in 1997
The third season episode Fugitives in Space featured two ape-faced aliens and another alien (Creech, who was more pig-faced than simian) used the simian makeup by John Chambers that became famous in the movie, Planet of the Apes (1968), and its sequels.
The space pod didn't show up until the show's third (and final) season.
In some scenes where the Robot is seen in close-up, only the top of the robot is worn by the actor.
This is the only show produced by Irwin Allen to appear on a network other than ABC.
The character 'John Robinson' was ranked #38 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" (20 June 2004 issue).
The character 'Robot' was ranked #14 in TV Guide's list of the "25 Greatest Sci-Fi Legends" (1 August 2004 issue).
Jack Elam and Victor Buono were some of the other actors considered for the part of Dr Zachary Smith.
Irwin Allen was very keen to enlist the help of NASA. The space agency was equally interested in using the TV series to promote what they do. However, after several conversations with Allen, NASA realized that the producer had no interest whatsoever in scientific accuracy and so they distanced themselves from the project.
Dick Tufeld provided the voice of the robot as well as the opening narration "Last week, as you may recall.."
CBS Chairman 'William S. Paley, , who prided himself on the fact that CBS produced quality, thoughtful programming, hated the show and couldn't understand why it was so popular. He instructed his executives to cancel it the minute its ratings dipped.
For the pilot episode, actor Dawson Palmer was dressed in a fur suit to portray a giant monster. A doll of John Robinson in a jet-pack was held up by wires around Palmer's head and he was told to take swipes at it. This proved frustrating for Palmer as he was completely unable to see out of his suit. When filming stopped, Palmer angrily ripped off his suit and grabbed the doll, tearing it to pieces, screaming "There, you little bastard!" at it.
In the preview screening for the pilot episode, 'Irwin Allen was horrified when CBS executives started laughing. Allen was ready to bolt from the screening when story editor Anthony Wilson told him to sit it out, as he believed that they really liked it. Wilson was right. The laughing was because the executives realized that they were on to a real winner.
"The Keeper" two-parter from Season 1 is Bill Mumy's favorite episode.
Due to their uncontrollable laughter during filming of the infamous "Vegetable Rebellion" episode, Guy Williams and June Lockhart were written out of the next two episodes.
In Season one, some episodes used incidental music utilizing a "Theremin", an electronic instrument incorporating two heterodyne oscillators. This music was used to create an atmosphere of suspense and impending terror. The Theremin music used in these episodes was from The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) composed by Bernard Herrmann.
Robot:
Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!
Dr. Smith:
Don't leave me alone. Wait for me!
Dr. Smith:
[to Robot] You bubble-headed booby! You realize what you've done?
Robot:
Warning! Warning! Alien approaching!
Robot:
Affirmative.
Dr. Smith:
Oh, the pain, the pain.
[to Robot]
Dr. Smith:
Yours not to question why; yours to do as I say or die.
[repeated line]
Dr. Smith:
Silence, you ninny.
[repeated line]
Dr. Smith:
Silence, you mental midget.
[repeated line]
Dr. Smith:
Never fear, Smith is here.
Will Robinson:
This is the Jupiter 2, identify yourself, please.
Robot:
I am sorry, Will Robinson, I am afraid I goofed.
Robot:
My micromechanism thanks you, my computer tapes thank you, and I thank you.
IDAK Alpha 12:
Crush! Kill! Destroy!
[repeated line]
Robot:
That does not compute.
Robot:
I compute it to be an ionic directional probe searching for receiving outlets.
[to Robot]
Dr. Smith:
Now come along with me, you ludicrous lump, there's much to be done.
Robot:
I cannot accept that course of action.
Dr. Smith:
[thinking he has been transported to Hades] Good Heavens!
Morbus:
Guess again.
Followed by
"The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie: Lost in Space" (1973)
Remade as
Lost in Space (1998)
The Robinsons: Lost in Space (2004) (TV)
Edited into
The Man from the 25th Century (1968) (TV)
Lost in Space Forever (1998) (TV)
Attack of the 50 Foot Monster Mania (1999) (TV)
Referenced in
U2: Unforgettable Fire (1984)
- One person refers to another as being "Lost in Space" then saying "remember that show?"
The Best of John Belushi (1985) (V)
- Referenced in The last voyage of the Starship Enterprise
The Sure Thing (1985)
Return of the Killer Tomatoes! (1988)
Demented Top 20 Video Countdown (1988) (TV)
- Dr. Demento mentions this show.
Mystery Train (1989)
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: Catalina Caper (#3.4)" (1990)
- Crow: (as Dr. Smith) Oh, the pain, the pain.
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (#4.21)" (1991)
- "These are like cheap versions of the 'Lost in Space' sets."
"Nurses: Catch a Fallen Star (#1.19)" (1992)
- Julie talks about watching "Lost in Space" when she was young.
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Creeping Terror (#7.6)" (1994)
- Servo: Danger, Will Robinson
Twelve Monkeys (1995)
Big Bully (1996)
"The Simpsons: The Twisted World of Marge Simpson (#8.11)" (1997)
- The robot flails it's arms and shouts Danger! Danger! like the robot from this show famously did.
Gex: Enter the Gecko (1998) (VG)
- One of Gex's catchphrases is "Danger, Will Robinson."
Behind the Planet of the Apes (1998) (TV)
One True Thing (1998)
A Bug's Life (1998)
Lost in Space Forever (1998) (TV)
Hollywood Screen Tests: Take 2 (1999) (TV)
- "Hollywood Screen Tests, Pt. 2" features many movies and tv shows in reference to the stars featured.
Attack of the 50 Foot Monster Mania (1999) (TV)
"Saturday Night Live: (#24.12)" (1999)
- Referenced in 'doing voices' skit
"Family Guy: I Never Met the Dead Man (#1.2)" (1999)
- Peter sees the robot from Lost in Space in his dream.
"Futurama: Love's Labours Lost in Space (#1.4)" (1999)
- title is a reference
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
"The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror X (#11.4)" (1999)
- The robot from this show is among The Collector's kidnapped people.
Fainaru fantajî IX (2000) (VG)
Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) (VG)
- A poster can be seen in one level advertising a movie called "Chao in Space". It's a parody of this show, the original font is used too.
I Am Sam (2001)
- "Danger, Will Robinson. Danger."
"The X Files: Jump the Shark (#9.15)" (2002)
- Referenced in dialogue.
"I'm Alan Partridge: I Know What Alan Did Last Summer (#2.5)" (2002)
- Alan's line "People always go on about space, but people forget, you can get lost in space"
Thirteen (2003)
The Simpsons: Hit & Run (2003) (VG)
- The robot from this show is in Comic Book Guy's shop.
"The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror XIV (#15.1)" (2003)
- The robot from Lost in Space is in the background of Frink's lab.
Comic Book: The Movie (2004) (V)
Surge of Power (2004)
- Bob May is introduced as Robot from this show
Empire of Dreams: The Story of the 'Star Wars' Trilogy (2004) (TV)
- mentioned once
"Tripping the Rift: All for None (#2.6)" (2005)
- Bob yells 'Danger, Will Robinson'
Featured in
Electric Dreams (1984)
The Haunted (1991) (TV)
- Kids are watching an episode on TV
Jack the Bear (1993)
- on television
Science Fiction: A Journey Into the Unknown (1994) (TV)
- clips from this show are in this special
Hollywood Aliens & Monsters (1997) (TV)
Star Kid (1997)
Beyond Titanic (1998) (TV)
The Fly Papers: The Buzz on Hollywood's Scariest Insect (2000) (TV)
- clip shown
"Svengoolie: Svengoolie's TV Graveyard: Lost in Space Pilot, Found!" (2006)
- Episodes from this tv show were featured.
Spoofed in
Dead End (1985)
- quotes from the show, including "Warning Will Robinson, warning!"
Loaded Weapon 1 (1993)
"The Simpsons: Fear of Flying (#6.11)" (1994)
- Marge has a dream where she's the mother from this show.
The Adventures of Captain Zoom in Outer Space (1995) (TV)
Hard Core Logo (1996)
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: Time Chasers (#9.21)" (1997)
- Mike says they are lost in space! The 'bots take it literally!
"Whose Line Is It Anyway?: Show No. 107 (#1.7)" (1998)
- Ryan imitates the robot from the show in Props.
"Family Guy: Fore, Father (#2.21)" (2000)
- Parodies the ways in which the father and leader of the expedition send his children off with strange characters on dangerous missions
The Chubbchubbs! (2002)
- The Robot is dancing in the bar.