Cast:

Air Dates:
On NBC, from 9/7/74 - 9/3/77 and 2/4/78 - 9/2/78 (reruns)
On CBS, from 6/22/85 - 12/28/85 and 6/20/87 - 9/5/87 (all reruns)

Number of Episodes: 43

Plot Synopsis:
While on a camping trip, Ranger Rick Marshall and his children, Will and Holly, were canoeing down a river when they went over a waterfall and ended up in the Land of the Lost. Besides the various dinosaurs they encountered, the Marshalls also regularly interacted with the Pakuni, a tribe of ape like creatures, and the Sleestaks, evil, lizard-like creatures that couldn't come out in the daylight and were afraid of fire. The Marshalls did encounter a different type of Sleestak - Enik, who was an Altrusian, an advanced race of Sleestaks from the past. Unlike his descendents - the Sleestaks of the series, Enik had intelligence and was able to provide help to the Marshalls on occasion.

At the start of the third season, Rick Marshall was able to return to his own time/place. While he was going back, Will and Holly's Uncle Jack was out searching for the Marshall family. At the same time that Rick went back, Jack entered the Land of the Lost and met up with his relatives. During the same time period, an earthquake occurred and it destroyed the Marshall's cave, so they had to relocate to an abandoned temple.

Of all the shows covered, Land of the Lost had the most episodes and was the only series to be rerun on network television in the 80s. So far, it is the only show to spawn a remake. Besides all of that, it also seems to be one of the biggest favorites with fans.

Why has the show been so popular? In my opinion, there are many reasons (the stop motion effects, the dinosaurs, the catchy theme song, the dinosaurs, the Sleestaks, etc...), but I think the main reason that it had such a strong impact was that the show was well written and didn't talk down to the audience. The show used writers with backgrounds in the science fiction/fantasy, such as David Gerrold, Larry Niven and Theodore Sturgeon. Unfortunately, most of these writers did not work on the third and final season and the quality of the stories went downhill rather quickly.

Episode Guides:
Nels Olsen's in-depth episode guide with detailed synopsis from Tyrannosaurus Lex

Titles and air dates from the Episodes Guides Page

Theme:
Opening theme for season 1 & 2 and a promo are available from Dee-T's 70s page.
Opening theme for season 3 from the Land of the Lost page.
Ending theme from the Land of the Lost page.

Images/Screen Captures:

(click on images for larger image)

Availability:
The show is currently airing on Cox Cable's Retro Saturday Morning line up.

In 2004, Rhino started releasing Land of the Lost on DVD, a season at a time. The first season set contains interviews and commentary with actors Wesley Eure. Phillip Paley, and Kathy Coleman, writers David Gerrold, Larry Niven, D.C. Fontana, and Walter Koenig, and Sid and Marty Krofft. The second season set contains interviews and commentary with cast members Wesley Eure. Phillip Paley, Kathy Coleman, and Walker Edmiston, as well as guest stars Van Snowden and Brooke Bundy. The third and final season set includes an interview and commentary with actor Ron Harper.

Previously, Rhino had released one volume of the show on DVD, containing the "The Stranger" -- "Tag Team" -- "The Search" -- "The Paku Who Came to Dinner" episodes and also interviews with Kathy Coleman & Phillip Paley and Sid & Marty Krofft. On VHS, Rhino released four volumes: Volume one contains "The Stranger" and "Tag Team" episodes. Volume two contains "The Search" and "The Paku Who Came to Dinner." Volume three contains "Elsewhen" and "Split Personality." Volume four containts "Circle" and "The Zarn." Additionally, the "Skylons" episode was included on the Krofft Box Set, which is available on VHS and DVD.

Buy the series or episodes through Amazon:

First Season Set	Second Season Set	Third Season Set	Four episodes	Krofft Box Set (DVD)
Volume one	Volume two	Volume three	Volume four	Krofft Box Set (VHS)

For more info on how to find this and other old Saturday morning shows, check out this page.
Questions, Comments, Suggestions, etc...

This Krofft Superstars site is owned by 70s Live Kid Vid. Want to join the Krofft Superstars?
[Skip Prev] [Prev] [Next] [Skip Next] [Random] [Next 5] [List Sites]