Land of the Lost is a half-hour Saturday-morning children's television series that debuted on ABC in the fall of 1991, a remake of the original series of the same name which ran from 1974 to 1976. Re-runs were later picked up by Nickelodeon from 1995 to 1997. Tiger Toys received the license to produce a toyline based on the series, which included regular and "talking" action figures, several dinosaurs and playsets, an electronic "Crystal Sword", as well as an electronic LCD game and a board game.
49-542: Charles David Menville (April 17, 1940 – June 15, 1992) was an American animator and writer for television. His credits included Batman: The Animated Series , Land of the Lost , The Real Ghostbusters , The Smurfs , Star Trek: The Animated Series , and Tiny Toon Adventures . Menville was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana , but moved to Los Angeles at the age of 19 with aspirations of becoming an animator. There, he got
98-508: A "light gun" found by Kevin and Stink in old Sleestak ruins, Scarface quickly recovered. Pakuni are a tribe of hairy, humanoid primates native to the Land. In this series, their appearance is slightly different from the original 1974 series and 2009 movie. One Pakuni named Stink (portrayed by Bobby Porter) is a close friend to Christa and the Porter family. A race of intelligent, reptilian humanoids ,
147-447: A certain fashion. The Porters discover such a grouping hidden inside a stone carving in a cave in "Dreammaker". They find a number of crystals, varying in length, set into a device very similar to the matrix tables of the 1974 series. This particular table is able to create very realistic illusions (but with physical substance) drawn from one's mind, designed to lure them in to a carefully constructed - but very real - trap. Tom believes that
196-548: A comedy shot in 16 mm , featuring a gang of hard-core bikers intimidating a motor scooter club. Menville played the head of the scooter club. Clips from the film were featured in a 1970 summer television series on the ABC network called The New Communicators and made Menville's pixilation technique famous in the USA. Gulf Oil soon hired them to do a series of pixilation commercials for its "no-nox" gasoline, which allowed them to increase
245-522: A complex robbery scene. The film, with its other elaborate animated sight gags , was a hit short film at midnight movies in the early 1970s. They followed this with two more 35 mm short films, Sergeant Swell (1972), and Captain Mom (also 1972), the first a spoof of " Northwestern " stories and the other a spoof of superheroes . The later film was mostly live action with a minimum of their now-trademark pixilation animation technique, and failed to garner
294-454: A controlling device (not unlike the pylons from the 1970s series) for a nearby volcano as its destruction somehow reverses the volcano's eruption. In "Power Play", the Porters use the smaller pieces to act as surrogate "batteries" to run their flashlights and portable devices, but larger crystals (like Shung's) are much more powerful. Even the smaller shards can be powerful when grouped together in
343-400: A dinosaur exhibiting almost human behavior at times. Through pantomime, body language, and an extensive range of vocal emotions she is surprisingly capable of communicating with humans. She seems to understand complex commands and inquiries and is even able to grasp and manipulate items in her claws (like throwing a ball). For a short time, Tasha was given the ability to speak by Keela. Tasha has
392-453: A huge shard nearly twice his size. Exposure to the sun reactivates this crystal and it causes it to pulsate, exerting a force which draws Kevin towards it when he tries to climb out of the shaft. Tom posits that the Sleestaks probably used these giant crystals to power their underground cities. It also might have been placed as a controlling device (not unlike the pylons from the 1970s series) for
441-523: A job with Walt Disney Productions and served as an assistant on the 1967 film The Jungle Book . Unhappy with the climate at Disney , Menville soon branched out into writing, and began a long working partnership with his friend Len Janson . During the mid-1960s, Menville and Janson co-produced a series of short live-action films, among them the Academy Award -nominated Stop Look and Listen , an innovative stop-motion pixilation experiment in which
490-453: A large audience, but by then Menville and Janson had established themselves as a creative force within Hollywood animation production circles. In the mid-1970s, the team began a stint at Filmation , during which they brought their irreverent style to Star Trek: The Animated Series , writing two episodes: " Once Upon a Planet " and " The Practical Joker ". The "rec room" in the latter episode
539-541: A lighter, less survivalist-oriented tone. Frequent writers Len Janson and Chuck Menville had previously crafted numerous scripts for assorted Filmation series, while producer Jerry Golod had earlier collaborated with George A. Romero on Tales from the Darkside . The series ran for 26 episodes spread over two seasons, with each season consisting of 13 episodes. It featured the Porter family - teenager Kevin, his young sister Annie, and their widowed father Tom - trapped in
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#1732927576889588-403: A nearby volcano as its destruction somehow reverses the volcano's eruption. In "Power Play", the Porters use the smaller pieces to act as surrogate "batteries" to run their flashlights and portable devices, but larger crystals (like Shung's) are much more powerful. Even the smaller shards can be powerful when grouped together in a certain fashion. The Porters discover such a grouping hidden inside
637-433: A parallel universe after their Jeep Cherokee fell through a time portal while exploring the back country. They soon meet another human, a beautiful jungle girl named Christa who came from 1960s San Francisco . Christa became trapped in the Land of the Lost when she was very young and grew up alone (an earlier concept would have featured an adult Holly Marshall as the "mystery girl", along with Cha-Ka, but, due to casting,
686-553: A psychic weapon. These often blue (but sometimes green) swirling mists are portals to other worlds and times. They appear to be triggered by earthquakes and are accompanied by sudden winds just before they open and only for a few moments. In this version of Land of the Lost they seem to materialize at random but can be tracked through their electromagnetic interference using the Porter's portable TV. Tom Porter believes these gates will get them home even though he cannot be sure where or when it will take them. The animals and dinosaurs of
735-415: A stone carving in a cave in "Dreammaker". They find a number of crystals, varying in length, set into a device very similar to the matrix tables of the 1974 series. This particular table is able to create very realistic illusions (but with physical substance) drawn from one's mind, designed to lure them in to a carefully constructed - but very real - trap. Tom believes that the Sleestaks probably built it to be
784-479: A voracious appetite for a herbivore and will try to eat almost anything within reach. However, she prefers melons. A Tyrannosaurus , whom the Porters named Scarface (this series' reboot of 1970s' Grumpy) lives in the area. He has a scar through his right eye, hence his name, which is a lasting testament to his aggressive nature. Scarface is blind in his right eye because of the scar, leaving him able to see only through his left eye (an advantage to his prey). Scarface
833-432: Is a close friend to Christa and the Porter family. A race of intelligent, reptilian humanoids , the Sleestaks were highly advanced until their own pollution drove them to live in caves to avoid the dinosaurs ("thunder lizards" in their tongue). Unlike the original series, the Sleestaks don't have insectoid traits. The Sleestaks seen in the show are a group of criminals who were exiled to the surface world, their version of
882-419: Is a lasting testament to his aggressive nature. Scarface is blind in his right eye because of the scar, leaving him able to see only through his left eye (an advantage to his prey). Scarface is one of the Porters' worst threats, as he could take down their treehouse and has tried to before. Because of his violent nature, Scarface is an enemy to everybody in the series, including the Sleestaks. When Cy arrived, it
931-557: Is a tropical jungle, although mention has also been made of a vast desert far away. Unique to this world is a peculiar type of quartz-like crystal that can be found in various caves throughout the Land. The Sleestaks often use Pakuni slave labor to mine these special crystals which can function as an energy source. In "Kevin vs. the Volcano", Kevin falls down a shaft covered in Sleestak markings (often marked by pictographs of lizards) and finds
980-434: Is a world similar to prehistoric Earth but it has three moons. The area in which the Porters live is a tropical jungle, although mention has also been made of a vast desert far away. Unique to this world is a peculiar type of quartz-like crystal that can be found in various caves throughout the Land. The Sleestaks often use Pakuni slave labor to mine these special crystals which can function as an energy source. In "Kevin vs.
1029-442: Is even able to grasp and manipulate items in her claws (like throwing a ball). For a short time, Tasha was given the ability to speak by Keela. Tasha has a voracious appetite for a herbivore and will try to eat almost anything within reach. However, she prefers melons. A Tyrannosaurus , whom the Porters named Scarface (this series' reboot of 1970s' Grumpy) lives in the area. He has a scar through his right eye, hence his name, which
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#17329275768891078-627: Is now seen by many within Star Trek fandom as the genesis of the holodeck . In the 1980s, Menville contributed to a number of Saturday morning series, including The Smurfs , The Real Ghostbusters , and Kissyfur . Among his last projects before his death in 1992 was the episode "Opah" of the live-action Land of the Lost , for which he was nominated for the Humanitas Prize in Live-action Children's programming . His final project
1127-401: Is one of the Porters' worst threats, as he could take down their treehouse and has tried to before. Because of his violent nature, Scarface is an enemy to everybody in the series, including the Sleestaks. When Cy arrived, it was thought that he killed Scarface in their fight, but it was eventually revealed that Scarface was simply unconscious and used mud to heal himself. Also, upon being hit by
1176-416: Is their leader and possesses a powerful Crystal Sword. Another major obstacle faced by the Porters was a one-eyed Tyrannosaurus rex named Scarface, who lived near the area where the family made their home and frequently chased after them in an attempt to eat them. A sorceress named Keela with genuine magical powers was introduced in the second season and appeared in two episodes. Another character added in
1225-562: The "shika" is seen in the Valley of Death, and it blinds Kevin temporarily. Termites have also been found. One of the main dinosaurs in the show is Tasha (performed by Ed Gale, voiced by Danny Mann), an orphaned baby Parasaurolophus . After the death of her mother at the claws of Scarface, Tasha's egg was rescued by Annie. Upon hatching, Kevin was the first person she saw and she immediately imprinted on him. However, possibly because he ignores her, Tasha treats Annie as her mother instead living with
1274-475: The Darkside . The series ran for 26 episodes spread over two seasons, with each season consisting of 13 episodes. It featured the Porter family - teenager Kevin, his young sister Annie, and their widowed father Tom - trapped in a parallel universe after their Jeep Cherokee fell through a time portal while exploring the back country. They soon meet another human, a beautiful jungle girl named Christa who came from 1960s San Francisco . Christa became trapped in
1323-426: The Land of the Lost are mostly dinosaurs. An iguana can be seen occasionally. A creature, called an "osongi", which resembles an iguana, once bit Tom. A spitting viper called the "shika" is seen in the Valley of Death, and it blinds Kevin temporarily. Termites have also been found. One of the main dinosaurs in the show is Tasha (performed by Ed Gale, voiced by Danny Mann), an orphaned baby Parasaurolophus . After
1372-508: The Land of the Lost when she was very young and grew up alone (an earlier concept would have featured an adult Holly Marshall as the "mystery girl", along with Cha-Ka, but, due to casting, the characters were re-visualized as Christa and Stink). The Porters live in a large "treehouse" (although it is actually built between a series of large logs and not rooted trees) that the family built after they realized their tents provided little safety from dangerous dinosaurs. After their first encounter with
1421-413: The Porters and their companions on several occasions. The trio took up refuge in an old, abandoned temple and have only managed to survive because of Shung's power crystal. As with its 1970s counterpart, the Land of the Lost (never actually named within the series) exists in an entirely different dimension. It is a world similar to prehistoric Earth but it has three moons. The area in which the Porters live
1470-441: The Porters as a pet. What will happen to her if the Porters ever find a way home, is a frequent subject of discussion. Annie names her after her mother. Tasha appears to be quite intelligent for a dinosaur exhibiting almost human behavior at times. Through pantomime, body language, and an extensive range of vocal emotions she is surprisingly capable of communicating with humans. She seems to understand complex commands and inquiries and
1519-432: The Porters. Acting as antagonists were a trio of exiled Sleestak criminals named Shung, Keeg and Nim. Shung is their leader and possesses a powerful Crystal Sword. Another major obstacle faced by the Porters was a one-eyed Tyrannosaurus rex named Scarface, who lived near the area where the family made their home and frequently chased after them in an attempt to eat them. A sorceress named Keela with genuine magical powers
Chuck Menville - Misplaced Pages Continue
1568-420: The Sleestaks probably built it to be a psychic weapon. These often blue (but sometimes green) swirling mists are portals to other worlds and times. They appear to be triggered by earthquakes and are accompanied by sudden winds just before they open and only for a few moments. In this version of Land of the Lost they seem to materialize at random but can be tracked through their electromagnetic interference using
1617-418: The Sleestaks were highly advanced until their own pollution drove them to live in caves to avoid the dinosaurs ("thunder lizards" in their tongue). Unlike the original series, the Sleestaks don't have insectoid traits. The Sleestaks seen in the show are a group of criminals who were exiled to the surface world, their version of the death penalty. Omnivores , they will consume anything and have threatened to eat
1666-451: The Volcano", Kevin falls down a shaft covered in Sleestak markings (often marked by pictographs of lizards) and finds a huge shard nearly twice his size. Exposure to the sun reactivates this crystal and it causes it to pulsate, exerting a force which draws Kevin towards it when he tries to climb out of the shaft. Tom posits that the Sleestaks probably used these giant crystals to power their underground cities. It also might have been placed as
1715-425: The characters were re-visualized as Christa and Stink). The Porters live in a large "treehouse" (although it is actually built between a series of large logs and not rooted trees) that the family built after they realized their tents provided little safety from dangerous dinosaurs. After their first encounter with the dinosaur Scarface, they devised an alarm system by stringing up a series of empty tin cans surrounding
1764-414: The cult 1974 series Land of the Lost , Sid and Marty Krofft created a new version of it. The new Land of the Lost had advanced special effects and a lighter, less survivalist-oriented tone. Frequent writers Len Janson and Chuck Menville had previously crafted numerous scripts for assorted Filmation series, while producer Jerry Golod had earlier collaborated with George A. Romero on Tales from
1813-462: The death of her mother at the claws of Scarface, Tasha's egg was rescued by Annie. Upon hatching, Kevin was the first person she saw and she immediately imprinted on him. However, possibly because he ignores her, Tasha treats Annie as her mother instead living with the Porters as a pet. What will happen to her if the Porters ever find a way home, is a frequent subject of discussion. Annie names her after her mother. Tasha appears to be quite intelligent for
1862-400: The death penalty. Omnivores , they will consume anything and have threatened to eat the Porters and their companions on several occasions. The trio took up refuge in an old, abandoned temple and have only managed to survive because of Shung's power crystal. As with its 1970s counterpart, the Land of the Lost (never actually named within the series) exists in an entirely different dimension. It
1911-434: The dinosaur Scarface, they devised an alarm system by stringing up a series of empty tin cans surrounding the treehouse perimeter that would shake and make noise if Scarface were to show up again. Intelligent natives of the Land of the Lost include the chimpanzee-like Pakuni and the lizard-like Sleestaks . Also, many species of dinosaurs fill the jungle. A Paku named Stink and a baby dinosaur named Tasha were befriended by
1960-446: The land act strangely as the result of a lunar eclipse. Meanwhile, Tom is desperate to find Christa again. Land of the Lost (1991 TV series) Land of the Lost is a half-hour Saturday-morning children's television series that debuted on ABC in the fall of 1991, a remake of the original series of the same name which ran from 1974 to 1976. Re-runs were later picked up by Nickelodeon from 1995 to 1997. Tiger Toys received
2009-424: The license to produce a toyline based on the series, which included regular and "talking" action figures, several dinosaurs and playsets, an electronic "Crystal Sword", as well as an electronic LCD game and a board game. Motivated by the success in syndication of the cult 1974 series Land of the Lost , Sid and Marty Krofft created a new version of it. The new Land of the Lost had advanced special effects and
Chuck Menville - Misplaced Pages Continue
2058-455: The main characters "drive" down city streets in invisible cars. Disney and other Hollywood studios saw little use for the technique, and so the pixilation technique became largely forgotten after McLaren moved on to using other animation techniques for later films. But Menville and Janson revived the all-but-forgotten technique, introducing it to a new generation. They followed Stop Look and Listen with their 1967 short film Vicious Cycles ,
2107-486: The production value of their films. They graduated to 35 mm with their next short film, 1970's Blaze Glory , a spoof of cliche western movies in which heroes and villains rode around the Old West, without horses. Menville played the title character. It was an ambitious and elaborate short film, in which a full-scale stagecoach , with no wheels, was physically animated, along with an animated moving camera, frame-by-frame for
2156-494: The second season was Namaki, a strange fish-like humanoid who befriended Christa when she was just a little girl. 12 episodes of Season 1 were released onto videocassette at two episodes per video. As of 2024, the series has yet to be released on DVD or Blu-ray. Like its 1970s counterpart, the inhabitants of the Land of the Lost are mostly dinosaurs. An iguana can be seen occasionally. A creature, called an "osongi", which resembles an iguana, once bit Tom. A spitting viper called
2205-436: The treehouse perimeter that would shake and make noise if Scarface were to show up again. Intelligent natives of the Land of the Lost include the chimpanzee-like Pakuni and the lizard-like Sleestaks . Also, many species of dinosaurs fill the jungle. A Paku named Stink and a baby dinosaur named Tasha were befriended by the Porters. Acting as antagonists were a trio of exiled Sleestak criminals named Shung, Keeg and Nim. Shung
2254-407: Was introduced in the second season and appeared in two episodes. Another character added in the second season was Namaki, a strange fish-like humanoid who befriended Christa when she was just a little girl. 12 episodes of Season 1 were released onto videocassette at two episodes per video. As of 2024, the series has yet to be released on DVD or Blu-ray. Like its 1970s counterpart, the inhabitants of
2303-465: Was published by the D. McKay Company in 1978. Menville died in Malibu, California in 1992 of non-Hodgkin lymphoma . The episode "Thingamajigger" of The Little Mermaid was dedicated to his memory. He was the father of Scott Menville , an American musician and voice artist , and Chad Menville, an American writer. Land of the Lost (1991 TV series) Motivated by the success in syndication of
2352-486: Was thought that he killed Scarface in their fight, but it was eventually revealed that Scarface was simply unconscious and used mud to heal himself. Also, upon being hit by a "light gun" found by Kevin and Stink in old Sleestak ruins, Scarface quickly recovered. Pakuni are a tribe of hairy, humanoid primates native to the Land. In this series, their appearance is slightly different from the original 1974 series and 2009 movie. One Pakuni named Stink (portrayed by Bobby Porter)
2401-425: Was writing an episode of Batman: The Animated Series , but Menville died before the episode could be written. Brynne Stephens wrote the teleplay for the 1993 Batman episode " Birds of a Feather " based on Menville's story, for which he received a story credit on the completed episode. Menville was the author of The Harlem Globetrotters: Fifty Years of Fun and Games , a history of the famed basketball team. It
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