There were so many reasons why the legendary film and television producer and director Irwin Allen (1916-1991) was one of the kings of genre entertainment. His imagination knew no bounds and opened the floodgates for ideas, stories, and obvious imitations.
Buy The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin AllenBefore he became an icon of 1960s science fiction TV and movies and 1970s blockbuster disaster flicks, for which he was rightfully nicknamed “The Master of Disaster,” he graduated from the Columbia School of Journalism in New York (his home state), became a magazine editor, a producer/director of a radio program, and an owner of an agency dealing with advertising. So, he definitely accomplished a lot before he went into film and TV.
But that’s not only what this review is about, it is also about the journey into his colorful worlds and the showcase of his unique storytelling. The big coffee table book The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen, by noted author Jeff Bond, consists of over 2,000 exclusive images (many available for the first time ever) containing concepts, behind-the-scenes, set designs, artwork, posters, cast & crew portraits, and much more from several of his most well-known, star-studded film and TV productions including Lost in Space, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, The Lost World, The Time Tunnel, The Poseidon Adventure, The Towering Inferno, and Alice in Wonderland (1985).
There’s also information and photos on some of his later works (and lesser-known fare) like The Swarm, Viva Knievel!, When Time Ran Out, Beyond the Poseidon Adventure, and his planned TV production of Pinocchio (which was never finished due to his death from a heart attack in 1991).
The 612-page book also features new and vintage stories and reviews from many collaborators and other people who championed (and others who were less enthusiastic about) his productions, including actors Bill Mumy, Don Matheson, Gary Conway, James Darren, Roddy McDowall, Red Buttons, director Harry Harris, critics Edward Jones and Rolf Rykken, and others.
If you love genre entertainment and Allen himself, then this book definitely a keeper.
