Destination: Moonbase Alpha
| Title: | Destination: Moonbase Alpha |
| Creator: | Robert E. Wood |
| Date(s): | 2015 |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | Space: 1999 |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
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Destination: Moonbase Alpha - The Unofficial and Unauthorised Guide to Space: 1999, is a non-fiction Space: 1999 guidebook by Robert E. Wood, released by Telos Publishing in 2010.
It includes comprehensive background on the creation and production of Space: 1999, episode synopses and analyses, detailed reviews of each episode, cast lists, and extensive commentary from cast and crew members.
The Foreword was written by actress Zienia Merton. The Afterword was written by actor Barry Morse.
This book is largely based on the fan-produced "The Future is Fantastic!" from 1997, with significant expansion and updating.
Summary
From the back cover:
September 13, 1999... A massive nuclear explosion blasts the Moon out of Earth orbit, sending Moonbase Alpha’s 311 inhabitants on an uncontrollable odyssey through deep space. Now, Destination: Moonbase Alpha takes you back to a future billed as “the most spectacular space science fiction series ever produced for television.” Destination: Moonbase Alpha is the most comprehensive book ever published on Space: 1999, including extensive cast lists and detailed reviews of all 48 episodes, as well as the Message from Moonbase Alpha short film. This is the incredible story of the making of a science fiction classic, told by the actors, writers and production crew who created it.
The book includes commentary from: Martin Landau (Commander John Koenig), Barbara Bain (Doctor Helena Russell), Barry Morse (Professor Victor Bergman), Sylvia Anderson (Producer – Year One), Catherine Schell (Maya), Fred Freiberger (Producer – Year Two), Zienia Merton (Sandra Benes), Gerry Anderson (Executive Producer), Prentis Hancock (Paul Morrow), Johnny Byrne (Writer), Nick Tate (Alan Carter), Christopher Penfold (Writer), Anton Phillips (Bob Mathias), Keith Wilson (Production Designer), John Hug (Bill Fraser) – and many more!
It also includes - for the first time ever - the complete story behind the disappearance of Barry Morse and Professor Victor Bergman... It’s a true story no fan has ever known – until now! Destination: Moonbase Alpha is the essential guide to Space: 1999 – from critical reaction then and now, through the triumphant 35 year odyssey of Moonbase Alpha since the show’s worldwide debut in 1975, and finally to plans for its return. Keep this indispensable guide with you, and escape into worlds beyond belief!
Fan Produced Films
The volume includes a section of information on the two fan-produced short films Message from Moonbase Alpha (1999) and The Return of Victor Bergman (2010) in some detail. Fans have referred to them, respectively, as 49th and 50th episodes of Space: 1999. Actress Zienia Merton (Sandra Benes) and actor Barry Morse (Professor Victor Bergman) returned to re-create their roles in the films.
- Message from Moonbase Alpha - debuted on September 13, 1999 at SpaceCon XIII, starring Zienia Merton, 7 minutes.
- The Return of Victor Bergman - debuted on July 16, 2010 at Journey to Where, starring Barry Morse, 8 minutes.