La valle dei dinosauri

I remember watching a number of Sid and Marty Krofft shows in the 70s, including H.R. Pufnstuf, Lidsville and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters. But one show that had more episodes any of the shows the Krofft brothers produced was Land of the Lost. Whereas the majority of their shows lasted 17 episodes or a little more, Land of the Lost ran for 43 episodes and spawned a revival in the 90s and a movie with Will Ferrell.

What I remember the most about the show was the opening theme "Marshall, will and Holly. On a routine expedition." It was an outstanding theme song since it set up the premise that would last for the entire run as the family tried to go back to the present.

The one thing that stood out to me was the stop-motion photography on the dinosaurs, especially when they were roaring. In a number of trivia books I have on TV, I inserted a joke credit that said "Rubber Dinosaurs-Themselves." As for the cast, Wesley Eure (known by only his first name in the opening credits) was outstanding as Will. He was also on the network's long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives, so viewers could see him six days a week. There was also Kathy Coleman as Holly and Spencer Milligan as Rick. Milligan left the show after the second season and was replaced by Ron Harper as Uncle Jack.

I should also point out that Land of the Lost introduced viewers to a new language, Paku, which was spoken by Cha-ka of the Pakuni tribe. Phillip Paley, who played Cha-Ka had no trouble with the language and played the role well.

Basketball fans should also notice a couple of tall guys who played members of the Sleestak tribe. David Greenwood, who played for the Chicago Bulls and Bill Laimbeer, who later played for the World Champion Detroit Pistons.

Land of the Lost is a show that will take you back in time to the days of cavemen and dinosaurs. A radical departure from any Krofft show since there are no psychedelic sets and it's more of an adventure show.