Logan's Run: The Complete Series on DVD

[batman123]

Loved this series and enjoying the reviews

[rickcurz]

Cheers, it ain't great but is fun.

[wloner]

The series location filming documents the Southern California drought of 1977 quite well.

Patrick McGoohan's "Rafferty" (1977) TV series coincided with this series broadcast in the US. 1 episode was pre-empted and the last 3 episodes were scheduled but never aired.

The last 3 Logan's Run episodes did not air in the US until syndication. Did all 14 episodes air in the UK?

[rickcurz]

Futurepast (1977) 49:03

VERY GOOD

Logan, Jessica and Rem fleeing some Sandmen come across an observatory that is a Dream Analysis Station centre where clients come for dream therapy. It's run by an android called Ariana (Mariette Hartley).

I haven't watched an episode since last August so felt it was time to pick up viewing. Hartley is the guest star and gives a fine performance, we get Rem sparking in his shoulder which provides some mildly comic relief as Ariana fixes him. We have two Sandmen chasing our trio ... as per and some funky dreams when both Logan and Jessica fall asleep. Whilst we see their various dreams, Ariana and Rem have a connection and a charming romance ... and have to deal with the two Sandmen, Francis (Randy Powell) and Clay (Michael Sullivan). One of the best episodes. Beyond Hartley's presence (from All Our Yesterdays) we have another Star Trek connection with some Bridge sound effects turning up.

NEXT: Carousel

[simon312002]

I don't think Mariette Hartley ever gave a bad performance in anything she ever did, in all fairness. A much under-rated actress.

Regarding the Logan's Run series, I must say I struggled with it from the first episode, and gave up on it fairly quickly. I still have the Film Score Monthly release of the music from the series, however.

I'm enjoying reading your reviews though Rick, enough in fact that I may get old of the series at some point and give it another go.

[rickcurz]

Cheers, glad you're enjoying them.

It is a formulaic series and very like other by rote formula Fugitive clones like The Invaders, The Incredible Hulk, Quantum Leap, The A-Team et al. The cast do their level best, good actors all, and behind the scenes there were good people (Dorothy Fontana etc) but the standards and practices in network TV mean you can't have many "highs" or "lows" so it's rarely (if ever) brilliant and rarely "awful"; American TV liked to occupy this bland middle ground with a reset button. When they tried more serialised adventure shows starting with Battlestar: Galactica a year later things improved a little. There had been some great continuing stuff like the original Star Trek but that had particularly driven creatives who were die hard fans of science fiction behind them.

[rickcurz]

Carousel (1977) 49:00

GOOD

Our trio of heroes encounter another culture who blank Logan's mind so he doesn't recall anything about running, Sanctuary, Jessica and Rem. He's immediately picked up by Francis and guest Sandman Peter (Gary Swanson, Vice Squad) who take him back to The Domed City (couldn't they think of a better name?) where he's to testify that Sanctury doesn't exist and then (unknown to him) he'll be forced into Carousel and die. Regis Cordic, Morgan Woodward and Melody Anderson are good in supporting roles. A fun episode that brings back to the stylised malls ... the Domed City which make for a nice change from the location work usually seen. A solid premise that unfolds without any real surprises but remains reliably entertaining.

NEXT: Night Visitors

[David G]

...the standards and practices in network TV mean you can't have many "highs" or "lows" so it's rarely (if ever) brilliant and rarely "awful"; American TV liked to occupy this bland middle ground with a reset button.

I know what you mean, but perversely, that's what draws me to sixties and seventies series like this. I don't have the time or the stamina for a sustained watch of a whole series, but I enjoy dipping into a bit of escapist hokum once in a while.

I haven't seen Logan's Run in several years, since I tried watching it with my youngest when he was about ten. He found it mildly diverting, but not as exciting as Doctor Who, which is what we returned to. I feel I should give it another go, on my own if need be, and Carousel sounds like an excellent one to dip in on, as I don't remember that one at all.

[rickcurz]

I would dip in to Futurepast, best of the series thus far.

[rickcurz]

Night Visitors (1978) 48:01

GOOD

Oddball episode drops our trio of heroes into a 20th century haunted house occupied by three people who may be spirits: Gavin (George Maharis from The Satan Bug and The Sword and the Sorcerer), Marianne (Barbara Babcock from the Star Trek episodes A Taste of Armageddon and Plato's Stepchildren + others) and Barton (Paul Mantee from Robinson Crusoe on Mars and Day of the Animals). The three need Jessica for their nefarious purpose which involves the Prince of Darkness and taking Jessica as sacrifice so that Gavin's unnamed wife may live ... or haunt. I'm not entirely sure.

This was broadcast in January 1978 (the first episode dated 1978) but one could swear it was designed as a Halloween episode, but Half Life was broadcast on 31.10.1977 instead. I must admit that this os a strange plot for this series but it's not entirely clear what the origin of the "spirits" is, are they from the future, the past or an alien world? The mention of the Prince of Darkness would indicate a supernatural origin and indeed Rem informs Logan and Jessica in the final scene that in the 20th century (500 years past), the concept of good and evil was rooted in belief of God and the Devil and that evil was always more attractive and that the secret is to ignore it.

Overall, entertaining but formulaic in a conventional way not usual to this Fugitive-Sci-fi hybrid. The guest cast are good and offer some value, all being veterens of genre TV and film.

NEXT: Turnabout

[rickcurz]

Turnabout (1978) 49:00

GOOD

This week, our trio come cross a Xenophobic religious society - led by Nehemiah Persoff - that makes women wear face covering and bans all books beyond their holy books. Francis turns up with another Sandman called Phillip (John Furey, Friday the 13th, Part 2) but they're taken prisoner by the religious xenophobes as well. Hari Rhodes (Beneath, Conquest of and Battle for the Planet of the Apes, Sugar Hill) is very good as a more humane member of the religious society as is Victoria Racimo (Prophecy, 1979). One of the better looking episodes with some nice Middle Eastern-style city matte paintings, some attractive desert locations, some boldly coloured interior sets, an extensive laser battle and a techno sword fight towards the end. As a result, it feels like the budget was bigger with some good direction and nicely composed shots. A decent pot-shot at fundamentalist religious practices and culture not to mention toxic masculinity. If Rem had so much historical knowledge then surely he'd know chapter and verse what sin was.

NEXT: Stargate