Related pages: season 2 | season 3
The Reluctant Stowaway - Bob May Memories
I was at Fox interviewing for a film called "Stage Coach" when I got a call from a representative for Irwin Allen. The representative stated that Irwin wanted to see me about doing a possible TV series.
I asked Red Buttons, who was on the set of "Stage Coach," what to do. Red stated "You have a chance with Irwin Allen, go and see him." I went up to Fox to see Irwin.
Irwin said "We have a part for a Robot in a possible TV series called "Lost in Space." "There's one stipulation to the part - you have to fit into the costume." Irwin then sent me down to the mill, where this Robot was.
There I met Robert Kinoshita, who designed Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet as well as the Lost in Space Robot. I got into the costume, but I was having a little bit of problem. I did manage to fit in, just when Irwin called Bob Kinoshita. He asked if I fit into the costume, and Bob said, "Yes, he does fit." And I got the Job.
For two weeks thereafter, I was at the mill working in the Robot costume, learning how to operate it. All worked out. As we began filming the "Reluctant Stowaway", when I walked onto the set for the first time, I was amazed. There were the likes of Jonathan Harris, June Lockhart, and all the rest of the Lost in Space cast.
In the first scene where the Robot wreaks havoc on the Jupiter 2, I had to walk the Robot. After doing this scene, I got out of the Robot, and my legs were completely bloody. This is when Irwin decided to bolt the legs together. The Robot was then pulled by cable from that point on.
As for as the "Reluctant Stowaway", it was a great way to begin the Robinson's 3 year mission. This is, of course, with the additions of the Robot and Dr. Smith.
