Ark II
Encyclopedia
Ark II is an American live-action science fiction
series aimed at children that aired on CBS
beginning in 1976 as part of its Saturday morning line-up. Only 15 half-hour episodes of Ark II were ever produced; however, these episodes were re-run by the CBS television network for several years.
(using his then uncredited pseudonym Erik Gunden), then by the voice of Terry Lester
, who portrayed Jonah, summarized the show's backstory:
The show had a racially mixed cast, starring Terry Lester
as Ark II's commander Jonah, Jean Marie Hon as Ruth, José Flores as Samuel, and a chimpanzee
playing Adam. The show's premise was inspired by the story of Noah's Ark
, and the characters were given names taken from the Hebrew Bible
. The show's setting was in the post-apocalyptic 25th century (specifically, 2476), after Earth's civilizations were decimated by the effects of waste and pollution
, falling back to a level comparable to the Dark Ages. Surviving scientists pooled their knowledge and resources, training three young people (and the chimp, who was capable of speech) to search for remnants of humanity, reintroducing lost ideas as they traveled the barren landscape in the high-tech Ark II.
, who constructed various fantastic vehicles for science-fiction films and television. These include the Landmaster
for the film Damnation Alley
, with which the Ark II is sometimes confused. The front end of the Ark II prop was later re-used as the nose portion of the Seeker spacecraft in the Filmation
series Space Academy
and Jason of Star Command
.
In addition, the series also featured futuristic inventions such as a jetpack
called the Jet Jumper, and the Ark Roamer, a smaller, 4-wheeled all-terrain vehicle built by Brubaker from a modified Brubaker Box (a kit car
using a Volkswagen Beetle
chassis).
, Malachi Throne
, Jim Backus
and Robby the Robot
(as the title character built by Samuel in the episode "The Robot"). Also, a young Helen Hunt
appears in the episode, "Omega." Actor Daniel Selby auditioned for the role of Samuel, but Jose Flores ended up winning the role.
) released Ark II: The Complete Series on DVD in Region 1 on November 7, 2006. The 4 disc set includes many special features. Episodes are presented in production order.
As of 2009, this release has been discontinued and is out of print as BCI Eclipse ceased operations.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
series aimed at children that aired on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
beginning in 1976 as part of its Saturday morning line-up. Only 15 half-hour episodes of Ark II were ever produced; however, these episodes were re-run by the CBS television network for several years.
Series overview
The opening credits for each episode, as read first by executive producer Lou ScheimerLou Scheimer
Louis Scheimer is an Emmy and Grammy Award–winning American producer, one of the original founders of Filmation, an animation company, and also an executive producer of many of its cartoons .-Career:Early in Filmation's history, Scheimer also contributed...
(using his then uncredited pseudonym Erik Gunden), then by the voice of Terry Lester
Terry Lester
Terry Lester was an American actor.Lester was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, graduating from high school at Southport High School, and began an acting career while at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. His acting career consisted of musical theater, concert performances, numerous primetime...
, who portrayed Jonah, summarized the show's backstory:
The show had a racially mixed cast, starring Terry Lester
Terry Lester
Terry Lester was an American actor.Lester was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, graduating from high school at Southport High School, and began an acting career while at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. His acting career consisted of musical theater, concert performances, numerous primetime...
as Ark II's commander Jonah, Jean Marie Hon as Ruth, José Flores as Samuel, and a chimpanzee
Chimpanzee
Chimpanzee, sometimes colloquially chimp, is the common name for the two extant species of ape in the genus Pan. The Congo River forms the boundary between the native habitat of the two species:...
playing Adam. The show's premise was inspired by the story of Noah's Ark
Noah's Ark
Noah's Ark is a vessel appearing in the Book of Genesis and the Quran . These narratives describe the construction of the ark by Noah at God's command to save himself, his family, and the world's animals from the worldwide deluge of the Great Flood.In the narrative of the ark, God sees the...
, and the characters were given names taken from the Hebrew Bible
Hebrew Bible
The Hebrew Bible is a term used by biblical scholars outside of Judaism to refer to the Tanakh , a canonical collection of Jewish texts, and the common textual antecedent of the several canonical editions of the Christian Old Testament...
. The show's setting was in the post-apocalyptic 25th century (specifically, 2476), after Earth's civilizations were decimated by the effects of waste and pollution
Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or living organisms. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light...
, falling back to a level comparable to the Dark Ages. Surviving scientists pooled their knowledge and resources, training three young people (and the chimp, who was capable of speech) to search for remnants of humanity, reintroducing lost ideas as they traveled the barren landscape in the high-tech Ark II.
Production
In "The Launch of Ark II", the documentary filmed for the release of the DVD set, Lou Scheimer and others mention that the program was filmed during the summer of 1976 predominantly on location at Paramount Ranch near Malibu, California.Technology
The series is best-remembered for its titular vehicle: a futuristic-looking six-wheeled combination RV and mobile laboratory. The vehicle was built from a fiberglass body on a garbage/dump truck chassis by the Brubaker Group. It is sometimes incorrectly reported that the Ark II was built by Dean JeffriesDean Jeffries
Dean Jeffries is an American custom vehicle designer, fabricator, stuntman and stunt coordinator for motion pictures and television programs based in Los Angeles, California....
, who constructed various fantastic vehicles for science-fiction films and television. These include the Landmaster
Landmaster
The Landmaster is a unique 12-wheeled amphibious articulated vehicle constructed by Dean Jeffries at Jeffries Automotive in Universal City, California for the 1977 science fiction film Damnation Alley. Despite the appearance of two Landmasters in the film , only one was built at a cost of $350,000...
for the film Damnation Alley
Damnation Alley
Damnation Alley is the title of a 1967 science fiction short story by Roger Zelazny, which he expanded into a novel in 1969. A film adaptation of the novel was released in 1977.-Plot introduction:...
, with which the Ark II is sometimes confused. The front end of the Ark II prop was later re-used as the nose portion of the Seeker spacecraft in the Filmation
Filmation
Filmation Associates was an American production company that produced animation and live action programming for television during the latter half of the 20th century. Located in Reseda, California, the animation studio was founded in 1963...
series Space Academy
Space Academy
Space Academy was a live-action sci-fi children's television program produced by Filmation that originally aired Saturday mornings on the CBS television network, from September 10, 1977, to December 17, 1977. A total of fifteen half-hour episodes were made.-Cast:The program starred veteran actor...
and Jason of Star Command
Jason of Star Command
Jason of Star Command was a live action television series by Filmation which ran between 1978 and 1979. The show revolved around the exploits of space adventurer Jason and his colleagues, including Professor E.J. Parsafoot and the pocket robot "Wiki"...
.
In addition, the series also featured futuristic inventions such as a jetpack
Bell Rocket Belt
The Bell Rocket Belt is a low-power rocket propulsion device that allows an individual to safely travel or leap over small distances. It is a type of rocket pack.-Overview:...
called the Jet Jumper, and the Ark Roamer, a smaller, 4-wheeled all-terrain vehicle built by Brubaker from a modified Brubaker Box (a kit car
Kit car
A kit car, also known as a "component car", is an automobile that is available as a set of parts that a manufacturer sells and the buyer then either assembles into a car themselves, or retains a third party to do part or all of the work on their behalf...
using a Volkswagen Beetle
Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Type 1, widely known as the Volkswagen Beetle or Volkswagen Bug, is an economy car produced by the German auto maker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003...
chassis).
Guest stars
The series featured memorable guest stars, including Jonathan HarrisJonathan Harris
Jonathan Harris was an American stage and film character actor. Two of his best-known roles were as the timid accountant Bradford Webster in the TV version of The Third Man, and the comic villain Dr. Zachary Smith, in the 1960s sci-fi television series, Lost in Space...
, Malachi Throne
Malachi Throne
Malachi Throne is an American actor, most noted for his roles on Star Trek and It Takes a Thief.Throne was born in New York City...
, Jim Backus
Jim Backus
James Gilmore "Jim" Backus was a radio, television, film, and voice actor. Among his most famous roles are the voice of Mr...
and Robby the Robot
Robby the Robot
Robby the Robot is a fictional character who has made a number of appearances in science fiction movies and television programs after his first appearance in the 1956 MGM science fiction film Forbidden Planet.-Overview:...
(as the title character built by Samuel in the episode "The Robot"). Also, a young Helen Hunt
Helen Hunt
Helen Elizabeth Hunt is an American actress, film director, and screenwriter. She starred in the sitcom Mad About You for seven years, before being cast in the romantic comedy As Good as It Gets...
appears in the episode, "Omega." Actor Daniel Selby auditioned for the role of Samuel, but Jose Flores ended up winning the role.
Episodes
| Title | Original Airdate | Director / Writer(s) | # |
|---|---|---|---|
| "The Flies" | September 11, 1976 | Ted Post Ted Post Ted Post is an American TV and film director.Born in Brooklyn, New York, he started his career in show business in 1938 working as an usher at Loew's Pitkin Theater. He abandoned plans to become an actor after training with Tamara Daykarhanova, and turned to directing summer theater... /Martin Roth Martin Roth Professor Sir Martin Roth FRS was a British psychiatrist.He was Professor of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, 1977–85, then Professor Emeritus, and was a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge from 1977. He was one of the pioneers in developing Psychogeriatrics as a subspecialty.-References:... |
101 |
| A group of feral child Feral child A feral child is a human child who has lived isolated from human contact from a very young age, and has no experience of human care, loving or social behavior, and, crucially, of human language... ren find ancient canisters of poison gas Chemical warfare Chemical warfare involves using the toxic properties of chemical substances as weapons. This type of warfare is distinct from Nuclear warfare and Biological warfare, which together make up NBC, the military acronym for Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical... . |
|||
| "The Slaves" | September 18, 1976 | Hollingsworth Morse Hollingsworth Morse John Hollingsworth Morse was an American film and television director. He directed episodes of a wide variety of U.S. television series from the 1950s through the 1980s, including McHale's Navy, Adam-12, The Dukes of Hazzard, and Rocky Jones, Space Ranger... /David Dworski |
102 |
| Jonah is captured by a local Baron Baron Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"... while scouting a village. |
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| "The Wild Boy" | September 25, 1976 | Hollingsworth Morse/Susan Dworski | 103 |
| The crew of Ark II befriend a feral child. | |||
| "The Robot" | October 2, 1976 | Ted Post/Chuck Menville, Len Janson | 104 |
| Samuel constructs a robot Robot A robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic programming. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or... with limited artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its... . |
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| "Omega" | October 9, 1976 | Hollingsworth Morse/Bill Danch, Jim Ryan | 105 |
| The team discover an enclave enslaved by a rogue artificial intelligence. | |||
| "The Tank" | October 16, 1976 | Ted Post/Mark Jones, Michael Prescott, Robert Specht | 106 |
| The crew refits an old military tank Tank A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities... as a farm tractor Tractor A tractor is a vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high tractive effort at slow speeds, for the purposes of hauling a trailer or machinery used in agriculture or construction... . |
|||
| "The Cryogenic Man" | October 23, 1976 | Ted Post/Martin Roth | 107 |
| A cryogenically Cryogenics In physics, cryogenics is the study of the production of very low temperature and the behavior of materials at those temperatures. A person who studies elements under extremely cold temperature is called a cryogenicist. Rather than the relative temperature scales of Celsius and Fahrenheit,... frozen man is revived. |
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| "The Rule" | October 30, 1976 | Ted Post/Martin Roth | 108 |
| The team comes across a settlement which has discarded the elderly and the weak. | |||
| "Robin Hood" | November 6, 1976 | Hollingsworth Morse/Len Janson, Chuck Menville Chuck Menville Charles David "Chuck" Menville was an American animator and writer for television. His credits included Batman: The Animated Series, Land of the Lost, The Real Ghostbusters, The Smurfs, Star Trek: The Animated Series, and Tiny Toon Adventures.-Pixilation: career in 1960s and 1970s:Menville was... |
109 |
| An act of civil disobedience Civil disobedience Civil disobedience is the active, professed refusal to obey certain laws, demands, and commands of a government, or of an occupying international power. Civil disobedience is commonly, though not always, defined as being nonviolent resistance. It is one form of civil resistance... goes awry. |
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| "The Drought" | November 13, 1976 | Ted Post/Martin Roth | 110 |
| The feral children from episode 101 return to steal the Ark. | |||
| "The Lottery" | November 20, 1976 | Ted Post/Phyllis White, Robert White Robert White Robert White may refer to:* Robert White , English draughtsman and portrait engraver* Robert White , Motown session guitarist* Robert J... |
111 |
| The team encounter a community of "grasshoppers" as seen in the Ant and the Grasshopper The Ant and the Grasshopper The Ant and the Grasshopper, also known as The Grasshopper and the Ant , is one of Aesop's Fables, providing an ambivalent moral lesson about hard work and foresight. In the Perry Index it is number 373... . |
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| "The Mind Group" | November 27, 1976 | Hollingsworth Morse/Robert Specht | 112 |
| The team runs afoul of a group of psionic children. | |||
| "The Balloon" | December 4, 1976 | Hollingsworth Morse/Peter L. Dixon, Robert Specht | 113 |
| The team evacuates a plague Pandemic A pandemic is an epidemic of infectious disease that is spreading through human populations across a large region; for instance multiple continents, or even worldwide. A widespread endemic disease that is stable in terms of how many people are getting sick from it is not a pandemic... stricken village using a hot air balloon Hot air balloon The hot air balloon is the oldest successful human-carrying flight technology. It is in a class of aircraft known as balloon aircraft. On November 21, 1783, in Paris, France, the first untethered manned flight was made by Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes in a hot air... . |
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| "Don Quixote" | December 11, 1976 | Ted Post/Robert Specht, Len Janson | 114 |
| A "modern" Don Quixote believes that the Ark vehicle is a dragon Dragon A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern... . |
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| "Orkus" | December 18, 1976 | Henry J. Lange Jr./Robert Specht, Chuck Menville | 115 |
| After discovering a community of self styled "immortals Biological immortality Biological immortality refers to a stable rate of mortality as a function of chronological age. Some individual cells and entire organisms in some species achieve this state either throughout their existence or after living long enough. This requires that death occur from injury or disease rather... ", members of the crew begin to age rapidly. |
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DVD release
BCI Eclipse LLC (Under license from Entertainment RightsEntertainment Rights
Entertainment Rights Plc was a global media company. Its main role was in children and family television programming.The group was established in 1989 as Sleepykids. In 1999 it become entertainment rights and was focused on the creation and exploitation of major children's characters and brands...
) released Ark II: The Complete Series on DVD in Region 1 on November 7, 2006. The 4 disc set includes many special features. Episodes are presented in production order.
As of 2009, this release has been discontinued and is out of print as BCI Eclipse ceased operations.
External links
- Ark II at Retro Junk (has the intro video)
- Unofficial Ark II Appreciation Site
- Ark II at 70's Live Kid DVD
- Memorable TV: Ark II episode guide
- Ark II at OldFutures