The Stranger (TV 1973)

TV series pilot (series never launched). After a freak mishap, an astronaut finds himself on an almost precise copy of Earth (right down to the Plymouth cars). However, this planet has ... See full summary »

Director:

Lee H. Katzin

Writers:

Gerald Sanford, Gerald Sanford (created by)

Stars:

Glenn Corbett, Cameron Mitchell, Sharon Acker

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Glenn Corbett	...	Neil Stryker
Cameron Mitchell	...	George Benedict
Sharon Acker	...	Dr. Bettina Cooke
Lew Ayres	...	Prof. Dylan MacAuley
George Coulouris	...	Max Greene
Steve Franken	...	Henry Maitland
Dean Jagger	...	Carl Webster
Tim O'Connor	...	Dr. Revere
Jerry Douglas	...	Steve Perry
Arch Whiting	...	Mike Frome
H.M. Wynant	...	Eric Stoner
William Bryant	...	Truck Driver
Virginia Gregg	...	Ward E Administrator
Steven Marlo	...	Guard
Ben Wright	...	Doctor

Storyline

TV series pilot (series never launched). After a freak mishap, an astronaut finds himself on an almost precise copy of Earth (right down to the Plymouth cars). However, this planet has three moons, and is run by an Orwellian government called The Perfect Order, who seek out and crush all dissidents either by outright assassination or by having them treated at "Ward E." Hunted and alone, the story traces the astronaut's efforts to evade capture and return home.

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Plot Keywords:

astronaut | orwellian | space probe | dictatorship | unsold tv series pilot | 

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Taglines:

The planet he uncovered was a twin to Earth...but so ominously different!

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Genres:

Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 February 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Stranded in Space

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bing Crosby Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Remake of Journey to the Far Side of the Sun (1969)

User Reviews

HONEST MOVIE REVIEWS--1 TURKEY (OUT OF 5 STARS)

HERE WE GO... Featuring several actors from an amazing array of b-movies and made-for-tv flics, this turkey might appeal to the die-hard fan of velveeta cheese, spam and/or atari 2600, but not to the masses (except perhaps those watching a uhf channel at 3 in the morning after a binge at the local pub). Seemingly a failed pilot for a pre-doomed series, the only thing going for this movie is the sheer ability to crack jokes about the plot. Come on...

An astronaut, adrift in space, wakes up to find himself in a hospital bed surrounded by slightly-paranoid medical staff. Later he finds out (through the silliest of methods) that he's actually on a twin planet to earth (on the other side of the sun where we can never see). He wanders off (actually, it's supposed to be an escape, but my grandmother's escape from the nursing home would be more exciting to watch, not to mention more challenging), and the government wants him back (of course), to pry from him certain details (I won't spoil it). Later we find out that their space technology is slightly better than ours, as he manages to steal a shuttle for the trip back home (anyone doped up on sleeping pills could have been more sneaky, and why would they have to pry in the first place. Didn't they get his ship too?). And to top it all off, he crashes into the ocean, only to find himself....

(sorry, not allowed to spoil it. Too bad, because the truly pathetic

"twist, climax," whatever you'd prefer to call it, proves just how much of a groaner this film is). the end.

And thank heaven they didn't make the series! Great flick for drunken

bouts, cheese-fests and late-night viewing, but nothing I'd want to suffer through again.

I can't even believe I went on about this turkey for more than a few sentences.

Watch it on one of those mondo, make it funny shows late at night, but please don't watch it alone. 'Tis not proper to be a closet cheese-aholic!