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SciFi Classic Submarine Seaview

Note this kit comes with a nice stand. 
$199.95 36" long - Kit# S130

First, Some History

40 years ago - in the mid 50's and early 60's - two new frontiers were opening up to exploration: the sea and the universe. Both the Russians and the Americans were aggressively pursuing their space programs, and the world's first nuclear submarines - the Nautilus and Skip Jack - made historic dives under the artic ice fields. Naturally, in such a climate, human  imagination was stirred by the evolving technology to produce some of the best - and worst - Science Fiction of the century.

During the summer of 1960, Irwin Allen promoted a movie concept to 20th Century Fox. His idea involved a futuristic submarine that would race against time and various human obstacles to save the world from destruction. The centerpiece of the story was an atomic research/military submarine, capable of diving to extreme depths.

With the help of writer Charles Bennett, the storyline was completed and in 1961 the movie Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (produced and directed by Irwin Allen) was released by 20th Century Fox.  It starred Walter Pigeon, Peter Lori, Barbara Eden and Frankie Avalon. The story was okay, but was fairly standard SciFi for the period really.  It was, however, more remarkable for its use of miniatures and other under-water special effects - especially the submarine Seaview.

Two years later, Irwin Allen produced a pilot (the first ever in color) for a TV series based on the general story from the movie.  This episode ("Eleven Days to Zero") guest-starred Eddie Albert, and was eventually broadcast on Monday, September 14, 1964 (in black and white, of course). Richard Basehart and David Hedison replaced Walter Pigeon and Robert Sterling as the primary characters from the movie.

The final episode - titled "No Way Back" - aired on March 31, 1968.