Sir Griffin's Nostalgia: The Time Tunnel

"Two American scientists are lost in the swirling maze of past and future ages, during the first experiments on America's greatest and most secret project, the Time Tunnel. Tony Newman and Doug Phillips now tumble helplessly toward a new fantastic adventure, somewhere along the infinite corridors of time."

The Time Tunnel ran for one season on ABC from 1966 – 67.  A grand total of 30 episodes were produced and I loved every one of them.  Obviously the fact that I was a mere two year old when the show first aired meant that I only saw this show in reruns, but that never detracted from my enjoyment.  For those that somehow missed this sci-fi treasure, here’s the scoop:

In a series of complexes 800 floors deep in the Arizona desert exists a top secret government project known as Project Tic-Toc.  Over 36000 people were employed there so how this was kept a secret must have been some sort of miracle in itself.  Where they all parked their cars was never really explained either, but there were so many anomalies in this show that it never really mattered.  One had to truly suspend disbelief in watching this show, but still it is always fun to nitpick.

Anyway, Project Tic-Toc was a secret project that built an experimental time machine called The Time Tunnel.  In the initial episode Project Tic-Toc was visited by Senator Leroy Clark who was investigating the project as it was, naturally, costing way too much.  The senator intends to close down the project since it, thus far, does not work.  (Gee, thanks senator for wanting to put so many people out of work.  Are you related to Mitt Romney?) 

When no one else is around, Dr. Tony Newman (James Darren) sneaks in and uses the machine to

send himself back in time.  He somehow gets lost in time and ends up on the deck of the Titanic.  Now, I know this sounds silly, but the technicians at Project Tic-Toc can see everything that is going on with Tony.  So The Time Tunnel is not just a way to transport a person through time, but it is also a big screen TV that allows you to watch what’s going on.  Awesome. 

Unable to bring Tony back to 1968 (the show took place in the future) another scientist is sent back to rescue him.  Dr. Doug Phillips (Robert Colbert) is dressed in the appropriate attire for a guest on the Titanic and is sent back with a newspaper that describes the sinking of the great ship.  (Yes, everyone has one of those just lying around)  Doug is unable to convince the captain of the impending doom and tosses the newspaper overboard. 

Back at Project Tic-Toc, scientists are working diligently to get Doug & Tony out of there before the ship sinks.  Dr. Ann McGregor (Lee Meriwether) is somehow able to get them out of there despite the fact that she always has General Heywood Kirk (Whit Bissell) barking orders over her shoulder.  The woman was amazing under pressure.  After getting them off the Titanic, Doug & Tony found themselves in a space ship readying for a launch to the moon in 1978.  She could get them out of one place, but instead of getting home they always ended up somewhere in time, often times at a major event like Pearl Harbor, the War of 1812 or the French Revolution.  The senator decides that he will not cut the funding until Doug & Tony are brought home safely. 

Throughout the series Doug continued to wear the clothes he wore for the Titanic, but no one in the future or the past ever seemed to notice or care.  Tony was always dressed in the same turtleneck, but again, that always seemed to fit in just fine.  It was also amazing that wherever they went, including biblical times, everyone spoke English.  Despite their efforts they are never able to change past events, but often ended up being the catalysts for what has already happened.   Their efforts were often not just seen by those back at Project Tic-Toc, but also by aliens.  They do meet up with aliens on several occasions including the final episode. 

By no means should we ever consider The Time Tunnel to be a masterpiece, but to me it was one of the most entertaining shows of all time.  A couple of years ago I was able to see a few episodes again and even though it now made substantially less sense to me and I could easily see how cheaply the show was made, I still loved it.  If there was ever a show that needed a revival or a big screen adaptation it would be The Time Tunnel. 

If you would like to see it again or maybe for the first time, The Time Tunnel is available on DVD and can also be streamed at Hulu.  The show is a great example of kitsch sci-fi and for fans like me it is the epitome of kitsch.  Please feel free to share your memories of this wonderful show.