Journey to the Unknown


Journey to the Unknown is a British anthology television series, produced by Hammer Film Productions and 20th Century Fox Television. It aired on ABC from September 26, 1968, to January 30, 1969. The series aired in the UK on the ITV network during 1969.

Format

The series has a fantasy, science fiction, supernatural and horror theme, very similar to the American television series The Twilight Zone, and deals with normal people whose everyday situations somehow become extraordinary. It featured both British and American actors: American actors included George Maharis, Vera Miles, Barbara Bel Geddes, Patty Duke, Carol Lynley, Joseph Cotten, Stefanie Powers and Brandon deWilde, along with familiar British actors such as Dennis Waterman, Jane Asher, Kay Walsh, Roddy McDowall, Nanette Newman, Ann Bell and Tom Adams. Seventeen episodes were produced. Directors of the episodes included Roy Ward Baker, Alan Gibson, Robert Stevens, Don Chaffey and Michael Lindsay-Hogg. Each episode was executive-produced either by Joan Harrison or Norman Lloyd.
In America, eight episodes from the series were broadcast as four made-for-television films consisting of twinned episodes along with new segment introduction footage provided by actors Patrick McGoohan, Sebastian Cabot and Joan Crawford serving as hosts:
TitleHostSegmentsOriginal airdate
Journey into DarknessPatrick McGoohan"The New People" / "Paper Dolls"1969
Journey to the UnknownJoan Crawford"Matakitas is Coming" / "The Last Visitor"June 15, 1970
Journey to MurderJoan Crawford"Do Me a Favor and Kill Me" / "The Killing Bottle"January 30, 1971
Journey to MidnightSebastian Cabot"Poor Butterfly" / "The Indian Spirit Guide"October 31, 1971

Opening title sequence

The series had a memorable and famous whistled theme tune composed by Harry Robinson of Hammer Film Productions, and a creepy title sequence that featured a roller coaster filmed at night at a deserted amusement park.

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal airdate