MERRY CHRISTMAS! (2023)

The 45th Anniversary of the original Galactica - its great characters, format and adventures- may be coming to an end, but it's nonetheless been an exciting and memorable 2023 in celebrating the Glen A. Larson created legend which deservedly continues to endure in popularity. We hope you continue to enjoy this ongoing tribute site.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND HAVE A TERRIFIC NEW YEAR!

CLASSIC ART: WHEN 'MEDIASCENE' PREVIEWED 'GALACTICA'!

Soon an influential title in the realms of mainstream and cult movies and TV, comic book artist and graphic design talent Jim Steranko's Mediascene Prevue magazine was a must-have title, and one that not only had great journalistic content but always looked particularly exciting in the way it showcased science fiction, soon given a new lease by the commercial success of the original Star Wars. Battlestar Galactica was soon equally well represented by 1978 (issue 29 Jan/Feb), as seen with this fine advance publicity salvo with its exclusive use of the Ralph McQuarrie classic conceptual art of a Viper pursued by Cylon Raiders - presumably the first time that this image had been used in the production's highly successful marketing campaign? 

BEFORE THEY WERE GALACTICANS - ANNE LOCKHART AND LAURETTE SPANG!

Back in the mid to late seventies, American TV was awash in all the right ways with an incredible array of beauties within their popular and soon cult classic TV series, from the distinguished and gorgeous likes of Farrah Fawcett to Lindsay Wagner, to even greater super babes and icons like Erin Gray and Linda Carter. And Battlestar Galactica was blessed with an equally incredible, classy and beautiful female cast amngst its impressive talent line-up, of which rising stars Anne Lockhart (as commanding Viper pilot talent Sheba) and Laurette Spang (as loyal med tech Cassiopeia), who had prior appeared in many Universal TV made productions of the time, and soon capturing fans hearts whilst importantly winning the appreciation of girls and women as capable yet feminine role models back in 1978/79 and beyond.

Here's a few lovely shots of them in the lead-up to their beloved Galactica work...

Laurette, in an 1976 episode of Charlie's Angels.

Radiant smile from a radiant actress.

Anne looking stunning in this lovely indoor shoot.

Anne, as memorably seen in an episode of The Hardy Boys mystery series.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE RAIDERS ARE LAUNCHED!

The Cylon starforce previously waiting for the Galactica and the Rag-Tag fleet at the Borallus system have now made the journey to Carillon, ready and launching their massed killer force of Raider craft for what they they think will be the final, final annihilation of the lifeform known as man, in a great effects shot from Saga of a Star World.

'GALACTICA 1980': THE FUTURE IS HERE!

That long lost shiny planet of Earth has been found and now the next generation of Galacticans must engage in its culture, as the Cylon menace returns to threaten all humanity. A nice promo card apparently used by ABC TV to promote the short lived Galactica 1980 series, promising much with its diverse mixture of old and new.

It's a shame that the exciting card was actually more interesting and intriguing than the actual show itself, in many ways!

CLASSIC ART: OUT IN THE UNKNOWN!

An unknown Viper pilot (possibly an early version of Apollo) keeps tabs on his wingman during their deep space patrol, in this great storyboard concept art linked to Saga of a Star World, by storyboard artist Carl Ardana.

A 'GALACTICA' HEROINE STRIKES THE POSE!

It's been far too long since we've had a gorgeous posed picture of the beautiful Maren Jensen on the site, and I'm sure we're all getting intense withdrawal symptoms in the process. So, situation rectified with this lovely promo shot from 1978! 

BEHIND THE SCENES: CRAFTING MOVIE EFFECTS MAGIC!

One of the finest talents in the Hollywood and world effects business, the legendary Dennis Muren puts his keen eye towards filming the ever-impressive Galactica model on the Apogee/ILM blue screen stage at Van Nuys during middle 1978, for Saga of a Star World. 

Presumably this camera work is for the point of view scene where a Cylon Raider, amidst Colonial protective fire, dives down to attack the vessel's hull, in what would become a memorable stock footage image used across the series.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: GOODBYE KISSES...

Who says that being a Colonial Warrior doesn't have its advantages! Adept in the art of kissing, Starbuck enjoys some quality goodbye time with Tenna (Britt Ekland and two doubles shot from the side) and other identical clones from her designated batch, in a memorable and humorous finale to the two-parter. 

Starbuck says goodbye as only he knows how...

The clone beauties say goodbye to Starbuck.

You win some, lose some, as they say. "I just lost all three," bemoans Starbuck!

We hope you've enjoyed this special coverage of the originally conceived TV movie version of Gun on Ice Planet Zero...

Fleeing from the Cylon tyranny, the last Battlestar, Galactica, leads a rag-tag fugitive fleet on a lonely quest - a shining planet known as Earth!

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: THE CLONE COMMUNITY RESTORED!

The battle has been won, the Cylons are no more on Arcta, the pulsar weapon has been totally destroyed, and the reunited Clones are at peace, with their 'Father Creator' in Doctor Ravashol, thrilled to see his children so happy and caring, ready to protect them. 

Our remaining Galactica heroes depart the community and say goodbye to their many friends...

Time for departure. Note the Clone Planner (Liam Sullivan) with Apollo in the only scene that made it to the final two-parter.

The Galactican quest continues as new hopes and friendships are cemented.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: SAVED FROM ANNIHILATION!

"We've picked up an explosion. A big one!"

As the critical point of potential destruction is is reached, Lt. Rigel picks up the incredible news that the Ravashol Pulsar weapon has been destroyed in an immense explosion on the planet's surface. The Galactica and the human fleet have been miraculously saved, and jubilant celebration is soon in the air around the bridge as an equally joyous Adama and Tigh order the immediate dispatch of a shuttle and fighter escort down to Arcta to retrieve their friends and family...

The mountain is confirmed destroyed!

The bridge crew celebrate their success and camaraderie under pressure.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: PULSAR DESTRUCTION!

Doctor Ravashol's pulsar weapon is finally destroyed atop its mountain stronghold, its weak spots used against it to explosive effect by the Colonial heroes, and just in the nick of time, before the destruction of the Galactica...

The spectacular explosion captured outside the ILM premises in Van Nuys.

A spectacular model explosion filmed for the finale, likely handled by the pyrotechnics whizz Joe Viskocil, a veteran pyrotechnics expert who created a lot of the terrific explosions work for the first two Star Wars movies of 1977 and 1980.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45 - THE DEATH OF LEDA!

The Cylon garrison on Arcta has been wiped out by Starbuck, Boomer and his team, arriving to liaise with Apollo as the Pulsar Cannon is about to be destroyed by Colonial demolitions. Sadly, despite their success, there has been a tragic casualty, as Leda, shot by a Cylon Centurion whilst protecting her husband, dies quickly in a helpless and devastated Croft's arms.

Croft has no choice but to abandon his dead wife at the station, as he, the Colonials and Clones rush to evacuate the area and mountain prior to the soon explosion.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: VULPA'S MURDEROUS ATTACK!

Leda sacrifices her life to save Croft, watched by a helpless Apollo.

Arrived at the cannon pumping station, Vulpa attacks the Colonial Demolitions trio, with Leda, protecting  Croft and taking a deadly blast meant for her husband. Starbuck arrives to finally destroy Vulpa, though it take several mighty efforts to take it down.

Starbuck takes down Vulpa.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: THE GARRISON ATTACK CONTINUES!

The time for battle is now - explosive charges to the entrance of the Cylon Garrison are activated and our heroes (Starbuck, Boomer, Cree and the Thetas) charge into the fray, blowing the pogees out of every metal enemy, bar Vulpa, who escapes to the cannon discharge area. The action scene is accompanied once again by great and exciting music from the series regular composer Stu Phillips.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: GARRISON ATTACK!

Two Cylon Centurions are caught unawares and swiftly destroyed by Starbuck and Boomer with precision blaster accuracy as the diversionary Garrison attack on Arcta gets underway.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: THE ATTACKS BEGIN!

The time has come as the Colonial attacks on the garrison and the pulsar weapon begin simultaneously. Apollo, Croft and Leda take on the heavily guarded pump area of the weapon and destroy the Cylons. They soon begin priming their solenite explosive charges on vital points of the weapons control areas.

A fine action sequence, accompanied by great incidental music from Stu Phillips.

Apollo's aim hits true every time!

Leda and Apollo lay charges as Croft stands guard.

The many charges are placed...

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: READY TO ATTACK!

The countdown to the attacks on both the Cylon Garrison and the Pulsar Cannon control station is soon approaching as Leda, Croft and Apollo get ready to make their last stand surprise assault and plant their explosives...

Posed publicity image of Hatch as Apollo.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: PERIL IN THE INTAKE PIPE!

No sooner have the Colonials penetrated the intake pipe then they have to hold on for dear life as the tunnel shaft is activated. Thankfully, its duration is mercifully brief and they finally infiltrate the control/pump station area, readying themselves for attack.

Apollo and his colleagues brace themselves through intense air pressure and noise.

Their objective achieved...

Croft provides cover as the others follow.