I have to say, as a child of the 1970s, I am fascinated by all the interest in the new movie based on the awful sci-fi show “Land of the Lost.” It’s clearly not a faithful retelling of the original story – and after viewing old episodes of the show last week on a Sci-Fi Channel marathon, we should all be thankful for that. It was truly wretched- from the “special effects” to the “acting.” But regardless of that, you’d think that the new movie’s producers would give the original stars a little bit of love. Not so, according to The National Enquirer:
“I’m heartbroken. It’s like not being invited to your own wedding!”
Those are the tearful words of Kathy Coleman – child star of 70s TV cult classic “Land of the Lost” – after filming a cameo role in the big-budget film remake, only to be told she was not welcome at the star-studded Hollywood premiere!
To add insult to injury, her cameo in the Will Ferrell film ended up on the cutting room floor! The actress played adorable pigtailed, blonde Holly on the NBC series from 1974 through 1976. The show focused on an unknown land inhabited by dinosaurs and human/lizard creatures.
“It was exciting to be included in the movie remake,” Kathy told The Enquirer in an exclusive interview. “It was a small part, but the producers even gave me some dialogue. My line was: ‘That was just so rude!'”
After she filmed her part, producers invited her to the movie’s premiere. But a week before the May 30 gala, a studio assistant telephoned and rescinded the invitation, said 47-year-old Kathy.
“I couldn’t believe it! I felt like the bride who’s told, ‘Don’t bother showing up to the wedding, it’s not happening,'” sighed Kathy, who says she has no hard feelings about her scene being cut. “That’s Hollywood. That kind of thing happens all the time. But to disinvite me from the premiere? That was shocking.
“I’m not even sure I want to see the movie now. But I want to thank all the loyal fans who have written to me and apologize for missing them at the premiere. I was there in spirit”
[From The National Enquirer, print version, June 15, 2009]
Wow, that’s pretty cold. I understand that Hollywood is a bitch sometimes, but why offer this poor lady a role in the film and invite her to the movie premiere only to turn around and crush her? It doesn’t seem right to me. At least the Star Trek remake was smart enough to include Spock- there’s even talk of a Shatner cameo in the next film. I hope the “Land of the Lost” producers are shamed into making it up to Kathy. It’s not like she was asking for much.
Here’s the trailer for Land of The Lost. It’s out in the US today, June 5.
Thanks to Bitten and Bound for the photos of Kathy.
Chaka!
She looks like Goldie Hawn in that picture with the glasses.
How could they do this to Holly?
I loved that show, but when I look back at it now, the creators had to be on acid. That show was out there, like many of the Sid & Marty Kroft productions.
Kathy’s character was very intense and emotional, while the actor who played her dad always delivered his lines flat. Even when they were in danger, his tone never changed. He must have been on the good stuff.
They suck balls for doing that to her.
That’s not right. She should have been shown respect. I am a child of the 70s, too, and for some reason absolutely loved this show. And I saw that SciFi channel marathon last week, too. It WAS an awful show, MSat! Wow. But the memories are still fond, and I look forward to seeing the new interpretation. I do hope they make it up to her in some way.
I read that Karate Kid, with Will Smith’s son, won’t have Ralph Machio in it, WTF?!
Stupid movie people, you better start homaging, us fans (meaning money in your pockets) are getting mighty miffed!
But I definitely won’t be seeing this movie; I can’t stand almost all of Will Ferrell’s movies. I’m not sure if it’s his fault that his movies are so over-the-top that they creep me out, or if the movie producers force him to act that way in awful movies. I only liked him in that movie where he heard Emma’s character talking about his life.
Shame on these heartless bastards!!! bunch of cork soakers
Well that settles the question of whether I’m going to see this movie or not: absolutely not! I loved the original Land of the Lost, and agree that they should show the actors respect. (the remake of the show sucked though)
Just watched an episode where the Flying Dutchman was going to kidnap her because he was lonely. Such a blatant pedophile on 70’s kid TV!
I have to agree with Cinderella; most of that Sid & Marty Krofft stuff gave me the creeps. In fact I vaguely remember having nightmares about some of the stuff I saw on HR Puffinstuff. But I did like LOTL – Will was hot and Holly was about my age. Sigmund the Seamonster was cute, too.
Anyway, they can take this movie and shove it. Will Ferrell SUCKS!
My heart sunk when I found out that Kathy Coleman was cut out of both the movie and the premiere. I think it’s horrible that she was treated this way.
I was a teenage boy in the 70s when I watched Land of the Lost every Saturday morning. I loved all the characters of the show and like most boys my age I was crazy about “Holly”.
So with the producers making LOTL a Will Ferrell comedy and not staying true to the original LOTL and for the way that Kathy Coleman is being treated I am going to save my money and not see the new LOTL movie.
Perhaps Kathy Coleman could take this opportunity and write a book about her life story. I know like a lot of her fans I would definitely buy a copy.
Kathy, thank you for the memories.
Dave
Well, apparently she didn’t do anything after “LotL”, at least according to IMDB.
I was 14 when the show started so she was 12-13…GOD, what a crush I had! Decades later she came into a bagel store I was opening in Santa Monica and when I recognized her (sadly not the name initially!) she beamed.
It’s too bad she didn’t continue acting because I’m sure she was a striking young woman.
Yes, but why was she uninvited?
I want to read more television websites as this one.. can you help me one??? ByeBye from Netherlands