The Time Tunnel (TV Series) Rendezvous with Yesterday (1966) User Reviews

The Beginning of a Fantastic Series

[claudio_carvalho · 9/10 · 11 September 2009]

In 1968, Senator Leroy Clark lands in the desert in the middle of nowhere. Then a car arrives with Dr. Doug Phillips that brings him to an awesome underground facility with 12,000 personnel and 800 floors deep. Senator Clark intends to cut the funds to the research of time travel, unless Dr. Phillips can prove that can indeed send a man back or forth in time and return him safe. However the state-of-art technology is not ready yet to risk human life and the scientist will have to shutdown the project. In desperation, Dr. Tony Newman decides to test the time tunnel sending himself through time to prove that it works. He travels to Saturday, 13 April 1912, and arrives on board of the Titanic in the eve of the tragic accident. He befriends the British passenger Althea Hall and unsuccessfully tries to convince Captain Malcolm Smith to change the course of the Titanic, telling that he has come from the future. The captain locks the stowaway in a cabin and the time tunnel personnel can not retrieve him; his partner Doug Phillips decides to travel to help Tony to leave the cabin that is located in the damaged area of the doomed vessel.

I have just bought the two volumes of "The Time Tunnel" on DVD and while watching this fantastic episode, I felt like traveling in time to my adolescence when "The Time Tunnel" together with "Star Trek" and "Lost in Space" were my favorite shows in the Brazilian black & white television (color TV was introduced in Brazil in 1970, and only years later I could afford to buy one). Nostalgia apart, it is impressive to see how this series was ahead of time and the time tunnel facility is still amazing and the story is not dated. Well, this episode is created, written and directed by Irwin Allen and I believe this statement is enough to indicate its high-quality. I do not recall how this series ends but now I have the complete set of episode to delight along the next days. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "O Túnel do Tempo" ("The Time Tunnel")

Outstanding hour of TV; could have been a movie

[news77 · 9/10 · 19 February 2011]

The first thing that struck me when re-watching this was the great production values. This was a very, very high quality show. They *really* spent the money on this, and you can tell. The special effects in the opening minutes are *very* impressive, as the Senator tours the facility.

And I'll note in passing I've never forgotten the Senator's car's "entrance" from the desert into Project Tic-Toc base (I saw the show when it premiered in 1966). Once you see it, you'll know what I mean.

Of course, production values don't mean much if the story & acting don't work, but in this case they do. The story is very plausible (given its sci-fi background), and the acting is good. Nice to see Gary Merrill and Michael Rennnie here, along with the regular cast members.

***OKAY,HERE'S THE SPOILER ALERT: So you know the story involves the travelers arriving on the Titanic. Some have argued that the should not have tried to change history by saving the ship. But in fact, our heroes *do* change history. The Captain tells them that if not had been for their arrival, he would not have ordered the lifeboats made ready, and thus no one would have survived. But he says that he believes in God, and considers their appearance a miracle of sorts, and as a result, at least there will be 750 survivors from the tragedy.

By the way, back to production values: not only is the TT facility well-done, but so are the sets for the Titanic. They look quite similar to those for Cameron's 1997 epic film (though clearly not as expensive, of course), and that tells you how good they are (although a few sets are rather obviously sets, but then, this is a TV production).

Overall, very good.

Starts the Whole Problem With Traveling Into the Past

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 15 January 2015]

As much as the flawed science here, the charm of this brief series was the opportunity to relive major historical events and to meet significant historical figures. In the opening foray, Doug and Tony have two tasks. One is to save the program from extinction and the other is to deal with the events on the Titanic. Of course, they are going to try to dissuade the Captain from continuing his voyage on course and, hence, avoid the iceberg. As is also the case, like anyone who starts spouting craziness, the guys find their way to the brig. On they go in their efforts, pretty much failing, but discovering what made people tick and having respect for the events. So much contemporary information has come forward about the events of 1912, and with the huge blockbuster movie, this pales by example. Still, the boys are charming and it was a fun series.

Doomed to disaster!

[ShadeGrenade · 10/10 · 19 July 2009]

Senator Leroy Clark ( Gary Merrill ) arrives at a top secret underground base known as 'Project Tic-Toc'. Here scientists have spent the past decade attempting to master time travel. Clark is there to see whether the billion dollar project should be shut down or not.

After being shown around a fantastic complex by Dr.Doug Phillips ( Robert Colbert ), he meets General Haywood Kirk ( Whit Bissell ), who escorts him to the Time Tunnel - an awesome two-tone vortex that seems to stretch into infinity.

Determined to prove the Tunnel works, Dr.Tony Newman ( James Darren ) makes an unauthorised trip, materialising on the deck of a passenger steamship bound for New York. It is not any old ship either; the date is 14 April 1912, and he is aboard R.M.S. Titanic...

The opening episode of Irwin Allen's sci-fi series begin in much the same way as the feature film of 'Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea' with V.I.P.'s being shown around a Government-funded project. The scenes where Phillips shows Clark round 'Project Tic-Toc' impress even now, with sets that look designed for the cinema ( I was reminded of the Krel complex in 'Forbidden Planet' ) rather than television. Shots of guards running across a bridge would be reused in later episodes.

Neither Doug nor Tony have given much thought to what to do with time travel once they have perfected it. Both recklessly attempt to change the course of history by warning Captain Malcolm Smith ( a bearded Michael Rennie ) of the impending maritime disaster. The consequences for the future are not given any consideration.

British actress Susan Hampshire plays 'Althea Hall', making her first and only trip to New York as she is suffering from a brain tumour. Tony urges her to leave in the lifeboats as there is a doctor in America who might be able to cure her. This sets up a pattern for the rest of the series; Doug and Tony are powerless to prevent major disasters, but can and do save individual lives.

As the two scientists wear the same clothes throughout the series, its fair to assume the Tunnel must contain some sort of deodorising element, otherwise the people they meet each week would be repelled at their lack of personal freshness!

A strong opening episode. And no sign whatever of Kate Winslet and Leonardo Decaprio!

The First Time-Trip

[sanddragon939 · 13 June 2008]

In the pilot episode of this spectacular 60's sci-fi series, Tony Newman and Doug Phillips are introduced to us as the heads of Project Tic-Toc, a top-secret US government project aimed at creating an experimental time machine called 'The Time Tunnel'. When a senator launches an investigation into the project, feeling that it has failed to yield any results, Tony, in order to prove that the Tunnel can send people back in time, enters the untested machine. The Tunnel works and Tony finds himself hurled back to the year 1912, where he discovers that he is on board the Titanic, a ship which is destined to hit an iceberg and sink within a few hours. Doug later sends himself back to the Titanic as well to help Tony but now they're both trapped on the soon-to-sink ship with the captain refusing to believe their wild claims and the staff of the Time Tunnel unable to successfully retrieve them. It looks like Doug and Tony's chances of surviving their 'Rendevous with Yesterday' are slim.

The later episodes of the series follow much the same format, in that Tony and Doug are usually randomly transferred to some important moment in history, just before some historical catastrophe, such as the attack on Pearl Harbour or the explosion of Krakatoa. The show's format was predictable at best and yet there were several memorable episodes. This was truly a series beyond its time.

Wonderful!

[collings500 · 10/10 · 11 April 2020]

This episode shows how great a TV episode can be as long as there's talent and money behind it! My only grumble is that the writers missed a GREAT opportunity to bring Susan Hampshire's character back ("Althea") at the very end, as one of the last survivors of the Titanic. (They could easily explain that they found her by doing a quick search of their data bank for the survivors of the disaster.) In the end, we see her coming into the Time Tunnel as an old, old lady..."Under the circumstances, we thought you wouldn't mind this breach of security, sir!" This shows the skeptical Senator (Gary Merrill) that miracles do happen! He is now 100% committed to time travel and he leaves with the old lady on his arm. Fade out!

Doc Brown would have few things to say about this.

[BA_Harrison · 6/10 · 26 June 2022]

There are thirty episodes of The Time Tunnel, but for some reason whenever I catch the show on TV, it's always the Titanic episode. I just started watching the series from the beginning, and the first one up is that bloody Titanic episode again. I feel like I'm caught in a time loop!

This pilot shows how Tony and Doug came to be set adrift in time. In order to prove to congress that the tunnel is worth the taxpayers' money, scientist Anthony Newman uses himself as a guinea pig, landing on The Titanic on April 13th 1912 -- the day that the ship hit an iceberg and sank.

Irwin Allen's show puts the 'fun' in 'fundamentally flawed' by having Newman try to warn the captain of the ship about the disaster. As we all know from countless time travel movies, altering the past can have diabolical consequences for the future, but Anthony goes ahead anyway -- so much for being a brilliant scientist.

If I ever get to see any episode other than this one, I'm sure I will find this to be a recurring theme, the two heroes meddling with history. I doubt if the show will ever address the issue -- why let logic get in the way of entertainment?

6/10.

Good start

[shakspryn · 8/10 · 16 January 2020]

This is a well executed opener. The visuals of the huge Time Tunnel underground facility are very impressive. All the actors are good. Michael Rennie and Susan Hampshire, the British guest stars, are excellent and add class to the episode. This series is available for purchase as a studio dvd set made for the British market--it is PAL format. You will need an all-region dvd player to view the episodes, but they are available for $40 and up.

In my Opinion, One of the best Television pilots ever made!

[thejcowboy22 · 7/10 · 28 March 2017]

It was the first week of the new school year. I just started 4th grade with my Leggy teacher hitting us (the students) a surprise quiz to see what we learned from the previous grade. That Friday I received three failing quizzes back from my teacher which had to be signed over the weekend. When I arrived home that afternoon my older sister was excited about a new Television series called the Time Tunnel on ABC. Recently watched the classic George Pal's version of the Time Machine starring Rod Taylor which started my preoccupation with time travel Peabody and Sherman included. Anyway 8:00 P.M.approach and I was blown away. Veteran Actor Mr. Bette Davis, Gary Merrill plays the grim reaper (Senator Clark) of Washington D.C. as he has plans to stop the billion dollar project hidden in the Arizona dessert. Senator Clark's private Jet lands in the middle of a desolate wasteland as a black 1968 Chrysler Imperial pulls up along side the fuselage with Dr. Doug Phillips (Robert Colbert) at the wheel. The Crusty middle aged Public servant gets in to the car as Phillips reaches for the car phone for clearance and entry to the complex. Suddenly a long dark hole emerges from the sandy surface as the vehicle descends into the abyss and then the hole closes. Below the auto pulls up to the Sargent at arms as he checks them for security. They enter a cavernous futurist complex with green hues as exposed tubes elevators ascend and descend all around 800 stories deep in the Earth's surface. The two enter one of those extraordinary elevators as they cascade 700 stories. In just a few seconds they arrive at the bottom as they are greeted by a Lieutenant General Haywood Kirk (Whit Bissel). The General waves to them as he approaches as he yells, "Leroy" to the Senator. The General adds, "Ever seen anything like this in your life?" The dispassionate Senator replies," No I haven't Woody!" after digs and pleasantry were exchanged about there earlier experiences during the war, the Senator lays it all out about the government writing a blank check on the project as the Clark grills Phillips about sending a man back in time and returning him safely or he'll terminate the project. The three enter the main area where our star is situated, The tunnel itself. Protruding like a large, lengthy hypnotic eye about 11 feet in diameter in white and black as the rings continue about 90' back. Looking at it there appears to be no ending to the tunnel. Inside with components in hand is a young dark and handsome Dr.Tony Newman (James Darren). Doug Phillips yells for Tony to meet the Senator. An enthusiastic Tony remarks "Were so close." The cynical Senator replies," Close to what Son? Tony looks perturbs as he responds "Sending a man back in time of course." The Senator spells it out to the three ,"Either you send a man back in time today or The U.S. government is going to write you a big blank check." Tony heatedly reacts, "We put our lives into this project." The Senator adds," This toy is costing the US government 7 billion dollars." The General is offended by the comment toy,stating that this is much more than a toy Senator. So General Kirk takes the Senator on the rest of the complex tour. Later on a disturbed Newman sneaks onto the Tunnel floor, sets controls and enters the Tunnel to the sounds of turbines winding to accompanied by explosions and sparks flying in all direction. The staff behind the glass at the rear of the main tunnel's floor come running to stop the countdown but it's to late as the frustrated scientists and staff reach the Tunnel entrance to remaining clusters of smoke. Dr. Newman has vanished as the frantic staff shuffles around to try to retrieve. Enter the other cast members Scientist/ technicians Dr. Ann MacGregor played by former Miss America Lee Meriweather and Dr. Raymond Swain played by John Zaremba. The acting prowess of Robert Colbert as a man in action, in the moment, as he barks out the instructions to the panic stricken staff to try to find the lost scientist Newman. Meanwhile the special effects of John Borgese and L.B. Abbott go into action as well with a kaleidoscope of colors surrounding Young Newman. Newman's body flips and turns like a rag doll as the colors dissipates. We see an Ocean liner appear as young Newman lands on the First class level of the luxury ship. Adjacent to Newman's landing we see very Blonde and petite Althea Hall British Schoolteacher played by Susan Hampshire. Althea reclining and reading with a heavy coat and blanket as She inquired if Newman bumped his head as a stunned Newman says , "I made it." Wearing a green turtleneck and dark pants, the young scientist is terribly under dressed for the frosty April weather in the North Atlantic. Pleasantries are exchanged between the Schoolmarm and Scientist as Althea makes a reference to Teddy Roosevelt. Newman has no idea where he is or which ship he is on. Then A shuffleboard disc goes astray . Newman picks up the stone disc as he sees a life saver which reads in horror, Titanic. Creator Irwin Allen had lightning in a bottle with this sci-fi classic. I personally loved the special effects and the Tunnel Complex which took up six sound stages at Twentieth Century Fox studios. Sadly over time, predictable plots and poor writing made the series suffer. As for my failing three quizzes no television for three weeks.

Time travel through Irwin Allen's concept!!!

[elo-equipamentos · 7/10 · 4 September 2018]

In my youth time the three classic of the Irwin Allen's series were aired in the same week on Globo TV in my hometown, a fabulous happenings of all my little friends who came together to watch those magnificent series, Lost in Space, Time Tunnel and Land of the Giants, at my grandfather's house which were one few houses that time had a TV, so gathered all young crowd were there around TV everyday, this openning episode is fairy amazing, a starting point the whole time travel, on Time Tunnel according Irwin Allen's concept all journey ends up in a fateful day, in this case Titanic's wreck, fine episode that thrilled all us!!!

Resume:

First watch: 1971 / How many: 5 / Source: TV-VHS-Cable TV-DVD / Rating: 7.75

Rendezvous with Yesterday

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 17 October 2022]

The Time Tunnel was producer Irwin Allen's least successful television series. The opening episode might hint why this might be despite the vast vast sets and production budget for the first episode.

Somewhere in a gigantic top secret subterranean complex in the Arizona desert. American scientists under the auspices of the US government have developed a facility to travel in time.

With government funding at risk. Scientist Tony Newman (James Darren) takes a risk with the experimental time tunnel. He tumbles through time and lands in the maiden voyage of the Titanic in 1912.

Following is his friend Doug Phillips (Robert Colbert) in order to rescue him. Instead they try to warn the captain of the ship of the impending iceberg.

However Captain Malcolm Smith (Michael Rennie) is having none of this nonsense, the titanic is unsinkable.

Instead, Tony tries to save a woman he has met, Althea Hall (Susan Hampshire) who has a terminal illness.

In a sense the adventure is undermined as both Tony and Doug try to change the course of history. The show does not seem to have grasped 'cause and effect.'

What is left is a cheesy time travel drama that uses footage from older films to save costs.

Forget the practical concerns, guys, how about the ethical?

[DRBERNABO256 · 5/10 · 29 April 2006]

I loved "The Time Tunnel" when I was a kid and it first aired, and it is still silly fun. But now that I am older and wiser I have to laugh at the idea that two scientists would go back to the "Titanic" and try to stop it from sinking without once considering what happens when they change the past. Have they never heard the one about going back in time and killing your grandfather before your father is born? If anything Doug and Tony make things worse because their actions result in Captain Smith telling his wireless operator to tell all the ships in the area to ignore any distress calls from the "Titanic." However, if you think this one has problems with time travel paradoxes, wait until the next thrilling episode of Irwin Allen's television show, "One Way to the Moon." The value here is pure nostalgia. If you do not have fond memories of "The Time Tunnel" from the 1960s, it will be hard to develop affection for it now.

Sci-Fi & Titanic Disaster

[StuOz · 7 July 2006]

Two American scientists are lost in time thanks to The Time Tunnel.

Every cast member and guest star in this hour is outstanding, every turn of the story is well done, every word spoken is spoken with class and Irwin Allen directs the show (mainly the bits in the command centre) with a sense of epic showmanship. And the John Williams music score, well, a knockout from the tour of the command centre to the iceberg ending.

My god, I could go on for hours!

This might be a just a television show but I struggle to remember such a well done hour.

All 30 Tunnel episodes have something of interest.

Some are outstanding and some are just good but all are required viewing.

That is an amazing run of good episodes considering the series went in so many directions (history, the future, space, magic, etc).

Even the greatest TV shows of all time sometimes have a few stinkers...but not so with The Time Tunnel!

Solid Pilot episode

[Coffee_in_the_Clink · 27 March 2020]

The pilot episode of this TV series is a solid beginning to what looks set to be a very good show. The sets are very good and the acting is above par. Set in the Arizona desert at a secret, underground government research facility where scientists have been working on a time portal. When the senator who has been allocating billions into the budget for this facility takes a visit, demanding to see results, Dr. Tony Newman has no choice but to volunteer to enter the portal, at this stage not quite near completion, and see what happens. He ends up going back in time about fifty years and finds himself on board the ill-fated Titanic, a few days before it is set to hit the iceberg. While he tries to convince the captain that he is a time traveller and to change his course (probably a bad move), his colleagues work hard to try and save him before he becomes one of those who perish in the freezing waters. Dr. Phillips ends up jumping into the portal and going back to help him. But soon it becomes apparent that it will not be possible to take the scientists back in to their own time and place. The best that can be done by the team is to freeze time and quickly transport them to another random time and place. And so the series begins...

A very interesting concept that I'm sure galvanised and had people glued to their TVs every week back in the 60s. "The Time Tunnel" still holds its own today, and I found this first episode very enjoyable and leaving me wanting to see more. The lead performances from James Darren and Robert Colbert are one high-point, as well as the sets and special effects, all of which have a charm about them. The Titanic scenes are done well and are very reminiscent of James Cameron's 1997 film. Was this episode an inspiration for the sets and design in that film decades later? Possibly. Here is something fun that I picked out; the yellow mugs that the scientists and government agents are drinking from in Arizona seem to appear again in the background, on a table in one of the rooms on board the Titanic.