98 Updates

1998 UPDATES

August - October - December

AUGUST UPDATE 1998

Hello there, I bet you've been wondering when I was going to do that update I've been promising you. Well, I have been away back east for work and a vacation with my family. We had a wonderful time, and the whole trip went smoothly. When I returned home I was so moved by all the wonderful letters I had received. I thank you for taking the time to send them and I will try to answer some of the questions you have asked. I received quite a few e-mails from Australia & Brazil. I apologize I can't read Spanish, but someone has forwarded to me a translation website so I think I will be able to read it after all. It's amazing how small the world becomes via the internet isn't it? Now to answer some of those questions…Several of you wanted to know where Toluca Lake was. It's a lovely community in the San Fernando Valley wedged between Universal Studios, Warner Brothers Studios and NBC. There is a stretch of businesses on the main drag with lots of restaurants and interesting shops. That's where Rubber Boots is. Which, by the way, is an eclectic store filled with unusual gifts, original artwork, and a large collection of cards. We have been in business there for 21 years and have seen the area grow and change. Being in business these days is a constant challenge and I have tried to change the store with the times. I look for unique items whenever I travel and I am still pondering how to bring it to the web page. So, please be patient with that lonely page that's under construction. Now, to set the record straight. My sister's name is Veronica Cartwright. I don't have a sister named Nancy Cartwright. I have heard Nancy on "The Simpsons" (the voice of Bart), but I have never had the pleasure of meeting her. However, my sister Veronica is also an actress and I'm sure you've seen her. She's been in the acting profession for 30 odd years. She was Beavers girlfriend "Violet" on "Leave it to Beaver", and went on the play in hundreds of television shows and movies. Most recently she played "Cassandra Spender" in the X-Files, and was nominated for an Emmy this year for that performance. We're keeping our fingers crossed she wins. Last year she was nominated for a guest role she played in "ER". She didn't bring home the Emmy, but its an honor to have your performance picked out for nomination. She's just finished up a movie she was filming in Austin, Texas. When she gets a few free hours, she's asked my son to work on a web site for her. I'll be linking that with mine when its completed and you'll be able to keep track of what she's up to. Another often asked question was if we did our own singing in "The Sound of Music"? Yes. We all sang and danced our way through Salzburg, Austria. We really had a great time doing this film. What's really neat is all of us "kids" are still close friends, and we all stay in touch. One particular moment that really stands out in my mind (and there were many memories while making this film) was the canoe scene. We did that shot many times. We were all in a hurry to get out of the water because someone had told us there were leeches at the bottom. We never knew where we would end up when the boat tipped over…and the take they used was the one where Julie ended up going over the back of the boat. I really remember what a good sport Kym Karath was (she played Gretel) she was only five at the time and couldn't swim…she'd go under and someone would scoop her up and then she'd get back in the boat and do it again. What a trooper. You can see Heather (who played Louisa) rescue her in the final cut that was used. Someone asked me why I said it was an accident that I was picked to be in that Sparkletts Water ad. I just think it was fate I ended up in show business. My family was not in the business at all. We came to America because my parents had always dreamed of leaving England and coming here. My Dad was a technical artist and my Mom was a nurse. We didn't have two pennies to rub together when we made our way through Canada and down into Los Angeles. A next door neighbor befriended my Mom and had kids that did commercials, she suggested that my Mom take Veronica and myself to this agent she knew…the rest is history. Bill Mumy wrote several of the "Lost In Space" comic books by Innovation…but he never did the drawings. I don't ever remember The Robinson's looking like that…do you?

What is my favorite episode? I'd have to say "Mr. Nobody". I love the black in white look and the simplicity of the story. I also "dig" "The Promised Planet" and the way my kids got a kick out of that one. I'm glad they think I'm so "groovy".

Now about "LOST IN SPACE - the movie". Some of you loved it…some of you didn't. Some of you wouldn't even see it because you were such die hard fans of the classic series. The point is the movie was made. Some felt there were things that could have been different…but I had to let go of it you know. I was excited they made a movie. I was glad to have been asked to be in it. (That's right, I know you're out there and didn't even know that was me with the bad hair day…but come on, the world is ending, and I probably have been busy reporting all night so what do you expect…honestly I think the hairdresser was just having too much fun) It was great to be shipped off to England (my home country), to participate in this huge undertaking…many fans have said they would have liked my cameo to be bigger, but you sharp ones out there spotted the classic Penny, and for that I am deeply touched. Now I hear that the "Lost In Space - the Movie" video is going to be released in October or November, so give it a try…rent it or better yet buy it…cause then perhaps they will make enough to do a sequel…Oh, and when it's on video you can play my two lines over and over again and make my part bigger…the magic of television and the remote control.

For those of you in search of "Angela Cartwright…Sings" I don't have any idea where one could be found. I cut that album when I was 7. It holds a special place in my heart because my Dad sings on it with me and he's the "Mr. Jumbo" voice. I can't believe some of you remember that album. Wow!!!

Well, I guess that's it for now. I can't believe summer is almost over. I hope everyone is enjoying it. Time seems to be moving so quickly. I'm adding some new pictures to the SCRAPBOOK page so check it out if you can. I haven't looked at some of these photographs for years, and they bring back a flood of memories.
till next time,

OCTOBER 1, 1998

Hello my Web friends. Well, here it is October already and there’s lots of news to share. First, if you have time, check out my sister Veronica’s new web page. My son, Jesse, designed it for her. She’ll be adding more pictures as time permits.

Jesse also put together an Official Site for Bill Mumy. Bill has been very busy, and you’ll enjoy seeing everything he’s been up to, past and present. He made his way over to our house with pictures and CD’s in hand. I think you’ll enjoy his website a lot.

I also wanted to let you know about a new syndicated show that just wrapped up production called "LOST IN SPACE, FOREVER." For all the fans of the show, I think you’ll really want to watch it…especially the last 5 minutes…Sorry, that’s all I can say, but it’s hilarious and worth tuning in to. I haven’t seen the whole thing but there will be lots of clips. Hosted by John Laroqette it will air November 6th on the East Coast on Fox TV. You'll have to check with your local station for when it will air in your area.

In the PHOTO SECTION there’s a limited edition group picture of the "Sound of Music" kids. The photo has been sent around the world getting personally signed by all the Von Trapp children in the film. From Los Angeles to Australia, from the East Coast to West Coast. The chances of getting all of our signatures on a single photo would be pretty hard, since everyone is so spread out and all seven of us are rarely together.

I will be traveling to New Jersey the end of October to be part of the "CHILLER THEATRE", convention held at Meadowlands. I’ll be there Halloween weekend, October 30^th, October 31^st, and November 1^st. Other attending cast members are Jonathan Harris and Marta Kristen. My sister Veronica is also going. She was in a number of ‘chilling’ features, notably "Alien," "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," "The Witches of Eastwick," and most recently "The X-Files." She’s never been to a convention before so it should be fun. Come on by if you're in the area and say Hi. Click the link for more information.

Now on to your questions and comments…First, I want to thank you for all the birthday wishes you sent.

I've added a picture of my album "Angela Cartwright Sings," recorded when I was 7, on the Scrapbook page. I was amazed to find so many people that still had the album or could remember listening to it. You asked if I still pursued singing. Only in the shower and the car. Musical instruments? I used to play piano and guitar and even though I love music I don’t play any instruments now, though I’m sure it would come back to me if I could find the time to practice.

What ever happened to the "BLOOP"? Well, about 4 months ago I got an e-mail from Bill Mumy…it read…"Debbie is dead…" Apparently they were trying to find ‘Debbie" for an appearance in the "Lost In Space, Forever" show they were putting together. After tracking down the trainer we were told the bad news. I would have loved to have seen her again for I enjoyed working with her. Debbie had a long career after "Lost In Space, "she went on to star in "Daktari" and was the model monkey face for the movie "The Planet of the Apes." She sure had a lot of fans, I get asked about her all the time.

You asked about a book that was written about my life. Well, I haven’t done one yet. Now that my children are almost grown up, I feel I have a lot more to do before the last chapter is written. But it’s in the back of my mind. You might be referring to a book I published 16 years ago with my friend Niki called "My Book: A Child’s First Journal." I came up with the idea when I was pregnant with my daughter Rebecca. I couldn’t find a baby book anywhere that had everything I felt it needed, like enough room for photos. I knew I’d be taking lots of photographs, as I had been hooked on photography since I was 16. The book sadly is out of print right now.

The "Sound of Music" play clothes were designed by Dorothy Jenkins. We had several sets of them, because they didn’t know how many times we’d have to fall in the lake. We also romped all over Salzburg in them…climbing trees, dancing around the gardens, jumping up steps. Speaking of that sequence, we did a multitude of takes on that part of the song. I remember it was grueling work jumping on the right step on the right beat of music, we rehearsed for weeks. Look closely and you’ll see a boo boo by one of the cast members at the end of the song. I shall respectfully leave them unnamed since we all screwed up on one take or another.

Someone was asking about the "Lost In Space" episodes that are available on video tape. LOST IN CYBERSPACE is the link where videos can be ordered by mail along with tons of other collectibles. The toys, the models, the trading cards etc. This would also be a good site to e-mail about the shows that were made available for the hearing impaired.

One letter asked why I chose to act in the new "Lost In Space" movie. I did it for one reason only... the fans. I knew they’d get a kick out of seeing the ‘classic’ cast. The video, laser and DVD of the movie have now been released.

The "cool green and white outfit with the green color boots" was the creation of Paul Zastupnivich, wardrobe designer for all three seasons of "Lost In Space." I look at the episodes of "Space" now and they do have this unusual, colorful look about them. The "Look "of a show is something that is so often taken for granted. It takes talent and a vision. Paul had both.

In "My Three Sons" I did 3 episodes. I played ‘Debbie’, Chip's first girlfriend. One episode was entitled "Chip & Debbie" but I don’t remember the others.

To the future astronaut, if you invite us to your space shuttle launching at Cape Canaveral you can bet we'll be there. We have heard many times how "Lost In Space" inspired many young men and women in their quest for space travel. Good luck!

Those of you who have read about Bill Mumy and me exploring other sets on the lot of 20^th Fox Studios is totally true. We enjoyed exploring and running around the lot when we weren’t in school or on the set working. Life as a child actor can be tedious. There’s a lot of sitting around while the shots are being set up. Sometimes your in the last shot of the day. So when we had the chance, and we were done with our schooling, off we’d go. We'd tool around 20th Century Fox lot exploring shows in production and sets under construction. Once we even went to May Co. in our spacesuits…just for fun. I’m glad I had Bill around, he helped make "Lost In Space" a really fun show to do. After the show ended we went to concerts together and spent a lot of our teen years with each other. We were close friends, and still are to this day.

That’s all for now. There’s new pictures in the SCRAPBOOK from "LOST IN SPACE". Hang in there, the next 20 years will be included eventually.
Till next time,

DECEMBER 1998 UPDATE

Here it is, the holiday season already, and 1999 is right around the corner. I’m looking forward to the New Year for I have so many plans. This is always such a hectic time, but I thought I would let you know what’s been happening lately.

I met many wonderful people at the "Chiller Convention" in New Jersey over Halloween weekend. Jonathan Harris was there, as well as Marta Kristen and Mark Goddard. My sister Veronica also attended, making "Chiller" her first convention. Currently, she is filming two more "X-Files" episodes, reprieving her role of ‘Cassandra Spender’, who last season, was abducted by aliens.

Did anyone see the current documentary, "Lost In Space Forever"? It’s playing at different times around the country during the month of December on FOX TV. It tells the history of the show, with some great clips and interesting trivia. There is even a surprise appearance by Dr. Smith and Will Robinson. It’s a "must see". Check your local listings.

I just returned from New York City. The "Sound of Music" ‘kids’ and the REAL Von Trapp Family were honored by the Austrian Tourist Board when they presented us with the "Mozart Medallion." The movie ‘Von Trapp kids’ hadn’t all been together in years, so that was a fun reunion. On top of that, to meet the REAL Von Trapp Family, was truly wonderful. The Real Von Trapps hadn’t sung together in some 30 years, and they surprised everyone by singing a beautiful Austrian Hymn and ‘Silent Night’ at the award ceremony. They asked everyone to join in on the second verse and we all hummed the third verse. It sounded so fantastic there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. It was tremendously moving. Here we were, singing with the family we portrayed in the movie. This was the courageous family that left their homeland to attain their freedom and went on the sing to thousands of people the world over.

Following the ceremony, we were swept away to watch the performance of the Broadway play, "The Sound of Music" which we thoroughly enjoyed. After the performance we went up on stage and met all the cast members and posed for a picture of the 3 generations of Von Trapps. It is surely a memory I’ll never forget.

It also happened to be Heather Menzies Urich’s birthday the next day, so we walked all over the city window shopping and looking at all the beautiful Christmas decorations. There is no city in the world like New York. It has a pace and uniqueness all its own and it was 70 degrees...I was ready to bundle up and get in the Holiday spirit. That evening we saw "Lion King." It was an incredible. I have never seen anything quite like it. The actors and the dancers do a brilliant job, as do all the creative people behind the scenes that make it come to life. It is a feast for the eyes.

Now I’m home and ready to charge headlong into the holidays. I’m in the spirit to crank up the Christmas music and deck the halls. I’m off to get my garland and wreaths and Christmas tree. I have Christmas cards to write and some shopping to do. I love this time of year…and I try to keep the true spirit of Christmas all year long…

Life is interesting to say the least. I look forward to 1999 with open arms. I know it will be a year of change, so check back.

I wish you all Happy Holidays and Peace.

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