Bob May Of "Lost In Space" Dies

LOS ANGELES — Bob May, who donned The Robot's suit in the hit 1960s television show "Lost in Space," has died. He was 69.

May died Sunday of congestive heart failure at a hospital in Lancaster, said his daughter, Deborah May.

He was a veteran actor and stuntman who had appeared in movies, TV shows and on the vaudeville stage when he was tapped by "Lost in Space" creator Irwin Allen to play the Robinson family's loyal metal sidekick in the series that debuted in 1965.

"He always said he got the job because he fit in the robot suit," said June Lockhart, who played family matriarch Maureen Robinson. "It was one of those wonderful Hollywood stories. He just happened to be on the studio lot when someone saw him and sent him to see Irwin Allen about the part. Allen said, 'If you can fit in the suit, you've got the job.'"

Although May didn't provide the robot's distinctive voice (that was done by announcer Dick Tufeld), he developed a following of fans who sought him out at memorabilia shows.

"Lost in Space" was a space-age retelling of "The Swiss Family Robinson" story in which professor John Robinson, his wife and their children were on a space mission when their craft was knocked hopelessly off course by the evil Dr. Zachary Smith, who became trapped in space with them.

May's robot was the Robinson family's loyal sidekick, warning them of approaching disaster at every turn. His line to one of the children, "Danger, Will Robinson," became a national catch phrase.

The grandson of famed vaudeville comedian Chic Johnson, May was introduced to show business at age 2 when he began appearing in the "Hellzapoppin" comedy revue with Johnson and his partner, Ole Olsen.

He went on to appear in numerous films with Jerry Lewis and in such TV shows as "The Time Tunnel," "McHale's Navy and "The Red Skelton Show." He was also a stuntman in such 1950s and '60s TV shows as "Cheyenne," "Surfside 6," "Hawaiian Eye," "The Roaring 20s" and "Stagecoach."

He was particularly fond of his Robot role, once saying he came to consider the suit a "home away from home."

Lockhart said May wore the suit for hours at a time and learned the lines of every actor in the show so he would know when to respond to their cues. Because it wasn't easy to get in and out of the suit, he kept it on during breaks.

"He was a smoker," Lockhart remembered. "From time to time (when he was on a break), we'd see smoke coming out of the robot. That always amused us."

May and his wife lost their house in November when a wildfire destroyed their upscale mobile home park in the San Fernando Valley.

Survivors include his wife Judith; his daughter; his son, Martin; and four grandchildren.

Funeral services are pending.

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Associated Press writer John Rogers contributed to this story.

Read More: Bob May, Lost In Space, Robert May, Television, Entertainment News

Obama: Massive security @ inauguration

In a front-page article in last Sunday’s paper about beefed-up security at the inauguration, the Washington Post again missed the forest for the trees.

Based on figures compiled from the Post article, the total security presence for the 2009 inauguration will be 67 per cent larger than for George W. Bush’s 2005 inauguration, while total attendance - currently estimated to be between 1.5 million and 3 million - will be four to eight times larger.

In other words, the proportional security presence at Barack Obama’s inauguration will be anywhere from half to nearly a quarter of that provided for Bush in 2005.

According to the figures reported by the Post, the FBI’s Washington Field Office will bring in a 20 per cent larger force than is typical for an inauguration. The Park Police, which oversees the National Mall, will increase its force by 66 per cent. The D.C. police presence, bolstered by 4,000 officers from outside the District, will be 25 per cent larger than that at George Bush’s 2005 inauguration. Relative to this year’s expected turnout, those increases would be paltry without a massive increase in military personnel acting as security.

Also 11,500 active duty troops will be in Washington on Inauguration Day, compared with 7,000 in 2005, a 64 per cent jump. But if the 5,000 servicemen and women who traditionally participate in the inaugural parade are discounted as security, the size of the military’s security footprint, in real terms, will increase from 2,000 to 6,500, a 225 per cent larger force than in 2005. According to the Post, 1,300 unarmed National Guard soldiers will bolster the ranks of 1,000 Park Police tasked with controlling the 309 acres of the National Mall.

The remaining 5,000 military personnel – a full brigade – will assist “with crowd control, communications, security, medical care, logistics, weapons detection and other needs,” the Post reported.
That means Obama’s inauguration, with a substantially smaller security presence relative to crowd size, will be substantially more militarized. Given that inaugurations are exercises in symbolism, filling Washington with thousands of uniformed troops seems like a potential public relations gaff. Obama rode into office on a wave of public discontent with the Iraq War. The last time the National Guard flooded DC’s streets was 1968, during the race riots that exploded after the assassination of Martin Luther King. A militarized inauguration could evoke both.

For Chicagoans, it’s frenzy over parties, events & balls
For sure, most Chicagoans are exhausted now that the holidays have passed, but they are very excited about Barack Obama’s inauguration in Washington DC. Expectedly, Oprah is going to attend. A lot of Chicagoans are planning on going out to DC for the 44th President’s inauguration on January 20, 2009 to see it in person because they are so excited.

Others have to work at a day job and will be in Chicago’s frigid snowy cold watching TV on that day, yet will still be thrilled to witness history. If you are considering going to Barack Obama’s inauguration in Washington DC, you might have a hard time finding tickets. All 240,000 of the Inauguration Tickets were available for free but by request from your local representative or senator. So, all the requests were early and now people are turning around and selling some for very high prices. Probably not what Barack intended.

And since a lot of the hotels are booked too, the next best choice is following along at home and having an Inauguration party of your own.

There is an Inauguration Schedule, Inauguration Blog, and a lot of information already online 35 days before the event from the PIC Presidential Inauguration Committee. Barack’s teams are so organized and on top of things, this seems like such a change for the better in the communication department. The web teams that built all these sites for the campaigns and now after the elections have done a great job with it.

Inaugural Schedule:
Yesterday, January 17, Barack Obama traveled by train to Washington for the Inauguration. Kind of an old fashioned twist.
Today, January 18, the Official Inaugural Activities begin with a welcome event on Sunday in the afternoon. It is open for the public to attend.
On Monday, January 19, which is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a National Holiday, President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden will commemorate the holiday with community involvement activities in the Washington DC area.

By THE SUN PUBLISHING

Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in Bay Area

For those looking to celebrate the 80th birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. through public service, song, good food or study, here is something for everyone. All events are free.

BERKELEY

Walk in celebration of change

10 a.m. to noon. Meet at Jefferson Elementary School, at 1400 Ada St. for refreshments and a walk (sidewalks only) to King Middle School, at 1781 Rose St. for a program of stories and celebration of the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in the auditorium. Signs and banners encouraged. Sponsored by parents.

EMERYVILLE

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet at newly renovated Anna Yates Elementary School, 1070 41st. St., for arts activities, music, dancing, games, gardening, student performances, BBQ lunch, and a tour of the school and science center. Sponsored by Partners for Community Life.

OAKLAND

Multicultural Peace Celebration and Rally

10 a.m. to noon. Free event at the ILWU Warehouse Hall #6, 99 Hegenberger Road will feature speakers, including Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson and the Rev. Byron Williams. Sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Rally Committee.

MLK Jr. Shoreline Park cleanup

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at Garretson Point parking lot at the end of Edgewater Drive for coastal cleanup and restoration work at Damon Marsh, Damon Slough, Arrowhead Marsh and the Martin Luther King Jr. Grove. Sponsored by East Bay Regional Park District, Save the Bay, Golden Gate Audubon Society, Earth Team and Hands on Bay Area. Visit: www.ebparks.org/parks/mlk.

'Make The Dream Real' celebration

10 a.m. to noon. Meet at Taylor Memorial Methodist Church, 1188 12th St. at Adeline. Kokomon Clottey will open with sacred drumming, honoring ancestors. There will be young performers, three Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Service Awards given to community members doing exemplary service work and a luncheon. Sponsors are the Attitudinal Healing Connection, Inc.; Taylor Memorial Methodist Church; the Rev. Ron Swisher; and Dr. Matthew Fox. Visit: www.ahc-oakland.org.

MLK Jr. Birthday Celebration and Economic, Health and Peace Fair

Noon to 5 p.m. Event at Star Bethel Church, 5800 San Pablo Ave. focuses on how to live a healthy, peaceful life. Presented by Embracing the Dream. Donations encouraged. (510) 978-6470.

MLK theater matinee

12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Experience the life of Martin Luther King Jr. through an extraordinary film collection, including "The Rise and Death of a Great Leader," at the African American Museum & Library at Oakland, 659 14th St. RSVP encouraged at (510) 637-0200. Visit: www.oaklandlibrary.org/AAMLO.

Rejoice! Preinaugural gospel concert

7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.) At Star Bethel Church, 5800 San Pablo Ave. $20 suggested donation. Featuring gospel artist Jonathan Nelson, and many local artists, choirs and groups. Program to benefit people living with HIV/AIDS and local young Brothers of Barack, a mentoring program. Sponsored by Embracing the Dream. Call (510) 978-6470 or (510) 663-7979 ext. 119.

SAN FRANCISCO

Bayview mural dedication and community service

10 a.m. Light gardening at the Quesada community mural site on the 1700 block of Quesada Avenue just west of Third Street.

2 p.m. The "Bayview Is..." mural will be unveiled half a block away at Newhall Street and Bridgeview Drive. Meet the artists, Malik Seneferu and Heidi Hardin, and share refreshments.

Help for veterans

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Help decorate a transitional housing facility for homeless female veterans on Treasure Island. A barbecue for volunteers and program residents will follow. Sponsored by Swords to Plowshares.

Chinatown cleanup

9 a.m. to noon. Cart out trash and obliterate graffiti from Chinatown's alleyways, playgrounds, parks and streets. Meet at Portsmouth Square Plaza, on Kearny Street between Clay and Washington streets. Sponsored by Supervisor David Chiu and the Chinatown Community Development Center.

source:www.sfgate.com