The Lost World

With the Animal Planet premier of The Real Lost World on December 10, 2006 (see http://www.gryphonproductions.com ) it is time to remember a few things.

The original Lost World was a novel by the creator of Sherlock Holmes. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote this novel, about the search and journey for a lost plateau in South America, in 1912 (first appearing as a serial, then as a book in the same year). The synopsis of the book is straightforward, and has been an inspiration for authors since as it is a classic “boy’s story” of the time, with adventure, some romance and exotic locations.. It was, and still remains, a pivotal piece of what many call cryptofiction now.

The inspiration for Doyle’s work has been likened to expeditions to the Monte Roraima, a plateau that rises approximately 9000 feet in South America. While characters have been linked to real life scientisits from the time period.

The new show takes real life scientists, explorers, researchers and at least one “mystery beast” hunter in a real life repeat of the Doyle trek. How it turns out, what they find, this is something we will all need to watch for. But, when watching, remember the linkage and the heritage to a classic the finctional realm.

But, we have the real life “lost worlds” as well searched for in the early 20th century, and made popular in the newspapers. While sensationalism was prominent, these entries remain classic in-and-of themselves for their stylistic representations and connections to continuing mystery beasts.

Enjoy the opening four (4) snippets from the 1910-1930. There are others out there, look for them, they can be as fascinating as the recent work being done, both on and off the camera.

Craig