It appears to have taken the 1959 film, Journey to the Center of the Earth, as its starting point rather than Jules Verne's original 1864 novel; e.g., including the character of Count Sacknussem and Gertrude the duck. However, it moved even further away from Verne's novel than the 1959 film did.[2]
Long ago, a lone explorer named Arne Sacknussem made a fantastic descent to the fabled lost kingdom of Atlantis at the Earth's core. After many centuries, his trail was discovered: first by me, Professor Oliver Lindenbrook, my niece Cindy, student Alec McEwen, our guide Lars and his duck Gertrude. But we were not alone. The evil Count Sacknussem, last descendant of the once noble Sacknussem family, had followed us... to claim the center of the Earth for his power-mad schemes. He ordered his brute-like servant, Torg, to destroy our party. But the plan backfired, sealing the entrance forever. And so, for us, began a desperate race to the Earth's core... to learn the secret of the way back. This is the story of our new journey to the center of the Earth!
Episodes
Nº
Title
Written by
Original air date
1
"Arena of Fear"
Ralph Goodman
September 9, 1967 (1967-09-09)
After the explorers help out a seemingly fearsome beast, it turns out to be benign. Later, they discover it's been captured along with other creatures and Lindenbrook by a gigantic caveman. This caveman releases the beasts to chase after Lindenbrook, but the man-beast remembers Lindenbrook's act of kindness, and saves him.
2
"Caveman Captives"
Bill Keenan
September 16, 1967 (1967-09-16)
Lars injures his arm fighting a Pterodactyl. Lars and Cindy are also separated from the Professor and Alec, who are captured by a tribe of prehistoric cavemen.
3
"The Creative World"
Ken Sobol
September 23, 1967 (1967-09-23)
Alec is captured by Wolf Men who have aligned themselves with Count Sacknussem. While the Professor attempts a rescue, Lars and Cindy team up with the Wolf Men’s enemies who are descendants of the ancient Druids.
4
"Creatures of the Swamp"
Ken Sobol
September 30, 1967 (1967-09-30)
Lars is captured by a primitive tribe, and imprisoned underwater. The rest of the expedition get help from another tribe, but before long Alec, Count Sacknussem, and Torg are captured by the enemy as well.
5
"The Doomed Island"
Ken Sobol
October 7, 1967 (1967-10-07)
When their boat is attacked by creatures that are half human and half spider, Lindenbrook and company end up on a magnetic island. Alec and Cindy are put inside a water-filled crater, while Lindenbrook and Lars are forced to build a boat for the tribe that inhabits the island. Note: Count Sacknussem and Torg do not appear in this episode.
Chief Hok of the Frozen Furies is chipping ice from Norway's underground glaciers. Lindenbrook intends to stop the Furies' drilling sound devices to save the surface world. Note: This is the second and final episode from which Count Sacknussem and Torg are absent.
7
"The Labyrinth Builders"
Fred Halliday
October 21, 1967 (1967-10-21)
A race of beelike humanoids capture Lindenbrook, Lars, Cindy, and Torg, and imprison them in a giant hive, intending to cook them alive with heated honey. Alec, Gertrude, and Count Sacknussem team up to rescue them.
8
"Land of the Dead"
Ken Sobol
October 28, 1967 (1967-10-28)
After getting caught in a whirlpool, Alec ends up in the Land of the Dead, where he is separated from the others.
9
"The Living City"
Ken Sobol
November 4, 1967 (1967-11-04)
Crossing an underground desert in a makeshift sand boat, the travelers come upon a deserted city where some controlling presence pits all the insects, statues and even a group of mummies against them.
10
"The Living Totems"
Marshall Williams and Kenneth Rotcop
November 11, 1967 (1967-11-11)
The explorers encounter the Living Totems, which are angry about a stolen diamond and believe all humans are only capable of violence.
11
"Moths of Doom"
Ken Sobol
November 18, 1967 (1967-11-18)
Lindenbrook, Lars, Sacknussem and Torg find themselves put in jail by "The Controllers" while passing through a land filled with insects.
12
"Ocean of Destruction"
Ken Sobol
November 25, 1967 (1967-11-25)
Crossing a dry ocean bed, Lindenbrook and company find various lost ships (including The Flying Dutchman) that are crewed by Frog People who act and dress like pirates.
13
"Perils of Volcano Island"
Larry Goldman Based on a story by: Barry Gaines
December 2, 1967 (1967-12-02)
Near the volcanic Destruction Canyon, the Lindenbrook expedition finds a map by Arne Sacknussem. Alec, Cindy, and Gertrude are hit by a strange petrifying gas and Count Sacknussem takes them hostage to trade for the map.
14
"Return of Gulliver"
Ken Sobol
December 9, 1967 (1967-12-09)
The Land of Giants is the setting of a war between the Giants and the Lilliputians from across the river.
15
"Revenge of the Fossils"
Ken Sobol
December 16, 1967 (1967-12-16)
Lindenbrook inadvertently brings the fossils of the Earth’s first civilization back to life with fire. The fossil beings intend to rule the world themselves, in spite of Sacknussem attempting to enslave them.
16
"Sleeping Slaves of Zeerah"
Donald R. Christensen
December 23, 1967 (1967-12-23)
Captured by Zeerah's soldiers, the Lindenbrook party is taken before the sorceress Queen Mortia. Professor Lindenbrook tries to convince her that he has his own magic powers.
17
"Trail of Gold"
Ken Sobol
December 30, 1967 (1967-12-30)
Professor Lindenbrook and his friends have finally found the golden city of Atlantis and their way back to the surface world - or so it seems.
Series credits
Directed By Hal Sutherland
Co-Directed By Norm McCabe, Lou Zukor
Production Designer: Don Christensen
Layout: Wes Herschensohn, Marilee Heyer, Ken Hultgren, Ray Jacobs, Mel Keefer, Dan Noonan
Backgrounds: Venetia Epler, Martin Forte, Jack Healey, Ted Littlefield, Lorraine Morgan, Paul Xander
Animators: Bob Bransford, Clark Davis, Otto Feuer, Ed Friedman, George Grandpre, Bill Hajee, Bob Kirk, Clarke Mallery, Jack Ozark, Amby Paliwoda, Virgil Raddatz, Lenn Redman, Len Rogers, Virgil Ross, Herb Rothwill, Bob Trochim, Xenia
Ink and Paint Supervisor: Martha Buckley
Assistant Ink and Paint Supervisor: Betty Brooks
Animation Check: Ruth Craig, Renee Henning, Barbara Koponen, Ann Oliphant, Jane Philippi, Marion Turk