Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Turns 42

[auntiehill]

DON'T PANIC.

Wow, talk about a timely message.. . Well, to be fair, it's generally good advice, no matter what year it is. Yes, "Hitchhiker's Guide" turned 42 this week; oh, how the time does fly. I was just a school kid when I first read this book. I felt like I had discovered some type of really long joke, hidden inside a really fun story, and I was one of the few, privileged people privy to it. Just by reading it, I felt that I was "up to something," and that's a great feeling for any kid.

Over the years, I've gone back to it, read the sequels, seen the series and the film---I still love it: the characters, the social commentary, the dry humor--balancing the dry and sophomoric, the philosophical and the ridiculous. Hubby and I still randomly quote from the book and make each other smile.

So, what does "Hitchhiker's Guide" mean to you?

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I assume we're talking about the radio series being 42, since it came first?

How long have fans been waiting to use 42 as an anniversary number? 42 years I'd guess.

I had the first 4 books many, many years ago. Never did get 'round to reading the last 2.

I had a friend with the original radio series on cassette in the early 80's. Bird people living in the nose of a massive Arthur Dent statue still stands out.

I have the TV series on DVD and ripped to the ol' computer plus the fairly OK movie. They really tried to stay true to the whole concept in the movie.

I always threaten to reprogram my computers "with a very large axe".

I have this particular Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster t-shirt.

 

[RandyS]

I have all the books (that I know of), the 2005 movie, and the 1979 TV series both on DVD. Hands down, my absolute favorite version is the 32 (or 33) episode radio series, which I have on CD and listen to once a year.

I love this series.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

From TRATEOTU (novel), a discussion between Marvin and a battle tank. Marvin convinces the tank to shoot the floor out from beneath itself. "Hell's bells!'' the machine roared as it plummeted fifteen storeys and smashed itself to bits on the ground below."

The entire "scene" is here.

 

[RandyS]

From TRATEOTU, a discussion between Marvin and a battle tank. Marvin convinces the tank to shoot the floor out from beneath itself. "Hell's bells!'' the machine roared as it plummeted fifteen storeys and smashed itself to bits on the ground below."

The entire "scene" is here.

That must be from the book. On the radio series, the tank doesn't say "Hell's Bells", it says "Oh Dear!".

 

[JD]

My first experience with the Hitchhiker's Guide was the movie, which I really enjoyed, and since I've read the first three books, and seen the TV series. I've really enjoyed every version of the story.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I think the radio series is my favorite version.

As for the books...I liked the ones that came before MOSTLY HARMLESS. That's all I'm going to say about that.

I miss the computer game.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

That must be from the book. On the radio series, the tank doesn't say "Hell's Bells", it says "Oh Dear!".

Sorry, fixed it. It is the novel. I remember very little from the original radio series and have never listened to the later radio series'.

So many different things from radio, to book, to TV series. It really is something I should find the time for.

I think the radio series is my favorite version.

As for the books...I liked the ones that came before MOSTLY HARMLESS. That's all I'm going to say about that.

I miss the computer game.

The mid-80's text only computer game in the Zork vein?

"take analgesic"

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

The mid-80's text only computer game in the Zork vein?

"take analgesic"

That's the one!

I have to admit I always cheated when I played that game. I think I had a complete walkthrough before I played my first time. Good thing too, otherwise I'd never have finished it.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

That's the one!

I have to admit I always cheated when I played that game. I think I had a complete walkthrough before I played my first time. Good thing too, otherwise I'd never have finished it.

I had a copy of a copy of a copy...easy to do in the good ol' DOS days. I don't remember if I had printed instructions, maybe something handwritten.

Same with Zorks 1,2 and 3.

 

[Mytran]

I briefly got introduced to Hitch Hikers through a BBC repeat of the TV series in the 1980s, but it was the novels and the audiobook read by Stephen Moore that really cemented my love for the series. Later I caught up with the original radio series and realised what inspired craziness all this had sprung from.

The TV series is still fun to watch now and then.


I watched the movie once.

 

[JD]

They have the TV series on either BritBox or Amazon Prime, and this thread is making want to watch it again. I have BritBox through Amazon Channels, so I have tend to get confused about which shows are from which service.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I bought the box set of the radio series ages ago when I was stationed in Europe. I guess I should finally sit down and listen to them.

I'm a huge fan of all of the original five novels, yes, including Mostly Harmless. I love the TV series although it's been ages since I've watched it. I originally didn't like the film, but it's really grown on me in subsequent viewings and now I love it just as much as the rest of the lot.

 

[StarCruiser]

Listened to the original BBC Radio series on a "Boombox" back in the late '70s while trimming old lady's hedges... Watched the TV series and read the books (got the big collection book still) and watched that last movie (which was somewhat...faulty, but still fun).

 

[RandyS]

Sorry, fixed it. It is the novel. I remember very little from the original radio series and have never listened to the later radio series'.

So many different things from radio, to book, to TV series. It really is something I should find the time for.

All I can tell you is find the time. All versions are good, but the radio series is the best. At least, I think so.

 

[diankra]

Old enough to have come on board sometime during the original run of the first radio series. By Christmas 78 was hooked... and really disappointed we didn't get a new run each year.

 

[JD]

How far into the series do the books and radio series line up? I think I remember reading somewhere that the radio series cover up to the second or third book.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

There are so many different things in each. I mentioned upthread that the original radio series had bird people living in the nose of a huge Arthur Dent statue. I don't think that appeared in any novel (unless it was book 5 or 6).

The TV series was an amalgam of things from the first 2 books, and being only 6 episodes, a pretty quick amalgam.

I like that none of the different medias matched up that well.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

There are so many different things in each. I mentioned upthread that the original radio series had bird people living in the nose of a huge Arthur Dent statue. I don't think that appeared in any novel (unless it was book 5 or 6).

Nope, that was cut out entirely.

Even though I haven't listened to the radio series yet, I know there are large chunks left out of the books, at least in the case of the first two or three books.

I like that none of the different medias matched up that well.

Exactly. When I finally accepted that, I grew to love the film despite or even for its differences.

 

[RandyS]

Nope, that was cut out entirely.

Even though I haven't listened to the radio series yet, I know there are large chunks left out of the books, at least in the case of the first two or three books.

Drop whatever you're doing and go find it. 12 years ago there was a fan website that had all the episodes (except for the ones based on Eon Coffer's book, that hadn't come out yet.) for download. I don't know if it's still there, but it's worth a look.

I can't recommend the radio series enough. Not only will you enjoy the hell out of it you'll probably want to slap me for not recommending it before now.