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PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll
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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
LOST IN THE BRONX
“Oy the pain.” Jonathan Charasuchin would moan when his mother gave boarders his room, relegating him to sleep on dining room chairs.
“Quit your kvetching,” his mother would say. “We need the money.”
His sympathetic father introduced him to opera on the radio and took him to Yiddish theater productions.
The boy fell in love with the stage and dreamed of someday becoming an actor. Diligently he worked on losing his thick Bronx accent, imitating British film stars.
Forty years later, Jonathan Harris delighted Lost in Space fans with quips like “You bobble-headed booby” and “Oh the pain. The pain.”
***
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Again, clever lady. You’ve teached (sic) us something!
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Dear Trish,
It’s what I love to do. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Danger, Rochelle Wisoff
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Warning, Neil MacDonald.
Shalom,
Rochelle 😉
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Your historical fiction is always illuminating and heart-warming! ♥
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Dear Joy,
You’ve brightened my early morning. Thank you for such a sweet comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Although not a fan of “Lost in Space” on TV, I agree Jonathan Harris was a good actor. This was a lovely tribute to him. I learned a lot from the additional information you gave. He was quite an accomplished person. Good writing, Rochelle. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
I used to watch “Lost in Space” but must admit when it became all about Dr. Smith and the robot, I lost interest. However, I’m a You Tube junkie where a person can find all sorts of biographies and behind the scenes interviews. That’s how I learned what a fascinating person Mr. Harris was. I still can’t imagine him sounding like a street kid in the Bronx.
Thank you for reading and leaving such a nice comment as always.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Having been such a total ’60’s obsesso all me lifetime, I really enjoy finding out about these kinds of things
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Dear Larry,
I share that obsession and geek out when I find these behind the scene nuggets. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Got to love those days of innocent television. Nowadays, he’d have been asked to be dark and brooding tortured soul and swear a lot! Illuminating as always Rochelle.
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Dear Iain,
Dr. Smith actually started as a dark villain, but Jonathan Harris knew if he played it that way his days onscreen were numbered. Clever man totally stole that show, didn’t he? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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When you illustrate other personalities it is good to see into another world.
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Thank you, Mike. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Once again the television references pass me by.
But presented with your usual style, m’lady.
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Dear CE,
What can I say? That box of electronic circuits and tubes shaped my childhood. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I knew who it was going to be from that very first line, but still a great story. One of the most interesting characters of all time…
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Dear Trent,
Jonathan Harris was the personification of the self-made man, wasn’t he? Fascinating indeed. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He was quite the character actor. Portraying a hated villain one moment and the next making you feel sorry for him. Good job.
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Dear Jan,
He was pretty clever. He figured out early on that if he portrayed Dr. Smith as a straight villain, his days on the show were numbered. Instead he stole the show. 😉 He and the robot. Thanks m’luv.
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He was a great actor. I like his resonant voice. You evoke it well.
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Dear Josh,
He worked hard at that voice. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As a kid, I used to get so mad at Dr. Smith when he held Will in front of him as a shield between himself and the danger. His character brought that show to life! If it wasn’t for him and The Robot it would have fizzled. Nice highlight of an unsung hero of early TV.
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Dear Lisa,
Mr. Harris himself said that he had to make the character somewhat likable or he would’ve surely been killed off after the first few episodes. He was brilliant. I used to get mad at him, too. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I loved the expressiveness of his face. Yes he was. You’re welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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I wasn’t watching much television during the years in which he was well-known, but I do remember friends using his “Oh, the pain!” line. What I really like about Mr. Harris is his incredible strength of character, working so hard to achieve what he did; and that he was married only once! Remarkable!
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Dear Linda,
Ever notice how you don’t really hear much about the personal lives of celebrities who’ve been married to the same spouse for years? They’re just not tabloid material. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There are exceptions, like Jimmy Stewart. But you’re right. The tragedy is what sells.
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From Jonathan Charasuchin to the memorable “Dr. Smith” – what a determined journey! I didn’t watch the show when I was kid, but my husband did and showed me some episodes that stood out. And I would have sworn he was British through and through! He stands out as one of the great character actors. It takes skill to play off a robot 🙂
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Dear Dora,
I love the way he worked so hard to lose the Bronx accent He said he studied British B movies and decided that’s how he needed to sound. Thank for the read and the great comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Not familiar with the actor or the series, but that didn’t stop me enjoying your story as always. Thank you.
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Dear Sandra,
I’m pleased the story came through. 😀 That’s what it’s all about, after all. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I don’t think I’ve ever seen the original Lost In Space. I’ve watched the Netflix revival. It’s eh. The first season was way better than the second. None of which has anything to do with your story.
I bet he got picked on all day every day for that pseudo-English accent in the Bronx. He got the last laugh though.
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Dear Nobbin,
According to the documentary I watched, he started working in his diction, copying British B movies, when he was in high school. He didn’t have a lot of friends, but it is where he met his wife.
I’ve never seen the Netflix revival of Lost in Space. I’ll stick with the original. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Maybe I should try that. I have a pretty fake British accent.
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Rochelle,
Have you thought of putting all these little history lessons into a book…”World History in 100 Words” or “History Bites”?
Shalom,
Ronda
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Dear Ronda,
Perhaps I will one of these days. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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‘Bobble-headed booby’ – love it!
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The man had a knack, didn’t he, Liz?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hard work can get you anywhere – even outer space it would seem! Nice story, Rochelle.
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Dear Penny,
Mr. Harris definitely had the drive and the willingness to work for his dream. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The name I knew, but little else. I’m really surprised with what I’ve just learned!
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Dear Keith,
Always happy to fling a little knowledge your way. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, another bit of history well told in 100-words. Thank you.
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Dear Lish,
I’m such a geek when it comes to celebrity bios. Love to find those little known nuggets. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m so glad you do.
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this reminds me of the time i arrived in new york. for months, i slept in the dining room of my cousin’s apartment in brooklyn. those were the days. i made it in my own little way somehow. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
I’m sure you have your own story to tell. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Must say that I’ve never seen Lost in Space… but it’s always good to know that at least part of dreams can come true.
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Dear Björn,
That’s the great thing about this man. He decided early on what he wanted and never strayed from his goal. 😀 Thank you for reading.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good old Dr. Smith. I used to love to hate him!
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Dear Paula Sue,
Therein lay his charm. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Warning, Warning! Oh, I loved this Rochelle! I used to watch Lost in Space as a kid and Dr. Smith was quite the character.
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Dear Sue,
Lost in Space was fun and sometimes silly. Dr. Smith and robot made a great comedy team. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hey Rochelle,
Wonderful. Oh, the many things I learn just reading your stories.
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
What a lovely thing to say. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh Rochelle you are good! I am slightly too young to have seen Lost in Space when it aired for the first time, but I do remember watching when I was a nipper, brilliant stuff as ever.
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Dear Shrawley,
Although the special effects were slim to none, the characters were timeless. Especially Dr. Smith and the robot. Never fear. Smith is here!.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Though not a fan of Lost in Space (not dissing it, just never watched it), I do love how you bring these people to life.
Shalom and no-pain love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I watched it to a point. It’s one of those shows I lost interest in as seemed to get sillier as it went. 😉 Thank you for the compliment.
Shalom and lotsa no-warning hugs,
Rochelle
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Ahhh… I do have trouble with overly silly shows.
😊
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Bit different from the more recent Lost in Space on Netflix! I love how you give dimension to people we take as faces on screen.
J
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Dear Jen,
I’ve never seen the Netflix version. At any rate, I love sussing out the humanity of celebs. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My twin sister and I watched all the episodes and they were very entertaining! They were fun to watch!
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Dear Nan,
They were good clean fun, weren’t they? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful! I never really watched the show and wouldn’t have known his name if you’d hit me over the head with it, but I love this story!
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Dear Sascha,
Thank you for such a high compliment. 😀 You made me smile.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderfully written – love this one!
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Thank you, Jeanne. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I enjoy your “humble beginning” stories! Lost in Space was one of my favorite shows. I have good memories of watching it with my brothers who loved all things sci-fi. A winner of a story as always, Rochelle.
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Dear Brenda,
I love finding out about the person behind the celebrity. I’m pleased to know you enjoy it, too. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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From watching him in Lost in Space as a kid I actually assumed he was British!
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Dear Ali,
Now that’s high praise to Mr. Harris who worked so hard on his persona. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I wondered where “oh the pain” came from. I know the expression (it’s one I use) but the origins are well before my time. What a mark he left on the world!
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Dear Tanille,
According to Jonathan Harris in an interview “oh the pain” came from a day on the set when he was having actual back problems. He said it and it became part of his character. 😀 He did leave an indelible mark.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting…. It’s fascinating how things come to be.
Thanks Rochelle
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I didn’t think I knew the person that the story was about but then I watched the footage and realised he was actually really familiar. Great backstory, thank you.
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Dear Siobhan,
Lost in Space reruns have been around for a long time, haven’t they? 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, anotheŕ good tale of early life. Well done, Rochelle
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Thank you, Laurie. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice one Rochelle. Brings back memories. I watched reruns of that show as a kid and the devious Dr Smith. There is a new version on Netflix with a female Dr Smith and the special effects are superb. And yet there is a charm to the old one which still makes it watchable.
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Dear Subroto,
I’ve never seen the Netflix version of Lost in Space. I don’t think I could bear a different Dr. Smith. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I truly enjoy reading your stories whether they be fiction or not. I always learn something profound. Thanks for another great story, Rochelle 🙂
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Dear Adele,
As you can see, I’m playing catch-up. Thank you for such a lovely comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome, Rochelle 🙂
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What a fascinating story! Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you, Anne. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved watching Lost in Space!! Danger Will Robinson Danger!! You never knew whether to hate Dr. Smith or just feel sorry for him. LOL!
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Dear Courtney,
It’s lovely to see you here. Jonathan Harris knew what he was doing when he made him a more sympathetic character, didn’t he? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I know… I haven’t been around much lately. I’m sorry. I’m going to try to be better! ❤
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😀
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