Today is Towel Day, the annual rememberance of Douglas Adams and his Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in its multiple incarnations. This article is basically a repost of the ones I posted in previous years, mainly starring the review of the original 1981 television series that also contains a lot of history of the Hitchhiker’s Guide itself. The BBC production was not actually based on the books, but on the radio series and while it might be corny and low-budget over thirty years later, next to the radio play and the movie it remains simply the best and most original incarnation of Douglas Adams’ story. Watch the earth get blown up with Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect making a narrow escape! Vogon poetry reading! Space battles! Two-headed presidents on the run from the law! Listen to Marvin, the depressed robot argue with a smug talking door! All lovingly restored with many interesting extras on DVD from the BBC and even though the release is already over a decade years old, it’s still the best way to watch the series. The 2005 movie incarnation is different, but also a lot of fun and an original take on the Hitchhiker’s Guide in its own right – sadly there was never a sequel. Happy Towel Day!

Continue to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy [1981] Review »
Continue to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy [2005] Review »
Bonus Youtube Douglas Adams Playlist » from the Towel Day posting on my main blog.