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Run, Holly, Run!: A Memoir by Holly from 1970s TV Classic "Land of the Lost"
Run, Holly, Run! is the funny, but harrowing true story of former child actress Kathy Coleman--who starred in the hit 1970s show "Land of the Lost." Kathy grew up fatherless in Southern California in the 1960s as the last child in a family of ten children. Her bright smile and blonde curls got her into television commercials at a very young age, and by the time she was 10 she was touring the country and recording as the youngest member of a popular musical group.
Kathy played the role of "Holly" on the 1974-1977 NBC Saturday morning series produced by H.R. Pufnstuf creators Sid and Marty Krofft, featuring state-of-the-art special effects and written by some of the biggest names in literary science fiction. "Land of the Lost" was known for its intelligent scripts and original concepts--from an alternate universe inhabited by dinosaurs, to primate-like Pakuni and lizard creature Sleestaks to dimension-hopping Pylons. It became the most successful Saturday morning program of the decade. When it finished its network run, the show went directly into syndicated reruns that continue to this day. It is this show for which Kathy is most remembered. The book's title--Run, Holly, Run!--is taken from the oft-repeated instructions of her TV brother, Will, played by Wesley Eure.
Run, Holly, Run! details the making of "Land of the Lost" and how the series gave Kathy fame, fun, lifelong friendships, and a positive father figure, while also leading to a few heartaches, troubles, and trauma.
Learn what happened after the series ended!
Kathy played the role of "Holly" on the 1974-1977 NBC Saturday morning series produced by H.R. Pufnstuf creators Sid and Marty Krofft, featuring state-of-the-art special effects and written by some of the biggest names in literary science fiction. "Land of the Lost" was known for its intelligent scripts and original concepts--from an alternate universe inhabited by dinosaurs, to primate-like Pakuni and lizard creature Sleestaks to dimension-hopping Pylons. It became the most successful Saturday morning program of the decade. When it finished its network run, the show went directly into syndicated reruns that continue to this day. It is this show for which Kathy is most remembered. The book's title--Run, Holly, Run!--is taken from the oft-repeated instructions of her TV brother, Will, played by Wesley Eure.
Run, Holly, Run! details the making of "Land of the Lost" and how the series gave Kathy fame, fun, lifelong friendships, and a positive father figure, while also leading to a few heartaches, troubles, and trauma.
Learn what happened after the series ended!
- GenresNonfiction
270 pages, Paperback
Published May 9, 2017
23 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 25, 2020
This is a tricky one: I loved this book, but it was not especially well written (aahhh! Sorry Kathleen- I’m always afraid that authors may see my reviews and I’ll hurt them somehow). I grew up on Land of the Lost. This was a show filmed in a tiny studio that managed to create an entire world. And what a world: the writers (some big names in the sci-fi world) introduced some serious science fiction concepts on this little kids show. This is where my love for science fiction and fantasy began.
That said, I knew I would automatically like this book. I had to buy a paperback copy, for God’s sake- what is this, the Dark Ages? I loved it because I heard great stories about the production of the show. And (even though she had some heavy personal stuff going on), it was fun to read.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a huge amount of LOTL in the book. We all must grow up, and Kathleen grew up to love a crazy life. I burned through it quickly. It was almost as bizarre as LOTL. I ended up feeling incredibly bad for her, even though she survived it all.
I’m not sure someone who wasn’t a fan of LOTL would be at all interested (but then I’m sure most readers are the fans). The narrative was a little jumpy: I wasn’t always clear about the order things were happening. But it was engaging, and I felt like I was talking to a childhood friend who was updating me on her life. That’s where the book succeeds: the love for LOTL came back, and i]t actually made me feel,closer to the show.
That said, I knew I would automatically like this book. I had to buy a paperback copy, for God’s sake- what is this, the Dark Ages? I loved it because I heard great stories about the production of the show. And (even though she had some heavy personal stuff going on), it was fun to read.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a huge amount of LOTL in the book. We all must grow up, and Kathleen grew up to love a crazy life. I burned through it quickly. It was almost as bizarre as LOTL. I ended up feeling incredibly bad for her, even though she survived it all.
I’m not sure someone who wasn’t a fan of LOTL would be at all interested (but then I’m sure most readers are the fans). The narrative was a little jumpy: I wasn’t always clear about the order things were happening. But it was engaging, and I felt like I was talking to a childhood friend who was updating me on her life. That’s where the book succeeds: the love for LOTL came back, and i]t actually made me feel,closer to the show.
September 22, 2018
This is an autobiography about Kathy Coleman who played Holly on the television series Land of the Lost. It covers her early life, how she auditioned for the show and what life was like on the show and then covers the rest of her life.
She had a very hard time of things and she made some pretty bad choices along the way including the choice of her male companions who tended to be emotional and physical abusers. There's a lot of things that go on in relation to that. Still, she manages to pretty bravely fight her way through all these negative events to become a stronger person in the end.
There's also a good bit covering how an actress gets a job, what they go through on the job and whether or not they are fairly treated for all their work. There's also a nice section of photos. Plus, of course, a lot about Land of the Lost which was a series which I personally thought was rather well done.
She had a very hard time of things and she made some pretty bad choices along the way including the choice of her male companions who tended to be emotional and physical abusers. There's a lot of things that go on in relation to that. Still, she manages to pretty bravely fight her way through all these negative events to become a stronger person in the end.
There's also a good bit covering how an actress gets a job, what they go through on the job and whether or not they are fairly treated for all their work. There's also a nice section of photos. Plus, of course, a lot about Land of the Lost which was a series which I personally thought was rather well done.
June 12, 2019
I loved this book. It was written well and I find the story intriguing.
August 6, 2018
I really, really wanted to like this book. Land of the Lost meant to much to me (and still does). I was hoping for more stories about the show.
Well, if you're looking for that, you won't find it in this book. There's one chapter about Land of the Lost and a great epilogue about Spencer Milligan that was probably the most interesting thing in the entire narrative. Unfortunately for the reader, this book is a confused jumble of random events from Ms. Coleman's life. I got so confused throughout the book -- and I still don't understand many of the events shared. It started off reasonably well following Coleman's career in show business, but when she enters adulthood, the narrative becomes a random, twisting tale of various lovers, husbands, and abusive relationships that made me just want to gather her up in my arms, give her a big hug, and drive her to a shelter for battered women.
The book lacks structure for the narrative. I'm glad I read it, but I can't give it more than two stars. Sorry, Kathy. You're a dear person who suffered a lot in life despite your stardom and I'm still a fan of both you and the show but your book needs another edit.
Well, if you're looking for that, you won't find it in this book. There's one chapter about Land of the Lost and a great epilogue about Spencer Milligan that was probably the most interesting thing in the entire narrative. Unfortunately for the reader, this book is a confused jumble of random events from Ms. Coleman's life. I got so confused throughout the book -- and I still don't understand many of the events shared. It started off reasonably well following Coleman's career in show business, but when she enters adulthood, the narrative becomes a random, twisting tale of various lovers, husbands, and abusive relationships that made me just want to gather her up in my arms, give her a big hug, and drive her to a shelter for battered women.
The book lacks structure for the narrative. I'm glad I read it, but I can't give it more than two stars. Sorry, Kathy. You're a dear person who suffered a lot in life despite your stardom and I'm still a fan of both you and the show but your book needs another edit.
March 10, 2022
I had the luxury of meeting Kathleen and Wesley the previous month and let me tell you. She is just like the book. Full of positive energy. I've glance at some of the reviews and I don't think people understand the book was more about Kathleen that includes parts of LOTL but so much more.
If you want to find a book that is solely about that particular Krofft production, then I'm sure there are other books out there. But if you want to know more about the cast and life, then this is the book. The book is more like a conversation between you and her. It really seemed it was a continuation of our chat we had at her convention booth earlier.
The goes from her beginning of acting through her trying times (both good and bad) and comes full circle back to what she is best known for as Holly. There are parts where you really wonder how anyone could deal the things she's endured and yet, come out with that positive vibe. It's a memoir but also a good read for anyone who needs a bit of pep talk without the pressure.
If you want to find a book that is solely about that particular Krofft production, then I'm sure there are other books out there. But if you want to know more about the cast and life, then this is the book. The book is more like a conversation between you and her. It really seemed it was a continuation of our chat we had at her convention booth earlier.
The goes from her beginning of acting through her trying times (both good and bad) and comes full circle back to what she is best known for as Holly. There are parts where you really wonder how anyone could deal the things she's endured and yet, come out with that positive vibe. It's a memoir but also a good read for anyone who needs a bit of pep talk without the pressure.
October 25, 2023
An incredible journey!
Kathleen has lived an incredible life. There happy times and some quite harrowing. But she never gave up and found something to learn out of every situation. This is a great read for anyone, not just fans of the show.
Kathleen has lived an incredible life. There happy times and some quite harrowing. But she never gave up and found something to learn out of every situation. This is a great read for anyone, not just fans of the show.
September 13, 2021
Made me sad.
November 16, 2025
I enjoyed the bits about Land of the Lost since the Krofft Brothers were a huge part of my childhood entertainment. The parts about Coleman's personal life were rough and really made me want to give her a sympathetic hug. I'm amazed she kept an upbeat attitude despite all the hardships she endured although I felt at times it was less true optimism and more a coping mechanism. Coleman definitely sugarcoats her mother's behavior, never mentioning problems without having say they weren't really bad because she loved her mother so much. Her mom wasn't horrible, but one should never depend on their kid to pay the bills.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews