General Information
Director: Sobey Martin
Writer: Jackson Gillis
Cast: Guy Williams, June Lockhart, Mark Goddard, Marta Kristen, Billy Mumy, Angela Cartwright, Jonathan Harris, Malachi Throne, and Ted Cassidy
Composer: Robert Drasnin
Air Date: 11/9/1966
Production #: 9509
Overview
While inspecting a mineral drill, Will encounters an Arabian space thief (Malachi Throne) searching for a long-lost princess. Shortly thereafter, a towering slave (Ted Cassidy) forms an alliance with Dr. Smith—mistaken for the former master of the slave.
“The Thief from Outer Space” is marred by juvenile humor and one-dimensional antagonists. Science fiction buffs should therefore avoid this offering, which will likely appeal to only the youngest of Lost in Space viewers.
Pros
Child audiences may enjoy the antics of Malachi Throne (Star Trek), Ted Cassidy (The Addams Family), and Jonathan Harris—all dressed like 
characters from the cartoon version of Aladdin.
Additionally worth praising is the climactic sword fight between Professor Robinson and the eponymous thief, which, though brief in duration, showcases the remarkable fencing talents of Guy Williams—known for starring in the Zorro series produced by Disney. (See also: “Follow the Leader” and “Space Destructors”)
Cons
“The Thief from Outer Space” deserves criticism for its stereotypical villains: an abusive, mean-spirited thief and his obsequious slave—neither of whom present the depth, nuance, or credibility to pose a serious threat to the Robinson family.
This episode also suffers from a silly twist ending, where the princess turns out to be a plump and unattractive old woman.
Analysis
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Concluding Comments
Combining space travel with Middle Eastern tropes, “The Thief from Outer Space” benefits from a unique and original concept. Nevertheless, this episode is hampered by fat jokes, cardboard characters, and childish fantasy elements.
Overall Quality: 2/10
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This is my number twenty ranked episode for the classic down home, cozy and fun, colored mid season..my second favorite season of the series, despite its much maligned and unwarranted status.. :-]
Here is a classic, enjoyable and fun story that has really grown on me over the years. The guest stars here are great. The guest incidental background music scores from Robert Drasnin are quite unique for the series, but the score works very well here.
On many of these more fanciful stories like this, one must suspend all logic and chalk it all up as one long ‘dream sequence’ episode. You can enjoy it much easier that way. This cozy story is a good candidate..
It’s hard for me to be objective about this episode. I was watching it on Hulu and yes, I was rolling my eyes at how silly it was. But then when I saw Will having to ride the bike and spin the wheel and jump up on the bellows – I was immediately transported back 40 years ago when I last saw this episode as a kid. And I remember thinking how AWESOME that was. I remember thinking “wow, I really want to do that!” So I am going to through logic out the window and say this is one of my favorite episodes.
I love this one more and more all the time. I watched it two times over the weekend at work. Now THIS is (sort of) classic LOST IN SPACE fare. Although it is not your original classic LOST IN SPACE, taken as a complete separate entity away from any serious B&W Season One science fiction realm, this is a very cozy, enjoyable, well written and likable story.
Interesting to note and interesting trivia is the fact that this was the one and the only episode from middle Season Two written by Jackson Gillis. Not only that, but this was the one and the only episode from middle Season Two directed by Sobey Martin. Those points, plus the fact that “The Thief From Outer Space” has a completely one of a kind guest incidental background music score from guest composer Robert Drasnin, makes this one look and feel very different..
By the way, if you want to add it to the list of cast members, I have seen in various publications write that the uncredited (fat) princess during the ending scenes was played by Maxine Gates..
Above average fare and with well above average production values ( sets and opticals) and a magical soundtrack this episode is PURE fantasy and well excecuted with fabulous performances but having seen so many others from the series (inc ones with Dragons, mini robots and aliens made of bedsheets) what on earth would one expect? Sorry, I truly love this one…..the initial review misses the point by light years…
I very much agree, Richard. This is one of those that has steadily grown on me through the years, and I now find it beloved, cute, enjoyable, sweet and sometimes funny. I actually love everything about it nowadays. I love guest stars Malachi Throne and Ted Cassidy here. I really like the completely one-of-a-kind background incidental music score from Robert Drasnin. Come to think about it, there is really nothing that I do not like about it. Sure, it is not on the close level of a stellar, classic and original premise B&W Season One early episode, but nothing is. But for this fun middle area of the series, it sure works for pure entertainment.. :-]