Hitch hikers guide to the Galexy

Watching it today I was reminded in several places of HHGTTG. As the film preceded it by a few years I wonder how much it influenced the story, or at least the way it was produced on Radio and TV. Then again, apparently the gestation of HHGTTG started long before the film so maybe they both owe their style to the times?

I have always believed in the kindness of strangers