Sci-fi Radio Anthologies?

[Kingsley]

Hi, I've recently been listening to some rather excellent X-Minus-One episodes from the mid-fifties (American, of course) and It made me wonder if there was some sort of British equivalent during the fifties/sixties or even seventies? you know the kind of radio anthology, mysterious stand-alone stories that don't follow on and that court science fiction rather than sodomize it, a la The Twilight Zone. Any ideas?

[Nick Dando]

Whichever radio series, Appointment with Fear from the 1940s or Fear on Four from the 1980s, that was introduced by The Man in Black, whether it was Valentine Dyall or Edward de Souza, might fit the bill.

Nick

[Steve Crook]

Hi, I've recently been listening to some rather excellent X-Minus-One episodes from the mid-fifties (American, of course) and It made me wonder if there was some sort of British equivalent during the fifties/sixties or even seventies? you know the kind of radio anthology, mysterious stand-alone stories that don't follow on and that court science fiction rather than sodomize it, a la The Twilight Zone. Any ideas?

I listened to a lot of radio during the 1950s & 60s. I don't recall any anthologies although there were various SF series that were broadcast, Journey into Space probably being the best remembered. That was quite pure, almost hard-core SF.

There were also a few individual radio plays which had a strong SF element to them

The special effects were cheaper to produce on radio

Steve

[ChuckEddie]

I listened to a lot of radio during the 1950s & 60s. I don't recall any anthologies although there were various SF series that were broadcast, Journey into Space probably being the best remembered. That was quite pure, almost hard-core SF.

There were also a few individual radio plays which had a strong SF element to them

The special effects were cheaper to produce on radio

Steve

You can do wonders with a jug of cold water.

I seem to remember a version of Asimov's Foundation stories on the radio.

[Steve Crook]

I seem to remember a version of Asimov's Foundation stories on the radio.

I would have liked to have heard that. The stories were among my favourites when I was younger.

Steve

[will.15]

http://badassdigest.com/2012/01/05/l...ation-trilogy/

[narabdela]

http://badassdigest.com/2012/01/05/l...ation-trilogy/

Thanks for that! (not sure about the "wonderfully cheesy" bit though.)

Let's not forget Dan Dare.

http://downthetubescomics.blogspot.c...oly-grail.html

[will.15]

It took me a while to jell my memory thanks to the internet, but what I heard was the BBC radio adaptation of Asimov's Caves of Steel which public radio over here broadcast.

[ChuckEddie]

Thanks for that! (not sure about the "wonderfully cheesy" bit though.)

Let's not forget Dan Dare.

http://downthetubescomics.blogspot.c...oly-grail.html

Who?

Thanks for the Foundation link Will, I didn't imagine it then.

[alan french]

Hi,
If you look at the Radio Luxmbourg on BBC thread on Britmovie, you find Earlb refers to his website which contains Dan Dare.

As far as the BBC was concerned, they were justifiably criticised for not mentioning his creator, Frank Hampson, in the credits. When repeated on BBC Radio 7, now Radio 4 Extra, the announcer said, "And now for Frank Hampson's most famous creation..." prior to the recording starting.

Much of what has been said, I go along with. But there was a series of science fiction radio plays, on BBC radio on Saturday nights. Either during the 1970's and 1980's.

The last fresh, but unusual, Quatermass serial THE QUATERMASS MEMOIRS was first broadcast on BBC Radio 3. I believe it had three episodes.

Doctor Who has also appeared on BBC radio every-so-often for many years.

I have a feeling there was something on around tea-time in the 1950's on Sunday nights for awhile on BBC Radio. They also had broadcast THE LOST PLANET during the 1950's.

Superman has also appeared on BBC radio. Both when he had been going for 50 years, and also several years ago.

Alan French.