TOM CORBETT,
SPACE CADET
Tom
Corbett……………..………………….Frankie Thomas
Astro…………………......……..….…………………Al
Markim
Roger
Manning………….....………………………Jan Merlin
Captain Steve
Strong………………………..Edward Bryce
Dr. Joan
Dale………………...……………Margaret Garland
Commander Arkwright……...…………………Carter
Blake
Cadet Alfie
Higgins………….………..………..John Fiedler
Cadet Eric Raddison……….…………………Frank
Sutton
Cadet T.J.
Thistle……………...………………..Jack Grimes
Announcer…………………………………….Jackson Beck
Technical Advisor: Wiley Ley
Writers:
Albert Aley, Stu Byrnes, Frank
Thomas, Ray Morse, Jack Weinstock & Wiley Gilbert & others
Broadcast History:
October 2, 1950 - December 29, 1950 CBS Mon/Wed/Fri 6:45 - 7:00
PM
January 1, 1951 -
September 26, 1951 ABC Mon/Wed/Fri 6:30 - 6:45 PM
July 1951 -
September 1951 (Summer replacement for Victor Borge)
NBC Saturday's 7:00 - 7:30 PM
August 29, 1953 -
May 22, 1955 Dumont Network, alternate Saturdays
(alternated w/Captain
Video)
December 11, 1954 - June 25, 1955, NBC Saturday Mornings.
Introduction: "Kellogg's Pep, the build up wheat cereal invites you to rocket into the future with:"
Jackson Beck: "TOM CORBETT … SPACE CADET!"
Tom Corbett (Frankie Thomas)" Stand by to raise ship! Blast off minus five
four
three
two
one
ZERO!!!!
Jackson Beck: "As roaring rockets blast off to distant planets and far flung stars, we take you to the age of the conquest of space with … TOM CORBETT … SPACE CADET!!!
First daily program: October 2, 1950
The first episode begins with a
call from Captain Turner to Lt. Pearson at Space Port control.
Turner, aboard the Rocket Scout V-74, has vital information for
Captain Strong regarding the future safety of the Solar
Alliance.
Captain Strong: Michael Harvey;
Lt. Pearson: Dennis Harrison; Captain Turner: Tom Poston.
Directed by George Gould;
Production Supervised by Mort Abrahams; Scripts Supervised by
Albert Aley; Settings by Michael Baronoff; Costumes by Eddie
Taliaferro.
Item in the CHANNEL ONE column of TV Forecast
cover dated August 26, 1950 reads: "More 25th century due to hit
the airwaves this fall: Bob Heinlein's "Space Cadet to give Buck
Rogers competition."
Item in the CHANNEL ONE column of TV Forecast
cover dated October 21, 1950: "...Teen age girls are
swooning over Frankie Thomas, seen as Tom Corbett, Space Cadet
on CBS. Thomas is a former welterweight boxing champ."
Item in the CHANNEL ONE column in TV Forecast cover dated November 18, 1950: "Lauritz Melchior's son, Ib directs "Tom Corbett, Space Cadet.
November 24, 1950: Program notes from Earl (Captain Bijou) Blair.
In this episode The Cadets and Captain Strong, after an emergency launch in the Polaris to pursue space pirates, come across a derelict Solar Guard cruiser, The Orion. Tom and Captain Strong board the sticken ship only to be trapped aboard when the Polaris suddenly pulls away.
Program notes: November 26th, 1950(?): This would have been a Sunday, so the date may be in error.
In this episode, Tom and Commander Strong are trapped aboard a derelict space ship the Orion, and their oxygen is almost exhausted. Can Astro and Roger maneuver the Polaris close enough to save their comrades before they die of suffocation? One of the Pep commercials offers the 16 plastic premium Pep rings which feature cowboys, movie stars, sports figures and jet planes.
This is excerpted from a recent ebay auction by Captain Bijou, who was offering the original 16 mm print of the 15 minute kinescope for sale.
Program notes: December 25, 1950: (Information taken from notes supplied by Earl (Captain Bijou) Blair!
"In this episode, the Cadets and
Captain Strong travel to the Moon in pursuit of an escaped
renegade scientist who has a secret that can prevent the
destruction of Solar City. Kellogg's Corn Flakes commercials.
A quote in Jack Mabley's column on page 18
of TV Forecast for the week of December 23, 1950 reads:
"It's a fair guess that the next big TV rage among the small
fry--replacing the cowboy craze--will be the 25th Century
fantasies, such as Space Cadet. They seem as harmless as
Hopalong. More power to them."
Taken from an article on page 32 of TV Forecast which
reads: "Ever wonder what the estimated weekly coast of producing
a network TV show is? . . . Space Cadet (ABC) $4,000."
NOTICE OF TIME AND CHANNEL
CHANGE beginning January 1, 1951.
Ed. Note:
We should note here that on page 61 of Jean-Noel Bassior's just
released book on Space Patrol
she states "But on October 2, as ABC was considering
Space Patrol for its network line-up, Tom Corbett, Space
Cadet blasted off on CBS. Mike Moser was furious.
Though Corbett focused on the adventures of the cadets at
a Space Academy, he felt that the concept of an interplanetary
peacekeeping force had been lifted from Space Patrol--right down
to the space slang. Somehow, he convinced the network execs at
ABC to share his outrage, pointing out that Corbett must have
been 'stolen' from the show being aired by their very own Los
Angeles affiliate, KECA. With that brilliant move, says Ed
Kemmer, the producer turned a setback into a victory." She
further indicates that a lawsuit was planned against CBS, but
that Corbett switched over to ABC, and it is suggested that they
did so in order to avoid the lawsuit. "... ABC threatened to sue
CBS, so Space Cadet switched to ABC, hoping to avoid the suit."
In an unpublished conversation I had with Frankie Thomas, the
star of TOM CORBETT, SPACE CADET on February 6, 1977, it
was indicated by him that Corbett switched over to ABC because
they had "more affiliates" than CBS. He has repeated this
a number of times through the years in other interviews.
Article on page 32 of TV
Forecast cover dated January 6, 1951 reads:
Life In 2350 AD With Tom Corbett
If you’re tired of life on
this old planet of ours dial channel 7 some Monday, Wednesday or
Friday, and take a jet-look at life in 2350 with Tom Corbett,
Space Cadet. In the 400 years that have passed changes have
taken place that are somewhat startling.
Space ships rocket to the moon, Mars, Venus or
Jupiter as often and as safely as airplanes flew the Atlantic
Ocean in 1950. Astrogators have replace navigators and
nucleonics officers have replaced engineers on these giant
ships, which have built-in gravity gyros so that passengers’ and
crews’ feet stay on the floor no matter where in space the ships
is traveling. The pilots operate such new fangled instruments
as tele-transivers and strato-screens.
Mercury,
smallest planet in the solar system and revolving in its 88-day
orbit around the sun, is one of the few planets still unexplored
by earthmen. But Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Venus are bound
together in a Solar Alliance, and young Corbett, like other
Space Cadets, is preparing to enter the Solar Guard, whose job
it is to maintain universal peace.
War as we know it today no longer exists. Guns have been
outlawed and weapons, the most common of which is the paralo-ray,
are locked away and taken out only when solar expeditions set
out to explore new areas of the universe.
The
paralo-ray doesn’t kill anyone. Its effect is temporary
paralysis.
The new look
in women’s clothes has completely disappeared. Short skirts are
in vogue again and the well-formed feminine knee is back in full
view. Men no longer wear suits. Instead, their everyday
clothes are made in one piece.
Scientists have developed
many new gadgets, among which are light sticks, tubes containing
a material that shines constantly; a ceiling paint that catches
light during the day and illuminates rooms at night; a ray razor
about the size of a pack of cigarettes that flicks the whiskers
off a man’s face; blood pills that help heal the deepest wounds;
and personal telephones worn on belts with which a person can
dial a call to anyone anywhere on a planet.
Best of all the inventions for the younger fry is
the study machine. All a user must do is to clamp a spool
containing the subject he or she wants to learn, slip a pair of
head phones over the ears, turn a knob and go to bed and sleep.
By morning, it’s guaranteed that the user will bet an “A” in the
subject no matter how difficult the test.
Please don’t
call Andover 3-7800 to order the study machine. Delivery is not
guaranteed.
from page 32 of TV Forecast cover dated March 10, 1951 we've have extracted the following information: "Ever wonder what the estimated weekly cost of producing a network TV show is? ... Space Cadet (ABC) $4,000.
Listing for April 30, 1951: The Space Race, dramatic climax of the annual Space Academy tournament, becomes a race against death.
Listing for May 28, 1951: An urgent call from Captain Strong orders the cadets to Earth because a lingering death is in space.
Listing for June 18, 1951:
A horde of
Venusian insects threatens the cadets in the jungles of Venus.
From the CHANNEL ONE column of
TV Forecast cover dated June 16, 1951: "Kellogg cereal is
made at Ralston-Purina. The former sponsors "Space Cadet" and
the later has just signed for "Space Patrol." Kellogg says the
public will get confused. Popping cracklies at 20 paces?"
Listing for June 25, 1951: Back at Space Academy after their adventure on Mars the crew starts summer maneuvers with orders edged in black.
Listing for July 2, 1951: The rocket crew takes a desperate chance on a Jupiter landing when the ships servo-gyro conks out.
Listing for July 9, 1951: Tom Corbett makes an emergency landing on Jupiter, and the cadets find themselves in dire peril as they are beset by mysterious elements of the planet.
from TV Forecast cover dated July 14, 1951
Science-Fiction has always played an important role in juvenile literature and since the turn of the century from the days of “Tom Swift” up to the present with new magazines, comic books and motion pictures, it has sky-rocketed to a position where it has lost some of the juvenile identity, and has mass appeal for the grown-ups. The originators of “Tom Corbett, Space Cadet” realize this and decided that a science-fiction feature based on a solid foundation of romantic adventure and education in science offered an opportunity for a new and exciting type of television program. ¶The creation of a TV show based on speculation about the future, posed many problems. The guideposts were a sense of responsibility to the audience-children and their parents, and adherence to decent human standards. The principles automatically follow: good drama, scientific validity and sound pedagogy. These lead in turn to the creation of “real” and understandable characters, an exciting storyline and much research. The adventure series is set in the year 2351 A.D. with accents on the accuracy of the scientific material used. The production staff works closely with the Hayden Planetarium, and have gathered a collection of the largest science-fiction library in New York. ¶ The Space Cadets are students at Space Academy—the interplanetary West Point of the future. They are training to become Solar Guards, protectors of the peace of the universe. From a political aspect 2351 A.D. has become an age of internal, international and interplanetary diplomacy where wars and the use of destructive weapons are outlawed. ¶ It is also the age of conquest of space, the century of interplanetary flight and solar exploration. The Space Cadets bridge the void of outer space by manning the rocket cruisers and brave the dangers of cosmic infinity in defending the liberties of the planets and safeguarding the freedom and peace of space. The cadets are members of the Solar Alliance—the council of the universe, consisting of Mars, Venus and Earth. The Age of Reason has been reached and peace reigns throughout the universe. Of course there are antagonists but they come from space itself—asteroids, meteors, the cosmic diseases, etc. ¶ The cadets in addition to their “laboratory classes” into outer space also have an intense curriculum of studies such as Astrogation, Neucleonics, Interplanetary Law, Extraterrestial Biology, Planetary Culture, Motivational Psychology, Space Medicine, etc. ¶ However, as this is an advanced mechanical as well as cultural age, the Cadets are aided in their studies by the use of the study machine—a spool of tape containing the subject matter for the course of study set into a machine. The student can retire for sleeping, clamp earphones on and while he is in the arms of “Morpheus” education is poured into and retained by the brain. ¶ While the cast of “Tom Corbett, Space Cadet” is not large, Frankie Thomas, star of stage and screen plays Tom Corbett, and has also written some of the scripts containing sound scientific principles; Jan Merlin plays Roger Manning; Astro, the Venusian, is portrayed by youthful radio and TV actor Al Markim, and Captain Strong, Dr. Joan Dale and Commander Arkwright are played by Edward Bryce, Margaret Garland, and Carter Blake respectively; the big problem was getting a studio where special effects and special props could be utilized. This was no easy problem and it took weeks before the producers found one to their liking. ¶ It is a special studio used solely for the production of the show and utilization of 18,000 square feet of space for the various sets of Space Cadets, combination of cameras which reverse their scan (upside-down images), for the “free-fall” sequences, scene docks, prop rooms, and dressing rooms. Each camera shot is first drawn on paper and carefully examined for its effect. Copies of cues are given to the technical supervisor, audio man, record man, floor manager, associate director, etc. Camera moves and boom moves are plotted on a scale drawing of the studio. With close cooperation and intense planning it has been found that only two hours are required for camera rehearsal—including dress. ¶ “Tom Corbett, Space Cadet” is presented thrice weekly over ABC-TV by the Kellogg Company of Battle Creek, Michigan.
Listing for July 16, 1951: Jupiter releases its fury on a small group of spacemen after an emergency landing.
from Minneapolis TV Times dated July 28, 1951:
When Frankie Thomas, star of the science-fiction adventure series, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, was a navigator in the Merchant Marine he never imagined in his wildest dreams that shortly after getting out of service he would be plotting a course for rocket ships. (KSPTV 5, Saturday 5:00 P.M.; WTCN-TV 4, Monday-Wednesday-Friday 5:00 P.M.) ¶ While at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, King’s Point, N.Y., Frankie met another cadet named Ray Morse and they began writing as well as studying together. As navigators their duties took them to various parts of the globe. Back in the states in 1945 the boys teamed up again and now write a great many of the scripts used on the program. Their interest in planetary and outer spacial matters began during their days in service. “You get a little moon-struck after you’ve been looking through sextants at the stars for so long,” is the way Frankie puts it. ¶ Their interest in the program is so intense that the boys practically live and act as if they were living in the year 2351 A.D.—the show’s period time. The young men believe that it wouldn’t be too bad living in that period, because politically, 2351 A.D. is an age of diplomacy where wars and the use of destructive weapons are outlawed. ¶ Frankie portrays “Tom Corbett, Space Cadet” in the series, he and the other cadets attending Space Academy, the West Point of the future. The cadets are trained to become Solar Guards and protectors of the peace of the universe. The year 2341 A.D. is the age of conquest of space, the century of interplanetary flight and solar exploration, when the cadets man rocket ships to safeguard freedom and peace. ¶ Another reason the boys like living in the future is that 2351 A.D. is not merely a mechanized version of 1951—medicine, psychology and physics have made giant strides. Gadgets have advanced also, a ray razor gives a quick clean shave. There are special teleceiver transmitters for visual communication; the cadets wear belt communicators that reach anywhere on a planet; and they use light sticks (the future flashlights), which need no batteries and never wear out. There are blood pills that heal the deepest wounds and there is a study machine—a spool of tape that contains the subject matter for a source of study. A student can then crawl into bed, clamp the earphones on, and while asleep education is pored into his head. ¶ The year 2351 A.D. also has a slang of its own. “Space station” is an airport, “blast off” means scram, “you’re full of space gas”—hot air, “Blow our jets”—blow our tops, “let’s blow up some meteor dust”—paint the town red, “jet bus”—space ship, and “cut your jets”—lay off. ¶ At least four days a week Frankie realizes he’s living in 1951—not 2351 A.D. After he travels through space as Tom Corbett, he is rudely brought back to date when he leaves the studio. Instead of taking a space ship to reach home, he boards a subway train.
Listing for July 30, 1951: This weeks episode deals with a man helplessly adrift in space.
Listing for August 6, 1951: The discovery of gold in the year 2351 A.D.
Listing for August 20, 1951: Trapped by Mercurians in their jet boat, the cadets are haled before the Mercurian commander for questioning.
Listing for August 27, 1951: Cadets Harvey and Rattison discover a hot clue to the missing Polaris crew, but black-hooded Mercurians are aware of their every move.
Listing for September 3, 1951: A strange cryptic message intercepted at a Solar Guard Station offers a glimmer of hope that the Polaris and its crew may still be found.
Listing for September 10, 1951: Tom Corbett and his pals write finish to the amazing story of the Asteroid of Gold, but the tale of the 24K star almost writes finish to Captain Strong in this weeks story.
Listing for September 17, 1951: Tom Corbett and his pals blast off from Earth for the last assignment of summer maneuvers into an atmosphere steaming with trouble.
Listing for September 21, 1951: The crew of the Polaris learn about the new body jet motor when disaster threatens.
Listing for October 8, 1951: "Lowly Earthworm", cadet Higgins, saves Roger Manning from freezing to death.
Listing for October 15, 1951: The cadets are searching for a new planet that can support human life.
Listing for Friday, October 19, 1951: Landing on a new planet, the crew of the Polaris find themselves on a world that is 100 million years younger than Earth. They become lost in a vast jungle, confronted by monsters (Dinosaurs?), with no escape left open to them.
Listing for October 22, 1951: The Polaris crew has landed on a green planet never before visited by the human race.
Listing for Friday, October 26, 1951: "Operation Starlight", the greatest undertaking ever launched by The Space Academy, has been successfully completed, and the Cadets guide the Polaris though Earth's atmosphere for a landing.
Listing for October 29, 1951: The cadets are trapped by a herd of prehistoric dinosaurs in a dense jungle.
Listing for October 31, 1951: The Polaris bucks and lurches off course as a mechanical failure threatens disaster.
Listing for November 12, 1951: A mishap in space looks suspiciously like something more than an accident.
Listing for November 19, 1951: Things look bad for Captain Strong when he bungles another mission for Commander Arkwright.
Listing for Friday, November 23, 1951: The cadets frantically search for the jet-boat carrying the fugitive Captain Wynn after it disappears in a Venusian cloud bank. He is captured near a Venusian lake and returned to Space Academy by the cadets.
Listing Friday, November 30, 1951 For the first time in the history of the Space Academy a woman has been assigned to command an Academy rocket ship. Doctor Joan Dale, research scientist, takes command of the Polaris on a flight to the moon.
Listing for December 3, 1951: Tom and his pals go fishing in space for evidence to clear their skipper, Captain Strong.
Listing for December 17, 1951: On a routine inspection tour of Lunar Base, Cadets Corbett, Manning, Astro and their new skipper, Dr. Joan Dale, face disaster 1,000 feet under the surface of the moon.
Listing Friday, December 21, 1951 Fledglings take off on a routine flight only to plunge the Polaris into disaster.
Listing Monday, December 24, 1951: “Floating Miracle”?
Listing Monday, December 31, 1951 Death and disaster loom on the south polar cap of Mars for Captain Strong and Cadet Tom Corbett.
Listing for January 7, 1952: A treacherous crash landing on the snowbound South Polar Cap of Mars threatens the crew of the crippled Polaris.
Listing for January 14, 1952: A million-ton avalanche of snow roars down on the crew of the Spaceship Orion as the cadets search for missing crewman Fields.
Listing for January 28, 1952: The cadets are caught right in the middle of a jail break. On page 8 of TV Forecast cover dated January 26, 1952, Tom Corbett is rated the 3rd best in the WESTERN & ADVENTURE category behind Hopalong Cassidy and the Lone Ranger.
Listing for February 18, 1952: Roger Manning, held as a hostage by a trio of criminals, has a close brush with death.
February 22, 1952:
(This information is from 16 mm print sold on Ebay)
Story about an asteroid and a
gang's flight to it. Includes cast commercial.
Listing for March 3, 1952: The opening of interplanetary history's first space highway from Earth to Titan.
Listing Monday, March 10, 1952 The Polaris crew find their new skipper's a stickler for discipline. Tom, Astro and Roger, already confined to their quarters, discover their new skipper has additional disciplinary measures up his sleeve. and/or The Polaris crew, confined to their quarters, discover that their new skipper has additional disciplinary measures up his sleeve.
From the Channel One column of TV Forecast cover dated March 29, 1952: Those fearless outer world heroes Captain Video and Space Cadet are in competition again. Both have signed with RCA Victor for kiddie-slanted recordings which some smarties have labeled "space disks".
Listing for March 31, 1952: Searching for clues in the mail ship robbery leads Tom into an ice cave on the dark side of Mercury, where he's trapped in an ice slide.
Listing for April 2, 1952: The cadets get a chance to do a months school work in 48 hours, and pass a rigid examination if they are to be included in Commander Arkwright's crack cadet unit.
Listing for Friday April 4, 1952: Five crack cadet units are to be chosen for a history-making adventure to Alpha Centauri.
Listing for April 14, 1952: The lives of the Polaris crew are threatened by a fire that breaks out while enroute to Tara.
Listing Monday, April 28, 1952 A rescue mission by Tom Corbett and Captain Steve Strong to secure the release of Cadet Higgins from the speechless Giants of Tara is hampered by the sudden eruption of a nearby volcano.
LISTING Monday June 16, 1952 The Polaris is on Summer maneuvers when it's ordered on an emergency trip to Venus. A reporter, along on his first trip as an observer, who tries to run the ship and pulls the wrong switch causing the cadets more trouble than they bargained for.
Listing Monday, July 14, 1952 A routine flight enroute to Earth becomes a battle for survival for cadets Tom Corbett and Roger Manning.
Listing Monday, August 16, 1952 Astro has been left to guard the Polaris but he disobeys orders to take after the smugglers.
Listing for September 26, 1952
"Election"
by Al Rimes
(the last Daily program on ABC)sponsored
by Kellogg's Corn Flakes (15 minutes)
Cast: Frank Thomas, Al Markim,
Jan Merlin, Edward Bryce, Margaret Garland and John Fiedler.
Synopsis: This episode starts off with
Roger battling for his life to survive an infection of Titan
Fever. Only a new, untested serum administered by Dr. Joan Dale
can possibly save him. Then, news of the election of Class
Representatives to the Student Council by the Cadets is
announced. The revealing of the winner is quite a surprise --
and may result in severe hardships on the Polaris unit and
others.
The story ends with the boys
blasting off into space on a mysterious voyage, with Captain
Strong only willing to tell them that they're going "farther
than they've ever gone before".
NOT LISTED week of
September 29, 1952:
TOM CORBETT, SPACE CADET “Adventure
Time With Bob Atcher” listed in this time slot
in Chicago..
This show has gone on hiatus.
From the
Channel One
column of TV Forecast
cover dated October 11, 1952: Televiewer howls are loud and
angry over the dropping of a few favorite TV programs which
suffered for lack of a sponsor. Biggest yelps concern the fading
from the video scene of “Mr Peepers,”
“One Man’s Family” and “Tom Corbett, Space Cadet.”
Each has sure-fire appeal but as yet no prospective sponsors has
snapped any of them up. ...
Ed
Note:
My feeling is that Kellogg’s the
sponsor for Tom Corbett, Space Cadet dropped the show
because they began sponsoring the new SUPERMAN show on
the same channel, and they felt that they couldn’t afford to do
both shows.
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
The Following episodes are available on video tapes, and were recently viewed. The exact play dates are not known at this time, but I suspect that they are from the 1951 or 1952 season.
"The Space Pirates of Ganymede"
(title tentative/playdate
unknown) (Wednesday)
STARRING: Frankie Thomas, Jan
Merlin, Al Markim CAST: Edward S. Bryce, Margaret Garland.
Synopsis: Aboard the rocket
cruiser Polaris, Captain Strong and Astro stand watch over Tom
who may be on the verge of dying. Cadet Manning tries to
contact Dr. Joan Dale on the Hydra. Dr. Dale answers and
reports that she is being followed by another spaceship. The
Polaris enters a cosmic dust storm which causing the lighting
power supply to conk out.
SPONSOR: Kelloggs Pep
PREMIUM OFFER: Picture rings.
A ROCKILL PRODUCTION Directed
by George Gould, Production Supervised by Mort Abrahams
"The Space Pirates of
Ganymede"
(Friday)
Starring: Thomas, Merlin, Markim,
Bryce, Garland
Synopsis: In a race to save Dr.
Joan Dale from Space Pirates, the Polaris enters a violent storm
of interstellar space dust. The Pirates board the unarmed Hydra
and their leader, Jim Masters confronts Dr. Dale who recognizes
him as being a former Space Cadet. Masters reactivates the
Hydra's tracer beam to lure the Polaris into a trap. Captain
Strong and Roger Manning prepare to board the Hydra unaware of
Masters trap.
SPONSOR: Kelloggs Pep PREMIUM
OFFER: 16 different picture rings (does not include
space cadet issues).
"The Space Pirates of
Ganymede"
(Monday)
CAST: Thomas, Merlin, Markim,
Bryce, Garland.
Synopsis:
Captain Strong and Cadet Manning board the apparantly deserted
Hydra, and Masters springs his trap. Master disguises his voice
and orders the Polaris back to Earth. Aboard the pirate ship
Dr. Erickson tells Captain Strong and Dr. Dale that Masters has
an ally on Earth in a very high position at Space Academy. Tom
Corbett becomes suspicious and turns the Polaris around to chase
after the Pirates. Cadet Manning has a fight with Captain
Strong and decides to join the Space Pirates.
SPONSOR: Kelloggs Pep.
Production credits same as above.
"The Space Pirates of
Ganymede"
(Wednesday)
CAST: Thomas, Merlin, Markim,
Bryce, Garland
Synopsis:
The Pirate ship lands on Ganymede at a large base of operations
with more than six spaceships. Jim Masters gives Roger Manning
a tour of the base and relates some of his plans. A call comes
through that one of the prisoners (Dr. Erickson) has been
killed. Tom Corbett lands the Polars as far as he can from the
pirate base so that he will not be detected. Masters relates to Roger about the death of a hero:
a hero named Manning who got the Solar Medal of Honor
posthumously for saving the life of a young space cadet named --
Jim Masters. When Masters leaves to take care of the guard that
killed Dr. Erickson, Manning receives a message that two
intruders have been spotted. Manning tells the observer, who
thinks he's talking to Masters, that he'll handle it himself.
SPONSOR: Kelloggs Pep.
Production Credits same as above.
"The Space Pirates of
Ganymede"
(Friday)
Synopsis:
Jim Masters orders Roger Manning to "dispose" of Captain Strong
and Dr. Joan Dale. Before Manning leaves Masters office he sets
the Atomic Reactors on overload. Manning tries to turn his
blaster on Masters, only to find that it will not fire. Tom
Corbett and Astro come on the scene, paralyze Masters and with
Captain Strong and Dr. Dale flee from the pirate base before the
overloaded reactor can explode. Manning requests that he be
allowed to carry Masters to the Polaris, but instead neutralizes
the Paraloray Fun effect and tries to bean Masters in hand to
hand combat. Manning loses in an unfair fight but Corbett
returns for Manning and the pair race to the Polaris hoping to
avoid the explosion.
SPONSOR: Kelloggs Pep PREMIUM
OFFER: Pep rings
Production Credits same as
above.
"The Space Pirates of
Ganymede"
(Monday)
Synopsis:
Tom Corbett and Captain Strong return to the Polaris carrying
the injured Roger Manning. As Dr. Joan Dale prepares to raise
ship she notices that one of the Pirate ships has also escaped
from after the atomic explosion. The Polaris pursues the lone
Pirate survivor to the asteroid belt where the Pirate rocket
cruiser turns and closes in on the Polaris for a final
showdown. Roger requests that he man the guns against the
larger attacking ship. The Pirates score several direct hits.
The charge in the protective Ion Barrier (shields) begins to
deteriorate, but the Polaris launches its atomic torpedoes in a
last ditch effort to subdue the pirate ship.
WEDNESDAY: THE MOON RAY
SPONSOR: Kelloggs Pep
Production credits same as above
THE SPACE CADET PLEDGE
"I solemnly swear to uphold the constitution of the Solar Alliance, to defend the liberties of the planets, to safeguard the freedom of Space and uphold the cause of peace throughout the Universe. To this end, I dedicate my life!"
THE SPACE CADET SONG
From the rocket fields of the
Academy
To the Far flung stars of outer space
We are space cadets training to be
Ready for dangers we may face.
We are space cadets, and we are proud to
say
Our fight for right will never cease.
Like a cosmic ray, we light the way,
For Inter-planet peace!
Up in the sky, rocketing
past,
Higher than high, faster
than fast,
Out into space, into the sun
Look at her go when we give
her the gun.
From the rocket fields of the Academy…
Composer: Henry Sylvern
Ref:
www.classicthemes.com