Captain Video
Daily
Episodes
The daily show premiered June 27th, 1949, and for obvious
reasons there is not a lot of information on the early
shows. We have picked up what information we could from
various TV magazines published throughout the country, and
have tried to be as accurate as possible -- occasionally we
have had to rely on guess work; for instance shows west of
the Mississippi usually ran two weeks after the original
east coast presentations, thanks to kinescopes, and most
times when we were able to compare program descriptions from
two different area they locked exactly into place -- but not
always, so you can appreciate our dilemma. It
should be noted here that several Richard Coogan episodes, and at least
one Al Hodge episode have shown up in recent years -- at least two of
which were found in with Al Hodge's personal effects shortly after he died.
If we can ever find out exact play dates for these episodes will list a
little more information. It is also rumored that at least 19
episodes are in the vaults of the station that Gene Autry owned in San
Diego, and that some (if not all) of these episodes may now be in the
University of California, L.A. archives.
1950 episode (date unknown)
Captain Video travels to the planet Terson with an offer of peace
-- but they've got a most unpleasant welcome planned. Meanwhile,
Dr. Pauli unveils a new invention and plots against Captain Video.
This episode is currently available on Video!
1950 episode (date unknown)
Dr. Pauli is in league with evil warlord Su Jing Sing, and Captain
Video thinks he has the link to Pauli's whereabouts when Black Dick
Connolly is apprehended.
This episode is currently available on Video.
LISTED: Week of June 5, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
*First Chicago Broadcast. Ad from WGN-TV opposite listing reads:
"You won't want to miss a single exciting adventure as Captain Video
uses his opticon scillometer and cosmic vibrator to combat the evil
forces of Hing Foo Sung and the sinister electronics wizard, Dr. Pauli.
Watch tonight."
LISTED: Week of June 12, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan plays the electronic scientist who sees the
world thru his scanning device. Ranger Don Hastings picks up
scenes for Capt. to survey.
Article Reprinted from TV Forecast week of
June 10, 1950
Electronic Age of Captain Video
Fascinating adults as well as
youngsters is WGN-TV's new television feature "Captain Video," a look
into the future based on the stories of James L. Caddigan
Fantastic and sometimes bewildering, the daily adventures of
Captain V are created to satisfy the desire of teenagers for a serial
based on the marvels of the electronic age.
"Captain Video," played by Richard Coogan, is an electronic
scientist who is the TV counterpart of Superman or Flash Gordon.
He's the boss of the group of clean-shaven and energetic enforcers of
the law who have to cope alternately with the machinations of one Hing
Foo Sung, the "wily Oriental," and the sinister electronic wizard," Dr.
Pauli.
The program is a triumph of carpentry and wiring, and the
entire action takes place primarily in the headquarters of the Video
Rangers -- a room equipped with flashing bulbs, micro-phones, panels,
dials, telephones which have been given names that come from electronic
double talk.
One device is the Opticon Scillometer which takes its name from
Greek roots meaning "farsighted" and give the Captain the power to see
through anything. The Static Beam discharges electricity at one
touch of a special button
Richard Coogan is easily the most adaptable member in Actors
Equity. When he finishes with Captain Video and electronics he
goes over to "Diamond Lil" on Broadway and plays opposite Mae West.
He is well known in radio for such roles as "Ellery Queen" in the
Mystery Series and "Abie" in "Abie's Irish Rose."
Don Hastings plays the Video Ranger, 15 year old St. Albans
schoolboy, who presides over a Screen or Scanning Device which surveys
the world for the Captain. Bram Nossen is Doctor Pauli, who uses
his mastery of strange gadgets for his own evil purposes. Henry
Norrel as Hing Foo Sung is the master mind of the Walking Death which
will send any and all to oblivion.
"Captain Video," though, just to be on the safe side, does get
involved in situations which require riding horses and the shooting of
guns. The series is produced especially for the modern-minded
youngsters who are seeking adventure in front of the family television
set.
*Editors Note: This article appears on page 6 of TV Forecast.
Curiously it pictures Hal Conklin as Dr. Pauli, though Bran Nossen is
mentioned in the article. Also this article must have been based
on a Press Release, as it has been printed in other local issues of TV
magazines, such as TV Guide, from the New York/East Coast area.
JoeSarno
** In order to help researchers get "the flavor" of the programs
mentioned in our guides, we will reprint articles whenever possible
through our logbooks.
JoeSarno
LISTED: Week of June 19, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Adventure serial featuring Richard Coogan as Captain Video, a
super scientific genius, and Don Hastings as the Video Ranger..
Scanning device help them see the world in a minute.
LISTED: Week of June 26, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Adventure serial featuring Richard Coogan Don Hastings as
they seek world's lawbreakers.
LISTED: Week of July 3, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Adventure series starring Richard Coogan & Don Hastings on the
trail of another villain bent on doing harm. Pocket radio enables him
to get in touch with all agents.
LISTED: Week of July 10, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan as the electronic scientist who sees the world
thru his scanning device.
LISTED: Week of July 17, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Adventure serial featuring Richard Coogan and Don Hastings.
LISTED: Week of July 24, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Adventure serial featuring Richard Coogan and Don Hastings. As
Captain Video uses many of his own inventions to catch evil doers.
LISTED: Week of July 31, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan as Captain Video and Don Hastings as the Video
Ranger, seek to overcome evil in a super scientific world.
LISTED: Week of August 7, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan as Captain Video and Don Hastings as the Video
Ranger. Adventure tale involving the intricacies of inter-planet
communications and government. Based on the stories of James L. Caddigan.
*Ed note: This is the first mention of
"inter-planet" in this series.
LISTED: Week of August 14, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan stars as Captain Video with Don Hastings as the
Video Ranger. Adventure stories in a world of super-sonic inventions.
Cathode guns prove useful to Captain Video and his rangers.
LISTED: Week of August 21, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan stars as Captain Video with Don Hastings as the
Video Ranger. Exciting adventure with Captain Video and his Video
Rangers as they fight for America.
LISTED: Week of August 28, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan stars as Captain Video with Don Hastings as the
Video Ranger. Super scientific genius puts his inventions to good use
LISTED: Week of September 4, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan stars as Captain Video with Don
Hastings as the Video Ranger. High adventure in a super scientific
world
LISTED: Week of September 11, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan stars as Captain Video with Don
Hastings as the Video Ranger. High adventure in a super scientific
world
LISTED: Week of September 18, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan stars as Captain Video with Don
Hastings as the Video Ranger.
LISTED: Week of September 25, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan stars as Captain Video with Don
Hastings as the Video Ranger.
LISTED: Week of October 2, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan stars as Captain Video with Don
Hastings as the Video Ranger.
LISTED: Week of October 9, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan stars as Captain Video with Don
Hastings as the Video Ranger.
LISTED: Week of October 16, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan stars as Captain Video with Don
Hastings as the Video Ranger.
LISTED: Week of October 23, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan stars as Captain Video with Don
Hastings as the Video Ranger.
LISTED: Week of October 30, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan stars as Captain Video with Don
Hastings as the Video Ranger.
LISTED: Week of November 6, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan stars as Captain Video with Don
Hastings as the Video Ranger.
LISTED: Week of November 13, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan stars as Captain Video with Don
Hastings as the Video Ranger.
LISTED: Week of November 20, 1950 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan stars as Captain Video with Don
Hastings as the Video Ranger.
LISTED: Week of November 27, 1950: 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan stars as Captain Video with Don
Hastings as the Video Ranger.
LISTED: Week of December 4, 1950: 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan stars as Captain Video with Don
Hastings as the Video Ranger.
LISTED: Week of December 11, 1950: 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Richard Coogan stars as Captain Video with Don
Hastings as the Video Ranger.
LISTED: Week of December 18, 195O 6:00 - 6:30 CST
Al Hodge takes over the roll of Captain Video! Ed
Note: TV Forecast issue dated February
4, 1950 has the following on page 5, in the CHANNEL ONE column:
". . . Al Hodge, formerly the Green Hornet (on old fashioned radio) is
raring to go on video . . ."
LISTED: Week of December 25, 1950: 6:00 - 6:30
CST
Al Hodge stars as Captain Video with Don Hastings as the Video
Ranger
On Wednesday December 27, 1950 TV Forecast in Chicago lists "Code of
Honor" II. This may be a reference to the B-Western part of the
program, a 1930 film.
The first issue of the Captain Video comic book from Fawcett
probably appeared sometime this month. The issue is dated
February 1951, but as comics usually where dated two months ahead (in
order to get longer shelf-life) at this time, it is save to say that
the first issue probably came out sometime during the month of
December 1950.
It should be noted here
that the first issue of the Captain Video comic cover dated February
1951 probably appeared during the month of December. Comics were
generally post dated a couple of months in the 1950's, probably to give
them a longer shelf life.
LISTED: Week of January 1, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30
CST
Al Hodge stars as Captain Video with Don Hastings as the Video
Ranger
LISTED: Week of January 8, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30
CST
Al Hodge stars as Captain Video with Don Hastings as the Video
Ranger
LISTED: Week of January 15, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30
CST
Al Hodge stars as Captain Video with Don Hastings as the Video
Ranger
LISTED:
Week of January 22, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
Scientific adventures featuring Al Hodge as Captain Video and
Don Hastings as the Video Ranger.
The following is quoted from a
letter on page 3 of TV Forecast cover dated June 20, 1951: I am a Capt.
Video fan, so would you please tell me what happened to Richard Coogan
the man who played the part?
Chicago, Ill. Miss Loretta Schultz
Ed Note: He was sent on a dangerous mission according to station
officials. Frankly we think it was a neat way of firing him.
LISTED:
Week of January 29, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
LISTED: Week of February 5, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
LISTED: Week of February 12, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
LISTED:
Week of February 19, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
LISTED:
Week of February 26, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
LISTED:
Week of March 5,, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
LISTED:
Week of March 12, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
LISTED:
Week of March 19, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
The following is quoted from Jack
Mabley's The Last Word column on page 38 of TV Forecast
dated March 17, 1951: DEAR BOSS: ¶ And they say Capt. Video is a kid's
show? ¶Well, dear Alan Stroner who lives out Wheaton way wrote and
asked me just what is a "Shadow length." Hoping to help the child we
took pen in hand and wrote our friends at DuMont TV for the answer. ¶
Now hold on--here it is: ¶ "Explaining a shadow length, as used on
Captain Video, is very simple for us electronic wizards here at DuMont.
A shadow length is 1/100th of a light year. As you know, light
travels at the rate of 186,000 miles per second. A light year is
the distance light travels at that speed for 365 days. To figure
mileage in a shadow length is very simple. Multiply 186,000 by 60
(60 seconds per minute) by 60 (60 minutes per hour) by 24 (hours per
day) by 3.65 1/100th of the days in the year. ¶ That isn't all.
They continue--"Therefore, if you are traveling at the speed of light
for a shadow length, you would have traversed the distance of
3,519,052,-6, 000 miles. Of course what with meteors, minor planets,
cosmic dust, comets and other miscellaneous interplanetary obstacles,
your distance may be cut down somewhat." ¶DuMont want you and all the
kiddies to know, however, that nothing deters Captain Video. ...
LISTED:
Week of March 26, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
LISTED:
Week of April 2, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
LISTED:
Week of April 9, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
LISTED:
Week of April 16, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
From Channel One
column of TV Forecast cover dated April 14, 1951: Captain Video
has already passed the 500 mark on consecutive shows, if anyone should
lean out of a rocket and ask you. . . .
An article on Captain Video in Philadelphia's TV Digest cover
dated April 194, 1951 entitled CAPTAIN VIDEO * Fantastic master of
time and space concludes as follows: The perilous adventures of
Captain Video have been wowing the younger set for many a moon.
The forces of good, represented by Captain Video and his video rangers,
and the forces of evil with arch-villain Dr. Pauli at the helm, have
been battling in all corners of the world, to say nothing of various
points in "outer space." ¶ With Dr. Pauli constantly coming forward
with amazing combat devices, Captain Video is hard put to keep a step
ahead. ¶ Nonetheless our hero has been coming through with resourceful
weapons like a radio small enough to fit into the palm of the hand, the
"cosmic ray vibrator," which makes an evil-doer shake until exhausted,
and the "thermoid ejector," which discharges infra-red thermal
currents. There are others, but let's not make them public and
give Dr. Pauli the jump--shall we?
LISTED:
Week of April 22, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
LISTED:
Week of April 29, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
From the Channel One column
of TV Forecast cover dated April 28, 1951: . . . Al Hodge, who
stars as "Captain Video" was a track star in college days. . . . From
Chub McCarthy's column, same date: Sudden thought: Don't you think it's
time Capt. Video caught that nasty Dr. Pauli?
LISTED:
Week of May 7, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
LISTED:
Week of May 14, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
LISTED:
Week of May 21, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
LISTED:
Week of May 28, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
LISTED:
Week of June 4, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
LISTED:
Week of June 11, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
LISTED:
Week of June 18, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
LISTED:
Week of June 25, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
LISTED:
Week of July 2, 1951: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. CST
Article on page 22 of TV Forecast issue dated
June 30, 1951 entitled:
Sunday
School and TV Mix— By UNCLE HERBIE
From electronic wizard and fantastic master of space to
quiet Sunday School teaching is one of the most startling
transformations. Yet Al Hodge, who plays the fearless futuristic
scientist, Captain Video, on WGN-TV, channel 9, accomplishes this feat
each weekend as he calmly lays aside his electronic weapons and turns
to teaching Sunday School at the Manhasset (Long Island) Congregational
church. ¶ The handsome actor, who stars on one of television’s most
popular juvenile programs, conducts a Junior Church for seventh and
eight grade Sunday School every Sabbath at 11:00 a.m. Al delivers a
short sermon and then delves into Bible study. ¶ Since his appointment
as Sunday School Superintendent at Manhasset, attendance has jumped
tremendously, “Every week, without fail,” Al remarks, “I see several
new faces in class. At the end of each session, I notice that the
newcomers are taken aside by the regular pupils, who carefully point
{to} me and in hushed whispers reveal that I am Captain Video himself.
I no longer am Mr. Hodge but a figure from the future. ¶ “However, the
identification does have a very good aspect. At least three times
weekly on the Captain Video show, we deliver short messages to our
youthful listeners. We stress the Golden Rule, tolerance, honesty and
personal integrity. We try during the week, to bring across what we
teach on Sundays. As a matter of fact, the Scriptures are our
inspiration. At Sunday School, we augment what we say during the week
and help provide a broader and more spiritual feeling.” ¶ Al is also
the assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 292 in Manhasset. He
dabbles in photography with a 35mm color camera and is proud of his
ability to work leather into various original designs. ¶ Wherever he
goes, there is always a contingent of youthful admirers who ask for
autographs or who just stand at a distance and admire him. His own
children, however, are his severest critics. “When I get home from the
show each night,” Al notes, “I go to the kitchen, first thing. There
is a blackboard there and my youngsters write their comments about each
performance. It usually is a sharp criticism of what I did or did not
do in a particular situation during the program. However, anything
that I do to my adversary, the villainous Dr. Pauli, is all right with
them.” ¶ Al likes television very much and he has a keen interest and
takes very seriously his role of “Captain Video.” “I feel that the role
plays an integral part in instilling fair play, honesty and integrity
in the minds of children. Imaginative young children need this kind of
direction and they get it from what parents tell me. Also the
scientific tenor of the program will help make these children more at
ease in a world that is becoming increasingly technical and
scientific.”
July 16, 1951
Captain Video sets out to capture an evil genius named
Balgar, Third Lord of the Three of Ceres, who is behind the
disappearance of Earth's outstanding scientist.
August 13, 1951: THE POWER OF LEONIS
Captain Video, in his relentless search for new space
horizons, has landed on Torion, and is immediately frozen
into an immobile state by the mental powers of the people
there. He is taken to the planet's ruler who frees him on
the condition he live out the rest of his life on
Torion.
*****The New York TV Guide for
August 24, 1951 has an interesting article entitled "Captain Video's
Strange Styles" on page 21 which I've never seen reprinted any where
else. The article includes four pictures of actors in
costume: "These duck-like creatures", "Sybilcan, dressed as a medieval
duchess", "Jupiter's ruler meets a Neptune Man", and "A pair of
fashionably-attired Moon citizens".
September 3, 1951: THE SPACE HAWK
Captain Video and the Video Ranger must stop the notorious
Space Hawk and his incompetent Martian assistant Clumsy
McGee who have set up base on a world where violence is
outlawed and the inhabitants intend to keep that way.
September 17, 1951
Dr. Pauli journeys to the Planet 1-X-7 where he plans to
harness the most destructive force in the universe from
plans found in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic tablets.
October 1, 1951
Captain Video battles the evil Dr. Kodiak for control of the
dark side of the moon.
December 3, 1951
The ruler of the planet Metispherous seeks Captain Video's
help when his worlds oceans inexplicably start to overrun
their world.
December 19, 1951
On the ocean floor Captain Video faces death at the hands of
the sinister Clysmok, ruler of Marine City.
From page 21 of Baltimore/Washington,
D.C. TV GUIDE cover dated “Through December
27, 1951”.My Most Memorable
Christmas Recollections by THREE
DUMONT STARS. Al Hodge,
Captain Video. Dumont. M-F 7 p.m.:
My most
memorable Christmas was last year. I’d just taken over the role of
Captain Video ten days before it was a pretty hectic holiday for
me—getting used to learning all those lines, rehearsing all day and
doing the show, and trying to have a Christmas for my wife and children
at home at the same time. I’m afraid they didn’t see much of me.
¶
I was away from the family Christmas Eve, too, because Don Hastings,
the Video Ranger, and myself made a guest appearance on Ed Sullivan’s
Show. On Christmas Day I got back to my home in Manhasset, L.I. after
the program to find only the residue—wrappings and toys and boxes—the
house was really upset. I remember saying: Well, it looks as if
everyone had a happy Christmas.” ¶ In spite of the fact that I couldn’t
spend much time with my own children, I found it wonderful being
Captain Video to kids from coast to coast that day, and in a way,
bringing to them the real Christmas message of “Good will toward men”—a
message we can bring to them throughout the year—that good triumphs
over evil.
January 14, 1952
Captain Video is asked to investigate the disappearance of
large quantities of bolarium, the rarest mineral in the
galaxy.
January 28, 1952
A research scientist shows Captain Video a medical
breakthrough in which he is able to cure many diseases by
using the worthless by-products of nuclear fission.
February 4, 1952
Captain Video and the Ranger face off against Professor
Locke, a man seeking revenge on the Captain and who does not
care how many innocent lives its costs.
The following article was part of a cover story
published in TV Forecast on February 9, 1952 entitled
"OUT OF THIS WORLD" GUY
“YA LOUSY space rat!” ¶
Anxious parents, upon hearing this snappy bit of dialogue, often rivet
themselves to a living room chair to find out what curiosity their
precious tots are watching now. They soon find that it is Captain
Video in the process of dispatching one of his arch-enemies from outer
space. ¶ During the flying saucer craze a few years back, “Captain
Video” was launched on TV in nice timing with the science-fiction
market. It has since held its large kiddy audience in a state of
suspended hysteria. School, meals and sleep are only window dressing
around the day’s highpoint. That is the half-hour around dinnertime
when Dr. Pauli, public bad-penny number one, locks horns with the good
Captain. ¶ A combination of Einstein and Flash Gordon, Captain Video
is one of the shiniest heroes to appear on the scene since Frank
Merriwell. He is the 21st century’s private eye, on hire to
the universe. ¶ The part of
Captain Video is played by Al Hodge, an old radio hand. Any adventure
fan will tell you that Al used to be the “Green Hornet.” Al has also
been the stern-voiced hero type in many other shows. “Mr. District
Attorney,” “Gangbusters,” and “Mr. Keene” have all employed his talent
for smoking out enemies of the law. ¶ Al is a graduate of Miami
University in Oxford, Ohio. Playing staunch and wholesome characters
seems to be a profitable profession. He now owns an ample tract of land
and a home in Manhasset, Long Island, that untypical American community
inhabited by practically nothing but out-of-work millionaires. ¶
Captain Video’s favorite hangout is a cozy little laboratory located
in a mountain cave. It’s whereabouts is known only to the Captain and
his trusted aide, the Video Ranger. Don Hastings plays that part, and
is identified as a 16-year-old student at one of the swanky eastern
prep schools. ¶ To quell the forces of evil, Captain Video has a
formidable array of handy gadgets, all of which he invented himself.
One of his favorites is the Cosmic Vibrator, which when turned on the
enemy, shakes them senseless. They are then clapped in irons in the
nearest space prison. ¶ Such doings as this are frequently alarming to
the younger set. Halfway through the show, the scene changes to wild
west, which still seems to be wild in the 21st century. By
employing good old-fashioned cowboy movies, all the kids are
satisfied, and for a few minutes the imagination gets a rest. Baffled
adults having cowboy movies thrust upon them in the middle of the 21st
century, have been known to leave the room muttering to themselves. But
the kids take it all in stride. ¶ Writer E. M. Brock, who has
scripted the show from the start, has an endless list of gimmicks which
keep the show from repeating itself. One of the characters was the
infamous Oriental, Hing Foo Sung, who made walking specters out of
folks by means of a radioactive potion he slipped into their milk.
¶ Of course the number one nemesis is
the sinister Dr. Pauli, who gives the Captain a perennial bad time.
The unkindly doc has as much electronic information as the Captain, but
is bent on using it the wrong way. The doctor just isn’t a nice guy.
And Captain Video has his hands full foiling the doctor’s schemes for
taking over the universe. ¶ Captain Video’s one weakness is his
softheartedness. He just can’t kill a man. It would seem like a good
idea to send Dr. Pauli to his grave, but the captain just sends him to
prison. And naturally with Dr. Pauli’s superior resources he soon
escapes to plague the universe once more. ¶ Among the handy
weapons the Captain employs are the obticon scillometer, the remote
carrier beam, the atomic rifle, the solenoid assentuator and the atomic
collection screen. This last device, a sort of television in reverse,
is especially useful as it helps the Captain to keep an eye on
evildoings all over the universe. As soon as he spots trouble, he hops
into his space ship and is soon on the spot. Makes it tough for those
space rats.¶ The fancy gymnastics required of the Captain make
ex-college trackman Hodge a natural for the part. His big bony frame
is employed almost daily in daring jumps onto vacant planets and
asteroids. Quite a switch for a guy who once actually aspired to play
Shakespeare. ¶ One of these days Captain Video with the aid of his
Video Ranger and his friends on Saturn and Mars, will have this
universal mess cleaned up. Will writer Brock then dream up new
universes for the Captain to conquer. ¶ Captain Video is seen
Monday through Friday on
channel 9 at 6:00 p.m.
An article entitled “And a couple of
interesting CARLS” appeared in New York’s TV Guide cover dated week
of February 8, 1952 reads in part: CARL
KING host of the excellent series of
unusual film shorts, King’s Crossroads … was born in Atlanta,
July 30, 1921. … Currently, King’s other TV jobs are doing the
commercials (as a “Commercial Ranger” on Captain Video two or
three times a week, and—for Camels—on Your Show of Shows and
Man Against Crime.
February 18, 1952: IN THE CLUTCHES OF THE KLAW
Strange lights and weird noises are used by the Klaw to
kidnap Captain Video's friends and abandon them on
Mercury.
March 3, 1952: SHIPWRECKED
While transporting passengers to the colony for
rehabilitated criminals on Ganymede, the X-9 and Captain
Video crashes on an asteroid, and the ship is damaged beyond
repair.
March 24, 1952 "Birth of the Galaxy" by George
Lothour
What starts out to be a routine flight in Captain
Video's official new rocket, The Galaxy, becomes the most
dangerous, deadly mission in the Captain's career. A new
comet is discovered to be on collision course with Pluto and
members of the crew mutiny, hindering his efforts to destroy
the comet.
April 7, 1952
Captain Video and the Video Ranger start off on a new series of
adventures in a newer and larger spaceship than the one that was
demolished. The adventure starts out as a routine training trip
but turns into an exploration trip to a new comet.
April 21, 1952: OPERATION MICROMAIL by George Lothour
Captain Video and the Ranger run into gangsters who want
to stop them from setting up an interplanetary micromail
system between Earth and the outer planets.
May 12, 1952
On a mission to rescue a scientist lost in the
asteroids, Captain Video ends up battling the notorious
space pirate Gunther on the barbaric asteroid Plutonia.
May 16, 1952: OPERATION VENUS
The solar Council sends Captain Video to Venus in order
to squash a rebellion by transformed native Venusians which
could start a space war.
June 23, 1952
Tryouts for the first Olympic rocket meet is history.
Contestants include: Jet Johnson, Skrag & Johnny Bascom,
Clyde Hogan and Luna.
July 7, 1952: SPACE RACE
Twenty five spaceships compete in a race to determine
who will get to represent the North American Federation in
the upcoming Interplanetary Olympic.
July 28, 1952
A mission to a barren planet to rescue a pair of
marooned space travelers takes a turn for the worse when
Captain Video is captured by Amberlin, the head of the
Cosmic Crime syndicate, who has been using that planet as a
base of operations.
August 25, 1952:THE THREAT OF THE ROGUE WORLD
Captain Video must deal with a wandering magnetic planet
which has become a threat to space travel due to the
magnetic meteors it spews out into space.
September 22, 1952: GREEN KING
A mission to explore Iona, one of Jupiter's moons, leads
Captain Video to the discovery of a strange race of half
human half planet creatures that worship an intelligent
plant.
October 17, 1952
The Captain and the Rangers reveal the long lost John
Smith.
From the Letters to the
Editor column on page 46 of TV Forecast cover dated October
18, 1952: I would like to say something about “Captain Video”. I wish
they’d do something about that program. I like science fiction but
when people start talking to plants! Well, I don’t know what those
writers are up to. Captain Video has always been a pretty silly program
but this last chapter tops ‘em all.
Chicago, Ill. DOLORES
BRESTIC
October 20, 1952
A mysterious man known only as John Smith is Captain
Video's only link to a destructive ghost that destroyed a
pair of transport ships.
November 17, 1952 "Spartak"
Spartak, an arrogant youth from the mysterious Black
Planet manages to disrupt a ranger cadet training trip to
Venus led by Captain Video. Spartak is played by Grant
Sullivan.
December 22, 1952
Captain Video escorts a transport ship of colonists to
an uninhabited planet that they hope to colonize, only to
find that the planet is inhabited by hostile beings.
*1952 "Dark Empire" by Jack Vance
Exact play dates not known.
*1953 "A Bottle from Space" by Jack Vance
Exact playdates not known.
January 12, 1953 "Spartak Returns" by Bryce Walton
Rookie Ranger Craig helps defeat Prince Spartak who has
returned with Princes Aurura on a supposedly peaceful
mission which in reality is a reconnaissance mission for an
invasion of the Earth's moon. Ranger Craig: Gerraine
Raphael. Spartak: Grant Sullivan
January 19, 1953
The Argos and The Galaxy are bound for Earth when a
mysterious call from space causes them to change course.
January 23, 1953
Captain Video investigates the strange behavior of the Video
Ranger.
February 6, 1953
A duel of wits takes place between John (who has an
electric brain) and Captain Video.
February 9, 1953
Captain Video is on a secret planet at the end of
nowhere.
February 16, 1953
Featuring Grant Sullivan as Spartak.
February 23, 1953
A star ship, aimed at Earth, runs into a meteor and the radio and
radar are cut.
From Article on page 24
& 25 of the February 28, 1953 issue of Pittsburgh's TV Digest:
MOVE OVER, Don Hastings! Video Ranger Has a New Bobby-sox
Rival in Grant Sullivan’s Prince Spartak The space ship that
jets Captain Video into the interplanetary regions of the
unknown is carrying an awful lot of bobby-sox bait these days. Until
very recently, Video Ranger Don Hastings had that clientele pretty well
sewed up. It was his exclusively. Now all of a sudden he has a
rival. ¶ Time was when Don received about three times as much fan mail
as the rest of the cast combined. Then the new boy came along, 190
pounds of him, six foot four, with blonde wavy hair and a soft,
caressing voice. ¶ On Captain Video, Grant Sullivan, more
familiarly known as Prince Spartak, was rude, arrogant, snobbish,
anti-social, intolerant and ruthless. But the girls loved him.
Hundreds of letters poured in after his initial appearance; they ran
into the thousands when the sequence ended and dismayed viewers
discovered that Spartak had left the show. ¶ With another avalanche of
mail before her, Olga Druce, who produces Captain Video, decided
the once impossible Spartak was too good to be left on his Black Planet
home. A product of the planet’s totalitarian rule, Spartak has
gradually been imbued with democratic beliefs since he first
materialized last November. Now a permanent member of the Captain Video
cast, he’s currently faced with the problem of how to teach democracy
to others on the Black Planet. ¶ Grant Sullivan had good training for
racing through space in rocket-ships. He used to spend a lot of his
time zooming around the West Coast in racing cars. But all the time,
the handsome 29-year-old ex-Californian had one eye on the theater, for
he had fallen in love with it even as a boy. ¶ Lack of ready
cash, the ancient bugaboo of most young stage hopefuls, and a call from
the service put a damper on his plans, but he continued to pursue his
ambition after four years in the Navy as a meteorologist. Still in need
of funds for an invasion of Broadway, however, Grant took to driving
stock, midget and big racing cars during the evening, after a day of
working as a telephone lineman. ¶ The budding actor entered a total of
148 races and in 1950, with the money saved from his winnings, headed
for New York. After a series of stock company roles, he landed one on
Broadway in the revival of the George Gershwin-George S. Kaufman-Morrie
Ryskind Pulitzer Prize musical, Of Thee I Sing. It was in this
show that the television casting directors first became aware of him. ¶
Don Hastings can salvage some comfort, at least, from the sudden
emergence of a new rival. The bobby-soxers may still dream about him.
With Grant Sullivan, it will have to be a case of unrequited love, for
he’s a very happily married man. ¶ While appearing in Of Thee I Sing,
he met a young lady named Mary Samuel and romance resulted. In June,
1951, they tied the knot. Miss Samuel, incidentally, was better known
at the time as Maxine, the featured contralto of Phil Spitalny’s Hour
of Charm All-Girl Orchestra. ¶ The character of Prince Spartak, by the
way, illustrates how a program like Captain Video can provide
more than merely excitement. Spartak’s realization that the ways of
democracy are an improvement over the only kind of government he has
ever known is an excellent example to the small fry and teaches them,
better than any amount of lecturing, the lessons of personal freedom
and the privileges of a free world. ¶ During high school, Grant played
football, and his favorite pastimes are still outdoor sports, golf and
water skiing in particular. But these days he’s pretty busy for
athletics. Too much to do on the Black Planet, getting the people to be
good citizens.
March 2, 1953
Captain Video must change the course of a huge alien
starship which is traveling at a third of the speed of light
on a collision course with Earth.
March 9, 1953
Captain Video strives to save the giant starship on which he
and his friends have landed.
Week of March 16, 1953: THE QUEST FOR
THE PHILOSOPHERS STONE
3/16
Captain Video encounters dangers with a wrecked Galaxy.
3/17
An ex-Ranger, working with a criminal, refuses to fight
against Captain Video.
3/18
Preparation to blast off for Taovahr.
3/19
Complications on Taovahr.
3/20
Several people are searching for the secret of the
philosopher's stone on Taovahr.
March 18, 1953
by Jack Vance
Captain Video and the Ranger encounter Spartak, Grand Prince Rubino
and Prince Komar.
Producer: Olga Druce; Director: Charles Fisher;
Associate Director: Scudder Boyd;
Production Supervisor: Edward Sutton
This information was garnered from the Jack Vance website which
includes some pages from this particular episode -- check it out!
March 23, 1953
Captain Video and the criminal Zazarion vie in the
search for the philosopher's stone which holds the secret of
energy and matter.
March 30, 1953
Spartak has come to help Captain Video fight the
criminal Vazarion (sic) as they hunt for the philosopher's
stone which holds the secret of energy and matter.
April 6, 1953: THE BLACK NEBULA
On their way to Earth Captain Video, Commissioner Cary
and the Rangers learn that Rocket Macrorie has thrown
caution to the winds and is involved in a myster-ious
adventure.
Week of April 13, 1953
4/13
The Galaxy makes a crash landing.
4/14
Captain Video and the Video Ranger run short of oxygen.
4/15
Rocket Macrorie and Radig have had their minds altered by a
machine.
4/16
Captain Video and the Video Ranger are in danger of being
destroyed. One space helmet is all they have.
4/17
The Galaxy is gravely imperiled.
Week of April 20, 1953
4/20
The Galaxy is in danger of exploding and cannot send
messages because its radio is out of order.
4/21
Radig attaches a four hour time fuse to the controls of the
Galaxy.
4/22
Captain Video manages to remove the time fuse, turning the
tables on Radig.
4/23
A space freighter is unaware of the danger of the
bombardment of "The Black Nebula".
4/24
Radig plans to use his altering mechanism on Captain
Video.
April 27, 1953: THE WONKIE
Commissioner Carey receives a distress signal from
Ranger Rogers who has been evicted from the planet Lor by
strange animals. and/or Strange
animals evict Ranger Rogers from the planet Lor.
May 4, 1953: THE WONKIE
The Wonkie has spread over the planet Lor. The Captain
tries to help but meets with resistance.
May 11, 1953: ERRAND OF MERCY
After Captain Video, Commissioner Carey and the Video
Ranger escape from jail on the planet Lar [sic] they
investigate a report of an approaching Ursan space
fleet.
May 12, 1953: ERRAND OF MERCY
Captain Video and Commissioner Carey go to the aid of an
approaching fleet of alien spaceships that has been sending
out a call for from deep interstellar space.
May 18, 1953 "Black Planet Academy" by Jack Vance
Sparkak, prince of the Black Planet, sends a call across
the vastness of interstellar space to Captain Video.
FROM JACK VANCE MANUSCRIPT: PRODUCER; OLGA
DRUCE; DIRECTOR: CHARLES FISHER; ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR:
SCUDDER BOYD; PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR: EDWARD SUTTON.
May 19, 1953 "Black Planet Academy" by Jack Vance
Captain Video is recalled from the Black Planet to
investigate the theft of weapons from a Martian research
lab.
May 25, 1953 "Black Planet Academy" by Jack Vance
Captain Video tries to set up a Video Ranger Academy on
the Black Planet.
June 1, 1953 "Adventure on Phobes" by Jack Vance
Captain Video and the Rangers meet a crises when strange
robberies take place at the top secret weapons laboratory on
Mars.
June 8, 1953 "Adventure on Phobes" by Jack Vance
Mysterious forces are working against Captain Video to
keep him away from Phobes, the tiny inner moon of Mars.
June 15, 1953
Captain Video tries to get back a planet.
June 22, 1953
Captain Video and the Rangers attempt to promote good
will between earth and the Black Planet.
June 29, 1953
This series begins its 5th year on TV. Commissioner Cary
takes off to investigate mysterious voices from outer
space.
June 30, 1953
Commissioner Cary is called to investigate a strange
signal from space.
June 31, 1953
Signals from space are from an abandoned crystalline
space ship.
July 1, 1953
Captain Video is called in to salvage the deserted
ship
July 2, 1953
Captain Video ends up competing in a weird contest with
an alien being who also claims salvage rights on the
crystalline ship.
Week of July 13, 1953
7/13
Captain Video has to cope with a mysterious crystalline
space ship.
7/15
Captain Video and Warro explore a seemingly deserted city on
the torrid planet Wolf III.
7/17
Captain Video is convinced that somewhere on the planet Wolf
III lies the answer to three mysteries.
July 20, 1953
Captain Video represents earth in a struggle to
establish territorial rights over a space derelict.
July 27, 1953
Captain Video grapples with a spaceman from the planet
Draco for the territorial rights of a mysterious space
derelict.
August 3, 1953
Captain Video and spaceman Stavor of Draco vie with each
other for survival in a weird contest in which they must
participate without oxygen supply helmets.
August 7, 1953
Captain Video and Staver {sic} fight for survival to win a
spaceship.
August 10, 1953
Captain Video and the Ranger wind up their contest for
rights to the space derelict and compete with Zed of the
planet Draco for the last time.
August 17, 1953
Captain Video attempts to save the planet Cosmo which is
being threatened by the destruction of its moon Vesta.
Gerraine Raphael stars.
August 18, 1953
While attempting to prevent a moon's destruction,
Captain Video is thrust into a zone of timelessness which
puts him into a deep trance.
Week of August 24, 1953
8/24
The Ranger rescues Captain Video from the zone of
timelessness where he lies in in a strange trance.
8/25
Captain Video and the Ranger are trapped on a moon which is
about to be destroyed by the nucleonic bombs of its
enemies.
8/26
Captain Video and the Ranger are threatened by hard gamma
radiation.
8/27
Captain Video tries to save the planet Cosmo and its
population of 50,000 threatened by the disintegration of the
moon.
8/28
Captain Video saves the planet Cosmo from destruction.
Gerraine Raphael, Ben Lackland, Grant Sullivan.
Week of August 31, 1953
8/31
Captain Video is alerted as a giant inter-planetary space
ship carrying 2,000 passengers is reported missing in
sub-space.
9/1
A giant spaceship reported to be lost lands on earth with
its crew and passengers missing.
9/2
Captain Video agrees to ride along as a guard on the
spaceships second attempt to reach its destination in deep
space.
9/3
Captain Video traces the passengers and crew of the giant
spaceship.
9/4
The space liner Telemachus is capture by the Space Pirate
with the Ranger and Craig on board.
Week of September 7,
1953
9/7
The Space Pirate takes the Ranger to the Prison Planet.
9/8
Captain Video is trapped in a cave on the prison planet with
the 2,000 missing passengers from the space liner
Telemachus.
9/9
The Telemachus starts back to Earth with the Space Pirates
at the controls and Craig on board under the influence of
drugs.
9/10
Captain Video escapes from the prison planet and races
Earthward to bring help to the imprisoned passengers.
9/11
Craig, back on Earth, is charged with being a space pirate.
Ben Lackland and Gerraine Raphael star.
September 14, 1953
Ranger Craig is accused by the Solar Council of being
the pirate Jason. The 2,000 prisoners of the space pirates
trapped on the prison planet face a tidal wave of rocks.
Ben Lackland, Gerraine Raphael.
September 21, 1953
Program reverts from half-hour to 15 minute format.
No information at press time.
Week of September 28, 1953 "Operation
Treachery"
9/28
Traitor Marcus Gayo has placed a martian boy, the exact
image of the Video Ranger, aboard the Galaxy to sabotage its
flight.
9/29
Sabotage on the Galaxy.
10/2
A false ranger drugs Captain Video's coffee.
Week of October 5, 1953 "Operation
Treachery"
10/5
A false Ranger takes over the Galaxy.
10/6
The president of the Solar Council is abducted by the
treacherous Gayo.
10/7
Captain Video is investigated for events that have happened
on the Galaxy.
10/8
The real Ranger is disgraced and dropped from the Space
Academy.
Week of October 12, 1953 "Operation
Treachery" continues
Week of October 19, 1953 "Operation
Treachery" continues
Ben Lackland and Gerraine Raphael listed as
co-stars.
Week of October 26, 1953 "Operation
Treachery" continues
October 29, 1953 SPECIAL LISTING
Tonight the program utilizes the DuMont Telecenter on
East 67th street in New York as background and setting for
the program. Six cameras are employed.
Week of November 2, 1953 "I,
Tobor"
A little girl is determined to wipe out the Rangers.
Week of November 9, 1953 "I,
Tobor"
Captain Video and the Rangers continue to face the
machinations of a beastly girl and the eight foot tall robot
she controls. (Dave Ballard, professionally tall, plays Tobor the Giant Robot. Former child star Dickie Moore is
Ranger Hillary.)
Week of November 16, 1953 "I, Tobor"
continues
Week of November 23, 1953 "I, Tobor"
continues
Week of November 30, 1953 "I, Tobor"
continues
Week of December 7, 1953 ""I, Tobor"
continues
The names of the conspirators in a plot to attain world
power are made known.
Week of December 14,
1953
No information available at press time.
Week of December 21, 1953 "The
Talisman of Power"
12/21
Two tiny cubes from another universe hold the key to world
domination.
12/22
A juvenile genius sets out to destroy the world.
Week of December 28,1953 "The Talisman
of Power"
Two tiny cubes from another universe hold the key to
world domination.
*1953 "End of Nowhere" by Jack Vance
Exact playdates not known.
*1953 "Mercury Observatory" by Jack Vance & Robert
Richardson
Exact playdates not known.
Week of January 4, 1954 "The Invisible
Saboteur"
TV Guide for January 8, 1954 lists: Creator: Larry Menkin
Writer: Damon Knight
Captain Video is involved in the machinations of a power-mad
criminal.
Week of January 11, 1954 "The
Invisible Saboteur" continues
Week of January 18, 1954 "The
Invisible Saboteur" continues
Captain Video continues to be involved in the
machinations of a power mad criminal who can make himself
invisible.
Week of January 25, 1954 "The
Invisible Saboteur" continues
Week of February 1, 1954 "The Star
Ship of the Past"
Week of February 8, 1954 "The Plunder
of Ocra"
The race for the huge and valuable treasures stolen from
the planet Orca is carried on by the heirs of a notorious
space pirate.
Week of February 15, 1954 "The Plunder
of Ocra" continues
Week of February 22, 1954 "The Star
Ship"
Captain Video investigates the strange state of two men
who have been in suspended animation for several hundred
years.
Week of March 1, 1954 "The Starship
from Yesterday"
Muroc, ruler of Centaurus, continues his attempts to
eliminate Captain Video, the Ranger, and Commissioner Carey,
as he plans to begin germ warfare against his enemies.
Week of March 8, 1954
No information available.
Week of March 15, 1954 "The Man From
Tomorrow"
3/16
A rocketship disaster is predicted.
3/17
The prediction comes true.
3/18
Captain Video is blamed for the actions of the space
pirates.
3/19
Disgraced, Captain Video turns to the Man from Tomorrow for
aid.
Week of March 22, 1954 "The Man From
Tomorrow"
3/22
A key witness disappears.
3/23
Against orders of the Space Council, Captain Video seeks the
missing witness.
3/24
The man from the Future alters history.
3/25
The Rangers learn of the impending world destruction.
Week of March 29, 1954 "The Man From
Tomorrow"
3/29
Roger, the Man from Tomorrow, is asked to become the head of
the Space Federation.
3/30
An astrologer predicts further doom.
4/1
The Man of Tomorrow is asked to become the head of a space
foundation.
4/2
The Man from Tomorrow turns out to be a fraud.
Week of April 5, 1954 "The Man From
Tomorrow"
4/5
The man from tomorrow strands Captain Video on a planet
which is scheduled to blow up any minute.
4/6
The course of the ship must be diverted.
4/7
Space bum Tucker proves his loyalty.
4/8
The adventure of Captain Video and the Man from Tomorrow
reaches its climax.
Week of April 12, 1954 "The Enemy From
Within"
In a new adventure the Video Rangers mother begins the
search for her lost son, Hal. Bob Hastings, the brother of
Don Hastings in real life plays the roll of the Video
Rangers brother.
Week of April 19, 1954 "The Enemy From
Within" continues
Week of April 26, 1954 "The Enemy From
Within" continues
4/26
This week: Space pirates try to pass off a young
accomplice as the missing brother of the Video Ranger.
4/30
Disgrace falls on Captain Video as he searches for the
missing Solar Counsel president.
Week of May 3, 1954 "The Enemy From
Within"
5/3
Clipper Evans assumes the duties and title of Captain
Video.
5/4
Hal's actions bring the downfall of Captain Video.
5/5
The Captain searches for a way to redeem himself.
5/6
Hal makes a startling revelation as events begin to take
shape.
5/7
Captain Video crash lands in the jungles.
Week of May 10, 1954 "The Enemy From
Within"
5/10
Captain Video is captured before he can rescue the missing
president.
5/11
Clipper Evans searches for the president.
5/12
Rangers deliver the President to Clipper.
5/13
Oden savages attacks the searching party.
5/14
The Ranger and his so-called brother are trapped by Odin
[sic] savages.
Week of May 17, 1954 "The Enemy From
Within"
5/17
Woolton Screwloose gives a false report.
5/18
Clipper Evans claims credit for the rescue.
5/19
Clipper Evans brings the paralyzed Captain Video back to
Earth.
5/20
Commissioner Carey accuses Clipper Evans.
5/21
Clipper Evans is unmasked and the Ranger discovers his true
brother.
Week of May 24, 1954 "The Pits of
Doom"
5/24
The planet Europa plans to conquer the Earth.
5/25
The Video Ranger is captured by robots employed by
Europa.
5/26
Captain Video discovers the agents of Europa are posing as
mining engineers on Earth.
5/27
Captain Video sets out to find the Ranger.
5/28
A mechanical robot is created to resemble Captain Video.
Week of May 31, 1954 "The Pits of
Doom"
5/31
The real Captain Video disappears and a third man who
pretends to be the Captain appears. Al Hodge plays three
rolls.
6/1
A mechanical version of Captain Video meets the
impersonator.
6/2
A plot to destroy the Earth is uncovered.
6/3
A speeding train pins Captain Video against the wall of a
mine shaft.
6/4
The plot against Earth is foiled, but the mastermind behind
the plot escapes.
Week of June 7, 1954 "Odyssey into
Peril"
6/7
The new adventure features Amos the Mastermind (Chester
Sviatlon). Amos kidnaps the Ranger and both of them
disappear.
6/8
Captain Video follows Amos and the Ranger through the "Black
Hole" in space.
6/9
Captain Video discovers a second universe.
6/10
Captain Video is cut off from communication with Earth.
6/11
Captain Video stumbles upon a planet modeled after ancient
Rome.
Week of June 14, 1954 "Odyssey into
Peril"
6/14
Captain Video battles a gladiator who appears out of time
and space.
6/15
A monster attacks Captain Video who lies trapped in a
net.
6/16
Captain Video gets his first clue to the whereabouts of the
Video Ranger.
6/17
Captain Video meets the mad Emperor, Sulla.
6/18
Captain Video and Tucker meet Circe, the sorceress who turns
men into beasts.
Week of June 21, 1954 "Odyssey into
Peril"
6/21
Circe releases Captain Video and Tucker on the promise that
they will obtain the treasure of Basilisk, the evil
serpent.
6/22
Captain Video and Tucker meet the Basilisk. Tucker is sucked
into the monsters' tentacles.
6/23
Captain Video is drawn in by the tentacles of the giant
Basilisk.
6/24
The Medusa appears and turns Tucker into stone. All the
characters who appear in this adventure are drawn from the
legends of ancient Greek mythology.
6/25
Captain Video kills the Basilisk.
Week of June 28, 1954 "Odyssey into
Peril"
6/28
The Video Ranger becomes an ally of Zotor.
6/29
Commissioner Carey falls into Zotor's hands.
6/30
Circe betrays Captain Video to Zotor.
7/1
The Ranger imprisons Captain Video.
7/2
Captain Video escapes Zotor. Thus ends the "Odyssey Into
Peril".
Week of July 5, 1954 "The Sunken
Treasure of Atlantis"
Week of July 12, 1954 "The Sunken
Treasure of Atlantis"
Week of July 19, 1954 "The Sunken
Treasure of Atlantis"
7/19
Captain Video submarine approaches Atlantis.
7/20
Captain Video is caught inside a giant clam.
7/21
The Ranger escapes through a torpedo tube and rescues
Captain Video.
7/22
Captain Video and the Ranger enter Atlantis, where they are
hypnotized by weird luminous masses.
7/23
Zotor and Captain Dirk steal Captain Video's submarine.
Week of July 26, 1954 "The Sunken
Treasure of Atlantis"
7/26
Tucker and Commissioner Carey are left to die in a flooded
submarine.
7/27
Captain Video searches for the ultimate weapon.
7/28
Prince Zotor captures Captain Video
7/30
Captain Dirk double-crosses Prince Zotor.
Week of August 2, 1954 "Outlaws of the
Asteroids"
8/2
The Ranger interferes with Captain Blake's plans for a
spaceship crash.
8/3
The Ranger meets The Mask.
8/4
Tucker double-crosses the Mask and Captain Blake.
Week of August 9, 1954 "Outlaws of the
Asteroids"
8/9
Captain Video returns to find that the Ranger is still
missing.
8/10
The Ranger joins the Crime Syndicate.
8/11
Captain Video denounces the Ranger as a criminal.
8/12
Tucker pulls a trick on Captain Video.
Week of August 16, 1954 "Outlaws of
the Asteroids"
8/16
An antidote is found for the poison that had been given to
the Ranger.
8/17
Tucker saves the lives of Captain Video and the Ranger.
8/18
Captain Video unmasks the Mask.
8/19
The Mask and the Major argue about a course of action.
Week of August 23, 1954 "Outlaws of
the Asteroids"
8/23
Captain Video searches for the outlaws hidden loot.
8/24
Captain Dirk beats Captain Video to the place where the loot
is hidden.
8/25
Tucker fights over the loot with Captain Dirk.
8/26
Captain Video looks for Dirk and Tucker.
8/27
The stolen loot disappears again.
Week of August 30, 1954 "Outlaws of
the Asteroids"
8/30
Captain Video enters the forbidden planet of Queedah.
8/31
The planet Queedah threatens the Earth.
9/1
Captain Video is given up for dead.
9/2
Captain Video, Tucker and the natives seek a strange
egg-shaped object.
9/3
Captain Video finds the outlaws.
Week of September 6, 1954 "The Three Cadets"
9/6
Captain Video and the Ranger recall events of the past in a
new adventure that takes us back to the youth of Captain
Video and his men.
9/7
The Ranger recalls the experimental lab to which he was
assigned with 2 other men, one a liar, and the other a
coward.
9/8
The cadets get into trouble with a gang of saboteurs.
9/9
Captain Video recalls the day he met the Video Ranger.
Week of September 13, 1954 "The Three
Cadets"
9/13
Captain Video's ship is sabotaged.
9/14
The ranger attempts to rescue Captain Video.
9/15
The director of the evil plot is unmasked.
9/16
Contact at last with Captain Video and the Ranger.
Week of September 20, 1954 "The Three
Cadets"
9/20
Captain Video defends the Ranger.
9/21
The verdict on the Video Ranger is reached.
9/22
The Ranger hears the decision. Joey Walsh.
9/23
Captain Video learns some new facts.
9/24
The real saboteur is discovered.
Week of September 27, 1954 "The Three
Cadets"
9/27
Collins, a disgraced cadet, seeks revenge.
9/28
A second atomic flight is attempted.
9/29
Cadet Fogarty proves he is no coward.
9/30
Plans are made for the atomic flight.
10/1
The fate of the first atomic-flight expedition is
discovered.
Week of October 4, 1954 "The Invisible
Planet"
10/4
Beginning a new episode.
10/5
Captain Video and Jeff take off.
10/6
Captain Video discovers a mysterious planet with an even
more mysterious inhabitant.
10/7
An eccentric scientist plans to capture Captain Video.
10/8
The mad scientist uses one of his awful weapons.
Week of October 11, 1954 "The
Invisible Planet"
10/11
Jeff betrays the Rangers.
10/12
The mad scientist explains his machine.
10/13
Tucker and Commissioner Carey find themselves prisoners.
10/14
Captain Video and his party learn some startling facts.
10/15
The scientists discussion of food is forgotten when Captain
Video learns his fate.
Week of October 18, 1954 "The
Invisible Planet"
10/18
Captain Video is told he will remain a pygmy forever.
10/19
Innocent Mara thinks that the shrunken rangers are dolls.
Laura Weber.
10/20
Professor Linkhoff imprisons Captain Video in a box of paper
clips. Stefan Schnabel
10/21
Tucker climbs the sides of an icebox.
10/22
Tucker is trapped in an ice cube tray.
Week of October 25, 1954 "The
Invisible Planet"
10/25
Mara persuades her grandfather to return Captain Video to
normal size.
10/26
The grandfather fears that Captain Video will escape.
10/27
Planet "X" faces a food shortage when an accident befalls
the food-making machine.
10/28
Mara falls in love with Jeff.
10/29
The invisible planet "X" faces starvation.
Week of November 1, 1954 "The
Invisible Planet"
11/1
Dr. Linkhoff suffers a severe attack.
11/2
The food machines cannot be operated.
11/3
The invisible planet faces starvation.
11/4
Dr. Linkhoff's secret formula is found by Captain Video.
11/5
Captain Video and his men make their experiments with the
secret formula.
Week of November 8, 1954 "The
Invisible Planet"
11/8
The invisible planet deflects toward the sun.
11/9
Captain Video finds a way to sop the blazing sun.
11/10
Captain Video un-shrinks his shrunken ship.
11/11
Everybody escapes from the invisible planet.
11/12
A changed Jeff is reunited with his father.
Dick Moore plays Jeff.
Week of November 15, 1954 "The Star Smugglers"
by Carey Wilbur
11/15
Captain Video learns that the outer planets have seceded
from the Solar Federation. The Captain believes that only
one powerful person is behind the events.
11/16
Captain Video sends the Video Ranger and Holmes to patrol
the Jovian asteroids. The Captain picks up a coded message
that proves that someone is trying to start an
inter-galactic war.
11/17
Captain Video departs on a secret mission with a plan to
disrupt the powers behind the inter-galactic
insurrection.
11/18
Captain Video learns of a plot to discredit the Video
Ranger. The Ranger is caught watching the outer planets.
11/19
The Video Ranger is dishonorably discharged, but in actually
is to go undercover to try and infiltrate the ranks of those
behind the insurrection.
Week of November 22, 1954 "The Star Smugglers"
by Carey Wilbur
11/22
Captain Video disappears on another secret mission. The
Rangers joins the enemy as an undercover agent.
11/23
The space liner Victoria is attacked by an alien ship.
and/or The Ranger is imprisoned by the enemy..
11/24
A message is received that resistance against the alien
fleet is useless. Commis-sioner Carey is kidnapped by the
enemy.
11/25
Ranger Rogers contacts Captain Video and has him return to
Earth. The Ranger and the Commissioner try to find away to
escape their prison.
11/26
Captain Video flies into a death while in search of an
invisible asteroid in space, protected by deadly
disintegrator rays.
Week of November 29, 1954 "The Star Smugglers"
by Carey Wilbur
11/29
Captain Video in the Galaxy, is leading a fleet of ranger
ships to the asteroid, not knowing about the jeopardy of its
disintegrator field. Commissioner Carey and the Ranger
escape from their prison.
11/30
Captain Video believes that Dr. Pauli or another member of
his old Asteroidal Society is behind the insurrection.
Undercover agent McGrorty [sic] is unmasked.
12/1
Captain Video is trapped in an atomic explosion. The
asteroid hideout of Captain Video's enemies is
destroyed.
12/2
Henry and Cochran are attacked by the alien spaceship.
Captain Video may have survived the blast.
12/3
Captain Video pursues the leader of the star smugglers. It
is learned that the alien invasion was a hoax.
Week of December 6, 1954 "The Return
of Tobor" by Carey Wilbur
12/6
We learn that on a secret asteroid, Captain Video's most
formidable enemy, Tobor, is about to be revived with dire
consequences. and/or Captain Video pieces together the wrecked
robot (played by 7 foot 6 inch actor Dave Ballard).
12/7
Captain Video gains knowledge of a catastrophe that will
cause the inner planets to fall into the sun.and/or
Captain Video
controls Tobor with a super-sonic thinking cap
12/8
Henry reveals that a matter-energy converter has been
planted on Jupiter, set to destroy the planet. A disobedient
Video Ranger gets possession of the thought control
equipment that directs Tobor.
12/9
Captain Video reactivates Tobor for the task of removing the
bomb from Jupiter. Tobor goes berserk.
12/10
Ranger Forbes is given the task of reactivating Tobor's
electronic brain. Captain Video tries to recapture the
rampaging robot.
Week of December 13, 1954 "The Return
of Tobor" by Carey Wilbur
12/13
The Rangers are given a filament that will cause Tobor to
become insane. An eight line poem contains the clue to an
evil plot.
12/14
The huge robot goes berserk. Captain Video uncovers a plot
to blow up Jupiter.
12/15
Captain Video and the Rangers take refuge from the robot in
the caves of the asteroid. and/or
Captain Video has only eight days to prevent the blast.
12/16
The Ranger is captured by Dr. Pauli's henchmen. Dr. Pauli
assumes a disguise to visit Captain Video.
Stephen Elliot
12/17
The walls of Dr. Pauli's torture cell close in on the Video
Ranger. and/or Agent Forbes sabotages Captain Video's effort to
stop disaster.
Week of December 20, 1954 "The Return
of Tobor" by Carey Wilbur
12/20
Captain Video repairs Tobor with the proper platinum
filaments. and/or The Video Ranger is trapped in a room with
shrinking walls.
12/21
Captain Video attempts to rescue the Video Ranger with the
help of Tobor. and/or "Tobor is
coming." Captain Video tries to stop the rampaging robot.
Dave Ballard
12/22
Captain Video rescues the ranger, but Dr. Pauli and Forbes
escape. Dr. Pauli prepares a trap for Captain Video.
12/23
Dr. Pauli has removed the damper rods from the reactor, and
radioactive elements are building to critical mass.
Commissioner Carey tries to help the Captain.
12/24
Captain Video constructs a helmet that will allow him to
control the mind of Tobor. Captain Video walks into Dr.
Pauli's trap. Stephen Elliot
Week of December 27, 1954 "The Return
of Tobor" by Carey Wilbur
12/27
Captain Video tries to rescue the Ranger from the room with
the shrinking walls. Dr. Pauli concocts an insidious plan to
thwart Captain Video's control of Tobor's brain.
12/28
The Video Ranger locates Dr. Pauli's ship, while Captain
Video re-dons the personality transfer helmet. Tobor battles
Dr. Pauli. Stephen Elliot.
12/29
Dr. Pauli finds the key to the Rangers secret code.
and/or Captain
Video destroys the matter-energy converter on Jupiter, while
Dr. Pauli again manages to escape capture.
12/30
Captain Video's mind is trapped in Tobor's body.
and/or Dr. Pauli
builds a robot that is an exact double of Tobor.
12/31
Dr. Pauli plots to create a duplicate robot to destroy
Tobor. Captain Video sets a trap for Dr. Pauli.
Week of January 3, 1955 "The Return of Tobor" by Carey Wilbur
1/3
Ranger Colt's (Kenneth Nelson) ship is shot down by Dr.
Pauli. Commissioner Carey assigns a battle fleet to trap Dr.
Pauli.
1/4
Dr. Pauli assigns Cochran to build a double of Tobor. Captain Video searches for Ranger Colt.
1/5
Dr. Pauli (Stephen Elliot) replaces Tobor with an evil robot
of his own invention.
1/6
Dr. Pauli continues his diabolical plans. The Captain Video
"Light Gun" is introduced and offered to the Video
Rangers.
1/7
Captain Video is blamed for the robot attacks. Ranger Colt's
rocket is attacked.
Week of January 10, 1955 "The Return
of Tobor" by Carey Wilbur
1/10
Captain Video and the Ranger set out in the Galaxy to find
Colt. Cochran finishes the construction of the false
Tobor. and/or Tobor's double commits
crimes in Tobor's name.
1/11
The Galaxy disappears on a planet of living rocks. Dr. Pauli
sends the false Tobor to attack the Interplanetary Bank
Vaults on Kios. Captain Video is accused of gross
negligence.
1/12
The rocketship Pleiades is attacked by the false robot.
Captain Video receives word that he is to come up before the
Solar Council to be censured. Dr. Pauli's triumph seems
certain.
1/13
Captain Video sets a trap for Dr. Pauli using the rocketship
Telemachus. Dr. Pauli's triumph seems certain.
1/14
Dr. Pauli's plans are routed by Captain Video and his
rangers. He escapes to a new headquarters on a secret planet
populated by strange alien creatures.
Week of January 17, 1955 "Dr. Pauli's
Planet" by Carey Wilbur
1/17
This new adventure begins on the man-made metallic planet of
Dr. Pauli. From here Dr. Pauli plans to conquer the
universe. Clipper Evans arrives.
1/18
Clipper Evans tracks down Tobor the robot. A Martian base
has been destroyed by the false Tobor.
1/19
Captain Video uncovers an interplanetary conspiracy. Dr.
Pauli is spotted by a Video Ranger. Clipper Evans is up to
no good again.
1/20
Captain Video learns that Dr. Pauli is still alive. The
Ranger is attacked by mind parasites.
1/21
The Ranger fires upon Captain Video and Commissioner Carey.
Dr. Pauli confers with Clipper Evans.
Week of January 24, 1955 "Dr. Pauli's Planet"
by Carey Wilbur
1/24
Dr. Pauli converts an asteroid into an impregnable planet.
The Dr. hires Clipper Evans to kill Captain Video.
1/25
Dr. Pauli, Tobor the robot, and Clipper Evans plot an unholy
alliance.
1/26
The three partners try to outsmart each other. Dr. Pauli
learns about Captain Video's new communications devise.
1/27
Captain Vidio is called before the Solar Council to plead
his case. Dr. Pauli makes off with Captain Video's new light
gun.
1/28
Captain Video is shot by Clipper Evans. Tobor meets his
double.
Week of January 31, 1955 "Dr. Pauli's
Planet" by Carey Wilbur
1/31
Captain Video pretends to be dead so that he can set a new
plan into operation. Mind parasites try to destroy the
Ranger's reason.
2/1
Commissioner Carey (Ben Lackland) meets "Cricket" Malloy, and
old blind spaceman. and/or
Commissioner Carey fights the cyanide-breathing butterflies.
2/2
Dr. Pauli sends Clipper Evans to Mars to kidnap Commissioner
Carey. and/or Captain Video pursues the
Captive Ranger.
2/3
Clipper Evans (Grant Sullivan) and Cochran capture
Commissioner Carey. and/or The lights of
the mind parasites confuse the Rangers.
2/4
The Video Ranger pursues Clipper Evans ship in the Galaxy.
Clipper Evans traps Captain Video for Dr. Pauli. (Grant
Sullivan)
Week of February 7, 1955 "Dr. Pauli's
Planet" by Carey Wilbur
2/7
Dr. Pauli tries to help Cochran and Evans escape from the
Video Ranger. Captain Video is shot by Clipper Evans.
2/8
Dr. Pauli unleashes the false Tobor against the Video
Ranger. The Video Rangers pursue Clipper Evans.
2/9
The Video Ranger is in danger of being killed by the false
Tobor. The Video Ranger announces that Captain Video is
dead.
2/10
"Cricket" Malloy is captured and put in a cell next to
Clipper Evans.
2/11
The Video Ranger captures "Cricket Malloy". The Rangers hear
startling news about Clipper Evans.
Week of February 14, 1955 "Dr. Pauli's
Planet" by Carey Wilbur
2/14
Dr. Pauli orders Clipper Evans to execute Commissioner
Carey.
2/15
Captain Video dons a new disguise in order to capture Dr.
Pauli.
2/16
Clipper Evans rescues Captain Video from the planetoids'
desert.
2/17
The Video Ranger locates the real Tobor. Dr. Pauli succeeds
in cracking the Rangers latest code.
2/18
Commissioner Carey is rescued from near death.
Week of February 21, 1955 "Dr. Pauli's
Planet" by Carey Wilbur
2/21
The Ranger finds an asteroid which seems to contain living
rocks. Dr. Pauli discovers that Clipper Evans is a spy for
the Video Rangers.
2/22
Captain Video must rescue the Ranger from the living
asteroid.
2/23
Captain Video gets Tobor to rescue them. Captain Video and
Dr. Pauli come face to face.
2/24
Clipper Evans tries to keep Dr. Pauli from learning Captain
Video's escape plans.
2/25
Cochran is captured, but Dr. Pauli escapes.
Week of February 28, 1955 "Dr. Pauli's
Planet" by Carey Wilbur
2/28
Dr. Pauli discovers Clipper Evans' true identity.
3/1
Captain Video tries to rescue Commissioner Carey and
Clipper.
3/2
Dr. Pauli and Captain Video come face to face.
3/3
Tobor the robot and his double meet.
3/4
Dr. Pauli is about to destroy Captain Vidio and the
Rangers.
Week of March 7, 1955 "Dr. Pauli's
Planet" by Carey Wilbur
3/7
Dr. Pauli eludes Captain Video's trap.
3/8
Dr. Pauli abandons his henchman.
3/9
Commissioner Carey finds safety with Captain Video.
3/10
The Rangers pursue Dr. Pauli to Neptune.
3/11
The end of Dr. Pauli's planet.
Week of March 14, 1955 "The Swordsmen
of Lyra"
3/14
Captain Video discovers that the Feral Empire is planning an
intergalactic war.
3/15
A new source of uranium is found on the forbidden planet of
Lyra.
3/16
Captain Video and the Ranger head for Lyra disguised as
Zulus.
3/17
Captain Video and the Ranger smuggle themselves into
Lyra.
3/18
The Captain and the Ranger are unmasked and captured on
Lyra.
Week of March 21, 1955 "The Swordsmen
of Lyra"
3/21
Captain Video discovers an Elizabethan civilization on
Lyra.
3/22
A disguised Ranger is released from prison by the false King
Mergo.
3/23
Duke Philips discovers the Rangers true identity.
3/24
Baron Tilist is told to dispose of the Ranger.
3/25
Captain Video rushes to the Rangers rescue.
Week of March 28, 1955 "The Swordsmen
of Lyra"
3/28
Captain Video frees the real King of Lyra from his
dungeon.
3/29
The false King Mergo challenges Captain Video to a fencing
match.
3/30
Tucker's pranks seal the doom of Captain Video and the
Rangers.
3/31
The real and false kings come face to face.
4/1 Final Show of the Series
Captain Video restores the rightful king to the throne of
Lyra.
Last Updated February 16, 2004
authors note: BUT NOT THE FINAL
SHOW! I was disappointed when Captain Video went off the air, to
say the least. But imagine my surprise one day when I was
watching WGN-TV and the feed got mixed up, and for a few
brief moments I saw the Captain. It was years later that I found
out that the show continued for a short while in the New York area, but
supposedly with Captain Video acting as a host to "cartoons and/or
Westerns". I'll have more information about this as soon as it
becomes available.
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