Spacemens Luck

 

Where Tom Corbett, Captain Video, CMDR Corry and Other Spacemen Still Live

Dimension X

This episode of Dimension X was developed as a means of advanced promotion of the George Pal’s 1950 movie of Destination Moon. The Dimension X episode was based on an advanced copy of the screenplay.

Like the movie the story was based on the legendary Robert A. Heinlein’s novel “Rocket Ship Galileo” (1947) depicting man’s first flight to the moon.

In this radio adaption our story begins later in the story when General Thayer arrives at the rocket launch site to announce their permission to test the atomic motor was denied. They then anticipate that a court order will soon follow preventing them from launching and prepare for immediate launch and sure enough a court officer arrives and our crew launch to the moon.

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While en route to the moon the crew have a mishap where one crew member accidentally drifts off into space, but is rescued by another crew member who, creatively, uses an oxygen cylinder to propel himself where he can connect with the adrift crew member in danger of being lost in space forever.

After a rough but successful landing, where more fuel was used than planned, they begin the set up a base. The Commander claims the moon for the USA on behalf of all mankind.

Back on earth, scientist have calculated that the fuel necessary for their return trip to earth. The verdict is that there is not enough fuel for the ships return. The crew begin to lighten the ship by stripping everything that isn’t welded down. They throw out any un-needed food and pour extra water into their reaction mass holding tanks.

They finally have stripped everything they can but it is not enough. They are short the weight of 110 pounds, roughly the equivalent of one man. While the others are deciding who shall stay behind Radar/Radio Operator Dick Wesson takes the decision in his own hands and sneaks outside the ship with the last space suit.

As the countdown to lift off grows near Commander Jim Barnes comes up with a last minute solution on how to depart with all hands aboard. To find out just how that happens you need to listen below to this episode.

Fortunately for those of us who are interested in historical tie ins the show was interrupted by a network news bulletin:

The Associated Press reports with a dateline from Seoul Korea that Communist North Korea had declared war on the Independent Republic of South Korea, marking the start of the Korean War. A secondary announcement declared that the United States will hold Russia responsible for the attack on the Independent Republic of South Korea which the United Nations and the United States brought into being.

Note: The copy of this show that is available here at Spacemen's Luck does not include any Cast or Production credit information. If you know any of this information please use the comment form below to tell us. Thanks!

Cast:

Jim Barnes (Crew Commander) – Joe de Santis
Dr. Charles Cargraves (Chief Engineer) – Wendell Holmes
General Thayer (Deputy Crew Commander) – Unknown
Joe Sweeney (Radar/Radio Operator) – Unknown
Brown (Radar Technician) – Unknown

Other Credits:
Written By: Unknown
Publication Source: Not known.
Adapted for Radio:
Produced By: William Welch or Van Woodward
Directed By: Edward King
Music By: Albert Berman
Engineer: Bill Chambers or Don Abbott
Announcer: Norman Rose
Commercial:
Promotion:

Space Age Gizmos:
None

Space Ships/Ports/Stations This Episode:
Rocketship Luna

Listen below to Dimension X Episode 12 Destination Moon:

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