Posted by : Ray Plumlee in (Tom Corbett Space Cadet)
Posted on October 23rd, 2009
and last modified on December 15th, 2009
Introduction To Tom Corbett, Space Cadet Radio Show
Tagged Under : 1950s, Al Markim, cereal, Frankie Thomas, Jan Merlin, Kellog, OTR, Radio, Robert Heinlein, sci-fi, science fiction, Space Cadet, Tom Corbett, Willy Ley
Tom Corbett Space Cadet Show Logo
In both the radio and TV versions the stories followed the adventures of Cadet Tom Corbett, Cadet Astro, and Cadet Roger Manning, at the Space Academy as they qualified to become Officers in the elite Solar Guard. The stories centered around their cadet training and the many adventures that the happened into.
Get MP3 Collection of Tom Corbett Space Cadet Episodes
Some of the action takes place at the Academy in their classrooms and bunk rooms but a lot or most of the action was aboard their training ship the rocket cruiser Polaris. While aboard the rocket ship Polaris they found themselves drawn into exciting adventures on alien worlds, within our solar system and planets in nearby solar systems.
The TV series began on CBS (October 2, 1950 – December 29, 1950 ), then moved to ABC from January 1, 1951 to September 26, 1952. While on ABC, there were repeats on NBC (as a summer replacement for Victor Borge) from July 1951 to September 1951 . Then, after Kelloggs canceled the series, it returned on alternate Saturdays for one season on the DuMont network from August 29, 1953 to May 22, 1954. The last season, for Kraft, ran on NBC from December 11, 1954 to June 25, 1955. The show was broadcast in a Monday, Wed and Friday format with 30 minute shows on Saturday.
The radio series consisted two part shows of one half hour each on Tuesday and Thursday. The Tuesday show was part I and the Thursday show was part II which concluded that adventure. The Tuesday show would close with … “tune in next Thursday when… (description of the adventure)… for part II of …(title of that adventure)”.
Tom Corbett, Space Cadet cast was the same for both radio and TV:
The cast of the Tom Corbett Space Cadet Radio and TV show
Tom Corbett: Frankie Thomas
Astro the Venusian: Al Markim
Cadet Roger Manning: Jan Merlin
Capt. Steve Strong: Ed Bryce
Dr. Joan Dale: Margaret Garland
Commander Arkwright: Carter Blake
Willy Ley was the technical advisor on the TV series and was probably the consultant for the radio show. Many of the magazine articles written of the show in the 1950′s indicate he played an important role in keeping the science some what realistic (for then).
Kellogg’s PEP sponsored the series with Jackson Beck as the announcer who would open the show with… “Kellogg’s PEP invites you to rocket into the future with T-O-M C-O-R-B-E-T-T Space Cadet!!!!” Buzzers would sound and Tom would reply with… “Stand by to raise ship!!! Blastoff minus 5-4-3-2-1 ZERO!!!! Mr. Beck would then exclaim. “Now, 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!!! Amid all of the sound effects in the background, was the organ music playing the Tom Corbett Theme song.
Kellog Cereal Ad For Tom Corbett Space Cadet
Little Golden Record’s released a record of the Space Academy 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 …..
Would you like to hear the intro to the Tom Corbett, Space Cadet Radio Show? Just hit the play button below and enjoy!
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The origin of Tom Corbett, Space Cadet was developed by Joseph Lawrence Greene of Grosset & Dunlap who, it is said, was partially inspired by the Robert A. Heinlein novel Space Cadet (1948) and was also based on his own prior work. Joseph Lawrence Greene had written a script which was an unsold radio pilot script and daily comic strip proposal for Tom Ranger, Space Cadet, and partly on the Robert Heinlein novel.
Tom Corbett, Space Cadet was the most scientifically accurate of the era’s science fiction adventure programs. Willy Ley, best known for his science fiction stories in Galaxy magazine, was the scientific advisor.
One of the best known of the many writers for Tom Corbett, Space Cadet was Alfred Bester, author of The Stars, My Destination.
The show was such a success that other media versions were created such as books, comic strips, comic books, coloring books, records, costumes for kids, and numerous other toys.
 Book Cover for the Tom Corbett Space Cadet - Danger in Deep Space |
 Book Cover for Tom Corbett Space Cadet titled A Trip To The Moon |
Well that is about it for now. I will be adding more information about Tom Corbett, Space Cadet in future articles.
Stand by to raise ship! Blast-off minus five… four… three… two… one… ZEEERRRROOOOOO!
Spacemen’s Luck
Ray Plumlee
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