Tales of Tomorrow was a radio version of the popular ABC television series of the same name. The radio series aired on the ABC network from January 1, 1953 to April 9, 1953, lasting for only 15 episodes before being cancelled.
The radio series was developed by George F. Foley and aimed to adapt stories from the popular science fiction magazine Galaxy Science Fiction. The scripts were written by Michael Sklar and Don Witty, who adapted the short stories for the radio format.
The Stars
The series was hosted by Raymond Edward Johnson, a veteran radio personality known for his work on the long-running Inner Sanctum series. Johnson’s narration, along with the Galaxy Magazine stories, were considered the highlights of the short-lived radio program.
Tales of Tomorrow radio program did not have any regular cast members. Each episode featured a different set of actors, with notable performers including Lawson Zerbe, Dick York, Leon Janney, George Petrie, and Maurice Tarplin.
Key Dates
- The Tales of Tomorrow radio series launched on January 1, 1953 and ran for 15 episodes.
- It aired on the ABC network, initially in the 9:00 PM EST timeslot on Fridays, before moving to a new time on Fridays at 8:00 PM EST on February 26, 1953.
- It concluded on April 9, 1953.
Other Information
While the television version of Tales of Tomorrow was considered a pioneering effort in bringing science fiction to the small screen, the radio series was less successful. The program struggled to find an audience and was ultimately cancelled after less than four months on the air.
However, the radio series did have some lasting impact. Several of the Tales of Tomorrow radio episodes were later adapted for the X Minus One radio program, which launched in 1955 and also drew from Galaxy Science Fiction stories. These included “The Stars Are the Styx,” “The Moon Is Green,” “The Girls From Earth,” and “The Old Die Rich.”
While the radio version of Tales of Tomorrow may not have achieved the same level of acclaim as its television counterpart, it remains an interesting footnote in the history of science fiction radio drama.
