Tales of Tomorrow: Verdict from Space

And we're back!

First off, I want to thank everyone who send condolence messages on the loss of my family friend and surrogate uncle. They were much appreciated and welcome in a difficult time.

Second, want to thank my family for a very warm and memorable Christmas after such a loss. Want to especially thank my uncle for opening up his collection of materials and providing me with a lot of new research resources that should make these entries and the stories in them all the richer, so thank you for that.

Now then, to business!

Tales of Tomorrow: Verdict from Space

Originally broadcast on Friday, August 10, 1951 on ABC at 9:30 PM ET.

Plot: A man accused of murder has an unusual alibi – a machine from outer space is responsible.

Analysis: And so begins network television’s first science fiction series. Considering all the other shows, especially for younger audiences, that dealt with space travel and the like, I would not stick my neck out and call this the first sci-fi show on television, but it does appear to be the first network show in prime time and that is historic enough.

Tales of Tomorrow is unique in another way in that it is not a transplant from radio, as we have seen in many other shows from the period. Like Westinghouse Studio One, Tales was done live, over the air, directly into people’s homes. If you think doing a science fiction show live would present some unique challenges, you would be correct, as we will see in later broadcasts.

As for this particular episode, it is pretty unremarkable. We are clearly a long way from later shows with surprising twists and deeper plot lines, but for an early television show from the 1950s, it is at least competent without expecting too much suspension of disbelief from the viewer. Assuming you can accept the concept of machines from aliens monitoring the Earth for the evolution of atomic power, yet another concept of the 1950s we will see discussed many times as we go along.

The Bottom Line: The episode is a kinescope, so it’s not as sharp as one would like and we do get an example of what happens when a show runs long when the show is yanked off the air before closing credits can be rolled, so if anyone significant was in the cast, I am not aware of them.

If you are interested in taking a look at the show, it is included with twelve other episodes in Tales of Tomorrow: Collection One (http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Tomorrow-Col....3424148 &sr=1-1). It is not too expensive a collection, but is only a portion of the first season of the series, just so the buyer is aware.

Next time, another Tales of Tomorrow.