B E Y O N D T O M O R R O W
----------- ---------------
1950
First Show: Apr 05, 1950 Last Show: Apr 13, 1950
Number Shows: 3 Audition Show: 02-23-50
Series Description:
The 1950's saw both the twilight of the Golden Age of Radio and the
birth of the science fiction radio series. Science fiction was not
new to radio before 1950, but it was either targeted to juvenile
audiences or were SF shows in a broader series, for example, ESCAPE:
"The Time Machine". On March 15, 1950, the first show of Mutual's
2000 PLUS aired, becoming the very first true science fiction series
in the US.
BEYOND TOMORROW was to be CBS's science fiction series. Three shows
and one audition were transcribed to disk, but it's not certain if
they were actually broadcast, despite announcements in newspapers.
In the audition, the series title was BEYOND THIS WORLD and the
audition show was "The Outer Limit". The first show under the
series name BEYOND TOMORROW was "Requiem", a story by Robert
Heinlein, which was later be done in DIMENSION X. The last show,
which was the same as the audition, "The Outer Limit", may be the
most often used science fiction story in radio. It was also heard
in ESCAPE (Feb 7, 1950), DIMENSION X (Apr 8, 1950 and Sep 8, 1950),
SUSPENSE (Feb 15, 1954) and X MINUS ONE (Nov 16, 1955).
With only three shows prepared, it's possible the series may have
been canceled before any were aired. Fortunately, the disks survived
and we have a taste of what could have been an interesting series.
Log Comments:
The majority of information came from Gordon Payton's catalog. He
mentioned that the 3rd show may be dated Feb 23, 1950, from either an
audition or experimental broadcast. The Radio Showcase catalog
lists "The Outer Limit" for that date with a series title BEYOND
THIS WORLD. This log assumes the latter case. All shows are
available.
Chronological Log:
Date Num Title
------------ --- ------------------------
Feb 23, 1950 Aud "The Outer Limit"
Apr 05, 1950 1 "Requiem"
Apr 11, 1950 2 "Incident at Switchpath"
Apr 18, 1950 3 "The Outer Limit"
(same as audition)
References:
* "Science Fiction on Radio: A Revised Look At 1950-1975" by James
F. Widner and Meade Frierson III. (Available from A.F.A.B, PO Box
130969, Birmingham, AL 35213-0969).
* "The Ultimate History of Network Radio Programming and Guide To All
Circulating Shows", by Jay Hickerson, Box 4321, Hamden, CT 06514
* OTR club and vendor catalogs or web sites:
* Jerry Haendiges Productions, Jerry Haendiges, 13808 Sunset Dr.,
Whittier, CA 90602
* Radio Showcase, Steve Kelez, PO Box 4357, Santa Rosa, CA 95402
* Satellite Broadcasting, Fred Berney, 4580-E Mack Ave., Frederick,
MD 21701
* The Sci-Fi Guy, Gordon R. Payton, 118 E. Palmer Ave., Collingswood,
NJ 08108 (no longer sells shows)
* Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety And Comedy,
PO Box 7177, Van Nuys, CA 91409-7177
* University of Memphis Radio Program Archive, Microforms Dept.,
McWherter Library, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152
* Vintage Broadcasts, Andy Blatt, PO Box 50065, Staten Island, NY
10305
Other Logs or Books:
* BEYOND TOMORROW log, Jerry Haendiges Productions, 13808 Sunset Dr.,
Whittier, CA 90602 (http://www.otrsite.com)
Last Update: May 20, 2004
This log is informational only. It does not imply that I or my
references have these shows for trade or sale. The shows may still
be protected under copyright law and should be obtained only from
authorized dealers.
The log may be freely reproduced and published on a no-profit basis.
Please send error corrections or additional information to Frank M.
Passage, 109 Elmwood Road, Verona, NJ 07044 (email: wb2ntp@arrl.net).