Dimension X

Dimension X was an NBC radio programme broadcast from 8 April 1950 to 29 September 1951. The first 13 episodes were broadcast live, and the remainder were pre-recorded.

Dimension X was not the first adult science fiction series on radio, but the acquisition of previously published stories immediately gave it a strong standing with the science fiction community, as did the choice of well established, respected writers in the field such as Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury and Robert A. Heinlein. Other notable writers whose stories were adapted for the series include Robert Bloch, Fredric Brown, Murray Leinster, H. Beam Piper, Frank M. Robinson, Clifford D. Simak, William Tenn, Jack Vance, Kurt Vonnegut, Jack Williamson and Donald A. Wollheim.

Producers Ernest Kinoy and George Lefferts adapted most of the stories and also provided original scripts.
Episode 41: Courtesy

An expedition to the planet Landro meets with disaster when the serum protecting against a local plague runs out. The natives are immune to the disease, but seem reluctant to explain the source of their natural immunity.

​First broadcast: 26 July 1951.
Original Story by Clifford Simak.
​Cast: Lawson Zerbe, Bill Zuckert, Bill Gray.
Episode 42: Universe

Humanity's descendants aboard a space Ark are divided into two factions — the lower decks occupied by humans, and the upper by mutants. One man dares probe the upper levels and his quest leads him to question not only his society's prejudices, but the ultimate truth of what might lie beyond the Ship. Repeat of Episode 31.

First broadcast: 2 August 1951.
Original Story by Robert A. Heinlein.
​Cast: Donald Buka, Peter Capell, Ian Martin, Roger De Koven, Jason Johnson, Raymond Edward Johnson, Abby Lewis, Bill Griffis.
Episode 43: The Veldt

A couple purchase a holo-theatre to keep their son and daughter amused, but the recreation of the sweltering African savannah the children concoct is anything but amusing...

First broadcast: 9 August 1951.
Original Story by Ray Bradbury.
​Cast: Lesley Woods, Joan Lazer, Bill Quinn, David Anderson.
Episode 44: The Vital Factor

Wayne Crowder, the ruthless head of Crowder Industries, assumes the Herculean task of being the first man in history to achieve space travel. Building the ship proves easy, but to propel it at sufficient speed seems impossible, until one man shows up with an answer... and a heavy price for achieving the stars.

​First broadcast: 16 August 1951.
Original Story by Nelson Bond.
​Cast: Raymond Edward Johnson, John McGovern, Luis Van Rooten, Guy Repp, Danny Ocko, Martin Wolfson.
Episode 45: Untitled Story

A private eye is hired by the city mayor to obtain an elixir of life from an enigmatic scientist. His investigation reveals a strange conspiracy that could have serious repercussions for the future of humanity.

​First broadcast: 23 August 1951.
Original Story by Frank M. Robinson.
​Cast: George Petrie, Ann Sargent, Bernard Lenrow.
Episode 46: Marionettes Inc.

A husband looking to get away from his wife for a vacation purchases a robot duplicate of himself to take his place.

​First broadcast: 30 August 1951.
Original Story by Ray Bradbury.
​Cast: Kermit Murdock, Martin Rudy, Ross Martin, John McGovern, Joe Boland, Joyce Gordon, Sara Jane Wells.
Episode 47: First Contact

Classic story of the first encounter with an alien race and the mutual distrust that would involve — neither ship wishes to be the first to depart for fear of giving away clues to their origin to a potential adversary.

​First broadcast: 8 September 1951.
Original Story by Murray Leinster.
​Cast: Bill Quinn, Cameron Prud'homme, John McGovern, Wendell Holmes, Bob Hastings.
Episode 48: Kaleidoscope

When a meteor destroys a spaceship, its crew is hurled outward into space in a dozen directions. Their suit radios will keep them in contact range for only so long. What do men talk about when death is imminent? 
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​First broadcast: 15 September 1951.
Original Story by Ray Bradbury.
​Cast: Joe DiSantis, Leon Janney, Joan Alexander, Butch Cavell, Edgar Stehli.
Episode 49: Requiem

Two grounded astronauts are offered one more chance by an aging tycoon who will stop at nothing to achieve his lifetime dream of setting foot on the Moon.

​First broadcast: 22 September 1951.
Original Story by Robert A. Heinlein.
​Cast: Rod Hendrickson, Bill Quinn, Owen Jordan.
Episode 50: Nightfall

Classic tale of an alien civilization whose world circles a multiple star system of six suns, and faces worldwide insanity and social collapse when night descends once every several thousand years.

​First broadcast: 29 September 1951.
Original Story by Isaac Asimov.
​Cast: Lyle Sudrow, Cameron Prud'homme, John McGovern, Staats Cotsworth, Joe Boland.