Journey Into Space: Operation Luna
Journey Into Space was a BBC Radio science fiction serial first broadcast from 1953 to 1956. Three series were originally broadcast, all written and produced by Charles Chilton.
The first series, Operation Luna, was originally titled Journey To The Moon and broadcast in 1953/4. The first four episodes, set on Earth, were not popular with audiences, but the serial grew in popularity when the story blasted off for space in episode five. The tapes of this first series were erased, but the series was re-recorded and re-broadcast in 1958, under the new title Operation Luna, but with the first four episodes omitted. The second series, The Red Planet, was the last time that a BBC radio show achieved a higher rating than its TV opponent.
Operation Luna followed the adventures of Captain ‘Jet’ Morgan and his crew, as they attempt the first Moon landing, only to encounter a fleet of UFOs who send them back in time.
The second series, The Red Planet, broadcast in 1954/5, sees Jet and his crew travelling to Mars, where they discover a plot by the Martians to invade Earth.
The third series, The World In Peril, broadcast in 1955/6, was a direct continuation of the story begun in series two, and followed Jet Morgan and his crew's return to Mars in an attempt to avert the impending Martian invasion.
The Return From Mars was a revival of Journey Into Space, written by Charles Chilton for Radio 4’s Saturday Night Theatre in 1981, and continues the story from approximately the end of The World In Peril, with the crew returning to Earth after thirty years in space, missing presumed dead.
Frozen In Time was another stand-alone story, written by Charles Chilton and broadcast in 2008. Returning from a trip to Neptune, the crew awaken from suspended animation in order to rescue a stranded mining expedition on Mars.
The Host was a further one-off episode, this time written by Julian Simpson, and broadcast in 2009, which sees the crew thwart the plans of a sentient information being to take over the Universe.
The first series, Operation Luna, was originally titled Journey To The Moon and broadcast in 1953/4. The first four episodes, set on Earth, were not popular with audiences, but the serial grew in popularity when the story blasted off for space in episode five. The tapes of this first series were erased, but the series was re-recorded and re-broadcast in 1958, under the new title Operation Luna, but with the first four episodes omitted. The second series, The Red Planet, was the last time that a BBC radio show achieved a higher rating than its TV opponent.
Operation Luna followed the adventures of Captain ‘Jet’ Morgan and his crew, as they attempt the first Moon landing, only to encounter a fleet of UFOs who send them back in time.
The second series, The Red Planet, broadcast in 1954/5, sees Jet and his crew travelling to Mars, where they discover a plot by the Martians to invade Earth.
The third series, The World In Peril, broadcast in 1955/6, was a direct continuation of the story begun in series two, and followed Jet Morgan and his crew's return to Mars in an attempt to avert the impending Martian invasion.
The Return From Mars was a revival of Journey Into Space, written by Charles Chilton for Radio 4’s Saturday Night Theatre in 1981, and continues the story from approximately the end of The World In Peril, with the crew returning to Earth after thirty years in space, missing presumed dead.
Frozen In Time was another stand-alone story, written by Charles Chilton and broadcast in 2008. Returning from a trip to Neptune, the crew awaken from suspended animation in order to rescue a stranded mining expedition on Mars.
The Host was a further one-off episode, this time written by Julian Simpson, and broadcast in 2009, which sees the crew thwart the plans of a sentient information being to take over the Universe.
Episode 1
The rocket "Luna" sets off for the Moon with Jet, Doc, Mitch and Lemmy aboard. Radio contact with Earth is lost. Lemmy hears odd 'music' on the radio, before contact is resumed, and a tiny meteor hits Luna. No damage is sustained, but Lemmy hears the strange music again outside the ship and panics. First broadcast: 19 October 1953 (as episode 5 of Journey To The Moon) / 26 March 1958 (as episode 1 of Operation Luna). Original Story by Charles Chilton. Cast: Andrew Faulds, Guy Kingsley Poynter, David Williams, Alfie Bass, John Cazabon. |
Episode 2
Luna is turned around for the Moon landing, and Lemmy hears the 'music' again during the final approach. The crew narrate their first moonwalk by radio to Earth. While exploring a crater, Jet unaccountably vanishes from sight. First broadcast: 26 October 1953 (as episode 6 of Journey To The Moon) / 2 April 1958 (as episode 2 of Operation Luna). Original Story by Charles Chilton. Cast: Andrew Faulds, Guy Kingsley Poynter, David Williams, Alfie Bass, John Cazabon, Alan Keith. |
Episode 3
Jet has visions of the past and the future, Lemmy is disturbed by the 'music' again, and Doc sees a strange dome over a crater and writes an odd diary entry without realising. The last week on the moon passes without incident, but as the crew prepare to leave for home, the ship loses all power. First broadcast: 2 November 1953 (as episode 7 of Journey To The Moon) / 9 April 1958 (as episode 3 of Operation Luna). Original Story by Charles Chilton. Cast: Andrew Faulds, Guy Kingsley Poynter, David Williams, Alfie Bass, David Jacobs, Duncan McIntyre. |
Episode 4
The crew are stuck on the Moon and unable to trace what has caused the power failure. A fortnight passes, with the air temperature rising uncomfortably in the absence of air-conditioning. A UFO is seen on the televiewer and strange noises are heard. When they are left with just enough oxygen to reach home, power is suddenly restored to the ship, and the UFO is seen to have landed outside. First broadcast: 9 November 1953 (as episode 8 of Journey To The Moon) / 16 April 1958 (as episode 4 of Operation Luna). Original Story by Charles Chilton. Cast: Andrew Faulds, Guy Kingsley Poynter, David Williams, Alfie Bass, David Jacobs. |
Episode 5
Mitch is inquisitive and enters the UFO, where he is temporarily possessed by an alien intelligence. Luna takes off and orbits the Moon. On the far side, the crew encounter a fleet of UFOs, which pursues them. First broadcast: 16 November 1953 (as episode 9 of Journey To The Moon) / 23 April 1958 (as episode 5 of Operation Luna). Original Story by Charles Chilton. Cast: Andrew Faulds, Guy Kingsley Poynter, David Williams, Alfie Bass, David Jacobs. |
Episode 6
The UFOs accelerate Luna to an incredible speed, and the crew blacks out. On recovering, they find themselves out in deep space, with no sign of the Earth or Moon. In the distance, a planet is approaching. First broadcast: 23 November 1953 (as episode 10 of Journey To The Moon) / 30 April 1958 (as episode 6 of Operation Luna). Original Story by Charles Chilton. Cast: Andrew Faulds, Guy Kingsley Poynter, David Williams, Alfie Bass, David Jacobs. |
Episode 7
The crew land Luna on the planet and discover that it shares many of Earth's characteristics – oxygen atmosphere, drinkable water, carbon-based vegetation and ice-caps at both the poles. After studying the stars one night, Jet deduces that they in fact are on Earth, but that they've travelled thousands of years through time. First broadcast: 30 November 1953 (as episode 11 of Journey To The Moon) / 7 May 1958 (as episode 7 of Operation Luna). Original Story by Charles Chilton. Cast: Andrew Faulds, Guy Kingsley Poynter, David Williams, Alfie Bass, David Jacobs. |
Episode 8
Jet discovers a prehistoric stone knife near Luna, suggesting that they've travelled back in time, but there is some confusion over this when the crew discover the tracks of a great tank-like machine near their ship. A UFO, exactly like the one seen on the moon, lands nearby and a voice is heard over the radio: "Hello Luna!". First broadcast: 7/14 December 1953 (as episode 12/13 of Journey To The Moon) / 14 May 1958 (as episode 8 of Operation Luna). Original Story by Charles Chilton. Cast: Andrew Faulds, Guy Kingsley Poynter, David Williams, Alfie Bass, David Jacobs. |
Episode 9
The crew talk with 'the voice'. They learn that the strange music they've been hearing is generated by a strange, omnipresent power that 'the voice' and his people use to drive their ships. 'The voice' warns them that they are in great danger, and persuades them to enter the UFO, which takes off. Eventually it lands again, in a city of domed buildings. First broadcast: 21 December 1953 (as episode 14 of Journey To The Moon) / 21 May 1958 (as episode 9 of Operation Luna). Original Story by Charles Chilton. Cast: Andrew Faulds, Guy Kingsley Poynter, David Williams, Alfie Bass, Deryck Guyler. |
Episode 10
The crew learn more about 'the voice' and his people – they are a peaceful, scientific race from the opposite side of the universe. The crew explore the city, and are disturbed by a close encounter with a sabre-toothed tiger. Fortunately, the creature does not attack them, but they now realise that they have travelled back through time instead of forward. They enter a domed building, walk down a long dark tunnel, and emerge in a huge underground city. They are invited into another building to meet 'the voice', but are terrified by what they find inside... First broadcast: 29 December 1953 (as episode 15 of Journey To The Moon) / 28 May 1958 (as episode 10 of Operation Luna). Original Story by Charles Chilton. Cast: Andrew Faulds, Guy Kingsley Poynter, David Williams, Alfie Bass, Deryck Guyler. |
Episode 11
'The voice' consoles the crew, who are embarrassed by their shock, and guides them to another dome where they are given a meal and beds to sleep in. Next morning, 'the voice' tells the crew about the Earth's native 'forest creatures', destructive and hostile animals, and promises to help the crew get back to their own time. While preparing Luna for take-off, the crew are horrified to realise that the 'forest creatures' are, in fact, prehistoric humans. First broadcast: 5 January 1954 (as episode 16 of Journey To The Moon) / 4 June 1958 (as episode 11 of Operation Luna). Original Story by Charles Chilton. Cast: Andrew Faulds, Guy Kingsley Poynter, David Williams, Alfie Bass, Deryck Guyler, David Jacobs. |
Episode 12
'The voice' is not pleased to learn that the crew are descended from the 'forest creatures', but in the end agrees to help them as arranged. Luna takes off and is accelerated by the UFOs; the crew blacks out. They start to ponder on the nature of time, and become concerned about their shortage of fuel, and whether they will remember their adventures when they reach their own time. First broadcast: 12 January 1954 (as episode 17 of Journey To The Moon) / 11 June 1958 (as episode 12 of Operation Luna). Original Story by Charles Chilton. Cast: Andrew Faulds, Guy Kingsley Poynter, David Williams, Alfie Bass, Deryck Guyler, David Jacobs. |
Episode 13
The crew successfully return to the Moon in 1965, but with no memory of their adventure on prehistoric Earth. However, their rations have been replaced by water and an unknown bread-like substance, Doc's diary contains a detailed account, and there's a prehistoric stone knife on board Luna... First broadcast: 19 January 1954 (as episode 18 of Journey To The Moon) / 18 June 1958 (as episode 13 of Operation Luna). Original Story by Charles Chilton. Cast: Andrew Faulds, Guy Kingsley Poynter, David Williams, Alfie Bass, Deryck Guyler, David Jacobs. |