SF 68

SF 68 was a South African anthology series produced for commercial radio station Springbok Radio in 1968. Produced by Michael McCabe, it featured stories from well known writers such as Ray Bradbury, Harlan Ellison, Murray Leinster, Kate Wilhelm and John Christopher. Thirty three episodes were produced, of which fifteen are in circulation (the episode 'Homecoming' has been omitted below, as the audio quality is so poor as to make it almost incomprehensible). The series was cancelled after one season and replaced with Beyond Midnight, a horror series from the same producer.

Please note that the episode numbers given below are merely the order in which the episodes are thought to have been broadcast — they are not the actual episode numbers.

Episode 1: Last Rites

A Catholic priest is called to give his dying friend the last rites and receives a shocking revelation.

First broadcast: 15 March 1968.
Original Story by Charles Beaumont.
Cast: Unknown.

Episode 2: The Death Dust

The first mission to the Moon encounters a deadly problem which may have implications for the whole Earth.

First broadcast: 22 March 1968.
Original Story by Frank Harvey.
Cast: Unknown.

Episode 3: Wanted In Surgery

In a future where health care is provided by robots and human doctors are relegated to assistant status, one doctor rebels against the status quo.

First broadcast: 29 March 1968.
Original Story by Harlan Ellison.
Cast: Unknown.

Episode 4: A Sound of Thunder

A hunting party travels back in time to kill a dinosaur, but time travel may have dangerous consequences for the present.

First broadcast: 10 May 1968.
Original Story by Ray Bradbury.
Cast: Unknown.

Episode 5: The Answer

The bodies of two ‘angels’ are found following nuclear testing by the US and Soviet Union.

First broadcast: 17 May 1968.
Original Story by Philip Wylie.
Cast: Unknown.

Episode 6: The Will

A terminally ill teenage boy makes extraordinary plans for his future.

First broadcast: 24 May 1968.
Original Story by Walter M. Miller, Jr.
Cast: Unknown.

Episode 7: Jenny With Wings

Can a young woman with wings ever find true love?

First broadcast: 14 June 1968.
Original Story by Kate Wilhelm.
Cast: Unknown.

Episode 8: Andover And The Android

A confirmed bachelor acquires an android ‘wife’ in order to be considered for a promotion at work.

First broadcast: 28 June 1968.
Original Story by Kate Wilhelm.
Cast: Unknown.

Episode 9: Quest

In a future mega-city, a man begins a quest to find something — anything — which is not man-made.

First broadcast: 5 July 1968.
Original Story by Lee Harding.
Cast: Unknown.

Episode 10: The Cage

The human crew of a crashed spaceship are rescued by aliens. Thinking they are an indigenous, non-sentient species, the aliens put them on exhibition in a zoo.

First broadcast: 19 July 1968.
Original Story by A. Bertram Chandler.
Cast: Unknown.

Episode 11: Watchbird

Mind-reading AI drones are deployed to stop murderers before they can act. But what happens when the drones decide to extend their definition of murder?

First broadcast: 20 September 1968.
Original Story by Robert Sheckley.
Cast: Unknown.

Episode 12: Routine Exercise

A submarine falls through a time warp into the prehistoric era and finds itself in conflict with a ufo.

First broadcast: 27 September 1968.
Original Story by Philip E. High.
Cast: Unknown.

Episode 13: The New Wine

An interstellar spaceship returns to Earth after an eight year mission. Due to relativistic effects, one hundred years have passed on Earth and the planet has changed beyond all recognition.

First broadcast: 11 October 1968.
Original Story by John Christopher.
Cast: Unknown.

Episode 14: Grenville's Planet

A survey spaceship discovers a planet covered entirely by ocean, except for one small island, which has animal life. Further study of the planet reveals that the tides are hundreds of feet higher than the island — so where did the animals come from?

First broadcast: 18 October 1968.
Original Story by Michael Shaara.
Cast: Unknown.