Tales of Tomorrow

Tales of Tomorrow was an unsuccessful attempt at a radio version of the ABC TV series of the same name. Broadcast on the ABC radio network from 1 January 1953 to 9 April 1953, fifteen episodes were made before the show was cancelled. Seven of the fifteen episodes are in circulation (the episode 'The Girls From Earth' has been omitted below, as the audio quality is so poor as to make it almost incomprehensible. The same story is available as episode 84 of X Minus One). All the scripts were adapted from stories appearing in Galaxy Science Fiction magazine.

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: Betelgeuse Bridge

​Snail-like aliens offer to trade life-prolonging ‘Revitalizer’ machines for Earth’s entire supply of radioactive isotopes. Note: the audio quality of this episode is quite poor.

​First broadcast: 15 January 1953.
Original Story by William Tenn.
​Cast: Lauren Clarke(?), John Gibson, John Flannery(?).
Episode 2: The Other Now

​Following the death of his wife in a road accident, a man starts experiencing glimpses of an alternate world where his wife is still alive.

First broadcast: 22 January 1953.
Original Story by Murray Leinster.
​Cast: Lawson Zerbe, Dick York.
Episode 3: 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: 19 February 1953.
Original Story by Robert Sheckley.
​Cast: Leon Janney, George Cluvey(?), Mary Michael, John Raby, Gerald Keene.
Episode 4: Martians Never Die

On his return from Mars, a scientist finds himself targeted for murder by his wife’s lover, but the Martian pet he has brought back with him proves to be a useful bodyguard. Note: the audio quality of this episode is quite poor.

​First broadcast: 12 March 1953.
Original Story by Lucius Daniel.
​Cast: Lesley Woods, Leon Janney, George Petrie, Lynn Cook
Episode 5: The Old Die Rich

An unusual number of elderly turn up dead with money stuffed in their pockets, yet having died of starvation. The investigation leads to an unscrupulous woman who is using a time machine for nefarious purposes.

​First broadcast: 26 March 1953.
Original Story by H. L. Gold.
​Cast: John Raby, Rolly Bester, Maurice Tarplin.
Episode 6: Morrow On Mars

A newspaper editor and a scientist try to stop a criminal gang from stealing valuable 'trineutrium' from Mars​.

​First broadcast: 02 April 1953.
Original Story by Unknown.
​Cast: George Petrie, Fran Collins, Leon Janney.