Tom Corbett, Space Cadet

Tom Corbett, Space Cadet was a spin off from the popular TV series of the same name and was broadcast on the ABC Radio network from January 1, 1952, to June 26, 1952. The stories followed the adventures of Corbett, Astro, and Roger Manning, cadets at the Space Academy, as they train to become members of the Solar Guard.

The series ran as a half-hour show twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday, with many of the radio episode scripts based on the television episodes and featuring the same cast:
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Tom Corbett: Frankie Thomas Jr.
Roger Manning: Jan Merlin.
Astro: Al Markim.
Capt. Strong: Edward Bryce.
Dr. Joan Dale: Margaret Garland.
Commander Arkwright: Carter Blake.
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​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 21: Mission of Mercy, Part 1
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Tom is struck down with a dangerous disease as the cadets evacuate children from Titan following an epidemic.

​First broadcast: 25 March 1952.
​Original Story by Hal Rine.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Al Markim, Jan Merlin, Edward Bryce, Carter Blake.
Episode 22: Mission of Mercy, Part 2

​The cadets' ship is struck by a meteor whilst searching for a missing rocket cruiser.

First broadcast: 27 March 1952.
Original Story by Hal Rine.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Al Markim, Jan Merlin, Edward Bryce, Luis van Rooten.
Episode 23: Double Cross In Space, Part 1

Believing he has flunked out of the Academy after failing his mid-term exams, Roger joins a uranium prospecting expedition and unwittingly becomes involved in the theft of vital explosives.

​First broadcast: 1 April 1952.
Original Story by Richard Jessup.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Jan Merlin, Edward Bryce, Paul Ford, Ian Martin.
Episode 24: Double Cross In Space, Part 2

With the Solar Guard's fuel supplies running low, the hunt for Roger and the stolen explosives continues.
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​First broadcast: 3 April 1952.
Original Story by Richard Jessup.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Jan Merlin, Edward Bryce, Ian Martin, Gilbert Mack.
Episode 25: The Mystery of The Sparkling Meteor, Part 1

The cadets investigate when a ship on comet watch fails to report on schedule.

​First broadcast: 8 April 1952.
Original Story by Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Al Markim, Jan Merlin, Edward Bryce, Sarah Fussell.
Episode 26: The Mystery of The Sparkling Meteor, Part 2

​The cadets hunt down a deadly antimatter asteroid.

​First broadcast: 10 April 1952.
Original Story by Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Jan Merlin, Edward Bryce, Sarah Fussell, Margaret Garland.
Episode 27: Holiday of Terror, Part 1

The cadets visit Astro's uncle in Gold Town, Venus to celebrate the Venus Independence Day holiday, but find the town deserted.

​First broadcast: 15 April 1952.
Original Story by Don Hughes.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Al Markim, Jan Merlin.
Episode 28: Holiday of Terror, Part 2

The cadets attempt to track down a gang of gold thieves.
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​First broadcast: 17 April 1952.
Original Story by Don Hughes.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Al Markim, Jan Merlin.
Episode 29: The Riddle of Astro, Part 1

​Astro's identical-looking, criminal cousin attempts to infiltrate Space Acadamy.

​First broadcast: 22 April 1952.
Original Story by Ben Peter Freeman.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Al Markim, Jan Merlin.
Episode 30: The Riddle of Astro, Part 2

Astro turns the tables and impersonates his criminal cousin in order to capture a gang of space pirates.

​First broadcast: 24 April 1952.
Original Story by Ben Peter Freeman.
​Cast:  Frankie Thomas Jr, Al Markim, Jan Merlin, Carter Blake, Joe De Santis, Gilbert Mack.
Episode 31: Escort of Death, Part 1

​Volunteering as escorts for a millionaire's daughter, Tom and Roger find themselves framed for a million credit robbery.

​First broadcast: 29 April 1952.
Original Story by Gilbert Braun.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Jan Merlin, Rosemary Rice, Frank Butler.
Episode 32: Escort of Death, Part 2

Tom and Roger try to avoid capture by both the Solar Guard and the criminal who framed them.

​First broadcast: 1 May 1952.
Original Story by Gilbert Braun.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Jan Merlin, Rosemary Rice, Edward Bryce, Ivor Francis, Grant Sullivan.
Episode 33: Danger In Deep Space, Part 1

On a trip to Alpha Centauri, a pair of crooks attempt to take over the cadets' ship.

​First broadcast: 6 May 1952.
Original Story by Richard Jessup.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Al Markim, Jan Merlin, Andy Donnelly.
Episode 34: Danger In Deep Space, Part 2

The cadets attempt to blast a small moon, made of valuable copper, onto a trajectory which will set it on course to Earth.

​First broadcast: 8 May 1952.
Original Story by Richard Jessup.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Al Markim, Jan Merlin, Luis van Rooten.
Episode 35: Marooned With Death, Part 1

When their supply drone fails to arrive and communications are knocked out by a nearby nova, Captain Strong and the cadets find themselves marooned on an alien planet.

​First broadcast: 13 May 1952.
Original Story by Gilbert Braun.
​Cast:  Frankie Thomas Jr, Al Markim, Jan Merlin, Edward Bryce.
Episode 36: Marooned With Death, Part 2

The cadets are held prisoner by Captain Yates, the commander of the long-lost first expedition to the alien planet.

​First broadcast: 15 May 1952.
Original Story by Gilbert Braun.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Al Markim, Jan Merlin, Edward Bryce, Ian Martin, Susan Douglas.
Episode 37: The Greatest Show In The Universe, Part 1

​Tom and Roger are tasked with transporting an interplanetary circus to Venus.

​First broadcast: 20 May 1952.
Original Story by Palmer Thompson.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Jan Merlin, Connie Lembcke, John Griggs, Leon Janney.
Episode 38: The Greatest Show In The Universe, Part 2

​A rival circus owner attempts to sabotage the circus.

​First broadcast: 22 May 1952.
Original Story by Palmer Thompson.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Jan Merlin, John Griggs, Connie Lembcke, Leon Janney.
Episode 39: Revolt At Prison Rock, Part 1

​The cadets attempt to stop a breakout on a prison asteroid.

​First broadcast: 27 May 1952.
Original Story by Ben Peter Freeman.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Jan Merlin, William Keen, James Monks, Joseph Bowland
Episode 40: Revolt At Prison Rock, Part 2

​Tom and Roger hunt the escaped prisoners in the asteroid belt.

​First broadcast: 29 May 1952.
Original Story by Ben Peter Freeman.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Jan Merlin, James McCallian, Cameron Andrews, Joseph Bowland.
Episode 41: The Vultures of Space, Part 1

​Sabotage occurs during a five-ship race to secure mineral rights on an alien planet.

​First broadcast: 3 June 1952.
Original Story by Gilbert Braun.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Al Markim, Maurice Tarplin, David Kerman.
Episode 42: The Vultures of Space, Part 2

​The race to stake a claim on the alien planet turns deadly.

​First broadcast: 5 June 1952.
Original Story by Gilbert Braun.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Al Markim, Jan Merlin, Maurice Tarplin.
Episode 43: The Satellite of Death, Part 1

​A criminal gang plots to gain control of a life-saving drug produced on Saturn's moon Rhea.

​First broadcast: 10 June 1952.
Original Story by Don Hughes.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Jan Merlin, Neal O'Malley.
Episode 44: The Satellite of Death, Part 2

​The gang attack Rhea and blow up the colony's atmosphere shell.

​First broadcast: 12 June 1952.
Original Story by Don Hughes.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Jan Merlin, Neal O'Malley, Richard Keith, Ian Martin.
Episode 45: Pursuit of Danger, Part 1

​A pair of criminals steal the secret of the 'energy lock' from a time capsule at the Venus Expo.

​First broadcast: 17 June 1952.
Original Story by Richard Jessup.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Jan Merlin, Edward Bryce, Ivor Francis.
Episode 46: Pursuit of Danger, Part 2

​Space pirates hijack a Solar Guard rocket cruiser.

​First broadcast: 19 June 1952.
Original Story by Richard Jessup.
​Cast: Frankie Thomas Jr, Jan Merlin, Edward Bryce, Ivor Francis.