American Science Fiction Television Series of the 1950s

As Americans grappled with the real problems of the atomic age in the 1950s, the science fiction television series provided escapist fare. At first essentially fantasy and adventure, the shows reflected the progress of the decade, using in the late 1950s extrapolations from the theories and findings of true science.
From Adventures of Superman to World of Giants, this reference work covers all science fiction television series of the 1950s. A lengthy essay details character development, technical innovations, critical commentary and other matters. The episode guides that follow first provide primary cast and production credits for the entire season and then coverage of each individual episode, with title, airdate, writer, director, and a plot synopsis. Much of the information was derived from actual viewing, and many errors from other works are corrected here.

Patrick Lucanio lives in Springfield, Oregon.
Gary Coville has written on Jack the Ripper and coauthored several books on film and television. He lives in Dallas, Oregon.

Patrick Lucanio and Gary Coville
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 261
Bibliographic Info: 70 photos, bibliography, indexes
Copyright Date: 2007 [1998]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-3101-4
Imprint: McFarland

Preface      1
Introduction: The Conquest of Space in an Age of Wonder      5

Adventures of Superman      17
Atom Squad      79
Buck Rogers      81
Captain Midnight      83
Captain Video and His Video Rangers      96
Captain Z-RO      102
Commando Cody, Sky Marshal of the Universe      106
Flash Gordon      113
H.G. Wells’ Invisible Man      122
Johnny Jupiter      134
The Man and the Challenge      142
Men into Space      147
Out There      157
Rocky Jones, Space Ranger      160
Rod Brown of the Rocket Rangers      173
Science Fiction Theatre      176
Space Patrol      195
Tales of Tomorrow      206
Tom Corbett, Space Cadet      212
World of Giants      223

Bibliography      229
Index of Episode Titles      233
General Index      239

“solid…a constellation of research arcana…the authors merit applause for their foray into an uncharted territory”—Library Journal; “clear and competent…offers in-depth and inside information…a significant contribution”—Booklist; “a carefully prepared, encyclopedic treatment of a fascinating…facet of television history”—ARBA; “this big, useful reference…will bring back plenty of memories…fascinating…erudite yet unpretentious”—Filmfax; “excellent…this book provides the answers…exhaustive”—Interzone; “most impressive…delivers all that it promises”—Classic Images; “valuable…a fine addition”—Science Fiction Chronicle; “interesting and useful”—Communication Booknotes Quarterly.