X Minus One - Single Episodes
Old Time Radio Researchers Group
X MINUS ONE X Minus One aired on NBC from 24 April 55 until 9 January 58 for a total of 124 episodes with one pilot or audition story. There was a revival of the series in 1973 when radio was attempting to bring back radio drama and it lasted until 1975. The show occupied numerous time slots through out its run in the 50's and thus was never able to generate a large following. X Minus One was an extension of Dimension X which aired on NBC from 1950-51. The first fifteen scripts used for X Minus One were scripts used in the airing of Dimension X ; however, it soon found its own little niche. The stories for the show came from two of the most popular science fiction magazines at the time; Astounding and Galaxy . Adaptations of these stories were performed by Ernest Kinoy and George Lefferts. They even wrote a few original stories of their own. The writers of the magazine stories were not well known then but now are the giants of today. These stories came from the minds of Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, and Poul Anderson to name a few. This series has survived from its original airing in high quality to be enjoyed today. NOTE: Updated with Version 3 files (14-May-2011). From the Old Time Radio Researcher's Group. See "Note" Section below for more information on the OTRR.
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.
Chapters
Reviews
More good stuff from the airwaves of yesteryear
Vivia
I just wanted to say yesteryear, thanks. Seriously, DR. GRIMSHAW was great. I think that must be the earliest work of Alvin and the Chipmunks. Oh dear you must hear the ending! Meoww! Hard to believe these are from the 50s; they sound as modern as Nightfall and vanishing point (almost). THE GREEN HILLS OF EARTH is interesting of course, being often anthologized. But the singing in it sounds so 70s you can't believe it.
X Minus One
madasaboxoffrogs
Episode 38 Skulking Permit is worth the 5 stars just on its own – if you just listen to one episode make it that one. I could see the ending coming a mile off and it didn't arrive instead it proved to be even more subversive than I thought it was going to be well done Robert Sheckley – won't give the ending away here. Episode 36 Cave of Night was the first one I listened to as I had already heard all of Dimension X. This was whilst walking home through town and Earth signeled the space ship I started to cry – got even more funny looks than usual. So far I'm only up to episode 50, I hope there is at least another episode as good as #38
Loved loved it!!!!!
Mustard
The only reason for the half star is because some stories are repeated. Otherwise great stuff was still wanting more when it ended!
How Would You Update The Veldt?
billbird2111
I have listened to a few adaptations of The Veldt, written by Ray Bradbury. In my humble opinion, the adaptation on X-Minus-One is the best. Unfortunately, the story was changed slightly to where the parents survived. That was never in Bradbury's short story. Neither was any indication that the parents had been attacked and eaten. Bradbury left it up to the reader's imagination to figure out what happened. Still, the things that he points to about the pictures the children are creating in the nursery are somewhat dated. Wizard of Oz, for example, could be replaced by Star Wars. Other, more recent children's stories, could also be included. I'm not sure if you can possibly recreate the magic of this one episode, but the one thing I would leave out is any reference to the parents who survived. That isn't the way Bradbury wrote it. The theme music in this helps carry it over the top. It's fantastic, and helps to convey the hope and promise that Bradbury wrote about in the original short story. Thank you OTRR. Most of your work is now popping up on YouTube. Not sure of your feelings about that, but it is happening.
Great Stuff!
Robbo4473
X Minus One was my first introduction to OTR and will always be one of my favorites. Does anyone know if "Death Calls Collect" is on the Archive anywhere? It's the one where this 80 year old guy who's completely alone on the planet gets a call from himself when he was young. Turns out when he was young, for fun and alleviate the boredom of being alone, creates a program that on his 80 birthday will call himself to talk (like Siri!) - but it kind of drives him nuts to be taunted by his younger self. Probably my favorite X.
Only Second To Reading A Sci-Fi Book!
Media Lover
These X Minus One series are just gems that need to be treasured for future generations. In this era of CGI and other computer manipulated images, the simple telling of science fiction tales through just the audio mode is still thrilling and effective. The imaginative juices are just kicked to jumpstart and go places where no joysticks on the video control panels have gone before. Like I said in the title, the only things that beat these radio shows, in terms of thrilling imaginations, are the science fiction books that I had read over the years.
Wonderfully entertaining
Paddyman
Downloaded this series to listen to on holiday, in between reading my usual novels. I never picked up a book all week, I simply couldn't wait for the next episode. I love the stories, especially the early episodes you can sense the paranoia of the time they were made and the parallels with the cold war and the space race. Really good stuff!
Good good good
WavyGravy
So well done, but the intro is ridiculously loud and obnoxious, as was the want of early radio.