Journey Into Space was a BBC Radio science fiction programme, written by BBC producer Charles Chilton. Three series were produced, which have been translated into 17 languages[1] and broadcast worldwide.[1] In the UK it was the last radio programme to attract a bigger evening audience than television.
The first series was created in 1953, soon after Riders of the Range (a popular Western, also written by Chilton) ended its six seasons on the BBC Light Programme. Michael Standing, then Head of the BBC Variety Department, asked Chilton if he could write a sci-fi programme, and Journey to the Moon (later known as Operation Luna) was the result.
Each half-hour episode would usually end with a dramatic cliffhanger (a popular plot device used to increase the audiences incentive to tune in to the next episode).
The Red Planet
The second series, The Red Planet, followed the adventures of the crew in their first attempt to reach and explore Mars. Several new characters were introduced, the most notable of which were Frank Rogers and James Edward Whitaker, the two original crewmen of freighter #2. Chilton took the name Whitaker from a copy of Whitakers Almanack which was sitting on his desk.
In addition to the main cast, other cast members in The Red Planet were:
David Jacobs ??? Frank Rogers and miscellaneous characters
Anthony Marriott
Miriam Karlin
John Cazabon
Madi Hedd
Don Sharp
Colorado Free Presents Episodes 1 and 2 of Jet Morgan, Journey in to Space The Red Planet, join your host Johnny Night as he takes you down Nostalgia Lane.
Colorado Free Radio Old Time Radio Presents
