Although it was one of the first shows of the science fiction boom of the early 1950s, Space Patrol followed a certain pattern that insured it would prove popular amongst young listeners, its targeted audience. Recognizing what appealed to children, the writers of Space Patrol borrowed tricks of the trade used by other types of program, leaning on one genre in particular - the radio Western.
He did not wear a tin star, but Buzz Corry was as much a lawman as Matt Dillon and rode a range just like Hopalong Cassidy. Instead of horses, Corry’s ride was a spaceship, three actually. Hitting the airwaves in command of the Battle Cruiser 100, Buzz and his crew would fight for interplanetary justice from the flight decks of The Terra IV and Terra V as well. As for enemies, the Space Patrol had their own versions of outlaws, land grabbers, and ne’er do wells, all of which could have played well on any Western program with just a change of costume.
The most successful aspect, however, that Space Patrol lifted from the Western was the use of premiums from its sponsor. Radio programs often offered premiums of some sort to their listeners, but few did it as successfully as Hopalong Cassidy or The Lone Ranger. Taking a page from both of these cowboys, Space Patrol’s sponsor Ralston Cereals offered up some rather unique items, like the Space-O-Phone, one that of course looked just like the one Buzz used on the show, and even “The Ralston Rocket”, a ‘spaceship’ thirty feet in length and weighing 10,000 pounds that was given to a lucky fan after it toured the country.
Follow Buzz Corry into the stars for out of this world adventure in Space Patrol, Volume 3. Thrill to twelve episodes of this pioneering science fiction program restored to sparkling audio quality by Radio Archives!
The Menace of Planet X
Saturday, August 22, 1953 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
The Trap on Planet X
Saturday, August 29, 1953 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
The Valley of Dread
Saturday, September 5, 1953 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
Escape From Planet X
Saturday, September 12, 1953 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
The Spies From Planet X
Saturday, September 19, 1953 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
Target: Jupiter
Saturday, September 26, 1953 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
Return to Planet X
Saturday, October 3, 1953 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
On the Icecap of Planet X
Saturday, October 10, 1953 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
Rescue From Planet X
Saturday, October 17, 1953 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
The Secret of Dargo Ruins
Saturday, October 24, 1953 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
The Iron Eaters of Planet X
Saturday, October 31, 1953 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
Cyclone in Outer Space
Saturday, November 7, 1953 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
