It is unclear if this was an intent of the producers and writers of X Minus One, but something interesting happened because of the show adapting various stories from Astounding Science Fiction and Galaxy Magazines. Some of the more unique authors and works of science fiction gained a larger audience thanks to the exposure given them by the revolutionary program.
“Drop Dead” by Clifford D. Simak, one of the most prolific writers in science fiction, takes an absurdist look at a common trope in the genre, that of explorers from Earth encountering strange species on other planets. With his wildly colored creatures that literally die as they approach the spaceship, Simak paints a landscape of confusion and interference that the adaptation to radio preserves, making this tale both one of humor and self-examination for listeners.
“Man’s Best Friend” is adapted from a story by Evelyn Smith, one of only two female science fiction writers adapted to X Minus One. In a far-flung future, an artificial intelligence chooses a common man to be the leader of the world, pushing him into a world he has no experience with. This satirical tale takes on how power may corrupt, and the choices individuals must make in the guise of futuristic computers and societies. The most important thing, however, about this adaptation is that it actually promoted the work of female science fiction authors at a time when the market was almost completely dominated by men.
“The Haunted Corpse, adapted from a work by Frederik Pohl, who would become editor of Galaxy Magazine in 1959, takes on the idea of a device that allows people to switch bodies. The real core of the adaptation, though, is the conflict between society and the individual over control of innovations and progress.
Twelve episodes of classic science fiction by some of the genre’s top authors are ready to blast off in X Minus One, Volume 9, restored to sparkling audio quality by Radio Archives!
#97 Discovery of Morniel Mathaway
Wednesday, April 17, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC - Sustaining no commercials
#98 Man's Best Friend
Wednesday, April 24, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC - Sustaining no commercials
#99 Inside Story
Thursday, June 20, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC - Sustaining no commercials
#100 The Category Inventor
Thursday, June 27, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC - Pabst Beer commercials
#101 Skulking Permit
Thursday, July 4, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC - Pabst Beer commercials
#102 Early Model
Thursday, July 11, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC - Sustaining no commercials
#103 The Merchants of Venus
Thursday, July 18, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC - Pabst Beer commercials
#104 The Haunted Corpse
Thursday, July 25, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC - Pabst Beer commercials
#105 End as a World
Thursday, August 1, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC - Pabst Beer commercials
#106 The Scapegoat
Thursday, August 8, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC - Pabst Beer commercials
#107 At the Post
Thursday, August 15, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC - Sustaining no commercials
#108 Drop Dead
Thursday, August 22, 1957 - 30:00 - NBC - Sustaining no commercials
