Although only on the air in one way or another for five years, Space Patrol proved to be very popular, a science fiction sensation for fans young and old. Within two years of its debut, merchandise and appearances by the cast popped up across the country. Buzz Corry and Cadet Happy looked on from cereal boxes as kids ate their Ralston cereals. The cereal company took full advantage of Space Patrol’s popularity by offering all kinds of premiums, even doing a ‘Name The Planet’ Contest with a prize of an “actual” spaceship called the Ralston Rocket.
Other Space Patrol merchandise flooded the market in the early 1950s as well. From emergency kits to toys, from clothing to flashlights, the show’s characters found their way into homes from mail order houses and department stores across the country. The cast, the same for both the radio and television versions, made frequent appearances in magazines as well as at public events, often raising money for charities of all varieties, proving to be heroes in person to fans as well as on the air. Life Magazine in 1952 projected that Space Patrol merchandise would earn more than forty million dollars that year.
Some relate the popularity of Space Patrol to the newness of science fiction on television. Others state that it was the heroes portrayed on the program. Buzz Corry and his crew were always on the side of good, aggressively seeking to protect everyone possible from evil, even at times the evil doers themselves. This made them heroes to follow and emulate for fans of the program.
Join up with Buzz Corry and his crew of interstellar lawmen in Space Patrol Volume 5! Twelve top notch science fiction adventures restored to sparkling audio quality by Radio Archives!
The Serpent Of Saturn
Saturday, February 27, 1954 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
Test For Survival
Saturday, March 13, 1954 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
The Secret Of Dr Borodeck
Saturday, March 20, 1954 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
The Zero Ray
Saturday, March 27, 1954 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
The Super Brain Of Volmer Castro
Saturday, April 3, 1954 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Nestle's
The Test Of The XK-3
Saturday, April 10, 1954 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
The Image Of Evil
Saturday, April 17, 1954 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Nestle's
Captain Hackett's Planetoid
Saturday, May 8, 1954 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
The Strange Voyager
Saturday, May 22, 1954 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
The Red Demon Of Venus
Saturday, May 29, 1954 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Nestle's
The Mystery Of The Masked Martians
Saturday, June 5, 1954 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Ralston Cereals
The Tattooed Atom
Saturday, June 12, 1954 - 30:00 - ABC, sponsored by Nestle's