Science Fiction Theatre

In the wake of the juvenile space operas of the early 1950s, a groundbreaking series debuted and paved the way for one of viewers’ favorite genres today: adult-oriented science fiction. Science Fiction Theatre aired with a fresh anthology-style narrative from the vision of veteran producer Ivan Tors and with compelling narration by Truman Bradley. Created by industry-leading syndicator Ziv Television Programs, the show pioneered a scientifically based approach to aliens, telepathy, and the mysteries of the universe that provided a model for Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone (1959–64) and a myriad of acclaimed programs that followed, including The Outer Limits (1963–65), The Ray Bradbury Theater (1985–92),and Black Mirror (2011–present). This book contextualizes Science Fiction Theatre within the budding American television industry of the 1950s, as powerful networks and independent producers and syndicators vied to create and distribute programming to an audience eager to embrace this new, free medium. Including a complete videography of this historically neglected series, author J. P. Telotte illuminates Science Fiction Theatre as a touchstone for understanding the development of science fiction media and the dynamic nature of early television broadcasting.

Willingham presents a historical survey of science fiction drama and focusses particularly on the history of attempts to stage science fiction. Little attention has been given to science fiction drama, though numerous science fiction plays exist. This volume gives special attention to works intended for adult audiences, with emphasis on the nature of science fiction drama, its origins and history, the staging of science fiction plays, and works by representative playwrights. The appendix offers an annotated list of 328 science fiction plays, with entries grouped in five categories: original drama, adaptations, musicals and operas, theatre pieces and multi-media works, and Frankenstein dramas. An extensive bibliography concludes the volume.

From 1955 to 1957, Science Fiction Theatre, a semi-documentary series, explored the "what ifs" of modern science. Placing an emphasis on science before fiction, television viewers were treated to a variety of complex challenges from mental telepathy, robots, man-eating ants, killer trees, man's first flight into outer space and the possibility of visitation from outer space. Hosted by Truman Bradley, a former radio news commentator, Science Fiction Theatre became an influential program for the time, courtesy of Ivan Tors, a man with a healthy regard for science and nature. Hollywood actors Gene Barry, Ruth Hussey, Gene Lockhart, Basil Rathbone, Howard Duff, William Lundigan and Vincent Price are but a few who lent their talents. For the first time ever, this 530-page book documents the entire history of the television program with biographies about Fred Ziv, Ivan Tors and Truman Bradley; behind-the-scenes production details; over 150 exclusive never-before-published photographs; and an episode guide for all 78 episodes including dates of production, fake science props, cast list, salary fees, location shooting, and much more!

Fill your classroom or library with imagination and excitement with this latest readers theatre offering from best-selling author Anthony D. Fredericks. The participatory approach in combination with some of the most creative and far-flung scripts in the universe will have your students actively engaged in scientific principles and possibilities. The 20 scripts in this fantastical resource will put your students in the roles of explorers, discoverers, scientists, and, yes--a few aliens, too. Students will be able to let their creativity take flight with this perfect addition to the language arts and science curriculum, as well as your library programming. Students will discover a mysterious object on the planet Pluto, observe aliens landing on a strange world and discover that some people are not what they seem to be. Packed with activity ideas and learning extensions, this resource is guaranteed to be a hit with your kids!

A best-of collection of short stories from Cowboy of the New Flesh, The Longest Night and Other Stories, and Escape From the Planet of the Retarded Monkeys and Other Stories.

This is the story of M. Francisco Fabrigas, explorer, philosopher, heretical physicist, who took a shipful of children on a frightening voyage to the next dimension, assisted by a teenaged Captain, a brave deaf boy, a cunning blind girl, and a sultry botanist, all the while pursued by the Pope of the universe and a well-dressed mesmerist. Dark plots, demonic cults, murderous jungles, quantum mayhem, the birth of creation, the death of time, and a creature called the Sweety: all this and more waits beyond the veil of reality.

The New Routledge Companion to Science Fiction provides an overview of the study of science fiction across multiple academic fields. It offers a new conceptualisation of the field today, marking the significant changes that have taken place in sf studies over the past 15 years. Building on the pioneering research in the first edition, the collection reorganises historical coverage of the genre to emphasise new geographical areas of cultural production and the growing importance of media beyond print. It also updates and expands the range of frameworks that are relevant to the study of science fiction. The periodisation has been reframed to include new chapters focusing on science fiction produced outside the Anglophone context, including South Asian, Latin American, Chinese and African diasporic science fiction. The contributors use both well- established critical and theoretical approaches and embrace a range of new ones, including biopolitics, climate crisis, critical ethnic studies, disability studies, energy humanities, game studies, medical humanities, new materialisms and sonic studies. This book is an invaluable resource for students and established scholars seeking to understand the vast range of engagements with science fiction in scholarship today.