Tom Corbett, Space Cadet (TV series)

Did You Know?

• Willy Ley served as technical advisor for the series.
• A short-lived radio version aired on ABC radio from January 1 to July 3, 1952, using the same actors as the TV show.
• Major Sportswear supplied tinsulated, aluminized hats with logos for the series.

Origin

Joseph Greene originally wrote scripts for a comic strip in 1945 and then for radio serials in 1946 and 1947, with titles like "Space Cadets" and "Space Academy." In 1949, he partnered with Rockhill Studios to turn the concept into a TV show, briefly considering the title "Tom Ranger, Space Cadet." The studio licensed the "Space Cadet" name from Robert A. Heinlein's 1948 novel in 1950. The first episode was later compiled into the 1998 film The Mercurian Invasion, which runs 88 minutes.

Cast

Frankie Thomas Jr. played Tom Corbett. Al Markim portrayed Astro, a Venusian cadet. Jan Merlin played Roger Manning, a smug, egotistical cadet who made condescending, racist remarks about Astro but gradually came to like him. Edward Bryce played Captain Steve Strong, Margaret Garland played Dr. Joan Dale, and Carter Blake played Commander Arkwright. Other cadets included John Fiedler as Alfie Higgins, Frank Sutton as Eric Rattison, and Jack Grimes as T. J. Thistle. Michael Harvey played Captain Strong for the first six CBS episodes; Pat Ferris played Dr. Dale for two DuMont episodes.

Distribution

Tom Corbett is one of only six TV series to appear on all four networks of the time. It aired on CBS from October 2 to December 1950, on ABC from January 1951 to September 1952, on NBC from July to September 1951, on DuMont from August 1953 to May 1954, and again on NBC from December 1954 to June 1955, with the final broadcast on June 25, 1955. Contemporary merchandise included toys, costumes, lunchboxes, and a newspaper comic strip.