Journey into Space

Infobox Radio Show
show_name = Journey Into Space

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imagesize = 200px
caption = The four main cast members of "Journey Into Space: The World in Peril"
format = Science fiction
audio_format = Monaural
record_location =
runtime = 30 minutes
creator = Charles Chilton
developer =
producer = Charles Chilton
executive_producer =
starring = Andrew Faulds Guy Kingsley Poynter Bruce Beeby Don Sharp David Williams David Kossoff Alfie Bass David Jacobs (plus others)
narrated =
opentheme =
endtheme =
country = flagicon|United Kingdom United Kingdom
language = English
home_station = BBC Light Programme
syndicates =
first_aired = 21 September 1953
last_aired = 18 June 1958
num_episodes = "Journey to the Moon" – 18 "The Red Planet" – 20 "The World in Peril" – 20
"Operation Luna" – 13 "The Return from Mars" – 1
website =
podcast =

"Journey Into Space" was a BBC Radio science fiction programme, written by BBC producer Charles Chilton. In the UK it was the last radio programme to attract a bigger evening audience than television. [http://www.audible.co.uk/journey/JIS-OpLuna16pp.pdf Booklet] accompanying the 2004 release of the "Operation Luna" CD boxset by BBC Audiobooks] Originally, four series were produced (the fourth being a remake of the first), which went on to be translated into 17 languagesSummary by Charles Chilton, "Operation Luna" audio cassette boxset, released by BBC Worldwide Ltd, 1996] (including Hindustani, Turkish and Dutch [http://www.audible.co.uk/journey/JIS-RedPlanet16pp.pdf Booklet] accompanying the 2005 release of "The Red Planet" CD boxset by BBC Audiobooks] ) and broadcast worldwide (including the United States, New Zealand, Australia and the Netherlands). Chilton went on to write three best-selling novels and several comic strip stories, based upon the radio series.

The first series was created in 1953, soon after "Riders of the Range" (a popular Western, also written by Chilton) ended its six seasons on the BBC Light Programme. Michael Standing, then Head of the BBC Variety Department, asked Chilton if he could write a sci-fi programme, and "Journey to the Moon" (later known as "Operation Luna") was the result. Each half-hour episode would usually end with a dramatic cliffhanger, to increase the audience's incentive to tune in to the next episode.

The original magnetic recordings of the show were erased shortly after broadcast, and for several decades, it was believed that no recordings of the show still survived. However, in 1986, a set of mis-filed transcription discs were discovered, containing complete copies of the three original series. This discovery enabled the BBC to begin re-broadcasting the show in the late 1980s, and release copies of the show, first on audio cassette, and more recently on CD and internet download.

Fans of "Journey Into Space" include Colin Pillinger, [cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/west/series5/mission_mars_colin_pillinger.shtml |title=BBC Inside Out - Man With A Mission |accessdate=2007-02-19 ] Kenny Everett,cite web |url=http://www.jeton.themoon.co.uk/50facts.html |title=Journey Into Space - 50 Amazing Facts |accessdate=2007-02-19 ] John Major, Stephen Hawking and Miriam Margolyes.

The main characters

The four main characters appear in all the original series, as well as the later special episodes:

(*) Alan Keith (born Alec Kossoff) was the brother of David Kossoff, who played Lemmy.

Chilton wrote episode 8 of "Journey to the Moon" in response to a challenge from a TV producer, who considered the success of the series to be "a fluke". The producer challenged Chilton to write an episode "that could not be played equally well on television", and Chilton succeeded – a large proportion of the episode takes place in total darkness. During the episode, Jet reads to the rest of the crew by torchlight from "The First Men in the Moon" by H. G. Wells, the only work of fiction carried on board the ship.

Andrew Faulds' adopted uncle, Hector MacPherson, was an astronomer, and wrote a book called "Practical Astronomy". Chilton bought a copy of the book, which first sparked his interest in astronomy, and later led him to write "Journey Into Space". In episode 7 of "Journey to the Moon", Jet's childhood flashback features his great uncle Hector, who was based on Hector MacPherson.

In November 1957, Chilton wrote an episode of the BBC Schools Radio science series "Our Own and Other Worlds", titled "A Trip to the Moon", which featured edited material from episodes 5 and 6 of "Journey to the Moon". [http://www.audible.co.uk/journey/theworldinperil.pdf Booklet] accompanying the release of "The World in Peril" internet download]

The table below indicates the correspondence between the episodes of "Journey to the Moon" and "Operation Luna".

More detailed information on the series can be found in the comprehensive booklet accompanying the CD boxset of "The Red Planet".

"The World in Peril"

The third series was a direct continuation of the story begun in "The Red Planet", and followed Jet Morgan and his crew's return to Mars in an attempt to avert the impending Martian invasion.

In addition to the main characters, other characters in "The World in Peril" included:

"Frozen in Time"

A new episode based on the original series, with David Jacobs finally taking the role of Jet Morgan. Charles Chilton wrote the one hour play which was set in the year 2013.Broadcast on Radio 4 on Saturday April 12, 2008. This is scheduled for release by BBC Audio at the end of 2008.

Audiobooks

Currently, only the first novel has been released as an audiobook.

Other related series

Chilton followed "Journey Into Space" with two other radio series – "Space Force" in 1984 and "Space Force II" in 1985 – which were based on a similar theme. Indeed, "Space Force" had originally been intended as a new "Journey Into Space" serial, following on from "The Return from Mars", until relatively late in the day, so its four central characters are clear 'doubles' for the "Journey Into Space" team. In the version that was actually recorded and transmitted, one character (Chipper Barnett) refers to his grandfather Lemmy.

External links

The BBC releases of the three original series on CD and internet download are accompanied by 16-page booklets with text written by Andrew Pixley. These booklets provide detailed information about the series, and are available online:
* [http://www.audible.co.uk/journey/JIS-OpLuna16pp.pdf BBC booklet for "Operation Luna"]
* [http://www.audible.co.uk/journey/JIS-RedPlanet16pp.pdf BBC booklet for "The Red Planet"] ( [http://media.venda.com/bbcshop/ebiz/bbc/images/JIS-RedPlanet16pp.pdf alternative link] )
* [http://www.audible.co.uk/journey/theworldinperil.pdf BBC booklet for "The World in Peril"]

Other links:
* [http://media.venda.com/bbcshop/ebiz/bbc/images/audio/0563524898.mp3 Two-minute clip] of "Operation Luna"
* [http://www.journeyintospace.co.uk/ www.journeyintospace.co.uk] – An excellent website about the series
* [http://www.zetaminor.com/reviews/book_reviews/journey_into_space.htm Zeta Minor CD Review: "Operation Luna"] – A very comprehensive review of "Operation Luna" and its new CD boxset
* [http://www.zetaminor.com/reviews/book_reviews/red_planet.htm Zeta Minor CD Review: "The Red Planet"] – A very comprehensive review of "The Red Planet" and its new CD boxset
* [http://www.zetaminor.com/roobarb/showthread.php?t=12603 "Journey into Space" - "The World in Peril" - not on CD?]

References