OUT OF THIS WORLD

   1. US tv series (1952). ABC TV. Prod Milton Kaye. Narrated Jackson Beck. 1 season, 25min episodes. B/w.

   OOTW hovered between sf and lectures on science. In episode 3, for example, we saw a young couple in 1993 going to the Moon for a vacation and then telephoning their relations on Earth. Between these dramatized segments the narrator discussed with a scientist,Robert R. Cole, the actual possibilities of space travel and conditions on the Moon.

   2. UK tv series (1962). ABC TV. Prod Leonard White. Story editor Irene Shubik. 13 50min episodes. B/w.

   This short-lived but relativelyambitious sf-anthology series - the first such in the UK - was hosted by Boris Karloff (1887-1969). Stories adapted for the series included LittleLost Robot (1947; rev 1977 chap) by Isaac ASIMOV, "The Cold Equations" (1954) by Tom GODWIN, "Impostor" (1953) by Philip K. DICK and "Pictures Don't Lie" (1951) by Katherine MACLEAN. Of the two original teleplays used, one was "Botany Bay" by Terry NATION, later to become a driving force behind DR WHO. OOTW's success inspired Shubik to make the similar (but better) OUT OF THE UNKNOWN series 3 years later, this time for theBBC rather than commercial tv.

   JB