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  Men Into Space (1959–1960 TV 'hard sci-fi' series)

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Author Topic:   Men Into Space (1959–1960 TV 'hard sci-fi' series)
Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 02-25-2013 11:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Author John Fredriksen contacted collectSPACE about his new book chronicling the 1959-1960 television series, Men Into Space.
Before Lost In Space, before Star Trek, and before Space 1999, American audiences were regaled by the weekly thrills, perils, and otherworldly exploits of Men Into Space, the first-ever "hard science" sci-fi program. Popular actor William Lundigan appeared as the redoubtable Colonel Edward McCauley, who grappled with many of the same problems that real astronauts encountered in their quest to reach the Moon a decade later. It was a somber departure from previous televised science fiction fare, aimed at juveniles, and served up the drama and excitement of space flight in realistic fashion.

In 38 black-and-white episodes, McCauley endures lunar crashes, renegade satellites, runaway space stations, meteor strikes, and colliding tankers, in addition to memorable encounters with feuding scientists, balky subordinates, hostile cosmonauts, and space babes. All told, Men Into Space is a classic slice of 1950s Americana and exuberantly reflects the national obsession with astronautics of its day. It is a must for devotees of the heroic age of spaceflight and early science fiction television.

This ground-breaking booklet examines the historical context of the series and its rise and fall, along with biographies of all major personalities involved with its production. Includes two appendices and footnotes; profusely illustrated.

  • Paperback: 328 pages
  • Publisher: BearManor Media (December 26, 2012)
  • ISBN-10: 1593932316
  • ISBN-13: 978-1593932312

PeterO
Member

Posts: 399
From: North Carolina
Registered: Mar 2002

posted 02-25-2013 12:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for PeterO   Click Here to Email PeterO     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
If you're tempted by the PDF e-book, but don't like paying the same price as the physical book, there is an Amazon Kindle edition for $9.95, and an Apple iBooks edition for $11.95.

Amazon and Barnes & Noble also have the paperback for its list price, but they offer free shipping, which is not an option on the publisher's website.

Glint
Member

Posts: 1040
From: New Windsor, Maryland USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 02-25-2013 12:47 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Glint   Click Here to Email Glint     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Looks like episodes are on YouTube.

Blackarrow
Member

Posts: 3118
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 02-25-2013 04:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Blackarrow     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yes, I remember this series, which made it across the Atlantic around 1961 when the real space adventure was getting under way. I particularly remember one episode in which an astronaut exploring a lunar cave falls down a hole and finds ice. Yesterday's science fiction has become today's fact!

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