Part One of Charles Chilton’s Classic Science Fiction Trilogy

A journey into space.What is space? It is nothing: yet it exists everywhere.

Space – the limitless, infinite, awful, lonely,utter blackness to be found beyond theuniverse... But the imaginative human mindis a fast traveller, so let's move in and take acloser look ...

These words, spoken by Guy KingsleyPoynter, opened the first episode of anew BBC Light Programme serial, Journeyinto Space, on 21 September 1953.Theshow was a replacement for Riders of theRange, a popular Western with musicwhich had begun on 13 January 1949and, after six seasons, had concluded theprevious week. Like its predecessor,Journey into Space was written andproduced by Charles Chilton.

Born in 1917, Chilton had joined theBBC as a messenger boy in 1933.Afterproducing jazz programmes and servingwith the RAF in the war, Chilton

continued with the BBC VarietyDepartment. ‘A lot of scripts began toarrive with the idea of doing science fiction,’recalled Chilton. ‘Michael Standing, theHead of Department, called me in and said,“Look, you write pop adventures. Couldn'tyou write science fiction?” So I said that I'dtry... At the time, true space travel was aboutto begin.’ Chilton himself was a memberof the British Astronomical Associationwho had built a small observatory in hisgarden, helped by Charles Irwin whoplayed Luke in Riders of the Range.Originally it was planned that the serieswould run for twelve episodes, andChilton wanted good cliffhangers,reminiscent of the chapter serials herecalled from his youth.

The basic creation of the series isdiscussed in the documentary Journey intoSpace... Again.Veteran actor WilfredWalter was recommended to Chilton toplay rocket pioneer Sir William Morgan.

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The main hero, his son Captain Andrew‘Jet’ Morgan, was played by ScotsShakespearean actor Andrew Faulds, wholater became Labour MP for Warley.Playing cheerful Cockney Jewish radiooperator Lemuel ‘Lemmy’ Barnet wasDavid Kossoff, an actor well known forhis Jewish folk humour.Writer/actor GuyKingsley Poynter, whom Chilton had usedbefore (‘he was a very good poetry reader’)played the team’s soft-spoken Americanmedical officer, Doc Matthews.

Unlike the subsequentseasons, the firstrun of Journeyinto Space had noformal title. InRadio Times it wassubtitled ‘A Tale ofthe Future’, but byJanuary 1955 itwas referred to

internally by the BBC as Journey to theMoon. The shows were taped largely ‘aslive’ in a 75 minute studio session, on15ips magnetic tape.The stirring music –with titles such as A Picture of theUniverse, Rocket Away and Music for OuterSpace – had been composed by VanPhillips and was played in from acetatediscs.Tunes such as Knocked ’em in theOld Kent Road and My Old Dutch wereplayed on Lemmy’s mouth organ, and the

crew also heardHank Snow andthe RainbowRanch Boysperforming their1952 numberHoneymoon on arocket ship.Sound effectscame courtesyof the National

Blast off: Radio Times billing for the first ever Journey into Spaceepisode, 21 September 1953

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Physical Laboratory at Kingston, andBattersea Power Station; the televiewer

tones were from anaval ASDIC.

The series waspromoted on 18September by a RadioTimes article in the BothSides of the Microphonesection about Chiltonand his new series. ‘This isthe BBC Light Programme,’crackled wirelesses acrossBritain at 7.30pm onMonday 21 September1953.Then, to an ascendingwhine of rocket engines

screaming up through theatmosphere, Faulds’s tones

announced, ‘We present Journey intoSpace – a tale of the future.’ The debutepisode attracted 5.1 million listeners,more than Riders of the Range, but thereaction index of 59 was below average

for Light Programme serials.Nevertheless, encouraging commentsnoted by the BBC included those of anAdvertising Copywriter: ‘It was a firstclass affair...I expected some Buck Rogerstrash and had a very pleasant surprise.’Other listeners found it slow, and ratingssoon slumped to under four million.

One comment on the first episode’sListener Research Report noted that ‘a few thought Wilfred Walter’sperformance...was very poor.’ Chilton hadalready decided to phase out thecharacter, abandoning Sir William’slaborious rocket research andintroducing a new character and scenarioto quickly get Jet Morgan and Lemmy tothe moon.This was short-temperedAustralian engineer Stephen ‘Mitch’Mitchell, played by Antipodean BruceBeeby, whom Chilton recalled was ‘likeMitch, always blowing his top.’

The recording of the third episodewas deferred while Chilton restructured

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Radio Times21 September 1953

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Richard Williams’s early designroughs for the box artwork

Episodes restored andremastered for CD by Ted Kendall

Booklet text written by Andrew Pixley

Original box and bookletillustrations by Richard Williams

his narrative.The producer generallyworked very late to deadline. ‘If werecorded it on Sunday, quite often I wouldn'tstart writing until Friday night...and then I'dbe up all night and take it in on Sundaymorning. One of the qualifications of beingan actor on Journey into Space was thatyou could help print the scripts...’

On 27 September, The Critics discussedthe debut episode, mocking it for scientificinaccuracy, even though Chilton had beengiven technical advice by Flight LieutenantRoger Burton. Chilton later commented, ‘Itried to imagine what would happen if fourmen really did go out. I didn't want any greenmen or anything.’ The producer was stillimpatient to get his characters into space,recalling, ‘I couldn't get away from this bloodywestern thing – all my characters sounded asif they were on horseback instead of inspace!...Once I got 'em off the ground it thensoared, like a rocket!’

When Beeby was unavailable after thesixth episode, the role of Mitch was

taken on by Australian film director DonSharp. From the third episode, manyparts were played by BBC announcerDavid Jacobs, an old friend of Chilton’sfrom their war service at Radio SEAC inCeylon.Also joining the team wasDeryck Guyler, a former star of ITMA.Another Radio Times item on 23 Octoberfocused on Andrew Faulds, who recordeda programme called An Examination IntoFlying Saucers on 8 December, forbroadcast the next day on the North ofEngland Home Service.

The first letters had appeared in RadioTimes as early as 9 October, and morefollowed, debating travel at the speed oflight on 11 December. Chilton was oneof the guests at the Schoolboys’ OwnExhibition held at Westminster at thestart of the year; a photograph of himfully spacesuited at the event appeared inthe issue of Radio Times concurrent withtransmission of the final episode,alongside a piece of art sent in by

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listener B.M. Lewis depicting Luna on themoon’s surface. From the fifteenthepisode, the show was dropped back to8pm on Tuesdays, causingan outcry from youngerlisteners which meantthat the last twoepisodes had to be re-run at 6pm thefollowing Saturday.

When the seriescame to an end, eightmillion listeners weretuning in each week– double that forRiders of the Range –and the BBC notedthat thesubstantially improvedreaction index of 77 was‘an unusually favourablereaction’. Listeners hailed it as ‘the bestserial for ages’, and a Listener ReactionReport noted ‘the sooner Jet and Co return

to the air the better’, with Kossoff ’sperformance as Lemmy being singled outfor praise as a favourite with

the children.Chilton’snovelisation, Journeyinto Space, appearedin November 1954with a dust jacketdepicting a sleek Lunasweeping by the Moon;‘I'd never written a bookbefore,’ recalled theauthor, ‘and I left that tothe last minute too.’Paperback editions werepublished in 1958 by Panand 1963 by Digit.

When the twosubsequent seasons were

optioned by the BBCTranscription Services for sale overseas,it was decided to complete the trilogywith a new recording of the first serial,

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A glimpse of the future:Radio Times billing for the firstepisode of the second series

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now retitled Operation Luna, since theoriginal tapes had been wiped. Chiltontook the opportunity to jettison the fouropening episodes and begin with Luna’stake-off.Van Phillips’s music had been re-recorded by a sixteen piece orchestra,and two hour-long recordings wereperformed each Sunday.Alfie Bass hadtaken over as Lemmy in 1955, DavidWilliams became the

latest voice of Mitch, and Guyler reprisedhis original role when Jacobs wasindisposed for the ninth and tenthepisodes. The shows were thenbroadcast on the Light Programme at 7.31pm on Wednesdays from 26 March 1958.

Although for a time the episodes werethought to be missing, in 1986, BBCrecording engineer Ted Kendall located aset of mis-filed 16-inch coarse grooveTranscription discs, which were dulytransferred to tape for preservation.Operation Luna was repeated on BBCRadio 2 at 10pm on Fridays from 19 Mayto 11 August 1989; simultaneously aslightly edited twelve-episode versionappeared on a four-cassette set fromBBC Enterprises.A restored compilationwas issued on cassette in June 1998, butthe CDs in this Collector’s CD Editioncomprise a complete, uncut, episodic setof the Transcription recordings.Alsoincluded is the short extract still in

The original series inspired thisartwork, published in Radio Times

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existence from the final episode ofJourney to the Moon and Journey intoSpace...Again, a documentary produced aspart of the Moon Day programming onBBC Radio 4 to celebrate the thirtiethanniversary of the Apollo lunar landing.

The story so far...

The first four episodes of Journey to theMoon were not included in the OperationLuna remake. Details of the original runare as follows:

Regular cast:Wilfred Walter (Sir WilliamMorgan) [1-3], Robert Perceval(Mackenzie) [1-3],Andrew Faulds (JetMorgan), David Kossoff (Lemmy), BruceBeeby (Mitch) [2-6], Guy KingsleyPoynter (Doc) [1-2, 4-18], Don Sharp(Mitchell) [7-18] with Bruce Beeby [1],Mark Baker [1-2], Errol McKinnon [1-2],Jessica Dunning [1], Guy Kingsley Pointer[3], David Jacobs [3-6, 9,13,14,18],Deryck Guyler [6,15-18], DuncanMcIntyre [7],Wyndham Milligan [8]

Orchestra conducted by Van Phillips whoalso wrote the music.

Sound control and special effects byBrian Willey and Charles Warrender [18]

Journey into Space was written andproduced by Charles Chilton.

Episode One

Broadcast 21 September 1953 (recorded10 September 1953, 6.30pm, Piccadilly 2)Sir William Morgan prepares for thelaunch of his A.24 rocket in New Mexicowith the aid of department heads A.C."Mac" Mackenzie, Doc and the astronautDenning.Take off is advanced to 7amnext morning. Sir William’s son, CaptainJet Morgan, arrives in New York in Super-Stratoship Flight No 321 from London;the Stratoship was also designed by Jet’sfather. Questioned by the press, Jetintroduces his radio operator LemmyBarnet. Hearing about the launch fromthe Rocket Research Station at PokerFlats, Jet and Lemmy rush to get a plane

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to Las Vegas. On launch, the A.24’smotors fail to cut out.There is noresponse from Denning and the erraticrocket is aimed for Las Vegas. Radioannouncer tells the population of the cityto make for the shelters: ‘Get belowground level if you can...’

Episode Two

Broadcast 28 September 1953 (recorded15 September 1953, 5.45pm, Piccadilly 2)The A.24 hits Las Vegas, and Jet and Lemmystruggle from the debris of their hotel.Thirty-five people are dead and seventy-four injured, and when Mac and Sir Williamarrive, the crowd attack them.As the deathtoll rises, Sir William blames himself and issummoned to Washington. Doc revealsthat Denning panicked on take off and hitevery button in sight. Having failed toanticipate Denning’s action, Doc feels he isto blame.As Jet and Lemmy return toLondon, the press attacks Sir William ‘MadMoon’ Morgan, and an inquiry seals the fateof Poker Flats. In his London flat, Jet

receives a mysterious phone call from anAustralian.The caller, Mitchell, invites Jet tojoin a project ten years ahead of its time.‘We're going to the Moon!’

Episode Three

Broadcast 5 October 1953 (recorded 27September 1953, 6.30pm, Piccadilly 2)Jet doubts that such a trip is possible in1965, but Mitchell is confident about hisnew atomic rocket motor design andwants Jet as pilot for the four-man team. Jetagrees as long as there is a role for Lemmy,and Mitchell reluctantly finds the radiooperator a job on the ground crew on‘Operation Luna’. Travelling to America, Jettells Mac and his father that he aims to beon the moon in a few months. Sir Williamwishes him luck, but has abandoned hisrocket work. Jet and Lemmy fly fromLondon Airport to the secret base ofoperations in Australia. On touch down,Mitch take them to meet Smitty, the team'sdoctor. Entering the office, Mitch findsSmitty dead...

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Episode Four

Broadcast 12 October 1953 (recorded 4 October 1953, 6.30pm, Piccadilly 2)Doctor Smith has died from a coronary,brought on by testing his new spacesuit.Asa replacement, Jet suggests Doc Matthews.Mitch outlines the five day trip to the moonfor himself, Jet, Doc and Tom Newcombe –the radio operator and second navigator.Mitch becomes concernedabout a plane flying aroundthe launch site, and –believing that rivals arespying on him – advanceslaunch by two weeks togive only days ofpreparation.Tom’s wife isin hospital in Adelaide,and Doc explains toMitch that Tom is in nostate to join them – hewould be apsychological misfit.

When Mitch asks Doc for alternatives, Docsuggests Lemmy – who trained alongsideJet. Mitch reluctantly agrees. Launch dayarrives, and Jet gives the countdown: ‘Firingin 15 seconds ... 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 -2 - 1 - Contact!’

Radio Times, 23 September 1955 (accompanying the third series, The World In Peril)

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OPERATION LUNACast and credits:

Andrew Faulds (Jet Morgan),Alfie Bass (Lemmy),Guy Kingsley Poynter (Doc), David Williams(Mitch) with John Cazabon [1-2],Alan Keith [2],David Jacobs [3-8,11-13], Duncan McIntyre [3],Deryck Guyler [9-13]

Orchestra conducted by Van Phillips who alsowrote the music

Journey into Space was written and produced forthe BBC by Charles Chilton

Episodes first transmitted on the BBC Light Programme

Episode One

Broadcast 26 March 1958 Recorded 10 November 1957, 4.30pm,Broadcasting House 8Remake of Episode Five, broadcast 19 October 1953 (recorded 11 October 1953, 6.30pm, Piccadilly 2)

Radio Times19 January 1954 (original series)

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Episode Two

Broadcast 2 April 1958 Recorded 10 November 1957, 8.00pm,Broadcasting House 8Remake of Episode Six, broadcast 26 October 1953 (recorded 17 October 1953, 7.30pm, Piccadilly 2)

Episode Three

Broadcast 9 April 1958 Recorded 17 November 1957, 4.30pm,Broadcasting House 8Remake of Episode Seven, broadcast 2 November 1953 (recorded 25 October 1953, 6.30pm, Piccadilly 2)

Episode Four

Broadcast 16 April 1958 Recorded 17 November 1957, 8.00pm,Broadcasting House 8Remake of Episode Eight, broadcast 9 November 1953 (recorded 1 November 1953, 6.30pm, Piccadilly 2)

Episode Five

Broadcast 23 April 1958. Recorded 24 November 1957, 4.30pm, Piccadilly 2Remake of Episode Nine, broadcast 16 November 1953 (recorded 8 November 1953, 6.30pm, Piccadilly 2)

Episode Six

Broadcast 30 April 1958. Recorded 24 November 1957, 8.00pm, Piccadilly 2Remake of Episode Ten, broadcast 23 November 1953 (recorded 15 November 1953, 6.30pm, Piccadilly 2)

Episode Seven

Broadcast 7 May 1958 Recorded 1 December 1957, 4.30pm,Broadcasting House 6ARemake of Episode Eleven, broadcast 30 November 1953 (recorded 22 November 1953, 6.30pm, Piccadilly 2)

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Episode Eight

Broadcast 14 May 1958 Recorded 1 December 1957, 8.00pm,Broadcasting House 6ARemake of Episodes Twelve and Thirteen,broadcast 7 and 14 December 1953(recorded 29 November, 6.30pm/6 December 1953, 6.30pm, Piccadilly 2).This episode is most of the start of EpisodeTwelve, omitting discussion about survival onthe planet, and then the second half ofEpisode Thirteen, omitting a cliff-hangerwhere Lemmy hears a growling anddrumming sound from the forest assomething approaches Luna.

Episode Nine

Broadcast 21 May 1958. Recorded 8 December 1957, 2.30pm, Piccadilly 2Remake of Episode Fourteen, broadcast 21December 1953 (recorded 13 December1953, 6.30pm/20 December 1953,6.30pm, Piccadilly 2)

Episode Ten

Broadcast 28 May 1958. Recorded 8 December 1957, 8.00pm, Piccadilly 2Remake of Episode Fifteen, broadcast 29 December 1953 (recorded 20 December 1953, 6.30pm/27 December 1953, 3.15pm, Piccadilly 2)

Episode Eleven

Broadcast 4 June 1958. Recorded 15 December 1957, 4.30pm, Piccadilly 2Remake of Episode Sixteen, broadcast 5 January 1954 (recorded 27 December 1953, 3.15pm/3 January 1954, 6.30pm, Piccadilly 2)

Episode Twelve

Broadcast 11 June 1958. Recorded 15 December 1957, 8.00pm, Piccadilly 2Remake of Episode Seventeen, broadcast 12 January 1954 (recorded 10 January 1954, 6.30pm, Piccadilly 2)

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Episode Thirteen

Broadcast 18 June 1958Recorded 22 December 1957, 3.00pm,Paris TheatreRemake of Episode Eighteen, broadcast 19 January 1954 (recorded 18 January 1954, 6.30pm, Piccadilly 2)

Journey into Space...Again

Broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 20 July 1999 Recorded 25 June 1999featuring Charles Chilton,Andrew Faulds,David JacobsProduced by Nick Baker A Testbed Production for BBC Radio 4

Radio Times billing accompanying 1989repeat transmission of Operation Luna

MCPS

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