Buck Rogers in the 25th Century is a radio drama series based on the popular novel and comics series Buck Rogers. It aired three separate series from 1932 through 1947, and it was notable for being the first science-fiction radio show.
The show was sponsored by:
- Kellogg's - 7 November 1932 to 17 June 1933
- Cocomalt - 2 October 1933 to 26 December 1935
- Cream of Wheat - 30 December 1935 to 22 May 1936
- Popsicle - 5 April to 31 July 1939, 18 May to 27 July 1940
- General Foods - 30 September 1946 to 14 April 1947
Format[]
- Buck Rogers was initially broadcast as a fifteen-minute show on CBS Radio, from Monday through Friday. It first ran from 7 November 1932 until 22 May 1936. In 1936, it moved to a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule and went off the air the same year (720 episodes, 180 hours).
- Mutual Broadcasting System brought the show back and broadcast it three days a week from 5 April to 31 July 1939 (51 episodes, 12.75 hours), and from 18 May to 27 July 1940, a thirty-minute version was broadcast on Saturdays (11 episodes, 5.5 hours).
- From 30 September 1946 to 28 March 1947, Mutual aired a fifteen-minute version on weekdays (78 episodes 19.5 hours).
Episodes[]
- Main article: Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (radio series)/Episodes
Only thirty three episodes are still known to exist. In some cases, storylines can be reconstructed through newspaper and magazine listings.
Cast[]
- Buck Rogers: Matt Crowley (7 Nov 1932 – 26 Dec 1935), Curtis Arnall, Carl Frank, John Larkin (30 Sep 1946 – 28 Mar 1947)
- Wilma Deering: Adele Ronson and Virginia Vass (30 Sep 1946 – 28 Mar 1947)
- Dr. Huer: Edgar Stehli
- Black Barney: Jack Roseleigh, Joe Granby
- Buddy Deering: Ronald Liss
- Ardala Valmar: Elaine Melchior
- Killer Kane: William "Bill" Shelley, Dan Ocko, Arthur Vinton
Fan Club[]
- Main article: Buck Rogers Solar Scouts
Young fans of the show were invited to join the Solar Scouts. They could hold meetings, earn badges, and purchase memorabilia.
Gallery[]
Radio Guide week ending 1932-11-26