Classic Horrors Club

Any science-fiction fan is undoubtedly aware of author Robert A. Heinlein (The Puppet Masters, Starship Troopers, Stranger in a Strange Land.) His third novel, Space Cadet, was published in 1948 and (depending on your source) inspired another author, Joseph Greene, to create a character named Tom Ranger. Other sources say that Greene was first with the idea, creating a script for a comic book story that may have been called, “Space Academy.” Adapting it for radio, it was also called, “The Pirates of Space” and “Space Cadets.” Neither was sold, but Rockhill Studios was helping him develop it as a television show when Heinlein’s book was published.

Rockhill then licensed the “Space Cadet” name from Heinlein and Greene’s project became known as Tom Ranger, Space Cadet. Also developed as a syndicated newspaper comic strip that was originally shelved, there was one more name change and Tom Corbett, Space Cadet debuted on October 2, 1950, on CBS. It was a hit and the spin-offs began. On September 9, 1951, the shelved newspaper strip was resurrected, written by Paul S. Newman, with an unknown amount of participation by Greene. A Dell Publications comic book series launched in early 1952 (see below) and Grosset & Dunlap began publishing a series of novels.

Somewhere in the middle, Greene sued Rockhill over royalty payments and was ultimately awarded payments from the television or radio show, but not both. Yeah, I failed to mention there was also a six-month radio show on ABC radio. (Seasons two and three of Tom Corbett, Space Cadet aired on ABC television.) Greene was also awarded full rights to any comic book version.  This wasn’t the only litigation involving the show. When Universal Pictures released It Came from Outer Space, Rockhill sued the studio for using a modified Tom Corbett helmet. Universal settled for $750.00.

Like Captain Video & His Video Rangers, there are few surviving episodes of Tom Corbett, Space Cadet. I found several on YouTube and watched two. Again, it’s hard to tell which episodes they are, depending on the source. That’s less important with this show, though, because the episodes are self-contained instead of serialized. The primary difference between the two main characters is that Tom Corbett is a teenager and cadet, learning as the show proceeds. Frankie Thomas played Corbett in all 89 episodes (15 minutes long on weeknights and 30 minutes long on Saturdays.) Thomas was almost 30 years old when the show first aired.

Corbett is joined by two other cadets. Astro was played by Al Markim for all 89 episodes, Roger Manning was played by Jan Merlin for 62 episodes, and T.J. Thistle was played by Jack Grimes when Merlin left the show. The episodes I watched must have been from later seasons; they both feature (heavily) T.J. Thistle. In the first, “Assignment Mercury,” strict Major “Blastoff” Connel (Ben Stone) arrives aboard the Polaris rocket ship handing out demerits left and right. Attempting to find a “twilight zone” area on the planet Mercury where they can study the sun, T.J.’s warnings are ignored, putting Corbett and Connel in grave danger when they exit the ship.

In the second, “The Mystery of the Missing Mail Ship,” a former Solar Guard, Roy Cowan (Ralph Camargo), steals a rocket ship carrying mail, loads it with space torpedoes, and begins attacking other ships throughout space. The crew of the Polaris, must locate Cowan, but if they act as bait, they may be attacked as well. I chose this episode because of the Captain Video episode I watched about a threat to delay intergalactic mail. Its value and use is not glorified here; the episode is more about the theft of the rocket than it is about the mail being delivered.

Granted, these two episodes may have been produced a few years after the Captain Video episodes, but the quality is superior. Don’t get me wrong, the production was still done on a budget, but the sets seem sturdier, the acting feels better, and there are even attempts at superimposing astronauts on the surface of Mercury, standing next to the Polaris. It’s a more sprawling series, with scenes that take place not only inside a spaceship, but also outside, and we see rockets traveling through space. I also like the cadet uniforms that include studded collars and cuffs.

Merch

Like Captain Video, Tom Corbett gave birth to a plethora of merchandising. Much of it can currently be found on eBay at surprisingly reasonable prices. Right now, I see posted books, vintage Kellogg’s “flasher” disk, mechanical wristwatch, lunch box with thermos, green plastic spaceman figures, Kellogg’s rocket bracelet, coloring book,  puzzles, doll, cadet badge pin, cadet knife… and that’s just page one. I also found information on a View-Master packet, flashlight, Little Golden Book, and Little Golden Record featuring a musical recording of “Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, Song and March.”

From the rocket fields of the academy, to the far flung stars of outer space, we are space cadets training to be ready for dangers we may face.

The comic book character first appeared in three issues of Dell’s 4-Color: #378, #400, and #421. It then moved to its own title for eight more issues, starting with Tom Corbett, Space Cadet #4. Several issues are available on archive.org and you can get more information about each issue at Mike’s Amazing World.

Next Saturday: Space Patrol…