Tales of Tomorrow
Tales of Tomorrow is an American science fiction anthology television series that aired from 1951 to 1953 on ABC. It was the first science fiction series on American television, predating The Twilight Zone by nearly a decade. Each episode presented a standalone story exploring speculative concepts: alien invasions, scientific experiments gone wrong, time travel, and futuristic technology. The series was broadcast live, giving it a raw, improvisational energy that survives in the kinescope recordings. Notable episodes include an adaptation of Frankenstein starring Lon Chaney Jr. as the monster, who reportedly did not realize the broadcast was live and thought it was a rehearsal. The series ran for 85 episodes across two seasons and drew on stories by writers including Arthur C. Clarke and Kurt Vonnegut. Many episodes are in the public domain because their copyrights were never renewed.
Season 1
Blunder
A scientist's assistant accidentally triggers a catastrophic chain reaction in a laboratory experiment, and the team must race to undo the
A Child Is Crying
A young boy with extraordinary mental powers holds a town hostage, manipulating the thoughts and actions of everyone around him. The adults
The Crystal Egg
An antique dealer discovers that a strange crystal egg is a window to Mars, revealing glimpses of an alien civilization. Based on the short
The Dune Roller
A mysterious creature made of living sand stalks the dunes near a remote desert research station, and the scientists must determine whether it is
Frankenstein
A live television adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, starring Lon Chaney Jr. as the monster. Chaney reportedly believed the broadcast
What You Need
A mysterious peddler appears with the uncanny ability to give people exactly what they need before they know they need it. A cynical reporter
The Little Black Bag
A doctor from the future loses his medical bag, which falls into the hands of a man in the present day. The bag contains advanced medical
Ice from Space
A meteorite crashes in a small town, bringing with it a creeping cold that freezes everything it touches. As the ice spreads, scientists race
Details
- Years
- 1951–1953
- Seasons
- 2
- Episodes
- 8
- Genres
- Science Fiction, Horror, Drama
- Rating
- 7.3/10
- Status
- Public Domain
- Studio
- ABC
