During the 1960s and 1970s, every U.S. rocket watch was must watching on television. Anyone old enough certainly remembers CBS anchorman Walter Cronkite using models to show rockets and capsules and what to expect after launch.
So too on radio. The only regularly scheduled dramatic shows on radio by 1960 were on CBS. Without models to display, characters like Johnny Dollar acted on adventures around the emerging space race between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Stepping away from reality, radio drama could speculate about the future. More than 50 years ago, before private sector companies like Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, Johnny Dollar became entangled in a privately owned space capsule venture. The “Flask of Death Matter;” heard tomorrow (Sunday) night at 10 p.m., and 1 a.m., seems to predict the future competition.
Tonight, Saturday, Feb. 16
Gunsmoke: “Dirt;” Saturday, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Sunday
Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: “Flask of Death Matter;” Sunday, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Monday
Suspense (classic): “The Island,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Tuesday
Dimension X: “Competition,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Wednesday
Great Gildersleeve: Gildy Gets Help at the Office, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Thursday
Our Miss Brooks: “An American Tragedy,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Friday
Couple Next Door: New chair is finally delivered, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 23
Gunsmoke: “Gone Straight;” Saturday, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Sunday
Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: “Wholly Unexpected Matter;” Sunday, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.