…do DVDs of these crappy SCI-Fi TV shows exist? How long did these shows run? And, who wrote them?
“Tom Corbett, Space Cadet” [Jim Corbett was a 19th Century boxing champion] was a TV show based loosely – VERY loosely – on Robert A. Heinlein’s boys’ novel “Space Cadet” – but used all the standard clichés of 1950s-era space opera bad sci-fi*.
There is actually a website devoted to the Tom Corbett series, though I haven’t bothered to look at it (saw a short excerpt on the Heinlein Society website).
- Yes, I know it’s a pejorative. I’ve known it’s a pejorative since before half the members here were born. IMO it’s properly used to describe “call a rabbit a smerp” Captain Whizbang pseudo-SF.
Captain Midnight (1954 TV show)
IMDB does not show it available.
Captain Midnight (1942 movie serial)
Available in DVD.
Tom Corbett, Space Cadet
IMDB shows it only available in VHS, but I am almost certain I have seen individual episodes at my local DVD store.
Click on the links, and the IMDB listing will show you the air dates, and the writing credits.