Planet Man - Episode 1 Estimated Air Date: Early 1950s

Planet Man is a science-fiction radio serial, often dated to 1950, though exact air dates are uncertain due to limited records. In the first episode, listeners are introduced to Dantro, the Planet Man, a galactic hero tasked with protecting the universe as an agent of the League of Planets. The story likely opens with a distress call or a looming threat, such as an alien invasion or a rogue planet’s scheme, setting up Dantro’s mission. Accompanied by characters like his sidekick Pat or a scientist ally, Dantro uses advanced technology and quick thinking to confront the danger. The episode establishes the show’s pulpy, space-opera tone, with dramatic narration, sound effects like rocket blasts, and a cliffhanger to hook listeners. (No recording or precise air date survives, so the summary is based on the series’ general format and fan recollections.)
Actors and Roles
Specific casting details for Planet Man are poorly documented, as the series was a low-budget production, and credits were rarely preserved. Likely performers include:
Unknown Actor as Dantro, the Planet Man. The lead was likely voiced by a New York radio actor with a strong, heroic delivery, possibly someone like George Ansbro or Jackson Beck, known for sci-fi serials, though no confirmation exists.

Supporting Roles (e.g., Pat, scientists, or villains) were likely played by a small ensemble of uncredited radio actors, such as Anne Seymour or Santos Ortega, who were active in 1950s radio. Villains might have had exaggerated, menacing voices typical of the genre.

Narrator: The series relied heavily on a dramatic narrator to set the scene and drive the story, possibly voiced by the same actor as Dantro or a distinct performer like Jackson Beck, though this is speculative.

National News in the USA: Week of Early January 1950 (Assumed Air Date)
Since the exact air date is unknown, news is based on early January 1950, a plausible time for the series’ debut:
Cold War Escalation: President Harry S. Truman announced plans to develop the hydrogen bomb (January 31, 1950), following the Soviet Union’s atomic bomb test in 1949. News focused on fears of nuclear arms races and global tensions.

Red Scare and McCarthyism: Anti-communist fervor was rising, with Senator Joseph McCarthy preparing to launch his infamous accusations (February 1950). News reported on investigations into alleged communist infiltration in government and Hollywood.

Korean Tensions: The U.S. was increasing aid to South Korea amid growing communist threats from North Korea, with diplomatic talks and military buildup in the news, months before the Korean War began (June 1950).

Economic Prosperity: Post-war economic growth continued, with rising consumer spending and suburban development. Headlines covered labor negotiations and the auto industry’s expansion, though inflation concerns persisted.