Planet Man - Episode 6 (Hypothetical, Mid-1952)

Planet Man was a juvenile science fiction radio serial from the early 1950s, produced by Palladium Radio Productions and syndicated across U.S. stations. Episode 6, likely aired around July 1952, continues the adventures of Dantro, the Planet Man, a troubleshooter for the League of Planets, headquartered on Planeria Rex. In this episode, Dantro and his crew—Dr. John Darrow, Darrow’s daughter Pat, nephew Billy, niece Jane, and engineer Slats—likely face a new galactic crisis. Following their rescue from a doomed Earth rocket in earlier episodes, the team might investigate a distress signal from a remote planet or confront a scheme by Marston, the tyrannical ruler of Mars, who seeks to undermine the League. The plot could involve a high-stakes mission, such as thwarting a sabotage plot against a planetary power station or rescuing hostages from space pirates. Expect campy dialogue, action-packed sequences with ray guns and spacecraft, and sound effects like blaster zaps or humming engines. The episode likely ends with Dantro’s quick thinking saving the day, reinforcing the League’s commitment to peace, while setting up a cliffhanger for the next installment. The serial’s lighthearted, predictable tone targets young listeners, blending sci-fi thrills with moral lessons about justice.

Note: Specific details for Episode 6 are unavailable, as Planet Man episodes lack detailed archives, and exact titles or plots are often unrecorded. The summary is inferred from the series’ format, recurring characters, and typical story arcs, with context from sources like the Old Time Radio Researchers Group.

Cast and Roles
Bryna Raeburn as Dantro, the Planet Man: The heroic lead, upholding galactic law with bravery and advanced technology.

Ralph Camargo as Dr. John Darrow: The scientist, offering technical expertise and strategic advice.

Marjorie Anderson as Pat Darrow: Dr. Darrow’s daughter, contributing courage and support to the team.

Joseph Boland as Billy Darrow/Robot Voices: The young nephew, adding enthusiasm, and voicing robotic characters.

Unknown Actor as Jane Darrow: Billy’s sister, providing emotional support or minor heroics.

Unknown Actor as Slats: The engineer, managing spacecraft systems and repairs.

Phil Tonken as Announcer: Delivered the dramatic opening and closing narration, setting the cosmic tone.

Maurice Tarplin (speculative) as Marston/Villain: Likely voiced the Martian ruler or another antagonist, based on fan speculation.

Note: The cast is drawn from known Planet Man performers, with roles inferred from the series’ structure and sources like scifimike.com. Exact credits for Episode 6 are unavailable, and Tarplin’s involvement is unconfirmed but plausible. Actors often played multiple roles.

News in the USA - Week of July 14–20, 1952 (Assumed Air Date)
Presidential Election Campaign: The Republican National Convention (July 7–11) nominated Dwight D. Eisenhower for president, with Richard Nixon as his running mate. Democrats prepared for their convention (July 21–26), where Adlai Stevenson would be nominated, dominating political news.

Korean War Developments: Peace talks at Panmunjom stalled, with U.S. airstrikes hitting North Korean targets. Reports of POW disputes and casualties fueled growing war weariness among Americans.

Polio Epidemic: A severe polio outbreak infected thousands, especially children, straining hospitals. Public health campaigns pushed vaccination and hygiene to curb the crisis.

Entertainment Trends: The film High Noon, starring Gary Cooper, was a box-office hit, while radio serials like Planet Man competed with early TV shows like I Love Lucy, reflecting a transitional media landscape.

News in the World - Week of July 14–20, 1952
Egyptian Revolution Looming: Tensions in Egypt mounted against King Farouk, with the Free Officers’ coup, led by Gamal Abdel Nasser, set for July 23. The shift would reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics.

Korean War Global Context: The UN, led by U.S. forces, faced Soviet- and Chinese-backed North Korea, escalating Cold War tensions. The conflict raised fears of a wider global war.

Helsinki Olympics: The 1952 Summer Olympics opened in Helsinki, Finland, on July 19. The U.S. and Soviet Union competed fiercely, with Czech runner Emil Zátopek’s triple gold in track stealing headlines.

European Unity: The European Coal and Steel Community began operations, a step toward European integration, aiming to prevent future wars amid Cold War divisions.