The Classic BBC Radio Sci-Fi Drama

Journey into Space: The World in Peril & The Return from Mars

The final series of Charles Chilton’s classic 1950s sci-fi trilogy and the gripping 1981 sequel 
 
Written by veteran radio producer Charles Chilton, Journey into Space kept Light Programme listeners enraptured between 1953 and 1958. Almost eight million people tuned in to the interstellar adventures of Jet Morgan and his intrepid crew, making it the last UK radio drama serial to beat television in the ratings. This audio collection contains the complete Series 3 of the groundbreaking trilogy, as well as the special 90-minute sequel The Return from Mars. 
 
The World in Peril – Continuing the suspenseful story begun in The Red Planet, this 20-part serial, set in 1972, follows Jet and his comrades as they return to Mars with orders to discover all they can about the impending Martian invasion of Britain. Stretched to their limits, they take on the awesome Martian power – and when they discover the astounding secret of the invasion plan, they must race against time to warn a defenceless Earth… Starring Andrew Faulds, Guy Kingsley-Poynter, Don Sharp and Alfie Bass. 
 
The Return from Mars – It’s an ordinary afternoon at London Landing Control. Suddenly, a voice breaks across another aircraft’s frequency: ‘This is the spaceship Discovery’… To the controller’s astonishment, Jet Morgan and his crew are re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere – more than 30 years after they went missing, presumed dead. What happened to Jet and friends during those years? Consulting his diary, Jet begins to tell their astonishing story… Starring John Pullen, Ed Bishop, Nigel Graham and Anthony Hall. 
 
Production credits 
Written and produced by Charles Chilton 
Music composed and orchestra conducted by Van Phillips 
 
The World in Peril 
Jet Morgan – Andrew Faulds 
Lemmy Barnett – Alfie Bass 
Doc – Guy Kingsley-Poynter 
Mitch – Don Sharp 
Other parts played by David Jacobs, Alan Tilvern, John Cazabon, Fred Yule and Pat Campbell 
 
First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 26 September 1955-6 February 1956 
 
The Return from Mars 
Jet Morgan – John Pullen 
Lemmy – Anthony Hall 
Doc – Ed Bishop 
Mitch – Nigel Graham 
Cassia – Elizabeth Proud 
Nichols – Patrick Barr 
Wrist radio/Countdown voice – David Bradshawe 
Pilot/Talian – Graham Faulkner 
Controller/Radio voice – Stephen Garlick 
Videophone/Junior officer – John McAndrew 
Control/Sotteer 2 – Sion Probert 
Sotteer 1/Harry – Christopher Scott 
Supervisor/Radio – John Webb 
 
Script by Charles Chilton 
Directed by Glyn Dearman 
 
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme, 7 March 1981 
 
© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Charles Chilton was born in London in 1917. He was raised by his grandmother after his father was killed in the First World War and his mother died in the 1918 flu epidemic. He started work aged fourteen, for a company that made electrical signs, but left in 1932 and got a job in the BBC record library. From here, he worked his way up to becoming a full-time producer. After a few years presenting music programmes, Chilton joined the RAF when World War Two broke out, and was sent to Sri Lanka to run the forces' radio station. On his return, he produced some of Alistair Cooke's first broadcasts from America. Chilton himself then spent some time in the United States, writing and producing several series of American Western history. The most successful was Riders of the Range, which was first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in 1949 and ran for six series. It was replaced by the show that would bring Chilton international recognition: Journey Into Space. The serial was commissioned by Head of Variety Michael Channing, and was initially planned to be twelve episodes. It ran for three series, was translated into 17 languages and attracted huge audiences: at one point, almost 8 million people were tuning in. Chilton was to go on to produce many more hit shows, including The Goon Show and Oh! What a Lovely War, which was adapted first as a stage musical and later as a film directed by Richard Attenborough. In 1976, Charles Chilton was presented with an MBE, and the following year he retired from the BBC. He died in 2013.

The final series of Charles Chilton’s classic 1950s sci-fi trilogy and the gripping 1981 sequel 
 
Written by veteran radio producer Charles Chilton, Journey into Space kept Light Programme listeners enraptured between 1953 and 1958. Almost eight million people tuned in to the interstellar adventures of Jet Morgan and his intrepid crew, making it the last UK radio drama serial to beat television in the ratings. This audio collection contains the complete Series 3 of the groundbreaking trilogy, as well as the special 90-minute sequel The Return from Mars. 
 
The World in Peril – Continuing the suspenseful story begun in The Red Planet, this 20-part serial, set in 1972, follows Jet and his comrades as they return to Mars with orders to discover all they can about the impending Martian invasion of Britain. Stretched to their limits, they take on the awesome Martian power – and when they discover the astounding secret of the invasion plan, they must race against time to warn a defenceless Earth… Starring Andrew Faulds, Guy Kingsley-Poynter, Don Sharp and Alfie Bass. 
 
The Return from Mars – It’s an ordinary afternoon at London Landing Control. Suddenly, a voice breaks across another aircraft’s frequency: ‘This is the spaceship Discovery’… To the controller’s astonishment, Jet Morgan and his crew are re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere – more than 30 years after they went missing, presumed dead. What happened to Jet and friends during those years? Consulting his diary, Jet begins to tell their astonishing story… Starring John Pullen, Ed Bishop, Nigel Graham and Anthony Hall. 
 
Production credits 
Written and produced by Charles Chilton 
Music composed and orchestra conducted by Van Phillips 
 
The World in Peril 
Jet Morgan – Andrew Faulds 
Lemmy Barnett – Alfie Bass 
Doc – Guy Kingsley-Poynter 
Mitch – Don Sharp 
Other parts played by David Jacobs, Alan Tilvern, John Cazabon, Fred Yule and Pat Campbell 
 
First broadcast BBC Light Programme, 26 September 1955-6 February 1956 
 
The Return from Mars 
Jet Morgan – John Pullen 
Lemmy – Anthony Hall 
Doc – Ed Bishop 
Mitch – Nigel Graham 
Cassia – Elizabeth Proud 
Nichols – Patrick Barr 
Wrist radio/Countdown voice – David Bradshawe 
Pilot/Talian – Graham Faulkner 
Controller/Radio voice – Stephen Garlick 
Videophone/Junior officer – John McAndrew 
Control/Sotteer 2 – Sion Probert 
Sotteer 1/Harry – Christopher Scott 
Supervisor/Radio – John Webb 
 
Script by Charles Chilton 
Directed by Glyn Dearman 
 
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme, 7 March 1981 
 
© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

The BBC Radio Sci-Fi Drama

Journey into Space: The Host

A further BBC Radio episode of the classic science fiction series created by Charles Chilton.

A further BBC Radio episode of the classic science fiction series created by Charles Chilton. 
 
In this exciting adventure, Jet Morgan and his crew receive a distress call from an abandoned space freighter. But when they board the ship, Jet and Doc discover a digitised personality locked inside the ship's computer - one with a deadly intent. The crew must find a way to defeat the vastly superior Host: for if they fail, they will not only all perish, but mankind will become a dispensable stepping stone to a new chapter in evolution... 
 
Between 1953 and 1958, Journey into Space attracted millions of listeners, gripped by the mystery and promise of space exploration in weekly cliffhanging instalments. Toby Stephens stars as Jet Morgan, with David Jacobs - who appeared in the original radio series - as the Host, Chris Pavlo as Mitch, Alan Marriott as Doc and Jot Davies as Lemmy. 
 
Also included are 10 minutes of behind-the-scenes out-takes from the radio recording. 
 
Production Credits 
Written by Julian Simpson. 
Original music and sound design by David Chilton. 
A Goldhawk Essential production for BBC Radio 4. 
 
Cast 
Jet - Toby Stephens 
Doc/Enceladus Control - Alan Marriott 
Lemmy - Jot Davies 
Mitch - Chris Pavlo 
The Host - David Jacobs 
Edie - Jana Carpenter 
JJ Andreev - Basher Savage 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 27 June 2009. 
 
©2010 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2010 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

A fast-paced, innovative script is supported by excellent voice acting and sound effects, fully immersing the listener into the story. A first-rate return for a classic sci-fi series, and an excellent audio play in its own right

thanks to a mix of cryogenics and nostalgia, spacefaring '50s-style will linger in our imaginations for a while yet

Charles Chilton was born in London in 1917. He was raised by his grandmother after his father was killed in the First World War and his mother died in the 1918 flu epidemic. He started work aged fourteen, for a company that made electrical signs, but left in 1932 and got a job in the BBC record library. From here, he worked his way up to becoming a full-time producer. After a few years presenting music programmes, Chilton joined the RAF when World War Two broke out, and was sent to Sri Lanka to run the forces' radio station. On his return, he produced some of Alistair Cooke's first broadcasts from America. Chilton himself then spent some time in the United States, writing and producing several series of American Western history. The most successful was Riders of the Range, which was first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in 1949 and ran for six series. It was replaced by the show that would bring Chilton international recognition: Journey Into Space. The serial was commissioned by Head of Variety Michael Channing, and was initially planned to be twelve episodes. It ran for three series, was translated into 17 languages and attracted huge audiences: at one point, almost 8 million people were tuning in. Chilton was to go on to produce many more hit shows, including The Goon Show and Oh! What a Lovely War, which was adapted first as a stage musical and later as a film directed by Richard Attenborough. In 1976, Charles Chilton was presented with an MBE, and the following year he retired from the BBC. He died in 2013.

A further BBC Radio episode of the classic science fiction series created by Charles Chilton. 
 
In this exciting adventure, Jet Morgan and his crew receive a distress call from an abandoned space freighter. But when they board the ship, Jet and Doc discover a digitised personality locked inside the ship's computer - one with a deadly intent. The crew must find a way to defeat the vastly superior Host: for if they fail, they will not only all perish, but mankind will become a dispensable stepping stone to a new chapter in evolution... 
 
Between 1953 and 1958, Journey into Space attracted millions of listeners, gripped by the mystery and promise of space exploration in weekly cliffhanging instalments. Toby Stephens stars as Jet Morgan, with David Jacobs - who appeared in the original radio series - as the Host, Chris Pavlo as Mitch, Alan Marriott as Doc and Jot Davies as Lemmy. 
 
 Also included are 10 minutes of behind-the-scenes out-takes from the radio recording. 
 
Production Credits 
Written by Julian Simpson. 
Original music and sound design by David Chilton. 
A Goldhawk Essential production for BBC Radio 4. 
 
Cast 
Jet - Toby Stephens 
Doc/Enceladus Control - Alan Marriott 
Lemmy - Jot Davies 
Mitch - Chris Pavlo 
The Host - David Jacobs 
Edie - Jana Carpenter 
JJ Andreev - Basher Savage 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 27 June 2009. 
 
©2010 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2010 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Journey into Space: Frozen in Time

A BBC Radio 4 sequel to Charles Chilton's iconic radio sci-fi series.

A BBC Radio 4 sequel to Charles Chilton's iconic radio sci-fi series. 
 
Between 1953 and 1958, Journey into Space attracted millions of listeners, gripped by the mystery and promise of space exploration in weekly cliffhanging instalments. 
 
In this thrilling episode, the spaceship Ares has been heading back to Earth for 30 years, with the crew in suspended animation - except Captain Jet Morgan, whose sleeper pod failed. With the ship six months from home, Jet picks up an SOS from Mars, and wakes the others to go on a rescue mission. 
 
But when our heroes meet up with the stranded crew it becomes apparent that all is not what it first appeared. Unwittingly caught up in seismic deception, it is not only the lives of the Ares crew which are at stake - the entire future of planet Earth could be in peril... 
 
David Jacobs - from the original radio series - stars as Jet Morgan, with Michael Beckley as Mitch, Alan Marriott as Doc and Chris Moran as Lemmy. 
 
Production Credits 
Written by Charles Chilton. Directed by Nicholas Russ. 
Original music and sound design by David Chilton. 
 
Cast 
Jet Morgan - David Jacobs 
Mitch - Michael Beckley 
Doc/Ed - Alan Marriott 
Lemmy - Chris Moran 
Astnd - Emma Fielding 
Jensen - Stephen Hogan 
Radio operator / film voice - Kate Harbour 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 12 April 2008. 
 
©2009 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2009 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

A BBC Radio 4 sequel to Charles Chilton's iconic radio sci-fi series. 
 
Between 1953 and 1958, Journey into Space attracted millions of listeners, gripped by the mystery and promise of space exploration in weekly cliffhanging instalments. 
 
In this thrilling episode, the spaceship Ares has been heading back to Earth for 30 years, with the crew in suspended animation - except Captain Jet Morgan, whose sleeper pod failed. With the ship six months from home, Jet picks up an SOS from Mars, and wakes the others to go on a rescue mission. 
 
But when our heroes meet up with the stranded crew it becomes apparent that all is not what it first appeared. Unwittingly caught up in seismic deception, it is not only the lives of the Ares crew which are at stake - the entire future of planet Earth could be in peril... 
 
David Jacobs - from the original radio series - stars as Jet Morgan, with Michael Beckley as Mitch, Alan Marriott as Doc and Chris Moran as Lemmy. 
 
Production Credits 
Written by Charles Chilton. Directed by Nicholas Russ. 
Original music and sound design by David Chilton. 
 
Cast 
Jet Morgan - David Jacobs 
Mitch - Michael Beckley 
Doc/Ed - Alan Marriott 
Lemmy - Chris Moran 
Astnd - Emma Fielding 
Jensen - Stephen Hogan 
Radio operator / film voice - Kate Harbour 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 12 April 2008. 
 
©2009 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2009 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Charles Chilton

Andrew Faulds

Alfie Bass

Guy Kingsley-Poynter

David Kossoff

Bruce Beeby

David Williams

David Jacobs

John Cazabon

Anthony Marriott

Full cast

The first two series of the iconic 1950s science fiction trilogy, set in the unimaginably far-flung future of the late 20th century 
 
Written by veteran radio producer Charles Chilton, Journey into Space kept Light Programme listeners enraptured between 1953 and 1958. Almost eight million people tuned in to the interstellar adventures of Jet Morgan and his intrepid crew, making it the last UK radio drama serial to beat television in the ratings. This audio collection contains the complete Series 1 and 2 of the groundbreaking trilogy, complete with extra-terrestrial sound effects and atmospheric music. 
 
Operation Luna – It’s 1965, and with the world watching, the rocket ship Luna blasts off for the Moon. On board are Captain Andrew ‘Jet’ Morgan, ship’s doctor Daniel ‘Doc’ Matthews, engineer Stephen ‘Mitch’ Mitchell and radio operator Lemuel ‘Lemmy’ Barnet. As they prepare to set foot on the lunar surface, Lemmy hears strange music – and on landing, they soon realise that they are not alone. Something is out there – something alien… This futuristic 13-part serial stars Andrew Faulds, Guy Kingsley-Poynter, David Williams and Alfie Bass. 
 
The Red Planet – Set six years after the events of Operation Luna, this thrilling 20-part serial finds Jet and his crew aboard the flagship Discovery, leading a mission to explore Mars. But their journey is plagued by disturbing events, and what they find on the red planet’s dusky surface will challenge their sanity and threaten their survival – and that of Earth itself… Starring Andrew Faulds, Guy Kingsley-Poynter, Bruce Beeby and David Kossoff. 
 
Production credits 
Written and produced by Charles Chilton 
Music composed and orchestra conducted by Van Phillips 
 
Operation Luna 
Jet Morgan – Andrew Faulds 
Lemmy Barnett – Alfie Bass 
Doc – Guy Kingsley-Poynter 
Mitch – David Williams 
Other parts played by John Cazabon, Alan Keith, David Jacobs, Duncan McIntyre and Deryck Guyler 
 
The original 1953 recordings of this series were erased. It was re-recorded and first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme, 26 March-18 June 1958 
 
The Red Planet 
Jet Morgan – Andrew Faulds 
Lemmy – David Kossoff 
Doc – Guy Kingsley-Poynter 
Mitch – Bruce Beeby 
Other parts played by David Jacobs, Anthony Marriott, Miriam Karlin, John Cazabon, Madi Hedd and Don Sharp 
 
First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme, 6 September 1954-17 January 1955 
 
© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Charles Chilton

Books by Charles Chilton

Series by Charles Chilton

Journey into Space2 Books

Journey into Space2 Books

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