2000 Plus (also called Two Thousand Plus and 2000+) was an American old-time radio series which ran from March 15, 1950 to January 2, 1952 in various 30-minute time slots. It was the first adult science fiction series on radio, airing one month prior to the better known Dimension X. During the 1950s, science fiction became a popular genre, and stories exploring future technologies, space expeditions and alien invasions were wellreceived by the audience.
Compared with other radio shows, 2000 Plus was an anthology program, and it used new and original material from Sherman H. Dryer, who scripted and produced the series with Robert Weenolsen. Aside from offering an exciting plot, Dryer and Weenolsen also carried out a consciousness in their stories – of the prevalent generation’s contemporary anxieties about the changing world, and the effects and dangers of technology to humankind. Cast members included Lon Clark, Joseph Julian, Henry Norell, Bill Keene, Bryna Raeburn and Amzie Strickland. Emerson Buckley conducted the music composed by Elliott Jacoby. Ken Marvin was the program's announcer, and the sound effects were by Adrian Penner.
| Air Date |
Title |
Synopsis |
| 1950-03-29 |
Men From Mars |
It is 2040, and the year is filled with possibilities. One of those is the promising expedition to Mars, which has been a dream of many people for a long time. When reports of a possible existing life on Mars was made public, and that a space journey towards the fourth planet now looks possible, two young boys who heard it can’t help but feel excited. Mickey, in particular, can’t wait to go to Mars, and even imagines being the first person to land there. Fueled by this daring idea, Mickey persuades his friend to help him build a ship that would fly them to the red planet. Armed with a news clipping that advertises a second-hand rocket for sale and the recklessness and sense of adventure of youth, follow Mickey and his friend as they try to realize this once-in-a-lifetime voyage to space. |
|
| 1950-04-26 |
When The Machines Went Mad |
Sometime in the future, robots have taken over the city. Bob Thomas, one of the people
participating in the revolution against machines, resents the fact that the city has been
transformed into a complete machine civilization, lead by the Master Controller. Robots,
or the “Electronic Men,” are ordered to patrol the city and search for the remaining
human inhabitants. Listen to this episode full of fear and suspense, as Donald Stapleton
weaves his story of the human spirit fighting to win over technology gone wild. |
|
| 1950-05-03 |
When The Worlds Met |
On April 21st 2020, people from Earth excitedly await for what is to be believed as one of
the most thrilling moments in human history: one of the Earth’s finest space ship is
scheduled to return from space. Johnny Dixon, one of the astronauts, is only happy to
come back. Not only are they bringing with them specimens from the moon, his crew has
also decoded several messages coming from Mars, proof of the existence of life from the
fourth planet. But is this a cause for celebration? What could the Martians possibly want
to talk with them about? One of the best episodes of the series, witness the first
interstellar communications of humans and Martians in this exciting story of the future. |
|
| 1950-05-17 |
The Insect |
George Martin is experimenting on enlarging organisms in his laboratory. Spiders,
wasps, and houseflies are some of his subjects, and through his efforts, he has managed
to make them larger than their normal size. One day, Bill, a young man delivering the
grocery to the Martins’ house, asked George’s wife if he can see the laboratory. With her
husband away on a business trip, Mrs. Martin declined at first, but was eventually
persuaded by the boy, who was aspiring to be a scientist. Everything seems normal at
first – until they were accidentally locked in the room, filled with extra large insects,
which haven’t been fed for days… |
|
| 1950-06-07 |
The Other Man |
Scott Douglas returns home one evening only to discover that he is being sought by the
police for murder. That same morning, he supposedly killed a man in Cairo, Egypt, and
tried to escape. His wife, Mira, questions his true identity. But when he proves that he is
the real Scott Douglas, they now begin to wonder who the other man is. Mira meets with
the captured Scott at the police station, convinced that she is about to talk with a
completely different man. She is, however, confused and pained to find out that the
prisoner is her husband, too. Could there be two of Scott Douglas? Follow this intriguing
story as everyone tries to unravel the mystery of two men who only have one identity. |
|
| 1950-09-28 |
The Green Thing |
Mr. Sommers, a patient in a sanitarium, is having a nightmare – he screams and screams
in his sleep, asking for help that wouldn’t come. The next day, his case was reviewed by
Dr. Grendon and a colleague through the use of a dream tracking machine. Various clips
showed a ‘green thing’ chasing the patient. As a debate ensues on what it could be, Dr.
Grendon’s colleague asked to see one more sample from another patient – and both were
surprised to see the ‘green thing’ again! Curious, frightened, and seemingly haunted by
the creature himself, Dr. Grendon pores over all of his patients’ records and is horrified
to find the same monster over and over. The pink eyes, the big claws – what could this
thing be? And how come it’s haunting a lot of his patients’ dreams? |
|
| 1950-11-05 |
Giant Walks |
|
| 1950-11-12 |
Alone |
|
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