August 7, 2010
I told this story to Jean-Noel Bassior. author of the definitive history of Space Patrol. Her site is here: http://www.spacepatrolbook.com. She included my recollection in her book.
The show began as a 15-minute daily broadcast on the local ABC affiliate in Los Angeles, KECA (later KABC). The first broadcast was on March 9, 1950. I was eight years old.
What I am about to relate is the memory of a man on Social Security. I have a Ph.D. in history. I know that recollections can be notoriously inaccurate. Let me give an example. A few minutes ago, I wrote this.
I had been converted to science fiction that year by the Dimension X radio show. The short stories of "the golden age of science fiction" were dramatized weekly.
Because of the Web, we can now check our memories. Dimension X began a month after Space Patrol did, on April 8. The first show that I am sure I recall was Robert Heinlein's "The Green Hills of Earth." How do I know? That was the first time I recall hearing a folk music guitar. It impressed me. That was broadcast in June.
So, in all likelihood, I watched Space Patrol before I heard Dimension X. How do I know this? Because I watched the "birth" of Cadet Happy.
There was a kiddie program in early 1950, Mr. Do-Good's Castle. Google has only the reference to it in the Space Patrol book, and this one So, I cannot verify the dates. I suppose someone could, by going back to the local L.A. papers and checking the TV listings.
Why I was watching the show, I do not recall. It was aimed at younger children. It must have been an afternoon show.
A lady hosted it. On the show was an old man, Happy. On this day, the woman talked to Happy. He was about to enter a youth machine: a large crate/box in the middle of the sound stage. She bid him good luck, and he walked through the opening. I do not recall any sound effects or lights flashing, but there must have been some. Even little kids could not be fooled by a silent box sitting there. I mean, it had to do something, or at least appear to. A few seconds later, out came Lyn Osborn's "Happy" character. He gave a plug for the new TV show that was starting soon: Space Patrol. That is where I first heard of it. I tuned in.
I have often wondered what became of the actor who played the original Happy. Did he retire? Did he move on to another career? Was he on Social Security? I doubt that he was making big bucks. Osborn started Space Patrol for $8 a show. Correcting for price inflation, that was about $90, or $1,800 a month.
Within a year, the show was nationally broadcast and a phenomenon. I listened to it on the radio in Denver and Marietta, Ohio -- cities in 1951 and 1952 without television -- where my father's work took him.
I sure wish I could get one of those youth boxes. With repeated usage, I might make it to the 30th century and sign up as a cadet in the Space Patrol. Would I give up my claim to Social Security and Medicare for a visit to the box? Of course. They are both going bust anyway. For my free video seminar on this, Retirement Armageddon, click here:
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