Tom Corbett, Space Cadet

Tom Corbett, Space Cadet (1950-1955)

EndedScripted showAction, Adventure, Science-Fiction

Tom Corbett is the main character in a series of Tom Corbett, Space Cadet stories that were depicted in television, radio, books, comic books, comic strips, and other media in the 1950's. The stories followed the adventures of Corbett, Astro, originally Roger Manning and later T.J. Thistle, cadets at the Space Academy as they train to become members of the Solar Guard. The action takes place at the Academy in classrooms and bunkrooms, aboard their training ship the rocket cruiser Polaris, and on alien worlds, both within the solar system and in orbit around nearby stars.

Joseph Lawrence Greene of Grosset & Dunlap developed Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, inspired by the Robert A. Heinlein novel Space Cadet (1948) but based on his own prior work. Greene had submitted a radio script for "Tom Ranger" and the "Space Cadets" on January 16, 1946, but it remained unperformed when Heinlein's novel was published. Greene then reworked his radio script into a script for a daily newspaper adventure strip, which was never produced. Tom Corbett first appeared on television. The stories initially closely followed the scripts written for the unpublished newspaper comic strip Tom Ranger, Space Cadet, by Joseph Greene from 1949.

Tom Corbett is one of only six TV series to appear on all four networks of the time.

CBS from October 2 to December 1950 ABC from January 1951 to September 1952 NBC from July to September 1951 DuMont from August 1953 to May 1954 NBC again from December 1954 to June 1955, with the final broadcast on June 25, 1955.

Network
Scheduleevery Saturday at 19:00 (30 min)

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S04E28The Final TestJuni 25, 1955
S01E01PilotOkt. 2, 1950
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did the TV show Tom Corbett, Space Cadet premiere?

The TV show Tom Corbett, Space Cadet premiered on October 2, 1950.

Who were the main characters in Tom Corbett, Space Cadet?

The main characters in Tom Corbett, Space Cadet were Tom Corbett, Astro, and Roger Manning.

What was the storyline of Tom Corbett, Space Cadet?

Tom Corbett, Space Cadet was a science fiction series set in the future and followed the adventures of cadets in the Space Academy as they trained to become members of the Solar Guard.

Who played the role of Tom Corbett in the TV show?

The role of Tom Corbett was played by Frankie Thomas Jr.

How many episodes were there in Tom Corbett, Space Cadet?

There were a total of 133 episodes in Tom Corbett, Space Cadet.

Who created the TV show Tom Corbett, Space Cadet?

The TV show Tom Corbett, Space Cadet was created by Joseph Greene and George Bilson.

Which network aired Tom Corbett, Space Cadet?

Tom Corbett, Space Cadet aired on CBS Television network.

Was Tom Corbett, Space Cadet inspired by a book or a comic?

Yes, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet was inspired by a book series of the same name.

Who wrote the book series which inspired Tom Corbett, Space Cadet?

The book series which inspired Tom Corbett, Space Cadet was written by Carey Rockwell but was actually a pseudonym for a collection of authors.

What was the name of the spaceship the characters used in Tom Corbett, Space Cadet?

The spaceship used in Tom Corbett, Space Cadet was called Polaris.

Where was the Space Academy located in Tom Corbett, Space Cadet?

The Space Academy in Tom Corbett, Space Cadet was located in the fictional city of Space City on Earth's Moon.

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