Good representation of early attempts
Jason W. Marchmon | Murray, KY USA | 06/14/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This 3 episode DVD gives a good idea of what science-fiction and fantasy film-makers were doing for television in the early 1950's. The acting is somewhat stiff, and the sets/props must have been left from other shows, but you can see the style and ideas come through. Look for Leslie Nielson in a "serious" role as the commander of a commercial mission to Mars. For the serious fan/collector, this is a good addition, but not necessarily a good buy for an average viewer."
Yesterday's tomorrows
Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 07/10/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"TALES OF TOMORROW was an early science fiction TV show. The eighty-four 30 minute episodes of this series that aired on ABC-TV featured both current and future stars.
"Frankenstein" is a pared-down rendering of the classic Mary Shelley novel with Lon Chaney Jr. as the ill-fated monster. "The Crystal Egg" is based on an H.G. Wells story. Character actor Thomas Mitchell (STAGECOACH and IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE) has a supporting role here. "Appointment on Mars" shows Leslie Nielson at the beginning of his long career. In 1956, Nielson would star in the sci-fi classic, FORBIDDEN PLANET.
This DVD is a fine introduction to the Tales of Tomorrow series. For a larger selection of episodes, recommended is TALES OF TOMORROW COLLECTION ONE.
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The following list includes episode and season numbers plus original airdates.
(???) (#39) Appointment on Mars (S.1, 6/27/52) - Leslie Nielson/William Redfield/Robert Keith Jr.
(9.3) (#_9) The Crystal Egg (S.1, 10/12/51) - Thomas Mitchell/Edgar Stehli/Josephine Brown
(7.4) (#16) Frankenstein (S.1, 1/18/52) - John Newland/Lon Chaney Jr./Mary Alice Moore"