goldie

Free old time radio — transcripts, sponsor breaks intact, open catalog for listeners and builders.

Listen

  • Shows
  • Calendar
  • Search
  • Halloween
  • Genres
  • Moods
  • Themes
  • People
  • Sponsors
  • Upcoming series

Builders

  • Developers
  • Goldie for AI (MCP)
  • api.goldie.fm
  • mcp.goldie.fm
  • llms.txt

Company

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Goldie Pro

Audio from Internet Archive · Logs from the Old Time Radio Researchers. Goldie does not own the recordings.

Privacy · Terms · Contact · Developers · Catalog API api.goldie.fm · MCP mcp.goldie.fm · AI / MCP docs

goldie
ShowsCalendarAIPro
  1. Home
  2. /Shows
  3. /X Minus One
  4. /The Defenders
← All X Minus One episodes

And now stay tuned for X minus one on NBC. Countdown for blast off. X minus five, four, three, two, X minus one, fire. From the far horizons of the unknown come transcribed tales of new dimensions in time and space. These are stories of the future. Adventures in which you'll live in a million could be years on a thousand maybe worlds. The National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine presents X minus one. Tonight, The Defenders based on a…

Transcript

Loading transcript…

Synopsis

In the future depicted in The Defenders, humanity has retreated underground, leaving robots to fight a relentless war against the Asian Confederation on the surface. The story opens with a chilling reminder of the destruction caused by these robotic defenders, as a televised bombing of San Francisco showcases their might. Amidst this backdrop, Mary, a young researcher, is deeply involved in studying the enemy, leading her to question the very nature of the conflict.

Host

Fred Collins

Cast›

G

Grant Richards

I

Ivor Francis

L

Lydia Bruce

M

Michael Ingram

R

Robert Dryden

S

Stan Early

Featured in playlists›

Goldie Originals that include this night

Drive-Time Dial

Open road, closed case — half-hour windows.

24 episodes

You might also like

Shared stars, moods, and themes across the catalog

Suspense

Sorry, Wrong Number

An invalid woman overhears a chilling conversation about a planned murder while struggling with a malfunctioning telephone. As she fights to alert the authorities, the stakes rise with each passing moment.

Ep 43 · Tuesday, May 25, 1943 · 29:38

Cloak and Dagger

Delay on Route

An OSS agent in Italy must navigate a dangerous mission to help partisans while facing moral dilemmas about justice and loyalty. He finds himself caught between the partisans and a fascist scientist seeking escape with valuable military secrets.

Ep 22 · Friday, October 6, 1950 · 29:30

Let George Do It

Till Death Do Us Part

George Valentine investigates the marriage of an heiress to a younger man, suspecting his motives are tied to her wealth. Tensions rise as he uncovers secrets about the couple's past.

Ep 124 · Monday, January 24, 1949 · 30:06

The Lone Ranger

Cold Spring Showdown (Last Original 'Live' Broadcast)

The Lone Ranger and Tonto prepare to defend Cold Spring against a band of outlaws led by Red Eagle, who are intent on stealing a chest of gold. Tensions rise as the outlaws launch their attack on the stagecoach station.

Ep 3377 · Friday, September 3, 1954 · 23:25

Dimension X

The Outer Limit (Rebroadcast of 50-04-08)

In The Outer Limit, a test flight into space becomes a race against time as a pilot faces the dangers of an experimental rocket and a looming nuclear threat. With only minutes of fuel left, he must navigate the unknown and ensure his safe return.

Ep 23 · Friday, September 8, 1950 · 27:58

More from X Minus One

Same series — shared cast and standout nights

X Minus One

Tunnel Under the World

In Tunnel Under the World, Guy Burkhart wakes up screaming, haunted by a recurring nightmare of an explosion. As he navigates a strange day where familiar faces seem absent, he uncovers a chilling truth about his reality.

Ep 42 · Wednesday, March 14, 1956 · 27:59

X Minus One

To the Future

A couple travels back to 1955, seeking escape from their troubled future. However, they soon realize they may not be as safe as they thought.

Ep 29 · Wednesday, December 14, 1955 · 28:50

X Minus One

Cave of Night

An astronaut finds himself trapped in space, facing the despair of isolation and the uncertainty of rescue. As the world watches, the stakes rise with each passing moment.

Ep 36 · Wednesday, February 1, 1956 · 28:19

X Minus One

Martian Sam

The Los Angeles Dodgers face a dire situation when their owner dies, leaving them without a proper left-handed pitcher. They turn to an unconventional solution: a Martian named Sam who has a unique pitching ability but faces significant challenges.

Ep 95 · Wednesday, April 3, 1957 · 21:15

X Minus One

Project Trojan

In Project Trojan, a secret weapon is developed during World War II that could change the course of the war, but its implementation leads to unforeseen complications. As military intelligence works on the project, the stakes rise dramatically.

Ep 56 · Tuesday, June 19, 1956 · 23:45

X Minus One

Shanghaied

A young man is unexpectedly shanghaied onto a spaceship just before his wedding, facing the daunting challenge of escaping his new life as a crewman. He must navigate the dangers of space and the crew's mutiny while trying to return home in time for his marriage.

Ep 16 · Thursday, September 1, 1955 · 22:56

Tense›

Same mood, other nights on the dial

Suspense

Sorry, Wrong Number

An invalid woman overhears a chilling conversation about a planned murder while struggling with a malfunctioning telephone. As she fights to alert the authorities, the stakes rise with each passing moment.

Ep 43 · Tuesday, May 25, 1943 · 29:38

The Lone Ranger

Cold Spring Showdown (Last Original 'Live' Broadcast)

The Lone Ranger and Tonto prepare to defend Cold Spring against a band of outlaws led by Red Eagle, who are intent on stealing a chest of gold. Tensions rise as the outlaws launch their attack on the stagecoach station.

Ep 3377 · Friday, September 3, 1954 · 23:25

Dangerously Yours

The Highwayman

In The Highwayman, a daring outlaw confronts a wealthy coachman while seeking romance with the landlord's daughter, Bess. The stakes rise as love and danger intertwine under the moonlit sky.

Ep 1 · Sunday, July 2, 1944 · 29:39

X Minus One

At the Post

A race track tout struggles to save his wife, who has fallen into a catatonic state, believing she is being controlled by aliens. He uses his knowledge of horse racing to uncover the truth behind her condition and the impending doom of mankind.

Ep 94 · Wednesday, March 27, 1957 · 22:03

The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe

Stamped for Murder

Nero Wolfe faces a pressing dilemma when a young woman seeks his help to recover her inheritance, which her father has squandered on a dubious treasure map. As Wolfe reluctantly takes on the case, the stakes rise with the revelation of swindlers and hidden value.

Ep 1 · Friday, October 20, 1950 · 29:48

War›

More stories in this vein

An Evening With Groucho

London Stories - Churchill & 2nd World War

Groucho Marx shares humorous anecdotes about Winston Churchill during World War II, highlighting the lighter side of a serious historical figure.

Ep 16 · Saturday, May 6, 1972 · 2:05

Ports of Call

Norway

The episode explores the rich history and culture of Norway, focusing on its legendary figures and stunning landscapes. It highlights the tales of King Harold and the Lady Giver, setting the stage for a journey through Norway's fjords and traditions.

Ep 8970 · Tuesday, November 23, 2106 · 24:11

Suspense

Tonight at 5 -55

In a high-stakes military meeting, U.S. leaders must decide whether to surrender or launch a preemptive strike against an imminent Russian missile threat. Time is running out as they face the potential end of their world.

Ep 849 · Sunday, April 17, 1960 · 33:34

X Minus One

The Light

In The Light, a crew of astronauts on the first moon landing discovers mysterious footprints that suggest they are not the first to visit. The implications of this discovery could alter the balance of power in the ongoing Cold War.

Ep 117 · Thursday, October 24, 1957 · 20:02

Secrets of Scotland Yard

Captain X

In Captain X, a Polish officer faces a desperate escape from Nazi-occupied Warsaw while grappling with love and loyalty amidst the chaos of war. As he navigates the dangers of a bombing city, he must make a heart-wrenching choice that could change his life forever.

Ep 9 · Wednesday, January 9, 1957 · 27:12

Escape

The Boiling Sea

A cargo ship navigates the Pacific when it becomes trapped in the caldera of a newly active volcano. The crew must find a way to escape the impending disaster.

Ep 225 · Saturday, September 4, 1954 · 29:34

← PreviousHallucination OrbitNext →Lulungameena

Credits

  • Audio from Internet Archive (OTRR_X_Minus_One_Singles). Curated by OTRR. Goldie does not claim ownership of this broadcast.
  • Cast and sponsor data from RadioGold Index (J. David Goldin / UMKC Libraries).
  • Historical context from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).

XMinusOne56-05-22052TheDefenders.mp3

X Minus One, Episode 52

The Defenders

Tuesday, May 22, 1956 · 28:07

X Minus One, Episode 52

The Defenders

Tuesday, May 22, 1956 · 28:07

Summary

In a future where robots defend the Earth while humans live underground, a young woman grapples with the truth about the enemy she has been studying. As tensions rise, the possibility of peace hangs in the balance.

  • Tense
  • War
  • Psychological
  • Murder
  • Sci-fi
  • Drama
  • Thriller

Sponsor breaks

Network›

NBC

Network

Tense Nights

Edge-of-seat radio.

24 episodes

Twist Ending Club

Don’t peek. The last minute is the point.

24 episodes

Psychological Thrillers

The danger is inside the room.

24 episodes

Essential Thrillers

Pulse-up nights across the golden age.

24 episodes

Friday Night Thrills

Weekend starts with a twist.

24 episodes

Lunch-Break Thrill

A complete jolt under 30 minutes.

24 episodes

Drama Desk

Character, craft, and living-room stage plays.

24 episodes

Chet Chetter's Tales from the Morgue

Escape From The Mysterious Island 1

Cecil Ferris wins a cruise contest and takes his friends to Galveston, but they end up on a garbage tugboat instead. As a storm approaches, they find themselves trapped in a cave surrounded by prehistoric creatures.

Ep 1079 · Saturday, December 16, 1995 · 29:14

Bold Venture

Seor Rufio

Senor Rufio seeks refuge at Shannon's place, haunted by his past sins. As tensions rise, a murder occurs, and dark secrets begin to unravel.

Ep 60 · Monday, May 12, 1952 · 26:18

Planet Man

Slats Tricks Dantro

Dan Troll, known as the Planet Man, is under the control of the villain Marson, who has used a hypnoray to manipulate him. Flats attempts to rescue Dan and bring him back to Planaria Rex for help.

Ep 39 · Sunday, January 1, 1950 · 12:04

X Minus One

Vital Factor

A ruthless millionaire, Wayne Crowder, is determined to build a spaceship and conquer space, disregarding the technological limitations and costs involved. He seeks a brilliant inventor to create a propulsion system, but his ambition leads to unforeseen consequences.

Ep 27 · Wednesday, November 30, 1955 · 29:04

X Minus One

Double Dare

Two Earth scientists compete against their Domerangi counterparts to prove their technological superiority. The stakes rise as they must invent an anti-gravity machine to win the contest and return home.

Ep 122 · Thursday, December 19, 1957 · 20:02

The Adventures of Superman

Superman Vs. Kryptonite - Pt 09

Batman and Robin race against time to find Superman, who is in danger after being captured by the corrupt George Latimer, who possesses kryptonite. The stakes are high as they attempt to outsmart Latimer and rescue their friend.

Ep 1557 · Monday, May 26, 1947 · 14:23

Dimension X

The Outer Limit

In The Outer Limit, a test pilot prepares for a groundbreaking space mission while grappling with personal anxieties about impending fatherhood. As he launches into the unknown, the stakes rise with the potential for disaster looming over the mission.

Ep 1 · Saturday, April 8, 1950 · 30:11

Dragnet

Red Light Bandit

A ruthless robber impersonates a police officer, preying on unsuspecting citizens at red traffic lights. Detectives Friday and Romero must track him down before he strikes again.

Ep 6 · Thursday, July 14, 1949 · 29:37

The Lone Ranger

Friend in Need

The Lone Ranger and his friend Tonto encounter a group of Confederate veterans who are determined to continue their fight after the Civil War. They seek the leadership of General Robert E. Lee to rally their cause.

Ep 3370 · Wednesday, August 18, 1954 · 28:40

Cavalcade of America

A Time to Grow

In A Time to Grow, Robert Livingston, the U.S. Minister to France, navigates the tense diplomatic waters surrounding the acquisition of New Orleans during a critical period in American history. As pressures mount from both domestic and foreign fronts, Livingston must secure the future of the young nation.

Ep 781 · Tuesday, March 31, 1953 · 29:43

That night in history

Headlines

  • 1956 — In Operation Redwing, the first United States airborne hydrogen bomb is dropped over Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean.
  • 1956 — The first Eurovision Song Contest is held in Lugano, Switzerland.

On the air that night›

  1. SuspenseFragile-Contents DeathEpisode 651
  2. X Minus OneThe DefendersCurrently listeningEpisode 52
  3. Yours Truly, Johnny DollarThe Tears of Night Matter - Ep 2Episode 397