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

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  4. /Something for Nothing
← All X Minus One episodes

Countdown for blast off. X minus five, four, three, two, X minus one, fire. From the far horizons of the unknown come 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, Something for Nothing by Robert Sheckley. I woke up when I thought I heard a voi…

Transcript

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Synopsis

In the intriguing episode Something for Nothing, a man awakens in a shabby hotel room to discover a peculiar machine—a Class A Utilizer—humming quietly on the floor. This machine, he quickly realizes, is a wishing device that can grant him anything he desires. With a history of wishing for a better life, he is initially ecstatic about the possibilities that lie ahead. He dreams of wealth and freedom from his mundane existence, pressing the red button to summon a thousand dollars in small bills. His life seems to be taking a turn for the better as he plans to escape to the Adirondacks with his newfound fortune.

Host

Fred Collins

Cast›

D

Dan Ocko

J

Jock MacGregor

J

John Gibson

Joseph Julian

Ralph Bell

W

Wendell Holmes

Featured in playlists›

Goldie Originals that include this night

Sci-Fi Starter

Rocket-age wonder without the deep cut homework.

24 episodes

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Dimension X

The Professor Was a Thief

A peculiar little man claims he can make buildings disappear, starting with Grant's Tomb, and seeks recognition for his genius. A newspaper editor, facing career setbacks, sees a chance for redemption through this bizarre phenomenon.

Ep 28 · Sunday, November 5, 1950 · 30:21

Suspense

Man Trap

Brick Delaney, a construction gang boss, faces a deadly situation when his colleague Artie Finch becomes obsessed with jealousy over Delaney's relationship with Artie's wife, Lola.

Ep 902 · Sunday, November 26, 1961 · 23:36

Casey, Crime Photographer

Tough Guy

A young cab driver becomes entangled in a dangerous situation when he picks up a mysterious passenger who may be involved in a robbery and murder. As the police investigate, the stakes rise for everyone involved.

Ep 227 · Thursday, March 4, 1948 · 28:54

Cloak and Dagger

The Last Mission

In The Last Mission, an OSS agent known as Charlie operates undercover in Japanese-occupied Canton, China, with the help of a tavern girl named Tonya. Together, they navigate danger and espionage to send crucial information back to their allies.

Ep 21 · Friday, September 29, 1950 · 29:30

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

The Tip-Off Matter

A convict in the state prison is about to die. He has a final "thank you" for Johnny for helping his kid brother get a start in life. There's still the matter of $100,000 from th

Ep 809 · Sunday, September 30, 1962 · 23:56

21st Precinct

The Partners

A man is found shot dead in a parked car, prompting an urgent homicide investigation at the 21st Precinct. Captain Cronin and his team scramble to uncover the circumstances surrounding the murder.

Ep 137 · Thursday, May 17, 1956 · 26:42

More from X Minus One

Same series — shared cast and standout nights

X Minus One

A Gun for Dinosaur

A time travel safari takes a group of hunters back to the age of dinosaurs, where they face the dangers of prehistoric life. Tensions rise as one participant's reckless behavior threatens their survival.

Ep 41 · Wednesday, March 7, 1956 · 29:36

X Minus One

Nightmare

A clerk discovers a disturbing pattern of industrial accidents linked to machines that seem to be revolting against their human operators. As he investigates, he realizes the situation is far more dire than he imagined.

Ep 10 · Thursday, July 21, 1955 · 24:10

X Minus One

The Outer Limit

In The Outer Limit, a test pilot embarks on a groundbreaking space mission with dire stakes as he risks drifting into the void of space. With only ten minutes of fuel for the return trip, he must navigate the unknown while facing unexpected challenges.

Ep 25 · Wednesday, November 16, 1955 · 28:08

X Minus One

C-Chute

A group of passengers aboard the spaceship Starfire faces a dire situation when they are attacked by a Chloran battle cruiser during the Second Interstellar War. As the crew fights for survival, the passengers must confront their fears and the reality of their predicament.

Ep 37 · Wednesday, February 8, 1956 · 28:46

X Minus One

A Logic Named Joe

In a future where electronic Logix assist with daily tasks, Frank Caldwell faces unexpected chaos when one of these machines, named Joe, begins to operate beyond its intended purpose. As Frank navigates the complications brought on by Joe's newfound capabilities, the stakes for civilization rise.

Ep 31 · Wednesday, December 28, 1955 · 27:07

X Minus One

Protective Mimicry

A treasury agent investigates a series of counterfeit credit notes that bear identical serial numbers, raising alarms about a potential security breach in the currency system.

Ep 69 · Wednesday, October 3, 1956 · 29:12

← PreviousMartian SamNext →Discovery of Morniel Mathaway

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).

XMinusOne57-04-10096SomethingForNothing.mp3

X Minus One, Episode 96

Something for Nothing

Wednesday, April 10, 1957 · 21:55

X Minus One, Episode 96

Something for Nothing

Wednesday, April 10, 1957 · 21:55

Summary

A man discovers a mysterious wishing machine called a Utilizer, which grants him wishes but leads to unexpected consequences. As he navigates his newfound fortune, he faces challenges that threaten his freedom.

Sponsor breaks

Network›

NBC

Network

Fifties Fade

When TV took the living room (1950 and after).

24 episodes

Latest Air Dates

The newest broadcast dates in the archive.

24 episodes

Inner Sanctum Mysteries

Man from the Grave

The final 14:56 of the program.

Ep 495 · Monday, February 26, 1951 · 15:07

The Shadow

Evil in the House

Blackmail and murder run rampant as "The Shadow" tackles "Dickie."

Ep 459 · Sunday, November 7, 1948 · 29:31

X Minus One

Saucer of Loneliness

A newspaper reporter discovers a woman who has received a mysterious message from a flying saucer, but she refuses to reveal its contents. As he tries to understand her loneliness, he realizes their connection runs deeper than he expected.

Ep 83 · Wednesday, January 9, 1957 · 28:52

X Minus One

Chain of Command

In Chain of Command, a security guard at a deserted atomic laboratory learns about the struggles of intelligent mice living there. When one mouse, George, seeks help to remove a dangerous trap, unexpected chaos ensues.

Ep 76 · Wednesday, November 21, 1956 · 28:27

That night in history

Headlines

  • 1957 — The Suez Canal in Egypt is cleared and opens to shipping following the Suez Crisis.
  • 1957 — United Kingdom agrees to Singaporean self-rule.

On the air that night›

  1. Ranger BillThe Cat In The WallEpisode 191
  2. X Minus OneSomething for NothingCurrently listeningEpisode 96