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← All X Minus One episodes

This is Nightline, your tie line to the world, and this is Walter O'Keefe. Tonight, a visit to worlds strangely different from ours, the world of the future, the world of X minus one. Now, here is the future, X minus one. 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…

Transcript

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Synopsis

In the X Minus One episode 'Drop Dead,' a team of scientists embarks on an exploratory mission to a peculiar planet. As they land, they are greeted by the bizarre inhabitants known as 'critters,' large creatures with an odd assortment of colors and shapes. Their immediate reaction is one of curiosity mixed with caution, especially when one of the critters unexpectedly drops dead in front of them. This startling event sets the tone for their investigation into the planet's unique ecosystem.

Host

Fred Collins

Cast›

J

Joseph Bell

Lawson Zerbe

R

Ralph Camargo

Network›

NBC

Network

Featured in playlists›

Goldie Originals that include this night

Detective Desk

Private eyes, hardboiled and soft.

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The Old Man

An old man faces mandatory retirement on New Year's Eve, leading to a confrontation about age and opportunity. As the clock ticks down, he must decide whether to embrace change or resist it.

Ep 906 · Sunday, December 31, 1961 · 25:34

Dimension X

The Last Objective

In a future ravaged by war, Commander Sanderson and his crew navigate the treacherous underground as they face a new threat that could end humanity. The stakes rise as they discover a devastating weapon that targets all forms of life.

Ep 35 · Sunday, June 3, 1951 · 24:02

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

The Lust for Gold Matter

Johnny dons scuba gear near Cozumel, Mexico, in search for treasure and a killer. Part of the closing has been deleted, the story is complete.

Ep 789 · Sunday, May 13, 1962 · 24:33

21st Precinct

The Shooting Gallery

A young man pulls a false fire alarm to get arrested and kick his drug habit while in jail. The situation escalates as his family and the police deal with the consequences of his actions.

Ep 13 · Tuesday, September 29, 1953 · 25:59

Casey, Crime Photographer

The Laughing Killer

A man recently released from prison finds himself framed for murder after a strange caliber gun is used in a crime. As Casey investigates, he uncovers a web of deceit surrounding the man's past.

Ep 184 · Thursday, May 8, 1947 · 29:32

The Adventures of Superman

The Radar Rocket - Pt 07

Superman races against time to find Jimmy Olsen and Professor Twiddle, who are stranded on the moon with strange creatures surrounding them. The stakes rise as Superman's radar beam fails, threatening their survival.

Ep 1233 · Monday, February 25, 1946 · 13:45

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Same series — shared cast and standout nights

X Minus One

The Haunted Corpse

In The Haunted Corpse, a scientist's groundbreaking work on separating life from the body draws military attention, leading to a chaotic confrontation over the implications of his invention. The stakes escalate as misunderstandings and tensions rise, culminating in a tragic turn of events.

Ep 104 · Thursday, July 25, 1957 · 21:38

X Minus One

The Category Inventor

In a future where robots have taken over many jobs, a bassoonist named Gilbert struggles to find his place in a world that no longer values human artistry. Faced with unemployment and the challenges of domestic life, he must adapt to the changing landscape.

Ep 100 · Thursday, June 27, 1957 · 21:22

X Minus One

Prime Difference

A henpecked husband seeks relief from his domineering wife by using an android duplicate of himself. As he navigates the complexities of his domestic life, he discovers unexpected consequences.

Ep 124 · Thursday, January 2, 1958 · 19:46

X Minus One

The Old Die Rich

Elderly individuals are found dead from starvation, despite having significant wealth. A detective investigates the strange circumstances surrounding these deaths, uncovering a connection to time travel.

Ep 60 · Tuesday, July 17, 1956 · 28:04

X Minus One

Early Model

An explorer dons a bulky protective suit called the Pro-Tech before embarking on a mission to a distant planet. As he navigates the challenges of first contact, the suit's limitations become apparent.

Ep 102 · Thursday, July 11, 1957 · 22:06

X Minus One

Time and Time Again

A soldier from the future is transported back to his childhood on the brink of World War III, where he must navigate the complexities of time travel and the fate of his family. The stakes rise as he realizes he has a chance to alter the course of history.

Ep 33 · Wednesday, January 11, 1956 · 28:20

Ominous›

Same mood, other nights on the dial

Suspense

The House in Cypress Canyon

A real estate agent uncovers a chilling manuscript in an unfinished house that hints at a supernatural presence. As he shares his findings with a detective friend, the stakes rise with the eerie implications of the story.

Ep 222 · Thursday, December 5, 1946 · 30:36

Escape

Ring of Thoth

In Ring of Thoth, an Egyptologist becomes trapped in the Louvre overnight and witnesses a man obsessed with a mummy and a mysterious ring. As the night unfolds, the stakes rise with the revelation of the ring's dark powers.

Ep 6 · Monday, August 11, 1947 · 29:31

Ports of Call

Haiti

The episode explores the rich history and culture of Haiti, highlighting its beauty and the struggles of its people. It delves into the legacy of Toussaint Louverture and the complex social dynamics of the island.

Ep 8656 · Tuesday, November 16, 2100 · 29:33

Chet Chetter's Tales from the Morgue

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Chet Chetter introduces a tale set in Biloxi, where a local hero, Elmer Corn, gains fame for saving the town from escaped alligators. As excitement builds, a mysterious object crashes nearby, leading to unexpected dangers.

Ep 3477 · Wednesday, July 12, 1995 · 30:05

The Devil and Mr O

Hollywood Visitor

In Hollywood Visitor, Mr. Old presents a tale of supernatural retribution involving a wealthy lord and two fishermen who attempt to warn him of impending danger. The stakes rise as they confront a monstrous creature lurking beneath the surface.

Ep 23 · Friday, February 18, 1972 · 28:41

Gunsmoke

Pokey Pete

A young boy believes that Pokey Pete has buried treasure, but the old man never speaks. As the townsfolk tease him, dark secrets about Pete's past begin to surface.

Ep 384 · Sunday, August 16, 1959 · 27:49

Survival›

More stories in this vein

Suspense

The Most Dangerous Game

Sanger Rainsford finds himself stranded on a mysterious island after a shipwreck, where he becomes the prey in a deadly game orchestrated by the enigmatic General Zaroff.

Ep 59 · Thursday, September 23, 1943 · 29:57

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

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

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

The Devil and Mr O

Rocket from Manhattan

In Rocket from Manhattan, a group of astronauts returns from the moon, but their journey takes a dark turn as they face a dire situation in space. Tensions rise as they confront the consequences of their mission and the implications of their discoveries.

Ep 22 · Friday, February 11, 1972 · 28:36

← PreviousThe ScapegoatNext →Volpla

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).

XMinusOne57-08-22108DropDead.mp3

X Minus One, Episode 108

Drop Dead

Thursday, August 22, 1957 · 21:18

X Minus One, Episode 108

Drop Dead

Thursday, August 22, 1957 · 21:18

Summary

A team of scientists lands on a bizarre planet inhabited by strange creatures known as 'critters.' As they explore, they uncover unsettling truths about the planet's ecosystem and the critters themselves.

  • Ominous
  • Survival
  • Psychological
  • Supernatural
  • Sci-fi
  • Mystery
  • Thriller

Sponsor breaks

Ghost Story Hour

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

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The danger is inside the room.

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Thunder outside, thrills inside.

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Essential Thrillers

Pulse-up nights across the golden age.

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Friday Night Thrills

Weekend starts with a twist.

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Sci-Fi Starter

Rocket-age wonder without the deep cut homework.

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Magic Island

97 Large Cave Rooms

Jerry and Joan explore the colony of Euclidia, discovering a vast underground community with surprising vegetation and advanced technology. They navigate a mysterious elevator platform that descends deeper into the cavern.

Ep 97 · Thursday, July 16, 1936 · 11:13

Chet Chetter's Tales from the Morgue

1-800-Big Bang Pt 1

Chet Chetter introduces a tale set in Biloxi, where a local hero, Elmer Corn, gains fame for saving the town from escaped alligators. As excitement builds, a mysterious object crashes nearby, leading to unexpected dangers.

Ep 3477 · Wednesday, July 12, 1995 · 30:05

X Minus One

How-To

A man receives a do-it-yourself cocker spaniel kit, but instead ends up with a robot that has a motherly instinct. As he navigates the unexpected consequences, he faces challenges that blur the lines between man and machine.

Ep 45 · Tuesday, April 3, 1956 · 28:24

X Minus One

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In Death Wish, three astronauts aboard a malfunctioning spaceship face a dire situation as they hurtle out of the solar system. With limited fuel and time running out, they must confront their fate and the implications of a mysterious computer's solution to their predicament.

Ep 115 · Thursday, October 10, 1957 · 21:27

X Minus One

Volpla

A scientist creates a new species called voulplas, intending to play a grand practical joke on humanity. As the voulplas develop and learn, the joke takes an unexpected turn with unforeseen consequences.

Ep 109 · Thursday, August 29, 1957 · 20:38

Secrets of Scotland Yard

Story of Walter Miller

Walter Miller, a brunner and plasterer, becomes embroiled in a deadly scheme driven by his disdain for honest work and a desire for wealth. His audacious crimes lead to a chilling confrontation with the law.

Ep 53 · Friday, February 22, 1957 · 26:59

The Six Shooter

Jenny

The Six Shooter encounters a young man injured in a gully and helps him reach safety, only to find himself in a tense situation with a mysterious woman at a nearby cabin.

Ep 1 · Sunday, September 20, 1953 · 28:24

Escape

Sire De Maletroit's Door

In 1429 Paris, a young cavalier finds himself lost and pursued by soldiers, leading him to a mysterious house where he encounters the enigmatic Sire de Maltois and a beautiful woman named Blanche. The stakes rise as he navigates the dangers of love and honor amidst the chaos of war.

Ep 5 · Monday, August 4, 1947 · 29:33

Mystery House

A Short Life for Mary

A young woman named Mary faces a dire situation that threatens her life as she navigates the eerie atmosphere of the Mystery House.

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That night in history

Headlines

  • 1957 — The Soviet Union successfully conducts a long-range test flight of the R-7 Semyorka, the first intercontinental ballistic missile.

On the air that night›

  1. X Minus OneDrop DeadCurrently listeningEpisode 108