Podcast
Golden Age Fiction
Hosted by Paul Lawley-Jones · EN
Stories from the "Golden Age of Pulp Fiction."
The "Golden Age of Pulp Fiction" is generally considered to be from the last decade of the 1800s to the mid-1900s, when magazines published on cheap pulp paper filled (mostly American) news-stands. Notable examples of these pulp fiction magazines include Argosy, Blue Book Magazine, Adventure, Detective Story Magazine, Weird Tales, and Astounding Stories.
If you have a story that you'd like me to perform, please let me know using the email address provided.
Please note that performance of a story is not a condoning, endorsement, or promotion of attitudes, prejudices, biases or opinions therein—particularly of gender and gender roles, ethnicity, disability, and sexuality—that an inhabitant of modern times would find distasteful.
11episodes
Episodes
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Rhythm Rides the Rocket, by Bob Olsen
Jan 800:54:26Tap to summarizeLeDoux, the Interplanetary Company pilot, had flown too close to Callisto in an attempt to get a gravity assist from Jupiter to make up for lost time. But the Callistonians were known to waylay travellers in order to sate their 'curiosity' about humans. That meant that Verger, Anderson, LeDoux, and their 'cargo' of music-playing wives for the exiled miners on Ganymede, were in grave danger. But, the Callistonians didn't know anything about music. Maybe Verger could use that to their advantage... "Rhythm Rides the Rocket" appeared in "Science Fiction Classics," published in October 1940 on pages 28 - 41. Alfred Johannes Olsen (April 12, 1884 – May 20, 1956), better known under his pen name Bob Olsen, was an American science fiction writer. He moved to California and started the Olsen Advertising Agency, while writing stories for magazines like "Amazing Stories." Olsen often wrote humorous science fiction in "Amazing Stories," from 1927 to 1936. He was one of the first writers to use the phrase "space marine." Ray Bradbury, just a teenager at the time, visited Bob Olsen often for mentorship, friendship, as well as for the sharing of ideas. Links Reaper: reaper.fm LibSyn: libsyn.com "Mesmerizing Galaxy" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. If there's a story you'd like me to narrate, or a genre you'd like me to include more of, please let me know using the Contact Form.
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The Man who Saved New York, by Ray Cummings
Jan 400:40:46Tap to summarizePorky's ego wouldn't stay in his own body, and that, believe it or not, was what saved the city! Today's story is "The Man who Saved New York" by Ray Cummings. It appeared in the July 1943 issue of "Science Fiction Stories" on pages 69 to 78. Ray Cummings (born Raymond King Cummings) (August 30, 1887, New York, New York – January 23, 1957, Mount Vernon, New York) was an American author of science fiction literature and comic books. From 1914 to 1919, he worked with Thomas Edison as a personal assistant, where he arranged phonograph record albums and wrote labels for Edison Records. Cummings is identified as one of the "founding fathers" of the science fiction genre. His most highly regarded fictional work was the novel "The Girl in the Golden Atom" published in 1922, which was a consolidation of a short story of the same name (in which he combined idea of Fitz James O'Brien's The Diamond Lens with H. G. Wells's The Time Machine,) and a sequel, "The People of the Golden Atom." He recycled the plot of "The Girl in the Golden Atom" for a two-part Captain America tale, "Princess of the Atom" (Captain America Comics #25 & #26.) Links Reaper: reaper.fm LibSyn: libsyn.com "Mesmerizing Galaxy" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. If there's a story you'd like me to narrate, or a genre you'd like me to include more of, please let me know using the Contact Form.
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The Vanguard of Venus, by Landell Bartlett
Jan 101:33:05Tap to summarizeThe Venusians had kidnapped Stanley Murdock, shown him around their underground base in the desert of New Mexico and told him of their plans to conquer Earth and make slaves of its populace. And then, having no use for him, released him. It was the best joke ever according to the Venusian sense of humor, for who would believe him? "The Vanguard of Venus" was available to readers through an advertisement in the September 1928 issue of "Amazing Stories" on page 557. Landell Bartlett (1897-1972) was a Colorado-born accountant, editor, columnist, local historian, and poet. He published three science fiction stories and was said to have been a friend of Robert A. Heinlein. He was a member of the Colorado science fiction fan community up to at least the 1950s. Links Reaper: reaper.fm LibSyn: libsyn.com "Mesmerizing Galaxy" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. If there's a story you'd like me to narrate, or a genre you'd like me to include more of, please let me know using the Contact Form.
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Office Call, by Charles E Fritch
Dec 3000:23:54Tap to summarizeAll Dr. Rawlings could think about was having a chicken farm. And Miss Austin. But he had these pesky patients to deal with. Patients who thought they were from Mars, or who could walk through doorways to Mars. Freud had nothing to say about that! "Office Call" appeared in "Fantastic Universe," October 1954, pages 74 - 81. Charles E Fritch (January 20, 1927 – October 11, 2012) was an American author and editor of fantasy, science fiction, horror and mystery fiction. He was the editor of Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine from 1979 until 1985. His short story, "Misfortune Cookie", was adapted for an episode of the television series The Twilight Zone. Links Reaper: reaper.fm LibSyn: libsyn.com "Mesmerizing Galaxy" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. If there's a story you'd like me to narrate, or a genre you'd like me to include more of, please let me know using the Contact Form.
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Redemption, by Robert F Young
Dec 2801:55:52Tap to summarizeTo love a saint is hard. To be one, that is harder. Today's story is "Redemption" by Robert F Young. It appeared in the July 1963 issue of "Amazing Stories" on pages 6 to 45 and 51. Robert Franklin Young (June 8, 1915 – June 22, 1986) was an American science fiction writer. He remained little-known by the public, in the United States as well as abroad. His career spanned more than thirty years, and he wrote fiction until he died. His production started in 1953 in Startling Stories, then Playboy, The Saturday Evening Post and Collier's. It mainly consisted of a long list of short stories with a poetic and romantic style which led to his work being compared to Ray Bradbury and Theodore Sturgeon. His most famous short stories are perhaps "The Dandelion Girl" which influenced the director of the anime series RahXephon, and "Little Dog Gone" which was nominated in 1965 for the Hugo Award for Best Short Story. Links Reaper: reaper.fm LibSyn: libsyn.com "Mesmerizing Galaxy" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. If there's a story you'd like me to narrate, or a genre you'd like me to include more of, please let me know using the Contact Form.
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Strangers to Straba, by Carl Jacobi
Dec 2400:30:29Tap to summarizeAll Cap Barlow cared about was his golf course on the lonely planet of Straba. But when Clarence Raine landed to conduct a survey, and the ship of legend crash landed, strange events began to unfold. "Strangers to Straba" appeared in "Fantastic Universe", October 1954, pages 90 - 98. Carl Richard Jacobi (July 10, 1908 – August 25, 1997) was an American journalist and writer. He wrote short stories in the crime, horror and fantasy genres for the pulp magazine market, appearing in Ghost Stories, Startling Stories, Thrilling Wonder Stories, Strange Stories, Thrilling Adventures, Complete Stories, Top-Notch, Short Stories, The Skipper, Doc Savage and Dime Adventures Magazine. Jacobi also produced some science fiction, mainly space opera, published in such magazines as Planet Stories. He was one of the last surviving pulp-fictioneers to have contributed to the legendary American horror magazine Weird Tales during its "glory days" (the 1920s and 1930s). Links Reaper: reaper.fm LibSyn: libsyn.com "Mesmerizing Galaxy" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. If there's a story you'd like me to narrate, or a genre you'd like me to include more of, please let me know using the Contact Form.
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Descending, by Thomas M Disch
Dec 2100:32:43Tap to summarizeNext time you're on an escalator someplace, keep your wits about you. Today's story is "Descending," by Thomas M Disch. It appeared in the July 1964 issue of "Fantstic Stories of Imangination" on pages 70 to 82. Today's story is dedicated to listener Ed Pearson. Thank you for the great recommendation. Thomas Michael Disch (February 2, 1940 – July 4, 2008) was an American science fiction writer and poet. He won the Hugo Award for Best Related Book – previously called "Best Non-Fiction Book" – in 1999, and he had two other Hugo nominations and nine Nebula Award nominations to his credit, plus one win of the John W. Campbell Memorial Award, a Rhysling Award, and two Seiun Awards, among others. In the 1960s, his work began appearing in science-fiction magazines. His critically acclaimed science fiction novels, "The Genocides," "Camp Concentration," and "334" are major contributions to the New Wave science fiction movement. Links Reaper: reaper.fm LibSyn: libsyn.com "Mesmerizing Galaxy" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. If there's a story you'd like me to narrate, or a genre you'd like me to include more of, please let me know using the Contact Form.
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The Great Illusion, by Manly Bannister
Dec 1800:43:39Tap to summarizeThere was something not quite right about the planet Hume, something counterfeit about the natives' culture. The higher-ups were satisfied with the current analysis and planetary designation, but Rowley couldn't let it go. "The Great Illusion" appeared in "Super-Science Fiction," February 1957, pages 22 - 39. Manly Miles Banister (9 March 1914 - 8 June 1986) was an American novelist, short-story writer, and amateur publisher. He wrote in the genres of horror, fantasy, and science fiction. His stories often explored themes of humanity's struggle against the unknown, featuring elements of time travel, supernatural forces, and alien occupations. Links Reaper: reaper.fm LibSyn: libsyn.com "Mesmerizing Galaxy" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. If there's a story you'd like me to narrate, or a genre you'd like me to include more of, please let me know using the Contact Form.
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"Sexton, Sexton, in the Wall," by August Derleth
Dec 1400:29:32Tap to summarizeCornillo Martens wanted a quiet life, to enjoy his garden. But old man Garner, with his experiments, and Garner's grandchildren, with their unpleasant songs, profoundly disturbed his peace. Today's story is "Sexton, Sexton, in the Wall," by August Derleth. It appeared in the January 1953 issue of Weird Tales on pages 68 to 74. This story is dedicated to the YouTube Channel 'Infinite Text.' August William Derleth (February 24, 1909 – July 4, 1971) was an American writer and anthologist. He was the first book publisher of the writings of H. P. Lovecraft. He made contributions to the Cthulhu Mythos and the cosmic horror genre and helped found the publisher Arkham House (which did much to bring supernatural fiction into print in hardcover in the US that had only been readily available in the UK). Derleth was also a leading American regional writer of his day, as well as prolific in several other genres, including historical fiction, poetry, detective fiction, science fiction, and biography. Links Reaper: reaper.fm LibSyn: libsyn.com "Mesmerizing Galaxy" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. If there's a story you'd like me to narrate, or a genre you'd like me to include more of, please let me know using the Contact Form.
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Once a First Wife, by Norman Arkawy
Dec 1200:27:02Tap to summarizeShe writhed under the judges' merciless scrutiny. The charge against her was surely a most grievous one—marital fidelity—and sexual incompetence! "Once a First Wife" appeared in "Fantastic Universe", October 1954, pages 33 to 40. Norman Arkawy: If you have information about this author, I would be grateful if you could let me know via the email address provided in the 'About' section of this channel. Links Reaper: reaper.fm LibSyn: libsyn.com "Mesmerizing Galaxy" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. If there's a story you'd like me to narrate, or a genre you'd like me to include more of, please let me know using the Contact Form.
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