Rocky Starr Episode 001

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio Presents: Rocky Starr Episode 001

Release Date: January 17, 2025

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Introduction

In the premiere episode of "Rocky Starr," listeners are transported back to the exhilarating era of the Golden Age of Radio. Hosted by Harold's Old Time Radio, this episode immerses the audience in a thrilling adventure set against the backdrop of space exploration's nascent days. The story unfolds at a secret rocket testing ground in New Mexico, capturing the tension and excitement of humanity’s first steps toward conquering the cosmos.

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Setting the Scene

The episode opens with a vivid narration that sets the stage for an interstellar journey:

Narrator [01:04]: "Destination Venus An Adventure with Rocky Star what lies beyond our Earth in the vast unknown of limitless space? Does life exist on the far off planets? Who will be the first to conquer space, reach the planets and learn their secrets?"

Listeners are introduced to the secretive rocket testing facility, where a colossal rocket stands poised for launch, symbolizing humanity's ambitious reach for the stars.

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Meet the Characters

• Rocky Starr [02:10]: A tall, redheaded, and adventurous English rocket designer whose passion for space travel drives the narrative.

• Mitch Morgan [02:08]: A dark, thick-set Canadian engineer, Rocky’s colleague, who is more pragmatic and often skeptical of Rocky’s grand visions.

• Commander: The authoritative figure overseeing the rocket testing operations, ensuring everything proceeds smoothly.

• Professor Kabar [03:03]: An eminent scientist whose expertise is crucial to the rocket program.

• Ms. Vernon [07:18]: The intelligent and elegant daughter of Professor Vernon and White, whose presence introduces an element of intrigue and potential romance.

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The Rocket Test Attempt

As the episode progresses, Rocky and Mitch prepare for a pivotal rocket launch. The tension builds with their differing personalities and approaches:

Mitch Morgan [02:08]: "Say, how much longer do we have to twiddle our thumbs?"

Rocky Starr [02:10]: "Rocky, they'll be here any second."

Their banter highlights the underlying stress and anticipation surrounding the test. As the countdown begins, the atmosphere thickens with suspense:

Rocky Starr [05:12]: "Count off for firing. 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1."

However, disaster strikes when the rocket fails to launch:

Mitch Morgan [05:23]: "Fire. He didn't go."

Rocky Starr [05:27]: "What the heck. As you were, men, as you were. Standby for firing."

The crew discovers that the firing cable is disconnected, leading to a frantic attempt to rectify the issue. This malfunction sets off a series of dramatic events, culminating in the rocket heading perilously toward the station.

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Unraveling the Mystery

Amidst the chaos, Rocky insists that a tiny robot was responsible for the malfunction:

Rocky Starr [11:37]: "I'm certain, Miss Vernon. It set off the firing mechanism."

This claim is met with skepticism from Professor Kabar, who doubts Rocky's account:

Professor Kabar [11:52]: "You are both quite wrong. I was watching that rocket through glasses and I saw nothing at all. It was merely a premature exclusion."

The tension escalates as the rocket threatens the safety of the station, forcing the characters to confront the possibility of sabotage or unforeseen technological anomalies.

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A New Mission Emerges

In the aftermath of the failed launch and subsequent rescue, Ms. Vernon approaches Rocky with an extraordinary proposition:

Ms. Vernon [12:37]: "How would you like to fly a spaceship to the planet Ven?"

This invitation propels Rocky into a new adventure, hinting at future episodes filled with space exploration, mystery, and heroism. The offer signifies a turning point, setting Rocky on a path that promises to explore the unknown frontiers of space.

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Conclusion and Cliffhanger

The episode concludes with Rocky accepting Ms. Vernon's offer, leaving listeners eager for the next installment:

Ms. Vernon [12:27]: "We came to New Mexico to meet you. I believe that you are very interested in space travel."

Rocky Starr [12:46]: "Unbelievingly, Rocky stares at the beautiful girl in front of him. Is he dreaming? Or is this really happening?"

The narrative seamlessly transitions to a teaser for the next episode, promising more thrills, mystery, and drama as Rocky embarks on his journey to Destination Venus.

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Notable Quotes and Moments

• Rocky Starr [03:18]: "They said that to the Wright brothers before they made their first flight." – Emphasizing the theme of perseverance and innovation.

• Mitch Morgan [07:18]: "You know, Rocky, something always goes wrong when we have VIPs here." – Highlighting the recurring challenges the team faces.

• Rocky Starr [11:47]: "That's this year's biggest mystery." – Pointing to the unexplained malfunction that fuels the plot’s intrigue.

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Conclusion

"Rocky Starr Episode 001" masterfully captures the essence of old-time radio storytelling, blending adventure, suspense, and character-driven narratives. Through dynamic dialogue and evocative descriptions, the episode paints a vivid picture of the excitement and uncertainty that surrounded early space exploration efforts. As Rocky Starr steps into a larger role, listeners are left anticipating the unfolding of his interstellar adventures in the episodes to come.

Transcript

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[Narrator]

Destination Venus An Adventure with Rocky Star what lies beyond our Earth in the vast unknown of limitless space? Does life exist on the far off planets? Who will be the first to conquer space, reach the planets and learn their secrets? The dust swirls lazily on a gentle breeze at a secret rocket projectile testing ground in New Mexico. Balanced on its huge tail fins, a gigantic rocket points majestically to the heavens. A few hundred yards away in the reinforced concrete observation post, two members of the Rocket Development Commission are talking the smaller, dark, thick set. One is Canadian engineer Mitch Morgan. The other is tall, redheaded, adventurous Englishman Rocky Starr.

[Mitch Morgan]

Say, how much longer do we have to twiddle our thumbs?

[Rocky Star]

Rocky, they'll be here any second.

[Mitch Morgan]

You said that 10 minutes ago. Who the heck are we waiting for anyway?

[Rocky Star]

Some VIPs? Mitch, is everyone standing by?

[Mitch Morgan]

Yeah, we've been all set for fighting for a quarter of an hour. Very important people. Why, I bet they're a couple of old generals with big tummies and crutches.

[Rocky Star]

Now look here, Mitch.

[Mitch Morgan]

Yeah, maybe I am touchy, but this hanging around makes me feel all itchy inside.

[Rocky Star]

Storming around that way won't help matters.

[Mitch Morgan]

Oh, it's all right for you, Rocky. Nothing upsets you. I'm different, though. When I do something, I like to do it right away. Well, this is the most important test we Rocky, are you listening to me?

[Commander]

No.

[Rocky Star]

No, I wasn't.

[Mitch Morgan]

Well, I like that. What's going on in that red head of yours?

[Rocky Star]

Oh, nothing much.

[Mitch Morgan]

I get it. You were thinking of space travel, weren't you?

[Narrator]

Well, yes.

[Mitch Morgan]

Don't you ever think of anything else?

[Rocky Star]

You know, Mitch, it won't be long before someone takes off for the moon in a spaceship.

[Mitch Morgan]

Ah, talk sense.

[Rocky Star]

Well, I am.

[Mitch Morgan]

Look, you've got a bug about it, Rocky. For a spaceship to escape the Earth's gravity and reach outer space, it'd have to accelerate to about 30,000 miles an hour. Now, who ever heard a flying at that speed?

[Rocky Star]

Well, I wouldn't, Scott, if I were you.

[Mitch Morgan]

But it's not possible now.

[Rocky Star]

They said that to the Wright brothers before they made their first flight.

[Mitch Morgan]

Ah, Rocky, that was different.

[Rocky Star]

And nobody thought 40 years ago that a plane could possibly travel at eight or 900 miles an hour, now did they?

[Mitch Morgan]

Well, that's not 30,000 miles an hour, though. A human body couldn't stand that speed. Look, pal, you spend too much time dreaming about the VIPs. Yeah, well, not before time either.

[Commander]

This way. Sorry to have held you up, gentlemen. Our guests were delayed. Professor Kabar. Ms. Vernon. May I present two of our rocket personnel. Our designer, Mr. Rocky Star, and chief engineer, Mr. Morgan. Ms. Vernon.

[Mitch Morgan]

How do you do? How do you do, Ms. Vernon.

[Rocky Star]

Ms. Vernon.

[Commander]

And this is the eminent Professor Kabar.

[Professor Kabar]

It is a pleasure, gentlemen.

[Rocky Star]

Glad to know yourself.

[Mitch Morgan]

It goes for me too, Professor.

[Commander]

Well, are we all set to conduct the test?

[Mitch Morgan]

Are we all, Commander?

[Commander]

Fine, fine. Carry on then, please. As you and Professor Cabar are both aware, Ms. Vernon, we hope that this rocket will penetrate the Earth's atmosphere and reach space. When it does, the recording machines aboard will send us back information that should be of great help to us.

[Professor Kabar]

Any chance about actually seeing the takeoff, Commander?

[Commander]

Yes. Come over to this observation slit. It's rather interesting watching the firing of a rocket. At first it just seems to hover two or three feet from the ground, then zoom, and she's away.

[Rocky Star]

Okay, Mitch.

[Commander]

Yeah.

[Mitch Morgan]

Rocky.

[Rocky Star]

Time will stand by for firing.

[Commander]

With the sounding of the siren, a.

[Narrator]

Tense atmosphere descends over the whole station. Men, check their speed recorders, their radar, their high speed cameras. Soon the giant rocket will zoom from the Earth and scream into space. At 15,000 miles per hour. Reports flash to the control tower. Area cleared of aircraft and personnel. Observation posts standing by. All is in readiness as Rocky speaks into a microphone.

[Rocky Star]

Count off for firing. 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

[Mitch Morgan]

Fire. He didn't go.

[Rocky Star]

What the heck. As you were, men, as you were. Standby for firing.

[Commander]

I hate to interfere, Mr. Starr, but I'll swear that the firing cable is not connected.

[Rocky Star]

Well, it must be, sir, but sure it is.

[Mitch Morgan]

I plugged it into the rocket myself.

[Rocky Star]

Mitch, the commander's right. It's lying on the ground. I can see through my glasses.

[Mitch Morgan]

What is catching. It can't be. Rocky, you checked it out.

[Rocky Star]

There's no use arguing, Mitch. It's out. Let's go and fix it. Just a moment. Now hear this. Observation post. Stand easy. Come on, Mitch.

[Mitch Morgan]

Of all the things I just can't believe.

[Commander]

Sorry to have this little hold up, commander. Yes, Ms. Vernon?

[Ms. Vernon]

There's no danger, is there?

[Commander]

Well, what do you mean?

[Ms. Vernon]

That rocket couldn't explode prematurely, could it?

[Commander]

Why, I shouldn't think so for one moment.

[Professor Kabar]

Why should it, Anne?

[Ms. Vernon]

I don't know. Nothing must happen to Rocky Star.

[Professor Kabar]

He seems quite capable of taking care of himself.

[Commander]

He can certainly do that.

[Rocky Star]

Professor.

[Commander]

Rocky is an extraordinary person. He's afraid of nothing. And he knows more about rockets than. Well and any other expert. Well, it'll take him a few minutes to walk out and check that firing cable. So I suggest we all relax and have a cigarette.

[Mitch Morgan]

Say it again and again. It just couldn't happen.

[Rocky Star]

I agree with you, Mitch. And yet the fact remains it did.

[Mitch Morgan]

But, Rocky, that firing cable couldn't have fallen out unless.

[Rocky Star]

Go on.

[Mitch Morgan]

No, no, it's crazy.

[Rocky Star]

You were going to say, unless someone pulled it out.

[Commander]

Yeah.

[Mitch Morgan]

But no one was near it.

[Rocky Star]

No.

[Mitch Morgan]

Then how the deuce did it get onto the ground?

[Rocky Star]

That's this year's biggest mystery. Ah, let's forget it, Mitch.

[Mitch Morgan]

You know, Rocky, something always goes wrong when we have VIPs here.

[Rocky Star]

They're rather different than the ones you expected, aren't they?

[Mitch Morgan]

Yeah. Say, that Ms. Vernon is awful pretty.

[Rocky Star]

Yeah, she is. And she's rather clever, too. You know, she's the daughter of Professor Vernon and White. Her father is a brilliant physicist.

[Mitch Morgan]

You don't say. Beauty and brains together.

[Rocky Star]

Mitch, what do you think of Professor Cabar?

[Mitch Morgan]

Well, I don't know. Queer looking bird, isn't he?

[Rocky Star]

Peculiar skin.

[Mitch Morgan]

I'll say. It looked kind of dirty or a smoky color. And his eyebrows, they nearly cover his eyes. Rocky, look. I might be stupid, but when I shook hands with him, queer feeling shots from me, I started.

[Rocky Star]

What's that on the rocket fence?

[Mitch Morgan]

Huh?

[Rocky Star]

It's something moving.

[Mitch Morgan]

It's a bird, isn't it?

[Rocky Star]

That's no bird. Mitch, am I going mad?

[Mitch Morgan]

It's mechanical. Say, what is it?

[Narrator]

I'll swear it.

[Rocky Star]

It's a tiny robot.

[Mitch Morgan]

Look at it. Lucky charge.

[Narrator]

Run for the switch. Right.

[Mitch Morgan]

Quiet. And quiet.

[Commander]

Now hear this. Accident stations. Keep your radar on that rocket. Watson.

[Ms. Vernon]

Commander, where's Mr. Stark?

[Professor Kabar]

It is quite obvious that he and Mr. Morgan cannot be alive.

[Ms. Vernon]

I saw him start to run.

[Professor Kabar]

No human being could live in such a blast.

[Ms. Vernon]

Commander, isn't there anything we can do?

[Commander]

Our rescue squad will handle that side of it, Ms. Vernon.

[Ms. Vernon]

They will be all right, won't they? Won't they, Commander?

[Mitch Morgan]

Commander.

[Commander]

Go ahead, Watson. Rocket turning, islet 2, 20,000. Repeat, Watson. Repeat, rocket turning. Altitude 18,000. Watson's direction, commander. It's headed straight to the station.

[Mitch Morgan]

It's headed straight for us.

[Commander]

Now hear this. All personnel, take cover. Take cover.

[Ms. Vernon]

Come on. Mr. Star's out there. We can't leave him.

[Commander]

I'm afraid we'll have to.

[Ms. Vernon]

But we can't there be.

[Commander]

Now hear this. Check personnel. Tech personnel. You are right, Ms. Vernon. Professor.

[Rocky Star]

Quite.

[Ms. Vernon]

And yes, I think so. My head's all waggy.

[Commander]

Good. Now hear this. Rescue stations. Rescue stations. Find Rocky Star and Ms. Morgan. And hurry.

[Professor Kabar]

There's no movement out there, Commander. No movement at all.

[Mitch Morgan]

And I tell you, Ms. Vernon, if Rocky hadn't pushed me into that slit trench, I would have been in hospital instead of him.

[Professor Kabar]

Or dead.

[Mitch Morgan]

You don't imagine he's dead, do you, Professor?

[Professor Kabar]

Don't you?

[Mitch Morgan]

Well, I'm not even considering it.

[Ms. Vernon]

He must be badly hurt. The doctors have been wedding since midday. Almost dusk now.

[Mitch Morgan]

But he can't be dead. He's the best guy in the world. You couldn't kill Rocky.

[Ms. Vernon]

You like him awfully, don't you, Mitch?

[Mitch Morgan]

He's my best pal. Things wouldn't be the same without Rocky.

[Ms. Vernon]

Oh, Mitch, nothing must happen to him.

[Mitch Morgan]

Why do you say that?

[Ms. Vernon]

Well, I came to New Mexico, especially to.

[Mitch Morgan]

Here's the commander.

[Commander]

Relax, all of you.

[Mitch Morgan]

He's okay.

[Commander]

A few superficial burns, some bruises. Otherwise, he's fine.

[Ms. Vernon]

That's wonderful, isn't it, dad?

[Professor Kabar]

Yes, yes.

[Mitch Morgan]

Well, can I see him?

[Commander]

Well, the doctor says go right ahead. They're keeping on observation for a few hours in case any complications setting in. They would have let us in hours ago, only he kept on mumbling vaguely of a robot setting off the rocket. They thought he was delirious. Said the same thing to me just now.

[Professor Kabar]

A robot. He sounds as if he is still delirious.

[Mitch Morgan]

Well, I'll see you all later, huh?

[Ms. Vernon]

Mitch, would you mind if Professor Kabar and I go in with you?

[Mitch Morgan]

No. Come along.

[Ms. Vernon]

Thanks. I realize how much you want to be with Rocky, but. Well, so do we.

[Mitch Morgan]

You do? Well, this is his room. Hello there, you old fraud. How are you?

[Rocky Star]

Hello, Mitch. Hey, get me out of this place, will you?

[Mitch Morgan]

They're throwing you out first thing in the Morning. Good.

[Ms. Vernon]

I'm awfully glad you're not hurting.

[Rocky Star]

I thank you, Ms. Vernon. I'm sorry the rocket show was a failure.

[Ms. Vernon]

There'll be others that'll give us the information we're after.

[Professor Kabar]

You two are fortunate to be alive.

[Mitch Morgan]

You can say that again. It hadn't been for Rocky spotting that robot thing, we. We'd have walked to our death.

[Ms. Vernon]

Are you sure it was a robot?

[Rocky Star]

I'm certain, Miss Vernon. It set off the firing mechanism.

[Professor Kabar]

Mr. Star, you must be worse than your doctors are saying.

[Mitch Morgan]

Well, I saw that thing too, remember?

[Professor Kabar]

You are both quite wrong. I was watching that rocket through glasses and I saw nothing at all. It was merely a premature exclusion. It happened before and will happen again.

[Rocky Star]

It was not a premature explosion. Professor.

[Commander]

Don't be ridiculous.

[Ms. Vernon]

Quarrel with Mr. Starr. We want him to be our friends.

[Mitch Morgan]

Why?

[Rocky Star]

How do you mean?

[Ms. Vernon]

We came to New Mexico to see more than that rocket takeoff. Oh, we came to meet you. I. I believe that you are very interested in space travel.

[Mitch Morgan]

Yeah. He thinks of nothing else.

[Ms. Vernon]

Good.

[Mitch Morgan]

Then you come to the point.

[Professor Kabar]

End. Mr. Star, we have a job for you.

[Rocky Star]

What is it, Ms. Vernon?

[Ms. Vernon]

How would you like to fly a spaceship to the planet Ven?

[Narrator]

Unbelievingly, Rocky stares at the beautiful girl in front of him. Is he dreaming? Or is this really happening? Be with us.

[Mitch Morgan]

For each and every chapter of the.

[Narrator]

New serial, there are thrills, mystery, drama. When Rocky Star flies through space in the vast unknown that lies outside this world. To destination Venus.

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