Report From A Dead Planet by Suspense

Summary

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Relic Radio Sci-Fi

Episode: "Report From A Dead Planet" (Suspense, written by George Bamber)

Date: March 9, 2026
Podcast Host: RelicRadio.com

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Overview

This episode of Relic Radio Sci-Fi presents the classic old time radio story "Report From A Dead Planet," originally aired on Suspense and written by George Bamber. The story follows a space expedition as they land on a seemingly habitable but deserted planet, uncovering the remnants of a vanished civilization. With a focus on atmosphere, mystery, and a chilling twist, the episode explores themes of discovery, the dangers of nuclear power, and the rise and fall of civilizations.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Arrival & Initial Observations (00:59–05:00)

• Tension and Anticipation: The crew members, Lieutenant Jeffries, Dr. Siddons, Jenkins, and Collins, express a mix of anxiety and excitement as their ship approaches a new planet, designated X37J.
  • Notable Quote:
    Lt. Jeffries: "Tomorrow you make history. One of the first men to set foot on an inhabitable planet." (01:07)
• Planet Description: The planet is depicted as beautiful but enigmatic, with a vast majority covered by water and distinct land masses visible through the clouds (01:35).
• Radiation Concerns: The Van Allen Belt around the planet exhibits 50 times the anticipated radiation, raising the suspicion it might have been artificially engineered as a barrier (02:29–03:05).
  • Notable Quote:
    Dr. Siddons: "It's not normal for this large a concentration of radiation to be in the magnetic field around the planet." (02:49)
• Landing Site Selection: After reviewing spectrographic data, the crew opts to land on a peculiar island with a single rectangular patch of vegetation, surrounded by geometric markings that appear artificially created (05:53–06:39).

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2. Landing & Exploration (07:52–10:31)

• Touchdown: The ship lands on the "green patch," which Jenkins describes as possibly sacred ground due to its unusual shape (06:07–07:15).
• Desolate City: Disembarking, the crew discovers a city of imposing structures. Initially unsure if the buildings are monuments or dwellings; they notice rows of windows, suggesting habitation (08:10–08:32).
  • Notable Quote:
    Lt. Jeffries: "It looks like we've landed in the middle of a huge graveyard." (08:10)
• Precautions: The Captain orders strict defense protocols and assigns recon parties to explore while monitoring radiation and atmospheric safety. Dr. Siddons volunteers to test the planet's air once basic safety is confirmed.
• Atmosphere is Safe: Dr. Siddons confirms it's safe to remove suits and breathe the air, lightening the mood for a moment (10:31–11:04).

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3. Searching For Life (11:06–15:47)

• Reconnaissance Missions: The crew splits into groups to search the city.
• Empty Ruins: The team finds only silence, abandoned cities, and thick layers of dust, but no evidence of living inhabitants.
  • Atmosphere:
    Lt. Jeffries: "We've been lying here so long staring at the windows... I feel like there's a million pair of eyes staring back at us." (11:55)
• Disturbing Artifact: Inside a building, they discover a metal effigy/statue, resembling a vaguely human yet unsettling form—presumably depicting the planet's former inhabitants (14:28–14:46).
  • Notable Quote:
    Lt. Jeffries: "Such ugly looking creatures. You suppose that's its head?" (14:50)
• Interpreting Evidence: Dr. Siddons surmises the thick dust and state of the buildings mean the city has been abandoned for perhaps a thousand years (15:13–15:47).

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4. Uncovering the Planet’s Fate (15:47–18:22)

• Piecing Together the Past: As the crew continues to monitor all radio frequencies with no results, Dr. Siddons is pressed for an explanation.
• Dr. Siddons’ Theory: The planet was home to intelligent bipeds, “culturally and morally… hadn't gotten much beyond the Iron Age” despite their technological advances (17:15).
  • Notable Quote:
    Dr. Siddons: “The very first use they made of it was to blow a couple million of their fellow creatures off the face of the planet.” (17:31)
• Nuclear Apocalypse: The civilization's discovery and use of nuclear energy led to mutual destruction. Survivors perished from radiation, which has only recently diminished to tolerable levels.
  • Notable Quote:
    Captain: "What savages." (17:39)
• Mission Conclusion: The Captain orders the crew to prepare for departure, stating they have enough information for their report. (18:07–18:22)

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5. Final Revelation (18:22–19:04)

• Deciphering the Name: Dr. Siddons, through computer translation, reveals the ancient name of the city—delivering a chilling twist:
  • Notable Quote:
    Dr. Siddons: “They called this place New York.” (19:00)
• The implication is clear: the “dead planet” is Earth, and the explorers are alien visitors uncovering humanity’s downfall.

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• The First Glimpse: Lt. Jeffries: "Just look at it. How it hangs out there in space. Motionless like a huge ball or a giant pearl.” (01:35)
• Dread at the Ruins: Lt. Jeffries: "It looks like we've landed in the middle of a huge graveyard.” (08:10)
• On Nuclear Use: Dr. Siddons: “The very first use they made of it was to blow a couple million of their fellow creatures off the face of the planet.” (17:31)
• The Ironic Twist: Dr. Siddons: “They called this place New York.” (19:00)

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Highlight | |-------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:07 | Anticipation before planetary landing | | 02:29–03:05 | Radiation detected; possibility of artificial barrier | | 05:53–07:15 | Choosing the unusual landing site | | 08:10 | Landing among ancient ruins | | 10:31–11:04 | Dr. Siddons tests and confirms safe atmosphere | | 14:28–15:02 | Discovery of the alien effigy/statue | | 15:47–18:07 | Dr. Siddons theorizes on civilization’s self-destruction | | 19:00 | The reveal: “They called this place New York” |

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Tone and Style

The dialogue maintains a formal yet accessible tone typical of mid-20th-century radio drama, blending scientific discussion with suspenseful undercurrents and philosophical reflection. Expository exchanges between the Captain and Dr. Siddons are balanced by expressions of awe, fear, and the melancholy realization at the end. The episode is steeped in irony and dramatic foreboding, especially in its final twist.

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Summary for New Listeners

"Report From A Dead Planet" immerses listeners in a suspenseful, slowly building tale of space exploration that unexpectedly becomes a haunting commentary on humanity's capacity for self-destruction. The story unfolds like a detective mystery, with the crew piecing together the fate of a lost civilization, only to find that the “alien” ruins are, in fact, the remains of Earth. The final moments leave an enduring impact, making this old time radio episode as relevant and thought-provoking today as when it was written.

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Transcript

[Lt. Jeffries]

Relic radio. This is relic radio.

[Dr. Siddons]

Sci fi old time radio. Science fiction stories from relicradio.com.

[Captain]

And now another tale well calculated to keep you in

[Narrator]

suspense.

[Announcer]

Report from a Dead Planet Written for suspense by George Bamber.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Oh, Dr. Siddons. What are you doing here?

[Dr. Siddons]

Oh, I might as well ask you the same thing.

[Jenkins]

Well, I couldn't sleep. I'd close my eyes and then I'd think, jeffreys, old man, tomorrow you make history. One of the first men to set

[Lt. Jeffries]

foot on an inhabitable planet.

[Jenkins]

Then the next thing I'd know, my eyes would pop open and I'd be staring up in the darkness.

[Collins]

So you came up here to have

[Dr. Siddons]

another look at it, huh? How did you know? Well, I'm afraid buck fever isn't restricted to the young.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Oh, gosh. It's beautiful, isn't it?

[Dr. Siddons]

Yes. Yes, it is.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Just look at it. How it hangs out there in space. Motionless like a huge ball or a giant pearl. Kind of luminescent gray. It's rich against the blackness of space. Light of the stars.

[Dr. Siddons]

Red, green against yellow.

[Announcer]

Black.

[Dr. Siddons]

Look here on the radar. The land masses show up quite clearly now through the cloud layer.

[Lt. Jeffries]

But doctor, it's almost water.

[Dr. Siddons]

More than 3/4 of x37J service is covered with water.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Well, do you think the land will be firm enough to set down as

[Dr. Siddons]

dry as the land at home? Tension at ease.

[Captain]

Dr. Siddons, I was just going to send for you.

[Dr. Siddons]

What's up?

[Unknown Officer]

I don't know. I just got a report from the

[Captain]

con at the Van Allen Belt for this planet is about 50 times more intense than they anticipated.

[Dr. Siddons]

Oh, here, let's see. Yes, I see. The radiation's about 50 times above normal.

[Lt. Jeffries]

The ship okay?

[Unknown Officer]

Oh, yes.

[Captain]

Our hull is designed to withstand 100 times. What do you make of it?

[Dr. Siddons]

Well, I don't know. It's not normal for this large a concentration of radiation to be in the magnetic field around the planet.

[Lt. Jeffries]

You mean somebody would have had to put it there?

[Dr. Siddons]

Oh, well, I didn't say that. But it is possible that it was put there to act as a barrier

[Captain]

to incoming rocket ship.

[Dr. Siddons]

Flint. Yes, it is possible.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Well, then that means there's life here.

[Dr. Siddons]

No, no, not necessarily. Of course we know this planet is capable of supporting life. That's why we're going to explore it. But to jump to the conclusion that it is intelligent life and hostile to our exploration is not only unscientific, it's completely unfounded at this point. But maybe that the intense presence of radiation in the Van Allen Belt of this planet Might be due to natural causes, ones we hadn't anticipated.

[Collins]

But whether there are people down there,

[Dr. Siddons]

such as ourselves, is something we can't possibly say until we've landed them.

[Captain]

Well, I'm going to sensitize the ship's defense system and post orders for the landing party to carry their weapons.

[Dr. Siddons]

Yes, it's a wise precaution.

[Unknown Officer]

Now, in the meantime, it's five hours till touchdown.

[Captain]

I suggest you gentlemen get some sleep while you can. I have a feeling you're going to need it once we land.

[Narrator]

150,000ft from touchdown. Rate of fall, 0660.

[Collins]

Well, so far so good.

[Narrator]

145 from touchdown. Rate of fall.

[Collins]

If they had any anti rocket devices, they would have sent them up by now. We're well into their atmosphere.

[Narrator]

Yes, unless.

[Unknown Officer]

Unless they're planning some kind of trap,

[Captain]

letting us land so they can capture us intact once we're on the ground.

[Collins]

If there's anybody down there. We've been monitoring the radio frequency since last night and there hasn't been a sound. Whatever life is down there, I'm sure we'll be able to handle.

[Narrator]

110,000ft from touchdown.

[Collins]

Rate of. I see you're keeping to the edge of the land mass.

[Narrator]

Yes.

[Unknown Officer]

I want you to be able to get your ocean samples without a lot of traveling.

[Collins]

May I suggest you set down where that large river empties into the sea? That way I can take fresh water samples as well. You see there on that peninsula?

[Unknown Officer]

You think that's big enough?

[Collins]

I make it to be about two miles wide. Plenty of room for us.

[Unknown Officer]

Jenkins, what's the spectrographic reading for that peninsula?

[Jenkins]

Solid mineral, granite like composition.

[Unknown Officer]

It should support us.

[Jenkins]

Well, it's not a peninsula, sir. It's an island. You see here how the river cuts around it at the north end, cutting it off from the main body of land.

[Unknown Officer]

Yes, well, that makes it all the better. It's small enough, surrounded by water on four sides. Makes it easier to defend if there are hostile people down there.

[Narrator]

100,000ft from touchdown. Rate of fall, 0790.

[Unknown Officer]

Collins, set a course for that island.

[Narrator]

Aye, aye, sir.

[Jenkins]

Dr. Siddons.

[Dr. Siddons]

Yes?

[Jenkins]

There's something funny about that island. Look here on the spectrograph.

[Collins]

Well, what is it?

[Jenkins]

Well, look how the whole thing shows up. Gray, solid rock. Except for this patch of green. The only spot on the whole island.

[Collins]

There's nothing unusual about that. Merely indicates vegetation covering the minerals, grass or trees.

[Jenkins]

Yes, but why this one spot? And why so perfectly oblong? Look, the sides of it are Laid out square as a parade ground.

[Unknown Officer]

He's right, you know, Doctor. Nature couldn't lay out anything as geometric as that. It has to be man made.

[Jenkins]

You don't suppose it's some sort of sacred ground? A place for a religious ceremony?

[Collins]

Lieutenant, let's not let superstition run away

[Dr. Siddons]

with our better judgments.

[Jenkins]

But look, Dr. Siddons. The whole island's cross hatched into squares. And that green patch is only the only unmarked place on it.

[Dr. Siddons]

I don't know, sir.

[Collins]

Maybe it isn't the best place to land. The island has been definitely marked up by an intelligence of some sort of 80,000ft from touchdown.

[Unknown Officer]

Rate of.

Oh, we're too far down to blast up again. I can't waste the fuel.

[Narrator]

Captain.

[Unknown Officer]

Yes.

[Narrator]

Timiner is giving me a hodgepodge of readings for that island. The only level place on it is that green patch of ground.

[Collins]

Maybe we should try to land on either side of the river on the mainland.

[Unknown Officer]

Let's cross.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Hatch.

[Unknown Officer]

Just as bad as the island is now, whatever that patch of ground is, sacred ground or what, we're going to be in the middle of it. Set your sights for the south end of that green. Collins, man your battle station's men. We're taking her in.

[Captain]

Well, gentlemen, we made it.

[Dr. Siddons]

The New World.

[Captain]

Keep your eyes open.

[Dr. Siddons]

See any movement? No, sir.

[Lt. Jeffries]

It looks like we've landed in the middle of a huge graveyard. What are they, Dr. Sims? Monuments?

[Dr. Siddons]

No, no, no, they're too big for that. No, I imagine they're dwelling places of some sort. See all those little squares they cut in them? They must be windows.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Well, then there's no question that there are creatures on this planet.

[Dr. Siddons]

No.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Well, then where is everybody?

[Captain]

Yes, that's a very good question.

[Dr. Siddons]

Well, I would say that they were scared away by the roar and blast of our landing rockets.

[Captain]

And I would say that they evacuated this place when they saw us coming. And that they're waiting for us to get on the ground where they can attack us.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Well, what are we gonna do?

[Captain]

The only thing we can do. It's obvious they aren't coming to us. We go to them. Let's suit up. Be ready to leave the ship by 0800. And every man carry his assigned weapon.

[Unknown Officer]

We're on the deck now, Collins. We're spread out in a defensive perimeter. You are in complete charge of the ship.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Aye, aye, sir.

[Unknown Officer]

Now, no one is allowed to re enter the ship without the proper password, no matter what the circumstances. And if for any reason you think things have gone wrong, you are to blast off and make your report to home. You understand that?

[Jenkins]

Aye, aye, sir.

[Unknown Officer]

Very good. Have you made your readings, Doctor?

[Dr. Siddons]

Yes, sir. It's just as we predicted from home.

[Unknown Officer]

Though the ground radiation level is a little bit higher than we anticipated. Here, you can see for yourself. That dangerous?

[Dr. Siddons]

Oh, it's more than safe for us. There's no reason why we can't get

[Unknown Officer]

out of these suits and walk around the same as at home.

[Captain]

Unless there's the presence of a gas we don't know about.

[Dr. Siddons]

Yes, that's true.

[Unknown Officer]

I need a volunteer.

[Dr. Siddons]

Oh, Captain, I would like to volunteer.

[Unknown Officer]

No, no, not you, Doctor.

[Captain]

You're too valuable to the expedition.

[Unknown Officer]

I can't let you do that.

[Dr. Siddons]

Well, there's no danger.

[Unknown Officer]

Set yourself.

[Dr. Siddons]

Please, Captain, you were the first person to set foot on this new world. I'd like to be the first to breathe its air.

[Unknown Officer]

Well, all right, Doctor, but be careful.

[Collins]

Come on in, boys. The water's fine.

[Jenkins]

Hey, you hear that, Collins? We got it made.

[Unknown Officer]

All right, all right, all right, knock it off.

[Captain]

This is a military reconnaissance, not a picnic. Well, there's life on this planet, but until we make contact with it, it's the enemy. Lieutenant Jefferies.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Yes, sir?

[Captain]

You will take the doctor and two men and reconnoiter to the east as far as the river. Now, go as far as the west river. And when you get through, double back here.

[Announcer]

Yes, sir.

[Lt. Jeffries]

See anything, Doc?

[Dr. Siddons]

No.

[Lt. Jeffries]

We've been lying here so long staring at the window so long I feel like there's a million pair of eyes staring back at us. What do you suppose they look like?

[Dr. Siddons]

I don't know. I haven't any idea. It's weird,

[Lt. Jeffries]

hunting for creatures and you don't know what they look like.

[Dr. Siddons]

Yes.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Well, I guess we could lay here forever. Wouldn't do any good. We're gonna find them. We're gonna have to get them.

[Dr. Siddons]

Such crude dwellings. They must have lived. Absolutely one on top of the other.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Any volunteers to go with me?

[Dr. Siddons]

I'll go with you.

[Lt. Jeffries]

All right. Now, the rest of you stay here. Keep us covered. If anything happens, don't be afraid to shoot into us. Doc, when I give the word, we'll run across the street. And don't stop until we come to that wall first building. You got it? Yes. Right. So far, so good. Yes.

[Dr. Siddons]

Just above your head, huh? There's one of the windows, but it's filled with plastic.

[Lt. Jeffries]

I'll see if I can break it.

[Dr. Siddons]

No, you can't shout.

[Lt. Jeffries]

A plastic

[Captain]

what?

[Dr. Siddons]

There's nothing but glass. Old fashioned glass.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Yeah. Hello, in there.

[Collins]

Anybody home?

[Dr. Siddons]

Move along the wall.

[Unknown Officer]

Right.

[Dr. Siddons]

There's a doorway up ahead. I think.

[Lt. Jeffries]

It's unlocked.

[Dr. Siddons]

Push it open with your weapon. Carefully.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Hello, in there. Anybody home?

[Dr. Siddons]

Move in cautiously. Keep your eyes open.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Hey, there's one.

[Unknown Officer]

Stop.

[Captain]

Stop.

[Dr. Siddons]

That's an effigy of some sort. See, it isn't living. It's a statue of some kind.

[Narrator]

See?

[Dr. Siddons]

It's made out of some sort of alloy.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Are you sure? Yes. You suppose that's what they look like?

[Dr. Siddons]

I imagine so. Animals aren't given to making statues of themselves.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Such ugly looking creatures. You suppose that's its head?

[Dr. Siddons]

Yes. And you see, these must be the arms. And these are clearly the legs.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Well, look how close together the eyes are placed. And the spindly legs. I hope we don't run into one.

[Dr. Siddons]

I don't think we will.

[Lt. Jeffries]

What do you mean?

[Dr. Siddons]

Not in this city, at least. Here. Look at the gray dust on the floor. It's almost 2 inches thick. I noticed the same thing in the street. Now, if there are any of these monstrosities left, they aren't here. This city hasn't been used for long, long time. Maybe a thousand years.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Lieutenant Jeffries reporting, sir.

[Captain]

All right, go ahead, Lieutenant.

[Lt. Jeffries]

We've completed the Thousand Mile Inland reconnaissance as your instructions, sir.

[Dr. Siddons]

And you found nothing?

[Lt. Jeffries]

No life of any sort?

[Unknown Officer]

Not a thing.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Just miles and miles of twisted, stunted vegetation and a couple more of those huge radioactive burns, such as we found 100 miles south and west of here.

[Captain]

Collins, your receivers picked up anything yet?

[Narrator]

No, sir. We've been monitoring all frequencies every day since we've been here. Out of sound, Nothing but random radio interference from outer space.

[Captain]

What about the television satellites we sent up?

[Narrator]

Well, they've covered the surface of this planet a hundred times, sir. Not a sign of movement anywhere.

[Captain]

Well, Dr. Siddons, what do you make of it?

[Dr. Siddons]

Well, it would be unethical for me to venture an opinion at this time.

[Captain]

Now, Doctor, come now, you must have some idea.

[Unknown Officer]

For the past 10 days you've been

[Captain]

doing nothing but nosing around these old ruins. You must have drawn some conclusions.

[Dr. Siddons]

Well, now, this is only my opinion, mind you. We won't know until all the facts are in. But as we know, this planet was at one time inhabited by living creatures much like ourselves. No matter how repulsive they may appear to us, they were biped carnivores and possessed a certain amount of intelligence.

[Captain]

Well, what happened to them?

[Dr. Siddons]

Well, in order to understand what happened to them, you have to understand the people themselves. As I've said, they were very primitive and very Superstitious.

[Lt. Jeffries]

True.

[Dr. Siddons]

They had advanced from the Stone Age to the threshold of nuclear energy. But culturally and morally, they hadn't gotten much beyond the Iron Age.

[Captain]

So then they discovered the tremendous power of nuclear energy.

[Dr. Siddons]

Yes, exactly. The very first use they made of it was to blow a couple million of their fellow creatures off the face of the planet.

[Captain]

What savages.

[Lt. Jeffries]

But they didn't destroy everything. The city's still standing.

[Dr. Siddons]

Well, as far as I can figure out, it didn't hold any military targets.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Then what happened to the people in it?

[Dr. Siddons]

They were killed off by radiation.

[Lt. Jeffries]

It's still radioactive. Why didn't the radiation kill us off?

[Dr. Siddons]

Because, for one thing, it's cooled off considerably since then. And for another thing, we're used to it. They never had a chance.

[Captain]

Well, that's it. We have enough to make a report when we get back. Blast off is at 1800 hours tonight. Get everything tied down and ready. That's all, gentlemen.

[Lt. Jeffries]

You were able to crack their language, Doctor?

[Dr. Siddons]

No, I wasn't able to. My computers were. Fortunately, it was a relatively simple task.

[Lt. Jeffries]

Doctor, what did they call this place?

[Dr. Siddons]

You mean the planet, the civilization?

[Lt. Jeffries]

No, no, no. I mean this island, this city or whatever it was.

[Dr. Siddons]

Oh, well, of course, it was a proper name, so it's meaningless to us. But I can reproduce the sounds as they made them. They called this place New York.

[Narrator]

Suspense.

[Announcer]

You've been listening to Report from a Dead Planet written for suspense by George Bamber. Heard in tonight's story were Bill Mason as Lt. Jeffries, Les Damon as Dr. Siddons, John Larin as the captain and Phil Meader as Collins. Listen again next week when we return with Memorial Bridge by William N. Robeson. Another tale well calculated to keep you in

[Narrator]

suspense.

[Announcer]

The Kingston Trio next, followed by the latest CBS news. And have Gun will travel on CBS Radio.