Out of This World is a British science fiction anthology television series made by ABC Television and broadcast in 1962. A spin-off from the popular anthology series Armchair Theatre, each episode was introduced by the actor Boris Karloff. Many of the episodes were adaptations of stories by science fiction writers including Isaac Asimov, Philip K. Dick and Clifford D. Simak. The series is generally seen as a precursor to the BBC science fiction anthology series Out of the Unknown.
Out of This World (Season 1)
Dumb Martian (Episode 1)
Writer: Clive Exton
Air date: 1962-06-24
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: An Earthman on a solo tour of duty on one of Jupiter's moons buys a Martian woman as a companion. He mistreats her, assuming her to be just a 'dumb Martian'. He learns, to his cost, that she has more intelligence than he gives her credit for.
The Yellow Pill (Episode 2)
Writer: Leon Griffiths
Air date: 1962-06-30
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Psychiatrist John Frame is asked by police to examine Michael Connor, who claims to have come from another time. Frame is startled when Connor demonstrates an extraordinary and intimate knowledge of Frame's private life.
Little Lost Robot (Episode 3)
Writer: Leo Lehmann
Air date: 1962-07-07
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: When a robot is expected to obey every command, what does it do when a technician tells it to 'get lost'?
Cold Equations (Episode 4)
Writer: Clive Exton
Air date: 1962-07-14
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Lee Cross is a teenage stowaway on a rocket ship, hoping to see her brother on another planet. However, her extra mass was obviously unaccounted for, leaving the ship with not enough fuel to reach its destination.
Impostor (Episode 5)
Writer: Terry Nation
Air date: 1962-07-21
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Earth is at war with the Outspacers. Major Peters believes that an Outspace robot bomb is masquerading as top scientist Roger Carter. Condemned to death, a horrified Carter tries desperately to prove his innocence — or is Peters right?
Botany Bay (Episode 6)
Writer: Terry Nation
Air date: 1962-07-28
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Bill Sheridan believes that the patients at the criminally insane institute he works for are being controlled by aliens. After killing one of 'the possessed', he finds himself in the same institute, this time as a patient.
Medicine Show (Episode 7)
Writer: Julian Bond
Air date: 1962-08-04
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: A travelling medicine show revisits a small American town, this time under new ownership. The new owners require seeds as payment in return for miracle cures.
Pictures Don't Lie (Episode 8)
Writer: Bruce Stewart
Air date: 1962-08-11
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Radio researcher Nathen picks up signals coming from a spaceship hovering near Earth and succeeds in communicating with his 'opposite number' aboard the ship. Speech and pictures are received showing that the occupants are humanoid – and friendly. But can they trust us?
Vanishing Act (Episode 9)
Writer: Richard Waring
Air date: 1962-08-18
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Edgar Brocklebank, a third rate conjurer, becomes a sensation after buying the vanishing trick box from the estate of the 'Great Vorg', a once famous magician. However, what Edgar can't explain is exactly where his assistants or objects are going once they have entered the box — as they don't return.
Divided We Fall (Episode 10)
Writer: Leon Griffiths
Air date: 1962-08-25
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: In 2033, Eddy, the world's most respected supercomputer, detects strange rebellious thoughts in 'The Syns', which are synthetic human beings.
The Dark Star (Episode 11)
Writer: Denis Butler
Air date: 1962-09-01
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: A mysterious disease is sweeping through London, giving its victims superhuman strength in the early stages. Most alarmingly, however, it seems to be selecting targets, with each link in the chain leading a step higher in status. Where will it end and how did it start? Scotland Yard chiefs and scientist Dr Howard must find out-fast.
Immigrant (Episode 12)
Writer: Terry Nation
Air date: 1962-09-08
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Bishop is sent to investigate the planet Kimon, which selects only the brightest as immigrants, who make great wealth to send back to their families — but the immigrants themselves are never seen again.
Target Generation (Episode 13)
Writer: Clive Exton
Air date: 1962-09-15
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: A belief handed down through the centuries that when the Tremor comes it signifies the beginning of the End; a community where reading is heresy; and a letter marked 'to be opened only in an emergency'. These elements come together for Jon Hoff who can read and must decides whether the beginning of the End is enough.
The Tycoons (Episode 14)
Writer: Bruce Stewart
Air date: 1962-09-22
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Oscar Raebone, a keen tax avoidance investigator for the Inland Revenue, is sent to look into the affairs of a company making novelties. He finds a strange group there calling themselves 'The Tycoons'.
Seasons
Episodes 14