Newsletter November 2024

Carl’s Corner

by Carl Amari

X MINUS ONE, radio’s greatest series of adult science-fiction!

By Carl Amari

“X Minus One” was a half-hour science fiction radio series broadcast from April 24, 1955 until January 9, 1958 over NBC.  Initially a revival of NBC’s “Dimension X” (1950-51), “X Minus One” is widely considered among the finest science fiction dramas ever produced for radio. The first 15 episodes were new versions of “Dimension X” episodes, but the remainder were adaptations by NBC staff writers, including Ernest Kinoy and George Lefferts, of newly published science fiction stories by leading writers in the field, including Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, Robert A. Heinlein, Frederik Pohl and Theodore Sturgeon, along with some original scripts by Kinoy and Lefferts.  The program opened with announcer Fred Collins delivering a “Countdown for blastoff… X minus five, four, three, two, X minus one… Fire! From the far horizons of the unknown come transcribed 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 a thousand may-be worlds. The National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with Street and Smith, publishers of Astounding Science Fiction presents… “X Minus One.”

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  WE HAVE LAUNCHED OUR LATEST KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN TO SAVE …

I WAS A COMMUNIST FOR THE FBI starring Dana Andrews  

WE ONLY HAVE UNTIL NOVEMBER 22ND, 2024 TO RAISE THE FUNDS NECESSARY TO TRANSFER ALL 78 HALF-HOUR EPISODES.  PLEASE HELP US SAVE THIS INCREDIBLE SPY/ACTION SERIES AND RECEIVE ALL 78 RADIO EPISODES (THE COMPLETE RUN) VIA DIGITAL DOWNLOAD LINKS OR ON 39 AUDIO CDS.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE INFORMATION AT OUR KICKSTARTER PAGE: VIEW THE PAGE

SPECIAL NOTE:  BOLD VENTURE and BOSTON BLACKIE fans – THANK YOU – we saved both series!

As most of you know, I have licensed the entire Frederic W. Ziv library of more than 10,000 original radio shows.  Mr. Ziv was one of radio’s premiere radio producers and syndicators.  

The Ziv library contains 41 different radio series including the entire runs of BOLD VENTURE, BOSTON BLACKIE, I WAS A COMMUNIST FOR THE FBI, PHILO VANCE, THE CISCO KID, MR. DISTRICT ATTORNEY, FAVORITE STORY and many more.  

Mr. Ziv preserved these radio shows on “unplayed” 16 inch transcription discs, which have been stored in a climate-controlled warehouse for more than 60 years.  If these episodes are not transferred, they will never be heard by the world.  

We worked with Kickstarter to save the complete runs of two amazing radio series, BOLD VENTURE starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall and BOSTON BLACKIE starring Richard Kollmar.  

We have all 78 BOLD VENTURE radio episodes available for digital download ($250) or via 39 audio CDs ($300) and we also now have all 219 BOSTON BLACKIE radio episodes available via digital download ($500) or via 110 audio CDs ($775).  

Every episode has been transferred directly from the master 16 inch disc for brilliant sound quality!  To order, simple call me on my direct line 847-915-5510 or email me carlpamari@gmail.com with your phone number and I’ll call you to take your order.  Thank you for helping to keep these theater-of-the-mind radio shows thriving!  Sincerely, Carl Amari 

LEND ME YOUR EARS by Lisa Wolf

DEFYING GRAVITY, by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth

RELEASED: 2003

Watch On YouTube

“Defying Gravity” is one of the most iconic songs from the Broadway musical Wicked, which debuted in 2003. Composed by Stephen Schwartz, with lyrics by Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman, the musical reimagines the story of The Wizard of Oz from the perspective of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. The song is performed at the end of the first act, marking a pivotal moment where Elphaba decides to break free from the societal constraints that have held her back.

“Defying Gravity” quickly became a signature piece not only for the musical but also for Idina Menzel, whose performance earned widespread acclaim. In 2004, Idina Menzel won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Elphaba in Wicked. This award was a significant milestone in Menzel’s career, solidifying her status as one of Broadway’s leading stars. Menzel continued to build on her success, taking on a variety of roles including the voice of Elsa in Disney’s Frozen, where she sang the hit “Let It Go.”

“Defying Gravity” has been featured in several television shows, most notably in the musical series Glee. In 2009, Glee cast members Lea Michele (Rachel Berry) and Chris Colfer (Kurt Hummel) performed a memorable duet of the song, which introduced it to a new generation of fans. The Glee version charted on the Billboard Hot 100.

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