Watch Tales of Tomorrow

Tales of Tomorrow was a science fiction anthology series that aired on ABC from 1951 to 1953. The show featured a variety of stories set in the future or in alternate universes, exploring the possibilities of technology and humanity's evolving relationship with it. Each episode was self-contained and often ended with a moral or cautionary message, similar to the approach of The Twilight Zone which would debut a few years later.

The show featured an impressive roster of actors, including Leslie Nielsen (Airplane!, The Naked Gun series), Brian Keith (Family Affair, The Parent Trap), Thomas Mitchell (Gone with the Wind, It's a Wonderful Life), Allyn Edwards (Halls of Ivy, The Joe Palooka Story), and a young James Dean in one of his earliest roles. The episodes also featured a revolving door of directors and writers, with notable contributors including Arthur C. Clarke and Ray Bradbury.

Despite its low budget and early days of television production, the show managed to create ambitious sci-fi worlds and explore complex themes. The episodes ranged from stories of space travel and time travel, to experiments gone wrong and questions about the nature of reality itself. Some episodes were haunting and thought-provoking, while others were more lighthearted and adventurous.

One episode, "Appointment on Mars," follows a team of astronauts on a mission to Mars, who encounter unexpected challenges and must outsmart a malevolent alien force. Another episode, "The Dark Angel," tells the story of a professor who creates a machine that can bring back the dead, but quickly learns that the consequences of playing with the balance of life and death are dire.

During its run, the show dealt with controversial topics such as racism and Cold War tensions. In one episode, "Blunder," an African-American scientist is accused of spying and forced to prove his loyalty to the country. In another, "The Fatal Flower," a scientist creates a deadly flower that he plans to use as a weapon against the Soviets, but ultimately learns the importance of global cooperation and the dangers of nationalism.

Tales of Tomorrow was one of the first science fiction series on prime time TV, paving the way for other iconic shows such as The Twilight Zone and Star Trek. However, the show struggled with low ratings and was ultimately cancelled after three seasons. Despite its short run, the show left a lasting impact on the genre and inspired many future creators to explore the imaginative possibilities of science fiction storytelling.

In summary, Tales of Tomorrow was a groundbreaking sci-fi anthology series that explored the possibilities of technology and humanity's evolving relationship with it. With a talented cast of actors and ambitious storytelling, the show paved the way for future science fiction classics and left a lasting impact on the genre.

Tales of Tomorrow is a series that is currently running and has 3 seasons (97 episodes). The series first aired on August 3, 1951.