THE PATHFINDERS episode guides

Originally compiled by Andrew Pixley for Timescreen Magazine

TARGET LUNA

Regular Cast:
David Markham (Professor Wedgwood), John Cairney (Ian Murray), Frank Finlay (Mr Henderson).

Written by Malcolm Hulke and Eric Paice

Designer: David Gillespie
Programme adviser: Mary Field
Producer: Sydney Newman
Director: Adrian Brown

24th April 1960

EPISODE ONE: "THE ROCKET STATION"

Guest Cast:
Roger Ostime (Official), Annette Kerr (Mrs Wedgwood), Sylvia Davies (Valerie Wedgwood), Michael Hammond (Jimmy Wedgwood), Michael Craze (Geoffrey Wedgwood), Deborah Stanford (Jean Cary), Robert Stuart (Dr Stevens), Michael Verney (Mr Field), Phyllis Kenny (Pat Maxwell), William Ingram (Flt-Lt. Williams).

Professor Wedgwood has successfully sent a man into outer space. But when his children come to spend Easter at the rocket station on a Scottish island they find an even more daring experiment is in preparation. As Jean Cary shows the children around, Jimmy gets lost and triggers an alarm.

Broadcast: 1715 - 1745

1st May 1960
EPISODE TWO: "COUNT DOWN"

Guest Cast:
Michael Craze, William Ingram, Michael Hammond, Sylvia Davies, Deborah Stanford, Michael Verney, Phyllis Kenny, Robert Stuart.

On holiday at their father's rocket station, the two older Wedgwood children, Geoff and Valerie, become involved in preparations for the first manned rocket round the moon. Jimmy is too young to help, but his chance comes when the great experiment seems about to fail.

Broadcast: 1715 - 1745

8th May 1960
EPISODE THREE: "THE STRANGE ILLNESS"

Guest Cast:
Michael Hammond, Michael Verney, Phyllis Kenny, Sylvia Davies, Michael Craze, Robert Stuart, Deborah Stanford, William Ingram.

At the last moment, the pilot, Flight-Lieutenant Williams, was struck down by an illness and unable to take off. Jimmy secretly took his place in the rocket, which is about to be launched.

Broadcast: 1715 - 1745

15th May 1960
EPISODE FOUR: "STORM IN SPACE"

Guest Cast:
Sylvia Davies, Robert Stuart, Michael Hammond, Michael Craze, William Ingram, Deborah Stanford.

Electrical storms cut the radio link between Earth and Jimmy's capsule. But Jimmy must be told how to operate the heating system, as without it he will freeze to death as the capsule passes into the shadow of the Moon.

Broadcast: 1715 - 1745

22nd May 1960

EPISODE FIVE: "SOLAR FLARE"

Guest Cast:
Robert Stuart, Michael Craze, Deborah Stanford, Sylvia Davies, Michael Hammond, Annette Kerr, Mel Oxley (Newscaster), William Ingram.

Jimmy Wedgwood has circled the Moon successfully and is returning to Earth, but not fast enough to escape the bombardment of cosmic particles. Yet if his speed is increased, he may overshoot Earth and be lost in space.

Broadcast: 1715 - 1745

29th May 1960
EPISODE SIX: "THE FALLING STAR"

Guest Cast:
Guest Cast: Michael Hammond, William Ingram, Deborah Stanford, Michael Craze, Sylvia Davies, Edmond Bennett (First fisherman), Angus Lennie (Second fisherman), Mel Oxley, Michael Verney, Phyllis Kenny, Robert Stuart.

Jimmy Wedgwood is about to attempt a re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. But only Flight Lieutenant Williams, the real pilot, was trained to handle the rocket's instruments and guidance systems.

Broadcast: 1715 - 1745

An ABC Television Network Presentation
Six Episodes - Black & White

PATHFINDERS IN SPACE

Regular Cast:
Peter Williams (Professor Wedgwood), Harold Goldblatt (Dr O'Connell), Gerald Flood (Conway Henderson).

A sequel to TARGET LUNA
Written by Malcolm Hulke and Eric Paice

Designers: Tom Spaulding {except EPISODE TWO}, David Gillespie {EPISODES ONE and TWO only}
Programme adviser: Mary Field

Producer: Sydney Newman
Director: Guy Verney

[N.B. This serial was networked as part of FAMILY HOUR, an umbrella title for two programmes: an episode of a film serial, followed by an episode of PATHFINDERS IN SPACE]

11th September 1960
EPISODE ONE: "CONVOY TO THE MOON"

Guest Cast:
John Rae (Gatekeeper), Gillian Ferguson (Valerie Wedgwood), Irene Sutcliffe (Jean Cary), Stewart Guidotti (Geoffrey Wedgwood), Richard Dean (Jimmy Wedgwood), Ivor Salter (Guard), Pamela Barney (Professor Meadows), Hugh Evans (Ian Murray), Astor Sklair (John Field), Michael Guest (Michael Kennedy).

Professor Wedgwood leads the first team of Moon explorers, and is successfully launched into space with Dr O'Connell, Dr Meadows and Murray in MR2. But when his supply rocket cannot take off by automatic pilot, the Professor's children volunteer to save the expedition ... and find a stowaway.

Broadcast: 1715 - 1745

18th September 1960
EPISODE TWO: "SPACESHIP FROM NOWHERE"

Guest Cast:
Richard Dean, Stewart Guidotti, Gillian Ferguson, David Morell (Newscaster), Pamela Barney, Hugh Evans, Irene Sutcliffe, Astor Sklair, Michael Guest.

When Professor Wedgwood's moon expedition was jeopardised by the failure of his automatic supply rocket, his children and their reporter friend Conway Henderson come to the rescue. The two rockets fly into space. As they near the moon, a third rocket appears from nowhere.

Broadcast: 1715 - 1745

25th September 1960
EPISODE THREE: "LUNA BRIDGEHEAD"

Guest Cast:
Stewart Guidotti, Gillian Ferguson, Hugh Evans, Richard Dean, Irene Sutcliff, Pamela Barney, Michael Guest, Astor Sklair; Francis Hall, Alex Carlton, Mavis Walker (Journalists).

Professor Wedgwood's children have brought his supply rocket to the moon, but the two craft have landed 150 miles apart. Wedgwood sets out to reach his children, and both parties find that someone else has already been to the moon. Then Jimmy disappears.

Broadcast: 1715 - 1745

2nd October 1960
EPISODE FOUR: "THE MAN IN THE MOON"

Guest Cast:
Gillian Ferguson, Stewart Guidotti, Richard Dean, Pamela Barney, Hugh Evans, Irene Sutcliffe, Astor Sklair, Michael Guest.

The three children find a cave containing relics of a previous civilisation. Meanwhile, Wedgwood is trying to reach them. Then the children make another startling discovery, a calcified figure and a spaceship in the caverns.

Broadcast: 1715 - 1745

9th October 1960
EPISODE FIVE: "THE WORLD OF LOST TOYS"

Guest Cast:
Gillian Ferguson, Richard Dean, Irene Sutcliffe, Hugh Evans, Pamela Barney, Stewart Guidotti, Astor Sklair, Michael Guest, Terence Soall (A Russian).

Professor Wedgwood's amazing discoveries on the Moon indicate a previous landing sometime in the distant past. They crew attempt to enter it as the ground crew detect meteorites heading towards the lunar party.

Broadcast: 1715 - 1745

16th October 1960
EPISODE SIX: "DISASTER ON THE MOON"

Guest Cast:
Irene Sutcliffe, Gillian Ferguson, Stewart Guidotti, Richard Dean, Pamela Barney, Michael Guest, Astor Sklair, Hugh Evans.

While Wedgwood and the children explore inside the ancient spaceship, meteorites bombard the Moon. When disaster strikes, Wedgwood is faced with a terrible decision. MR2 is destroyed, and not all of them can return to Earth.

Broadcast: 1715 - 1745

23rd October 1960
EPISODE SEVEN: "RESCUE IN SPACE"

Guest Cast:
Hugh Evans, Stewart Guidotti, Gillian Ferguson, Richard Dean, Pamela Barney, Irene Sutcliffe, Astor Sklair, Michael Guest.

With one rocket destroyed by meteorites, only Valerie and Henderson can return to Earth. Then Professor Wedgwood makes a daring bit for safety, with an idea of operating the alien spacecraft ...

Broadcast: 1652 - 1705

An ABC Television Network Production
Seven Episodes - Black & White

PATHFINDERS TO MARS

Regular Cast:
George Coulouris (The imposter/Harcourt Brown†), Gerald Flood (Conway Henderson).

† For EPISODES ONE and TWO, the credit reads The imposter. For remaining episodes it reads Harcourt Brown.

Written by Malcolm Hulke and Eric Paice
Designer: David Gillespie
Programme adviser: Mary Field
Producer: Sydney Newman
Director: Guy Verney

[N.B. All episodes, except EPISODE THREE, the first item on FAMILY HOUR as introduced by Julie Stevens]

11th December 1960
EPISODE ONE: "THE IMPOSTER"

Guest Cast:
Peter Williams (Professor Wedgwood) with Hugh Evans (Ian Murray), Astor Sklair (John Field), Alan Berry (Technician), Ian Sadler (Doctor), Stewart Guidotti (Geoffrey Wedgwood), Hamlyn Benson (Guard), Hester Cameron (Margaret Henderson), Pamela Barney (Professor Meadows), Margaret Worsley (Airport hostess), Bernard Horsfall (Professor Hawkins).

Professor Wedgwood plans another trip to the Moon, and injuries force him to ask Conway Henderson to lead the expedition. Margaret, Conway's niece, persuades her uncle to take her too. The crew anxiously await the last minute arrival of Professor Hawkins, but by a trick, a mystery man takes his place in the MR4 rocket.

Broadcast: 1650 - 1720

18th December 1960
EPISODE TWO: "SABOTAGE IN SPACE"

Guest Cast:
Astor Sklair, Hugh Evans, Stewart Guidotti, Pamela Barney, Hester Cameron, Bernard Horsfall, Maurice Durant (Hammond).

The Wedgwood expedition is en route for the Moon, unaware that one of their party is an imposter. The real Hawkins is found, but before Murray and Field can warn Henderson, the imposter sabotages the radio equipment on board the MR4. Whilst Henderson is busy unloading the supply rocket, the imposter takes Margaret hostage.

Broadcast: 1650 - 1720

25th December 1960
EPISODE THREE: "THE HOSTAGE"

Guest Cast:
Pamela Barney, Stewart Guidotti, Hester Cameron, Hugh Evans, Astor Sklair.

The imposter, science-fiction author Harcourt Brown, takes control of the MR4. Obessesed with finding alien life, Brown changes course for Mars. Henderson makes a daring spacewalk to try and cut MR4's refrigeration unit, but soon the lack of water makes Margaret fall ill. They must land on Mars to get water.

Broadcast: 1655 - 1725

1st January 1961
EPISODE FOUR: "LICHENS!"

Guest Cast:
Pamela Barney, Stewart Guidotti, Hester Cameron.

After six weeks enforced journey, the MR4 approaches the barren surface of Mars and lands, with the crew searching for water to last their trip back to Earth. Geoff and Margaret hear from Earth that they must leave in seven hours, but Meadows and Henderson are attacked by fast growing lichen at the Martian polar cap.

Broadcast: 1645 - 1715

8th January 1961
EPISODE FIVE: "ZERO HOUR ON THE RED PLANET"

Guest Cast:
Pamela Barney, Hester Cameron, Stewart Guidotti, Hugh Evans.

Brown persuades the children to help him try and find the Martian colonies and, returning to MR4, Meadows falls into a patch of quicksand. With time running out, the crew return to the rocket to find Brown already on board and threatening to take off without them.

Broadcast: 1645 - 1715

15th January 1961
EPISODE SIX: "FALLING INTO THE SUN"

Guest Cast:
Hester Cameron, Stewart Guidotti, Pamela Barney, Hugh Evans, Astor Sklair, Lisa Peake (Peruvian).

The Earth is moving away from Mars at twenty miles every second. The crew of the MR4 must leave immediately or face sixteen months waiting in the Martian desert. With too little fuel to get home, Henderson risks using the sun's pull to aid their trip. However, the crew succumbs to radiation sickness.

Broadcast: 1645 - 1715

An ABC Television Network Production
Six Episodes - Black & White

PATHFINDERS TO VENUS

Regular Cast:
George Coulouris (Harcourt Brown), Gerald Flood (Conway Henderson), Graydon Gould (Captain Wilson).

Written by Malcolm Hulke and Eric Paice

Script associate: Ivan Roe
Designers: David Gillespie {all episodes}, Douglas James {EPISODES SIX to EIGHT}
Special Effects: Derek Freeborn
Programme adviser: Mary Field
Producer: Sydney Newman

[N.B. This was the first item in FAMILY HOUR]

5th March 1961
EPISODE ONE: "S.O.S. FROM VENUS"

Directed by Guy Verney

Guest Cast:
Stewart Guidotti (Geoffrey Wedgwood), Pamela Barney (Professor Meadows), Hester Cameron (Margaret Henderson), Astor Sklair (John Field), Hugh Evans (Ian Murray).

While returning to Earth from their hazardous journey to Mars, the crew hear a distress call from the vicinity of Venus. A rocket manned by American Captain Wilson has been struck by a meteor, and his oxygen is running out fast. Brown fakes a message from Wilson to trick Henderson into landing on Venus.

Broadcast: 1650 - 1720

12th March 1961
EPISODE TWO: "INTO THE POISON CLOUD"

Directed by Guy Verney

Guest Cast:
Pamela Barney, Hester Cameron, Stewart Guidotti.

Henderson is tricked into taking the MR4 down to the unknown world beneath the carbon cloud. The adults set out to search for Wilson, but Geoff and Margaret see the American ship land. When they find it, Wilson has gone and the ship has been ransacked.

Broadcast: 1650 - 1720

19th March 1961
EPISODE THREE: "THE LIVING PLANET"

Directed by Guy Verney

Guest Cast:
Hester Cameron, Pamela Barney, Stewart Guidotti.

The MR4 has landed on Venus to rescue Wilson. But in the forests, Margaret and Geoff find the rocket has been ransacked. Both Brown and Wilson are snatched by an unseen force, and then something tries to reach Margaret and Meadows on board the rocket.

Broadcast: 1650 - 1720

26th March 1961
EPISODE FOUR: "THE CREATURE"

Directed by Guy Verney

Guest Cast:
Stewart Guidotti, Pamela Barney, Hester Cameron, Bob Bryan (The Venusian).

Brown and Wilson move through the caves and hills towards where Brown claims the Venusian city is. After facing carnivorous plants, the crew of the MR4 soon find further evidence that the Venusians do exist as they are attacked by pre-historic ape men.

Broadcast: 1650 - 1720

2nd April 1961
EPISODE FIVE: "THE VENUS PEOPLE"

Directed by Guy Verney

Guest Cast:
Pamela Barney, Stewart Guidotti, Hester Cameron, Bob Bryan, Brigid Skemp (Venusian child).

Harcourt Brown and Wilson continue their journey in search of the civilisation. Henderson's party is in pursuit and find a family of Cro-Magnon people in the caves as a rumbling indicates that a volcano is close to eruption.

Broadcast: 1650 - 1720

9th April 1961
EPISODE SIX: "THE CITY"

Directed by Reginald Collin

Guest Cast:
Stewart Guidotti, Pamela Barney, Hester Cameron, Brigid Skemp.

The Cro-Magnon girl, Kiki, saves the MR4 party from the caves, and although Brown wants to search for a civilised city, Henderson advocates a return around the mountains to the ship. En route they find some huge eggs, and are attacked by their pterodactyl owners.

Broadcast: 1650 - 1720

16th April 1961
EPISODE SEVEN: "THE VALLEY OF THE MONSTERS"

Directed by Guy Verney

Guest Cast:
Hester Cameron, Brigid Skemp, Stewart Guidotti, Pamela Barney.

Cut off from MR4 by an active volcano, the astronauts start their long trek across the Venusian desert - and are attacked by Pterodactyls! A rich source of Uranium is discovered to Wilson's delight, but as the crew approach the rocket they find it isolated in an inferno caused by the lava flow through the forest.

Broadcast: 1650 - 1720

23rd April 1961
EPISODE EIGHT: "PLANET ON FIRE"

Directed by Reginald Collin

Guest Cast:
Hester Cameron, Stewart Guidotti, Brigid Skemp, Pamela Barney, Hugh Evans, Astor Sklair, Robert James (Colonel Korolyov), Bob Bryan.

Brown reaches MR4 first and sends a message saying all are dead before setting the craft to explode, keen that humanity should not ruin the planet. Henderson tries to save it, knowing that a Russian craft is on its way with the vital fuel they need.

Broadcast: 1650 - 1720

An ABC Television Network Production
Eight Episodes - Black & White