Anne Howell & Colin Cooper - Host Planet Earth

ANNE HOWELL & COLIN COOPER - HOST PLANET EARTH (320kbs-m4a/389mb/2hrs49mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 30th March to 6th April 2020

On the eve of Britain's first manned space shot, the death toll among those involved causes alarm.

'Host Planet Earth' is a sci-fi serial in six parts originally broadcast between July and September 1967. At that time, concerns were being raised about microbes being brought back to Earth by the American and Russian space programmes. Set in England, the British space programme is eager to compete and has gained an advantage with the invention of a propulsion system that enables exploration of distant regions of the universe within weeks instead of years.

Written by Anne Howell and Colin Cooper.

Music and FX by the Radiophonic Workshop.

Producer: Nesta Pain

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in August/September 1967.

HOST PLANET EARTH - 1. THE BEGINNING (320kbs-m4a/67mb/29mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 30th March 2020

The danger of invading - or invasive - alien species is only being realised very slowly, following some bizarre and seemingly unconnected events. Has that realisation come too late?

Harold Benson .... Ian Thompson
Claire Stuart .... Brenda Bruce
Professor Tate .... Rolf Lefebvre
Professor Ormskirk .... Clive Morton
David Holland .... Alexander John
Rathbone .... Timothy Bateson
Dr Edwards .... Heron Carvic
Sister .... Beth Boyd
Nat Blakey .... Nigel Anthony
Editor .... Antony Viccars
Policeman .... Preston Lockwood

HOST PLANET EARTH - 2. THE EMPTY MINDS (320kbs-m4a/66mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 31st March 2020

Britain's first manned space mission has blasted off.

A new discovery means distant regions of the universe can be reached within weeks instead of years.

But the sudden death of a scientist opposing the project sparks fears of unexpected dangers...

David Holland .... Alexander John
Claire Stuart .... Brenda Bruce
Mrs. Tate .... Marjorie Westbury
Professor Ormskirk .... Clive Morton
Doctor Edwards .... Heron Carvic
Doctor Harries .... Carleton Hobbs
Doctor Kellaway .... Douglas Hankin
Guard .... Preston Lockwood
Receptionist .... Rosalind Shanks
Harold Benson .... Ian Thompson

HOST PLANET EARTH - 3. THE PATTERN EMERGES (320kbs-m4a/66mb/29mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 1st April 2020

In Earth orbit, the Starfarer prepares for deep space.

Meanwhile one of the victims of the mysterious illness attacking scientists is now in a coma.

His brain rhythms are no longer conforming with any human pattern...

Nat Blakey .... Nigel Anthony
Bill Cape .... Ian Thompson
Professor Ormskirk .... Clive Morton
Rathbone .... Timothy Bateson
Claire Stuart .... Brenda Bruce
David Holland .... Alexander John
Joseph Banks .... Peter Tuddenham
Mrs Heming .... Betty Hardy
Rosemary Manning .... Barbara Mitchell
Technician .... Preston Lockwood
Schoolboys .... Spencer Shires
Schoolboys .... David Auker

HOST PLANET EARTH - 4. THE GEMINI FACTOR (320kbs-m4a/66mb/29mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 2nd April 2020

David Holland deduces that twins may be immune to the alien influence. The Starfarer returns to Earth orbit.

Nat Blakey .... Nigel Anthony
Professor Ormskirk .... Clive Morton
Rathbone .... Timothy Bateson
Police Sergeant .... Antony Viccars
Claire Stuart .... Brenda Bruce
David Holland .... Alexander John
Police Superintendent .... Duncan Carse
Doctor Harries .... Carleton Hobbs
Chris Johnson .... Tommy Eytle
Peter Johnson .... Bari Jonson
Technician .... Preston Lockwood

HOST PLANET EARTH - 5. THE ARRIVAL (320kbs-m4a/65mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 3rd April 2020

David Holland urges the Minister of Defence to destroy the Starfarer before it can return to Earth.

Claire Stuart .... Brenda Bruce
Minister of Defence .... Rolf Lefebvre
Professor Ormskirk .... Clive Morton
David Holland .... Alexander John
Rathbone .... Timothy Bateson
First Woman .... Beth Boyd
Nat Blakey .... Nigel Anthony
Police Inspector .... Preston Lockwood
Commentator .... Audrey Russell
Doctor/Commissionaire .... Ronald Herdman
Second Woman .... Betty Hardy

HOST PLANET EARTH - 6. THE PRICE OF FREEDOM (320kbs-m4a/62mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 6th April 2020

The Starfarer has returned from space, but the men inside it are dead.

The creatures which have killed them and the obscene horror which threatens to overwhelm the earth have at last been made plain...

Chris Johnson .... Tommy Eytle
Claire Stuart .... Brenda Bruce
David Holland .... Alexander John
Ian .... Preston Lockwood
Don Wells .... Nigel Anthony
Guard .... Humphrey Morton
Woman .... Beth Boyd
Professor Ormskirk .... Clive Morton
Announcer .... Rolf Lefebvre