Captain Video (TV)
"Captain Video and His Video Rangers" is recognized as the first and longest-running science-fiction television program, originally airing on the DuMont network. Created by a network vice president, the show featured Captain Video, a technological wizard navigating the year 2254, tasked with safeguarding the world from various space aliens and adversaries. The program was notable for its live broadcast format, airing six nights a week as a continuing serial, and utilized emerging technologies to create the illusion of time and space travel.
Captain Video employed imaginative gadgets, such as the Opticon Scillometer and the Cosmic Ray Vibrator, to defeat his foes, all while operating from a secret headquarters and leading a team of "video rangers." The show also engaged its young audience by inviting them to envision themselves as rangers, promoting civic-mindedness through messages during program breaks and merchandise offerings. Its success contributed to the development of future science-fiction series, resonating with the public's interest in Cold War-era themes of space exploration and the classic battle between good and evil forces.
Captain Video (TV)
Identification Television show for children
Date Aired from 1949 to 1955
Captain Video was the first science-fiction show on television and featured television’s first space hero.
Captain Video and His Video Rangers was the first and longest-running science-fiction program on television. Created and produced by a DuMont network vice president, the pioneering program was broadcast live as a continuing serial six nights a week, using developing technology to give the illusion of time and space travel. The title character was a technological wizard living in the year 2254. Captain Video’s mission was to maintain world safety by battling a variety of space aliens and enemies using such futuristic wonders as the Opticon Scillometer, an X-ray machine that saw through walls, and a paralyzing Cosmic Ray Vibrator. Operating from secret headquarters and overseeing a network of video rangers, Captain Video also invited children to imagine themselves as rangers, sending special civic-minded messages for would-be rangers between breaks in the drama and offering Captain Video merchandise.
Impact
The success of Captain Video inspired numerous subsequent science-fiction programs on television and fit in well with the public’s fascination with Cold War space exploration, science, and struggles between good and bad forces.
Bibliography
Bianculli, David. Dictionary of Teleliteracy: Television’s Five Hundred Biggest Hits, Misses, and Events. New York: Continuum Publishing, 1996. Gives a breezily written article on Captain Video that includes fun facts and offbeat information.
Javna, John. The Best of Science Fiction TV: The Critics’ Choice: From “Captain Video” to “Star Trek,” from “The Jetsons” to “Robotech.” New York: Harmony Books, 1987. Discusses Captain Video as the founder of an important television genre; places it within the context of a golden age of television space shows.
Lucanio, Patrick, and Gary Coville. American Science Fiction Television Series of the 1950’s: Episode Guides and Casts and Credits for Twenty Shows. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 1998. Article on Captain Video details characters, technical innovations, cast, directors, writers, critical commentary, and coverage of individual episodes.