Theater of the Mind: Old Time Radio at 2010 Nostalgia Convention

Martin Grams Jr, author of several books on old-time radio series such as Suspense and I Love a Mystery to name only two, is one of the organizers of the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention, being held this year in Aberdeen, Maryland from September 23-25, 2010.

Of the guest list, sci fi actors include Mark Goddard (Lost in Space) and Ed Nelson (guest-star on a variety of SF series). (Scroll down to the very bottom of this entry to see the Sci Fi schedule at the convention - but NOTE that all items are subject to change as the months go on before the Convention.)

Below are a few videos he's put up at YouTube depicting events at past conventions. They are a lot of fun to watch (but of course it would be more fun to witness them in person!):







Martin Gram's presentation from his Twilight Zone book:





Science Fiction on the Schedule at the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention, being held this year in Aberdeen, Maryland from September 23-25, 2010. [Check out the website for everything else that's on the schedule, including talks from the actor-guests.)


THURSDAY

2 pm -- THE INVADERS: EXPLORING A SCI-FI PHENOMENON

Author Jim Rosin will discuss the science fiction series that ran two seasons on ABC, and made actor Roy Thinnes a Hollywood name! Jim will be joined with a surprise guest from the series!

3 pm -- THE HISTORY OF THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Resident expert Bill Parisho will give us a fascinating look at the classic television program that attempted to cash in on the James Bond franchise and ultimately inspired a number of spy programs including Get Smart.


8 pm -- THE HISTORY OF THE GREEN HORNET

Authors Terry Salomonson and Martin Grams will host a fascinating slide show documenting the history of The Green Hornet, his side-kick Kato, and the Black Beauty. Whether you want to knowthe ingredients of the Hornet's knock-out gas or who how much Bruce Lee was paid for playing the role of Kato on the television series, this is the presentation you do not want to miss!

FRIDAY

9 am -- THE HISTORY OF ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION MAGAZINE (1930-1960)

Hosted by historian Donald Ramlow. Initially published in 1930, this magazine became one of the major publications of what fans and historians call the Golden Age of Sciene Fiction and had published the work of such majors as Theodore Sturgeon, Isaac Asimov and Robert A. Heinlein.


SATURDAY

9 am -- DEFEATING DIABOLICAL MASTERMINDS: THE ORIGINS OF SPY-FI

Before Dr. No, before The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and The Avengers, TV viewers saw invisible spies, 3 inch secret agents, and evil-doers plotting to rule the world with weather-controlling machines, atomic power, and alien technology. Find out the origins of a genre in this presentation from Dr. Wesley Britton, author of The Encyclopedia of TV Spies.


11 am -- THE MYSTERY OF THE ENCHANTED FOREST

On August 15, 1955, The Enchanted Forest opened for business in Ellicott City, Maryland. Appealing to families with small children, the theme park had a nursery rhyme theme and thousands flocked to see the pumpkin coach, Mother Hubbard's shoe and wave at Humpty Dumpty. Sadly, the theme park was forced to close in 1989 when much larger and elaborate attractions such as Kings Dominion and the mouse house in Florida gave people more bang for their buck. For a full hour, preservationists will show us what the park was like in its heyday, with photos and scale model, the history behind the theme park itself, and the sad state of affairs as the monuments today are still crumbling and falling apart, with neglect to any kind of restoration.

Hosted by Bruce Barrett.


3 pm -- THE THRILLING RADIO ADVENTURES OF THE SHADOW

Lamont Cranston, wealthy young man about town, had the power to cloud men's minds so that they could not see him. His constant friend and companion, Margot Lane, knew what evil lurked in the hearts of men. For a full hour we'll be treated to a history of the long-running radio program from 1930 to 1954, which later inspired the Alec Baldwin movie a decade ago. From horror host to crime-fighter, The Shadow's origins on radio will be explored with a fascinating slide show.