Dan Dare: Pilot of the Future

Crash land with Dan Dare, the world's Number One space hero!Decades after he first appeared in the comic Eagle, Dan Dare hits the airwaves and embarks on a mission to Venus to save the world. Classic comic-book fans and adventure lovers alike will relish this vintage production as Dan Dare, British science fiction comic hero, created by illustrator Frank Hampson, fires up his spaceship and launches into the future - the distant future - the 1990s...Nicknamed The 'Biggles of Space' and the 'British Buck Rogers', this superhero's manner is more reminiscent of British war films of the 1950s. Dominating the comic-book scene in the 1950 and 60s, the dashing and daring pilot is back in this brilliant, four-part radio dramatisation. Enjoy listening to a full-cast recording as they take on the adventure with Dan Dare and his crew battling to save the world.And in a bonus documentary, listen as Sir Tim Rice explores the lasting appeal of the British magazine Eagle and the impact of Dan Dare in Eagle: The Space Age Weekly. Charting the influences behind the comic, and exploring the life of its creator, Marcus Morris, this fascinating programme features contributions from author Philip Pullman, the daughter of Eagle creator Sally Morris and Eagle Society member David Britton.Cast and creditsReproduced with kind permission of the Dan Dare Corporation LtdDan Dare: Pilot of the FutureWritten by Frank HampsonDramatised by Nick McCartyDirected by Glyn DearmanMusic by Wilfredo AcostDan Dare - Mick FordSir Hubert - Terence AlexanderDigby - Donald GeeProfessor Peabody - Zelah ClarkeHank - William RobertsThe Mekon - Richard PearceSondar - David GoudgeAunt Anastasia - Margaret CourtenayMrs Digby - Shirley DixonVolstar - Ben OnwukweKalon - John MoffattPierre - Sean BarrettDapon - David KingUr Tag - Brian MillerOther parts played by Vincent Brimble, Paul Downing, Stephen Garlick, Dale Rapley, Danny Schiller, Charles Simpson, Simon Treves and Christopher Good First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 Apr - 10 May 1990Eagle: The Space Age WeeklyWritten and Presented by Sir Tim RiceFirst Broadcast BBC Radio 4Extra, 23 Dec 2010(c)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd