The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast &#8211; Vintage Sci-Fi Short Stories

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The Portable Star by Isaac Asimov Jun 18, 2024

Show notes

Holden made love to his friend’s wife. Because he couldn’t help it. The Portable Star by Isaac Asimov, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

There will come a time when we will run out of stories in the public domain to share with you that were written by Isaac Asimov. Fortunately, today is not that day.

Considering when it was published in 1955, this story was more than a little risqué. By today’s standards, not so much.

Our story appeared in the final issue of Thrilling Wonder Stories magazine in the Winter of 1955. There were 111 issues of the publication, which began in August 1936. The magazine was born in 1929 as Wonder Stories, but the name was changed when the publication was sold.

Turn to page 54, The Portable Star by Isaac Asimov…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, a fantasy of perfection and imperfection. A tale of a quaint city in the jungle and the curious fate that overtook a very clever thief who came there. The Unfinished City by Donald A. Wollheim.

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Fluorocarbons Are Here To Stay! by Donald E. Westlake Jun 18, 2024

Show notes

What happened to the Smith Wrecking and Salvage Company when it tried to tear down the all fluoryl plastic City Hall is enough to make a man with a heart of stone laugh. Fluorocarbons are Here to Stay! By Donald E. Westlake, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Sometimes you read a story and fall in love with the author. Such was the case when I read Donald E. Westlake’s The Spy in the Elevator. So I went in search of another clever Westlake story to narrate and here it is.

If you’ve got it, open your March 1958 issue of Science Fiction Stories Magazine to page 92, go ahead we’ll wait for you, okay maybe not, Fluorocarbons are Here to Stay! By Donald E. Westlake…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Holden made love to his friends wife. Because he couldn’t help it. The Portable Star by Isaac Asimov.

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The Fearsome Touch of Death by Robert E. Howard - From the Author Who Created Conan the Barbarian Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

As long as midnight cloaks the earth with shadows grim and dark, God save us from the Judas kiss of a dead man in the dark. The Fearsome Touch of Death by Robert E. Howard, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Your 5 star reviews on Apple Podcasts are appreciated, nospammers2010 gave us 5 Stars and says, “Expert curation of the golden age. I’ve been a fan of sci-fi for decades, and very much appreciate the quality of the golden age writers. What sets this podcast apart is that the curator and narrator has a perfect discerning eye for the really good stuff--by which I mean his tastes match mine... This is a podcast to cherish.” Thanks for your excellent review nospammers2010!

Today marks the debut on the podcast of a man who made his mark on the world in a short 30 years. Robert E. Howard was born in Peaster, Texas in 1906. Over the next 11 years young Robert would live in 10 Texas towns. He started writing stories at the age of 9. Sold his first story for $16 to Weird Tales magazine when he was 19.

Howard would most likely be forgotten except for diehard sci-fi fans if not for three characters he created that live on to this day. Arnold Schwarzenegger's breakthrough film was the sword and sorcery epic Conan the Barbarian in 1982. The movie was based on the character Robert E. Howard created in a series of short stories half a century earlier.

Before Conan, Howard created Kull the Conqueror, which also appeared on the big screen starring Kevin Sorbo in 1997. And his creative universe also included Solomon Kane, you guessed it, it too got the Hollywood treatment in 2009 starring James Purefoy.

He wrote more than 70 short stories with most of them published in Weird Tales magazine. Today’s horrifying tale can be found in the February 1930 issue of Weird Tales on page 269, The Fearsome Touch of Death by Robert E. Howard…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, What happened to the Smith Wrecking and Salvage Company when it tried to tear down the all fluoryl plastic City Hall is enough to make a man with a heart of stone laugh. Fluorocarbons are Here to Stay! By Donald E. Westlake.

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Old Rambling House by Frank Herbert - A Short Story From the Author of Dune Jun 14, 2024

Show notes

All the Grahams desired was a home they could call their own ... but what did the home want? Old Rambling House by Frank Herbert, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Thanks for all you do to help promote our podcast. In the last few days, thanks to you, more people have listened than ever before. We have our highest ranking ever in Canada, Great Britain, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, The Philippines and the United States. Thank you!

Another 5 star review on Apple Podcasts! August100 says, “Terrific Dose of Sci Fi, I have been reading this old pulp sci fi for decades. It is a refreshing treat to hear it read by such a skilled storyteller. The more I listen, the more it grows on me. Keep it up. Please.” August100 we will keep it up and we thank you for your wonderful review.

Today’s author wrote one of the best selling science fiction books of all time, Dune. Frank Herbert was born in Tacoma, Washington in 1920. His lied about his age to get the first of many newspaper jobs in 1939. Herbert loved photography, buying his first camera at the age of ten. In 1942, during World War II, he was a photographer in the U.S. Navy’s Seabees. He served for six months but suffered a head injury and was given a medical discharge.

Frank Herbert said he had been reading science fiction for about ten years, before he began writing sci-fi, and said some of his favorite authors were H. G. Wells, Robert A. Heinlein, Poul Anderson and Jack Vance.

His first science fiction story Looking for Something, was published in the April 1952 issue of Startling Stories.

He began researching Dune in 1959 and the novel was published six years later. But, did you know the world was first exposed to the Dune World in a December 1963 issue of Analog science fiction magazine. It was featured on the cover. That 1963 issue contained Part One of Thee Parts of Dune World.

Dune was then rejected by almost twenty book publishers, and in his rejection letter one editor wrote, "I might be making the mistake of the decade, but…”

Sterling Lanier of the Chilton Book Company, the company most often associated with automobile repair manuals, was exposed to Dune World in Analog and offered Herbert a $7,500 advance plus future royalties for the rights to publish Dune.

Obviously Dune was a success, winning the Nebula Award for best novel in 1965 and sharing the Hugo Award in 1966 with Call Me Conrad by Roger Zelazny. However, Dune, was not an immediate bestseller, and following its publication he went back to writing for newspapers. He didn’t become a full-time author until 1972.

In addition to his numerous novels Herbert wrote about 30 short stories, six of them are in the public domain. Let’s turn to page 89 in the April 1958 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine, for, Old Rambling House by Frank Herbert…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, He walked alone in the dawn and the dusk, and no one knew his name. But the day he perished, and the way he perished–a world will never forget! Mimic by Donald A. Wollheim.

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Fondly Fahrenheit by Alfred Bester Jun 09, 2024

Show notes

What happens when a robot programmed to obey commits murder in the heat of summer? Fondly Fahrenheit by Alfred Bester, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Another 5 star rating and review! This from Johnny Vancouver on Apple Podcasts Canada who says, “The best! Simply, the best vintage sci fi podcast ever. Great stories here that I would never have heard of if not for this podcast.” Thank you Johnny Vancouver!!

Alfred Bester makes his debut on the podcast today thanks to a request from our listener Xephael. Born in 1913 Bester was a science fiction author, TV and radio scriptwriter, magazine editor and he was a scriptwriter for comic books!

Sci-Fi author Harry Harrison said, “"Alfred Bester was one of the handful of writers who invented modern science fiction.”

Not long before he died in 1987, the Science Fiction Writers of America named Bester its ninth Grand Master, presented posthumously in 1988. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame inducted him in 2001.

Bester married in 1936. His wife Rolly was a Broadway, radio and television actress and was the first to ever play Lois Lane. She starred as Lois on the radio program The Adventures of Superman beginning in 1940.

Regarded as one of the best science fiction novelettes of all time, Fondly Fahrenheit has been included in a large number of prestigious science fiction anthologies.

Bester adapted it for tv as Murder and the Android which aired on October 18th 1959, and starred Kevin McCarthy, Rip Torn, Suzanne Pleshette and Telly Savalas. Murder and the Android was nominated for a Hugo Award in 1960 for Best Dramatic Presentation.

From The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in August 1954, we’ll find our story on page 3, Fondly Fahrenheit by Alfred Bester…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, All the Grahams desired was a home they could call their own ... but what did the home want? Old Rambling House by Frank Herbert.

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The Monsters by Robert Sheckley May 30, 2024

Show notes

Cordovir and Hum encounter a mysterious metallic object balancing on fire! As they debate its origins, a chilling realization sets in: what lurks inside could challenge everything they know about morality and truth. The Monsters by Robert Sheckley, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Thanks to our thousands of listeners who listen on Spotify, where we have 191 ratings with an average rating of 4.9.

After listening to “The Magnificent Possession” by Isaac Asimov, Arthur Carroll says, “Loved it! Thank you!” Thank you, Arthur!

Commenting on “The Elephant Circuit,” MAS2 says, “When Heinlein was on a roll his measured words flow as prose poems. This is art.” We agree. Thanks for your comment and thanks for listening.

Commenting on “Message From Mars” by Clifford D. Simak, Spotify user “My collection” had this to say: “Excellent story and excellent reading. Thank you.” We appreciate your comment!

After listening to “The Star Mouse” by Fredric Brown, AnitaB had this to say: “A very nicely told story, a pleasant voice to listen to. I like that the professor has an accent.” Thank you, AnitaB. We appreciate your comments and ratings on Spotify.

Robert Sheckley is one of our favorite authors, and there are more of his stories on the way. Today we go back in time 71 years to the March 1953 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, where we will discover that things are not always as they appear. Turn to page 15, The Monsters by Robert Sheckley…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, “You ask us of Mars for a weapon to save your world. We have it—but it is not for you, Earthman. Men may die and planets perish, but we break not the law of the universe—Every civilization must work out its own destiny!” The Weapon by Isaac Asimov.

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The Missing Room by Lynn Venable - Short Sci Fi Story From the 1950s May 27, 2024

Show notes

It was a dream house; yet the dream could have been a nightmare… The Missing Room by Lynn Venable, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Your support for our podcast has been phenomenal and we thank you. Future Space Engineer bought us 5 coffees and says, “Great narration and story curation!” Thanks Future Space Engineer!

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We will never get tired of your 5 star reviews on Apple Podcasts. NoIamYourFather had this to say, “Best Podcast Around - I love this podcast! The narrator does a wonderful job. He is a master of changing his voice just slightly so you can hear each character distinctly and allow yourself to become fully immersed in each and every story. I’ve been listening nearly since the beginning and have loved every minute so far! Keep up the great work!” Thank you for your glowing review NoIamYourFather!! If you haven’t left us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts we would appreciate it if you would, if you think we deserve 5 stars of course.

You may remember Lynn Venable for the Post-Apocalyptic Story Time Enough At Last that we shared with you about six months ago. A story so good it was adapted for The Twilight Zone in an episode starring Burgess Meredith. Today’s short sci-fi story can be found on page 58 in Weird Tales Magazine in July 1953 , The Missing Room by Lynn Venable…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Cordovir and Hum encounter a mysterious metallic object balancing on fire! As they debate its origins, a chilling realization sets in: what lurks inside could challenge everything they know about morality and truth. The Monsters by Robert Sheckley.

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The Moon is Green by Fritz Leiber May 25, 2024

Show notes

Anybody who wanted to escape death could, by paying a very simple price—denial of life! The Moon is Green by Fritz Leiber, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Once again we’ve received another 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, this from Amgreenbean “Great stories. So happy I found this podcast! The background information on the authors and stories are phenomenal! Thanks.” Thank you Amgreenbean! Your 5 star reviews make a difference and we'd appreciate it if you would leave us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, if you think we deserve it.

We’re the #1 science fiction podcast in another country!! We are #1 in Bhutan and we’ve hit # 1 in 15 countries on Apple podcasts and #2 in 15 more. Thank you for your incredible support!

This is the 5th time author Fritz Leiber has been on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Previously you’ve heard The Black Ewe, Nice Girl With 5 Husbands, The Foxholes of Mars and A Pail of Air. Today’s Apocalyptic Sci-FI Story first appeared in Galaxy Science Fiction in April 1952. Open your 35 cent copy of the magazine to page 89, The Moon is Green by Fritz Leiber…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, It was a dream house; yet the dream could have been a nightmare… The Missing Room by Lynn Venable.

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The Engineer by Frederik Pohl and C. M. Kornbluth May 20, 2024

Show notes

The Big Wheels of tomorrow will be men who can see the big picture. But blowouts have small beginnings… The Engineer by Frederik Pohl and C. M. Kornbluth, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Your support of our podcast is amazing. We’ve received a lot of emails recently, this is one of them, “I've recently discovered your podcast and it has been a God send. I have an hour commute to work every day and these stories are the perfect entertainment to keep me alert on the drive. I sometimes listened to full-length audio books but those can get quite expensive. When you related your story of using this platform to help care for your wife after you are gone, it touched me deeply. I recently lost my precious wife and I can understand the love and caring you have for yours. I'd love to buy you a coffee or 3, but for the life of me I can't find the link.”

We gave him the link and were shocked to discover that he bought 40 coffees!! Thank you! If you’d like to buy us a coffee there’s a link in the description.

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Today’s story was written by Frederik Pohl and C. M. Kornbluth. Pohl has been on the podcast before but this marks Kornbluth’s debut. Born and raised in New York he learned to read by the age of three, wrote his own stories by the time he was seven, graduated from high school at thirteen, received a CCNY scholarship at fourteen, and was "thrown out for leading a student strike" without graduating. As a teenager, he became a member of the Futurians, an influential group of science fiction fans and writers. That’s where he met and became friends with Frederik Pohl, Donald A. Wollheim, Robert Lowndes, and his future wife Mary Byers.

He wrote a handful of stories before the war and then penned 8 novels and more than 80 short stories.

Kornbluth was scheduled to interview for the position of editor of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. He was running late because he had to shovel snow from his driveway and ran to meet his train, he suffered a fatal heart attack on the platform. He was only 34 years old.

Today’s story can be found on page 112 of Infinity Science Fiction in February 1956, The Engineer by Frederik Pohl and C. M. Kornbluth…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Anybody who wanted to escape death could, by paying a very simple price—denial of life! The Moon is Green by Fritz Leiber.

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