A Message from the Stars - The A for Andromeda Story

'A for Andromeda' was a seven part BBC-tv science fiction serial made and broadcast in 1961. Written by dramatist John Elliot, the storyline and ideas for the serial came from Professor Fred Hoyle, an outspoken astronomer, and broadcaster who also published science fiction. Only one episode survives and a variety of fragments from other episodes, but it was novelised.

Hoyle and Elliot looked ten years into the future, taking their cues from contemporary scientific developments in technology and biology, imagining what would happen if mankind received a message from the stars which offered power and glory to those clever enough to understand it.

Although a sequel called 'The Andromeda Breakthrough' was rapidly commissioned, and can be seen as the second half of a thirteen part serial, it is not explored in any depth in this book as it survives to this day.

The book is in three parts - the first explores the background and the development of the writing of the piece. This is followed by a detailed synopsis of each episode which comes with known production information, and explores the ideas that fed into the story from the world around them, such as radio telescopes, biology, and menacing international business and politics.

As a bonus, John Elliot's 1961 play 'Off Centre' is presented as a synopsis - the story of a bitter war time scientist who just wants a chance to listen to the stars...

193 pages and includes a link to the Substack where Saturday Morning Press will continue. Not necessarily publishing always on a Saturday...