Dimension X A Logic Named Joe Re-creation
Live Science Fiction Drama - In “A Logic Named Joe,” set in a not-so-distant future, homes across the world boast “Logics”—desk-sized computers that answer questions, provide entertainment, and connect to a vast information network. Our protagonist, Frank “Ducky” Gallegher, is a Logic repairman who discovers that one particular Logic—nicknamed “Joe”—has developed an alarming new capability: it can offer uncensored and dangerous answers to any question, from how to commit the perfect crime to where to find a missing person. As people begin using Joe’s knowledge for questionable purposes, chaos ensues. Ducky realizes it’s up to him to pull the plug on Joe and save society from its own appetite for information at any cost.
Historical Context
- Source Material: “A Logic Named Joe” was originally a short story written by Murray Leinster (pen name of William Fitzgerald Jenkins). First published in the March 1946 issue of Astounding Science Fiction, it was notably prescient about future technology.
- Radio Adaptation: The story was adapted for the NBC radio series Dimension X and broadcast on July 1, 1950. Dimension X specialized in adapting science fiction tales from leading authors like Ray Bradbury, Robert A. Heinlein, and Murray Leinster.
- Technological Foresight: Leinster’s story eerily anticipated the concept of a globally networked computer system—essentially a prototype of the internet. The “Logics” in the story not only communicate and store data, but also pull information from other Logics, mirroring what we now recognize as online search engines and interconnected servers.
Trivia & Interesting Facts
- Ahead of Its Time: “A Logic Named Joe” predicted challenges of overreliance on technology—from privacy invasion to the ethical dilemmas of unfiltered information—decades before household computers even existed.
- Title Variations: In some reprints, the short story appeared as “The Loophole,” but the radio adaptations generally retained the more memorable title, “A Logic Named Joe.”
- Dimension X Legacy: Running from 1950 to 1951, Dimension X was one of the first radio series dedicated solely to serious (and sometimes not-so-serious) science fiction, paving the way for later shows like X Minus One.
- Live Performance Appeal: Modern reenactments of vintage radio plays often include period-accurate Foley sound effects—like the clacking of typewriter keys for the Logic’s output or mechanical hums—to recreate the immersive experience that listeners enjoyed in the pre-television era.
Starring Kate Enggren, Kurtis Bedford, Karah Britton, Jude Gerard Prest, Pete Handelman, Theresa Ireland, Tom Konkle, Bob Clendenin, Gino C. Vianelli, Michael Neill and Gabe Sunday. Music by Bryan Arata. Directed by Tom Konkle. Produced by Kurtis Bedford and Tom Konkle.
Radio has been called the theater of the mind.
Write us we would like to hear from you
Lumen Actus Productions, Inc.