A for Andromeda: The Message

"The Message" is the pilot episode of A for Andromeda and first aired on the BBC on October 3rd, 1961. The story takes place in Great Britain in the (then-future) year of 1970. Professor Ernest Reinhart, John Fleming and Dennis Bridger are all scientists in the employ of the Ministry of Defence. They develop a highly advanced radio telescope at Bouldershaw Fell in the Yorkshire Dales. Shortly before its official opening, Doctor Fleming picks up a string of intermittent signals, which he determines originates from the distant Andromeda Galaxy. Examining the signal, Doctor Fleming realizes that the signal is in fact a computer program. He brings his findings to his superiors who compel him to secrecy.

Cast

 * Peter Halliday as Doctor John Fleming
 * John Nettleton as Harries
 * Esmond Knight as Professor Ernest Reinhart
 * Patricia Kneale as Judy Adamson
 * John Murray Scott as Harvey
 * Bernard Kilby as Whelan
 * Noel Johnson as J.M. Osborne
 * Donald Stewart as General Vandenberg
 * Brenda Peters as Osborne's secretary
 * Frank Windsor as Dennis Bridger
 * Mary Chester as Grace
 * Peter King as News reader
 * Kenneth Kendall as himself
 * Terry Lodge as Jenkins
 * John Barrett as Oldroyd

Notes & Trivia

 * First episode of the series.


 * The story is told in flashback from the recollection of Professor Ernest Reinhart.


 * In addition to being a producer, Norman James also works as a production designer on this series.


 * This episode was edited by Agnes Evan.