June Lockhart, right, appears here with fellow “Lost in Space” cast members, Mark Goddard, Angela Cartwright and Guy Williams. A rare radio performance by Lockhart is heard Friday night on “Suspense,” heard over 97.9 WHAV FM. (Publicity photograph.)
June Lockhart with “Timmy and Lassie” cast members Lassie, Hugh Reilly and Jon Provost in 1963.
Everybody’s mother, June Lockhart, shows little maternal instinct Friday night on “Suspense” when she stars in “Shooting Star.”
Lockhart, first known as Timmy’s mother in the television series “Timmy and Lassie” and then as the Robinson matriarch on “Lost in Space,” plays an actress who aims to get even with a movie mogul when her contract isn’t renewed.
Her appearance on “Suspense” March 24, 1957 was a rare radio role for the actress who was first seen on film opposite her parents in a 1938 version of “A Christmas Carol.” Her father and mother, Gene Lockhart and Kathleen Lockhart, appeared as Mr. and Mrs. Bob Cratchit, while she was uncredited as Belinda Cratchit.
Less than a year after the radio play, Lockhart took over the role of Ruth Martin on CBS’ “Timmy and Lassie”—a role she would play until 1964. The following year, remaining onCBS, she was cast as Maureen Robinson on “Lost in Space.”
“Shooting Star” is heard Friday night at 10 p.m., with an encore performance at 1 a.m., over 97.9 WHAV FM.
This Week’s Radio Drama
Tonight, Dec. 9
Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: “Deadly Swamp Matter;” Box 13: “Diamond in the Sky,” Sunday, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Monday
Suspense (modern): “Testament;” Suspense (classic): “227 Minutes of Hate,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Tuesday
Dimension X: “The Martian Chronicles;” Suspense (classic): “Present Tense,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Wednesday
Great Gildersleeve: Leroy’s Part-Time Job; Suspense (classic): “Paralta Map,” starring Raymond Burr, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Thursday
Our Miss Brooks: Weighing Machine; Suspense (classic): “The Outer Limit,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Friday
Couple Next Door: Rearranging Furniture; Suspense (classic): “Shooting Star,” 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Saturday
Gunsmoke: Gonif; Haunting Hour: “Sixth Button,” Saturday, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 16
Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: “Silver Queen Matter.;” Box 13: “Double Right Cross,” Sunday, 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.