1954 in science fiction

The year 1954 was marked, in science fiction, by the following events.

Births and deaths

Births Iain M. Banks (d. 2013) Marek Baraniecki Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff Paul Di Filippo Colin Greenland Marek Huberath Kazuo Ishiguro Michael P. Kube-McDowell Shariann Lewitt James D. Macdonald Ken MacLeod Victor Milán (d. 2018) John J. Miller (d. 2022) Katsuhiro Otomo Melanie Rawn Joel Rosenberg (d. 2011) Richard Paul Russo Bruce Sterling Marc Stiegler J. Michael Straczynski Mark W. Tiedemann James Van Pelt Lawrence Watt-Evans David Wingrove

Deaths Alexander Abasheli (b. 1884) Alpheus Hyatt Verrill (b. 1871)

Literary releases

Donald Tuck publishes Handbook of Science Fiction and Fantasy, which is still used as a reference resource for scholars of science fiction.

Serialized novels Martians, Go Home by Fredric Brown, Astounding Science Fiction (September), published in book form is 1955. Question and Answer, Astounding Science Fiction (June–July), later reprinted in 1956 as part of Ace Double D-199 under the title Planet of No Return, and again as a stand-alone Ace novel in February 1978 under the original title. They'd Rather Be Right by Mark Clifton and Frank Riley, Astounding Science Fiction (August–November), published in book form in 1957.

First editions Brain Wave by Poul Anderson, Earth's inhabitants become super-intelligent when the planet leaves a restrictive energy field. The Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov, a detective and a robot partner solve a murder in a futuristic city. The Forgotten Planet by Murray Leinster, survivors adapt to a planet overrun by giant insects and plants. G.O.G. 666 by John Taine, Russian genetics experiments result in a being that is half ape, half brain. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson, the last human battles vampires in a post-apocalyptic world. A Mirror for Observers by Edgar Pangborn, follows a child prodigy protected by a Martian guardian from rival factions influencing human civilization. Mission of Gravity by Hal Clement, a human and an alien collaborate on a high-gravity planet to recover a lost probe. Operation: Outer Space by Murray Leinster, the first interstellar flight is financed by making it into a television show. Search the Sky by Frederik Pohl and Cyril M. Kornbluth, a secret ship explores and reconnects declining interstellar colonies to prevent societal decay. The Stars Are Ours! by Andre Norton, survivors of an oppressive regime escape Earth to settle on a new planet. Starship Through Space by Lee Correy, tells the story of the building of the first starship and of its flight to Alpha Centauri. Three Thousand Years by Thomas Calvert McClary, scientists attempt to build a utopia after the earth has been placed in suspended animation for 3,000 years.

Short stories "The Cold Equations" by Tom Godwin, Astounding Science Fiction (August). "The Father-thing" by Philip K. Dick, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction (December). "Fondly Fahrenheit" by Alfred Bester, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction (August). "No More Stars" by Charles Satterfield, Beyond Fantasy Fiction (July).

Juveniles Return to the Lost Planet by Angus MacVicar, second novel of six in the Lost Planet series. The Secret of Saturn's Rings by Donald A. Wollheim, a high school graduate joins his father on a mission to Saturn to prove a corporate cover-up. The Star Beast by Robert A. Heinlein (juvenile), a boy discovers his pet is an alien royalty, leading to interstellar diplomacy.

Children's books Mel Oliver and Space Rover on Mars by William Morrison, the adventures of a boy and his sapient dog as they join an interplanetary circus on a voyage to Mars. The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet by Eleanor Cameron, children travel to a hidden planet and help its inhabitants solve a crisis.

Movies

Title Director Cast Country Subgenre/Notes20,000 Leagues Under the SeaRichard FleischerKirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul LukasUnited StatesAdventure Drama Family Fantasy Winner of Academy Awards for Visual Effects and Best Art Direction in 1954.Creature from the Black Lagoon Jack ArnoldRichard Carlson, Julie Adams, Richard Denning, Antonio MorenoUnited StatesHorrorDevil Girl from MarsDavid MacDonaldPatricia Laffan, Hugh McDermott, Adrienne CorriUnited KingdomHorrorGodzilla (a.k.a. Gojira)Ishirō Honda Akira Takarada, Momoko Kōchi, Takashi Shimura JapanHorror KaijūGogIvan TorsRichard Egan, Constance Dowling, Herbert MarshallUnited StatesDrama Horror Romance ThrillerKillers from SpaceW. Lee WilderPeter Graves, Barbara Bestar, James Seay, Frank GerstleUnited StatesHorror Mystery Monster from The Ocean FloorWyott OrdungAnne Kimball, Stuart Wade, Dick PinnerUnited StatesHorrorRiders to the StarsRichard CarlsonWilliam Lundigan, Herbert MarshallUnited StatesDramaThe Rocket ManOscar RudolphCharles Coburn, Spring Byington, Anne Francis, John Agar, George WinslowUnited StatesComedy FamilleThe Snow CreatureW. Lee WilderWilliam PhippsUnited StatesHorrorStranger From VenusBurt BalabanPatricia Neal, Helmut Dantine, Derek BondUnited StatesTarget EarthSherman A. RoseRichard Denning, Kathleen Crowley, Virginia Grey United StatesHorrorThem!Gordon DouglasJames Whitmore, Edmund Gwenn, Joan Weldon, James ArnessUnited StatesHorrorTobor the GreatLee SholemCharles Drake, Karin Booth, Billy ChapinUnited StatesAdventure Family

Awards The Hugo Awards were not held this year.

See also 1954 in science

Notes

References