the Miracle Tree of Saturn

plot
Professor Haggerty discovers that the Saturnian leaves Raeburn keeps on his desk can cure vegetation affected by a new fungus which has developed on Earth.  Raeburn sends Dart to Saturn to collect more leaves.  However, a technician named Jones sneaks onto the Galasphere, intending to steal the leaves and sell them to Raeburn, and hides there until they reach Saturn.  Wrapping Dart, Husky and Slim in plastifoam, he goes to meet the Saturnian leader.  Managing to break free, Dart and Husky go to warn the Saturnians about Jones’ plan.  The Saturnians, however, arrest them for attempting to wipe out their race by spreading a “barking disease” across Saturn.  However, when the leader’s son succumbs to the disease he is forced to make a bargain with Dart: he and his crew’s lives will be spared if they provide a cure for the barking.  The “barking”, however, turns out to be the common cold, which is deadly to the Saturnians.  Dart gives them a cure and they are set free.

notes
The Saturnians make their second appearance in this episode.  They had previously featured in the Rings of Saturn.

credits
a National Interest Picture production
produced by Roberta Leigh and Arthur Provis
directed by Frank Goulding
created & written by Roberta Leigh
voices by Libby Morris, Dick Vosburgh, Ronnie Stevens, Murray Cash
puppetry by Martin & Heather Granger, Joan Garrick
electronics by F.C. Judd
space consultant: Colin Ronan
RCA sound recording
script assistant: Denise Kaye
cameraman: Arthur Provis
editor: Roy Hyde
art director: Roland Whiteside
models: Derek Freeborn
special effects & animation: Bill Palmer, Brian Stevens, Bert Walker