ReadMultiplex.com: 1957 Saul, The Robot That Almost Won A Bet

From ReadMultiplex.com Podcast. by Brian Roemmele

May 1, 2026 · 21 min · Episode 46

About this episode

The episode explores a 1957 radio show about a golfer named Saul who must prove his worth against a robotic opponent in a high-stakes tournament.

Open Warfare, January 23, 1957) This 1957 radio show was,adapted by Ernest Kinoy from a story by James E. Gunn, a talented but struggling professional golfer named Saul falls in love with the daughter of a wealthy, intellectual elitist. The father firmly believes that athletes are intellectually inferior and refuses to allow the marriage unless Saul can prove himself by earning a substantial sum—specifically by winning a high-stakes golf tournament against the father's sponsored champion. What begins as a seemingly straightforward sports drama quickly reveals deeper layers as Saul confronts not just a superior opponent but a challenge that tests the boundaries between human determination and engineered perfection. The narrative builds tension through the escalating "warfare" on the golf course, where Saul's rival demonstrates uncanny, almost superhuman skill. Listeners gradually uncover the science-fiction twist: the opponent is no ordinary player but a meticulously programmed machine designed for flawless performance. This setup allows the story to explore themes of human ingenuity versus mechanical superiority, class prejudice between intellectuals and physical competitors, and…

People in this episode

Host: Brian Roemmele

Topics covered

golf
human vs machine
class prejudice
sports drama
science fiction
human resilience

Keywords

golf tournament
robot
human ingenuity
class conflict
1957 radio show
sports drama
mechanical superiority

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Open Warfare