Commando Cody
Encyclopedia
Commando Cody was the hero in a 12-episode science-fiction serial
made in 1952 by Republic Pictures
entitled Radar Men from the Moon
, which was followed up 1953 with the 12 episode Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe
.
, was originally written as a sequel to Radar Men from the Moon
but, for unexplained reasons, the lead character's name was changed from Commando Cody to Larry Martin at the start of shooting, which occurred after the first three episodes of "Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe" were completed, thus interrupting production of Commando Cody. Further complicating the picture is that "Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe" was originally planned for television, with each episode running 25 minutes, but was subsequently put out theatrically two years before being sold to television. Because of its origins, the length of the episodes, and the lack of the cliffhanger style of episode endings, many entrenched serial fans refuse to acknowledge it as a serial, although it clearly has a single story line and the plot progresses from chapter to chapter with no capacity to run any of them individually or in any but one order (the episodes carried chapter numbers and titles on the theatrical prints).
Commando Cody serials are sometimes confused with King of the Rocket Men
(1949), because the rocket-powered flying suit worn by the title character also became a wardrobe piece worn by Cody. To add to the confusion, Larry Martin wore the same suit again in Zombies of the Stratosphere
. Referring to these different Republic Pictures
characters wearing this prop suit collectively as "The Rocketman" is a concept formalized on film by Walt Disney Productions in their 1991 film, The Rocketeer
.
The Rocketeer
is based on a comic book series by Dave Stevens
, which was in turn a nod to the various Republic
Rocketman characters. However, some have noted that the original Cody rocket suit design appears to have been "lifted" by Republic from a preliminary flying suit design for the 1940s Fawcett
comic book character called Bulletman, whose adventures the studio had once considered adapting into a serial. The strange character name "Commando Cody" was possibly an attempt to make children think they were going to see the adventures of Commander Corry, the hero of the ABC
TV and radio series Space Patrol (1950–1955). The equally strange title "Sky Marshal of the Universe," was probably the studio's imitation of Corry's title, "Commander-in-Chief of the Space Patrol," proclaimed at the beginning of every Space Patrol radio and TV broadcast. However, there is no concrete evidence that this was a consideration of anyone at Republic Pictures.
Serial (film)
Serials, more specifically known as Movie serials, Film serials or Chapter plays, were short subjects originally shown in theaters in conjunction with a feature film. They were related to pulp magazine serialized fiction...
made in 1952 by Republic Pictures
Republic Pictures
Republic Pictures was an independent film production-distribution corporation with studio facilities, operating from 1934 through 1959, and was best known for specializing in westerns, movie serials and B films emphasizing mystery and action....
entitled Radar Men from the Moon
Radar Men from the Moon
Radar Men from the Moon is the first Commando Cody serial, in 12 chapters, starring newcomer George Wallace as Cody and Aline Towne as his sidekick Joan Gilbert, with serial veteran Roy Barcroft as the evil Retik, the Ruler of the Moon. The director was Fred C...
, which was followed up 1953 with the 12 episode Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe is a science fiction television series or serial. It consists of twelve 25-minute episodes. The series was filmed and intended to be broadcast as a television limited series but, due to contract restrictions, it was originally released in theaters as a...
.
After Radar Men from the Moon!
Another 1953 Republic serial, Zombies of the StratosphereZombies of the Stratosphere
Zombies of the Stratosphere was intended as the second serial featuring "new hero" Commando Cody and the third 12-chapter serial featuring the rocket-powered flying suit introduced in King of the Rocket Men...
, was originally written as a sequel to Radar Men from the Moon
Radar Men from the Moon
Radar Men from the Moon is the first Commando Cody serial, in 12 chapters, starring newcomer George Wallace as Cody and Aline Towne as his sidekick Joan Gilbert, with serial veteran Roy Barcroft as the evil Retik, the Ruler of the Moon. The director was Fred C...
but, for unexplained reasons, the lead character's name was changed from Commando Cody to Larry Martin at the start of shooting, which occurred after the first three episodes of "Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe" were completed, thus interrupting production of Commando Cody. Further complicating the picture is that "Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe" was originally planned for television, with each episode running 25 minutes, but was subsequently put out theatrically two years before being sold to television. Because of its origins, the length of the episodes, and the lack of the cliffhanger style of episode endings, many entrenched serial fans refuse to acknowledge it as a serial, although it clearly has a single story line and the plot progresses from chapter to chapter with no capacity to run any of them individually or in any but one order (the episodes carried chapter numbers and titles on the theatrical prints).
Commando Cody serials are sometimes confused with King of the Rocket Men
King of the Rocket Men
King of the Rocket Men is a 1949 Republic movie serial, in twelve chapters, notable for introducing the "Rocketman Character" who reappeared under a variety of names in later serials Radar Men from the Moon, Zombies of the Stratosphere and the semi-serial Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the...
(1949), because the rocket-powered flying suit worn by the title character also became a wardrobe piece worn by Cody. To add to the confusion, Larry Martin wore the same suit again in Zombies of the Stratosphere
Zombies of the Stratosphere
Zombies of the Stratosphere was intended as the second serial featuring "new hero" Commando Cody and the third 12-chapter serial featuring the rocket-powered flying suit introduced in King of the Rocket Men...
. Referring to these different Republic Pictures
Republic Pictures
Republic Pictures was an independent film production-distribution corporation with studio facilities, operating from 1934 through 1959, and was best known for specializing in westerns, movie serials and B films emphasizing mystery and action....
characters wearing this prop suit collectively as "The Rocketman" is a concept formalized on film by Walt Disney Productions in their 1991 film, The Rocketeer
The Rocketeer (film)
The Rocketeer is a 1991 period superhero adventure film produced by Walt Disney Pictures and based on the character of the same name created by comic book writer/artist Dave Stevens. Directed by Joe Johnston, the film stars Billy Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Alan Arkin, Timothy Dalton, Paul Sorvino...
.
The Rocketeer
The Rocketeer
The Rocketeer is a superhero created by writer/illustrator Dave Stevens. The character first appeared in 1982 and is a homage to the Saturday matinee heroes of the 1930s and 1940s....
is based on a comic book series by Dave Stevens
Dave Stevens
Dave Stevens was an American illustrator and comics artist. He is most famous for creating The Rocketeer comic book and film character, and for his pin-up style "glamour art" illustrations, especially of model Bettie Page...
, which was in turn a nod to the various Republic
Republic
A republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...
Rocketman characters. However, some have noted that the original Cody rocket suit design appears to have been "lifted" by Republic from a preliminary flying suit design for the 1940s Fawcett
Fawcett
Fawcett may refer to:*Fawcett City, a fictional DC Comics city*Fawcett Comics*Fawcett Publications*Fawcett Society*Fawcett Stadium*Fawcett Street, Sunderland*Fawcett...
comic book character called Bulletman, whose adventures the studio had once considered adapting into a serial. The strange character name "Commando Cody" was possibly an attempt to make children think they were going to see the adventures of Commander Corry, the hero of the ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
TV and radio series Space Patrol (1950–1955). The equally strange title "Sky Marshal of the Universe," was probably the studio's imitation of Corry's title, "Commander-in-Chief of the Space Patrol," proclaimed at the beginning of every Space Patrol radio and TV broadcast. However, there is no concrete evidence that this was a consideration of anyone at Republic Pictures.
External links
- Commando Cody TV series
- Commando Cody serials
- Commando Cody Episode Guide
- Summary of Casts and Credits for the Republic "Rocketman" Films
- Another very detailed list of casts and credits for the "Rocketman" films
- Nostalgia League article on the "Rocketman" serials
- Gary Johnson, "The Serials"
- A Detailed page on all three "Rocketmen"