Commando Cody in RADAR MEN FROM THE MOON!

Commando Cody was the hero in a 12-episode science-fiction serial made in 1952 by Republic Pictures entitled Radar Men from the Moon, and a followup 1953 set of 12 short-subjects (or 12 cliffhangerless serial chapters) collectively called the adventures of Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe. These 25-minute episodes, each reasonably complete and without cliffhanger endings, were originally released to theaters in 1953–1954, as surviving lobby posters indicate, and were later sold to NBC-TV, which ran them as a summer replacement program from July 16 to October 8, 1955. Image File history File linksMetadata Codyframe. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Codyframe. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles accessible from a disambiguation page. ... Republic Pictures Corporation (aka Republic Entertainment) is an independent film, television, and video distribution company that was originally a movie production-distribution corporation with studio facilities, best known for its specialization in quality B pictures, westerns and movie serials. ... Radar Men from the Moon (Republic Studios, 1952) was the first Commando Cody serial, in 12 chapters, starring newcomer George Wallace (1917-2005) as Cody and Aline Towne as his sidekick Joan Gilbert, with serial veteran Roy Barcroft as the evil Retik, the Ruler of the Moon. ... A cliffhanger or cliffhanger ending is a plot device in which a movie, novel, or other work of fiction contains an abrupt ending, often leaving the main characters in a precarious or difficult situation. ... It has been suggested that NBC Radio City Studios, NBC Studios be merged into this article or section. ...

Another 1953 Republic serial, Zombies of the Stratosphere, 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 last minute. Zombies of the Stratosphere (Republic Studios, 1952) 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 Rocketmen (1949). ... Radar Men from the Moon (Republic Studios, 1952) was the first Commando Cody serial, in 12 chapters, starring newcomer George Wallace (1917-2005) as Cody and Aline Towne as his sidekick Joan Gilbert, with serial veteran Roy Barcroft as the evil Retik, the Ruler of the Moon. ...

Commando Cody serials are sometimes confused to include King of the Rocket Men (1949), because a 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 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. Zombies of the Stratosphere (Republic Studios, 1952) 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 Rocketmen (1949). ... Walt Disney Productions is the former name of The Walt Disney Company, which it held from 1929 to 1986. ... The Rocketeer is a 1991 adventure film produced by Walt Disney Pictures and directed by Joe Johnston. ... In a broad definition, a republic is a state or country that is led by people whose political power is based on principles that are not beyond the control of the people of that state or country. ...

Some have noted that the rocket suit design may have been "lifted" by Republic from the flying suit design for a 1940s Fawcett comic book character called Bulletman, whose adventures Republic Studios had considered adapting into a serial. The strange character name "Commando Cody" was probably 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. Fawcett may refer to: [edit] People Fawcett, Bill, mystery writer Fawcett, Brian (born 1944), Canadian poet and novelist Fawcett, Charles, British historian Fawcett, David (born 1963), Australian politician Fawcett, Eric (1927-2000), British-Canadian physicist Fawcett, Farrah (born 1947), U.S. actress Fawcett, Henry (1833-1884), British economist and politician... Bulletman was a Fawcett Comics superhero created by Bill Parker in Nickel Comics, May, 1940. ... A number of science fiction works have had the title Space Patrol. ...

Commando Cody would end up being lampooned in the TV Series Mystery Science Theater 3000. The first eight episodes were featured as shorts in several episodes of the first season. Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988–1999), usually abbreviated MST3K, is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc. ...

Trivia

• A clone trooper named Commander Cody, complete with rocket backpack, appears in Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Given director George Lucas' well known love of serials, it's probable this character was named for Commando Cody. Like all clone troopers, this Cody was played by Temuera Morrison.

• The Star Trek: Voyager holodeck story The Adventures of Captain Proton features numerous references to Commander Cody and other Republic serials, the most notable being the costume worn by story lead Captain Proton, played in the show by Tom Paris, was created from replica components of Cody's costume such as his jacket, rocket pack and chest control panel.

Republic Grand Army Clonetroopers are fictional soldiers from the Star Wars saga. ... Temuera Morrison Temuera Morrison (born December 26 1960) is an actor (of Māori Descent) from Ohinemutu, Rotorua, New Zealand, known for his lead role as Jake the Muss in Once Were Warriors (1994) and as Dr Ropata in the first season of TV soap opera Shortland Street. ... The starship Voyager (NCC-74656), an Intrepid-class starship. ... A holodeck on the Enterprise-D; the arch and exit are prominent. ... The Adventures of Captain Proton is a holodeck novel used aboard the USS Voyager by Tom Paris and Harry Kim. ... Thomas Eugene Paris, played by Robert Duncan McNeill, is a fictional character in the Star Trek television series Star Trek: Voyager. ...

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
• Radar Men from the Moon at the Internet Movie Database
• Zombies of the Stratosphere at the Internet Movie Database
• King of the Rocket Men at the Internet Movie Database
• Commando Cody, Sky Marshal of the Universe at the Internet Movie Database
• Nostalgia League article on the "Rocketman" serials
• Gary Johnson, "The Serials"
• A Detailed page on all three "Rocketmen"