Flying Disc Man from Mars (1950)

A single-handed hero sets himself against Martians trying to assume control of Earth.

Director:

Fred C. Brannon

Writer:

Ronald Davidson

Stars:

Walter Reed, Lois Collier, Gregory Gaye

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Walter Reed	...	Kent Fowler
Lois Collier	...	Helen Hall
Gregory Gaye	...	Mota
James Craven	...	Dr. Bryant
Harry Lauter	...	Henchman Drake
Richard Irving	...	Henchman Ryan
Sandy Sanders	...	Steve
Michael Carr	...	Trent, semi-disc pilot
Dale Van Sickel	...	Watchman [Ch. 1]
Tom Steele	...	Taylor
George Sherwood	...	Bryant's Gateman [Ch. 7]
Jimmy O'Gatty	...	Grady
John De Simone	...	Curtyis, Torpedo Tech.-Thug [Ch. 8]
Lester Dorr	...	Crane, Bryant's Secretary [Ch. 7, 11]
Dick Cogan	...	Kirk, Workman in Bryant's lab [Ch. 7]

Storyline

A strange craft spying on industrialist Bryant's plant is brought down by Bryant's new atomic ray. Bryant meets the one survivor... Mota from the planet Mars! Not exactly benevolent, Mota enlists the aid of Bryant (a former Nazi) in a scheme to bring Earth under control of a supreme dictator, for its own good of course, using advanced atomic weapons. But their attempts to steal uranium alert Kent Fowler of Fowler Air Patrol, who sets out singlehanded to foil the villains. Fist-fights and wrecks in every episode.

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Plot Keywords:

planet | dictator | martian | plant | atomic weapons | 

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Taglines:

SEE THE SHOCKING ANSWER TO THIS TERRIFYING THREAT WHEN A MARTIAN DICTATOR VISITS THE EARTH! (original poster - all caps)

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 October 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

Atom Man from Mars

Filming Locations:

Iverson Ranch - 1 Iverson Lane, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$157,439 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Republic Pictures (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

167 min 167 min (12 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Chapter Titles:

• 1. Menace From Mars
• 2. The Volcano's Secret
• 3. Death Rides The Stratosphere
• 4. Execution By Fire
• 5. The Living Projectile
• 6. Perilous Mission
• 7. Descending Doom
• 8. Suicide Sacrifice
• 9. The Funeral Pyre
• 10. Weapons of Hate
• 11. Disaster On The Highway
• 12. Volcanic Vengence

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Goofs

In the fight scene at Bryant's incinerator, Kent's coat jacket is torn, next shot it has disappeared.

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Quotes

[Earth pilot Trent inspects a Martian Flying Disc for the first time]
Trent: You know, I've never flown one of these things before.

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Connections

Edited into Missile Monsters (1958)

User Reviews

One of the all-time great serials!

This one is absolutely "so bad, it's good". The characters are wooden, the dialog stiff, the plot contrived. All in all, it's one of the most entertaining films I have in my vast collection of classic sci-fi space movies. Sure, there isn't a whole lot of outer space in it, and few rockets...and way too many fist fights where nobody's hat falls off. But the leaps in logic, the never-ending stream of vehicles that the characters drive, the bad line deliveries...all worth the price you pay. On the truly plus side: it is beautifully photographed, and the editing is pretty tight. Personally, I can't wait till this one comes out in DVD. I consider this one better than the Commando Cody serials (1951, 1953), and I'm a big Cody fan. The only thing missing is Judd Holdren (Captain Video, Zombies from the Stratosphere, etc.). Delightful.