Commando Cody in "Radar Men from the Moon" - A Full 12 Chapter Rocketman Serial (1952)

Strategic targets on Earth are being destroyed by an unknown weapon. Government security head Henderson suspects it's an "atomic ray" originating from the moon! He assigns Commando Cody, ... See full summary »

Director:

Fred C. Brannon

Writer:

Ronald Davidson

Stars:

George Wallace, Aline Towne, Roy Barcroft

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George Wallace	...	Commando Cody
Aline Towne	...	Joan Gilbert
Roy Barcroft	...	Retik
William Bakewell	...	Ted Richards
Clayton Moore	...	Graber
Peter Brocco	...	Krog
Robert R. Stephenson	...	Daly (as Bob Stevenson)
Don Walters	...	Henderson
Tom Steele	...	Zerg
Dale Van Sickel	...	Alon
Wilson Wood	...	Hank
Noel Cravat	...	Robal
Baynes Barron	...	Nesor - Retik's Lab Aide [Ch.2]
Paul McGuire	...	Bream
Ted Thorpe	...	Al's Cafe Bartender [Ch. 6, 7, 12]

Storyline

Strategic targets on Earth are being destroyed by an unknown weapon. Government security head Henderson suspects it's an "atomic ray" originating from the moon! He assigns Commando Cody, scientist and man of action with a secret flying suit, to investigate. Soon, Cody is battling Earth thugs in the pay of Krog the moon man and making trips in his experimental rocket to the moon itself, in a perilous and all but singlehanded effort to thwart the planned invasion of Earth.

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Plot Keywords:

psychotronic film | camp | superhero | 

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Taglines:

Introducing A New Character - COMMANDO CODY (original posters)

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

CHAPTER TITLES: 1. Moon Rocket; 2. Molten Terror; 3. Bridge of Death; 4. Flight to Destruction; 5. Murder Car; 6. Hills of Death; 7. Camouflaged Destruction; 8. The Enemy Planet; 9. Battle in the Stratosphere; 10. Mass Execution; 11. Planned Pursuit; 12. Death of the Moon Man.

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Goofs

When Cody pushes a moon man over the cliff, he falls as he would on earth, and is killed. But since the moon's gravity is less than 1/5th that of the earth, he would have fallen more slowly. He would still have been killed if he had fallen far enough.

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Quotes

Graber: How 'bout a ride to town, mister?
Motorist: Sure. Hop in.
Graber: There's a man in a flying suit chasing us. Step on it.
Motorist: Huh?

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Connections

Edited into Matinee Movie Serials: Death of the Moon Man (2019)

User Reviews

Great 50's Serial

This is a great example of the B&W serials from the 50's. If your interested in seeing what the old movie serials from the 50's looked like, this is a perfect example, and it is fun to watch.Sure by todays standards the special effects and acting are a little ham-fisted and archaic, but remember this is from 1951 to 52 before TV even took hold.

Radar Men has a good story that keeps you interested episode after episode. The special effects are great for the time period. Cool space gadgets, a full size rocket ship, modeIs galore. You can't ask for more. The acting is passable with some great emoting on the close- ups. I recommend catching it if you can. It is out on dvd now. I picked it up in a box set of hokey sci-fi from Platinum disc corporation.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 January 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Planet Men from Mars

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$185,702 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Republic Pictures (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

167 min (12 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1