Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe
Encyclopedia
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe (or Commando Cody) 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 serial. It was released in theaters in 1953
and on television in 1955
.
The character of Commando Cody
was introduced in the film serial Radar Men from the Moon
.
This series is a prequel to Radar Men from the Moon. The first episode shows Joan and Ted, Cody's established sidekicks in Radar Men, applying for their jobs and meeting Cody for the first time.
There was a fairly long break between the filming of the first three and the last nine episodes, during which Republic set about filming Zombies of the Stratosphere
, also starring Judd Holdren and Aline Towne. Intended to also be a Cody serial, and the direct sequel to Radar Men from the Moon, it was subject to last-minute revisions of principal character names, and Holdren's "Cody" character became "Larry Martin." Meanwhile, the third episode of "Commando Cody" was filmed to show the apparent death of the Ruler, suggesting that Republic may have considered not doing the remaining nine episodes and converting the three it had filmed into a feature film.
Once they finally resumed work on Commando Cody, Republic had also lost the services of William Schallert
as Cody's male colleague, Ted Richards (played by William Bakewell
in Radar Men). A replacement was found in Richard Crane
, a year before his tour of duty as Rocky Jones, Space Ranger
, as Dave Preston. The Ruler also gained a female sidekick, played by Gloria Pall, although she had almost no dialog.
. Some elements were also taken from other serials such as The Purple Monster Strikes
. Commando Cody loosely recycles characters, sets and concepts from the first Cody serial Radar Men from the Moon
. When not in the Rocket-man suit, Cody wears a black military tunic with many insignia and a black mask, instead of the business suit from the serial.
Two helmets were used with Commando Cody's Rocket Man costume. A lighter version was worn in the stunt scenes. The visors of the helmets would always get stuck. Commando Cody also wears a domino mask
whenever he is not shown in the helmet. Holdren suspected this was due to the producers not wanting to take the chance that he might walk out after demanding more money, as Clayton Moore
had done on The Lone Ranger
. The mask would presumably serve to conceal the change of actor if the part had to be recast, although this had not worked in the case of the Lone Ranger.
In each episode, the Ruler tried to take over the earth with a new scheme, each one designed to make the maximum use of Republic Pictures stock footage
of various disasters, and action longshots. However, a number of space-concept scenes were filmed that had not been seen before in Republic serials, including "space walks" for several repair missions; aerial raygun fights between "hero" and "enemy" spaceships; and a black, starry (rather than sunny and cloud-spotted) exterior background when Cody's or the villain's ship were shown outside the Earth's atmosphere.
Cody and his associates use special badges that conceal two-way radios to communicate with one another, seemingly prefiguring some similar badges on Star Trek
. There were a number of futuristic props and sets, as well as many shots of the intricate model-rocket special effects work of Howard and Theodore Lydecker. The ships of Cody and The Ruler are the same model with different attachments added to it.
as a serial
of twelve approximately 30-minute chapters.
The series was first shown on television in syndication by Republic's TV arm, Hollywood Television Service, on NBC
stations in 1955. These episodes were not only edited to 25 minutes,but featured different music scores and opening credits from the theatrical version.
The twelve episodes are complete but with the same general plotline running through the series, as the Ruler tries to destroy the earth.
Although there are no cliffhager endings, each episode only has a partial resolution at the end (the primary villain always escapes). This requires the episodes to be shown in the correct sequence, rather than being interchangeable.
Reference works on serials generally exclude this title, however, or mention it only as a TV series.
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe (or Commando Cody) 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 serial. It was released in theaters in 1953
and on television in 1955
.
The character of Commando Cody
was introduced in the film serial Radar Men from the Moon
.
This series is a prequel to Radar Men from the Moon. The first episode shows Joan and Ted, Cody's established sidekicks in Radar Men, applying for their jobs and meeting Cody for the first time.
There was a fairly long break between the filming of the first three and the last nine episodes, during which Republic set about filming Zombies of the Stratosphere
, also starring Judd Holdren and Aline Towne. Intended to also be a Cody serial, and the direct sequel to Radar Men from the Moon, it was subject to last-minute revisions of principal character names, and Holdren's "Cody" character became "Larry Martin." Meanwhile, the third episode of "Commando Cody" was filmed to show the apparent death of the Ruler, suggesting that Republic may have considered not doing the remaining nine episodes and converting the three it had filmed into a feature film.
Once they finally resumed work on Commando Cody, Republic had also lost the services of William Schallert
as Cody's male colleague, Ted Richards (played by William Bakewell
in Radar Men). A replacement was found in Richard Crane
, a year before his tour of duty as Rocky Jones, Space Ranger
, as Dave Preston. The Ruler also gained a female sidekick, played by Gloria Pall, although she had almost no dialog.
. Some elements were also taken from other serials such as The Purple Monster Strikes
. Commando Cody loosely recycles characters, sets and concepts from the first Cody serial Radar Men from the Moon
. When not in the Rocket-man suit, Cody wears a black military tunic with many insignia and a black mask, instead of the business suit from the serial.
Two helmets were used with Commando Cody's Rocket Man costume. A lighter version was worn in the stunt scenes. The visors of the helmets would always get stuck. Commando Cody also wears a domino mask
whenever he is not shown in the helmet. Holdren suspected this was due to the producers not wanting to take the chance that he might walk out after demanding more money, as Clayton Moore
had done on The Lone Ranger
. The mask would presumably serve to conceal the change of actor if the part had to be recast, although this had not worked in the case of the Lone Ranger.
In each episode, the Ruler tried to take over the earth with a new scheme, each one designed to make the maximum use of Republic Pictures stock footage
of various disasters, and action longshots. However, a number of space-concept scenes were filmed that had not been seen before in Republic serials, including "space walks" for several repair missions; aerial raygun fights between "hero" and "enemy" spaceships; and a black, starry (rather than sunny and cloud-spotted) exterior background when Cody's or the villain's ship were shown outside the Earth's atmosphere.
Cody and his associates use special badges that conceal two-way radios to communicate with one another, seemingly prefiguring some similar badges on Star Trek
. There were a number of futuristic props and sets, as well as many shots of the intricate model-rocket special effects work of Howard and Theodore Lydecker. The ships of Cody and The Ruler are the same model with different attachments added to it.
as a serial
of twelve approximately 30-minute chapters.
The series was first shown on television in syndication by Republic's TV arm, Hollywood Television Service, on NBC
stations in 1955. These episodes were not only edited to 25 minutes,but featured different music scores and opening credits from the theatrical version.
The twelve episodes are complete but with the same general plotline running through the series, as the Ruler tries to destroy the earth.
Although there are no cliffhager endings, each episode only has a partial resolution at the end (the primary villain always escapes). This requires the episodes to be shown in the correct sequence, rather than being interchangeable.
Reference works on serials generally exclude this title, however, or mention it only as a TV series.
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe (or Commando Cody) 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 serial. It was released in theaters in 1953
and on television in 1955
.
The character of Commando Cody
was introduced in the film serial Radar Men from the Moon
.
This series is a prequel to Radar Men from the Moon. The first episode shows Joan and Ted, Cody's established sidekicks in Radar Men, applying for their jobs and meeting Cody for the first time.
There was a fairly long break between the filming of the first three and the last nine episodes, during which Republic set about filming Zombies of the Stratosphere
, also starring Judd Holdren and Aline Towne. Intended to also be a Cody serial, and the direct sequel to Radar Men from the Moon, it was subject to last-minute revisions of principal character names, and Holdren's "Cody" character became "Larry Martin." Meanwhile, the third episode of "Commando Cody" was filmed to show the apparent death of the Ruler, suggesting that Republic may have considered not doing the remaining nine episodes and converting the three it had filmed into a feature film.
Once they finally resumed work on Commando Cody, Republic had also lost the services of William Schallert
as Cody's male colleague, Ted Richards (played by William Bakewell
in Radar Men). A replacement was found in Richard Crane
, a year before his tour of duty as Rocky Jones, Space Ranger
, as Dave Preston. The Ruler also gained a female sidekick, played by Gloria Pall, although she had almost no dialog.
. Some elements were also taken from other serials such as The Purple Monster Strikes
. Commando Cody loosely recycles characters, sets and concepts from the first Cody serial Radar Men from the Moon
. When not in the Rocket-man suit, Cody wears a black military tunic with many insignia and a black mask, instead of the business suit from the serial.
Two helmets were used with Commando Cody's Rocket Man costume. A lighter version was worn in the stunt scenes. The visors of the helmets would always get stuck. Commando Cody also wears a domino mask
whenever he is not shown in the helmet. Holdren suspected this was due to the producers not wanting to take the chance that he might walk out after demanding more money, as Clayton Moore
had done on The Lone Ranger
. The mask would presumably serve to conceal the change of actor if the part had to be recast, although this had not worked in the case of the Lone Ranger.
In each episode, the Ruler tried to take over the earth with a new scheme, each one designed to make the maximum use of Republic Pictures stock footage
of various disasters, and action longshots. However, a number of space-concept scenes were filmed that had not been seen before in Republic serials, including "space walks" for several repair missions; aerial raygun fights between "hero" and "enemy" spaceships; and a black, starry (rather than sunny and cloud-spotted) exterior background when Cody's or the villain's ship were shown outside the Earth's atmosphere.
Cody and his associates use special badges that conceal two-way radios to communicate with one another, seemingly prefiguring some similar badges on Star Trek
. There were a number of futuristic props and sets, as well as many shots of the intricate model-rocket special effects work of Howard and Theodore Lydecker. The ships of Cody and The Ruler are the same model with different attachments added to it.
as a serial
of twelve approximately 30-minute chapters.
The series was first shown on television in syndication by Republic's TV arm, Hollywood Television Service, on NBC
stations in 1955. These episodes were not only edited to 25 minutes,but featured different music scores and opening credits from the theatrical version.
The twelve episodes are complete but with the same general plotline running through the series, as the Ruler tries to destroy the earth.
Although there are no cliffhager endings, each episode only has a partial resolution at the end (the primary villain always escapes). This requires the episodes to be shown in the correct sequence, rather than being interchangeable.
Reference works on serials generally exclude this title, however, or mention it only as a TV series.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
television series or serial
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...
. 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 serial. It was released in theaters in 1953
1953 in film
The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A...
and on television in 1955
1955 in television
The year 1955 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1955.-Events:*March 5 – Elvis Presley appears on television for the first time...
.
The character of Commando Cody
Commando Cody
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 introduced in the film serial 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...
.
Cast
- Judd HoldrenJudd HoldrenJudd Holdren was an American film actor best known for his starring roles in the serials Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere, Zombies of the Stratosphere, The Lost Planet and the semi-serial Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe during 1951 - 1953.- Early life :He was born near...
as Commando CodyCommando CodyCommando 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.... - Aline TowneAline TowneAline Towne born Fern Aline Eggen, also known as Fern Aline Waller, was an American film and television actress, best remembered for her lead roles in 1950s Republic serials, such as Radar Men from the Moon.Towne was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota.Towne appeared in dozens of roles on television, in...
as Joan Gilbert. Towne was the only performer from Radar Men from the Moon to reprise her role in this outing. - Gregory GayeGregory GayeGregory Gaye was a Russian-American actor. The son of an actor, he was born Gregory De Gay in Petrograd, now known as St. Petersburg....
as The Ruler - Craig Kelly as Mr Henderson
Production
Commando Cody was originally filmed as a twelve-part television series, but union contract problems forced Republic to play it in theaters first. The episodes built on each other, and were intended to be shown in chronological order like the episodes of any other serial, but lacked the cliffhanger endings which had characterized serials for several decades.This series is a prequel to Radar Men from the Moon. The first episode shows Joan and Ted, Cody's established sidekicks in Radar Men, applying for their jobs and meeting Cody for the first time.
There was a fairly long break between the filming of the first three and the last nine episodes, during which Republic set about filming 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...
, also starring Judd Holdren and Aline Towne. Intended to also be a Cody serial, and the direct sequel to Radar Men from the Moon, it was subject to last-minute revisions of principal character names, and Holdren's "Cody" character became "Larry Martin." Meanwhile, the third episode of "Commando Cody" was filmed to show the apparent death of the Ruler, suggesting that Republic may have considered not doing the remaining nine episodes and converting the three it had filmed into a feature film.
Once they finally resumed work on Commando Cody, Republic had also lost the services of William Schallert
William Schallert
William Joseph Schallert is an American actor who has appeared in many films and in such television series as The Smurfs, The Rat Patrol, Gunsmoke, The Patty Duke Show, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, The Waltons, Bonanza, Leave It to Beaver, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Love, American Style, Get...
as Cody's male colleague, Ted Richards (played by William Bakewell
William Bakewell
William Bakewell , also known as Billy Bakewell, was an American actor, who achieved his greatest fame as one of the premiere juvenile performers of the late 1920s and early 1930s.-Life and career:...
in Radar Men). A replacement was found in Richard Crane
Richard Crane
Richard Crane was a veteran character actor whose career spanned three decades in films and television. His early career included many uncredited performances in feature films made in the 1940's. He is best remembered for his portrayal of the title role in the TV science fiction series Rocky...
, a year before his tour of duty as Rocky Jones, Space Ranger
Rocky Jones, Space Ranger
Rocky Jones, Space Ranger is a syndicated science fiction television serial originally broadcast in 1954. The show lasted for only two seasons and, though syndicated sporadically, dropped into obscurity. But because it was recorded on film rather than being broadcast live as were most other TV...
, as Dave Preston. The Ruler also gained a female sidekick, played by Gloria Pall, although she had almost no dialog.
Costume
Commando Cody reuses the Rocket Man costume from King of the Rocket MenKing 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...
. Some elements were also taken from other serials such as The Purple Monster Strikes
The Purple Monster Strikes
The Purple Monster Strikes is a Republic Movie serial. It was also released as a television film under the title D-Day on Mars .The original production title for the serial was The Purple Shadow Strikes...
. Commando Cody loosely recycles characters, sets and concepts from the first Cody serial 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...
. When not in the Rocket-man suit, Cody wears a black military tunic with many insignia and a black mask, instead of the business suit from the serial.
Two helmets were used with Commando Cody's Rocket Man costume. A lighter version was worn in the stunt scenes. The visors of the helmets would always get stuck. Commando Cody also wears a domino mask
Domino mask
A domino mask is a small, rounded mask covering only the eyes and the space between them. Since the 18th century, the domino mask is worn during carnival. Venetian Carnival masks were known as domini because they resembled French priests' winter hoods, being black on the outside and white on the...
whenever he is not shown in the helmet. Holdren suspected this was due to the producers not wanting to take the chance that he might walk out after demanding more money, as Clayton Moore
Clayton Moore
Clayton Moore was an American actor best known for playing the fictional western character The Lone Ranger from 1949–1951 and 1954-1957 on the television series of the same name.-Early years:...
had done on The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked Texas Ranger who, with his Native American companion Tonto, fights injustice in the American Old West. The character has become an enduring icon of American culture....
. The mask would presumably serve to conceal the change of actor if the part had to be recast, although this had not worked in the case of the Lone Ranger.
Setting
The setting is the near future as seen from the 1950s. Earth is in radio contact with civilizations on other solar planets, as well as planets in other solar systems, and Commando Cody has just built the world's first space ship. The rest of the world still appears as in the early 1950s. The exterior of Commando Cody's headquarters building is really the Republic Pictures building.In each episode, the Ruler tried to take over the earth with a new scheme, each one designed to make the maximum use of Republic Pictures stock footage
Stock footage
Stock footage, and similarly, archive footage, library pictures and file footage are film or video footage that may or may not be custom shot for use in a specific film or television program. Stock footage is of beneficial use to filmmakers as it is sometimes less expensive than shooting new...
of various disasters, and action longshots. However, a number of space-concept scenes were filmed that had not been seen before in Republic serials, including "space walks" for several repair missions; aerial raygun fights between "hero" and "enemy" spaceships; and a black, starry (rather than sunny and cloud-spotted) exterior background when Cody's or the villain's ship were shown outside the Earth's atmosphere.
Cody and his associates use special badges that conceal two-way radios to communicate with one another, seemingly prefiguring some similar badges on Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
. There were a number of futuristic props and sets, as well as many shots of the intricate model-rocket special effects work of Howard and Theodore Lydecker. The ships of Cody and The Ruler are the same model with different attachments added to it.
Release
The series was first released in theaters in 19531953 in film
The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A...
as a serial
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...
of twelve approximately 30-minute chapters.
The series was first shown on television in syndication by Republic's TV arm, Hollywood Television Service, on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
stations in 1955. These episodes were not only edited to 25 minutes,but featured different music scores and opening credits from the theatrical version.
Serial or television series
The release of Commando Cody as a serial, despite being filmed as a television series, has led to some controversy as to whether to count it as part of the Republic serial canon or as a short-subject series, among serial purists. The episodes were numbered on the theatrical release prints and titled as "Chapters", and also shown as such in the advertisingThe twelve episodes are complete but with the same general plotline running through the series, as the Ruler tries to destroy the earth.
Although there are no cliffhager endings, each episode only has a partial resolution at the end (the primary villain always escapes). This requires the episodes to be shown in the correct sequence, rather than being interchangeable.
Reference works on serials generally exclude this title, however, or mention it only as a TV series.
External links
- Commando Cody Episode Guide
- A list of titles, casts and credits for several 1950s Republic space serials, taken from IMDb listings
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe (or Commando Cody) is a science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
television series or serial
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...
. 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 serial. It was released in theaters in 1953
1953 in film
The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A...
and on television in 1955
1955 in television
The year 1955 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1955.-Events:*March 5 – Elvis Presley appears on television for the first time...
.
The character of Commando Cody
Commando Cody
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 introduced in the film serial 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...
.
Cast
- Judd HoldrenJudd HoldrenJudd Holdren was an American film actor best known for his starring roles in the serials Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere, Zombies of the Stratosphere, The Lost Planet and the semi-serial Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe during 1951 - 1953.- Early life :He was born near...
as Commando CodyCommando CodyCommando 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.... - Aline TowneAline TowneAline Towne born Fern Aline Eggen, also known as Fern Aline Waller, was an American film and television actress, best remembered for her lead roles in 1950s Republic serials, such as Radar Men from the Moon.Towne was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota.Towne appeared in dozens of roles on television, in...
as Joan Gilbert. Towne was the only performer from Radar Men from the Moon to reprise her role in this outing. - Gregory GayeGregory GayeGregory Gaye was a Russian-American actor. The son of an actor, he was born Gregory De Gay in Petrograd, now known as St. Petersburg....
as The Ruler - Craig Kelly as Mr Henderson
Production
Commando Cody was originally filmed as a twelve-part television series, but union contract problems forced Republic to play it in theaters first. The episodes built on each other, and were intended to be shown in chronological order like the episodes of any other serial, but lacked the cliffhanger endings which had characterized serials for several decades.This series is a prequel to Radar Men from the Moon. The first episode shows Joan and Ted, Cody's established sidekicks in Radar Men, applying for their jobs and meeting Cody for the first time.
There was a fairly long break between the filming of the first three and the last nine episodes, during which Republic set about filming 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...
, also starring Judd Holdren and Aline Towne. Intended to also be a Cody serial, and the direct sequel to Radar Men from the Moon, it was subject to last-minute revisions of principal character names, and Holdren's "Cody" character became "Larry Martin." Meanwhile, the third episode of "Commando Cody" was filmed to show the apparent death of the Ruler, suggesting that Republic may have considered not doing the remaining nine episodes and converting the three it had filmed into a feature film.
Once they finally resumed work on Commando Cody, Republic had also lost the services of William Schallert
William Schallert
William Joseph Schallert is an American actor who has appeared in many films and in such television series as The Smurfs, The Rat Patrol, Gunsmoke, The Patty Duke Show, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, The Waltons, Bonanza, Leave It to Beaver, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Love, American Style, Get...
as Cody's male colleague, Ted Richards (played by William Bakewell
William Bakewell
William Bakewell , also known as Billy Bakewell, was an American actor, who achieved his greatest fame as one of the premiere juvenile performers of the late 1920s and early 1930s.-Life and career:...
in Radar Men). A replacement was found in Richard Crane
Richard Crane
Richard Crane was a veteran character actor whose career spanned three decades in films and television. His early career included many uncredited performances in feature films made in the 1940's. He is best remembered for his portrayal of the title role in the TV science fiction series Rocky...
, a year before his tour of duty as Rocky Jones, Space Ranger
Rocky Jones, Space Ranger
Rocky Jones, Space Ranger is a syndicated science fiction television serial originally broadcast in 1954. The show lasted for only two seasons and, though syndicated sporadically, dropped into obscurity. But because it was recorded on film rather than being broadcast live as were most other TV...
, as Dave Preston. The Ruler also gained a female sidekick, played by Gloria Pall, although she had almost no dialog.
Costume
Commando Cody reuses the Rocket Man costume from King of the Rocket MenKing 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...
. Some elements were also taken from other serials such as The Purple Monster Strikes
The Purple Monster Strikes
The Purple Monster Strikes is a Republic Movie serial. It was also released as a television film under the title D-Day on Mars .The original production title for the serial was The Purple Shadow Strikes...
. Commando Cody loosely recycles characters, sets and concepts from the first Cody serial 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...
. When not in the Rocket-man suit, Cody wears a black military tunic with many insignia and a black mask, instead of the business suit from the serial.
Two helmets were used with Commando Cody's Rocket Man costume. A lighter version was worn in the stunt scenes. The visors of the helmets would always get stuck. Commando Cody also wears a domino mask
Domino mask
A domino mask is a small, rounded mask covering only the eyes and the space between them. Since the 18th century, the domino mask is worn during carnival. Venetian Carnival masks were known as domini because they resembled French priests' winter hoods, being black on the outside and white on the...
whenever he is not shown in the helmet. Holdren suspected this was due to the producers not wanting to take the chance that he might walk out after demanding more money, as Clayton Moore
Clayton Moore
Clayton Moore was an American actor best known for playing the fictional western character The Lone Ranger from 1949–1951 and 1954-1957 on the television series of the same name.-Early years:...
had done on The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked Texas Ranger who, with his Native American companion Tonto, fights injustice in the American Old West. The character has become an enduring icon of American culture....
. The mask would presumably serve to conceal the change of actor if the part had to be recast, although this had not worked in the case of the Lone Ranger.
Setting
The setting is the near future as seen from the 1950s. Earth is in radio contact with civilizations on other solar planets, as well as planets in other solar systems, and Commando Cody has just built the world's first space ship. The rest of the world still appears as in the early 1950s. The exterior of Commando Cody's headquarters building is really the Republic Pictures building.In each episode, the Ruler tried to take over the earth with a new scheme, each one designed to make the maximum use of Republic Pictures stock footage
Stock footage
Stock footage, and similarly, archive footage, library pictures and file footage are film or video footage that may or may not be custom shot for use in a specific film or television program. Stock footage is of beneficial use to filmmakers as it is sometimes less expensive than shooting new...
of various disasters, and action longshots. However, a number of space-concept scenes were filmed that had not been seen before in Republic serials, including "space walks" for several repair missions; aerial raygun fights between "hero" and "enemy" spaceships; and a black, starry (rather than sunny and cloud-spotted) exterior background when Cody's or the villain's ship were shown outside the Earth's atmosphere.
Cody and his associates use special badges that conceal two-way radios to communicate with one another, seemingly prefiguring some similar badges on Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
. There were a number of futuristic props and sets, as well as many shots of the intricate model-rocket special effects work of Howard and Theodore Lydecker. The ships of Cody and The Ruler are the same model with different attachments added to it.
Release
The series was first released in theaters in 19531953 in film
The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A...
as a serial
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...
of twelve approximately 30-minute chapters.
The series was first shown on television in syndication by Republic's TV arm, Hollywood Television Service, on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
stations in 1955. These episodes were not only edited to 25 minutes,but featured different music scores and opening credits from the theatrical version.
Serial or television series
The release of Commando Cody as a serial, despite being filmed as a television series, has led to some controversy as to whether to count it as part of the Republic serial canon or as a short-subject series, among serial purists. The episodes were numbered on the theatrical release prints and titled as "Chapters", and also shown as such in the advertisingThe twelve episodes are complete but with the same general plotline running through the series, as the Ruler tries to destroy the earth.
Although there are no cliffhager endings, each episode only has a partial resolution at the end (the primary villain always escapes). This requires the episodes to be shown in the correct sequence, rather than being interchangeable.
Reference works on serials generally exclude this title, however, or mention it only as a TV series.
External links
- Commando Cody Episode Guide
- A list of titles, casts and credits for several 1950s Republic space serials, taken from IMDb listings
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe (or Commando Cody) is a science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
television series or serial
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...
. 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 serial. It was released in theaters in 1953
1953 in film
The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A...
and on television in 1955
1955 in television
The year 1955 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1955.-Events:*March 5 – Elvis Presley appears on television for the first time...
.
The character of Commando Cody
Commando Cody
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 introduced in the film serial 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...
.
Cast
- Judd HoldrenJudd HoldrenJudd Holdren was an American film actor best known for his starring roles in the serials Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere, Zombies of the Stratosphere, The Lost Planet and the semi-serial Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe during 1951 - 1953.- Early life :He was born near...
as Commando CodyCommando CodyCommando 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.... - Aline TowneAline TowneAline Towne born Fern Aline Eggen, also known as Fern Aline Waller, was an American film and television actress, best remembered for her lead roles in 1950s Republic serials, such as Radar Men from the Moon.Towne was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota.Towne appeared in dozens of roles on television, in...
as Joan Gilbert. Towne was the only performer from Radar Men from the Moon to reprise her role in this outing. - Gregory GayeGregory GayeGregory Gaye was a Russian-American actor. The son of an actor, he was born Gregory De Gay in Petrograd, now known as St. Petersburg....
as The Ruler - Craig Kelly as Mr Henderson
Production
Commando Cody was originally filmed as a twelve-part television series, but union contract problems forced Republic to play it in theaters first. The episodes built on each other, and were intended to be shown in chronological order like the episodes of any other serial, but lacked the cliffhanger endings which had characterized serials for several decades.This series is a prequel to Radar Men from the Moon. The first episode shows Joan and Ted, Cody's established sidekicks in Radar Men, applying for their jobs and meeting Cody for the first time.
There was a fairly long break between the filming of the first three and the last nine episodes, during which Republic set about filming 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...
, also starring Judd Holdren and Aline Towne. Intended to also be a Cody serial, and the direct sequel to Radar Men from the Moon, it was subject to last-minute revisions of principal character names, and Holdren's "Cody" character became "Larry Martin." Meanwhile, the third episode of "Commando Cody" was filmed to show the apparent death of the Ruler, suggesting that Republic may have considered not doing the remaining nine episodes and converting the three it had filmed into a feature film.
Once they finally resumed work on Commando Cody, Republic had also lost the services of William Schallert
William Schallert
William Joseph Schallert is an American actor who has appeared in many films and in such television series as The Smurfs, The Rat Patrol, Gunsmoke, The Patty Duke Show, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, The Waltons, Bonanza, Leave It to Beaver, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Love, American Style, Get...
as Cody's male colleague, Ted Richards (played by William Bakewell
William Bakewell
William Bakewell , also known as Billy Bakewell, was an American actor, who achieved his greatest fame as one of the premiere juvenile performers of the late 1920s and early 1930s.-Life and career:...
in Radar Men). A replacement was found in Richard Crane
Richard Crane
Richard Crane was a veteran character actor whose career spanned three decades in films and television. His early career included many uncredited performances in feature films made in the 1940's. He is best remembered for his portrayal of the title role in the TV science fiction series Rocky...
, a year before his tour of duty as Rocky Jones, Space Ranger
Rocky Jones, Space Ranger
Rocky Jones, Space Ranger is a syndicated science fiction television serial originally broadcast in 1954. The show lasted for only two seasons and, though syndicated sporadically, dropped into obscurity. But because it was recorded on film rather than being broadcast live as were most other TV...
, as Dave Preston. The Ruler also gained a female sidekick, played by Gloria Pall, although she had almost no dialog.
Costume
Commando Cody reuses the Rocket Man costume from King of the Rocket MenKing 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...
. Some elements were also taken from other serials such as The Purple Monster Strikes
The Purple Monster Strikes
The Purple Monster Strikes is a Republic Movie serial. It was also released as a television film under the title D-Day on Mars .The original production title for the serial was The Purple Shadow Strikes...
. Commando Cody loosely recycles characters, sets and concepts from the first Cody serial 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...
. When not in the Rocket-man suit, Cody wears a black military tunic with many insignia and a black mask, instead of the business suit from the serial.
Two helmets were used with Commando Cody's Rocket Man costume. A lighter version was worn in the stunt scenes. The visors of the helmets would always get stuck. Commando Cody also wears a domino mask
Domino mask
A domino mask is a small, rounded mask covering only the eyes and the space between them. Since the 18th century, the domino mask is worn during carnival. Venetian Carnival masks were known as domini because they resembled French priests' winter hoods, being black on the outside and white on the...
whenever he is not shown in the helmet. Holdren suspected this was due to the producers not wanting to take the chance that he might walk out after demanding more money, as Clayton Moore
Clayton Moore
Clayton Moore was an American actor best known for playing the fictional western character The Lone Ranger from 1949–1951 and 1954-1957 on the television series of the same name.-Early years:...
had done on The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked Texas Ranger who, with his Native American companion Tonto, fights injustice in the American Old West. The character has become an enduring icon of American culture....
. The mask would presumably serve to conceal the change of actor if the part had to be recast, although this had not worked in the case of the Lone Ranger.
Setting
The setting is the near future as seen from the 1950s. Earth is in radio contact with civilizations on other solar planets, as well as planets in other solar systems, and Commando Cody has just built the world's first space ship. The rest of the world still appears as in the early 1950s. The exterior of Commando Cody's headquarters building is really the Republic Pictures building.In each episode, the Ruler tried to take over the earth with a new scheme, each one designed to make the maximum use of Republic Pictures stock footage
Stock footage
Stock footage, and similarly, archive footage, library pictures and file footage are film or video footage that may or may not be custom shot for use in a specific film or television program. Stock footage is of beneficial use to filmmakers as it is sometimes less expensive than shooting new...
of various disasters, and action longshots. However, a number of space-concept scenes were filmed that had not been seen before in Republic serials, including "space walks" for several repair missions; aerial raygun fights between "hero" and "enemy" spaceships; and a black, starry (rather than sunny and cloud-spotted) exterior background when Cody's or the villain's ship were shown outside the Earth's atmosphere.
Cody and his associates use special badges that conceal two-way radios to communicate with one another, seemingly prefiguring some similar badges on Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
. There were a number of futuristic props and sets, as well as many shots of the intricate model-rocket special effects work of Howard and Theodore Lydecker. The ships of Cody and The Ruler are the same model with different attachments added to it.
Release
The series was first released in theaters in 19531953 in film
The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A...
as a serial
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...
of twelve approximately 30-minute chapters.
The series was first shown on television in syndication by Republic's TV arm, Hollywood Television Service, on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
stations in 1955. These episodes were not only edited to 25 minutes,but featured different music scores and opening credits from the theatrical version.
Serial or television series
The release of Commando Cody as a serial, despite being filmed as a television series, has led to some controversy as to whether to count it as part of the Republic serial canon or as a short-subject series, among serial purists. The episodes were numbered on the theatrical release prints and titled as "Chapters", and also shown as such in the advertisingThe twelve episodes are complete but with the same general plotline running through the series, as the Ruler tries to destroy the earth.
Although there are no cliffhager endings, each episode only has a partial resolution at the end (the primary villain always escapes). This requires the episodes to be shown in the correct sequence, rather than being interchangeable.
Reference works on serials generally exclude this title, however, or mention it only as a TV series.