The Classic TV Archive. Science-Fiction Series

Republic Sci-Fi Theatrical Serials
(1949-53)
Episode Guide
version 2.0 February 2003
compiled by
The Classic TV Archive
http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Stage/2950

with contributions by:
Sal Crisanti

references:
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (http://www.us.imdb.com)


[SERIAL #1] King of the Rocket Men (filmed 1949)
Republic Pictures Corporation
executive producer Herbert J. Yates
produced by Franklin Adreon       
directed by Fred C. Brannon
written by Royal K. Cole, William Lively    and Sol Shor            

US theatrical sci-fi serial 1949 12 episodes x 14 min bw 168 min   
starring            
Tristram Coffin    .... Professor Jeff King (aka Commando Cody)     
Mae Clarke    .... Glenda Thomas    
Don Haggerty     .... Tony Dirken    
House Peters Jr.    .... Burt Winslow    
James Craven    .... Prof. Millard    
I. Stanford Jolley .... Prof. Bryant    
Douglas Evans    .... Chairman    
Ted Adams    .... Martin Conway    
Stanley Price    .... Gunther Von Strum    
Dale Van Sickel    .... Martin    
Tom Steele     .... Knox    
David Sharpe     .... Blears    
Eddie Parker    .... Rowan    
Michael Ferro    .... Turk    
Frank O'Connor     .... Guard    
Buddy Roosevelt    .... Phillips    
with            
Marshall Bradford    .... Graffner (uncredited)    
Arvon Dale    .... Mayor's Aide (uncredited)    
Art Gilmore    .... Newscaster (uncredited)    
Bert LeBaron    .... Morgan (uncredited)    
Carey Loftin    .... Sparks (uncredited)    
Jack O'Shea    .... Walter (uncredited)    
Bud Wolfe    .... Clay (uncredited)    
               
original music by Stanley Wilson             
director of photography Ellis W. Carter            
film editor Cliff Bell Sr. and Sam Starr            
sound by Earl Crain Sr.       
make-up artist Bob Mark       
set decorators John McCarthy Jr. and James Redd    
art director Fred A. Ritter       
unit manager Roy Wade
   
Special Effects: Consolidated Film Industries
(Howard Lydecker and Theodore Lydecker)   

Jeff King in his experimental rocket suit battles the evil Dr. Vulcan.      

Prof. Millard pretends to be dead and helps Jeff King ferret out
Vulcan, the evil traitor at the science academy. Donning his Rocket
Man costume King goes from one hair raising rescue to the next in
order to keep the newly invented Decimator out of the clutches of
Vulcan and his minions.

The 1949 Republic serial 'King Of The Rocket Man'
was shown on BBC1 UK Christmas 1981

King of the Rocket Men [01/12] DR VULCAN - TRAITOR (filmed 1949)
The theft of a top secret nuclear rocket by the sinister
and shady Dr Vulcan forces Jeff King into testing his
untried secret rocket-propelled flying suit
King of the Rocket Men [02/12] PLUNGING DEATH (filmed 1949)
(no synopsis)
King of the Rocket Men [03/12] DANGEROUS EVIDENCE (filmed 1949)
(no synopsis)
King of the Rocket Men [04/12] HIGH PERIL (filmed 1949)
(no synopsis)
King of the Rocket Men [05/12] FATAL DIVE (filmed 1949)
(no synopsis)
King of the Rocket Men [06/12] MYSTERY OF THE ROCKET MAN (filmed 1949)
Wherein the diabolical Dr Vulcan identifies Rocket Man,
kidnaps him and is astonished at the appearance of a
second Rocket Man who prevents his theft of the secret
Sonatrone weapon.
King of the Rocket Men: [07/12] MOLTEN MENACE (filmed 1949)
(no synopsis)
King of the Rocket Men: [08/12] SUICIDE FLIGHT (filmed 1949)
(no synopsis)
King of the Rocket Men [09/12] TEN SECONDS TO LIVE (filmed 1949)
(no synopsis)
eps[10-12] no details

[SERIAL #2]  Flying Disc Man from Mars (filmed 1951)
Republic Pictures Corporation
executive producer Herbert J. Yates
produced by Franklin Adreon       
directed by Fred C. Brannon
written by Ronald Davidson

US theatrical sci-fi serial 1951 12 episodes x 14 min 168 min    

starring
Walter Reed .... Kent Fowler
Lois Collier .... Helen
Gregory Gaye .... Mota
James Craven .... Dr. Bryant
Harry Lauter .... Drake
Richard Irving .... Ryan
Sandy Sanders .... Steve
Michael Carr .... Trent
Dale Van Sickel .... Watchman
Tom Steele .... Taylor
George Sherwood .... Gateman
Jimmy O'Gatty .... Gradey
John De Simone .... Curtis
Lester Dorr .... Crane
Dick Cogan .... Kirk
    
original music by Stanley Wilson  
director of photography Walter Strenge  
film editors Cliff Bell Sr. and Sam Starr  
art director Fred A. Ritter  
set decorators John McCarthy Jr. and James Redd  
hair stylist supervisor Peggy Gray
make-up artist Bob Mark
sound Earl Crain Sr.
wardrobe supervisor Adele Palmer
unit manager Roy Wade
Special Effects: Consolidated Film Industries
(Howard Lydecker and Theodore Lydecker)

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

    [SERIAL #3] Radar Men from the Moon (filmed 1952)
Republic Pictures Corporation
executive producer Herbert J. Yates
produced by Franklin Adreon   
directed by Fred C. Brannon
      written by Ronald Davidson

US theatrical sci-fi serial 1952 12 episodes x 14 min 168 min
starring
George Wallace     ....     Commando Cody aka Jeff King   
Aline Towne    ....     Joan Gilbert     
Roy Barcroft    ....     Retik    
William Bakewell    ....     Ted Richards     
Clayton Moore    ....     Graber     
Peter Brocco    ....     Krog    
Bob Stevenson    ....     Daly    
Don Walters     ....     Mr. Henderson     
Tom Steele     ....     Ray Tank Driver     
Dale Van Sickel    ....     Ray Gun Soldier (Patrol 6)     
Wilson Wood    ....     Hank    
Noel Cravat    ....     Robal    
Baynes Barron    ....     Retik's Lab Aide     
Paul McGuire    ....     Retik's Aide on Earth Trip     
Ted Thorpe    ....     Al, cafe manager     
Dick Cogan    ....     Passing Motorist on Dirt Road     
with            
Joe Bailey    ....     First Cop at Landing Field (uncredited)    
Billy Dix    ....     Duke, warehouse henchman (uncredited)    
Claude Dunkin    ....     Agent with Ray Gun (uncredited)    
Stephen Gregory ....     Benson, garage owner (uncredited)     
Barry Hollins    ....     Agent with Ray Gun (uncredited)    
Carey Loftin    ....     Motorist Transporting Pursuit Cop (uncred)    
William Marke    ....     Lunarium Guard (uncredited)     
John Marshall     ....     Trucker at Cafe (uncredited)    
Tony Merrill    ....     Sam, auto henchman (uncredited)    
Paul Palmer     ....     Henchman in Getaway Car (uncredited)    
Dick Rich    ....     Bank Robbery Pursuit Cop (uncredited)    
Sam Sebby    ....     Moon Scout 7 (uncredited)     
Jack Shea     ....     Guard at Cody Labs (uncredited)    
Guy Teague    ....     Second Cop at Landing Field (uncredited)    
Ken Terrell    ....     Man (uncredited)     
Arthur Walsh    ....     Motorcycle Cop (uncredited)     

original music by Stanley Wilson             
director of photography John MacBurnie            
film editor Cliff Bell Sr.            
make-up supervisor Bob Mark       
set decorators John McCarthy Jr. and James Redd       
art director Fred A. Ritter       
sound by Dick Tyler Sr.       
unit manager Roy Wade    
special effects by Consolidated Film Industries
(Howard Lydecker and Theodore Lydecker)       
sound mix: RCA Victor System    

 This serial introduced the character of Commander Cody
but was he was played by George Wallace NOT Judd Holdren who
later took over the role.

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.


[SERIAL #4] Zombies of the Stratosphere (filmed 1952)
Republic Pictures Corporation
executive producer Herbert J. Yates
produced by Franklin Adreon   
directed by Fred C. Brannon
      written by Ronald Davidson

US theatrical sci-fi serial 1952 12 episodes x 14 min 168 min
starring
Judd Holdren .... Larry Martin
Aline Towne .... Sue Davis
Wilson Wood .... Bob Wilson
Lane Bradford .... Marex
Stanley Waxman .... Dr. Harding
John Crawford .... Roth
Craig Kelly .... Mr. Steele
Ray Boyle .... Shane
Leonard Nimoy .... Narab
Tom Steele .... Truck Driver/Thug in Launch/Robo
Dale Van Sickel .... Peralta Junction Station Agent
Roy Engel .... Marina Owner
Jack Harden .... Thug in Rowboat
Paul Stader .... Thug on Dock
Gayle Kellogg .... Dick
Jack Shea .... Rocketship Guard
Robert Garabedian .... Elah
with
Frank Alten .... Thug Kneeling on Boxcar (uncredited)
Roy Barcroft .... Central Control/Ross (voice) (uncredited)
Davison Clark .... Ferndale Policeman (uncredited)
Floyd Criswell .... Ferndale Policeman (uncredited)
John Daheim .... Man (uncredited)
Paul Gustine .... Plane Pilot (uncredited)
Jack Mack .... Gomez Siding Switchman (uncredited)
George Magrill .... Thug Standing on Boxcar (uncredited)
Henry Rowland .... Dapper Gangster on Plane (uncredited)
Robert Strange .... Sub Quartermaster (uncredited)
Ken Terrell .... Man (uncredited)
Norman Willis .... Sub Captain (uncredited)
Clifton Young .... Ross (uncredited)
 
original music by Stanley Wilson  
director of photography John MacBurnie  
film editor Cliff Bell Sr.  
  production manager Lewis T. Rosso
production supervisor John E. Baker
unit manager Roy Wade
hair stylist Peggy Gray
make-up artist Bob Mark
set decorators John McCarthy Jr. and James Redd
wardrobe supervisor Adele Palmer
art director Fred A. Ritter
sound Dick Tyler Sr. and Waldon O. Watson
musical director Gerald Roberts
stock music arranger Stanley Wilson
  Special Effects: Consolidated Film Industries
(Howard Lydecker and Theodore Lydecker)
Opticals: Consolidated Film Industries
Sound recording system: RCA Photophone

This serial introduced Judd Holdren, but in this one
he plays Larry Martin.

The invaders come to Earth to create an H-bomb to blast Earth out of
orbit so that Mars can take it's place.

Security agent Larry Martin, who can fly with an experimental rocket
suit, investigates clandestine visits to earth by a Martian spaceship.
Meanwhile, villainous Martians conspire with a traitorous atomic
scientist to blast earth out of its orbit and replace it with Mars!
Can Larry and his cohort Bob Wilson stop the Martians before they
complete their dastardly project? Not a zombie in sight.


[SERIAL #5] Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe (filmed 1953)
Republic Pictures Corporatioon
Hollywood Television Corporation
Executive Producer Herbert J. Yates
Produced by Franklin Adreon  
Directed by Franklin Adreon, Fred C. Brannon, Harry Keller
Assitant Director: Roy Wade
Wrttten by Ronald Davidson and Barry Shipman

US sci-fi serial 12 episodes x 14 min bw (total 168 min)
theatrical release 1953
tv release NBC 16 July 1955 to 8 Oct 1955

starring
Judd Holdren as Commando Cody a.k.a. Jeff King
Aline Towne as Joan Gilbert
William Schallert as Ted Richards (eps 1-3)
Richard Crane as Dick Preston (eps4-12)
Gregory Gaye as The Ruler
Craig Kelly as Commissioner Henderson
Gloria Pall as The Moon Girl, the Ruler's assistant (eps 4-12)
Lyle Talbot
Mauritz Hugo
Joanne Jordan
with
Lane Bradford
Peter Brocco
John Crawford
William Fawcett
William Henry
Kenneth R. MacDonald
Sydney Mason
Zon Murray
Denver Pyle
Stanley Waxman

production design by Frank Arrigo and Frank Hotaling  
director of photography Bud Thackery  
film editors Cliff Bell Sr. and Harold Minter  
  make-up artist Bob Mark
set decorator John McCarthy Jr.
music supervisor Stanley Wilson
Special Effects: Howard Lydecker and Theodore Lydecker
Otical Effect: Consolidated Film Industries
STUNTS: TOM STEELE, DALE VAN SICKEL,
JOHN DAHEIM (LATER CHANGED TO JOHN DAY), FRED GRAHAM, SANDY SANDERS

Commando Cody [chapter 1] ENEMIES OF THE UNIVERSE (filmed 1953)
16Jul55 NBC Sat
DIRECTED BY FRED C. BRANNON
WRITTEN BY RONALD DAVIDSON.
GUEST CAST:
PETER BROCCO, ZON MURRAY, TOM STEELE, DALE VAN SICKEL,
JOHN DAHEIM (JOHN DAY).
RECURRING CAST:
ALINE TOWNE, WILLIAM SCHALLERT, GREGORY GAYE, GLORIA PAUL,
CRAIG KELLY.
SYNOPSIS:
COMMANDO CODY HAS DESIGNED A ROCKETSHIP THAT CAN GO AMYWHERE IN
OUTER SPACE. THE 'RULER' AND HIS HENCHMEN ARE DETERMINED TO SABOTAGE
CODY'S PROJECT. [SC]

Commando Cody [chapter 2] ATOMIC PERIL (filmed 1953)
23Jul55 NBC Sat
DIRECTED BY FRED C. BRANNON
WRITTEN BY RONALD DAVIDSON.
GUEST CAST:
STANLEY WAXMAN, PETER BROCCO, ROY BARCROFT(RADIO VOICE).
RECURRING CAST:
GREGORY GAYE, ALINE TOWNE, WILLIAM SCHALLERT, GREG KELLY, GLORIA PAUL.
SYNOPSIS:
THE 'RULER' SENDS ONE OF HIS AGENTS NAMED LENATO TO EARTH TO MEET
WITH DR. VARNEY, A 'RULER' HENCHMAN A DEVISE A PLAN TO ELIMINATE
COMMANDO CODY. [SC]
-
Commando Cody [chapter 3] COSMIC VENGEANCE (filmed 1953)
30Jul55 NBC Sat
DIRECTED BY FRED C. BRANNON
WRITTEN BY RONALD DAVIDSON.
GUEST CAST:
I.STANFORD JOLLEY,GREGORY GAYE,ZON MURRAY,TOM STEELE,JOHN DAHEIM.
RECURRING CAST:
ALINE TOWNE, WILLIAM SCHALLERT, CRAIG KELLY, GLORIA PAUL.
SYNOPSIS:
COMMANDO CODY AND HIS ASSISTANTS MUST PREVENT THE 'RULER' FROM
RELEASING FATAL COSMIC DUST ON THE EARTH. [SC]

Commando Cody [chapter 4] NIGHTMARE TYPHOON (filmed 1953)
06Aug55 NBC Sat
DIRECTED BY HARRY KELLER
WRITTEN BY RONALD DAVIDSON
GUEST CAST:
LYLE TALBOT, JOHN CRAWFORD, WILLIAM FAWCETT, PAUL LIVERMORE.
RECURRING CAST:
ALINE TOWNE, GLORIA PAUL, GREGORY GAYE, RICHARD CRANE, CRAIG KELLY.
SYNOPSIS:
COMMANDO CODY AND HIS ASSISTANT DICK PRESTON MUST COME UP WITH A
COUNTER PLAN TO STOP THE 'RULER'FROM CREATING MORE DESTRUCTIVE FLOODS
AND TYPHOONS THROUGHOUT THE EARTH'S INHABITENCE. [SC]

Commando Cody [chapter 5] WAR OF THE SPACE GIANTS (filmed 1953)
13Aug55 NBC Sat
DIRECTED BY FRANKLIN ADREON
WRITTEN BY RONALD DAVIDSON.
GUEST CAST:
LYLE TALBOT, BILL HENRY, RICK VALLIN, KEITH RICHARDS.
RECURRING CAST:
ALINE TOWNE, GREGORY GAYE, WILLIAM SCHALLERT.
SYNOPSIS:
COMMANDO CODY MUST STOP THE 'RULER' FROM DROPPING GERM CAPSULES FROM
THE PLANET SATURN THROUGH THE COSMIC DUST BLANKET ON EARTH. [SC]

Commando Cody [chapter 6] DESTROYERS OF THE SUN (filmed 1953)
20Aug55 NBC Sat
DIRECTED BY HARRY KELLER
WRITTEN BY RONALD DAVIDSON
GUEST CAST:
LYLE TALBOT, JOHN CRAWFORD, KENNETH MACDONALD, MARSHALL REED,
GRANT WITHERS, JOHN DAHEIM, TOM STEELE,
RECURRING CAST:
ALINE TOWNE, CRAIG KELLY, WILLIAM SCHALLERT.
SYNOPSIS:
THE 'RULER' DEVELOPES AN ATOMIC DEVICE TO BLOT OUT THE SUN ON EARTH.
COMMANDO CODY MUST FIND A WAY TO DESTROY THE WEAPON THAT IS CAUSING
HAVOC ON EARTH. [SC]

Commando Cody [chapter 7] ROBOT MONSTER FROM MARS (filmed 1953)
27Aug55 NBC Sat
DIRECTED BY FRANKLIN ADREON
WRITTEN BY RONALD DAVIDSON
GUEST CAST:
LYLE TALBOT, KENNETH MACDONALD, JOHN CASON, SANDY SANDERS.
RECURRING CAST:
ALINE TOWNE, GREGORY GAYE, GLORIA PAUL, WILLIAM SCHALLERT.
SYNOPSIS:
THE 'RULERS' AGENTS CAPTURE COMMANDO CODY'S ASSISTANT, TED RICHARDS
AND CARRY HIM OFF TO A SECRET OUT SPACE HEADQUARTERS. CODY MUST COME
UP WITH A PLAN TO RESCUE HIM. [SC]

Commando Cody [chapter 8] THE HYDROGEN HURRICANE (filmed 1953)
03Sep55 NBC Sat
DIRECTED BY HARRY KELLER
WRITTEN BY BARRY SHIPMAN.
GUEST CAST:
DENVER PYLE, KENNETH MACDONALD, MARSHALL REED, PETER ORTIZ,
KEITH RICHARDS.
RECURRING CAST:
ALINE TOWNE, WILLIAM SCHALLERT, RICHARD CRANE, CRAIG KELLY.
SYNOPSIS:
COMMANDO CODY BELIEVES THAT TEH 'RULER' IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CAUSING
A SERIES OF HYDOGEN HURRICANES THAT THREATEN TO DESTROY THE EARTH. [SC]

Commando Cody [chapter 9] SOLAR SKY RAIDERS (filmed 1953)
10Sep55 NBC Sat

Commando Cody [chapter 10] S.O.S. ICE AGE (filmed 1953)
17Sep55 NBC Sat
DIRECTED BY FRANKLIN ADREON.
WRITTEN BY BARRY SHIPMAN
GUEST CAST:
BILL HENRY, RICK VALLIN, LYLE TALBOT.
RECURRING CAST:
ALINE TOWNE, WILLIAM SCHALLERT, GREGORY GAYE, GLORIA PAUL,
GREG KELLY.
SYNOPSIS:
THE 'RULER' CONSIEVES A PLOT TO COUPLE THE EARTH AND SATURN CAUSING
QUAKES AND CATASTROPHIC CLIMATE CHANGES. COMMANDO CODY AND HIS
ASSISTANTS MUST FIND A WAY TO STOP THIS DIABOLICAL SCHEME. [SC]

Commando Cody [chapter 11] LOST IN OUTER SPACE (filmed 1953)
24Sep55 NBC Sat

Commando Cody [chapter 12] CAPTIVES OF THE ZERO HOUR (filmed 1953)
(final chapter)
08Oct55 NBC Sat

"Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe" was the only one of the
Republic Sci-Fi Serials that was televised by NBC
(summer of 55).  The other serials were only shown in syndication. 

The serials served as the inspiration for the comic book that became the
film, 'The Rocketeer'.

####### Republic Sci-Fi Serials #############
################# the end ##################
##############################################

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