CTVA
The Classic TV Archive - US
Sci-Fi series
Movie
Archive -
US
Cliffhanger Serials
"Mascot/Republic Pictures"
Sci-Fi / Super-Hero Cliffhanger Serials
(1936-53)
Episode Guide
compiled by
The Classic TV Archive
with contributions by:
Sal Crisanti
references:
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (http://www.us.imdb.com)
Between 1936 and 1955 Republic Pictures produced 66 Theatrical
Serials of various Genres
- Western / Jungle Adventure / Crime-Spy Adventure / Science Fiction / Canadian
Mounty adventure
Normally around 12-15 chapters by approx 15-20 min
Republic was one of the first Hollywood studios to offer its film library
to television. In 1951 Republic
established a subsidiary, Hollywood Television Service, to sell screening rights
in its vintage westerns
and action thrillers. Hollywood Television Service also produced
television shows filmed in the same style
as Republic's serials such as The Adventures of Fu Manchu (1956).
Also, in 1952 the Republic studio lot
became the first home of MCA's series factory, Revue Productions. While it would
appear that Republic was
well suited for television-series production, it did not have the finances or
vision to do so. Yet by the
mid-fifties, thanks to its sale of old features and leasing of studio space to
MCA, television was the prop
holding up Republic Pictures. During this period, Republic produced
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe;
unsuccessful as a theater release, the 12-part serial was later sold to NBC for
television distribution.
Talent-agent MCA exerted influence at the studio, bringing some high-paid
clients in for occasional features,
and it was rumored at various times that either MCA or deposed MGM head Louis B.
Mayer would buy the studio
outright. From 1954-1955, Republic produced Stories of the Century,
starring and narrated by Jim Davis.
The syndicated series was the first western to win an Emmy Award.
Thirty Second Doom Trailer
Mascot Serial
#27: The Phantom Empire (1935)
(12 chapters) Genre: Western / Science fiction
Directed by Otto Brower and B. Reeves Eason
Starring Gene Autry
Republic Serial #2. Undersea Kingdom (1936)
Genre: Science Fiction.
Undersea Kingdom was intended to rival Universal's Flash Gordon & the star of
the serial was named Crash Corrigan
because it sounded similar to Flash Gordon.
The serial is parodied in the Star Trek: Voyager episode; The Adventures of
Captain Proton.
ctva Playlist - Undersea Kingdom (1936) (12 Chapters) - "ThrillingWonderLLC"
Republic Serial #7. S.O.S. Coast Guard (1937)
Genre: Maritime & Science Fiction.
Republic Serial #10. The Fighting Devil Dogs (1938)
Genre: Science Fiction.
The Fighting Devil Dogs features The Lightning, the very first costumed
supervillain.
Republic Serial #20. Mysterious Doctor Satan (1940)
Genre: Superhero.
Originally intended as a Superman serial but DC Comics withdrew permission
because of changes Republic
incorporated into their character's backstory. This was the first original
Superhero film.
Republic Serial #21. Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941)
A 'Republic' Super-Hero Serial (released 28-Mar-1941)
Associate Producer Hiram S. Brown Jr.
Directed by John English, William Witney
"Captain Marvel" created by Bill Parker & C.C. Beck
Original Screenplay by Ronald Davidson, Norman S. Hall, Arch B. Heath, Joseph
Poland, Sol Shor
12 Chapters x approx 18 min (Total Length 216 min)
Starring
Tom Tyler as Captain America
Adventures of Captain Marvel - Trailer
Captain Marvel #1. Curse of the Scorpion (1941)
Captain Marvel #2. The Guillotine (1941)
Captain Marvel #3. Time Bomb (1941)
Captain Marvel #4. Death Takes the Wheel (1941)
Captain Marvel #5. The Scorpion Strikes (1941)
Captain Marvel #6. Lens of Death (1941)
Captain Marvel #7. Human Targets (1941)
Captain Marvel #8. Boomerang (1941)
Captain Marvel #9. Dead Man's Trap (1941)
Captain Marvel #10. Doom Ship (1941)
Captain Marvel #11. Valley of Death (1941)
Captain Marvel #12. Captain Marvel's Secret (1941)
Synopsis:
Based on the Fawcett Comics character 'Captain Marvel'. This serial was the
first film adaptation of a
comic book superhero.
On a scientific expedition to Siam young Billy Batson is given the ability to
change himself into the
super-powered Captain Marvel by the wizard Shazam, who tells him his powers will
last only as long as
the Golden Scorpion idol is threatened. Finding the idol, the scientists realize
it could be the most
powerful weapon in the world and remove the lenses that energize it,
distributing them among themselves
so that no one would be able to use the idol by himself. Back in the US, Billy
Batson, as Captain Marvel,
wages a battle against an evil, hooded figure, the Scorpion, who hopes to
accumulate all five lenses,
thereby gaining control of the super-powerful weapon. [DS]
Republic Serial #31. The Masked Marvel (1943)
Genre: Superhero.
The Masked Marvel is a reverse of the 'old mystery villain theme.' The identity
of the Masked Marvel is
kept secret from the audience until the last chapter.
Republic Serial #32. Captain America (1944)
A 'Republic' Super-Hero Serial (released 5-Feb-1944)
Associate Producer William J. O'Sullivan
Directed by John English, Elmer Clifton
"Captain America" created by Jack Kirby & Joe Simon
Written by:
Royal Cole, Harry Fraser, Joseph Poland, Ronald Davidson, Basil Dickey, Jesse
Duffy, Grant Nelson
15 Chapters x approx 16 min (Total Length 244 min)
Starring
Dick Purcell as Captain America / Grant Gardner
Lorna Gray as Gail Richards
Return of Captain America -1944 Trailer-
Captain America #1. The Purple Death (1944)
Captain America #2. Mechanical Executioner (1944)
Captain America #3. Scarlet Shroud (1944)
Captain America #4. Preview of Murder (1944)
Captain America #5. Blade of Wrath (1944)
Captain America #6. Vault of Vengeance (1944)
Captain America #7. Wholesale Destruction (1944)
Captain America #8. Cremation in the Clouds (1944)
Captain America #9. Triple Tragedy (1944)
Captain America #10. The Avenging Corpse (1944)
Captain America #11. The Dead Man Returns (1944)
Captain America #12. Horror on the Highway (1944)
Captain America #13. Skyscraper Plunge (1944)
Captain America #14. The Scarab Strikes (1944)
Captain America #15. The Toll of Doom(1944)
Premise / Background:
Very loosely based on the Timely Comics character 'Captain America'. Republic
was notorious for making
arbitrary changes in their adaptations. This occurred with Captain America more
than most.
Timely were unhappy with these changes & the wrangles went on so long that
Republic said the serial was
well into production and they could not return to the original concept without
expensive retakes and
dubbing. They also pointed out that they, Republic, was under no contractual
obligation to do so.
Superhero Captain America battles the evil forces of the archvillain called The
Scarab, who poisons
his enemies and steals a secret device capable of destroying buildings by sound
vibrations.
Republic Serial #36. Manhunt of Mystery Island (1945)
Genre: Science Fiction & Pirate.
Republic Serial #38. The Purple Monster Strikes (1945)
Genre: Science Fiction.
This was the first post-war science fiction serial. The Purple Monster costume
was re-used in
Flying Disc Man from Mars & Radar Men from the Moon.
Republic Serial #42. The Crimson Ghost (1946)
1946. Genre: Science Fiction.
Republic Serial #45. The Black Widow (1947)
1947. Genre: Science Fiction.
Republic Serial #51. King of the Rocket Men (1949)
["Rocket Man" Serial #1]
KING OF THE ROCKET MEN 1949 SERIAL TRAILER
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.
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
Republic Serial #54. The Invisible Monster (1950)
1950. Genre: Science Fiction.
Republic Serial #56. Flying Disc Man from Mars
(1950) ["Rocket Man" Serial #2]
(released 25 Oct 1950)
ctva Playlist - Flying Discman From Mars (12 Chapters) (1950) - "HenryJonesWest"
Flying Discman From Mars - Chapter 1 - Menace from Mars (1950)
Flying Discman From Mars - Chapter 2 - The Volcano's Secret (1950)
Flying Discman From Mars - Chapter 3 - Death Rides The Stratosphere (1950)
Flying Discman From Mars - Chapter 4 - Execution By Fire (1950)
Flying Discman From Mars - Chapter 5 - The Living Projectile (1950)
Flying Discman From Mars - Chapter 6 - Perilous Mission (1950)
Flying Discman From Mars - Chapter 7 - Descending Doom (1950)
Flying Discman From Mars - Chapter 8 - Suicide Sacrifice (1950)
Flying Discman From Mars - Chapter 9 - The Funeral Pyre (1950)
Flying Discman From Mars - Chapter 10 - Weapons of Hate (1950)
Flying Discman From Mars - Chapter 11 - Disaster On The Highway (1950)
Flying Discman From Mars - Chapter 12 - Volcanic Vengeance (conclusion) (1950)
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 1950 12 Chapters x 14 min (total 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.
Republic Serial #59. Radar Men from the Moon
(filmed late 1951)
["Rocket Man" Serial #3]
(release date 9 Jan 1952)
Introducing a New Character - Commando Cody
ctva Playlist - Radar Men from the Moon (Chapters 1 to 7) (1952) - "crashcorigan"
Radar Men from the Moon - Chapter 1 - Moon Rocket (1952)
Radar Men From The Moon - Chapter 2 - Molten Terror (1952)
Radar Men From The Moon - Chapter 3 - Bridge of Death (1952)
Radar Men From The Moon - Chapter 4 - Flight of Destruction (1952)
Radar Men From The Moon - Chapter 5 - Murder Car (1952)
Radar Men From The Moon - Chapter 6 - Hills of Death (1952)
Radar Men from the Moon - Chapter 7 - Camouflage of Destruction (1952)
Radar Men from the Moon - Chapter 8 - The Enemy Planet(1952)
Radar Men from the Moon - Chapter 9 - Battle in the Stratosphere (1952)
Radar Men from the Moon - Chapter 10 - Mass Execution (1952)
Radar Men from the Moon - Chapter 11 - Planned Pursuit (1952)
Radar Men from the Moon - Chapter 12 - Death of the Moon Man (conclusion) (1952)
Republic Pictures Corporation
Executive Producer Herbert J. Yates, Produced by Franklin Adreon
Written by Ronald Davidson.
Directed by Fred C. Brannon
US theatrical sci-fi serial 1952 12 chapters 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
With:
Ted Thorpe .... Al, cafe manager
Dick Cogan .... Passing Motorist on Dirt Road
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.
Republic Serial #60. Zombies of the Stratosphere (1952)
["Rocket Man" Serial #4]
(release date 16 July 1952)
Republic Pictures Corporation
executive producer Herbert J. Yates
produced by Franklin Adreon
Directed by Fred C. Brannon
Written by Ronald Davidson
Zombies of the Stratosphere (trailer)
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.
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe
(1953)
["Rocket Man" Serial #5]
Republic Pictures Corporation /
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 Paul 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
There is some controversy among scholars of movie serials
whether this is a serial or a television series.
It was originally intended as a TV series, but contractual obligations forced
Republic Pictures to give
it a theatrical release before allowing it to be broadcast on TV. While each
episode bears a "number" and
title, the episodes do not end in "cliffhangers", a hallmark of the classic
movie serial. Unlike TV series
of that period, though, the episodes are not completely self contained - they
follow a definite story arc,
and cannot be shown out of order and remain comprehensible to the viewer.
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe [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 anywhere in outer
space
"The Ruler" and his henchmen are determined to sabotage Cody's project. [SC]
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe [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, Craig Kelly, Gloria Paul.
Synopsis:
"The Ruler" sends one of his agents named Lenato to Earth to meet with Dr.
Varney
A 'Ruler' Henchman devises a plant to eliminate Commando Cody [SC]
-
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe [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 (John Day).
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: Sky Marshal of the Universe [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 inhabitants. [SC]
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe [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: Sky Marshal of the Universe [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 (John Day), Tom Steele,
Recurring Cast:
Aline Towne, Craig Kelly, William Schallert.
Synopsis:
"The Ruler" develops 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: Sky Marshal of the Universe [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 Ruler's" agents capture Commando Cody's assistant, Ted Richards and
carry him off
to a secret Space Headquarters. Cody must come up with a plan to rescue
him. [SC]
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe [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 "The Ruler" is responsible for causing a series
of Hydrogen hurricanes that threaten to destroy the Earth. [SC]
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe [chapter 9] SOLAR SKY RAIDERS (filmed 1953)
10Sep55 NBC Sat
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe [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, Craig Kelly.
Synopsis:
"The Ruler" conceives 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 this diabolical scheme. [SC]
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe [chapter 11] LOST IN OUTER SPACE (filmed 1953)
24Sep55 NBC Sat
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe [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 Serial #65. Panther Girl of the Kongo (1955)
1955. Genre: Jungle & Science Fiction.
To cut production costs stock footage from the 1941 serial Jungle Girl was used
& so the female lead
in Panther Girl of the Kongo wore a duplicate costume. Meaning Republic's last
female lead wore the
same costume as its first.
####### Republic Sci-Fi Serials #############
################# the end ##################
##############################################
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