Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe

This 12-Part Show had a Complicated Beginning.

First Filmed as a TV Show, but the Contracts Fine-Print Required a Theatrical Release Before it Could be Shown on Television.

So it was Released to Theatres to Lackluster BO and Fan Indifference.

That was 1953.

Then in 1955 it was Shown On TV to the Delight of Kids and Kid-Like-Adults.

The Character of "Commando Cody" was Used in Multiple Serials with Varying Names, etc.

Although the Flying Suit and Helmet were Identical and have Since Become Iconic.

This 12-Parter did Not Follow the "Cliffhanger" Format with Each Episode Ending with a Joke or Light-Hearted Good-Bye.

This Irritates "Sticklers" and Purists among the "Serial-Chapter Play-Cliffhanger" Cult and most Refuse to Include it in the Ography.

It is a Better than Average Entertainment of its Type. With Good SFX, Impressive Hardware, and Outlandish Costumes.

The Visuals are Striking at Times with a Low-Budget Charm and Imagination that Fits Right In this Sort of Thing.

The "Serial" Format Began in the Silent Era and was Popular for 4 Decades.

But in the 1950's there was a "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" in Pop-Culture, with Rumblings and Changes in Music, Movies, and TV.

In Movie Theatres the Weekly Chapter-Plays were Abandoned, because of the Free-Format and Widely Available Type on the Tube.

But this is a Fitting Finale to the Genre because it Includes Eye-Popping Absurdities and a Ton-of-Fun for Low-Budget Affectionados.

Note: The "Rocket Man" was reincarnated for the little seen, underrated, and under-appreciated Movie "The Rocketeer" (1991).