This was originally filmed as a TV series, but contractual obligations forced Republic Pictures to give a theatrical release before allowing it to be broadcast on TV. Because episodes don't end in "cliffhangers," some serial "purists" refuse to accept it into the serial canon. Unlike short subject series, the episodes follow a definite story arc, which becomes incomprehensible to the viewer if shown out of order. Post-1948 films were shown on early-to-mid 1950s TV, often while still being available for theatrical showings as well. The mass syndication of postwar product by Republic Pictures resulted in many theaters boycotting the distributor. The records of the New York State Censorship Board at the New York State Archives clearly show that all twelve episodes of this serial were submitted for approval and licensing for theatrical exhibition in that state in 1953.
The band Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen takes part of its name from this serial. The band was once signed to the second Paramount Records, once a division of Paramount Pictures, which now owns the serial through its ownership of the Republic library. Olive Films released the serial under license from Paramount on DVD in 2016.
Photograph in Commando Cody's Graphite headquarters is of Roy Barcroft.
There is some controversy among scholars of movie serials whether this is a serial or a television series. "Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe" (CC:SMotU) 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 "chapter number" and title, the episodes of CC:SMotU 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.
During the lengthy break between filming the first three and last nine episodes, Republic shot another Rocket Man serial, Zombies of the Stratosphere (1952). By the time work resumed on the Sky Marshal series, William Schallert was no longer available. He was replaced by Richard Crane who played a different character, "Dick Preston". Richards' absence was explained when Cody said he had been reassigned.