Radar Men from the Moon (1952)

User Rating:

3.8/10   

Director:

Fred C. Brannon

Writer:

Ronald Davidson (written by)

Release Date:

9 January 1952 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

HILLS OF DEATH! SUPER-SCIENCE STRUGGLE!

Plot:

Strategic targets on Earth are being destroyed by an unknown weapon. Government security head Henderson...

Plot Keywords:

Moon | Rocket | Commando | Invasion Of Earth | Chase

Cast

George Wallace	...	Commando Cody
Aline Towne	...	Joan Gilbert
Roy Barcroft	...	Retik, Ruler of the Moon
William Bakewell	...	Ted Richards (Cody's lab assistant)
Clayton Moore	...	Graber - Henchman
Peter Brocco	...	Krog
Robert R. Stephenson	...	Daly (Graber's Henchman) (as Bob Stevenson)
Don Walters	...	Mr. Henderson
Tom Steele	...	Zerg
Dale Van Sickel	...	Alon
Wilson Wood	...	Hank (Cody's Pilot)
Noel Cravat	...	Robal
Baynes Barron	...	Nesor, Retik's Lab Aide [Ch.2]
Paul McGuire	...	Bream
Ted Thorpe	...	Al's Cafe Bartender [Ch. 6, 7, 12]

Also Known As:

Planet Men from Mars (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

167 min (12 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Certification:

USA:Approved | USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Filming Locations:

Iverson Ranch, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Republic Pictures (I)

Trivia:

During a fight scene between George Wallace as Commando Cody and Clayton Moore as the villain Graber, Wallace zigged when he should have zagged, and Moore connected with him and broke his nose.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Ordering the rocket ship to turn around the pilot is told to make a "quick 360" turn. In fact, a 360 turn would simply turn the ship completely around in a circle to resume it's present course.

Quotes:

[Commando Cody, Ted, and Joan are about to board ship for the moon]
Commando Cody: I still think this is no trip for a woman.
Joan Gilbert: Now don't start that again. You'll be very glad to have someone along who can cook your meals.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Corpse Vanishes (#2.4)" (1989)

Great 50's Serial

This is a great example of the B&W serials from the 50's. If your interested in seeing what the old movie serials from the 50's looked like, this is a perfect example, and it is fun to watch.Sure by todays standards the special effects and acting are a little ham-fisted and archaic, but remember this is from 1951 to 52 before TV even took hold.

Radar Men has a good story that keeps you interested episode after episode. The special effects are great for the time period. Cool space gadgets, a full size rocket ship, modeIs galore. You can't ask for more. The acting is passable with some great emoting on the close- ups. I recommend catching it if you can. It is out on dvd now. I picked it up in a box set of hokey sci-fi from Platinum disc corporation.