Introduction

Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe (or, informally, Commando Cody) is a 1953 twelve-chapter movie serial from Republic Pictures, which began life as a proposed syndicated television series. It consists of twelve 25-minute sequential episodes directed by Harry Keller, Franklin Adreon, and Fred C. Brannon. It stars Judd Holdren, Aline Towne, Gregory Gaye, William Schallert, Richard Crane, and Craig Kelly.

Originally intended to be broadcast on television as a 12-episode weekly series, Sky Marshall was first released theatrically in 1953 as a 12-chapter weekly serial; it was syndicated to television on NBC in 1955. The Commando Cody character was first introduced in Republic’s earlier serial Radar Men from the Moon (1952), with actor George Wallace in the title role. Judd Holdren first played the Commando Cody character in Zombies of the Stratosphere (also 1952), but was renamed Larry Martin for this follow-up serial.

Outline

Knowing that Commando Cody’s spaceship has special equipment that allows it to pass back and forth through the cosmic dust blanket that protects the Earth, The Ruler comes up with a plan to steal the ship and use its technology to build a fleet of ships with the same capability, thereby enabling him to finally invade and conquer the Earth. He sends a spy posing as a defector to convince Cody to travel to the planet Mercury, which is occupied by The Ruler, and take over the ship on the way there and deliver it – and Cody – to The Ruler.

Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe Series

A full index and overview of Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe can be found here.

Production & Filming Details

• Release Date: 24 September 1955.
• Running time: 25 minutes (per episode), 30 minutes with adverts.
• Rating: Unknown.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

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