Lost Planet Airmen

"Lost Planet Airmen" was the 1951 theatrical feature derived from Republic's classic 1949 12-chapter serial "King of the Rocket Men," Tristram Coffin, the unlikely hero of Bela Lugosi's "The Corpse Vanishes," making for an even less likely serial hero, although the name Jeff King does allow the title to resonate despite its single Rocket Man. Evil mastermind Doctor Vulcan disguises himself as a trusted member of Science Associates, formulating curious accidents for several cohorts to capture their secrets, with only Dr. Millard (James Craven) surviving to carry on with his creation of an atomic powered suit that can turn an ordinary citizen into a jet propelled flying superhero. Coffin's Jeff King is essentially top security man, occasionally assisted by reporter Glenda Thomas (Mae Clarke), keeping the Rocket Man outfit in a nifty hiding place that no one would ever suspect, the trunk of his car! There are only five brief glimpses of Rocket Man in action, only one during the first half of this hour long compilation, which must be regarded as no patch on its source material. Mae Clarke was Queen of Universal for a short time during the early 30s but her star had fallen precipitously even before the 1940s, and this can safely be described as her last real meaty role, followed by dozens of unbilled bits until her 1970 retirement. Long forgotten today with the full serial easily available, this title now conjures up memories of a nostalgic group of musicians going by the lengthy moniker Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, who scored a huge hit with their 1972 cover of "Hot Rod Lincoln."

This old stinker makes the Flash Gordon movies look sophisticated. It's so terrible I love it, and I wish I could find a tape, but none of the catalogs I've checked list it. The rock band leader who calls himself Commander Cody must have loved it too, because he named his band after it.

Lost Planet Airmen was the first (yes, there was another in 1966 for a television package) feature version of Republic's 1949 12-chapter serial, King of the Rocket Men, one of no less than six (of of a total of 66 serials made by Republic between 1936 and 1956) titles involving "King of the...." The "King" was always the surname of the leading man, not a title, however.

Whoever came up with this great title I have no idea, but it is interesting to note that film has nothing to do with planets, lost or otherwise, and even the inclusion of the word "airmen" is somewhat dubious.

It's right up there with Plan 9 on the all-time list of 'bad' movies.

Yes this movie did lend its name to the great rock/swing band. I asked Commander Cody about the connection to the movie, noting that it was absolutely so bad it was great. A DJ with us cringed, expecting CC to be shocked that I'd dissed a movie he revered. Cody burst out laughing that the night he saw the movie in some dump hotel his band was so bad that he named it after the equally 'bad' movie then & there. "This was before I had Buffalo Bruce and Andy Stein and Bill Kirchen...we were TERRIBLE!"

And true, there is no lost planet.

The title is a misnomer; the story has almost no scientific value, and the AI in the film is idiotic. Other than that, this film is better than Space Odessey 2001. Beter to have been named Aliens and Cowboys.......wait, that's already been taken. Scientists and PHDs running around with 45s and getting in deadly car chases. Sure, that will happen when governments begin to take care of food shelter and clothing before national defense. Interesting as a historical joke.