Commander USA's Groovie Movies

Commander USA, Legion of Decency, retired. The only super hero I could relate to. I don't even have the excuse that I was an adolescent when I discovered him. But in spite of or because of my age, I loved those bits during the movies. I wasn't interested in the movies, just the Commander.

The Commander was not only an action hero, he had an artistic side. The Commander loved whipping up one of his culinary masterpieces in a blender, usually featuring his favorite ingredient, Head Cheese.

Of course, the Commander had to make a living. While he endorsed some peculiar products, who could resist the Commander's $14.95 specials? The Commander had a number of guests on the show and generally, they were stranger than he was. He was occasionally befuddled but always at ease. If something didn't work out as planned, "What the heck, have some Head Cheese." An attitude we would all be wise to adopt.

I also think the Commander had a hand in the beginning of the cigar craze. It seemed that his ubiquitous cigar was the highest quality item of his wardrobe. No disrespect intended, but one wouldn't want to patronize the tailor who fitted his super suit.

And finally, Lefty, his right hand man.

Well, Commander, I know you've moved on to bigger and better things but for the loyal viewers of the show (and it is reassuring to know that I was not the only one) you have never been better. With all the remakes and return tos, why not one feature length film starring, Commander USA?

Wow, back in the days when USA network had no illusions or delusions of grandeur, there was a little show...a show called Commander USA's Groovie Movies. Before UP all night, and whatever other crapola the network came up with. We had blue collar Super Hero, Commander USA, a regular joe in the mold of Schneider (One Day at a Time), Cliff Clavin (Cheers) and maybe even a little Dennis Farina. The Commander would show us the only movies USA could get (bad bad ones) from the safety of his hidden bunker. Classics like Vampire Circus, old Buck Rogers serials, and so many I can't remember....all broadcast on that dazzling new medium, Cable Television. I have a lot of fond memories of this show, it came on Saturday afternoon, right after the regular gamut of cartoons, and my brothers and I would watch raptly as Commander and his sidekick Lefty would show us goony movies we might never have discovered on our own. Surpassed only in later years by Mystery Science Theater 3000, this was THE show for me, chock full of sci-fi, horror, and whatever else the commander could get his red gauntleted hands on. There were little comedy bits in between the lousy, but still often scary, flicks...and they were FUNNY. Whether it was the commander waxing poetic about his super hero cronies, or often weirder stuff, the bizarre sense of humor exhibited by the show was a primary factor in warping my fragile young mind.

We miss ya Commander...Oh Commander, My commander! Peace.

It makes me said to think of what The USA Network was, and what it's become today. So many AWESOME shows, and films were shown on that channel back in the middle 80's through early 90's, and Commander USA's Groovy movies was a HUGE part of that.

I loved The Commander's goofy antics and lame jokes, as well as all of the great, cheesy, brilliant, and hilarious films he showed. I saw "C.H.U.D" (1984) for the 1st time on Commander USA in 1987. Something I never forgot. He also showed GREAT films like "The Children", "It's Alive", "Friday the 13th Part 3", "They Still Call Me Bruce", "The Death of Bruce Lee", "Student Bodies" and so many more.

Sure, The USA Network played a lot of these films on Saturday Nightmares, and Up All night as well, but it didn't mattered, as they didn't show the same movie EVERY day.

Now adays, all The USA Network shows is Law & Order and NCIS. I swear that's 18 hours of their daily programming. The other 6 hours is paid programming, except for Monday when the show WWF wrestling.

I'd kill to have the 80's programming back! I wish this would be released on DVD! I'd buy it in a heartbeat because you can't put a price on my memories! I'd love to relive these days again! I'd kill for television like this again! "Commander USA! Soaring Super Hero. Legion of decency, retired"

Ah, my first taste of Hammer Horror films... my first encounter with Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, and Lon Chaney, Jr. Thank you, Commander USA! This show was a major part of my formative years, well before I discovered Mystery Science Theater 3000. I'm now a horror writer. Go figure. If only they could bring him back!

I loved "Commander USA's Groovie Movies." I saw some of the most twisted films at a very young age on that program. Where can I get a copy of the programs? I remember seeing a film with a caveman-like creature hunting people in the woods and they defeated the creature with a trap that consisted of a log with spikes. I miss the program and wish they would play them occasionally late at night on USA.