The Further Adventures of Major Mars

Bob Burns stars in this brilliant send-up of 1940s Republic movie serials, a short film which really needs to see the light of day (and the darkness of theaters and living rooms) again!

He plays Major Mars, stalwart hero-scientist-adventurer, who uses his rocket-suit jet-pack with helmet to fly through the air and save people and pets from danger, like Commando Cody, King of the Rocketmen.

Unfortunately, his sidekick Sparky is always never around when he needs him to help him. Once, he said to me, "Don, where is Sparky? He always leaves when I need him!"

This was a joy to see on its premiere release at the 1976 Star Trek Equicon Convention, and was a favorite projected in 16mm at subsequent sci-fi film cons through 1980 or so. We saw it again at the 1979 Fantasy Con in San Jose, California, with Bob Burns in attendance, and dang! He even brought the Major Mars rocket suit with him! You can tell that the folks who hand-crafted this little gem had a wonderful time making it with loving care.

A delightful blend of sci-fi, fantasy, old movie serial clichés, action, campy comedy, with liberal doses of humor sprinkled throughout. I highly recommend it as a "selected short" subject! A well done effort by all concerned. What can I say but "Boffo Comedy Spoof!"

Oh, if only this were available on home video!!!

Tom Scherman was the auteur of the Further Adventures of Major Mars. There is no credit in IMDb page for Director or Cinematographer for the film. That was Tom. All the sets, special effects: that too was Tom. The props, the Major Mars rocket hat: Tom. It sits in Bob Burns amazing collection of movie memorabilia. It's sad that Tom's real contributions to the film have been minimized, if not usurped, by those who retained the film after Tom's death in 1994. The film was made in 1976. The newly added copyright on the credits say @2010. Those who were there, and saw the original 35mm print, know the truth; and, in my opinion, ought to speak up.