King of the Rocketmen Movie Review

Mystery villain Dr. Vulcan is knocking off eminent scientists, so researcher Jeff King (Tristam Coffin, a mustachioed actor often seen in bad-guy roles) fights back in disguise, using a newly invented jet backpack and metal mask to become the flying hero Rocket Man. Twelve-chapter Republic serial created the simple but way-cool Rocket Man costume later reused in non-sequel serials Radar Men from the Moon and Zombies of the Stratosphere, and, of course, inspired The Rocketeer. Action is lively, if a bit on the low-budget side (Dr. Vulcan's lavish death-ray mayhem is actually composed of clips from the vintage disaster flick Deluge), but flying scenes, done using a mannequin on cables, are pretty good for the era. Later released as a feature titled Lost Planet Airmen.

1949 156m/B Tristram Coffin, Mae Clarke, I. Stanford Jolley; D: Fred Brannon. VHS, LV MED, VCN, REP