The novelty of this Republic serial is the nifty atomic rocket backpack that sends our hero, Commando Cody, flying through his adventures, literally. The costume first appeared in King of the Rocketmen (1949). The Commando Cody name begins with this serial, Rader Men From the Moon, which does have a cool futuristic military ring to it. Stuntman Dave Sharpe doubled for Tristram Coffin in King and George Wallis took over the backpack for Rader Men. I am not sure who stunt doubled for him.
Looking to create a character that would be as impressionable (aka marketable) as Spy Smasher, Captain America, and Captain Marvel, Republic used the tagline Commando Cody, Sky Marshall of the Universe–ditto on the cool futuristic military ring. What little kid wouldn’t want a rocket backpack to fly around the house in? The costume reappears in Zombies of the Stratosphere, where more space aliens threaten earth, particularly one notable screen newbie who wound up in a starship later on: Leonard Nimoy.
Choosing the Commando Cody name is explained in Jack Mathis’s Valley of the Cliffhangers.
Entitled Planet Men From Mars until four months prior to production, the serial underwent more basic changes than the alteration from marturiam to lunarium for the ray-gun-powering element, and these primarily dealt with the leading character who was originally called Larry Martin. From a list of names submitted to associate producer Franklin Adreon, Republic prexy Herbert J. Yates chose “Commando” from one entry and “Cody” from another to form his composite choice “not only for this serial but for several more to come.” Through Adreon, all studio personnel were advised of the importance of this creation, which was to be promoted in theaters and on television as well as being capitalized on via the marketing of such items as ray guns and flying suits manufactured under the Commando Cody label.
