Another Forgotten Science Fiction Hero -Rocky Jones Space Ranger

I was told about this show by my grandfather. In whose words,"We had all the stuff on television that they have in Star Trek. Take Rocky Jones." My grandfather has long since passed may God rest his soul. However over Christmas a cousin reminded me of the conversation. With so many games like X plorers & Thousand Suns, etc. coming out I thought I'd take a look at this show.

Because the television show was done in the film format the show survives even today. According to wiki:

Rocky Jones, Space Ranger is a syndicated science fiction television serial originally broadcast in 1954. The show lasted for only two seasons and, though syndicated sporadically, dropped into obscurity. But because it was recorded on film rather than being broadcast live as were most other TV space operas of the day, it has survived in reasonably good condition. The film format also allowed more elaborate special effects and sets, exterior scenes and much better continuity.

There were some other elements we see in Star Trek, & even the high class movies with all the CGI we have today. Again wiki :
By today's standards for television science fiction, the Rocky Jones serials seem crude and simplistic. But for its time, years before humans first journeyed into space, the sets, props, and optical effects were remarkably well done. Indeed, many of the effects that became standard sci-fi fare, such as the forward view screen and automatically opening doors were seen first on Rocky Jones.
The plot was reasonable  for its fare as well 

The show was based on the exploits of clean-cut, square-jawed Rocky Jones, the best known of the Space Rangers. These were Earth-based space policemen who patrolled the United Worlds of the Solar System in the not-too-distant future. Rocky and his crew would routinely blast-off in a V-2-like chemically-fueled, upright rocketship, the Orbit Jet XV-2, or later the nearly identical Silver Moon XV-3, on missions to moons and planetoids where the odds of success seemed remote yet they would always prevail. Although they might destroy a rocketship full of unseen bad guys, their space pistols were never fired at people, and conflicts were always resolved with fist fights, as was typical of family fare at the time.

Although many strange worlds were visited, the alien characters usually spoke English and always appeared as normal humans, albeit in bizarre costumes and environments. The script-writers did not appear to know the difference between planets, moons, stars and constellations, so that the specific locations Rocky and his sidekicks visited are generally unknown to astronomers.

Half hour episodes were usually grouped into stories that consisted of three 'chapters' that were broadcast on successive weeks. A few of the stories were complete in one episode

Characters and actors

Rocky Jones

Played by veteran movie and television actor Richard Crane (June 6, 1918 – March 9, 1969), Rocky was the quintessential action hero – brave, strong, handsome, highly moral, and always ready to defend his beliefs with action. To the women of the stories he was irresistible--- even to arch villainess Cleolanta--- but there were no kisses or other physical displays.

Winky

Rocky's faithful co-pilot and sidekick, Winky was the upbeat comic relief to balance the always serious Rocky. Winky was played byScotty Beckett (October 4, 1929 – May 10, 1968), one of the original Our Gang comedy kids. The Winky character was replaced by Biffen Cardoza (James Lydon) after 26 episodes when Beckett was unavailable as he was serving time in jail for carrying a concealed weapon.

Vena Ray

Vena served as Rocky's pretty navigator and translator and was a strong female role model in some episodes. She was played by character actress Sally Mansfield (December 13, 1920 – January 28, 2001) who also appeared on The Andy Griffith Show, the Donna Reed Show, Bachelor Father, and others. Her fresh good looks, short skirt, and cross-your-heart uniform added a feminine balance and sex appeal to the rocket crew.

Bobby

Played by 10 year old Robert Lyden, Bobby got to live the dream of every youngster in the audience as he tagged along on Rocky's adventures. Bobby was the ward of Professor Newton, and no mention was ever made of his parents or origins.

Professor Newton

Played by Maurice Cass (October 12, 1884 – June 8, 1954), Professor Newton could always be counted on to provide the scientific explanation for the fantastic events that unfolded, and although elderly, he would often accompany the spaceship crew on their adventures. He had his own observatory which looked like the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. The character of Professor Newton was replaced by Professor Mayberry upon Cass' death in 1954.

Secretary Drake

As the head of the Office of Space Affairs and the Space Rangers, Secretary Drake was a father figure to Rocky and his crew, and to him Rocky was like his own son. Secretary Drake was played by Charles Meredith (August 27, 1894 - November 28, 1964)

Cleolanthe

Another strong female role, the beautiful but evil Cleolanthe, played by Patsy Parsons (June 9, 1931 - October 26, 2006), was the ruler of Ophiuchius and governed her planet wearing a low-cut evening gown and tiara. Cleolanthe was usually the force behind the troubles that befell the United Worlds, but secretly had a crush on Rocky. She often berated her henchmen for not measuring up to him.

Pinto Vortando

Pinto was a seedy, unshaven space rogue whose presence usually meant trouble for Rocky. As played by Ted Hecht (February 17, 1908 - June 24, 1969), he looked somewhat like an outer-space version of Gunsmoke's later character Festus Haggen.

Bovarro

Lived with his wife and young son on the moon Posita which was one of the two "gypsy moons" (the surviving moon was called Nagato) due to crash into Ophiucius in the three episode adventure : Crash of the Moons. Played by John Banner (January 28, 1910 – January 28, 1973), who went on to considerable fame as the bumbling Sgt. Schultz on the long-running TV series Hogan's Heroes.

Ranger Clark

One of Rocky's fellow Rangers. Ranger Clark operated the refueling space station O.W.9. Ranger Clark was played by William Hudson(January 24, 1925 - April 5, 1974)

To look at the show now is very odd. There was some really weird behind the scenes history on the show. It had very checked history right out of the gate. Again according to Wiki :

The pilot was screened on September 29, 1952. Although the premise showed potential, several characters were recast, including Vena Ray and Secretary Drake. With the new cast finally in place and screenplays prepared for the first 26 episodes, filming began in October 1953 and continued until April 1954. An all out merchandising blitz began during this time. Wrist watches, wallets complete with space dollars, badges, buttons, records and clothing were produced to promote the show. A Rocky Jones, Space Ranger comic book was issued by Charlton. Issues 15, 16, 17 and 18 of the ongoing title Space Adventures are devoted to Rocky's adventures. Rocky, Winky, Vena, Bobby and Cleolanthe appear prominently. The largest sponsor was the Gordon Baking Company, makers of Silvercup Bread, the original sponsor of the Lone Ranger radio and television series.

The series finally premiered the week of Monday, February 22, 1954 at various days and times on stations across the United States. Unfortunately, off screen issues began almost immediately. In February 1954 Scotty Beckett was arrested for possessing a weapon after being implicated in an armed robbery at the Cavalier Hotel in Hollywood, CA. After posting bail he fled to Mexico where he encountered more problems for writing bad checks and more weapons charges. After a gun battle with local police he was incarcerated for four months and did not return to the United States until September 1954. By then the character of Winky was written out of the show, replaced by Biffen Cardoza (James Lydon). After filming of the initial 26 episodes ended, Maurice Cass died of a heart attack on June 8, 1954. An additional 13 episodes were ordered, and filming took place between August and October 1954. Lydon continued to play Biffen Cardoza, and Professor Newton was replaced by Professor Marberry (Reginald Sheffield), while regular villainess Cleolanthe, Suzerain of Ophiuchius (Patsy Parsons) was replaced by Juliandra, Suzerain of Herculon (Ann Robinson). No further episodes were ordered, and the series ended after 39 episodes. Here's a fast episode guide & most of the show is available on VHS or DVD 

Episode Broadcast Guide

Story name	Chapters	First chapter air date	Alternate title
"Beyond The Curtain Of Space"	3	February 23, 1954	"Beyond The Moon"
"Rocky's Odyssey"	3	March 16, 1954	"Gypsy Moon"
"Bobby's Comet"	3	April 6, 1954	"Menace From Outer Space"
"Escape Into Space"	1	April 27, 1954
"The Pirates Of Prah"	3	May 4, 1954	"Manhunt In Space"
"Silver Needle In The Sky"	3	May 25, 1954	"Duel In Space"
"The Forbidden Moon"	3	June 16, 1954	"Forbidden Moon"
"Crash Of Moons"	3	July 6, 1954	"Crash Of The Moons"
"Kip's Private War"	1	July 27, 1954
"Blast Off"	3	August 3, 1954
"The Cold Sun"	3	August 24, 1954
"Inferno In Space"	3	September 14, 1954	"The Magnetic Moon"
"Vena And The Darnamo"	1	October 5, 1954
"Out Of This World"	3	October 12, 1954	"Robot Of Regalio"
"The Trial Of Rocky Jones"	3	November 2, 1954	"Renegade Satellite"

There were two movies made from the show as well.

Two of the edited movies, Manhunt in Space and Crash of the Moons, were lampooned on the cult hit comedy show Mystery Science Theater 3000. All of the episodes are available on DVD and VHS.  

For Human Space Empires Stats   Orbit Jet XV-2

    

Crew: 5 

Weight : 45 tones 

Propulsion system : Atomic/Ion Drive system 

Weapons: none 

Communications : Ansile mark 1 

Silver Moon XV-3

 

Crew:5 

Weight : 45 tones 

Propulsion system : Atomic/Ion Drive system 

Weapons: none 

Communications : Ansile mark 1 

For more information on the Space Ranger Class please visit Here In Human Space Empire

 

Rocky Jones 4th level astronaut 

Winky 3rd level astronaut 

Rocky's faithful co-pilot and sidekick

Vena Ray 4th level astronaut or 3rd level adventurer 

Professor Newton 4th level scientist 

Bobby 0 level astronaut in training 

Space Station 140 people/crew - facilities for 6 space craft  

For more information on this old vintage show visit Here