Production
Radar Men from the Moon was budgeted at $172,840 although the final negative cost was $185,702 (a $12,862, or 7.4%, overspend). It was the most expensive Republic serial of 1952. It was filmed between 17 October and 6 November 1951 under the working title Planet Men from Mars. The serial's production number was 1932.
However the numbers may look, in practice the budget was so tight that there was no stunt double for lead actor George Wallace. His nose was broken while filming a fight with Clayton Moore. The actor was also suspended (by lying on a board with the rocket suit's jacket closed around it) in front of a rear projection screen for some flying shots. Wallace performed his own take-offs by jumping onto a springboard that would send him over the camera.
The serial is heavily padded with footage from King of the Rocket Men, to which this was a pseudo-sequel. A repainted Juggernaut from Undersea Kingdom is also used. Radar Men from the Moon shows space to be brightly lit and the characters walking on the moon in normal gravity without a suit. The exterior of Commando Cody's office is really the Republic Pictures office.
Two helmets were used for the Commando Cody costume, with a lighter version for use in the stunt scenes. The visors of the helmets would always get stuck.
Read more about this topic: Radar Men From The Moon
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