History Film / KingOfTheRocketMen

** Rocket Man's launching and flying scenes are reused from earlier episodes. As well as these moments, ''Film/RadarMenFromTheMoon'' reuses the mid-air rescue and cave-melting scene.

* WhyDontYouJustShootHim: Some of these are justified, like when a bomb is about to go off and the villains are more interested in running for their life than finishing off the hero, but on one occasion Derkin captures King and leaves him with a single mook guarding him instead of shooting King dead on the spot. Needless to say, he escapes.

* NoEndorHolocaust: The Mayor of New York ends the film boasting that New York City will be rebuilt. I think we're supposed to assume that a CitywideEvacuation took place despite the fact that the populace had nowhere near enough time to do so.

This twelve-chapter FilmSerial was released by Creator/RepublicPictures on June 8, 1949. It's the first of the so-called "RocketMan" film serials, though this is the only one where the term is used to refer to the hero. For more such adventures see ''Film/RadarMenFromTheMoon'', ''Film/CommandoCodySkyMarshalOfTheUniverse'' and ''Film/ZombiesOfTheStratosphere'', not to mention the homage comic ''ComicBook/TheRocketeer'' and its [[Film/TheRocketeer 1991 film adaptation]].

This twelve-chapter FilmSerial was released by Creator/RepublicPictures on June 8, 1949. It's the first of the so-called "Rocket Man" film serials, though this is the only one where the term is used to refer to the hero. For more such adventures see ''Film/RadarMenFromTheMoon'', ''Film/CommandoCodySkyMarshalOfTheUniverse'' and ''Film/ZombiesOfTheStratosphere'', not to mention the homage comic ''ComicBook/TheRocketeer'' and its [[Film/TheRocketeer 1991 film adaptation]].

This twelve-chapter FilmSerial was released by Creator/RepublicPictures on June 8, 1949. It's the first of the so-called "Rocket Man" film serials, though this is the only one where the term is used to refer to the hero.

Someone is killing the top scientists in the country in suspicious accidents. Suspecting that the culprit may be a member of their own organization Science Associates, Professor Millard fakes his death and enlists the help of fellow scientist Jeff King, equipping him with a JetPack he's just invented. Together they seek to foil the plans of the mysterious Dr. Vulcan, and establish his identity before he unleashes a terrible fate on New York City.

* HotTopicPhlebotinum: The rocket suit is "atomic-powered", getting around the problem of how it has enough fuel. The idea of atomic-powered vehicles had already been suggested in the press in the 1940's, under the belief that the technology would one day get small enough for everyday use.

* BluffTheEavesdropper: After finding the hidden bug, King pretends to make a phone call to a contact, pretending he plans to illicitly sell a secret gadget. After listening to this on his bug, Vulcan sends Derkin to steal it, not knowing that King has placed a radio location transmitter in the package. Unfortunately Burt and Glenda overheard the phone call from outside the door and assume King is a DetectiveMole, nearly ruining the plan when they try to stop the package from being stolen.

* CardCarryingVillain: A title card in Chapter One establishes the villain from the get-go as "Dr. Vulcan -- Traitor".
* CapsLockNumLockMissilesLock: Jeff King has a chest mounted panel to control the direction and speed of his rocketsuit, but given the restrictive vision of his full-face helmet it's not clear how he could see it, and [[UnfinishedUntestedUsedAnyway he hasn't had time to memorize the position of the dials either]]. A [[SuperWristGadget wrist-mounted version]] would be more practical.

** In the first chapter the aerial torpedo (which for some reason is being transported [[NoOshaCompliance fully fueled and on a launching ramp]]) gets accidently launched towards a nearby city. Rocket Man chases after it and manages to destroy the MisguidedMissile with his RayGun, but the explosion knocks him out and the chapter ends with him falling to his death! ToBeContinued next week in Chapter 2: PLUNGING DEATH! [[spoiler:He recovers in time to stabilize his flight.]]

* IntrepidReporter: [[Creator/MaeClarke Glenda Thomas]] is a science magazine reporter investigating the sabotage, who soon finds herself on the case of the mysterious Rocket Man when she photographs him in flight. She's [[TheSquadette the only woman in the film]], as none of the Science Associates have the usual LovelyAssistant or MadScientistsBeautifulDaughter.

* MindControl: King and Burt think they've caught Dr. Vulcan red-handed stealing the plans for the Sonic Decimator from the safe, but realise he's been given a hypnotic sedative because he kept mumbling the safe combination as a MadnessMantra. However he's also muttering [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_Free_Delivery R.F.D. 48]], which they realise was the address where he was supposed to drop off the plans.
* TheMole: King and Millard quickly realise Dr. Vulcan must be a member of Science Associates due to his access to inside information. Unfortunately King's colleagues openly speculate that he's the Rocket Man, giving his association with Millard who was working on the rocket suit, putting King's life in danger.
* MoralMyopia: King describes the Sonic Decimator as "the most devastating weapon known to Man." Heedless of any apparent irony, another scientist asks what good the invention is to Man when it's just been destroyed. King then promises to build another one.

* NiceJobBreakingItHero: The villains steal the Sonic Decimator which can do incalculable damage in the wrong hands, as King notes. Fortunately it's destroyed, but then King goes ahead and builds another one instead of waiting till Dr. Vulcan is caught, which is then successfully stolen. Ostensibly this is so Dr. Vulcan can be lured out of hiding, but why not just fake something up? Derkin is hardly a scientist and wouldn't know the difference.
* NoEndorHolocaust: The Mayor of New York ends the film boasting the New York City will be rebuilt. I think we're supposed to assume that a CitywideEvacuation took place despite the fact that the populace had nowhere near enough time to do so.

* NoOneSeesTheBoss: Dr. Vulcan is seen only as a voice and a shadow on the wall, with only Derkin interacting with his boss directly. The mystery of his identity is the DrivingQuestion of much of the film.
* ObscuredSpecialEffects: There's always a car or raised ground in the way to hide the springboard when Rocket Man takes off.

** Even though Dr. Vulcan is assumed to be committing sabotage for--or selling information to--a foreign power, no-one suggests bringing in the FBI.

** The "finest police force in the land" is combing New York City for Dr. Vulcan. Turns out he doesn't even have to get near the place to use his DeathRay.

* PreviouslyOn: With title cards and cliffhanger recaps to bring the audience up to speed.

** Rocket Man uses a ray gun to shoot down the aerial torpedo, but presumably drops it when he's knocked unconscious because we don't see it again.
** The Sonic Decimator invented by Professor Millard, who demonstrates its ability to melt a bar of manganese steel.

* ScienceHero: Jeffrey King is the "rocket propulsion expert" of Science Associates, making him literally a rocket scientist. When he suggests that the deaths of the other members of the Science Associates were not accidental, they propose that he look into the matter instead of bringing in the authorities or hiring a private investigator. One of Dr. Vulcan's goons scoffs at the idea that he's a threat because "these science types are all brain and no brawn", but when King walks in on them riffling his files he quickly shows himself adept at GoodOldFisticuffs.
* SinisterSilhouettes: Dr. Vulcan is only shown as a shadow on the wall taunting his victims and instructing his mooks via radio, before his real identity is revealed. Unfortunately, he lacks an [[EvilSoundsDeep appropriately sinister voice]] to go with his shadow.* StockFootage:

** Rocket Man's launching and flying scenes are reused from earlier episodes. As well as this, ''Film/RadarMenFromTheMoon'' also reuses scenes such as the mid-air rescue and cave-melting.

* SurveillanceAsThePlotDemands: Dr. Vulcan has a device that shows him what his potential victims are up to, so he can engage in EvilGloating or warn his henchman of pursuit. Why he needs an IncrediblyObviousBug if he has this ability is not revealed.
* {{Tagline}}: "Watch "Rocket Man" sweep from the clouds to battle America's enemies!".

* {{Technobabble}}: Used when King and Millard are discussing the Sonic Decimator.
* TrainEscape: In Chapter 6, King is kidnapped by Vulcan's minions. Burt goes racing after him, only to get blocked off by stock footage of a train when Vulcan's mooks are able to drive across the crossroads in time.
* UnfinishedUntestedUsedAnyway: When Millard gives King his newly invented atomic rocketsuit, he advises him to test it first while keeping low to the ground. Then mooks steal the rocket that King is supposed to be guarding, driving off in the truck and immobilizing King's car, so he has to take the rocket suit out of the boot and go after them.
* WeNeedADistraction: Derkin deliberately trips the motion sensor in Millard's cave hideout. When King and Millard rush outside, they see one of Derkin's men racing off on a motorcycle and chase after him, leaving Derkin free to sneak in and steal the Sonic Decimator. Our heroes aren't happy about falling for one of TheOldestTricksInTheBook, but fortunately there's a tripwire that trips a camera, getting a photo of the license plate of Derkin's truck.
* WhyDontYouJustShootHim: Some of these are justified, like when a bomb is about to go off and Derkin is more interested in running for his life then finishing off the hero, but on one occasion he captures King and leaves him with a single mook guarding him instead of shooting King dead on the spot.

* FrameUp: King is holding Derkin at gunpoint when a hand wearing a distinctive signet ring reaches through the door and turns off the lights, enabling Derkin to escape. The ring is worn by Professor Conway, who [[NotHelpingYourCase doesn't help his case by drawing a gun and fleeing.]] However it's quickly revealed that Dr. Vulcan is another member of Science Associates who's convinced Conway that King is desperate for a scapegoat. Conway is convinced to take shelter with Derkin, who is making him write out a false confession at gunpoint until Rocket Man turns up to save him. Turns out the ring is one of many worn by members of a secret scientific fraternity club. Conway is about to name the other member of Scientific Associates who owns such a ring [[HisNameIs when Derkin throws a knife into his back.]]

* IdentityImpersonator: In "Mystery of the Rocket Man", Dr. Vulcan suspects that King is the Rocket Man, so has him kidnapped to see if Rocket Man will turn up to rescue him. Fortunately Millard has built another rocket suit, and does the required rescuing.
* InSeriesNickname: After he saves the city from a MisguidedMissile, our hero is dubbed The Rocket Man by the public and press.

** In Chapter 7, our heroes are trapped in a tunnel when the Sonic Decimator [[ItWontTurnOff jammed on]] and starts to melt the lava. We hear Glenda scream as they're apparently enveloped in molten lava! [[spoiler:King points out a nearby air shaft they somehow didn't see earlier and they escape through that. In fairness, its existence was foreshadowed when Derkin goes looking for one to make his own escape.]]

** Established from the first chapter. While fighting with a minion trying to steal the aerial torpedo (which for some reason is being transported fully fueled and on a launching ramp) it gets accidently launched towards a nearby city. Rocket Man shoots off after it and manages to destroy it with his RayGun, but the explosion knocks him out and the chapter ends with him falling to his death! ToBeContinued next week in Chapter 2: PLUNGING DEATH! [[Spoiler:He recovers in time to stabilise his flight.]]

* CapsLockNumLockMissilesLock: Jeff King has a chest mounted panel to control the direction and speed of his rocketsuit, but given the restrictive vision of helmet it's not clear how he could see it, given that [[UnfinishedUntestedUsedAnyway he hasn't had time to memorize the position of the dials when he first uses it]]. A [[SuperWristGadget wrist-mounted version]] would be more practical.
* ChairmanOfTheBrawl: Chairs are inevitably used whenever GoodOldFisticuffs happen inside a room. King twice gets knocked out by a chair-wielding Derkin to near fatal effect.

Someone is killing the top scientists in the country in suspicious accidents. Suspecting that the culprit may be a member of their own organization Science Associates, Professor Millard fakes his death and enlists the help of fellow scientist Jeff King, equipping him with a JetPack he's just invented. Together they seek to foil the plans of the mysterious Dr. Vulcan and establish his identity before he unleashes a terrible fate on New York City.

* IntrepidReporter: [[Creator/MaeClarke Glenda Thomas]] is a science magazine reporter investigating the sabotage, who soon finds herself on the case of the mysterious Rocket Man when she photographs him in flight. She's TheSquadette the only woman in the film]], as none of the Science Associates have the requisite LovelyAssistant or MadScientistsBeautifulDaughter.

* MakeItLookLikeAnAccident: In the opening scene, [[SpinningPaper Spinning Newspapers]] announce the deaths of scientists in plane crashes and automobile accidents, all arranged by [[MurderByRemoteControl remote control]] by the sinister Dr. Vulcan. When Dr. Millard gets suspicious, Dr. Vulcan arranges for his death in a laboratory fire. Fortunately it's later revealed that Jeff King saved Millard off-screen and he's only FakingTheDead.

* ChairmenOfTheBrawl: Chairs are inevitably used whenever GoodOldFisticuffs happen inside a room. King twice gets knocked out by a chair-wielding Derkin to near fatal effect.

* HelmetsAreUseless: Averted; our hero has a bullet-shaped full-face helmet that streamlines his head, shields his face when he's flying, and conveniently hides the stuntman playing him.
* HotTopicPhlebotinum: The rocketsuit is "atomic-powered", getting around the problem of how it has enough fuel. The idea of atomic-powered vehicles had already been suggested in the press in the 1940's, under the belief that the technology would one day get small enough for everyday use.

** The "finest police force in the land" is covering every point of entrance to New York City.

The first of the so-called "Rocket Man" {{Film Serial}}s by Creator/RepublicPictures, though this is the only film where the term is used to refer to the hero.

A 1949 12-Chapter Superhero FilmSerial directed by Creator/FredCBrannon that has Jeffrey King (Creator/TristramCoffin), using an atomic-powered JetPack and various other gadgets facing against the evil Dr. Vulcan (Creator/IStanfordJolley).

The film also stars Creator/MaeClarke, Creator/DonHaggerty, Creator/HousePetersJr, Creator/JamesCraven, Creator/StanleyPrice, Creator/TedAdams, and Creator/MarshallBradford.

It was released on June 8, 1949.

* MurderByRemoteControlVehicle: Happens in the opening scene. A scientist gets into his car only to find it's been modified by the shadowy [[BigBad Dr. Vulcan]], who uses remote control radio waves to send it off the cliff. The same thing happens to Jeff King, who of course escapes.
* NoOneSeesTheBoss: Dr. Vulcan is seen only as a voice and a shadow on the wall. He's later exposed as one of the scientists Jeffrey is working with.
* SinisterSilhouettes: Dr. Vulcan is only shown as a shadow on the wall taunting his victims and instructing his mooks via radio, before his real identity is unmasked by the JetPack-wearing hero. Unfortunately, he lacks an [[EvilSoundsDeep appropriately sinister voice]] to go with his shadow.

* AutomatedAutomobiles: Happens in the opening of the film. A scientist gets into his car only to find it's been modified by the shadowy [[BigBad Dr. Vulcan]], who uses remote control radio waves to send it off the cliff. The same thing happens to Jeffrey King, who of course escapes. The scene is [[GagDub Gag Dubbed]] in ''Film/JMenForever'' when the Lightning Bug causes numerous crashes by playing loud rock music.

The first of the so-called "Rocket Man" {{Film Serial}}s by Creator/RepublicPictures.

A 1949 12-Chapter Superhero FilmSerial directed by Creator/FredCBrannon that has Jeffrey King (Creator/TristramCoffin) facing against the evil Dr. Vulcan (Creator/IStanfordJolley).

* AutomatedAutomobiles: Happens in the opening of the film. A scientist gets into his car only to find it's been modified by the shadowy [[BigBad Dr. Vulcan]], who uses remote control radio waves to send it off the cliff. The same thing happens to Jeffrey King, who of course escapes. The scene is GagDubbed in ''Film/JMenForever'' when the Lightning Bug causes numerous crashes by playing loud rock music.