Space Patrol

1 9 5 0 – 1 9 5 5 (USA)
175 x 15/30 minute episodes

Space Patrol began in 1950 as a local broadcast on KECA in Los Angeles and was seen until 1955. During most of its run, it was an ABC network Saturday or Sunday daytime series.

Set in the 30th Century, Commander-in-Chief of the Earth-based Space Patrol Buzz Corey (real-life WWII flying hero Ed Kemmer) defended the United Planets of the Universe – consisting of Earth, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter – in his spaceship Terra.

Cadet Happy (Lyn Osborn) was his young assistant who was prone to colourful rejoinders such as “Smokin’ rockets, Commander!” and simplistic questions (to allow Buzz to explain things to the viewers at home).

Other characters included bad-girl-turned-good Tonga (Nina Bara), Security Chief Major Robbie Robertson – not the guitarist from The Band – (played by Ken Mayer), Secretary-General of the United Planets (Norman Jolley) and his pretty daughter Carol Karlyle (Virginia Hewitt) who had romantic feelings for the commander.

The miracle of time travel allowed the protagonists to leave the 30th Century for various adventures.

Captured bad guys got zapped with the ‘Paralyzer’ then re-programmed on the paths of truth and justice with the ‘Brainograph’. Frequent villains included Mr Proteus (Marvin Miller) and Prince Baccarratti – aka The Black Falcon (Bela Kovacs).

Commander Buzz Corey
Ed Kemmer 
Cadet Happy 
Lyn Osborn
Carol Karlyle 
Virginia Hewitt
Dr Von Meter
Rudolph Anders
Tonga 
Nina Bara
Major Robbie Robertson 
Ken Mayer 
Prince Baccarratti (The Black Falcon)
Bela Kovacs 
Mr Proteus 
Marvin Miller
Secretary-General of the United Planets
Norman Jolley
Announcer
Jack Narz

Video