cientists have long known that the surface of Venus is an inhospitable
wasteland. But during the Golden Age of science fiction, overzealous writers
often imagined the planet as a lush, tropical world. That rather impractical
outlook also prevailed on many early SF television programs, resulting in
some pretty extraordinary extraterrestrial adventures. This videotape
presents a three-episode story arc from the classic children's TV series
Space Patrol that showcases one of those inventive Venusian
scenarios.
Originally broadcast in 1954, the first installment, titled "The Amazons
of Cydonia," finds Commander Buzz Corry (Kemmer), Cadet Happy (Osborn) and
Major Robertson (Mayer) landing on Venus after losing contact with a
biochemist studying the planet's toxic vegetation. Arriving at the deserted research station, the trio is apprehended by a tribe of tall, spear-wielding
women. However, the resourceful Corry quickly renders the ladies unconscious
and the threesome, along with the previously captured scientist, escape.
In "The Monsoon Trap on Cydonia," Corry and Happy remain on Venus to
retrieve the doctor's notes and locate Johnson (Ben Welden), his missing
assistant. But Johnson gets the notes first, wounding Happy in the process.
Leaving his injured cadet behind, Corry goes after the renegade aide, and is
immediately ambushed. Bound to a tree, he frantically struggles to break free
before a crossbow, set to fire directly at him, is
triggered by a looming windstorm. Fortunately, Happy arrives just in time to
untie Corry--although, before long, they're apprehended once again.
In the final episode, "The Men Slaves of Cydonia," Robertson returns to
pick up his comrades but finds only their empty campsite. Meanwhile, Happy
is lying unconscious in his cell while Corry is forced to serve the Amazons.
Could this be the end for our courageous Space Patrollers? Or will
interplanetary justice prevail?
What? No commercials?
In the early 1950s, science fiction fans were
regularly enthralled by exhilarating television programs like Space
Patrol. Sure, the cliffhanger storylines were formulaic, and the special
effects remarkably simplistic, but, even today, the show's boyish excitement
is infectious and appealing.
Kemmer's portrayal of the fearless Commander Corry is outstanding. Whether
calmly attempting to reason with the Amazon queen or, through subtle facial
expressions, wordlessly encouraging the diminutive Happy to "give it his all"
during a life-or-death test of strength, Kemmer is consistently credible. As
Happy, Osborn adds youthful exuberance and a nice comic touch, eliciting
smiles with both his broad punch lines and amusing double takes. Even the
guest stars do an admirable job, with Welden's menacing, over-the-top
demeanor perfect for the villainous Johnson, and Dorothy Ford--Queen Riva of
the Amazons--assuming an appropriately regal air.
Nonetheless, this particular adventure is not one of the series' best. The
high-tech accessories often used by Corry and his team are barely evident,
with a flimsy miniature space jet serving as the most memorable SF gadget.
And, although Riva is quite intimidating when threatening to bring "hundreds
of warriors swarming down" upon her prisoners, the fact that throughout the
story she appears to have only two followers makes her boast seem awfully
empty.
Additionally, contrary to the information printed on the cassette sleeve,
the show doesn't contain the original advertisements. It's admittedly strange
to complain about a lack of commercials, but these old-fashioned endorsements,
generally performed live by the program's stars for such products as
chocolate milk and breakfast cereal, were charming. The tape's packaging is misleading in other ways, too. The cover features
images of series regulars Carol Carlisle (Virginia Hewitt) and Tonga (Nina
Bara), neither of whom actually appears in this tale, and the actual running
time is about 20 minutes shorter than the 90 minutes listed on the box. Still, even with these
shortcomings, watching this Space Patrol videotape remains a fun experience.
