Actor George Wallace dies at 88 (Commando Cody)

AP on Bakersfield Californian ^ | 7/27/05 | AP - Los Angeles

[NormsRevenge]

LOS ANGELES (AP) - George Wallace, an actor whose career spanned 50 years and was best known as Commando Cody in the film serial "Radar Men from the Moon," has died. He was 88.

Wallace died Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles of complications following injuries when he fell during a vacation in Pisa, Italy, said his wife, actress Jane Johnston.

Born in New York City in 1917, Wallace moved to West Virginia where he worked in the coal mines and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1936, he joined the Navy, serving for eight years.

The one-time lumberjack who had been the light heavyweight champion of the Pacific Fleet before World War II was tending bar in Hollywood in the late 1940s when gossip columnist Jimmie Fidler discovered him and helped launch his career in show business.

Wallace appeared in a few films and on TV but landed the starring role of Commando Cody in the 1952 motion picture serial "Radar Men from the Moon." He played Cody, a scientist who wore a leather jacket, a bullet-shaped, silver helmet and an atomic-powered rocket pack.

The plot of the low-budget, 12-part serial had Cody and his two associates flying to the moon to investigate why strategic targets on Earth were being destroyed by an unknown weapon. The moon scenes were shot in 112-degree heat at Red Rock Canyon in the Mojave Desert.

Wallace also made his mark on Broadway, debuting opposite opera star Helen Traubel in Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Pipe Dream."

The singing actor went on to replace John Raitt in "The Pajama Game" when Raitt left to co-star in the 1957 film version of the hit Broadway musical.

Wallace also played the male lead opposite Gwen Verdon in "New Girl in Town," for which he was nominated for a New York Drama Critics' Circle Award. He later appeared as King Arthur in a touring company of "Camelot," and he played the innkeeper in tours of "The Man of La Mancha."

Some of his film credits included "Submarine Command," "Nurse Betty" and "Minority Report." He also made more than 125 TV guest appearances, ranging from "Hopalong Cassidy" to "Joan of Arcadia."

Wallace is survived by Johnston, his wife of 40 years, who he met when they both appeared in the musical "The Most Happy Fella" at the Long Beach Civic Light Opera in 1963.

[NormsRevenge]

The one-time lumberjack who had been the light heavyweight champion of the Pacific Fleet before World War II was tending bar in Hollywood in the late 1940s when gossip columnist Jimmie Fidler discovered him and helped launch his career in show business.

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RIP George

[NautiNurse]

[NormsRevenge]

[SoFloFreeper]

He was the Casio watch-wearing judge in one of my favorite films:

[Sensei Ern]

I thought your were talking about:

Note: comedian George Wallace is a great performer. If you go to Las Vegas, be sure to see his show.

[Sensei Ern]

I thought your were talking about:

Note: comedian George Wallace is a great performer. If you go to Las Vegas, be sure to see his show.

[Ciexyz]

"Commander Cody" bump. RIP, George.

[johnny7]

'Commander Cody'!

Automatically, I thought of “ ...and the Lost Planet Airmen”.

[Nicholas Conradin]

Important to note that the character is Commando Cody (not Commander Cody)

I became familiar with the character when episodes were used during Mystery Science Theater 3000 programs.

Truth is funnier than fiction, though. You couldn't make up something like the "Long Beach Civic Light Opera."

[MrNatural]

I saw these serials at the Lido Theater in Newport, at the Saturday matinee shows they had for kids. I thought they were the neatest thing in the world; couldn't wait to see the next episode. Got 'Radar Men from the Moon" on DVD now.

Thanks for the post, Norm.

[NormsRevenge]

I caught that.. title updated. Thanks! :)

some great special effects and characters in these old films

[chimera]

Fans of "Forbidden Planet" will recognize Mr. Wallace for his bit part as the "Bosun" of commander Leslie Nielson's spaceship crew. Although I must say his role was somewhat overshadowed by Robby The Robot and the feminine charms of a youthful Anne Francis (!).

[commandante_zero]

Important to note that the character is Commando Cody (not Commander Cody)

My pappy said, "Son, you're gonna drive me to drinkin' if you don't stop drivin' that hot rod rocket ship."

[Ozone34]

I recall seeing these episodes on TV as a kid in the early 60's on Sunday mornings. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I have this recollection of Commander/Commando Cody taking off with his jet pack and then landing on either a rocket ship or airplane which was carrying his sidekicks.

[RandallFlagg]

R.I.P. George.

[Armigerous]

There were 2 other Commando Cody serials in that era- "Lost Planet Airmen" and "Zombies Of The Stratosphere" which featured a young Leonard Nimoy as the 'Zombie King'

[Ciexyz]

It's always interesting to see performers like Leonard Nimoy on the old shows, like an old Bonanza ep, before they became famous.

I've been watching Richard Boone's "Have Gun Will Travel/Paladin" series from the late 50's/early 60's, and it's great to see Jack Lord, Charles Bronson, and Angie Dickinson in guest starring roles -- plus seeing some of the 20 eps that Gene Roddenberry wrote for the series.