Rocky Jones Space Ranger by duo

Bryce • Science Fiction • posted on Dec 16, 2006

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Description

BACK AGAIN TO THE '50! Rocky Jones, Space Ranger was a syndicated science fiction television serial originally broadcast in 1954. The show lasted for only one season and quickly dropped into obscurity. But because it was recorded on film rather than being broadcast live as were most other TV space operas of the day, it has survived in reasonably good condition. The film format also allowed more elaborate special effects and sets, exterior scenes and much better continuity. The program was aimed mainly at children, so the plots were simple and always involved good versus evil and Rocky Jones outsmarting or outfighting the bad guys. By today's standards for television science fiction, a genre that flowered beginning with Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek, the Rocky Jones serials seem crude and simplistic. But for its time, years before men first journeyed into space, the sets, props, and optical effects were remarkably well done. Indeed, many of the effects that became standard sci-fi fare, such as the view screen and automatically opening doors were seen first on Rocky Jones. Portraited here is the "XV2" rocketship (mesh by Geodesic, textures by me), the "hero" spaceship of the series. Comments are welcome! ;)

Comments (13)

Butch

5:33AM | Sat, 16 December 2006

I have seen stills from the show but never actually seen it. Love the design and the ship. Compared to the real thing they always looked so much more graceful and powerful. Someone years ago, when talking about NASA said that the biggest mistake NASA ever made was making the Rockets ugly instead of what the public thought as Rockets they had seen in Films. Maybe there is something to that... Great image again!

servo

5:39AM | Sat, 16 December 2006

Hey.. wow... I didn't think anybody else knew of or liked Rocky Jones. The guys on Mystery Science Theater 3000 showed two of the serial sets, "Manhunt in Space" and "Crash of the Moons", and I found some bargain bin DVDs of a couple other serial episodes. The show was way ahead of its time, even though some of the techno-terminology was forgivably campy. I think you can add "cloaking device" (on a TV starship, anyway) to the list of "firsts" the show came up with.

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jif3d

7:59AM | Sat, 16 December 2006

Never saw it, but thanx for the info and funky Retro style render ! So when are going to do a Flash Gordon ? now that had some REALLY camp stuff going on...mmm, no wonder Queen did the music for the new version ! ~Cheers~ :o)

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duo

9:07AM | Sat, 16 December 2006

OK! Next will be Flash Gordon! ;)

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thecytron

11:52AM | Sat, 16 December 2006

Nicely put together composition!

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Ourias3D

12:29PM | Sat, 16 December 2006

Superbe rlisation ! J'adore l'aspect rro de cette composition. Cette fus est vraiment excellente.

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sackrat

2:42PM | Sat, 16 December 2006

Nice retro render.

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mikeerson

4:40PM | Sat, 16 December 2006

Hey thanks for the Rocky Jones history lesson. I've never heard of Rocky Jones... at least, I don't recall. The way you do this art is in a 50's tv production style. It looks great. This one is a keeper, History lesson, 50's style art, great star background... yeah, You've been FAVORITIZED!

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Geodesic250

4:41PM | Sat, 16 December 2006

It must seem like quite a shock, for some, to realize that Sci-Fi on TV didn't start with Star Trek :) Another wonderful walk down memory lane. "OK! Next will be Flash Gordon! ;)" Looking forward to it :)

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