Framed to Perfection XXVI

ROCKY JONES, SPACE RANGER (1954)

Director: Hollingsworth Morse

Cinematographer: Walter Strenge

“You know, that kid has a way with the women!”

Yup, Bobby is the real hero of this series. At least, compared to the dry nothing that is Rocky Jones himself and Rocky’s androgynous and ridiculously-named sidekick “Winky”. 

I mean WTF?!

I suppose the leads in any TV show often do end up playing second fiddle to their side characters. Just ask Will & Grace or Cybil Shepherd all about that.

I don’t think the relationship between Bobby the eager kid and grown-up ship loiterer (I’m afraid dated sexism is often in full force, so I don’t think she’s “allowed” to be a captain or space ranger) Vena is ever explained. She just happens to have a precocious little boy in her company, which nobody seems to question. I dunno, I guess it is the future. Maybe they’re just cool about stuff like that in the age of flamboyant cape-wearing. Or he’s a space cadet in training.

Rocky Jones, Space Ranger is absolutely magical. Completely lacking in any interest in real-world physics, which just opens up things for more fun space adventures. It’s cheap. Silly. Camp. Dated. Just all the things that are worthy of glorious cult status.

It’s a live action equivalent of a Gerry Anderson marionette show, basically. And darned proud of it! While there is little artistry, in terms of cinematography, on display throughout the series, the mill pond-flat shooting style does occasionally throw up the odd gem, as seen above.

If you want to visit science fiction before people actually made it into outer space and realised how miserable it is up there, then this series is for you! It’s Star Wars, only with a much, much, much smaller budget.

And is probably what helped to inspire Star Wars, only without the script for The Hidden Fortress being rewritten just enough so that no Japanese filmmakers had to be paid any royalties.

Class.

You can find all the episodes here, which I’m guessing aren’t going anywhere. It is my strong assumption that not a soul alive is clambering for the rights to Rocky Jones, Space Ranger.

Fools!

Do stay in touch, space rangers.

Toodles!