The OG space cowboy that made Lucas possible — and yes, it's as camp as it sounds.
Edited version of the 1939 Universal serial "Buck Rogers." A 20th Century pilot named Buck Rogers and his young friend Buddy Wade awake from 500 years in suspended animation to find that the world has been taken over by the outlaw army of Killer Kane.
Practical Effects
Depression-era rocket ships that wobble charmingly
Costume
Killer Kane's villain wardrobe is *chef's kiss* ridiculous
Acting
Buster Crabbe commits harder than the material deserves
Director
Saul A. Goodkind
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This 1977 theatrical release was Universal's attempt to cash in on Star Wars mania by repackaging their own 1939 serial — the same studio that would later sue Lucas for 'stealing' their space opera aesthetic.
Buster Crabbe played both Flash Gordon AND Buck Rogers across multiple serials, making him the undisputed king of 1930s pulp sci-fi — and he was 49 when this 'edited version' hit theaters looking remarkably preserved.
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