SATAN’S SATELLITES (1958)
Article #788 by Dave Sindelar
Viewing Date: 5-12-2003
Posting Date: 10-9-2003
Directed by Fred C. Brannon
Featuring Judd Holdren, Aline Towne, Wilson Wood

Martian “Zombies” plan to destroy the Earth so they can move Mars into Earth’s orbit. The Rocketman tries to prevent them.

Title check: Though it could be argued that Mars and Earth are indeed satellites (of the sun), Satan is nowhere to be found.

One phenomenon that I have never touched upon yet is that of motion pictures edited from serials; in general, if a serial is listed, I opt for the full serial version. However, my book specified this one by title, so here it is (I plan to cover ZOMBIES OF THE STRATOSPHERE as a separate entity). Now, if you’re the type of person who thinks that a feature movie made up of nothing but the action sequences from a serial sounds like a neat idea, you’re welcome to this one. Me, I find the end results to be dreadfully repetitive, because the story never builds to anything and it’s just one “thrill” after another. Sure, it’s got Leonard Nimoy and the Rocket Man commonly known as Commando Cody, but so does the serial itself, which is much easier to watch. All in all, this movie is a good argument against cutting corners.