Here’s an interesting serial that’s unique both for it’s connection to Star Wars and for being one of the last movie serials produced before TV destroyed public interest in genre entirely.
Radar Men from the Moon (1952)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSfb6HwSVWRfTYr3LwbWA6mNm17ozO-lj - from the ARCHIVE MOVIES YouTube channel (playlist - total runtime of 2 hours 35 mins - 480p)
Synopsis:
Strategic targets on Earth are being destroyed by an unknown weapon. Government security head Henderson suspects it’s an “atomic ray” originating from the moon! He assigns Commando Cody, scientist and man of action with a secret flying suit, to investigate.
Directed by Fred C. Brannon.
Cast: George Wallace, Aline Towne & Roy Barcroft.
CHAPTER INDEX:
Chapter 1: Moon Rocket
Chapter 2: Molten Terror
Chapter 3: Bridge Of Death
Chapter 4: Flight To Destruction
Chapter 5: Murder Car
Chapter 6: Hills Of Death
Chapter 7: Camouflaged Destruction
Chapter 8: The Enemy Planet
Chapter 9: Battle In The Stratosphere
Chapter 10: Mass Execution
Chapter 11: Planned Pursuit
Chapter 12: Death Of The Moon Man
Trivia:
• Clone Trooper Commander Cody from Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith is named after the protagonist of this serial named Commando Cody.
• Commando Cody is also confirmed to have been one of the main inspirations for the The Rocketeer.
• A repainted Juggernaut vehicle from Republic’s much-earlier Undersea Kingdom serial is reused here as Retik’s lunar tank.