Episode #77 – Spotlight: The Rocketeer

There are certain movies that are remembered as being crucially important signifiers to Hollywood that comic books could be profitable subject matter; 1979’s Superman, 1989’s Batman, 1998’s Blade, X-Men from 2000 and Spider-Man from 2002 all played a part in building the modern superhero movie. One maybe not remembered enough however is 1991’s The Rocketeer;  one of the earliest comic adaptations to film, and still possibly one of the most faithful translations of comic to movie we have seen to date.  An actioner in the spirit of the same movie serials that inspired the creation of Indiana Jones, The Rocketeer is an epically, fun adventure movie that stood out then and continues to stand out today.  To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the panel spotlights the 1991 film The Rocketeer.

Credits

Panel:
Zack Slater
Frank Melman (on Twitter)
Tommy Smithereens (on Twitter)
Clifton (on Twitter)

Produced by Zack Slater

Produced/Edited by Clifton (on Twitter)

Engineered by Mike BlueLion209

Music: Arpy – Dan Henig  
Support by RFM – NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

Episode Notes for The Rocketeer

Rocketeer Rocket Pack from the comics

Rocketeer Rocket Pack from the movie 

Hero Pose from the film…

Which homages this cover from the comics.

Betty Blake in the comics, clearly based on Bettie Page

Bettie Page

Lothar, played by Tiny Ron Taylor

Rondo Hatton as “The Creeper” in  The Brute Man (1946) – The inspiration for Lothar

Rondo Hattan was also the inspiration for The Creeper in Scooby Doo, Where Are You?

Bulldog Cafe in the comics

The Bulldog Cafe as it appears in the film

The actual real life Bulldog Cafe that was located somewhere in LA in the 1920s which you can learn more about here: The Secret History of the Bulldog Cafe

Sword Fight from Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

The Rocketeer Animated on Disney Jr,