The Rocket Man (1954)
The Rocket Man (1954), directed by Oscar Rudolph, starring Charles Coburn and Spring Byington.
score
Out-of-this-world laughter and down-to-earth charm when the face from space turns out to be...the kid next door!
Synopsis
After procuring a special ray gun, a precocious orphan helps his community by exposing the shady doings of local government, and plays a part in a cute couple getting together.
- John F. SeitzCinematography
- Oscar RudolphDirector
- Leonard GoldsteinProducer
- Lionel NewmanOriginal music
About the film
The Rocket Man is a 1954 American comedy science fiction film directed by Oscar Rudolph and starring Charles Coburn, Spring Byington, Anne Francis, John Agar and George "Foghorn" Winslow. The script was co-written by Lenny Bruce and Jack Henley from a story by George W. George and George F. Slavin. A comedy with science fiction overtones, the film carries the tag line, “Out-of-this-world laughter and down-to-earth charm when the face from space turns out to be… the kid next door!”
The New York Times found the fact that comedian Lenny Bruce was one of the film's screenwriters was the "strangest aspect of the low-budget production", noting that the film contains little of Bruce's trademark humor.
Read the full article (2k characters)
The Rocket Man is a 1954 American comedy science fiction film directed by Oscar Rudolph and starring Charles Coburn, Spring Byington, Anne Francis, John Agar and George "Foghorn" Winslow. The script was co-written by Lenny Bruce and Jack Henley from a story by George W. George and George F. Slavin. A comedy with science fiction overtones, the film carries the tag line, “Out-of-this-world laughter and down-to-earth charm when the face from space turns out to be… the kid next door!”
The New York Times found the fact that comedian Lenny Bruce was one of the film's screenwriters was the "strangest aspect of the low-budget production", noting that the film contains little of Bruce's trademark humor.
Plot
As a result of the sudden and unexplained appearance of a mysterious rocket man, a little boy comes into possession of a mysterious ray gun that compels anyone caught in its beam to tell the truth. He uses it to prevent his orphanage from being foreclosed upon by creditors and to help a young couple fall in love.
Cast
Charles Coburn as Mayor Ed Johnson
Spring Byington as Justice Amelia Brown
Anne Francis as June Brown
John Agar as Tom Baxter
George Winslow as Timmy (as George "Foghorn" Winslow)
Stanley Clements as Bob
Emory Parnell as Big Bill Watkins
June Clayworth as Harriet Snedley
Don Haggerty as Officer Mike O'Brien
Beverly Garland as Ludine
Critical reception
Writing in AllMovie, critic Hal Erickson described the film as "essentially an Andy Hardyesque comedy drama with a peripheral sci-fi slant," and that despite having Lenny Bruce as a co-screenwriter, "there's nothing scatalogical or even satirical in the film itself." Film critic Derek Winnert wrote that "any acid wit, high-spirited fun or real charm are sorely lacking from director Oscar Rudolph’s lame, would-be whimsical" film, adding that it is an "often very silly and mostly boring movie, though the cast have charm and the skills to save it."
References
External links
The Rocket Man at IMDb
The Rocket Man at the TCM Movie Database (archived)
Text from The Rocket Man (1954 film) on Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rocket_Man_(1954_film)
Trivia
- It premiered on April 1, 1954, a Thursday.
- It runs 1h19 — short for a feature film.
- This film's quiz has 12 questions — enough to play more than once without repeats.
Production
- StudiosPanoramic Productions
- CountriesUnited States
- LanguagesEnglish
- StatusReleased
Photos
Cast
-
Charles Coburn
Mayor Ed Johnson -
Spring Byington
Justice Amelia Brown -
Anne Francis
June Brown -
John Agar
Tom Baxter -
George Winslow
Timmy -
Stanley Clements
Bob -
Emory Parnell
Big Bill Watkins -
June Clayworth
Harriet Snedley -
Don Haggerty
Officer Mike O'Brien -
Beverly Garland
Ludine -
Byron Foulger
Card Player Wearing Glasses (uncredited)
Quiz about this movie
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Tags
Crew
- John F. Seitz Cinematography
- Oscar Rudolph Director
- Leonard Goldstein Producer
- Lionel Newman Original music
- Jack Henley Writer
- Lenny Bruce Writer
Questions about this film
What is The Rocket Man about?
The Rocket Man: After procuring a special ray gun, a precocious orphan helps his community by exposing the shady doings of local government, and plays a part in a cute couple getting together.
Who directed The Rocket Man?
The Rocket Man was directed by Oscar Rudolph in 1954.
Who stars in The Rocket Man?
The cast of The Rocket Man includes Charles Coburn, Spring Byington, Anne Francis, John Agar and George Winslow.
How long is The Rocket Man?
The Rocket Man runs for 79 minutes, or 1h19.
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Page updated on 09/20/2026.
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