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King of the Rocket Men Reproduction Figure & Chest Control

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia / Movie - Memorabilia Start Price:50.00 USD Estimated At:100.00 - 200.00 USD
King of the Rocket Men Reproduction Figure & Chest Control
King of the Rocket Men Reproduction Figure & Chest Control - The enormously popular 1949 12 episode Republic series "King of the Rocket Men, starring Tristram Coffin, had a whole generation of boys leaping in the air, arms outstretched to an effort to soar through the heavens and save the world with duel rockets strapped to their backs, and a chest control to make them fly. The Rocket Man series was known for extremely realistic effects. In an age long before CGI, this extremely low-budget serial found innovative and ingenious ways to actually make a man fly across the mountains and over the homes and streets of the San Fernando Valley. Even today, one marvels at just how amazingly real these flying sequences look! It inspired a whole new generation of filmmakers and artist from Dave Steven's masterpiece "Rocketeer", to George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. Rocketman wore a special helmet and faceplate, along with his flying suit, duel jets on his back and a chest control unit whose infamous and much copied knobs allowed him to go up, down, fast and slow. This is a beautifully realized and detailed plaster and hand-painted Rocketman figure. It also comes with a specially made reproduction of that iconic flying chest control panel. Both pieces come from legendary Jerry Neeley's collection. Neeley was the well known film historian, writer, collector and owner of the famous "Jerry's Video" in Los Feliz, CA. Customers, collectors and throngs of directors, writers and industry people would come from around the world to talk to Jerry, whose knowledge and memory of film, especially when it came to Sci-Fi, was encyclopedic, and also to visit his famous collection. Also included is a Letter of Provenience from Jerry Neeley's widow and co-owner of his various video and memorabilia shops. The Rocketman figure is approx 12"x7", and the metal rocket control panel is approx 5.5"x4.5".