A long beloved space adventurer popped out of decades-old suspended animation in 1979, ready to fight the good fight once again in the 25th century and beyond. Buck Rodgers was back on the scene, and blasting off in an all-new series of battles on his very own television show.

It didn’t take a rocket scientist to tell that, even in an era of disco and The Dukes of Hazzard, and long after man had actually walked upon the moon, the public’s fondness for all things galactic had yet to fade. The enormous success of George Lucas’ Star Wars in 1978 proved that beyond a doubt. Perhaps it was time to dust off a hero from another generation.

Originally intended as a two-hour television pilot, the folks at Universal decided to give Buck a more fitting return, a feature length theatrical release called Buck Rodgers in the 25th Century. In the opening sequence, the time-tested hero awakes yet again from suspended animation only to find himself 500 years into the future. He soon discovers that the earth is in peril, thanks to an invading horde of Draconians, led by ruthless and beautiful Princess Ardala.

At first considered a spy, Buck soon wins the trust of his earthly counterparts, as he wages battle against the evil invaders. This would be the recurring theme of the television series as well. Buck would find himself caught amidst a love triangle between a human pilot named Colonel Wilma Deering and the evil princess, all while facing numerous galactic battles against the forces of evil. And lest things get too serious, the robot Twiki (voiced by legendary voice actor, Mel Blanc) was always nearby to provide plenty of comic relief to Buck and friends.

Starring Gil Gerard as the timeless hero, Buck Rodgers may not have enjoyed the universal success of Star Wars, but it still managed to endear itself to scores of loyal fans, eager to follow a tried and true hero from their parent’s generation into the 25th century.