One of the earliest entries in the science-fiction movie craze of the 1950s, "Destination Moon" details an attempt to build a craft capable of taking people into outer space. Forced to launch their craft in a hurry, four astronauts are faced with various crises while they undertake an historic first mission to the moon.
Co-scripted by acclaimed sci-fi author Robert A. Heinlein, "Destination Moon" is very notable for taking a largely *realistic* approach to the topic of space travel (in point of fact, it did get a number of things right). There are no buxom, sexily dressed babes, no goofy monsters, and no alien intelligence waiting for our heroes. This is just a decent, "down to Earth" (so to speak) story about the appeal, and the inherent risks, in venturing into the cosmos.
Our four heroes are played by John Archer ("White Heat"), as an industrialist who gets involved, Warner Anderson ("Detective Story"), as the scientist, Tom Powers ("Double Indemnity") as the retired military man, and Dick Wesson ("Calamity Jane"), in his film debut, as the radio / radar man. The first three approach their roles with grave sincerity, while Wesson supplies the comedy relief as the "ordinary Joe" type with the complaints and the quips. His shtick does get a little tired, but he's still pretty believable as the one guy who didn't exactly volunteer to go on this mission. Erin O'Brien-Moore ("Seven Keys to Baldpate") has the only female role, and is given very much nothing to do as Andersons' concerned wife.
The first half is actually dedicated to getting the project off the ground; the spacecraft doesn't launch until halfway through, and the men don't reach the moon until two thirds of the way through. But the story is still absorbing, and the impressive Academy Award-winning special effects (Chesley Bonestell, as always, does a great job with the "astronomical art") insure that we get something interesting to look at, and some real atmosphere. The music by Leith Stevens is good, and there's one innovative method of delivering exposition by funneling it through cartoon character Woody Woodpecker.
This was noted sci-fi producer George Pals' initial entry into the genre.
Six out of 10.
Co-scripted by acclaimed sci-fi author Robert A. Heinlein, "Destination Moon" is very notable for taking a largely *realistic* approach to the topic of space travel (in point of fact, it did get a number of things right). There are no buxom, sexily dressed babes, no goofy monsters, and no alien intelligence waiting for our heroes. This is just a decent, "down to Earth" (so to speak) story about the appeal, and the inherent risks, in venturing into the cosmos.
Our four heroes are played by John Archer ("White Heat"), as an industrialist who gets involved, Warner Anderson ("Detective Story"), as the scientist, Tom Powers ("Double Indemnity") as the retired military man, and Dick Wesson ("Calamity Jane"), in his film debut, as the radio / radar man. The first three approach their roles with grave sincerity, while Wesson supplies the comedy relief as the "ordinary Joe" type with the complaints and the quips. His shtick does get a little tired, but he's still pretty believable as the one guy who didn't exactly volunteer to go on this mission. Erin O'Brien-Moore ("Seven Keys to Baldpate") has the only female role, and is given very much nothing to do as Andersons' concerned wife.
The first half is actually dedicated to getting the project off the ground; the spacecraft doesn't launch until halfway through, and the men don't reach the moon until two thirds of the way through. But the story is still absorbing, and the impressive Academy Award-winning special effects (Chesley Bonestell, as always, does a great job with the "astronomical art") insure that we get something interesting to look at, and some real atmosphere. The music by Leith Stevens is good, and there's one innovative method of delivering exposition by funneling it through cartoon character Woody Woodpecker.
This was noted sci-fi producer George Pals' initial entry into the genre.
Six out of 10.