Project Moon Base (1953)

Director:

Richard Talmadge

Writers:

Robert A. Heinlein (story) and
Jack Seaman (story) ...

Release Date:

4 September 1953 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Thrills Come Rocketing to the Screen as Science Smashes a New Frontier!

Plot:

In the not-too-distant future of 1970, the United States is considering building bases on the Moon,...

Plot Keywords:

Moon | 1970s | Reverse Footage | Secret Agent | Space Station

Cast

Donna Martell	...	Col. Briteis
Hayden Rorke	...	Gen. 'Pappy' Greene
Ross Ford	...	Maj. Bill Moore
Larry Johns	...	Dr. Wernher
Herb Jacobs	...	Mr. Roundtree
Barbara Morrison	...	Polly Prattles
Ernestine Barrier	...	Madame President
James Craven	...	Commdr. Carlson
John Hedloe	...	Adjutant
Peter Adams	...	Capt. Carmody
Robert Karnes	...	Sam (enemy agent)
John Straub	...	Chaplain
Charles Keane	...	Spacom operator
John Tomecko	...	Blockhouse air controller
Robert Paltz	...	Bellboy

Also Known As:

Project Moonbase (USA) (alternative spelling)
Ring Around the Moon (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

63 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Galaxy Pictures Inc.

Trivia:

This was initially intended as a pilot film for a TV series to be called "Ring Around the Moon". When science-fiction movies suddenly became popular, producer Jack Seaman added enough footage to the film to bring it up to feature length. This was done without the knowledge of writer Robert A. Heinlein, and he disowned the result.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Maj. Moore is talking from the moonbase to the space station using the large "Television Monitor". Right after the General says "Take off your rank son, this is man to man." the Major stands up and his shadow is now visible on the wall behind the General showing that the "Monitor" is just a hole in the wall and the space station set is on the other side.

Quotes:

Col. Briteis: [after panicking over their predicament] Sorry for going female on you, Major.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Project Moonbase (#2.8)" (1990)

Almost interesting.

But not quite. This is a typical 50's sci-fi flick with no budget, pretty much what you'd expect. Of course, this film was superb on MST3K, but alone it faulters. Boy, it really shows it's age, and only manages in looking stupid compared to a lot of other sci-fi efforts. But if you can get a copy of the MST3K version...