Satellite in the Sky (1956)

Director:

Paul Dickson

Writers:

John Mather (screenplay) and
J.T. McIntosh (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

21 July 1956 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Astonishing Life on the Roof of the Earth!

Plot:

The British launch the world's first orbital vehicle. Their military sends a super-bomb along, which goes wrong and threatens the crew and a stowaway.

Plot Keywords:

Bomb | Stowaway | Test | Space | Rocket

Cast

Kieron Moore	...	Cmdr. Michael Haydon
Lois Maxwell	...	Kim Hamilton
Donald Wolfit	...	Prof. Merrity
Bryan Forbes	...	Jimmy Wheeler
Jimmy Hanley	...	Larry Noble
Barry Keegan	...	'Lefty' Blake
Donald Gray	...	Capt. Ross
Thea Gregory	...	Barbara Noble
Shirley Lawrence	...	Ellen
Alan Gifford	...	Col. Galloway
Walter Hudd	...	Prof. Blandford
Peter Neil	...	Tony, party gigolo
Ryck Rydon	...	Reporter (as Rick Rydon)
Ronan O'Casey	...	Reporter
Robert O'Neil	...	Reporter
Charles Richardson	...	Gen. Barnett
Carl Jaffe	...	Prof. Bechstein
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Baker	...	Official
Alastair Hunter	...	Technician
Trevor Reid	...	Technician

Directed by
Paul Dickson

Writing credits
John Mather		(screenplay) and
J.T. McIntosh		(screenplay) and
Edith Dell		(screenplay)

Produced by
Nicholas Duke Biddle	....	associate producer
Edward J. Danziger	....	producer
Harry Lee Danziger	....	producer

Original Music by
Albert Elms

Cinematography by
Georges Périnal
James Wilson		(as Jimmy Wilson)

Film Editing by
Sidney Stone

Art Direction by
Erik Blakemore

Set Decoration by
Freda Pearson		(uncredited)

Art Department
Julius Kay	....	scenic artist (uncredited)

Sound Department
George Stephenson	....	sound (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Wally Veevers	....	director of special effects

Production Companies

• Tridelta Productions
• Danziger Productions Ltd.

Distributors

• Warner Bros. (1956) (UK) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros (1956) (USA) (theatrical)
• Eisho Trading Company (1957) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Nippon Cinema Corporation (NCC) (1957) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Fang Video (1990) (USA) (VHS) (black and white print) (pan/scan)
• Seven Arts Associated (196?) (USA) (TV) (black and white prints) (pan/scan)
• Warner Home Video (2010) (Canada) (DVD) (4 film set)
• Warner Home Video (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2010) (USA) (DVD) (4 film set)

Other Companies

• A.V. Roe Ltd.  aircraft provided by
• Folland Aircraft Co.  aircraft provided by

Also Known As:

Runtime:

USA:85 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color (Warnercolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (magnetic prints) | Mono (optical prints)

Certification:

Finland:K-12

Company:

Tridelta Productions

Trivia:

The beautiful delta wing aircraft in the opening minutes of this movie was the long range British heavy bomber the Vulcan. The Vulcan was in use from 1952- 1984 and saw service in the Falkland war.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the Stardust is launched, the announcer says "There she goes, she's gathering speed up the launching ramp" before the ship emerges onto the visible part of the ramp.

One of the "lost classics" of 1950s Sci-Fi

This well-made British science fiction story concerns the crew of a test rocket on which a lady reporter (Lois Maxwell) stows away. Kieron Moore plays the pilot of the rocket sent into orbit in connection with the test of a new "Tritonium bomb". Donald Wolfit plays the bomb's inventor.

After releasing he bomb, it's internal propulsion system fails and it becomes attached to the hull of the spacecraft. All attempts to dislodge it are unsuccessful, so the bomb's inventor takes drastic action to deal with the situation.

Director Paul Dickson presents an exciting and intelligent story. The special effects are both competent and exciting -- which is no surprise in view of the fact that their creator, Wally Veevars, later worked on "2001".

The special effects include the space scenes, an underground space complex, and a rocket which is launched from a horizontal track, similar to "When Worlds Collide". Well-designed sets and props (especially the ship's interior and the spacesuits) enhance this wonderful British entry.

Currently this exceptional film is not available on either VHS or DVD. Hopefully, Mr. Wade Williams will eventually offer it as part of his wonderful, high-quality collection.