First Men in the Moon (1964)

Based on the HG Wells story. The world is delighted when a space craft containing a crew made up of the world's astronauts lands on the moon, they think for the first time. But the delight ... See full summary »

Director:

Nathan Juran

Writers:

Nigel Kneale (screenplay), Jan Read (screenplay),

Stars:

Edward Judd, Martha Hyer, Lionel Jeffries

Cast

Cast overview:
Edward Judd	...	Arnold Bedford
Martha Hyer	...	Kate Callender
Lionel Jeffries	...	Joseph Cavor
Miles Malleson	...	Dymchurch Registrar
Norman Bird	...	Stuart
Gladys Henson	...	Nursing Home Matron
Hugh McDermott	...	Richard Challis
Betty McDowall	...	Margaret Hoy

Storyline

Based on the HG Wells story. The world is delighted when a space craft containing a crew made up of the world's astronauts lands on the moon, they think for the first time. But the delight turns to shock when the astronauts discover an old British flag and a document declaring that the moon is taken for Queen Victoria proving that the astronauts were not the first men on the moon. On Earth, an investigation team finds the last of the Victorian crew - a now aged Arnold Bedford and he tells them the story of how he and his girlfriend, Katherine Callender, meet up with an inventor, Joseph Cavor, in 1899. Cavor has invented Cavorite, a paste that will allow anything to deflect gravity and he created a sphere that will actually take them to the moon. Taking Arnold and accidentally taking Katherine they fly to the moon where, to their total amazement, they discover a bee-like insect population who take an unhealthy interest in their Earthly visitors...

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Plot Keywords:

moon | astronaut | flag | despot | passenger | 

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Taglines:

H.G. Wells' Astounding Adventure in Dynamation!

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Genres:

Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 November 1964 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die erste Fahrt zum Mond

Filming Locations:

Chertsey, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ameran Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Mono (Westrex Recording System) (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Last film of Paul Carpenter.

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Goofs

It's clear by the smoke, steam, and glowing yellow color that the pot of anti-gravity paste is a very hot molten metal. It would be impossible to "paint" a molten metal on anything like a wooden chair with a bristle brush without the chair and the brush bursting into flame.

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Quotes

Arnold Bedford: Poor Cavor! He did have such a terrible cold.

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Crazy Credits

and in LunaColour

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Connections

Version of The First Men in the Moon (1919)

User Reviews

Fly Me to the Moon and Let Me Play Among the Stars...

The heart and spirit of H. G. Wells's novel remains intact in this Ray Harryhausen/Nathan Juran vehicle. A 20th century frame story about American led international crew landing on moon and finding an old Union Jack flag and a letter giving rights to the moon to Queen Victoria in 1899 add a brilliant touch to this story about a professor and his two neighbors exploring space and landing on the moon. The scientific explanation for space travel is absurd as are many other plot contrivances, but the story is a fun, entertaining romp about what exploration use to be like when man relied less on machines and more on brains. Director Juran and Harrysausen have created a film with many funny moments, beautiful moon landscapes, and even some thought-provoking questions about human nature and what humans are all about. Although this is not like any other Harryhausen picture - really only one large, cumbersome, rather mundane creature, Harryhausen really evokes awe as he creates a total vision of what a society might look like underneath the surface of the moon. The moon is a startling set and impressive. Laurie Johnson(Avenger's Theme) adds her brilliant touch and creates some beautiful music for the film. But when is all said and done - for me - the brightest star in this galactic romp is Lionel Jeffries as Professor Cavour. Jeffries lights up every scene he is in. His ability to use humor in every reflex and word make him a joy to behold. Does he overact? Perhaps. But in the same way that Vincent Price did. He steal his scenes and this picture. Edward Judd does nicely in his role as does Martha Hyer, who is beautiful as well.