1958's "Missile to the Moon" was an impoverished Astor quickie signaling director Richard Cunha's final entry in a quartet of sci fi efforts, this one a virtual remake of Astor's 1953 release "Cat-Women of the Moon," depicting the discovery of a civilization of lunar lovelies who have never seen a man in their lives. Michael Whalen's Dirk Green is the creator of a rocket ready to blast off for a predetermined destination, frustrated by a government that won't allow him to test his theories so he hides two escaped convicts on board as a 3 man crew for an impromptu takeoff at the 20 minute mark, with colleagues Steve Dayton (Richard Travis) and June Saxton (Cathy Downs) stowing away by accident. Delighted to have more knowledgeable help, Dirk doesn't survive being injured during a meteor shower, landing after only 10 minutes in space to put the quartet among Vasquez Rocks in Red Rock Canyon near the Mojave Desert, the same location as the opening of Universal's "WereWolf of London." Wearing their oxygen gear, it is said that the blazing hot sun is enough to roast a man alive, menaced by rock creatures that blend in with the terrain but stumble about like Gumby. The only oxygen available is inside a cave where they become honored guests of the all female kingdom led by The Lido (K.T. Stevens), who mistakes Steve for the deceased Dirk because of the medallion he was given, evidence that Dirk was a male consort sent to bring back help to their dying world. They need the rocket to transport the survivors to Earth but treachery presents itself from the telepathic Alpha (Nina Bara), who takes over as new leader after stabbing The Lido, sending the astronauts to certain death in the chamber of the 'dark creatures,' actually the same giant spider puppet from "Cat-Women of the Moon." Issued on a double bill with the lower budgeted, already completed "Frankenstein's Daughter," success was more assured than the previous coupling of "Giant from the Unknown" and "She Demons," far more delightful delilahs to entice horny teen males to their local drive-ins for lucrative business (Cunha's slim resume would add only one more title as director, 1960's "Girl in Room 13").
Review of Missile to the Moon
