Complete credited cast: | |||
Lloyd Bridges | ... | Col. Floyd Graham | |
Osa Massen | ... | Dr. Lisa Van Horn | |
John Emery | ... | Dr. Karl Eckstrom | |
Noah Beery Jr. | ... | Maj. William Corrigan | |
Hugh O'Brian | ... | Harry Chamberlain / Voice on Loudspeaker | |
Morris Ankrum | ... | Dr. Ralph Fleming | |
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Patrick Aherne | ... | Reporter #1 (as Patrick Ahern) |
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Sherry Moreland | ... | Martian Girl |
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John Dutra | ... | Physician |
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Kathy Marlowe | ... | Reporter (as Katherine Marlowe) |
Astronauts (Lloyd Bridges, Osa Massen, John Emery, Noah Beery, Jr., and Hugh O'Brien) blast off to explore the moon. Because of craft malfunction and some fuel calculations, they end up landing on Mars. On Mars, evidence of a once powerful civilization is found. The scientists determine that an atomic war destroyed most of the Martians (who surprisingly look like humans). Those that survived reverted to a caveman-like existence. Written by Matthew Soffen <matt@tuxie.aai.com>
Despite what we would now consider laughable scientific goofs, this science-fiction film carried itself well as a dramatic film. The actors were all solid professionals. The Martian settings were believable. The sentiments, while a bit pretentious, were sincere and laudable. It was an early attempt at mature science-fiction and succeeded better than many more polished, but cynical efforts that came later on.