Unknown World (1951)

Scientists use a gigantic drilling machine for an expedition to the center of the earth.

Director:

Terry O. Morse (as Terrell O. Morse)

Writer:

Millard Kaufman (original screenplay)

Stars:

Bruce Kellogg, Otto Waldis, Jim Bannon

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bruce Kellogg	...	Wright Thompson
Otto Waldis	...	Dr. Max A. Bauer
Jim Bannon	...	Andy Ostergaard
Tom Handley	...	Dr. James Paxton
Dick Cogan	...	Dr. George Coleman
George Baxter	...	Carlisle Foundation Chairman
Marilyn Nash	...	Dr. Joan Lindsey

Storyline

Dr. Jerimiah Morley becomes convinced that the world is headed to an inevitable worldwide nuclear war. He organizes an expedition made up of a team of expert scientists and an atomic-powered rock-boring vehicle called a "cyclotram" to find a subterranean environment where holocaust survivors could live indefinitely. When funding falls through, independently rich adventurer Wright Thompson underwrites the project under the condition that he be allowed to go. As the group goes deeper beneath the Earth's crust, personalities clash, tempers flare, and the dangerous journey claims the lives of several expedition members. When they come upon an enormous underground expanse with its own ocean and phosphorescent light, it appears that their goal has been achieved.

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Plot Keywords:

begins with newsreel | underground world | psychotronic film | bare chested male | nuclear explosion | 

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Taglines:

DARING scenes of the forbidden depths at the heart of the world!

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Genres:

Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

This project was actually put together by two special effects men, Jack Rabin and Irving Block, who are listed as producers.

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Goofs

Dr. Lindsey states animals born in the underground world are sterile but presumably the "first" rabbit litter they are waiting for was conceived by animals brought from the surface.

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Quotes

Wright Thompson: What kind of place is this? Flowers that crumble to dust in your hand, stones that look like pearls, fish without eyes! Nature's sure a practical joker!
Dr. Jeremiah Morley: I suppose you could've done better?
Wright Thompson: In 10 million years I couldn'ta done worse!

User Reviews

Serious but indifferently acted and sluggish sci-fi.

As with ROCKETSHIP XM, Irving Block, Jack Rabin and the Lippert Company were trying to make a serious science fiction film with something to say. To the films credit, UNKNOWN WORLD is not exploitive or stupid as Rabins and Blocks next film ,CAT WOMEN OF THE MOON was. Years before I first saw this film, I owned a still of the drilling machine that takes the cast to center of the Earth and found it rather interesting looking. Its not bad looking in the film, and the scenes of it drilling into the Earth are of some visual interest. However, the film is just to lethargic and indifferently acted too be of interest to anyone other 1950's science fiction buffs. The trip to the center of the Earth is just to slow going.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 October 1951 (USA)

Also Known As:

Night Without Stars

Filming Locations:

Bronson Caves, Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lippert Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

74 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1