Crash of Moons (1954)

This was never released as a feature film but, instead, is comprised of 3 episodes from the TV series, Rocky Jones, Space Ranger (1954) which were edited together and released on video as a feature-length story.

Director:

Hollingsworth Morse

Writer:

Warren Wilson

Stars:

Richard Crane, Scotty Beckett, Sally Mansfield

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Richard Crane	...	Rocky Jones (archive footage)
Scotty Beckett	...	Winky (archive footage)
Sally Mansfield	...	Vena Ray (archive footage)
Robert Lyden	...	Bobby (archive footage)
Maurice Cass	...	Professor Newton (archive footage)
Charles Meredith	...	Secretary of Space Drake (archive footage)
Patsy Parsons	...	Cleolanta (archive footage)
Harry Lauter	...	Atlasan (archive footage)
Maria Palmer	...	Potonda (archive footage)
John Banner	...	Bavarro (archive footage)
Nan Leslie	...	Trinka (archive footage)
Lane Bradford	...	Lasvon - Cleolanta's Lieutenant (archive footage)

Storyline

This was never released as a feature film but, instead, is comprised of 3 episodes from the TV series, Rocky Jones, Space Ranger (1954) which were edited together and released on video as a feature-length story.

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Plot Keywords:

outer space | space opera | spacecraft | space station | sidekick | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 July 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

Crash of the Moons

Filming Locations:

Griffith Observatory, 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Official Films, Roland Reed Productions, Space Ranger Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min 86 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Rocky and Winky were traveling toward the Space Station to warn them of the "Atmosphere chain", they asked the Space Station's radio operator to call back the ship that had recently left. The radio operator indicated that they were out of radio range, yet Rocky was able to talk to them, supposedly from further away.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Vena Ray: Vena Ray to Transport 13: Thanks for the buggy ride. Out.

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Alternate Versions

Originally broadcast as two episodes of "Rocky Jones, Space Ranger" (1954).

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Connections

Edited from Rocky Jones, Space Ranger (1954)

User Reviews

Worth a Look If You Like the Genre

This is a pretty standard example of the kind of 1950's sci-fi movie that, on the one hand, now comes across as thoroughly dated and often unintentionally funny, but that also has a certain charm, at least to those who can appreciate the genre. This is not a bad film of its kind, despite its deficiencies.

The "Crash of Moons" has to do with a pair of 'gypsy moons', one of which is inhabited, that are locked into an irregular orbit around each other (as one character helpfully describes it, 'like two children on a playground'), and that are headed for a collision with another inhabited moon. The 'United Worlds' sends Space Ranger Rocky Jones and his friends to save everybody. One of the moons (whose leader is John Banner, better known as Sergeant Schultz from "Hogan's Heroes") is quite cooperative, but the other world is ruled by an entertainingly mean-spirited queen who, for reasons that apparently satisfy her, would rather eliminate the Space Rangers than have their help.

Most of the characters are stereotypes, but the actors are not bad, and most of them seem to enjoy what they are doing, which gives it some real life most of the time. Some of the events and much of the jargon in the dialogue lack any plausibility, but the basic premise of the impending collision comes across pretty well, and creates some real interest. The direction could have been a lot better, because in many of the crises the tension is prematurely defused, but on the other hand there is usually enough going on to keep the viewer's interest. The 'special' effects are about what you would expect, but at least they're good for some chuckles.

This movie won't be of general interest today, but if you enjoy movies such as "Plan 9 From Outer Space", this one is worth a look. "Crash of Moons" is not nearly as uproariously inept (what movie is), but it will keep your attention and provide some light entertainment.