The Phantom Planet (1961)

After an invisible asteroid draws an astronaut and his ship to its surface, he is miniaturized by the phantom planet's exotic atmosphere.

Director:

William Marshall

Writers:

William Telaak (screenplay), Fred De Gorter (screenplay)

Stars:

Dean Fredericks, Coleen Gray, Anthony Dexter

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dean Fredericks	...	Capt. Frank Chapman
Coleen Gray	...	Liara
Anthony Dexter	...	Herron (as Tony Dexter)
Francis X. Bushman	...	Sessom
Richard Weber	...	Lt. Ray Makonnen
Al Jarvis	...	Judge Eden
Dick Haynes	...	Col. Lansfield
Earl McDaniel	...	Capt. Leonard
Mike Marshall	...	Lt. White (as Michael Marshall)
John Herrin	...	Capt. Beecher
Mel Curtis	...	Lt. Cutler
Jimmy Weldon	...	Lt. Webb
Akemi Tani	...	Communications Officer
Lori Lyons	...	Radar Officer
Richard Kiel	...	The Solarite

Storyline

After an invisible asteroid draws an astronaut and his ship to its surface, he is miniaturized by the phantom planet's exotic atmosphere.

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Plot Keywords:

psychotronic film | space battle | atom bomb explosion | outer space | lord's prayer | 

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Taglines:

See!! A 6 ft. astronaut shrink to 6 inches before your very eyes! See!! The Moon Maidens! See!! The attack of the Fire People! Staring DOLORES FAITH the Girl from Outer Space!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dolores Faith receives an "introducing" credit.

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Goofs

As the Solorite sets down the unconscious Zetha, her arms reveal voluntary movement.

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Quotes

Lt. Ray Makonnen: You know, Captain, every year of my life I grow more and more convinced that the wisest and best is to fix our attention on the good and the beautiful. If you just take the time to look at it.

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Crazy Credits

Instead of "The End," the end title reads "The Beginning."

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Alternate Versions

Also available in a colorized version.

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Connections

Featured in Cheezy Science Fiction Vol.1 (2009)

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Soundtracks

Caliban and Ariel
(uncredited)
Music by Desmond Leslie
[Plays repeatedly in the score.]

User Reviews

Its Not that bad

This movie is not that bad when you consider the type and time this movie was made. It was a 50's science fiction (even though it was made in 1961). It does have a plot-astronaut is on a mission to check out why rockets keep crashing on asteroids. Crashes into one, shrinks, meets good looking girls and helps fight evil space invaders. Typical sci-fi 50's movie. If you want good acting, see Casablanca or Citizen Kane. This movie was entertaining enough. I rate it 6/10 for a 50's type sci-fi.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 December 1961 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Phantom Planet

Filming Locations:

Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Four Crown Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1