Doomsday Machine (1972)

Spies discover that the Red Chinese have built a "doomsday machine" capable of destroying the surface of the Earth, and that they plan to use it within a matter of days.

Directors:

Harry Hope, Lee Sholem

Writer:

Stuart J. Byrne (original story and screenplay)

Stars:

Bobby Van, Ruta Lee, Mala Powers

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bobby Van	...	Danny
Ruta Lee	...	Dr. Marion Turner
Mala Powers	...	Maj. Georgianna Bronski
James Craig	...	Dr. Haines
Grant Williams	...	Maj. Kurt Mason
Henry Wilcoxon	...	Dr. Christopher Perry
Chia Essie Lin	...	Girl Spy (as Essie Lin Chia)
Casey Kasem	...	Mission Control Officer
Lorri Scott	...	Lt. Katie Carlson
Denny Miller	...	Col. Don Price (as Scott Miller)
Mike Farrell	...	1st Reporter
John Cestare
Raymond Mayo
Frank Gambina
Mark Bailey	...	Major / Astronaut

Storyline

Spies discover that the Red Chinese have built a "doomsday machine" capable of destroying the surface of the Earth, and that they plan to use it within a matter of days. Meanwhile, Project Astra, a manned U.S. space mission to Venus, is in its final hours before launch when it is taken over by the military and nearly half of its all-male crew is replaced by women. The reason for this becomes apparent when, shortly after Astra leaves orbit, the Earth is completely destroyed in a global cataclysm! Is the human race doomed? What dangers and wonders await the crew of the Astra on their journey to Venus?

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Plot Keywords:

astronaut | space travel | end of the world | bleeding eyes | sexism | 

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Taglines:

Death in Space!

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Genres:

Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final film of director Lee Sholem.

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Goofs

A great deal of time is spent firing off stages of the rocket, although exterior shots (usually) show a one-stage rocket.

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Quotes

Lt. Katie Carlson: You're very forceful, aren't you?
Mason: Do I, er, need force?
Lt. Katie Carlson: I was talking about vibrations.
Mason: Oh. How are yours doing?
Lt. Katie Carlson: What do they say?
Mason: I'm not sure, but I like them.
Lt. Katie Carlson: And they like you. In time.

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Connections

Featured in Psychotronic Fiction The Movie (2017)

User Reviews

The History of Doomsday + 7

The movie came from a February 1966 screen play story outline by Stuart J. Byrne called Deadmen in Space. It was optioned to Fred Long of Pleidas Productions, Inc. Allied Artists Studio. In March, 1966, Henry Blum and Fred Long agreed to form a corporation to be known as Blu-Lon Ent. which would acquire certain properties, one of which was "Dead Men in Space" also known as "Armageddon 75". (The corporation never was formed but Blum and Long worked as a 50/50 partnership on this movie).

Seeing possible conflicts with the title Armageddon, the property was registered on March 29, 1967 with the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. as "Doomsday + (plus) 7 (seven)". There was a private screening of the incomplete movie on June 21, 1969 with the title listed as "Doomsday Plus 7". (There are audience participation cards.) On the 22nd of November, 1969, Fred Long signed over all rights to the "partially completed feature length motion picture, tentatively entitled 'DOOMSDAY PLUS SEVEN', by FRED LONG as Producer ... to Q R C Productions ..." and lost all control, possible profit and his name was stricken from the picture.

There is much more to the story. The budget overruns and mismanagement. The threats of lawsuits. Rising government costs almost at will. The way Stuart stood by Fred Long and how the Hollywood machine just chewed up the little guy. If a movie were made called "The Making of Doomsday + 7", it would be a money maker in theaters today. I have the documentation and more.

I also have Fred Long family photos and negatives along with some personal items of Mr. Long that I would like to get back to the family. Fred Long is a stage name, the family will know his given name.

Do not judge Mr. Long's work by the completed film but by the work up to the point the actors morphed. Hokey - yes. Low budget - yes. But it didn't have to be a hack job. RIP Fred, I hope this helps.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Escape from Planet Earth

Filming Locations:

Van Nuys Airport - 16461 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

First Leisure

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1