Science Fiction Theatre (TV Series) Project 44 (1955) User Reviews

A Good Representation of Fifties Optimism

[jrpa · 8/10 · 14 February 2020]

The space race was heating up at the time of Initial broadcast and though his supposition was correct about off world travel (moon before 1970) the "interplanetary" part of the travel timeline was overly optimistic, Having grown up at this time (elementary school) i will ask just where are our commercial outposts on the moon and the planets? Are they the same place where you will find our flying cars?

Interesting Only as a Period Piece

[Hitchcoc · 6/10 · 18 July 2013]

Because of the introduction of a new rocket fuel, it is determined, without any other research sited, that it will be possible for a group of people to go to Mars. At least none is mentioned. The sorting out process is set up to choose the astronauts (although this term had not been invented at the time). Four men and four women are chosen. They are subjected to a series of tests to see if they are indeed fit. One of the interesting requirements is that they may not be married or have plans to marry. As the episode unfolds, the test subjects begin to fail miserably. One of the young women nearly dies. Something is afoot.

Meanwhile, a strained relationship develops between the project director and his psychiatrist wife. She announces he is crazy to the assembled astronauts. Then she is embarrassed by his response, showing her utter weakness. Another shot at women. Too smart for their own good and horribly emotional. This really has no bearing on the story. The only really interesting part is the science and how the people were tested, what issues they faced. That plays somewhat decently.