Customer Reviews

Missile to the Moon - In COLOR! Also Includes the Original Black-and-White Version which has been Beautifully Restored and Enhanced!

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

From the Wade Williams Collection and Image Entertainment, we get the definitive science fiction space extravaganza of 1959 (can you sense the sarcasm? I'm laying it on pretty thick here) directed by Richard E. Cunha, the man responsible for such cinematic schlock as She Demons (1958), Frankenstein's Daughter (1958), and Giant from the Unknown (1958). This film is actually a remake of 1953's Cat-Women of the Moon, which wasn't done by Cuhna. This movie has nearly everything, from lovely international beauty contestant winners cast as moon maidens, a spiffy rocket ship, less than exciting space travel, meteors, rock monsters, lunar caves fraught with danger (and breathable atmosphere, go figure), diamonds as big as your fist, a giant, hairy spider with big, pointy teeth, and even a catfight...what it doesn't have; a coherent plot, decent special effects, a lucid script, good characterizations, realistic sets, or passable acting, but, in the world of B movies, this one certainly stands out.

Okay, here's the deal. Seems a scientist has built a missile he intends to fly to the moon. The government, seeing the value and advanced state of his work, decides to take over the project, much to the scientists' dismay. He pouts a lot and makes a lot of statements you'd expect from a petulant child who doesn't get his way. Meanwhile, two criminals have escaped from prison, and have taken refuge within the moon missile. The scientist discovers them, and decides to convince them, at gunpoint, to help him fly his missile to the moon before the government takes away his cardboard spacecraft...er, I mean futuristic, atomic powered spacecraft. The scientists' assistant and his fiancé get caught on the ship, and all five blast off into the great unknown of space. After some danger involving meteors and such, this unlikely group reaches the moon. There they encounter some rock monsters that seem not to like people as they begin to attack our unlikely, yet plucky, cosmic travelers. It's funny watching the scenes with the rock monsters as all involved try to create tension and a sense of danger as one actor shouts out, "Look out! They're trying to surround us!" but the rock monster suits provide very little mobility causing the horrific creatures to move at a snails pace, allowing for even the most feeble to escape easily, that is unless someone trips...they take refuge in a cave, and soon find themselves transported to a lunar city, which we never really get to see, filled with a bevy of beautiful moon maidens. I can see why the scientist wanted to get here so badly, as there are no men, only bunches of lunar babes, ripe for the picking. Stuff happens, words are said, and soon we learn of the imminent danger the lunar women, and a catfight happens somewhere around here. Oh yeah, there's a wonderful scene where the scrappy space travelers are in a cave, and the order is given to release 'the Dark Ones'. As a really fake looking grate rises to a section of the cave, the suspense builds, and finally....nothing..oh wait! A big, hairy spider! And a particularly frisky one at that, based on what he's doing to that moon maiden... What happens next? Well, I don't want to give away too much, but it's all pretty predictable.

There's plenty of fun to be had here for lovers of campy movies. The disc contains a very decent print of the film, which does have minor, expected flaws, but the black and white looks crisp, and the audio is very clear. The only special feature is a photo gallery of mostly the beauty contestant winners in their moon maiden garb. I thoroughly enjoyed this better than average presentation of a late 50's sci-fi camp fest, but I was also glad that its' run time was only 77 minutes as Hollywood cheese is good, if taken in moderation.

Cookieman108

Missile to the Moon is basically a remake of Cat Women of the Moon (even reusing that giant spider) and just as much el cheapo fun as that film. I love the school-play-quality sets and props, amateurish acting, laughable dialogue, etc., (in short, everything you want in a Bad Film). For some reason the Moon Queen has ancient Mayan art hanging on her wall! (Attention Graham Hancock.) And those clumsy rock creatures are some of the most underrated 50s "monsters" (for originality if nothing else). Let's be honest here though: this is not a lunatic mess like Plan 9 or The Creeping Terror. It suffers from a bit too much technical competence to really achieve "warp" factor, yet remains a solid 70 minutes for crummy movie enthusiasts.
The DVD presentation is quite a bit above average for this type of movie. First, despite some minor speckling and a few damaged frames here and there, the print used is spectacular: good tonal scale, nice and sharp, clear sound. Overall, much better than one would expect. (In some scenes you can even see the creases on the backdrops.) There is no trailer included (unusual for Image), although you do get chapter stops and a special bonus "photo gallery" of dozens of someone's behind-the-scenes shots taken on and around the set, including many stills (some in color) of the "Moon Maidens" posing alluringly. Not exactly "the special edition," but a nice, atypical bonus for a set like this. C-movie nerds, grab this, you won't be disappointed. One star less than perfect 'cause no trailer and the (very minor) speckling and print damage.

'Missile To The Moon' was released in '59, I was seven at the time. The first time I watched this film was on television, it was one of those "Movies of the Week" where it ran every night, Monday thru Friday at 8 o'clock, Saturday afternoon and twice on Sunday. I didn't miss a single showing.

Hey what did you expect, what little kid could resist a flight to the Moon, frightening rock monsters, a giant cave spider on strings and some very lovely Moon Maidens in form fitting tops and stretch pants. It was like heaven. I didn't particularily like the fact that these lovely lunar ladies where able to control humans through mind control, but I guess that was something I would learn to accept when I grew older (THAT'S A JOKE!).

Bad special effects, low budget, silly script, but lots of fun! However after all these years I still hate that stupid spider for eating Pat Mowry, my favorite Moon Maiden.

'Missile To The Moon' was released in '59, I was seven at the time. The first time I watched this film was on television, it was one of those "Movies of the Week" where it ran every night, Monday thru Friday at 8 o'clock, Saturday afternoon and twice on Sunday. I didn't miss a single showing.

Hey what did you expect, what little kid could resist a flight to the Moon, frightening rock monsters, a giant cave spider on strings and some very lovely Moon Maidens in form fitting tops and stretch pants. It was like heaven. I didn't particularily like the fact that these lovely lunar ladies where able to control humans through mind control, but I guess that was something I would learn to accept when I grew older (THAT'S A JOKE!).

Bad special effects, low budget, silly script, but lots of fun! However after all these years I still hate that stupid spider for eating Pat Mowry, my favorite Moon Maiden.

This movie is pretty decent if you're into this kind of stuff. The acting is corny, in a humorous and entertaining sort of way. The cheesy effects are great! The rock monsters are pretty cool, and the giant spider is totally hilarious. The spider is the best part of the movie. It just has to be seen to be believed! There are also some very sexy moon women to look at. B movie fans should definitely check this one out.

'Missile To The Moon' was released in '59, I was seven at the time. The first time I watched this film was on television, it was one of those "Movies of the Week" where it ran every night, Monday thru Friday at 8 o'clock, Saturday afternoon and twice on Sunday. I didn't miss a single showing.

Hey what did you expect, what little kid could resist a flight to the Moon, frightening rock monsters, a giant cave spider on strings and some very lovely Moon Maidens in form fitting tops and stretch pants. It was like heaven. I didn't particularily like the fact that these lovely lunar ladies where able to control humans through mind control, but I guess that was something I would learn to accept when I grew older (THAT'S A JOKE!).

Bad special effects, low budget, silly script, but lots of fun! However after all these years I still hate that stupid spider for eating Pat Mowry, my favorite Moon Maiden.

Legend Films present "MISSILE TO THE MOON" (1956) (77 mins) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) --- now in COLOR and Glorious Black and White --- with Legend Films to restore, colorize and release the earliest black and white films --- a patented coloring and remastering process makes the picture perfect more vivd than ever.

Under Richard E. Cunha (Director), Marc Frederick (Producer), H.E. Barrie (Screenwriter), Vincent Fotre (Screenwriter), Meredith Nicholson (Cinematographer), Nicholas Carras (Composer (Music Score), Everett Dodd (Editor), Harry Reif (Set Designer), Marjorie D. Corso (Costume Designer), Harry Thomas (Makeup), Ira Anderson, Jr. (Special Effects), Harold Banks (Special Effects), Harold Wooley (Special Effects), Robert Wyckoff (Camera Operator), Ralph Brooke (Production Manager) - - - - You know right away you are in an alternate universe when you watch this one --- Hero Richard Travis pulls back a curtain to give us a look at what is supposed to be a giant rocket way out in the background --- Oh it just gets better from there --- Scientist Michael Whalen blasts off for the Moon with a makeshift crew of 2 escaped jailbirds --- Mr. Travis and girlfriend Cathy Downs go aboard just before blastoff and are unable to get off in time --- does that mean they were shanghaied? --- Richard Cunha did not direct many movies but the few he did give us are fantastic --- "Missile to the Moon" is more or less a remake to "Cat Women of the Moon", which was made in 1953 --- This is a must for all B-movie fanatics --- Great fun --- Is it art? No. Is it fun? You bet!

the cast includes:
Richard Travis ... Steve Dayton
Cathy Downs ... June Saxton
K.T. Stevens ... The Lido
Tommy Cook ... Gene Fennell
Nina Bara ... Alpha
Gary Clarke ... Lon
Michael Whalen ... Dirk Green
Laurie Mitchell ... Lambda
Leslie Parrish ... Zema (as Marjorie Hellen)
Henry Hunter ... Col. Wickers
Lee Roberts ... Sheriff Cramer
Sandra Wirth ... Moon Girl
Pat Mowry ... Moon Girl
Tania Velia ... Moon Girl
Sanita Pelkey ... Moon Girl

SPECIAL FEATURES:
1. Original Black and White Version
2. Sci-Fi Toy Commercials
3. Theatrical Trailers

Hats off and thanks to Barry B. Sandrew Ph.D. (Founder, COO & CTO) and his Legend Films Staff --- looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage era of the '20s, '30s & '40s --- order your copy now from Amazon where there are plenty of copies available on DVD --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out Legend Films where they are experts in releasing long forgotten films and treasures to the collector --- all my heroes have been cowboys!

Total Time: 77 mins on DVD ~ Legend Films Video. ~ (7/17/2007)

Mankind hasn't always been as intelligent as we are now. As late as a few hundred years ago, we thought the Earth was flat and that the Sun revolved around the Earth. As late as 2008, we even believed the Los Angeles Lakers could go all the way. And, apparently, as late as fifty years ago we believed that the moon was populated by giant rubber rock monsters and ruled over by a sadistic queen.

Of course, some misconceptions are much more entertaining than others, and Missile to the Moon certainly qualifies as the former. Continuing its long tradition of supporting the most "legendary" B-movies, Legend Films has completely re-mastered the classic film for this new DVD release, providing its trademark touch of color in the process, though always including the unaltered black and white version on the same disc. You might think that the audience reaps the most reward from this improvement, but you'd be wrong. The real beneficiary of Legend's added hues is the film's camp-value! Only in true color, for instance, does it become blindingly apparent that "the moon" is actually a studio backlot in Southern California.

As with all Legend releases, the colorization quality is far and above any preconceived notion you might have. The technology deployed by Legend has advanced significantly beyond the "Terrible Turner" broadcasting colorizations of the `80s, resulting in a realistic and polished appearance that has to be seen to be believed. And since the bottom line is so often the "bottom line," you can't get more value than having two versions of a timeless movie on the same disc, for the same price.

When a scientist builds a missile that will take him to the moon(thus the title of course), he enlists(more like forces) the help of two escaped convicts to help him pilot the thing on it's journey. Why not? His assistant and his girlfiend happen to stumble aboard as well. After arriving on the moon they discover a civilization of sexy women(who speak English of course) who are running out of air and wish to colonize another planet. Our group finds itself in danger and must escape before they're all killed by the evil new dictator chick. With the help of a sympathetic moon girl, who's gone soft for one of the convicts(of course. There's always one, isn't there?), they try to make their way back to their missile. On their moon trip they enounter giant rock men(guys in styrofoam outfits with no attempt whatsoever to cover up the actors' faces popping out of the costume), a giant spider(any film should get at least one extra star on it's rating if it has a giant spider in it), and oxygen. They also find that standing out in the sun will have the same effect on a human as it would on a vampire. Needless to say that Missile to the Moon is one of those films that will be most enjoyed by the Plan 9 crowd. In fact, I actually like this more than Plan 9 myself. This film is a remake of Cat Women Of The Moon. I really don't understand what the point was to remake a schlock film that was made only six years earlier, and do it just as cheaply. I guess we'll never know. One of the more fun 50s sci-fi films. But the one thing I don't quite get is why with all these woman around, not one guy gets lucky throughout the entire film(then again they weren't given alot of time. But somebody could have at least made it quick). Another thing we'll never understand I guess. It's still fun though!

We desperately need to get another moon mission together, RIGHT NOW! The place is crawling w/ statuesque moon babes! Send me today! I surrender! They can have me! Ahem.... anyway, MISSILE TO THE MOON involves a team of space explorers (including two escaped cons) who land on the moon, get chased by lumbering rock-monsters, and find a cave filled w/ precious oxygen (!). Not only this, but the cave leads to a hidden city populated by beautiful models in high-heels and one-piece bathing suits! Their leader, or "Lido", is a cross between Auntie Mame, Liberache, and Medusa in her titanic head-dress! Cathy Downs, the lone female earthling, is vexed and intimidated by the moon's high estrogen level. She must fight for her man while looking smart in her pearl necklace and earrings! Alas, the males have fallen under the spell of the lunar ladies! What will become of them? MTTM proves once and for all that the moon truly is made of cheese...