Discover
-
Irving Pichel
Director -
Robert A. Heinlein
Screenplay -
George Pal
Producer -
Alford Van Ronkel
Screenplay -
James O'Hanlon
Screenplay -
Leith Stevens
Original Music Composer -
Lionel Lindon
Director of Photography -
Duke Goldstone
Editor
-
Sierbahnn
8/17/2026 1:07:02PM
Post-war science fiction like this is oddly optimistic. In this case, it is also foolhardingly patriotical, capitalistic, and extremely cynical. It's almost as if you're watching the film version of Jules Verne's work about traveling to the moon, considering how little time is spent actually working out how to get to the moon and instead delving into how to rip a set apart in order to strip weight from a rocket. The characters are weird and feel very much at home in a story like this, whereas in reality, they would never have gotten into this situation. It's a strangely comforting movie because of its optimism, but infuriating because of everything else. The production value is fantastic given the time and the effects with stop motion astronauts whenever there is a wide shot is great. Note that some of the shots of space helmets have glass in them and some do not. I'm guessing they weren't very comfortable for the actors to wear on set.
John Archer
Jim BarnesTom Powers
General ThayerErin O'Brien-Moore
Emily CargravesKenner G. Kemp
Businessman at Meeting (uncredited)Cosmo Sardo
Businessman at Meeting (uncredited)Irving Pichel
Off Screen Narrator of Woody Woodpecker Cartoon (voice) (uncredited)Dick Wesson
Joe SweeneyFranklyn Farnum
Factory Worker (uncredited)