DESTINATION MOON with a Side of MARS

DESTINATION MOON and FLIGHT TO MARS

1950-1951 / 163 min (2 movies)

Film Masters

Review by Mr. Paws😽

Film Masters serves up another double feature of nicely restored ancient artifacts, this time pairing two sci-fi films from the early 1950s. One might be of considerable historical interest, while the other is simply frivolous fun.

1950’s Destination Moon is the first sci-fi film from legendary producer George Pal, best known for such classics as War of the Worlds, When Worlds Collide and The Time Machine (kind of making him the George Lucas of his day). It’s also one of the earliest attempts to take the concept of space travel seriously by speculating the first lunar mission.

The film was somewhat groundbreaking for its time, and if one keeps in-mind the era in which this was made, there’s a lot to appreciate here…the efforts to offer plausible science, impressive production design, its depiction of the voyage itself and the lunar surface (the latter realized through wonderful matte paintings). Even legendary sci-fi author Robert A. Heinlein had a hand in the screenplay. Considering the budget (which wasn't much), it’s a great looking piece of speculative sci-fi.

However, appreciating a film, no matter how influential, isn’t always the same as actually enjoying it. Setting aside the aesthetics and believable science (again, for the time), Destination Moon is dramatically slight, even kinda dull at times. There’s little in the way of conflict or engaging characters, most of whom exist to provide urgent exposition (except for some obnoxious comic relief courtesy of Dick Wesson). 

Spaceballs: The Prequel.

1951’s Flight to Mars has a budget so low that Cameron Mitchell earns top billing. But even though this ain’t exactly a George Pal production and its depiction of what awaits us on the angry red planet was probably chuckleworthy even in the ‘50s, it’s an entertaining little film…if sometimes at its own expense. 

On the first mission to Mars, a five person crew - including intrepid wise-cracking reporter Steve Abbott (Mitchell) - crash lands. They meet its leaders, who are outwardly congenial and offer to help with repairs. But in reality, their society is dying and they plan on using the ship to create their own fleet and conquer Earth. A gratuitous romantic subplot is also introduced, mostly an excuse to exploit Marguerite Chapman’s considerable visual assets.

Speaking of visuals...despite the obvious tiny budget, the film features some interesting special effects. The scenes of the rocket in-flight are goofy as hell, but the underground Martian city - a combination of forced perspective, matte paintings and colorful set design - is pretty impressive, drawing obvious inspiration from the 1939 British classic, Things to Come.

Both films boast good restorations, with vivid overall picture quality and serviceable audio tracks. Additionally, each disc comes with entertaining and informative bonus material. 

EXTRA KIBBLES

DESTINATION MOON

FEATURETTE - Man’s Greatest Adventure: Making Destination Moon is an entertaining new 23 minute documentary, featuring Justin Humphreys.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By historian Justin Humphreys.

TRAILER

SUPPLEMENTAL BOOKLET - Features an essay, One Small Step/One Giant Leap, by Sloan De Forest.

FLIGHT TO MARS

FEATURETTES - Interstellar Travelogues: Extended Edition; Walter Mirish: From Bomba to Body Snatchers.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By historian Justin Humphreys.

TRAILER