First Men in the Moon (1964)

My Review

“First Men in the Moon” is the story of a moon landing in 1964 by United Nations astronauts. Upon arrival, they discover evidence that humans had been there before, with paperwork claiming the moon for Queen Victoria 65 years earlier. The heavy scifi drama proceeds from there! Director Nathan Juran (“Hellcats of the Navy” 1957) was meticulous at the helm of the film, instilling top-rate production values in the project, especially the special effects by Ray Harryhausen and cinematography by Wilkie Cooper.

The excellent screenplay by Nigel Neale and Jan Read was adapted from the 1901 novel of the same name by H. G. Welles. The cast includes Edward Judd, Martha Hyer, Lionel Jeffries, Miles Malleson, Norman Bird, Gladys Henson, Hugh McDermott, Betty McDowell, Huw Thomas, Erik Chitty, and Marne Maitland as Dr. Tok of the United Nations Space Agency. The watchable “First Men in the Moon,” filmed five years before the actual first moon landing by the United States, was successful in theatrical release for American Films and Columbia Pictures.