I met Ray Harryhausen at a signing event in London, and Lional Jefferies retired near to where I lived and worked and was one of my semi-regular customers. I never used his name if someone else of a similar age was in the shop, but when we were alone, I called him Mr. Jefferies. He was a true Gentleman, and a pleasure to serve.
I was fortunate enough to first see this on a huge screen in a now-defunct Pasadena theater and have loved it ever since. It broke away from the Greek monsters run and presented a fantastic alternate history with wonderful moon monsters. Laurie Johnson's score was wonderful too. A great movie for children of all ages...
As a kid, this was one of my favorite movies. It was one that I would search through the TV Guide for each week, along with War of the Worlds to schedule my viewing time. Thanks for covering it.
I really like "The First Men in the Moon." It's movies like these that caught my interest on the production side of film making. Everything from pre to post production. I know more about how these classic are made rather than our modern made films. Thank you Geek for your hard work and sharing these classics :)
@@TheUnapologeticGeek Good to hear :) That's good because it expands your knowledge of how movies are made. I have worked on TV/Film productions in the past, from my college days to the Hollywood pros. It is a lot of hard work - but hey - nothing beats that kind of job :)
The indictment of the Colonial Age was not lost on me as a kid! My favorite line in the Flic is when the Alpha Solenite is trying to communicate & forms the sentence 'Man, is imperial!'! & of course you know... 'Things To Come' is my battle-cry on the matter of underappreciated Wells!
I love this movie, but the mentioned Things to Come wins because of one of my absolute favourite lines in movie history: "To the space gun!" But then again, every Harryhausen movie holds a special place in my heart.
I remember seeing this film at the Balwyn cinema, in Balwyn Melbourne Victoria Australia, probably not long after it came out. On one Saturday afternoon. I must've been about six or seven, so it would've been about 1966 or 1967. I did enjoy it very much.
'Fìrst Men in the Moon' is one of those films I wouldn't mind, granted the right people were involved, get a modern remake. The potential is there for the story to be a fun action-adventure pulp film.
I'm tempted to say that "Half a Sixpence" (an adaptation of H.G. Wells' "Kipps") doesn't get enough love. Except it was on the telly all the time when I was a boy.
The hand-waving to explain the change in lunar environment was iffy to put it mildly, but I let that go and enjoyed the conceit. btw… Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is a much underrated film and should be seen by sci-fi fans, film fans (especially of 30s fans) and even horror fans. Hope you'll consider reviewing it at some point.
At the moment, this is the only H.G. Wells film I have on disc! Lots more to get or upgrade. I tend to think of Lionel Jeffries for comedies, like THE WRONG ARM OF THE LAW, TWO-WAY STRETCH or YOU MUST BE JOKING! The character dynamics in this remind me of those in DR. WHO AND THE DALEKS; imagine if Jeffries had played "Dr. Who" and Edward Judd had been "Ian Chesterton". The film breaks down neatly into 2 halves-- Earth (mostly comedy) and the Moon (mostly serious). The shot of that dome on the moon slowly closing looks remarkably like a nearly-identical shot in 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, 4 years before-the-fact. Crazy enough, the one role I most remember Edward Judd for was THE NEW AVENGERS episode "To Catch A Rat". He spends much of the story coming on to Purdey (Joanna Lumley) and being rebuffed, such as the scene where she sews his pants, then, as he tries to kiss her, she whispers... "Cromwell..." "YES?" "Put your pants on." He's not a nice guy in that role, either. (I just ordered the 1st season on DVD.)
I think this one deserves more love. It's the comedy that makes it. The hero is a louse, in '60s jargon. This makes Kate a more sympathetic character. This gives the movie a wider appeal. Even people who don't like science fiction can enjoy the movie. It was a good family movie for '64. Adults could read between the lines of the relationship and the children would be paying attention to the sets and special effects. There were two sides of colonialism the movie brings out. There is the adventurer who reacts physically to the hostile reception. There is the scientist who is too interested in research to appreciate the dangerous situation.
I feel this book kinda have sequel. Kinda. C.S: Lewis - Out of the Silent Planet. The characters Professor Weston and Devine are early similar to Professor Cavor and Bedford, though slightly different. And this is not a big surpise reading: "C. S. Lewis explicitly stated that his science fiction books were both inspired by and written as an antithesis to those of H. G. Wells. Specifically, he acknowledged The First Men in The Moon to be "the best of the sort [of science fiction] I have read...." (from a letter to Roger Lancelyn Green).
It an unwieldy combination of original authors, intent and watering down the source material. Kneale even in 1960s wasn't shy of his own opinions running through any material he did in genre pieces (in the UK for instance Carver killing the aliens with flu is considered a joke not a subtext of colonising British empire ) and the inclusion of Lionel Jeffries a terrific comic actor and at least one classic as director. Judd though and Hyatt are miscast -judd almost unpleasantly obnoxious and either unwilling or unable to shade his character with any nuance -altuough this maybe down to jurand as well. After all that though great fun, harrhauaen delivered on what was clearly a difficult production
Question: Have you ever heard the Alien Voices audiobooks? These are a series of Victorian-Science-Fiction-As-Radio-Plays, performed by Leonard Nimoy and John DeLancie, accompanied by several fellow Star Trek names. I ask about this, because one of the novels adapted was FIRST MEN IN THE MOON which also lays quite a bit into the comedy; the Grand Lunarite is voiced by William Shatner. If you haven't heard them yet, they aren't easy to find, but they are worth the search. (One of the adaptations, Doyle's THE LOST WORLD, was filmed live and broadcast on The SciFi Channel. Well, Syfy, now, but ... )
I've never heard of this movie. I will definitely have to check it out. But it does remind me of some sci Fi TV show plot but can't remember what It was.
There are a lot of wild theories about the moon, including the theory that it's an artificially created alien base, the basis for the 2022 movie Moonfall. I also remember Moontrap (1989), a movie that uses the ancient aliens theory as a device for its story about alien robots on the moon.
Did you know there's been at least 10 film versions of "The Island Of Dr. Moreau" ? I've seen 4, and they go from oldest to newest as best to worst: Charles Laughton, Charles MacCauley, Burt Lancaster, Marlon Brando. (I find it hilarious that Roger Corman did a far-more-entertaining film than his previous bosses at AIP did.) I was shocked on hearing a "book-on-tape" to discover the Brando film was actually faithful to Wells' book. The 2nd half, everything falls to pieces. That's how Wells wrote it! I suspect one could do a terrific film by adapting the book, but, the Brando film WASN'T it. I'd have to totally disagree with Wells about THE ISLAND OF LOST SOULS (1932), I feel it's a MASSIVE improvement over Wells' story. Also, Corman's THE TWILIGHT PEOPLE (1972) is a BLAST, and one of the the better of Corman's early-70s "New World Pictures" films, when he was knocking out dozens of things around the world to get his new company off the ground. (Watching a pile of them on UA-cam a few years back, I had to joke after awhile, "HOW MANY women-in-prison pictures does anyone really NEED?")
I bought the DVD recently. The "aliens attacking" music was memorable enough that I recognized it immediately, despite the 55 years since the last time I'd heard it.
Do you know what the point of this movie was? I will tell you. It's purpose is to be a movie, a movie to entertain which it does so well. You want to read some deeper meaning in it? Be my guest. Knock yourself out.
Yes, because no one ever said anything about colonialism before now, certainly not HG Wells, because he certainly wasn't ridiculously vocal about it and would write about it with disdain in every article he possibly could. Sure, it's just a vogue thing. Thanks for the engagement!
![Sci-Fi Classic Review: CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954) [REUPLOAD]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/HKGcKn_hjyQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I met Ray Harryhausen at a signing event in London, and Lional Jefferies retired near to where I lived and worked and was one of my semi-regular customers. I never used his name if someone else of a similar age was in the shop, but when we were alone, I called him Mr. Jefferies. He was a true Gentleman, and a pleasure to serve.
I was fortunate enough to first see this on a huge screen in a now-defunct Pasadena theater and have loved it ever since. It broke away from the Greek monsters run and presented a fantastic alternate history with wonderful moon monsters. Laurie Johnson's score was wonderful too. A great movie for children of all ages...
I'm actively trying to make Moon Landing Day a holiday. Tang and Space Ice Cream for everyone!!
As a kid, this was one of my favorite movies. It was one that I would search through the TV Guide for each week, along with War of the Worlds to schedule my viewing time. Thanks for covering it.
Your classic scifi reviews are eye opening
One of my favorite movies from my childhood.
I really like "The First Men in the Moon."
It's movies like these that caught my interest on the production side of film making. Everything from pre to post production. I know more about how these classic are made rather than our modern made films.
Thank you Geek for your hard work and sharing these classics :)
You're welcome! I'm always happy to see other people get as fascinated by the production side as I am.
@@TheUnapologeticGeek Good to hear :) That's good because it expands your knowledge of how movies are made. I have worked on TV/Film productions in the past, from my college days to the Hollywood pros. It is a lot of hard work - but hey - nothing beats that kind of job :)
OMG, Thank you for this one!!! This is one of my absolute favorite movies!
There was a 2010 remake with Mark Gatiss and Rory Kinnear . Worth the watch IMHO.
That was really good version. Considerably darker in tone and intent
The indictment of the Colonial Age was not lost on me as a kid! My favorite line in the Flic is when the Alpha Solenite is trying to communicate & forms the sentence 'Man, is imperial!'! & of course you know... 'Things To Come' is my battle-cry on the matter of underappreciated Wells!
I love this movie, but the mentioned Things to Come wins because of one of my absolute favourite lines in movie history: "To the space gun!"
But then again, every Harryhausen movie holds a special place in my heart.
Imperial. Absolutely Imperial
I remember seeing this film at the Balwyn cinema, in Balwyn Melbourne Victoria Australia, probably not long after it came out. On one Saturday afternoon. I must've been about six or seven, so it would've been about 1966 or 1967. I did enjoy it very much.
'Fìrst Men in the Moon' is one of those films I wouldn't mind, granted the right people were involved, get a modern remake. The potential is there for the story to be a fun action-adventure pulp film.
It's a great movie. An absolute classic. Lionel Jeffries is better known I think as Grandpa Potts in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang".
I'm tempted to say that "Half a Sixpence" (an adaptation of H.G. Wells' "Kipps") doesn't get enough love. Except it was on the telly all the time when I was a boy.
The hand-waving to explain the change in lunar environment was iffy to put it mildly, but I let that go and enjoyed the conceit.
btw… Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is a much underrated film and should be seen by sci-fi fans, film fans (especially of 30s fans) and even horror fans. Hope you'll consider reviewing it at some point.
I loved this movie as a kid and still love it
At the moment, this is the only H.G. Wells film I have on disc! Lots more to get or upgrade. I tend to think of Lionel Jeffries for comedies, like THE WRONG ARM OF THE LAW, TWO-WAY STRETCH or YOU MUST BE JOKING! The character dynamics in this remind me of those in DR. WHO AND THE DALEKS; imagine if Jeffries had played "Dr. Who" and Edward Judd had been "Ian Chesterton". The film breaks down neatly into 2 halves-- Earth (mostly comedy) and the Moon (mostly serious). The shot of that dome on the moon slowly closing looks remarkably like a nearly-identical shot in 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, 4 years before-the-fact. Crazy enough, the one role I most remember Edward Judd for was THE NEW AVENGERS episode "To Catch A Rat". He spends much of the story coming on to Purdey (Joanna Lumley) and being rebuffed, such as the scene where she sews his pants, then, as he tries to kiss her, she whispers... "Cromwell..." "YES?" "Put your pants on." He's not a nice guy in that role, either. (I just ordered the 1st season on DVD.)
A reference to Reed, Ben, Johnny and Sue would have been nice. Even though they never made it to the moon, they did it in Fantastic style.
Excellent point!
I agree with you completely about this film. I enjoy watching it, but I ultimately am "ho-hum" about it.
I think this one deserves more love. It's the comedy that makes it. The hero is a louse, in '60s jargon. This makes Kate a more sympathetic character. This gives the movie a wider appeal. Even people who don't like science fiction can enjoy the movie. It was a good family movie for '64. Adults could read between the lines of the relationship and the children would be paying attention to the sets and special effects. There were two sides of colonialism the movie brings out. There is the adventurer who reacts physically to the hostile reception. There is the scientist who is too interested in research to appreciate the dangerous situation.
thanks
"Gimme back my shoe or I'll let you have the other one"!!!
I feel this book kinda have sequel. Kinda. C.S: Lewis - Out of the Silent Planet. The characters Professor Weston and Devine are early similar to Professor Cavor and Bedford, though slightly different. And this is not a big surpise reading: "C. S. Lewis explicitly stated that his science fiction books were both inspired by and written as an antithesis to those of H. G. Wells. Specifically, he acknowledged The First Men in The Moon to be "the best of the sort [of science fiction] I have read...." (from a letter to Roger Lancelyn Green).
Greetings 🎉
It an unwieldy combination of original authors, intent and watering down the source material.
Kneale even in 1960s wasn't shy of his own opinions running through any material he did in genre pieces (in the UK for instance Carver killing the aliens with flu is considered a joke not a subtext of colonising British empire ) and the inclusion of Lionel Jeffries a terrific comic actor and at least one classic as director. Judd though and Hyatt are miscast -judd almost unpleasantly obnoxious and either unwilling or unable to shade his character with any nuance -altuough this maybe down to jurand as well.
After all that though great fun, harrhauaen delivered on what was clearly a difficult production
wow u where right u had a video drop 😮
😂 epic af 🎉
Question: Have you ever heard the Alien Voices audiobooks? These are a series of Victorian-Science-Fiction-As-Radio-Plays, performed by Leonard Nimoy and John DeLancie, accompanied by several fellow Star Trek names. I ask about this, because one of the novels adapted was FIRST MEN IN THE MOON which also lays quite a bit into the comedy; the Grand Lunarite is voiced by William Shatner. If you haven't heard them yet, they aren't easy to find, but they are worth the search. (One of the adaptations, Doyle's THE LOST WORLD, was filmed live and broadcast on The SciFi Channel. Well, Syfy, now, but ... )
I haven't heard these, but they sound FANTASTIC! I'll start looking for them.
I've never heard of this movie. I will definitely have to check it out. But it does remind me of some sci Fi TV show plot but can't remember what It was.
"Space 1999"?
There are a lot of wild theories about the moon, including the theory that it's an artificially created alien base, the basis for the 2022 movie Moonfall. I also remember Moontrap (1989), a movie that uses the ancient aliens theory as a device for its story about alien robots on the moon.
I think that’s pronounced “mu-TANT” if this is the movie I’m thinking of. Loved that one.
Don't worry. I pronounce it correctly in the review. 😁
Great movie 😊
Unleash the mooninites!
The movie does come off as a talltale rather than some series story.
🚀🌕🌟😎
Definitely a SF classic. Now Frau Im Mond
Did you know there's been at least 10 film versions of "The Island Of Dr. Moreau" ? I've seen 4, and they go from oldest to newest as best to worst: Charles Laughton, Charles MacCauley, Burt Lancaster, Marlon Brando. (I find it hilarious that Roger Corman did a far-more-entertaining film than his previous bosses at AIP did.) I was shocked on hearing a "book-on-tape" to discover the Brando film was actually faithful to Wells' book. The 2nd half, everything falls to pieces. That's how Wells wrote it! I suspect one could do a terrific film by adapting the book, but, the Brando film WASN'T it. I'd have to totally disagree with Wells about THE ISLAND OF LOST SOULS (1932), I feel it's a MASSIVE improvement over Wells' story. Also, Corman's THE TWILIGHT PEOPLE (1972) is a BLAST, and one of the the better of Corman's early-70s "New World Pictures" films, when he was knocking out dozens of things around the world to get his new company off the ground. (Watching a pile of them on UA-cam a few years back, I had to joke after awhile, "HOW MANY women-in-prison pictures does anyone really NEED?")
Couldn't find a credit for Charles Macaulay as "Moreau".
I bought the DVD recently. The "aliens attacking" music was memorable enough that I recognized it immediately, despite the 55 years since the last time I'd heard it.
I love Laurie Johnson's score for the movie! He later did the theme for "The Avengers" TV series.
Do you know what the point of this movie was? I will tell you. It's purpose is to be a movie, a movie to entertain which it does so well. You want to read some deeper meaning in it? Be my guest. Knock yourself out.
Well, I'm guessing you haven't seen the BBC's 2010 version of this story, which is really boring.
That's a good guess! 😎
Yes, I think you're reading too much into it.
Parroting the current vogue about "colonialism" earns a dislike.
Which says nothing about the video, and everything about you.
Yes, because no one ever said anything about colonialism before now, certainly not HG Wells, because he certainly wasn't ridiculously vocal about it and would write about it with disdain in every article he possibly could. Sure, it's just a vogue thing. Thanks for the engagement!