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The 1950 Movie Rocketship X-M

Space scientists Dr. Ralph Fleming and Dr. Karl Eckstrom develop the first manned spaceflight, “Rocketship eXpedition Moon.” Dr. Ralph Fleming remains back on Earth while the Rocketship X-M crew, in addition to Dr. Eckstrom, includes Dr. Fleming’s Assistant Dr. Lisa Van Horn, Astronomer Harry Chamberlain, and ships engineer Major William Corrigan and pilot Captain Floyd Graham.

After a successful launch, the Rocketship X-M mission begins going wrong almost from the beginning, when their ship is hurled across space and past the moon by a rocket malfunction, where they land instead on the planet Mars. Deciding to turn their misfortune into an opportunity the crew begin to explore Mars. They no sooner begin their survey of the Martian surface when they find the remains of a once advanced civilization apparently destroyed by a nuclear holocaust.

As soon as they realize that there was life on Mars, in the not so distant past, they are attacked by a band of humanoid Martians who have reverted to a brutish cave-man existence, and Dr. Eckstrom and Major Corrigan are killed. The remaining crew members escape back to the Rocketship X-M ship where they launch back into space.

Once back in space and en route back to Earth when Dr. Van Horn realizes that there is not enough fuel for a safe landing. She and Captain Graham contact Dr. Fleming back on Earth to pass on what they have learned. Then as the Rocketship X-M ship approach Earth while sharing their first and last few tender moments together, they watch the Earth grow larger in the cabins port hole.

Back on Earth a grief-stricken Dr. Fleming discounts any suggestions that the Rocketship X-M mission was a failure, a somber Fleming proudly announces the imminent construction of the next ship RX-M2.

A film of many firsts, Rocketship X-M was the first depiction of nuclear devastation and ragtag mutants. Also the first American movie depicting manned rocket flight, (produced on a shoestring and in a hurry in order to beat “Destination Moon.” Which one ended up being first is not clear. There are numerous different dates credited for each.). It was also the first American film to have a female astronaut and the first space movie with a comedic character in Maj. William Corrigan.

Review:
Rocketship X-M was an over all enjoyable movie with some serious science flaws. For example the explanations as to how a space craft got perfectly repositioned from a track of a few thousand miles for the moon to a track for Mars in just a few days leaves one scratching their head.

Cast
Col. Floyd Graham – Lloyd Bridges
Dr. Lisa Van Horn – Osa Massen
Dr. Karl Eckstrom – John Emery
Maj. William Corrigan – Noah Beery Jr.
Harry Chamberlain – Hugh O’Brian
Dr. Ralph Fleming – Morris Ankrum
Martian Girl – Sherry Moreland

Production Credits:
Directed by: Kurt Neumann
Produced by: Murray Lerner, Kurt Neumann
Screenplay by: Kurt Neumann
Cinematography Karl Struss
Production Designer Theodore Holsopple
Film Editor Harry W. Gerstad
Special Effects Jack Rabin
Original Music Ferde Grofe
Length: 77 Minutes

To Watch Rocketship X-M go here:

List of Space Travel Movies Episodes:

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