Destination Moon Overview:

Destination Moon (1950) was a Science Fiction - Adventure Film directed by Irving Pichel and produced by George Pal.

Academy Awards 1950 --- Ceremony Number 23 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Ernst Fegte; Set Decoration: George SawleyNominated
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Destination Moon (1950)

By Beatrice on Jul 14, 2015 From Flickers in Time

Destination Moon Directed by Irving Pichel Written by Alford Van Ronkel, Robert A. Heinlein and James O’Hanlon from a novel by Heinlein 1950/USA George Pal Productions First viewing/Amazon Instant Turgid story but still an interesting insight on how space travel was envisioned about 20 ye... Read full article


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Quotes from

Dr. Charles Cargraves: You can't buck public opinion; I've tried. Have you seen this?
[Newspaper headline: MASS MEETING PROTESTS RADIOACTIVE ROCKET]
General Thayer: That isn't public opinion - it's a job of propaganda!
Jim Barnes: You're almighty right it is. Manufactured and organized - with money and brains. Somebody's out to get us.


Jim Barnes: Say, Doc, the ship's about ready to take off, isn't she?
Dr. Charles Cargraves: Except for tests and minor adjustments.
Jim Barnes: Well, what's the next favorable time?
Dr. Charles Cargraves: About a month from now.
Jim Barnes: No, I don't mean that. What's the next favorable time this month?
Dr. Charles Cargraves: [checking the calendar] The only favorable time this month is about 17 hours from now.
Jim Barnes: All right, that's it then. We take off in 17 hours.
General Thayer: Are you out of your mind?
Jim Barnes: I will be, if we run into any more red tape! Now look, there's no law against taking off a spaceship: it's never been done, so they haven't got around to prohibiting it. If we ask for permission, they'll find a way to block us. So we go now, as soon as we can!
General Thayer: In an untested ship?
Jim Barnes: How do you test a thing of this kind? It either works or it doesn't.


[after stepping onto the Moon's surface]
Jim Barnes: Claim it, Doc! I'm your witness - claim it officially.
Dr. Charles Cargraves: By the grace of God, and the name of the United States of America, I take possession of this planet on behalf of, and for the benefit of, all mankind.


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Facts about

The effects of acceleration is shown by the way the actor's faces distort. According to a magazine article this was done by gluing thin strips of flesh-colored fabric on their faces. The fabric was in turn tied to fishing line which was passed through the "acceleration couches" and pulled by crew members to stretch the skin.
A massive campaign was undertaken to create public awareness of the film during its production. This campaign also attracted the attention of independent producer Robert L. Lippert who rushed a low budget space travel film, Rocketship X-M, into production to capitalize on this campaign. Legal action forced Lippert to modify the campaign for his film. Material sent to exhibitors for "Rocketship X-M" carried the disclaimer "This is not 'Destination Moon'." Lippert was able to have "Rocketship X-M" into general release more than three weeks before this film had its preview engagements.
Although no date appears on the newspaper, nor does the year appear on the calendar, having the month of June begin on a Tuesday suggests that the film takes place in the year 1954.
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Best Art Direction Oscar 1950







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Also directed by Irving Pichel




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