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
.

BlogHub Articles:

DESTINATION MOON On Blu-ray From Film Masters

By Dan Day, Jr. on Aug 15, 2026 From The Hitless Wonder Movie Blog

Film Masters continues its series of home video releases of neglected classic genre films with a sparkling Blu-ray of George Pal's 1950 space exploration saga DESTINATION MOON. This release also comes with a bonus disc featuring the 1951 sci-fi adventure FLIGHT TO MARS, a movie about as different fr... Read full article


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

[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.


[Experiencing spacesickness]
General Thayer: I know one thing: unless these pills work, space travel isn't going to be... popular.


General Thayer: On the Moon! Jim, Doc, we're on the Moon!
Joe Sweeney: And we're alive - holy cow! General, the next time you tell me you can get to the Moon, I'll believe you!


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Facts about

The Woody Woodpecker cartoon used in the movie was updated and then used by NASA to explain space travel to the public.
The cracked surface of the moon is reminiscent of a dried lake bed. Bonestell knew this was scientifically inaccurate, but used it to give a sense of perspective to the lunar panorama.
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.
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Best Art Direction Oscar 1950







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Also directed by Irving Pichel




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Also produced by George Pal




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Also released in 1950




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