Director Nathan Juran brings the classic H.G. Wells novel to cinematic life in 1964's First Men in the Moon, starring Edward Judd, Martha Hyer and Lionel Jeffries.

Special effects wizard Ray Harryhausen delivers the sci-fi goodies in Columbia Pictures' First Men in the Moon, director Nathan Juran's fantastic adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel. Starring Edward Judd, Martha Hyer and Lionel Jeffries, First Men in the Moon represents the best in 1960s science fiction cinema.

Based on the Novel by H.G. Wells

The First Men in the Moon was based on the novel of the same name by British author H.G. (Herbert George) Wells (1866-1946). Published in 1901 by George Newnes Ltd. of London, The First Men in the Moon told the story of a businessman and scientist who undertake a trip to the moon using the latter's invention, an anti-gravity substance called Cavorite.

H.G. Wells' The First Men in the Moon was adapted for the silent screen 18 years later. Directed by Bruce Gordon and J.L.V. Leigh for Gaumont British Picture Corporation, this crude 1919 film starred Bruce Gordon, Heather Thatcher, Hector Abbas, Lionel d'Aragon and Cecil Morton York.

Screenplay and Director

The 1964 version of First Men in the Moon was written for the screen by Nigel Kneale and Jan Read. Directing was Nathan Juran (1907-2002), whose previous sci-fi/fantasy credits included The Deadly Mantis (1957), 20 Million Miles to Earth (1957), Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958) and The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958).

Providing the film's superlative special/visual effects were Ray Harryhausen, Les Bowie, Kit West, Brian Kneale and Bob Cuff.

Advising the producers on technical matters were NASA and the British Ministry of Aviation.

The Cast

Heading the cast were Edward Judd (born 10/4/32) as Arnold Bedford, Martha Hyer (born 8/10/24) as Katherine "Kate" Callender and Lionel Jeffries (born 6/10/26) as Joseph Cavor. Making an uncredited cameo appearance was Peter Finch (1912-1977) in the role of Bailiff's Man.

Filmed in England

First Men in the Moon was filmed at Chertsey and New Haw, Surrey, England. Shepperton Studios in the United Kingdom was used for in-house filming.

British Moon Landing in 1899

First Men in the Moon begins in 1964, where a United Nations expedition lands on the moon. Exiting their spacecraft, the international team of explorers is startled to discover an old British Union Jack and a makeshift letter of proclamation claiming the moon for Queen Victoria.

The letter is eventually tracked down to one of its authors, Arnold Bedford, who is residing in a retirement home in England. Descended upon by the media, Bedford begins to relate his fantastic tale of 65 years ago.

In flashback form, the aged Bedford tells of his meeting with Professor Joseph Cavor, an eccentric scientist who creates an anti-gravity compound called Cavorite. After applying the substance to a special sphere built in Cavor's laboratory, Cavor, Bedford and Bedford's fiancee Kate Callender blast off for a trip to the moon in 1899.

Donning special spacesuits, Bedford and Cavor exit the sphere, eventually descending into the moon's interior where they discover an entire civilization populated by the insect-like Selenites.

Release, Reviews, DVD

First Men in the Moon opened in the United Kingdom on August 16, 1964. It was later released to American movie theaters on November 20, 1964.

"Ray Harryhausen and his special effects men have another high old time in this piece of science-fiction hokum filmed in Dynamation," reported Variety (8/5/64).

"This laborious version of an H.G. Wells could have used the Beatles Four. Maybe it's not too late yet. Come on, boys. Take some time out, head for the moon -- the one we saw yesterday -- and jazz it up," offered Howard Thompson of The New York Times (11/26/64).

First Men in the Moon has been released on DVD by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Columbia TriStar.

"Poor Cavor! He did have such a terrible cold," Bedford later tells reporters.

Remember that line...