James Mason leads a fantastic expedition in Twentieth Century-Fox's 1959 science fiction classic, Journey to the Center of the Earth. With Pat Boone and Arlene Dahl.

The incredible world of Jules Verne comes to life in director Henry Levin's 1959 movie adaptation of Journey to the Center of the Earth, featuring James Mason, Pat Boone, Arlene Dahl, Diane Baker and the natural wonders of New Mexico's Carlsbad Caverns.

Jules Verne Writes Journey to the Center of the Earth

Journey to the Center of the Earth is based on the novel of the same name by noted French science fiction writer Jules Gabriel Verne (1828-1905). The book was first published in France in 1864 by Pierre-Jules Hetzel under the title, Voyage au centre de la Terre.

Verne's other works include such fantastic fare as Five Weeks in a Balloon (1863), From the Earth to the Moon (1865), Around the World in Eighty Days (1873), The Mysterious Island (1874) and Master of the World (1904).

Screenplay, Director, Music

Journey to the Center of the Earth was written for the big screen by Walter Reisch and Charles Brackett. Directing the action was Henry Levin, whose previous credits included Cry of the Werewolf (1944), Jolson Sings Again (1949), The Gambler from Natchez (1954) and April Love (1957).

Providing the film's original music was Bernard Hermann.

The Cast

Heading the cast were James Mason (Professor Oliver Lindenbrook), Pat Boone (Alexander "Alec" McEwen), Arlene Dahl (Carla Goteborg), Diane Baker (Jenny Lindenbrook), Thayer David (Count Saknussemm) and Peter Ronson (Hans Belker).

Originally slated for the roles of Professor Lindenbrook and Count Saknussemm were Clifton Webb and Alexander Scourby, respectively. The ailing Webb, who never made it in front of the cameras, had to be replaced by James Mason. Scourby was deemed ineffective in the role of the evil Count and was replaced by the sinister-looking Thayer David.

Pop music sensation Pat Boone didn't want to do the movie at all, but was persuaded by his agent to take the role of the young Scot. Boone was later glad that he did, as Journey to the Center of the Earth became a big hit, providing him with a continuing source of residual income through the years.

Giant Mushrooms, Prehistoric Monsters, Atlantis

Journey to the Center of the Earth begins in Scotland, where Professor Oliver Lindenbrook discovers a cryptic inscirption inside a piece of volcanic rock. Lindenbrook believes it's a message from Arnie Saknussemm, a legendary explorer who descended into the bowels of the earth some 300 years ago and was never heard from again.

With young student Alex McEwen in tow, Professor Lindenbrook heads to Iceland, where he hopes to duplicate Arnie Saknussemm's journey. In Reykjavik, he finds that a rival scientist, Professor Goteborg of Stockholm University, has been murdered in his hotel room. Suspected of the killing is Count Saknussemm, a descendant of the famous explorer, who is planning a journey below as well.

Professor Goteborg's widow, Carla, agrees to supply the Lindenbrook Expedition with all the necessary equipment from her husband's estate, provided that she is allowed to come along on the journey. Reluctantly, Lindenbrook agrees, with Carla, Alec and a big, strapping Icelander named Hans Belker (along with his duck Gertrude) rounding out the team.

Following markers left by Arnie Saknussemm, the Lindenbrook party discovers an array of wonders below the earth: giant mushrooms, prehistoric monsters, a vast subterranean ocean and even the remnants of the lost city of Atlantis.

Release, Reviews, Box Office

Journey to the Center of the Earth made its world premiere in New York City on December 16, 1959.

"Good, clean, gaudy fun..." reported John P. Case of Films in Review (1/60).

"Its main success is as a children's film, one of the best to come along in some time..." wrote Paul V. Beckley of The New York Herald Tribune (12/17/59).

Journey to the Center of the Earth grossed $4.777 million, good for #17 on the list of the top moneymaking films of 1959.

Awards, DVD

Journey to the Center of the Earth garnered three Academy Award nominations: Best Art Direction-Set Decoration Color, Best Effects/Special Effects, and Best Sound.

Journey to the Center of the Earth was first released on DVD in 2003.

"I don't sleep. I hate those little slices of death," Count Saknussemm says.

Giant lizards, a quacking duck, Pat Boone singing...no one else will sleep through this movie either.