Destination Space (1959)

TV pilot for a proposed series that never got anyone excited at the time.  Uses some stock footage from Conquest of Space as well as original stuff, so may look familiar.  I've not had the pleasure but it seems to have it's fans now days

 

Steve

Something for the Weekend 8

It's been a while but it's time for a little Something for the Weekend.

This is Joan Shawlee's publicity/glamour shot for Conquest of Space from 1955 but amusingly it just reminds me of this scene from Alien....

And now I'm imagining Conquest is a much better film than I know it to be.

 

Steve

Conquest of Space (1955)

The 1955 film Conquest of Space was based on a non-fiction book illustrated by Chesley Bonestell and written by Willy Ley.  The Conquest of Space was published in 1949 and presented a collection of photo-realistic paintings which dared to speculate on the wonders that awaited the winners of the space race.

Rather than make a pseudo-documentary of the source material, which might have made it more interesting, they found a bit of a plot and hung the visuals on the back of that.  It's of its time of course which make some aspects of the story a little clunky and dull but more unfortunately it lacks anything like the charm of other 50's sci-fi films which means it's failings tend not to be forgiven.  Though not loved it remains visually interesting so that you can still enjoy this gallery of fine looking space suits

 

 

Steve