Satellite in the Sky

When I was a child of about 4-5, the local Los Angeles station where we lived broadcast The Million Dollar Movie each weeknight. It was usually the same movie, night after night. On occasion, even though it was past my bedtime (much!), my mom would let me watch a movie if she felt it would hold my interest. THIS ONE DID, as I recall, and I specifically remember being able to talk her into letting me see it several times (a record, never again achieved!).

Other reviewers have given the plotline and it seems accurate, to the best of my recollection. However, regardless of how "talky" the film was, the dialog and visuals definitely made their impact, even on my fledgling brain. I have, more or less, remembered the story for 40 years. I'd like to write a script or make a film that someone else would find so memorable!

Maybe it was just that I was so young, but I remember loving this film and I would absolutely love to see it again. Maybe I'd be disappointed, maybe I'd smile at my young self, maybe I'd really like it. Who knows?

This well-made British science fiction story concerns the crew of a test rocket on which a lady reporter (Lois Maxwell) stows away. Kieron Moore plays the pilot of the rocket sent into orbit in connection with the test of a new "Tritonium bomb". Donald Wolfit plays the bomb's inventor.

After releasing he bomb, it's internal propulsion system fails and it becomes attached to the hull of the spacecraft. All attempts to dislodge it are unsuccessful, so the bomb's inventor takes drastic action to deal with the situation.

Director Paul Dickson presents an exciting and intelligent story. The special effects are both competent and exciting -- which is no surprise in view of the fact that their creator, Wally Veevars, later worked on "2001".

The special effects include the space scenes, an underground space complex, and a rocket which is launched from a horizontal track, similar to "When Worlds Collide". Well-designed sets and props (especially the ship's interior and the spacesuits) enhance this wonderful British entry.

Currently this exceptional film is not available on either VHS or DVD. Hopefully, Mr. Wade Williams will eventually offer it as part of his wonderful, high-quality collection.

No doubt due to the fact that a big American distributor (Warner Brothers) helped to bankroll its production, the British film "Satellite In The Sky" does look better than many other British productions of the time. It's filmed in color, and there is money for things ranging from extras to elaborate set design. Some (not all, but some) of the special effects are also not bad for this time period. Still, there are some big problems, problems that are more evident to a modern audience than audiences in 1956. The script suffers from the problem of many other British movies, that being that it's very talky and reluctant to get to the action. It takes more than half of the movie before the rocket takes off into space. Another problem is that there is a remarkable lack of tension once the space mission gets into trouble. It's too casual of a feeling. While the movie is never aggressively bad, it feels kind of flat. Still, those who are fans of '50 sci-fi and who also are interested in seeing a British perspective of more realistic space travel story might find the movie has enough interest to make it worth tracking down.

This little seen film is definitely worth seeking out for fans of 50's sci-fi that concerns space travel. It has very nice production values, something along the lines of KRONOS, and is equally entertaining.

Good acting, intelligent script, nice matte paintings and some pretty good effects using miniatures make this one an interesting watch throughout. Recommended mostly for fans of good, lost 50's sci-fi!

Note:

Satellite in the Sky was originally filmed in 2:35 widescreen, however the collectors copy in circulation is unfortunately a horrendous pan and scan version. Whoever put together this sloppy and choppy pan and scan transfer should be shot into space without a satellite...

The British are sending the world's first manned mission, Stardust, into orbit. At the last minute, the scientists are surprised to be carrying a new type of nuclear bomb from the Americans to be tested in space. They find stowaway reporter Kim Hamilton.

The best part is watching the old delta wing plane fly. All the back stories are boring. It's a lot of '50s white middle age men in stuffy suits and proper ladies in dresses. Non of the characters are compelling or memorable. I couldn't name any of them. There are space sets and interesting miniatures. In the end, it's too boring.