First Man Into Space (1959) YIFY - Download Movie TORRENT

Reviewed by kevinolzak 5 / 10

Seen on Pittsburgh's Chiller Theater in 1964

1958's "First Man Into Space" was an early Richard Gordon British production starring Hollywood import Marshall Thompson, though not as well regarded as "Fiend Without a Face." The most intriguing name associated with this entry is that of actor/writer Wyott Ordung, whose original story was titled "Satellite of Blood," a more promising moniker than anything that ended up on screen (he previously scripted "Robot Monster" and "Target Earth," and directed Roger Corman's "Monster from the Ocean Floor"). Director Robert Day was retained from Gordon's two Boris Karloff vehicles, "The Haunted Strangler" and "Corridors of Blood," and Italian actress Marla Landi went on to a pair of Hammer films with Christopher Lee, "The Hound of the Baskervilles" and "The Pirates of Blood River." Thompson is once again a no nonsense military type, here working with his younger brother (Bill Edwards) on launching man into orbit, only his sibling is the daring reckless type who craves the glory of becoming the first man into space. To this end he disobeys orders to turn back at the proper time and continues skyward, over 300 miles above the earth's atmosphere, where a shower of cosmic dust envelops the ship and sends it back down to a landing near the New Mexico air base. A series of murders follow the discovery of the wrecked vessel, yet no sign of its missing occupant, and the film plays as a mystery for the on screen characters when the audience knows damn well who's responsible. This was a virtual blueprint for the 1977 Rick Baker effort "The Incredible Melting Man," jettisoning all exposition with the affected astronaut immediately going on a killing spree (the much better known "Alien" was essentially a remake of the earlier Thompson feature "It! The Terror from Beyond Space," depicting a deadly creature on the loose inside a cramped spaceship). Viewers could be forgiven for believing that they'd be treated to a George Pal-type special effects extravaganza on early space travel, the lifeless first half lacking even real conflict between the brothers, the final result proving a disappointment to both them and the patrons who prefer a monster (tiny moon craters embedded in the makeup). The climax attempts to humanize the menace, forced to devour human blood to replace the lack of oxygen, but the thrills just aren't there.

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Reviewed by AlsExGal 5 / 10

Low budget sci fi film is humorous with a worthwhile pay off

Marshall Thompson plays a naval officer whose brother, a hot shot test pilot, manages to get about 250 miles above the earth. Said brother then returns looking like something that crawled out of the La Brea Tar Pits. This creature goes on a rampage, seeking blood from humans and cows. It returns to its senses, somewhat, at the finale, and explains what happened in space.

But getting to the finale is a chore, because there is mostly talk, and too many people acting unwisely. For example, the creature breaks into a blood bank at night, tears off a door, and creates a lot of noise. A nurse goes to investigate, and walks calmly past the smashed-in door, without bothering to get help first. Some people deserve to have their blood drained.

Supposedly set in New Mexico, the mostly British cast do a decent job disguising their accents, but their uniforms and spelling ("authorised") give them away.

First Man Into Space

1959

Action / Drama / Horror / Sci-Fi

First Man Into Space

1959

Action / Drama / Horror / Sci-Fi

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Movie Reviews

Seen on Pittsburgh's Chiller Theater in 1964

Low budget sci fi film is humorous with a worthwhile pay off

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