ALL SCI-FI

[Gord Green]

GOT IT!!!

I now have an avatar!

I was using the photo's url and that was invalid. When I used the THUMBNAIL URL it worked!

Thanks Bud!!!!!

[Bud Brewster]

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Oh, I understand! I didn't know you were talking about your avatar. It looks great!

And I noticed that you used Hostpic to save the jpeg. The thumbnail worked because it's just a tiny bit smaller than ASF's maximum size for an avatar.

Good job!
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[bulldogtrekker]

I cleaned up my CAD drawing and put a pattern on the rocket.




[size=18]And here I inverted the colors by using MS Paint on a laptop using Vista. You can not invert colors using modern MS Paint.

[Gord Green]

The model kit from "MONSTERS IN MOTION".

PRETTY NEAT!

[Gord Green]

While this is no longer being shown on COMET TV it is still available (All 39 episodes!) on YOUTUBE.

Start your journey into space here :

___Men into Space - S01E01 - 9/30/59 - "Moon Probe"


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There comes a time, thief, when gold loses its lustre, and the gems cease to sparkle, and the throne room becomes a prison; and all that is left is a father's love for his child.

[Bud Brewster]

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The 39 episodes at the link above are 25 minutes long. That's three minutes shorter than the Shout Factory DVDs I have.

Originally the episodes were over 28 minutes long. Back in the 1950s the networks only showed about two minutes of commercials during a 30-minute program!

Boy . . . those were the good old days.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

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Episode S01E08 of Men Into Space, involved a mission to an asteroid that had wandered out of the asteroid belt and passed by the Earth.

I remember that episode because the miniature which the FX folks created for the asteroid looked somewhat like a chunk of a planet's surface, with a fragmented "bottom side" and "mountains" on top. And unlike actual asteroids, it didn't tumble — it just floated along like was an island on an invisible sea.





A discussion about asteroids in the episode included the theory that they were the remains of a planet which once orbited between Mars and Jupiter.

So, the appearance of the "asteroid" in the episode convinced my young mind that asteroids were indeed the fragments of a lost planet, and the one depicted in the show was a chunk of the mountainous surface.

I mention this old memory because it's an example of how excited I got back in those days when it came to all things connected with science fiction. I'd like to think I haven't completely lost that ability over the years.

And that, of course, is why I created All Sci-Fi. Do any of you folks remember having Sci-Fi Moments like that one?

__Men into Space - S01E08 - 11/25/59 - "Asteroid"


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

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Men Into Space S01E11 First Woman on the Moon

I don't have any specific memories of this episode from seeing it 1959, but when I bought the box set and watched it a few years ago I enjoyed it very much — partly because it stars the lovely Miss Nancy Gates from World Without End.







Some might say that this episode demonstrates unfortunate examples of male chauvinism because of the way Miss Gate's character is treated in the story. Here's how one of the two synopses on IMDB describes it.
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When Major General Norgath is assigned to test how a woman can handle living on the moon, Major Joe Hale ends up choosing his wife Renza to accompany them. However, Renza soon grows bored with cooking and cleaning and goes for a moonwalk on her own. When Joe gets angry at her endangering herself, the couple starts squabbling and McCauley has to step in.
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However, the other synopsis indicates that the story is a bit less chauvinistic.
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It is decided to conduct an experiment to see if women could handle the rigors of spaceflight and living on the Moon. The plan is to send a woman to the Moon for 90 days. Initially she doesn't cope very well through a lack of training or projects to complete. Eventually she comes up with a novel set of activities to try and show her value to the mission.
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Miss Gates performance is a delight to watch. When Colonel McCauley and her astronaut husband invite her to volunteer for a 90-day experiment on the Moonbase to test the effects of lunar living on females, she calmly agrees.

The conclusion of the episode is humorous, romantic, and highly uplifting!

If I've peaked your interest, enjoy the full episode at the link below.

_Men Into Space S01E11 First Woman on the Moon


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

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Men Into Space S01E12 Christmas on the Moon

Here's another episode I probably watched in 1959 but don't remember — and shame on me for not doing so!

Here's IMDB's synopsis of the story.
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McCauley and astronomers Farrar and Nichols are on the Moon on Christmas Day when it passes through a comet's path. When Farrar is stricken with appendicitis, only a miracle will save him . . . but Nichols doesn't believe in Christmas, God, or miracles.
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The story starts off with a dinner party hosted by Colonel McCauley and his gorgeous with (Joyce Taylor), just prior to the male guest leaving on a Moon mission a few days before Christmas to observe the close passage of a comet.

They discuss the purpose of the mission; to make telescopic observations of comet to determine if, as some theories suggest, it's mostly made of ice.

During the dinner party, the team's principle comet expert assigned to the mission — a young scientist played by Keith Larse — makes a personal comment about the fact that he's an agnostic and doesn't believe in the Christian beliefs concerning the origin of Christmas.

Some time later, when these mission specialists reach the Moon, one of the scientists (played by Whit Bissell) suddenly develops appendicitis and desperately needs medical treatment . . . or he'll die.

Medical experts who are stationed at a second Moonbase several miles away attempt to reach the base where Whit Bissell and the other comet observers are located. But they may not arrive in time, because Bissell's temperature is rapidly rising — and there is no ice at Bissell's location which can be used to reduce his dangerously high fever!

Add to this the fact that the medical team's trek across the lunar surface is endangered by occasional bits of meteoric material from the passing comet as the Moon passes close to its tail!

During this time, the young scientist and self-proclaimed agnostic is moved by his teammates suffering. In a very moving scene, he gazes out a window at the base says a pray for Bissell.

Suddenly the young scientist witnesses several fragments from the passing comet as they impact the lunar surface nearby!

The man scrambles into a spacesuit, rushes out onto the lunar surface, and returns with a large chunk of ice from the comet! He and the other personnel break up the ice and use it to bring down Bissell's dangerously high fever, thus prolonging his life until the medical team can arrive!

This episode was packed with scientific facts that enriched this science fiction story and made it both entertaining and educational.

I was also delighted to learn in the closing credits that this very enjoyable and inspiring episode was directed by none other than Richard Carlson — the star of several classic 1950s science fiction films!

___ Men Into Space S01E12 Christmas on the Moon


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

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Men Into Space S01E13 Quarantine

This episode alone proves that this series presented the most amazing science fiction stories any of us could ask for during the 1950s!

The episode is a remarkable blend of current events (the global pandemic) and the most beloved classic 50s sci-fi of them all — Forbidden Planet.

The Forbidden Planet connection is the fact that Warren Stevens, who plays Dr. Ostrow. plays a renowned medical researcher on mankind's recently built space station who becomes infected by a virus in his laboratory and must quarantine himself for the benefit of his fellow crewmen!

This is a remarkably relevant topic in today's world. We're confronted with blithering idiots who refuse to wear masks and get vaccinations — despite the danger this poses to mankind!

This episode's amazing plot has Warren Stevens and another medical researcher (played by Simon Oakland) working on separate medical experiements.

These two dedicated scientists are extremely antagonist, each one determined to get the supplies and equipment they need for their own personal projects.

Colonel McCauley is caught in middle, working frantically to assist both men. But he's limited by the fact that the space station's supply rockets can't bring up everything they BOTH need!

During this conflict, Warren proves himself to be reasonable and realistic. But Simon Oakland continues to be selfish, headstrong, and uncooperative.

But then a strain of the virus which Warren Stevens was been working with infects him after an unknown form of radiation mutates this strain in his lab!

Stevens contacts McCauley and tells him he's quarantining himself in his lab.

Stevens health rapidly deteriorates, but his advisory (played by Oakland) learns that his own experiments might have produced a form of radiation which caused the lethal mutation!
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Gentlemen, it this episode doesn't impress you as the best science fiction (either on television or in the movies during the 1950) then I don't know what would!

And the climax to this intelligent, imaginative, and amazing story is terrific!

Please watch it at the link below and contribute your own comments to this thread.

_ _________Men Into Space S01E13 Quarantine


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

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Men Into Space S01E15 Sea of Stars

This episode predicts the danger of space junk and off-course satellites causing damage to spacecraft and other satellites.. And this prediction was made in the same year the very first satellite went into orbit — 1957!

The conflict presented by the plot involves an astronaut trainee who pays too much attention to the girl he love, and not enough attention to his training and the accuracy of his navigational computations.

When a satellite strays out of its orbit, it threatens to collide with Space Station Astra!





Fortunately the station is equipped with missiles which protect it against meteoroids, space junk, and errant satellites. These missiles release a barrage of silicate particles (sand) which create a cloud through which the fast approaching object races at tremendous speed, cause it to be destroyed by friction!

Clever, huh?

However, after Colonel McCauley and the astronaut trainee destroy the satellite, the ship passes through the fringes of the sand cloud, and this changes the ships trajectory. It also damages the ship's maneuvering thrusters and sends it off course.

This episode certainly doesn't simplify the science or talk down to the audience. The discussions between McCauley and the other crewmen about how to correct their course and bring the ship home is packed with scientific concepts.

I loved it!

This episodes demonstrates just how dedicated this series was to presenting intelligent stories with accurate science and complex plots. In that respect, no other science fiction series come close!

That's why the credits include this.

__________________Space concepts created by

_____________________Chesley Bonestell
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__________Men Into Space S01E15 Sea of Stars


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

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Men Into Space S01E17 Earthbound

This episode is supposed to be relatively light hearted . . . but it has a funny element the producers didn't intend!

Actor Robert Reed plays a brilliant young electronics technician who designs new systems for America's spacecraft. But he yearns to become an astronaut and work in space! In fact, his teenage blond girlfriend won't marry him until he does!

Unfortunately, Colonel McCauley informs the ambitious young man that he'll have to join the Air Force and train for at least four years before becoming an astronaut!

And right there is where the unintentionally funny part comes in.

Robert Reed is, of course, the father in that beloved (but brainless) sitcom, The Brady Bunch. So, seeing "Paul Brady" stumble around as a clueless teenage astronaut-wannabe with a pretty blond girlfriend is tough to watch without giggling!

To make matters worse, the girlfriend just happens be the babysitter for Colonel McCauley's family! Without knowing this, Reed brags to her that McCauley wants him to go with him on his next mission!

Out of pure desperation, Reed stows away on Colonel McCauley's mission the next day — the one on which McCauley is testing Reed's own design for new components on the ship.

But Reed's hidden presence aboard the spacecraft during the high-G liftoff causes damage to the components, and Reed must fix the ship . . . or the crew will die!

This is a fun story, and watching a very young version of the father from the Brady Bunch do something so stupid that it almost kills the crew of the spacecraft is very amusing!

By the way, this episode was directed by Nathan Juran, the man responsible for 20 Million Miles to Earth, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, First Men in the Moon, and many other science fiction movies and TV series!

__________ Men Into Space S01E17 Earthbound


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

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Men Into Space S01E18 Caves of the Moon

Caves of the Moon is an amazing episode!

[size=20]The story predicts the discovery of water ice on the Moon — something which it correctly states is vital to any permanent colony.

Furthermore, fans of classic movies will recognize actor John Howard who portrays Dr. Rowland Kennedy. Mr. Howard is the actor who is famous for his role as Colonel Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond in the wonderful series of 1930s mysteries/action/adventures.

This episode details the careful search which astronauts make to find frozen water in the caves on the Moon.

Amazingly enough, we now know that the Moon has an extensive system of caves — some of which include gigantic caverns relatively close to the surface, openings that meteorite impacts have broken into!

These mammoth subterranean caves could be used to house entire lunar cities! And — as this episode of Men Into Space suggests — the caves might indeed contain frozen reserves of water which lunar colonist could mine and use!






______Men Into Space S01E18 Caves of the Moon


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

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Men Into Space S01E09 Edge of Eternity

This remarkable episode is a desperate story of survival when a spacecraft returning from the Moon is hit by a meteoroid, causing them to lose most of their oxygen. A rescue ship is sent to their aid, but calculations show it won't reach them in time.

Initially Colonel McCauley and his two crewmen make a tough choice; give one man all the air tanks and except their fate when the cabin oxygen runs out.

But the young astronaut that McCauley selected to get the tanks is determined to convince the others that they can find a way to survive — and they do when they discover a way to siphon the residual oxygen from the liquid oxygen tank.

If that seems like a simple plot, it isn't. The struggle for survival is a gripping drama. It's filled with failed attempts, close calls. and a dramatic climax.

All this was created with a "hard-science" sci-fi story was never dull and somehow packed a wealthy of plot elements into a mere 28 minutes.

The episode was directed by Nathan Juran, the man who gave us 20 Million Miles to Earth, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, and First Men in the Moon.

_______ Men Into Space S01E09 Edge of Eternity


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

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Men Into Space S01E24 Is There Another Civilization?

In case you're thinking that Men Into Space never dealt with alien being or alien spacecraft, think again!

In this episode, a ship returning from the Moon encounters a cloud of space debris in Earth orbit which turns out to be the fragments of an alien spaceship which apparently collided with a large meteoroid in orbit around the Earth . . . 500 hundred years ago!

Analysis of the fragments retrieved from the orbiting debris reveal that the metal is superior to any alloy we have, and that the lubricant around the moving parts in some of the fragments remains fluid at minus 60°.

I looked up the temperature at which motor oil freezes. It's -20°.

Furthermore, the lubricant contained microscopic bubbles of chlorine gas which was trapped in the liquid when it was manufactured — the same way bubbles of our air is sometimes trapped in petroleum lubricants when it's manufactured!

Therefore, a component of the alien's atmosphere must have been chlorine gas.

Unfortunately this episode doesn't address the obvious fact that the discovery of an orbiting cloud of material and components from an advanced alien civilization would instantly become the number one priority of America's space program!

Dozens of space missions would hastily be organized to collect every surviving fragment of the alien space ship. If you watch the episode at the link below you'll see that the debris cloud is sizable . . . and some of the fragments are as big as a refrigerator!

Fortunately the series does end with a press conference in which the officials of the space program provide "full disclosure" when they brief the press on this historic discovery, and they make no attempt to hide the fact that it proves "We Are Not Alone!"

They even show the reporters a model which the scientists created to demonstrate what the alien craft might have looked like.





Admittedly this doesn't look much like analien spaceship, it just looks like what I wish the American spaceships looked like in this series!

However, Colonel McCauley does state that this was the alien ship which visited Earth [i]five hundred years ago[i] during Earth's 15th century! And he poses the question about what the aliens' spacecraft might look like now . . . half-a-millennium later!

With that in mind, gentlemen, here's what the spacecraft look like this 1959 series —





— and here's what Blue Horizon is currently using . . . 63 years later!





So, I guess we've got a long way to go before we get to spacecraft as sexy as this, eh?





_ Men Into Space S01E24 Is There Another Civilization?


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)