Lunar Disco

'Moon Zero Two' is a fairly unique Hammer film. It's not much good, but it's unique. The studio had made sci fi films before (most notably the 'Quatermass' series) but they tended to be earthbound, set in the present and rather serious, 'MZ2' (as I call it, but not often - it doesn't come up that much) is set in space, in the future and was described, as you can see from the poster, as the 'first Moon Western'. And it is a Western, a proper John Wayne style adventure complete with showdowns, saloons, dancing girls, territorial disputes and bar room brawls, all filtered through the prevailing Carnaby Street trend for garish pop art colour and space age plastic fashions and decor, including some iconic chairs designed by Eero Arnio.

It's a piece of fluff, but fluff's alright, isn't it? I rather like some fluff every now and again, especially if its vaguely groovy. Despite being a box office flop, 'MZ2' was released a year before that other kitsch lunar colony TV classic 'UFO', and may well have influenced Gerry Anderson in terms of setting, costume and look, although Gerry would never admit that. As it is, there are enough disparities between the productions (not least in terms of conscious vs unconscious camp) that it's not really a big deal (though his later 'Space 1999' happily rips off both productions). 

PS like 'UFO', 'MZ2' has a great soundtrack by jazz big band leader Don Ellis, which sadly remains unreleased. If you're reading this, and you have a record label, sort that out for me, please.

Moon Zero Two

Astounding Adventure

'First Men In The Moon' is classic entertainment from start to finish, aided greatly by a slightly tongue in cheek approach and some excellent (for the time) special effects. Our old mate Nigel Kneale adapted HG Wells' proto-steampunk story for the big screen and, naturally, made a bloody good job of it.

The film also looks great, brilliantly designed and soaked in wonderful Eastman colour. It's intelligent, fun and, most of all, hugely entertaining, something that the creators of the recent, soporific BBC4 adaptation would have done well to take on board. Basically, it's fantastic - a film I've seen time and time again and never failed to enjoy, and that's all I have to say on the matter, so there you go. 

First Men In The Moon

Ye Olde Moonbase

From 1967, but looking much, much older here's a clip from the second Doctor adventure 'The Moonbase'. I've tinted the picture to at least try and make some of it clearer but I also like the effect. This is another show in the series which I knew intimately from a Target book. Infuriatingly, not only are the visuals pretty poor, but this is from one of only two episodes out of the original four that still exist. Thanks, Auntie.

Electric Sitar Space Jam

Big Jim Sullivan, on the Moon, torn from orbit and spinning through space, playing a Coral Electric Sitar. That's possibly the most exciting sentences I've ever read, let alone written.

My thanks to Ninja Simone for reminding me of this.

Space 1999

If only 'Space 1999' episodes were as exciting and fast paced as the pre-credit sequences.