A flop which led to George Pal leaving Paramount. Before I saw the film I was surprised to hear it wasn't successful - mid 50s was peak sci fi and I was sure the effects would be good. And they are. And there's a simple story at the core - it's about a trip to Mars and the captain goes psycho and has to be knocked off. That's a very dramatic situation.
But the script is muddled. It's written by the guy who did Destination Moon and has similar flaws - all male story (it's the future - couldn't they find a way to get a woman along), achingly awful military stuff (haw haw haw comic relief Irish sergeant haw haw haw comic Italian, the men clapping and howling at a movie of a woman singing in an Arab harem), clunky dialogue, lack of interesting characterisation. The dramatic build isn't very effective either - the general going nuts and being killed by his son is so meaty but dealt with too quickly.
It's a shame because the effects of the space station and space walk, etc are so effective. And that basic set up - man having to kill dad who goes nuts - has great potential.
The son is played by Eric Fleming, who later starred in Rawhide and died shooting a movie.
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