The Final Frontier

The Origins Of Classic Science Fiction

Assignment: Outer Space
1960, 79 min.
A high-camp Italian space opera centered on a band of astronauts who are attempting to avert a deadly radiation disaster which is threatening to wipe out civilization as we know it. Featuring Gabriella Farinon and Rik Van Nutter.

Rocketship
1936, 72 min.
This feature-length space adventure is distilled from the 13-chapter serial Flash Gordon, and features Buster Crabbe in his first of three appearances as the quintessential space hero. This was the first and best of the three Flash Gordon serials based on the comic strip by Alex Raymond.

Teenagers from Outer Space
1959, Approx. 86 min.
Aliens arrive on earth looking for a breeding ground for their monstrous Gargons (actually lobsters), which are raised for food. Knowing that the Gargons will spell doom for mankind, Derek, one of the titular space teens, tries to convince his shipmates to spare the human race. Will Derek be able to defeat his fellow aliens and stop the earth from becoming a giant lobster farm?

The Phantom Planet
1961, 82 min.
A cross between Gulliver's Travels and Buck Rogers set in the far-flung future year of 1980. Two spaceships from earth have gone missing and are believed to have crashed into a previously unknown planet where the laws of physics are treated more like suggestions than actual laws, but that's half the fun.

The Day the Sky Exploded
1958, 82 min.
A spaceship from earth crashes into the sun, sending a swarm of meteors toward the earth. Tidal waves and climatic changes across the globe may spell doom for the human race, unless the major world powers can be convinced to combine their atomic arsenals to destroy the meteors.

Unknown World
1951, 73 min.
Convinced that humanity is going to destroy itself, Dr. Jeremiah Morley launches an expedition to find a subterranean haven for mankind. Morley's team faces all manner of perils as they set out in a drilling vehicle for the center of the earth.

Phantom from Space
1953, 72 min.
An alien space craft crash lands near a remote California observatory. The lone passenger, under pursuit by government agents, discards his spacesuit, revealing that he is completely invisible.

Crash of the Moons
1953, 72 min
This feature-length film is culled from three episodes of the classic science fiction TV series Rocky Jones, Space Ranger. Two planets are headed for collision, and Rocky Jones and his team race to prevent the catastrophe.

Warning from Space
1955, 87 min.
A race of aliens shaped like giant muppet starfish have come to warn us that a rogue planet is on a collision course with earth. As the planet approaches, its gravity wreaks all sorts of havoc with weather and tides. Earth scientists join forces with the five-pointed alien visitors in hopes of saving the world.

The Amazing Transparent Man
1960, 58 min.
Joey Faust, an expert safe cracker, is sprung from prison by Major Paul Krenner and is provided with a unique opportunity. Krenner has developed a potion for invisibility which he uses on Faust so he can steal radioactive materials that will allow Krenner to create an invisible army.