Film Snail

5.4

Moon Pilot

G·1962·98m

Comedy

Family

Comedy

Family

Summary

An Air Force captain inadvertently volunteers to make the first manned flight around the moon. He immediately falls under the watchful protection of various security agencies, but despite all their precautions, a young woman who may be an enemy spy succeeds in making contact with the captain. The captain eventually discovers that this woman is not an enemy but rather a friend from a very unusual source.

Cast

Tom Tryon

Capt. Richmond Talbot

Brian Keith

Maj. Gen. John M. Vanneman

Edmond O'Brien

McClosky aka 'Mac'

Dany Saval

Lyrae

Bob Sweeney

Sen. Henry McGuire

Tommy Kirk

Walter Talbot

Kent Smith

Secretary of the Air Force

Sarah Selby

Mrs. Talbot

Nancy Kulp

Nutritionist Officer

Bert Remsen

Brennan

Harp McGuire

Federal Security Driver

Crew

Director

James Neilson

Screenplay

Maurice Tombragel

Reviews

r96sk

July 4, 2020

Underwhelming start to Disney's 1962 live-action offerings.

I didn't enjoy <em>'Moon Pilot'</em>. It's far too talky for my liking, with pretty much 80/90% of the film filled with build-up to the 'main event' which ends up concluding all too quickly. There's slight mystery there with the secondary premise, but that's unfulfilled in favour of chit-chat.

The cast don't give performances to be remembered. Tom Tryon is alright but mostly dull as Capt. Talbot. Dany Saval is OK as Lyrae, her role is barely developed in fairness - her overall shtick is being female, it seems. Brian Keith (Maj. Vanneman) and Edmond O'Brien (McClosky) standout most, but both overact from start-to-finish; especially the shouty Keith.

The intrigued surrounding Lyrae is all I have to praise, to be honest. There's a potentially good film in there, but James Neilson and crew didn't realise it unfortunately. I'm sure we'll get a remake some day.