A Quick Look: FIRST SPACESHIP ON VENUS (1962 - color)

    Soviet space operas proved popular with American distributors because they tended to be quite lavish since they were pride pieces for the State. Overlooking the starving masses communist countries exploited in the production of these films, this meant impressive visuals could be picked up for a song and be distributed by even the smallest American releasing company. East Germany produced one of the most lavish space operas ever seen, in part to celebrate it's first decade. In the 50's, a science fiction writer penned the book on which this gigantic film would be based. Reportedly, the author inserted some pro-commie text only to assure the book would be released by the State. It was this material which secured the book as the foundation for the movie, though such material was said to be toned way down for the film version. It was a massive production, boasting some of the most amazing sets and special effects ever afforded a science fiction movie of the vintage. An international cast was hired, photographed in rich color and wide scope. American distributor Crown international secured the film for US distribution (paired with VARAN, THE UNBELIEVABLE) in 1962. As you might imagine, our version is less political. The film's East German lead was changed to an American, and the film's Soviet scientist became French. As well, the mammoth runtime was reportedly whittled down to a more audience friendly 78 or so minutes. The result is a pretty spectacular and even imaginative multi-ethnic space opera boasting some of the wildest designs and concepts ever put on film effectively. In the film, set in 1986, a "spool" is discovered inside a rock. This is the magnetic log of a Venusian spacecraft which exploded over Russia about a hundred years previous -what we assumed to be a meteor in that infamous explosion. A collective of scientists urge their governments to jointly build a fantastic rocket which will send them to Venus to investigate, and we're off and running. The major star of the film is Japanese actress Yoko Tani. Her rather interesting career found her a rising star in international cinema but getting little attention in Japan. Ironically, after having her eyes fixed to appear less Oriental, she became a popular Japanese television star! FIRST SPACESHIP ON VENUS became one of Crown International's biggest hits, though it obviously suffered from being cropped for subsequent television and later video releases. In 1998, Wade Williams released a beautiful scope transfer on home video. It's worth seeking out.

Yoko Tani