Project Moon Base

Project Moon Base

Year: 1953

Runtime: 63 mins

Language: English

Director: Richard Talmadge

Science FictionMonsters aliens sci-fi and the apocalypseImaginative space odysseys and alien encountersAction-packed space and alien sagasDangerous technology and the apocalypse

They found romance 100,000 miles from the earth! In the future (1970) the US sends a mission to the moon to investigate the building of a moon base.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Project Moon Base (1953)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Project Moon Base (1953). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1970s

Set in a near-future 1970s, the United States pursues Moon bases and Earth-orbit stations as the next frontier. The period emphasizes rapid spaceflight development and national prestige tied to space achievements. The story focuses on a small, isolated crew facing long-duration operations.

Location

Moon, Earth orbit, Moon base

The action moves from a spacecraft in Earth orbit around the Moon to a landing on the Moon itself. The immobilized ship is repurposed as the core of a planned Moon base, highlighting the era's dream of permanent lunar presence. The lunar surface’s stark environment and the confined crew space drive the tension and resourceful problem-solving that define the mission.

🛰️ Orbit 🌕 Moon 🏗️ Base

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:45

Main Characters – Project Moon Base (1953)

Meet the key characters of Project Moon Base (1953), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Col. Briteis (Donna Martell)

Colonel Briteis is an ambitious astronaut whose pride makes her wary of Major Moore. She initially blames the crisis on herself after a booster mishap and must confront the limits of her own expertise. Ultimately she recognizes she may need Moore's help and agrees to marry him.

💼 Ambition 🎯 Determination

Maj. Bill Moore (Ross Ford)

Major Moore is pragmatic, emotionally reserved, and deeply focused on the mission. He harbors a past romantic interest in Briteis and challenges her assumptions while fostering trust within the crew. His support helps navigate the crisis, and public support paves the way for his promotion to Brigadier General as part of the marriage arrangement.

🚀 Pragmatism 💪 Resolve

Dr. Wernher (Larry Johns)

Dr. Wernher is initially presented as a trusted scientist but is revealed to be an impostor with a secret plan to collide with and destroy the Earth-orbiting station. His knowledge and motives are suspect, including the Brooklyn Dodgers clue that betrays his true identity. He sacrifices himself to help establish Earth communications before dying in an accident.

🧪 Impostor 🗡️ Sacrifice

Gen. 'Pappy' Greene (Hayden Rorke)

General Greene serves as a senior adviser who judges the mission both strategically and politically. He proposes the marriage as a means to stabilize public opinion and ensure the mission’s long-term support. His guidance reflects the era’s tension between individual action and national image.

🎖️ Public Image 🗺️ Strategy

Captain Carmody (Peter Adams)

Captain Carmody is the mission commander who maintains overall leadership during the perilous journey to the Moon and back. He provides steady, procedural guidance to keep the crew united under pressure. His role is essential to the successful survival and operations on the lunar surface.

⚙️ Command 🏁 Duty

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:45

Major Themes – Project Moon Base (1953)

Explore the central themes of Project Moon Base (1953), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💘 Romance

Moore and Briteis share a complicated history: Moore once pursued a romance with Briteis, but she prioritized Moon ambitions. Their relationship evolves under pressure as they learn to trust each other and work as a team. The prospect of long isolation leads to a video wedding that cements their partnership.

🕵️ Deception

Wernher is revealed as an impostor with a secret mission to destroy the Earth-orbiting space station. The suspect's lack of real expertise and background signals his duplicity. His later actions help restore Earth communications, but he dies in an accident.

🧭 Exploration

The crew must survey lunar landing sites for future missions and cope with limited fuel and supplies. After an emergency landing, they convert their immobilized spacecraft into a functional Moon base, expanding humanity's foothold on the Moon. The narrative centers on discovery, survival, and the drive to extend presence beyond Earth.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:45

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Project Moon Base Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Project Moon Base, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Project Moon Base Summary

Project Moon Base Timeline

Track the full timeline of Project Moon Base with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Project Moon Base Timeline

More About Project Moon Base

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Project Moon Base (1953) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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