Riders to the Stars
Encyclopedia
Riders to the Stars is an American science fiction film
that was released in 1954 by Ivan Tors Productions and directed by Richard Carlson. It stars William Lundigan
, Martha Hyer
, Herbert Marshall
, and Richard Carlson.
) and Dr. Jerry Lockwood (Richard Carlson
), are recruited for a secret project. They undergo a series of rigorous physical and psychological tests, during which Stanton becomes attracted to the beautiful Dr. Jane Flynn (Martha Hyer
), one of the testers. Finally, the four remaining candidates are told about the purpose of the project.
It turns out that Stanton's father, Dr. Donald Stanton (Herbert Marshall), is the man in charge. He and his colleagues are working on manned space travel. However, they have found that even the best quality steel turns brittle in outer space. Since meteorites are not subject to the same problem, the scientists want to recover some meteors before they enter the atmosphere, to find out how the "outer shell" protects them. To accomplish this, they need to send astronauts into space—something that has never been done before. Stanton, Lockwood, and Walter Gordon (Robert Karnes
) accept the dangerous assignment, while the fourth man quits in disgust.
Three one-man rockets are sent a couple of hundred miles up into space to intercept a meteor swarm. Gordon attempts to capture a meteor that is too large, and his ship is destroyed in a collision. Lockwood suffers a mental breakdown when he sees Gordon's body hit his viewscreen. Delusional, he fires his engines and zooms away from the Earth. Stanton misses the main swarm, but a stray crosses his path. He decides to capture it despite warnings from those monitoring from the ground that he will use up too much fuel and risk burning up upon re-entry. He manages to survive a crash landing with the meteor intact, and is rewarded with a kiss by Dr. Flynn.
Science fiction film
Science fiction film is a film genre that uses science fiction: speculative, science-based depictions of phenomena that are not necessarily accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial life forms, alien worlds, extrasensory perception, and time travel, often along with futuristic...
that was released in 1954 by Ivan Tors Productions and directed by Richard Carlson. It stars William Lundigan
William Lundigan
William Lundigan was an American film actor. His films include Dodge City , The Fighting 69th , The Sea Hawk , Santa Fe Trail , Dishonored Lady , Pinky , Love Nest with Marilyn Monroe, The House on Telegraph Hill , I'd Climb the Highest Mountain and Inferno...
, Martha Hyer
Martha Hyer
Martha Hyer is an American actress.She attended Northwestern University and was a member of Pi Beta Phi fraternity. After completing her education, she next appeared in The Locket in 1946...
, Herbert Marshall
Herbert Marshall
Herbert Marshall , born Herbert Brough Falcon Marshall, was an English actor.His parents were Percy F. Marshall and Ethel May Turner. He graduated from St. Mary's College in Old Harlow, Essex and worked for a time as an accounting clerk...
, and Richard Carlson.
Plot
A group of single, highly qualified men, including Dr. Richard Stanton (William LundiganWilliam Lundigan
William Lundigan was an American film actor. His films include Dodge City , The Fighting 69th , The Sea Hawk , Santa Fe Trail , Dishonored Lady , Pinky , Love Nest with Marilyn Monroe, The House on Telegraph Hill , I'd Climb the Highest Mountain and Inferno...
) and Dr. Jerry Lockwood (Richard Carlson
Richard Carlson
Richard Carlson was an American actor, television and film director, and screenwriter.-Career:Born in Albert Lea, Minnesota, Carlson graduated from the University of Minnesota with an M.A. degree, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa. He later appeared on the Broadway stage in the 1930s after studying...
), are recruited for a secret project. They undergo a series of rigorous physical and psychological tests, during which Stanton becomes attracted to the beautiful Dr. Jane Flynn (Martha Hyer
Martha Hyer
Martha Hyer is an American actress.She attended Northwestern University and was a member of Pi Beta Phi fraternity. After completing her education, she next appeared in The Locket in 1946...
), one of the testers. Finally, the four remaining candidates are told about the purpose of the project.
It turns out that Stanton's father, Dr. Donald Stanton (Herbert Marshall), is the man in charge. He and his colleagues are working on manned space travel. However, they have found that even the best quality steel turns brittle in outer space. Since meteorites are not subject to the same problem, the scientists want to recover some meteors before they enter the atmosphere, to find out how the "outer shell" protects them. To accomplish this, they need to send astronauts into space—something that has never been done before. Stanton, Lockwood, and Walter Gordon (Robert Karnes
Robert Karnes
Robert A. Karnes was a prolific television actor who also appeared in some films early in his career, including mostly uncredited parts in The Best Years of Our Lives , Miracle on 34th Street , Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye , and From Here to Eternity...
) accept the dangerous assignment, while the fourth man quits in disgust.
Three one-man rockets are sent a couple of hundred miles up into space to intercept a meteor swarm. Gordon attempts to capture a meteor that is too large, and his ship is destroyed in a collision. Lockwood suffers a mental breakdown when he sees Gordon's body hit his viewscreen. Delusional, he fires his engines and zooms away from the Earth. Stanton misses the main swarm, but a stray crosses his path. He decides to capture it despite warnings from those monitoring from the ground that he will use up too much fuel and risk burning up upon re-entry. He manages to survive a crash landing with the meteor intact, and is rewarded with a kiss by Dr. Flynn.
Cast
- William LundiganWilliam LundiganWilliam Lundigan was an American film actor. His films include Dodge City , The Fighting 69th , The Sea Hawk , Santa Fe Trail , Dishonored Lady , Pinky , Love Nest with Marilyn Monroe, The House on Telegraph Hill , I'd Climb the Highest Mountain and Inferno...
as Dr. Richard Donald Stanton - Herbert MarshallHerbert MarshallHerbert Marshall , born Herbert Brough Falcon Marshall, was an English actor.His parents were Percy F. Marshall and Ethel May Turner. He graduated from St. Mary's College in Old Harlow, Essex and worked for a time as an accounting clerk...
as Dr. Donald L. Stanton / Narrator - Richard CarlsonRichard CarlsonRichard Carlson was an American actor, television and film director, and screenwriter.-Career:Born in Albert Lea, Minnesota, Carlson graduated from the University of Minnesota with an M.A. degree, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa. He later appeared on the Broadway stage in the 1930s after studying...
as Dr. Jerome "Jerry" Lockwood - Martha HyerMartha HyerMartha Hyer is an American actress.She attended Northwestern University and was a member of Pi Beta Phi fraternity. After completing her education, she next appeared in The Locket in 1946...
as Dr. Jane Flynn - Dawn AddamsDawn AddamsDawn Addams was an English actress in motion pictures of the 1950s.-Life and career:She was born Victoria Dawn Addams in Felixstowe, Suffolk, England, the daughter of Ethel Mary and Captain James Ramage Addams. Her mother died when she was young, and she spent her early life in Calcutta, India...
as Susan Manners - Robert KarnesRobert KarnesRobert A. Karnes was a prolific television actor who also appeared in some films early in his career, including mostly uncredited parts in The Best Years of Our Lives , Miracle on 34th Street , Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye , and From Here to Eternity...
as Walter J. Gordon - Lawrence DobkinLawrence DobkinLawrence Dobkin was an American television director, actor and television screenwriter whose career spanned seven decades....
as Dr. Delmar - George EldredgeGeorge EldredgeGeorge Eldredge was an American character actor. Although he never became a major performer, Eldredge played in over 180 movies during a career that stretched from the 1930s to the early 1960s. He also had a prolific television career during the '50's...
as Dr. Paul Drayden - Dan Riss as Dr. Frank Warner
- Michael FoxMichael FoxMichael Fox may refer to:* Michael J. Fox , Canadian-American actor* Michael Fox , American character actor* Michael Fox , British actor...
as Dr. Klinger the Shrink - King DonovanKing DonovanKing Donovan was an American film, stage, and television actor, as well as a film and television director.-Film:...
as James F. O'Herli, Security - Kem Dibbs as David Wells
- James BestJames BestJames Best is an American actor best known for his role as bumbling Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in the CBS television series The Dukes of Hazzard. He has also worked as an acting coach, artist, and musician.-Early years:...
as Sidney K. Fuller