SPACESHIP M-1 from ‘Abbott and Costello Go To Mars (1953) Starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. Directed by Charles Lamaont
'Abbott and Costello’ were a very popular American comedy double-act in the 1940s and the 1950s with their own Radio show and TV show. They are probably best known today for their series of movies co-starring with the Universal Monsters including Dracula and Frankenstein. ‘Abbott and Costello Go to Mars' was made in the 1950s during the Sci-Fi Movie boom. In the story the duo are working as cleaners at the rocket site and when cleaning the spaceship it accidentally takes off (of course). And then flies around above New York City while mission control attempt to regain control of the ship. The ship accidentally lands in Louisiana and Bud and Lou mistake outlandish Mardi Gras costumes for aliens and believ they have landed on Mars!
There are some quite impressive visual effects of the rocket ship’s wild flight. I have a memory of seeing this as a kid and being blown away by the scene where the rocket goes through the Hudson Tunnel. I don't think I'd ever seen something like that - a futuristic spaceship in a real location. Looking at it again today you can see many technical artifacts - common in this type of work at the time - but I still love these shots! In fact, the way the ship flies around is quite incredible - it swoops and dives and even does a barrel roll or two! How did they do this? No motion control at that time… and the movement looks too smooth and dynamic for wire work.
The ship is a classic 1950s silver rocket-ship inspired by the V2. In the shots of the ship on the launch pad it appears to be approximately 150 feet tall. The kit would probably be about 9 or 10” long. The tips of the rear fins fold out and serve as landing gear to stabilise the ship on the ground. These would be movable parts. You’d get an optional part for the crew ladder
I am not sure who designed this ship.
Art Directors Robert F Boyle, Alexander Golitzen