1958's "Missile to the Moon" was an impoverished Astor quickie signaling director Richard Cunha's final entry in a quartet of sci fi efforts, this one a virtual remake of Astor's 1953 release "Cat-Women of the Moon," depicting the discovery of a civilization of lunar lovelies who have never seen a man in their lives. Michael Whalen's Dirk Green is the creator of a rocket ready to blast off for a predetermined destination, frustrated by a government that won't allow him to test his theories so he hides two escaped convicts on board as a 3 man crew for an impromptu takeoff at the 20 minute mark, with colleagues Steve Dayton (Richard Travis) and June Saxton (Cathy Downs) stowing away by accident. Delighted to have more knowledgeable help, Dirk doesn't survive being injured during a meteor shower, landing after only 10 minutes in space to put the quartet among Vasquez Rocks in Red Rock Canyon near the Mojave Desert, the same location as the opening of Universal's "WereWolf of London." Wearing their oxygen gear, it is said that the blazing hot sun is enough to roast a man alive, menaced by rock creatures that blend in with the terrain but stumble about like Gumby. The only oxygen available is inside a cave where they become honored guests of the all female kingdom led by The Lido (K.T. Stevens), who mistakes Steve for the deceased Dirk because of the medallion he was given, evidence that Dirk was a male consort sent to bring back help to their dying world. They need the rocket to transport the survivors to Earth but treachery presents itself from the telepathic Alpha (Nina Bara), who takes over as new leader after stabbing The Lido, sending the astronauts to certain death in the chamber of the 'dark creatures,' actually the same giant spider puppet from "Cat-Women of the Moon." Issued on a double bill with the lower budgeted, already completed "Frankenstein's Daughter," success was more assured than the previous coupling of "Giant from the Unknown" and "She Demons," far more delightful delilahs to entice horny teen males to their local drive-ins for lucrative business (Cunha's slim resume would add only one more title as director, 1960's "Girl in Room 13").

This is above average sci-fi movie from the '50s. There're few good characters in this movie that makes it a good science fiction movie.

While not the grand production of the "Forbidden Planet", this movie definitely sticks out above similar moon themed movies such as "Cat Women of Moon" or "Operation Moon Base". The two ingredients that makes this movie higher quality is the choice of actors playing in this movie, and better props like the rock men of moon that can survive in the intense heat of moon's sun. Premise that moon's sun is intense enough to burn humans to the bones also was an interesting visual effect that left an indelible memory as a child.

Interestingly enough this movie has similar elements to the "Cat Women of Moon" and the "Operation Moon Base" in that moon is inhabited by all women race vying for main character's love which doesn't settle well with his fiancé, and that there is non-legitimate crew aboard the spaceship.

First part of the movie is somewhat slow and boring, but once the crew reaches the moon, the story starts to pick up, and becomes interesting.

This is one destination moon type movie from the '50s that's worth watching.

This rating is for the 2007 colorized version, which improves greatly on the original black and white. The first half hour has more plot holes than I could count. But some of that first part is so dumb, it becomes the prototype bad good film. But once they arrive on the moon the movie is actually pretty entertaining. The women's outfits are really well done and sexy.

Whether or not this is a copy of an earlier film is irrelevant to me, as I try to judge movies, or music etc., as if I were watching in a vacuum.

The giant spider and the rock monster were funny and pretty cool. The alien girl vs. Earth girl jealousy fight was an added bonus.