MAY 23, 2014

CAT WOMEN OF THE MOON (1953) Directed by Arthur Hilton. *

The first astronauts on the moon discover a race of black clad women who plan to steal their rocket and conquer earth. Well, it's enjoyable trash time, folks! English born director Arthur Hilton was better known as a film editor and did stirling work in that capacity for Sam Fuller, Fritz Lang and Robert Siodmak (Hilton was nominated for an Oscar on Siodmak's THE KILLERS). While it is far from outstanding the film does bear comparison with titles like QUEEN OF OUTER SPACE, although, of course it doesn't have either colour or Zsa Zsa Gabor.  Instead with have Marie Windsor who, given a good film noir role or horse to ride can leave Zsa Zsa standing any day. But poor Marie can't do much with this sub-standard effort. Her romantic interest in the movie is divided between veteran Victor Jory and the nominal star, Sonny Tufts. Jory plays it straight and gives the film a better performance that it has any right to expect while Tufts spends most of the film looking either unsure or embarrassed, the latter probably because he has to deliver the film's funniest line when he has to inform his fellow astronauts the "We've got something jammed up our rear end!".