ON THE THRESHOLD OF SPACE

US, 1956, 96 minutes, Colour.
Guy Madison, Virginia Leith, John Hodiak, Dean Jagger, Warren Stevens.
Directed by Robert D. Webb.

On The Threshold of Space gives a picture of American morale in the mid-'50s and the confidence in the future of technology and science, progress, especially in space travel and experiments with planes. The film is a fictional account of experimentation. The human story is conventional: the husband and wife and their relationship, the subordinate and the clash with cautious authority, the morale of American officials. There is a strong cast, colour Cinemascope photography and efficient direction by Robert D. Webb. While the basic plot is formula material, there are effective sequences of flight. While these have been considerably outmoded, they give an indication of the continuity of American experimentation and technological development.

1. Interesting and entertaining material? A film of the '50s? Confidence in technology and progress at the time? Visions of flight and space travel?

2. The colour photography. the flight sequences and the special effects? Use of Cinemascope? The contrast with the pleasant conventional American domesticity of the basic plot? Musical score?

3. The film's blend of conventional material with semi-documentary material? Interest, entertainment?

4. The basic human story: Jim Hollenbeck as hero, his various experiments, his confidence and courage? His wife's support but worry? The clash with Major Thomas and his seeming caution? The advice of Dr. Thornton, the support and interest of the various members of staff? A pleasant if expected story with the usual tensions?

5. The background of development of human reactions at high speeds and altitudes, ejector seats, jumps from planes, free-fall etc.? The visualising of these? Hollenbeck's courage and the dramatising of the tests? Major Thomas' rocket-sled run? The build-up to the ascent in the balloon to 100,000 feet?

6. The character of Hollenbeck - the clean-cut American hero type? Major Thomas as the authoritative type, seemingly cautious but courageous? The sketching in of the minor characters?

7. Reflection on American self-confidence at the time? The American heritage - and the changes of the '60s? The continuity, however, of experiments and space exploration. The film as a film of the '50s - in relationship with later films of technological development?