Nude on the Moon
Nude on the Moon is a 1961 science-fantasy nudist film co-written and co-directed by Doris Wishman and Raymond Phelan under the shared pseudonyms "O. O. Miller" and "Anthony Brooks". The film was produced in 1960 and theatrically released in 1961.
| Nude on the Moon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Raymond Phelan Doris Wishman |
| Produced by | Martin Caplan Doris Wishman |
| Written by | Raymond Phelan Doris Wishman |
| Starring | Marietta William Mayer Lester Brown Pat Reilly Ira Magee |
| Music by | Daniel Hart |
| Cinematography | Raymond Phelan |
| Distributed by | J.E.R. Pictures Inc. |
Release date |
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Running time | 83 min. |
| Language | English |
Nude on the Moon is the second of eight nudist films produced and directed by Wishman. While most nudist films of the time were set within a conventional nudist camp, apparently as a promotional gimmick Wishman decided to set the story in a nudist civilization on the Moon.
Plot
Scientist Dr. Jeff Huntley inherits a fortune from his uncle and invests it in the development of a rocket ship, built with the assistance of his mentor, Dr. Nichols. After landing on the Moon, the pair discover a civilization of topless extraterrestrials led by a Moon Queen with telepathic powers. Enamored of Dr. Huntley, the Moon Queen allows the men to take photos of the nudists during their everyday activities. Their oxygen running low, the two are forced to return to Earth, realizing in the process that they've left their camera behind and have no proof of the aliens' existence. Jeff is dispirited to learn that nobody believes their trip succeeded, but his spirits are lifted when he sees the resemblance between Dr. Nichols's secretary, Cathy, and the Moon Queen. The movie ends as the two embrace, signaling the beginning of a new romance.
Soundtrack
Nude on the Moon features the original song "I'm Mooning Over You (My Little Moon Doll)" sung by Ralph Young (who also plays a principal role in Wishman's Blaze Starr Goes Nudist under the pseudonym "Russ Martine"). Young would soon meet Belgian singer Tony Sandler and form Sandler and Young, a successful easy-listening duo, with him. The lyrics and melody were written by Wishman's niece, Judith Kushner. According to Wishman, future Tonight Show bandleader Doc Severinsen arranged the orchestration but is not credited.
Production
The Moon sequences in the film were shot at Coral Castle in Homestead, Florida.[1]
Reception
In a review for AllMovie, Fred Beldin wrote, "Charming and bubble-headed, Nude on the Moon is a good-natured fantasy for bawdy kitsch lovers."[1]
Legacy
Nude on the Moon is considered a cult film. References to it in pop culture include:
- Nude on the Moon: The B-52's Anthology, a two-disc CD anthology of music by The B-52's, was released on Rhino Records. Lead singer Fred Schneider was a friend of Wishman's in her later years.
- "Nude on the Moon," a 1996 single by electronica duo Tipsy, also appears on the album Trip Tease. One of the remixes is called the "naked volleyball mix."
References
- Beldin, Fred. "Nude on the Moon (1960)". AllMovie. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
External links
- Nude on the Moon at IMDb
- Nude on the Moon at AllMovie
- Trailer on YouTube
- Nude on the Moon is available for free download at the Internet Archive