Moon Pilot (1962): Cast & Plot
Moon Pilot is a 1962 sci-fi comedy directed by James Neilson, starring Kent Smith as Secretary of the Air Force, Chet Stratton and Tommy Kirk. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 38m (98 min)
- Director
- James Neilson
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Walt Disney Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Moon Pilot About?
The premise of Moon Pilot without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
An Air Force captain volunteers, inadvertently becoming the first man to attempt a manned flight around the Moon. He is placed under tight surveillance by multiple security agencies, yet a young woman believed to be an enemy spy manages to contact him. He later learns she isn’t a foe at all, but a friend from an unexpected source, and helps later.
Moon Pilot Themes & Keywords
· 18 tags- space sci fi
- spaceflight
- national aeronautics and space administration
- astronomical object in title
- nasa
- astronaut
- moon
- outer space
- boxer shorts
- bare chested male
- chimpanzee
- reference to benedict arnold
+6 more Show fewer
- u.s. air force
- senator
- pilot
- mother son relationship
- french accent
- based on novel
Moon Pilot Cast & Characters
Kent Smith leads the cast as Secretary of the Air Force, with Chet Stratton as Captain (uncredited) and Tommy Kirk as Walter Talbot. Directed by James Neilson; 32 actors are credited in all.
- Director James Neilson
- Kent Smith as Secretary of the Air Force
- Chet Stratton as Captain (uncredited)
- Tommy Kirk as Walter Talbot
- Sarah Selby as Mrs. Talbot
Also Starring in Moon Pilot
· 28 more- Tom Tryon Capt. Richmond Talbot
- Dany Saval Lyrae
- John Zaremba Security Officer Conducting Lineup (uncredited)
- Michael Garrett Control Board Technician (uncredited)
- Edmond O'Brien McClosky aka 'Mac'
- Brian Keith Maj. Gen. John M. Vanneman
- Bert Remsen Brennan
- Sally Field Beatnik Girl in Lineup (uncredited)
- Kenner G. Kemp Conventioneer in Hotel Lobby (uncredited)
- Bert Stevens Conventioneer in Hotel Lobby (uncredited)
- Jeffrey Sayre Conventioneer in Hotel Lobby (uncredited)
- Bob Sweeney Sen. Henry McGuire
- Arthur Tovey Conventioneer in Hotel Lobby (uncredited)
- Harp McGuire Federal Security Driver
- John Holland Joe McCord (uncredited)
- Guy Wilkerson Conventioneer in Elevator (uncredited)
Show all 32 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Douglas Evans Colonel (uncredited)
- Bob Hastings Motorist (uncredited)
- Simon Scott Medical Officer
- Jonathan Hole Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
- Walt Davis Air Force Officer (uncredited)
- Jo Anne Worley Beatnik Girl in Lineup (uncredited)
- Nancy Kulp Nutritionist Officer
- William Hudson Space Flight Technician (uncredited)
- Nelson Olmsted Police Officer Dennis (uncredited)
- Karen Norris Bridge Player (uncredited)
- Robert Brubaker Space Flight Technician (uncredited)
- Muriel Landers Fat Lady (uncredited)
More from James Neilson
More films directed by James Neilson: Tom Sawyer, Flareup, Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows and Gentle Giant.
Moon Pilot Plot Summary
What happens in Moon Pilot from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Captain Richmond Talbot, Tom Tryon, an Air Force captain, inadvertently volunteers to pilot the first crewed flight around the Moon. He is ordered to keep the mission secret, even from his family on upcoming leave, a demand that compounds the pressure of duty with the ache of separation.
Full summary
The whole story of Moon Pilot, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Moon Pilot?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What branch of the military does Captain Richmond Talbot serve in?
Cars in Moon Pilot
15 cars on screen, including the 1961 Ford Fairlane and the 1961 Ford Galaxie Sunliner.
-
1961 Ford Fairlane Important role -
1961 Ford Galaxie Sunliner Important role -
1961 Ford Fairlane Minor role -
1953 GMC PD 4104 Minor role
Moon Pilot Also Known As
11 alternative titles, including “Un tipo lunatico” and “Un pilote dans la Lune”.
- Also known as
-
- Un tipo lunatico
- Un pilote dans la Lune
- Piloto a la luna
- Maan Piloot
- Mondgeflüster
- 月球基地
- O Incrível Homem do Espaço
- טייס לילה
- 문 파일럿
- Місячний пілот
- Ungkarl på rymdfärd
Seen Moon Pilot?
Movies Like Moon Pilot
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Man in the Moon, Moonshot and Fly Me to the Moon.
Moon Pilot FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Moon Pilot, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Moon Pilot?
Moon Pilot runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was Moon Pilot released?
Moon Pilot was released on February 9, 1962.
Who directed Moon Pilot?
Moon Pilot was directed by James Neilson.
More films by James Neilson Who is in the cast of Moon Pilot?
Moon Pilot stars Kent Smith as Secretary of the Air Force, Chet Stratton as Captain (uncredited) and Tommy Kirk as Walter Talbot, among 32 credited actors.
Does Moon Pilot have a post-credit scene?
No. Moon Pilot has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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