I Aim at the Stars
I Aim at the Stars is a 1960 biographical film which tells the story of the life of Wernher von Braun. The film covers his life from his early days in Germany, through Peenemünde, until his work with the U.S. Army, NASA, and the American space program.[1][2]
I Aim at the Stars | |
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US Style B poster | |
Directed by | J. Lee Thompson |
Produced by | Charles H. Schneer |
Written by | Jay Dratler (screenplay) George Froeschel (story) H. W. John (story) Udo Wolter (story) |
Starring | Curt Jürgens Victoria Shaw Herbert Lom Gia Scala |
Music by | Laurie Johnson |
Cinematography | Wilkie Cooper |
Edited by | Frederick Wilson |
Production company | Morningside Productions Fama-Film |
Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date | 19 August 1960 |
Running time | 107 minutes |
Country | United States West Germany |
Language | English |
The film stars Curt Jürgens, Victoria Shaw, Herbert Lom, Gia Scala, and James Daly.[3]
The movie was written by Jay Dratler based on a story by George Froeschel, H. W. John, and Udo Wolter.[4] It was directed by J. Lee Thompson.[5]
It was shot at the Bavaria Studios in Munich, with sets designed by the art director Hans Berthel.
The film was premiered in Munich on 19 August 1960; it subsequently opened in New York City and Los Angeles on 19 October and London on 24 November.[6] In Germany the film was titled Ich greife nach den Sternen ("I Reach for the Stars"). In Italy the film was released as Alla Conquista dell' Infinito.
Satirist Mort Sahl and others are often credited with suggesting the subtitle "(But Sometimes I Hit London)",[7] but in fact the line appears in the film itself, spoken by actor James Daly, who plays the cynical American press officer.
Dell published a comic book adaptation of the film with art by Jack Sparling as Four Color #1148 (Oct. 1960).[8]
Cast
- Curd Jürgens as Wernher von Braun
- Victoria Shaw as Maria von Braun
- Herbert Lom as Anton Reger
- Gia Scala as Elizabeth Beyer
- James Daly as U.S. Major William Taggert
- Adrian Hoven as Mischke
- Gerard Heinz as Professor Oberth
- Karel Stepanek as Captain Dornberger
- Peter Capell as Dr. Neumann
- Hayden Rorke as U.S. Army Major
- Austin Willis as U.S. General John B. Medaris
- Alan Gifford as U.S. Army Colonel
- Helmo Kindermann as General Kulp
- Lea Seidl as Baroness von Braun
- John Crawford as Dr. Bosco - White Sands, New Mexico
See also
References
- "Cinema: The New Pictures, Oct. 17, 1960". Time. October 17, 1960. Retrieved August 30, 2009.
- Crowther, Bosley (October 20, 1960). "Screen: About von Braun; 'I Aim at the Stars' Opens at the Forum". The New York Times. p. 42. Retrieved August 30, 2009.
- "Horatio Alger of the Iconoclasts--'I Aim at the Stars' Fails to Orbit". The Christian Science Monitor. October 20, 1960. p. 7.
- "Film on Von Braun's Life Has Premiere". Los Angeles Times. October 3, 1960. p. C8.
- "I Aim at the Stars (1960)". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
- Kinematograph Weekly vol 521 no 2767, 13 October 1960
- Morrow, Lance (August 3, 1998). "The Moon and the Clones". Time. Retrieved August 30, 2009.
- Four Color #1148 (Oct. 1960)