The First Men in the Moon filmed in Dymchurch

This year marks the 60^th anniversary of the 1964 British science fiction film First Men in the Moon of which it’s opening and concluding scenes were set in none other than Dymchurch.

Made five years prior to the first landing on the moon, the film follows a multi-national group of United Nations astronauts who, in 1964, have launched their rocket flight to the moon and land, believing themselves to be the first lunar explorers. After discovering a Union Jack flag however, it becomes clear that a Victorian party completed the journey in 1899, leading investigators to that mission’s last survivor, Mr Arnold Bedford.

With Arnold Bedford living in a nursing home, his lunar claims get quickly dismissed by staff but his story is shown in flashback going back to 1899 where his fiancée Katherine Callender, known as Kate, is driving to their Cherry Cottage, next to a canal lock in Dymchurch. Their neighbour Joseph Cavor, who is an inventor, wants to buy the cottage and this is agreed by Kate on Bedford’s behalf.

Cavor has developed a substance called Cavorite that will let anything it is applied to or made of nullify the force of gravity. Cavor plans to use this to travel to the moon and tempts Bedford to join him by telling him there are gold nuggets on the moon which attracts Bedford even more considering he has financial difficulties.

The film made $1,650,000 at the Box Office and was directed by Nathan Juran, produced by Charles H. Schneer with the screenplay by Nigel Kneale and Jan Read.

Edward Judd plays the role of Bedford, Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress Martha Hyer plays Kate and Global Globe Award nominated actor Lionel Jeffries plays Joseph Cavor.

The First Men in the Moon DVD is available to buy on Amazon.