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Rocketship X-M Reproduction Model & Prototype Model

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia / Movie - Memorabilia Start Price:50.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 400.00 USD
Rocketship X-M Reproduction Model & Prototype Model
Rocketship X-M Reproduction Model & Prototype Model - For a film that was rushed into production on a shoe-string budget, the cult sci-fi classic "Rocketship X-M" (1950), is credited with many "firsts". It was most likely the first film to realistically show space travel as a real event, rather than a fantasy, (it beat out George Pal's much more elaborate "Destination Moon" by several weeks), is perhaps the first film to show the negative impact and dangers of atomic war, a theme not lost on Gene Roddenberry who was inspired by this film to give many of his stories pacifist themes, it was one of the first films to add "beefcake" to sci-fi by showing a bare-chested Hugh O'Brian, and it utilized actual realistic instrumentation, and space suit costuming to make the film seem as if it was lifted right off the day's Newspaper headlines. In fact the lift-off procedure inspired Disney's Imaginers when they were creating their own "Flight to the Moon" ride for Tomorrowland. It also gave the world the pre-"Sea Hunt" Lloyd Bridges (who actually references the X-M rocket in several episodes). The script is miles above sci-fi films of the past (including a shockingly sophisticated existential ending), being that it was written by the brilliant, courageous, but tragically black-listed Dalton Trumbo (director Kurt Neumann took writer credit), as well as a spin-chilling exciting score from classical composer Ferde Grofé (best known for his "Grand Canyon Suite"). The unusual sleek, minimalist aerodynamic shape and styling of the title Rocketship also changed the course of how spaceships were to be depicted from this point forward. This is a magnificent reproduction of the actual X-M rocket model used in the production (several were used for take-offs, separation of stages in space, the landing on Mars, and the background of the ship while the crew investigates on Mars). It also includes the original 'blacked-out" windows, which were intended to create follow-mattes which would show the crew inside the model. The technique was too complex and expensive, however it inspired Stanley Kubrick to utilize the same technique for some of the most spectacular moon base sequences in his masterpiece "2001: A Space Odyssey". This magnificent reproduction is mounted on a museum quality display. Also included is another rocket model which was one of many concepts for the X-M Rocket. These models come from legendary Jerry Neeley's collection. Neeley was the well known film historian, writer, collector and owner of the famous "Jerry's Video" in Los Feliz, CA. Customers, collectors and throngs of directors, writers and industry people would come from around the world to talk to Jerry, whose knowledge and memory of film, especially when it came to Sci-Fi, was encyclopedic, and also to visit his famous collection. Also included is a Letter of Provenience from Jerry Neeley's widow and co-owner of his various video and memorabilia shops. The X-M reproduction is approx 19" high including the custom base, and the prototype Rocketship is approx 15" high including its custom made base.