Master of the World (1961)
If you miss the opening credits, you’ll be able to figure out Master of the World is a Jules Verne story because all his usual themes are present. A mysterious captain of a vessel with unique inventions, a quest for world peace, journeying around in a hot air balloon, and one pot stirrer among the group of heroes—doesn’t this sound like the same fellow who wrote Journey to the Center of the Earth, Around the World in Eighty Days, and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea? I actually recommend you do fast-forward the first few minutes, since they don’t really make sense with the rest of the movie and give you an odd taste in your mouth before the fun starts.
The rest of this movie is very good, as long as you’re in the mood for something a bit campy. But if you like the rest of the 1950s film adaptations of Jules Verne’s stories, you’ll like this one, too. It’s a perfect matinee movie, so pop lots of popcorn and get ready for a fun afternoon.
Vincent Price stars as the captain of an unusual spaceship made entirely of paper. He has a crew with matching uniforms that are extremely loyal to him, but when he picks up a group of four people stranded from a hot air balloon crash, everything changes. As they say, no good deed goes unpunished, and rather than be thankful for his hospitality, the newcomers start to question his motives. Vincent has a goal of world peace in mind, and he believes the only way to achieve it is to destroy all nations’ weapons. Violence with violence, but with an ultimate peaceful goal.
As fun and captivating as Captain Price is, the guests are just as interesting. Henry Hull is an inventor, and his daughter, Mary Webster, are among them. Mary has two suitors: the yes-man David Frankham who works for Henry, and Charles Bronson, a fellow with more brains, brawn, and heart. It’s a rare treat to see Charles Bronson in a romantic role, so snatch this one up while you have the chance.
It’s also a great pleasure to see the ever-professional Henry Hull throw himself into his part. He’s a dedicated father, an interested inventor, and has tons of energy to carry the rest of the cast with him. It feels like Henry and Vincent got together and said, “We’re the pros here; let’s take care of this movie.” Henry’s played the grizzled father character so many times in his career, but he’s always different. This time around, he’s extremely protective. He always has an arm around Mary, and he shepherds her around the spaceship with great care. There’s also a great deal of physicality in this movie, and as you watch him running, jumping, climbing, and swinging from a rope, you’ll marvel that he’s in his 70s and still keeping up with the young folks. Also, since this movie is a period piece, he looks great in the old-fashioned costumes. He’s given a great wig, too, and looks very handsome!
I really enjoyed this movie, although there is a great tinge of sadness connected with the main theme of the plot. Sixty years later, we still don’t have world peace, and it’s very appealing to join Vincent’s way of thinking. Check this one out if you haven’t seen it. Vincent puts lots of heart into his “villain” character, and Henry enjoys every minute of screen time. Those two make the entire movie worth watching.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on Daily Motion. And thanks "Ursula Strauss" for posting!
More Henry Hull movies here!
The rest of this movie is very good, as long as you’re in the mood for something a bit campy. But if you like the rest of the 1950s film adaptations of Jules Verne’s stories, you’ll like this one, too. It’s a perfect matinee movie, so pop lots of popcorn and get ready for a fun afternoon.
Vincent Price stars as the captain of an unusual spaceship made entirely of paper. He has a crew with matching uniforms that are extremely loyal to him, but when he picks up a group of four people stranded from a hot air balloon crash, everything changes. As they say, no good deed goes unpunished, and rather than be thankful for his hospitality, the newcomers start to question his motives. Vincent has a goal of world peace in mind, and he believes the only way to achieve it is to destroy all nations’ weapons. Violence with violence, but with an ultimate peaceful goal.
As fun and captivating as Captain Price is, the guests are just as interesting. Henry Hull is an inventor, and his daughter, Mary Webster, are among them. Mary has two suitors: the yes-man David Frankham who works for Henry, and Charles Bronson, a fellow with more brains, brawn, and heart. It’s a rare treat to see Charles Bronson in a romantic role, so snatch this one up while you have the chance.
It’s also a great pleasure to see the ever-professional Henry Hull throw himself into his part. He’s a dedicated father, an interested inventor, and has tons of energy to carry the rest of the cast with him. It feels like Henry and Vincent got together and said, “We’re the pros here; let’s take care of this movie.” Henry’s played the grizzled father character so many times in his career, but he’s always different. This time around, he’s extremely protective. He always has an arm around Mary, and he shepherds her around the spaceship with great care. There’s also a great deal of physicality in this movie, and as you watch him running, jumping, climbing, and swinging from a rope, you’ll marvel that he’s in his 70s and still keeping up with the young folks. Also, since this movie is a period piece, he looks great in the old-fashioned costumes. He’s given a great wig, too, and looks very handsome!
I really enjoyed this movie, although there is a great tinge of sadness connected with the main theme of the plot. Sixty years later, we still don’t have world peace, and it’s very appealing to join Vincent’s way of thinking. Check this one out if you haven’t seen it. Vincent puts lots of heart into his “villain” character, and Henry enjoys every minute of screen time. Those two make the entire movie worth watching.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on Daily Motion. And thanks "Ursula Strauss" for posting!
More Henry Hull movies here!