Watch Nude on the Moon

Nude on the Moon is a campy, low-budget fantasy science fiction film released in 1961 and directed by Doris Wishman, featuring a unique blend of genre elements that are both of its time and suggestive of the experimental edge of the exploitation films that would flourish later in the decade. Starring relatively unknown actors such as Marietta, William Mayer, and Lester Brown, the film serves as a quirky and peculiar artifact of the early 1960s American cinema.

The narrative begins with an enthusiastic and wealthy scientist named Jeff (played by William Mayer), who along with his colleague Dr. Webby (Lester Brown), is obsessively working on a groundbreaking project to reach the moon. The story takes its leap into the fantastic when Jeff inherits a fortune large enough to finance a private lunar expedition. As the plot unfolds, the excitement builds for what they may discover on the celestial body that has captured the imagination and curiosity of humanity for eons.

After constructing a functional space rocket, complete with all the toggles and blinking lights one might expect from a science fiction film of the period, Jeff and Dr. Webby launch and journey through space, aiming for the mysterious surface of the moon. It's a quintessential part of the film's charm that these scenes reflect the exuberant fantasy and naïve optimism of the early space age, without the rigorous attention to scientific detail or the visual sophistication that would characterize later entries into the genre.

Upon arrival, the duo encounters an astonishing sight: a lush, tropical paradise unlike any barren moonscape one might expect. The warm and inviting environment is as surprising to the audience as it is to our protagonists. It is in this strange, new world where the movie reveals its titular hook—the lunar inhabitants are a group of attractive, telepathic space-people who wear nothing but strategically placed jewelry and accessories: the population of "nude on the moon."

The lunar citizens are lead by a benevolent, alluring Moon Queen, played by a billed "Marietta." The Moon Queen and her subjects lead a life of idyllic simplicity and pleasure, basking in the alien sunshine and engaging in activities that emphasize freedom and leisure. It's quickly understood that the rules and inhibitions of Earth do not exist here, which is meant to reflect the unshackled spirit of the free-love movement that was just starting to emerge at the time.

Although the colony of nudists is the central oddity of this moon adventure, there are surprising undercurrents of commentary on society, interpersonal connections, and the pursuit of happiness that emerge from the interactions between the earthling explorers and these exceptional moon dwellers. This social subtext, while not profoundly explored, provides additional texture to what is, on the surface, a playful, escapist romp.

The production values of Nude on the Moon reflect the limitations and resourcefulness typical of the era's independent filmmaking. The use of outdoor Floridian locations to double as the lunar surface creatively breaks with the expected conventions of depicting the moon, and the special effects are charmingly unsophisticated. Furthermore, the film's aesthetic is further shaped by a whimsical and otherworldly instrumental soundtrack that underscores the dreamlike quality the film achieves throughout its duration.

A notable aspect that contributes to the film's legacy is its censorship history. As part of the emerging nudist-film genre, Nude on the Moon faced challenges and bans in several states due to its content, despite the relatively innocent and non-sexual portrayal of nudity. These challenges illustrate the shifting cultural norms and growing pains of a society grappling with its conservative past and pushing towards a more permissive future—a transition mirrored by the evolving landscape of American cinema.

As a piece of cult cinema, Nude on the Moon offers viewers a glimpse into a time when the lines between sci-fi, fantasy, and the nascent exploitation genre were joyfully blurred. Doris Wishman's offbeat direction and unabashed embrace of outlandish subject matter has since gathered a following among fans who cherish the eccentric and kitschy side of vintage genre films.

This film might be considered a curious relic, approached now with a mix of irony and nostalgia, offering modern audiences an opportunity to chuckle at its dated effects and naive vision of lunar travel. But for those willing to look past its technological limitations and indulge in its playful spirit, Nude on the Moon retains a unique charm—a snapshot of a bygone era when the endless possibilities of space and cinema alike were there for the taking, no matter how fanciful the premise or skimpy the attire.

Nude on the Moon is a 1960 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.8.