Space Probe Taurus

Space Probe Taurus (a.k.a. Space Monster) is a 1965 science fiction/action/drama film written and directed by Leonard Katzman and starring Francine York, James E. Brown, Baynes Barrow, and Russ Fender.

Plot[]

The story opens in the late 20th century, when manned missions to outer space are becoming quite common. However, a distress call from mission Faith I requests destruction of their space vessel, as it has been contaminated by an infectious gas leaving all crew dead but the commander (Bob Legionaire). The mission is aborted and the ship destroyed.^[1]

By the year 2000, new propulsion technology has been developed. Four astronauts aboard the spaceship Hope One set off to find new planets for colonization. Their mission takes them past a space platform circling the Earth. General Mark Tillman (James Macklin) at Earth Control HQ tells a TV reporter (John Willis) that all is going according to the pre-flight plan.

The crew of gravity-controlled Hope One consists of the pilot/commanding officer, Colonel Hank Stevens (James Brown), and three scientists: Dr. John Andros (Baynes Barron), Dr. Paul Martin (Russ Bender), and Dr. Lisa Wayne (Francine York). It is quickly revealed that Stevens did not want a woman on the mission, but he is stuck with Dr. Wayne, who does not have much respect for his sexism either.

Not long into their voyage, Hope One comes upon an unknown spacecraft. Earth Control instructs them to investigate and they encounter a grotesque alien. The alien attacks Dr. Andros, forcing Stevens to shoot and kill the extraterrestrial. Then, radiation levels rise on the alien craft, so Stevens sets a bomb to blow it up.

After a fiery meteorite storm leads to an emergency landing in the ocean of an Earth-like escaped moon, Tillman takes time to apologize to Wayne for his sexist remarks, which results in a quick reconciliation and a more-than-friendly kiss. While repairs continue, giant crabs take an interest in the ship. The crew decides to test the atmosphere to see if it contains breathable air, which it does. Then, Andros volunteers to go scout the nearest land mass. A sea monster almost intercepts him, but the scientist reaches shore, while his comrades continue repairs and worry about him. Upon his return to the ship, Andros is--again--attacked by the sea monster and, after making it back to the ship, perishes after confirming the planet can support human life and plants could grow on the new planet. The crew confirms this to Earth, names the planet Andros One, and rockets back to Earth.

Cast[]

• Francine York as Dr. Lisa Wayne
• James Brown as Col. Hank Stevens
• Baynes Barron as Dr. John Andros
• Russ Bender as Dr. Paul Martin
• John Willis as TV Reporter
• Bob Legionaire as Faith I Crewman
• as Gen. Mark Tilman
• Phyllis Selznick as Earth Control Secretary
• John Lomma as Earth Control

References[]

External links[]

• Space Probe Taurus at IMDb
• Space Probe Taurus at Rotten Tomatoes