Nude on the Moon is a 1961 science-fantasy nudist film co-written and co-directed by Doris Wishman and Raymond Phelan under the shared pseudonyms "O. O. Miller" and "Anthony Brooks".
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| Cinematography | Raymond Phelan |
| Music by | Daniel Hart |
| Distributed by | J.E.R. Pictures Inc. |
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Running time | 83 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Nude on the Moon is the second of eight nudist films produced and directed by Wishman. While most nudist films of the time were set within a conventional nudist camp, apparently as a way to "get past" censorship,[1] Wishman decided to set the story in a nudist civilization on the Moon.[2]
Scientist Dr. Jeff Huntley inherits a fortune of US$3 million (equivalent to $30.59 million in 2023) from his uncle and invests it in the development of a rocket ship, built with the assistance of his mentor, Dr. Nichols.
After landing on the Moon, the pair discover a civilization of topless extraterrestrials led by a Moon Queen with telepathic powers.
Enamored of Dr. Huntley, the Moon Queen allows the men to take photos of the nudists during their everyday activities.
Their oxygen running low, the two are forced to return to Earth, realizing in the process that they've left their camera behind and have no proof of the aliens' existence.
Jeff is dispirited to learn that nobody believes their trip succeeded, but his spirits are lifted when he sees the resemblance between Dr. Nichols's secretary, Cathy, and the Moon Queen.
The movie ends as the two embrace, signaling the beginning of a new romance.
Nude on the Moon features the original song "I'm Mooning Over You (My Little Moon Doll)" sung by Ralph Young (who also plays a principal role in Wishman's Blaze Starr Goes Nudist under the pseudonym "Russ Martine"). Young would soon meet Belgian singer Tony Sandler and form Sandler and Young, a successful easy-listening duo, with him. The lyrics and melody were written by Wishman's niece, Judith Kushner. According to Wishman, future Tonight Show bandleader Doc Severinsen arranged the orchestration but is not credited.[citation needed]
The Moon sequences in the film were shot at Coral CastleinHomestead, Florida.[3]
In a review for AllMovie, Fred Beldin wrote:
"Charming and bubble-headed, Nude on the Moon is a good-natured fantasy for bawdy kitsch lovers."[3]
Nude on the Moon is considered a cult film.[4]
References to the film in pop culture include:
One of eight nudist camp features that Wishman produced during the Kennedy years, it has ensured itself a camp following with its cockeyed vision of the lunar surface as a subtropical paradise (actually the Coral Castle in Homestead, FL).