Masters of Venus (Children’s Film Foundation)
Date: 1962
Director: Ernest Morris
Production Company: Wallace Productions
Stars: Norman Wooland, Amanda Coxell, Robin Stewart, Robin Hunter, Patrick Kavanagh, Arnold Diamond, George Pastell, Ferdy Mayne
Location(s): Buckinghamshire, Cheshire, New South Wales
Region(s): Australia, North, South East M-Q
Storyline:
Adventures on Venus ensue after saboteurs prematurely fire a rocket into space with two children on board.
Additional Information:
Page compiled by Phil Wilkinson
A cinema serial in eight instalments entitled ‘Sabotage’, ‘Lost in Space’, ‘The Men With Six Fingers’, ‘The Thing in the Crater’, ‘Prisoners of Venus’ ‘The Killer Virus’, ‘Kill on Sight’ and ‘Attack!’.
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We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
Mr. Pearson (Michael Collins) greets Pat (Amanda Coxell) and Jim (Robin Stewart) when they arrive at the Interplanetary Rocket Base where their father Doctor Ballantyne is preparing for the launch of Astarte. Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
Astarte stands on the launch pad. Facing west on today's Goldfinger Avenue at Pinewood Studios with added film trickery.
- Capture 3
- 06 May 2024
Outside the base, Two Men in Black (Jack and Larry Taylor) approach the access road. The entrance to Pinewood Studios on Pinewood Road, formerly Fulmer Road. This access to the studios has long been disused and remains gated.
Changes are very apparent in Antony Blair's comparison taken 62 years later.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
Watched by the Men in Black from behind bushes, Sam arrives for work to relieve Mr. Pearson. In the background stands what was Heath Farm at Pinewood Studios.
- Capture 5
- 06 May 2024
Pat and Jim cycle back to the base. The corner of the driveway leading to Pinewood Studios, just north of the "Double Lodge" entrance on Pinewood Road at Iver Heath.
Antony Blair matches the scene.
- Capture 6
- 06 May 2024
Parking up their bikes, the pair enter the gatehouse where they find all of the Security Guards unconscious. Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire with houses on Pinewood Road in the background. A similar view can be seen in 'Carry On Spying' as well as 'Carry On Sergeant'.
With no access possible, Antony Blair took this view of the background properties.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
Discovering that the telephone line is dead, Sam and Pat run through the base to raise the alarm. More of Pinewood Studios
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
Reaching the Control Tower the pair find the Men in Black trying to break in. The eastern end of what is now named Goldfinger Avenue with the legs of the still extant water tower visible to the top centre. A wider view of the building appears in 'Go For a Take'.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
The Children turn and run away, pursued by the Saboteurs. Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
As they hide, Sam and Pat accidentally knock over oil drums which roll towards the Men in Black. The garages stand on the now named Peter Rogers Way at Pinewood Studios.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
As the Saboteurs recover themselves, Pat and Sam make their escape toward the launch pad. This track at Pinewood Studios is now called Studio Drive.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
Concealing themselves in Astarte's cabin, the Children look through the window to see their Father approaching. Looking south over Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
Returning to the Control Tower, the Men in Black launch the rocket.
- Capture 14
- 18 Jul 2026
Doctor Ballantyne tracks Astarte as it leaves the Earth's atmosphere. The Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank near Goostrey in Cheshire.
At not quite the same angle to the sky. SJ
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
After Astarte touches down on Venus, Kallas (George Pastell) suggests that the Earthmen are killed before Votan (Ferdy Mayne) tells Imos (Arnold Diamond) to go and receive their visitors. The Venusian base at Pinewood Studios.
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required
On Earth, Sam opens the base gates when Colonel Armstrong arrives with news from Downing Street. Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire with houses on Pinewood Road in the right background.
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required
With the last message received from Venus being a threat of from Kallas, a missile is fired to destroy the Astarte as the rocket returns. The footage used is from Movietone News, showing the RAAF Base at Williamtown, NSW, Australia. (SR)