Space Master X-7 (1958)

Interesting facts

Space Master X-7 is a 1958 American horror science fiction film in Black and White Regalscope from Regal Films, produced by Bernard Glasser, directed by Edward Bernds, that stars Bill Williams, Lyn Thomas, and Robert Ellis. Paul Frees, Judd Holdren, and Moe Howard have supporting roles. The screenplay was written by George Worthing Yates and Daniel Mainwaring. The film was released on July 11, 1958 by 20th Century-Fox as a double feature with The Fly.

Production

After making several Westerns for Regal Films, director Ed Bernds and producer Bernard Glasser thought they would make a science fiction picture.

Bernds says the script was written on "spec" by Daniel Mainwaring and George Worthing Yates. Bernard Glasser bought it and director Bernds rewrote the script without credit because the original was written for a feature film with a larger budget and a longer running time. Bernds said the film's total budget was $90,000.

Glasser, however, recalled that Space Master X-7 was budgeted at $125,000, with $25,000 going to the screenwriters.

The film was rushed into production to take advantage of the Explorer I satellite space launch. Regal's head of publicity, Marty Weiser, recommended they change the title from Missile into Space to the more exciting-sounding Space Master X-7.

Harry Spalding, who was Robert L. Lippert's story editor, recalls that the filmmakers went over budget but did a good job, so good that they were hired for Return of the Fly (1959).

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