GManfred Hard to imagine a worse movie in any one of the three genres in which it's classified. It fails on all three levels, as a comedy, a fantasy, and as a musical. As a fantasy it is a juvenile attempt to depict martians as primitive jungle types and with no atmospheric difference from earth. The worst musical number in the picture takes place in this setting. As a musical, the first two songs were not too bad but needed better arrangements as they fall somewhat flat. But "The Drinking Song" was god-awful. As a comedian, El Brendel wins the Hand-Painted Mustache Cup as the worst movie comedian ... ever. And "Just Imagine" is not his first offense.A truly terrible movie, and the only valid reason to see it is to prove to yourself that even great Hollywood minds can come up with a lemon. But we already knew that. (Capitolfest, Rome, N.Y., 8/16)

gengar843 This is a musical-romance-scifi-comedy. Here's what to look for: (1) Musical. I like the fact that this 1930 film comes off with the gaiety of the Roaring 20's rather than with any Depression-era moroseness. However, the songs themselves seemed weak, and somewhat squalid at points. The dance numbers were not bad at all. The drinking song on board the zeppelin, and the Martian god dance were highlights.(2) Romance. The plot here was nothing special, simply two men fighting over one girl, to be decided by their achievements in life, a consequence of future law. Maureen O'Sullivan was earnest but not particularly charming. Neither the hero, Garrick, nor the supposed villain, Thomson, seemed worthy. The ardor expressed, and the longing during absence, didn't move me much.(3) Scifi. The set of futuristic New York was pretty cool, reminding me of The Fifth Element, but certainly not as complex, and therefore it lost luster after some time. Still, props for effort. Some of the futuristic gadgets held my interest for a few moments, and I was disappointed that I wasn't treated to more exposure. The rocket was pretty pathetic, as was all elements of space travel. Mars was a travesty, and the scifi premise there as bad as Abbott and Costello Go to Mars.(4) Comedy. El Brendel is definitely a one-trick pony, and the corn was popping, but I did like the politically incorrect jokes, especially the reference to Henry Ford being upstaged by the Jewish plane manufacturers, and even the "queen" schtick. Marjorie White was OK with her lines but she is quite annoying, though I suppose cute too.(5) Other Stuff. Mischa Auer did an adequate job being Mischa Auer, but nothing standout. Most of the non-musical acting bordered on pedestrian. The plot-lines were pretty underdeveloped.In conclusion, not a waste of time but you may find the fast-forward button handy.

earlytalkie This movie is one of the most unique films of the early talkie era. It seems to cross the boundaries of every genre of film. A science-fiction-musical-romantic comedy for the ages. There are fantastic settings and ideas put forth in this. This film cost over one million dollars to make in 1930 dollars. Some of the humor is surprisingly frank for the time. Best line in the film comes when El Brendel meets first the queen of Mars and then her male second in command. After the latter flirts with him, El Brendel says: "She's not the queen, he is!" There are several musical numbers, most notably a strange modernistic dance on Mars with writhing dancing girls in the arms of a giant idol. Some of this footage along with the space ship used wound up in the "Flash Gordon" serials from Universal which came out a few years later. Once you've seen this amazing film, you won't forget it.

dbborroughs I finally got to see the film that haunted me since childhood. For years I saw stills from what I was told was a lost film and was amazed at the huge scale of the sets that rivaled what Fritz Lang had done with Metropolis. They were amazing and awe inspiring.I wish I could say the same about the whole movie.Made in the early days of sound this movie is terribly dated. The music seems to be only used during the musical numbers and the jokes seem to be a step above okay vaudeville. Its not bad, its just not good, or good consistently.The plot has a world where everyone is a number some fifty years in the future (ie. 1980). In connected plot lines a man from 1930 is brought back to life and his antics form a ind of comic relief. Meanwhile a young man, unable to win the hand of his lady love ends up going to Mars. Its all a bit madcap and silly.The amazing thing is how much of this has been stolen from over the years with films like Queen of Outer Space and Sleeper seeming to have pulled off bits of plot for their own.Is it worth seeing? Yes. The sets are amazing, even today. The problem is that the rest is hit or miss and the film now is little more than a curio and entry in film history.