On The Threshold Of Space (1956)

During the dawn of the space program, a medical doctor (Guy Madison) in the Air force elects to proceed with military experiments for the space program. Although she stands by his side, this is stressful for his wife (Virginia Leith). Directed by Robert D. Webb (BENEATH THE 12 MILE REEF). Although the movie depicts actual historical tests made for the space race which is nice for accuracy, the screenwriters forget the human element and give us a mass of cliches instead. This isn't a documentary so the writers give us the silently suffering wife (Leith) wringing her hands and the cautious by the book Major (John Hodiak) who challenges the doctor's methods in order to give the movie some conflict. It hasn't aged well. This was John Hodiak's final film as he died during filming. With Dean Jagger, Martin Milner, Warren Stevens and Barry Coe.