Blast-Off

Inspired by the writings of Jules Verne, this hugely entertaining comedy boasts an all-star cast headed by Burl Ives, Terry-Thomas, Lionel Jeffries and Gert Frobe. In 1875, showman extraordinaire Phineas T Barnum (Ives) flees his native America ahead of a hoard of clamoring creditors to set up shop in unsuspecting England. He immediately decides to form a syndicate, headed by the wealthy, but somewhat stupid Lord Barset (Dennis Price), to finance the first flight to the moon. They attempt to blast their rocket into orbit from a massive gun barrel built into the side of a Welsh mountain, but money troubles, spies, and saboteurs ensure that the plan is doomed before it starts.