Destinaton Moon, Pizza and a Movie

Since I recently wound up my Adventures of Pizza Dude series, I could not resist sharing this headline and accompanying photos with you.

Japanese to Build Domino’s Pizza on the Moon
Yes, you read that right. The Japanese division of Domino’s Pizza has released plans to build a dome-shaped Domino’s on the moon, and would apparently support a drive-through suitable for space motorcycles (Lunazuki’s, no doubt). Of course, this thing isn’t going to get built THIS year.  The designers estimate it will cost U+00A51.67 trillion, (or about 21.74 billion US Bucks) to build and recovering such an investment will require a little more population than we have up there now.  But, when we set up the first moon colonies, Domino’s plans have the monopoly on pizza joints.

Robert Heinlein was one of my favorite authors while I grew up.  I liked his no-nonsense approach to Science Fiction.  So when I saw that he was not only the author of the original story, but the technical advisor on the movie itself I knew this would be one I had to see.

The movie now seems quaint and its depiction of man’s first lunar landing is inaccurate on some points.  Taken in context, however, it is impressive in its accurate depiction of space travel and attention to detail.

The motivation for this lunar conquest was military:

The story involves the decision for America to build a rocket capable of reaching the moon – and doing it before Russia does.   The country that controls the moon will control the Earth, and cold war paranoia fuels the mission of the rocket ship Luna.  A private businessman finances the expedition where four American astronauts are to fly to the moon and establish a base, claiming the moon as American territory.  But problems arise and they are not certain they have enough fuel to return to Earth.  Drastic steps and heroic measures ensue.

This stalwart crew consists mostly of noted scientists and engineers.  The exception is Joe Sweeney (Dick Wesson) who is aboard for broad audience appeal.  He’s a Bronx-born guy who pronounces “Earth” as “oith” and complains that the moon has “no beer, no babes, no baseball.”  But when a payload crisis threatens the crew’s safe return to Earth, it is Joe who rises to the occasion.  It’s all a bit nostalgic now, but Destination Moon is still a wonderful movie, bursting with the awe and enthusiasm that would eventually lead to “one giant leap for mankind”.

For its era, Destination Moon is a well written and scientifically solid story with great special effects.  If you like Classic Sci-Fi movies, this is definitely one to watch.  Amazon has it available on VHS, DVD and Instant Video.  Here is the movie trailer:

Do you think humans will ever colonize the moon?  If so, would you expect the purpose to be mainly military, scientific, manufacturing, or tourism?  One thing we do know…there will be pizza!