Wild, Wild Planet

In 1966, Italian director Antonio Margheriti released *Wild, Wild Planet*, the first installment of his Gamma One film series. Originally titled *I Criminali della Galassia* (meaning "Criminals of the Galaxy"), it was distributed in Italy by Titanus on June 10. The cast includes Tony Russel, Lisa Gastoni, Massimo Serato, Carlo Giustini, and Enzo Fiermonte. Commander Mike Halstead, who runs the space station Gamma One for the United Democracies Space Command, looks into a surge of missing persons on Earth. On the same base, Dr. Nurmi conducts secret bio-engineering experiments that Halstead opposes. Though Nurmi is supposed to study miniaturizing human organs, he instead kidnaps influential world leaders for a eugenics program, working for the planet Delphos with the help of four armed androids. After Halstead suspects illegal activity, his superiors confine him to quarters, but Lieutenants Jake and Ken help him escape. Nurmi seduces Halstead’s girlfriend, Lieutenant Connie Gomez, intending to use her to create a genetically perfect, immortal human race. Halstead ultimately rescues her in outer space. The film was one of four Gamma One movies Margheriti made for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, produced as theatrical films by Mercury Film International and distributed by MGM in some territories. They were shot back-to-back, reusing sets and actors, on location in Rome and at De Paolis Studios. In Italy, *Wild, Wild Planet* came out in 1966 via Titanus. It opened in New York on August 9, 1967. The English translation of the title was *The Galaxy Criminals*, but it was changed for the U.S. to ride on the popularity of the TV show *The Wild Wild West*. Reception was mixed. Moria called it fun and schlocky with colorful bizarreness, but found the direction lacking and the movie dull. TV Guide enjoyed the fun but criticized wooden acting. Creature Feature gave it one star, deeming it dull. Turner Classic Movies found it campy and fun, with unintentionally funny dialogue and effects. *The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction* said the premise and setup were interesting but the film didn’t deliver, praising space sequences while calling Earth-bound parts dull and Nurmi’s plans absurd.