Master Of The World (1961)

This is the exact kind of movie that played on Saturday afternoons on the military bases I grew up living in or around. It was perfect popcorn entertainment in a whole afternoon's worth of entertainment - trailers, cartoons, newsreels, commercials, sporting events, b-movie and final the main feature.

You always knew you were getting something good when the movie either starred Doug McClure ('Land That Time Forgot') or Vincent Price. Add to that Charles Bronson, an airship and a steam punk tale by Jules Verne and this appears to be a long lost gem perfect for the screening room here at the 'Cave of Cool'.


Mr Verne goes over familiar territory with his story of Captain Nemo of the skies where the submarine Nautilus is replaced by the Airship Albatross. Captain Robur is the madman in charge of the airship much the same way that Captain Nemo commanded the Nautilus.

You also have a ballooning society that really needs to start serving decaf. You
expect things to come to blows over where to place the propeller on their balloon.

Just the sight of Victorian gentlemen in top hats riding in a balloon earned this movie a view to the end.


I could have done without the slapstick actions of the french cook who of course attempts to cook a souffle in the kitchen of a bouncing air machine and constantly gets hit by flying pots and pans.

It's light and fluffy entertainment with Vincent Price doing a role he could do in his sleep. A calm and intelligent and young Charles Bronson is a nice treat too.



6/10 - Derivative story about evil genius trying to win a battle against war itself by use of his fabulous airship.