A film adaptation of H. G. Wells’s 1901 novel The First Men in the Moon, involving producer Charles H. Schneer and Columbia Pictures, was first mentioned in the 24 Nov 1958 and 5 Dec 1958 DV. At that time, Schneer reportedly filed a title dispute with the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) against Twentieth Century-Fox and Vanguard, who were producing pictures with similar titles.
       More than one year later, the 23 Jun 1961 DV announced that the novel was “now in public domain” and the MPAA registered the title with Schneer and Columbia. Preparations for production were currently underway. According to the 30 Jun 1961 DV, Schneer had a five-picture deal with Columbia over the next three and one half years which allotted him “free rein on budgets.” Schneer planned to use the “Dynamation” process in his productions, including this picture, which was erroneously referred to as First Men to the Moon. The process was a stop-motion animation technique developed by Schneer’s frequent special effects collaborator, Ray Harryhausen, who also served as associate producer on the film.
       Schneer hired artist Bryan Kneale, brother of screenwriter Nigel Kneale, to create “lunar animal and plant life” for the picture, as noted in the 7 Mar 1962 Var, but he may not have remained with the project. The 16 Apr 1962 DV and the 25 Apr 1962 and 5 Sep 1962 Var reported that Schneer was scouting locations in Southern Spain for the production, which was expected to begin in Sep 1962. Bill Hutchinson was listed as art director at that time, but John Blezard received sole onscreen credit. Although the 30 Jan 1964 DV restated that the film would shoot in Spain, Spanish locations were not ultimately used.
       According to the 2 Jan 1963 Var, Ray Harryhausen had flown from London, England, to Los Angles, CA, to meet with public affairs officer Ben James of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to research rocket designs. Seven months later, the 15 Aug 1963 DV reported that Schneer was meeting again with James at NASA in preparation for production, set to begin on 1 Oct 1963, with Nathan Juran directing. The 11 Sep 1963 DV noted that filming would occur at Shepperton Studios near London, England. Principal photography did not begin until 7 Oct 1963, according to the 9 Oct 1963 Var.
       On 11 Dec 1963, Var announced that filming had recently completed, but ten months of special effects work was expected before the picture would be ready for release.
       The world premiere of First Men in the Moon was held at the Science-Fiction Film Festival in Trieste, Italy, in late Jul 1964, as stated in the 29 Jul 1964 Var. The feature was released in London, England, soon afterward, as indicated in the 3 Aug 1964 DV. According to the 16 Sep 1964 Var, the picture was set to be screened on 17 Sep 1964 at the Cork International Film Festival in Ireland, with Columbia executives in attendance.
       The 7 Oct 1964 Var announced a “long-term” promotion for the movie sponsored by Columbia Pictures, offering $10,000 to the American who correctly predicted the first U.S. astronaut to walk on the moon, including the accurate day, month, and year.
       The 26 Oct 1964 DV reported that the film would open on more than 400 screens nationwide during Thanksgiving week of 1964. A five minute “featurette" entitled “Tomorrow the Moon,” which contained “footage made available by NASA,” was currently playing in 600 theaters to promote the feature, as stated in the 11 Nov 1964 Var.
       The 19 Nov 1964 LAT announced a 25 Nov 1964 opening in Los Angeles theaters. According to that day’s Var, a float promoting First Men in the Moon was scheduled to appear in New York City’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and would tour the greater NY area thereafter. Var also indicated that the film had already been in release for a week in Detroit, MI, sharing the bill with the 1964 UK release, The Devil-Ship Pirates, with earnings of $24,000 in first week totals.
       The 30 Nov 1964 DV stated that First Men in the Moon received the Certificate of Award for December from the Southern California Motion Picture Council. The 30 Dec 1964 Var noted that the picture was released in both 35mm and 70mm prints. The copyright length for the film is 107 min, although the running time is 103 min.