The Mooncalf

Creator: Ray Harryhausen

Film: First Men on the Moon 1964

Mooncalf Video Clip

 

After Bedford and Cavor's first encounter with the Selenites they decide to return to the probe but they discover that it has been taken away. The tracks lead them to a cave with giant doors, they manage to open them and explore the underground world. As they walk they hear the sound of a gun-shot, its Kate trying to keep the Selenites from entering the probe and capturing her. As they walk towards the sound of the gun shot they stumble upon a small worm a "harmless vegetarian" according to Cavor, but behind them is a giant Moon Calf a worm like creature with thousands of arms. The creature hunts them down and in the midst of the commotion Cavor and Bedford get separated. Cavor is captured by the Selenites and taken for observation, while Bedford hides from the Moon Calf in a small cave. The Moon Calf  rams the cave with its giant head trying to force Bedford out, he clings to the side of the cave protecting himself from the falling rocks caused by the ramming Moon Calf. Then out of nowhere green lasers pierce the skin on the Moon Calf, its the Selenites using some kind crystal-like weapon on the creature. The beast roars in pain as he falls over and dies, it seems that these creatures are a source of food or some kind of other resource for the Selenites, soon they strip the creature of all its skin and flesh down to its bare bones. Bedford manages to escape unseen by the Selenites and follows them to their layer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MoonCalf Facts

 

• The model for the mooncalf was about 18 inches long and possessed an extremely complex armature to accommodate its many legs and thick latex covering.

 

• The Skeleton of the Mooncalf that we see in the film was made of full plaster.

 

Credit: An Animated Life

By Tony Dalton