Rocketship X-M was the second of the American science fiction feature films of the space adventure genre begun in the post-war era. Because expensive special effects and production value delayed the release of Destination Moon, this black-and-white film was quickly shot (in 18 days) so as to be able to make it to the cinemas first with the story of a moon expedition that instead lands on Mars. In the original 1950 theatrical release, the Martian landscape was shown with a red tint.
