Chimp in Space

Series

Series Name: British Movietone News

Issue

Issue No.

1653A

Date Released

9 Feb 1961

Stories in this Issue:

Story

Story No. within this Issue

2 / 4

Summary

MOVIETONE CARD TITLE: Chimp in Space. DESCRIPTION: Meet Ham, the Chimp who made history. His epic journey began at Cape Canaveral in Florida. Months of training had prepared him, not only to feel at ease in his space capsule, but also to operate a series of buttons to control his own comfort and to relay information back to base. A Redstone rocket was used to carry him out of the earth’s atmosphere, but the boosters carried the rocket further than they should, and it took Ham 1,000 miles an hour faster than anticipated, and 30 miles beyond the scheduled landing zone. Consequently, he was in the Atlantic longer than expected. Rescue vessels rushed to the scene, while a helicopter retrieved Ham’s capsule. The astro-chimp seemed none the worse - except for a bruise on his nose! SHOTLIST: Ham the chimp walks with his handler towards the camera. Shots of chimp being strapped into capsule. Capsule lid being put on and tightened up. Shot of chimp clapping his hands. LS of rocket taking off. Animation of the rocket in flight and breaking into parts etc. and the capsule with the monkey in it floating down to earth. Chimp being carried in capsule. CU of chimp’s face. Sailors playing with chimp which is still in capsule. Chimp having his head scratched.

Keywords

Aviation; Science and technology; Space; Navy; Animals; Military; Newsreels

Locations

United States of America; Florida; Cape Canaveral

Footage sources

United States of America

Card file number

81851A

Credits:

Commentator: Jeffrey K. Shearley

Length of story (in feet)

164

Story extras:

Film clip

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