Prince of Space (1959)
A classic Japanese tokusatsu adventure pitting a heroic space prince against an alien dictator bent on stealing Earth's most powerful rocket fuel formula.
Prince of Space - Movie Information
- Original Title: 遊星王子
- Release Year: 1959
- Directed by: Eijirō Wakabayashi
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Family
- Runtime: 1h 25m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 19, 1959 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: Prince Planet (US)
- Production Companies: Walter Manley Enterprises, Bellucci Productions, Toei Company
- Production Countries: United States of America, Japan
Prince of Space - Plot
Attracted by the report of the development of a new type of rocket fuel, the vicious dictator of Krangkor, the dark planet, descends on Earth to steal the formula from its creator, the benevolent Dr. Makin.
Prince of Space - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the Prince of Space take on the forces of Krangkor:
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Prince of Space - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Eijirō Wakabayashi
Main Cast
- Tatsuo Umemiya
- Ushio Akashi
- Joji Oka
- Hiroko Mine
- Ken Sudo
- Takashi Kanda
- Junji Masuda
- Takeshi Hasebe
- Akira Katayama
- Akikane Sawa
Writers
- Masaru Igami
- Shin Morita
Producers
- Walter Manley
- Sanehiko Sonoda
Prince of Space - FAQs
What is Prince of Space about?
Prince of Space follows a heroic, costumed space warrior who steps up to defend Earth when the villainous dictator of Krangkor, a dark and distant planet, arrives to steal a revolutionary rocket fuel formula from the kindly scientist Dr. Makin. It's a fast-paced tokusatsu adventure full of alien menace and heroic action.
Is Prince of Space based on a TV series?
Yes! Prince of Space is adapted from a Japanese tokusatsu television series. The film compiles and re-edits episodes from the original TV production, which was a popular sci-fi superhero show in Japan during the late 1950s. The US release followed several years later in 1965.
Where can you stream Prince of Space?
You can stream Prince of Space on several platforms, including Tubi TV, Plex, and Hoopla for free. It's also available on AMC+, AMC Plus Apple TV Channel, Philo, YouTube TV, and the Shout! Factory Amazon Channel as part of a subscription, plus The Roku Channel with ads.
Who plays the Prince of Space in the film?
Tatsuo Umemiya takes on the dual role of the Prince of Space and his alter ego Wally. The supporting cast includes Ushio Akashi as Dr. Macken and Joji Oka as the villainous Ambassador Dictator Phantom, the film's primary antagonist.
Why can't the Phantom's weapons harm Prince of Space?
One of the film's most memorable — and famously repeated — moments is the Prince of Space boldly declaring that the Phantom's weapons have no effect on him. This running gag, where he announces his invulnerability mid-battle, became iconic among fans and is frequently cited in pop culture parodies of the film.
Who directed Prince of Space?
Prince of Space was directed by Eijirō Wakabayashi, a Japanese filmmaker working within Toei Company's prolific tokusatsu production pipeline of the late 1950s. The film was produced in collaboration with Walter Manley Enterprises and Bellucci Productions for its eventual US distribution.
Is Prince of Space suitable for children?
Absolutely — Prince of Space is a family-friendly sci-fi adventure aimed squarely at younger audiences. With its costumed hero, cartoonish alien villains, and straightforward good-versus-evil story, it's a fun, lighthearted watch for kids who enjoy classic superhero and space adventure fare.
Did Mystery Science Theater 3000 feature Prince of Space?
Yes! Prince of Space gained a whole new generation of fans when it was featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K). The episode became a fan favorite, with the crew's riffs on the Phantom's repeated failures and the Prince's invulnerability catchphrase cementing the film's cult status.
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