Although little known today, the first movie to feature the X-15 was the self-titled production from 1961 written by Tony Lazzarino. The movie was produced by Frank Sinatra's company Essex Productions. The world premiere was on 21 November 1961 in Washington, D.C. It garnered less than stellar reviews. More a soap opera than a movie about the highest and fastest experimental rocket plane ever to take to the skies, it nonetheless holds a special place in film history. The narration was spoken by Jimmy Stewart, and no movie that features Stewart can ever be considered less than great. That reason alone is enough to give this movie a page all its own. Enjoy.

— "X-15" 1961 —

all photos, posters, and lobby cards this page author's collection

Half sheet movie poster. Note the hype about actually being filmed in space.

The original working title for the movie was "Exit" signifying mankind's first steps into outer space. It was later simplified to the more descriptive "X-15."

Original movie poster for "X-15."

Subtitled "The Rocket Ship That Challenged Outer Space!" (1961)

Maj. Anthony Rinaldi (Brad Dexter) helps chief US Air Force X-15 test pilot Lt. Col. Lee Brandon (Charles Bronson) exit the X-15 cockpit after landing.

The X-15 filming miniature.

The X-15 in "outer space."

— The American Lobby Card Collection —

X-15 pilot, and NASA technical advisor for the movie, Milt Thompson is on the right.

Pamela Stewart (Mary Tyler Moore, Diane Wilde (Lisabeth Hush), and Maj. Rinaldi.

Hearing a crash siren, Pamela looks anxiously to the sky because she knows her fiance Matt is flying the X-15. Diane is comforted by her husband, Maj. Ernest Wilde (Ralph Taeger).

Inside the blockhouse at the Propulsion System Test Stand for an XLR-99 engine firing. On the left, Lt. Col. Brandon holds a gas mask while X-15 Program Director Tom DeParma (James Gregory) speaks on the intercom. On the right in the tan suit is chief NASA X-15 test pilot Matt Powell (David MacLean), and at far right is Col. Craig Brewster (Kenneth Tobey).

Matt holds a frightened young Mike Brandon (Stanely Livingston).

Matt prepares to fly an F-104 chase mission in support of Lt. Col. Brandon's X-15 flight.

Matt Powell enters the X-15, which is loaded on the B-52 wing pylon, ready for his flight 100 miles up into outer space.

Maj. McCully (Phil Dean) and Maj. Rinaldi, help the suited Matt Powell out of the suiting van, as he heads to the X-15.

— The Italian Movie Poster and Lobby Card Collection —

Above: Four versions of the Italian movie poster for "The Legendary X-15." Note that the two on the right don't even have the X-15 as part of the poster artwork.

Below: Six Lobby Cards for the Italian version of X-15. These are much more interesting and more realistically colored than those distributed in America.

— "X-15" Movie Stills Collection —

Lt. Col. Lee Brandon (Charles Bronson) with real X-15 pilot Maj. Robert White.

Mary Tyler Moore portrays Pamela Stewart in "X-15." Her first big screen role.

Shot in April 1961, the film used mainly actual locations at Edwards AFB, including the flight line, hangars, and housing areas.

Most scenes with the actors and the X-15 were filmed with a mockup rocket aircraft. The H-21 however, is real, as was the B-52.

Diane Wilde, looking anxious, with Maj. Anthony Rinaldi and Pamela Stewart.

Brad Dexter autographed this photo of him playing Maj. Rinaldi.

Diane with Margaret Brandon (Patricia Owens) and Maj. McCully.

Ralph Taeger, Robert White, and Charles Bronson.

Margaret, Pamela, and Diane. Mike checks through his telescope to see the X-15

The women of "X-15." Patrica Owens, Mary Tyler Moore, and Lisabeth Hush.

Charles Bronson wears a g-suit for a chase plane sequence. X-15 mockup is behind.

Setting up a publicity shot with James Gregory, David MacLean, and Brad Dexter.

Matt Powell exits the suiting van, ready to fly the X-15.

Part of the soap opera aspect of "X-15" was the relationship between Matt Powell and his fiance Pamela Stewart.

Maj. Rinaldi exits the H-21 support and rescue helicopter.

Maj. Rinaldi helps Lt. Col. Brandon from the X-15 after a safe lakebed landing.

Matt Powell in the cockpit of the X-15, preparing for canopy closure and B-52 taxi.

Pamela and Diane attract admirers during dinner at the base officers club.

Tom DeParma leads an X-15 pre-flight briefing.

Maj. McCully and Maj. Rinaldi, help Matt Powell out of the suiting van.

— "X-15" Spanish and German Movie Posters —

The Spanish poster for "El Avion Cohete X-15." ("The Rocket Plane X-15")

A German version of "X-15."