The Phantom Planet

A 1961 American science fiction film directed by William Marshall, starring Dean Fredericks and Coleen Gray. American astronaut Capt. Frank Chapman is forced to land his spaceship on a mysterious asteroid after investigating the disappearance of a Pegasus rocket. Upon opening his space suit, he is miniaturized by the planet's atmosphere and captured by a race of tiny people ruled by Sessom. Chapman becomes entangled in their world — caught between the affections of Sessom's daughter Liara and the mute Zetha — while helping the tiny kingdom defend itself against the Solarites, an ancient enemy. The film features the first credited appearance of Richard Kiel as the Solarite monster. Released as a double feature with Assignment Outer Space (1960).