Cinema: One-Half

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The men who made Marooned raised a disturbing and fascinating problem: How can stranded astronauts be rescued in space? During the first half of their space saga, they exploit the mental —and national—tensions implicit in the plausible nightmare. Since the hardware and space-shot techniques resemble the real thing as seen on TV, there is an aura of verisimilitude about the mission. But the project is scrubbed after a disturbing word is flashed onscreen: Intermission. After that, Marooned rates about one-half out of a possible 2001.

Three astronauts, Pruett (Richard Crenna), Stone (James Franciscus) and Lloyd (Gene Hackman), have been in orbit for five months. Deterioration of reflex and temperament have set in so markedly that the two can deliver only muted snuffles back to earth. "Return!" comes the order from Charles Keith (Gregory Peck) at Mission Control. But the retrorockets misfire. With less than 48 hours of oxygen left, Control decides to abandon the boys to God and Walter Cronkite—at least until the entrance of crusty Space Veteran Ted Dougherty (David Janssen).

Dougherty proposes to jet up there on an impromptu rescue mission, despite the imminence of Hurricane Alice. Meanwhile, back at the launch pad, biting their lips behind the control panel during all this are the astronauts' wives, who await an even more vital decision: Which of the trio will sacrifice his oxygen to save his buddies? The wrangle between Control and Dougherty is reminiscent of the old I'll-take-the-biplane-up—you-stay-here-and-marry-Jane disputes. But then, so is the whole plot.