Randy Chandler
In the 1989 short film *A Grand Day Out*, the first instalment in the *Wallace & Gromit* series, the characters travel to the moon to replenish their depleted supply of cheese. The film is based on the popular story that the moon is made of cheese, which Wallace wholeheartedly believes. Upon landing, Wallace and Gromit sample some of the moon's rock and discover that it tastes like no cheese they've ever tasted. The moon is shown to have different areas of differing flavours of cheese, including Camembert, and an unfamiliar flavour that is neither Wensleydale nor Stilton.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for visiting the moon | To get cheese |
| Cheese availability in Wallace's house | None |
| Transport to the moon | Homemade rocket |
| Cheese flavour | Unfamiliar, not Wensleydale or Stilton; Camembert |
| Air or atmosphere | Yes |
| Ability to breathe | Yes |
| Clothing | No spacesuits or space helmets |
| Moon composition | Cheese or edible, cheese-like stone |
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What You'll Learn
Wallace and Gromit's moon cheese is unlike any other cheese
In the 1989 short film *A Grand Day Out*, the first installment in the *Wallace & Gromit* series, the characters travel to the moon in search of cheese. The moon is depicted as being made of cheese, and Wallace and Gromit sample it, finding its taste unfamiliar and unlike any other cheese they've tried.
The film's depiction of the moon as a cheese-like substance is a playful interpretation of a common myth, likely inspired by the moon's round shape and cratered surface. While the moon in the film appears to be made of cheese, it is never explicitly stated whether it is actually cheese or simply an edible, cheese-like stone. This ambiguity adds to the whimsical nature of the story.
Upon landing on the moon, Wallace and Gromit discover that the cheese has a unique flavour that neither of them can identify. They explore different areas of the moon, each with distinct flavours. The first area has a taste unlike any known cheese, while the second area tastes like Camembert. This unusual flavour leads Wallace to exclaim, "It's like no cheese I've ever tasted!"
The moon cheese in *Wallace & Gromit* is not only notable for its mysterious flavour but also for its impact on popular culture. The film's portrayal of the moon as a giant cheese helped spark a fascination with the idea of moon cheese in popular culture, with references appearing in various forms of media and even influencing food products.
The unique nature of Wallace and Gromit's moon cheese has left a lasting impression on audiences, with many viewers fondly recalling the duo's adventurous quest for cheese and the mysterious taste of the moon. The film's success even helped boost sales of Wensleydale cheese, as Wallace's fondness for this particular variety was featured prominently in the film.
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They breathe on the moon without helmets
In the 1989 short film *A Grand Day Out*, the first installment in the *Wallace & Gromit* series, the characters Wallace and Gromit travel to the Moon without wearing any spacesuits or helmets. They are able to breathe on the Moon without issue, despite the fact that the Moon does not have any air or atmosphere in real life, making it uninhabitable by living creatures.
In the film, Wallace and Gromit decide to visit the Moon after finding their fridge empty and reasoning that the Moon is made of cheese. They build a rocket and fly to the Moon, where they sample some of the rock and attempt to determine its flavour. They find that it tastes like no cheese they've ever tasted before.
The idea that the Moon is made of cheese is a recurring theme in the *Wallace & Gromit* series. In the film *Vengeance Most Fowl*, Feathers McGraw figures out that Wallace's password for his computer files is "cheese" after the Moon appears on a CAPTCHA-resembling security question of what pictures are and aren't cheese. Additionally, a newspaper headline in Gromit's newspaper in *The Wrong Trousers* reads, "Moon cheese shares soar!"
The Moon is also depicted as being made of cheese in other media. For example, the Moon in the Gumby episode "A Grand Adventure" is made of cheese, and the ESA's Orion blog features a "Moon Cheese Challenge" that invites participants to send in photos of their favourite cheeses shaped like the Moon.
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They encounter a coin-operated robot
In the 1989 British stop-motion animated short film *A Grand Day Out*, the first installment in the *Wallace & Gromit* series, the characters encounter a coin-operated robot on the moon. The film was directed, animated, and co-written by Nick Park at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield and Aardman Animations in Bristol.
In the film, Wallace and Gromit, the cheese-loving inventor and his dog, find their fridge empty and decide to travel to the moon, which they assume is made of cheese, to replenish their supply. They build a rocket and fly to the moon, where they sample some of the moon's rock and discover that it tastes like no cheese they've ever had before. They then encounter a coin-operated robot. Wallace inserts a coin, but nothing happens. After they leave, the robot comes to life and begins to clear their dirty dishes. The robot finds a skiing magazine and becomes captivated by the idea of skiing on Earth. It repairs a broken piece of landscape, issues a parking ticket for the rocket, and is annoyed by an oil leak from the craft. The robot then sneaks up on Wallace, preparing to strike him, but the money Wallace inserted earlier runs out, and it freezes. Wallace takes the robot's truncheon as a souvenir and, after inserting another coin, he and Gromit leave the moon. The robot uses the discarded rocket fuselage to fashion a pair of skis and begins to ski on the moon, waving goodbye to Wallace and Gromit as they return home.
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The robot yearns to go to Earth to ski
In the 1989 short film "A Grand Day Out", the first installment in the Wallace & Gromit series, the characters Wallace and his dog, Gromit, travel to the moon in a homemade rocket ship in search of cheese. The film was directed, animated, and co-written by Nick Park and debuted on November 4, 1989, at an animation festival at the Arnolfini Gallery in Bristol. It was first broadcast on Christmas Eve 1990 on Channel 4.
Upon their arrival on the moon, Wallace and Gromit encounter a coin-operated robot. Wallace inserts a coin into the robot, but it doesn't function. After the two leave, the robot comes to life and discovers a skiing magazine, sparking its dream of going to Earth to ski. The robot repairs a broken piece of the landscape, issues a parking ticket for the rocket, and is annoyed by an oil leak from the craft. It then sneaks up on Wallace, preparing to strike him, but the money inserted by Wallace runs out, and the robot freezes. Wallace takes a truncheon from the robot as a souvenir and, along with Gromit, prepares to leave. The robot, however, ignites the rocket fuel, causing an explosion that throws it off the rocket. Undeterred, the robot fashions the twisted and buckled pieces of the rocket's fuselage into skis and begins skiing over the moon's slopes, waving goodbye to Wallace and Gromit as they depart.
The robot's dream of skiing on Earth reflects a combination of its mechanical functionality and a newfound curiosity about Earthly activities. Its encounter with Wallace and Gromit, particularly their interest in skiing, inspires the robot to transcend its initial purpose and pursue a unique passion. This adds a layer of depth to the robot's character, showcasing its evolution from a simple machine to a being with aspirations and emotions.
The robot's yearning to ski on Earth also introduces a touch of whimsy and humor to the story. Its determination to pursue a human activity, despite being a machine, creates a lighthearted and entertaining moment in the film. This contrast between the robot's mechanical nature and its unconventional dream adds to the overall charm and uniqueness of the Wallace & Gromit franchise.
Overall, the robot's desire to ski on Earth serves as a testament to the film's creativity and ability to infuse depth and personality into an otherwise inanimate object. Its brief interaction with Wallace and Gromit leaves a lasting impression, making it one of the most memorable supporting characters in the franchise.
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The moon has different areas of differing cheese flavours
The Moon in Wallace and Gromit's world is made of cheese, as confirmed by a newspaper headline in "The Wrong Trousers" and a CAPTCHA in "Vengeance Most Fowl". It is never specified if the Moon is actually made of cheese or simply an edible, cheese-like stone. However, the Moon has different areas with distinct cheese flavours.
In their first adventure, "A Grand Day Out", Wallace and Gromit discover that the Moon has a variety of cheese flavours. In one area, the cheese flavour is unfamiliar to them, neither resembling Wensleydale nor Stilton. They also encounter another area with a distinct Camembert taste. Wallace, a cheese connoisseur, is perplexed by these new flavours, indicating that the Moon has a diverse range of cheese profiles.
The Moon's composition of various cheese flavours adds to the whimsical nature of the Wallace and Gromit universe, where the characters can breathe on the Moon without any protective gear. This imaginative twist on the popular belief that "the Moon is made of cheese" enhances the comedic and adventurous tone of the series.
The unique cheese flavours of the Moon also serve as a plot device, intriguing the characters and prompting their exploration. The quest for cheese, a staple food in Wallace and Gromit's adventures, leads them on a journey to the Moon, where they encounter a strange mechanical being and face unexpected challenges.
The differing cheese flavours of the Moon contribute to the light-hearted and imaginative storytelling that has made Wallace and Gromit beloved characters worldwide. Their adventures continue to captivate audiences of all ages, blending humour, innovation, and a healthy dose of cheese-inspired fantasy.
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Frequently asked questions
In the 1989 short film *A Grand Day Out*, Wallace and Gromit travel to the moon to replenish their depleted supply of cheese. They discover that the moon has an unfamiliar flavour, neither Wensleydale nor Stilton. In another area, the moon tastes like Camembert.
Wallace believes the moon is made of cheese due to its round shape and craterous appearance.
After landing on the moon, Wallace and Gromit set up a picnic and sample some of the moon's rock. They encounter a coin-operated robot, which comes to life after they leave. The robot discovers a skiing magazine and yearns to travel to Earth to ski. Wallace and Gromit escape back to their rocket, but the robot uses its legs as skis to pursue them.
Yes, in the "Space" Glico ad, Wallace and Gromit revisit the moon via the Moon Rocket. Shaun the Sheep also travels to the moon in the Artemis I mission to determine whether it is made of cheese.
