Riders to the Stars (1954)

[bunniefuu]

NARRATOR: Man, during his

brief existence on the Earth,

has met every challenge

but one.

The void of outer space.

Having explored the world he

lives in, he has turned his

gaze upon the heavens,

has focused his attention

on the timeless lure

of the universe.

Now, a rocket probes high

above the Earth,

travels through a region of

deadly radiation,

agonizing heat, and cold.

What story will it have

to tell?

What message will it

bring back?

[BEEPING]

NARRATOR: Then, the signal.

The rocket has returned!

Radar antennas pinpoint

the location.

The search begins.

[BEEPING]

[BEEPING]

[BEEPING]

[CONSTANT BEEPING]

[RADIATION DETECTOR CLICKING]

NARRATOR: We will study

the instruments and

the fragments of the rocket.

The best scientific brains

of our country will

analyze them,

weigh the facts,

and try once more.

For our government has given

us an urgent,

top-priority directive.

Find out if man can ever

survive in space.

If he can,

our men must be the first.

It's obvious that

the molecular structure has

undergone a radical change.

It's complete crystallized!

What was the maximum altitude

of the rocket?

Four hundred twenty-six miles.

At that altitude, it's obvious

the rocket was bombarded by

a strong concentration

of cosmic rays.

The same rays that are

turning the moon into

a ball of dust,

and eventually destroying it.

We'll worry about the moon

five billion years from now.

Right now, we've got

to solve this problem.

The security of the whole

world may depend upon it.

Yes, but there are some things

that are insoluble, Don.

This seems to be one of them.

The problem is to devise

some sort of shield.

Something that could resist

those cosmic rays.

Go on, Dr. Flynn.

FLYNN: There doesn't seem

to be any place to go.

Lead shields would be

impossibly heavy on a rocket.

Why lead shields?

Meteors travel through space

for thousands of years

under radiation bombardment,

-and, yet, they don't...

-[SLAPS THE TABLE]

By golly, you've given me

an idea, girl!

A fantastic idea!

Paul, push over that phone.

Miss Nelson, get me

extension 909 at the Pentagon.

NARRATOR: At the Office

of Special Personnel

in Washington,

electronic computers were set

in motion that automatically

scanned the names,

occupations and background

of 150 million people.

Further selection

eliminated many,

narrowed the field

to 30 million.

And, from this group,

12 men were chosen.

Twelve men whose fate was

known only to a few.

No matter where the 12 men

might be, they had

to be found.

Agents of Special Intelligence

were given the list.

The rest was up to them.

Richard? Can we speak to you

for a minute?

Sure, switch on the lights.

This is Mr. O'Herli

from Washington.

Dr. Richard Stanton

of our electronic

research department.

-How do you do.

-How do you do.

Well, that's a mighty eerie

effect, Dr. Stanton.

Yes, we're working on a lamp

that will operate without

wires to any source of power.

That's a little out

of my line.

Oh? What is your line,

Mr. O'Herli?

Rich, Mr. O'Herli wants you

to go to California for about

a week.

Business or pleasure?

It depends on how you

look at it.

Actually, all that I know is

that a request has been

put through for you,

with the government footing

the bill.

Am I being recalled

to active service?

No. No, this is more of

an invitation than an order.

Why am I being invited?

[CHUCKLES] It's the price

of being a hero.

Navy Cross, four years on

a carrier, your knowledge

of electronics.

I told him it wouldn't be easy

to spare you,

but this seems to have an even

higher priority than the work

we're doing.

Do you mind telling me what

this is all about?

[CHUCKLES] Sorry, I'm only

a messenger boy.

This is your plane ticket and

further instructions.

Now, if you decide not to go,

you let me know.

My telephone number is

on the envelope.

Thank you very much,

gentlemen. Don't bother to see

me out, I'll find my own way.

And, Dr. Stanton, good luck.

Good luck?

Sounds ominous.

WOMAN: But you can't do that

without recalculating and

correcting the progression

from the Newtonian laws...

-Yes?

-My name's O'Herli.

How do you do.

I'm sorry to interrupt.

It sounds fascinating.

Are you a mathematician,

Mr. O'Herli?

No, not quite.

-Good morning, Jerry.

-Good morning, Max.

What can I do for you?

You've been invited to fly

to California and to report

to this address.

What's this all about?

[CHUCKLES] Everybody asks me

the same question.

I don't know. I know what I'm

doing, but I don't know why.

It's frustrating.

Well, why pick on me?

Oh, you aren't the only one.

You seem to have certain

qualifications which are

required for this job.

Past accomplishments,

intelligence, unencumbered.

Or have you married lately?

No. Soon, I hope.

Well, before you leave, report

for a physical examination

at the address you'll find

in the information sheet.

Now, wait a minute.

Wait a minute, this...

This sounds not at all

attractive to me.

Well, you're invited,

Dr. Lockwood, not ordered.

But you might be back

inside of a week.

That much information I am

permitted to give out.

But what about my classes,

my lectures?

The Dean has been informed,

and he has a replacement

for you.

If anything comes up, you can

reach me at this number.

Hope you have a nice trip.

-Thanks.

-Goodbye, Doctor.

Hello, this is Jerry Lockwood.

I wonder if I could speak

to Miss Manners?

Oh. Well, tell me, do you

suppose if I came over there,

I could talk with her

for a minute?

Huh. Thank you.

Hey, Susie.

Here comes the boyfriend.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Hold

your positions!

SUSIE: Hold your position,

sweetie, I'll be with you

in a minute.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Now, hold it!

All right kids, take five.

Wow! That was a long one!

How's my professor?

-Hi, Jerry!

-Hello, Jane.

I told you not to come here.

Too many pretty girls.

Oh, I've only got 20-20 vision

for you.

Susie, I want to talk to you.

Is it that important?

Susan, I may have

to leave town.

Oh! When?

Tomorrow morning, if I go.

What do you mean, "If"?

Well, I got an invitation from

Uncle Sam to go to California.

For some reason, they don't

want a married man.

That gives me a chance

to ask you again.

Will you marry me, Susan?

Surprised?

I've asked you before.

It must be something pretty

terrible if you want to marry

me to get out of it.

What do they want you to do?

I don't know.

Just that it's top secret.

I'll be gone for a week.

Only a week?

That's a long, long time

without you, Susan.

PHOTOGRAPHER: All right,

kids, everybody in!

Susan,

you don't know how important

your decision is to me.

Why, it means my whole future.

Darling, I can't make up

my mind right now.

It's an important decision

for me, too.

It means my future.

PHOTOGRAPHER: The work's

over here, Susan!

I'll write to you.

For sure?

You'll get my answer by mail.

Susan, I still have

this evening.

My plane doesn't leave till

eight in the morning.

Let me drive you

to the airport.

I wouldn't want to drag you

out of bed that early

in the morning.

Somebody has to wave

goodbye to you, darling.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Susan!

Hold this. Be at my house

at seven. Then I can have your

car for the week.

NARRATOR: The list complete,

12 men traveled across

the desert,

not knowing where they were

going, or why.

All they knew was they had

been requested not to reveal

to each other

their occupations

or specialties.

The trip passed

in awkward silence.

As they arrived at their

destination, they knew even

less about their assignment

than before.

Jet planes.

Is it an army camp?

By any chance,

were you a pilot?

I know the difference between

a jet, a rocket and a prop

job, if that's what you mean.

It isn't, but it will have

to do, I guess.

-Civilians!

-Yeah.

-I sort of expected army.

-Yeah.

-I'll make you a bet.

-What?

I'll bet you're not married.

You win that bet.

Let me get even.

I'll make you the same bet.

Are you married?

Good afternoon, gentlemen. I

trust you had a pleasant trip.

I'm Dr. Dryden.

Unfortunately, the nature of

my doctorate will

have to remain a secret

for a few days.

This is Dr. Delmar, and this

is Dr. Flynn.

-Speaking of jets...

-Please, no obvious remarks.

You're at the Snake Mountain

Proving Grounds,

operated by the Office

of Scientific Investigation,

where we hope you'll all

be comfortable as our guests

for a few days.

Unfortunately, however, we can

guarantee nothing.

What does he mean,

"Guarantee nothing"?

Very well, gentlemen,

I'll now turn you over

to Dr. Delmar and Dr. Flynn.

And please don't worry

about your luggage.

It will be waiting for you.

Follow me, gentlemen.

Anything yet?

Only one definitely. McBride.

McBride?

One of the top men

in astrophysics.

It's marked anxiety.

He's not for us.

-These are just routine forms.

-Thank you.

Would you fill them

out, please?

Would you sign this, please?

Just a formality.

"I hereby consent to submit

myself to certain tests"!

I don't understand. I'm a

scientist, not a guinea pig.

If you want to test me with

drugs, you'd better...

Oh, no, no, gentlemen, please.

Nothing like that.

This simply pertains

to certain aptitude tests.

For what? You can check my

service record for that.

What we want to find out

about you, gentlemen,

isn't on paper.

Doc?

I know better than this.

But you've got me curious.

And now, gentlemen, we'll have

to leave you to your own

devices for a while.

Probably for not more

than a few minutes.

Of course, you can converse

together freely, but

please don't reveal the nature

of your own specialties

to one another.

You'll find magazines,

cigarettes and writing paper

in the desk here.

Oh, from now on, any letters

you may care to write will be

forwarded to Mr. O'Herli

in Washington. He'll see

that they're delivered.

Oh, and would...

Would Dr. McBride please

come with me?

[JET AIRPLANES ROARING]

Don?

Yes, Paul, I'm in here.

I'm trying to get the bugs

out of this gyro unit.

We must find a way

to eliminate the precession.

I think we may have it if we

change the number

four circuit.

The boys have arrived, Don.

Yes, I know.

We've narrowed the field

down already.

McBride dropped out?

Yes, Klinger gave him

a definite negative.

He's testing him further now.

I'm sorry.

I counted on McBride.

I just finished reading

his book.

David Wells,

Richard Stanton.

How's my son?

You knew Rich was a candidate?

Yes, I did.

They sent me the list

from Washington.

Some of these tests we've

arranged for the boys are

going to be pretty rugged.

It would be easy to arrange

to have him drop out.

Oh, no, of course not.

Don, are you sure we're

doing the right thing?

No, I'm not sure.

But progress always

involves risks.

Somebody has to take

those risks.

Even if it means your

only son?

Yes, I want you to see that

he's given the same chance to

pass the tests as the others.

But suppose he's chosen.

Then he must make his

own decision.

Sure. I'll see you later, Don.

M-hm.

Why don't we try and

figure this thing out?

It may help to pass the time.

Yeah, I guess it wouldn't be

against the rules.

Did you notice

that fellow over there

at the writing desk?

M-hm.

He's reading a magazine

on nucleonics.

-And taking notes.

-Hm.

I peeked a while ago.

The title of the article is,

"Backscattering of Gamma Rays

in Windowless Counters."

[JET ENGINES ROARING]

I seem to be out of matches.

Sure.

Here you are.

-Thanks.

-How are you bearing up?

How should I bear up?

Waiting doesn't get you down?

I spent ten years

in submarines.

Then, it's your idea that we

all have something

to do with...

You know, electrons.

The little things that whirl

in space?

-Never heard of them.

-Hm.

What the devil did that guy

mean, "A few minutes"?

We've been cooped up here

for two hours!

Yeah, it's certainly taking

them long enough to make up

their minds.

Make up their minds to what?

That's what we'd all like

to know, wouldn't we?

Well, I'm getting out of here.

How do you like that?

It's locked!

They got us locked in here!

Hey! Take it easy!

There's nothing to get

excited about.

Yeah, I guess.

I'm sorry, fellas.

It's just that I don't like

being locked in.

[JET ENGINES ROARING]

What's with that guy?

I'd say he had a friend

in high places.

Yes, certainly, Dr. Klinger,

we're only interested in

the definite negatives.

If I were you,

I would reject Fuller.

The locked door upset

him markedly.

I'd hardly trust him for

the job you have in mind.

-Out goes Mr. Fuller?

-Out.

Too bad. I thought Fuller

would be our man.

Anyone else, Dr. Klinger?

I would also be very uncertain

about Guinness.

He paced the room for two

solid hours, chain smoking.

Not conclusive,

but indicative.

Hm.

And Wells.

He was the one, you remember,

who objected to signing

the waiver form.

Yes.

Rather belligerent, I thought.

Belligerency usually

means insecurity.

But belligerency can also mean

courage and aggressiveness.

That's why we need men

instead of machines

for this job.

You know, you're very right.

I think we'll go along with

Wells, huh?

As you wish.

I want to thank you gentlemen

for bearing with us,

and I hope you'll forgive us

for testing your patience.

Now I'm sure you'd all

like to get some sleep.

You have a big day tomorrow.

The COQ will show you

to your quarters.

Oh, and Mr. Guinness and

Dr. Fuller,

Dr. Delmar would like to see

you in his office, please.

-Good night.

-Good night.

-Good night, gentlemen.

-Good night.

-See you in the morning.

-Good night.

[JET ENGINES ROARING]

-Wow.

-Beautiful, isn't it?

Yes, very.

-Are you a flyer, Doc?

-Prop jobs.

I never had time to check

out in jets. Someday I will.

Look, on the level.

What were we doing in there?

You were being observed,

Dr. Stanton, by a very

famous psychiatrist.

It was a kind of a test.

Hm.

Of what?

I can only tell you that

you passed.

You should be very pleased.

Hm. And tomorrow, more tests?

-That's right.

-What kind?

You'll find out.

I think you'll find them more

interesting, if not pleasant.

I don't think I like the sound

of that.

Tomorrow you're having

a gravity test

in the centrifuge.

How many Gs?

About 12, if you can stand it.

Twelve? That's 12 times

a man's weight.

Be careful. If you eat

a pound of steak, it'll weigh

12 pounds in your stomach.

Good luck.

Good luck?

He can't take any more.

We'd better stop.

Get him out of there and

bring him up her for oxygen.

Well, he grayed out at nine

Gs. How long before he

blacked out completely?

It's hard to tell.

He might have taken ten Gs.

I doubt it. Well, even so,

that wouldn't be

nearly enough.

Well, let's test the next one.

Scratch him off the list.

Send him to the infirmary.

Out of 12 that leaves us

6 more to go, and we have

to have 4 who've passed.

Are you scratching Todder?

He took 11 Gs.

Yes, but he was woozy.

He made his landing 600 feet

into the ground.

I'm afraid that wouldn't do.

Now, Dr. Stanton, good luck.

Everybody keeps saying that

to me.

It looks like I'll need it,

too, eh?

I'm afraid so.

We have the centrifuge rigged

to test your resistance

to high temperatures

as well as to

gravity pressures.

Oh, I guess this is

the unpleasantness you were

talking about, eh, Doctor?

M-hm. He'll be all right with

a little oxygen.

As you know, there are air

pockets in this antigravity

suit of yours.

We do think up the strangest

little gadgets around here,

don't we, Dr. Stanton?

Now, during the test, we'll

inflate your suit, bringing

pressure to bear

against your body, and that

should help you to

resist the pressure

of gravity.

If you can, take it as high

as gravity 12.

It won't be easy.

Your blood will literally be

as heavy as iron.

All right, Dr. Stanton,

you're all set.

Thank you.

With all these wires connected

to me, I feel like

a television set.

You almost are. The c*ck

of the centrifuge is equipped

with a fluoroscope.

We'll be looking inside your

body all through the test.

Oh, and would you please put

this capsule under

your tongue.

Don't swallow it unless you're

requested to during the test.

Will I be able to hear you?

Yes, there's a squawk box

in the c*ck.

Would you please take him

to the infirmary.

I hope you feel better.

This makes me think

of my first ride

on a merry-go-round.

What happened?

I ate too much ice cream.

Got sick.

You're a big boy now.

Good luck.

Grip the control stick.

Move it around.

Get the feel of it.

You'll notice in front of you

a charting device.

The line drawn on the graph

paper corresponds to the

projected flight curve.

Follow that curve up

to the ionosphere.

Ionosphere?

That's 50 miles up!

It is, possibly higher.

On your climb and descent you

will encounter air friction,

therefore heat.

Be prepared for it.

Try to follow the descending

scale and land the ship

without cracking up.

This is Dr. Delmar.

Do you notice a light flashing

in front of you?

[BUZZER SOUNDS]

Yeah, a green one.

Now, whenever that light

flashes, you answer

in the same pattern

by pressing the button at

the top of your stick.

-[BUZZER]

-Okay, I've got it.

And Dr. Stanton, please

remember, do not swallow

the capsule unless

you're requested to

during the test.

-All right, Doc.

-DELMAR: Are you ready?

Ready here.

Heartbeat, 82.

Blood pressure, 135/90.

Gravity two.

Temperature, 84.

PAUL: Increase to

gravity three.

[BUZZER SOUNDS]

Wow!

I begin to see what you mean

about that 12-pound

steak, Doc.

He must be woozy already.

What does he mean,

"A 12-pound steak"?

Heart action speeding up.

Eighty-five,

eighty-seven...

Temperature, 90.

PAUL: Increase temperature

to 105.

Increase gravity. Let me know

when you reach nine Gs.

Gravity four.

Five.

Gravity six.

Gravity seven.

Gravity eight.

Gravity nine.

Increase gravity. Ten Gs.

Gravity ten.

Temperature, 105.

PAUL: Increase temperature

to 120.

Nervous reaction time

is lengthening.

[BUZZER SOUNDS]

-He's graying out.

-He can't be!

[HEARTBEATS]

Heart action labored, but

it should be adequate.

PAUL: Try him again,

Dr. Delmar.

[BUZZER SOUNDS]

[BUZZER SOUNDS]

Atta boy!

[BUZZER SOUNDS]

He's still navigating.

Temperature, 120.

Increase temperature, 135.

Increasing temperature.

Give me 11 Gs.

Gravity 11.

Have him swallow the pill.

Swallow the pill, Dr. Stanton.

Dr. Stanton, swallow the pill.

Salivary deficiency.

Convulsive throat reaction.

But he swallowed it!

Give me 12 Gs.

Hold it there for 30 seconds.

Increasing to gravity 12.

Gravity 12.

[HEARTBEATS]

[HEARTBEATS]

He's almost in.

Altitude, four miles.

Three...

Temperature, 135.

Holding at gravity 12.

Altitude, two miles.

Ten seconds to go.

Altitude, one mile.

[HEARTBEATS]

He can't take much more!

He's making his landing.

Three seconds.

Two seconds.

One second.

Test complete. Slow him down.

Well!

Looks like we've got

ourselves a boy!

Don, the boys are here.

It's time for the meeting.

Oh, yes. Yes, of course.

Have a seat, Dr. Lockwood.

Thank you.

Good to see you, son.

So, you're the man behind

the secrets.

Not exactly.

I didn't pick you, Rich.

Nor any of these gentlemen,

if it comes to that.

They dug out your

qualifications at

the Pentagon.

You're a tougher man than

I thought you were.

[CHUCKLES] Well, will you tell

us what this is all about?

Of course. Of course I will.

Do take a seat, gentlemen.

Make yourselves comfortable.

This piece of steel was part

of a rocket that was

flown into space.

Rather startling, isn't it?

We found the molecular

structure of the rocket hull

completely changed,

almost pounded into dust

by cosmic radiation.

Now I want you to see this

piece of metal.

It's a fragment of a meteorite

found here on Earth.

[JET ENGINES ROARING]

DON: The iron and steel of

which it consists

are undamaged,

yet it traveled through space

for an infinite period of time

without being destroyed

by cosmic rays.

Therefore, it must have had

some kind of protective

outer hull around it.

What?

What did its outer hull

consist of?

What kind of chemical

composition enabled it

to resist cosmic radiation

while our finest

steels disintegrated?

Gentlemen, in order

to continue with our work,

and to win the race

of conquering space, we must

answer those questions.

We must bring a meteorite

down to Earth intact.

We must study the molecular

structure of its outer hull

before it is burned away

by friction with the air.

We want you to go up

into space

and catch a meteor in flight.

[JET ENGINES ROARING]

Well,

what are the chances

of survival?

You'll have every

possible protection.

How do we get down?

How do we land?

The rockets are equipped with

wings that are extended

during the descent.

You mean we land like

a glider?

Right.

Suppose a meteor punctures

the hull?

The changes are 1 in 500.

Why don't you build

an electronic brain to fly

the rocket?

To construct an electronic

brain equal to the functions

of the human brain,

it would have to be at least

a mile long, and would weigh

thousands of tons.

It isn't possible.

As Dr. Werner said earlier,

where machines leave off,

men must take over.

I think what you're asking us

to do is ridiculous.

It's a suicide mission!

No one is asking you to make

up your minds right

away, gentlemen.

Here is an addressed envelope.

If you send it to me,

it will mean your acceptance.

If you tear it up,

well, that will be

your decision.

I'll give you a week

to think it over.

Cloak and dagger stuff, eh?

Mr. Wells, if we're not

the first nation to solve

the problem of space travel,

we'll have small chance

of survival.

Here we go again, boys.

w*r. Killings.

Every invention seems to have

the same end.

The exploration of space by us

may be the end of wars.

A space platform operated by

a dictatorship would make

sl*ves of all free people.

The man who invented the bow

and arrow probably gave his

countrymen the same speech.

Can I borrow your pen,

Dr. Stanton?

Certainly.

One thing I learned in

the army. Never volunteer.

Here's your envelope, Rich.

You're sure you're not making

too hasty a decision,

Mr. Gordon?

I made up my mind when

I first came here.

Mr. Wells, you live in

a free country.

We'll send you home,

but may I remind you not

to talk to anybody about

what you've heard or seen.

Don't worry, I know

the Espionage Act, and

the Articles of w*r.

Well, Rich?

Never make a big

decision immediately.

Always wait 24 hours.

That's what they taught me

when I was a cadet.

Hm. You can stay with me

until you've made up

your mind.

Special treatment?

Oh, I see. You know best.

I've got a week, so,

what's the rush?

You know, I'm very curious

myself to find out

whether I'll

tear this up or send it off.

Buy me a cup of coffee, Doc?

-Okay.

-Hey!

I thought you said you didn't

want any special treatment.

More coffee, Jerry?

It's good and hot.

No, no cream. Just black.

Good.

A computing machine as smart

as the human brain would be

about a mile long.

And that's just the way my

head feels after all those

tests we've been taking.

-Cream?

-No, thanks.

You know,

I've never met a space

medicine girl before.

-What's wrong with it?

-Nothing.

It just baffles me.

What made you decide to get

into that racket?

I once heard a lecture

by your father.

He spoke about the world

around us, and then he said

something I'll never forget.

It's funny. A sentence can do

that sometimes. Just a few...

[DOOR OPENS]

Hi.

-Hi.

-Coffee?

No, thanks.

Just what did my father say?

Something simple.

He said, "Man's desires

are his prayers.

"Everything in the realm

of imagination is also in

the realm of possibility."

Even a journey to the stars?

Why not?

I dream of it almost

every night.

Of what?

-Flying.

-In a rocket?

Of course.

Speed, 18,000 miles.

And then I look back on the

Earth, a huge, round ball.

As I fly toward

the ionosphere,

I can see

the Gulf of California

and the Pacific Ocean.

And the Atlantic.

Cities are like hazy stars

below me.

And, when I look up,

there's the sun

and myriads of stars no human

eyes have ever seen before.

[JET ENGINES ROARING]

We do live in a dark hole

down here on Earth, don't we?

Like blind moles.

Well, I never thought of it

quite like that, but

it could be.

Maybe we never have seen

the real stars.

I envy you going up there.

I haven't quite made up

my mind yet.

I wouldn't hesitate a minute

if I had the chance.

You're braver than I am.

I doesn't take courage.

What it takes is...

Hm?

-Dedication.

-M-hm.

And a certain amount

of lunacy.

"Man's desires are

his prayers."

That's right.

You have to believe.

It's the only way to arrive.

-Jane?

-Yes.

Can I use your pen?

Thanks for the use of

the typewriter.

Oh, and this letter. Since we

have to clear our mail

with O'Herli,

would you see that he gets

it in Washington?

Of course.

Tell him to forward it

right away. And...

Ask him if he hasn't got

some mail for me.

I'll be glad to.

Will you give this letter

to my father?

-You accepted?

-Yeah.

How about you?

Are you joining our club?

I don't know.

I've got to wait to make up

my mind.

I thought I'd wait and see.

Wait a minute, I'll walk over

with you.

Good night, Jean.

Richard?

Are you sure?

And, uh, thanks for making

up my mind.

Rich, pull down the screen,

will you?

Of course.

The film you're about

to see, gentlemen,

is the first photographic

record of actual space travel.

Gerry, will you switch off

the light?

Okay.

NARRATOR: A rocket

containing two white mice

was shot above the

Earth's atmosphere.

The mice in this

pressurized capsule

easily recovered from the

initial shock of acceleration.

-That's fascinating!

-M-hm.

DON: And notice

the rubber ball.

At this point there was

a complete lack of gravity.

Have you made up your

mind to accept yet, Jerry?

Yeah.

Last night.

STANTON: How many Gs

did they take?

DON: Thirteen, but they

never lost consciousness.

JERRY: What about loss of

balance during weightlessness?

DON: In a reclining position

with your eyes

on a fixed object,

you'll be able

to recover orientation.

NARRATOR: The new section,

of course, was dropped

by parachute.

The mice were removed

from the rocket

and taken to the laboratory.

DON: Incidentally, a swarm

of meteors will be passing

the Earth's orbit

on or about August 10.

They're being tracked by

the observatory at

Mount Palomar.

They'll keep us posted.

There you are, gentlemen.

The animals landed

in excellent condition

and are now living here

in our laboratory.

The film shows that men have

at least a chance of surviving

in space.

Tenth of August, eh?

That's two weeks away.

Yes.

You've all got hard work

ahead of you.

Horizontal position.

Completely horizontal.

You wouldn't stand the impact

of gravity sitting up.

In the rocket control cabin,

you will see in front of you

a gravity meter.

Watch it. It's one of your

most important instruments.

Start moving back when

the needle approaches two Gs.

Not before, or you'll

lose consciousness.

Now you try it, Dr. Stanton.

"It doesn't take courage.

What it takes is dedication."

Now, remember. The rocket

changes its attitude as you

explode directing charges.

This is your only method

of controlling the craft.

If you over-control,

the rocket may wobble and

spin off into space forever.

All right, Dr. Lockwood,

you drill him.

Okay.

-You ready?

-All set.

-Thirty degrees right.

-Thirty right.

-270 degrees left.

-270 left.

-90 right.

-90 right.

-30 degrees azimuth.

-30 degrees azimuth.

-270 degrees left.

-270 left.

-10 degrees nadir.

-10 degrees nadir.

-180 degrees right.

-180 right.

<30 degrees left.

Your rocket's wobbling!

Control with counter-gyro!

Counter-gyro!

There, you see what I mean?

Any mistake would send you

off into space.

You'd never return.

And there's no margin

for errors.

There won't be any errors.

All right,

you drill Dr. Lockwood.

Okay.

-All set?

-All set.

-30 degrees right.

-30 degrees right.

-90 degrees left.

-90 degrees left.

-180 degrees right.

-180 degrees right.

Dr. Lockwood!

-30 degrees left.

-30 degrees left.

Dr. Lockwood! Dr. Stanton

wants to see you

in his office.

-Now?

-He's waiting for you.

Okay.

We should hear from Palomar

Observatory any hour now

the exact time.

The hour, the minute,

the second

of the arrival of our

meteor shower.

But the entire project

will depend upon your skill

in handling this

meteor-catching scoop.

This is the cl*max of all

of our work.

To repeat, you equalize your

speed with that of the meteor,

open your funnel scoop.

By increasing your speed, you

move up and eventually

swallow the meteor.

The meteor will strike

the screen...

I know, I know. This will

cushion the impact and

the meteor will fall into

the recess provided for it,

and the scoop will

automatically close.

[CHUCKLES] It's running out

of my ears.

Ah!

The man from Washington again.

How are you?

In better shape than

I've ever been.

I feel like a 20-year-old.

What's up?

We want to clarify

a question, Doctor.

Sit down.

Go ahead.

What prompted you

to volunteer for this

assignment, Doctor?

What prompted me?

The same thing that prompted

your son, I suppose,

and Walt Gordon.

Couldn't it be that you

wanted to marry Miss Manners,

and that she turned you down?

I take it Mr. O'Herli has

been reading my mail.

It's part of my duty.

But it's just possible that

your emotional problems might

jeopardize your performance

and the outcome of your

mission, whatever it is.

You see, Doctor, we're

concerned that you may be

emotionally upset.

Subconsciously, you know, it's

possible that your real motive

in assuming this mission

might be suicide.

We want to be sure.

Dr. Delmar, I've studied

psychology, too,

and I try to make it a habit

to analyze my motives.

I honestly don't believe that

Miss Manners' decision has put

me in the mood for suicide.

If her answer had been

different, would you have

decided differently?

I don't know.

It might have influenced me,

and it might not have.

It's a hard question

to answer.

But I can assure you that

I'm in full control of myself.

His performance during

the tests, his reactions,

were all perfect.

Then it's up to you, Jerry.

I want to fly that rocket.

Good boy.

NARRATOR: Palomar

Observatory swung into action,

tracking the swarm of meteors

with calculated precision.

This giant eye reaching into

space stood ready to warn us

of any change in plans.

For, in the vast depths of

the universe,

meteors have been traveling

for billions of years,

but this would be the first

time man would be up there

to meet them.

Exact speed and position

was checked and rechecked.

There could be no mistake

for man's rendezvous

with the stars.

Here it is, Pete.

"Meteor swarm will cross

Earth's periphery

at time 5:22:34,

"height 153, four tenths,

miles. Moving from northeast

to southwest.

"Passing time, 32 seconds.

"Speed, 81344 miles per hour.

"Your rocket firing time

should be same,

"less 5 minutes, 22 seconds."

Seventeen minutes and

12 seconds after 5:00 a.m.

That means, gentlemen, that

your take-off time

is 54 minutes from now.

Dr. Warner will launch each

of your rockets from

the central control console.

Dr. Dryden, Dr. Delmar and

I will observe your take-off

visually, through these ports.

Two of these ports will have

filters in them for

photographic record purposes.

The third will be clear

blast-proof glass.

[JET ENGINES ROARING]

After your take-off,

you'll be tracked by radar.

Ascent will take 5 minutes,

21 seconds.

When you reach this point,

your speed will be

18,346 miles an hour,

and you will encounter a swarm

of meteors moving precisely

two miles an hour slower

than you.

At this point, you will take

over manual control of

you rockets.

You will each track a meteor,

approaching it with as little

difference in speed

as possible,

scoop it up as you've been

trained to do, and come back

to Earth.

You should have ten rockets

for the return trip.

We shall try to advise you,

of course, but,

in the last analysis,

it will be up to you to use

them properly

during deceleration.

That's it for now, gentlemen.

There's one thing, Rich.

Yes, Dad?

In many respects you're like

me, perhaps too much like me.

You strike out on your own,

take matters into your

own hands.

Don't do it today, son.

You must follow the exact

instructions you received

from us.

Down here, we'll have

an overall picture

of what's happening.

Don't deviate, even if you

think we're wrong.

Be a machine, for once.

Well, as much

as it's possible.

Do what you're told,

and nothing else.

Don't worry. I won't do

anything without checking with

the ground first.

Come back, son.

I will.

I don't know why

I'm so nervous,

I'll be safe in the blockhouse

all the time you're up there.

The whole operation will

only take 15 minutes.

Or even less, if you're

not lucky.

Well, I'm glad to see you're

human, after all.

I'm glad you found out.

Oh, I meant that as

a compliment.

I thought of you as part

of a computing machine, and

I think I envied you.

I wish I could detach myself

from my fears as well as

you can.

Just don't think. Then your

emotions can't catch up

with you.

PA SYSTEM: Walter Gordon,

Jerry Lockwood and

Richard Stanton,

report to the ready room

at once.

I don't feel very brave.

I want to come back.

There are a lot of things

I like down here on this Earth

where we live like

blind moles.

I guess I like other

blind moles.

You'll hear my voice during

the flight. I'll be in touch

with you the whole time.

Even if I want something

like a cup of coffee?

I'll bring it up.

You're very pretty,

Miss Flynn, if you don't mind

my saying so.

I don't mind.

I have a request to make,

an unusual one.

Yes?

You see, I'm not feeling

at all heroic.

I sort of need my ego boosted.

May I kiss you once?

That's the best excuse

I ever heard.

I wanted you to kiss me.

I have no excuse.

PA SYSTEM: Richard Stanton,

please report to ready room.

-I'll see you.

-See you.

Five fourteen.

Three minutes to go.

The pilots had their

equipment checked?

Yes, sir.

They should be boarding now.

Here's some coffee

for you, chief.

Thank you, Frank.

Paul, have you contact

with the observatory?

I have them on the line now.

-Electronic computer?

-Check.

-Radar?

-Check.

[HATCH CLOSES]

Stanton to control, testing.

One, two, three.

How do you read me?

How do you read me?

R5S8.

Jane, anything special you

want me to bring down for you?

Your transmission is

very clear.

I'll tell you what.

I'll bring you back a star.

That's a promise.

Control to Lockwood.

Control to Lockwood.

Lockwood.

Tilt your chair to

horizontal position.

Chair in position.

How are they doing, Jane?

Stanton, pulse slightly

increased to 81.

Lockwood, 80. Gordon, normal.

Gordon normal!

Yes?

One minute to go.

Right.

Is everything checked?

On the nose.

Clear the firing area.

Gordon here. Everything okay.

FLYNN: Check.

-[BUZZER]

-DELMAR: Warning blue.

-[BUZZER]

-DELMAR: Warning blue.

[BUZZER]

Name check.

Gordon.

Lockwood.

Stanton.

Good.

Forty seconds.

Thirty seconds.

Warning red.

Twenty seconds.

Ten seconds.

Stand by to fire rockets.

Observers stand by ports.

[SIREN]

-Seven seconds.

-FLYNN: Seven.

-Six.

-Six.

-Five.

-Five.

-Four.

-Four.

-Three.

-Three.

-Two.

-Two.

-One.

-One.

-Rocket two.

-Rocket two.

-Rocket three.

-Rocket three.

-Rockets off.

-Radar tracking.

Check.

Gravity two, gravity three,

gravity four, gravity five,

gravity six, gravity six.

Accelerating, on course.

Gravity nine.

Rocket two wobbling.

-Can you make correction?

-Trying.

Correcting.

Now he's all right.

Good boy.

-Gravity 11.

-Gravity 11.

Meteors approaching

the Earth's orbit.

Speed constant.

-Gravity 12.

-Gravity 12.

Give me a light check.

-Gordon.

-FLYNN: Gordon, light check.

[BUZZER]

FLYNN: Lockwood, light check.

[BUZZER]

FLYNN: Stanton, light check.

What's the matter

with Stanton?

Stanton. Come in, Stanton.

Rocket one doesn't answer.

He must be blacked out.

He took 12 Gs

in the centrifuge.

Thirteen Gs.

-What's the altitude?

-Sixty-three miles.

-Course?

-On the nose.

Gravity's falling.

He must be leaving the Earth's

gravitational field.

Try again.

Richard!

Can you hear me, Richard?

Richard! Are you all right?

[BUZZER]

I must have grayed out.

I think I'm okay now.

FLYNN: You've reached

meteor altitude. Level off

and switch to manual.

Stanton to control.

I can see the Earth below me.

My cabin is filled with

a strange pinging noise.

It must be cosmic particles

hitting the hull of the ship.

I can see the curve of

the Earth!

The oceans, both of them.

Atlantic and Pacific.

Tell him to stop sightseeing.

Heat inside suits, 80 plus.

No increase of radiation

in cabin.

Meteors approaching our

rockets, two o'clock high.

FLYNN: Attention all rockets.

Meteors approaching

your position.

Gordon here.

Have meteors in sight.

Give me my speed.

Check speed.

Gordon, 18,344 miles per hour.

Speed of meteors, 18,552.

-Check radar.

-Right.

Decreasing speed.

Trying to fly parallel.

[ROCKET BLAST]

Gordon here.

I have a meteor in my sight.

Adjusting speed.

Can't tell its size.

Opening scoop.

Meteor too big!

Gordon, wait for the radar

check. The meteor's too big!

Perfect pass. Off to catch it.

Stand by.

Don't take it. Decelerate!

He's hit the meteor!

Gordon! Come in, Gordon!

Richard! Richard! Can you see

what's happened to Gordon?

Good Lord!

Stanton. Stanton to control.

Gordon's disintegrated.

No. No!

Gordon!

Gordon! He's gone!

He's gone, do you hear me?

I'm coming back.

I'm coming back,

I'm coming down!

Rocket two,

wait for computations!

Altitude, 10,000.

I'm bailing out!

See you downstairs!

Good heavens, he thinks

he's back in the w*r!

DON: Lockwood, snap out of it!

Lockwood! Name check!

Lockwood! Lockwood! Lockwood!

Lockwood! Lockwood! Lockwood!

Lockwood! Lockwood! Lockwood!

Lockwood!

DON: Lockwood, answer me.

Lockwood, come in!

Do you hear me? Lockwood!

Lockwood! Come in, Lockwood!

Hello, Lockwood. Come in.

Bailing out.

DON: Lockwood!

Answer me, Lockwood! Come in!

Lockwood! Do you hear me?

There's no gravity!

Come in! Come in, Lockwood!

Lockwood! Answer me, Lockwood!

I'm coming back!

I'm coming down! Get me down!

Get me down!

[SCREAMS] Get me down!

[SCREAMS]

DON: Richard,

are you all right? Richard!

Richard, answer me! Can you

hear me, Richard? Oh, Richard,

are you all right?

This is Stanton.

Meteor swarm passed.

DON: What's happened

to Lockwood?

What's happened to Lockwood?

He's gone. He had full power

on nose and tail rockets.

He shot out into space!

Do you have rocket

under control?

Rocket under control.

Richard, listen to me. Return

to base immediately. We'll

land you by remote control.

Switch over to automatic.

Switching over.

-Bring him in over the base.

-Right.

Control to Stanton.

Control to Stanton.

Decelerate.

-Fire nose rocket one.

-Firing one.

Your speed, now 12,803.

On course. Guiding you in.

Check.

Stanton to control. There's a

brilliant object approaching.

Meteor approaching.

Converging on glide path.

Speed, about 18,200.

FLYNN: Caution.

Meteor approaching you,

intercepting your glide path.

Speed, 18,200.

It's crossing my path. I'm

going to take a crack at it.

No! Continue course.

Switching off automatic.

Richard, you're ordered

to return at once.

-STANTON: Give me its speed.

-Return at once!

If you go after it, you won't

have enough rockets left

to slow down for landing.

STANTON: I want the speed.

Stubborn fool!

Give him the speed.

FLYNN: Speed of object,

18,432. Your speed, 18,663.

Approaching meteor.

Slowing down.

Tell him to conserve those

deceleration rockets.

How are we going to land him?

You promised, Richard.

You promised.

Oh, Richard, please!

Closing in.

It's about 20 inches

in diameter.

I'm going to try for it.

It's like sh**ting fish

in a barrel!

He's out of his mind!

He'll never get down!

Falling behind.

Pulling in.

Opening scoop.

Getting lined up.

I did it! I've got it!

I've got a meteor!

He's right.

The meteor's disappeared.

Thank God. Thank God.

Release gliding wings.

Opening gliding wings.

Bring him in as close to base

as you can. All personnel,

stand by for a crash landing.

All personnel stand by for

a crash landing.

Emergency equipment.

Condition red.

-What's his gravity?

-Gravity zero.

Altitude, 78 miles. You're

in the upper atmosphere.

Can you feel the stick yet?

STANTON: Not very well.

Very sluggish.

FRANK: Temperature increasing

inside the rocket. One thirty.

One forty.

Control to Stanton.

Airspeed, 3,000.

He's got to decelerate

somehow, but tell him

to save his rockets.

Try to decelerate before you

hit heavier atmosphere.

Try to nose up.

Try to nose up.

She won't come up yet.

Not enough atmosphere.

Temperature, 190, 210.

He can't take more heat!

Two twenty.

I can't stand it! Get me out

of here, it's too hot!

I can't stand it!

Get me out of here!

FRANK: You must decelerate.

Use front rocket. Decelerate!

STANTON: I can't see

the instruments!

I'm taking my helmet off.

FRANK: Don't!

Don't disconnect oxygen!

Keep the helmet on!

Decelerate!

Use remaining rockets.

Stanton! Can you hear me?

sh**t off rocket two.

I can't.

I've used up all my rockets.

He must not die.

He's so close.

Stanton from control.

Can you hear me, Stanton?

I can see the Earth.

I'm over the North Pole.

Angle of flight, 80 degrees.

Altitude, 12,000 feet.

Speed, 2,000 miles.

FRANK: Temperature, 289.

He's got to pull up.

He's got to reduce speed!

Pull up! Pull up!

I can't!

I can't slow down!

FRANK: We're tracking you now.

I think I can bring him in

to sector four.

If he doesn't burn up first.

Sector four. There's nothing

we can do here. Come on, Jane,

let's ride with the ambulance.

Emergency equipment proceed

to sector four. Stand by.

Emergency red.

Altitude, eight, seven, six.

FRANK: You're still on course.

[SIRENS]

Approaching area.

Do you have control?

STANTON: I think so.

Altitude, 4,000,

3,000.

Change descent to two degrees.

Two thousand.

[SIRENS]

You're drifting right!

Hold it.

You're down to 1,000 feet.

Pull up your nose.

Pull up.

That's enough.

[SIRENS]

Altitude, 800 feet.

Brace yourself for crash.

When I give the signal,

pull your nose up sharply.

Steady.

Now!

[SIRENS]

Did he make it?

I don't know.

We did everything we could.

[SIRENS]

Where's that cup of coffee

you promised me?

The prize!

A meteor.

It looks to me like

crystallized carbon.

Rockets and space stations

will be able to stand the

bombardments of cosmic rays

with a coating of crystallized

pure carbon.

Crystallized carbon. That's

what diamonds are made of.

Remember, Doc? I said I'd

bring you back a star.