When Worlds Collide (1951)

[bunniefuu]

Narrator: Needles in

a heavenly haystack.

There are more

stars in the heavens

than there are

human beings on Earth.

Through telescopes, men of

science constantly search

the infinitesimal corners

of our solar system,

seeking new discoveries,

hoping to better understand

the laws of the universe.

Observatories dedicated

to the study of astronomy

often are set in

high and remote places,

but there is none more remote

than Mount Kenna Observatory

in this part of South Africa.

If our calculations

prove to be correct,

this will be the most frightening

discovery of all time.

These two bodies have traveled

almost a million miles in two weeks.

Is that Randall?

I hope so.

Stanley, I want Randall to

leave as quickly as possible.

All the plates are ready, cataloged

and marked for identification.

Here are tonight's

plates, Doctor.

Good. Include them.

I told Professor Hendron I'd

send as much detail as we had.

Paul, Stanley.

It won't be necessary to tell

Randall what he's carrying.

Z-5-M-A-P, Dave Randall from

Johannesburg, Cabin Monoplane.

Request permission

to land. Over.

Hello, Randall. This is Russ

Curtis, Mount Kenna field.

Visibility fine.

Take runway three.

Approach from southwest at 500.

There's a car waiting here to take you

up to Dr. Bronson at the observatory.

Over.

Over.

Thank you, Mount Kenna field.

Hello, Randall.

How are you, Stan?

You must have been held up

at Mount Kenna field.

We knew you arrived

two hours ago.

Oh, I had a friend's aunt

for a passenger.

I had to get

the old lady home first.

I'm Emery Bronson.

Hello, Doctor.

You've been well recommended

to us, Mr. Randall.

You shouldn't have taken

much recommendation.

I understand all you want

is a package delivered.

Did you bring your passport

to the United States?

Yes.

But who gets delivery of what?

Your recommendations said I could

depend on a lack of curiosity.

Dr. Bronson, I don't care

what you're doing or why.

All I want to know is where do I

go, and how soon do I get paid?

I didn't mean to be rude.

It's just that secrecy

is very important now.

You'll fly your plane to Lisbon,

then take the transatlantic

clipper to New York.

The delivery will be made

to Dr. Hendron

at the Cosmos Observatory.

Here are several poses

of Dr. Hendron.

The delivery must be made to

him personally. Remember that.

To Dr. Hendron only.

Right.

You'll require this

for expenses.

I'm supposed to get paid

$1,500 plus the expenses.

Hendron will pay you

on delivery.

Time is all that counts.

The money doesn't matter at all.

With me, Doctor,

money always matters.

Perhaps now,

but the day may arrive when

money won't mean anything.

Not to you, nor anyone.

When that happens to me,

I'll be six feet under.

Good luck, Randall.

There was another radiogram for you

at the last stop, Mr. Randall.

Thank you.

I hope you're

enjoying your trip.

Yeah, it's very nice. Thanks.

Honestly, the inspection takes

longer than the trip abroad.

I brought Clara a few things.

She's so appreciative.

50% duty? I'd rather junk

the stuff right here.

I think that's the man,

the one carrying the black box.

I'll see.

David Randall?

That's right.

May I see your passport, please?

Thank you.

Fine.

I'll handle this, Jim. Give

him his luggage, will you?

That brown one over there.

Right this way, please.

Here's your man.

How do you do?

I'm Joyce Hendron,

Professor Hendron's daughter.

We're to go straight

to the observatory.

This is better than having

a motorcycle escort.

You'll need a pass

to get out of the building.

The pass.

Thank you. You're welcome.

Right this way, Mr. Randall.

Donovan: Mr. Randall!

Oh, Mr. Randall!

Mr. Randall, I'm Donovan

from the sentinel.

Some other time.

We've raised our offer

to $7,500.

Here's a check to your order.

No, thanks. I'm working

on a better offer.

I can't imagine how the Sentinel

even had a hint

about your errand,

but it's difficult to keep

secrets from the newspapers.

I'm glad you turned them down.

You know what it would mean

if the public had this

information prematurely.

Of course.

We've been praying

Dr. Bronson is wrong,

that these pictures will show

some error in his calculations.

Mmm-hmm.

Don't you find yourself wishing?

Wouldn't you almost

rather not know?

On, it's better to know.

I wish I had your courage.

But I'm frightened.

As frightened as all those

people would be if they knew.

I haven't the courage

to face the end of the world.

Joyce.

I'm glad you waited for me.

So am I.

Tony, this is Mr. Randall.

Dr. Drake.

How are you? How do you do?

Alice, didn't my father know

Dr. Drake was here?

I told Alice not to bother him.

He has some people with him.

It's a special meeting of

the observatory's trustees.

They'll want to

see you right away.

You smoke?

Yeah, thanks. I'll try one.

Have a south African one.

You part of this deal, Doctor?

This stargazing?

No. No, I confine my gazing to

the eye, ear, nose, and throat.

I'm an M.D.

I gather you're not

an astronomer, either.

Me? No, I'm just

a high-priced messenger boy

who's beginning to have doubts

about the sanity of astronomers.

They ought to stick to making wrong

predictions about the weather.

Astronomy is

a very exact science.

Maybe so, but when

they start telling me

doomsday is just around the

corner, we part company.

Who's been telling you that?

Mr. Randall?

Come right this way.

Hello, Tony. Come along,

if you want to.

Please. One second.

Please, I have people waiting.

I'm supposed to make sure.

Oh, yes, of course.

They check.

Who told you that,

about doomsday?

Why, Doc, I thought you were

practically a member of the family.

Put it on the desk,

Randall. Please.

Oh, thank you, dear.

Dr. Bronson said

I was to get $1,500.

I'll take care of it.

This is supposed to be COD.

Hold still, please.

Thank you.

Would you mind waiting in

the anteroom, Mr. Randall?

He knows all the details, dad.

Dr. Bronson and I have

no secrets from each other.

Bronson been at this study

a long time?

Two years.

But I first heard

from him 10 days ago.

He wanted me to

check his findings.

Give this data to DA.

"D" for differential,

"A" for analyzer.

Differential analyzer. DA.

Naturally.

We'll check these

through the viewer.

Dr. Henaron, the key.

Later, Randall, later.

Sometimes I wish I didn't know

Bronson's capabilities so well.

He rarely leaves

any margin for error.

This was Bronson's first

discovery, Bellus, a star,

a dozen times

larger than our Earth.

Bellus has been approaching

Earth at tremendous speed.

Bronson's second discovery,

a new planet.

Bronson named it Zyra,

and his measurements show this

new body revolves around Bellus

more rapidly than Earth

revolves around the sun.

Hmm, this is in

the constellation of Scorpio.

Dr. Frye, notice the position

of these new bodies.

Yes. Yes, I see.

But here again, Bellus and

Zyra have changed position.

Now, just how fast

they've been moving

and their eventual destination

are among

the mathematical problems

now being determined

by our differential analyzer.

We'll have the results

in a few hours.

Zyra is about the same size

as our Earth.

Both these bodies are coming

into our solar system.

If Bronson's readings are correct,

they will destroy the Earth.

How far away from us are they?

The calculator will be precise.

I would estimate

about three billion miles.

Billion?

Let people start worrying

100 years from now.

Mr. Randall,

you've been flying ships

faster than sound

for many years.

These bodies are moving

thousands of times faster.

They could be upon us

in less than one year.

Now, I repeat, all this depends

on Bronson's findings

being correct.

The planet Zyra

will pass very close to us,

close enough to

influence the tides.

Oceans will be torn

from their depths.

Tidal waves

hundreds of feet high

will sweep in from the coasts.

There will be giant earthquakes.

Handfuls of people may survive

if provisions are made.

We'll make them,

every possible effort.

Whatever help my factories can

give, we will give gladly.

It will be useless.

Soon after, Bellus will come into

direct collision with the Earth.

Our world will end.

There is no error.

I always wanted to do this.

Want to try it?

It's funny, I keep thinking about a Mr.

Simmons.

One of those incurable cases.

I used to wonder how he felt

the day he asked me how

much longer he had to live.

Now, I think I know.

Joyce?

Yes?

Let's not put off

getting married.

There isn't any reason

to wait now, is there?

I promised dad I'd wait.

There'll be so much to do.

Darling, your father will be

the first to agree with me.

The time that's left

should be ours.

We're entitled to be that selfish

when we know what's coming.

I'd feel better if I

talked to dad first.

He'll be home

the day after tomorrow.

Dr. Drake? Yes.

There is a call for you.

They said it was the hospital.

Oh, thank you. Excuse me.

I'll be right back.

Now, I never used to believe

my mother's stories

about Americans being

the most progressive people.

I thought she was boasting

because she was born here.

But this is proof of progress.

They charge for drinks

by the inch.

Look, stargazer,

arithmetic's your department.

Now, how much is seven times

two-and-a-half dollars, huh?

Real progress,

$17.50 per bottle.

Want to tell me something,

stargazer?

What is it?

You and the doctor

going to get married?

I don't know.

Maybe you could tell me

where I could find out.

Why?

I'd like to stop being

just an interested bystander.

Bronson gets in tomorrow. I'll

have to tell him how right he was.

He said the day was coming

when money wouldn't

mean a thing to me.

May I trouble you

for another light?

Thank you, madam.

This is the day.

Money to burn.

Oh!

As chairman of this assembly,

I have a very definite

duty to perform.

I do not intend questioning the

scientific accuracy of your statement.

I am not a scientist and thus,

I am not qualified to question

your findings.

But I must ask one question,

that all the delegates here

want answered.

I hope I have your confidence.

You are satisfied

that there is no error?

You are confident that

all the facts are correct?

Yes, sir.

The effect of Zyra's passing

should be felt about 1:00

on the afternoon of July 24th.

Mister Chairman -

I wish to put a question

to the learned doctor

what about

the giant star, Bellus?

Can the doctor tell us when

this second body will threaten?

Nineteen days later.

Bellus will crush the Earth

on the morning of August 12th.

This is not

a publicity-seeking campaign.

We are completely aware

that most of our colleagues

ridicule our findings.

But believing what we do,

we have no choice

but to ask for this hearing.

Mr. Chairman,

we are here to give these gentlemen

the hearing they requested.

Therefore I ask you,

Dr. Hendron,

if it is with complete certainty

that you tell us the world

will end on next August 12th?

Precisely that, sir.

A civilization almost

as old as time itself

will be wiped away?

All human life will be destroyed?

There is a possibility,

a very remote one,

that a few people may be saved.

The world will be destroyed, but

a few people will be saved?

The world, our world, will

come to an end on August 12th,

in slightly more

than eight months.

There is no margin

for error in that, sir.

But we believe that the planet

Zyra once contained living matter.

We believe, and this is

theory, not certainty,

that some form of vegetation

may still exist on Zyra.

You are proposing that we all

pack our trunks and move to...

Zyra?

No, sir. But we are hoping

that, with God's

help and guidance,

a few people

may do exactly that.

A 20th-century Noah's ark, huh?

Yes, one or more of them, as many

as can be built in this short time.

Eventually, as Zyra and Bellus

speed closer toward us,

even a layman will be able

to see the danger.

Much as a train

looms up in the distance,

in an instant, it is upon you.

With enough funds,

labor, and material,

Dr. Frye believes

that rocket ships

can be built to fly to Zyra,

which will be closest to us.

But, remember, eight months is

very little time for construction.

Only if work begins

immediately can this be done.

If you wait until the danger

is visible to the naked eye,

it will be too late to escape.

Bellus and Zyra will be upon

us and crush the Earth.

That is the most absurd.

Dr. Ottinger, of the

Estabrook Observatory.

Gentlemen,

my colleagues, Dr. Felix Zenta,

Professor of Astronomy

at Cornwall University,

and Dr. Jonathan Wilson,

President of the International

Planetary Research Institute,

and I have examined

the photographs and data

submitted by Drs. Hendron

and Bronson.

Our findings show

there is no cause for alarm.

No reason

to spend billions of dollars

to build spaceships

which never will be needed.

And suppose they were built?

Do either of you believe that

spaceships can fly to any planet?

It is theoretically possible.

I, too, believe

in theories, Doctor,

but when you tell me flying to

another planet is a possibility,

you're out of

the realm of theory.

You're in a dream world

of the impossible.

Even if the world were to end

would it be less unpleasant

to die out in space

than here on firm ground?

The world will not end.

Certainly, these new bodies

will pass our planet.

Heavenly bodies frequently do.

But we are still here.

Predicting the end of the world

is an annual crackpot event

in our society,

an attempt to corner

the newspaper headlines.

But I did not expect a man

of Dr. Hendron's background

to join this

headline-hunting parade.

Read all about it!

End of the world

just around the corner!

Read all about it! Get your...

Let's be thankful

for small favors.

The subcommittee didn't

believe a word we told them,

but at least they

didn't ridicule us.

No one believes us.

How will we ever interest

enough private capital?

It's hopeless.

I believe you, Bob.

I'll buy you a start

on your rocket ship.

At my age, I'll

settle for the satisfaction

that I contributed toward salvaging

something from our old world.

Hey, I'm older and

richer than you are.

I'll arrange the lease

on a large enough camp,

one of the government's

old proving ground sites.

Why, between Marsden and me, you'll

have enough to start construction.

Wonderful, Spiro. Wonderful!

I'll arrange the details

for our next meeting.

Right. Super.

Gentlemen.

Have you got a minute, dad?

I'm marking time.

We have an appointment

with Sydney Stanton.

Is he going to give you the

rest of the money you need?

I hope so. He phoned

for the appointment.

Tony's outside.

Well, I'm sure

he didn't come to see me.

He wants to marry me now.

I don't blame him.

Isn't marriage

what you want, honey?

Oh, I've liked Tony

more than any other man.

I was always sure we would get

married one of these days.

Joyce, dear, there isn't

time for uncertainty.

You have to

answer this question.

Do you want to spend what time

is left with Tony, as his wife?

I wish I could answer it.

I suppose it

really doesn't matter.

And it is what Tony wants.

Not what you want?

I don't know that, either.

Oh, dad, I'm so mixed up.

I can't think straight.

Do I know this subject

of your confusion?

Dave Randall.

I don't know why,

when, or where, dad.

I've told myself

I like being with him

only because he's someone

new, someone different.

Yes?

Woman: Mr. Stanton is here.

Tell Dr. Frye,

and send in Mr. Stanton.

You told me to answer the question

for you, Joyce, remember?

Let Tony wait

a while longer. And you,

you give me two minutes

after Stanton leaves

to figure out a good excuse to

keep Dave Randall right here.

Oh, thanks, dad. Thanks.

Dr. Hendron.

Mr. Stanton.

This is Dr. Frye.

Doctor of what?

Dr. Frye is the Dean of the

eastern school of technology.

All right,

I'm in here safe and sound.

Go outside and

read the magazines.

What about this Noah's ark?

Will it get to that new planet?

In theory.

On the calculation of some engineers,

such a flight is possible.

Two of your observatory

trustees, Marsden and Spiro,

tell me that you have

an equipped campsite,

but you need money

to finish building the ship.

A great deal of money. Millions.

Amounts don't stagger me.

I'm just weighing

the percentages.

Your word against the word of other

astronomers, Wilson, Ottinger, Zenta.

I've talked to them.

They think you're a crackpot.

I know.

It will mean liquidating

some of my business interests.

It may mean the salvation

of a civilization.

Their salvation

doesn't interest me!

Mine does.

I'm no humanitarian like your

friends, Marsden and Spiro.

I just don't relish dying.

What are the chances of

existence on this new planet?

We don't know. We can

only hope they're good.

Millions for theories.

The end of the world is

no theory to us, Mr. Stanton.

If I thought it was,

I wouldn't be here.

All right, I'll pay for the rest

of your ark. Hendron: Splendid.

One thing, I select

the people who'll go with us.

This won't be

a commercial liner.

There may be space

for 40 or 50 human beings,

some machinery and livestock,

the minimum needs

to begin a new life.

You're not qualified

to select those people.

Nevertheless,

I reserve that privilege.

Make up your mind.

It is made up. You admit

you don't relish dying.

You're willing to put up this

money as life insurance.

The guarantee that

if the world ends,

you'll be among the few with a

chance to reach this new world.

That makes my proposition

a simple one.

Your money for your life.

We'll do the picking

together, half and half.

No. Why not?

Why should you set yourself up

as the only one

to give life or take it away?

The proposition still stands.

Your money for your life.

You know I can't refuse.

Build it.

"Herzog, Mason,

Fitzsimmons, Brown,

"Parson, Grossman,

Stone, Ising, Matisse,

"Garson, Marachek, Van d*ke,

Duvall, Ortego, Cassinelli."

You are the men selected.

Gentlemen,

this is a rough

design of our ship.

Now, instead of taking off in the

customary manner, straight up,

we will conserve fuel by using a

mile-long slide to give us impetus.

For this slide,

the ship will be cradled

on a rocket-propelled

undercarriage,

which will be automatically

released at the end of the run.

At approximately this point, the

wing engines will be turned on,

and here, the full power

of all engines will be used

to carry us out of the

gravitational pull of the Earth.

We will then be in free ascent,

and no power will be used

until we reach the

gravitational pull of Zyra,

at which time the ship will be

operated as a normal aircraft.

Similar rocket ships are also being

constructed in other countries.

Now, about our camp

and its working conditions.

Dave Randall, who is assisting Dr.

Hendron, will talk to you about that.

Dave. Thank you, Dr. Frye.

First, I want to say

you men were selected

because you are the top

engineering students here.

The agricultural students,

our mechanics,

all our men and women

were picked this way.

The project needs you because

you are fine technicians.

You are healthy.

You are free to

make your own decision.

There is no guarantee that

the ship will reach Zyra,

but those who will

make the flight

will be chosen by lot sometime

before the worlds collide.

Now, only about 40 persons

can be taken,

and already, there are more than 600

people working on this project.

Go down in the bunker first.

Man on PA: Joyce Hendron, please take

your new arrivals to dormitory C.

Got the cards for this group?

Yes, sir.

Are my cards ready, Jerry?

Right here, Miss Hendron.

All right, fellows, this way.

Thanks. I'll leave these

at the clinic.

Follow me, girls.

Dr. Frye, there is a call for you

from the microfilm laboratory.

Eddie: Julie!

Attention, new arrivals.

I'll see you later.

Attention, please.

Check in at the medical clinic

within 30 minutes.

Attention, new arrivals.

Attention, please.

Check in at the medical clinic

within 30 minutes.

Dr. Bronson, please.

Dr. Bronson, will you go

to the chart room?

Attention, main garage.

Two jeeps are needed immediately

at the foot of the ramp approach.

Animals now waiting for

unloading oh east end side.

Hello, Tony.

Joyce!

Did you have a nice trip?

Seventy new people.

Where's dad?

Dr. Ottinger asked him

to come to New York

for a conference

with Wilson and Zenta.

Oh, well, I'll put these

new cards in the file.

Is this the new design?

That's right.

The drawings came

while you were away.

Bronson tells me Ottinger and

the other doubting thomases

have jumped over to

our side of the fence.

That will put an end to the

newspapers calling me a lunatic.

"Stanton's Folly."

With time running out on them,

they'll wish they had

a fleet of Stanton's follies.

No. They admit our calculations

on Zyra and Bellus are correct,

but they insist our flight

is an impossibility.

Even in other countries

where ships are being built,

most scientists say

the flight isn't possible.

And you?

I believe as I did before.

In theory, it should work...

Always theories.

Jigsaw puzzles on paper.

Aren't you fellows

ever positive?

Only about doomsday.

A representative

of the government

will warn the people tomorrow.

Provisions will be made to evacuate

them to mountain locations.

What provisions have you made to

protect us when the panic starts?

I haven't thought about it.

I have.

I don't deal in theories.

I deal in realities.

Ferris! Ferris!

Yes, sir? Bring in those boxes.

I brought enough r*fles

to stop a small army.

There won't be any

panic in this camp.

Stop theorizing.

Once the havoc is over,

every mother's son

remaining alive

will try to get here

and climb aboard our ship.

People are more

civilized than that.

They know only a handful

can make the flight.

You've spent too much time

with the stars.

You don't know

anything about living,

the law of the jungle,

the human jungle.

I do. I've spent my life at it.

You don't know what your civilized

people will do to cling to life.

I do, because I know I'd cling

if I had to k*ll to do it.

And so will you.

We're the lucky ones, the handful

with a chance to reach another world.

And we'll use those g*ns.

You'll use them, Doctor,

to keep your only chance

to stay alive.

Ferris. Ferris!

Man on TV: There can be no

question that some crisis impends.

The secretary is on his way

from the committee room.

We will have his message

in a moment or two.

Secretary: My friends, it is

imperative that you listen closely,

for this is a matter

of life or death.

Your lives, the lives

of everyone on Earth.

At 1:00 on July 24th,

Zyra, a new planet, will

pass so close to the Earth,

it will cause vast destruction.

There is no doubt

about the coming of Zyra.

Remember, there is no doubt.

By 1:00 on that day,

all populations must have been

evacuated from coastal areas.

Plans have been made, and all

that can be done will be done.

When I was a kid, I read a book

about the world

coming to an end.

I remember being so scared,

I didn't dare go to sleep.

And in the morning,

the sun came out

and everything looked so

wonderful, I forgot the story.

Life was beautiful

all over again.

The same sun will be shining

on the new world.

Look, stargazer, I don't

figure in this new world.

For the past couple of months, you

and I have been telling recruits

that the few who will make the trip

will be needed in the new world.

Scientists like you and your father,

Tony, farmers and mechanics,

you have things to offer, but you

won't be needing aerial taxi drivers

for another hundred years.

Dad promised me that...

Dad said we'd need you.

Thanks.

Thanks, but Noah would have

turned down my application fast.

But Dave...

I'm not applying for this trip.

Use a little arithmetic.

The ship's cargo is limited.

Every pound will count.

I weigh as much as

a couple of lambs,

three dozen chickens,

one healthy farmer.

We're coming in. Better see

that they're strapped down.

Randall calling plateau tower.

Come in, please. Over.

Man 1 on radio: Schedules of

train, bus, and plane departures

will be made available...

Man 2: Plateau tower.

Man on PA: Attention, please.

Attention, please.

The commanding general

will speak to you. Stand by.

General:

This is an official order.

The evacuation will now

proceed in an orderly manner.

There will be planes

enough for all.

Women and children

will be loaded aboard first.

Families will not be

separated for long.

I repeat this.

Families will only be separated

for the duration of

the evacuation flight.

Women and children will now

proceed to the designated planes.

Man on TV: Never before

in the history of the world

has humanity felt

so close to God.

As Zyra inexorably

rushes toward us,

perhaps to destroy the Earth,

men and women of

all races and creeds

pause to think,

to pray, and to atone.

As the evacuation

of coastal cities progressed,

tales of individual acts

of heroism and sacrifice

poured into newspaper offices.

With few exceptions,

transportation and utility workers

volunteered to

remain at their posts

until the evacuation

is completed.

Overnight, populations of inland

cities were more than doubled.

Deserted, the once-great city

of New York is a ghost town.

Ten million mighty, roaring

machines suddenly shut off,

waiting for

the approach of Zyra.

The silence, an eerie foretelling

of the destruction to come

at 1:00, the hour of doom.

According to your figures,

by how we were supposed to feel

the effects of Zyra's passing.

Tidal waves,

oceans torn from their beds.

Millions of dollars

for a false alarm.

Ottinger called you a crackpot.

I think all you scientists

are crackpots.

Nothing is going to happen.

Ferris.

Joyce, are you all right?

Yes, dad. I'm over here.

Man on PA: Attention!

The ship is breaking loose!

Emergency crews to ramp!

Emergency crews to ramp!

Move those I-beams

to the ship! Come on!

Go to the crane! Use the hook

to stop the undercarriage!

Right.

Lower the block!

Look out! The crane is falling!

Bronson.

Man on radio: This is

emergency camp nine again.

Is anyone left?

Can anyone hear us?

We are located 11 miles

due north of Middletown.

Emergency camp nine repeating...

About 100 miles from here.

There is a desperate need here

for drinking water.

Anything else for

the helicopter, Doctor?

Yeah, those boxes.

I'll bring the rest.

Repeating.

We are remaining on the air.

Repeating. Can anyone hear us?

We need drinking water

and medical supplies,

plasma, penicillin and sulfa.

You needn't come along, Randall.

I can fly a helicopter.

I've done a lot of

this parcel dropping.

I can handle it without you.

You sound as if somebody

rubbed you the wrong way.

That's an excellent diagnosis.

Would you like to

prescribe a cure?

You're the doctor. You name it.

Now or later?

We need drinking water and

medical supplies desperately!

Plasma, penicillin, sulfa.

Later.

Come on.

Is anyone left?

Can anyone hear us?

What's that?

For a minute, Doc,

I thought maybe now

was that "later" you mentioned.

I gave it a passing thought.

We cannot postpone

the inevitable.

This meeting was called

to choose those who will make

the attempt to reach Zyra.

As most of you already know,

our human cargo must be restricted

to 7,000 pounds, 44 persons.

Every pound consumes fuel,

a commodity we cannot waste

if the flight is

to have any chance.

About 900 pounds

already have been spoken for.

Mr. Stanton, Dr. Frye, my daughter,

myself, Dr. Drake, and Mr. Randall.

Unless there is some objection,

we intend including

another 40 pounds.

Our latest addition to the camp.

Now to again emphasize

our fuel problem,

most of it will be consumed in

overcoming Earth's gravitational pull.

But once this has been accomplished,

engines will be turned off

until we come into the gravitational

pull of the new world.

But then, in turning the ship

completely around,

every ounce of fuel will be

needed to avoid crashing.

Dr. Frye and I hope we have

worked out a sound plan.

For the sake of efficiency,

it would be unwise

for one man to know

he is not to go,

whether the man working at his

side is among the fortunate few.

In this envelope

is a list of numbers,

the numbers of

those who will go.

In these boxes, we have

placed numbered disks.

The one on the left for the

women, the other for the men.

Each of you will select

and keep one disk.

This list will be posted on

the dormitory bulletin boards

shortly before the takeoff.

Is this plan satisfactory?

If there are no objections,

please start the drawing.

This is the men's box.

Your box here.

You pick both numbers.

This is the women's box.

You're already listed.

Hello, Dave.

I've been looking for you.

Not to quarrel about

your sense of ethics,

just to ask you why.

I haven't any more right

to a ride on that ship

than any other man in this camp.

I'll Grant you that. I'll even

admit my motive was a selfish one.

I want to do things

according to Hoyle, Dave,

but, well, Joyce is

pretty important to me.

And to me.

I'm glad.

I'd do anything to insure

her chances, wouldn't you?

It isn't a free ride for Joyce.

She's qualified to go.

No more than some others.

We're stretching the point because

she's important to both of us.

But why not, for her sake, stretch the

point a bit farther to include you?

No.

Now, look, Doctor, I've wrestled

with this thing for weeks.

I can give you a dozen

reasons why I shouldn't go.

Can you give me one good

reason to include me?

She wants you, Dave.

That'll change.

Tony will be there.

She's used to having him around.

They would have been married if

I hadn't come into the picture.

Anyhow, why worry?

Maybe I drew a lucky number.

You didn't take any number

from that box.

I had the exact number

of disks in it,

one for every man and woman,

except the six people I named.

If you had taken a number,

we would have been one short.

OK, Doctor,

the drawing is over.

You can't open a new one

or issue new numbers

without starting a revolution

among the lucky winners.

It's about time I donated

something to this setup.

I won't be needed.

I never have been.

Anyhow, I didn't give up much

by not drawing.

What's one chance in 600?

Leaving me will save fuel.

Let it stay that way.

And, Doctor, I hope you won't

say anything to Joyce.

Good night.

Man on PA: Attention, everyone.

Bellus growing larger,

getting closer every hour.

And with every hour, the time left

to us gets shorter, so hurry.

More welders are needed by

number three construction crew.

Please rush.

Less than seven days left.

We're falling behind schedule.

Trucks are waiting to load

plasma and medical supplies.

They should have been aboard now.

Hurry! Hurry!

Attention, please. Less than

six days left to Bellus.

We're still falling

behind schedule.

Number five construction crew,

report to the main bunker. Hurry.

Now, this engine's all right.

Let's try this one.

I'll take it.

It'll work out all right, Joyce.

Please.

Everyone, only 79 hours left

before the collision with Bellus.

We're still more than

three hours behind schedule.

Make it up! Hurry!

Worried?

No.

This ship is

really put together.

If anything can make it to the

new world, this one will do it.

Dave? Yeah?

How long would it take to learn

this flight panel board?

A few weeks, maybe.

But Dr. Frye knows the inside and

outside of every knob on the panel.

He can operate it

almost in his sleep.

I hope so.

What'll happen

when he blacks out?

Everyone will black out

in the fast climb.

But the direction will be set.

This will hold you on course.

All the way to Zyra?

No, but far enough.

The blackout

won't last too long.

A few minutes, tops.

This is no time to start

doubting the ship, Doc.

I'm not. I know how well

it's been put together.

The trouble is, I just learned

how Frye's put together.

Hmm?

His chance of coming out

of a blackout isn't good.

Well, I've seen

older men make it.

His heart won't hold together.

No coronary condition like his

could stand that pressure.

When did you discover that?

Yesterday, when I made

his cardiograph test.

I haven't told anyone yet,

not even Frye.

Well, don't.

It won't help to scare everyone.

Like doomsday,

that can't be avoided.

We can't let Frye

handle this flight.

Look, Doc, maybe...

Maybe... no.

Dr. Hendron and Frye

must be told.

I can't take

that responsibility.

That isn't what I wanted to say.

No, I mean, you're right. You'll

have to tell them, I guess.

There's no other choice.

Anything happens to Frye

when we get out into space...

I don't suppose it makes any difference

crashing from 1,500 miles up

or dying right here on Earth

when Bellus hits.

Either way,

you're just plain dead.

After the blackout, one of

the technology students,

Eddie Cummings, maybe,

could take over

if Frye tells him what to do.

If Frye is able to tell him

after the blackout.

Look, Dave, you're hedging. Why?

We both know who else

can handle this flight.

Maybe not as good as Frye,

but good enough.

You haven't any doubts about being

able to fly this ship, have you?

No, I can fly her.

Well, there isn't anyone else.

Dave, you're our life insurance.

If Frye doesn't make it, you'll

be able to land the ship.

For months, I've tried to find a

legitimate reason to go along.

I never could.

Maybe things were meant

to happen this way.

Diagnose it any way you want.

All I know is,

I feel a lot easier

not having to tell Frye

the news about himself.

Be right back.

Dave: Joyce!

This is the last

of the chloroform.

Put it somewhere handy

to the animal pens.

You gonna give the animals

a Mickey Finn, Doc?

If we don't, the pressure

will drive them mad.

This way, they'll stay

strapped down.

Wouldn't want to see them kick

the ship apart, would you?

No, sir.

I'll never forget what you

did for Dave and me, Tony.

Well, I told you the doctor

would fix everything.

Come here, whatsis.

Come on, now.

Well, where are you from, boy?

He's mine!

Where'd you get him, Mike?

Downtown.

You mean, down at the airfield?

Uh-huh.

He was walking around.

I hate to remind you, but you said

the doctor could fix everything.

Oh, that's right,

I did, didn't I?

Well, let's weigh him.

Incidentally, he's a she.

Joyce: Nine pounds, two ounces.

Sure. Whatsis is gonna pinch-hit

for a couple of plump chickens.

Isn't that wonderful?

Man on PA: This is urgent!

Twenty-three hours left, and we're

still 32 minutes behind schedule!

Those posted to make

the attempt to reach Zyra

report without delay

to Dr. Drake.

Well, what did you expect?

My number! It's on!

It's on the list!

Julie, I'm on the list!

Julie!

Julie! Julie! My number!

I'm on the list!

Julie!

No, Julie, no.

Now, remember, if we delay the takeoff

tomorrow as long as possible,

Zyra's position will form

a perfect orbit with ours.

I hope we can retain that extra

fuel to keep us flying over Zyra

while we look for landing room.

Zyra will be about here

in relation to Earth.

If you can hold the ship

to this curve,

we will be able to meet her

orbit and run on a parallel.

The fuel will last much

longer with less cargo.

Why risk our necks

by taking so many people?

You and that chair

weigh 186 pounds.

That's worth a lot

of fuel, Mr. Stanton.

Would you like to

donate that weight?

No more than you want to donate

your life or your daughter's.

I paid for finishing this ship.

Without me, you would have been wiped

out with the rest of the world.

Before you opened

your pocketbook,

you tried to make this

a personal enterprise,

a private rocket ship

for your own special use.

This project was started

by real humanitarians,

by Marsden and Spiro.

They gave their money

with no strings attached.

You're not here

under any special license.

You're always shouting

for facts, not theories.

Well, remember these facts.

Our chance of reaching

the new world is as thin

as your chance of ever

becoming a humanitarian.

If we do make it, will

there be a place to land?

Will the air be fit to breathe?

Will there be water?

Vegetable life?

Men and women here have been praying

for God's help and guidance.

Not your kind of

hypocritical praying,

but the kind that comes

from deep inside a man.

I'm sorry. I'll come back later.

No, no, Eddie. Come right in.

We can't put things

off till later.

I just wanted to leave this

for someone else to use.

He has a girl. Julie Cummings.

I guess he doesn't

want to leave her.

There's that extra fuel.

He must weigh close to 180.

You heard him volunteer

to stay behind.

Shut the door.

You're not taking it from him.

He turned it back

of his own free will.

Get out, Ferris. The other

side of the door for you!

Ferris: Shut up.

This is one of

the good ones, isn't it?

I'm sorry. The people

have all been selected.

I'm going, too.

Put that g*n down.

I'd almost rather

k*ll you than go along.

For seven years, ever since I

started pushing this chair around,

I've hated your insides.

You're a very easy man to hate.

I'd like to reason things out

with you, Ferris.

- You see...

- No!

You three are

running things here.

You're going to tell

everybody I'm going.

This is my number.

That's all the reasoning

I want to know.

And if I don't go...

He was going to k*ll us.

You d better give it to me.

I told you this would happen.

And not just Ferris. There'll

be others, all of them.

They won't just sit still

and wait to die here.

He may be right.

Now, this one's dead and there's

been a lot of bad feeling.

One boy was stabbed right

after the list was posted.

There's been a couple of fistfights.

I told you.

It's dog-eat-dog,

the law of the jungle.

I guess we can't

risk his being right.

What do we do now?

Well, we can move the women on

board, lock the ramp gates.

The men can wait outside the

ship until we take off.

The g*ns are in my room,

boxes of them.

That's out.

We'll have to move people and

animals as quietly as possible.

Dave?

There's a girl...

Julie Cummings.

Tell her there's been

a mix-up in the listing.

She and Eddie Garson are going.

We'll gamble on less flying

time over the new world.

Let me tell you...

Don't say it, Stanton!

Don't say anything.

The last dawn.

I think we can start boarding.

All right, everyone,

inside the ship!

I'll bring Mr. Stanton.

And why should our lives

be decided by a raffle?

How do we know

the drawing wasn't fixed?

It should have been

done by voting!

Let's take the ship

away from them!

Hey, Mike! Gangway, boys.

Here are the g*ns

old man Stanton left.

Mike: That's all we need!

Let's go!

Grab a g*n.

Wait, fellows, there's no sense in this!

We all agreed to the drawing!

Listen to him! Listen!

You can take the ship, sure.

Then what?

Only 40 of you can get away.

Don't you see?

Then the rest of us will get

rid of that 40 and the next 40

until we k*ll each other, or we all

get caught when the worlds collide.

Stick around till the collision

puts you out of your misery.

Come on!

Get me on board.

You were right, Mr. Stanton.

You're a better judge

of people than I am.

Get me on board.

No, Hendron. What are you doing?

Stop him!

Hendron, what are you doing?

No. Wait! Help!

Dr. Hendron! Get on board!

Hurry! Get on board!

Hold the gangplank! Dr. Hendron!

Hold the ramp! Wait!

We're the extra fuel

they might need, Stanton.

The new world isn't for us.

It's for the young.

Dave! The ship

is moving! Stand by!

Frye: We're out

of the pressure zone.

The engines are off.

We're on course.

You invented those

cardiographs for my benefit.

Yours and Joyce's.

How's it look?

A quarter full.

Better than we expected.

We'll need every bit of it.

Or we'll hit the new world

head-on at ten miles a second.

We're getting close.

In a minute or two,

we'll feel the pull.

Turn the ship.

Start all engines.

We're slowing.

Can I cut one engine?

Not yet. Keep them all going.

We're using fuel too fast.

We have no choice!

Keep all the engines going.

The ship has turned

for landing, Dave.

Take over.

Frye: Thirty-five thousand.

30 thousand.

Twenty-five.

Cut wing engines one and six.

Frye: Twenty-two thousand.

20.

I'm going to level off.

Brace yourselves!

We're leveling the ship!

Anywhere. Land anywhere.

We've got to.

Not yet.

Check your belts!

Fuel's gone.

There's an opening!

There go the engines.

I'll bring it around

and try to glide in.

It looks frozen.

I hope so.

We're going to find out.

We made it!

We're here!

We're on Zyra!

Let's get out!

Congratulations!

A wonderful landing!

Nice going!

Dave, wait!

Don't open the outer door until

we've tested the atmosphere.

We'll get a sample

through the airlock.

Never mind. Good air or bad,

it's the only place we can go!

We better wait here.

Best air I ever tasted.

Break out the gangplank!

Mike! Where is he?

Hey, Mike, don't you want

to see the sunrise?

Our first citizens.

And they're all mine.

Dave: They sure are.

Tony: Every one.

Well, let's leave whatsis

and the puppies here.

Now, let's go look

at the first sunrise, huh?