Venusian, The (1954)

[bunniefuu]

(soft eerie tone)

- [Pilot] I tell you I was

doing 390 miles an hour,

and it shot past me on my starboard.

I thought I was standing still.

- [Controller] Was it a jet plane?

- [Pilot] No, more like

a comet or something.

- [Controller] It probably was a comet.

- [Pilot] Yeah, you ever hear of a comet

turning around and coming back?

- Well, thank you for

bringing it to our attention.

(telephone ringing)

I wouldn't worry too much.

The explanation should be quite simple.

Hello, yes.

(doorbell buzzing)

(lively music playing on radio)

- [Announcer] We interrupt to bring you

an important news bulletin.

People have been asking us to identify

a strange phenomena of light in the sky.

At this time we have no

positive explanation.

However, there is no cause for fear.

We are in contact with our Air Force,

and the National Observatory

who are checking the phenomena.

As soon as we have

authoritative information,

we will inform our listeners.

We now continue with our musical program.

(lively music playing on radio)

(spacecraft humming)

(tires screeching)

(spacecraft humming loudly)

(tires screeching)

(loud crash)

(suspenseful music)

(suspenseful music)

- No.

No, I haven't, Mr. Walker.

No, Mr. Walker, she hasn't been here.

Why, yes, of course.

Oh, I'm sure nothing has happened to her.

Oh, I you expect she was

just delayed a few minutes.

Right.

Goodbye.

I do hope nothing's

happened to Miss North.

- Well, what could have happened to her?

- Her fiance Mr. Walker's at the station.

She's supposed to have picked

him up there 20 minutes ago.

- Maybe she's met another man.

- He phoned her home.

She left an hour ago.

The station's only a few

minutes away from her house.

I'm beginning to worry.

- And I'm beginning to

worry that Dr. Meinard

will begin to worry that

he won't get his beer.

So, let's stop worrying, shall we?

(Gretchen chuckling)

- I still think something must have--

- Thank you, my dear.

(door creaking)

(eerie dramatic music)

- Good evening, sir.

- [Stranger] Good evening.

- Would you like something to eat?

- [Stranger] I would not like to eat.

I would like something to drink.

- [Gretchen] Wine?

Beer?

- [Stranger] That.

- Good evening.

My name's Tom Hardy.

- [Stranger] Good evening.

I do not like this taste.

Can I stay here?

Do you have a room?

- Well, I have got a lot of

people coming in tomorrow.

Well, I guess, I can manage

a small room for you.

The rate will be two and a half a night.

- [Stranger] I have no money.

- Well, I'm afraid I can't extend credit.

- [Stranger] Can I earn my keep

by doing some work for you?

- The garden needs a lot of work.

You've said so many times.

- [Stranger] I like very much to work

on your flowers and shrubs,

and besides your daughter

seems to want me to stay.

- How do you know she's my daughter?

- [Stranger] I know.

- Well, I suppose you can

have room number four.

By the way, I didn't get your name.

- [Stranger] I have no name.

- When I man pays his taxes,

he has to give his name.

Everyone has to pay his taxes.

- [Stranger] I have never paid taxes.

- Do you feel well, young man?

- [Stranger] Yes, very well.

- Are you sure?

Sometimes our bodies can deceive us.

Sometimes we think

we're in perfect health,

and all the while,

our systems are crying out for...

My friend,

you have no pulse.

Well, there're only two possibilities.

I am drunk,

or you are dead.

(birds chirping)

(tense music)

- Oh, my god!

- Wait!

It may be better if I take a look first.

(tense music)

Miss North isn't here!

(dramatic music)

- She must have walked away.

That is possible, isn't it, Bill?

- Mr. Walker, I've seen a

lot of wrecks in my life.

No one can walk away from this one.

- Well, someone must have found her

and taken her to the hospital.

- We've checked all the hospitals.

- Well, where is she?

- We'll get out a general

alarm, Mr. Walker.

Well, I'm afraid from the look of this,

you'd better be prepared.

Can't understand it, Captain.

We've checked all the hospitals.

Yes, and her neighborhood we

went over it very carefully.

Yes, I've made a radio check.

No, nothing yet.

- Captain, this is Arthur Walker,

Undersecretary to the Ministry of State.

Miss North is my fiance.

I beg you to take all

measures you possibly can.

If necessary, a search party--

- I would not worry about

the young lady, Mr. Walker.

She's reasonably safe.

Gretchen, would you please

bring me something to drink?

But not beer this time.

- Captain, I have to call you back.

How do you know she's alright?

What do you know?

- [Stranger] I know that Miss

North is not in any danger.

- I beg your pardon, sir,

but this is a very serious situation.

Would you please tell us what you do know?

- [Stranger] I have told you.

- Where is she?

What have you done with her?

- Now, look here, my friend.

This girl has been in a terrible accident.

She's disappeared.

I think, you should tell us all you know.

- What's your name?

- He says he has no name.

- In my opinion, this is man is either

an amnesia case or insane.

He must have something to do with

Miss North's disappearance.

I advise you to arrest him.

- Could I have a word with you, sir?

- Try one of these.

Maybe you'll like one.

You better tell them what you know, sir.

They can be awfully insistent.

- I think, we better take

you down to headquarters.

We'd like our questions answered.

(glass clanking)

- [Stranger] Very good.

- But that's plain water.

- Come on, you heard what I said.

Let's go.

- [Stranger] I would

rather not leave this--

- It isn't a matter of choice.

(dramatic music)

Well, go on grab him!

- I can't!

- What do you mean you can't?

- No wait.

(door creaking)

Susan.

- Let me have a look at her.

Gretchen, get me some brandy please.

(gentle music)

I don't understand it.

Were you in another accident

a couple of weeks ago?

- No, Doctor.

- But these scars couldn't

possibly be the result

of an accident that occurred tonight.

They've almost healed.

Thank you.

- What happened, Susan?

Can you tell me?

- I was in the car

going to meet you.

Suddenly, I couldn't see

the road in front of me.

The light was intense.

- The headlights of another car?

- I'm not sure what it was.

I lost control of the car.

It was a terrible crash,

like a hundred burning

hammers striking all at once.

I knew that I was dying.

And then someone came.

I remember I felt no more pain.

My head cleared.

I can't remember anymore.

I tried to.

(foreboding music)

(gentle music)

It was you.

- Is that true?

- [Stranger] Yes.

- Why didn't you tell us before?

- Perhaps you can explain how these

severe wounds are already healing?

- [Stranger] I helped her.

I was there immediately

after the accident.

- Are you a doctor?

- No.

- Well, I--

- Who are you?

- [Stranger] I've

traveled a great distance.

Our craft was about to land.

We needed our lights to do so.

I saw how they blinded you.

As soon as I set foot on your ground,

I came to you and treated your wounds.

The scars will disappear.

- What craft are you talking about?

What lights?

- Now look here.

You better make sense.

- I am not an inhabitant of your planet.

I have come from another planet,

the planet you call Venus.

(suspenseful music)

- Wait a minute.

Do you expect us to believe all this?

Are you really insane?

- This is no ordinary man.

- You can't possibly believe

what he's telling us.

- I'm afraid, I'm almost forced to.

- Thank you, Dr. Meinard.

You display your intelligence proudly.

Did you say room number four?

- Yes, room number four.

- Operator.

Get me the Ministry of w*r.

(dramatic music)

- [Announcer] Wild rumors

have spread across the country

as the Earth has been

invaded by men from Venus.

Such reports are absolutely false.

Should any information concerning

the arrival of men from

outer space be confirmed,

we would, of course,

report this immediately.

Our own opinion.

(window banging)

(light whimsical music)

- I'm sorry, Gretchen.

Where's your father?

(door creaking)

- Mister, help!

Mr. Walker, help!

(footsteps approaching)

I'm afraid.

He said he wanted to find my father.

- [Arthur] Where's your father's room?

- What's wrong?

- Are you alright?

- Yes, of course.

What are you all doing here?

- He broke into your

room we saw him leave.

- Has he taken anything?

- Well, we're going to soon find out.

(dramatic music)

I'm not limping.

(Gretchen and Tom gasping)

(gentle dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

(whistling softly)

- Good morning.

- Good morning, Miss North.

How are you, I mean, after the accident?

- I know it's impossible,

but I never felt better in my life.

- Did you hear about me, about my leg?

- No.

- What do you think of that?

\\Mr. Walker, he said to

tell that it was most

important he drive into

the city this morning.

He knew you were resting well.

- Where's the stranger?

- In the garden working.

I told him not to, but he

seemed most determined.

It isn't like I can say

anything to him, you know?

- Yes, I know.

(birds chirping)

- Good morning.

- Good morning.

- You seem to be feeling well.

- Most of the scars have gone.

Could you--

- No, I wouldn't be able to.

I believe you were asking yourself

if it would be possible

for me to show others

the methods employed for

restoring health and well being.

I answered your question.

- I believe you read my mind.

- [Stranger] Your science and medicine--

- Can you always tell what I'm thinking?

- At times.

- That isn't fair,

especially not to a woman.

Good morning.

- Good morning.

(birds chirping)

According to the radio,

you don't exist at all.

Officially, you're just a false rumor.

I am inclined to feel otherwise.

As a matter of fact, last

night when I got home,

I tracked down an old

book of mine on astronomy.

- Oh?

- Because of you, I had very little sleep.

It was three in the morning

when I put that book down.

- What was it that held your interest?

- I was reading about the planet Venus.

- I think, I would like

to read your book, may I?

- But, of course, you'd probably enjoy it.

If you're from Venus,

there's something I

can't quite understand.

The book states that the

atmosphere on your planet

is radically different

from that of our Earth.

Our atmosphere for you

would be like us here

trying to live underwater.

- That is a reasonable comparison.

- Hmm.

- Many months before our

actual takeoff from Venus,

elaborate preparations were begun.

As a part of that preparation,

I spent 12 consecutive days

conditioning my respiratory

system to your atmosphere.

This is not a simple task physically.

- Your respiratory system

has been completely changed?

- No, not at all.

The effect was to create

a temporary tolerance to your atmosphere,

and a temporary adaptation to permit me

to exist under these conditions.

Do you realize, for example,

what a large part of what you

call fresh air is simple dust?

- Dust?

- Without it you would find it

extremely difficult to breathe.

(speaking in foreign language)

- Socrates said that.

- What does it mean?

- I realize that I know nothing.

- Well, I must be off.

I'll see you later.

- You said your body was adjusting

to our atmosphere only temporarily.

What did you mean by that?

- In less than four

days, 100 of your hours,

I will leave before then.

- How?

- The way I came.

My people will be returning.

- If they're late,

if something should happen?

- They won't be late.

(brakes squealing)

- I'm sorry, sir, you won't

be allowed to drive through.

- Oh, what's the trouble?

Road repairs?

- That's right.

- Well, I'll take the other

road back at the crossing.

- Just a minute.

That road is also closed.

I'm afraid you won't be

permitted to leave the area.

- But I'm a doctor.

I've got a patient to attend to.

It's nothing very serious--

- You give me his name and address.

We'll contact another doctor for him.

We've blocked this whole area.

No one is allowed to leave or enter.

- So, that's what you're trying to do,

build a prison around him?

- Don't try and sneak through the woods.

We have our orders.

- Well, I suppose I need

a little peace and quiet.

- I'm glad he didn't ask

me what it was all about.

- Do you know?

- No.

Do you?

- Well, Arthur, let's see this

monster of yours from outer space.

- [Tom] Morning, Mr. Walker.

Morning, gentlemen.

Gretchen?

Is Miss North here?

- In the back outside.

- And where's our visitor?

- With Miss North.

- Well, would you mind telling them...

Susan, I'd like you to meet

Chief of Police Richards.

- How do you do?

- How do you do?

- And Mr. Charles Dixon of

the Associated Press Service.

- How do you do?

- Excuse me.

- And now, gentlemen,

I'd like you to meet...

Well, I'm afraid our gifted visitor

doesn't use a name as we do.

- How do you do?

- How do you do?

- These gentlemen are very anxious

to request a few moments of your time.

- For what purpose?

- Well, Mr. Dixon is a world figure

in the field of newspaper journalism.

- And you're Chief of Police?

- I would like to extend

a word of welcome.

- And then?

- I'd ask if I may make a simple record

of your fingerprints,

purely a routine matter.

- Fingerprints?

- It's probably a technique

your people don't employ.

Mr. Richards, try to take my prints first

to show our visitor what they mean.

- Very well, good idea.

And now, if you please?

- I think you might be disappointed.

- I don't think so.

- You think this will work with me?

- Let's just say I have

a suspicious nature.

(dramatic music)

If I can believe what I see,

these are not the

fingerprints of a human being.

- I'd very much like to

ask you a few questions.

- Go right ahead, Mr. Dixon.

- I suggest we go to your room

where we can have privacy.

- I suppose we've got to

wait until we read about it

in the newspapers.

- I'm sorry to disappoint you.

But this story can't be released

until it's been cleared by our government.

If you'll excuse us, Mr. Richards.

- We were able to save considerable time.

- I'm a little surprised

that you speak our language.

- We're able to converse in all languages.

- Are they taught in your schools.

- We do not have schools as you know them.

Our methods of learning

are quite different.

- In what way?

- In order to know a subject,

we must concentrate on it only to once.

- You speak our language very well.

- Thank you.

It is not difficult for us

to transpose our thoughts

in any of your languages.

- Would you be willing

to demonstrate that?

- Gladly.

- Would you read this article in Spanish?

(speaking in foreign language)

And now will you read

the next part in German?

(speaking in foreign language)

And now French?

(speaking in foreign language)

- Now Russian.

(speaking in foreign language)

I will finish it in Italian.

(speaking in foreign language)

- Is your native language

similar to any of those?

- Like none, and yet

accomplishing the purpose of all.

We very seldom communicate by speech.

Instead we transfer thought.

We achieve complete honesty in that way.

No one is ever misunderstood.

- How is it you're so

familiar with the Earth,

it's languages and people?

- For many years we have been watching you

and listening to you.

- How's that possible?

- Through your own radio and television.

In the vacuum of outer space,

there is nothing that can hinder

the travel of your broadcast signals.

But we have been tracing

your planet's civilization

for a long time before

radio in other ways.

We've been amazed and

amused at your behavior.

Your fumbling attempts

to solve your national

and international problems,

remind us of our own early history.

- Well, we haven't found the answers

to all our problems yet.

- [Stranger] That remark brings me

to the purpose of my voyage here.

- Our problems?

- Precisely.

- [Arthur] How could

our problems affect you?

- Problems of w*r and survival

are very important to us.

As to the discussion of the topic,

I must leave it to my superiors

who shall arrive on Earth

in a very short time.

- Other men from Venus?

- Please do not be alarmed.

Their mission is strictly a peaceful one.

The landing will come in two days.

I'm here to prepare their arrival.

- We can inform the world of

that through our newspapers.

- I am not concerned at present

with the people of your nations.

I must make this preparation

through the heads

of the various governments.

- You want to meet

representatives of all nations?

- Yes.

- At one time?

- Yes.

- Within who days?

- That is possible.

- It wouldn't be easy.

- The urgency of the

situation demands the effort.

- We know what you want.

Leave it to us to get things started.

- I'd like to come back

a bit later if I may,

to ask you a few additional questions?

- Certainly.

- I count myself honored to have been

one of those present at this meeting.

- You understand my sincere desire to have

this meeting arranged

within the next two days?

- I certainly do.

I'll do my best to help.

(birds chirping)

- Well?

- He's the real thing.

Wish I had half that man's

knowledge and experience.

- I usually hate people

who know all the answers.

But I like him.

He makes you feel like

a moron, but I like him.

- What does he want from us?

(gentle dramatic music)

- It's not what they want from us.

It's what we can learn from them.

- Don't fool your, Arthur.

If you think you can outsmart that man

with your diplomatic charm,

I'd say you're wasting your time.

- In two days a spacecraft

will land here on our soil,

a craft that has traveled

millions of light-years.

To achieve that, do you realize

how tremendously advanced they must be?

We could make fantastic

progress with them.

- I don't think they're

coming here for that.

- You never know.

(car engine revving)

(gentle music)

(birds chirping)

- There.

That's the spot I mean.

- It is very beautiful.

- It's my secret.

I come here when I want to be alone.

(birds chirping)

- Doesn't Arthur share this secret?

- No, he doesn't.

Do you like Arthur?

- Not yet.

- You're staring at me.

It isn't polite.

When you return, you'll

probably tell your people

very silly things about us.

- That's right.

- What will you tell them about me?

- I might not tell them

anything about you.

- But if you did, what would you say?

- I would tell them that

you're quiet and very warm,

and that your eyes are soft and sensitive,

and that your character is

deep and filled with meaning.

- I don't think I believe that.

- You should, Susan.

(sighing deeply)

- I ought to be sorting out my lines,

getting my tackle in order.

I'm an unhappy man.

- Uh-uh.

You've got the whole

summer to fish for trout.

What's a few days?

- Young man, I have been

fishing for 23 years,

but never yet missed opening day.

- There's always a first time.

- Barbarians.

- Mind if I take your hand over, Doc?

- Oh, no, not at all.

Gretchen, are you my friend?

- Yes, of course, Doctor.

- Then will you kindly get

me a fresh cup of coffee?

(Gretchen gasping)

(doctor chuckling)

Clever, huh?

- You didn't think so

when I first showed you.

- Oh, may I speak to you please?

I'm sorry to come so late.

I lost quite a bit of time

trying to get past the road barrier.

- Road barrier?

- Well, I am a bit behind

on my time schedule.

Could I make one brief

call before we talk?

- Certainly.

- Thank you.

- [Soldier] Yes?

- Western 5-5-0, please.

- [Soldier] Who is this speaking?

- Charles Dixon.

- [Soldier] Who are you calling?

- I'm calling my editor.

- [Soldier] You'll have

to get authorization

to use this telephone.

We have orders--

- Oh, alright forget it.

- What is the reaction of

the public to my being here?

- The public doesn't know you're here.

They've instituted a

full scale news boycott.

I haven't been allowed to

print a word about you so far.

- But our craft someone must have seen it?

- A few scattered reports of your landing

have been dismissed as

hysteria, false gossip.

It's important that the

news of your arrival

should be kept under control

until an official

announcement can be made.

Someday soon this story will be released.

I came back to ask you a very

important question if I may?

- Yes?

- I should be very interested in anything

you can tell me about the

power plant on your spacecraft

in simple terms if that's possible?

- Gretchen, would you please

bring me that bulletin board?

Perhaps I can explain visually with this.

- [Gretchen] Can I listen?

- Alright, sit down.

- Each of our planets has

its own magnetic forces.

These magnetic fields of attraction

extend through space in varying degrees.

As you know, two similar

magnetic poles repel.

Whereas, two dissimilar poles attract.

What you refer to as a

power plant on our craft

is simply a highly-developed

mechanical device

which, at choice, either pushes or pulls

against these magnetic fields.

A sensitive apparatus, but very simple.

- No fuel?

No motors?

- That is correct.

- Hmm.

- Now if you will excuse me.

- This story should make

astounding news copy

if I can ever release it.

Thank you.

- Goodnight.

- Goodnight.

Tom.

(man mumbling)

- Hello, darling.

- Hello, dear.

- Your mother sent her suitcase.

Said you'd find whatever

you want while you're here.

- Good.

- What about a nightcap?

- Fine, thanks.

- Tom, can we have some drinks please?

I bet it hasn't been this

quiet here in a long time.

- Certainly has not.

What do you want, whiskey and soda?

- Whiskey.

- Two please.

- Arthur, could you

arrange something for me,

something important?

- Well, of course, I

will darling if I can.

What is it?

(dramatic music)

- I realize that orders were given

for no one to leave this area,

but could you make an

exception in my case?

You could arrange it if you try.

- I'm sorry, Susan, I'm sure

that would be impossible.

- But you can do the

impossible, you know that.

- In this situation, darling,

there can't be any exceptions.

This whole event must be the

world's best kept secret.

- You don't trust me.

- I trust you completely, darling.

But there are others,

people who would try to reach anyone

who knows anything about all this.

They'd try desperately

to pump for information.

- Aren't you making this

sound just a bit dramatic?

- You don't know what's

been going on outside.

People have calmed down, all right.

They believe what they

read in the newspapers.

But the captains of other

nations are very inquisitive.

- But my home is only 10 miles away.

You can order a policemen

to guard the house,

but please let me--

- Why are you so

anxious to get away?

Is it because of him?

Are you afraid of him?

(dramatic music)

- Yes, I am.

- There's no need to worry, darling.

If I thought there was any possibility

of his trying to harm you,

I'd have taken steps

to prevent it long ago.

Besides I shall be here from now on.

It will all be over very soon.

(footsteps approaching)

- Would you like to know what I think?

The arrival of this stranger,

this man from other worlds,

is probably the greatest opportunity

our world has had in a thousand years.

Would you like to know what else I think?

You politicians won't

take advantage of it.

You'll ruin your only chance

I'm willing to bet on it.

- Dr. Meinard, when I'm

sick, I call a doctor.

I have no training in medicine.

Funny thing with politics

is that people always think

they know better than the

people who are doing the job.

- The horrible thing

is that they often do.

- Oh, god, I'm awfully tired.

I'm going to bed.

- I'll carry your case up for you.

- Uh, sorry about the way I spoke.

- It's all right, we're all a bit on edge.

- Goodnight, Susan.

- [Susan] Goodnight.

- Gretchen.

Do you think I could

have something to eat?

- Well, it's a little late.

- Just something hot.

Could you make some soup?

- No, I'm afraid not, Doctor.

- Couple of soft boiled eggs?

- Well, suppose--

- Some buttered toast?

- All right.

- Some marmalade?

A little coffee?

- I should've known.

The eggs three minutes?

- Two minutes and 50 seconds.

Three minutes.

(gentle music)

- Sleep well, darling.

Plus, we can have breakfast

together in the morning.

- Arthur, you have to arrange

for me to leave here tomorrow.

- I've already told you,

darling, why that's impossible.

- It isn't impossible

you haven't even tried!

- Let's go inside.

- Arthur, that man I'm not myself.

- Don't worry about it, darling.

You're probably very grateful to him.

You may even be a little

infatuated with him.

But he's not a human.

You can't judge your own feelings by...

Why don't you wait till after he's gone.

Then you can either return it or keep it.

- All right.

Thank you.

Oh, goodnight, Arthur.

- Come this way please, gentlemen.

- Very nice indeed.

- Gretchen, would you

please inform our visitor

that we're here.

- [Gretchen] Yes, Mr. Walker.

- Tom, I'd like to request the completely

private use of this room if I may?

- I'd consider it an honor.

Would you like me to arrange

the tables and chairs for you?

- Please do.

- Yeah, excuse me.

- This is a very important

moment for your inn.

I'm sure this meeting will

be of historical importance.

- Gentlemen, may I remind

you that our visitor

is somewhat able to read our thoughts.

- I can't see anything harmful in that.

We shall put our cards on the table.

- I feel uneasy about this.

After all, this isn't the--

(floorboards creaking)

- Gentlemen, may I introduce our visitor.

And may I present our

Secretary of the Interior,

The Commander of our Armed Forces,

a representative of our Parliament,

our Director of Science and Research,

and our government investigator.

Gentlemen, I suggest we be seated.

This isn't exactly a

formal conference room,

but in the circumstances.

- Is this meeting in

response to my request?

- That's right.

- I asked to meet members

of all the nations.

All these men are from one nation, yours.

- Sir, it was impossible

to arrange a meeting

such as you suggested

on so short a notice.

We haven't perfected our

means of transportation

to a point your people obviously enjoy.

- Perhaps I'm more familiar

with your means of communication

and transportation than you realize.

- [Parliament Rep] I hope you

won't refuse to talk to us?

- This time I will talk to you.

But those who follow me,

will only speak to

worldwide representatives.

The General, the government investigator,

I am here on a peaceful mission.

- [Scientist] And so are we?

- Mr. Walker tried to enlighten us

about the purpose of your

travel to this planet.

Perhaps you could repeat

your remarks for our benefit.

- I am only here to prepare the landing

of our higher officers.

- When does this landing take place?

- Tomorrow night at 9:45.

- Where?

- In a field

less than one mile from here.

- Is there any special reason

why this spot was selected?

- Yes, the area has a rather

intense magnetic field.

- Can you tell us anymore

of what your superiors

wish to discuss with our leaders?

- Our interest in your planet

is that of an elder brother.

In this sort of family the

delinquent member is you, Earth.

We want nothing from your planet.

But we cannot allow you to

endanger our own existence.

- Endanger Venus?

- You're a scientist.

You realize that the

scientific achievements

of you men on Earth are further developed

than your emotional and

intellectual powers.

You stampede to nuclear fission.

Hydrogen bombs and colossal energies

must not rush ahead uncontrolled.

- But these powers are relied upon

for defensive protection

not to start wars.

Besides the peaceful use of atomic energy,

foretells great progress

for our societies.

- I am not advocating

abandonment of these powers

only the cautious handling of them.

- You spoke of our

endangering your planet.

How can that be?

- You astronomers have discovered

what you call the astroid belt,

millions upon millions

of wandering fragments

once several planets.

(dramatic music)

Civilization on one of these,

allowed greed to overcome intelligence.

- If you will pardon my interruption,

I'm inclined to think that you greatly

over estimate the effectiveness

of new found energies.

- When one of your nations

explodes an atomic b*mb,

it creates a powerful force

downwards and upwards.

If one should explode 50 hydrogen bombs

at the same location,

you can visualize the tremendous force

downwards on the surface of the Earth.

As you develop greater

and greater energies,

it is possible that one of

these would have the impact,

the effect, to move the Earth

one millionth of an inch.

Through the years it grows to be miles

that the Earth has shifted from its axis.

The gravity of the Earth,

a planet of fairly large mass,

effects the gravity and position

of all planets in our solar system.

A change in that position could mean...

Well, do I make myself clear?

- I understand you theoretically.

But it sounds hardly possible.

- It would be very costly

to prove that I'm right.

- Your higher officers who are coming here

what can they expect to accomplish?

- I have told you a little of our purpose.

They will discuss this on a larger basis

with all the representatives.

In addition, after a

worldwide agreement outlawing

the wrongful use of these

energies has been reached,

our scientists will teach your scientists

advanced principles and theories

which ordinarily would take

hundreds of years to evolve.

- You claim that the principles' emission

of your craft are relatively simple?

- Compared to your present

attempts in rocket repulsion

very simple indeed.

I think, we have had enough

discussion for today.

Before I leave,

I would like to guess at what I believe

some of you are thinking at this moment.

If I'm correct,

I would be very disappointed indeed.

I think, you're wondering

how you might get us

to reveal our knowledge

of interplanetary travel,

and you're wondering the

same and how you might force

that information from us.

Others of you are estimating the heights

to which you might rise if

you could personally arrange

for our cooperation in

space travel techniques.

Well, forget it!

You're not going to be told these things!

You are not ready for it!

(footsteps descending)

(door creaking)

- Seems quite an intelligent creature.

But as a mind reader

though, he's not so hot.

- I'm afraid he is, my friend.

(gentle music)

(birds chirping)

- Susan?

Is that you?

I didn't know you were here.

- Then why did you come?

- I don't know.

Would you rather be alone?

- No.

And you?

- No.

(gentle music)

- I wanted you to kiss me.

- Tomorrow I will be gone.

And glad to leave.

But of all the experiences

I've had in my brief

acquaintance with your world,

to be with you.

- Tomorrow.

Oh, there's so many things

I wanted to ask you about your world,

about life and death.

- Death is simple, but not like here.

You simply cease to exist.

- You mean you just disappear?

- In plain words, yes.

- And life?

- You mean love, don't you?

- Mind reading again.

- Love with us is not short lived.

It is a lifetime,

and a man may live to

be hundreds of years.

(tense music)

- What is it?

- I don't know.

There's something wrong.

(dramatic music)

- He's all right.

- Oh, no.

Call Dr. Meinard.

- I'll be all right.

That was very foolish.

I should've never exerted myself that way.

- Why did you run after that car?

- [Stranger] Someone was in my room.

- Yes, a police officer.

(suspenseful music)

- That discus for communication stolen.

- [Gretchen] They wouldn't let me go near.

They said I'd be arrested if

I didn't go away immediately.

(suspenseful music)

- This night will long be

remembered in future history.

- Remembered proudly or shamefully?

- It's the decision of our government.

- You mean it's the decision

of a handful of ambitious men

who've badly advised our government.

- What about our visitor?

He can't exist here much longer.

- The fate of one man

cannot be considered.

(suspenseful music)

- [Stranger] You were going

to try to capture our craft.

That's true, isn't it?

- Yes.

The area where your craft will land

is covered with highly-magnetized cables.

We may not be able to construct

a power plant like yours,

but we can put it out of commission

and pin your craft to the

ground like a butterfly.

- My only means of communicating with them

was conveniently stolen.

Why are you doing this?

- I'm not in the position to discuss that.

- Then I will!

You think your nation can be the first one

to construct a spaceship

to control the world.

Don't be distressed at

my revealing your plans

in front of them.

They won't talk.

They won't be able to.

They will be dead five seconds

after you try this stupid move.

You will be dead too.

- Please don't try to frighten me.

Nobody's going to die.

No one intends any harm

to the men on that craft.

This is a peaceful act.

- Ambushing our spacecraft

you call that peaceful?

I do not understand.

We came here with friendly intentions.

If you people could

travel to other planets,

they would go with a peaceful motive.

Explain to me please why

this stupid move now!

- I've already told you I'm not

in the position to discuss that.

This isn't my idea.

- You said your people could take revenge.

- In a few minutes our

craft is going to land

in the middle of a vicious trap,

but high up out of sight

a mothership will suspend itself

outside of your field of gravity.

- Another craft?

- A much larger craft.

We hoped this would never happen.

But if your people should attack,

we will retaliate immediately.

- How?

- We will ignite and burn your

atmosphere in a wide circle.

Then we will direct the rays of the sun

on this part of the Earth

and immediately incinerate

the entire area below.

(suspenseful music)

- Number please.

- Operator.

Connect me with the

Ministry of w*r, urgently.

Don't expect too much from this.

There's not a chance in a hundred

we can change those plans now.

- [Operator] You're

connected speak up please.

- Yes.

- This is Arthur Walker.

Let me speak to Mr. Allen, please?

- [Secretary] He's talking

on the other phone.

- Then interrupt!

- Yes, sir.

- [Allen] Hello, Arthur.

- Sir, I've just learned that

we may be exposing ourselves

to disaster if we go

through with these plans.

- [Allen] Is this why you

interrupted my other call?

- Yes, it seems they can

retaliate immediately with--

- [Allen] We discussed the

possibility of all this.

I don't see any reason to

change our plans, Arthur.

- But, sir, you don't understand!

- [Allen] I have our

President on the other phone.

Call me back in 10 minutes.

- Who are you to decide about the life...

Hello?

- If I can get the communication's disk,

I will warn them not to land.

- That may save the lives

of some of our people.

If I do what you ask,

you're asking me to betray my government.

- If they don't land, you can't survive.

- Gentlemen, it's amazing.

Seems to be a metal

entirely unknown to us.

We can't open it without

destroying whatever's inside.

(sighing deeply)

(soldier speaking faintly)

I'm not sure that we're

doing the right thing.

- This operation's been carefully planned.

We relied on your

analysis that it'll work.

- We'll dealing in unknowns.

Theoretically it should prove that.

- We're ready to test

the equipment, General.

- Well?

(birds chirping)

(dramatic music)

(telephone ringing)

- Hello.

Yes.

Yes, he's here.

Dr. Meinard.

It's for you.

- Thank you.

Hello.

(sighing deeply)

Oh, Mrs. Sanford.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

(telephone clanking)

(chuckling softly)

Oh, dear, oh dear.

- What's wrong?

Who was that?

- The last few minutes for all of us,

and I just prescribed

five days complete rest

for my prized hypochondriac. (chuckling)

- Dr. Meinard?

- Hmm?

Oh.

(soft eerie tone)

Is that?

- No.

The mothership.

- My biggest scoop, but who'll read it?

- General, I am partly

responsible for this operation.

But right now I'd prefer

not to pull that switch.

- You should've thought of that before.

I'm only a soldier who's got a job to do

and who obeys orders.

When that craft is exactly

14 feet above the ground,

that switch will be pulled.

- Well, I'm inclined to

believe that everything Talker

told the Minister of w*r can be true;

in which case, there'll

probably blow us to bits.

- Altitude 1,000 feet, descending.

500 feet.

- We've no right to gamble

with other people's lives.

Don't throw that switch.

- Stay where you are!

Or I'll be forced to--

- 250 feet.

(loud eerie tone)

40.

30.

20.

19.

18.

- Throw that switch!

(spaceship whirring)

- Gretchen, I think

your prayers were heard.

You faced a great decision.

I'm proud of your man, Susan.

(gentle music)

- He's gone.

No.

I think...

I think he'd want to be alone.

(somber music)

(dramatic music)

(somber music)