Original subtitles

Since biblical times, man has witnessed

and recorded strange manifestations in

the sky and speculated on the

possibilities of visitors [music]

from another world.

[music]

>> [music]

>> Today from the skies of California,

the fields of Kansas,

the rice patties of the Orient, the

airlines of the world, come persistent

reports of UFOs, unidentified flying

objects which we have come to know as

[music] flying saucers.

In Dayton, Ohio, the Air Intelligence

Command gathers and sifts data from all

quarters of the globe. 97% of the

objects prove on investigation to be of

natural origin, but 3% still are listed

as unknown. The Air Force is aware of

the widely held belief that some of

these could be flying saucers from

another planet. While there is nothing

conclusive in the evidence, the probing

and digesting of information about UFOs

continues unceasingly.

[music]

As a result, headquarters of the

Hemispheric Defense Command in Colorado

Springs issued [music] an order. All

military installations are to fire on

site at any flying objects not

identifiable.

But even as they did so, the military

wondered whether their scientific

knowhow and their best weapons would be

effective in any battle of the Earth

versus the Flying Saucers.

[music]

[music]

[music]

Heat.

[music]

[music]

[music]

Heat.

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

>> July. 16 to internal security commission

Ray Skyhook.

Summary and progress report from project

director Dr. Russell A. Marvin

>> and Mrs. Dr. Russell A. Marvin without

whose inspiration and untiring criticism

this report could never have been

written.

>> Married two hours and already she's

claiming community property.

>> Now that you're married, Dr. Marvin, you

don't have to sneak up on me. You always

did have eyes on the back of your head.

>> Besides, [clears throat] it's not safe

when you're driving.

>> But pretty.

>> I thought intellectual giants were

supposed to be backwards and shy.

>> My third grade teacher, Miss Hickey,

said I was a quick study.

>> You're starting something you're not

going to be able to finish.

>> Yeah.

Yeah. Today, I've got a hot date with a

three-stage rocket.

Now, please, no interruptions.

Because of recent scientific advances,

it is now possible to realize an ancient

dream, the exploration of outer space.

To prepare for this great stride

forward, we are assembling data on

conditions at atmospheric levels beyond

those hither to explore. To collect the

necessary data, unmanned automatic

observation posts are being sent up in

multiple stage rockets to a distance

hundreds of miles above the Earth's

surface.

There, swinging in endless orbits around

our planet will be 12 tiny man-made

satellites or moons.

They will report to us by radio, thus

providing primary information needed to

prepare the way for our ascent into

space.

The effects of gravitational loss,

showers of meteoric dust, the fierce and

undiluted heat of the sun, the cosmic

radiation, all will be studied and

analyzed.

At the present time, we have launched 10

of the artificial satellites or birds as

we call them. We

>> do. You hear something?

>> Hear what?

>> I don't hear.

>> Shh. Listen.

pull over.

[music]

Rose,

it was a saucer.

A flying saucer.

Well, we saw what appeared to be a

flying saucer.

That's all we can say.

>> We saw it. We heard it. Both of us. What

more do we need to know?

>> We have to have time to think, to

evaluate this

before we sound off.

>> Let Let me have a light.

Of

[snorts] course, it wasn't a saucer at

all.

I had to shake like this all the time.

[music]

>> [music]

>> Carol, I want you to transcribe these

notes for my report.

>> Yes, boss.

>> But there's one little thing first.

>> Now that you're married, Dr. Marlin, the

first thing you've got to learn is no

more passes at the secretaries

during business hours.

>> All right.

>> Or birds as we call them. We

the saucer sound.

It's on the tape.

You forgot to turn it off.

I remember now. I turned it off

afterwards.

>> That's That's one piece of concrete

evidence.

>> Rocket number 11 will be launched in 20

minutes.

Oh, we'll leave it for now. Come on. We

just got time to get to the bunker.

>> General Hanley, reporting to Project

Skyhook. Come make it fast, will you?

I'm in a hurry.

>> Nobody allowed in, sir. There's a rocket

taking off now.

>> That's what I want to stop. Let me speak

to Dr. Russell Marvin.

West gate to bunker number two.

Dr. Marvin.

>> Bunker number two. Marvin speaking.

>> This is the Westgate, sir. General

Hanley wants you.

>> Oh, put him on.

>> Carol, it's your father.

>> Calling from Panama.

>> No, right here at the project.

>> Hello, Russ.

>> Hello. Well, welcome home, General.

What's the news from Panama?

>> It's bad, I'm afraid. I think you want

to hear what I found before you send up

another rocket. Can you possibly put it

off?

>> Well, I'm afraid I can't. We're tied to

a definite schedule of launchings.

>> Wait a minute. Uh, there's something

else I wanted.

>> Just a minute. It's you a privilege.

>> Hi, Dad.

>> What is it, honey?

>> I just wanted to hear your voice and

tell you Russ and I were married last

night.

>> Married? Oh,

>> forgive us for not letting you know,

darling.

I've got to hang up. Let's have dinner

tonight. Can you

Don't forget. Bye.

14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 One.

I know how the designer feels hearing a

thing like this, but Project Skyhook

hasn't worked out the way the Defense

Department hoped. Tell me, how many

birds have you sent up so far?

>> 11, counting to days.

>> And how many are you in contact with

right now?

just one days. I admit we haven't been

able to track them visually so far, but

we'll correct that.

>> Don't be too sure of that.

>> We can certainly tune them in if they're

up there.

>> What I'm trying to tell you is that

they're no longer up there. That wasn't

a meteorite that fell on Panama. It was

the burned remains of number seven. I

made sure of that myself. What? And

intelligence has reports now which

convince us that one and three fell over

Africa, number five around the North

Pole, and nine and 10 along the Andes.

The rest can be presumed to have been

lost someplace at sea.

What happens to them? Apparently, they

blow up in outer space. Why? There's

nothing explosive in them. You can take

it from me. When a rocket's blasted off,

it should circle the Earth for a long

time. That is, unless

>> Unless what?

Unless someone something shoots them

down as fast as we set them up there.

Why? No gun in the world can shoot that

high. No.

>> No, of course not.

>> Bring spoons for your coffee.

Ah, my special barbecue.

>> Mhm. That's to make up for not telling

you about our getting married.

>> It was kind of sudden for us, too.

>> Sudden? I've only been after him for a

year.

>> I don't need to tell you both of you how

pleased I am. Well, I'm glad of that. I

wouldn't like it very much if you

weren't.

Thank you,

Ras.

What were you driving at back there

about something shooting down one of the

satellites?

>> General, we saw a strange thing this

afternoon.

We saw what appeared to be a flying

saucer.

>> A flying saucer?

>> It nearly ran into us.

>> Are you sure of it?

Both Carol and I are subject to the same

atmospheric disturbances that may have

affected other observers. But there is a

qualitative difference when you're a

scientist.

>> We do have one piece of supporting

evidence. An accidental recording of the

sounds it made. The tape is in the lab

at the project. I'd like you to hear it

tomorrow.

>> You both saw this?

>> Yes.

[snorts]

>> Excuse me.

I'm

>> Captain Holloway. Sir, will you stay in

here, please?

>> Who's Holloway?

>> He's on monitor duty this evening.

>> They've just lost contact with number

11.

>> Oh, Russ, I'm sorry.

Is it still in range of our receivers if

it hasn't been knocked down? Log.

>> What are those lights?

>> They're what the pilots call fool

lights.

>> St. Elmo's fire in ancient times.

Superstitious regard them as omens of

[music] things to come. The best science

has been able to make out of them is

that they're electric particles agitated

by moving air. Same principle as the

Aurora Borealis. There have been so many

around the project the last couple of

days, we all just take them for granted.

>> Bird 11 ought to be visible in the sky

right now on its second lap around the

world. Look, there it is.

>> Is that it?

>> Yes.

>> Well, surely you're not going to send up

number 12 tomorrow after this.

>> I have to.

>> Why? With the television pickup cameras

and microphone. I should have done it

before. This time I'm going to know

what's happening up there and know the

reason why.

Come on, let's finish our dinner.

>> Checking TV pickup. Getting a good

image.

>> Fine.

>> TV's okay. I'll be down in a couple of

minutes.

>> Tell him to hurry it up.

>> Hey, do you notice anything different

since you were here last?

>> Soundproving.

>> That's right. You could fire a cannon

off outside and you couldn't hear a

thing down here.

>> Number 12. Okay. For takeoff. Well,

>> as an old rocket man from way back, I'd

rather watch from ground level.

>> Dr. Marvin. Dr. Marvin.

Marvin here.

>> You getting ready for a siege?

>> Well, Russ and I are going to take turns

monitoring this one ourselves for days

if necessary.

>> Soundproof privacy and the last word in

scientific solitude. Happy honeymoon,

darling.

>> Thanks, Dad.

>> Repair rocket for launching.

Prepare rocket for launching.

Rocket number 12 will be launched in 5

minutes.

[music]

>> 4 minutes to zero.

Check. Take it up at zero, Major

Kimberly.

>> Okay,

stand by.

>> Observation tower A, come in, Evans,

radar to tower A.

>> Observation tower A, Sergeant Nash.

>> UFO due west, approaching fast.

>> What does it look like?

>> Can't tell yet. I'll call when I get a

better reading on my scope.

>> Do that.

>> How's your Sergeant?

>> Unidentified flying object reported due

west, sir. Probably a buzzer.

>> Sergeant Nash, observation tower A.

What?

Forget it, Walters. This is no time for

gags.

It's 2 minutes to zero.

Sentry at West Gate has spotted a flying

saucer, sir.

Evans, radar to tower A.

>> Tower A, Nash.

>> I get a better reading on my scope,

Sergeant. That UFO is over the West

Sentry Post.

>> Does it look like a flying saucer Evans?

>> Yes, it does. [music]

>> Skyhawk control to approaching object.

>> What is it?

I wouldn't know.

connect with Dr. Marvin's lab.

Mine's dead.

It's one.

>> [cheering]

>> Battery prepare to fire.

Where?

They set up an electronic screen. The

artillery doesn't penetrate.

[clears throat]

>> [music]

>> Lines are out. Abandon

all firing positions.

Mike's gone dead.

Try the phone.

The operator doesn't answer.

Look.

What's happening?

I I don't know. I

Yeah.

[music]

Heat.

I'm scared, Russ.

They'll

They'll dig us out.

Heat. Heat.

Where am I?

What?

We are speaking to you through the

translating device above your head.

[screaming]

>> Can you understand this?

>> Yes.

And I hope you can understand me.

Whoever you are, whatever you are,

you'll regret what you did at the

project. Perhaps you can explain why

after contacting Dr. Marvin, we were met

with violence.

>> You've contacted Dr. Marvin.

>> We spoke to him.

All he heard was meaningless sounds.

The same kind of sounds I just heard.

>> We had hoped a sufficient adjustment for

the time differential between us would

have been made.

>> I don't understand.

Evidently, you do not realize you are in

an interstellar conveyance. You are

already outside the atmosphere of your

own planet.

As a prisoner, all I am required to tell

you

is that I am General John Hanley of the

United States Army.

>> [screaming]

>> These are all the facts leading up to

the rocket explosion at Operation

Skyhook.

To the best of our knowledge, my wife

and I are the only ones left alive since

we have not seen or heard anyone for

hours.

The air is becoming toxic.

In the event of our death, this report

together with the recording of the

saucer sounds on this tape constitute

all the data we have.

The batteries are failing. The recorder

is not running up to speed. This is Dr.

Russell A. Marvin.

Russ,

>> where are you?

>> It's all right, honey. The gas generator

stopped, that's all.

>> Please come closed. I'm afraid of the

darkness.

>> Dr. Rossel Marian, the tape. It is very

urgent that we meet. We will appear

tomorrow at operation

skyhook

when your son is exactly

over your local.

That's the sound of the saucer we heard

on the tape. The message was sent at an

accelerated speed, so it just sounded

like gibberish to us. When the batteries

died, the tape slowed down and the voice

became clear.

If I'd only figured it out before,

maybe we wouldn't have been trapped down

here.

What had stuffed out hundreds of lives

and leveled an installation worth

millions of dollars? An aroused public

demanded an answer, and the federal

government dedicated the strength of all

its branches to the task of finding one.

However, when Dr. Marvin and his wife

were rescued. The answer was to be found

in the experience of the only two human

survivors and in a reel of tape

recording they carried to Washington DC

and the Pentagon.

Operation Skyhook.

>> There can't be any doubt about what it

means. A landing at the project was

proposed on the day of the disaster.

There was to have been a meeting. If I

couldn't keep the appointment, a message

was to be sent on a designated

wavelength by ordinary shortwave

transmission.

>> Does anyone want to have the recording

played again?

>> You've heard it a dozen times. My wife

and I, for three days and nights, have

been telling what we knew. We've been

before every committee, commission, and

review board in Washington. It's time we

decided to do something.

>> The tape is by no means conclusive.

Certainly doesn't prove that your

so-called flying saucer caused the

destruction of Operation Skyhook.

>> I grant you that.

>> A strange voice, a set of instructions

that might have come from anywhere.

>> Well, is anyone a better idea of what

happened?

>> Personally, I'm inclined to accept Dr.

Marvin's conclusion about the connection

between the message and the disaster.

>> All right. So am I.

Then why not let me try to contact them,

meet them, find out what this is all

about. If

>> we are to be confronted with a hostile

and unknown power, any decision to meet

with them must be made at the cabinet

level.

>> Well, I just hope that while we're

waiting, another disaster doesn't occur.

We're pressing for the earliest possible

action.

>> Secretary of State is flying back from

Europe. The Secretary of Defense is

returning from the Pacific. If a meeting

could be arranged in the meantime, the

only risk would be to me. I feel

personally responsible for what

happened. I was in charge. Hundreds of

lives were lost. My own wife's father.

>> If I had the authority, I grant it to

you. But we will have to wait. But I

promise you that we will recommend that

you be authorized to make radio contact

and meet with

>> with whoever they are.

>> Are we through for the night?

>> Yes.

But we are going to ask you to remain at

your hotel.

You mean I'm under detention?

>> May be needed at any time.

>> Major Hudman is assigned as your

liaison.

>> Good night.

>> Good night,

>> Dr. Marvin. Dr. Marvin, I don't like

this watchdog routine any better than

you do. I'm under orders. I have a job

to do. We're both on the same side.

>> I'm sorry. I'm just tired and worried. I

know.

Well, you were in there. You heard both

sides. Who do you agree with?

>> I agree with you as far as the urgency

is concerned, but they're right, too.

They're responsible to a chain of

command. They have to be careful. This

thing may be too big to allow for

mistakes.

>> [music]

>> Russell Marvin Calling on 225.6

mega

over.

Dr. Russell Marvin calling on 225.6

[music]

mega as per instructions. Are you

listening? If you hear me, please reply.

I am tuned in on the same wavelength.

Over.

>> We hear you, Dr. Marvin, and we

understand you. Did you understand us?

Yes.

Who are you?

>> Listen, it is now 9:30 a.m. Earth breath

time, Greenwich Meridian time. We will

be waiting at exactly 11:00 a.m. at the

shore of the Chesapeake Bay where the

North Beach Road reaches the sea. Do not

raise an alarm and keep this

appointment.

>> Listen to me. I can't keep the

appointment. I'm under orders. I'll be

able to meet you in a few days. Do you

hear me? Over.

>> Russ.

>> Hello. Hello. Dr. Russell Marvin calling

on 225.6 mega cycles. Do you hear me?

Please come in. Over.

11:00 Greenwich time. That would be 6:00

here. I can just make it.

>> They're not going. I heard you say

you're under orders.

>> I didn't arrange this meeting. I just

asked them to wait.

>> Who ordered that radio?

>> I did today. I was hoping they'd give me

the go-ahad and let me use it.

>> You can't go. I've already lost Dad. You

shouldn't have called them.

>> Oh, maybe I shouldn't have. And maybe I

should. But it started now, and I've got

to go through with it.

>> But it's not your job alone.

>> Call someone. Call me if you're

huggling.

Room 312. Major Hugman, hurry, please.

>> Hello.

Yes. Yes.

Thanks.

Well, call the garage. Tell him not to

give him a car.

Well, tell him. Tell him he's sick.

Anything out of his mind. I'll be right

down to take care of it. Sure

thing, Mrs. Marvin.

>> Frank, may I have my car, please?

>> Gee, Dr. Marvin, I can't. I was talking

to your wife on the phone, and she said

that I

But Dr. Marvin, I can't let you have the

car. I get out of my way, Frank. Please,

Dr. Mr. Marvin, I don't want to lose my

job.

[music]

[music]

There he is. See if you can get him on

the radio.

>> Hello, Russ. This is Carol. Russ, come

in.

>> He won't answer me.

[music]

>> Wait for us, Russ. Major Hogland. And I

want to talk to you. [music]

>> [music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

>> Ross, please come back with us.

>> I'm sorry, but I have to do my job.

Let's go back.

>> Please come in.

>> Come on. Let's get out of here. No,

wait.

>> With your friends, Dr. Marvin.

>> I'm coming with you.

Please come in all of you.

>> I'm going to phone headquarters. You'd

better do as they say.

Heat. Heat.

We must be thousands of miles away from

the Earth

>> and in a matter of seconds.

>> You are many miles away from your

planets, but not in a matter of seconds.

Listen

[screaming]

to your watch. Dr. Marvin

stopped. Supposed to be anti-agnetic.

>> We generate a magnetic field stronger

than the gravitational field on your

earth. This is the principle by which we

move through space. We have adjusted the

magnetic field to compensate for the

normal loss of gravitational effect and

atmospheric pressure.

But your watch hasn't stopped.

Feel your pulse.

I haven't any.

>> Neither have I.

>> We operate in a very different time

reference. You might say all this is

happening between the ticks of your

watch or the beats of your heart.

>> And that's why we we couldn't decipher

your message till it was too late.

>> It made it necessary for us to defend

ourselves at Skyhook.

>> Then you shot down our 11 rockets.

>> Why?

>> At that time, we had no way of knowing.

They were only primitive observation

posts. We thought they might be weapons

directed against us.

Who are you?

Where are you from?

>> Because of your leadership in exploring

the field of outer space, we felt you

could best understand that we are the

survivors of a disintegrated solar

system. At this moment, the remainder of

our fleet is circling your globe.

They are awaiting a signal to tell them

where to land.

>> What do you want with me?

>> Arrange for your world leaders to

conflow with us in the city of

Washington.

>> They may not listen. I'm only a

scientist. We will show you how

important it is to convince your

leaders. In an instant of your time, we

travel from beyond your moon to the

surface of your Earth.

There were 300 men on that ship.

>> Speed, maneuverability,

and force.

>> With a weapon like that, why don't you

just land and take over?

>> To do that would cause worldwide panic.

Despite our power, the few of us would

be busy indefinitely trying to suppress

a large hostile population.

In the end, we would be masters of a

wrecked and hungry planet.

>> What makes you think you'll conquer us

without a fight?

>> We felt it would be best to meet with

you so fighting could be avoided. Such

agreements have been made unrest before.

>> How do you know so much about us?

>> We have the means of accumulating

information. If you wish to convince

yourself about our detailed knowledge,

test us. Any question?

What's the size of the armed forces of

the United States?

>> It is approximately 3 and 12 million

men.

>> What team has won the most World Series?

>> The New York Yankee.

>> Who was the first president of the

United States?

>> I know that voice.

>> Who are you?

John Han,

>> my father,

what have you done to him?

>> You have been addressing General

Henley's mind, not General Henley. Look

behind you.

>> Dare,

>> he will not recognize you. He has been

subjected to a machine we call an

infinitely indexed memory bank. We have

transferred all knowledge from his brain

to our machine. Thus, we have available

and readily accessible.

His total experience.

We can do this to as many as we like and

learn whatever we must know.

>> Oh, stop it. Please stop it.

>> Put that gun away.

Don't look at that.

This is the beginning of the process by

which we read the brain for the

infinitely indexed memory bank.

>> What have you done with my father?

>> We will return him to you eventually.

And the police officer, too.

Will you arrange a conference for us?

>> We will tell the authorities you want

one. That's all we can do.

>> I'm not going to cooperate with these

monsters.

>> It may take weeks or months to set it

up.

>> You will have two of your lunar days or

56 days Earth time.

>> Let them kill us now and be done with.

>> Please, Carol, if our officials don't

believe me, I can't be held responsible.

When you tell of the destroyer being

sunk, refer to latitude 30° 20 minutes,

longitude 45° 15 minutes. They will

believe you.

Well, suppose Major Hudland, my wife,

myself were all hysterical or hypnotized

or whatever you're thinking that we

never saw what these fiends did to

General Hanley or the police officer.

How do you explain the destroyer?

>> There's word that the Atlantic fleet has

lost contact with a vessel in the area,

but there's no confirmation of a

sinking. However, we're continuing to

check.

>> You realize, of course, your contacting

the saucer in the first place violated

our instructions. This itself may have

placed the safety of the entire country

in jeopardy.

>> Now that the damage is done, and

assuming your story is verified, are you

proposing that we meet with these these

creatures and yield to their demands?

>> And why Washington? If they want to

parlay with the whole world, why do they

choose the capital of the United States?

>> They appear to be realists, and

Washington is one of the centers of

political power.

>> What about our atomic and hydrogen

weapons? Wouldn't they be effective

against these saucers? I'd like to

answer that question, sir, if I may. Our

atomic weapons might be effective if we

could deliver them, but to use nuclear

power when they land would destroy our

own cities, and then we don't know

whether they are vulnerable or not.

In answer to your question, Mr. Cassidy,

I've learned little about their mode of

operation, and I've got an idea for a

new kind of weapon.

It's only a guess, of course. A new

weapon in less than 56 days.

>> I have an idea for an ultrasonic gun.

With enough scientific and engineering

help, we could construct a working model

in a very short time. Maybe it'll work.

If not, we'll know soon enough. And in

the meantime, you'll be working on every

other means of defense.

>> We have no choice but to use every

conceivable weapon if they land.

>> Gentlemen, please.

The destroyer Franklin Edison was sunk

at latitude 30° 20 minutes, longitude

45° 15 minutes, and approximately 0600.

>> We are expected at the White House in an

hour for a policy decision that will

probably involve not only our own

country, but the entire world.

>> Whatever the decisions, you may be

certain that you'll be given every

assistance in testing your theory. I

suggest you start to work right away.

Major Hug will make arrangements for

whatever facilities you may require.

>> Thank you.

>> Hello.

>> Hi.

>> How's it going? Well, instead of turning

electric impulses into for high

frequency sound, we nearly burned the

place up about an hour ago.

>> What?

>> All right, let's try it out on the

cement block.

all the way.

>> Well, there goes your generator.

>> But it worked for us. It worked, didn't

it?

>> We know what hit Skyhook.

>> What?

>> Sound.

>> Sound? Well, having two small boys

around the house, I know that noise

doesn't do a man much good. to burn him

up, knock his house down.

>> The sound I had in mind was of a higher

wave frequency than we've ever been able

to produce. Then you mean we've got the

weapon?

>> No, I'm afraid not. With the best

materials and circuits available, all

we've succeeded in doing is pulverizing

the end of a cement block. The theory is

beautiful. We don't have the tools and

the materials to make it work. Maybe in

10 years, five, even two. How many days

left? 27. Russ, remember that report

from Dr. Pekk in New Delhi? He suggested

a different approach. Instead of

attempting to duplicate the ultrasonic

devices of our visitors, we try to

interrupt their magnetic field by

projecting a highly intermittent induced

electrical field. Now, suppose we take

this.

>> Of course, we cut the ultrasonic

wavelength into the circuit and knock

them down like clay pitches.

>> Not so fast, Raj. You know that

>> it can work. It can work. Here, major.

Get on the phone. We'll need the largest

portable generator that's connected. He

makes

>> from all parts of the globe. Under top

priority came every facility and

scientific help [music] the governments

of the world could furnish. Dr. Dr.

Marvin and his staff assembled these

necessary materials in a concealed

laboratory where they were to translate

a short experience in a craft from outer

space into a formula, then plans, and

finally a functioning reality.

It's only a hollow steel ball, but for

our purposes, it's a flying saucer.

You can start up the generator now.

The magnet does that, doesn't it?

>> The magnetic attraction above is enough

to counteract the pull of gravity from

below.

>> Go ahead. It was your idea. You'll be

the first to try it. My idea? Nonsense.

It was just as much yours and Dr. pedics

in India and a dozen other scientists

all over the world. Come on.

[screaming]

It works. It works fine.

Ross, look.

What? What was it?

>> The same kind of thing that's watched us

since the beginning of the project.

>> Watched who?

>> Russ and all the developments of the

rocket program.

>> I always thought it was St. Elmo's fire.

I'll have to change my mind about that.

>> Oh, whatever it was. The sauces sent it

down to find out what we're doing.

>> We have television. They may have some

totally different device that serves the

same purpose. We better get to

Washington before they decide to drop in

on us. Major, give cutting a hand. Load

that gun on the generator truck. Right.

Never mind the files, professor. I'll

take the diagrams.

We ought to be in Washington in about an

hour.

I hope they haven't spotted us. Let's

pull away from the lab. Come on.

>> [music]

>> If that saucer stays in firing range, we

may be able to give the gun its first

real test.

>> [music]

[music]

>> Saucer landing near Belmont Lab. Major

Hugland calling for aerial protection.

Over.

>> They're sending a bomber.

>> We ought to go on with those diagrams as

quickly as we can.

>> I'll get them from Russ.

>> I'll go with you.

Fire up the generator. We're going to

see if this gun really works.

[music]

>> What's the matter?

>> Can't get this blasted thing started.

>> They're looking for us. All right.

Russ, getting you and the plans to

Washington is more important than

anything else.

>> Right. She's right. If this machine

works, if not, it doesn't make any

difference.

>> [music]

>> It works. If we just had a little more

power.

Russ, let's go, please, before it's too

late.

Heat. Heat.

[screaming]

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

>> Keep the gun circling overhead and the

saucer will stay away.

>> [music]

[music]

[music]

>> Ross, [music] be careful.

>> I think it's dead.

It's light as a feather.

[music]

Humanoid and ancient. These suits must

serve as an electronic and mechanical

outer skin. Take the place of their

atrophied flesh and muscles.

[music]

I must get this to a land.

Heat up

here.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

>> [music]

[music]

>> Don't go out there. Don't go out there.

Wow.

[music]

Oh, you're a doctor and Mrs. Marvin now.

>> Carol Russ, we've been waiting for you.

>> Thanks.

>> This is Dr. Alberts.

>> I do.

>> You know General Edmonds is right.

>> Certainly.

>> And Mrs. Marvin is General Henley's

daughter.

>> Mrs. Marvin, your father's death was a

great loss to all of us.

>> Thank you.

Well, I see you've been busy.

>> Oh, we've been doing a little work. Hey,

let me show you. Didn't take too long to

break this thing down. These helmets

have a language translating device in

them.

Mrs. Marvin, would you say something

into the microphone?

>> The quality of mercy is not strained.

It dropth as the gentle rain from

heaven. There you stand. You're standing

up.

>> Shakespeare wouldn't like it.

>> Professor Albert said if we read the

dictionary into the device word by word,

we'd have a translation of those words

into their language.

>> By translating their communications into

our words, we were able to decode them.

Professor Albert's requisition the

electronic translator which his

university had developed and the results

to say the least have been startling.

We've recorded a number of their

messages on tape. One of the messages

appears to be a plan of attack.

>> The rest were operational routine.

>> I'll show you how it worked over here.

We can expect trouble when Mercury is in

perihelion.

When will that be?

>> It happens twice every 3 months.

Information is too vague to be of any

use to us.

and the sun and con Polaris.

>> That implies an orbital relation between

the star Polaris and the sun. We've

never been able to figure it out.

>> The blanks probably refer to their time

computation,

but these messages do involve the sun.

>> Palamar and the other observatories are

watching it around the clock.

>> In the meantime, we have a newer and

stronger version of our interference

machine on the drawing boards at

Aberdine.

>> Has there been any determination of the

weapon's useful range?

>> There's a weakness. Our instruments

indicate that the potential effect drops

off sharply after 1500 yards.

>> We'll have to hope that that's enough.

>> Well, maybe we'll be ready for them when

they come. Has anyone tried that helmet

on?

>> Yes, we have. I think you'd be

interested. Try it.

>> It weighs only a few grams.

>> What's it made of?

>> We don't know exactly. Solidified

electricity is the fancy name given to

it by the Bureau of Standards. It

resists everything we used on it,

including the most extreme temperatures.

>> It makes me Superman for one thing.

>> Yes, we know.

>> I have a peculiar range of vision.

I can also hear a young man just outside

that window discussing a problem in

advanced biology.

>> Carol, would you see if I'm right?

So, I took her home and when I kissed

good night, slap my face. So, I said,

"What's the idea? I didn't slap yours

when you ordered a $4 steak for dinner."

You know, just as we need glasses and

hearing aids, these people need

electronic amplification of all their

senses, especially sight and hearing.

>> Does that suggest anything to you?

>> They have their weaknesses.

When will we be ready?

>> We'll need at least a couple of weeks.

>> People of Earth, attention.

People of Earth, attention.

This is a voice speaking to you from

thousands of miles beyond your planet.

This is a voice speaking to you from

thousands of miles beyond your planet.

Look to your son for a warning. Look to

your son for a warning.

Following eruptions on your son, there

will be eight days and nights of

meteorological convulsion.

>> Turn it down.

>> Soon they're arrogant enough their

schedule in advance. They're coming down

to take over. They made that clear to us

in the saucer. They can move so fast and

strike so hard they ought to be able to

sneak in and flatten us peacefully.

>> They expect to terrify us with a display

of power.

>> They're contemptuous of our defenses.

>> People of the earth, attention.

>> This is a voice speaking to you from

thousands of If

>> I'm right, they'll sail to Washington in

broad daylight. Expect us to capitulate

when they land.

>> Speaking to you from thousands of miles

beyond your planet. People of Earth,

attention.

People of Earth, attention.

This is a voice speaking to you from

thousands of miles beyond your planet.

This is a voice speaking to you from

thousands of miles beyond your planet.

Look to your son for a warning. Look to

your son. It's coming over everywhere.

Following eruptions on your son, there

will be eight days and nights of

meteorological convulsions.

Soon thereafter,

>> and he can immobilize the whole country

>> force in the capital city of the United

States,

>> world.

>> Let all nations be represented in

Washington to confer with us. US

people of the earth of tension. In every

country of the world, in every language,

every means of electronic communication

was jammed with the message. [music] The

warning was dimmed into the ears of the

Earth's population unceasingly for 12

hours. And after the 12th hour, silence,

then a tremendous explosion on the

surface of the sun.

9 days.

That must be what the missing words

meant. I get the picture. Thanks. If I

need any more information, I'll call you

back. Goodbye.

>> That was a Bureau of Meteorology.

As we know, some spots have a direct

effect upon our weather. We can expect

heavy storms, tidal waves, hurricanes.

>> When?

>> Beginning now and continuing for 8 days.

>> It's when we most need our

communications and transport. We'll have

to work under the worst possible

conditions to prepare for an attack.

What's the schedule, General?

>> You're working on the installation of

the interference units. Our plans for

evacuating the city are already

underway.

>> Then it's been decided that we'll fight.

When an armed and threatening power

lands uninvited in our capital, we don't

meet him with tea and cookies.

>> There's a job of production expediting

waiting for me.

>> I don't believe further discussion will

solve our problem.

>> Before we break up, let me remind you

that we have nine days left.

One of those days is already half gone.

What a nice going away present.

>> You might call it that.

Is my bag packed?

>> Mhm. Mine, too. [music] What time do we

leave?

>> I have to leave right now. I'm going to

Aberdeene to supervise the interference

project.

>> So, that wasn't a hello kiss at all.

Was goodbye

>> for a little while. You're going to have

to leave town. They're evacuating

Washington.

>> Where am I going?

>> Palm Springs. Remember the place I told

you about?

>> Mhm.

>> We were going there together.

>> I know you're playing these tonight.

>> Frost, let me stay. Maybe I can help.

>> There's nothing more you can do.

Here's your ticket.

You will arrive before the bad weather

sets in,

and I'll be there soon.

First of man's vital communications to

suffer were the shipping lanes and

airways.

Then transport by rail and highway

ground to a halt.

When the telephone and telegraph systems

had failed and the radio networks were

forced to bear the burden alone, they

too succumbed to interference known to

originate in an increasing disturbance

[music] in the sun.

The world crippled by these events

waited for the first sign of an invasion

from outer space.

Because of the atmospheric violence, it

was not until the ninth day that an

orderly evacuation of the city of

Washington could be attempted. Although

the authorities and the military worked

miracles, when the 10th day dawned, more

than 60% of the people of Washington

were still in the metropolitan area.

>> Think these at CIC? [music]

>> Yes, sir.

>> Mrs. Marvin,

>> your husband told me you were in Palm

Springs.

>> The plane schedules were cancelled

before I could get away. Have you heard

from Russ?

>> There's been practically no

communication with Aberdine. Wires are

down. Radio jammed, but I'm expecting a

courier any minute.

A red alert.

>> [music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

>> saw. Also heading in low over the

Atlantic, coming in fast.

[music]

They're breaking through our defenses.

Ground all aircraft.

They'll be overhead any minute. You

better get down to the shelter.

Wait a moment, Mrs. Marvin.

>> Truck convoys from Maverine are taking

up positions in the city. Your husband's

section is nearing the Pentagon. [music]

>> Thanks.

Heat. Heat.

>> [music]

>> Heat.

Heat.

>> [screaming]

>> unit calling GHQ. The saucer hidden down

in the battoic

>> [music]

>> Keep it in your field [music] so it

can't fire at us.

[music]

[music]

Let's

[music]

go.

[music]

[music]

Fire and saucer until it crashes.

>> Russ

[music]

Carol, I thought you'd gone to GHQ

calling all HF units. GHQ calling all HF

units. [music] Saucer hovering vicinity

white house and capital.

Heat. Heat.

Attention

all units. Saucer now landing vicinity

white house. Attention all units.

>> Sounds like they're jamming us.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

[screaming]

[music]

[music]

Heat. Heat.

Heat.

[screaming]

>> [screaming]

>> Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat. [music]

[music]

Heat.

Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

[music]

Dr. Marvin, Dr. Marvin, we've made

contact with GHQ.

>> GHQ to all HF units, attention. Saucer

has landed in front of Capital Building.

All HF units, attention. GHQ to all HF

units.

[music]

>> [music]

>> Keep firing at sauces.

Heat. Heat.

[screaming]

>> [music]

>> The present danger is ended. The present

danger is ended.

The present danger is ended.

The present danger is ended. All units,

report to your commanders for further

orders.

The present danger is ended.

Don't wiggle.

>> Here's what it says.

The president [music] has ordered

Project Skyhook rebuilt and the space

exploration program continued under the

direction of Dr. Russell A. Marvin. The

United Nations Assembly voted

unanimously today to award a gold medal

to Dr. Marvin.

>> And to Mrs. Marvin goes a gold medal

from Dr. Marvin for her love, courage,

devotion, etc., etc., etc.

Russ, do you think there are anymore?

>> Will they come back again?

>> Not on such a nice day.

[music]

>> And not to such a nice world. I'm glad

it's still here

>> and still ours.

>> [music]

[music]