Original subtitles

I'm sorry, sir. You can't go in there. We're on the air.

I'm Admiral Nelson. I have to get inside. Look, I'm sorry.

You can't go in there. You'll have to wait till the program's over.

I-I can't wait. Look. I-I have special permission.

[ Man ] Think for a moment of all that implies.

Power--

Power to run the machines of the world at a cost so small...

as to be almost free.

And in unlimited supply...

simply by harnessing the vast untapped energy.

My project to control the power of the tides is already started.

Dr. Mason, you mentioned resistance in some quarters.

- Would you care to name any names? - I see no reason not to.

There is one man in particular in the scientific community...

who has fought this project from its inception.

As a matter fact, the principal reason for my calling this hurried press conference...

is to prevent this man, in a press conference of his own,

from feeding his lies to the world.

Dr. Mason, is there any reluctance on your part to name the man?

None whatsoever.

This man, who is trying so desperately...

to deprive the peoples of the world...

of this magnificent benefit,

is Admiral Harriman Nelson.

Liar!

You're a liar and a fraud.

Get him!

Dr. Mason?

[ Man ] Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.

Starring Richard Basehart,

David Hedison.

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.

The whole world is shocked by the brutal and ruthless murder it has just witnessed.

The body of Dr. Mason is being removed.

We're waiting now for word of the capture of Admiral Nelson...

who, in an obvious moment of insanity,

cold-bloodedly shot down his bitter rival--

the man whose project he so vigorously opposed.

For the moment, it would appear that Admiral Nelson has made a clean getaway,

although it seems plain that with the entire world alerted,

his capture is just a matter of--

[ Clicks Off ]

[ Sighs ]

Well? Hmm. It's somebody impersonating me obviously.

But why?

What are you doing?

The sooner the world knows you were sitting right here with me at the time the better.

Anything wrong? Ah, it's dead.

[ Switches Clicking ]

[ Static ]

Listen to this.

[ Scoffs ] Jamming.

[ Switches Clicking ]

Evidently-- [ Clears Throat ] we're not supposed to contact the outside.

It seems like a pretty well-organized plot.

Maybe it's organized, but it's stupid. What if they do arrest you?

All we need is my testimony.

I mean, we were both right here when somebody who looked like you shot and killed Dr. Mason.

Once I tell my story, what have they gained? Hmm!

Time. Time, Lee, that we can't afford to lose.

I haven't told you, I haven't told anyone about Mason's project.

Look here.

There's no question the man was a genius.

As part of his project he and his group developed and built an electromagnet...

larger and more powerful than anyone dreamed possible.

I never heard him talk about it.

I was probably the only one outside the group who knew about it,

and I think I know where he's hidden it.

[ Pencil Tapping ] Somewhere in this area right here.

In the ocean? On the ocean bottom where it's almost impossible to detect it.

Why all the secrecy?

To control a monopoly supplying power to the entire world.

Pretty high stakes. Yeah. And that's not all.

Look here.

[ Sighs ]

- What's the moon got to do with it? - Everything.

Mason's device has already established a magnetic field around the moon...

powerful enough to alter its orbit.

You mean to tell me that this, uh, machine of Dr. Mason's...

could actually change the position of the moon?

It already has slightly. Well, did he realize that?

No. It was his one blind spot.

He was so obsessed with his drive to control the tides...

that he couldn't see what he was about to do to the earth.

And what's that? The moon will be pulled closer and closer to us.

Now, if it reaches the point of no return before we can destroy the electromagnet,

it'll crash into us...

and quite literally...

end the world.

[ Siren Wailing ]

Then it must be one of Mason's associates who are trying to keep you quiet.

There must be somebody we can warn.

After what's just happened, nobody's about to listen to me.

All we can do, all we have time to do is find the installation and destroy it.

[ Beeping ]

See who it is. I'll keep out of sight. Right.

[ Clicking ]

Skipper, did you see it? Were you watching that show?

I saw it. I mean, I-- I just couldn't believe my eyes.

Why? Why did he do it? I mean, right there in front of the whole world.

It would be a rather careless way of killing someone, wouldn't it?

- Admiral? - Evening, Chief.

Wha-- How'd you get here? I just saw you on--

He never left here.

What you saw was somebody doing a very convincing impersonation of me.

[ Laughs ] I knew it. I knew it couldn't be you, sir.

[ Siren Wails, Grows Louder ]

[ Tires Screech, Siren Stops ]

They're here. Hmm.

Lee, how soon can you get Seaview under way?

Hmm-- [ Clicks Tongue ] about three hours.

Admiral, listen. We can take the heat off and really buy some time.

Now, let me go to the authorities in Los Angeles with a sworn statement.

At least we can cancel the arrest order...

and force the government to listen.

It might work.

Eh, Chief, can you assemble the crew and get Seaview ready? Aye, sir.

But, uh, you better get going, because, uh--

I'll handle that.

Better leave that way. Take the back road through the mountains. You can't risk any explanations.

Right.

[ Knocking ]

Go ahead. Open the door. But remember--

You haven't seen me. Huh? Aye, sir.

[ Knocking Continues ]

Go ahead. Take a look.

[ Parking Brake Cranks ]

Mm-hmm.

Okay.

All right.

Hi, Mr. Morton. I see you got my message. Chief.

What's going on? We're shoving off any minute now.

At least, maybe we are.

Here's the manifest. It's all up to date, sir.

How much do you know about this business with the admiral?

He didn't shoot anybody, sir. I got that straight from him and the skipper.

But I better let them tell you the rest. [ Sparks ] Mr. Morton.

You're just in time. Special newscast is going on now.

Hey, watch this, Mr. Morton. Maybe we're not gonna have to sail after all.

Come on. Watch this.

Sparks, have you alerted the admiral? I called him at his office.

He's watching. Good.

...which may throw some light on the wild rumor that has begun to circulate--

a rumor that Admiral Nelson was seen far from the scene of the assassination...

at the exact moment the shot was fired.

Captain Lee Crane of the Seaview is in the studio now,

ready to throw some light on the report concerning the supposed whereabouts...

of Admiral Nelson at the instant of the shooting.

Now, if our cameras can pull back so that Captain Crane can be seen,

we'll proceed with the questioning.

Captain, I understand you came here voluntarily. Is that true, sir?

Yes, it is. And as I understand it,

this report is to the effect that someone claims to have been with Admiral Nelson...

far from the scene of the assassination which shocked the world.

- [ Crane ] That is correct. - Are you aware, sir, that your name has been mentioned...

as the person who presumably can give Admiral Nelson an airtight alibi?

- Yes, sir, I am. - Will you tell the watching world where you were...

when Dr. Randolph Mason was shot and killed?

In Admiral Nelson's office at the Nelson Institute at Santa Barbara.

And who was with you at that time?

No one. I was alone.

[ Interviewer ] Then Admiral Nelson was not with you?

How could he have been?

I was watching him on television.

I saw him shoot and kill Dr. Mason right here in this very TV studio.

[ Brakes Hiss ]

All right.

Okay.

I got it.

Say, Chief? Hmm?

Uh, we're not gonna sail without the admiral, are we?

Of course not. The whole idea is to get him out of here. How's he getting on board?

The whole dock out there is swarming with police. Let's leave that to the admiral.

Okay.

All right. Hold it.

Hold it. Give it some slack.

That's it.

Kowalski, give us a hand. Right.

All right, take it up. Close hatch and secure loading.

I'll get a detail, and we'll stow it. Good idea.

[ Pounding ]

Let's get that box open. Quick!

On the double!

Give me a hand!

[ Groans ] That's rather an undignified way to come aboard, wouldn't you say?

[ All Chuckling ]

Missile Room, this is the exec.

We're standing by to cast off, but there's been no word yet from Admiral Nelson.

There is now, Chip.

Admiral? How soon can we get under way?

Uh, immediately, sir. But, uh, there's one thing.

Captain Crane is topside with the officer of the deck.

He's requesting permission to come aboard, sir. The skipper.

After what he said about you over the air, Admiral, I'd like to get my hands on him.

What do I tell him, sir?

Why don't you try something obvious like "welcome aboard"?

I'll be right there.

Hello, Chip.

Lee.

Where's the admiral?

He's aboard.

All right. Let's get under way.

What happened?

All right, come to my cabin. We have to discuss this. Aye, sir.

Oh, so that's the whole story. Yeah.

I was pretty lucky, I guess.

Then when I got back...

I heard what I was supposed to have said about you over the air.

What are you gonna tell the crew?

Well, what else can we tell them but the truth?

But you know, I'm not sure I know what the truth is anymore.

Well, now you know what it feels like to be impersonated on a worldwide network.

But it was a beautiful job. You've got to hand him that.

I'm more concerned about his motives than his talent.

Someone has gone to fantastic lengths to stop us...

from reaching Mason's installation and destroying it.

Yes, but if they do stop you, they'll die along with everyone else, won't they?

Well, obviously they don't believe that, but it's academic anyway.

They've tried to stop us, and they've failed.

[ On Intercom ] Skipper, this is Sparks. Yes, Sparks?

Can you come to the radio shack, sir? It's important.

Very well. Excuse me, Admiral. Mm-hmm.

Lee, I don't have to remind you.

We must reach that installation on time.

Admiral, you don't have to remind me.

[ Door Opens, Closes ]

What is it, Sparks? Coast Guard, sir.

Our port clearance has been withdrawn. We're to put about and return immediately.

They're a little late. We've already passed the breakwater.

There's a cutter overhauling us now, sir, with a warrant to board and search.

Do you want to talk to their commander, Skipper? No.

Give him my compliments, and tell him to go to the devil.

Chip, I want a crash dive to 90 feet. All ahead flank. Aye, aye, sir.

Clear the bridge and prepare to crash dive.

[ Alarm Blaring ]

We're at 90 feet and moving at flank. The Coast Guard tried to stop us.

[ Scoffs ] I'm not surprised.

By now they've probably ordered the whole navy to hunt us down.

Well, there's our target area. How long will it take us to reach it?

Oh, I figure, uh, 24, 25 hours.

That's cutting it too close.

The moon will reach the point of no return in less than 25 hours,

and if we haven't destroyed the electromagnet by then--

All right. We can shave that time by 20 minutes--

even a few minutes more if we get the breaks.

Is that enough?

Well, it'll have to be. All right, set the course.

Aye, sir.

Chip.

Here's our course. All running speeds are marked.

As we hit each point let me know how we're doing, all right?

I'll see to it at once.

[ Switches Clicking ]

I had this videotape recorded at the institute while the press conference was going on.

I remember thinking at the time that it might come in handy for future reference.

I didn't know how right I was.

I'm starting it just before the shooting. Now watch. [ Clicks On ]

None whatsoever.

This man, who is trying so desperately...

to deprive the peoples of the world...

of this magnificent benefit,

is Admiral Harriman Nelson.

Liar! You're a liar and a fraud.

You know, it's even harder to believe the second time.

That man looks exactly like you.

Uh-huh, it's incredible.

So far I haven't been able to detect a single false note that might give him away.

Admiral, if you don't mind, I'm gonna check on our progress and then hit the sack.

We've got a hard run ahead of us tomorrow. All right.

Good night, Lee. Yeah, good night, sir.

Chief, check these figures out. Aye, sir.

Mr. Morton.

Are you aware of our present course?

Yes, sir, I think so. You think so.

Look at this.

- It looks all right to me. - All right?

This course is almost the exact opposite of the one I gave you.

The course you gave me?

Yes. Not more than 30 minutes ago I gave you a course to set,

and you deliberately ignored the order.

Hold on a minute. You never gave me any such order.

What are you talking about? I gave it to you in person right here in the control room.

A half hour ago? That's right.

Chief, come here a minute please.

Sir? Tell the skipper where I've been for the past 45 minutes.

Well, he was with me, sir, inspecting the stores in the missile room.

You can swear I never handed you that course?

I can swear it.

All right. Forget what I said.

Set this course... on the double.

I'll be in the admiral's cabin if you want me.

Aye, aye.

You're sure?

I'm positive! The man I gave those original orders to was not Chip Morton.

Do you know what this means? We have an uninvited guest aboard.

It's worse than that. We have a man who can look like anyone he chooses.

From now on we can't trust anyone we see-- not even each other.

Now, wait a minute. I know who you are, and you know who I am.

Otherwise I wouldn't have brought you this information. Yes, right now we know.

But what about the next time we see each other? What about when we sleep?

He could impersonate either one of us. Who knows what orders he might give?

Then we can't sleep-- not until the mission's over with anyway.

That's at least 24 hours, and look at you now.

On the ragged edge of exhaustion.

Well, I'll, uh-- I'll go down to sick bay and get a pill.

That'll keep me going. That's a good idea. Have Doc give you something.

Right.

[ Sighs ]

When you're dealing with nature, you pay for what you get.

Sure, I can keep you wide awake for another 24 hours.

But at the end of that time you're going to be dangerously exhausted.

That doesn't matter. Once the mission's over, I can sleep for a week.

Look, Doc, you have no idea how important this is.

Well, if it's as important as all that,

I'd like to give you something that'll work a lot faster and better than pills.

I hope you don't mind my giving you a shot, Skipper.

Anything that'll work fast, Doc.

Oh, this will work very fast, I assure you.

In a few seconds you'll never know you were tired.

Doc, when you finish with the captain, can you take care of me?

My pleasure, Admiral. Only take a few seconds. Mm-hmm.

Oh, by the way, have you finished that special medical report I asked for?

Uh, no, not yet. I've been pretty busy.

Oh. Pretty busy, huh?

[ Screams ]

[ Groans ]

[ Muffled Grunt ]

[ Kicking ]

You all right? Yeah, I-- I think so.

Quick, come in here. [ Groaning ]

What is it, and is there an antidote?

[ Sniffs ]

He'll be okay.

A few seconds more, though, and he would've been dead. [ Groans ]

Oh. I-I, uh--

I'm all right now. Yeah, you'll be fine.

[ Inhales, Exhales Deeply ]

Why did you hit Doc that way?

Another impersonation, Lee. I didn't order any medical report.

Oh, did you see whoever it was that tied you up?

No. He slugged me from behind.

Next thing I knew I woke up bound and gagged in there.

Well, you won't have any trouble finding him. He can't get off the ship.

- He doesn't have to. - What?

He can appear as anyone. A search would be useless.

Uh, can you handle yourself now?

- I'm fine. - Good.

Bring us up to periscope depth. Aye.

I hope you're gonna be all right too. Hmm?

I'll be fine, Admiral. Just-- Just fine.

Take a look.

It looks 10 times bigger than normal.

Hmm, it's moving rapidly toward the Earth.

My calculations are proving out exactly.

Everybody in the world must be aware of it by now.

[ Chuckles ] I'm sure they are. They're just not aware of the cause.

I'm gonna correct that right now.

You're gonna get in touch Washington? Why not?

They believe I'm a murderer, but they can't deny what's happening to the moon.

Sparks, this is a coded message, priority one.

Break radio silence and send it to Washington immediately.

Aye, aye, sir.

Any questions?

No, sir. I'll transmit at once.

[ Switch Clicks, Morse Code Beeping ]

Everything all right? He's transmitting.

Eh, we better check course and position. I was just about to.

You know, from now on...

we're gonna have to be suspicious of every man aboard.

Chief. Hi, Sparks.

Say, Chief. Hi, Sparks.

What did you want?

Uh-- Didn't, uh--

Didn't I just pass-- [ Chuckles ]

Nah, it couldn't be.

Look, I got your message, but when I came out to look for you, you weren't here.

Message? What message?

Chief, you called me on the intercom. Said you wanted to see me.

Uh, I didn't call anybody.

Well, somebody must have goofed.

It doesn't matter. We're on radio silence anyhow.

Yeah, sure.

Well, I'd better get back to my post.

Man, I don't feel so good.

Well, mine checks out. Does yours?

We're on course and schedule. That's a relief.

[ Morton ] Sonar contact, Lee.

Bearing 1-0 relative.

Range 5-0-0 and closing. It looks like a sub.

- They must be tracking us. - What if we're fired on?

Under no circumstances return fire. We've got to lose her.

If we can.

[ Handset Clatters ]

Attention, all hands. This is the captain speaking.

Activate anti-sonar gear...

and rig for silent running.

Rig for silent running.

Trim satisfactory, sir.

Hold it as long as you can.

[ Mechanical Whirring ]

That's propellers.

They're bearing down.

They may ram us.

Hold tight.

[ Whispering ] They're close...

to starboard.

[ Mechanical Whirring Continues ]

[ Sighs ]

She's lost us.

[ Clanging ]

What's that? All ahead flank. Secure silent running.

Kowalski!

What are you doin'?

Kowalski! Kowals--

How does it look?

If she doesn't open fire we can shake her off. I don't think she will.

Apparently they don't want to destroy this ship and crew even to get me.

Admiral.

That was Kowalski who was banging on the pipes.

He was acting like-- like a wild man. I think he's blown his stack.

And now I can't find him. All right. Simmer down, Chief. Now, simmer down.

We can explain it. I think it's about time we did, hmm?

Admiral, if you can explain some of the things I've been seeing around here...

I would sure appreciate it.

All right. But in my cabin.

Lee, you'd better come too. You don't think we'll be fired on, do you?

No, no, we won't. Come along.

Carry on.

And this guy, he could even look like me if he wanted to?

Yes, even, uh-- even like you, Chief.

How do we know he isn't doing it right now? We don't.

Now, wait a minute. I'm me.

I may not be sure of much right now, but I'm sure of that. I'm me!

Chief, you're the only person aboard we've taken into our confidence because we need you.

But first we have to check you out.

Sit down, Francis.

Sit down.

We're going to ask you some questions--

personal questions.

Yes, sir.

Where were you born?

Eh, in a part of Brooklyn. What part?

Coney Island.

- School? - Lincoln High.

Mm-hmm.

Now, you got, uh-- you got an "A" in only one course there.

Now, uh-- Now, what was it?

Home ec.

No, I'd like something a little bit more specific. What subject?

Admiral, that's something I never told anybody but you.

All right, you can tell me again.

- Yeah, but-- - It won't go any further, Chief.

- Go ahead. - Cooking.

I was the only guy in the class. It was, uh, kind of a gag.

Well, this is our chief all right.

We have to catch this man, and we need your help.

You know this crew better than anyone else. That's right, sir.

Now, you see, Chief, the thing we're most worried about is...

he might try to sabotage the ship.

So we've planted a booby trap inside the main powder locker...

on the theory that sooner or later he'll come looking for high explosives.

We want you to keep your eyes open. If you see anyone acting suspicious,

keep him in sight.

If he heads for the powder locker, just let him go.

Don't interfere. But the powder locker's off limits to all hands...

except with the written permission from you.

Exactly. So if he goes in, the booby trap will explode and knock him out. Right?

Yeah, I, uh-- I understand.

That's all, Francis.

That's all.

Oh, uh, by the way, Chief, thanks for your cooperation.

Uh, aye, aye. I mean, uh,

you're welcome, sir.

The moon's just rising. It looks twice as big as it did last night.

You want to take a look? I'd just as soon not see it.

Mm-hmm.

Will we make it in time? Well, the admiral thinks so.

We've still got four hours to find and destroy the installation.

And if it isn't where the admiral thinks it is, then what?

Then we can all stop worrying... about everything.

Lee. Come here a moment please.

Take over.

I want you to have a look at this. Mm-hmm.

[ Man Announcing ] ...while on the East Coast record-breaking tides,

brought on by the rapidly approaching moon, have produced widespread flooding.

Hurricanes have hit many areas of the Western Hemisphere,

and tidal waves are spreading over much of the globe.

In the meanwhile, the search for Admiral Nelson is still--

[ Clicks Off ] There's more of the same from everywhere in the world.

I hope we'll be in time to stop it.

Are you, um, sure of your figures?

[ Chuckles ] Lee, I'd better be.

Right.

Well, sir, I, uh-- um--

Excuse me.

Lee, you got a minute?

Yeah. Something wrong? I'm not sure.

Um, what's with Chief Sharkey?

Nothing. Why?

He's been acting very strange. First, the way he's been looking at me...

- and then the questions he's been asking. - Like what?

Uh, where was I born? Where'd I go to high school?

Uh, what kind of subjects did I take?

Oh, well, uh, don't worry about it, Chip. He, uh-- He's just trying to do his job.

[ Object Clatters ]

[ Scoffs ]

[ Explosion ]

[ Groans ]

Chief.

[ Groaning ]

Corpsman, lay down to corridor "F" on the double.

The chief's been hurt. [ Corpsman ] Aye, sir.

[ Groans ]

[ Whispers ] Kowalski?

I don't know anything about it, Skipper.

I was on my way from the missile room when I got hit on the back of the head.

That's all I know.

His story hasn't changed from the moment he regained consciousness.

If you ask me, he's telling the truth. Hmm.

[ On Speaker ] This is Nelson. Is Captain Crane still there?

Uh, right here, sir. Kowalski is still sticking to his story.

Hmm. He must've been hypnotized and used as a decoy...

to make us believe that he was the guilty one.

Lee, you better come to my cabin right away. Be right there, sir.

Take good care of him. You bet.

Come on. Lie down, Ski.

[ Groans ]

...of this magnificent benefit is Admiral Harriman Nelson.

Liar! You're a liar and a fraud.

You know, this scene fascinates me for a lot of reasons.

Here right in front of us is the answer to our man's real identity,

and I'm sure it's not Kowalski. I never thought it was.

But I saw him disguised as the Chief.

That doesn't mean he did the disguising.

The man we're after is a master of makeup.

He could have done the job on anyone, not just himself.

Which means that...

the man is still aboard.

Well, we've got less than two hours to go.

He's gonna have to do something really desperate now. He may even blow us all up.

And himself along with us? No, no, I don't think so.

From what he's done so far, I'm sure he doesn't want to kill himself.

No, the ship is safe as long as he's aboard.

Admiral, this is the exec. Go ahead, Chip.

The gunner's mate reports a missing package of high explosives--

enough to blow us sky high.

Chip, this is the captain. I'll investigate it.

[ Dial Clicks ]

[ Clicks Off ]

[ Ticking ]

[ Groaning ]

Chip, is the flying sub ready for launching?

We just finished a routine check. She's set for duty. Good.

Stand by for launch. I'm taking her out. Alone?

Yes, I've got an idea I want to check out.

[ Grunts ] I won't be gone long.

[ Switches Clicking ]

[ Engine Revving ]

All right, Chip. Prepare to launch.

Aye, sir.

Chip. Lee!

Who ordered the flying sub launched? Why, you did.

Unless I'm out of my mind, you're out there aboard it right now! Wait a minute.

You saw me give you orders and then take off, right?

I could have sworn it.

[ Sighs ]

[ Handset Clatters ]

Admiral, it's happened.

He's jumped ship.

Admiral, can you hear me?

He's not in his cabin.

You mean, who is ever out there in the flying sub is trying to blow up the ship?

All right, now keep on course and maintain flank speed.

We've got to find that installation and destroy it no matter what.

But if a time bomb has been planted here on the sub-- I don't care!

We've got to find it.

Sound general quarters.

Battle stations. Battle stations.

[ Alarm Blaring ]

Hold it, Kowalski. You're in no condition--

Anytime now, gentlemen.

Anytime.

[ Low Humming, Clicking ]

We've got a definite reading, sir. Good.

[ Humming, Clicking Intensifies ]

Escape hatch.

[ Ticking ]

It won't go off as long as it's ticking.

- And if it stops? - Ten seconds, maybe less.

[ Ticking Stops ]

[ Firing ]

[ Explosion ]

[ Pounding ]

Kowalski!

Easy, easy, easy!

Let's get him out of here. Sailor!

Come on, come on!

They're all gone now. All of them.

No more Nelson.

No more Crane.

Get out. I'll take over.

[ Grunts ]

[ Intense Whirring, Humming ]

Are you all right, Admiral? [ Grunts ]

Here's our man.

Let's see who you really are.

Well, Mason.

For an assassination victim, you've made a remarkable recovery.

Contact. Contact dead ahead.

Range? Twelve hundred yards, sir.

That's the electromagnet. Fire away, Lee. Blow 'em to bits.

Four torpedoes in salvo, Chip.

Missile Room, torpedoes one, two, three and four to fire in salvo.

[ Man On Loudspeaker ] Aye, sir! Range, 1-0-5-0 yards.

Bearing, 0 relative.

Range, 1-0-5-0 yards. Bearing, 0 relative.

sir. Fire.

In salvo, fire. [ Torpedoes Firing ]

Four, three,

two, one. Who was it?son.

to look like me.

[ Sighs ]er, The whole world's waiting to get their hands on him.

Just wondering how they can possibly find the punishment...