All language subtitles for Monster That Challenged the World (1957)

This is the salton sea

in Southern California.

A strange phenomenon,
in which nature

has placed 400 square miles

of salt water in the
middle of an arid desert.

In the desert,
near the shore of the sea,

the government has established

one of its most important
naval research bases.

At the laboratory
on the secluded

south tip of the base,

top-secret atomic experiments

are carried out under
rigid security control.

At the airfield,
under the direction

of the parachute test unit,

planes leave on daily missions

for the jump area
over the salton sea,

where Navy men
dive in the government's

continuous researching
of parachutes,

to meet the
ever-increasing demands

of modern flight.

On may 17,
in the early afternoon,

an earthquake occurred
in the desert area.

Its force was
strong enough to be felt

at the research base,

even though its epicenter
was 10 miles away

in the wild rock
formations 350 feet

below the surface
of the salton sea.

However, less than 2 hours

after the earthquake,

the base was back to
normal operating procedure.

Lt. Hollister,
of the parachute test unit,

was preparing to make

the last-scheduled
jump of the day.

Hollister was a veteran
of over 300 test flights.

For him, this was to be
one more routine jump.

Meanwhile, on the salton sea,

crewmen Johnson and Sanders

were headed out
to meet lt. Hollister.

And for them,

this was to be
one more routine pickup.

This is flutterboy 2-4-2
calling Navy 8-7.

You are now in sight. Over.

Hollister now

preparing to jump. Over and out.

He's down.

Navy 8-7, this is flutterboy 2-4-2.
Over.

This is Navy 8-7. Over.

He's in sight.

You're clear to return
to the base. Over.

Roger. Leaving for home.
Over and out.

Flutterboy 2-4-2 calling
land radio 4. Over.

Land radio 4. Come in.

Jumper landed safely.

He's down about 2-miles in,

off the southeast tip.

That's pretty far out. Hope
this doesn't take all night.

Yeah, I'll call you back.

Where is he?

I don't know.

He's gotta be here.
I saw him hit.

Hey, lieutenant!

I'm going down for him.

You see him?

No. I'll try the other side.

Johnson?

Johnson!

Johnson!

Johnson!

Uh.

Ah!

Ah!

This is land radio 4 calling

flutterboy 2-4-2.
Come in, please.

Land radio 4
calling flutterboy 2-4-2.

Come in.

Come in, flutterboy 2-4-2.

El centro base.

Naval intelligence, please.

Cmdr. Twillinger's office.

He's on the other line.
Okay, I'll put you on hold.

Lieutenant, I appreciate
your calling,

but there's nothing I can do.

He went awol, it doesn't matter

what the circumstances were.

I'll have to refer the case.

Wait a minute!

In the 1 week
that I've been here,

I've had a dozen
different cases come up.

I don't decide these things.

I'm an investigating officer,
not a judge.

All right,
I'll send you notification.

I know this guy. He's all right.

He made a mistake, but...

He sure did!

Commander, Wyatt on 3.

Wyatt?

He's our radioman
at the salton sea pier.

Twillinger. Yes, Wyatt.

How long ago?

45 minutes.

No, I've lost radio contact.

It's not a mechanical failure
at this end.

Have a boat standing by.
I'll be there in 5 minutes.

Trouble?

The last pickup crew
hasn't reported in.

We'll have to go out.
Sally, wait until I call you.

Yes, sir.

Still there, mom?

Looks like ironheart's

gonna work late again tonight.

That's right.

Shove off.

I don't see why
they weren't covered

for something like this.

They jump close
to 20 men every day.

It's a good system,
nothing goes wrong.

Something went wrong this time.

A boat off the port bow, sir.

She looks deserted.
Head up alongside.

Aye.

It's Sanders.

Check the water
for the other men.

Yes, sir.

Sam.

Look at this.

What is it?

I don't know.
You better take a sample.

Have the lab run a test.

Commander, there's something

surfacing on the portside.

It's Hollister.

Like I told you, he said he'd

call me back later
and that was all.

That's when you lost contact?

Yes, and I called the base.

When you talked last,
was everything normal?

Yes. We was just kiddin',

you know how you get
on the phone.

That's against regulations.

Yes, sir.

Have a report in my
office in the morning.

Yes, sir.

May I have that sample
we took off the boat?

Right here.

How long's
that autopsy on Hollister

gonna take?

We'll have it early tomorrow.

I'll cover it for you.

Take some divers

and go after Johnson
in the morning.

It's too late to dive now.

Okay.

I want to take this to the lab.

It's right there.

Go through the main door
and turn to your right.

I've already spoken
to Dr. Rogers.

Good.

We won't need you
anymore, Wyatt.

Thank you, sir.

That your new boss?

Yeah.

Sure is an eager beaver, sir.

Yeah, that he is.

You might know I'd be
making eight carbons.

I said I'm always
making eight carbons

when my fingers go to...

Hello.

Is this Dr. Rogers' office?

Yes.

I'm cmdr. Twillinger.

I'll tell him.

I think you were notified
that I was coming.

I was sorry to hear
about the accident.

Young lady, you're
not to discuss that

with anyone. Do you understand?

No, of course not.

I'm Dr. Rogers, commander.

Twillinger.

Lt. Clemens said you have

a substance to be analyzed.

I do. It's in here.

Come on,
let's take a look at it.

Where did you find this?

On the boat, near the body.

Lt. Clemens told me
what happened.

I'm terribly sorry.

We lost 3 men, so far.

At least, we think it's 3.

We've only recovered 2 bodies.

He said there was
something unnatural

about the condition
of one of the bodies.

There was. It was shriveled.

Shriveled?

Sometimes seawater

does strange things
to human flesh.

In this case, I don't think so.

Would you say that the water

in the sea could be radioactive?

Commander, let me answer
you in this way.

My 2 assistants do a lot

of diving related to our work.

I know that.

We don't take any chances
with radioactivity.

Our sea experiments
had nothing to do with

what happened to your men

or the condition of that body.

You might be wrong.

I've found
that people are always

jumping to wild conclusions

concerning atomic reaction.

Science fact and science
fiction are not the same.

Not in the least.
Just take a few minutes.

Can you make it
as fast as possible?

It'll only take a little while,

as long as I'm not interrupted.

I'll be outside.

Gail, I'm returning
your child in the same

condition as
when I got her. I think.

Hi, sweetie.

Hi, mommy.

Excuse me.

It's all right.

May I go look at the rabbits?

Not today, sweetie.

Please. Hm-mmm.

Mommy, of all those rabbits,
i like grace the best.

You can't see her today.

That's okay,

I've got a ladybug

to keep me company.

Gail, when will the
boys be finished?

They got tied up
because of the earthquake

and had to reset all the tests.

Oh.

Hey. 2 minutes.

Your wife and unborn child

are starving.

A minute and a half.

What a life!

Did I ever tell you
that I detest this lab?

That husband of mine

even has "top secret" stamped

in red ink in the middle
of his chest.

He does. "Secret,
secret, secret."

You can't speed up science.

I guess not.

Would you like
to hold my ladybug?

Hmm?

I said, "would you like
to hold my ladybug?"

Certainly. It's a privilege.

Honey, don't bother him.

That's all right.

Doesn't she have

pretty spots on her back?

Yes, she has.

Commander?

It's just a
simple marine secretion,

although there is
something that puzzles me.

I'd like to run another series

of tests on it tomorrow.
I'll call you.

I'll wait for your call.

You can get me on 254.

254?

That's right.

My ladybug.
You forgot my ladybug!

Maybe it's
on the floor somewhere.

Don't worry about it.

Sandy, you can find
another ladybug.

But I don't want
another one, mommy.

I tell you what,
when I get home,

I'll see if I can find her.

If I do, I'll bring
her back, okay?

Okay.

He's cute.

I guess so.

Did you mention that
you were available?

Somehow it didn't come up.

If I were you, it would have.

You're a character.

Ready to go home now?

I guess so.

I'm leaving now, doctor.

'Night.

Excuse me.

That's okay.

Just consider me
a piece of furniture.

Sandy, come here.

Look. I've got
a surprise for you.

I found her for you.

Thank you.

I'll give her a good talking to.

I wouldn't be too severe on her.

Thank you very much.

You're welcome.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Cmdr. Twillinger?

That's right.

Nate brown.

How do you do?

You know Josh Peters,
sheriff's office.

We've met.

I've been with this
office for 15 years,

but I've never seen
anything like this.

Have you, Josh?

Afraid not.

I've seen a lot of people die
in different ways.

What caused it?

It's hard to tell.

A puncture wound, I think.

Both bodies taken from the sea

were totally drained
of blood and water.

What would make that happen?

I have no idea.

The wound could've been made
by any sharp object

and naturally
the body would bleed.

But simple bleeding
wouldn't cause this.

It happened near
the research lab?

Yes. But they say
there's no connection.

Maybe.

Take a look at the microscope.

You're looking
at a piece of skin.

Usually when
a body is left in water,

the epidermal tissues
become swollen.

But this is like leather.

It doesn't even resemble
human skin anymore.

Skin on a man
over 100 would have

3 times the amount of moisture.

What about the other man
we found on the boat?

A stroke.

A stroke?

There's a technical name for it,

but that's what it amounts to.

I don't understand you.

What could cause a stroke

in a man that young?

In that age group, only 2 things

could cause a stroke:
Violent anger or fear.

You can rule out anger.

Hm-mmm.

In my opinion, the man you found

on the boat was literally

scared to death.

Do you have enough deputies

to post a quarantine
on all the beaches

until we find out
what happened out there?

Yeah. I'll get right on it.

Good.

Thanks again for your help.

Not at all.

You boys care for a sandwich?

Got tuna fish
and minced ham on rye.

No, thanks.

It's nice and cold.

Close the beach? I got
22 people staying here.

Sorry, we've got orders.
Nothing we can do.

That's swell. So everybody

should go home, is that it?

Did you look
at the temperature today?

Yes, we know it's hot.

120 at 3:00. So nobody swims.

What's wrong with the water?

We got a bulletin, Mr. Davis.
That's all we know!

Okay.

Dr. Rogers' office.

Yes, commander. Just a moment.

Dr. Rogers,

cmdr. Twillinger on line 1.

Yes, commander.

Yes, we're working on it.

We hope to have something,

late today or tomorrow.

Tomorrow! Look, doctor,

that's the only clue we've got.

I could have sent it
to San Diego by now.

Hold on, commander,
don't pressure us.

We don't need it.

I'll call you
as soon as I finish.

I'll be in my office.

I've just been read the riot act

by our friend
from naval intelligence.

Don't let him bother you,

I'll give you
a character reference.

I'm ready to run a geiger count

on the stuff from los Alamos.

Good, go ahead.

That's strange.

Is that the stuff from the boat?

Yes.

What's it register?

0.15.

And your last reading
on the salton sea?

Normal, 0.034 constant.

That's odd. This is
from the same water.

Why the difference
in the radioactivity?

We'd better run a check test.

Hello, Larry.

Mrs. Simms.

Bob. What'll it be?

We'd like to talk
about your beach.

About my beach?

I'm going now, ma.

All right. Jody.

Jody!

Yes.

Who you going out with?

You know.

I said, "who?"

Morty.

Morty.

Sure, I might have known.

I got nothing against
servicemen,

but that morty's no good.

You hear that?

I hear.

Ma, look at me.

I'm a big girl now. Grown up.

Can't you understand that?

You won't pay attention
to me anymore.

That isn't what I mean.

I don't want to hurt you.

But there are times
when I've got to

use my own judgment
about things.

It has to be that way.
Please try to understand.

All right.
Just you get home early.

I will.

I got a terrible headache.

I'm sorry, ma.

Goodnight.

You were saying?

About your beach.

I'm afraid you'll have to
close it up temporarily.

No swimming.

Mort?

Mort?

Where you been?

Ma, she's...

Ma what?

Nothing.

She's screaming
at everybody tonight.

Forget it.

Pretty girl. Ha.

Pretty girl, where's your suit?

Underneath, silly.

It's sure a beautiful night.

Did you get a look at that moon?

Catch me.

Come on. I'll race
you to the float.

You haven't got a chance.

Morty.

Morty?

Mort.

Mort.

Ah.

Ah! Ah!

Ah!

I'll tell you what happened.

That boy ran off
somewhere with Jody.

I know it.

He's no good.

I warned her. I said,

"why don't you go out
with a nice young man?"

But no, she's just like
her father was:

No sense.

The boy didn't report back

to the base at all last night.

Are you sure he was
with your daughter?

Of course I'm sure.

Did you see him?

I didn't have to see him.

Jody herself told me
she was going out with him.

Uppity as you please.

And after all I've sacrificed
and done for her,

not a word of appreciation.

You'd think
that at least she'd...

May we take a look around?

No, go ahead.

Her room's in there.

Let me have it.

No, give it.

Wait a minute.

I don't care. Give it to me.

It's mine, I found it.

There's some kids out there
with a sailor's cap.

What?

Some kids.

What do kids got to do with it?

I don't know.

Give it to me.

I don't care.

Come here. Just a minute, son.

Let me take a look at that cap.

Did you find this cap?

That boy, Freddy, was
trying to take it from me.

Yes.

Where'd you find it?

Over there.

It don't belong to nobody.

It don't belong to you, does it?

No, it doesn't.

Will you show me
where you found this cap?

Come on.

There.

What's that?

A uniform or at
least part of one.

Did your daughter
and her boyfriend

ever swim here?

Swim? I don't know.
You don't think they could...

Jody!

Jody!

Oh.

Oh, baby!

I could cut out my tongue

for the things I said to you.

Oh, baby.

Josh!

Josh!

What's up?

I don't know.

But that's the same thing

we found on
the side of the boat.

Dr. Rogers says
it's highly radioactive.

I better call
and have him investigate

the bottom of the sea,

before somebody else is killed.

Man, it's cold down there.

I'll get price to
get you some coffee.

Do you want us
to move out again?

No, not yet.

There's a rock formation
i want to check

with a geiger counter.

As soon as I fix my regulator.

Thanks.

Any sign of them?

Nothing. Those kids are
probably off on a honeymoon.

I hope so.

That's it.

Thanks.

Okay, let's go.

Keep a sharp eye, will you?

Believe me,
we haven't seen a thing,

except a few fish
the size of your left hand.

Fine. Just be careful.

Sure thing.

How rough does it usually get?

It depends on the wind.

As a rule, there's
not much current.

Then if the bodies
are down there,

they'll be easy to find.

Should be. Unless...

Unless what?

I'd rather not conjecture.

Okay?

Yes, sir.

We've got you on the frequency.

Right.

We're still descending.

What's your depth?

40 feet.

60 feet. We're leveling off.

Good. Try a reading.

Doctor, I'm now checking

the rock formation.

Reading is normal.

Normal. Good.
What's the bottom like?

Doctor, about the same.

We're going down again.

It looks like there may be

some kind of cave out under us.

How deep are you?

80 feet.

Still dropping.

That's most unusual.

Why?

We've been over
this area a dozen times,

the maximum depth is 65 feet.

Don't take any chances.

Don't worry.

97 feet.

100.

125.

We've leveled off again.

I think we're at the bottom

of some kind of huge cavern.

We see some kind
of peculiar object ahead.

Hang on.

Doctor, I get
a reading of 1.038.

What is it?

I'm not sure.

Some kind
of marine growth, I think.

Circular. About 6 feet.
Almost transparent.

We'll try to cut it loose.

I'll send down a net.

Lower the net, boys.

Okay. Take it up.

Is everything all right?

No problems.

We're still looking.

Hold off and come up till
we check what's in the net.

Okay.

We've found the girl.

Can you get her up quickly?

It'll only take a minute.

Okay, but don't take any longer.

My tank.

What' s wrong?

Blake's tank is caught

in the undergrowth.

Do you need any help?

No, we're okay.

Oh!

Johns!

Johns!

Answer me, Johns!

I'm okay. It got Blake.

What're you talking about?

I'm coming up. Get help.

Oh, my god.

What happened?

Oh, my god. His body.

He died right in front of me.
I couldn't help him.

I've got to go back.

Talk sense. What's down there?

I don't know, I never
saw anything like it.

Like what?

A creature. A giant creature.

You're not going
back down there.

Take your hands off me,
i 've got to kill it!

I said, "you're not
going back down!"

Stay out of this,
I'll take care of him.

There's no time for hysterics.

What are we fighting?

I don't know.

Was there just one
of these creatures?

I think so. There was a cave,

outside

that thing.

An egg.

That must be one of its eggs.

Behind you!

The eye. Get the eye!

Keep those depth charges moving.

Hurry up, boys,
we don't have much time.

The commander wants to leave
in 5 minutes.

The Pentagon is sending
admiral greenhouse

for the conference.

Good. We're keeping the egg

in the lab under observation.

We should know
more about it by then.

I issued a press release saying

the Navy
is conducting routine tests

with underwater explosives.

That should cover us
for the moment.

No sense in starting a panic.

Excuse me, sir.

They're about finished loading.

You want to take a look?

Be about 5 minutes,
doctor. Excuse me.

Would you sign these?

Did you get a hold of Connie?

No, but I left word for
her to come down here.

Thank you.

If you have any problems,
let us know.

The chief of staff
has authorized

full cooperation.

We'll see you in the morning.

Thank you, captain.

What's going on?

Did Mars finally invade us?

Another secret?

Where's George?

Where's George?

Connie, I couldn't help it.

Where's George?

What's happened to my husband?

Connie, step in here
with me for a moment.

Where's Dr. Rogers?

He's in the radio shack.

He's with Connie.

Oh.

We're about ready to shove off.

Leave them alone, please.

Are you all right?

I'm fine.

I don't think you are.

What's wrong?

I should be with Connie,

telling her how you get over it.

The trouble is, you don't.

I mean, I didn't.

Would you like a cigarette?

No, thank you.

When tom was killed,

they said all
those things to me.

Tom?

My husband.

I'm sorry, I didn't know.

It's funny,
you go around for days

and you don't believe it.

You think it can't be true.

And one of those days
you get to thinking,

"it is true.
He isn't coming home."

And you say it out loud,
"he isn't coming home."

Don't listen to me,
I'm over it now.

It was 2 years ago.

I couldn't go in there
with Connie.

Not right now.

What did your husband do?

He was a pilot.

He was stationed in San Diego.

Sandy and I moved
here afterwards.

It takes a great deal of courage

to start over.

I had a lot of happiness,
a lot of things

to think about and remember.

And I had Sandy.
I couldn't fall apart.

I guess not.

You know something?
You're easy to talk to,

and I didn't think you would be.

Gail.

Yes, doctor.

Would you take care
of Connie, please?

Of course.

We're waiting for you,
doctor. How is she?

She's resting.
She'll be all right.

Good.

Men, Dr. Rogers has

some final instructions for you.

Everything that's happened,

or that will happen
on this expedition,

is classified
"top secret." Is that clear?

We've crippled
and may have killed

this giant creature.

To make sure it's dead,
we're going

to saturate the area
with depth charges.

But our most important job

is to find all its eggs.

Once they're located,

Dr. Johns will make
a quick survey of them

and then they must
be totally destroyed.

Cmdr. Twillinger
will be in charge

of the underwater demolition.

I guess that's all.

All right, men. Let's go.

Believe me, it's best for you

to stay here tonight.

I've got plenty of room.

What are they doing?

Come on.

What you see here

is the formation

inside the egg sac

we found near the
creature's lair.

You'll notice the shell
is beginning to harden.

There's quite a bit
of definition in the head.

Until our studies are completed,

we're keeping it alive
by controlled

water temperature.

You'll notice that
the thermostat reads

38 degrees exactly.

Is there any danger
that the egg might hatch?

No, the temperature
is low enough

to keep it from hatching.

As long as this knob is set

so the temperature
remains constant,

there'll be no problem.

I see.

Gentlemen, we believe
that this creature

is of the same family as

the historically
documented kraken.

A giant sea beast
that was the direct

ancestor of the modern
water mollusk.

I've had some film
of common mollusks

flown in from San Diego.

I'd like you to compare it

with the creature
that attacked us.

Dr. Johns?

Yes. Right this way, please.

Sheriff, would you
cut the lights, please?

As most of you know,

the mollusk family

is comprised of animals
with a soft body

usually covered by a hard shell.

This is gonaxis kibweziensis.

It's one half inch in diameter.

You'll note the similarities
between it

and the giant creature
in the salton sea.

For example,

the gonaxis has
a predatory nature.

It attacks other
living creatures,

will devour them,
eat their flesh.

The larger it is,
the larger its appetite.

This is a branch of the gonaxis,

the euglandia.

It shreds the flesh
of its victim

with scissor-like teeth.

Some species suck out
the body fluids

in much the same manner

as the creature
with which we're dealing.

As I mentioned,
most of these creatures

live entirely in the water.

But it's not unusual
to find them on land,

searching for food.

The same thing
is true of our kraken.

These mollusks

are only recently hatched,

yet they're as large
as the adult.

The reason being
that they developed

to full growth
within the egg sac.

From the instant they're born,

they're hungry.

That bubbly secretion you see

is formed
in the digestive system.

It acts as a defensive weapon.

Incidentally,
it's chemically similar to

the secretion
we found on the boat.

That'll give you an idea.

It's interesting,
but what's the point?

The creature was killed

and all the eggs were destroyed.

That's right, but we're not sure

we destroyed all the
other creatures.

Do you think that more than one

has developed?

We're sure of it.

From the number of shells

in these photographs,

I'd say there are at least 10

of these giant creatures,

each one with the capacity

to lay several thousand

eggs in its life cycle.

There was a cave here

which we sealed with explosives

and probably trapped
the rest of them inside.

We have to be sure, doctor.

That's impossible,
because the mouth

of that cave

is covered with tons of rock.

If any did escape,

it will have to surface
sooner or later.

It won't find enough food

in the salton sea,
it'll get hungry.

We can keep a 24-hour
beach patrol.

Yes, I think that's imperative.

But our real danger
doesn't lie at the sea.

Let's remember
that these creatures

can travel overland, too.

A few miles from here

is the all-American
canal system,

which irrigates
the entire imperial valley

and then in time
empties into the Gulf.

I don't want
to alarm you unduly,

but if just one
of these creatures lived

and got by the patrols,

into the canal system
and multiplied,

the species could threaten
the entire world.

First, devouring all life
in the oceans

and then, foraging on land.

Can you imagine
an army of these things

descending on one of our cities?

What caused it?
Where'd they come from?

We don't know,
we can only guess.

Perhaps you saw
this article here in life.

A few miles from here,

this lakebed existed
in a dry state,

void of life for many years.

Then a flash flood filled it
with about 2 feet of water.

In a few days,

there were millions
of shrimp in that lake.

They hatched from dormant eggs

that were there for centuries.

I believe the same thing
happened here.

I think that a pocket of eggs

from this prehistoric species

was trapped here,

below the bottom
of the salton sea.

Suppose an earthquake
caused a fissure to open

at the bottom of the sea,
allowing water

to seep down to this pocket.

Because this water was
slightly radioactive,

and because the eggs
had a capacity

to absorb this radioactivity,

they found
an environment that was

perfect in which
to hatch and grow.

Then a more severe earthquake

widened the fissure,

allowing these creatures
to escape into the sea.

I'd like to alert
the civilian defense.

Mr. Patterson, there are
100,000 people in this valley.

A move like that would
lead to hysteria.

I suppose that's true.

I think we should
set up a joint patrol

around the sea,

combine your staff
with the sheriff's office,

set up a headquarters
at the air base

and coordinate from there.

Does that sound
practical to you?

Yes, sir.

How about your office, sheriff?

Sounds fine to me.

I'm due to report back
to joint chiefs of staff.

I'll tell them that
even if there are

some surviving creatures,

there's still
no national danger.

Unless, as you said, some escape

from the sea into
the all-American canal.

That's correct.

I'll be in touch
with you, commander.

Call me if anything develops.

Very good, sir.

Good day, gentlemen.

Good day. Good day.

The governor
advised me to offer you

any assistance you may need.

We appreciate that
very much, thank you.

Yes, doctor.

I think we'd better
meet in my office

to set this up.

Okay.

Good night.

Good night.

Gail, how's Connie?

All right. She's staying with me

for a while.

Good.

I feel kind of embarrassed
today, commander.

Why?

The personal things
i said yesterday,

I hope I didn't embarrass you.

You didn't.

I don't usually
carry on that way.

You ought to, at least
once in a while.

We're on our way back
to the base now,

and we have to eat sometime.

What I mean is,
why don't you let me

take you to dinner tonight?

I found a wonderful place
to eat in mexicali.

Thank you, but i
can't leave Connie.

I mean, I shouldn't.

Okay.

I'm awfully sorry.

If you should
change your mind...

I never do.

If you should, the number's 254.

254.

You already have it.

So I have.

Good night.

Good night.

Anything happening?

Nothing. Nothing but moonlight.

Wallace and hanson
will replace you at 10:00.

Thanks.

Okay.

That about ties it up.

This reminds me of last year.

We had a stakeout

on a federal bank for 3 months.

What happened?

Not a thing.

You sure you won't come home

and take potluck?

Jenny wouldn't mind.

Much.

No, come on!

No, I'll get something
from the cafeteria.

Okay, see you later.

You bet.

This is just like that

federal bank stakeout last year.

The only trouble is,
nothing ever happens.

No, mom.

I don't know. Yes, I'll hurry.

No, I don't know how late.

This is Walker,
section 5 north. All clear.

Check.

Oni, twillinger.

Hi.

I had to come to town
with some reports

for the doctor.

I know it's past dinnertime,

but if you hadn't
already eaten, I...

Yeah, I'm starving.
Where are you?

Right, I know where it is.

I'll be there in 5 minutes.

Right, goodbye.

I'll check with you
in half an hour.

Okay.

You can take mine, too, please.

You certainly
don't eat very much.

I don't know how you keep going.

I had a big lunch.

That reminds me,

I'd better check in
to base again.

Excuse me.

♪

Nothing's happened so far,
nothing at all.

Did you make a wish?

Yes.

I've got a confession to make.

I bet I know what it is.

You're still hungry.

No.

What I said about
coming into town

wasn't true.

I went home and Connie
felt like being alone

so that made me
feel lonely, too.

So I decided to call you.

That's not a confession,

that's a compliment.

You want a ballpoint pen, senor?

What?

Very cheap, senor. 8 pesos.

Big bargain.

No, thanks.

Si!

No.

Much ink inside.

No, thank you.

She will write 2 million
miles, no refills.

How much is 8 pesos?

65 cents.

All right, bud.

You got yourself a deal.

Thank you, senor.

Hey, kid, my pen!

What are you grinning at?

Twill.

What's so funny?

That kid walked off
with my money.

Your face. You're so serious.

Big bargain.

You're really much too serious.

Maybe you're right.

But I don't think you're
like that underneath.

What did you want to do
when you were little?

First, I wanted to be a fireman,

and then a forest ranger,

then I guess
i wanted to be a cop.

Really?

Mm-hmm.

Senor, look, you like red?

I got red, white, green,
blue, red and white,

black and white, green and red...

Blue and white.

No blue and white.
Red, red and white,

black and white, green and red...

Look, I'll just take this one.

Go on, scoot. Shoo!

Thank you, senor!

Where were we?

You were just going
to take me home.

I'm afraid it's
getting very late.

It's only 10:15.

Want to stop at the
four oaks for a beer?

I told Betty I'd come
right home after our shift.

So you'll be half an hour late.

Take the canal cutoff

and we'll be there in 5 minutes.

Check that car ahead.

You better take a look.

Yeah.

What happened? What's wrong?

It. It was...

Better get him to the hospital.

Radio headquarters. Right.

No! Mary Jean.

Mary Jean.

It could have gone
a dozen different ways.

Every half-mile,

there's a junction
and the locks roll open.

I don't understand.

Did you check
all the patrols on the sea?

Yes, they're certain
nothing got past them.

It's 23 miles
from that sea to that canal,

and there's
no connection by water.

I just got a report.
A farmer 15 miles

from here found
2 of his cattle dead.

Shriveled up.
He thinks they were

attacked about 10:00 last night.

10:00? How's that possible?

We know that the boy and girl

were attacked here at 10:00.

Of course. There must be

an underground
river through which

they escaped.

A river that leads from the sea

to one of the pools
near the canal area.

They leave this pool at night,

and come around the
canals in search of food.

We'll have to patrol
the entire canal system.

There's 700 miles of canal bank

in this county alone.
That could take us days.

We don't have days.
The egg at the lab

was almost hatching
when we got it.

We must find their new nest,

before they lay any more eggs.

I'll call air national guard.

Their helicopters
will work with ours.

We'll check every pool
in this valley

for their secretion.

Good. Because
the possibility of finding

one pool out of
thousands is remote.

There's the chance
that there may be

an old survey map

that shows where
this underground river

empties into the pool.

Doctor, if there is such a map,

we'll find it.

Come on, we'll use our car.

This is helicopter 2-5,
reporting in.

We have covered south basin.

There is no sign of target pool.

Bearing south-southeast.

Well, now,

we gave most
of our map collection

to the library.

We've already been
to the library.

We've checked
every possible source.

You're our last resort.

Too bad.

We don't have many documents.

We don't have room for them.

We put up a bond issue,
proposition 14-a,

specifically asking
for a document room.

Here.

Here we are.

Is this all you have?

I'm sorry.
Just not a speck of room.

Mr. dobbs, this is
very important.

Have you heard of an
underground river

or ancient waterway

that runs through the valley

that would empty
into a deep pool?

Dear, let me think.

I can't think of a thing.

But every once
in a while, somebody dies

and leaves us
a whole lot of documents

for our room,

the one we didn't get,
you understand.

Proposition 14-a was defeated.

If you hear anything,

you can get me at the air base.

Air base?

Yeah, El centro.

Sure. I always cooperate
with the authorities.

You'll find I'm a very
cooperative person.

Thank you, Mr. dobbs.

Just call on me
anytime. Night or day.

Give me Navy
intelligence, please.

Oni, yeah.

Lock 23? Lock 23, okay.

23.

46, okay,
nothing sighted.

We still haven't spotted

the pool where they've nested.

We have the entire
irrigation system

under patrol.

The gatekeepers at each lock

are on 24-hour guard.

Someone is bound to spot
one of those creatures.

When they do,
we close all the locks

and hold it till we arrive.

Then we'll follow
it back to the pool.

Sounds like an effective plan.

I'll be in capt.
Master's office.

All right.

How many patrols
have checked in?

16.

The gatekeepers
have called, except 3.

See if you can get them.

Right.

Sally, try locks 14, 32 and 57.

I'll call you back later, mom.

Lock 57.

Yes, I did try,
but the line was tied up.

No, I haven't seen any creature.

Just plain foolishness.

Hey, boys!

Get away from there!

We don't allow no swimming here,

you know that.

Go on, now.

Okay.

Don't go in there, Sandy.

We're going home now.

When can we go swimming again?

I don't know, dear.

Then can I go look
at the rabbits?

Not today, sweetie.

Dr. Rogers' office.

Yes, just a minute,

I'll read you
the figures on that.

That was 2-3-4-5.

Yes, and 5-4-2-3.

Hello, grace. How are you today?

We have to be very quiet,

because mommy is so busy.

Poor grace. You're cold.

If I had a nice warm blanket,

I'd put it over you.

Maybe I can
figure something out.

There. Is that better?

I gotta go now. Goodbye.

Fine. Goodbye.

Sandy?

Yes, mommy.

Let's go home.

Lock 41, okay.

41, okay.

Proceed eastward on highway 8-0.

Have you heard anything?

Not yet. We'll keep you posted.

What time were
the boy and girl attacked

last night?

9:30 or 10:00.

It's 9:00 now.

Yeah, I know.

Mm-hmm.

Hey, you kids!

Don't try to hide from me.

Hey, you kids!

Hey, you kids!

Still no answer.

When did you last talk to him?

At 8:00.

Do we have a car in that area?

There's one within half a mile.

You better call it.

Get moar and Walker in car 14.

Right.

This is control operations
calling car 14.

This is Walker, car 14.
What've you got?

Proceed to

canal junction 57.

Repeat. Proceed to
canal junction 5-7.

Right.

My god. I'll call in.

This is car 14 calling

control operations. Over.

Come in, car 14.

Tell Josh we found

the gatekeeper dead,

just like the others.

Have them stay there.

Radio all the patrols.

Roger.

Close everything
that leads to lock 57.

We'll try to hold it
long enough to follow it.

Right. Sally, give me a line.

Commander!

Could I help you?

I'm here to see
cmdr. Twillinger.

Will he be back?

Not for some time.
You just missed him.

I know. Well.

Is there anything I could do?

No.

I think maybe I better wait.
If it's all right?

He may be gone for hours, Mr...

Dobbs. Lewis Clark dobbs.

Mr. dobbs.

Well.

I'll wait.

That's right.
Close the locks south

from juncture 302 to 23.

Right. And keep them closed
till you hear from me.

I called in the minute
i heard that noise.

I thought to myself,

"something's breaking out there."

"There's sure
something breaking."

So I come out
to see what it was.

And there it was.

Why weren't you out here?

The lock has
an emergency release.

You could've stopped it.

Listen, commander,

I was only doing
what they told me.

I didn't know
you wanted to follow it.

You didn't?

Thanks, anyway.

I know how you feel,

but it wasn't his fault.

Twill?

Yeah?

What do we do now?

Wait for another one.

Come on, let's go back.

Commander.

Lewis Clark dobbs.

Hello, Mr. dobbs. What is it?

It's probably not
anything at all.

I see.

How's it coming, sailor?

The same, sir.

Nothing?

No, sir.

You said it was important,

you know, about the map.

Yeah?

A very strange thing happened.

I was looking for these papers.

Actually, I was looking

for this petition.

We're campaigning again

for proposition 14-a,

the one that was defeated,

and there was this folder.

And in the folder,

there was this map.

I remembered it

because Mrs. de fauna de porto

had asked me to take care of it,

and then she passed on.

I told you about it, didn't I?

A very great loss.

You see, the de
fauna de porto family

settled this valley.

A most distinguished family.

Is this a river?

No. But the Indians
dug Wells along there,

apparently.

Here. It says here,

in Spanish, of course,

"the Wells of life."

I read 18 foreign languages.

Clem!

Sir?

Any boys working
in the photo lab?

Not now.

Get them down there right now.

I want this blown up
and graphed.

Order me a helicopter at dawn

and notify Dr. Rogers.

Right.

Drop us down a little.

That's the one.

How do you want to proceed?

We radio for equipment,

then dive and destroy them.

Chances are they're dormant now,

but any sound may attract them.

So set your charges and get out.

Right.

Are you ready?

Are you?

I think so.

Doctor, your lab's
on the mobile phone.

Thank you. Yes, Gail.

I sent you those
cylinders you asked for.

They should be
there in 10 minutes.

Thank you. We may need them.

Hold on a minute.

Gail?

Yes, twill.

Hi!

Is everything all right?

Are you all right?

Everything's fine. Don't worry.

I'll call you later.

Okay. Twill?

Yeah?

Take care.

I always do.

Goodbye.

I'll take it.

I have you on the frequency.

We're moving through

a dense growth.

Can't tell
what's ahead from here.

We've reached the bottom.

We've found them.

Any problems?

No,

I think we can get them all.

It took you
3 minutes to get down.

Allow yourselves
2 minutes leeway.

Will do.

We set the first charge.

The pin on my last charge

is stuck.

Twill, Johns is in trouble.

You're 30 seconds
past safe time.

Start up.

You're 42 seconds
past safe time.

Start up.

Are you on your way up?

Just a second.

We're on our way up.

You have 25 seconds.

Come on.
Let's help pull them up.

Hurry up.

You fellows all right?

Uh-huh. Uh-huh.

I wanna make a check
in half an hour,

when the sediment clears.

All right.

I'm sorry about

what happened down there.

You don't have to be.

I made a mistake.
When I signaled you,

I was sure the pin was loose.

Forget it, anyone's entitled

to an honest mistake.

Anyway, you saved my neck.

Thanks.

Excuse me,

I've got a phone call to make.

It's a great relief

knowing we got them all.

Yeah.

You know, I guess I was wrong

about that guy.

The commander takes
a bit of knowing.

Mobile operator.
Give me Dr. Rogers' office.

The Navy lab, salton sea, 2-2-1.

Johns is going to
stay to load up.

Would you mind
dropping me at the lab?

Sure, jump in.

I called Gail at the lab,
but the line was busy.

Oh, really?

They're all down
at the pool, sir.

Yes, I will.

Hi, honey.

Hi, mommy.

I got dressed by myself.

And a good job you did, too.

Have you had your orange juice?

Yes.

We'll have breakfast
in a little while.

Why don't you go play?

Dr. Rogers' office.

I'm sorry, he's not here now.

I can take a message
if you wish.

Yes, captain.
I'm sorry, he was called away.

Grace?

Ah!

Mommy!

Sandy!

Honey, stay where you are!

Mommy!

Mommy!

Don't move!

It's all right, honey.

Someone will come
soon and help us.

Mobile operator.

Could you try
the Navy lab again?

Salton sea, 2-2-1. That's right.

Still busy.

Want to stop and
get some breakfast?

No, thanks.

I had toast and coffee
when I got up.

But if you want to stop...

No, I can wait.

Sandy.

Do you see that window?

Yes.

Can you get up there?

Try!

I can't.

Try!

I can't!

Oh, god.

I want you to close your eyes.

I want you to close your eyes

and put your head right there.

Don't open them
for a little while.

Good morning, commander. Doctor.

Go ahead.

Gail!

Doctor!

Get help!

Get help!

Can you hear me?

Yes.

Can you hear me?

Yes.

Now listen,

when I holler come out of there.

Now! All right. Now!

Here, take it easy now.

You're still shaken.

Yes, I am. But i
feel all right now.

What about you?

I think I'm all right.

You're just fine, honey.

You know something?

You can go swimming again.

Can I?

Yes, ma'am, you can.