Not Rated | 1h 23min | Adventure, Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi | 23 November 1959 (USA)
One of only two survivors from a Martian expedition is so traumatized she doesn't remember the circumstances of the trip.
Director: Ib Melchior
Writers: Ib Melchior, Sidney W. Pink
Stars: Gerald Mohr, Naura Hayden, Les Tremayne
One of only two survivors from a Martian expedition is so traumatized she doesn't remember the circumstances of the trip.
Director: Ib Melchior
Writers: Ib Melchior, Sidney W. Pink
Stars: Gerald Mohr, Naura Hayden, Les Tremayne
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00:30General Trigger?
00:00:47At 0300 this morning, the Expeditionary X-1 rocket ship, missing for 61 days, was sighted
00:01:07by Mount Palomar, drifting in orbit some 90,000 miles out in space.
00:01:12All attempts to establish radio communication have failed so far.
00:01:16We don't know if anyone is left alive on board.
00:01:19The MR-1 appears to be a dead ship.
00:01:22We've had no contact with the rocket since it entered Mars orbit over two months ago
00:01:26and reported preparing to land on the planet.
00:01:29The ship was believed to have crashed in the landing attempt, but she didn't.
00:01:34Gentlemen, the Mars rocket must be retrieved and brought back to Earth intact.
00:01:39That's a tall order, George.
00:01:41I know.
00:01:42But the recording instruments on that ship contain priceless information covering the
00:01:45entire trip.
00:01:47We must have it.
00:01:49Professor Weiner, what are our chances?
00:01:51They depend on several factors, General.
00:01:54The MR-1 is, of course, equipped with robot control, which can be activated by remote
00:01:58triggering from Earth, if they're operative.
00:02:01The Nevada base is alerted to handle it.
00:02:04They're on standby.
00:02:05Go on, Professor.
00:02:06If there's enough fuel on board, we can send the ship homing for the Nevada base.
00:02:11And if the fuel holds out through the re-entry deceleration, we can set her down safely.
00:02:16Here's another if.
00:02:17What if there is someone on board, alive?
00:02:22Major Ross, has communications established any contact?
00:02:25No, sir.
00:02:26None.
00:02:27Could be radio failure.
00:02:29Someone must have taken the ship off Mars.
00:02:31The unexpected, remotely controlled acceleration of, uh, of...
00:02:36Five, six Gs.
00:02:37Five, six Gs could be dangerous to them.
00:02:40Even fatal.
00:02:41And how long will they last if we leave them out there?
00:02:48Then it's decided.
00:02:49We take off for Nevada at once.
00:03:11All I can tell you is if this happens, right, everything's fine up here.
00:03:38Believe me.
00:03:39I think we ought to do this...
00:03:40On the radar, sir.
00:03:41On the radar.
00:03:42Telescope screen.
00:03:43There she is.
00:03:44Good.
00:03:45Are you ready?
00:03:46Yes.
00:03:47Activate.
00:03:48Attention, please.
00:03:49Minus one minute.
00:03:50Repeat.
00:03:51Minus one minute.
00:03:52Start final countdown.
00:03:53Tracking.
00:03:54Tracking.
00:03:55Bird refill pump's on.
00:03:57According to Hates.
00:04:00Running.
00:04:01Minus 30 seconds.
00:04:04Minus 30...
00:04:07Mark.
00:04:08It's back to zero.
00:04:12My foot seems to be bleeding.
00:04:24Mark.
00:04:26Main guiding gyros starting.
00:04:30Running true. Running true.
00:04:34Minus 20 seconds. Minus 20.
00:04:39Remote control firing switches on.
00:04:4610 seconds. 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, fire.
00:05:06She's off.
00:05:07Great. Then there is fuel aboard.
00:05:09Right. But there's only one question. How much?
00:05:13Well done, Professor.
00:05:14Davis, I want the exact arrival time of the ship computed.
00:05:17Notify me as soon as you have it.
00:05:18Yes, sir.
00:05:31The answers to this and many other questions posed by anxious officials may come tonight
00:05:36when an attempt will be made to land the Mars rocket ship at a remote Air Force base in Nevada.
00:05:42There is still the question of fuel.
00:05:45Does the ship have enough fuel left for a safe deceleration?
00:05:48Or will it burn up in our atmosphere like a blazing meteor?
00:05:53The world waits with suspense to learn the fate of the ship's crew of four,
00:05:58seen here in newsreel shots prior to the departure of the MR-1.
00:06:03Colonel Tom O'Banion, United States Air Force, the pilot navigator.
00:06:08Dr. Iris Ryan, brilliant young authority on the sciences of biology and zoology,
00:06:14daughter of the late Professor Alfred Ryan.
00:06:17Professor Theodore Getell, the designer of the rocket ship
00:06:20and the world's foremost authority on space and rocketry.
00:06:24And Chief Warrant Officer Sam Jacobs, electronics and radar expert.
00:06:31The prayers of a grateful nation tonight will be offered in the hope
00:06:35that these four survive their history-making flights.
00:07:05Five minutes more.
00:07:07What do you think? Anyone aboard?
00:07:09Alive, I mean.
00:07:11We'll know soon enough.
00:07:13Hey, look.
00:07:28You know what I think?
00:07:29What?
00:07:30That thing up there.
00:07:32You know what I think?
00:07:33What?
00:07:34That thing up there. It's a flying coffin.
00:07:40Looks good so far.
00:07:43Colonel Davis, anything on the distant radiation counter?
00:07:46Negative.
00:07:47Radiation monitors in position.
00:07:55Attention, please.
00:07:57This is a repeat of previous instructions.
00:07:59No one is to approach the ship unless ordered by control.
00:08:02I repeat, no one is to approach the ship unless so ordered.
00:08:30Whoa, whoa, whoa.
00:08:33Whoa, whoa, whoa.
00:08:56Radiation monitors, proceed to the rocket.
00:08:59Start your check.
00:09:03Start your check.
00:09:14All counts still in the green zone.
00:09:29All radiation within safety zone.
00:09:31Good.
00:09:32Radiation monitors, stand back.
00:09:35Recovery squad, move up.
00:09:37No shielding necessary to open airlock.
00:09:40Monitors, stand by to check interior radiation.
00:09:43Hold it. Look.
00:09:44Recovery squad, hold.
00:09:46Someone's alive.
00:09:48The girl.
00:09:50To hell with radiation. Let's go.
00:09:58Hey, come on. Let's go.
00:10:03Whoa, whoa, whoa.
00:10:16Hey, hey.
00:10:18Check your bearings.
00:10:33Hold it.
00:10:48Hold it. Come on, Sarge. Give me a break, will you?
00:10:51Come on.
00:11:02Who is it?
00:11:03Can't see his face.
00:11:05Hey, what is it, man?
00:11:07Come on.
00:11:19Come on, Iris.
00:11:21Anything that can be done for him will be done.
00:11:24How can anyone cope with that?
00:11:28Come on, Dr. Ryan. We'll follow.
00:11:37Come on.
00:11:53I've given him a sedative. It should keep him quiet.
00:11:57He's running a high temperature.
00:11:59Dr. Gordon, that growth, what are we up against?
00:12:03I don't know.
00:12:04It's spreading rapidly.
00:12:05Do you have any idea what it might be?
00:12:07No, I haven't yet.
00:12:09If we only knew how or by what he was infected, we might know how to combat the disease.
00:12:14But we're working in the dark.
00:12:16What about the tape records? Has anything been learned from them?
00:12:19That's just it.
00:12:20General Trigger informed me that there are no records.
00:12:22No tapes at all?
00:12:24Yes, many of them. Marked and filed from the first day out.
00:12:28They've examined about half of them by now, all of them empty.
00:12:32Nothing on them?
00:12:33Silent, as though they'd been erased by some powerful magnetic force.
00:12:38Trigger expects they're all like that.
00:12:40Then we may never know.
00:12:42We have one chance. The girl.
00:12:45She is actually our only hope.
00:12:47If she could give us a lead.
00:12:49What is Dr. Ryan's condition?
00:12:50Exhaustion, shock. She's resting.
00:12:52We should be able to talk to her in a couple of hours.
00:12:55We have very little time. I hope she comes through.
00:13:03Dr. Ryan, will you talk to us now?
00:13:09I'll try.
00:13:12How is he? Will he be all right?
00:13:14We're doing everything we can.
00:13:16What happened to him?
00:13:20I don't know.
00:13:22I can't remember.
00:13:24Iris.
00:13:25Iris.
00:13:26Iris.
00:13:27Iris.
00:13:28Iris.
00:13:29Iris.
00:13:30I can't remember.
00:13:32Iris.
00:13:33A lot will depend on what you can tell us.
00:13:36Please, try to remember.
00:13:38How was he infected?
00:13:40By what?
00:13:44I can't.
00:13:45I can't remember.
00:13:47Why don't you start at the beginning?
00:13:49Tell us everything that happened from the day you left.
00:13:52It may help clear your mind.
00:13:54Yes.
00:13:55Yes, yes, I'll try.
00:13:58The take-off was as we expected.
00:14:02We reached escape velocity.
00:14:05And Tom cut in the steady 1G acceleration rockets.
00:14:08We were all in high spirits as we finished our flight check.
00:14:13Well, it's not much different from the dry run in the space test cabin on the base, huh?
00:14:17A lot easier if you ask me.
00:14:19And no eager trigger to throw imaginary problems at us either.
00:14:22That's what the man said, Sam.
00:14:24The trip will probably be...
00:14:26boring routine.
00:14:28Just so you blase space travelers don't get too bored,
00:14:31the radiation count is jumping.
00:14:33Radioactive medium?
00:14:35Looks like it.
00:14:36Both the radar scope pattern and the erratic gamma count fit.
00:14:39Well, let's double check.
00:14:41Visual direct too.
00:14:42Right.
00:14:55Meteor confirmed.
00:15:01Intersecting course.
00:15:13Safety margin adequate.
00:15:24I wish my parents could have seen this.
00:15:26They spent their lives making it possible.
00:15:32Mars.
00:15:33The red planet.
00:15:36Our destination.
00:15:37Look, both moons are visible.
00:15:39Hey, two moons.
00:15:40What a place for romance, huh?
00:15:42And songwriters.
00:15:44Two moons, da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da...
00:15:47Let's close your mouth in the port guards, huh?
00:15:50I'm just getting the view plate scratched up by meteor dust.
00:15:58I know, I know.
00:15:59Okay, okay.
00:16:03MR1 to EB9.
00:16:05MR1 to EB9.
00:16:06Come in, please.
00:16:08Oh, Sam, get it all on tape, will you?
00:16:10I've got it on the auxiliary tape, sir.
00:16:13MR1, this is EB9.
00:16:15Over.
00:16:16MR1 to EB9.
00:16:18Condition A.
00:16:19Condition A.
00:16:20Everything's under control. Over.
00:16:23We're still in our own backyard.
00:16:25The radio time lag's only a few seconds.
00:16:27Well, it's a couple of hours.
00:16:29Our conversation's gonna be a real drag then.
00:16:33MR1.
00:16:34Base computations confirm report.
00:16:36You're on course, on schedule.
00:16:39Hey, you look real good up there.
00:16:41Over and out.
00:16:43Thanks a lot.
00:16:44Over and out.
00:16:45Good old mother hen watching over her four little chicks.
00:16:49We're thousands of miles out in space.
00:16:52It's hard to believe.
00:16:54Yeah, any minute now I expect to see General Tree come through that hatch and say,
00:16:58All right, enough work for today.
00:17:00Let's everybody go out to Tony's and have a little drink.
00:17:03Well, that'll be a little hard to do.
00:17:05Tony's is 30,000 miles from here.
00:17:08Well, we want to be able to face reality on our watch.
00:17:12Come on, Sam, let's get some rest, huh?
00:17:14Okay, Professor.
00:17:15I dig.
00:17:20It's really happening.
00:17:24You know, Irish, reminds me of when I was a kid.
00:17:27I can just see you.
00:17:30I remember when I got my first dog.
00:17:32I was crazy about that dog.
00:17:35I wanted him to sleep in my room, but my family wouldn't allow it.
00:17:39I used to go downstairs a dozen times during the night to make sure that he was there.
00:17:44Then you were sure.
00:17:47Then you were sure.
00:17:49Uh-huh.
00:17:50And pretty soon people will be just as sure of space travel as I was of my dog.
00:17:58And as I'd like to be of you.
00:18:01Good night.
00:18:15Makes Broadway look like a dark alley.
00:18:18When we get back, Irish,
00:18:22how about exploring that dark alley?
00:18:25Together?
00:18:27You, Colonel, sir.
00:18:32May have a date.
00:18:42MR-1 to EB-9.
00:18:44MR-1 to EB-9, report seven-nine.
00:18:47Time?
00:18:48Seventeen days, eleven hundred, three hours.
00:18:51Position?
00:18:52Triangle, Easy Fox Baker.
00:18:56On course, on schedule.
00:18:58Condition A?
00:19:00Over and out.
00:19:08Hey, what's chow, huh?
00:19:10Coming up.
00:19:11Come on, Tom, you can help me with the rations.
00:19:13I'd rather be carving a thick steak at Tony's.
00:19:16Make it medium rare and I'll join you.
00:19:18You take a rain check?
00:19:19Paper won't bounce.
00:19:31Here we are between two dots.
00:19:34We can miss either one of them.
00:19:37Never know it.
00:19:43Mars rocket one, ration B.
00:19:50Mars, the angry red planets.
00:19:55Sounds so foreboding, doesn't it?
00:19:58Mars, ancient god of war.
00:20:01Afraid, Irish?
00:20:03A little.
00:20:05Apprehensive, I guess.
00:20:07Oh, we all are. We wouldn't be human.
00:20:11I know this is a funny way for a scientist to feel, but...
00:20:14I wonder if some things aren't better unknown.
00:20:18That's what they said on the Santa Maria before they discovered the new world.
00:20:21By mistake.
00:20:23You know, Irish, you're the first scientist I've ever known with lovely long red hair.
00:20:29And you're the first pilot I've ever gone to Mars with.
00:20:32And listen, my name is Iris, not Irish.
00:20:37I never know if you're calling me by name or nationality.
00:20:41When I call you by name, you'll know it.
00:20:45So Ula ran screaming across the burning Martian sands as the monster Angola relentlessly pursued her.
00:20:52His five arms reaching hungrily for her.
00:20:55To be continued next week.
00:20:59And that was the last issue before we took off.
00:21:16Mars.
00:21:18Martians. Monsters.
00:21:26I wonder if I'll ever get to see that next issue.
00:21:33EB9 to MR1. Report number 76.
00:21:45To be continued.
00:22:15To be continued.
00:22:45To be continued.
00:23:16To be continued.
00:23:27Orbiting Mars. Repeat, orbiting Mars.
00:23:31Landing operation beginning.
00:23:33Rocket reversing for landing.
00:23:40Condition A. Recording tape's running.
00:23:43Gravity flow 0.38 Earth standard.
00:23:460.38 ES.
00:23:48Speed 3.1 miles per second.
00:23:50Deceleration ratio 1.75.
00:23:53Deceleration ratio 1.75.
00:23:56Atmosphere density resistance factor 0012.
00:24:01Resistance factor 0012.
00:24:04Drift 0.
00:24:05Drift 0.
00:24:06Longitudinal axis 100 percent.
00:24:09Longitudinal axis 100 percent.
00:24:11Vertical deviation 0.
00:24:13Vertical deviation 0.
00:24:15Ready automatic braking rocket.
00:24:17Automatic braking rocket's on.
00:24:19Instrument lights.
00:24:22Stand by.
00:24:24Hold on to your hats, kids. Here we go.
00:24:27Rockets on.
00:24:41Hold on to your hats. Here we go.
00:25:12Well?
00:25:14Should we go out and claim the planet in the name of Brooklyn?
00:25:17Not yet, Sam.
00:25:19Open the viewports, Tom.
00:25:20Okay.
00:25:22Turn on the outside mic, Sam.
00:25:24Yes, sir.
00:25:42Strange.
00:25:44Nothing moves.
00:25:46Everything seems to be...
00:25:49waiting.
00:25:51Shoot anything that moves and pick up anything that doesn't.
00:25:53You know something? I'm gonna take that advice, especially on the first count.
00:25:56Turn up the volume, Sam.
00:26:03Well?
00:26:05Come on, Iris. Let's get to work on our tests, huh?
00:26:12You take the micro count and radiation.
00:26:15I'll work on the atmospheric composition, temperature.
00:26:18Keep a sharp lookout, Sammy.
00:26:20If anything moves, yell.
00:26:22You know, it's so quiet out there.
00:26:24If anything does move, I'm gonna jump right out of my skin.
00:26:27Something will.
00:26:29With all that vegetation out there, there's bound to be something alive.
00:26:33You mean like five armed Angolans?
00:26:35What?
00:26:37What?
00:26:42Don't worry, Sammy.
00:26:44We Albanians are chum.
00:26:46Yeah, but maybe us Jacobs ain't.
00:26:50You know, my dad, when I was a kid, told me about my grandfather.
00:26:54He had sort of a sixth sense, particularly in Indian country.
00:26:58When there were any Indians around, his ears would begin to twitch.
00:27:02Runs in the family.
00:27:04Oh, well, I am reassured, Colonel, sir.
00:27:06Only do me a small favor, will you?
00:27:08If your ears start to twitch, will you let me know fast? I'll twitch with you.
00:27:21Anything move yet, Sam?
00:27:23Not a thing.
00:27:25Stay here.
00:27:36Stay here.
00:27:55Hey!
00:27:57I told you not to leave that thing laying around.
00:28:01Iris tripped over it.
00:28:03She dropped a tray of test tubes.
00:28:05I'm sorry, Colonel.
00:28:07That's all right, Sammy.
00:28:15No surprises, Tom.
00:28:19The atmosphere is pretty much like we thought.
00:28:21Thin, extremely thin.
00:28:23Not enough oxygen to sustain us,
00:28:25but undoubtedly enough for some kind of native animal life.
00:28:28Well, like you said, Professor, no surprises.
00:28:37You seen anything yet, Sam?
00:28:39Just those frozen vegetables.
00:28:41Any sounds?
00:28:42Not a peep.
00:28:44If those Martians are out there, they must be invisible.
00:28:48No movement at all.
00:28:50Weirdsville, as my grandmother used to say.
00:28:54Keep your eyes open, huh?
00:28:55Yes, sir.
00:28:59We've landed near the equatorial belt.
00:29:02Now, if there is any native intelligence around here,
00:29:04it should be in this area.
00:29:06Oh, I think you must be right.
00:29:12Sorry about the sound effects.
00:29:14Oh, forget it, Iris.
00:29:16This crazy silence and lack of movement's gotten us all.
00:29:19Let's go.
00:29:27Doesn't make any sense, Sammy.
00:29:29Something's got to move.
00:29:31What's the matter, Colonel? Your ears twitch?
00:29:32No, just a hunch.
00:29:33You know what?
00:29:35I know there's something out there.
00:29:38Sure, like the invisible Martian?
00:29:41Are you certain the outside mics are on, Sam?
00:29:44Full volume.
00:29:46You know, the atmosphere is very rare.
00:29:49It wouldn't conduct sound too well.
00:29:51Of course.
00:29:52That might also explain why the plants don't move.
00:29:56No breeze.
00:29:57I wonder.
00:29:59Could it be...
00:30:01intentional?
00:30:04Intentional?
00:30:05And I know it sounds unreasonable,
00:30:06but it just doesn't seem natural.
00:30:09You mean you think it's controlled?
00:30:11What beings could possibly exercise such fantastic control?
00:30:17Well, there's one way to find out.
00:30:18I'm going out there.
00:30:19Tom, wait. I don't want to...
00:30:20Come on, we'll all go.
00:30:23It's about time Iris and I had a chance to use some of this expensive lab equipment of ours.
00:30:27All right.
00:30:28Get your suits.
00:30:37You know something, Professor?
00:30:39First time in my life I've ever really been scared.
00:30:43There's nothing out there except a bunch of crazy plants.
00:30:47It takes a brave man to admit his fears, Sam.
00:30:50We're all afraid of the unknown.
00:30:52Yeah.
00:30:57Yeah.
00:31:00You okay, Iris?
00:31:02I'm actually looking forward to start to work.
00:31:08You know,
00:31:09I can't say that I recommend space suits for beautiful young dolls.
00:31:13What happened to all your lovely curves?
00:31:15Yeah, Sammy.
00:31:17Some of the creations I've seen in New York store windows didn't look too much better.
00:31:21Yeah, well, I'm convinced that all fashion design is a woman-hater.
00:31:32Dr. Ryan, what is it? What happened?
00:31:35I don't know.
00:31:36I can't remember.
00:31:37All I know is it was horrible.
00:31:40All right.
00:31:42All right.
00:31:44You rest now and we'll talk to you later.
00:31:47Nurse, sodium luminol, two and a half grains.
00:31:49Yes, doctor. Intervenous?
00:31:51Yes.
00:31:58She's obviously had a tremendous shock.
00:32:01She has a mental block.
00:32:03Her mind refuses to remember something.
00:32:05We noticed her memory is already beginning to take on a quality of unreality.
00:32:09We must know what happened.
00:32:11A man's life, perhaps more, depends on it.
00:32:13I know.
00:32:14Suppose this alien infection spreads to all of us.
00:32:18Every moment counts.
00:32:20What about the tapes? Any result?
00:32:22We've gone through nearly all of them.
00:32:24Empty.
00:32:25Dr. Ryan must remember.
00:32:28What about narcosynthesis?
00:32:31Well, it's our only hope.
00:32:32But she's pretty weak.
00:32:34She ought to get some rest before we use drugs.
00:32:37Her mind might snap if we force her to remember the horror she has so carefully obliterated from her conscious level.
00:32:45Would she be able to remember what actually happened?
00:32:48She'll be able to remember anything familiar quite normally.
00:32:51Although when we penetrate her mind block into her suppressed memories,
00:32:55her recall will be undoubtedly colored by her mind's own interpretation.
00:32:59In effect, whenever she's remembering anything that was alien, frightening to her,
00:33:04we'll see it as her mind saw it.
00:33:07Exactly.
00:33:09And remember, her mind had to save itself by forgetting.
00:33:14Dr. Gordon.
00:33:18How is he?
00:33:22Is he getting worse?
00:33:24I'm afraid so.
00:33:26Is he getting worse?
00:33:28I'm afraid so.
00:33:30We don't know what it is we're fighting, Iris.
00:33:34And I'm the only one who can help you.
00:33:36By remembering.
00:33:41There is a way you can force me to remember, isn't there?
00:33:44There is.
00:33:46Then use it.
00:33:48Dr. Ryan, you've had quite an ordeal.
00:33:51You need to build up your strength. You need rest.
00:33:53The shock of forced memory recall under the influence of drugs can be dangerous for you.
00:33:59And how long can he wait?
00:34:03Please, Dr. Gordon.
00:34:24What is it, Iris?
00:34:26The port outside.
00:34:28Tom, it was horrible.
00:34:30Stay with us, Sammy.
00:34:53There's nothing there, Iris.
00:34:55But I saw it.
00:34:56What did you see?
00:34:58It was like a huge distorted face with...
00:35:01with three bulging eyes.
00:35:03But there's nothing there now.
00:35:05I tell you, it was there.
00:35:07Hey, three eyes. What a crazy peep in time, huh?
00:35:11It was staring right at me.
00:35:15There's nothing moving. There's nothing there.
00:35:19You don't believe me, do you?
00:35:21Hey, everybody.
00:35:23Come on, with all this waiting around, it's a wonder I didn't get to see the thing.
00:35:27I did see it, Sam. I really did.
00:35:29Please.
00:35:31Couldn't you just make believe you didn't? I'd be much less scared.
00:35:33If that thing is out there, we won't find out about it in here.
00:35:36Yes, all right. Let's go out and take a look and tell.
00:35:39Iris, you stay here with Sammy.
00:35:41Not on your life, Colonel O'Banion.
00:35:44I'm going, too.
00:35:46Hey, wait for me.
00:35:51I'm coming.
00:36:21I'm coming.
00:36:52Now, check your oxygen gauge.
00:36:57Okay.
00:36:59Now, this will be S.O.P.
00:37:01Even though these intercoms carry for miles,
00:37:04I want you to always stay inside of me.
00:37:06Sam, your ultrasonic freeze gun hooked up all right?
00:37:08Yes, sir.
00:37:09Why don't we check it?
00:37:11That plant over there.
00:37:22All right, huh?
00:37:23Yeah.
00:37:25Very all right. Wow.
00:37:27The pickup mics are on, Tom. I heard a chatter.
00:37:30How about you?
00:37:31Yes, checks.
00:37:32Loud and clear. Four by four.
00:37:34All right. Let's go and see what's in that jungle.
00:38:21What's that?
00:38:51Come on, Iris.
00:38:53Wait a minute. I won't be long.
00:38:55This is amazing.
00:38:57Just let me make a preliminary examination.
00:38:59If you ask me,
00:39:00I think we ought to make a preliminary examination for Martians.
00:39:03Yeah, we could stay here for a while.
00:39:05You cover that side and I'll stay here, Sammy.
00:39:08Okay.
00:39:11Now, let's go.
00:39:13Let's go.
00:39:15Let's go.
00:39:17Let's go.
00:39:19Let's go.
00:39:21Let's go.
00:39:27Fantastic.
00:39:30All the characteristics of plant life, but hardly any chlorophyll.
00:39:35And there seem to be indications of a nervous system.
00:39:40Nervous system?
00:39:41Well, it looks like it.
00:39:42Of course, I'll have to make some more specific tests.
00:39:45What about the minerals?
00:39:47Well, I haven't found anything yet to contradict the theory
00:39:49that water throughout the universe is the same.
00:39:52But I have run across some most unusual chemical combinations.
00:40:00Almost like fingers.
00:40:07Where are you going, Iris?
00:40:09I'm tracing this vine.
00:40:10Curious to see where it comes from.
00:40:12You better stick close to me.
00:40:13Oh, Tom, really?
00:40:15I know you think I acted like an hysterical female back in the ship,
00:40:19but I assure you I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself.
00:40:22I won't get out of your sight.
00:40:25Have it your way, Iris.
00:40:49Tom!
00:41:09Tom!
00:41:11Tom!
00:41:13Tom!
00:41:16Tom!
00:41:20Tom!
00:41:22Tom!
00:41:29Tom!
00:41:31Come back!
00:41:50Get it, Sam! Get it!
00:42:13Iris?
00:42:15I think so.
00:42:16Just let me count to ten.
00:42:19Count to a hundred if you like.
00:42:22I'm all right now.
00:42:24Hey, what was that thing?
00:42:26It's a giant carnivorous plant, Sam.
00:42:29It feeds by trapping animals and digesting them.
00:42:32Live.
00:42:34Lots of luck.
00:42:35Here, come on, take a look.
00:42:47If it weren't for you and Tom, that could have been me.
00:42:54At least we know there's animal life up here, huh?
00:42:57Now he tells me.
00:42:59Remarkable.
00:43:00You were right, Iris.
00:43:02This is more than just a plant.
00:43:04It's a low form of neuromuscular vegetal creature.
00:43:07What do you say we call it a day and go back to the ship?
00:43:10I agree.
00:43:11We've had enough excitement and swashbuckling for one day.
00:43:14I'm for that.
00:43:16Any swash I ever had just came unbuckled.
00:43:19Let's go.
00:43:37I'm sure glad the boys in Ordnance developed you, baby.
00:43:41I think I'll call you Cleopatra.
00:43:44Because you're such a cool doll.
00:43:47Believe me, Cleo, you and I will never part.
00:43:50Never.
00:44:03Here, Sammy, for your scrapbook.
00:44:06Hey, what a handsome couple.
00:44:08Look, Colonel, me and my new pinup.
00:44:13There must be other creatures around.
00:44:17You better take care of that thing.
00:44:19You never know what else we'll find.
00:44:21Or what'll find us.
00:44:24Oh, well.
00:44:26Chin up, Sammy boy. Chin up.
00:44:28You know, Sam,
00:44:30there's only a little bit of difference between keeping your chin up
00:44:33and sticking your neck out.
00:44:36Colonel, sir, I for one know it.
00:44:39Now.
00:44:42Was that thing really trying to kill Iris?
00:44:44It wasn't just a friendly embrace.
00:44:47But why weren't we attacked before?
00:44:49We all passed that, that plant creature.
00:44:52What are you driving at, Professor?
00:44:54Well, I can't help feeling that
00:44:56we're being watched.
00:44:58That there is some purpose behind it all.
00:45:01Hey, what's the matter, Professor?
00:45:03You're ears twitched, too?
00:45:07Obviously, there is animal life here.
00:45:09Probably intelligent life as well.
00:45:11And yet we haven't lost sight of it.
00:45:12Now, this quiet.
00:45:14This lack of motion.
00:45:16Oh, you still think it's...
00:45:18It's intentional.
00:45:20Controlled.
00:45:22I...
00:45:24I don't know.
00:45:26But why?
00:45:28Perhaps in a way we're being controlled, too.
00:45:30Through the actions of these lower life forms.
00:45:33Kept harmless, so to speak.
00:45:35What could control all life here?
00:45:38Well, it could be anything.
00:45:39It could control all life here.
00:45:41Well, it could be some super-intelligent
00:45:43community mind, I suppose.
00:45:45Community mind?
00:45:47Yes.
00:45:49Like the inexplicable mysterious control
00:45:51which keeps a colony of ants
00:45:53functioning in perfect unity back on Earth.
00:45:55Look, I got news for you, Professor.
00:45:57I'll take the ants any day.
00:45:59We have four days left to find out.
00:46:01Isn't your Earth contact a little late, Sammy?
00:46:03It is.
00:46:05Over an hour late.
00:46:09Try your equipment.
00:46:14It's not equipment failure.
00:46:16I get nothing but dead air.
00:46:18Keep your line open and try transmitting.
00:46:24This is MR1.
00:46:26And this is a test transmission.
00:46:28Test transmission.
00:46:30No use.
00:46:32Our signal keeps bouncing back at us.
00:46:34I can't get through.
00:46:36There must be some kind of ionized layer
00:46:38in the Martian atmosphere
00:46:40keeping those radio waves from going through.
00:46:42Yeah, and keeping Earth's reports
00:46:44from reaching us.
00:46:46I never heard of anything that has stopped
00:46:48the frequencies I'm using.
00:46:50Well, you're hearing about it now.
00:46:52Keep taping our reports, Sammy.
00:46:54We're gonna stay here the full five days
00:46:56even if it means no contact with Earth.
00:47:06Jumpy, Irish?
00:47:08Afraid so.
00:47:10A little.
00:47:12See anything?
00:47:14Nothing.
00:47:16Everything seems to be dead out there.
00:47:18It's like a nightmare of unending silence.
00:47:21I know.
00:47:23We all feel it.
00:47:25It's like a dream.
00:47:27It's like a dream.
00:47:29It's like a dream.
00:47:31It's like a dream.
00:47:33It's like a dream.
00:47:36And it isn't just me
00:47:38because I'm a woman?
00:47:41Women don't have any monopoly on fear.
00:47:44Men are more afraid of being called cowards.
00:47:47Cowardice is one thing
00:47:49I guess we can never forgive ourselves.
00:47:53Look, sun's rising.
00:47:55Yeah.
00:47:59Looks sort of
00:48:01angry.
00:48:03All right!
00:48:05All right, everybody!
00:48:07Come and get it, breakfast ready!
00:48:09Hot coffee, hardtack, and vitamin pill!
00:48:36We'll head off in that direction.
00:48:38Now remember, stay together.
00:49:05Come on, Irish.
00:49:08Well, this certainly looks different.
00:49:10Look, those trees over there.
00:49:12They look different, too.
00:49:14Yeah, like nothing we've seen.
00:49:16Well, let's go.
00:49:18Let's go.
00:49:20Come on, let's go.
00:49:22Come on, let's go.
00:49:24Come on, let's go.
00:49:26Come on, let's go.
00:49:28Come on, let's go.
00:49:30Come on, let's go.
00:49:32Come on, let's go.
00:49:33Yeah, like nothing we've seen.
00:49:35Hey, let's take a closer look at them.
00:49:37Okay, Sammy can tell you, stay here.
00:49:39Keep Cleo handy.
00:49:41I'll go with you.
00:49:55Doesn't look like bark.
00:49:57Let me have your machete, Tom.
00:50:00Here.
00:50:03It's alive!
00:50:33Look out, Professor!
00:51:04Look out, Professor!
00:51:08Hurry up!
00:51:10I've given her all she's got!
00:51:12She won't move!
00:51:18Cleo, here's the machete!
00:51:34Aim for the eyes, Sam!
00:51:36Blinded!
00:51:38Get it!
00:52:04Give me a moment.
00:52:06Are you hurt?
00:52:07No, I'm all right.
00:52:08I'll be all right.
00:52:10The bone's broken, just bruised a bit.
00:52:20He's some playmate.
00:52:22King Kong's big brother.
00:52:24Even Cleo only gave it a slight chill.
00:52:27Must be about 40 feet high.
00:52:29Come on, let's get back to the ship.
00:52:31No, wait, Iris.
00:52:33We don't have much time for exploring as it is.
00:52:35We mustn't lose any more of it on account of me.
00:52:37It's too important.
00:52:38I'll be fine.
00:52:40I've been curious as to what's on the other side of that ridge.
00:52:42Let's go.
00:53:01THE END
00:53:32THE END
00:53:42There it is.
00:53:44The Martian Lake.
00:53:46It has that same feeling of...
00:53:48deadness.
00:53:50No, wait a minute, Iris.
00:54:02It's all right.
00:54:04No abnormal radiation.
00:54:08There's no water on Mars after all.
00:54:11Besides the polar ice caps, I mean.
00:54:13If it is water.
00:54:15It feels kind of oily.
00:54:17It seems...
00:54:19It seems heavier than ordinary water.
00:54:21Well, it probably has an entirely different mineral content.
00:54:25I'm sure it couldn't sustain life.
00:54:27At least not life as we know it.
00:54:28I wonder what's on the other side.
00:54:30Tomorrow we'll bring the boat.
00:54:32The lake isn't too wide.
00:54:34We'll have a look.
00:54:38It's getting late.
00:54:40We may need more creatures like that last one.
00:54:43I'd hate to have to fight him in the dark.
00:54:45Come on.
00:54:58THE END
00:55:14Some baby, that rat-bat-spider nightmare, huh?
00:55:17Walked away from Cleo and even after Cleo turned on all her charms, too.
00:55:21At least she scared it away.
00:55:23Yeah. Good girl, that Cleo, huh?
00:55:26You know the only thing that bothers me?
00:55:28Someday maybe she'll meet a monster that'll ignore her.
00:55:31Break her heart.
00:55:33Mine, too.
00:55:35Irish.
00:55:37Sam.
00:55:39Professor and I have come to a decision.
00:55:41Yes.
00:55:43In view of everything, we've decided not to stay the full five days.
00:55:45Huh?
00:55:47And we're gonna take off tonight.
00:55:49Tonight?
00:55:51Sam, prepare the panel for takeoff, will you?
00:55:53Yes, sir.
00:55:55I guess it's probably mostly because of me.
00:55:57You see, I can't seem to get it out of my head
00:55:59that there is an even greater danger here than we realize.
00:56:03The controlling force?
00:56:05Yes.
00:56:07Now look, my orders from General Trigger were to take no unnecessary chances.
00:56:10We fulfilled our mission, we've landed on Mars.
00:56:12Uh-huh. And we've collected a lot of information.
00:56:14Plenty to prepare for the next expedition.
00:56:17Now prepare for blast-off. Strap in.
00:56:26Getell, close the ports.
00:56:28Right.
00:56:38Instrument lights.
00:56:44Minus 15 seconds. Mark.
00:56:47Main firing switches.
00:56:49On.
00:56:51Minus 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
00:56:55Fire.
00:57:26Fire.
00:57:48What is it, Tom?
00:57:51We can save our fuel.
00:57:53We're not going anywhere.
00:57:55Every pin is glued to the top.
00:57:57We're in some sort of a force field.
00:58:00Tremendously powerful.
00:58:02Holding us right here.
00:58:04The Control.
00:58:07Whoever they are, they don't want us to leave.
00:58:19Why don't they come out in the open, whoever they are?
00:58:21This waiting.
00:58:23Uncertainty.
00:58:25Not knowing.
00:58:28Why are they keeping us here?
00:58:30What do they want with us?
00:58:32What are we? Guinea pigs?
00:58:34Take it easy, Irish. Easy.
00:58:36Now think a minute.
00:58:38They can't really want to harm us.
00:58:40If they did, they could have destroyed us a long time ago.
00:58:42They must have another reason for keeping us here.
00:58:45Tom, I've run a few tests.
00:58:48We're being held by a gravitational pull so strong
00:58:51that it would take a hundred times the thrust power we have to break free.
00:58:53I wonder.
00:58:55Will we ever get back to Earth again?
00:58:58We're not going to wait.
00:59:00Sam, break out the boat.
00:59:02We'll see what's across that lake.
00:59:24Didn't we calculate that the other shore was just over the horizon?
00:59:27We did.
00:59:29Well, then we should see it quite soon.
00:59:31I don't like this place.
00:59:33I'm with you.
00:59:35Why?
00:59:37It's so... dead.
00:59:40Well, it's better than that walking forest we just ran into.
00:59:43I don't like it.
00:59:45I don't like it either.
00:59:47I don't like it.
00:59:49I don't like it.
00:59:51I don't like it.
00:59:53Tom, take a look at this.
00:59:55What do you make of it?
01:00:03Now we're getting somewhere.
01:00:05Those buildings didn't just grow.
01:00:07They were made.
01:00:09Let's get closer.
01:00:11Yeah.
01:00:13Why don't you get that old Martian girl?
01:00:15We thought we had it made.
01:00:17How tall are those buildings?
01:00:19At least half a mile, I'd say.
01:00:44Oh, look at that!
01:01:14What's that?
01:01:45Irish, you can tell, get back to the ship.
01:01:48Send Frank Leo again.
01:01:50Yeah, right.
01:02:14Irish!
01:02:45Close the door!
01:02:57Close the door!
01:03:02Hold it!
01:03:04Colonel!
01:03:14Colonel!
01:03:44Close the door.
01:04:04Sam.
01:04:06He just...
01:04:07Easy, Irish, easy.
01:04:08I'll open the viewport.
01:04:12Look!
01:04:15Look!
01:04:21Try the screens.
01:04:25It's all around us.
01:04:27Tom, your arm.
01:04:29Part of that creature touched you.
01:04:32It's eating right through the suit.
01:04:34Like Sam.
01:04:35You better get out of that.
01:04:37I'll get some myosin compound, just in case.
01:04:41Give me that suit, Tom.
01:04:42We'll put it in the disposal unit.
01:04:45Okay.
01:04:49Irish.
01:04:51What is your opinion of that creature?
01:04:53Well, I'm sure it's a unicellular animal.
01:04:56There's two areas inside it.
01:04:57It must be the nucleus and the contractile vacuole.
01:04:59Oh, wait a minute.
01:05:00Whoa.
01:05:01Let me in on it, Irish.
01:05:03It's like an amoeba, Tom.
01:05:04A giant amoeba.
01:05:06One single cell without intelligence.
01:05:08Without a nervous system at all.
01:05:10Reacts completely on instinct to external stimuli.
01:05:14Well, we must be safe in here.
01:05:17The amoeba engulfs its prey and digests it with extremely strong acids.
01:05:23It's trying to get to us.
01:05:25It's incredible.
01:05:27I wouldn't say that, Tom.
01:05:29Not after what we saw it do to poor Sam.
01:05:32Yeah.
01:05:33It'll take time.
01:05:34But it probably can eat right through the ship.
01:05:37Well, we've got to get rid of it some way.
01:05:39But how?
01:05:40It can't even be touched with anything we have.
01:05:42Irish, you've experimented with amoeba on Earth.
01:05:44What sort of thing affects them?
01:05:46They're almost impossible to kill.
01:05:48Even if you cut them in half, both parts will live.
01:05:51Well, there's got to be some way to get at it.
01:05:54It can insist, Tom.
01:05:56That is, secrete and form a sort of protective envelope.
01:05:59That's how it withstood the sonic gun.
01:06:02Heat, fire.
01:06:04I could turn on the rocket.
01:06:06Oh, you can't do that, Tom.
01:06:08With that creature clogging our thrust chamber,
01:06:10we'd have an internal explosion.
01:06:12Well, we've got to do something.
01:06:16I can't think of anything.
01:06:19Hey, wait a minute.
01:06:21I do remember.
01:06:23We experimented with electricity.
01:06:25What happened?
01:06:26Well, the power from a small flashlight battery
01:06:28killed thousands of amoeba.
01:06:30That's it, electric shock.
01:06:32I can generate half a million volts.
01:06:34But how are you going to get to it to electrocute it?
01:06:37You can't go outside or even open the airlock.
01:06:40I won't have to.
01:06:43But what I have in mind could backfire.
01:06:45If you both don't agree, I won't go through it.
01:06:51What is your plan, Tom?
01:06:53I'll need your help. Check me out.
01:06:55This ship has a double hull, right?
01:06:57That's correct.
01:06:58The outer hull acts as a meteor bumper.
01:07:00And the outer hull is completely insulated from the inner one?
01:07:03It's quite effectively.
01:07:04Good.
01:07:05Now, is there any way I can get to the outer hull from in here?
01:07:08One place only.
01:07:10The detector instrument cable access channel.
01:07:14I want to feed the radar power through the outer hull.
01:07:17Can it be done?
01:07:19It would take a lot of rewiring, but yes, we can do it.
01:07:23You see, what I have in mind is to feed the current through the outer hull
01:07:27without it spilling back into the inner one.
01:07:29What do you think?
01:07:31And if there is a spill?
01:07:35Then we won't have to wait for that thing to eat through to us.
01:07:40Well, I'm for it.
01:07:45So am I.
01:07:46Good. Let's go.
01:08:06Almost through.
01:08:08Open the view plates.
01:08:23Now, that's it.
01:08:27Cut in the generators.
01:08:37Go ahead, Tom.
01:09:07Cut in the generators.
01:09:26Katel!
01:09:29Katel!
01:09:30What is it?
01:09:33It's all right, Iris.
01:09:35It's all right.
01:09:37Just a little pain, that's all.
01:09:41The exertion, I suppose.
01:09:43Oh, come on. Take it easy, Professor.
01:09:45I'll start rewiring just in case whatever is holding us here
01:09:48decides to let us blast off in a few days.
01:09:54The radio works!
01:09:56The force field must be off.
01:09:58Turn on the recorder, Iris.
01:09:59Iris?
01:10:04Men of Earth, we of the planet Mars give you this warning.
01:10:08Listen carefully and remember.
01:10:30Professor Katel!
01:10:33Iris.
01:10:36I'm sorry.
01:10:39The take-off.
01:10:41The acceleration pressure.
01:10:44Don't talk now.
01:10:46Let me help.
01:10:47No, no.
01:10:49Wait, Iris.
01:10:53The ship.
01:10:57The wiring.
01:11:00You must try to...
01:11:12Tom.
01:11:15And the cabin.
01:11:17The cabin.
01:11:29The cabin.
01:11:59The cabin.
01:12:29The cabin.
01:12:59The cabin.
01:13:29The cabin.
01:13:59The cabin.
01:14:30Tom.
01:14:32Dr. Ryan, is that all of it?
01:14:34What was the warning?
01:14:35What else did the voice say?
01:14:37Try to remember.
01:14:39I don't know.
01:14:41But Tom...
01:14:43He had me turn on the tape recorder.
01:14:45Maybe the last tape.
01:14:49The tape recorder.
01:14:51The tape recorder.
01:14:53The tape recorder.
01:14:55The tape recorder.
01:14:57The tape recorder.
01:14:59Nurse Light, please.
01:15:01Here you are, doctor.
01:15:07What is it?
01:15:08Exhaustion.
01:15:09Will she be all right?
01:15:11With a lot of rest.
01:15:13A giant amoeba.
01:15:20She told us what we had to know.
01:15:22About Tom?
01:15:23Yes.
01:15:25It's an enzymatic infection.
01:15:26And my new part of the amoeba must have reached Tom's skin.
01:15:30And it's growing.
01:15:31Literally eating his tissues.
01:15:33Can you save him?
01:15:35Now we know what we're fighting.
01:15:37At least we have a chance.
01:15:53Dr. Gordon.
01:15:55I...
01:15:58All right.
01:16:01Three cc's.
01:16:04All right.
01:16:05All right.
01:16:23Call me immediately if there's any change.
01:16:25Yes, doctor.
01:16:27Dr. Gordon tells me it has resisted everything we've tried.
01:16:31We have slowed down its growth, but that's all.
01:16:34You know more about this creature than anyone.
01:16:36We thought that...
01:16:37General Trigger.
01:16:39There is a biological laboratory here, isn't there?
01:16:41Yes, of course.
01:16:56All right.
01:17:20Fine.
01:17:27Dr. Ryan.
01:17:28Dr. Ryan.
01:17:30Dr. Gordon.
01:17:32I think we found the solution.
01:17:34What can we do?
01:17:36I'll show you.
01:17:40Electricity.
01:17:41We have already thought of that, Dr. Ryan.
01:17:44But any kind of electric shock strong enough to kill the amoeba will also kill Tom.
01:17:48I know.
01:17:49Then how?
01:17:50We've been attacking the alien amoeba as if it were a disease.
01:17:53But it isn't. It's an animal.
01:17:54An animal with instincts.
01:17:56And most important of all, a will to act.
01:17:59It only makes it harder to destroy.
01:18:01And gives it a vulnerability we also have.
01:18:03That of making a wrong choice.
01:18:05Look.
01:18:06We had two identical tissue cultures there.
01:18:09Both infested with our own microscopic amoeba and placed very close to each other.
01:18:13One we left alone.
01:18:15The other we subjected to light periodic electric shocks.
01:18:18Before long, all the amoeba on the irritated culture had made their choice.
01:18:22They moved to the nearby undisturbed culture.
01:18:24Then that is what we have to do.
01:18:27We will prepare a large tissue culture and place it next to the infected arm.
01:18:31Then subject Tom to electric shocks.
01:18:33Just short of being harmful to him.
01:18:40Better hurry and get out of that bed, Colonel, sir.
01:18:43Broadway is waiting.
01:18:45Broadway?
01:18:46Just like to know if I can cash my rain check.
01:18:50It's up to you, Iris.
01:18:53Iris.
01:19:01Tom, Iris.
01:19:03I have something I want you to hear.
01:19:05You were right.
01:19:06The whole speech was on the recorder.
01:19:08The last tape.
01:19:09I think you should listen to it.
01:19:11Sounds important.
01:19:12Judge for yourself.
01:19:14Mr. Weiner.
01:19:17Men of Earth, we of the planet Mars give you this warning.
01:19:21Listen carefully and remember.
01:19:23We have known your planet Earth since the first creature crawled out of the primeval slime of your seas to become man.
01:19:31For millennia, we have followed your progress.
01:19:34For centuries, we have watched you, listened to your radio signals, and learned your speech and your culture.
01:19:41And now you have invaded our home.
01:19:44Technological adults, but spiritual and emotional infants.
01:19:48We kept you here, deciding your fate.
01:19:51Had the lower forms of life of our planet destroyed you, we would not have interfered.
01:19:56But you survived.
01:19:58Your civilization has not progressed beyond destruction, war, and violence against yourselves and others.
01:20:05Do as you will to your own and to your planet, but remember this warning.
01:20:10Do not return to Mars.
01:20:12Do not return to Mars.
01:20:15You will be permitted to leave for this sole purpose.
01:20:18Carry the warning to Earth.
01:20:20Do not come here.
01:20:23We can and will destroy you, all life on your planet, if you do not heed us.
01:20:29You have seen us, been permitted to glimpse our world.
01:20:32Go now.
01:20:34Warn mankind not to return unbidden.