Phantom from Space (1953) - full transcript
An alien being with the power of invisibility lands in Santa Monica. Killing two people who attacked him due to the menacing appearance of his spacesuit, the creature takes it off while being pursued by government authorities.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
NARRATOR: This is
Washington, DC,
and in the files of
the Central Bureau,
there is a story so
strange in its implications
that it defies ordinary
classification.
It is a story of a handful of
people who in the course of one
desperate night held back a
wave of panic and pandemonium.
It began after sundown.
Time, 7:15 as Flight A
post-patroled from Travis Field
was returning to base when the
nightly Air Force transport
pointed north toward Japan
via the great circle route.
While at see, the
Navy and Coast Guard
maintained their usual
around the clock vigil.
And from the equator
to the Arctic,
the radar network
swept the skies
with eyes that never sleep.
Time, 7:19 an
unidentified object
was picked up 200 mile southwest
of Port Barrow, Alaska.
7:27, unidentified object
confirmed at Fairbanks, Alaska,
heading south,
southeast 170 degrees.
Height, 75,000 feet.
Estimated speed,
5,000 miles per hour.
White warning.
7:39, unidentified
object 200 miles due west
of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Course 170 degrees,
height 60,000,
estimated speed down to
3,600 miles per hour.
Yellow warning.
7:54, first interceptor
flight airborne.
Point of interception, 80 miles
due west of San Francisco,
California.
7:55, unidentified object
past point of interception.
Red warning.
8:11, Morro Bay, California.
Height, 50,000 feet.
Estimated speed,
2,000 miles per house.
8:15, Santa Monica, California.
Height, 10,000 feet.
Speed, 1,200 miles per hour.
8:18, all traces of
unidentified object gone.
Red warning lifted.
By 8:25 at the Los Angeles
branch of the Communications
Commission, reports of strong
interference with radio
and television reception began
to pour in from the beach area.
Monitors went to
work immediately.
Mobile units were
ordered to converge
on the vicinity of
the disturbance.
Pin point direction
finding devices began
to trace the trouble
to its source.
-This is mobile
one, Hazen speaking.
We're at Ocean and Beacon
Way, an apparent strength two,
bearing 27 degrees.
Over
-Mobile one from center, roger.
Over.
-Mobile center from
mobile seven, over.
-Go ahead mobile seven.
-This is mobile seven.
We're at pacific center in beach
four, interference strength
three, bearing 39 degrees, over.
-This is mobile center, roger.
Stand by.
Mobile one and mobile seven
from mobile center, point
of interception estimated
three miles of surf.
Repeat, three miles
north of surf.
Acknowledge.
-This is mobile seven, roger.
-Mobile one, roger.
-Mobile seven, roger.
We're going out.
MAN (ON RADIO): OK,
Charlie, let's get moving.
-Yes, what is it?
-Excuse me.
Do you have a phone?
I need an ambulance.
-What's the matter?
-My husband and Pete,
out there in the picnic
grounds just above the beach.
They've been hurt.
-Well, this is a
communications car.
I'll phone it in from here.
Mobile one to central, over.
You make that out, Charlie?
CHARLIE (ON RADIO): Not a word.
-Mobile one to central,
I can't reach you.
Repeat.
[BEEP]
Well, it must be
getting us all right.
Mobile one to central,
have an ambulance
sent to beach at surf.
Emergency, two men hurt.
Acknowledge.
[RADIO SOUNDS]
-Roger and out.
I'm sure they'll
be here soon now.
Tell us what happened.
-Oh, this man, he just
kept coming at us.
It was awful.
-Who?
-I don't know.
He was wearing a
suit like a diver.
Hurry please.
They're hurt.
-Charlie, you better wait here.
I'll go down and take a look.
NARRATOR: A young woman's
hysteria became obvious
once as they reached the
picnic grounds of the beach.
There was no sign of
the mysterious intruder.
And little could be done for
her husband and their friend
until the ambulance arrive.
-Hi, fellas.
-How are you doing?
-Oh, we're just taking
another reading now.
What happened down there?
-The police took the girl and
one of the guys to the station.
-What about the other one?
-Oh, he's on the
way to the morgue.
That was her husband.
-You're right on the
button, Charlie, 44.7.
Report back to central if
you find anything else.
-Charlie, grab that
portable [INAUDIBLE].
-Got it right here.
-I'll pick you up right
here in about an hour.
-Where you going?
-Police asked me to drop by
the station, sign a report.
I'll see you later.
-If you don't, you know
where to look for the body.
-Like I said, we were
just starting to eat
and we heard something tracking
through the sand toward us.
I looked up and
couldn't see anything.
Then Betty screamed.
-At what?
I thought you
couldn't see anything.
-At first we couldn't.
And this guy started toward us.
-What kind of a guy?
-How should I know?
He was wearing some kind
of a helmet over his head.
He could've been a deep
sea diver or anything.
-All right, after you saw
this diver, what happened?
-Well, we jumped up.
Ed-- that was Betty's husband--
yelled at him to stop.
But he just kept coming.
I never saw anything like it.
He didn't say anything.
He just kept moving in.
-And then you say
he attacked you.
-I wouldn't even
give him a chance.
Ed grabbed a piece of wood
and took a swing at him.
That didn't stop him.
He caught the end.
That's-- that's all I remember.
-Just because a man's taking a
walk is no reason to slug him.
Besides, you don't look like
a guy who frightens so easy.
-How would you feel if somebody
with a crazy helmet with pipes
sticking out of it came
at you in the dark.
Look, I know this
sounds crazy, but there
wasn't any head in that helmet.
-No head.
No head at all?
-It's the truth.
-I think you need some coffee.
-I don't want anything.
-If it's all the same
to you, leiutenant,
I've got to pick up one
of my men at the beach.
-OK, that's for
coming down, Hazen.
Hope I didn't put you out.
-No troubles.
So long.
To you too.
-All right, let's
start at the beginning.
How well did you
know the dead man?
And his wife?
-Betty and I went
to school together.
I knew Eddie a year.
-How long were they married?
-About a year.
-Wasn't her husband a
little older than she?
-I don't know.
-But you said you and Mrs.
Evans went to school together.
And you never discussed
anything personal with her?
-She did mention
he was older, yes.
-How much?
-15, 20 years.
What difference does that make?
-That wasn't too
hard now was it?
Where do you live?
629 1/2 East Palm Court.
Why?
-That's where the
Evans live, isn't it?
-Yeah, I board with them.
-You do, eh?
Now Mrs. Evans is a
good-looking woman.
-What are you trying to say?
[PHONE RINGING]
-Lieutenant Bowers.
Where?
Yeah, I got it.
I'll leave right away.
There's been another murder.
Near the beach.
Keep an eye on this
guy till I get back.
-What are you--
-You'll stay right
where you are,
at least until Mrs. Evans
feels well enough to talk.
-What do you want from her?
-Oh, I just want to see if
your story checks with hers.
After all, you went to
school together, remember?
[SIRENS]
-You say there were
no witnesses, huh?
-None yet.
-Anything missing?
-I don't think so.
The cash register
wasn't touched.
-Get a breakdown of the
inventory as soon as you can.
What about finger prints?
-Boys are working on them now.
-Sorry I'm late.
-What kept you so long?
-Lieutenant asked me
to hang around a while.
-What's the score?
-Eh, it looks like one of
those things-- pretty girl,
loner husband, young boarder.
Kid claims some guy without a
head knocked the old man off.
-You don't say.
Anything else?
-Yeah, he had a diver's
outfit with horns.
-No.
He's gonna have to
do better than that.
-How are we doing?
-I took a reading
about 10 minutes ago.
The radiation has gone
out out with the tide.
What about the radio phone?
-It's working fine again.
I just got a call from central.
They said mobile seven
picked up some new trouble
northeast of here.
-Here we go again.
-Hop in.
-Who reported this murder?
-There he is there.
Lives next door.
His name's George Nelson.
-Hey, Mr. Nelson.
-Yes, sir.
-Come here, will ya?
I'm Lieutenant Bowers, homicide.
You found this body?
-That's right.
He must have just locked up for
the night when this happened.
-How do you know that?
-Well, he usually
does around this time.
-What were you doing here?
-I was sitting at home
watching the fights on TV,
and all of a sudden the
thing started acting up.
-What has that
got to do with it?
-Of course, you
don't know the set.
You know, it wouldn't work at
all when I came home to supper.
And all of a sudden,
it cleared up fine.
So I thought, well, I'll just
stop to look at the fights
again.
And all of a sudden,
out it goes again.
So I thought maybe the
battery station down here
was overcharging the circuit and
so I just got to take a look.
That's all.
-Hey, don't you ever quit work?
What's up this time?
-Another murder.
What are you doing here, Hazen?
-Same as before.
Still trying to track
down that signal.
-Hey, uh, does that
stuff work on TV too?
-It has been for hours.
-What'd I tell ya?
-What's the matter?
-It seems his set
went on the blank.
-Well, at least we know
we're on the right track.
How'd you make out
with that boarder?
--[LAUGHS] He's still
sticking with the story.
The guy had no head.
-Well, I'll be seeing you.
So long.
-Right.
NARRATOR: And so the
communications team
resumed its mission, to track
the mysterious interference
to its source.
Via accurate readings
taken at regular intervals
by stationary and
mobile units, it
was determined that
the disturbance was
moving in a
north-easterly direction.
By 10:34, mobile center had
pinpointed the disturbance
at the edge at the
Huntington Oil Fields.
Units one and seven were
instructed to close in.
-Hey, Charlie.
Do you see what I see?
-Yeah.
The oil field.
-Let's So our
trouble's burning up.
-Well, there's only
one way to find out.
-Look, serg, to murders and
an explosion in one precinct
is big news.
Now come on, you can't pit
it all on the young boarder.
Or can ya?
-Very funny.
Yeah?
-I'm Hazen of the
Communications Commission.
-Oh, the lieutenant's
waiting for you.
-Thank you.
-Who's the [INAUDIBLE]?
-You heard the man,
Communications Commission.
-So does this kind of
interference happen very often?
-Never anything like this.
It's on the move all the time.
--[INAUDIBLE] transmitter
wouldn't occur.
-It's not a transmitter.
We don't get a definite
disturbance, just
an appearance.
-Hmm.
You have no idea
of what it is, huh?
-Not yet.
How are you making up?
-Not so good.
You were here when I questioned
that boarder about the murder
at the beach.
-Get any more about of it?
-Yeah, come on with me.
You might want to see this.
Ah, I see you're
just about done.
Thanks, you can go now.
Are you sure this is
what the man looks like?
-What do you say, Betty?
-Well, just about--
um, I think the tubes
were a little lower down.
-And you still insist there
was no head inside the helmet.
-I'm positive there wasn't.
-What about you?
-Well, it was dark.
I couldn't swear to it.
-Thanks, that'll be all.
-You mean we can go now?
-Yeah, for the time being.
Just stick close to home.
I'll be wanting to see
you again tomorrow.
-We'll be there.
Come on, Betty.
-Kind of changed your mind
about those two, haven't you?
-Yeah, I guess I have.
Hey, Lou, bring in
the old man, will ya?
-Don't tell me you believe
this story about this-- this--
whatever it is.
-I know it sounds as
phony as it ever did.
But-- Sit down,
will you, please?
You're the watchman at
the Huntington Oil Fields.
-Oh, yes, sir, I've been with
the company for over 22 years.
-Sit down.
Will you tell Mr. Hazen
here exactly what happened?
-Well, sir, like I said
before, I was just closing
the gate for the night when
I saw this fellow coming up.
I was never so
scared in my life.
-Yes, go on.
-Well, it wasn't the man so
much as the suit he was wearing.
Oh, he wouldn't stop
when I hollered at him.
He just pushed him way right
in there through the gate
and walked right up those steps.
-Well, you carry a gun.
Did you try to stop him?
-It was much too
close to a tank.
I was afraid to shoot.
So I thought I
might call for help.
Just as I got to the
shack, the tank blew up.
Oh, you should see the sight.
The--
-Uh, sir, could you give us
a description of this man?
How would you say
he was dressed?
-Well, sir, like I said before,
he wore a sort of-- the sort
of [INAUDIBLE] not outfit
with a helmet attached to it.
-How tall was he?
-Oh, he was a giant of a man.
And he had tubes sticking
out of that thingy,
that helmet he wore.
-Uh, could you tell us
what his face looked like?
-Huh, well sir.
Though he got
pretty close to me,
I could swear the
man had no face.
-Now if you saw this
man again, would you
recognize him, I
mean by his outfit?
-I'll never forget that sight
if I live to be 100, sir.
-Would you say this is the man?
-Why, sure.
That-- that's him!
-Thank you very much.
You may go now.
-Oh, that's it.
-Well, Hazen.
What do you say now?
-Beats me.
The descriptions
check all right.
This could be some
kind of flying
suit, high altitude equipment.
-Yeah, that's what
I've been thinking.
But how do you explain that
stuff about the missing head?
-Naw, we can just [INAUDIBLE].
These people were frightened.
It's night.
Nobody really took a
close a look at him.
-I guess you're right.
But whoever he is, that outfit
doesn't look like one of ours.
-Of course, he could've
been dropped by a parachute.
-Sabotage?
-I think we better wire
a report to Washington,
see what they say.
-Yeah, you can use our teletype.
I'll tip off the LA
police to be on the look
out for something unusual.
-Hey, wait a minute.
What about the press?
-Oh, I don't think
they know too much now.
-You better keep it that
way for a while, at least,
till we find out whether our
friend is still around here.
-Well, if he is, I think
we can find him for you.
My hunch is that he's carrying
something around that's causing
all this disturbance,
whether he knows it or not.
-Yeah.
Kill that page one lead.
They let the boarder
and the girl go.
Hmm?
How do I know?
The lieutenant thinks that
a guy in a flying suit
knocked off the husband.
Mhm.
Nah.
No, not a chance.
Not a chance of an exclusive
run of the picture.
They're making a blanket
release in the morning.
Hm?
Oh, there's a guy from the
Communications Commission now.
Yeah, I'll call you back
later if there's anything new.
OK.
[KNOCKING]
-Come in.
-Sorry to interrupt
you, Lieutenant.
-No, what is it, Jim?
-This teletype came for you.
-Oh, thanks Jim.
I'm waiting for it.
That was fast.
Well, here's our answer.
-Looks like they never
sleep in Washington.
-Just a contact of Major
Andrews, care of Dr. Wyatt,
director of the
Griffith Institute.
-It's kind of late.
Well, I'll give them a call.
-While you're at it, I'll go out
to the car check with central.
-OK.
-Well, that's the
story up till now.
We got in touch with Washington.
They told us to
contact you here.
-Very interesting.
What do you think, doctor?
-When I see something like this,
I understand why your gentlemen
might have thought
[INAUDIBLE] was involved.
-Lieutenant, are
you sure there were
no traces of this
saboteur, this ex-man
found after the explosion
in the oil field?
-Fire department went over
ever inch of the area.
Didn't come up with a thing.
-Well, then there's
a strong possibility
that he might have perished
in the explosion itself.
-I doubt that .
We're pretty well-convinced
this man is carrying something
that's responsible for all
the signal interference.
According to the
last report I got,
there was a death in the
disturbance about three miles
east of the oil fields,
sometime after the explosion.
-Well, then if he's
alive, you should
be able to keep an accurate
check of his where abouts.
-Not that easy.
As a matter of fact,
we lost contact
about three quarters
of an hour ago.
-Maybe he realized
you were trailing him
and got rid of whatever
he had that was
causing the disturbance.
-I that case,
there's nothing much
my department can
do to help you.
-I guess it's up to us.
Unless you have
some suggestions.
-Well, let me think
out loud for a minute.
It might just be that we've
been talking about so far,
and this [INAUDIBLE]
we'll call him,
ties in with what the doctor
and I have been discussing.
-That is very possible.
-I don't whether you know it or
not, but somewhere around 7:30
this evening, our radar
networks picked up
an unidentified object
off Point Barrow, Alaska.
They traced it clear
down to Santa Monica
before they lost it.
-Santa Monica,
that's what we first
picked up our
radio interference.
-Yeah, right at the
scene of the murder.
-Well then, if all
these things tally up,
we've got some idea of
how our men got here.
-You mean that he
came in some plane?
In that case,
somebody would have
seen it land and take off again.
-Well, when did it crash?
-No, no we don't
think it was a plane.
No rocket or jet that
has been built so far
can obtain the speeds of 5,000
miles an hour, particularly
for such a great distance.
-Maybe we're on the
wrong track altogether.
Couldn't your unidentified
object have been a meteor?
They travel at a terrific speed.
-Yes, fast enough
for most of them
to burn themselves
out the moment
they hit the earth's atmosphere.
And did it occur to you that
meteors are not very likely
to travel horizontally,
all the way
from the North
Pole to California?
-If it wasn't a meteor or a
flying missile of some type,
what do you figure
this [INAUDIBLE].
-We're not sure that he does.
-I don't care what you say.
But it doesn't make sense to me.
Anybody trained in sabotage
would stay undercover.
This guy's walking around in
a monkey suit, killing people.
[KNOCKING]
-Excuse me, Dr. Wyatt.
Is there a Lieutenant
Bowers in here.
-Oh yes, what is it?
-There's a Mr. Wakeman from
the Chronicle here to see you.
-Wakeman here?
Now what does he want?
-Well, there's only
one way to find out.
-Before you go,
Lieutenant, I don't believe
you've met my assistant,
Barbara Randall.
-Well, hello.
-Hello.
-It's Mrs. Randall, Lieutenant.
-I'll be right back.
-Barbara, you know the major.
-Of course.
-And this is--
-Hazen with the
Communications Commission.
-How do you do?
-Well, I see you're working
a little later tonight
than usual.
-Yes, my husband's
teaching a late class,
and he won't be able to
pick me up for a while.
Besides, I had some
work to do in the lab.
-Well, at least you'll
have lots of company.
-All right, so I shouldn't
have come up here.
But I've got to get you a
rangle on this beach murder.
And your whole
department is shut up.
-Look, Wakeman, would
you stop bothering me?
There's nothing to say.
You come to exclusive
stories and [INAUDIBLE],
but you know as much as I do.
-Yeah, but that still doesn't
explain anything about the guy
without a head.
Come on.
Who is he?
-Your guess is as good as mine.
-Do you mean you let those two
kids go without knowing that?
I don't buy it.
-Well, I did.
-Well then you must have
an awful good reason.
I bet you're trying to tie
it in with that other murder.
All right, Lieutenant.
Don't tell me.
I'll get my story somehow.
Oh, if you want to know
how things turn out,
read the Chronicle
in the morning.
-That's right.
I'll get in touch with
Charlie in mobile one
and have him call for me here.
OK, honey.
-Folks come up with anything?
-No, we're just
[INAUDIBLE] Barbara here.
-It's just amazing
the way you've
been able to put
these things together.
-Don't kid yourself
Mrs. Randall.
It seems the press knows
as much about it as we do.
-Well, let's hope they don't
come to the same conclusions.
A few lurid headlines and
every fool in the country
will be seeing phantoms
in space suits and men
from Mars all over the place.
-Yes.
I can imagine.
And mass hysteria is difficult
to check once it gets started.
-That's why we've
got to move fast.
-Well, from the looks of
things, I guess it's up to me.
I'll be in touch with you
as soon as [INAUDIBLE].
See you.
NARRATOR: By 12:30 AM, the
dragnet was in operation.
Mobile units patrolled the
streets and countryside.
The covered an area
35 miles square.
Special and sensitive equipment
was prepared for action.
Everyone on the job was ready
to move on the first signal
from the Communications
Commission.
MAN (ON RADIO): Monitor
Corona, the mobile centers.
Strength four.
Brickyard at 160th,
moving toward oil fields.
Contact your units.
Over and out.
-Units one, seven
from mobile center.
Units one and seven
from mobile center.
Strength four interference
at 160th and the oil field.
Moving due east.
Close in.
Repeating, strength
four, interference
at 160th and the oil field.
Close in.
[SIRENS]
-[INAUDIBLE] Joe.
-Just got here.
Trying to set this up.
-What gives, Hazen.
-He's in this area, all right.
-I [INAUDIBLE].
-Thank you, doctor.
-I'll walk over to
those oil fields.
-Well, it doesn't register
as far as the oil fields.
-I think we'll do
better if we split up.
-Right, Lieutenant.
You two go that way.
Lieutenant, out here.
Rick, Joe, you follow him.
-Come on, doctor.
And you, oh, forget it.
-Hey, Hazen.
Look at this.
-Yeah.
It points this way.
Hey, Joe!
Joe!
-Hazen!
Hey, Hazen!
603.
-Boy, he's strong.
-That's it, doctor.
-It's leading this way.
Come on!
What's this way?
Come on.
-Going strong.
-[INAUDIBLE].
-Checks with me.
-Sure does.
He's here.
We saw him.
-There he goes!
-Come on!
-[INAUDIBLE].
-He's got to be
around here somewhere.
-Yeah, how we gonna
get on the roof?
-Fritz, go get a ladder.
[YELLING]
-Let's cut him off!
-Come on!
-Anybody see him?
-There he is!
-Set him down.
-We'll give you 10
seconds to come out
of there, starting now!
One, two, three, four, five,
six, seven, eight, nine, 10!
We're going in.
-A couple of you
guys cover the door.
Come on.
-Ay, there's nobody in here.
-Impossible, we saw him come in.
-Maybe he went
out of the window.
-He won't get very far.
-Don't touch anything till
we check for finger prints.
-Oh, doctor, over here.
He left his suit and his helmet.
-Hey, let's bring that thing out
so I can get a good shot of it.
-No way, you fool!
-What's the matter?
-For your information,
that's a Geiger counter,
and it says hands off.
-I think you better
wait outside.
-I just have a job to do.
-So do we.
And I'm afraid ours
will have to come first.
-There's no radiation
from the helmet.
-But look at this!
-So that's what's been
causing all the trouble.
Charlie, you know
where we can dig
up a lead line box in a hurry?
-Well, mobile seven
should have one.
They're right outside.
I'll take a look.
-Hurry it up, will ya?
-Unbelievable.
Now we all thought that this
phantom might be getting
some device that's causing
all the signal interference.
[INAUDIBLE] had it due to
the very clothes on his body.
-That's not the only
thing that bothers me.
Did any of you get a
good look at his face?
-Not me.
He's too far away.
-Well, I did.
Unless I'm mistaken,
that helmet was empty.
-Hey, where am I
gonna put this stuff?
-Oh, put it in Dr.
Wyatt's station wagon.
-You want me to take it
back to the institute?
-Right.
-[INAUDIBLE].
-No, that's all right.
You can handle that.
-Any luck?
-Not a sign of him.
The boys are still
searching the grounds.
-For what?
Nobody knows what he looks
like without that outfit.
-[INAUDIBLE] major.
Reporter got a
flash picture, and I
just happen to borrow that film.
It's on its way to head
quarters right now to developed.
-Good.
Send us a print as
soon as you can.
-Sure.
-Lieutenant, are you sure you
don't want to come with us?
We want to make a
few tests at the lab.
-I'd liked to, doctor.
But you know the situation.
I've got to get that guy.
Let me know how you
make out, will you?
-Yeah, we'll do that, sure.
-Good evening, doctor.
We were just on our way home,
and we saw you drive in.
-Good evening, Barbara.
-Hello, Bill.
-I see we got here just in time.
-Anything new?
-Lots of excitement,
but that's all.
Major, you know
Barbara's husband.
-Oh, of course.
How are you?
-How are you.
There, it's a nice looking
dog you've got there.
What's his name?
-His name, Venus.
-Say, Bill, I hate
to ask this, but
something important has come up.
And I wonder, can
we borrow Barbara
for about an hour or so?
-Hm.
I suppose so.
-Of course.
Darling, why don't you
go and do the shopping?
Here's the list.
The market's open all evening.
-I may as well.
See you later, honey.
[BARKING]
-I'll take the dog
and tie her up.
-Thank you Bill, goodnight.
-Goodnight.
-I'll give you a hand with this.
-Oh, thanks, doc.
Easy now.
Look out for your fingers.
-I've got it.
Now don't drop it.
-Venus, come back here!
Venus, come back here!
[BARKING]
-What's the matter?
There's no one in there.
Come on.
See, Venus, look,
there's no one in here.
You know you're not
allowed in here.
[BARKING]
Venus, I said be quiet.
Come on, girl.
Now you stay right here, Venus.
And I don't want to hear
one sound out of you.
-You were right, doctor.
There are no finger
prints anywhere.
-What's all this?
-Hey, don't touch anything.
-You better put some gloves on.
Our friend Mr. X left this
suit at the oil refinery.
-You mean you were that close
to him and you didn't catch him?
-I'm afraid so.
That's up to the police now.
Hand me those sheers.
I want to cut this
material to work with it.
Say, better have
those sharpened.
-But I just bought them.
-Well then.
-Here, try this knife.
-That still won't cut.
-Let me try.
This stuff is
tougher than nylon.
Why don't I try it
over a Bunsen burner.
It doesn't burn either.
Let's take a look at it
under the microscope.
-Look, it's magnetic!
-Magnetic?
-Here I'll--
-Radioactive, and
apparently indestructible.
-Thank you.
-What's the matter?
-You tell me.
Take a look at that weave.
-What weave?
There is none.
This material is one solid mass.
-Mass, yes.
Why, you're right.
It must be some sort of plastic.
-No, I'd say it's a metallic
substance of some kind.
-Well, I've seen a lot
of interesting alloys,
but never anything like this.
Let's try an acid test.
-All right.
-Go ahead.
Careful now.
It'll only take a drop or two
-It repels acid like a
raincoat repels water.
-Why, there's no reaction.
-Well, major, this
looks as though we're
going to be here
for a long time.
Now we have it.
The helmet is not radioactive.
The suit it.
There's no doubt.
This space suit is conditioned
to function above 63,000.
But human blood would boil,
resulting in the body expanding
to twice its size
and death, of course.
-I know.
And it must withstand
pressure and counter-pressure.
Also it must be so supercharged
it can function in atmosphere.
-Now let's see what is left
in this breathing apparatus.
-Well, how are you doing?
-The gas in the helmet tank
breaks down to 11% methane.
-Ordinary [INAUDIBLE].
What's the rest of the formula?
-Well, that's where I'm stuck.
I can't figure it out.
It just doesn't respond
to any of the usual tests.
-Well, how could anyone exist
on that combination of gases?
You and I couldn't.
But apparently someone can.
-Doctor, are you trying to say
that our X man doesn't breathe
oxygen and hasn't the
metabolism of a normal human?
-I really don't know!
From what we've seen, yes,
some physical characteristics
make him appear human.
But added to them is this
fabulous radio activity
that none of us could stand.
I am puzzled!
-I think the answer lies
right here in this helmet.
Obviously he needs
it to supply him,
otherwise he wouldn't
have risked wearing it
where he'd sort
of be recognized.
As it is, he only took it
off when he was cornered.
-Well, if what you
say is true, how
can he exist without it now?
-Let me put it this way, it's
like a patient in an iron lung.
Sometimes one can be
removed for hours at a time
without any real effects.
-Exactly.
And I think the same
principle applies here.
And that means
sooner or later, he
has to get his breathing
apparatus back or die.
-I don't understand it.
-Well, I've got an idea.
If we were to return this whole
outfit to where he left it,
he might be tempted
to come back to it.
[PHONE RINGING]
-Dr. Wyatt speaking.
Yes, he's here.
-Oh, thank you.
-Hello, major.
Still at it, huh?
-Mhm.
-No, we haven't got a thing, no.
The picture?
-Yeah, hold on.
He says the picture the
reporter took of our man
didn't come out.
-I was afraid of
something like that.
The radio activity must
have thrown the emulsion.
-Hello.
No, no we didn't
find any fingerprints
at all in his clothes.
Did you find any?
[BUZZ]
Too bad.
-Hello?
Will you wait there please.
-We don't know what to
make of this either.
Have you heard from the
communication boys yet?
Well let's hope they
turn up with something.
-Major, excuse me.
-Hold on a second.
Yes?
-It's Mr. Wakeman
of the Chronicle.
He insists upon seeing you.
-He does?
Where is he?
-I told him to
wait in the lobby.
-Good.
Hello?
Yes, our friend from
the press is here.
Don't worry.
I wouldn't dare let
anyone in on anything,
at least not till we
get something concrete.
Right.
All right, I'll see you later.
Well, I guess I'd better
see this newspaper man.
Want to come along, doctor?
-I think I will.
-Well, hello.
Remember me?
-Certainly, yes.
-Nice [INAUDIBLE]
gadgets you've got here.
-We think so.
What's on your mind?
-Well, I was
wondering if you might
let me take a couple of
pictures of that suit you
brought up here.
-I'm sorry.
We can't do that.
-Oh.
Well, now look, I've
got a wonderful picture
of the guy running
into the shack.
And the lieutenant stuck
his nose in my business
and what do I get?
A blank.
-Is that you, doctor?
-Oh, you must have
some lead on this guy,
otherwise you wouldn't have
brought that suit up here.
-Well, let's just
say we were curious.
-Hello, Bill.
Back so soon?
-Isn't Barbara through?
-I don't know.
She's still in the lab.
Why don't you go up and see?
-Thanks.
I will.
Barbara!
Barbara, are you in there?
-Bill.
Listen to me.
I'm not alone.
Someone is in here with me.
I can't see him.
He locked the door
and has the key.
-I'll break the door down.
-No, Bill, don't please.
You better get help.
-You mean I've come all the
way up here for nothing?
-I'm afraid so.
Goodnight.
-Yes, goodnight, Mr. Wakeman.
-Goodnight.
-Major, come quick.
-What's the matter?
Where's Barbara?
-In the lab.
The door's locked, and there's
someone in there with her!
-I thought you said
the door was locked.
-It was.
-She's gone.
-Cover the main entrance.
That's the only way
anybody could leave.
-I will.
-In that case, we would've
seen her on our way up.
-Then she must still
be in the building.
We better split up.
I'll take the roof.
-Barbara!
Barbara!
Barbara!
Barbara!
Barbara!
Barbara!
Where are you?
Barbara!
Barbara!
Barbara!
Barbara!
Barbara!
Where are you?
Barbara!
Barbara!
Barbara!
Where are you?
Barbara!
Have you sighted her?
-Not yet.
-She must be around
here some place.
-Now you stay here.
Watch the main entrance.
And I'll check the basement.
-She's not up there.
Where's the doctor?
-He went down to the basement.
Here he comes.
You didn't find her?
-No.
I better call the police.
-But there's no
telling what could
happen to her in the meantime.
-No, no.
Take it easy.
We're doing the best we can.
-But she said she was locked in.
And she couldn't see who did it.
Can you explain that?
-No.
Not yet.
-[GASPS] Who are you?
Don't come near me.
I'm warning you!
Don't come near me!
[SCREAMS] Don't!
The code.
I don't understand.
You're trying to tell me
you need it to breathe,
and there isn't much
left in the tank.
One, one two, one,
one two, three.
I'll-- I'll write it down.
One, one two, one,
one two, three.
[GASPS] [SCREAMS]
-Barbara!
-In the lab!
-No, please, don't.
-She's in there.
-Barbara!
BARBARA: I can see
its hand. [INAUDIBLE].
[INAUDIBLE]
-Darling, are you all right?
-I think so.
I'm looking for it.
I just saw him, so
he must be in here.
[BARKING]
-It's 70 feet to the ground.
He would be killed.
[BARKING]
-It was frightening!
I couldn't see him.
I didn't know what to do.
-Come here, quickly.
-His suit, it's disintegrating.
-This is amazing.
[BARKING]
-Now, quiet down, Venus.
Quiet down.
Down.
[BARKING]
-Mobile center from mobile
one, come in, please.
MAN (ON RADIO): This
is mobile center.
Go ahead.
-Get ahold of Major Andrews
or Dr. Wyatt at the institute.
I want to talk to
either one of them.
MAN (ON RADIO): Will do.
Stand by, mobile one.
-Dr. Wyatt speaking.
Oh yes, Mr. Hazen.
Yes, we're still at it.
Lots and lots of excitement.
But nothing definite yet.
Have you anything to say?
-The trouble seems to
be just about gone.
We get a flash in the direction
of the observatory once
in a while, but I figure
that's because of the outfit
you're testing.
-Yes.
Lieutenant Bowers ought
to be here any minute.
Of course.
How long will it take
you to get up here?
Good.
See you then.
-Thank you, gentlemen.
Put it down here, please.
Barbara, plug that
cord in over there.
Now you're going to see I have
to resort to ultraviolet light
in order to show you
what little there
is left of the space suit.
As you can see, it has
reduced itself to this liquid.
And it's in an
evaporating stage.
The helmet is in the
lab and still intact.
-This is amazing.
All the radiation
in this suit would--
why, it'd be fatal to a
normal human being wearing it.
-Of course.
Furthermore, our
respiratory system
could never simulate
gases such we
have found in that
breathing device.
-Well then we have to
assume our so-called X man
carried his own
atmosphere with him.
-Excuse me.
But as a matter
of curiosity, why
do we refer to this
thing as a him?
I thought it was invisible.
-Under normal conditions, yes.
Yet Mrs. Randall did see
the imprint of a large foot
and a massive human hand
under the ultraviolet light.
-How do you explain that?
-I don't know,
but the human body
is composed of various
elements with a carbon base.
-Like coal.
-Yes.
Now Suppose we maintain the
same chemical composition
in the body of the X man but
substitute silica for carbon.
-Silica, that's glass.
-Exactly.
Now it is possible that
a body with such a base,
if it were subjected to
an atmosphere foreign
to its origin, might appear
invisible to our eyes.
-Are you trying to
say, doctor, that we're
not dealing with a human being?
-I didn't say that.
On the contrary,
all the evidence
points in the
opposite direction,
toward a super human
with an intelligence
far superior to our own.
-How can you tell?
-First of all, Mrs. Randall saw
that he had a hand with digits
like our own fingers,
and a thumb, opposing.
That alone is a sign
of intelligence.
And he comes from civilization
that has developed
adequate space
transportation to enable
him to travel him to earth.
We have nothing
yet that can reach
even another planet
in our solar system.
-That could account for
the unidentified objects
picked up by radar
a few hours ago.
-My theory is that the
spaceship or whatever
it was he came in operates under
principle of magnetic rather
than atomic proportion, and
that somewhere in the out limits
met with the condition where the
earth's gravity pulled it down
and it fell into the
ocean, and that he managed
to save his life
and reach the shore.
-You really can pick up any type
of communications interference
no matter how weak
the signal may be.
-Sure thing.
We were on his trail from
the minute he left the beach.
-I never knew you carried
such sensitive instruments
in your car.
-What you've told us is
very interesting, doctor.
But I've got to make an official
report to head quarters.
Are you willing to be quoted
that the criminal we're after
is a creature from
another world?
-All I can say is we know
that our earth is not
the only planet
capable of sustaining
life in one form or another.
You can quote that.
-All I've got to go by is
some footprints and a hand.
That is much.
No fingerprints, no
description, no nothing.
And we're after a killer.
-Has it occurred to
you that our X man
has no apparent
motivation for his acts
and might therefore not be an
intentional criminal at all?
-You have a point there.
-Hey, wait a minute.
Come to think of it, the
young boarder we suspected.
He did say that
the girl's husband
through the first punch.
So--
-So that could have
been enough to provoke
the strange creature.
And the same could have
happened at the second murder.
-Sure.
What about the fire
in the oil fields?
-Evidently our man sense the
presence of some gases, which
he thought might be utilized
in his breathing apparatus.
-Yeah, that could account
for his presence at the oil
refinery where something went
wrong, causing the explosion.
-Too bad he got wise to us
and took off his uniform,
or we'd have been able to
catch up with him by now.
-No, he didn't utter a word.
But I'm convinced he was trying
to convey a message to me.
He kept tapping out a code.
I wrote it down.
-Let me see that, please.
Doesn't make sense.
-Well, it may be based
on some mathematical
we know nothing about.
-But he was trying
to tell us something.
Why did he run away?
[TAPPING]
-What do you think of that?
-Yeah.
-Hazen must be crazy,
sending out stuff like that.
-I guess so.
Let's try and get a hold of him.
-Yeah.
Mobile one from mobile center.
Come in please.
Mobile one from mobile center.
Come in please.
Mobile one from mobile center.
Come in please.
-Hey, that's central calling.
-You better stay
here by the car.
I'll go tell Hazen.
-Yes, [INAUDIBLE].
Of course.
I'll mail you a complete report
first thing in the morning.
Yes, thank you.
Oh and I'm-- I'm
awfully sorry to have
disturbed you so late at night.
Right, goodnight sir.
-He's around here,
this invisible guy.
He was in the car.
-How do you know?
-I was talking to
Randall outside when
I heard central calling.
Before I could get over to
answer, I saw the door open
and shut by itself.
-He's desperate.
-Or all we know, he could
be trying to send a distress
signal to his home
base, wherever that is.
-Let's hope he
doesn't get through.
We've got enough problems
with just one of those guys.
-Well, at least we know
he's around the vicinity.
It's obvious what
keeps him around.
-Of course.
It's got to come back
for what little gas
there is left in this helmet.
-And when he does--
-Oh please, the most important
thing is to take him alive.
If we can only make
him understand,
there's no telling how
much science can profit.
-I'll go along
with that, doctor.
But I've got to make
sure once he's cornered,
I'll be able to hang on to him.
-I think we're all
agreed on that.
-All right, good, then we
must see from his angle.
He's in an alien world.
No doubt we are as frightening
to him as he is to us.
The most important thing then
is to keep calm at all costs
and do not mean to provoke him.
NARRATOR: Immediately
a simple plan the trap
the phantom went into operation.
All obstacles to his
entry were removed.
To erase any possible suspicion,
the doors were left unguarded
and inconspicuous electric
eye equipment was set up.
All this was connected to a
makeshift control board, which
would immediately signal
the exact location
of the trespasser.
Now there was nothing
to do but wait.
The one road leading
to the institute
was blocked off to make sure no
outsider would upset the plans
or interfere in any way.
-What's the big idea?
-Sorry, nobody's
allowed through here.
-Who says so?
-Lieutenant Bowers's orders.
-Oh, is he up there?
-He might be.
-Well, you get word to him that
Joe Wakeman of the Chronicle
is here.
-Sorry, bud, I can't leave.
-Oh.
What about them over there?
Hey, you over there.
-Me?
-Yeah, aren't you the guy from
the communications office?
Didn't I see you down at the
oil fields a couple hours ago?
-What of it?
-You got anything to do with it?
-Well, you'll have to ask
Lieutenant Bowers about that.
-How can I if he won't see me?
-That's a good question.
-Well, it's a quarter till 4:00.
He's sure taking his time.
-Time is cheap.
-Yeah, well, how long can you
sit on the edge of your chair
like this?
-[INAUDIBLE] if we have to.
-I only hope this
mechanism works.
-It will unless he flies
in between the wires.
-I wouldn't take any
bets that he can't.
-Well, if everything
else fails, we
still have Venus
here to help us.
You know, I'm certain she
sensed his presence before.
That's why she carried on so.
-What's the matter, Lieutenant?
Is this thing getting you?
-Oh, no, no, I was just
thinking about public reaction
to all this.
I've got to get something
to the press by morning.
-You know, ever since I was a
kid, I wanted to be a pilot.
Then after I got my wings
and then had 75 missions,
I thought I'd seen everything.
Now after all this, I know
I haven't seen anything.
[BEEPING]
-He's here.
-[INAUDIBLE].
Let's [INAUDIBLE].
[BARKING]
[BEEPING]
-This way.
[BARKING]
-Cut it out!
-Stop!
-What are you guys trying to do?
-Well, it's the reporter.
-Yeah, it sure is.
What's going on around here?
You guys crazy?
[BEEPING]
-How'd you get in here?
-Oh, that don't
make any difference.
Come on.
What's up?
What's going on?
[BARKING]
-All right, Lieutenant.
You better tell him.
I'll reset the wires.
-Don't [INAUDIBLE].
We want you to live.
Don't you understand?
Can't you speak?
Can't you say something,
anything in any language?
Listen, everybody.
He's in the lab with me now.
He's in the lab with me now.
[BARKING]
Venus, be quiet.
The door is unlocked.
Hurry, he's having
trouble breathing.
I don't think he can
last much longer.
And please, don't
let Venus get at him.
And walk in quietly.
-Quiet, Venus.
-It's unbelievable.
-You see, there's
nothing to be afraid of.
Nobody wants to hurt you.
-I've tried to reason with it.
I feel he understands,
but he can't speak.
-Wait a minute,
I'll try his code.
I think I remember it right.
[KNOCKING]
-Better plug in the
ultraviolet light.
[CRASH]
-You scared him.
-There goes Venus!
[BARKING]
-Look, Venus!
-He must be there.
-He's going to the roof.
[BARKING]
-He's gone up there!
-Take this.
I'm going after him.
[BARKING]
The door!
In here with the big telescope.
-Close the dome.
The switch is over there.
-[INAUDIBLE].
-Quiet, Venus.
-Well, if he's in here,
he'll never get out now.
-This is what I've been waiting.
Please, Lieutenant,
this is our last chance.
We have to take him alive.
-Plug in the lamps.
There's an outlet here.
-[GASPS] He must be up there!
His whole body's [INAUDIBLE].
-If I hadn't seen this
with my own eyes--
-What do we do now?
-Stand back.
-Amazing.
-It's cold again.
Look, he's trying to
speak, but no sound
is coming out of his mouth.
-Look at Venus.
She acts as though
she hears him.
-Yes, the dog can hear
sounds that we can't.
His voice must be beyond
the range of the human ear.
Maybe he's screaming.
-He's suffocating.
The glow, it's almost gone.
[SCREAMS]
-We won't need these
lights anymore.
In death he has become
visible as a normal body.
-He's evaporating.
We are [INAUDIBLE].
And right before
our eyes his body
went through the
final phases of life.
Well, it's morning.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
NARRATOR: This is
Washington, DC,
and in the files of
the Central Bureau,
there is a story so
strange in its implications
that it defies ordinary
classification.
It is a story of a handful of
people who in the course of one
desperate night held back a
wave of panic and pandemonium.
It began after sundown.
Time, 7:15 as Flight A
post-patroled from Travis Field
was returning to base when the
nightly Air Force transport
pointed north toward Japan
via the great circle route.
While at see, the
Navy and Coast Guard
maintained their usual
around the clock vigil.
And from the equator
to the Arctic,
the radar network
swept the skies
with eyes that never sleep.
Time, 7:19 an
unidentified object
was picked up 200 mile southwest
of Port Barrow, Alaska.
7:27, unidentified object
confirmed at Fairbanks, Alaska,
heading south,
southeast 170 degrees.
Height, 75,000 feet.
Estimated speed,
5,000 miles per hour.
White warning.
7:39, unidentified
object 200 miles due west
of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Course 170 degrees,
height 60,000,
estimated speed down to
3,600 miles per hour.
Yellow warning.
7:54, first interceptor
flight airborne.
Point of interception, 80 miles
due west of San Francisco,
California.
7:55, unidentified object
past point of interception.
Red warning.
8:11, Morro Bay, California.
Height, 50,000 feet.
Estimated speed,
2,000 miles per house.
8:15, Santa Monica, California.
Height, 10,000 feet.
Speed, 1,200 miles per hour.
8:18, all traces of
unidentified object gone.
Red warning lifted.
By 8:25 at the Los Angeles
branch of the Communications
Commission, reports of strong
interference with radio
and television reception began
to pour in from the beach area.
Monitors went to
work immediately.
Mobile units were
ordered to converge
on the vicinity of
the disturbance.
Pin point direction
finding devices began
to trace the trouble
to its source.
-This is mobile
one, Hazen speaking.
We're at Ocean and Beacon
Way, an apparent strength two,
bearing 27 degrees.
Over
-Mobile one from center, roger.
Over.
-Mobile center from
mobile seven, over.
-Go ahead mobile seven.
-This is mobile seven.
We're at pacific center in beach
four, interference strength
three, bearing 39 degrees, over.
-This is mobile center, roger.
Stand by.
Mobile one and mobile seven
from mobile center, point
of interception estimated
three miles of surf.
Repeat, three miles
north of surf.
Acknowledge.
-This is mobile seven, roger.
-Mobile one, roger.
-Mobile seven, roger.
We're going out.
MAN (ON RADIO): OK,
Charlie, let's get moving.
-Yes, what is it?
-Excuse me.
Do you have a phone?
I need an ambulance.
-What's the matter?
-My husband and Pete,
out there in the picnic
grounds just above the beach.
They've been hurt.
-Well, this is a
communications car.
I'll phone it in from here.
Mobile one to central, over.
You make that out, Charlie?
CHARLIE (ON RADIO): Not a word.
-Mobile one to central,
I can't reach you.
Repeat.
[BEEP]
Well, it must be
getting us all right.
Mobile one to central,
have an ambulance
sent to beach at surf.
Emergency, two men hurt.
Acknowledge.
[RADIO SOUNDS]
-Roger and out.
I'm sure they'll
be here soon now.
Tell us what happened.
-Oh, this man, he just
kept coming at us.
It was awful.
-Who?
-I don't know.
He was wearing a
suit like a diver.
Hurry please.
They're hurt.
-Charlie, you better wait here.
I'll go down and take a look.
NARRATOR: A young woman's
hysteria became obvious
once as they reached the
picnic grounds of the beach.
There was no sign of
the mysterious intruder.
And little could be done for
her husband and their friend
until the ambulance arrive.
-Hi, fellas.
-How are you doing?
-Oh, we're just taking
another reading now.
What happened down there?
-The police took the girl and
one of the guys to the station.
-What about the other one?
-Oh, he's on the
way to the morgue.
That was her husband.
-You're right on the
button, Charlie, 44.7.
Report back to central if
you find anything else.
-Charlie, grab that
portable [INAUDIBLE].
-Got it right here.
-I'll pick you up right
here in about an hour.
-Where you going?
-Police asked me to drop by
the station, sign a report.
I'll see you later.
-If you don't, you know
where to look for the body.
-Like I said, we were
just starting to eat
and we heard something tracking
through the sand toward us.
I looked up and
couldn't see anything.
Then Betty screamed.
-At what?
I thought you
couldn't see anything.
-At first we couldn't.
And this guy started toward us.
-What kind of a guy?
-How should I know?
He was wearing some kind
of a helmet over his head.
He could've been a deep
sea diver or anything.
-All right, after you saw
this diver, what happened?
-Well, we jumped up.
Ed-- that was Betty's husband--
yelled at him to stop.
But he just kept coming.
I never saw anything like it.
He didn't say anything.
He just kept moving in.
-And then you say
he attacked you.
-I wouldn't even
give him a chance.
Ed grabbed a piece of wood
and took a swing at him.
That didn't stop him.
He caught the end.
That's-- that's all I remember.
-Just because a man's taking a
walk is no reason to slug him.
Besides, you don't look like
a guy who frightens so easy.
-How would you feel if somebody
with a crazy helmet with pipes
sticking out of it came
at you in the dark.
Look, I know this
sounds crazy, but there
wasn't any head in that helmet.
-No head.
No head at all?
-It's the truth.
-I think you need some coffee.
-I don't want anything.
-If it's all the same
to you, leiutenant,
I've got to pick up one
of my men at the beach.
-OK, that's for
coming down, Hazen.
Hope I didn't put you out.
-No troubles.
So long.
To you too.
-All right, let's
start at the beginning.
How well did you
know the dead man?
And his wife?
-Betty and I went
to school together.
I knew Eddie a year.
-How long were they married?
-About a year.
-Wasn't her husband a
little older than she?
-I don't know.
-But you said you and Mrs.
Evans went to school together.
And you never discussed
anything personal with her?
-She did mention
he was older, yes.
-How much?
-15, 20 years.
What difference does that make?
-That wasn't too
hard now was it?
Where do you live?
629 1/2 East Palm Court.
Why?
-That's where the
Evans live, isn't it?
-Yeah, I board with them.
-You do, eh?
Now Mrs. Evans is a
good-looking woman.
-What are you trying to say?
[PHONE RINGING]
-Lieutenant Bowers.
Where?
Yeah, I got it.
I'll leave right away.
There's been another murder.
Near the beach.
Keep an eye on this
guy till I get back.
-What are you--
-You'll stay right
where you are,
at least until Mrs. Evans
feels well enough to talk.
-What do you want from her?
-Oh, I just want to see if
your story checks with hers.
After all, you went to
school together, remember?
[SIRENS]
-You say there were
no witnesses, huh?
-None yet.
-Anything missing?
-I don't think so.
The cash register
wasn't touched.
-Get a breakdown of the
inventory as soon as you can.
What about finger prints?
-Boys are working on them now.
-Sorry I'm late.
-What kept you so long?
-Lieutenant asked me
to hang around a while.
-What's the score?
-Eh, it looks like one of
those things-- pretty girl,
loner husband, young boarder.
Kid claims some guy without a
head knocked the old man off.
-You don't say.
Anything else?
-Yeah, he had a diver's
outfit with horns.
-No.
He's gonna have to
do better than that.
-How are we doing?
-I took a reading
about 10 minutes ago.
The radiation has gone
out out with the tide.
What about the radio phone?
-It's working fine again.
I just got a call from central.
They said mobile seven
picked up some new trouble
northeast of here.
-Here we go again.
-Hop in.
-Who reported this murder?
-There he is there.
Lives next door.
His name's George Nelson.
-Hey, Mr. Nelson.
-Yes, sir.
-Come here, will ya?
I'm Lieutenant Bowers, homicide.
You found this body?
-That's right.
He must have just locked up for
the night when this happened.
-How do you know that?
-Well, he usually
does around this time.
-What were you doing here?
-I was sitting at home
watching the fights on TV,
and all of a sudden the
thing started acting up.
-What has that
got to do with it?
-Of course, you
don't know the set.
You know, it wouldn't work at
all when I came home to supper.
And all of a sudden,
it cleared up fine.
So I thought, well, I'll just
stop to look at the fights
again.
And all of a sudden,
out it goes again.
So I thought maybe the
battery station down here
was overcharging the circuit and
so I just got to take a look.
That's all.
-Hey, don't you ever quit work?
What's up this time?
-Another murder.
What are you doing here, Hazen?
-Same as before.
Still trying to track
down that signal.
-Hey, uh, does that
stuff work on TV too?
-It has been for hours.
-What'd I tell ya?
-What's the matter?
-It seems his set
went on the blank.
-Well, at least we know
we're on the right track.
How'd you make out
with that boarder?
--[LAUGHS] He's still
sticking with the story.
The guy had no head.
-Well, I'll be seeing you.
So long.
-Right.
NARRATOR: And so the
communications team
resumed its mission, to track
the mysterious interference
to its source.
Via accurate readings
taken at regular intervals
by stationary and
mobile units, it
was determined that
the disturbance was
moving in a
north-easterly direction.
By 10:34, mobile center had
pinpointed the disturbance
at the edge at the
Huntington Oil Fields.
Units one and seven were
instructed to close in.
-Hey, Charlie.
Do you see what I see?
-Yeah.
The oil field.
-Let's So our
trouble's burning up.
-Well, there's only
one way to find out.
-Look, serg, to murders and
an explosion in one precinct
is big news.
Now come on, you can't pit
it all on the young boarder.
Or can ya?
-Very funny.
Yeah?
-I'm Hazen of the
Communications Commission.
-Oh, the lieutenant's
waiting for you.
-Thank you.
-Who's the [INAUDIBLE]?
-You heard the man,
Communications Commission.
-So does this kind of
interference happen very often?
-Never anything like this.
It's on the move all the time.
--[INAUDIBLE] transmitter
wouldn't occur.
-It's not a transmitter.
We don't get a definite
disturbance, just
an appearance.
-Hmm.
You have no idea
of what it is, huh?
-Not yet.
How are you making up?
-Not so good.
You were here when I questioned
that boarder about the murder
at the beach.
-Get any more about of it?
-Yeah, come on with me.
You might want to see this.
Ah, I see you're
just about done.
Thanks, you can go now.
Are you sure this is
what the man looks like?
-What do you say, Betty?
-Well, just about--
um, I think the tubes
were a little lower down.
-And you still insist there
was no head inside the helmet.
-I'm positive there wasn't.
-What about you?
-Well, it was dark.
I couldn't swear to it.
-Thanks, that'll be all.
-You mean we can go now?
-Yeah, for the time being.
Just stick close to home.
I'll be wanting to see
you again tomorrow.
-We'll be there.
Come on, Betty.
-Kind of changed your mind
about those two, haven't you?
-Yeah, I guess I have.
Hey, Lou, bring in
the old man, will ya?
-Don't tell me you believe
this story about this-- this--
whatever it is.
-I know it sounds as
phony as it ever did.
But-- Sit down,
will you, please?
You're the watchman at
the Huntington Oil Fields.
-Oh, yes, sir, I've been with
the company for over 22 years.
-Sit down.
Will you tell Mr. Hazen
here exactly what happened?
-Well, sir, like I said
before, I was just closing
the gate for the night when
I saw this fellow coming up.
I was never so
scared in my life.
-Yes, go on.
-Well, it wasn't the man so
much as the suit he was wearing.
Oh, he wouldn't stop
when I hollered at him.
He just pushed him way right
in there through the gate
and walked right up those steps.
-Well, you carry a gun.
Did you try to stop him?
-It was much too
close to a tank.
I was afraid to shoot.
So I thought I
might call for help.
Just as I got to the
shack, the tank blew up.
Oh, you should see the sight.
The--
-Uh, sir, could you give us
a description of this man?
How would you say
he was dressed?
-Well, sir, like I said before,
he wore a sort of-- the sort
of [INAUDIBLE] not outfit
with a helmet attached to it.
-How tall was he?
-Oh, he was a giant of a man.
And he had tubes sticking
out of that thingy,
that helmet he wore.
-Uh, could you tell us
what his face looked like?
-Huh, well sir.
Though he got
pretty close to me,
I could swear the
man had no face.
-Now if you saw this
man again, would you
recognize him, I
mean by his outfit?
-I'll never forget that sight
if I live to be 100, sir.
-Would you say this is the man?
-Why, sure.
That-- that's him!
-Thank you very much.
You may go now.
-Oh, that's it.
-Well, Hazen.
What do you say now?
-Beats me.
The descriptions
check all right.
This could be some
kind of flying
suit, high altitude equipment.
-Yeah, that's what
I've been thinking.
But how do you explain that
stuff about the missing head?
-Naw, we can just [INAUDIBLE].
These people were frightened.
It's night.
Nobody really took a
close a look at him.
-I guess you're right.
But whoever he is, that outfit
doesn't look like one of ours.
-Of course, he could've
been dropped by a parachute.
-Sabotage?
-I think we better wire
a report to Washington,
see what they say.
-Yeah, you can use our teletype.
I'll tip off the LA
police to be on the look
out for something unusual.
-Hey, wait a minute.
What about the press?
-Oh, I don't think
they know too much now.
-You better keep it that
way for a while, at least,
till we find out whether our
friend is still around here.
-Well, if he is, I think
we can find him for you.
My hunch is that he's carrying
something around that's causing
all this disturbance,
whether he knows it or not.
-Yeah.
Kill that page one lead.
They let the boarder
and the girl go.
Hmm?
How do I know?
The lieutenant thinks that
a guy in a flying suit
knocked off the husband.
Mhm.
Nah.
No, not a chance.
Not a chance of an exclusive
run of the picture.
They're making a blanket
release in the morning.
Hm?
Oh, there's a guy from the
Communications Commission now.
Yeah, I'll call you back
later if there's anything new.
OK.
[KNOCKING]
-Come in.
-Sorry to interrupt
you, Lieutenant.
-No, what is it, Jim?
-This teletype came for you.
-Oh, thanks Jim.
I'm waiting for it.
That was fast.
Well, here's our answer.
-Looks like they never
sleep in Washington.
-Just a contact of Major
Andrews, care of Dr. Wyatt,
director of the
Griffith Institute.
-It's kind of late.
Well, I'll give them a call.
-While you're at it, I'll go out
to the car check with central.
-OK.
-Well, that's the
story up till now.
We got in touch with Washington.
They told us to
contact you here.
-Very interesting.
What do you think, doctor?
-When I see something like this,
I understand why your gentlemen
might have thought
[INAUDIBLE] was involved.
-Lieutenant, are
you sure there were
no traces of this
saboteur, this ex-man
found after the explosion
in the oil field?
-Fire department went over
ever inch of the area.
Didn't come up with a thing.
-Well, then there's
a strong possibility
that he might have perished
in the explosion itself.
-I doubt that .
We're pretty well-convinced
this man is carrying something
that's responsible for all
the signal interference.
According to the
last report I got,
there was a death in the
disturbance about three miles
east of the oil fields,
sometime after the explosion.
-Well, then if he's
alive, you should
be able to keep an accurate
check of his where abouts.
-Not that easy.
As a matter of fact,
we lost contact
about three quarters
of an hour ago.
-Maybe he realized
you were trailing him
and got rid of whatever
he had that was
causing the disturbance.
-I that case,
there's nothing much
my department can
do to help you.
-I guess it's up to us.
Unless you have
some suggestions.
-Well, let me think
out loud for a minute.
It might just be that we've
been talking about so far,
and this [INAUDIBLE]
we'll call him,
ties in with what the doctor
and I have been discussing.
-That is very possible.
-I don't whether you know it or
not, but somewhere around 7:30
this evening, our radar
networks picked up
an unidentified object
off Point Barrow, Alaska.
They traced it clear
down to Santa Monica
before they lost it.
-Santa Monica,
that's what we first
picked up our
radio interference.
-Yeah, right at the
scene of the murder.
-Well then, if all
these things tally up,
we've got some idea of
how our men got here.
-You mean that he
came in some plane?
In that case,
somebody would have
seen it land and take off again.
-Well, when did it crash?
-No, no we don't
think it was a plane.
No rocket or jet that
has been built so far
can obtain the speeds of 5,000
miles an hour, particularly
for such a great distance.
-Maybe we're on the
wrong track altogether.
Couldn't your unidentified
object have been a meteor?
They travel at a terrific speed.
-Yes, fast enough
for most of them
to burn themselves
out the moment
they hit the earth's atmosphere.
And did it occur to you that
meteors are not very likely
to travel horizontally,
all the way
from the North
Pole to California?
-If it wasn't a meteor or a
flying missile of some type,
what do you figure
this [INAUDIBLE].
-We're not sure that he does.
-I don't care what you say.
But it doesn't make sense to me.
Anybody trained in sabotage
would stay undercover.
This guy's walking around in
a monkey suit, killing people.
[KNOCKING]
-Excuse me, Dr. Wyatt.
Is there a Lieutenant
Bowers in here.
-Oh yes, what is it?
-There's a Mr. Wakeman from
the Chronicle here to see you.
-Wakeman here?
Now what does he want?
-Well, there's only
one way to find out.
-Before you go,
Lieutenant, I don't believe
you've met my assistant,
Barbara Randall.
-Well, hello.
-Hello.
-It's Mrs. Randall, Lieutenant.
-I'll be right back.
-Barbara, you know the major.
-Of course.
-And this is--
-Hazen with the
Communications Commission.
-How do you do?
-Well, I see you're working
a little later tonight
than usual.
-Yes, my husband's
teaching a late class,
and he won't be able to
pick me up for a while.
Besides, I had some
work to do in the lab.
-Well, at least you'll
have lots of company.
-All right, so I shouldn't
have come up here.
But I've got to get you a
rangle on this beach murder.
And your whole
department is shut up.
-Look, Wakeman, would
you stop bothering me?
There's nothing to say.
You come to exclusive
stories and [INAUDIBLE],
but you know as much as I do.
-Yeah, but that still doesn't
explain anything about the guy
without a head.
Come on.
Who is he?
-Your guess is as good as mine.
-Do you mean you let those two
kids go without knowing that?
I don't buy it.
-Well, I did.
-Well then you must have
an awful good reason.
I bet you're trying to tie
it in with that other murder.
All right, Lieutenant.
Don't tell me.
I'll get my story somehow.
Oh, if you want to know
how things turn out,
read the Chronicle
in the morning.
-That's right.
I'll get in touch with
Charlie in mobile one
and have him call for me here.
OK, honey.
-Folks come up with anything?
-No, we're just
[INAUDIBLE] Barbara here.
-It's just amazing
the way you've
been able to put
these things together.
-Don't kid yourself
Mrs. Randall.
It seems the press knows
as much about it as we do.
-Well, let's hope they don't
come to the same conclusions.
A few lurid headlines and
every fool in the country
will be seeing phantoms
in space suits and men
from Mars all over the place.
-Yes.
I can imagine.
And mass hysteria is difficult
to check once it gets started.
-That's why we've
got to move fast.
-Well, from the looks of
things, I guess it's up to me.
I'll be in touch with you
as soon as [INAUDIBLE].
See you.
NARRATOR: By 12:30 AM, the
dragnet was in operation.
Mobile units patrolled the
streets and countryside.
The covered an area
35 miles square.
Special and sensitive equipment
was prepared for action.
Everyone on the job was ready
to move on the first signal
from the Communications
Commission.
MAN (ON RADIO): Monitor
Corona, the mobile centers.
Strength four.
Brickyard at 160th,
moving toward oil fields.
Contact your units.
Over and out.
-Units one, seven
from mobile center.
Units one and seven
from mobile center.
Strength four interference
at 160th and the oil field.
Moving due east.
Close in.
Repeating, strength
four, interference
at 160th and the oil field.
Close in.
[SIRENS]
-[INAUDIBLE] Joe.
-Just got here.
Trying to set this up.
-What gives, Hazen.
-He's in this area, all right.
-I [INAUDIBLE].
-Thank you, doctor.
-I'll walk over to
those oil fields.
-Well, it doesn't register
as far as the oil fields.
-I think we'll do
better if we split up.
-Right, Lieutenant.
You two go that way.
Lieutenant, out here.
Rick, Joe, you follow him.
-Come on, doctor.
And you, oh, forget it.
-Hey, Hazen.
Look at this.
-Yeah.
It points this way.
Hey, Joe!
Joe!
-Hazen!
Hey, Hazen!
603.
-Boy, he's strong.
-That's it, doctor.
-It's leading this way.
Come on!
What's this way?
Come on.
-Going strong.
-[INAUDIBLE].
-Checks with me.
-Sure does.
He's here.
We saw him.
-There he goes!
-Come on!
-[INAUDIBLE].
-He's got to be
around here somewhere.
-Yeah, how we gonna
get on the roof?
-Fritz, go get a ladder.
[YELLING]
-Let's cut him off!
-Come on!
-Anybody see him?
-There he is!
-Set him down.
-We'll give you 10
seconds to come out
of there, starting now!
One, two, three, four, five,
six, seven, eight, nine, 10!
We're going in.
-A couple of you
guys cover the door.
Come on.
-Ay, there's nobody in here.
-Impossible, we saw him come in.
-Maybe he went
out of the window.
-He won't get very far.
-Don't touch anything till
we check for finger prints.
-Oh, doctor, over here.
He left his suit and his helmet.
-Hey, let's bring that thing out
so I can get a good shot of it.
-No way, you fool!
-What's the matter?
-For your information,
that's a Geiger counter,
and it says hands off.
-I think you better
wait outside.
-I just have a job to do.
-So do we.
And I'm afraid ours
will have to come first.
-There's no radiation
from the helmet.
-But look at this!
-So that's what's been
causing all the trouble.
Charlie, you know
where we can dig
up a lead line box in a hurry?
-Well, mobile seven
should have one.
They're right outside.
I'll take a look.
-Hurry it up, will ya?
-Unbelievable.
Now we all thought that this
phantom might be getting
some device that's causing
all the signal interference.
[INAUDIBLE] had it due to
the very clothes on his body.
-That's not the only
thing that bothers me.
Did any of you get a
good look at his face?
-Not me.
He's too far away.
-Well, I did.
Unless I'm mistaken,
that helmet was empty.
-Hey, where am I
gonna put this stuff?
-Oh, put it in Dr.
Wyatt's station wagon.
-You want me to take it
back to the institute?
-Right.
-[INAUDIBLE].
-No, that's all right.
You can handle that.
-Any luck?
-Not a sign of him.
The boys are still
searching the grounds.
-For what?
Nobody knows what he looks
like without that outfit.
-[INAUDIBLE] major.
Reporter got a
flash picture, and I
just happen to borrow that film.
It's on its way to head
quarters right now to developed.
-Good.
Send us a print as
soon as you can.
-Sure.
-Lieutenant, are you sure you
don't want to come with us?
We want to make a
few tests at the lab.
-I'd liked to, doctor.
But you know the situation.
I've got to get that guy.
Let me know how you
make out, will you?
-Yeah, we'll do that, sure.
-Good evening, doctor.
We were just on our way home,
and we saw you drive in.
-Good evening, Barbara.
-Hello, Bill.
-I see we got here just in time.
-Anything new?
-Lots of excitement,
but that's all.
Major, you know
Barbara's husband.
-Oh, of course.
How are you?
-How are you.
There, it's a nice looking
dog you've got there.
What's his name?
-His name, Venus.
-Say, Bill, I hate
to ask this, but
something important has come up.
And I wonder, can
we borrow Barbara
for about an hour or so?
-Hm.
I suppose so.
-Of course.
Darling, why don't you
go and do the shopping?
Here's the list.
The market's open all evening.
-I may as well.
See you later, honey.
[BARKING]
-I'll take the dog
and tie her up.
-Thank you Bill, goodnight.
-Goodnight.
-I'll give you a hand with this.
-Oh, thanks, doc.
Easy now.
Look out for your fingers.
-I've got it.
Now don't drop it.
-Venus, come back here!
Venus, come back here!
[BARKING]
-What's the matter?
There's no one in there.
Come on.
See, Venus, look,
there's no one in here.
You know you're not
allowed in here.
[BARKING]
Venus, I said be quiet.
Come on, girl.
Now you stay right here, Venus.
And I don't want to hear
one sound out of you.
-You were right, doctor.
There are no finger
prints anywhere.
-What's all this?
-Hey, don't touch anything.
-You better put some gloves on.
Our friend Mr. X left this
suit at the oil refinery.
-You mean you were that close
to him and you didn't catch him?
-I'm afraid so.
That's up to the police now.
Hand me those sheers.
I want to cut this
material to work with it.
Say, better have
those sharpened.
-But I just bought them.
-Well then.
-Here, try this knife.
-That still won't cut.
-Let me try.
This stuff is
tougher than nylon.
Why don't I try it
over a Bunsen burner.
It doesn't burn either.
Let's take a look at it
under the microscope.
-Look, it's magnetic!
-Magnetic?
-Here I'll--
-Radioactive, and
apparently indestructible.
-Thank you.
-What's the matter?
-You tell me.
Take a look at that weave.
-What weave?
There is none.
This material is one solid mass.
-Mass, yes.
Why, you're right.
It must be some sort of plastic.
-No, I'd say it's a metallic
substance of some kind.
-Well, I've seen a lot
of interesting alloys,
but never anything like this.
Let's try an acid test.
-All right.
-Go ahead.
Careful now.
It'll only take a drop or two
-It repels acid like a
raincoat repels water.
-Why, there's no reaction.
-Well, major, this
looks as though we're
going to be here
for a long time.
Now we have it.
The helmet is not radioactive.
The suit it.
There's no doubt.
This space suit is conditioned
to function above 63,000.
But human blood would boil,
resulting in the body expanding
to twice its size
and death, of course.
-I know.
And it must withstand
pressure and counter-pressure.
Also it must be so supercharged
it can function in atmosphere.
-Now let's see what is left
in this breathing apparatus.
-Well, how are you doing?
-The gas in the helmet tank
breaks down to 11% methane.
-Ordinary [INAUDIBLE].
What's the rest of the formula?
-Well, that's where I'm stuck.
I can't figure it out.
It just doesn't respond
to any of the usual tests.
-Well, how could anyone exist
on that combination of gases?
You and I couldn't.
But apparently someone can.
-Doctor, are you trying to say
that our X man doesn't breathe
oxygen and hasn't the
metabolism of a normal human?
-I really don't know!
From what we've seen, yes,
some physical characteristics
make him appear human.
But added to them is this
fabulous radio activity
that none of us could stand.
I am puzzled!
-I think the answer lies
right here in this helmet.
Obviously he needs
it to supply him,
otherwise he wouldn't
have risked wearing it
where he'd sort
of be recognized.
As it is, he only took it
off when he was cornered.
-Well, if what you
say is true, how
can he exist without it now?
-Let me put it this way, it's
like a patient in an iron lung.
Sometimes one can be
removed for hours at a time
without any real effects.
-Exactly.
And I think the same
principle applies here.
And that means
sooner or later, he
has to get his breathing
apparatus back or die.
-I don't understand it.
-Well, I've got an idea.
If we were to return this whole
outfit to where he left it,
he might be tempted
to come back to it.
[PHONE RINGING]
-Dr. Wyatt speaking.
Yes, he's here.
-Oh, thank you.
-Hello, major.
Still at it, huh?
-Mhm.
-No, we haven't got a thing, no.
The picture?
-Yeah, hold on.
He says the picture the
reporter took of our man
didn't come out.
-I was afraid of
something like that.
The radio activity must
have thrown the emulsion.
-Hello.
No, no we didn't
find any fingerprints
at all in his clothes.
Did you find any?
[BUZZ]
Too bad.
-Hello?
Will you wait there please.
-We don't know what to
make of this either.
Have you heard from the
communication boys yet?
Well let's hope they
turn up with something.
-Major, excuse me.
-Hold on a second.
Yes?
-It's Mr. Wakeman
of the Chronicle.
He insists upon seeing you.
-He does?
Where is he?
-I told him to
wait in the lobby.
-Good.
Hello?
Yes, our friend from
the press is here.
Don't worry.
I wouldn't dare let
anyone in on anything,
at least not till we
get something concrete.
Right.
All right, I'll see you later.
Well, I guess I'd better
see this newspaper man.
Want to come along, doctor?
-I think I will.
-Well, hello.
Remember me?
-Certainly, yes.
-Nice [INAUDIBLE]
gadgets you've got here.
-We think so.
What's on your mind?
-Well, I was
wondering if you might
let me take a couple of
pictures of that suit you
brought up here.
-I'm sorry.
We can't do that.
-Oh.
Well, now look, I've
got a wonderful picture
of the guy running
into the shack.
And the lieutenant stuck
his nose in my business
and what do I get?
A blank.
-Is that you, doctor?
-Oh, you must have
some lead on this guy,
otherwise you wouldn't have
brought that suit up here.
-Well, let's just
say we were curious.
-Hello, Bill.
Back so soon?
-Isn't Barbara through?
-I don't know.
She's still in the lab.
Why don't you go up and see?
-Thanks.
I will.
Barbara!
Barbara, are you in there?
-Bill.
Listen to me.
I'm not alone.
Someone is in here with me.
I can't see him.
He locked the door
and has the key.
-I'll break the door down.
-No, Bill, don't please.
You better get help.
-You mean I've come all the
way up here for nothing?
-I'm afraid so.
Goodnight.
-Yes, goodnight, Mr. Wakeman.
-Goodnight.
-Major, come quick.
-What's the matter?
Where's Barbara?
-In the lab.
The door's locked, and there's
someone in there with her!
-I thought you said
the door was locked.
-It was.
-She's gone.
-Cover the main entrance.
That's the only way
anybody could leave.
-I will.
-In that case, we would've
seen her on our way up.
-Then she must still
be in the building.
We better split up.
I'll take the roof.
-Barbara!
Barbara!
Barbara!
Barbara!
Barbara!
Barbara!
Where are you?
Barbara!
Barbara!
Barbara!
Barbara!
Barbara!
Where are you?
Barbara!
Barbara!
Barbara!
Where are you?
Barbara!
Have you sighted her?
-Not yet.
-She must be around
here some place.
-Now you stay here.
Watch the main entrance.
And I'll check the basement.
-She's not up there.
Where's the doctor?
-He went down to the basement.
Here he comes.
You didn't find her?
-No.
I better call the police.
-But there's no
telling what could
happen to her in the meantime.
-No, no.
Take it easy.
We're doing the best we can.
-But she said she was locked in.
And she couldn't see who did it.
Can you explain that?
-No.
Not yet.
-[GASPS] Who are you?
Don't come near me.
I'm warning you!
Don't come near me!
[SCREAMS] Don't!
The code.
I don't understand.
You're trying to tell me
you need it to breathe,
and there isn't much
left in the tank.
One, one two, one,
one two, three.
I'll-- I'll write it down.
One, one two, one,
one two, three.
[GASPS] [SCREAMS]
-Barbara!
-In the lab!
-No, please, don't.
-She's in there.
-Barbara!
BARBARA: I can see
its hand. [INAUDIBLE].
[INAUDIBLE]
-Darling, are you all right?
-I think so.
I'm looking for it.
I just saw him, so
he must be in here.
[BARKING]
-It's 70 feet to the ground.
He would be killed.
[BARKING]
-It was frightening!
I couldn't see him.
I didn't know what to do.
-Come here, quickly.
-His suit, it's disintegrating.
-This is amazing.
[BARKING]
-Now, quiet down, Venus.
Quiet down.
Down.
[BARKING]
-Mobile center from mobile
one, come in, please.
MAN (ON RADIO): This
is mobile center.
Go ahead.
-Get ahold of Major Andrews
or Dr. Wyatt at the institute.
I want to talk to
either one of them.
MAN (ON RADIO): Will do.
Stand by, mobile one.
-Dr. Wyatt speaking.
Oh yes, Mr. Hazen.
Yes, we're still at it.
Lots and lots of excitement.
But nothing definite yet.
Have you anything to say?
-The trouble seems to
be just about gone.
We get a flash in the direction
of the observatory once
in a while, but I figure
that's because of the outfit
you're testing.
-Yes.
Lieutenant Bowers ought
to be here any minute.
Of course.
How long will it take
you to get up here?
Good.
See you then.
-Thank you, gentlemen.
Put it down here, please.
Barbara, plug that
cord in over there.
Now you're going to see I have
to resort to ultraviolet light
in order to show you
what little there
is left of the space suit.
As you can see, it has
reduced itself to this liquid.
And it's in an
evaporating stage.
The helmet is in the
lab and still intact.
-This is amazing.
All the radiation
in this suit would--
why, it'd be fatal to a
normal human being wearing it.
-Of course.
Furthermore, our
respiratory system
could never simulate
gases such we
have found in that
breathing device.
-Well then we have to
assume our so-called X man
carried his own
atmosphere with him.
-Excuse me.
But as a matter
of curiosity, why
do we refer to this
thing as a him?
I thought it was invisible.
-Under normal conditions, yes.
Yet Mrs. Randall did see
the imprint of a large foot
and a massive human hand
under the ultraviolet light.
-How do you explain that?
-I don't know,
but the human body
is composed of various
elements with a carbon base.
-Like coal.
-Yes.
Now Suppose we maintain the
same chemical composition
in the body of the X man but
substitute silica for carbon.
-Silica, that's glass.
-Exactly.
Now it is possible that
a body with such a base,
if it were subjected to
an atmosphere foreign
to its origin, might appear
invisible to our eyes.
-Are you trying to
say, doctor, that we're
not dealing with a human being?
-I didn't say that.
On the contrary,
all the evidence
points in the
opposite direction,
toward a super human
with an intelligence
far superior to our own.
-How can you tell?
-First of all, Mrs. Randall saw
that he had a hand with digits
like our own fingers,
and a thumb, opposing.
That alone is a sign
of intelligence.
And he comes from civilization
that has developed
adequate space
transportation to enable
him to travel him to earth.
We have nothing
yet that can reach
even another planet
in our solar system.
-That could account for
the unidentified objects
picked up by radar
a few hours ago.
-My theory is that the
spaceship or whatever
it was he came in operates under
principle of magnetic rather
than atomic proportion, and
that somewhere in the out limits
met with the condition where the
earth's gravity pulled it down
and it fell into the
ocean, and that he managed
to save his life
and reach the shore.
-You really can pick up any type
of communications interference
no matter how weak
the signal may be.
-Sure thing.
We were on his trail from
the minute he left the beach.
-I never knew you carried
such sensitive instruments
in your car.
-What you've told us is
very interesting, doctor.
But I've got to make an official
report to head quarters.
Are you willing to be quoted
that the criminal we're after
is a creature from
another world?
-All I can say is we know
that our earth is not
the only planet
capable of sustaining
life in one form or another.
You can quote that.
-All I've got to go by is
some footprints and a hand.
That is much.
No fingerprints, no
description, no nothing.
And we're after a killer.
-Has it occurred to
you that our X man
has no apparent
motivation for his acts
and might therefore not be an
intentional criminal at all?
-You have a point there.
-Hey, wait a minute.
Come to think of it, the
young boarder we suspected.
He did say that
the girl's husband
through the first punch.
So--
-So that could have
been enough to provoke
the strange creature.
And the same could have
happened at the second murder.
-Sure.
What about the fire
in the oil fields?
-Evidently our man sense the
presence of some gases, which
he thought might be utilized
in his breathing apparatus.
-Yeah, that could account
for his presence at the oil
refinery where something went
wrong, causing the explosion.
-Too bad he got wise to us
and took off his uniform,
or we'd have been able to
catch up with him by now.
-No, he didn't utter a word.
But I'm convinced he was trying
to convey a message to me.
He kept tapping out a code.
I wrote it down.
-Let me see that, please.
Doesn't make sense.
-Well, it may be based
on some mathematical
we know nothing about.
-But he was trying
to tell us something.
Why did he run away?
[TAPPING]
-What do you think of that?
-Yeah.
-Hazen must be crazy,
sending out stuff like that.
-I guess so.
Let's try and get a hold of him.
-Yeah.
Mobile one from mobile center.
Come in please.
Mobile one from mobile center.
Come in please.
Mobile one from mobile center.
Come in please.
-Hey, that's central calling.
-You better stay
here by the car.
I'll go tell Hazen.
-Yes, [INAUDIBLE].
Of course.
I'll mail you a complete report
first thing in the morning.
Yes, thank you.
Oh and I'm-- I'm
awfully sorry to have
disturbed you so late at night.
Right, goodnight sir.
-He's around here,
this invisible guy.
He was in the car.
-How do you know?
-I was talking to
Randall outside when
I heard central calling.
Before I could get over to
answer, I saw the door open
and shut by itself.
-He's desperate.
-Or all we know, he could
be trying to send a distress
signal to his home
base, wherever that is.
-Let's hope he
doesn't get through.
We've got enough problems
with just one of those guys.
-Well, at least we know
he's around the vicinity.
It's obvious what
keeps him around.
-Of course.
It's got to come back
for what little gas
there is left in this helmet.
-And when he does--
-Oh please, the most important
thing is to take him alive.
If we can only make
him understand,
there's no telling how
much science can profit.
-I'll go along
with that, doctor.
But I've got to make
sure once he's cornered,
I'll be able to hang on to him.
-I think we're all
agreed on that.
-All right, good, then we
must see from his angle.
He's in an alien world.
No doubt we are as frightening
to him as he is to us.
The most important thing then
is to keep calm at all costs
and do not mean to provoke him.
NARRATOR: Immediately
a simple plan the trap
the phantom went into operation.
All obstacles to his
entry were removed.
To erase any possible suspicion,
the doors were left unguarded
and inconspicuous electric
eye equipment was set up.
All this was connected to a
makeshift control board, which
would immediately signal
the exact location
of the trespasser.
Now there was nothing
to do but wait.
The one road leading
to the institute
was blocked off to make sure no
outsider would upset the plans
or interfere in any way.
-What's the big idea?
-Sorry, nobody's
allowed through here.
-Who says so?
-Lieutenant Bowers's orders.
-Oh, is he up there?
-He might be.
-Well, you get word to him that
Joe Wakeman of the Chronicle
is here.
-Sorry, bud, I can't leave.
-Oh.
What about them over there?
Hey, you over there.
-Me?
-Yeah, aren't you the guy from
the communications office?
Didn't I see you down at the
oil fields a couple hours ago?
-What of it?
-You got anything to do with it?
-Well, you'll have to ask
Lieutenant Bowers about that.
-How can I if he won't see me?
-That's a good question.
-Well, it's a quarter till 4:00.
He's sure taking his time.
-Time is cheap.
-Yeah, well, how long can you
sit on the edge of your chair
like this?
-[INAUDIBLE] if we have to.
-I only hope this
mechanism works.
-It will unless he flies
in between the wires.
-I wouldn't take any
bets that he can't.
-Well, if everything
else fails, we
still have Venus
here to help us.
You know, I'm certain she
sensed his presence before.
That's why she carried on so.
-What's the matter, Lieutenant?
Is this thing getting you?
-Oh, no, no, I was just
thinking about public reaction
to all this.
I've got to get something
to the press by morning.
-You know, ever since I was a
kid, I wanted to be a pilot.
Then after I got my wings
and then had 75 missions,
I thought I'd seen everything.
Now after all this, I know
I haven't seen anything.
[BEEPING]
-He's here.
-[INAUDIBLE].
Let's [INAUDIBLE].
[BARKING]
[BEEPING]
-This way.
[BARKING]
-Cut it out!
-Stop!
-What are you guys trying to do?
-Well, it's the reporter.
-Yeah, it sure is.
What's going on around here?
You guys crazy?
[BEEPING]
-How'd you get in here?
-Oh, that don't
make any difference.
Come on.
What's up?
What's going on?
[BARKING]
-All right, Lieutenant.
You better tell him.
I'll reset the wires.
-Don't [INAUDIBLE].
We want you to live.
Don't you understand?
Can't you speak?
Can't you say something,
anything in any language?
Listen, everybody.
He's in the lab with me now.
He's in the lab with me now.
[BARKING]
Venus, be quiet.
The door is unlocked.
Hurry, he's having
trouble breathing.
I don't think he can
last much longer.
And please, don't
let Venus get at him.
And walk in quietly.
-Quiet, Venus.
-It's unbelievable.
-You see, there's
nothing to be afraid of.
Nobody wants to hurt you.
-I've tried to reason with it.
I feel he understands,
but he can't speak.
-Wait a minute,
I'll try his code.
I think I remember it right.
[KNOCKING]
-Better plug in the
ultraviolet light.
[CRASH]
-You scared him.
-There goes Venus!
[BARKING]
-Look, Venus!
-He must be there.
-He's going to the roof.
[BARKING]
-He's gone up there!
-Take this.
I'm going after him.
[BARKING]
The door!
In here with the big telescope.
-Close the dome.
The switch is over there.
-[INAUDIBLE].
-Quiet, Venus.
-Well, if he's in here,
he'll never get out now.
-This is what I've been waiting.
Please, Lieutenant,
this is our last chance.
We have to take him alive.
-Plug in the lamps.
There's an outlet here.
-[GASPS] He must be up there!
His whole body's [INAUDIBLE].
-If I hadn't seen this
with my own eyes--
-What do we do now?
-Stand back.
-Amazing.
-It's cold again.
Look, he's trying to
speak, but no sound
is coming out of his mouth.
-Look at Venus.
She acts as though
she hears him.
-Yes, the dog can hear
sounds that we can't.
His voice must be beyond
the range of the human ear.
Maybe he's screaming.
-He's suffocating.
The glow, it's almost gone.
[SCREAMS]
-We won't need these
lights anymore.
In death he has become
visible as a normal body.
-He's evaporating.
We are [INAUDIBLE].
And right before
our eyes his body
went through the
final phases of life.
Well, it's morning.
[MUSIC PLAYING]