The Invaders (1967–1968): Season 1, Episode 15 - Wall of Crystal - full transcript
Bill and his new bride are so happy to be married, their antics cause Bill to lose control of the car. They run a truck off the road, and its driver staggers from the vehicle, falls, glows red and vanishes! Then the young couple suffocates - outside! It's all part of a scheme run by the alien Taugus, and it draws in David's brother Bob, Bob's wife Grace, and crusading newsman Theodore Booth. David has finally managed to convince both his brother and someone able to get the word out that he may be telling the truth about the alien invasion - but is it just in time to see the entire human population choking for air on their own planet?
(moaning )
You...? (gasps )
My leg... I think it's broken.
Wait, John. Don't move.
D-Don't move.
I'll get around the
other side and help you.
Bill... Bill, did you see?
Get some help, will ya?
But he just burned up.
Get going. There's a gas
station right down the road a ways.
(gasping )
No, I don't, I don't
want to leave you here.
Hey, look, I'll be all right.
(coughs )
Get going... (coughs )
Please?
(coughing )
(coughing )
NARRATOR: Starring Roy
Thinnes as architect David Vincent.
The invaders...
alien beings from
a dying planet.
Their destination... the earth.
Their purpose... to
make it their world.
David Vincent has seen them.
For him, it began one lost night
on a lonely country road
looking for a shortcut
that he never found.
It began with a
closed, deserted diner
and a man too long without sleep
to continue his
journey. (eerie whirring )
It began with the landing of
a craft from another galaxy.
(whirring intensifies )
Now, David Vincent knows
that the invaders are here,
that they've taken human form.
Somehow, he must
convince a disbelieving world
that the nightmare
has already begun.
The guest stars
in tonight's story:
Linden Chiles...
Julie Sommars... Edward Asner...
and special guest
star, Burgess Meredith.
An accident on a
deserted highway;
a honeymoon couple
that dies by suffocation
in the open air;
a chemical truck traced
to a company that doesn't exist.
Strange circumstances
for which David Vincent
can find one answer.
Somehow, some way
alien beings from another
world must be involved.
Hi. Having any trouble?
No. Thanks anyway.
(crickets chirping)
(coughing )
MAN: It is a tragic
fact that hatred and war
have become influential
factors in our national economy.
And if the present
trend continues,
we may soon discover
that our enemies
are more valuable
than our friends.
And so, until tomorrow,
this is Theodore Booth
saying good night.
Nice show, Mr. B.
Thank you, Ann.
Will you tell Phi...?
Never mind.
Phil, thank you, one and all
and never mind
playing back the tape.
I'll catch it on the
air tonight, maybe.
Will you call the press club
and confirm that
luncheon tomorrow
with the undersecretary?
Yes, sir. Hello, boss.
Great material, Ted.
I hope you write a column on it.
(chuckles) You're a little late.
I've already written it.
Don't you read your
own newspapers?
Just the circulation reports
and, frankly, they're
rather depressing.
Are you trying to
tell me something?
I got a call from David
Vincent this morning.
Remember him?
Yes. Chicken Little.
Running around claiming
the sky was falling in.
Don't underestimate him, Ted.
A few months ago, he
almost had you convinced.
That man is a psycho.
I warned him about bothering us.
Until he could
prove his stories.
Well, he claims he has proof.
You believe him?
It's worth investigating.
A story of that magnitude.
Well, send one
of your staff men.
I seem to recall a quotation
from one of your columns...
One of your early columns...
"When a newsman stops
chasing women, he's old.
When he stops chasing
headlines, he's dead."
Unquote.
Wait a minute. I won't be long.
Thank you for coming.
I haven't got much time.
All right.
Do you remember reading this?
What about it?
Well, their car hit a truck
carrying chemical supplies.
Yeah?
The truck driver disappeared.
The couple
suffocated in open air.
And you claim
that your invaders are
responsible for this?
I have proof of it inside.
Safe deposit.
Have you told the police?
I tried them and the FBI.
Even the CIA.
The earliest I can get
to anyone in
authority is tomorrow.
By then, my proof
may have disappeared.
"Disappeared"?
What kind of proof is that?
That's what they've been asking.
Let's take a look at it.
Thank you.
Well, do you...?
Do you want to explain
to me what that is?
Whatever it is, it does
something to the air.
The foliage around the
accident site where I found it
was withered and dead.
And it seems to shrink
when it's exposed to the air.
Ah.
That looks like a piece
of costume... jew...
jewelry.
(wheezing )
(coughs )
You asthmatic?
Do you always have
trouble breathing?
Have you... have you had
that (coughs) analyzed?
Not yet.
(coughs )
All right.
I'll tell you what I'll do.
Now, I...
Is it all right to touch this?
Well, I have. Nothing's
happened to me.
As long as you keep it airtight.
All right. Now, I'm on my way
to the press club
and I'll take it to a lab
and have it analyzed.
I have to warn you.
Carrying this thing could
put your life in danger.
Don't worry.
I don't intend to
aggravate my asthma
and I will warn
the lab technicians
to use oxygen masks.
What if it checks out?
"If it checks out"?
I will use my columns,
I'll use my TV
programs as a soapbox
if it checks out.
There's one question
I'd like to ask you.
How do I recognize these,
uh... "creatures" of yours?
They look just like us. Uh-huh.
Some of them have an
awkwardness about their hand.
A mutated fourth finger.
I have to warn you again.
They may know
we have this crystal.
If they know you're carrying it,
there's no telling
what they'll do.
Your paranoia is
showing again, son.
Call me tonight about 7:00.
I should have a
lab report by then.
Listen, I-I meant what I said.
You've got to be careful.
All right.
Mr. Booth...
I've only got 20 minutes
before my appointment.
That cab driver. Is he the
same one who brought you?
Why, of course.
I'm not so sure.
Listen, boy, you
relax, will you?
You'd better relax.
(tires squealing )
That was an alien weapon he had.
Now, look, you've got to
call McMullen right away.
Tell him you're going to
start a series of articles
exposing the existence of
alien beings here on earth.
Well, don't push me.
How do I know this isn't
some sort of a setup?
Some gimmick to convince me?
Once you announce your
plans, they won't touch you.
It'll draw too much
attention to the story.
All right. I'll call McMullen.
MAN: Mr. Vincent.
I hope you'll change your
mind about this project.
My regards to your
brother, Mr. Vincent...
to his charming wife.
Grace?
In here.
Hey.
How's your son?
Oh, boy, is he
asserting himself.
Another month,
I'll need long-handled brushes.
Aren't you home early?
Mm-hmm. Hard day at the office.
One ingrown toenail
and one sore throat.
I'm probably the only
doctor in town that's read
all the magazines
in his waiting room.
(doorbell rings )
Bob, that's probably David.
David? Oh, that's...
He called this morning.
He said he was
driving out to see us.
What do you suppose he wants?
Bob, please. No...
Hello, David.
Bob.
Come in, David.
You must be tired.
Hi, Grace.
You look well.
What are you drinking?
Nothing, thanks.
I don't have much time.
I want to talk to you.
Do you mind if I
make myself one?
Well, you're in a hurry.
What's on your mind?
Bob...
Nothing's changed, huh?
Same hostility, disbelief.
Well, here we go again.
I'll bet it's all about
those bogeymen
from outer space, isn't it?
Bob, you're in trouble.
Oh... You and Grace.
David, please get off...
Now you gotta listen to me
whether you like it or not.
I know what you think of
me. You think I'm a crackpot.
A sensationalist who
got out of architecture
to make a quick buck.
We've been over
this. I understand that,
but it doesn't change the fact
that a couple of hours ago
you became a target for them.
For heaven's sake, you really
won't get off of it, will you?
What do you want from me, David?
I've already blown a hole
in my life because of you.
Bob, will you listen
to me, please?
When you started
screaming about saucers,
I backed you up all
the way to the wall,
not because I believed it,
but because you're my brother.
Bob... And I stood behind you.
And you know
what I got out of it?
Absolutely nothing.
Now, when are
you going to quit?!
When you start listening to me!
Understand, I'm
only trying to save...
Save? Save what?
Save my practice? That's gone.
I think you know why.
I don't think I have to
explain it to you, do I?
Bob... will you do one thing?
Call Theodore Booth at
the San Francisco Courier.
This Theodore Booth,
he believes you?
That's right.
Now, call him.
After you've called him,
arrange for police protection,
but don't wait.
Bob, if you believe
that I've ever in my
life cared for you,
please don't wait.
He's ill, Bob.
He needs help.
Yeah, I wish I could help him.
I really do.
(phone ringing )
(sighs )
Hello?
Yes, this is Dr. Vincent.
Wh-Who is this, please?
Mrs. Endicott, what
seems to be the trouble?
Yes.
Well, now look, just calm down.
I'll be there in a
couple of minutes.
What-what's your address?
212 Frontier Avenue.
Yes, I'm leaving right now.
Emergency?
No. Sounds like a heart attack.
(door banging )
Mrs. Endicott? Yes.
I'm Dr. Vincent.
I didn't know if I had
the right address.
Come in, Doctor. He's real sick.
I'm glad you're here.
Mr. Vincent, your
brother is alive and well.
He won't be harmed
if you do as you're told.
What have you done to him?
Where is he?!
Now, now, now, now, now, now.
He'll be returned as soon
as you meet our demands.
First, Theodore Booth is
not to publish or broadcast
any information concerning
our presence here.
Secondly, Mr. Booth
is to publish a column
completely discrediting you.
It will contain your confession
that you have lied about
your experiences with us.
On the day that column
first appears in print,
your brother will
be returned to you.
If he's still alive.
Now, Mr. Vincent,
I'm sure you'll agree
that it would serve no
purpose for us kill him.
Unless I see
that he's all right,
unless I talk to him, no deal.
I expected you to ask that.
He'll call tomorrow...
about this time.
DAVID: I'll be
waiting at his place.
Oh, and one more thing.
Please...
if you value
your brother's life,
don't call the police.
I don't believe it.
VINCENT: I'm
sorry, Grace, it's true.
But why would anyone kidnap Bob?
We've no money.
We can't pay ransom.
Grace, didn't you understand
anything I said earlier today?
He's my brother.
As long as they have him,
they can keep me
from talking to Booth.
Now, honey, I
didn't imagine this.
They came to my hotel room
and told me they had taken Bob.
Dear God.
Grace...
Why haven't you
called the police?
Why? We can't. Not yet.
Honey, you don't know
who you're dealing with.
I don't care who
I'm dealing with.
I want the pol... You're only
going to make it worse for Bob.
David, give me the phone.
They won't kill him as
long as we don't panic.
Don't you see?
He's their bargaining power.
Without Bob, they have nothing
to hold over my head.
Now let me do it my way.
You've got to trust me.
I do? Why? Because
you're his brother?
Because you say so?
How can I trust someone who...?
Who might be psycho?
Do you really believe I am?
Honey, they're going to let
Bob call tomorrow at dinnertime.
Now at least let
me talk to Booth
before you ruin our one
chance of getting Bob out alive.
Please, Grace.
Please.
I don't know.
I don't know anything anymore.
Who I am... what's happening.
(sighs )
All right, David.
Your way.
Do whatever you want.
But God help you if your
way turns out to be wrong.
(gasping for air )
(coughing )
Hello?
Hello?
Harry?
Harry?
(knocking at door )
Harry, it's Ted Booth.
(doorknob rattling )
Harry?
(gasping )
(groans )
(wheezing )
(wheezing )
(dialing phone )
Police?
There's been a bad accident
at Laboratory
Analysts Incorporated.
That's right.
775 Academy Boulevard.
Never mind who this is.
Just get somebody up here.
Good-bye.
(coughing )
(coughing )
May I advise you to
save your breath, Doctor.
Who are you?
I think you know, Dr. Vincent.
Your brother must have
mentioned me often.
I've just met with him,
and I've agreed to let
you place a telephone call
to assure him of
your good health.
I'm not going to
make that phone call.
You'll subject your
wife and brother
to needless anxiety.
They'll think I'm
dead, won't they?
Possibly.
I'm not going to
make that phone call.
My brother David's found
out a way to destroy you,
and there's nothing
you can do about it.
You'll make the call, Doctor.
Don't bet on it.
Yes, I...
I know it's the
third time I've tried,
but you've got to get my
message through to Mr. Booth.
Now, look, does he
belong to a club of any kind,
or does he have a lady friend?
Any place that you
haven't thought of?
(sighs )
All right.
All right, fine.
Please keep trying.
Okay, fine, thanks.
I'll check again in
about a half hour.
Good-bye.
As a man of science, you
may find this interesting, Doctor.
Those crystal clusters
you see in there
are produced by combining
the substance known as mica
with a catalytic agent
found only on our planet.
What does this
have to do with me?
When exposed to the
earth's atmosphere,
those crystals simply
displace the oxygen in the air.
Grace!
Grace!
Get her out of there!
She'll suffocate!
Most forms of
life on this planet,
including the human,
suffocate within minutes.
It's difficult with my people.
Oxygen makes living
here difficult for us.
It forces us to keep
regenerating ourselves.
Oh... please! She's never
done anything to hurt you!
We hope to change
the earth's atmosphere
into something nearer the
atmosphere on our own planet.
She's dying in there.
She's dying!
Get her out of there!
The phone call, Doctor.
Yes. Anything.
Just get her out of there.
Please. Please stop it.
She'll be all right, Doctor.
Now, you just relax
for a few hours.
We have a phone call
to make this evening.
(knocking )
Grace.
Grace, it's David.
Grace, where have you been?
It's almost 6:00.
Honey, what's wrong?
Grace, are you all right?
Oh, David...
Come on. Let's get inside.
I think I saw him, David.
Who? Bob? Where?
Some woman came by, and she...
She said she'd take
me to my husband.
They... Two men were with her.
They... (sighs) they blindfolded
me and they drove me...
to a... factory of some kind.
Where was it? Try to remember.
They... they took
the blindfold off
and they... they
pushed me into a room.
All of a sudden, I
couldn't breathe.
It was like I was drowning!
Honey, did you see Bob?
I think I did.
I... Before I blacked
out, I don't remember.
Look. Just calm down a minute.
Now, I want you to pack
your bags and get out of town.
Tonight, right...
No. I can't leave.
Let's not argue.
I want you out of town where
they can't pick you up again.
Pack your bags.
(phone ringing )
Should be Bob.
Hello.
David, it's Bob.
Bob... Bob, are you all right?
Yes. I'm fine. How's Grace?
I'm worried about her. They
told me they took her home.
She's all right. She's
right here with me.
Thank God.
Are you sure you're all right?
Yes, I'm sure.
I'm in deep water again, David,
but I survived before, remember?
So just don't worry about me.
Mr. Vincent, have you made the
proper arrangements with Booth?
Look, I've tried everything.
I've left messages
with his service,
the television station he
works for, his newspaper.
Try harder. You've
got till noon tomorrow.
What happened?
He's still in deep water.
What?
Come on. You pack your things.
I'll call the airport.
David...
Doesn't Booth know about Bob?
No. Not yet.
Suppose he prints something
before you reach him?
The wrong thing.
What, then?
We can't print it, Joe, and
we can't put it on the air.
Read these messages.
Doesn't make sense.
When you need him most,
he runs off to Santa Carla.
Well, if he went, it
must be important.
More important than this?
The biggest story of our
time, and you want to sit on it.
That is only one column.
There's more.
There's a lot more,
but how can I get it
without David Vincent?
All right, thanks.
All right. Go to
Santa Carla, find him.
I'll get this ready
for tomorrow's edition. Joe...
Joe... listen. Did you read
those messages carefully?
It says we cannot
release that stuff
until we've had a talk.
Maybe the man's in trouble.
Maybe they're pressuring him.
I don't know.
Whatever's holding him
back, we just can't disregard it.
I have seen these
creatures at work...
with that lab technician,
and they're not
going to stop there.
You really believe
they're here, Ted?
Yeah. You just make sure
that your life
insurance is paid up.
I know they're
somewhere in the area
if I could only
figure out where.
I wired your folks.
They'll meet the
plane in San Diego.
You'll need the
key to the house.
They may try to reach you there.
"I'm in deep water."
"Deep water... Deep water..."
"I'm in deep water again."
Archer creek.
What?
It's where we used to
go when we were kids.
Bob almost drowned
there when he was eight.
"I'm in deep water again."
That's what he was trying
to tell me on the telephone.
But that creek's dried up.
There's nothing there now but...
The old winery.
It's been deserted for years.
David, call the police.
Call the... No, I can't. I have
to get in touch with Booth.
And then what?
Your plane leaves
in five minutes.
I'll call you in San Diego.
Person to person to
Mr. Theodore Booth.
(knock at door)
He's staying at the...
Uh... uh, never mind, operator.
I'll, I'll try later.
(knocking continues )
Who is it?
Ted Booth.
What are you doing here?
Well, I'm looking for you.
I've got a private plane that I
can use on occasions like this,
but I must say I'm not crazy
about flying around the...
I was just calling you.
Well, I was just calling you.
Now, what are all
these messages about?
Is the project on or off?
We can't go through with it.
What?
They've kidnapped my brother.
Lord...
May I help myself?
They said they'd let him go...
after you print
my public confession.
They want me to lie
about everything...
The aliens, who they
are, why they're here...
Well, do you intend to do it?
I've got to.
This is strong.
I'm going to tell you something.
You may think it's very inhuman,
but I'm going to say it anyway.
You know this,
um... brother of yours
is one man.
One.
Do you think that his
life is more important
than the entire human race?
At the moment, the only
one I care about is my brother.
Do you know how ironic this is?
You are forcing me to use your
own arguments against yourself.
Now, I have until noon tomorrow.
I cannot let him die.
But if I help you, I will
be helping the enemy.
Now, you can't
expect me to do that.
No, no. I know how
you feel, but I must...
I must go ahead
with these articles
and I must go ahead
with these broadcasts
with or without your help.
You can't do this.
In the first place, you don't
have enough information.
Well, I'll use what
information I have.
And I know one thing...
That my publishers will back me.
It won't be easy without
you, but I'm going to do it,
and I'm going to
fight these creatures
in every way that I know how.
I am going to fight them
the way that you
wanted me to fight them.
I'm going to fight them
the way you fought
them once yourself
if you care to remember.
Why aren't you in San Diego?
David, I belong here.
I can't go running off
somewhere, knowing Bob is...
I just came by
to return the key.
I won't be needing it.
David...
Where are you going?
Archer Creek.
That means... you've
talked with Booth.
Yes.
And he's willing to help?
No.
But what about
Bob? They'll kill him.
Don't worry, they won't.
But without Booth, we
can't meet their terms.
I'm about to make
them a better offer.
David...
David!
(doorbell rings )
Sorry to intrude.
My name is Theodore Booth
and I'm looking
for David Vincent.
He left a few minutes ago.
Are you Dr. Vincent's wife?
May I have a word
with you, please?
Now, David must have told you
that he needs my
help to save his brother.
Why are you here?
Well, unfortunately,
I need his help...
At least my publisher thinks so.
Your publisher?
Yes. He is a very
unpredictable man
and after all these years,
he's finally asserted himself
and he has stated that
if there is no Vincent,
there will be no articles.
Now, I am flying
home in a short while,
and I would like one
more talk with Mr. Vincent.
I'm sure that we
can find a solution.
David's found a
solution, Mr. Booth.
If I'm not mistaken,
he's trading his life for Bob's.
Trading his life?
Where is he now?
Archer Creek.
Archer's Creek?
Th-There's an old winery there.
Ah, yes. Where's the phone?
I'll call the police.
They told us not
to call the police.
At this point, we
have no choice.
Now you talk to them
and tell them to meet
me there at the winery.
I'm on my way.
MAN: Stay right where
you are, Mr. Vincent.
MAN: Why are you here?
To renegotiate our arrangement.
MAN: Our terms were final.
I think you'll prefer
my new terms.
Now, look, I'm alone.
I have no weapon.
Come out where I can see you.
Bring my brother with you.
I want to make
sure he's still alive.
MAN: Very well,
Mr. Vincent, your way.
Would you care to join us?
Get in and drive slowly.
State your terms, Mr. Vincent.
A simple trade: my
life for my brother's.
I'm sorry.
Your death would only
dramatize Mr. Booth's articles...
Gain them more attention.
You should know that.
I'm giving you a
chance to discredit me.
Now, my brother's a doctor.
He can declare
that I became insane
was committed to an institution.
Not a chance, David.
He can later announce
that I died in that institution.
That's the only way I
can meet your demands.
I'll be discredited.
Booth will lose his
source of material.
My brother will be at
home with his wife and child.
David, I'm not going
to do it like that,
so you might as well forget it.
We would accept your
terms, Mr. Vincent...
but it seems your brother
is not willing to cooperate.
I'm sorry, David,
that's the way it is.
That's the way
it's going to stay.
It seems we have
another visitor, Mr. Vincent.
(distant siren wailing )
(vehicles approaching )
Come out of there, you two.
What's going on here?
Some woman called and said
a Dr. Vincent had
been kidnapped.
I'm Dr. Vincent.
You look okay to me.
The two men who kidnapped
my brother were in that building.
Well, I suppose you
didn't see what happened.
What is this, some
kind of a gag?
No.
Officer, there...
there was a building
standing right over there
just a few seconds ago.
Sure there was.
All right, fellas, party's over.
Couple of wise guys
with nothing better to do
than to waste the
taxpayer's money.
Hey, wait a minute.
Bob... forget it.
It won't help.
Come on.
Lieutenant, that story
they were telling
us about that...
Don't worry. I'll check it out.
(car engine starting )
BOB: What is his temperature
right now, Mrs. Johnson?
A hundred and two.
Well, just keep in mind...
Is that from memory?
Mr. Booth's not easy to forget.
Now, I suppose
you're leaving us, too.
Oh, I'll be back.
Now, you take good care
of my nephew, will you?
(laughing )
Good-bye, David.
Good-bye.
BOB: Keep applying
the hot compresses
and keep checking
his temperature
and I'll see him
tomorrow afternoon.
(sighs )
Can't you stay for a day or two?
No. We both have work to do.
Grace and I... we'd like
to do something to help.
You already have.
Now that we've seen them,
now that we know who they are,
I hate to see you go this alone,
even if you weren't my brother.
Thanks.
I may take you up
on that someday.
Take good care of Grace, huh?
Take good care of yourself.
NARRATOR: One man... fighting a
secret war against a hidden enemy.
Someday, when that
enemy is defeated,
David Vincent will
no longer be alone.
Someday.
You...? (gasps )
My leg... I think it's broken.
Wait, John. Don't move.
D-Don't move.
I'll get around the
other side and help you.
Bill... Bill, did you see?
Get some help, will ya?
But he just burned up.
Get going. There's a gas
station right down the road a ways.
(gasping )
No, I don't, I don't
want to leave you here.
Hey, look, I'll be all right.
(coughs )
Get going... (coughs )
Please?
(coughing )
(coughing )
NARRATOR: Starring Roy
Thinnes as architect David Vincent.
The invaders...
alien beings from
a dying planet.
Their destination... the earth.
Their purpose... to
make it their world.
David Vincent has seen them.
For him, it began one lost night
on a lonely country road
looking for a shortcut
that he never found.
It began with a
closed, deserted diner
and a man too long without sleep
to continue his
journey. (eerie whirring )
It began with the landing of
a craft from another galaxy.
(whirring intensifies )
Now, David Vincent knows
that the invaders are here,
that they've taken human form.
Somehow, he must
convince a disbelieving world
that the nightmare
has already begun.
The guest stars
in tonight's story:
Linden Chiles...
Julie Sommars... Edward Asner...
and special guest
star, Burgess Meredith.
An accident on a
deserted highway;
a honeymoon couple
that dies by suffocation
in the open air;
a chemical truck traced
to a company that doesn't exist.
Strange circumstances
for which David Vincent
can find one answer.
Somehow, some way
alien beings from another
world must be involved.
Hi. Having any trouble?
No. Thanks anyway.
(crickets chirping)
(coughing )
MAN: It is a tragic
fact that hatred and war
have become influential
factors in our national economy.
And if the present
trend continues,
we may soon discover
that our enemies
are more valuable
than our friends.
And so, until tomorrow,
this is Theodore Booth
saying good night.
Nice show, Mr. B.
Thank you, Ann.
Will you tell Phi...?
Never mind.
Phil, thank you, one and all
and never mind
playing back the tape.
I'll catch it on the
air tonight, maybe.
Will you call the press club
and confirm that
luncheon tomorrow
with the undersecretary?
Yes, sir. Hello, boss.
Great material, Ted.
I hope you write a column on it.
(chuckles) You're a little late.
I've already written it.
Don't you read your
own newspapers?
Just the circulation reports
and, frankly, they're
rather depressing.
Are you trying to
tell me something?
I got a call from David
Vincent this morning.
Remember him?
Yes. Chicken Little.
Running around claiming
the sky was falling in.
Don't underestimate him, Ted.
A few months ago, he
almost had you convinced.
That man is a psycho.
I warned him about bothering us.
Until he could
prove his stories.
Well, he claims he has proof.
You believe him?
It's worth investigating.
A story of that magnitude.
Well, send one
of your staff men.
I seem to recall a quotation
from one of your columns...
One of your early columns...
"When a newsman stops
chasing women, he's old.
When he stops chasing
headlines, he's dead."
Unquote.
Wait a minute. I won't be long.
Thank you for coming.
I haven't got much time.
All right.
Do you remember reading this?
What about it?
Well, their car hit a truck
carrying chemical supplies.
Yeah?
The truck driver disappeared.
The couple
suffocated in open air.
And you claim
that your invaders are
responsible for this?
I have proof of it inside.
Safe deposit.
Have you told the police?
I tried them and the FBI.
Even the CIA.
The earliest I can get
to anyone in
authority is tomorrow.
By then, my proof
may have disappeared.
"Disappeared"?
What kind of proof is that?
That's what they've been asking.
Let's take a look at it.
Thank you.
Well, do you...?
Do you want to explain
to me what that is?
Whatever it is, it does
something to the air.
The foliage around the
accident site where I found it
was withered and dead.
And it seems to shrink
when it's exposed to the air.
Ah.
That looks like a piece
of costume... jew...
jewelry.
(wheezing )
(coughs )
You asthmatic?
Do you always have
trouble breathing?
Have you... have you had
that (coughs) analyzed?
Not yet.
(coughs )
All right.
I'll tell you what I'll do.
Now, I...
Is it all right to touch this?
Well, I have. Nothing's
happened to me.
As long as you keep it airtight.
All right. Now, I'm on my way
to the press club
and I'll take it to a lab
and have it analyzed.
I have to warn you.
Carrying this thing could
put your life in danger.
Don't worry.
I don't intend to
aggravate my asthma
and I will warn
the lab technicians
to use oxygen masks.
What if it checks out?
"If it checks out"?
I will use my columns,
I'll use my TV
programs as a soapbox
if it checks out.
There's one question
I'd like to ask you.
How do I recognize these,
uh... "creatures" of yours?
They look just like us. Uh-huh.
Some of them have an
awkwardness about their hand.
A mutated fourth finger.
I have to warn you again.
They may know
we have this crystal.
If they know you're carrying it,
there's no telling
what they'll do.
Your paranoia is
showing again, son.
Call me tonight about 7:00.
I should have a
lab report by then.
Listen, I-I meant what I said.
You've got to be careful.
All right.
Mr. Booth...
I've only got 20 minutes
before my appointment.
That cab driver. Is he the
same one who brought you?
Why, of course.
I'm not so sure.
Listen, boy, you
relax, will you?
You'd better relax.
(tires squealing )
That was an alien weapon he had.
Now, look, you've got to
call McMullen right away.
Tell him you're going to
start a series of articles
exposing the existence of
alien beings here on earth.
Well, don't push me.
How do I know this isn't
some sort of a setup?
Some gimmick to convince me?
Once you announce your
plans, they won't touch you.
It'll draw too much
attention to the story.
All right. I'll call McMullen.
MAN: Mr. Vincent.
I hope you'll change your
mind about this project.
My regards to your
brother, Mr. Vincent...
to his charming wife.
Grace?
In here.
Hey.
How's your son?
Oh, boy, is he
asserting himself.
Another month,
I'll need long-handled brushes.
Aren't you home early?
Mm-hmm. Hard day at the office.
One ingrown toenail
and one sore throat.
I'm probably the only
doctor in town that's read
all the magazines
in his waiting room.
(doorbell rings )
Bob, that's probably David.
David? Oh, that's...
He called this morning.
He said he was
driving out to see us.
What do you suppose he wants?
Bob, please. No...
Hello, David.
Bob.
Come in, David.
You must be tired.
Hi, Grace.
You look well.
What are you drinking?
Nothing, thanks.
I don't have much time.
I want to talk to you.
Do you mind if I
make myself one?
Well, you're in a hurry.
What's on your mind?
Bob...
Nothing's changed, huh?
Same hostility, disbelief.
Well, here we go again.
I'll bet it's all about
those bogeymen
from outer space, isn't it?
Bob, you're in trouble.
Oh... You and Grace.
David, please get off...
Now you gotta listen to me
whether you like it or not.
I know what you think of
me. You think I'm a crackpot.
A sensationalist who
got out of architecture
to make a quick buck.
We've been over
this. I understand that,
but it doesn't change the fact
that a couple of hours ago
you became a target for them.
For heaven's sake, you really
won't get off of it, will you?
What do you want from me, David?
I've already blown a hole
in my life because of you.
Bob, will you listen
to me, please?
When you started
screaming about saucers,
I backed you up all
the way to the wall,
not because I believed it,
but because you're my brother.
Bob... And I stood behind you.
And you know
what I got out of it?
Absolutely nothing.
Now, when are
you going to quit?!
When you start listening to me!
Understand, I'm
only trying to save...
Save? Save what?
Save my practice? That's gone.
I think you know why.
I don't think I have to
explain it to you, do I?
Bob... will you do one thing?
Call Theodore Booth at
the San Francisco Courier.
This Theodore Booth,
he believes you?
That's right.
Now, call him.
After you've called him,
arrange for police protection,
but don't wait.
Bob, if you believe
that I've ever in my
life cared for you,
please don't wait.
He's ill, Bob.
He needs help.
Yeah, I wish I could help him.
I really do.
(phone ringing )
(sighs )
Hello?
Yes, this is Dr. Vincent.
Wh-Who is this, please?
Mrs. Endicott, what
seems to be the trouble?
Yes.
Well, now look, just calm down.
I'll be there in a
couple of minutes.
What-what's your address?
212 Frontier Avenue.
Yes, I'm leaving right now.
Emergency?
No. Sounds like a heart attack.
(door banging )
Mrs. Endicott? Yes.
I'm Dr. Vincent.
I didn't know if I had
the right address.
Come in, Doctor. He's real sick.
I'm glad you're here.
Mr. Vincent, your
brother is alive and well.
He won't be harmed
if you do as you're told.
What have you done to him?
Where is he?!
Now, now, now, now, now, now.
He'll be returned as soon
as you meet our demands.
First, Theodore Booth is
not to publish or broadcast
any information concerning
our presence here.
Secondly, Mr. Booth
is to publish a column
completely discrediting you.
It will contain your confession
that you have lied about
your experiences with us.
On the day that column
first appears in print,
your brother will
be returned to you.
If he's still alive.
Now, Mr. Vincent,
I'm sure you'll agree
that it would serve no
purpose for us kill him.
Unless I see
that he's all right,
unless I talk to him, no deal.
I expected you to ask that.
He'll call tomorrow...
about this time.
DAVID: I'll be
waiting at his place.
Oh, and one more thing.
Please...
if you value
your brother's life,
don't call the police.
I don't believe it.
VINCENT: I'm
sorry, Grace, it's true.
But why would anyone kidnap Bob?
We've no money.
We can't pay ransom.
Grace, didn't you understand
anything I said earlier today?
He's my brother.
As long as they have him,
they can keep me
from talking to Booth.
Now, honey, I
didn't imagine this.
They came to my hotel room
and told me they had taken Bob.
Dear God.
Grace...
Why haven't you
called the police?
Why? We can't. Not yet.
Honey, you don't know
who you're dealing with.
I don't care who
I'm dealing with.
I want the pol... You're only
going to make it worse for Bob.
David, give me the phone.
They won't kill him as
long as we don't panic.
Don't you see?
He's their bargaining power.
Without Bob, they have nothing
to hold over my head.
Now let me do it my way.
You've got to trust me.
I do? Why? Because
you're his brother?
Because you say so?
How can I trust someone who...?
Who might be psycho?
Do you really believe I am?
Honey, they're going to let
Bob call tomorrow at dinnertime.
Now at least let
me talk to Booth
before you ruin our one
chance of getting Bob out alive.
Please, Grace.
Please.
I don't know.
I don't know anything anymore.
Who I am... what's happening.
(sighs )
All right, David.
Your way.
Do whatever you want.
But God help you if your
way turns out to be wrong.
(gasping for air )
(coughing )
Hello?
Hello?
Harry?
Harry?
(knocking at door )
Harry, it's Ted Booth.
(doorknob rattling )
Harry?
(gasping )
(groans )
(wheezing )
(wheezing )
(dialing phone )
Police?
There's been a bad accident
at Laboratory
Analysts Incorporated.
That's right.
775 Academy Boulevard.
Never mind who this is.
Just get somebody up here.
Good-bye.
(coughing )
(coughing )
May I advise you to
save your breath, Doctor.
Who are you?
I think you know, Dr. Vincent.
Your brother must have
mentioned me often.
I've just met with him,
and I've agreed to let
you place a telephone call
to assure him of
your good health.
I'm not going to
make that phone call.
You'll subject your
wife and brother
to needless anxiety.
They'll think I'm
dead, won't they?
Possibly.
I'm not going to
make that phone call.
My brother David's found
out a way to destroy you,
and there's nothing
you can do about it.
You'll make the call, Doctor.
Don't bet on it.
Yes, I...
I know it's the
third time I've tried,
but you've got to get my
message through to Mr. Booth.
Now, look, does he
belong to a club of any kind,
or does he have a lady friend?
Any place that you
haven't thought of?
(sighs )
All right.
All right, fine.
Please keep trying.
Okay, fine, thanks.
I'll check again in
about a half hour.
Good-bye.
As a man of science, you
may find this interesting, Doctor.
Those crystal clusters
you see in there
are produced by combining
the substance known as mica
with a catalytic agent
found only on our planet.
What does this
have to do with me?
When exposed to the
earth's atmosphere,
those crystals simply
displace the oxygen in the air.
Grace!
Grace!
Get her out of there!
She'll suffocate!
Most forms of
life on this planet,
including the human,
suffocate within minutes.
It's difficult with my people.
Oxygen makes living
here difficult for us.
It forces us to keep
regenerating ourselves.
Oh... please! She's never
done anything to hurt you!
We hope to change
the earth's atmosphere
into something nearer the
atmosphere on our own planet.
She's dying in there.
She's dying!
Get her out of there!
The phone call, Doctor.
Yes. Anything.
Just get her out of there.
Please. Please stop it.
She'll be all right, Doctor.
Now, you just relax
for a few hours.
We have a phone call
to make this evening.
(knocking )
Grace.
Grace, it's David.
Grace, where have you been?
It's almost 6:00.
Honey, what's wrong?
Grace, are you all right?
Oh, David...
Come on. Let's get inside.
I think I saw him, David.
Who? Bob? Where?
Some woman came by, and she...
She said she'd take
me to my husband.
They... Two men were with her.
They... (sighs) they blindfolded
me and they drove me...
to a... factory of some kind.
Where was it? Try to remember.
They... they took
the blindfold off
and they... they
pushed me into a room.
All of a sudden, I
couldn't breathe.
It was like I was drowning!
Honey, did you see Bob?
I think I did.
I... Before I blacked
out, I don't remember.
Look. Just calm down a minute.
Now, I want you to pack
your bags and get out of town.
Tonight, right...
No. I can't leave.
Let's not argue.
I want you out of town where
they can't pick you up again.
Pack your bags.
(phone ringing )
Should be Bob.
Hello.
David, it's Bob.
Bob... Bob, are you all right?
Yes. I'm fine. How's Grace?
I'm worried about her. They
told me they took her home.
She's all right. She's
right here with me.
Thank God.
Are you sure you're all right?
Yes, I'm sure.
I'm in deep water again, David,
but I survived before, remember?
So just don't worry about me.
Mr. Vincent, have you made the
proper arrangements with Booth?
Look, I've tried everything.
I've left messages
with his service,
the television station he
works for, his newspaper.
Try harder. You've
got till noon tomorrow.
What happened?
He's still in deep water.
What?
Come on. You pack your things.
I'll call the airport.
David...
Doesn't Booth know about Bob?
No. Not yet.
Suppose he prints something
before you reach him?
The wrong thing.
What, then?
We can't print it, Joe, and
we can't put it on the air.
Read these messages.
Doesn't make sense.
When you need him most,
he runs off to Santa Carla.
Well, if he went, it
must be important.
More important than this?
The biggest story of our
time, and you want to sit on it.
That is only one column.
There's more.
There's a lot more,
but how can I get it
without David Vincent?
All right, thanks.
All right. Go to
Santa Carla, find him.
I'll get this ready
for tomorrow's edition. Joe...
Joe... listen. Did you read
those messages carefully?
It says we cannot
release that stuff
until we've had a talk.
Maybe the man's in trouble.
Maybe they're pressuring him.
I don't know.
Whatever's holding him
back, we just can't disregard it.
I have seen these
creatures at work...
with that lab technician,
and they're not
going to stop there.
You really believe
they're here, Ted?
Yeah. You just make sure
that your life
insurance is paid up.
I know they're
somewhere in the area
if I could only
figure out where.
I wired your folks.
They'll meet the
plane in San Diego.
You'll need the
key to the house.
They may try to reach you there.
"I'm in deep water."
"Deep water... Deep water..."
"I'm in deep water again."
Archer creek.
What?
It's where we used to
go when we were kids.
Bob almost drowned
there when he was eight.
"I'm in deep water again."
That's what he was trying
to tell me on the telephone.
But that creek's dried up.
There's nothing there now but...
The old winery.
It's been deserted for years.
David, call the police.
Call the... No, I can't. I have
to get in touch with Booth.
And then what?
Your plane leaves
in five minutes.
I'll call you in San Diego.
Person to person to
Mr. Theodore Booth.
(knock at door)
He's staying at the...
Uh... uh, never mind, operator.
I'll, I'll try later.
(knocking continues )
Who is it?
Ted Booth.
What are you doing here?
Well, I'm looking for you.
I've got a private plane that I
can use on occasions like this,
but I must say I'm not crazy
about flying around the...
I was just calling you.
Well, I was just calling you.
Now, what are all
these messages about?
Is the project on or off?
We can't go through with it.
What?
They've kidnapped my brother.
Lord...
May I help myself?
They said they'd let him go...
after you print
my public confession.
They want me to lie
about everything...
The aliens, who they
are, why they're here...
Well, do you intend to do it?
I've got to.
This is strong.
I'm going to tell you something.
You may think it's very inhuman,
but I'm going to say it anyway.
You know this,
um... brother of yours
is one man.
One.
Do you think that his
life is more important
than the entire human race?
At the moment, the only
one I care about is my brother.
Do you know how ironic this is?
You are forcing me to use your
own arguments against yourself.
Now, I have until noon tomorrow.
I cannot let him die.
But if I help you, I will
be helping the enemy.
Now, you can't
expect me to do that.
No, no. I know how
you feel, but I must...
I must go ahead
with these articles
and I must go ahead
with these broadcasts
with or without your help.
You can't do this.
In the first place, you don't
have enough information.
Well, I'll use what
information I have.
And I know one thing...
That my publishers will back me.
It won't be easy without
you, but I'm going to do it,
and I'm going to
fight these creatures
in every way that I know how.
I am going to fight them
the way that you
wanted me to fight them.
I'm going to fight them
the way you fought
them once yourself
if you care to remember.
Why aren't you in San Diego?
David, I belong here.
I can't go running off
somewhere, knowing Bob is...
I just came by
to return the key.
I won't be needing it.
David...
Where are you going?
Archer Creek.
That means... you've
talked with Booth.
Yes.
And he's willing to help?
No.
But what about
Bob? They'll kill him.
Don't worry, they won't.
But without Booth, we
can't meet their terms.
I'm about to make
them a better offer.
David...
David!
(doorbell rings )
Sorry to intrude.
My name is Theodore Booth
and I'm looking
for David Vincent.
He left a few minutes ago.
Are you Dr. Vincent's wife?
May I have a word
with you, please?
Now, David must have told you
that he needs my
help to save his brother.
Why are you here?
Well, unfortunately,
I need his help...
At least my publisher thinks so.
Your publisher?
Yes. He is a very
unpredictable man
and after all these years,
he's finally asserted himself
and he has stated that
if there is no Vincent,
there will be no articles.
Now, I am flying
home in a short while,
and I would like one
more talk with Mr. Vincent.
I'm sure that we
can find a solution.
David's found a
solution, Mr. Booth.
If I'm not mistaken,
he's trading his life for Bob's.
Trading his life?
Where is he now?
Archer Creek.
Archer's Creek?
Th-There's an old winery there.
Ah, yes. Where's the phone?
I'll call the police.
They told us not
to call the police.
At this point, we
have no choice.
Now you talk to them
and tell them to meet
me there at the winery.
I'm on my way.
MAN: Stay right where
you are, Mr. Vincent.
MAN: Why are you here?
To renegotiate our arrangement.
MAN: Our terms were final.
I think you'll prefer
my new terms.
Now, look, I'm alone.
I have no weapon.
Come out where I can see you.
Bring my brother with you.
I want to make
sure he's still alive.
MAN: Very well,
Mr. Vincent, your way.
Would you care to join us?
Get in and drive slowly.
State your terms, Mr. Vincent.
A simple trade: my
life for my brother's.
I'm sorry.
Your death would only
dramatize Mr. Booth's articles...
Gain them more attention.
You should know that.
I'm giving you a
chance to discredit me.
Now, my brother's a doctor.
He can declare
that I became insane
was committed to an institution.
Not a chance, David.
He can later announce
that I died in that institution.
That's the only way I
can meet your demands.
I'll be discredited.
Booth will lose his
source of material.
My brother will be at
home with his wife and child.
David, I'm not going
to do it like that,
so you might as well forget it.
We would accept your
terms, Mr. Vincent...
but it seems your brother
is not willing to cooperate.
I'm sorry, David,
that's the way it is.
That's the way
it's going to stay.
It seems we have
another visitor, Mr. Vincent.
(distant siren wailing )
(vehicles approaching )
Come out of there, you two.
What's going on here?
Some woman called and said
a Dr. Vincent had
been kidnapped.
I'm Dr. Vincent.
You look okay to me.
The two men who kidnapped
my brother were in that building.
Well, I suppose you
didn't see what happened.
What is this, some
kind of a gag?
No.
Officer, there...
there was a building
standing right over there
just a few seconds ago.
Sure there was.
All right, fellas, party's over.
Couple of wise guys
with nothing better to do
than to waste the
taxpayer's money.
Hey, wait a minute.
Bob... forget it.
It won't help.
Come on.
Lieutenant, that story
they were telling
us about that...
Don't worry. I'll check it out.
(car engine starting )
BOB: What is his temperature
right now, Mrs. Johnson?
A hundred and two.
Well, just keep in mind...
Is that from memory?
Mr. Booth's not easy to forget.
Now, I suppose
you're leaving us, too.
Oh, I'll be back.
Now, you take good care
of my nephew, will you?
(laughing )
Good-bye, David.
Good-bye.
BOB: Keep applying
the hot compresses
and keep checking
his temperature
and I'll see him
tomorrow afternoon.
(sighs )
Can't you stay for a day or two?
No. We both have work to do.
Grace and I... we'd like
to do something to help.
You already have.
Now that we've seen them,
now that we know who they are,
I hate to see you go this alone,
even if you weren't my brother.
Thanks.
I may take you up
on that someday.
Take good care of Grace, huh?
Take good care of yourself.
NARRATOR: One man... fighting a
secret war against a hidden enemy.
Someday, when that
enemy is defeated,
David Vincent will
no longer be alone.
Someday.