On the morning of March 18th
at precisely 7:48 a.m. a coded message directed
to our president was cabled from this observatory.
A message of such vital importance
that our Congress was called into an emergency session.
A phenomenon out there in space was the subject
of these top secret communications.
It wasn't long until the astronomers
of other nations also discovered what had happened.
Earth now had a new neighbor.
A new planet had moved into our solar system,
and had established its orbit around
the Sun so close to Earth
that for the first time it was conceivable to believe
that man on Earth could actually travel to another planet.
A planet that had every indication
that its atmosphere would support life.
Many of the mysteries of this vast ocean
of space would soon be solved.
It would be a race between countries to see
which one would be the first,
the first to bring our civilization
to another planet in space.
On April 23rd the word to start comes from Washington,
and immediately our finest research laboratories
change over to this all important project,
the building of a passenger carrying rocket ship.
Every security measure is taken.
Test upon test must be made to develop,
improve, create, invent.
A jet engine must be built with a thrust
great enough to launch the spaceship
through the many miles of Earth's atmosphere.
It must also be able to withstand
the pressures found in outer space.
June 3rd.
With the aid of unusually favorable atmospheric conditions,
Professor Albert Garnet is able
with the world's largest telescope
to photograph and extremely clear view of the new planet.
It is now certain that plant life
of some kind definitely exists there.
The professor incidentally is also credited
with naming the new planet, planet Nova.
New metals must be developed with tensile strength capable
of expanding great atmospheric pressures.
Switch on for jet engine test number 87.
Structural weaknesses are studied, tested.
Every conceivable test for man
and machine alike is run the gauntlet.
There is no margin for error.
Special equipment is developed.
This nuclear power plant will serve
as an auxiliary source of electricity
while our people are on the planet.
Actually, because it is activated by atomic power
it could supply their needs for many years
if something were to go wrong
and their return to Earth were delayed.
Naturally the people must be careful
in using such equipment because if
the atomic power were allowed to go unharnessed,
an atomic fission reaction would take place.
An atom explosion.
A time clock is a controlling mechanism for this reaction.
They of course will understand its use
and therefore minimize any danger.
Pressure bombs are constructed to simulate
the pressures found in space.
Record every vibrating pulse.
Turbo jet engines used in assisting take offs
of our giant bombers are studied,
but there lies the greatest problem.
Blasting the ship off the ground
and out of Earth's gravity pull.
The first test rocket is ready.
Rocket test number two.
This rocket carries animals, white mice.
As the rocket zooms upward gravity
is still present to hold the mice
and little ball downward toward Earth.
Now the mice are floating in air since
they are now beyond Earth's gravity pull.
The test proves out.
Animals can live in space.
It's man's turn next to take the calculated risk.
The spaceship is ready now for its passengers.
If animal life is found on the new planet Nova,
an expert on zoo-geography would
be a most important member of the space expedition.
On August 10th, Doctor Richard Gordon
was chosen to fill that position.
He became famous with his discovery of
a giant prehistoric tar pits
near Salt Lake City just two years ago.
The study of rock formations and its minerals
is like reading the personal diary of a planet.
Doctor Nora Pierce joined
the space expedition on August 27th.
Her doctorate in mineralogy was awarded for
her mineralogical research in the Himalayan mountains.
That same day the giant spaceship
was being wielded in position for its space flight
which was now a matter of weeks away.
Medicine must be represented on this expedition
since the health of these people and the people who will venture
into space in the future is of primary importance.
Dr. Ralph Martin's war service fortified
him with the experience of treating
most diseases and fatalities that overtake men,
that is on our Earth.
The chemistry of the new planet was
to be studied by Dr. Patricia Bennet
who completed the group of scientists.
She was noted for her thesis on
the use of radio chemistry in medicine.
Dr. Bennet entered the group on September 12th.
On October 1st it was observed that
the position of Nova was in
the most advantageous location for our purpose.
The ship must blast off within 24 hours.
Attention!
The members of the expedition
will please report to the ship.
Blast off is in X minus 20 minutes.
Attention!
Blast off in X minus five minutes.
Blast off in X minus one minute.
Five, four, three, two, one.
The spaceship kept on its course
without the least deviation.
The people on Earth followed the ship's progress
as long as possible with powerful telescopes and with radar.
To our people inside, the days,
the weeks, the months all went by without mishap.
We're first.
Thank God we made it.
Is it as lovely as it seems?
Yes, if it's habitable.
An active volcano.
This planet is quite young Pat.
We're gonna start our test Dick
to see if it's safe to remove our suits.
Your instruments are on their way down.
Hurry up with the test so Nora
and I can get out and join you huh?
A preliminary biological study
made of the air on Nova show
the indications of microscopic life
not too different then that found on Earth.
However, approximately 40% of the bacteria
was completely unfamiliar.
Tests for radiation gave a reading
of approximately 10% above normal background count.
Liquid tested for biotic contents
indicated less than a tolerable percentage.
Temperature, 78 degrees.
Air pressure, 13.8 pounds per square inch.
Although our preliminary tests are in no way conclusive,
they do substantiate however,
that human and animal life as we know it on Earth
can exist in the atmosphere and environment of planet Nova.
Now let's get out of these suits.
Dick, Nora, the atmosphere checks out all right.
It's safe to come out.
The air's a bit richer then oxygen, notice.
Anyway let's speed up our reaction.
Oh, you take care of your own reactions Doctor.
What do you think Nora?
This is just great.
There's animal life here.
There must be plenty of water then.
Listen, I saw a lake over in that direction before we landed.
- Let's go and take a look. - Okay.
All right?
Look, birds.
They look like vultures.
Look at that tree.
Isn't he cute?
Well, there it is just like I saw on the scope.
Pretty a lake as anyone would want and it's all private.
But what about that island?
It's a strange looking place.
Looks like it's covered with heavy jungle growth.
There's no sun over there.
I'd like to have a look at that if we have time.
I don't see why Nora.
All they want in Washington are tests
and samples from wherever we land.
They didn't say anything about extensive exploration.
You conservative doctors.
Well, I don't care.
All I can see is that water and
that means a bath Nora and let's get
some clean clothes and have one huh?
Uh huh.
Uh, uh, ladies first please.
Much further?
I want some samples from that rock straight up.
What time would you say it is?
I'd say it's about 3 o'clock Earth time here.
Except that we don't know how many hours
there are on the daily cycle here.
You know, this place could
move around faster then our Earth.
Well, let's figure it's about 3 o'clock anyway.
That gives us three or four hours before dark.
Dick?
That rock might be further then we thought.
Oh, a couple more miles should bring us there.
Couple of more miles as the crows fly
but five miles up and down those hills.
Yes, but walking's a whole lot easier then digging.
What do you think Nora?
About the age of this place?
Afraid your guess was right.
It's pretty young as planets go.
Much younger then our Earth.
What era would you say it is?
Prehistoric.
Are you serious Nora?
Look, let's get outta here and get back to the ship.
I'm scared to death and I don't mind admitting it.
What about it Nora? Do you have enough?
Yes, for the kind of preliminary survey they want.
I can get more information while
the rest of you are working.
That island.
I wonder what's over there.
Well, vegetation certainly looks
different from that around here.
Maybe we can pay it a quick visit before we leave.
Let the next people pay it a visit.
Let's get back to the ship and get outta here
before something awful happens to all of us.
We better go, it's getting dark.
Do we know the way?
Well, if it doesn't dark too soon we're all right.
Is this the way we came?
I'm not sure.
Oh, I'm dead.
Pat.
Oh, well that does it.
Right, there's not much point in tramping through the woods all night
What do you say we fix ourselves a place and sleep here?
It'll be a lot easier to find our way in the daylight.
Fine.
- One more. - All righty.
Hey how 'bout that?
Home sweet home.
- Looks real good huh? - Uh huh.
Step up to the front desk and register.
It's an owl.
We're going to be real comfortable.
Well, it's not the Long Gone but I like it.
Here Pat, hang this up will you?
Okay.
Ralph, let's get the packs.
Now Ralph and I are gonna split
the watches three hours a piece.
That should take us up until daylight.
You girls get some sleep.
There's no reason why we can't take a watch too.
- Yes there is. - Oh, Dick.
No arguments.
Now get some sleep.
- Ralph, I'll take the first one. - Okay.
Wake me up a little early will ya?
Hey, I thought you were gonna call me?
I'm okay.
I thought as long as I felt all right
I'd stay with it a little longer.
Looks like the second shift's gonna be a little wet.
Good night old man.
Hi.
Can't you sleep?
What's the matter?
I don't know.
Tell me Doctor, do you still wanna marry me?
You know I do.
Let's take a walk.
Oh, okay.
Ralph!
Dick! Dick, wake up!
Ralph!
Oh Ralph, Ralph, Ralph.
Let's get him back to camp.
I can't find a kit here.
Get the kit!
Give me the canteen.
Get the canteen!
Nora?
Get that rag wet.
He's lost a lot of blood.
Oh, it's all my fault.
It's nobody's fault.
What were you doing away from this area anyway?
You know you're not supposed to leave camp.
I know, I know.
You better get some sleep. You're gonna need it.
We've gotta keep a sharp lookout from now on.
- How is he? - He's in no shape to travel.
- We better leave him here. - Not alone.
No, you stay with him.
We'll find our way back to the ship and get the supplies.
Oh, Pat we can bring your lab equipment
back and then you can work here 'til he's better.
- Fine. - Just don't leave this area.
We're takin' all but one canteen, but go easy on the water.
Okay, but hurry back will ya?
Oh Ralph darling I'm so sorry.
Cold.
Freezing cold.
Oh Ralph, no!
Oh!
Where is everybody?
Oh, they've gone.
They've gone back to the ship for supplies and equipment.
You've been unconscious for a day and a half.
Oh, I don't remember what happened.
You were hurt but you're all right now.
Ugh.
You've been here all alone?
Somebody had to stay with you.
Couldn't be left alone.
Well I'm all right now.
Ooh, take it easy.
You know after a bout like you've
had you gotta relax and rest.
Come here.
Why?
I need some medicine.
When will they be back?
Real soon.
Try to rest now.
Hey, where'd you pick this one up?
We didn't, he picked us up.
- That's Joe. - Hello Joe.
Hey Joe, go investigate the lady.
Wake her up boy.
Oh hi.
Boy am I glad you're back.
Did you have a good trip?
Lovely if you like walking.
Anything unusual Dick?
What's unusual anymore?
Saw something that looked like
a Sherman tank but it didn't bother us.
Hey, who's the cook in the outfit tonight?
I'll do it.
I'll bet your hungry.
This one's been eating all day long.
Good.
He'll get his strength back faster that way.
Did you find anything today Dicky?
Besides Joe I mean.
I got a whole bag full of specimens.
Near as I can figure this place
will support a lot of people.
If we had to stay here for any length
of time we should be able to live
off the land without much trouble.
Thanks but I'll take Earth, U.S.A.
Me too.
Hey, what are the plans for tomorrow?
Well, I thought Nora and I'd finish our tests and samplings and then I thought...
And then I wanna take a look at that island.
I seem to remember some instructions about not separating.
We haven't run into anything we can't handle Ralph.
You know I think they all read too much science fiction.
Probably that would mean some kind of super race up here or something.
Why don't we all go together?
Doctor, you know better then the rest of us that you're in no shape to travel.
That's right.
So, Nora and I'll take one of the rubber rafts tomorrow
and spend the day on the island.
Pat, you, you do whatever work you can around here.
Dick, what are we gonna do about watches tonight?
I'll take the first one. I'll get some sleep when it gets light.
Hey, I heard that business about the watches.
I may be a little weak but I can still handle a gun.
Oh, don't be silly Ralph.
You need your rest.
Look, maybe we don't need a watch.
Joe seems to be pretty good at shouting alarms.
We'll count on Joe for extras.
I'm taking the first one.
Are you sure you're all right Ralph?
In the pink.
There's nothing like a good quiet nights sleep.
If you have to get back to the ship
for any reason, the best way's along the shore line of the lake.
It's too easy to get lost going through the jungle.
Nora, we'd better travel light.
Gotta pick up that raft on the way.
And by the way, there's a flare gun
in each of those rubber rafts.
If you're not back by dark you better fire a couple.
If you're okay make it white.
Any trouble, red.
Better yet, just stay out of trouble.
And take good care of Joe, I'm getting very fond of him.
See ya later fellas.
Bye.
Maybe you can help me with this.
Do you remember any of your chemistry?
Enough to know about the chemistry between us.
Look mister, day time's for business.
Let's get this thing over with so we can get home.
That time can't come too soon for me.
Come on boy.
Joe, come on.
We're not gonna wait for ya. Let's go, come on.
Joe, come on.
Let's shove off.
It looks pretty barren.
This was your idea.
Look at the flock of birds.
So that's where those
vultures have been coming from.
There must be something on the island that attracts them.
It looks a little forbidding.
Hm.
That shore doesn't look too bad.
Let's paddle over that way.
Aye aye captain.
Listen.
Just thunder.
It's much colder here.
I'll put the raft over there.
All right.
Let's get going Nora.
Here, take Joe.
Dick, there's a pair of those birds.
Learn anything?
Fast these things.
Like what for instance?
Like for instance you may be
a wonderful doctor but you're an awful patient.
That's a privilege that only a doctor can afford.
Seriously, what have you gotten from all of these tests?
Well, for one thing, there's lots
of bacteria that exists here that don't on Earth.
Which means stay healthy because
there might not be a cure for it, right?
Right.
What a desolate forsaken place.
But that rumbling, almost an animal roar.
Still sounds like thunder to me.
Do you wanna go on or turn back?
Let's go on.
Looks like a cave up on that ledge.
Dick, that isn't thunder.
I know, I know it.
My gun's jammed!
Lift it up, lean down there, get in it!
Joe!
Where's Joe?
I'll get him.
Dick don't go!
Take this camera...
and load it!
Dick!
Nora, wrap this up.
Nora!
Nobody's gonna believe this.
Nora, hand be that bearing pistol.
Are you thinking of Ralph and Pat?
I hate to bring 'em into this.
It's our only way outta here.
Stay right here.
Don't move.
Ralph, something awful's happened.
Listen to that noise.
I hear it, I hear it.
Look, the flare.
A red flare Pat.
They're in trouble.
It resembles the Tyrannosaurus Rex
of Earth's prehistoric age.
Tyrannosaurus Rex.
King dinosaur.
To think, this monster dominates Nova
just as similar ones dominated Earth 125 million years ago.
It's like living in the past.
He's a good likeness.
Oh, who cares! No one's ever gonna believe us anyway
- if we ever get out of here! - Nora!
There's their raft.
Back!
We're closer!
In that canyon.
Oh, Ralph what is it?
- What is it? - I don't know.
It's something prehistoric.
Oh it's horrible!
- Here, shoot it, do something. - What with?
That won't do any good.
Yeah, well do something.
We've gotta get to them.
No, they've got to get to us.
Oh!
All right, this is our chance.
Let's go!
Over here!
Faster!
Oh Ralph, will they make it?
Sure, they're gonna make it.
Oh.
Come on!
- Are you all right? - Pat!
I brought the atom bomb. I think it's a good time to use it.
All right, it's set for 8 o'clock.
That's a half an hour from now.
Come on, let's get outta here.
Go out that way!
Come on, let's go!
Keep goin'! Don't stop.
Get back, hurry up!
Come on!
I think we've lost him.
- Hurry! Go! - No!
Come on!
Dick!
Let's reach that hill over there.
- Let's go, hurry! - Hurry up Nora. Come on!
- I can't! - Come on, let's go!
Get over there and stay down!
Down!
- Let go of me! - Come on Pat!
Come on!
Well, we've done it.
Yeah.
We sure have done it.
Brought civilization to planet Nova.
Come on.
Let's go home.