| Atomic
Submarine (1959) by Orville H. Hampton. Revised draft, 5/15/59.
AHEAD OF TITLES - PROLOGUE
FADE IN:
1 STOCK SHOT - NORTH POLE AREA - DAY
With, possibly, radically-designed jet planes flying
over the Arctic wastes.
NARRATOR
It cost Commander Robert Peary
twenty years or unremitting hard-
ship and misery to reach the North
Pole, finally, in 1909.
DISSOLVE TO:
2 ANOTHER STOCK SHOT - ARCTIC WASTES - DAY
NARRATOR
It would have astounded Peary to
learn that, by the late 1950's
and early 60's, the vast, frozen
top-of-the-world he pioneered had
become a vital highway for world
travel and commerce. Not just in
the skies...
DISSOLVE TO:
3 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - UNDER ICE - SUBMARINE ROUTE
NARRATOR
...but also deep under the ice,
in the frigid, five-million-square-
mile depths of the Arctic Ocean.
4 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - CARGO SUB STURGEON - DAY
The huge, heavy vessel glides smoothly along, between
underwater mountains, following the well-beaten Polar
route.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
2.
4 (CONTINUED)
NARRATOR
Here great passenger and cargo-
carrying atomic submarines glided
by the dozens, back and forth
across the Pole, until a series
of mysterious undersea disasters
threatened to close the Arctic
route forever.
5 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - CLOSE SHOT - STURGEON
As it glides, very close, PAST CAMERA, so we can read
the name: U.S.A.S. STURGEON (United States Atom Sub
Sturgeon) on the bow. We may spot the closed-circuit
TV camera on the surface of the conning tower.
NARRATOR
The decisive moment came May 3, at
1315 hours, when the undersea
atomic liner, Sturgeon, largest of
them all, reached 87 degrees, 10
minutes north latitude - only a
few miles from the North Pole it-
self!
6 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - UNDERWATER ICE CAVE - DAY
In the depths of it appears a distant, faint ball of
glowing light. The ball begins moving toward CAMERA,
slowly, becoming larger and larger. There may be a
FAINT, WEIRD ELECTRICAL HUM just audible from it.
7 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - CARGO SUB STURGEON
It moves ahead, unconscious of impending doom, the Peep-
Peep of its sonar impulses now gradually increasing in
pitch, Doppler effect, as they echo back from the
approaching blob of light.
8 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE SAUCER - DAY
Dimly seen, a vague, indistinct shape (thru this sequence
-- it approaches -- a huge, oval-shaped disc, with what
seems to be a revolving turret, or lighthouse, on top.
The Peep-Peep of the Sturgeon sonar has now risen to a
frantic scream, and the MAGNETIC, LOW-FREQUENCY HUM from
the saucer becomes louder and louder
- - -
3.
9 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - PAN SHOT WITH STURGEON
The great atom sub glides past camera, but now, as we
are shooting from her stern over the bow, we see the
screws halt, then go into reverse, and she begins to
back away, back TOWARD CAMERA. Then, in the b.g., we
see the saucer, the great, eerie 'eye' or whatever it
is, looming like a searchlight on her top, and the
oval shape seeming like a great mass of glowing energy.
The saucer is easily overtaking the reversed Sturgeon,
when:
10 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE SAUCER
It moves to a position nearly filling screen, when...
A great bolt of sheer high-frequency energy - like an
undersea lightning bolt - stabs out from somewhere in
the saucer, and lances out TOWARD CAMERA.
11 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE SAUCER AND STURGEON
The great, stabbing bolt of energy impinges on the hull
of the Sturgeon, and for an instant, the entire sub
seems to glow with radiant light. Then, in closer de-
tails, we see the effects...
12 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - BOW OF STURGEON
It seems to melt away (or collapse) like a shell of
paraffin over a fire. The water boils and hisses
about it.
13 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - CONNING TOWER
The radio antenna, the periscope, the mast, the tower
itself - all seem to melt, and collapse.
14 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE STURGEON
What is left of the Sturgeon, glowing and hissing,
still red hot, begins rising to the surface, towards
the ice-layer.
15 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE SAUCER
It reverses, draws back into the ice-cave from which
it issued.
- - -
4.
16 SPECLAL EFFECT SHOT - ABOVE ICE - DAY
And now, she seems to be rising in a tremendous crunch-
ing, grinding, writhing activity. Finally, it breaks
completely, and for a moment, the red-hot hull of the
Sturgeon is visible in the cracking, grinding masses
of ice. Then, a larger hiss of steam, and finally a
ROAR of earthquake volume, a fireball, then a mushroom
cloud. The atomic reactor of the Sturgeon has blown up,
the ship is vaporized to nothingness. As the atomic
cloud rises up toward camera...
17 SCREEN WHIRLS OPTICALLY INTO A SPIRAL BLUR
and then
DISSOLVES TO:
18 INSERT - CLCSEUP - NEWSPAPER FRONT PAGE
This comes WHIRLING INTO VIEW, then WHIRLING STOPS and
we can read the headline in the CAPITAL TIMES.
CLOSE ARCTIC SEA LANE
AFTER EPIC DISASTER!!
- - -
Mysterious Loss of Sturgeon,
Latest in Series of Polar
Tragedies, Prompts
Drastic Action.
DISSOLVE TO:
19 EXT. STOCK SHOTS - WASHINGTON
Prererably of the Pentagon. A helicopter shot of it
would be most readily identifiable.
NARRATOR
According to the official reports,
the next phase of the life-and-
death drama occurred May 10, in
Washington --
DISSOLVE TO:
20 INSERT - CLOSEUP PANELED DOOR
On which is lettered:
(CONTINUED)
- - -
5.
20 (CONTINUED)
BUREAU OF ARCTIC DEFENSE
WAR ROOM
NO ADMITTANCE WITHOUT
SPECIAL
SECURITY CLEARANCE
NARRATOR
-- at a hush-hush, super-secret
meeting in the Arctic theater
war room.
21 INT. WAR ROOM - DAY - MATTE SHOT - EST. SHOT
This room is, more than anything else, a system of maps
and charts - a huge detail of the Arctic ocean occupy-
ing an entire wall behind the conference table. On it
are small, magnetic models of submarines, defense
stations, etc. Also, to one side, is a huge globe of
the world, on a revolving stand. File cabinets, rolled
maps and charts, shelves of references, navigation
guides, etc. All business; no time wasted on decora-
tion. There is an electric lock on the door; no one
can 'burst in' on the excuse of making a mistake.
22 CLOSE SHOT - ADMIRAL TERHUNE
The burly, grim-faced Admiral, in uniform, is at the
head of the conference table. There is an intercom
on a small stand beside his position at the table. The
Admiral has a sheaf of reports and photographs, also
a stack of mimeographed 'briefs' at his elbow. No
nonsense; Terhune speaks in clipped, brief phrases,
almost as if he has digested sentences down to short,
terse bursts before 'releasing' them from his lips.
The Admiralts lips are moving as we first see him,
but we do not hear his speech until the Narrator is
finished.
NARRATOR
Admiral Terhune, in charge of the
Arctic Theater for the Joint Chiefs,
well knew the effect the 'leak' of
any of the explosive information
would have on the world civilian
population. So the Admiral was
determined: There would be no
leaks!
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE
6.
23 FULL SHOT - PAST CONFERENCE TABLE - TOWARD DOOR
And now we see Admiral Terhune in the close f.g., and
the other participants of the meeting - DR. CLIFFORD KENT,
a practical, 'egghead' scientist, Chief of Scientific
Research and Weapons Development; SIR IAN HUNT, English,
winner of the Nobel prize for Oceanography, and Defense
Secretary Murdock, distinguished, white-haired.
There is a KNOCK. Admiral Terhune presses the button,
the lock BUZZES, and the door opens.
COMMANDER WENDOVER steps inside. He is a hard-bitten,
intelligent young-old man of about forty. Years of
responsibility have made him older mentally than physically.
He is the highest type of the professional navy man, the
elite of the new craft, the atomic submarine.
WENDOVER
Admiral Terhune!
24 PANNING WITH WENDOVER
He manages a smile, puts out his hand as he crosses to
the Admiral's place at the table, in a TIGHT GROUP SHOT
with the other men.
ADMIRAL
(addressing the men at the table)
Gentlemen, this is the man we've
been waiting for - Skipper of the
atom killer sub, Tiger Shark -
Commander Dan Wendover.
(indicating)
This is Justin Murdock, Secretary
of Defense...
WENDOVER
Mr. Murdock...
MURDOCK
Commander.
ADMIRAL
And I know you've heard of Dr.
Clifford Kent, Dan --
Wendover puts out his hand and the scientist takes it.
KENT
Commander.
ADMIRAL
Dr. Kent had a lot to do with the
development and design of your boat.
(continued)
(CONTINUED)
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 7.
24 (CONTINUED)
MURDOCK
(indicating)
Sir Ian Hunt just flew in from
London.
WENDOVER
(impressed)
Are you the Doctor Hunt - Nobel
prize winner for Oceanography?
SIR IAN
(smiling)
Let's say I took the bows for a
team of brrlliant associates.
They take their seats at the table. Terhune indicates
a place for Wendover; meanwhile, he pulls a sheet of
paper from a file folder in front of him. Looking at
them all in turn to command attention, the Admiral says:
ADMIRAL
Gentlemen, to begin, let me read
you just one line from a detailed
staff study prepared for the Joint
Chiefs: "In our judgment, these Arctic
disasters may prove the gravest
emergency in all history."
25 REACTION SHOT - PANNING OVER FACES
As part of the above line carries over scene.
MURDOCK O.S.
Any comments on that statement?
26 CLOSE TWO - SIR IAN AND KENT
Sir Ian, in typical English underplay fashion, comments:
SIR IAN
Bit on the fanciful side, isn't it,
Sir?
27 GROUP SHOT
The Admiral smiles wryly, murmurs:
(CONTINUED)
- - -
8.
27 (CONTINUED)
ADMIRAL
Possibly, possibly.
(then, a new thought,
taking another paper
from the folder)
Let me read you a partial list
of observed phenomena:
1. Complete disruption of communica-
tions with Dew line warning stations.
2. Destruction of four surface
vessels, largest, 10,000 tons.
3. Radioactivity in Arctic waters,
floe ice and bergs.
4. Peculiar television images preceding
each distress call.
5. Seven Polar atom subs, vanished
without a trace!
(a grim smile)
"Fanciful" did you say, Sir Ian?
28 REACTION SHOTS - CLOSEUPS - MEN
To INTERCUT above, while Admiral reads.
29 TIGHT GROUP
The Admiral looks up expectantly into the faces.
ADMIRAL
Now we come to you, Dan. You
skipper the Tiger Shark, the
most advanced, the deadliest
killer sub in the fleet. Right
now she's undergoing emergency,
around the clock modification in
the Bremerton navy yard.
The Admiral pulls a cross-section of the Tiger Shark
from his pile of documents, uses a pencil to indicate
his point as he says:
ADMIRAL (cont'd)
The orders call for special obser-
vation and testing instruments
here...
30 INSERT - CLOSEUP - DIAGRAM OF SUB
As the Admiral's pencil, as a pointer, follows his
words, he explains:
(CONTINUED)
- - -
9.
30 (CONTINUED)
ADMIRAL O.S.
Removal of all but two atomic
torpedos. Special launching
equipment for water-to-air
ballistic missiles. A special
escape hatch in the keel for the
Lungfish.
31 GROUP SHOT - FAVORING WENDOVER AND ADMIRAL
As Wendover frowns, puzzled.
WENDOVER
'The Lungfish?'
ADMIRAL
A special deep-exploration device
- sort of an animated diving bell.
Captain Siguard Nielsen developed
it, after he retired, if you remem-
ber?
(tossing the diagram
back on the pile)
He'll be going with you -
(then, indicating
the other two
scientists)
- along with Dr. Kent, and Sir Ian.
32 CAMERA ROLLS IN SLOWLY FOR TIGHT TWO OF THE ADMIRAL
AND WENDOVER
Wendover's face becoming more and more grim as the
Admiral explains:
ADMIRAL
Special orders are being cut
recalling your entire crew
from leave, effective at once.
There's a fast jet at National
Airport waiting to fly you,
Dr. Kent and Sir Ian to Seattle.
33 CAMERA MOVES IN FOR BIG HEAD OF WENDOVER
as the Admiral concludes:
(CONTINUED)
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE"
10.
33 (CONTINUED)
ADMIRAL O.S.
The Mission of the Tiger Shark is
to hunt down and identify the cause
of these Arctic disasters. If humanly
possible, you will remove it:
SLOW DISSOLVE TO:
33-A STOCK SHOT - SEATTLE - PREFERABLY HIGH PANORAMA - NIGHT
DISSOLVE TO:
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE"
10-A.
33-B INT. REEF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
A modern bachelor apartment - living room and bedroom
combination, nicely furnished, with a kitchenette
behind a pass-through bar at the other end of the room.
This doubles as a bar for mixing drinks. Empty
glasses and the remnants of snacks are scattered about.
33-C APARTMENT DOOR - THREE SHOT - DAVE HELEN REEF
LIEUTENANT DAVE MILBURN, ex-Naval Academy halfback
and inter-collegiate boxing champion, hard-nosed and
trigger-tempered, is reluctantly taking leave from
Reef's party. His pretty, placid wife, HELEN, is
indeavoring to get him through the open door and cut
his 'farewell scene' short. Dave is slightly, but
not objectionably, high. REEF HOLLOWAY, a handsome,
capable, relaxed Annapolis-type, is smiling amiably
and bantering with Dave, all the while trying to
usher him out with determined speed. But it is not
easy to get Dave through the door. He is chattering
constantly, in a lecturing tone, to someone inside
the apartment o.s.
DAVE
(earnestly)
...Not that I don't think our
Lieutenant Commander Holloway is
the finest exec in the sub fleet,
Julie...and not that he isn't the
best friend I have -
HELEN
(pulling Dave by his arm)
Come on, Dave. You talk too much.
DAVE
Quiet, Little Mother!
(back to Julie o.s.)
I feel it behooves me to warn
you -
33-D FULL SHOT - JULIE
perched on the arm of an overstuffed chair, in all
her lush female magnificence - contoured and
accoutered elegantly - with fine legs, long and sexy.
Julie is drool-bait, especially for an undersea
sailor who only comes up for air and 'so forth'
every three months. Julie smiles to herself as she
listens to Dave's slightly thick, but earnest advice.
DAVE
(continuing, o.s.)
Our friend Reef is no less than
Number One Howl of the entire sub
Wolf Pack. Nuclear powered! When
it comes to women, he has a built-in
sonar detector that -
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 10-B-C-D.
33-E THREE SHOT - REEF DAVE HELEN - APARTMENT DOOR
Reef is trying to crowd Dave through the door from
behind while Helen is tugging away at him from the outer
portion of the doorway.
REEF
Now, Dave Old Buddy, you know
you're exaggerating -
(to Helen)
What do you think of this husband
of yours? On most boats a certain
loyalty exists between the Exec and
his Navigation and Firing Officer.
(he sighs tragically)
But unfortunately, in the case of
Lieutenant Dave Milburn of the Tiger
Shark and myself -
DAVE
(fighting his way back
inside, militantly)
But Julie's a nice girl, and I've
seen you work. She deserves a fighting
chance!
REEF
Helen. I appeal to you -
HELEN
(clutching Dave by both
shoulders and staring him in
the eye)
Dave! Look at me! I am the mother
of your three children! Now please
take me home to them. At once!
Dave smiles weakly, now feeling the drinks, bows
heroically to the room at large, and exits scene
under Helen's guiding arm. Reef closes the door
behind them with an elaborate sigh, then CAMERA
PANS WITH HIM into scene with Julie. She looks up
at him impishly and smiles:
JULIE
Dave is exaggerating. Just think, a
man spends three months in a deep freeze.
It'd take his whole shore leave just to
thaw him out. By that time, he's ready
to report back!
REEF
It won't take me long to defrost -
not around you!
The moment is pregnant with anticipation as Reef
meets the unspoken challenge in Julie's eyes as we
DISSOLVE TO:
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 10-E
33-F TIGHT TWO SHOT - BIG HEADS - REEF AND JULIE
In a deep, torried kiss on the couch. Eyes closed,
they enthusiastically plumb the depths of feeling, then,
at last, reluctantly, they break apart. Julie sighs
deeply. Reef shakes his head, like a boxer who has
sustained a knockout punch, trying to clear it. CAMERA
PULLS BACK for MED. TWO. Julie, unable to speak for a
moment, throws a quick look at Reef, who seems to be
gulping for air, then she reaches for a cigarette from
a box on the coffee table. She drops two or three as
she fumbles for one and finally gets it in her mouth.
Reef picks up a table lighter, strikes it, holds it to
her cigarette. But his arm is trembling so he cannot
hold it steady. Finally, Julie grasps his wrist, holds
the flame steady, then contrives to bring the tip of the
cigarette in contact with it. She leans back, takes a
deep drag, only now dares to speak.
JULIE
(ruefully)
What was I saying...about thawing
out icebergs?
Reef manages a tiny smile. Then he observes:
REEF
You never can tell about ice-
bergs. Only one-ninth above water.
Julie weighs this, then studies Reef appraisingly:
JULIE
After that kiss - I'd say that's
about right.
Reef snuggles closer to her, slips an arm about her
waist, murmurs:
(CONTINUED)
- - -
10-F
33-M (CONTINUED)
REEF
Do you feel anything?
JULIE
(incredulous, dis-
traught)
Are you kidding???
She takes a couple of rapid puffs, reaches for her
drink, takes a long pull at it.
REEF
I mean - that this is the be-
ginning of something - that it
wasn't just...accidental, our
getting together?
JULIE
(wryly)
Original!
(staring off, as
if to recall)
Isn't the next chorus something
about: 'Let's not waste one
precious golden moment - any
second, there could be a knock
on the door, and -
Reef covers her mouth with his fingertips, murmurs:
REEF
Stranger things have happened,
you know. I've had leaves can-
celled like -
He snaps his fingers. Now Julie covers his lips,
murmurs with unmistakable import:
JULIE
Then by all means, let's not
waste time!
And she kisses him - hard, enthusiastically. Immedi-
ately, happ1ly, Reef enters into the spirit of the
thing.
- - -
10-G
34 (OMITTED)
34-A INSERT - CLOSEUP GLOVED HAND - AT DOOR OF REEF'S
APARTMENT
A uniform glove. It comes up to the bell, which is be-
neath a card reading: LT. COMM. RICH. L. HOLLOWAY, U.S.N.
The gloved finger punches the bell.
35 INT. REEF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - TIGHT TWO - REEF AND
JULIE
Still kissing. Julie murmurs:
JULIE
I hear a bell.
Eyes closed, Reef murmurs:
REEF
I hear a whole carillon of 'em!
And he kisses her again.
36 INT. HALL OUTSIDE REEF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - INSERT -
CLOSE PAN - WITH HAND
As it leaves the bell, begins BANGING on the door in-
sistently.
37 INT. REEF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - TWO SHOT - JULIE AND
REEF
Again, frowning, she listens:
JULIE
What's that pounding?
Reef, eyes still closed, takes her hand, places it over
his heart.
REEF
(murmurs)
Need I say more?
And he kisses her again. The POUNDING STOPS.
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 10-H
38 OVER SHOULDERS OF REEF AND JULIE - DOWN AT FLOOR
And now Julie, looking over Reef's shoulder, sees an
envelope pushed under the door from the hall outside.
She reacts, taps him on the shoulder.
JULIE
(insistently)
Reef - look!
Reluctantly, he turns, sees the envelope. He frowns at
her. With extreme reluctance, he goes to the door,
stoops down, picks up the envelope, removes the contents.
Julie waits anxiously.
Suddenly, Reef grasps the significance, slaps his fore-
head in exasperation.
REEF
Oh no!
JULIE
(alarmed)
What's wrong?
She jumps up, goes over to him, grasps his wrist, looks
at the papers. She, too, reacts, as Reef tragically slaps
his forehead again, looks regretfully at her - this lovely,
willing morsel.
REEF
Oh no!
And he is almost crying as we -
SLOW DISSOLVE TO:
38-A STOCK SHOT - A NAVY YARD - NIGHT
CUT TO:
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 11
39 EXT. NAVY YARD - NIGHT - CLOSEUP SIGN ON BUILDING
BREMERTON NAVY YARD
DOCKS 1-6
No Admittance Except to Authorized
U.S. Navy Personnel
CAMERA PANS OFF SIGN to pick up jeep which pulls up to
the front of the gate leading to the pier. Reef Holloway,
very grim-faced, very disgusted, climbs out, takes his
sea bag from the vehicle. The jeep pulls away. Reef,
shaking his head regretfully, starts toward the Marine
guard at the door.
OMIT 40
40A NAVY YARD - AT GATE
CHIEF OF THE BOAT 'GRIFF' GRIFFIN, an 'old Navy' man
with clipboard, is checking off seamen, one by one, as
they pass through the gate, murmuring their names and
passing on the submarine o.s.
As Reef approaches, LIEUT. DAVE MILBURN intercepts him.
DAVE
Reef!
REEF
(glumly)
So they caught up with you, too?
40B TWO SHOT - DAVE & REEF
DAVE
(sadly)
At the worst possible moment.
Tomorrow is Janie's birthday.
Poor little kid has looked forward
for two months to having her Daddy
home. Now -
REEF
(unimpressed)
That's the worst possible moment?
DAVE
(frowning)
What could be worse than disappoint-
ing a little girl?
REEF
(flatly)
Disappointing a big girl!
(CONTINUED)
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE"
11-A
40B (CONTINUED)
Dave, with a wicked grin, takes this big.
DAVE
Julie!
(he laughs cruelly, unsympathetically)
Reef throws him a dirty, betrayed look.
40C PANNING WITH THEM - PAST GRIFF
As they start through the gate past Griff, who acknowledges
them. Dave laughs heartily, claps Reef sympathetically on
the shoulder.
DAVE
Tough, old buddy! Really
tough!
DISSOLVE TO:
41 INT. CONTROL ROOM - GROUP SHOT - WENDOVER HUNT KENT
As Dave and Reef come down ladder and greet Wendover.
REEF
(puzzled)
Thought you were going to
Washington, Skipper.
WENDOVER
I did go. Just back.
(then)
Reef, these are a couple of
our passengers - Sir Ian Hunt,
and Dr. Clifford Kent. My exec,
Commander Richard Holloway.
REEF
(shaking hands)
I met Dr. Kent, once.
KENT
Nice to see you again, Commander.
REEF
(puzzled)
Are you men going with us? What
for? Where -
WENDOVER
(non-commitally)
We'll discuss that later.
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 12.
42 PAN WITH WENDOVER TO SEAMAN
WENDOVER
Tell Chief Griffin to report to
me as soon as the crew is aboard.
The seaman acknowledges the order and exits.
WENDOVER
(to Kent and Sir Ian)
My yeoman will show you to your
quarters.
SIR IAN
Thank you.
One of the seamen leads the way out bulkhead door
to the wardroom.
42A EXT. NAVY YARD - AT GATE (as in 40-A)
The seaman who reported Wendover's message is just
exiting scene. Griffin is checking names off on his
roster as YEOMAN CHESTER TUTTLE, rumor-monger of the
Tiger Shark, approaches the Chief.
CHESTER
What's the scoop, Griff? Hauled
out in the middle of the night - all
leaves cancelled. We goin' to war,
or what?
GRIFF
(logically)
Don't you worry, Chester. When the
Skipper wants you to know what's going
on, he'll tell you. Okay?
CHESTER
(not satisfied)
I don't like it. This is all mighty
funny -
GRIFF
(non-commitally)
Isn't it, though?
(then, motioning with his
pencil)
Suppose you get aboard, anyway, huh?
Disgruntled, Chester passes through the gate, as Griff
checks him off on the roster and grins after him.
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 13-14
43 INT. CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT
Here is the 'brain' of the sub - the controls, the
TV monitors, the sonar sets, the 'Christmas Tree' panel
of warning lights, etc.
44 FULL SHOT - THE CON
Dave Milburn is already busy checking the equipment.
The other seamen are preparing the boat for sea. Reef
turns to Wendover.
REEF
I think I'll stow my gear.
But Wendover, with a peculiar look, frowns, and says:
WENDOVER
I'm - afraid I have some bad
news for you, Reef -
(as Reef looks at him)
You'll have to share quarters,
this trip.
REEF
(frowns, puzzled)
Who with?
WENDOVER
Dr. Neilsen. He'll be - -
(CONTINUED)
- - -
15.
44 (CONTINUED)
REEF
(grins)
'Doctor' Neilsen? When did that
happen?
WENDOVER
(puzzled)
Huh?
REEF
(cheerfully)
It'll be all right. We're old
friends!
Now Reef is down below deck level. Wendover turns
towards Dave. Wendover shrugs helplessly. Dave re-
turns it.
WENDOVER
(checking the plot
board)
Get ready. We shove off as soon
as Griff reports all the crew
aboard.
DAVE
Right, Skipper.
He goes to work, as Wendover smiles peculiarly at the
bulkhead door through which Reef just passed.
45 INT. PASSAGEWAY - NIGHT - PAN SHOT - WITH REEF -
OVERLAP ACTION ABOVE
As he climbs down a ladder into FRAME, then PAN WITH
HIM as he eases past a couple of seamen and arrives at
the entrance to the exec compartment. He frowns as he
sees a sign by entrance.
46 INSERT - CLOSEUP - THE SIGN
It is only stuck on by scotch tape, below the normal
exec sign. It reads: DR. NEILSEN.
47 CLOSE SHOT - REEF
He hesitates only a second, knocks, then pushes drapes
aside.
- - -
16.
48 INT. EXEC COMPARTMET - NIGHT - MED. CLOSE - REEF
As he enters, smiling cheerfully:
REEF
I understand we'll be sharing
quarters, Skipper -
(but then, his grin
fades, becomes a look
of disgust, loathing)
Carl! You - !
49 TWO SHOT - REEF AND CARL NEILSEN
CARL NEILSEN has the look of an ascetic - thin, sensi-
tive features, a nervous, intense manner - the 'egg-
head' appearance. He turns, reacts to Reef's presence.
He is smoking a cigarette in rapid, nervous puffs.
Reef sinks, disgusted onto the bunk.
REEF
I should have suspectcd, when
I heard that 'Doctor.' I thought
it was your father.
CARL
It was supposed to be. Dad had
a heart attack, two days ago.
REEF
(alarmed)
How is he - ?
CARL
It was moderate. He'll be
all right.
(then)
But it was out of the question,
his coming along.
REEF
(disgusted)
And they thought you could re-
place the Skipper?
Carl displays a trace of anger for the first time.
CARL
There was no choice. Dad and I
developed the Lungfish together.
Except for him, I'm the only one
qualified to dive in it.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
17-18
49 (CONTINUED)
REEF
You could train someone else.
CARL
Not in two days.
(then, earnestly)
Look: Do you think I wanted
to come? If it didn't mean
so much to Dad - proving his
depth-explorer - it's the last
thing I'd want!
Reef's lip curls contemptuously. He mutters slowly,
angrily:
REEF
That I can believe!
Carl drops his eyes at the intensity of Reef's stare.
He turns to his gear, begins unpacking his essentials.
Reef shakes his head vaguely, worriedly.
DISSOLVE TO:
50
thru (OMITTED)
53
54 EXT. SUBMARINE DOCK - NIGHT - STOCK SHOT OR SPECIAL
EFFECT - SUBMARINE LEAVING DOCK
It makes a turn in the channel, then heads up the
Sound, past Seattle, toward the open sea.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
19.
54 (CONTINUED)
NARRATOR
The Tiger Shark left her dock
at Bremerton at 0335 hours, the
morning of May 11, on what was
to prove the strangest, most
fearful voyage ever made by a
submarine, atomic or otherwise.
WIPE TO:
55 INT. CAPTAIN'S COMPARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSE SHOT -
WENDOVER AT DESK
He carefully opens a compartment of his desk, locked
by a combination lock, takes out the log book and the
sealed orders for the voyage. Then, replacing the
orders in the compartment, he takes a pen and begins
making an entry in the log.
NARRATOR
Simultaneously with the 'Shark's'
departure, and with his crew still
in the dark concerning their secret,
fateful mission, Skipper Wendover
made the first notation in the log...
56 INSERT - CLOSEUP - THE LOG BOOK
As Wendover's hand writes, carefully and precisely:
MAY 11 - 0335 HOURS. DEPARTED BREMERTON DOCK, FULL
CREW - SPECIAL PASSENGERS KENT, HUNT,
NEILSEN. WILL BRIEF CREW IN TWO HOURS
AFTER CLEARING SOUND...
NARRATOR
...The men would remain un-briefed
for two hours, until the Tiger
Shark cleared Puget Sound and was
headed for the open sea...
DISSOLVE TO:
57 INT. CREW DINING ROOM - NIGHT - FULL SHOT - THE
DINING HALL
Which has a series of long tables and benches, re-
movable when the room is to be used for other pur-
poses. To one side is the pass-through to the galley,
(CONTINUED)
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 20.
57 (CONTINUED)
where there is always a cook on duty to feed and
coffee men coming off watch. There are several crew
members drinking coffee at the tables now. We see CPO
Griff Griffin enter, almost stumble and fall over a huge
pile of equipment on the floor - aqualungs, face masks,
tanks, fins, rubber suits, etc. - sharkman outfits.
Griff explodes:
GRIFF
Who the devil belongs to this...
gear?
POWELL O.S.
We do, Chief.
And AL POWELL, a long, lean drink-of-water, and his
partner, DON CARNEY, shorter, stockier, an ill-assorted
pair, step into scene, looking somewhat uneasily at the
irate Chief.
GRIFF
Oh? You two guys - what do you
do around here?
CARNEY
Underwater demolition. Seamen
First Class Powell...
(indicating the taller)
...and I'm Carney.
GRIFF
(exasperated)
Yeah, I know - so you're frogmen!
POWELL
We're off tin cans. We've looked
this pig-boat over from fore-to-aft,
but can't seem to find an empty
locker to stow our stuff.
GRIFF
An empty locker in a sub? Are you
kidding?
(then, hands on hips)
This whole deal is making less and
less sense to me. What're frogmen
doing aboard the Tiger Shark?
(CONTINUED)
- - -
21.
57 (CONTINUED)
CARNEY
Following orders, like everybody
else in the navy.
(he takes out his
and Powell's, hands
them to Griff)
Griff examines them, scratches the back of his neck,
shakes his head.
GRIFF
Beats me.
(then, handing
back the orders)
I don't envy you swabbies, swimmin'
in that North Pole ice water.
POWELL
Meantime, where'll we stash these
gizmos?
Griff gestures for them to pick it up, and follow him.
GRIFF
Come on. Maybe we can hide it
somewhere in the aft torpedo
room.
Powell and Carney pick up their gear, follow Griff aft.
DISSOLVE TO:
58 EXT. OPEN OCEAN - NIGHT - SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT -
TIGER SHARK SNORKEL
The only portion of the sub above water.
NARRATOR
Shortly before dawn, the Tiger
Shark, running submerged at
better than thirty knots, had
left the Sound behind and was
headed for the open sea.
59 INT. PASSAGE TO WARD ROOM - PAN SHOT WITH WENDOVER
as he climbs down a ladder from an upper hatch into the
passage to the ward room.
- - -
5-27-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 22-23
59-A INT. WARD ROOM OF SUB - NIGHT
The ward room, officers' dining room and "social"
area, where the ship's officers, including Reef and
Dave, the scientists, Carl Neilsen and Griff, are
assembled. Griff has a microphone ready for the
Captain, as he enters.
Wendover sits down, as Griff steps back a pace or two.
Wendover takes out his sealed orders, opens them,
glances through them, then hands them to Reef.
WENDOVER
These are our orders, Reef. Better
look them over while I fill in the
crew.
Reef takes them, and is reading them intently while
the Captain is saying into the microphone:
WENDOVER
Now hear this: All men of the
Tiger Shark. This is the Captain
speaking.
(he takes a deep breath)
I know you're wondering about all
the mystery -
OMIT 60-62
- - -
5-27-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 24.
63 REACTION SHOTS - ABOUT SUB
In thc (a) torpedo room (b) crew dining room
(c) control room, as desired, to intercut
Wendover's briefing. All the faces are sober,
xxx tense.
WENDOVER O.S.
(filter)
Our mission is so dangerous it
had to be kept completely secret.
It's our job to find out what
caused the disasters under the
Arctic ice. Once we cross the
Arctic Circle, any command you
hear will be the real thing,
remember that!
64 INT. WARD ROOM - NIGHT - MED. GROUP - ABOUT WENDOVER
As he finishes, his face set, solemn, sober.
WENDOVER
That's about it. Now you know as
much as I do - as much as anybody does -
(a faint, grim smile)
I assured Washington this was the
best crew of the best sub in the
fleet. I know you won't make a
liar out of me!
Wendover clicks off the mike, hands it to Griff,
who solemnly hangs it up. Dave heaves a deep sigh,
relieving tension, breathes a solemn:
DAVE
Well!
Reef, grim, his face frozen, hands the orders back
to Wendover.
WENDOVER
What do you think?
REEF
(slowly, considering)
I think I should have joined the
Air Force!
And the members of the group manage a faint smile.
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 25.
65 CLOSE SHOT - CARL
Nervously he studies Reef. He is visible just beyond,
looks up, meets the glance. Carl turns ostentatiously
away.
DISSOLVE TO:
66 MONTAGE SEQUENCE
INSERT - CLOSEUP WENDOVER'S HAND WRITING IN LOG
And the notation: MAY 18, 1200 HOURS, STILL RUNNING
DUE NORTH VOYAGE UNEVENTFUL POSITION 165:20 W. LONGITUDE,
LATITUDE 58' 10'...
And over the moving hand we:
SUPERIMPOSE:
INSERT - ANIMATED MAP OF POLAR REGION
With a moving course line of the Tiger Shark's voyage
from Puget Sound north into Arctic waters. At this
point she is possibly about opposite Juneau, but far
out in the Pacific.
Over above two scenes:
NARRATOR
A week later, the Tiger Shark was
still running due north at cruising
speed. So far the voyage was routine,
uneventful. But the nearer they came
to the Arctic Circle...
OMIT 67
- - -
26.
67 (CONTINUED)
Over these scenes:
NARRATOR (cont'd)
...the more the tension increased,
the more tiny irritations were
magnified into bitter feuds...the
more the crewmen pondered their
possible rate at the end of the
voyage...
FADE BACK IN - SUPERIMPOSED:
68 INSERT - THE ANIMATED POLAR MAP
With the course line still moving north.
END OF MONTAGE
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
69 INSERT - CLOSEUP - WENDOVER WRITING IN LOG
And now the entry reads: MAY 20, 0900 HOURS CROSSED
ARCTIC CIRCLE NEARING DANGER AREA ALL WATCHES DOUBLED...
NARRATOR
On the morning of May 20, the
Tiger Shark crossed the Arctic
Circle into the critical area...
DISSOLVE TO:
70 STOCK SHOTS - ARCTIC
This should consist of moving fields of bergs, avalanches
polar bears, walrus, etc.
DISSOLVE TO:
71 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - TIGER SHARK
Running at periscope depth.
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 27.
72 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - POV - OPTICAL SHOT -
SPECIAL EFFECTS - CLOSE SHOT TV MONITOR
As the viewer apparently pans over a field of floating
icebergs.
DISSOLVE TO:
OMIT
73
74
74A
75 INT. WARD ROOM - DAY - PANNING WITH REEF AND DAVE
As they come in. Reef stops, glares as he sees Carl,
sitting at one of the tables, making calculations on a
pad, sipping coffee. Carl looks up, catches Reef's
eye. Without a word, he finishes his coffee, picks up
his material, and goes out. Dave watches this tableau
curiously. When Carl is gone, Reef goes to the silex,
pours a cup of coffee for himself and one for Dave.
Dave joins him, puzzled.
REEF
(bitterly)
You've asked why I stay a bachelor?
There goes the best reason I know!
DAVE
(puzzled)
Huh?
REEF
I might have a son like that!
- - -
(Revised - 11/14/58) 28.
76 TWO SHOT - AT TABIE
As Reef and Dave sit down. Dave shakes his head, be-
wildered.
DAVE
I don't get it. What's with
you two?
Reef sips his coffee.
REEF
I guess Skipper Neilsen re-
tired before you enrolled
at the Academy, didn't he?
DAVE
I guess.
REEF
(sincerely)
One of the finest men, and
officers, alive. A real hero
- in the best sense of the word
- in World War Two. He taught
us Engineering and Design.
Fought like a demon to develop
atom subs.
DAVE
So?
REEF
(bitterly)
So all of a sudden his only
son drops out of school, be-
gins making noises like a
pacifist. A real egghead,
do-gooder, and crackpot! 'Ban
the atom tests! Junk the
nuclear subs! Spend the mili-
tary budgetfor peace!'
DAVE
(soberly)
A lot of people think like
that.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 29-38
76 (CONTINUED)
REEF
(earnestly)
But they're not Skipper Neilsen's
son!
(sadly)
It broke his heart. Then when some
newspapers called Carl 'the honest,
sincere son of a war-mongering father' -
Captain Neilsen resigned from the Navy.
(then)
Oh, he still keeps his hand in - playing
around with projects like the 'Lungfish' -
but it broke him, all the same.
DAVE
(broad-mindedly)
Have you ever talked to Carl - tried
to see his side?
REEF
(sarcastically)
'His' side? I've seen it, all right.
A nice, bright yellow!
Dave looks questioningly at Reef. Reef drinks his
coffee rapidly, then exits.
CUT TO:
OMIT
77
78-92
- - -
39.
93 INT. TORPEDO ROOM - DAY - TRUCKING OR PANNING - WITH
REEF
As he enters, climbs down the ladder to the torpedo
room, starts forward.
94 MED. FULL - ESCAPE HATCH
Chester and Powell are working on equipment for the
little sub, which is stored below the escape hatch and
will be used to launch it from the belly of the Tiger
Shark.
Reef enters, addresses the crewmen.
REEF
Any of you men seen Dr. Neilsen?
Chester turns.
CHESTER
He's here, Sir.
Reef turns to the other men.
REEF
Tuttle, would you mind leaving
us alone for a minute?
Chester Tuttle looks at Powell, who shrugs.
CHESTER
Sure, Mr. Holloway.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
40.
94 (CONTINUED)
He and Powell go o.s. towards the men's dining room.
Carl, sensing something, frowns, moves closer to Reef.
95 TWO SHOT
CARL
What is it?
REEF
(contemptuously)
Your 'out.'
(as Carl looks
puzzled)
This came for you.
(indicating the
radiogram)
CARL
My father! He's not - ?
REEF
Dead?
(he shakes his
head)
Matter of fact, he's much better.
He's left the hospital.
He hands the radiogram to Carl, who scans it eagerly,
relaxes, vastly relieved. Then he frowns, puzzled.
CARL
What did you mean: I'm 'out?'
REEF
Your father can be in Nome, Alaska,
tomorrow. We have two choices:
Ask them to send him out in a
'copter', and take you off, or the
Shark can put back into Nome...
Now Carl reacts angrily, hotly, for the first time.
CARL
You 'trade school boys' are all
alike, aren't you? Anybody who
doesn't happen to think like a
little gold-braided puppet is,
ipso facto, a coward!
REEF
(angrily)
You said it. But I won't argue -
(CONTINUED)
- - -
41.
95 (CONTINUED)
CARL
Wearing a uniform doesn't bestow
an automatic monopoly on courage,
Commander! It just so happens I'm
not a coward - physical or mental -
and before I'd risk my father's life...
REEF
(interrupting)
We're all risking our lives!
CARL
That may be. But Dad stays where
he is, and I'm staying here!
REEF
(studying him)
You're really a mixed-up oddball,
aren't you?
CARL
Perhaps. But the idea of willingly
going to school to spend my life at
a Paleozoic pastime that should have
disappeared with the thunder-lizards -
I'm referring to War - that strikes
me as the worst cowardice of all -
being spiritually yellow!
REEF
(sneering)
You mean nothing is worth fighting
for?
CARL
Peace - the dignity of man - the
destiny of the human spirit!
(hotly)
Show me a man who says you win those
by fighting wars, and I'll show you
an idiot!
REEF
(bitterly)
You may not win them. But without
men like your father, to 'degrade'
himself by fighting to preserve them -
or as much as we have of them - they'd
have disappeared, long ago!
Carl reacts to this. The shot, for the first time, has
struck home. But then, just as he opens his mouth to say
something, there is a TREMENDOUS, RATTLING CRASH...as if
(CONTINUED)
- - -
42.
95 (CONTINUED - 2)
the Tiger Shark had shattered a huge, infinite pane of
glass under water. The SCENE JUMPS. Reef looks around,
terribly alarmed.
REEF
What the - ?
Now there is the CLANGING of the GQ alarm, and over it,
Wendover's voice.
WENDOVER
(filter)
Mr. Holloway to the Con, please!
On the double!
96 CUT TO COVER - DIALOGUE ABOVE
97 PAN WITH REEF
He runs to the end of the torpedo room, begins scrambling
up the ladder.
98 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - MED. FULL - TOWARD INSTRUMENTS
Present besides the seamen are the Skipper, Dave, Dr.
Kent and Sir Ian. The scene is bedlam - the Sonar is
screaming weirdly, the SHATTERING CRASHES are repeated
over and over, and the scene JUMPS WILDLY. Dave points
at the view screen, yells:
DAVE
The instruments have all gone
crazy! And look at the view
screen!
The scientists peer over his shoulder, absorbed:
SIR IAN
(murmurs)
Incredible! Absolutely!
Kent's jaw sets tensely.
99 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - VIEW SCREEN AND INSTRUMENTS
This is a wild extravaganza. The radar pattern is
jumbled, overlaid with a half-dozen wave-forms. The
dials and lights flicker and glow with utter insanity.
And the view screen - it is a panoply of flashing, comet-
like streaks, jagged streaks resembling lightning bolts,
the while accompanied by staccato crashes, alarm bells,
shattering bolts of thunder-like sound.
- - -
43.
100 SHOOTING PAST THEM - AT HATCH
As Reef comes scrambling up into the Con.
REEF
(shouting)
What hit us???
SIR IAN
(drily)
The end of the world!
Wendover spreads his hands helplessly. Kent is still
frowning at the view screen.
KENT
It doesn't seem possible, but -
could it be an electrical storm
center - ?
SIR IAN
(incredulous)
Under water?
KENT
High-intensity arcs will burn,
submerged. And millions of
volts...discharged in random
directions...
WENDOVER
(to Dave)
Is there any way out of it?
DAVE
Seems to be all around...
WENDOVER
(grimly)
What about down?
DAVE
(surprised)
I...don't know!
Wendover turns to Reef:
WENDOVER
We're dead if we stay here, that's
for sure.
(bluntly)
Take her down! Maximum angle, maxi-
mum depth! Maybe even a little more!
(CONTINUED)
- - -
44-45-46
100 (CONTINUED)
REEF
Aye, aye.
He moves to the helm, begins AD LIBBING directions to the
helmsman. Wendover displays crossed fingers to Sir Ian,
Kent and Dave.
101 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - TIGER SHARK
(This may also intercut earlier dialogue)
It seems to be buffeted by an underwater storm. The
scene is lit by underwater lightning bolts, crashes like
exploding skyrockets, the sub is tossed about like a
chip. Finally, when it seems that nothing can survive
the electrical barrage, we see the nose tilt down steeply,
and the Shark glides deeper and deeper into the depths.
CAMERA HOLDS as it goes below frame.
DOWN WIPE TO:
102 DEEPER ANGLE - TILTING DOWN WITH SUB - SPECIAL EFFECTS
SHOT
As it noses deeper and deeper into the depths, the bolts
of lightning seem to follow it down, probing after it.
But at last, the bolts are left behind, the turbulent
waters are calm, the crashing noise subsides. Then we
see that the sub is almost on the bottom. At last, it
does touch and --
DISSOLVE:
103
thru (OMITTED)
107
108 INT. WARD ROOM - NIGHT - GROUP SHOT - ABOUT TABLE -
AT DINNER
Present are the Skipper, Sir Ian, Dr. Kent, Carl and
Reef. They are just finishing the meal.
KENT
(almost as if be-
ginning a lecture,
he clears his throat)
Sir Ian has evolved a theory. At
first, I wasn't about to buy it.
(continued)
(CONTINUED)
- - -
47.
108 (CONTINUED)
KENT (cont'd)
But, we have eliminated, one by
one, every other logical explana-
tion -
The others turn eagerly to Sir Ian.
SIR IAN
It is rather fantastic -
Sir Ian hesitates. Then, from beside his chair, he
picks up a large, rolled chart. He unties the string
binding it.
SIR IAN
Here is a chart of the Arctic
region. On it I have plotted
every instance of these strange
phenomena - sinkings, electrical
storms, our own experiences...
He unrolls the chart on the table top. Reef and Wendover
exchange a perplexed look. Then they get up, come around,
peer down over Sir Ian's shoulder at the chart. Sir Ian,
with a pencil, gestures on the chart.
109 INSERT - CLOSEUP - THE CHART OF THE ARCTIC
And as Sir Ian's pencil moves, we see a circle of 'X's'
about the North Pole, equidistant from it, each marked
with a date, and, in print too fine to be read, the
circumstances. As he points to one, in the Bering
Straits...
SIR IAN O.S.
Here was where we encountered the
electrical storm...The Sturgeon
was lost just about this area.
Others...here, here, and here...
110 GROUP SHOT
As Sir Ian looks up from the chart, demands:
SIR IAN
Do you see it?
(CONTINUED)
- - -
48.
110 (CONTINUED)
WENDOVER
See what?
SIR IAN
The pattern.
(tapping the chart
repeatedly)
Each incident occurred almost
precisely a thousand statute
miles from the Pole. A line
through the points of occurrence
makes almost a complete circle...
111 INSERT - CLOSE SHOT - THE CHART
As Sir Ian's pencil follows his remarks, tracing this
concentric circle about the polar region.
SIR IAN O.S.
(continuing)
...about the North Pole.
112 GROUP SHOT
Reef frowns, inquires bluntly:
REEF
Which adds up to what, Sir Ian?
SIR IAN
(significantly)
I cannot accept the idea that
these phenomena were either
random, or natural.
(a break)
I believe they are motivated by...
some sort of intelligence!
The others react, Wendover and Reef exchange a look,
then Wendover explodes angrily:
WENDOVER
You mean somebody has been -
But Sir Ian interrupts him firmly:
SIR IAN
I did not mean to imply, neces-
sarily, a 'human' intelligence.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
49.
112 (CONTINUED)
CARL
(earnestly)
Then - what on earth kind of in-
telligence is it, Sir Ian?
SIR IAN
Perhaps not 'on earth' at all.
Perhaps it comes from beyond
the earth!
113 REACTION SHOTS - MEMBERS OF THE GROUP - PANNING OVER
FACES
As they savor this alarming postulation.
114 TWO SHOT - REEF AND CARL
Carl looks at him uncertainly. Reef asks grimly:
REEF
Can anything be done about it?
115 THREE SHOT - KENT, WENDOVER AND SIR IAN
Sir Ian looks thoughtfully at the chart.
SIR IAN
I've been thinking about that.
(tapping the chart)
These appearances of...whatever
we're dealing with...make almost
a complete ring around the Pole.
But there is what may be a signifi-
cant gap, or break, in the ring...
116 INSERT - CLOSEUP - THE CHART
Which centers, now, on the region in question, which
Sir Ian's dialogue describes:
SIR IAN O.S.
...right here...the Queen Victoria
Sea area, near Franz Joseph Land...
- - -
50.
117 GROUP SHOT
As Sir Ian looks up from the chart, but Captain Wendover
continues to study it absorbedly.
SIR IAN
(continuing)
...above Murmansk, and Finland.
KENT
(looking at
Wendover)
Suppose our theorizing is correct?
Then this could be the next danger
point!
SIR IAN
What if the Tiger Shark were to
anticipate a bit? Perhaps be
lying there waiting - ?
Wendover frowns, intrigued by the possibility. Wen-
dover beckons Reef over to the chart:
WENDOVER
We'll chart a course straight
across the pole - to bring us
here -
(he looks up into
the tense faces)
- the Queen Victoria Sea!
Sir Ian and Kent exchange a look. Reef looks at Carl,
who frowns tensely.
DISSOLVE TO:
118 (OMITTED)
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 51-52
119 INSERT - ANIMATED MAP OF POLAR REGION
And now the progress line of the Tiger Shark's voyage
moves directly across the Pole. As it reaches the
Pole, a sign pops in: JUNE 1, 0730
NARRATOR
So - swiftly, implacably, the
Tiger Shark moved across the
Top of the World towards her
rendezvous with...what?
DISSOLVE TO:
120 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - TIGER SHARK UNDER THE ICE
OMIT
121
122
123 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - INSERT - CLOSE SHOT -
POLAR CHART
As Dave's hands point out their position, course, and
destination.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 53-54
123 (CONTINUED)
DAVE O.S.
We've been heading due south, 30
degrees longitude. By my reckoning
we're about ten angular seconds...
124 GROUP SHOT - DAVE REEF WENDOVER SIR IAN
About Dave's navigator position.
DAVE
(continuing)
...short of the Arctic meridian, and
that should be...
SIR IAN
(picking it up)
...the critical point - if we're on
the right track.
WENDOVER
Prepare to surface. We'll run at
flank speed.
OMIT
125-128
129 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - TIGER SHARK UNDERWATER
It picks up speed, rises towards the surface.
DISSOLVE TO:
130 STOCK SHOT - BOW OF SUB BREAKING SURFACE
OMIT
131
132 GROUP SHOT - INT. CONTROL ROOM - AT TV SCREEN - DAVE,
REEF, OPERATOR, WENDOVER, SIR IAN
There is a shout from the operator at the TV screen.
OPERATOR
Mr. Milburn - quick - look at
this!
They all move quickly to the TV screen.
- - -
REVSIED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 55.
133 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - ICEBERG IN WATER - ON TV SCREEN
We see a giant iceberg in the water.
134 REACTION SHOT - GROUP
135 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THEIR P.O.V. - THE ICEBERG -
ON TV SCREEN
Now we see what appears to be a strange glow of
energy in the water beneath it. The iceberg seems
to creak and groan from internal pressures.
136 CUTS TO COVER - THE CATACLYSM - SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT
As the ball of energy seems to melt, rend and then
literally explode the huge mass of ice. The iceberg
disintegrates and great masses of ice rush away from
the explosion center.
137 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOTS - CLOSER CUTS, THE RUSHING ICE
- - -
56.
138 INT. CONTROL ROOM - AT TV SCREEN
As Reef yells:
REEF
Skipper! Those chunks of ice -
coming right at us!
The Skipper reacts, instantly yells:
WENDOVER
Dive! Dive!
139 (OMITTED)
140 INT. TIGER SHARK - STOCK SHOTS - ABOUT BOAT
During emergency dive procedure. THE DIVE ALARM is
sounding.
141 REACTION SHOTS - PASSENGERS
Carl, Sir Ian and Dr. Kent.
142 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - TIGER SHARK
As it institutes emergency dive, begins to move beneath
the waves. This INTERCUTS WITH:
143 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - LARGE CHUNK OF ICE
It rushes at express train speed directly toward Tiger
Shark.
144 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - FULL SHOT
The Captain, Reef, and Dave and the crewmen work des-
perately to get their sub into the safety of the depths.
But now Dave, at the TV view screen, reacts in a frenzy
to what he sees:
DAVE
Captain! Come here!
But the Captain is too busy.
- - -
57.
145 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - UNDERWATER - ICE AND SUB
As the Tiger Shark has almost made it to safety, the
great bulk of rushing ice lurches into frame, and just
collides with the stern of the Tiger Shark. There is
a great CLANGING SHOCK and the Tiger Shark staggers
like a stricken fish, then quickly rights herself.
But the screws slow down, then stop.
146 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - FULL SHOT
Overlapping action above, as the scene LURCHES, and the
men strive to maintain their balance. Dave is still
oblivious to everything except what he sees on the
screen.
WENDOVER
(snaps, to Reef)
Determine extent of damage,
immediately.
REEF
(grabbing an
intercom phone)
After torpedo room: Report!
GRIFF'S VOICE
(over intercom)
This is Griff, Captain. Moderate
leak in overhead plates. Damage
to main drive shaft housing.
Forced to stop reactor engines.
REEF
We're dead in the water!
DAVE
(insistently)
Skipper! You've got to see this!
You too, Sir Ian!
Wendover and Sir Ian exchange a look, then move over
behind Dave, look over his shoulder, react in astonish-
ment.
WENDOVER
Well, I'll be - !
SIR IAN
(wryly)
I'll be another!
- - -
58.
147 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - ON TELEVISION SCREEN
On the screen is a great, oval-shaped, glowing ellipse-
saucer-shaped. It is perhaps three-hundred feet in
diameter. On top is a great, blazing turret of light,
remotely resembling a lighthouse beacon - seemingly the
'eye' of the thing. Beneath it are some sort of pro-
tuberances, perhaps a landing or settling gear. While
they watch, the disc begins to recede from them.
148 THREE SHOT - WENDOVER, SIR IAN, DAVE
And then Reef joins them.
REEF
What is it?
And then he catches sight of the thing on the view-
screen, frowns tensely.
149 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE TV SCREEN
And now the saucer grows smaller and smaller, until
finally it is only a point of light.
150 GROUP SHOT - UP INTO FACES
WENDOVER
(snaps)
Course and speed?
DAVE
(adjusting dials)
Speed...about twenty-two knots.
Course...due north!
SIR IAN
(a thoughtful murmur)
Directly towards the Pole!
They look at him, trying to fathom his thoughts.
DISSOLVE TO:
151 INT. CREW DINING ROOM - DAY - GROUP SHOT - ABOUT GRIFF,
CHESTER, POWELL AND CARNEY
Griff, in his undershirt, covered with grease and dirt,
has obviously been laboring mightily at the damage.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
5-27-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 59.
151 (CONTINUED)
Powell and Carney are getting into full aqualung gear,
including black rubber suits. Griff looks them over.
GRIFF
Okay - you two flounders look
about set.
(he hefts the air tanks
on Powell's back and
admonishes)
And remember - this ain't no swimming
pool - we need a damage report!
POWELL
(mutters)
See what I mean about volunteering -
But before he can finish the sentence, Griff pulls the
face mask down over his nose and mouth. Powell and
Carney exit toward the stern.
152 INT. WARD ROOM - DAY - CLOSE SHOT - DRAWING OF SAUCER -
ON TABLE TOP
With Sir Ian's hand, holding a pencil, completing the
sketch.
SIR IAN O.S.
...a pure oval shape, with this
cyclops-like eye, or turret, on
top. I'd estimate its diameter
at 300 feet. No discernible ori-
fices...
153 GROUP SHOT - ABOUT TABLE - TOWARD DOOR
This is a discussion group, or 'seminar' - and in the
group are Sir Ian, Carl, Reef, Dave and Wendover. Sir
Ian leans back, holding the pencil, while his sketch
is passed around from one to the next. With a faintly
amused expression, Sir Ian murmurs thoughtfully:
SIR IAN
'The Eye of Cyclops..!'
CARL
(looking up from the
drawing)
What did you say, Sir Ian?
(CONTINUED)
- - -
60.
153 (CONTINUED)
SIR IAN
Just musing about our 'one-eyed
adversary' and the legend of
Homer.
(to the group)
'Cyclopes' were the Sons of
Heaven, who forged the thunder-
bolts thrown by Zeus.
WENDOVER
(grimly)
Our 'Cyclops' throws quite a
thunderbolt, itself!
Now Dr. Kent appears in the doorway, carrying a well-
filled briefcase, from which he has extracted a manila
folder.
KENT
(with satis-
faction)
I knew there was something
familiar -
He puts down the briefcase, takes an 8 x 10 photograph
from the manila folder, then lays the folder aside.
He tosses the photograph on the table.
KENT
Take a look.
They peer at it curiously, then someone lays Sir Ian's
sketch alongside it.
154 INSERT - CLOSEUP - THE PHOTO AND SKETCH
And we see that the object in the photo - a 'flying
saucer' - closely resembles the sketch.
KENT O.S.
The picture was taken by an
amateur astronomer, over
New Mexico.
155 GROUP SHOT
As all examine the photos, astonished.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
61.
155 (CONTINUED)
KENT
I've had it since I served
on the Air Force Evaluation
Board, for UFO reports.
As Sir Ian looks up inquiringly, Carl explains:
CARL
Unidentified Flying Objects.
REEF
(incredulously)
Then...this is a 'flying
saucer?'
KENT
That was the popular designation.
CARL
(curiously)
But...weren't all the sightings
in the sky - not under water?
Sir Ian picks up the photo, studies it as he reflects:
SIR IAN
This would explain why there
were never any reports of land-
ings. It's possible that who-
ever - or whatever - inhabits
the craft is not a land creature,
but a form of marine life.
DAVE
(a wry smile)
That would make our 'little green
men' actually 'little grean fish'???
REEF
(shakes his head,
marvelling)
Undersea flying saucers!
156 SHOOTING PAST GROUP - TOWARD DOOR
as Griff appears in it, dishevelled as before, but with
a look of satisfaction. He makes a gesture of knocking,
says:
(CONTINUED)
- - -
62.
156 (CONTINUED)
GRIFF
Excuse me, Skipper---
WENDOVER
Yes, Griff?
GRIFF
All internal repairs completed,
and Frogmen report exterior
damage minor.
REEF
(with eager
satisfaction)
Then we can get under way?
As Griff nods, all look toward Wendover for orders.
WENDOVER
(snaps at Dave)
You plotted the course of
Cyclops?
(as Dave nods)
Then that's our course! Wherever
he goes, we go.....until we get
him!
SIR IAN
(an absent murmur)
Or, perhaps, until he gets us?
A look passes among them; that possibility is by no
means remote.
DISSOLVE TO:
157 INSERT - ANIMATED MAP OF POLAR AREA
with the Tiger Shark course moving back and forth, up and
around, the Pole.
NARRATOR
So, the Tiger Shark began
relentlessly stalking her
space-enemy. Up to the Pole,
back to the Arctic Circle...
again, and again...a week...
a fortnight, a month....
DISSOLVE TO:
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 63.
158 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE TIGER SHARK
moving implacably through undersea caverns, between
hidden mountains, under glaciers, etc.
(Omit semi-montage about Tiger Shark).
DISSOLVE TO:
159 INSERT - ANIMATED MAP OF POLAR AREA
And now the lines for the voyage make up almost
a star-design about the Pole, up and back, to all
quarters.
Over these scenes:
NARRATOR
Never a glimpse of their enemy,
but there were reports...new disasters,
new ships and lives lost. Invariably,
the Tiger Shark made for the scene,
only to arrive after Cyclops had left.
For all its desperatian, the pursuit
seemed fruitless.
160 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - TIGER SHARK CRUISING THROUGH ICE
NARRATOR
Then, on July 3, Dr. Kent and Sir
Ian held an urgent discussion with
Reef and the Skipper...
161 INT. WARD ROOM - NIGHT - CLOSE DOWN SHOT - CHART OF
VOYAGE
which appears like a great star - away from the Pole,
back to it - away - back, as in the animated chart
earlier. Now Kent's voice, desperately urgent, comes
(CONTINUED)
- - -
64.
161 (CONTINUED)
over, as his hand taps a pencil repeatedly directly on
the Pole.
KENT (o.s.)
Why does Cyclops invariably
return to the Pole between
attacks - never two in
succession. Always away...
and back....away....and
back....
162 GROUP SHOT - KENT, REEF, WENDOVER AND SIR IAN
about the chart.
SIR IAN
We've asked ourselves that -
over and over - a thousand
times.
WENDOVER
(irritably)
But answers are what we need
- not more questions!
KENT
(significantly)
We think maybe, now, we have
them!
Reef and Wendover react.
KENT
We took for granted his source
of energy was nuclear. But
suppose it isn't at all - what
if it's magnetic?
SIR IAN
We harness energy on a small
scale by cutting magnetic lines
of force. Maybe Cyclops does
it on a super scale....
KENT
(significantly
again)
The North Pole is the positive
end of the biggest magnet of
all - the Earth itself!
- - -
65.
163 TWO SHOT - REEF AND WENDOVER
Wendover considers this gravely as Reef responds:
REEF
What you're getting at: You
think our saucer-friend has
to return to the Pole, regularly
to....recharge his batteries?
164 TWO SHOT - SIR IAN AND KENT
SIR IAN
That may be over-simplifying,
but---
He doesn't finish the sentence, obviously implying that
Reef's conclusion agrees with their own.
KENT
Now: Our present tactics are
hopeless. But suppose we
could place ourselves between
Cyclops and the Pole....
165 GROUP SHOT
as Sir Ian picks up Kent's thought:
SIR IAN
....in such a way as to prevent
his returning to it and, as you
put it....
(a nod toward
Reef)
...'recharging his batteries'?
KENT
If we were lucky enough to catch
him with his power depleted....
WENDOVER
(triumphantly)
....we could polish him off with
an atomic fish!
(claps Reef on
the shoulder)
That's it, Reef! We'll wait until
the next report of trouble. Then
we'll lay on the bottom, right in
his path, and bushwack him!
(CONTINUED)
- - -
66.
165 (CONTINUED)
SIR IAN
(frowns, puzzled)
'Bushwack?'
REEF
(a faint smile)
American tactical expression.
And as Reef and Wendover exchange a look, we...
DISSOLVE TO:
166 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - TIGER SHARK
cruising at slow speed under the ice.
NARRATOR
So - a chance of tactics. Now
the Tiger Shark cruised almost
over the North Pole, waiting
for the radio report that would
put the plan into effect...
On July 13, at 1600 hours, it
came!
167 INT. WARD ROOM - DAY - MED. SHOT - REEF
drinking coffee. Behind him, now, we see Dave burst
in excitedly from passage way.
DAVE
We got it, Reef!
Reef springs to his feet excitedly.
REEF
Cyclops?
DAVE
Sounds like it! Distress call,
from a small freighter, between
Ellesmere Island and Greenland.
One mayday, then...nothing.
As Reef moves toward the door, he demands:
REEF
Where's the Skipper?
(CONTINUED)
- - -
67.
167 (CONTINUED)
DAVE
Already in the Con!
The two men exit. Now CAMERA ROLLS IN FOR CLOSEUP OF
CARL, who, standing in the door, has overheard the
conversation.
DISSOLVE TO:
168 INT. CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT - GROUP SHOT - WENDOVER, DAVE,
REEF, KENT AND SIR IAN
Dave is working over his navigation chart. The tension
in the Con is electric. Dave takes a compass, swings a
pair of arcs on the chart, looks up to announce:
DAVE
We're here!
Wendover and the others cluster around.
WENDOVER
You're sure?
Dave indicates on the chart.
169 INSERT - THE POLAR CHART
with a distinct line drawn from the reported sinking to
the Pole and another line...the course of the Tiger
Shark, just now intercepting it.
DAVE (o.s.)
Here's where Cyclops knocked
off the freighter. Here's the
way he has to head for home...
the Pole. And...
(indicates the
intersection)
Here we are...right in his path!
170 GROUP SHOT
WENDOVER
(decisively)
All right, then we're for it,
right here. Sonar and TV, scan
the bottom, find a nice spot for
us to lie and wait for him --
maybe a cave, or a valley.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 68-69-70
170 (CONTINUED)
WENDOVER (cont'd)
(to Reef)
Soon as we're on the bottom, go
through the boat, batten down
whatever makes a noise, and turn off
anything that hums or buzzes. I
want absolute silence!
They AD LIB further commands and movement about the
con as we...
DISSOLVE TO:
171 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE TIGER SHARK
as she eases her way deep under the ice, sonar PINGS
probing the way. At last, she eases down onto the
bottom in a hallow, or undersea cave. The propellers
are still, the ship lies silent, motionless, seemingly
dead.
DISSOLVE TO:
OMIT
172
173
174
175 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - TIGER SHARK ON BOTTOM
There is no sign of life whatever.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
71.
175 (CONTINUED)
NARRATOR
Hour upon hour, the Tiger Shark
lay in its deep-six ambush...
The Arctic depths were as still
and silent as an uninhabited
world. Then, at 0600 hours....
DISSOLVE TO:
176 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - TRUCKING AND PANNING ABOUT
THE CON
We see Kent and Sir Ian, dozing in their chairs. Wendover
himself is nodding. Now CAMERA MOVES to Dave, who yawns
prodigiously, reaches for his coffeecup, finds to his dis-
gust that it is empty. Then, almost absent-mindedly, he
glances teward the gauges and view-plates. He reacts.
177 INSERT - CLOSE UP - METER
which is labeled: RADIATION LEVEL. The needle-flickers,
makes a slight jump, then rises to a positive reading.
178 CLOSE SHOT - DAVE
He reacts, all attention now. He turns dials to get a
bearing on the source of radiation. Then he swings around
in his chair to the television monitor, moves the dials to
focus the TV camera in the direction of the radiation.
179 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - OPTICAL SHOT OF TV SCREEN
And very faintly, in the extreme distance, we see a tiny
speck of light growing slowly larger.
180 PAST DAVE - AT OTHERS
as Dave calls in a sharp whisper:
DAVE
Skipper! Dr. Kent!
Instantly, the men come alert, move over behind him.
WENDOVER
What is it?
(CONTINUED)
- - -
72.
180 (CONTINUED)
In answer, Dave points to the view screen. Both men re-
act, exchange a look.
KENT
That's him! Has to be!
DAVE
(checking dials)
Range, about twenty-two miles.
Speed....I give it fourteen
knots.
KENT
(checking in-
struments)
His radiation level is very
low!
(to Wendover)
That would confirm our theory -
about having to return to the
Pole!
WENDOVER
(grimly)
It better be correct!
(to Dave)
Get me a setup on the TDC -
range, about seven miles!
181 FULL SHOT - THE CONTROL ROOM
As Wendover moves to the intercom, Dave goes to work on
the torpedo data computer. Sir Ian and Kent study the
instruments.
WENDOVER
(into phone)
Skipper to Exec: Arm atomic
warheads! Load 1 and 2...
Report to Con pronto!
Part of the above overlaps following:
182 INT. TORPEDO ROOM - DAY - GROUP SHOT - REEF, GRIFF
AND DETAIL
As the VOICE comes over the intercom, Griff reacts,
looks at Reef:
(CONTINUED)
- - -
73.
182 (CONTINUED)
GRIFF
Sounds like we mean business!
Reef doesn't deign to answer. He gestures to Griff:
REEF
Griff, you arm No. 2. I'll
handle No. 1.
Griff nods, moves over to one of the panel boards and
starts manipulating it. Meantime, Reef is doing the
same thing on another panel.
183 CUTS TO COVER - THIS ACTION
thru
183-C
184 SHOOTING OVER TORPEDO CONTROL PANELS - AT REEF, GRIFF
AND DETAIL
As the arming is finished, and Reef moves from dials.
REEF
Load One and Two. Then open
outer doors!
(grimly)
And stand by for action!
Reef hurries to the far end of the torpedo room, and be-
gins climbing the ladder. He glances back to see that
Griff and another man are manipulating dials to open
the inner tube doors.
DISSOLVE TO:
185 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - EXT. OF TIGER SHARK - CLOSE ON
TORPEDO TUBES
as we see the outer doors slowly lift, disclosing the
torpedo warheads inside.
186 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - FULL SHOT - PAST DAVE IN F.G.
as Dave sings out:
(CONTINUED)
- - -
74.
186 (CONTINUED)
DAVE
Range: Now fifteen miles!
Now Reef climbs up into the con, demands:
REEF
You're sure it's Cyclops?
WENDOVER
(gesturing toward
TV screen)
Take a look.
Reef comes over, stares, fascinated, down over Dave's
shoulder.
187 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - OPTICAL SHOT - VIEW SCREEN
And now, in the TV screen, we can just make out the
faint outlines of the approaching saucer - the oval
shape, the glowing turret-eye. O.s., Dave now sings
out:
DAVE (o.s.)
Range...now 14.5 miles.
188 TWO SHOT - DAVE AND REEF
as they look down anxiously at the screen. Now there
is a VOICE over the intercom:
GRIFF (o.s.)
(filter)
Griff to Skipper. Tubes One
and Two loaded. Outer doors
open. Ready to fire.
WENDOVER (o.s.)
(obviously into
phone)
Stand by!
WIPE TO:
189 (OMITTED)
- - -
75.
190 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE CYCLOPS - MOVING TOWARD CAMERA
Through an undersea valley, the Cyclops moves silently,
its glowing eye probing ahead for possible danger.
191 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE TIGER SHARK
still lying silently, in wait.
192 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - CYCLOPS - MOVING DIRECTLY TOWARD
CAMERA
It is approaching very near, now.
193 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - TRUCKING AND PANNING - OVER
FACES
ENDING on Dave and Reef. Now Dave sings out:
DAVE
Range....ten miles!!
194 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - OVER TIGER SHARK - AT CYCLOPS
This is the first tie-in shot, showing the relative posi-
tions of the two craft. The Cyclops should still be a
considerable distance away - merely a glowing spot in the
water.
195 INT. TORPEDO ROOM - DAY - PANNING OVER TENSE FACES OF
TORPEDO DETAIL - ENDING ON GRIFF
Griff stands near the firing buttons for tubes One and
Two - clearly labeled. The tension is building.
196 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - CLOSE SHOT - VIEW SCREEN -
SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT
And on it, we see that Dave has adjusted cross-hairs for
the Target Zero. The saucer moves across the view
screen, toward the Target Zero.
DAVE (o.s.)
Range...eight miles....
Seven and three-quarters.....
- - -
76.
197 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - CYCLOPS
It looms huge and awesome IN CAMERA, now, sweeps by and
above CAMERA and o.s. There is an awful RUSHING SOUND
as it sweeps overhead.
198 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - SHOOTING PAST DAVE AND REEF -
AT OTHERS
as Dave sings out:
DAVE
Zero minus ten....nine....
199 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - OPTICAL SHOT - VIEW SCREEN
The Cyclops approaches closer and closer to the 'x.'
DAVE (o.s.)
....eight...seven.....six....
five....
200 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - SHOOTING PAST DAVE AND REEF -
AT OTHERS
DAVE
....four....three....two....
201 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - OPTICAL SHOT - VIEW SCREEN
And now the Cyclops moves directly into the cross of the
'x.'
DAVE (o.s.)
....one....Target.....
202 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - SHOOTING PAST DAVE AND REEF -
AT GROUP
DAVE
(excitedly)
Zero!
WENDOVER
(barks into
intercom)
Fire Number One!
- - -
77.
203 INT. TORPEDO ROOM - DAY - MED. SHOT - GRIFF AND OTHERS
as Griff moves swiftly, presses the firing lever, then
barks into intercom:
GRIFF
Number One fired!
204 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - CLOSE ON TORPEDO TUBE
as the first torpedo bursts out and speeds away toward
target.
205 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - GROUP SHOT
WENDOVER
(into intercom)
Fire Number Two!
206 INT. TORPEDO ROOM - DAY - MED. SHOT - GRIFF AND OTHERS
Griff fires Number Two, then reports:
GRIFF
Number Two fired!
207 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - CLOSE ON TORPEDO TUBE
as the second torpedo shoots from its tube after the
first.
208 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - TYING TIGER SHARK AND CYCLOPS
And now we see the two torpedos, executing a great
curving arc, 'homing' on their target. They are
still a considerable distance from it.
209 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - CLOSE ON TWO TORPEDOS
as they WHOOSH BY CAMERA, speeding toward their target.
210 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - TIGHT SHOT - ABOUT DAVE AND
WENDOVER
Wendover checks his watch, demands of Reef:
(CONTINUED)
- - -
78.
210 (CONTINUED)
WENDOVER
What's the running time?
REEF
(checking TDC)
Thirty-four seconds!
All wait, tense, breathless, expectant.
211 REACTION SHOTS - ABOUT SUB
(A) CONTROL ROOM
(B) TORPEDO ROOM
(C) CREW QUARTERS
Carl, the crew, Griff and others, all silently counting
the seconds.
212 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE SAUCER
Now the luminous eye seems to turn to observe the ap-
proaching menace. There is a THROBBING BUZZ as of an
energy discharge, and then the first torpedo comes in
scene, seems to swerve to avoid the Cyclops, goes
plunging on past it and o.s.
213 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - SHOOTING PAST DAVE - AT VIEW
PLATE - AT OTHERS
as Dave, agony and disappointment in his tone, calls:
DAVE
Number One...Missed!
There is an AD LIB response of shock. Then Wendover
complains to Reef:
WENDOVER
How could it? We were dead on
target, with a homing torpedo!
214 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE SAUCER - CLOSE
Now, from some vent within the vehicle, a cloud of radi-
ant, luminescent 'jelly' seems to stream out, enveloping
it in a protective cloud. Just as the cloud is well-
formed about the saucer, obscuring its outlines...
215 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - CLOSE ON SECOND TORPEDO
It plunges through scene and off towards the saucer.
- - -
79.
216 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - AT SAUCER
as the second torpedo burrows into the protective cloud,
more and more slowly, probing vainly toward the still-
visible 'eye.' Then...
217 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - CLOSE ON TORPEDO
as it buries itself in the mass of luminescent jelly.
The propellers thrash madly, ineffectually. Then,
gradually, they slow down, and the torpedo is completely
surrounded by the mysterious mass.
218 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - INSERT -
THE TV SCREEN - OPTICAL SHOT
AND OVERLAPPING ACTION ABOVE, we see the torpedo slow
down and stop, buried in the mass surrounding the saucer.
DAVE (o.s.)
Skipper - look at this!
219 TIGHT GROUP SHOT - LOW ANGLE - UP INTO FACES
as Reef, Wendover, Kent and Sir Ian cluster tightly
about Dave. Carl enters from the hatch, joins them.
DAVE
(pointing)
A mass of jelly-like stuff came
out of the thing, and caught our
torpedo!
WENDOVER
(exclaims)
What???
Kent frowns, points.
KENT
It must function like a de-Gaussing
field.
(dubiously)
We'll never get a torpedo through
that!
Now Wendover's jaw sets grimly.
WENDOVER
Maybe not a torpedo...
They look at him as he moves o.s. to the intercom.
- - -
80.
220 CLOSE SHOT - WENDOVER
as he barks into the intercom:
WENDOVER
This is the Captain: Blow bow
tanks. Reactor Room, stand by:
Soon as we're off the bottom,
I want all ahead, flank speed,
pronto!
221 FULL SHOT - THE CONTROL ROOM
as Dave asks alertly:
DAVE
What course, Skipper?
WENDOVER
(with grim purpose)
Right at our one-eyed friend!
There are AD LIB surprised exclamations from all. Reef
is incredulous:
REEF
Right at him?
WENDOVER
That's what I said!
REEF
But - what can we accomplish?
WENDOVER
We can ram him!
The others exchange quick, frightened looks. Dave is
incredulous. Carl moves over to Wendover, admonishes
quietly:
CARL
You've weighed the consequences,
Captain - the lives involved?
Reef glares at him.
WENDOVER
Doctor -- I've weighed the lives
Cyclops has taken, already...and
will take, in the future, unless
we can stop him, now!
(CONTINUED)
- - -
81.
221 (CONTINUED)
CARL
We might find other means...
WENDOVER
What other means? If the Tiger
Shark can't destroy him, no power
on Earth can! Now brave yourselves!
Carl subsides, catches Reef's eye, looks away.
222 REACTION SHOTS - THE MEN
223 INSERTS - HANDS PULLING CONTROL LEVERS
These INTERCUT with faces, above.
224 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE TIGER SHARK - ON BOTTOM
Now it begins to rise slowly from its bed in the depths.
Water pours from the ballast tanks. Then, with the boat
floating free in the water...
225 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - CLOSE SHOT - SCREWS
as they begin to churn, picking up speed, then, finally,
churn the water into a foamy wake.
226 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE TIGER SHARK
Like a great, predatory fish, it rises from the bottom,
moving more and more swiftly. It makes a great climbing
turn directly TOWARD CAMERA, then goes overhead and out,
speeding toward the saucer.
227 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - REACTION SHOTS - PRINCIPALS
They are all braced against the impending crash.
228 CLOSE SHOT - WENDOVER
as he speaks into the intercom.
WENDOVER
This is the Captain! All crew
members take collision stations!
- - -
82.
229 (OMITTED)
230 INT. FORWARD TORPEDO ROOM - DAY - MED. FULL SHOT
as Griff AD LIBS orders for the men to lie in their
bunks, brace themselves against structural members,
etc.
231 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - TIGER SHARK
It has climbed to a level with the saucer, now levels
off. It is picking up speed.
232 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - CLOSE SHOT - DAVE
He adjusts the TV view screen, tenses for the shock.
Reef appears just behind him. They exchange a grim
look, then eye the screen, fascinated.
233 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - OPTICAL SHOT - THE TV SCREEN
Now we see the saucer looming up hugely, directly ahead.
234 CLOSE THREE SHOT - WENDOVER, KENT AND SIR IAN
as we hear Dave's voice:
DAVE (o.s.)
Stand by -- five seconds...four...
three...two...
235 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - SAUCER AND TIGER SHARK
as they meet. The Tiger Shark plows into the protective
jelly, which slows but cannot stop the juggernaut.
236 CLOSER CUTS - TIGER SHARK
plowing into the protective jelly.
237 FULL SHOT - THE CRASH
as the Tiger Shark, unstoppable, plows inexorably through
the protective coating, slams against the saucer itself,
(CONTINUED)
- - -
83.
237 (CONTINUED)
then buries its bow deep within the Cyclops - like a har-
poon driving into a huge creature of the depths. Perhaps
a third of the Shark's length is driven deep into the
saucer. Tremendous RENDING, TEARING NOISES accompany the
crash, after which...complete, eerie silence.
238 CLOSER CUTS - THE CRASH
As the bow rends the outer envelope of the saucer, the
screws of the Tiger Shark churn powerfully against the
restraining jelly...then a CLOSE SHOT of the Cyclops'
'eye' shows the glow diminishing.
239 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - OVER
DAVE'S SHOULDER - AT TV SCREEN
And we see the situation, that the nose of the Shark is
buried deep within the saucer.
DAVE
(triumphantly)
We got him, Skipper - drove right
into him!
240 GROUP SHOT - ABOUT DAVE - UP INTO FACES
as Wendover manages a grim, satisfied smile. Kent and
Sir Ian eagerly check the view plate, and the gauges.
REEF
Speared him like a fish!
Wendover moves to the intercom, announces:
WENDOVER
This is the Skipper! We did it,
men! Drove right through the
saucer's hide!
241 REACTION SHOTS - ABOUT THE SUB
(A) CONTROL ROOM
(B) TORPEDO ROOM
(C) CREW'S QUARTERS
as the men cheer.
- - -
84.
242 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - FULL SHOT
WENDOVER
(smiling)
We'd better wiggle loose.
(speaks into
intercom)
Reactor Room: I want all re-
verse, full!
243 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - TIGER SHARK AND CYCLOPS
Jammed together, they are sinking slowly in the water.
244 CLOSER SHOTS - THE PROPELLERS
Overcoming the initial resistance of the jelly, they
begin slowly turning.
245 FULL SHOT - TIGER SHARK AND CYCLOPS
It is obvious, now, that they are headed for the
bottom.
246 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - FULL SHOT
The room seems to vibrate as the mighty atomic reactor
turbines exert full power on the propellers. Then Reef
shakes his head, discouraged.
REEF
We're stuck tight!
DAVE
(alarmed)
Skipper! Look at the depth
gauge!
Wendover comes over, peers over Dave's shoulder.
- - -
85.
247 INSERT - CLOSE UP - DEPTH GAUGE
The dial moves rapidly. Now it is at 175 fathoms, rapid-
ly moves to 180.
248 PAST DAVE AND WENDOVER - AT OTHERS
as Wendover, momentarily puzzled, remarks:
WENDOVER
A hundred and eighty fathoms!
We can't be sinking that
fast....
REEF
(coming over)
It's the screws, Skipper.
(gestures to
explain)
At our declination angle,
running in reverse, they're
pulling the Shark and Cyclops
right to the bottom.
WENDOVER
(frowns at gauge)
And we're at safe maximum
depth already....
(then barks
and order)
Stop engines!
Reef repeats the command into the intercom:
REEF
Stop engines!
249 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - CYCLOPS AND SHARK
sinking through the water, pulled lower and lower by
the Shark's engines. Now the propellers stop. The
two craft still continue sinking, but more slowly now.
SLOW DISSOLVE TO:
250 INSERT - WENDOVER'S HAND WRITING IN LOG
as the hand records: JULY 15, 10:00 HOURS. NOW LYING
ON BOTTOM, LOCKED TO CYCLOPS, 200 FATHOMS.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
86.
250 (CONTINUED)
NARRATOR
Hours later, the two titantic
craft were still locked to-
gether in an apparent death
grip...
DISSOLVE TO:
251 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - TIGER SHARK AND CYCLOPS
lying on the ocean bottom, still with the Shark jammed
into the saucer.
NARRATOR
(continuing)
...on the bottom of the Arctic
Ocean, nearly twelve hundred
feet below the surface!
DISSOLVE TO:
252 INT. WARD ROOM - DAY - GROUP SHOT - ABOUT TABLE
Present are Wendover, Carl, Reef, Kent, Sir Ian and Dave.
This is a grim, hopeless conclave. The silence, except
for a faint trickle of water somewhere, is complete,
eerie, ghastly. Faces are bathed in tense perspiration.
Wendover shakes his head.
WENDOVER
If anyone has any more ideas...
I'll try anything, before just
lying here, waiting to die!
Now Reef explains an idea he has been toying with:
REEF
Suppose there's an atmosphere,
of some kind, inside Cyclops?
WENDOVER
(blankly)
What?
REEF
(to the group)
If we could get inside the saucer
- use our torches - maybe we could
cut the Shark loose?
(CONTINUED)
- - -
87.
252 (CONTINUED)
SIR IAN
That's all very fine, young man.
But how would one go about get-
ting inside Cyclops?
Reef takes a deep breath, throws a glance at Carl, then
says:
REEF
Through the eye - with the
Depth-Explorer!
Carl seizes this eagerly.
CARL
Yes - the Explorer was built to
operate at even greater depths --
WENDOVER
(disturbed)
But suppose there isn't an atmos-
phere inside the saucer?
REEF
(bluntly)
Then the idea's no good. But
we're no worse off than we are
right now.
Dave picks this up eagerly.
DAVE
You've got to let us try, Skipper --
REEF
(startled)
'Us?'
DAVE
(ignoring him)
Reef and I can take the Explorer
down, clamp it around the eye,
and ---
CARL
(firmly)
No, you can't. But I can --
(to Reef)
I can deliver you to the eye.
Then you --
(CONTINUED)
- - -
87-A
252 (CONTINUED - 2)
REEF
(sneeringly)
Little out of your line, isn't
it? You better stay aboard and
make a speech -- maybe get 'em
to ban flying saucers!
Carl bridles angrily.
CARL
That's enough, Holloway. I've
told you before, wearing boards
on your shoulders, and parading
with a stiff spine doesn't auto-
matically endow you with back-
bone - !
REEF
- any more than being the son
of Captain Neilsen does!
Wendover is watching this exchange with growing dis-
pleasure.
CARL
However our ideas disagree, as
I've said before, I'm not a
coward! And it happens you've
got no choice: Either I take
you down there, in the Lungfish,
or you don't get there -
REEF
(bitterly)
I'd sooner swim!
WENDOVER
(snaps)
That's enough, Reef! Both of
you!
(to Reef)
It so happens Dr. Neilsen's
right. The odds are long
enough, without making them
longer.
(he turns to Carl)
Get the Explorer in the airlock,
ready for launching.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
88.
252 (CONTINUED - 3)
Carl nods. Throwing a final look at Reef, he goes to
the passage way, climbs down. Wendover turns back to
Reef, suggests:
WENDOVER
You better take Powell and
Carney with you --
DAVE
The frogmen?
WENDOVER
With their underwater experience,
they'll be invaluable. Take
sidearms, and flare pistols --
DAVE
(puzzled)
Sidearms? But the saucer's dead.
WENDOVER
(holding up crossed
fingers)
We hope!
Wendover holds out his hands, shakes both theirs.
Reef turns to Dave.
REEF
Let's get ready.
They head for the passage way and exit. Wendover looks
at Sir Ian and Kent, shakes his head solemnly.
DISSOLVE TO:
- - -
89.
253 INT. TORPEDO ROOM - DAY - FULL SHOT - AT AIRLOCK
We see the single hatch open, in which the Depth Explorer
has been mounted. Carl, in a jumper and helmet, waits
by the step with Powell and Carney, dressed in their
rubber suits, with helmets and face plates. They carry
breathing apparatus. Behind them, Dave and Reef appear,
dressed similarly, carrying their equipment - portable
torches, a bag of tools, sidearms, flare pistols, and...
in Dave's case...a machine pistol (burp gun). Over
this:
NARRATOR
Preparations consumed only an
hour. At 1100, everything was
ready for this last, desperate
attempt.
Now the four men join Carl at the airlock. Carl is
tense, tight-lipped. Reef frowns, concerned.
REEF
There's still time. You could
show me how...?
Carl shakes his head firmly, gestures toward the hatch.
CARL
Get in.
254 CUT TO COVER
the action of the five men climbing down hatch (into
Explorer). When all are inside, Griff steps forward,
closes the hatch. Then he closes the airlock, and
goes to intercom.
255 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - GROUP SHOT - WENDOVER, KENT,
SIR IAN
And now Griff's voice comes over the intercom:
(CONTINUED)
- - -
90.
255 (CONTINUED)
GRIFF (o.s.)
(filter)
Ready to open Airlock door,
Captain!
Wendover glances once at Kent and Sir Ian. Then he
moves to the mike.
WENDOVER
(into mike)
Go ahead, Griff!
256 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - BELLY OF TIGER SHARK
Now we see the lock door slide open. A moment later,
the Depth-Explorer moves out through the opening, like
an animal being born. It hovers for a moment, just
below the Shark. Then it maneuvers o.s. towards the
Cyclops.
257 INT. DEPTH-EXPLORER - DAY - TIGHT - (AND WE MEAN TIGHT)
GROUP SHOT
Carl operates the controls. The five men are wedged in
shoulder to shoulder. Reef makes a gesture of direc-
tion. Carl nods, complies.
258 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE CYCLOPS
Now the Depth-Explorer moves into frame, drifts directly
toward the great 'eye' - which still has a faint glow.
259 CLOSE SHOT - AT CYCLOPS' EYE - SPECIAL EFFECTS SHOT
The Depth-Explorer moves up with its hatch clamped
magnetically, directly over the eye.
260 INT. DEPTH-EXPLORER
as Dave turns to Reef.
DAVE
Now what?
(CONTINUED)
- - -
REVISED 5-28-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 91.
260 (CONTINUED)
REEF
(looks at others, his glance
lingering on Carl)
Now what - shall we take
a chance?
CARL
(solemnly)
That's why we came.
Reef nods.
REEF
All right.
(then)
Better breathe oxygen, just
in case.
The others all apply oxygen tubes to their mouths, go
down hatch, Reef picking up a large tool like a wrecking
bar.
260A UNDER HATCH
Reef and Dave come down hatch into scene. We see the
iris and Reef goes to work on it with the tool.
WIPE TO:
261 INSERT - CLOSE UP - FITTING OF EYE
as Reef's tools batter at it. Suddenly, it gives away.
262 SHOOTING AT EYE
as, suddenly, it SEEMS TO OPEN, LIKE A CAMERA IRIS,
leaving a circular opening, big enough to crawl through.
262A REACTION - DAVE & REEF
Now Reef sniffs at the atmosphere that pours in from
the saucer. Surprised, enthused, he removes his oxygen
tube, breathes deeply.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
REVISED 5-28-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 92-93
262A (CONTINUED)
REEF
Air! Pure air! Under high pressure!
DAVE
That's a relief!
262B INT. OF DEPTH EXPLORER
POWELL
What happens now, sir?
262C UNDER HATCH
Reef thinks a moment, then decides.
REEF
You all wait here. I'm going inside,
take a look.
DAVE
(insistently)
Not alone, you're not!
The men ad lib (no)!
Reef frowns at them, then grins gratefully, squeezes
Dave's arm, and moves toward the open eye.
262D INT. OF DEPTH EXPLORER
CARL
Good luck, men!
262E UNDER HATCH
Reef smiles, begins crawling through the eye and
into the saucer, followed by the others.
OMIT
263 to
266
267 INT. SHORT RAMP SECTION - DAY - SHOOTING TOWARDS
OPENING ABOVE
OVERLAPPING ACTION as the four men crawl down through
the hole into this section of the ramp of the saucer.
0MIT
267A
267B
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 94
267C RAMP SECTION - TRUCKING SHOT - FOUR MEN -
AGAINST BLACK
Reef gestures, leads the way down the ramp. Dave is
at his elbow, the two frogmen just behind them. They
light TORCHES or FLASHLIGHTS.
OMIT
267D
267E
267F FOUR MEN - CHAMBER SECTION
They come down ramp section to chamber, stop, and
look off screen.
268 FROM THEIR P.O.V. - TOWARD WOUND MADE BY TIGER SHARK
And we see the bow of the submarine extending into
the chamber. But, strangely, there is not a drop of
water, not a break in the surrounding wall.
268A FOUR MEN
DAVE
(pointing)
How about that! The bow drove
half through her, but she sealed
herself right up.
REEF
(excitedly)
What's more important - there's
our problem.
(points)
The bow ram - the sawteeth are
holding the Shark in the break.
If we can cut the ram, the Shark
can pull herself loose!
DAVE
(enthused)
I think you're right.
REEF
(to Powell)
Go back and tell Dr. Neilsen.
Have him report to the Skipper.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
95.
268 (CONTINUED)
Powell nods, retreats. The others unsling their equip-
ment.
REEF
Now let's get to work.
They light the torches, and advance on the protruding
bow of the sub (o.s.).
269 INSERT - CLOSE UP - THE TORCHES
as they begin biting into the metal of the submarine
ram.
WIPE TO:
260 INT. DEPTH-EXPLORER - DAY - CARL AND POWELL
Carl has the radio mike in his hand and calls:
CARL
Depth-Explorer to Tiger Shark.
Do you read? Over.
271 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - TIGHT THREE SHOT - WENDOVER,
KENT AND SIR IAN
The Skipper himself wears the headphones. He cries ex-
citedly into the radio mike:
WENDOVER
We read you! Go ahead, Doctor!
(then, as he
listens eagerly,
repeats)
They're inside the saucer. It's
filled with breathable air!
KENT
Wonderful!
WENDOVER
(listening, then
enthusiastic)
That's wonderful, Carl!
(to others)
Reef thinks they can clear the Shark
bow so we can pull ourself loose!
(CONTINUED)
- - -
96.
271 (CONTINUED)
SIR IAN
(ever the scientist)
What is it like, inside Cyclops?
This is a priceless opportunity
for....
But Wendover ignores this, admonishes:
WENDOVER
Tell Reef: Be sure you're all
clear before we make a move!
Good!
He takes off the headphones, beams at the other men.
WENDOVER
Maybe we'll come out of this
yet!
272 FULL SHOT - THE CON
And now Griff, operating the navigation equipment, frowns,
perplexed, then calls:
GRIFF
Skipper - could you take a look
here...?
WENDOVER
Something wrong?
GRIFF
The inertial navigation system.
Must have been knocked out in
the crash.
WENDOVER
Why do you say that?
GRIFF
We're dead in the water. But
it indicates we're moving!
WENDOVER
What????
Sir Ian and Kent exchange a look, come over and join
them.
SIR IAN
But that's impossible!
(CONTINUED)
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 97
272 (CONTINUED)
Now Kent notices something. He points:
KENT
The radiation level - from
the saucer - it's rising!
SIR IAN
(suddenly fearful, to
Wendover)
What direction does the system
indicate?
WENDOVER
(suddenly grim)
Due north. At five knots...no, six!
SIR IAN
(grave, thoughtful)
Toward the Pole!
GRIFF
(demanding)
But - that cyclops is dead! We
killed it...didn't we?
(as they look away)
Didn't we?
DISSOLVE TO:
273 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - TIGER SHARK AND CYCLOPS
with Depth-Explorer still clamped to the eye. Now
we see, definitely, that the two craft, locked
together, are indeed moving, slowly but perceptibly,
along the ocean floor.
274 INT. CHAMBER SECTION OF SAUCER - DAY - CLOSEUP -
FACES OF REEF, DAVE, POWELL, CARNEY
Weirdly lit in the glow of the torches.
274A
OMIT
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE"
97-A
OMIT
274B
274C
274D CLOSE SHOT - REEF
As he works, a weird SOUND OSCILLATION - varying
wildly in pitch - sweeps over scene. Reef reacts,
startled. The SOUND COMES AGAIN, and Reef turns,
calls sharply:
REEF
Dave?
274E PAN SHOT - WITH DAVE
As he detaches himself from the frogmen, moves
into TWO SHOT with Reef.
DAVE
Yeah?
REEF
Listen!
(the SOUND comes again)
Hear that?
Dave has not reacted at all. He looks peculiarly
at Reef.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 97-B
274E (CONTINUED)
DAVE
I don't hear anything.
(he looks at Reef,
concerned)
Maybe you've been down here
too long. Why don't you go
back up and -
REEF
Strange you didn't hear it.
OMIT
274F
275 CLOSE SHOT - THE TORCHES
biting deeply into the steel of the ram. Now CAMERA
TILTS DOWN SLOWLY, and as it is moving we...
DOWN WIPE TO:
276 INT. GLOBE - DAY - SPECIAL EFFECTS SHOT
Though we see nothing of its construction at this
point.
276A INSERT - CLOSE SHOT - PROBING SPINES - TRICK SHOT
(SPECIAL EFFECTS)
The black, catfish-or-sea urchin-like spines seem
to rise from limp supineness. They stiffen, grope
like fingers, move towards a series of grommet-like
openings in the translucent wall of the sphere. Now
a spine nears a grommet, slips into it, apparently
making 'contact', for somewhere, a FAINT LIGHT comes
on, and the scene becomes lighter. In a moment,
another spine slips into another grommet-hole.
- - -
98.
277 INT. CHAMBER SECTION - DAY - MED. SHOT - A LIGHT
To an accompanying tympany BEAT, a LIGHT SPOT, appears.
A moment later, another drum beat, another LIGHT SPOT.
(Note: This business may continue behind subsequent
dialogue - more beats, more lights coming on)
278 CLOSE GROUP - THE WORKING PARTY - ABOUT RAM OF TIGER
SHARK
As Reef continues working with the torch. Dave pushes
up his goggles, reacts, surprised. He taps Reef on the
shoulder.
DAVE
Hey - you know somethin'? It's
getting lighter in here!
REEF
(a similar re-
action)
You know - it is?
Now they give a sudden lurch. Dave looks down at his
feet, then into Reef's face.
DAVE
And if I didn't know better - I'd
swear we were moving!
REEF
Let's get back to work, and maybe
we will be, soon.
279 INT. DEPTH-EXPLORER - DAY - CLOSE SHOT - CARL TALKING
INTO MIKE
He looks about, worriedly.
CARL
(into mike)
...I get an impression of move-
ment, Captain. Is that possible?
VOICE OF WENDOVER
(through phones)
We have the same reaction, up
here.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
99.
279 (CONTINUED)
CARL
(very worried)
But ---
280 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - GROUP SHOT - AS BEFORE
as the Skipper turns to the scientists.
WENDOVER
Now they feel it...down below.
KENT
(frowning at
gauge)
Radiation level...constantly
rising...
SIR IAN
(murmurs thought-
fully)
As we near the Pole...
KENT
(sharply)
There's got to be an explanation!
SIR IAN
(mildly)
There is.
(as they study
him)
I believe our friend...Cyclops...
is returning to life!
A grim reaction, all around.
281 INT. GLOBE - DAY - MED. SHOT - TRICK SHOT - THE FINGERS
(SPECIAL EFFECTS)
as, now, the last of them contact their proper control
points, and a complete circuit of lights FLASHES ON.
The LIGHT INTENSITY rises.
282 INT. CHAMBER SECTION - DAY - GROUP SHOT - THE MEN
working on the ram. Now, with a final cut with the
torch, there is a CLANG, A RINGING SOUND, and then
the ram drops free.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
100.
282 (CONTINUED)
REEF
(with satisfaction)
That does it! I think the Shark
can pull clear!
Now, we hear a weird, mechanical voice:
SAUCER-VOICE
Commander Holloway! Listen!
Reef reacts.
REEF
You hear that?
DAVE
(looking blank)
The sound again?
Now the voice repeats:
SAUCER-VOICE
Commander Holloway. Make no
resistance.
REEF
(nervously)
A voice, this time. It spoke
my name!
Reef draws his gun and Dave raises his machine gun.
283 (OMITTED)
284 MED. GROUP SHOT
And now the voice comes from another quarter:
SAUCER-VOICE
You will see that avails nothing!
Reef looks around, startled.
285 PAN SHOT - WITH POWELL
His nerve is going. He edges away from the group, then
turns to bolt out of scene, heading for the Depth-
Explorer. But just as he takes his first steps...
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 101
286 PAN WITH POWELL
As he stumbles through the darkness.
286A FLASH OF LIGHT
A flash of light comes down at Powell from somewhere.
287 CLOSEUP - POWELL
The light envelops him, and he cringes.
POWELL
Carney - help!
287A THREE SHOT - CARNEY DAVE REEF
Reacting to Powell's cry.
REEF
Carney, see what's happened
to Powell.
Carney moves o.s.
287B CLOSEUP - POWELL - MAKEUP SHOT
We see the horrible effect of the light on his face.
287C TRICK EFFECT - POWELL SHRIVELLED - PRODUCTION SHOT
Powell is shrivelled by the light. The last thing we
see of him is...
287D TRICK EFFECT - POWELL'S HANDS - SPECIAL EFFECTS SHOT
They disintegrate to Jelly, and Powell is completely
gone.
288 PANNING WITH CARNEY
As he reaches the spot where Powell was killed. He
reacts, horrified.
288A PANNING WITH CARNEY
As he moves away hurriedly.
288B PANNING WITH CARNEY
As he turns, from the blackness, a burst of steam
issues forth into his face.
288C CLOSEUP - CARNEY
He screams as the steam envelops him and sinks out
of scene.
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE"
101-A
288-D TRICK SHOT - CARNEY - SPECIAL EFFECTS SHOT
As Carney's body disintegrates into the ground.
288-E TWO SHOT - DAVE REEF
Unaware of Powell and Carney's fate.
DAVE
Where do you think the voice you
heard was coming from?
REEF
(points farther down
the ramp)
Somewhere down there?
DAVE
Wonder where Powell and Carney
are?
REEF
We'll have to look for them
later.
They move on.
289 THROUGH IRIS DOWN RAMP TO FLOOR - BLACK BACKING -
DAY - PAN SHOT - DAVE AND REEF
They continue down ramp. Reef looks expectantly at
Dave.
REEF
Well?
DAVE
I'm with you!
- - -
101-B
290 FLOOR - BLACK BACKING - DAY - UP SHOT - REEF AND DAVE
They come clambering down the ramp, reach the platform
level. Then, awed, they look around them.
291 EST. SHOT ON FLOOR (PLATFORM) - CAVERNOUS INTERIOR -
BACK AT TINY MEN ON PLATFORM - MATTE SHOT
We see a long, slender bridge, or catwalk, extending
out into space, apparently reaching toward a great,
opalescent sphere that seems to hang suspended on
cushioning points, some sort of shock-absorbing system,
in the very center of the saucer. A weird GLOW, seem-
ing to become ever brighter, emanates from inside this
sphere.
292 TWO SHOT - DAVE AND REEF
Awed, round-eyed, silent, they stare open-mouthed at
the sight. But before they can make any comment...
SAUCER VOICE
Remove your weapons, Commander.
And come here - alone!
REEF
Come where?
Dave looks at him peculiarly.
DAVE
The voice again?
But Reef is too intent on the voice. Now he begins dis-
arming as Dave looks incredulous.
DAVE
What're you doing?
293 MATTE SHOT - FROM THEIR P.O.V. - TOWARD GLOBE
Now, at the very tip of the spine-bridge, an IRIS
OPENING appears in the side of the sphere.
SAUCER VOICE
(now seeming to come
from this opening)
To me - here!
- - -
102.
294 TWO SHOT - REEF AND DAVE
Reef has a distant look as he hands his weapons to
Dave.
REEF
Here - keep these.
(then)
It wants me to come alone.
DAVE
(flaring)
Oh it does???
Reef moves o.s. toward the bridge. Dave waits, very
unwillingly.
295 INT. SECTION OF BRIDGE - LEADING TO SPHERE - DAY -
REEF - ONTO BLACK
He inches his way tortuously across the slender support,
toward the iris opening.
296 MATTE SHOT - BEHIND REEF - TOWARD SPHERE
He crawls cautiously towards the opening.
296A INT. PLATFORM - BLACK BACKING - DAY - CLOSE SHOT - DAVE
Angry, impatient, he sets Reef's weapons down. Then he
clutches his submachine gun, watches Reef o.s.
297 INT. SPHERE - DAY - MED. SHOT - FROM INSIDE - IRIS
OPENING
Now Reef appears, crawls cautiously up into the opening,
then stands, looks inside. His eyes nearly start from
his head as he takes in the incredible sight.
298 TRICK SHOT - FROM REEF'S P.O.V. - INTERIOR OF SPHERE -
SPECIAL EFFECTS SHOT
His eyes range over the ceiling of the glove, then as he
shifts his gaze to the bottom of the sphere, we see 'it'
- a horrendous organism, like a giant sea urchin, the
long, black, writhing spines now all in proper contact
(CONTINUED)
- - -
103.
298 (CONTINUED)
with their grommet-sockets. And out of the center of
the pulsating central 'body' rises a long stalk, and on
the very tip of it a great, glowing 'eye.' The setup
is like a monstrous rendering of the eye of a snail.
299 MATTE SHOT - UP PAST 'EYE' AT REEF IN IRIS
So he appears a tiny, miniature man compared to the
cavernous size of the sphere. And now, apparently
from the 'eye' itself, which seems to flicker and
glow like an electron beam spectrometer, comes the
saucer-voice again:
SAUCER VOICE
So, Commander Holloway - as
you Earth inhabitants would
express it - we meet 'face to
face.'
300 CLOSE SHOT - REEF
As he says with sardonic inflection:
REEF
That's a face???
SAUCER VOICE
Point of view is everything.
To us, your form of life is
ugly as we appear to you.
REEF
Tell me something: Why can I
hear you, when the others
couldn't?
300A FROM REEF'S P.O.V. - THE EYE
SAUCER VOICE
You do not 'hear' me! Our in-
dividual brain frequencies are
now attuned, and we exchange
wave-thoughts.
REEF O.S.
You mean 'Extra Sensory Per-
ception?'
(CONTINUED)
- - -
104.
300A (CONTINUED)
SAUCER VOICE
Whatever your 'earth-term' may
be. The principal is ancient,
and very simple.
300B CLOSE SHOT - REEF
Listening.
SAUCER VOICE
It is not necessary for you to
speak. Your 'thought-response'
will suffice.
(Note: From here on, in speech with the saucer, Reef's
lips do not move - his responses, except to Dave, are
all 'voice over')
300C INT. SECTION OF BRIDGE - DAY - DOWN SHOT - PANNING WITH
DAVE
He cannot contain himself any longer, is now crawling
out onto the bridge, toward Reef; cradling the sub-
machine gun on his forearm as he goes.
300D INT. SPHERE - DAY - MATTE SHOT - UP PAST 'EYE' - AT
REEF IN IRIS
The conversation continues:
SAUCER VOICE
My mission is to study various
solar systems, and planets -
select the most suitable for
colonization -
REEF
- for horrors like yourself?
SAUCER
Of course. It may interest you
to know I have visited hundreds
of other worlds, and of all of
them, your Earth seems most suit-
able.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
105.
300D (CONTINUED)
REEF
(drily)
Swell!
SAUCER VOICE
(sternly)
Your friend was to remain where
he was!
300E CLOSE SHOT - REEF
He looks a bit bewildered:
REEF
He did!
SAUCER VOICE
I am afraid not. Therefore -
Now, to Reef's consternation, Dave suddenly appears be-
side him:
REEF
(to Dave, lip sync)
Dave - !
DAVE
(grimly)
What's goin' on in here, Lad?
What - ?
Then, Dave's mouth drops open, and he stares, incredulous.
300F MATTE SHOT - AS BEFORE - DAVE'S P.O.V. - THE CREATURE
SAUCER VOICE
(warningly)
Stand away from him, Commander!
300G TWO SHOT - DAVE AND REEF
As Dave, before Reef can stop him, steps forward
belligerently, levels and submachine gun down at the
creature.
DAVE
(menacingly)
So this is 'headquarters,' huh?
Well, you've sunk your last ship,
you....
And he looses a burst with the sub-machine gun, so that
we don't hear the appropriate name.
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE"
105-A
300H SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - DAVE - PRODUCTION SHOT
With a BOOM of tympany, a LIGHT STRIKES Dave, and
suddenly he is melted, shrivelled to nothingness. The
machine gun falls o.s.
300I CUT TO COVER - THIS ACTION
300J CLOSE SHOT - REEF
As he looks on, shocked, sobered, shaken. Then, in
his thought-voice, he asks slowly:
REEF
Why not me? What am I - the
closing act?
SAUCER VOICE
On the contrary. I want you -
unharmed - perfect.
REEF
Why?
SAUCER VOICE
I have selected you, to return
with me - along with several other
specimens, for study. We will
examine you and the others, discover
desirable features to incorporate
in our 'earth-colonizers.'
301 MATTE SHOT - REEF'S P.O.V. - THE ORGANISM
REEF O.S.
Then you just...'build them in?'
SAUCER VOICE
Of course. Evolution is much
too slow a process.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
106.
301 (CONTINUED)
SAUCER VOICE
On earth you build with inanimate
material. We employ living tissue.
This space vehicle, for example...
302 CUT TO COVER
303 MED. CLOSE SHOT - REEF
Awed, frightened, he looks about him at the construction
of the chamber in which he is standing.
SAUCER VOICE
It is a living thing. When damaged
- you would say 'wounded' - it
immediately 'heals' itself.
REEF
(understanding)
That's why no water leaked inside
when we rammed you?
SAUCER VOICE
Of course. But it is time to be-
gin the return voyage --
304 CLOSE SHOT - REEF'S HAND
And we see it creep up under his coat, grabbing the
Very pistol.
305 MED. CLOSE SHOT - REEF
as he says grimly, threateningly:
REEF
To navigate, won't you have to...
see your way?
SAUCER VOICE
Obviously.
REEF
That might be a little rough!
And Reef raises the Very pistol, fires.
- - -
107.
306 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE 'EYE' OF THE ORGANISM
as the flare strikes it and bursts. There is a SCREAM,
an unearthly, shattering WAIL from the organism itself.
307 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - CLOSE ON 'EYE'
as the flare burns a hole in the iris, and the water,
or whatever it contains, seems to drain from it, like
a plastic bag when it is torn.
308 CLOSE SHOT - REEF
He reacts quickly, astonished at the effect of his
shot. But then he wastes no time - turns and scrambles
back out. SCREAMS OF PAIN from the creature follow
him.
309 INT. SECTION OF BRIDGE - DAY - FAST PAN - WITH REEF
Heedless of the danger of falling, he scrambles madly
back across the bridge. Beams of the death-dealing
light just miss him as he goes, and SCREAMS from the
wounded creature shatter the cavernous silence.
310 (OMITTED)
310A PANNING WITH REEF
He reaches the platform, races madly for the ramp.
Beams of light again just miss him.
310B PANNING WITH REEF - UP RAMP
And suddenly, as he reaches the iris, he YELLS with
pain, his foot caught in the iris.
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE"
107-A-B
310-C INSERT - CLOSEUP - REEF'S FOOT
As he pulls his foot clear.
OMIT
310D
311
311-A PANNING WITH REEF
As he runs through the darkness.
311-B PANNING WITH REEF
As a beam of LIGHT just misses him.
311-C CLOSEUP - STEAM
As steam comes out of the darkness at him.
311-D PANNING WITH REEF
As he runs by, the steam just missing him.
311-E CLOSE PAN - REEF
As he races for the iris at the end of the ramp.
312 INT. DEPTH-EXPLORER - DAY - AT HATCH WINDOW - OVER
CARL'S SHOULDER
Carl reacts as the iris begins closing. Quickly, he
grabs a crowbar, or other prop, wedges it into the
iris, holding it open momentarily. A moment later,
Reef literally hurls himself into the little sub,
slams the hatch behind him, and exclaims:
REEF
Back to the Shark - right
now!
Carl does not hesitate, begins working the controls.
CARL
What about Dave - and the
others?
- - -
108.
312 (CONTINUED)
REEF
(grimly)
'Fortunes of War!'
Carl frowns. Now Reef grasps the radio microphone, says
quickly:
REEF
(into mike)
This is Reef, Skipper -- in the
Depth-Explorer. Don't wait for
us - start engines, and pull loose!
313 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - FULL SHOT - THE ROOM
as Wendover nods, responding to the radio message.
WENDOVER
All right, Reef.
He turns to the intercom, orders:
WENDOVER
Reactor Room! This is the Skipper!
I want all reverse full-emergency
power!
314 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE TIGER SHARK PROPELLERS
They begin to turn, slowly at first, then picking up
speed.
315 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - SHARK AND DEPTH-EXPLORER
It moves away from the saucer, back up through the water
to the belly of the Shark, at the airlock.
316 INT. LOWER CHAMBER OF SAUCER - DAY - SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT
- CLOSE ON 'EYE'
And now we see, through a SERIES OF DISSOLVES that the
eye is healing - restoring itself, like a balloon being
blown up (maybe this would do it).
317 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE 'FINGERS'
Purposefully they probe into the 'circuit' apertures,
and the power lights begin to glow radiantly.
- - -
109.
318 INT. FORWARD TORPEDO ROOM - DAY - FULL SHOT - AT AIRLOCK
As Griff superintends preparations to open the lock door,
the men from the control room - Wendover, Kent and Sir
Ian, hasten in. Now Griff cracks the hatch on the lock
door, and in a moment, Reef staggers out, then helps Carl
from the Explorer. Wendover frowns, glances inside:
WENDOVER
What about --- ?
Reef only shakes his head. Faces are tense, then Reef
declares bitterly:
REEF
We didn't kill it, Skipper. And
if it ever gets...back where it
came from...the Earth is doomed,
and everything and everybody on it!
319 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - TIGER SHARK AND SAUCER
And now, the mighty engines of the Shark succeed - the
bow of the Shark pulls out of the hull of the saucer,
and the two vehicles float freely in the water.
320 INT. FORWARD TORPEDO ROOM - DAY - GROUP SHOT
The scene JUMPS AND LURCHES. Then there is an exultant
voice:
VOICE
(over intercom)
We've pulled loose, Skipper!
We're free!
Wendover and Reef exchange an exultant look. Then they
turn and run out toward the ladder to the con. Kent,
Carl and Sir Ian follow more slowly.
321 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - FULL SHOT - THE ROOM
As Wendover and Reef come scrambling up the ladder and
through the hatch, the man at the helm indicates the TV
screen. Wendover and Reef peer eagerly at it. Wendover
smiles tightly.
- - -
110.
322 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - OPTICAL SHOT - THE TV SCREEN
And we see the saucer floating loose in the water. But,
suddenly, with a tremendous burst of speed, the saucer
moves away through the water, so rapidly as almost to
become a blur.
REEF (o.s.)
(despairingly)
There it goes!
323 UP INTO FACES OF REEF AND WENDOVER
as Reef adjusts the dials of the screen, and Carl, Kent
and Sir Ian appear behind them.
REEF
Straight to the Pole - at almost
fifty knots!
WENDOVER
Nothing we can do, now.
KENT
Excuse me, Captain - there may
be one last, desperate chance -
a one-in-a-thousand shot...
WENDOVER
(desperately)
Anything ---
KENT
It's possible I could adapt one of
the torpedo guidance systems to the
ICBM - so it would 'home' on the
saucer when he rises from the Pole.
WENDOVER
What about time...?
(CONTINUED)
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE" 110-A
323 (CONTINUED)
SIR IAN
(a glance at Reef)
Cyclops will have to linger at
the Pole to recharge his power
banks.
WENDOVER
(snaps)
All right - go to it.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
111.
323 (CONTINUED)
WENDOVER (cont'd)
(to Reef)
Reef, you take over as navigator.
Find us a pot-hole in the ice.
And as they AD LIB orders and instructions, Kent and Sir
Ian and Carl climb back down the hatch to go to work.
DISSOLVE TO:
324 INT. FORWARD TORPEDO ROOM - DAY - CUTS TO COVER - WORK
ON MISSILE - (STOCK IF AVAILABLE - OTHERWISE DISSOLVE TO
325)
with Carl, Kent, Griff and Sir Ian all at work, in-
stalling complicated electronic equipment in the nose
of the huge ICBM. Over this:
NARRATOR
Adapt a complicated guidance
system to a huge ballistic rocket
- convert it to a water-to-air
intercept missile? It was foolish,
it was insane, it was fantastic -
but it was their only hope - and
the earth's only hope!
WIPE TO:
325 FULL SHOT - THE GROUP
as Kent steps back, wipes his hands on a piece of waste.
SIR IAN
All ready?
KENT
(dourly)
As ready as we can be!
(walking off)
I'll report to the Skipper.
DISSOLVE TO:
326 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE TIGER SHARK
It is rising to the surface, under the ice. And now,
as it nears the surface, a BEAM OF LIGHT, like a search-
light, hits it, and the water becomes brighter.
- - -
112.
327 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - MED. CLOSE SHOT - WENDOVER
AND REEF
as Reef, at the navigator's position, sings out:
REEF
Right under our hole in the
ice, Skipper.
328 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - DOWN ON ICE - SEEN ON TV SCREEN
We see a round, black hole of open water in the ice
field.
329 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - CLOSE SHOT - WENDOVER AND
REEF
as Wendover glues his eye toward the screen.
WENDOVER
What's the corrected bearing
to the Magnetic Pole?
REEF
(checking)
Minus three.
Wendover sets a knob on the screen, peers at it again.
330 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - OPTICAL SHOT - POV
All we see is fields of ice and snow. Finally the cross-
hairs stop exactly at minus three.
331 MED. SHOT
as Wendover gestures toward the controls.
WENDOVER
Take over here, Reef.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
113.
331 (CONTINUED)
Reef nods, looks at TV screen. Wendover moves to the
intercom, barks:
WENDOVER
Prepare ICBM for firing!
Then he murmurs to Reef:
WENDOVER
Well, that's all we can do --
until our space-friend decides
to blast-off.
332 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE TIGER SHARK
And now, on the bow, we see the mighty ICBM lift from a
recess on the deck, in front of the conning tower. It
stands on end in its cradle, ready.
WIPE TO:
333 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - MED. TWO SHOT - REEF AND
WENDOVER
Reef's eyes on screen. Wendover waits tensely.
Now Reef reacts.
334 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - OPTICAL SHOT - THROUGH SCREEN -
THE ICE
Suddenly, a phenomena like an undersea volcano rising.
The ice rends and cracks, rises in a great bulge.
335 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE ICE
It breaks up, boils, tremendous rending, tearing NOISES.
Then, from the depths of the water below, a familiar oval
shape - smooth, glittering, beautiful - surmounted by the
gleaming cyclops eye appears. The saucer rises from the
water like a great porpoise, hovers just above the ice,
then begins rising slowly into the air.
336 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - REACTION SHOT - WENDOVER AND
REEF
as Reef exclaims excitedly:
(CONTINUED)
- - -
114.
336 (CONTINUED)
REEF
Skipper - I think - it is!
It's Cyclops!
Wendover pushes him aside for a quick look himself.
Then, he leaps for the intercom, barks:
WENDOVER
This is the Skipper! Fire!
Fire!
337 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE TIGER SHARK
Now we see a discharge like compressed air below the
ICBM. It floats up and away from the Shark, in a ver-
tical position. Then, straight as an arrow, it heads
for the surface.
338 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE HOLE IN THE ICE
Now, from the black water, the ICBM leaps into-the air,
like a suddenly released, air-filled ball. As it leaps
above the surface, the mighty rocket engines ignite with
a ROARING BLAST, and the ICBM leaps high into the air,
roars up o.s.
339 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - WITH ICBM
It rises higher and higher, faster and faster, into the
sky.
340 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE SAUCER
It, too, is moving faster and faster, on what should
appear to be a converging course with the missile.
341 SPECIAL EFFECT SHOT - THE SKY
This is the 'money' shot - to make or break the picture.
In one corner of the frame, the saucer rises swiftly.
But as it moves to center frame, in from the opposite
corner comes the ICBM, heading straight and true for the
saucer. They meet.
The explosion is tremendous - a mighty, nuclear fireball,
great chunks of debris hurled sizzling into space in all
directions, a booming, pounding after-shock wave, then a
great sweeping mushroom cloud. After this.....nothing
but empty sky.
- - -
REVISED 5-26-59 "ATOMIC SUBMARINE"
115.
342 CUTS TO COVER - THE PHENOMENA ABOVE
343 INT. CONTROL ROOM - DAY - REACTION SHOT - PANNING
ALL THE PRINCIPALS
The shock, the exultation, the relief, then the
sagging easement of tension...it is beyond words.
Wendover looks at Kent, with a look more eloquent
than an hour speech. Sir Ian's eyes are misty with
gratitude. Carl begins trembling with reaction, and
Reef puts a comforting arm around him. Griff sags
onto a stool, head down, just moving his head aimlessly
from side to side. Reef and Wendover exchange a look
of silent understanding.
SLOW DISSOLVE TO:
344 EXT. OCEAN - NIGHT - LONG UP SHOT - THE NIGHT SKY
(STOCK)
on a moonless night, the stars glinting and sparkling
like billions of distant diamonds.
345 SHOT - BOW OF SUBMARINE - SPECIAL EFFECTS SHOT
as it swishes through the water on the homeward voyage.
DISSOLVE:
345-A STOCK SHOT - NAVY YARD - NIGHT (as in 38A)
346 EXT. NAVY YARD - NIGHT - TWO SHOT - REEF AND CARL
As they slowly walk away from the o.s. submarine towards
the gate. Carl looks thoughtfully up at the sky as he
stops for a moment.
CARL
They're so remote - cold - beautiful,
the stars. But now - I wonder -
REEF
(smiling fondly)
Yes?
CARL
(whimsically)
Which is the one - we have to worry
about?
Reef also looks up at the sky thoughtfully, shakes
his head.
(CONTINUED)
- - -
116.
346 (CONTINUED)
REEF
Maybe - just 'maybe' - when their
ship doesn't return - they'll
decide not to come here, after all.
CARL
But if they do?
REEF
(soberly)
I don't know.
CARL
(a slight smile)
I wouldn't worry. So long as we
have boats like the Tiger Shark -
and people like you, the Skipper,
Dave, Kent, Sir Ian and my father -
REEF
(smiles)
And his 'egghead' son!
(he punches Carl's
arm jovially)
We'll give 'em a rough reception,
won't we?
They go out.
347 EXT. STARLIT SKY - NIGHT
SUPERIMPOSE:
END TITLE
FADE OUT
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