The Day the Earth Stood Still Page #2

MED. CLOSE SHOT

Several people on the steps of the Smithsonian have turned

to look. There is cold, frozen fear in their eyes. The awful

sound keeps increasing in volume.

CLOSE SHOT:

A man, following the progress of a huge object in the sky

with his eyes. He is held terror-stricken.

LONG SHOT INTO SKY (SERSEN SHOT)

A giant shape, still at some distance, is approaching the

earth at incredible speed.

LONG SHOT ON GROUND

A group of people run wildly across a large expanse of lawn.

A huge shadow cast from above onto the grass seems to be

pursing them.

LONG SHOT INTO SKY (SERSEN SHOT)

The great shape is considerably nearer now.

CLOSE SHOT:

Of a woman, thoroughly shaken, held immobile by what she

sees and hears.

LONG SHOT:

People scatter madly in all directions as the huge spaceship

comes in for a landing on a smooth, grassy area. The

tremendous roar of its motors is suddenly cut off and the

great ship settles gently to a perfect landing.

MED. SHOT - THE SHIP

The gleaming surface of the ship shows no break of any kind --

no windows, no ports, not even the outline of a hatch. It is

a fearsome, terrifying object, giving no evidence of its

source or its intention.

LONG SHOT - (FROM PARALLEL)

Shooting down on a section of lawn, showing the varying

reactions of people to the landing. Some are still running

madly away; others, singly and in little groups, stand as

though rooted, staring at the ship from a respectful distance.

CLOSE SHOT - MAN

As he stares at the ship with fascination and horror. He'd

like to run but he can't. His mouth twitches and he emits a

nervous little laugh.

MED. CLOSE SHOT

A woman is holding a two-year-old child by the hand as she

watches the ship, awe-struck. Several people run past them.

Suddenly the woman grabs up the child with a little sob,

turns and runs away.

MED. SHOT

A middle-aged man runs up to a group of several people,

pointing wildly toward the ship and yelling irrationally:

MAN:

They're here! They're here!

He runs off toward another group as we--

DISSOLVE TO:

MONTAGE:

A series of short DISSOLVES showing:

1. A man dashing up to a crowded Washington street corner

shouting wildly and gesticulating in the direction from which

he came.

2. Policemen piling into squad cars, which roar out of their

garage.

3. Soldiers rushing out of a barracks at Fort Myer, with

rifles and side arms, to form up on their company street.

4. Newspaper presses rolling at high speed.

5. Newscasters chattering excitedly into their microphones.

6. A large telephone switchboard with the girls in a frenzy

of activity as they try to handle the calls pouring in.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. BASEBALL STADIUM - LONG SHOT

The players are standing on the field in the crowded stadium,

but the game has been interrupted and everyone is listening

to the voice on the loudspeaker system. (Actual stock shot

would be coverage of some dedication or ceremonial.)

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. PENTAGON OFFICE - CLOSE SHOT

A Brigadier General speaks in clipped tones into the

telephone. There are a couple of other officers in the room.

BRIGADIER GENERAL

(into phone)

Get me the Chief of Staff.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. U.S. SENATE OR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (STOCK)

A shot, if one is available, of either House listening raptly

as an announcement of great import is read by the Chair.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. OFFICE - CLOSE SHOT

A distinguished-looking government official speaks into the

phone with a sense of subdued urgency.

GOVERNMENTAL OFFICIAL

I want to speak to the President.

(listens for a moment)

I'm sorry -- you'll have to interrupt

him.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. RADIO AND TELEVISION STUDIO - MED. SHOT

A nationally known news commentator -- for purposes of this

script let's say Drew Pearson -- is seated before a radio

mike. He is also being photographed by TV cameras. In a wall

near him is a TV screen which shows what is going out on the

air. During the ensuing speech, a man comes in a hands him a

sheaf of news bulletins.

PEARSON:

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,

this is Drew Pearson. We bring you

this special radio-television

broadcast to give you the latest

information on the landing of the

"space ship" in Washington.

CLOSE SHOT - PEARSON

PEARSON:

Government and Defense Department

officials are concerned by reports

of panic in several large Eastern

cities. I am authorized to assure

you that so far there is no reasonable

cause for alarm. The rumors of

invading armies and mass destruction

are based on hysteria and are

absolutely false. I repeat -- these

rumors are absolutely false!

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