The Time Machine

FADE IN:

M.G.M. TRADEMARK A.1

Leo the Lion ROARS over the FANFARE, then

FADE OUT:

GLIDING OBJECTS IN A WIDE DARK VOID - (ANIMATION)

Out of the SILENT darkness a short white A

fluted column surmounted by a SUNDIAL

appears. It floats in, waveringly, until

it becomes clearly visible, then drifts

off as though moving in some huge orbit.

Next an HOURGLASS floats in from the left B

of the screen. The faint HISSING OF

RUNNING SAND breaks the stillness of space.

As the hourglass glides across the screen, C

it is met by a GREEK WATER CLOCK accompanied

by the sound OF DRIPPING WATER.

A MEDIEVAL CLOCK with weights arises as its D

horizontal escapement TICKS LOUDLY. Mean-

while the sundial, hourglass and water clock

return, drifting at diverse angles across

the screen.

THE SOUND of the various devices continues to MOUNT.

A FIGURE wheels past, with the face of a E

clock and the body carved like a drummer

of the 14th century, BEATING the hour.

A SMALL CLOCK bears a golden angel with F

hammer in hands as it STRIKES A BELL.

ANOTHER TIMEPIECE, with CHIMES, floats in G

to mingle with all the drifting objects.

The BIG BEN is TOLLING H

Then a GREAT BELL. J

DEAFENING SOUNDS NOW COME FROM ALL DIRECTIONS, as the time K

devices weave across the screen and, reaching CRESCENDO,

STOP abruptly. A mellow VOICE begins to SING THE THEME of L

the picture, "The Land Of The Leal". Simultaneously, the

screen reveals the MAIN TITLE: M

H. G. Wells'

THE TIME MACHINE

"THE LAND OF THE LEAL"

Words & Music by Peggy Lee

When I was a wee lad L

And dark was the night

Afraid I would be

Til the bright morning light

And sometimes...for comfort

Away I would steal Away

I would go to the Land of the Leal.

And soon I would be there

It took me no time

My heart would be soaring

As I made the climb

And there was the green grass

So cool and so sweet

So good to be run through

With happy bare feet!

And who was my teacher

And how did I know?

Just when to be going

And which way to go?

But always when wishing

Away I would steal

Away I would go to the Land of the Leal.

And now that I'm older

I try to be wise

But when I am troubled

I still close my eyes

And just like the wee lad

Away I will steal

Away I will go to the Land of the Leal.

For there are no questions

And there are no lies

And never a storm there

To darken the skies

The birds who are flying

No freer they feel

Than I

When I live in the land of the Leal.

After the CREDIT TITLES, the MUSIC SUBSIDES and we slowly

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:
1

EXT. COTTAGE - LONG SHOT - (NIGHT) - (MATTE)

Warm lights pour through the windows, spreading

over the snow-patched countryside. Only the

laboratory, a converted greenhouse, is dark, shaded

from the moonlight by a majestic, leafless oak.

A two-horse carriage, in the style of the turn of

the century, lingers in the driveway. Beyond all

this, the River Thames takes a sharp curve.

A lonely figure hurries up to the front door and

KNOCKS on it impatiently.

AT THE DOOR 2

The knock is answered by MRS. WATCHETT, the house-

keeper, a thin, tense woman with iron gray hair.

The CAMERA ENTERS the HALL with DAVID FILBY, an

amiable red-haired young man of science, who hastily

hands her his rumpled cloak and hat, then rushes

toward:

INT. LIBRARY 3

A pleasant Edwardian room, the shelves are stacked

tightly with volumes of books, many of ancient

Vintage.

Three men are seated in a rough circle, motionless,

obviously awaiting the arrival of occupants for the

two empty chairs. The silence is accentuated by the

merry CRACKLING of logs in the fireplace and the

capricious TICKING of innumerable timepieces about

the room.

Filby enters, pauses to glance down, then embarrassedly

takes his chair.

SERIES OF CLOSE SHOTS 4

DR. PHILIP HILLYER is an imposing (a)

businessman, wearing full sideburns.

He stares stonily at the last empty

chair, then at Filby with annoyance.

ANTHONY BRIDEWELL, a man of the world, (b)

impeccably attired in the latest fashion,

welcomes Filby the only way he knows, by

lifting his glass of whiskey.

WALTER KEMP, a middle aged man with keen (c)

black piercing eyes, angrily chews on

his Havana.

Filby fidgets uncomfortably in his chair (d)

as

Hillyer glances impatiently at his (e)

watch, comparing time with a GRAND-

FATHER CLOCK behind him, then snaps

it shut and glares at:

EMPTY CHAIR - MED. SHOT 5

Conspicuously unoccupied.

GRANDFATHER CLOCK - CLOSE SHOT 6

Reaching the hour of eight, it begins to STRIKE ITS

YELLOW CHIMES. Other timepieces JOIN IN the announce-

ment.

GROUPSHOT 7

The men look at each other until the CHIMES, BELLS

ETC. FADE away. Dr. Hillyer angrily slaps on the

arm of his leather chair.

DR. HILLYER

I say, this is outright rude of the man!

FILBEY:

He's undoubtedly been detained. That's

all.

Bridewell, filling his glass, is trying to say some-

thing but is interrupted by

KEMP (unscrews the cigar from

his tight lips)

This is such a confounded waste of

time! If he's not coming, I've any

number of more important things to do.

Rate this script:4.0 / 1 vote