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(Revised - 5/15/59)
" A T O M I C S U B M A R I N E"
Screenplay by
ORVILLE H. HAMPTON
PRODUCER
ALEX GORDON
DIRECTOR
SPENCER G. BENNET
IN ASSOCIATION WITH PRODUCTION MANAGER
JACK RABIN & IRVING BLOCK EDWARD MOREY, JR.
GORHAM-RAYLOCK PRODUCTIONS
- - -
"ATOMIC SUBMARINE"
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