It’s just another day in July 1951. But no, this is not to be “just another day.” People the world over are astonished and frightened by an unidentified object speeding across the skies around the earth. It’s a large saucer-shaped vehicle that eventually comes to a landing on the Mall in Washington, D.C. People begin to gather in curiosity, and soldiers move in to surround this strange vehicle.
After a period of time, a door opens, and a human-like figure comes out wearing a uniform and helmet. He addresses the crowd, telling them that he has come to planet Earth in peace. His name is Klaatu. As he shows he has an object in his hand, a nervous soldier shoots at Klaatu. Then, a giant robot emerges from the ship to defend Klaatu—emitting a ray that melts the weapons from the soldiers’ hands. The crowd panics, but Klaatu asks the robot, Gort, to desist. He informs the crowd that the object he had was a gift for the President of the United States. He is then transported to Walter Reed Hospital to treat the gunshot wound.
While at the hospital, Klaatu informs the President’s secretary, Mr. Harley, that he has traveled over 250,000,000 miles to speak to the world leaders and give them a warning. Harley tells Klaatu that the political climate is unstable and world leaders would not consent to gather with each other. Klaatu tells him the message is too important not to be heard and then asks to spend time with ordinary humans in order to gain a better understanding of their “unreasoning suspicions and attitudes.” Harley refuses and places Klaatu under guard. However, Klaatu escapes, eventually meeting Helen Benson and her son Bobby.
Klaatu continues in his efforts to deliver his message to world leaders. In the meantime, soldiers find the ship impenetrable and the robot Gort standing motionless outside of it.
Thus begins the Reel Classic we look at today—The Day The Earth Stood Still. The film was released in September 1951 and stars Michael Rennie as Klaatu and Patricia Neal as Helen Benson. Co-stars include Hugh Marlowe (Tom Stevens), Sam Jaffe (Professor Jacob Barnhardt), Billy Gray (Bobby Benson), Frances Bavier (Mrs. Barley), and Lock Martin as Gort.
The story is set in the midst of the Cold War and the nuclear arms race. Unlike many other science fiction pieces of the 1950s, this is not a story of creatures coming from outer space intending to destroy the earth, nor is it about radiation-impacted creatures tearing apart cities.
This story brings a warning to earth’s inhabitants to find a way to live in peace—that not doing so will bring destruction to the planet. That not doing so jeopardizes the entire universe. International coöperation and peace are what will preserve the earth and its’ inhabitants. I find that message rings true today as well.
The Day The Earth Stood Still was based on a short story written by Harry Bates entitled “Farewell to the Master,” and originally published in one of the popular pulp magazines of the time, “Astounding Science-Fiction.” Bates was paid $500 for the rights by the movie studio.
A couple of very well-known actors were approached regarding the role of Klaatu. Claude Rains was offered the role and was very interested in portraying Klaatu, but had other commitments and could not accept the role. It has also been reported that Darryl Zanuck, the head of the studio, approached Spencer Tracy and that Tracy wanted the role. The producer, Julian Blaustein, did not agree and thought that an actor not as familiar to the audiences would be more convincing as a visitor from outer space. Zanuck saw his point, and the role went to Michael Rennie.
Once again, as we have seen in other reviews here of movies from the 1950s, the “red scare” was at play. Studio heads did not want Sam Jaffe for the role of Professor Barnhardt due to his liberal political leanings and the concerns of the “witch hunts” and blacklisting that permeated Hollywood at the time. However, Blaustein appealed to Zanuck, who agreed to let Jaffe be cast in that role.
Other actors in the movie will be familiar faces. Most will remember Frances Bavier as “Aunt Bee” from The Andy Griffith Show. Billy Gray, who plays the young son of Helen Benson, appeared as the son on Father Knows Best with Robert Young and Jane Wyatt. He also appeared in over 200 movies.
Interestingly, the role of the robot, Gort, was played by Lock Martin. He was actually the doorman at Grauman’s Chinese Theater and was cast in the role due to his height of over seven feet. Hugh Marlowe may be a familiar face as a character actor in a number of films. He did play the lead and hero in one of my favorite sci-fi “B movies” of the 1950s, Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956). He also starred as Ellery Queen in the first radio version of The Adventures of Ellery Queen (for you mystery buffs out there).
The Day The Earth Stood Still was not nominated for any Oscars after its release, but it did win a Golden Globe Award in 1952 for Best Film Promoting International Understanding.
Reviews of the film were, for the most part, positive. Variety reported, “the yarn is told interestingly enough and imbued with sufficient science-fiction lures and suspense so that only seldom does the moralistic wordiness get in the way...” Harrison’s Reports stated, “Very Good! It is by far the best of the science-fiction pictures yet produced. It holds one’s interest undiminished from start to finish, and, although the theme is admittedly fantastic, one is made to feel as if he is seeing a real-life occurrence because of the expert handling of the subject matter and the extremely fine special effects work.”
The film was moderately successful at the box office, the year’s 52nd biggest earner. As with many of the films we have looked at here on Reel Classics, the passage of time saw an increase in its praise. It is #5 on the American Film Institute’s list of 10 greatest “Sci-Fi” films. Well-known science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke lists it in his 12 best science fiction films of all time.
“Lux Radio Theater” broadcast a radio play of the film in January, 1954. Michael Rennie and Billy Gray reprised their roles. More recently, a remake of the film was released in 2008 with Keanu Reeves as Klaatu.
Three other interesting items. The soundtrack for the film included two Theremins that created an eerie form of music that found its way into other science fiction films. The title theme of the film was later used in the pilot episode of the 1965 television series Lost in Space. Music from the soundtrack was also used in the TV series Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.
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Secondly, the phrase “Klaatu barada nikto” used in the film has been repeated multiple times in works of fiction and popular culture. Edmund H. Noth wrote the screenplay for the film and created the alien language. In an interview with film historian Steven Jay Rubin, Noth was asked what “Klaatu barada nikto” meant. He said, “There’s hope for Earth, if the scientists can be reached.”
And thirdly, the cover of Ringo Starr’s album, “Goodnight Vienna” (1974), features a photograph of him and Gort standing in front of the spaceship.
The Internet Movie Database (IMBd) rates The Day the Earth Stood Still 7.8 0f 10. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a critics score of 95% and an audience score of 87%. I found the movie available for free on the streaming site Hoopla (available with a library card) and also on the DVD shelf at the Clark County Public Library. It is paired with the 2008 remake. Oh, and in my opinion, watch the original—it is so much better.
In summary—there is an important message in this film to all of us on this planet earth. There is hope, but we must continue to work for peace and to care not only for each other but for the environment in which we live. We must listen to the science.
Join me for the next edition of Reel Classic, and in the meantime, enjoy the trailer below.
