Third from the Sun
Encyclopedia
"Third from the Sun" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone
. It is based on a short story of the same name by Richard Matheson
.
run by the government, has been producing a great number of H-bombs in preparation for imminent nuclear war. Sturka realizes that there is only one way to escape—steal an experimental, top-secret spacecraft
stored at the base. He plans to bring his co-worker Jerry Riden, along with their wives and Sturka's daughter Jody. The two plot for months, secretly supplying the ship and making arrangements for their departure.
When production of the bombs increases, Sturka realizes that time is running short. He and Riden decide to put their plan in action—take their families to the craft to tour it, and then overpower the guards and take off. Unfortunately, Sturka's superior Carling overhears the two men talking. Later that night, everyone gathers for a game of cards, where Riden reveals that he's found a place to go—a small planet 11 million miles away. During the game, Carling unexpectedly appears at the door; though he smiles and acts polite, he makes it clear that he knows what the group is planning. He also hints at trouble: "A lot can happen in forty-eight hours." After he leaves, Sturka and Riden inform the women that they must leave that very night.
When the five arrive at the site of the spacecraft, Sturka and Riden spot their contact, who flashes a light. When the contact steps forward, though, he's revealed to be Carling, armed with a gun. He forces Sturka and Riden away from the gate and prepares to call the authorities. The women, who've been waiting in the car, watch in horror as Carling orders them out. Jody suddenly throws the car's door open, knocking the gun from Carling's hand and giving the men enough time to overpower him. The group rushes into the ship, fighting off the guards that rush them.
Later that evening, the group has safely escaped their doomed planet and are on course. Riden comments that he can't believe that there's a planet full of people like themselves. Sturka smiles as he points out on the ship's viewer their mysterious destination, 11 million miles away—the third planet from the Sun, called "Earth
".
. For the episode, the full-size lower underside with retractable stairs was modified, along with a smaller command/pilot center, surrounded by wall elements of the Krell laboratory from the film. A stock visual effects shot of the ship in flight was also taken from the movie. The ship was also used in several subsequent episodes.
Director Richard Bare & his cameraman lent an other-worldly take on just ordinary settings with the use of wide-angle lenses, odd camera angles, and futuristic prop set pieces. It was especially noticeable with the very low shot under the glass coffee table, and the low external shot of the futuristic car (with turbine sound), as the five drive to the spacecraft's hidden base.
series. Parenthetically, within the score is a measure that prefigures by eight years the well-known opening notes of Lalo Schifrin
's iconic theme music from the original (1966–1973) television series Mission: Impossible
. That particular musical throwback can be heard in the "Third from the Sun" episode during the turbine-powered ride to the spacecraft base. The Bernard Herrmann
piece entitled "The Ambush" is used during the encounter with Carling at the chain linked fence. This musical interlude was often used in Have Gun - Will Travel and many other CBS westerns.
The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)
The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series created by Rod Serling, which ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The series consisted of unrelated episodes depicting paranormal, futuristic, dystopian, or simply disturbing events; each show typically featured a surprising...
. It is based on a short story of the same name by Richard Matheson
Richard Matheson
Richard Burton Matheson is an American author and screenwriter, primarily in the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres. He is perhaps best known as the author of What Dreams May Come, Bid Time Return, A Stir of Echoes, The Incredible Shrinking Man, and I Am Legend, all of which have been...
.
Synopsis
Will Sturka, a scientist who works at a military baseMilitary base
A military base is a facility directly owned and operated by or for the military or one of its branches that shelters military equipment and personnel, and facilitates training and operations. In general, a military base provides accommodations for one or more units, but it may also be used as a...
run by the government, has been producing a great number of H-bombs in preparation for imminent nuclear war. Sturka realizes that there is only one way to escape—steal an experimental, top-secret spacecraft
Spacecraft
A spacecraft or spaceship is a craft or machine designed for spaceflight. Spacecraft are used for a variety of purposes, including communications, earth observation, meteorology, navigation, planetary exploration and transportation of humans and cargo....
stored at the base. He plans to bring his co-worker Jerry Riden, along with their wives and Sturka's daughter Jody. The two plot for months, secretly supplying the ship and making arrangements for their departure.
When production of the bombs increases, Sturka realizes that time is running short. He and Riden decide to put their plan in action—take their families to the craft to tour it, and then overpower the guards and take off. Unfortunately, Sturka's superior Carling overhears the two men talking. Later that night, everyone gathers for a game of cards, where Riden reveals that he's found a place to go—a small planet 11 million miles away. During the game, Carling unexpectedly appears at the door; though he smiles and acts polite, he makes it clear that he knows what the group is planning. He also hints at trouble: "A lot can happen in forty-eight hours." After he leaves, Sturka and Riden inform the women that they must leave that very night.
When the five arrive at the site of the spacecraft, Sturka and Riden spot their contact, who flashes a light. When the contact steps forward, though, he's revealed to be Carling, armed with a gun. He forces Sturka and Riden away from the gate and prepares to call the authorities. The women, who've been waiting in the car, watch in horror as Carling orders them out. Jody suddenly throws the car's door open, knocking the gun from Carling's hand and giving the men enough time to overpower him. The group rushes into the ship, fighting off the guards that rush them.
Later that evening, the group has safely escaped their doomed planet and are on course. Riden comments that he can't believe that there's a planet full of people like themselves. Sturka smiles as he points out on the ship's viewer their mysterious destination, 11 million miles away—the third planet from the Sun, called "Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
".
Production
The experimental spaceship shown is the saucer-shaped cruiser seen in MGM's 1956 film Forbidden PlanetForbidden Planet
Forbidden Planet is a 1956 science fiction film directed by Fred M. Wilcox, with a screenplay by Cyril Hume. It stars Leslie Nielsen, Walter Pidgeon, and Anne Francis. The characters and its setting have been compared to those in William Shakespeare's The Tempest, and its plot contains certain...
. For the episode, the full-size lower underside with retractable stairs was modified, along with a smaller command/pilot center, surrounded by wall elements of the Krell laboratory from the film. A stock visual effects shot of the ship in flight was also taken from the movie. The ship was also used in several subsequent episodes.
Director Richard Bare & his cameraman lent an other-worldly take on just ordinary settings with the use of wide-angle lenses, odd camera angles, and futuristic prop set pieces. It was especially noticeable with the very low shot under the glass coffee table, and the low external shot of the futuristic car (with turbine sound), as the five drive to the spacecraft's hidden base.
Music
The musical score of "Third from the Sun" hails from the June 8, 1958 radio broadcast of "The Invisible Ape" from the long running Suspense (radio program)Suspense (radio program)
-Production background:One of the premier drama programs of the Golden Age of Radio, was subtitled "radio's outstanding theater of thrills" and focused on suspense thriller-type scripts, usually featuring leading Hollywood actors of the era...
series. Parenthetically, within the score is a measure that prefigures by eight years the well-known opening notes of Lalo Schifrin
Lalo Schifrin
Lalo Schifrin is an Argentine composer, pianist and conductor. He is best known for his film and TV scores, such as the "Theme from Mission: Impossible". He has received four Grammy Awards and six Oscar nominations...
's iconic theme music from the original (1966–1973) television series Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible is an American television series which was created and initially produced by Bruce Geller. It chronicled the missions of a team of secret American government agents known as the Impossible Missions Force . The leader of the team was Jim Phelps, played by Peter Graves, except in...
. That particular musical throwback can be heard in the "Third from the Sun" episode during the turbine-powered ride to the spacecraft base. The Bernard Herrmann
Bernard Herrmann
Bernard Herrmann was an American composer noted for his work in motion pictures.An Academy Award-winner , Herrmann is particularly known for his collaborations with director Alfred Hitchcock, most famously Psycho, North by Northwest, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and Vertigo...
piece entitled "The Ambush" is used during the encounter with Carling at the chain linked fence. This musical interlude was often used in Have Gun - Will Travel and many other CBS westerns.
See also
- "Probe 7, Over and OutProbe 7, Over and Out"Probe 7, Over and Out" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone. Its plot is a Shaggy God story.-Synopsis:...
", another Twilight Zone episode with a similar plot. - "The InvadersThe Invaders (The Twilight Zone)"The Invaders" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone.-Synopsis:An old woman is apparently living alone in a very rustic cabin. She is dressed shabbily and there are no modern conveniences in evidence...
", another episode in which a farm woman encounters tiny "alien" astronauts (& their scaled down Forbidden Planet cruiser), who are actually Earthlings. - "Death ShipDeath Ship (The Twilight Zone)"Death Ship" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone.-Synopsis:The Space Cruiser E-89, crewed by Captain Paul Ross, Lt. Ted Mason and Lt. Mike Carter, is on a mission to analyze new worlds and discover if they are suitable for colonization by Earth...
" is a TZ episode again featuring the Forbidden PlanetForbidden PlanetForbidden Planet is a 1956 science fiction film directed by Fred M. Wilcox, with a screenplay by Cyril Hume. It stars Leslie Nielsen, Walter Pidgeon, and Anne Francis. The characters and its setting have been compared to those in William Shakespeare's The Tempest, and its plot contains certain...
Cruiser, where explorers find their ship E-89 has somehow already crashed on the alien planet they've just found.