TITLE SHOT
THE THERMODYNE SYNDROME
CREDITS
RICHARD BASEHART
as Mike Ridgley, ace science-beat reporter and adventurer
PHYLLIS COATES
as Samantha "Sam" Carter, prize-winning photojournalist and Mike's "gal Friday"
BELA LUGOSI
as Dr. David Lindstrom, brilliant theoretical physicist
HUMPHREY BOGART
as General Hailes
EDWARD G. ROBINSON
as the President
JAMES CAGNEY
as Time Traveller, mysterious defender from the future
BORIS KARLOFF
as the Alien Commander
written and directed by
BILLY WILDER
CROSS-FADE TO:
ACT I, SC. I
EXT. EST. SHOT
Twilight. The driveway to a mysterious old mansion.
A car arrives. Mike and Sam emerge and approach the front door.
SAM
He could hardly have picked a spookier spot for his research, could he?
MIKE
Scared, Sam?
SAM
Who, me? Never. As a matter of fact, I'm thrilled.
MIKE
To meet Dr. David Lindstrom?
SAM
The inventor of the "Lindstrument"? Who wouldn't be?
MIKE
Well, not everyone, these days.
SAM
I know. He had such a bright future at MIT... until...
MIKE
Yes.
SAM
Never mind that now, Mike. Let's get in there and see what it is he wants to show us!
CROSS-FADE TO:
ACT I, SC. II
INT. EST. SHOT
A high-tech laboratory. Dr. Lindstrom leads Mike and Sam in.
LINDSTROM
I'm so grateful you've come. I'm on the brink of something momentous!
MIKE
We're honoured to be chosen to be the first to see, Doctor. Oh, where are my manners? Doctor, this is my partner, Samantha Carter. Sam, Dr. David Lindstrom.
SAM
(removing lens cap from her camera)
It's such an honour, sir.
LINDSTROM
You're too kind. You know, most reporters wouldn't touch this story with a ten-foot pole. But I knew you'd be different, Mike. You're just like your father.
MIKE
(unspooling mic to large tape recorder)
Thank you, Doctor. I try to live up to his legacy.
LINDSTROM
I wish he could have seen this day. Most of my colleagues scoff at my ideas—
GOD
That's 'cause they're crap, Dave.
Sam replaces lens cap as Mike begins looping mic back up.
SUPERIMPOSITION:
[production credits]
LINDSTROM
Well, back to the drawing board. Thank you for coming.
MIKE
The pleasure was all ours, Doctor.
SUPERIMPOSITION:
THE END
LINDSTROM
Well, good-b—
