<-- Previous EpisodeNext Episode -->
The Ray Bradbury Theater: And The Moon Be Still As Bright
| 8/10 (1 Vote cast) |
Episode Info
|
Episode number: 5x7 Airdate: Friday October 19th, 1990 |
Co-Guest Stars
Recap
An Earth exploration team explores an empty Martian city. The buildings are in pristine condition, but there are no inhabitants. They find black leaf-like particles on the ground and soon realize the particles are ash: the remains of the Martians. One of the explorers, archaeologist Spender, explains that one of the previous Earth missions made it to Mars and infected the Martians with chicken pox. The resulting fever burned them up. Spender takes offense, insisting that they should have been more careful. When Captain Wilder objects, Spender tells him to report back that they wiped out a civilization, and they can be proud of what they've accomplished...Read the full recap
Episode Notes
Based on the short story "And The Moon Be Still As Bright" by Ray Bradbury. This story was first published in Thrilling Wonder Stories (June 1948).
Filming location: Lougheed Mansion, Calgary, Alberta
Episode Quotes
Spender: I smell death, Captain.
Captain Wilder: What makes you so sure, Spender?
Spender: Just the wind. Only the wind.
Captain Wilder: What makes you so sure, Spender?
Spender: Just the wind. Only the wind.
Cheroke: A whole people wiped out. Insane.
Spender: Right, Cheroke. Insane. Like saying that mumps killed the Greeks. Or that the noble Romans died of athlete's foot. An entire race, dies. Not with dignity and majesty, but from a child's dose of chicken pox. A little gift from Earth.
Spender: Right, Cheroke. Insane. Like saying that mumps killed the Greeks. Or that the noble Romans died of athlete's foot. An entire race, dies. Not with dignity and majesty, but from a child's dose of chicken pox. A little gift from Earth.
Captain Wilder: Spender, this, this expedition isn't going to ruin Mars. I'll make sure of that.
Spender: Well, we humans have a talent for ruining big, beautiful things. The only reason we didn't put a hot dog stand on the Moon was because it's a little out of the way. Make a good commercial proposition.
Spender: Well, we humans have a talent for ruining big, beautiful things. The only reason we didn't put a hot dog stand on the Moon was because it's a little out of the way. Make a good commercial proposition.
Spender: I talked to the Martian.
Cheroke: You understood him?
Spender: I told you, I learned their language.
Cheroke: What did he say?
Spender: He said, "Give me your boots." So I gave him my boots. And he said, "Give me your uniform." I gave him my uniform. "Give me your gun," he said. I gave him my gun. And then he said, "Come with me. See what happens." And I followed him back to camp. He's here. Now.
Cramer: I don't see any Martian.
Spender: Sorry. (shoots him)
Cheroke: You understood him?
Spender: I told you, I learned their language.
Cheroke: What did he say?
Spender: He said, "Give me your boots." So I gave him my boots. And he said, "Give me your uniform." I gave him my uniform. "Give me your gun," he said. I gave him my gun. And then he said, "Come with me. See what happens." And I followed him back to camp. He's here. Now.
Cramer: I don't see any Martian.
Spender: Sorry. (shoots him)
Spender: And you won't let me stay here without trouble, neither, will you?
Captain Wilder: No.
Spender: Then I'll have to kill you all.
Captain Wilder: You're an optimist. We've got you surrounded.
Spender: But I have a reason to fight. That makes me a better killer.
Captain Wilder: No.
Spender: Then I'll have to kill you all.
Captain Wilder: You're an optimist. We've got you surrounded.
Spender: But I have a reason to fight. That makes me a better killer.
Analysis
Changes from the short story:
* Spender wears a Martian mask in the episode that he doesn't in the story. It both symbolizes his acceptance of Martian culture, and is passed on to Wilder when he's killed, making the ending less ambiguous.
* In the story, the ending takes places in the hills, while in the episode, it takes place in the Martian library.
* Wilder himself deliberately shoots Spender in the story when the archaeologist refuses to flee. In the episode, Parkhill shoots Spender.
* The story ends much more ambiguously, with Spender simply attacking Parkhill for destroying some Martian property. In the episode, Wilder prepares to don the mask that Spender wore.
* Spender wears a Martian mask in the episode that he doesn't in the story. It both symbolizes his acceptance of Martian culture, and is passed on to Wilder when he's killed, making the ending less ambiguous.
* In the story, the ending takes places in the hills, while in the episode, it takes place in the Martian library.
* Wilder himself deliberately shoots Spender in the story when the archaeologist refuses to flee. In the episode, Parkhill shoots Spender.
* The story ends much more ambiguously, with Spender simply attacking Parkhill for destroying some Martian property. In the episode, Wilder prepares to don the mask that Spender wore.
Other Episode Crew
| • Creator | Ray Bradbury |
| • Executive Producer | Ray Bradbury | Larry Wilcox | Peter Sussman |
| • Supervising Producer | Jonathan Goodwill | Tom Cotter (1) |
| • Producer | Pamela Meekings-Stewart | Doug Macleod (3) | Tom Cox |
| • Production Designer | Scott Dobbie |
| • Editor | Doug Forbes |
| • Casting | Mary Ann Barton | Leslie Swan | Susan Forrest |
| • First Assistant Director | David Webb (3) |
| • Second Assistant Director | Andy Mikita |
| • Music | Amin Bhatia |
| • Costume Designer | Wendy Partridge |
| • Make-up | Al Magallon |
| • Key Grip | Ostap Toroshenko |
| • Camera Operator | Peter Wundstorf |
| • Set Decorator | Jan Goodine |
| • Location Manager | Murray Ord |
| • Transportation Coordinator | Coleman Robinson |
| • Property Master | Dean Goodine |
| • Construction Coordinator | Warren Simmons |
| • Production Coordinator | Steve D'Onofrio | Nancy Gullett |
| • Post Production Supervisor | John Harcourt |
| • Gaffer | Bruno Bittner |
| • Director of Photography | Jim Jeffrey (1) |
| • Production Secretary | Joan Kingsmith |
| • Production Manager | Lynne Bespflug |
| • Sound Editor | Alan Hardiman | Jim Hopkins |
| • Special Effects | Lee Routly | Maurice Routly |
| • Dubbing Mixer | Todd B. Warren | Allen Ormerod |
| • Sound Recordist | George Tarrant |
| • Third Assistant Director | Andy Price (2) |
| • Boom Operator | Kelly Zomber |
| • Production Accountant | Marilyn Moyer |
| • Transportation Captain | Dennis Pugh |
| • Wardrobe Assistant | Jan Kimber |
| • Best Boy | Jim Gregor |
| • Executive In Charge Of Production | Fern Field |
| • Dolly Grip | Carey Toner |
| • Continuity | Karen Bedard |
| • Focus Puller | Jill MacLachlan |
| • Hair | Iloe Flewelling |
| • Still Photographer | Douglas Curran |
The Green Room Guest List - Week Of 5/28/12 - MTW Edition
Welcome one and all to the twice weekly guide to which of your favorite..
Pan Am To Continue On Amazon Streaming?
A couple weeks back, ABC officially canceled the freshman drama Pan Am after a short run of..
Smash Gets a Shake Up Courtesy of New Head Honcho
Ask and you shall receive, as the old adage goes…but rarely does it turn out that..
Info Center | Contact | Advertise | TOS |
Privacy | Copyright | RSS | Banners | Writers Wanted