In the summer of 1953...
it was announced that an atomic bomb of foreign origin...
had been exploded somewhere outside of the United States.
Shortly thereafter, it was indicated that this atomic reaction...
according to scientific reports...
had originated in a remote area in North Pacific waters...
somewhere between the northern tip of the Japanese islands...
and the arctic circle.
This is the story of that explosion.
Oh!
Professor Montel. I'm McCleary of the Herald Tribune.
Oh, yes. How do you do?
I understand that you're going to Vienna to address the, uh...
Central European Federation of Advanced Scientists.
That is correct.
I will read a paper on the emission of neutrons and collision of nuclei.
Thank you, Professor.
- Will any of the American Atomic Energy Commission be present? - I doubt it.
Will you excuse me, gentlemen?
- Oui.
Uh, Professor. Excuse me. There's one or two points I'd like to get clarified.
You will have to excuse me, gentlemen. The plane is waiting.
- Who's the girl?
This is the BBC with the latest news bulletin.
Professor Montel, famous nuclear physicist and atomic scientist...
has vanished while en route to attend a conference in Vienna.
Professor Montel's disappearance is a complete mystery to the police.
Authoritative sources reveal today that the former Nobel Prize winner...
is the fifth noted scientist believed to have vanished behind the iron curtain.
Professor Montel was last seen at the International Airport in Vienna.
Speculation as to the whereabouts...
of Professor Montel continues.
Ten days have elapsed since the distinguished scientist vanished...
and so far police have been unable to offer any explanation.
Authorities are now convinced...
that Professor Montel was not kidnapped...
and that his disappearance was part of a prearranged plan.
Airport officials in Vienna reveal that the scientist...
carried a diplomatic passport.
The search for Professor Montel continues into the fourth week.
It is interesting to note that while the story has been given front-page space...
in newspapers in the United States and all other parts of the free world...
Pravda, the official mouthpiece of the Soviet Union...
has, as yet, failed to take note on it.
- Corporal Lee Stockwell? - Right.
- Mr. R.J. MacDougall? - That's right.
- Mr. Franklin Meredith. - That's correct.
Jones!
I'm afraid you're mistaken. My name's MacDougall.
You're a dead ringer for an officer I used to know in the submarine service.
Sorry.
Mr. MacDougall?
Yeah.
My name is Eddy.
Your instructions.
There is a taxi waiting for you. The driver knows the address.
Taxi number 63.
Number 63.
Okay.
This is it.
- You better wait for me. - No, I go now.
Wait a minute. What if I need you again? Where can I find you?
- What's your name? - Eddy.
Mr. MacDougall?
- Yeah. - Come in, please, and follow me.
Watch your step, please.
- Now don't tell me your name is Eddy too. - "Eddy" is the password.
I'm Hokada Fujimori, Commander Jones.
I'm very pleased to meet you.
Thanks. For a minute there, I thought this was something out of Inner Sanctum.
Ah, you've lost a little weight.
I'm on a diet.
I'll bet Captain Taylor put a little fat on, huh?
- Where is he? - I'm sorry to tell you, your friend is dead.
- Dead? - His plane crashed returning from an arctic expedition.
No one survived.
He never did like to fly.
Why did he want me to come here? What was the 5,000 for?
It's an advance payment for a job Captain Taylor was certain you would do for us.
- Advance? - Yes.
- When do I start? - Without questions?
Why talk? If Taylor lined me up for the job, it must be kosher.
Some people might not exactly call it kosher. In here, please.
Gentlemen, Commander Jones.
- Mr. McAuliff. - How do you do, sir?
- Colonel Schuman. - How are you?
- Mr. Aylesworth. - How do you do?
And Professor Montel.
- Montel, the scientist? - Yes.
Everybody and his brother is gunning for you, Professor.
They say you skipped behind the iron curtain.
As you can see, only a wooden door.
- Glad you're here. - Thank you, sir.
Well, it's quite a layout you got here.
What kind of business are you gentlemen in?
The business of investigation.
The scientific investigation...
of these uninhabited North Pacific islands that lie in neutral waters...
- between the free world and the iron curtain. - Uh-huh.
Our deductions make us believe that one of these islands-
we don't know which one, Mr. Jones-
has been prepared as an arsenal for atomic weapons.
Your friend Captain Taylor volunteered...
to undertake a photographic mission to find out.
- Volunteered? - Yes.
- For free? - For free.
Is that when he had the accident?
It was no accident. His plane was shot down.
This photograph we have just printed...
came from the camera of his salvaged plane.
Thirty years in the navy, and he gets killed for a picture.
For free.
Each man has his own reason for living, Mr.Jones...
and his own price for dying.
This was Captain Taylor's price.
There's nothing there, Professor. It's a washout.
I wouldn't be too certain. Extend these lines.
They could be atomic vault constructions.
And over here could also be part of a concrete runway.
Look. Look, before we go any further...
exactly what country do you men represent?
We represent many countries...
as private individuals.
We are scientists, former statesmen, businessmen-
all volunteers acting independently...
for a common cause against a common enemy.
As private individuals...
we can conduct this investigation on a scientific basis...
without violating any neutral waters.
And if what we suspect is verified...
we can then make our findings public.
And what good will that do?
Don't you think the truth is worth knowing?
Don't you believe that factual proof will establish, once and for all...
both the identity and the intention of the aggressor?
Who knows? But where do I fit in to the picture?
We want you to command a ship for an inspection tour of these islands.
- What kind of a ship? - A submarine.
We know that four times during World War Il...
you commanded a submarine reconnaissance patrol...
in this very area.
As I recall, you were extremely successful in these waters...
when you fought my country.
This time the enemy is different, Mr.Jones, but the waters are the same.
You received already $5,000.
20,000 in United States currency...
will be deposited to your account in any bank you elect...
to chauffeur Professor Montel to this island.
And another 25,000 bonus when you bring him back safely...
with all the information he seeks.
What about the sub? Did it volunteer too?
One does not pick up a first-class submarine in the junkyard, Mr.Jones.
We have salvaged a Japanese submarine.
- What class? - I-203.
Sewer pipe. Had one on my tail once for six hours. Taylor look her over?
- Yes. - Start getting her refitted?
- Yes. - Armed?
Mr.Jones, the object of this mission...
is scientific investigation, not combat.
Professor...
am I in command?
- That's right. - Then we arm the sub.
That is, if you want me to get you back in one piece.
Did you also salvage a crew?
We have picked volunteers- experienced men.
There will be two scientists on board.
Professor Montel and his assistant, Professor Gerard.
We aren't positive which island it is...
but a certain freighter, the Kiang Ching...
has been up to this area several times before...
with cargos of concrete and heavy metals.
She's loading again at Tientsin.
The last time I tailed a freighter, my price was 650 a month...
and I had to buy my own uniforms.
All right. I want my own key men- men who've served with me before.
You name them, and we'll get them.
Like you got me, huh? For cash.
If it's necessary.
As I said before, Mr.Jones...
each man has his own reason for living...
and his own price for dying.
I hope, for all of us...
that it will be a bon voyage.
Giovane! Help him with the line.
Giovane! You! You, Carpino, give him a hand with the torpedo.
How many hands you think I got, Neuman?
- Mr. Neuman to you.
- Now, make sure you give me the reading on that battery. - Right, Skipper.
Come on. Come on!
Bring it on, boys. Bring it around! Come on!
Hey! Come on now. Easy now. Come on.
Come on. Come on. All right, hold.
All right, boys. Make it fast to the cleats.
Hey.
- Don't you ever take a bath? - Ah, shut up.
"Ah, shut up." Is that the extent of your vocabulary?
What'd you ever give up the wrestling racket for anyway?
I just found out it was phony.
That's the trouble with these-I say, that's the trouble with these phony wrestlers, Dugboat.
- They never take a bath. - We do too.
Hey,Joto. Hey,Joto. The after valve won't turn.
- What? - The after valve won't turn.
No, no. The other way.
Everything backwards. No wonder you blokes lost the war, subs like this.
- Skipper. - Yeah.
- That guy Welles-any good? - Best engineer out of Australia.
- Wish we had Wilbur. - Yeah.
With Charlie Wilbur handling the engines on the Bowfin...
there was nothing to worry about.
Hear he's a three-striper now.
Yeah, so I hear.
Skipper, that number two scopes don't work.
- What's the matter with it? - Can't get the rust out of it.
- How 'bout number one? - Didn't check it.
Lift her up, Holter.
The professor topside wants to see the captain.
Send him down.
He's part of the brass behind this setup.
Now, if he looks familiar, don't say anything. I'll explain later.
- Hello, Professor. Welcome aboard, sir. - Captain.
Well, we're trying to put this sewer pipe together...
with a little spit and a lot of sweat.
- I guess we'll make it all right. - Captain Jones.
What's the matter? Is there something wrong?
I'm sorry to say we cannot permit one of your crew to make this expedition.
What do you mean? They were all handpicked.
- We cannot trust this one. - Who?
The torpedo man, Revnik.
Oh, one of the men you picked.
I could have told you that all the time. A knothead.
Did you screen all my men too?
Very closely, including you.
- Okay. I'll get rid of Revnik right away. - Good.
Holter, I want-
- She the replacement, Doc?
Gentlemen, this is Professor Gerard, my assistant and my right arm.
- Hiya. - Denise, this is Captain Jones.
- Captain Jones. - Glad to know you, Professor.
Well, if I'd known about this, I'd have cut my price.
Boys, these two professors are going with us as cargo.
- What? - You heard me.
Have you blown a gasket? Nobody takes a female along in a pigboat.
Look, junior, you gonna give me that 2,000-year-old navy bilge that they're bad luck?
Take a look at her. What's so bad about that?
Nothin'. Absolutely nothin'!
Ah, they're all Jonahs. It's traditional.
Look, Skipper, I made up my mind. Count me out.
Okay.
Anybody else?
I'll give you jokers five minutes to sleep on it, and remember...
if I have to, I can replace every one of you.
Captain, I do not like it either.
Oh, excuse me.
Perhaps you are right.
In your estimation, I am a-a female.
But first I am a scientist... and a good one.
And I am not the only scientist who is not of your sex.
There are many.
Like Dr. Lise Meitner...
who played an important part in the development of the atom bomb.
Like Madame Curie, who discovered radium.
I have grown up in laboratories.
All my life, I've worked with men.
Never have I interfered...
and never have they resented me.
Professor Montel and I have- have much to accomplish.
Much.
And I shall appreciate it...
if you would not let my-my presence...
be the cause of- of a minor mutiny.
I like you.
I like you all.
And I shall try my best to make you like me...
as a scientist.
Man, that was quite a mouthful for a female!
- That's no female. That's a scientist!
All right. Come on. We got a lot of work to do. Let's go.
Hi, Mr. Fujimori, Professor.
- Where's your assistant? - Are you prepared to sail?
I'll let you know tomorrow after we make the running dive tests.
There's no tomorrow left for us.
The freighter Kiang Ching sailed from Tientsin a half hour ago.
- You must leave right away. - What are you talking about?
We only been working for two weeks. We've got a lot of work left to do on this tub.
- You must leave by dark to overtake her. - What about the running tests?
As an amateur, might I suggest that we try the running test...
while we are running?
Doc, there are about a hundred ways of losing a submarine.
You've just come up with one of the best.
We haven't even checked the torpedo tubes yet.
You know what that means if we have to call on fish? It means we're dead.
You've got to leave tonight.
Okay, buster, you're buying this trip. You want me to chance it?
It's not what we want, Captain Jones. It's what must be done.
All right.Just as long as the professor here knows what he's letting himself in for.
We've arranged airplane contact to give you position on the Kiang Ching.
- How'll they contact us, blinker or radio? - Neither is without risk.
We've decided cork drop is safest.
This contains your code...
and this contains your schedule for contacts.
Oh, just one more thing.
I want a clear-cut directive detailing my specific authority.
You'll find it all in here, Captain.
At sea, you are in complete command.
On land, Professor Montel is in command.
May I wish you the best of luck?
Thanks.
Well, now's as good a time as any, Mr. Neuman.
- Take her down to periscope depth. - Yes, sir.
Clear the bridge!
- Dive!
Stand right over there, you'll be all right.
- Thank you. - Professor Gerard, give me your hand.
Watch that top rung. It's murder.
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
- You sit right... here.
Captain, trim satisfactory at periscope depth.
- Very well.Joto. - Yes, sir?
Give Welles a hand with those starboard engine blueprint translations, will you?
I'll take care of it, Captain.
Everything's tight in the forward torpedo room.
We're gonna try her down deep. Have all stations checked. Let me know.
Aye, aye, Captain.
This is that test we were talking about today, Professor.
- Now? - Now.
Don't get nervous. If we crack up, you won't get a chance to feel it.
Take it easy. It'll be all right.
Put her on the bottom, Mr. Neuman.
Two degrees down bubble.
- Flood negative. - Flood negative.
Oh, thanks, Chin Lee.
- Coffee, Professor? - No, thanks.
- How 'bout you? - No, thank you.
Two hundred feet, Kapitän.
Better hold on, Professor.
All right. Now let's see if we can hit the roof.
- Take her up, Mr. Neuman. - Close all main ballast vents.
- Stand by to surface. - Stand by to surface.
- Surface. - Surface.
- Blow all main ballasts! - Blow all main ballasts.
What's with the air banks, Holter?
- The air bank's dry. - Open the emergency banks. Put 'em on the line.
- They won't open. - They've got to open. We've checked everything.
- These signs are all fouled up. I'll have to try every valve. - Now, wait a minute.
Joto, come to the control room. Unsnarl these Japanese signs.
I can translate it. That one reads, "Open emergency air bank."
- What? - "Open emergency air bank."
Go ahead. Try it.
- Air bank's on the line. - Good. Thanks.
Okay. Put her on the roof.
- Skipper. - Yeah. Everything all right, Carpino?
Just a few leaks around the stuffing glands. I marked them.
Okay. Make a full sweep, Ski.
All clear, Skipper.
Rig for red. Up scope.
You better move out, Professor.
This helps get our eyes used to the dark when we go up.
Open the hatch, Holter.
You did a good job translating that sign, Doc.
Professor Gerard is M.O.L.
- M.O.L.? - Master of Oriental Languages.
Oh? Très bon. Très bon.
Down scope.
Glad to have you aboard, Professor.
Glad to be aboard, Captain.
Captain. The professor wants to know if it's all right to come up for fresh air.
- Which one? - The one with the beard.
Oh. Okay.
Come to course 355, ahead full on both engines.
Aye, aye, Captain.
You won't need your umbrella, Professor. She's a dry boat.
It's nothing to worry about.
Almost everybody gets a touch of claustrophobia first time down.
It's not claustrophobia, Captain.
It's the realization that, at last...
our mission has begun.
If anyone had told me six months ago...
that today I would be on a submarine headed for arctic waters...
in search of a secret atomic base-
- I just can't believe it. - Yeah, I know what you mean.
Well, uh...
what about your assistant, Professor?
What makes a girl who looks like that get mixed up in science?
She comes from a family of scientists.
She was a child prodigy.
At 14, she entered college.
At 18, she studied at Göttingen.
She is really very brilliant.
A child prodigy with a body by Fisher, huh?
And this is the greatest pigboat in the whole submarine service.
The U.S.S. Bowfin.
It's one we served on together-
me, the chief, Gunner, Dugboat and the skipper.
Beautiful, ain't she?
Oh, yes. Very beautiful.
You know something else that's very beautiful?
All my life I've been wanting to find a girl called Denise.
Oh, Ski, I'm sure you will find her.
Oh, I found her, all right.
You see, I lost no time at all in learning your first name.
Yep. Denise. It's always been my favorite name.
I-I never met a Denise...
but I always knew I would.
You see, from the moment I saw you, I said, "Lafayette, I'm here."
That's right. I always knew I'd meet a girl called Denise.
D-E-N-I-
Don't let him kid you, honey.
I just seen him put your name on his arm.
- Look. - All right, bub. You asked for it!
No!
Come here, you big drunkard!
That's what I mean by Jonahs. They were beefing over the dame.
Wasn't her fault. He's stiff.
- She okay? - Yeah.
Just roughed up a little.
Take care of him, Holter.
Oh, here, let me help you, Professor.
- Thank you. - Let's see.
Boy.
I'm really very sorry about this, Professor.
That drunk was a last-minute replacement.
- He's all right when he's sober. - I'm sorry.
This is the last thing I-I wanted to happen.
It had to break out sooner or later. Let's have another look here.
Whew! It's lucky you still got your teeth.
Don't get nervous, Doc. Nobody's gonna bite you.
Don't you think that the pharmacist should treat me, if it's necessary?
He's got his hands full with those two lugs.
Besides, there's nothing he can do that I can't, you know.
Oh, my. He got you so greasy.
Okay.
You know what a log is?
- Yes. - You do, huh?
Well, I'm supposed to keep a detailed report of everything that happens.
- It's for Mr. Fujimori. - Mm-hmm.
How'd it start?
I was working on a new formula...
when Ski asked if he could show me his chest.
- Show you his chest? - Yes.
Oh.
And then what?
Then he removed his shirt.
No kidding.
- He wanted me to see his tattoo. - Oh, no.
- It was a beautiful tattoo. - I'll bet it was.
- Beautiful. - Mm-hmm.
- But the intoxicated one rubbed it off. - Naturally.
Tell me, uh, he make a pass at you?
- A pass? - Did he try to kiss you?
- Yes, he did.
He did, huh? Did you cold cock him?
- What? - Did you hit him?
- Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
Hold the phone. Hold the phone. Now, say that in English.
- I slapped him. - You did, huh?
Uh, tell me, uh...
you hit him after he kissed you?
- Yes. - Not before, huh?
- I do not understand.
Well, you see, Professor, I-I just want to make sure my report is factual.
- I-I couldn't put- - Captain Jones.
Is this report for Mr. Fujimori... or for you?
- Uh- - Mmm.
Now, really, a child prodigy oughta be able to figure that one out.
- Don't you think?
- Yes. - Yes.
Au revoir, Professor.
Now listen to me.
I don't want any more beefs, you understand?
If I hear of anybody making a play for that girl...
I'll personally shoot him out through torpedo tube number one.
Captain, is it still a secret where we're goin'?
We're tailin' a freighter to an island in the North Pacific.
Gonna sink her?
We're gonna sneak into this island, take a look and sneak out.
This is a scientific expedition.
- But, Skipper, what are we lookin' for? - Four-leaf clovers.
Well, what if the guys on the island don't like us?
Look, I know you're all itchin' for a little action...
but you'll only get it if we have to defend ourselves, so relax.
Capitaine Jones?
Le Capitaine Jones.
- Mm-hmm. - Bonne nuit.
Bonne nuit.
Oh, good morning!
- Was the water hot enough, Professor? - Just wonderful, thank you.
- Voulez-vous "fume"une cigarette? - What?
- I'm speaking French. - Oh.
Voulez-vous "fume" une cigarette?
Oh, you mean "Voulez-vous fumer une cigarette?"
- That's what I said. - No. Fumer.
- Foo-may. - No, no, no.
You have to form your lips like this.
Fumer.
I think I better go now.
Thank you.
You know, someday I'm gonna find out what color her eyes are.
Good morning, Captain Jones. You wanted to see me?
Why did you let me sleep through that plane contact?
I thought you needed the rest. You were on duty for almost 20 hours.
Didn't you stop to think how important that message might be?
Of course.
So I made sure that it was not...
by decoding it myself.
As you see, it reports only...
that the Kiang Ching has made no change in speed or course.
I knew that was of no importance.
Professor, did it ever occur to you...
that I might be steering a course to be-
You've lost us approximately two hours!
I'm very sorry, Captain.
- And I think I have learned something. - I hope so.
If you want to listen in on conversations, use the intercom.
- It's easier. - That conversation I would prefer not to have heard.
- But I was waiting to see you. - Okay, you see me. I'm busy.
Many years have I been with Professor Montel...
but never before have I heard anyone speak like you...
to the greatest scientist in his field.
Professor Montel's field isn't commanding a screwball submarine. Mine is.
If such rudeness is necessary...
I hope this will be a very short cruise.
- What'd you want to see me about?
- Joto. - Yes, sir?
In the future, when a message comes in to this boat, I get it...
no matter who says it's unnecessary, you understand?
Yes, sir.
- Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!
No, no, no, no.
This time, he was right.
May we come on the bridge?
Sure. Help yourself.
Contact plane approaching on schedule!
Good enough.
Okay, Charlie.
There it is!
Well, this one's for you, Doc.
"Intelligence reports Kiang Ching carrying unconventional-type...
61-J capsule."
Signed, "Fujimori." What's a 61-J capsule?
The charge to explode an A-bomb.
Hey, Skipper. Radar shows surface object approaching...
bearing 355 degrees.
- Speed? - Can't tell yet, but he's closing fast.
- Range. - 3,800 yards.
- Maybe the freighter has seen our signal and comes after us. - Rig for red.
A sub's after us.
A sub? I thought this was a scientific expedition.
It is, and we're gonna play it safe.
No use getting a bloody nose unless we have to.
She's submerged and listening for us.
- That's why she stopped pinging. - What does this mean?
It means she's saving her torpedoes, waiting till we surface.
Just one more day, Doc...
and we'd have finished overhauling those torpedo tubes.
Can you see her scope?
No.
Well, we can play possum too.
- How's the hydrogen? - Built up to three percent.
Well, we can't chance surfacing here. We've got to make a run for it.
Professor, I think you'd both better stay in your quarters.
Down scope.
They're still on our stern, Skipper.
- How's that hydrogen gas? - Four percent, and still building.
- Take her up!
Okay, Charlie.
You better keep off the bridge, Professor.
I'm not going up.
The skipper'd blow his top if he even found you here in the control room.
- Sit down, Professor. Grab some air. - Thank you.
Have you identified the submarine?
No. We haven't even seen her yet.
They're topside trying to spot her now.
No sign of her yet, Skipper.
Sonar tells us she's not far. Alert the gun crew.
- What? - I know. We're not lookin' for trouble.
But we'd be fools not to protect ourselves.
Alert for battle stations!
Gun crew stand by to man the deck gun.
What about these torpedoes?
You know those tubes haven't been checked. Forget the torpedoes!
- Where is she now,Joto? - Range, 1,500.
Either she's moving out, or she's gonna surface.
There she is, Skipper!
They're coming out on deck.
Ask them where we are, Charlie.
- Why not man the five-incher now? - No!
The minute they spot a crew near that gun, they'll throw torpedoes at us.
- What are they saying? - They want to know who we are and what we're doing here.
Tell 'em we're a private scientific expedition headed for the Arctic.
They insist on boarding us.
Well, keep stallin'. Tell 'em we don't understand.
Ask them to repeat the message.
Put one over our bow. Keep asking them to repeat, Charlie.
Turn our nose into her. Steer 001.
And get ready to man that gun.
Keep clear of the lifeline!
Right full rudder.
Torpedo!
Clear the deck! Clear the deck!
- Dive!
Close the hatch!
- My hand! My hand!
My hand!
- Give me a knife! - No! No! No!
- My hand! - No!
- Here.
- How is he? How is he? - It's his thumb.
All right. Get 'em all below.
Hey, you guys! Come on up here! Give me a hand, quick!
We ship too much water. Can't hold her up.
- Get the angle off and let her settle to the bottom. - All back full.
Enemy torpedo fired.
Number two fish out of their basket.
Secure all running machinery. Remain silent.
Bilge pump motor's flooded, Skipper.
Form a bucket line. Dump the water in the engine room bilges.
That tub's laying for us, Skipper. She's coming real close.
I lost her.
Nothing out of her now. No sound.
What do you think, Skipper?
I think she's pulling the same trick we are.
Now watch that salt water. We don't want any chlorine gas in the boat.
Hold it.
Captain, this hot heat is killing us.
We got to turn on the fans.
If they heard our fans, you wouldn't have to worry about the heat killing you, boy.
All right, I'll fill in the picture for you quick.
We got torpedoes, but our tubes aren't in condition to fire 'em.
And the Red sub's parked on the bottom like we are, waitin' to pick us up on sonar.
Once she does, she'll throw more fish at us.
So it's a question of who can hold out longer without air-the Reds or us.
If we break first, chances are it'll be our last break.
And we're loaded with hydrogen.
We're liable to explode.
But we got one thing in our favor.
We can save oxygen by shutting up.
That's all.
Nothin', huh?
Nothin'.
We gotta save juice.
- Shift to red.
Keep your ears open, Ski.
I am sorry, Captain, for being so stupid.
That's all right. Save your breath.
You had to use the knife.
If you didn't close the hatch, we would all be dead.
You're beat.
You better get back to your bunk and take it easy. Come on.
- I want to tell you how- - Shh.
Don't talk.
Skipper.
He's in a bad way.
I thought that hypo was gonna do the trick, but he's sufferin' from shock and loss of blood.
If he don't get some air right away, you're gonna have only one professor for cargo.
There's 50 grand in that bunk.
Fifty grand is worth a little air.
Joto,turnon the white lights.
Boys, I'm gonna try a long shot.
If her first couple of torpedoes miss us, we got a chance.
I'd rather pass out without air than have a torpedo come plowing through us.
Now when we start the pump, we're liable to get a spark.
Maybe it'll burn off the hydrogen, maybe it won't.
If it doesn't...
we'll blow up so fast you'll never feel it.
Good luck to all of us.
- You got everything straight? - Yes, sir.
Now here's where we find out if we've lived right.
No more chance of explosion. Pass the word along.
And build up the turns slowly.
- Hold down the noise. - Yes, sir.
- All ahead one-third. - Yes, sir.
- Take her up and level her to 175 feet, Mr. Neuman. - Yes, sir.
She's speeded up, Skipper.
Bearing 240 degrees.
Right full rudder! All ahead flank!
- Stand by to ram! - Stand by to ram!
Range 200, bearing 010 degrees.
Left full rudder! Take her down to 190 feet.
- 190 feet. - Stand by to ram!
All back, emergency! Blow all main ballasts!
Captain!
There you are. Are you sure you're all right, Doc?
- Yes, thank you. - All right.
Now take a good deep breath of fresh air.
Feel all right, Dugboat?
Yeah. For a quiet scientific expedition, I couldn't feel better.
You look awful. Let me see your tongue.
It all real cool, man.
This are the end,Jackson.
I'm learning French. You know, like Chin Lee learned that American song.
You're wasting your time, junior.
- Hi. - Hello.
Say, uh, if that music disturbs you, I could have it turned off.
Oh, no. I-I love music.
- Oh. That? - Mm-hmm.
Well, how's the hand, Professor?
Wonderful, Captain, as you see.
- Good. Glad to hear it. And how are you, Professor? - I'm fine, thank you.
- Swell. You know, uh, when I- - Captain Jones!
- Come topside, please. Freighter in sight of land. - Excuse me.
Bonne chance.
I don't understand.
Our intelligence report cannot be this wrong.
- All we are getting is a normal count.
- You ought to be happy. - Don't misunderstand.
Nothing would please me more than to know that our suspicions are unfounded.
Then let's move out.
There's nothin' here but this two-bit garrison and some beat-up storage tanks.
It's a great pity I cannot talk to them.
We are worlds apart. But, after all, they are human.
- Let's go. - But Neuman.
Forget it. Shot right through the head.
Let's get out of here.
Ski, try to knock out that light!
All right, come on! Let's get outta here!
You yellow dogs!
Come on, Ski. Give me a hand. Let's get him in the boat.
You wanted to talk to one of these "humans." I got one for you.
Wet down your coats.
Well, they must be combing the whole area for us...
but so far, nothin', huh?
Not even a seagull.
Hey, Dugboat, you sure this jelly I'm rubbin' on my chest won't eat off my tattoo?
What are you worried about? You can always get another.
Are you nuts? That's my "piece de resistance."
- Your piece de what? - That's French.
I been practicing, "nessie-pas?"
- You need more practice.
Captain Jones. Professor Montel wants to see you in sick bay.
- Want more coffee? - No. No, thank you, Chin Lee. Thank you.
- This is wonderful.
- You want to see me, Professor? - Yes.
Denise has just translated his orders.
His name is Ho Sin. He's a pilot en route to Kevlock Island for special duty.
- So what? - Kevlock must be the island Captain Taylor photographed.
Well, how do you figure that?
An air force pilot would hardly be assigned to duty on an island without an airstrip.
And as you know, Kevlock is the only island indicated by name in this entire chain.
It appears to be due north of our present position.
And what do you suggest we do about it?
It seems to me our course is obvious.
- Not in my book, Doc. - What do you mean?
I mean you said once that each man's got his own reason for living...
and his own price for dying.
Well, my reason for living is 50 grand.
I'm not sticking my neck out again.
- Is one neck that important, Captain? - It is when it's mine.
What kind of man are you?
- Hold it. Hold it.
Let's not gang up with a lot of double-talk.
I'm a businessman.
Maybe to a couple of flag-wavers like you I'm a mercenary. All right.
But I lived up to my part of the contract.
The deal was to tail the freighter to the island...
put you ashore and get you back to Tokyo.
Nobody said anything about a second island.
So as far as I'm concerned, mission completed. We're going home.
Any objections?
Yes.
I hate to use authority...
but if I have to, I will.
I didn't want it to come to this...
but as long as you have mentioned the contract...
study it closely, Captain.
You will find a paragraph stating that I...
and I alone...
shall determine when the mission is finished.
And in my book, Captain...
the mission will be finished after I am taken to Kevlock...
given the chance to examine the island...
and returned to Tokyo.
- Joto. - Yes, sir.
- Head due north. - Did you say north?
You heard me. Set a new course for Kevlock Island.
- It's on your chart. - Yes, sir.
Okay, Doc, let's go.
- What's the matter?
My knee.
- I thought you said it was okay this morning. - It was.
- I'll manage in a few moments. - Not a chance. You'd just be in the way.
- It will improve by tomorrow. I'm sure of it. - Sorry, Doc.
We're not hanging around these waters that long. This is a powder keg.
Wait. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. What's going on? What are you talking about?
Captain Jones...
my assistant will accompany you.
- What? - She has sufficient training to compute figures...
determine strength and identify elements...
if there are any on this island.
You mean you'd- you'd let her go?
With the exception of me, Professor Gerard is the only member of this expedition...
capable of performing this task.
Oh, you're both crazy.
You will take her ashore...
and follow her instructions as you would have followed mine.
She is not going, and that's final.
You still cannot take an order, can you, Captain Jones?
And what's behind that crack?
Exactly what you think is behind it.
Ski, you stay here. Keep your eyes open.
What about her? I could carry her equipment.
She can take care of her own equipment.
Psst!
Take a look down there.
Looks like a bunch of doors.
I'm afraid we have found what we are looking for.
A Geiger counter reaction like this can mean only one thing.
- These figures-
What are they saying?
They are looking for Lumfong, a missing soldier.
We gotta stay put till they move out. Come on.
What did you mean when you said I still can't take an order?
Your record, Captain.
In the war you were a very good officer, except for one thing.
Go on. I'm fascinated.
You could give orders, but you couldn't take them.
Now look, I-
I know what you're talking about.
But if you want to know what makes a guy tick, you've got to look beyond the record.
Those Philippine guerrillas were cut off and surrounded.
They had to have ammunition and supplies.
I couldn't just sit there on my can and let 'em die.
I knew the waters were mined, but I figured I could get in, get out without a scratch.
So I wrote my own orders.
I lost my sub and 26 men.
And if I had to, I'd do it again.
I'm sorry...
very sorry.
It was wrong of me even to mention it.
Forget it. It's all over.
- You all right? - Fine.
When this is over, if we get back...
what gives with you?
- Gives? - I mean, what're you gonna do?
Go back to Paris, I suppose, huh?
- Paris is my home. - Yeah.
And you?
When this is over, what gives with you?
I don't know.
Have you ever been in Paris?
No, never.
You would love it.
Americans always do.
Well, we can't stay here.
If they hold us up till morning, we might never get back.
I'm gonna see if there's another way out of here. Come on.
You stay here. I'll be right back.
Here.
You won't need this, but sometimes the sight of it's a comfort.
I'll be back in a minute.
Lumfong?
Lumfong!
Denise!
Give me the gun. Come on. Let's get out of here.
Come on.
Hurry up. Come on.
Let's go.
This confirms our worst fears.
The atomic reaction is unmistakable.
I don't get it.
I mean, I can't figure out why that bomber was on the runway.
What would a B-29 be doin' on a Red air base?
It just doesn't make sense.
Say, didn't you tell me that that Red officer...
- we picked up on the other island was in the air force? - Yes. A major.
- Were you ever able to question him? - Impossible.
- I tried, but he would not say a word. - Oh.
Oh, thanks.
Hey, did you talk to that Chinese prisoner, Chin Lee?
He has not seen the prisoner.
The prisoner has not seen him.
Holter, dig up that portable microphone and plant it in the torpedo room.
Then get the prisoner and lock him in there. Make sure he doesn't see the microphone.
- Right. - Give him a hand, Ski.
Come on. Let's get into some dry clothes. We got work to do.
- You have a plan? - I'm gonna find out what this is all about.
Come on, Chin Lee. We got a job for you. Let's go.
- You guys got everything set? - Yep.
Okay.
Now, you're sure Chin Lee understands exactly what he's supposed to say, huh?
- What'd he say? - He says he would do anything for you.
He wants you to strike him in the face...
to make it look more real.
- Holter.
He wants you to do it.
He says it will not hurt if you do it.
You all right, boy? You okay?
- What's he sayin'?
He says...
the prisoner is very intelligent and must be fooled.
He wants you to hit him... harder.
I'm sorry, pal.
All right, get him out. Let's go.
Here. Come on. Take 'em.
This is incredible.
What's it all about, Skipper?
This is the screwball plot of all time.
They're gonna drop an atomic bomb on Korea or Manchuria and blame it on us.
They're taking off tomorrow at dawn in that made-over bomber.
- He found him out!
Now listen to me.
I'm shoving off for the island alone.
I'll park myself right here, around the mouth of this cave.
You'll submerge half a mile beyond the runway, right around here...
so you'll be able to spot my signal.
Now a heavy load of fuel's gonna bring that bomber out low.
So when I give you the signal- two short, two long, two short-
that'll mean the plane's taking off.
That'll give you just time enough to surface and fire.
I want every gun in action.
That means everybody.
That plane has to be knocked out of the sky.
Now the minute you hit it, crash dive to the bottom and stay there...
because everything's gonna break loose when that bomber hits.
There's a cove at the north end, right here. That's where I'll hide.
Tomorrow night at 10:00 sharp, I'll give you three short blinkers.
Pick me up.
If I don't show up, shove off, head for home.
Any questions?
I forbid this insanity.
Forbid all you want to, Professor. That plane is not gonna make it.
It is dreadful enough to bring back the terrifying report...
that our suspicions are confirmed.
But we cannot take it upon ourselves to commit an act of war...
no matter how we feel.
We are civilians!
I am responsible for this expedition.
I order you to take this submarine back to Tokyo!
I don't care about you and your expedition.
There's an enemy bomber out there made up to look like an American bomber.
It's gonna drop the biggest egg in history, and we're gonna take the rap for it.
I don't like that.
So from now on, Professor...
this is my expedition.
Skipper!
The boat's gone!
- What? - The boat's gone. Montel took it.
- Well, why didn't you stop him? - We didn't get the chance.
He was on deck with her. Before we knew, he was in the boat and gone.
- Where's the girl? - On the bridge.
Please. He doesn't want you to stop him.
Why didn't you stop him? All you had to do was yell.
He knows your plan. He'll carry it out. That's his orders.
That's the trouble with you geniuses- full of big ideas.
Now you're fouling up the whole works.
- You know that island's crawling with soldiers. - He knows that too.
Then why'd you let a nice old guy like that take a shortcut to the cemetery?
He's no ordinary two-bit professor, you know.
He's Montel, top man in his field.
But he's old and helpless- doesn't know his way outside of a test tube.
You oughta know that. You work close enough with him.
- What kind of a woman are you? - Stop!
- Haven't you got any feelings? - Stop!
He's my father.
- What?
My father.
- Oh, I'm sorry, Denise.
I'm sorry. Forgive me.
He said... it was his place to go...
not yours.
I'm sorry.
She's sure got a lot of guts.
Only thing I can't figure out is why the big mystery?
Why didn't she let us know he's her old man?
Well, that's what you have to pay for having a famous father.
She's been on a spot all her life.
Wanted to make good on her own, and she did.
And he was proud because she did.
Any sign of him at all?
No, not yet.
There he is.
And there's his signal.
- Battle surface! Gun action! Down scope!
- You'd better get below. - Please.
Okay.
All right, Ski. Let's go.
Come on, Willie. Joto, get up here.
Hurry it up. Hurry it up.
Fire!
You all right?
- Oh. - The bomb must have gone off under us.
Bring her back on course.
Take her up to periscope depth.
Periscope depth.
All compartments, report damage and casualties.
The bomber didn't crash in the ocean.
It hit the island.
Head for home.
Each man has his own reason for living, Mr. Jones...
and his own price for dying.