The Stranger (1973 film)
Encyclopedia
The Stranger, also known as Stranded in Space, is a television movie made in 1973 as a pilot for a new television series, but was never picked up by a network. It was directed by Lee H. Katzin
.
as Neil Stryker, an astronaut from Earth whose space mission crashes on an undiscovered twin planet
of Earth, hidden on the far side of the sun. Hospitalized as a result of the spaceship crash, Neil was actually not seriously injured, but his captors use the pretense of his crash as a necessity for hospitalization, giving them time to surreptitiously interrogate him during his sleep by using drugs. Dr. Revere (Tim O'Connor
) is clearly concerned by the strain, caught between the concern for the patient but his responsibility to the government.
The twin planet, known to its inhabitants as Terra, superficially resembles Earth, with a recognizable society and technology (right down to identical car models), but a system of government and citizen comradeship that is alien to Stryker: the Perfect Order. The enforcement of the order is facilitated by a hierarchy of officials who scrutinize their subordinates extremely closely, and by inspirational messages, "pep" talks to remind citizens of the great family they're part of, and electronic monitoring.
While escaping from the hospital, Stryker narrowly avoids being shot dead and escapes the building, tries to use a public phone to contact Cape Kennedy
, and then hitches a ride to escape the area. While riding, he sees that there are three moons, and realizes he can't be on Earth. Stryker only slowly begins to uncover clues about the place he's in, and only after finally befriending Dr. Bettina Cooke (Sharon Acker
) is he able to learn more from her and her friend, Prof. Dylan MacAuley (Lew Ayres
).
The Perfect Order only has been around for some 35 to 40 years, after a terrible war. The order was instituted to foster a sense of family among every person on Terra, to help each other and think of each other and the good of the whole. People with incompatible ideas are removed and reconditioned, and if resistant, executed. The state uses not only the reporting of individuals, but also technology such as the phone, two-way television and two-way car radios to monitor individuals on a spot basis, and sometimes continuously. Culture has been heavily excised (no concerts in the park), religion outlawed, and alcoholic drinks are viewed as a future target to eliminate. Among its accomplishments, the Perfect Order has eliminated suffering and poverty, and has a vibrant space program.
Neil and Dylan determine to get Neil aboard a Terran spacecraft about to be launched, with Neil intending to replace its astronaut and pilot the ship back to Earth. However, the government agent determined to find Neil, Benedict (Cameron Mitchell
), has not relented since Neil escaped from the hospital where Benedict was interrogating him. He finally tracks down Bettina, uses crude violence in his interrogation of her, and conditions her to help lead him to Neil. Benedict and his people arrive at the space complex in sufficient time to stop Neil before the rocket can launch with him aboard. Neil leads them on a chase through the complex, and the authorities have Neil cornered while he is close to the liquid oxygen
tanks, where nobody dares use guns.
Neil jumps into the ocean while firing at the LOX tanks, setting off a fire. Benedict's lieutenant, Henry Maitland (Steve Franken), feels sure Neil couldn't have survived, but Benedict will settle for nothing less than proof. Meanwhile, Neil wades ashore north along the coast, right where the Nelson family is camping. He gives an alias, says his boat capsized, and is welcomed by Tom Nelson to join them for their pleasure trip north. Before following the family to their van, he turns to regard the three alien moons, and remembers Dylan telling him it wasn't impossible that he should get home.
, with Neil as the fugitive on the run, trying to find people who would sympathize and help him, but wary of anyone finding out his true nature and turning him in to the authorities.
The movie was written by Gerald Sanford and directed by Lee H. Katzin. It was a Bing Crosby
production.
In June 1991, the film was presented as Stranded in Space as part of an episode of movie-mocking television series Mystery Science Theater 3000
.
Lee H. Katzin
Lee H. Katzin was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States, and became a TV director in the late 1960s, including episodes for Bonanza, Mission: Impossible and Police Story. He also directed the 1971 movie, Le Mans....
.
Film synopsis
The movie stars Glenn CorbettGlenn Corbett
Glenn Corbett was an American actor best known for his role on CBS's adventure drama Route 66.-Acting career:...
as Neil Stryker, an astronaut from Earth whose space mission crashes on an undiscovered twin planet
Counter-Earth
The Counter-Earth is a hypothetical body of the Solar system first hypothesized by the presocratic philosopher Philolaus to support his non-geocentric cosmology, in which all objects in the universe revolve around a Central Fire...
of Earth, hidden on the far side of the sun. Hospitalized as a result of the spaceship crash, Neil was actually not seriously injured, but his captors use the pretense of his crash as a necessity for hospitalization, giving them time to surreptitiously interrogate him during his sleep by using drugs. Dr. Revere (Tim O'Connor
Tim O'Connor
Tim O'Connor may refer to:*Tim O'Connor , actor, appeared in Peyton Place and General Hospital*Tim O'Connor , American college football coach*Tim O'Connor , Australian actor, writer and director...
) is clearly concerned by the strain, caught between the concern for the patient but his responsibility to the government.
The twin planet, known to its inhabitants as Terra, superficially resembles Earth, with a recognizable society and technology (right down to identical car models), but a system of government and citizen comradeship that is alien to Stryker: the Perfect Order. The enforcement of the order is facilitated by a hierarchy of officials who scrutinize their subordinates extremely closely, and by inspirational messages, "pep" talks to remind citizens of the great family they're part of, and electronic monitoring.
While escaping from the hospital, Stryker narrowly avoids being shot dead and escapes the building, tries to use a public phone to contact Cape Kennedy
Cape Canaveral
Cape Canaveral, from the Spanish Cabo Cañaveral, is a headland in Brevard County, Florida, United States, near the center of the state's Atlantic coast. Known as Cape Kennedy from 1963 to 1973, it lies east of Merritt Island, separated from it by the Banana River.It is part of a region known as the...
, and then hitches a ride to escape the area. While riding, he sees that there are three moons, and realizes he can't be on Earth. Stryker only slowly begins to uncover clues about the place he's in, and only after finally befriending Dr. Bettina Cooke (Sharon Acker
Sharon Acker
Sharon Acker is a film, stage and television actress.Acker began her acting career in theater, and made her film debut when she recreated her stage role in Lucky Jim . Her first American film appearance was in the Lee Marvin action film, Point Blank .-Movies:*Lucky Jim .....
) is he able to learn more from her and her friend, Prof. Dylan MacAuley (Lew Ayres
Lew Ayres
Lew Ayres was an American actor, best known for starring as Paul in All Quiet on the Western Front and for playing Dr...
).
The Perfect Order only has been around for some 35 to 40 years, after a terrible war. The order was instituted to foster a sense of family among every person on Terra, to help each other and think of each other and the good of the whole. People with incompatible ideas are removed and reconditioned, and if resistant, executed. The state uses not only the reporting of individuals, but also technology such as the phone, two-way television and two-way car radios to monitor individuals on a spot basis, and sometimes continuously. Culture has been heavily excised (no concerts in the park), religion outlawed, and alcoholic drinks are viewed as a future target to eliminate. Among its accomplishments, the Perfect Order has eliminated suffering and poverty, and has a vibrant space program.
Neil and Dylan determine to get Neil aboard a Terran spacecraft about to be launched, with Neil intending to replace its astronaut and pilot the ship back to Earth. However, the government agent determined to find Neil, Benedict (Cameron Mitchell
Cameron Mitchell (actor)
Cameron Mitchell was an American film, television and Broadway actor with close ties to one of Canada's most successful families, and considered, by Lee Strasberg, to be one of the founding members of The Actor's Studio in New York City.-Early life and career:Born Cameron MacDowell Mitzel in...
), has not relented since Neil escaped from the hospital where Benedict was interrogating him. He finally tracks down Bettina, uses crude violence in his interrogation of her, and conditions her to help lead him to Neil. Benedict and his people arrive at the space complex in sufficient time to stop Neil before the rocket can launch with him aboard. Neil leads them on a chase through the complex, and the authorities have Neil cornered while he is close to the liquid oxygen
Liquid oxygen
Liquid oxygen — abbreviated LOx, LOX or Lox in the aerospace, submarine and gas industries — is one of the physical forms of elemental oxygen.-Physical properties:...
tanks, where nobody dares use guns.
Neil jumps into the ocean while firing at the LOX tanks, setting off a fire. Benedict's lieutenant, Henry Maitland (Steve Franken), feels sure Neil couldn't have survived, but Benedict will settle for nothing less than proof. Meanwhile, Neil wades ashore north along the coast, right where the Nelson family is camping. He gives an alias, says his boat capsized, and is welcomed by Tom Nelson to join them for their pleasure trip north. Before following the family to their van, he turns to regard the three alien moons, and remembers Dylan telling him it wasn't impossible that he should get home.
Behind the scenes
The series would have had a feel of The FugitiveThe Fugitive (TV series)
The Fugitive is an American drama series produced by QM Productions and United Artists Television that aired on ABC from 1963 to 1967. David Janssen stars as Richard Kimble, a doctor from the fictional town of Stafford, Indiana, who is falsely convicted of his wife's murder and given the death...
, with Neil as the fugitive on the run, trying to find people who would sympathize and help him, but wary of anyone finding out his true nature and turning him in to the authorities.
The movie was written by Gerald Sanford and directed by Lee H. Katzin. It was a Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
production.
In June 1991, the film was presented as Stranded in Space as part of an episode of movie-mocking television series Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
.