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>> Norman Gilliland: What if you could travel to any year, past or future,
you'd be omnipotent.
You'd be immortal. It's already starting to sound like a bad idea.
( laughter )
But wisdom rarely stands in the way of science and the drive for discovery.
H.G. Wells wasn't about to let
it get in the way of a good story, either. When he wrote The Time Machine,
he was looking back,
oh, not too many years in his lifetime,
in our own, farther than we'd even like to contemplate. but cYet his story aboutorward
the Eloi and the Morlocks,
and the man caught between them, is a story for the ages.
put it behind you, So whatever the present year,
go back to 1902, and then fly into the distant future, a future of wild surmise,
as University Theater brings you
>> Filby: The man who made The Time Machine. ( applause )
the Time Machine, the man whom I shall call "Professor Dudley,"
had been well known in scientific circles for a number of years,
mysterious disappearance and therefore, the fact of his
is also well known. He was a mathematician of particular subtlety,
and one of our most conspicuous investigators in molecular physics. He did not confine himself
to abstract science alone,
a handsome house but also had several ingenious, and one or two very profitable, patents that afforded him
and laboratory in Richmond. Up to the last, there was held at his home a kind of informal
gathering, which it was my
privilege to attend, and where, at one time or another,
distinguished literary and I met some of the most
scientific figures of the day. Every Thursday, there was a plain dinner served at 7:00
followed by an adjournment
and tobacco, to his sumptuous library where, over a brightly burning fire, and with libations of alcohol
we would invoke the muses of conversation and invention. At first, the conversation was
mere fragmentary chatter, but toward 9:00 or half past 9, if the muses favored us,
would surface through a kind of natural selection. some particular topic
So it was, I remember, on that last Thursday evening,
that I first learned
James: So, Professor, what is it you've been up to of the Time Machine.
Dudley: Well, it has to do lately? We've hardly seen you!
with time. >> Matthews: Marvelous! I've always maintained
that what this nation needs is a reliable timepiece!
For the artillery, you know. The Navy needs one. The Army needs one.
Dudley: I'm not referring to >> Reily: So that's why you've been hiding! Very clever of you, indeed!
a new kind of timepiece. When I speak of "time," I'm referring to my experiments
with the fourth dimension.
>> James: Excuse me? >> Dudley: As you know, the difficulty of explaining
the fourth dimension is that
it cannot be seen or felt. It must be thought of.
Filby: If you don't mind, professor, would you refresh me on the first three dimensions? >> James: Hah!
They must have taught you something at school! >> James: Really, Filby.
>> Matthews: Suppose you explain it to us, Dr. James?
James: Certainly! When I move a line
When I move it to the left forward and backward, that's one dimension.
or right, that's two dimensions. When I move it up and down, three dimensions.
For instance, a box has three dimensions. Length, breadth and height. >> Matthews: Well, then,
what's the fourth dimension?
what the fourth dimension is, >>or even that it exists.re >> Dudley: On the contrary, No one Doctor.lly say
The fourth dimension
is as true and as real as any of the other three.
without it. >> Reily: How do you mean? In fact, they couldn't exist
as was said. >> Dudley: Well, take that box. It has three dimensions,
But what if it didn't exist in time? It wouldn't exist at all,
would it? >> Reily: No, of course not,
but... >> Dudley: So, for an object
to exist at all, it must exist
in the fourth dimension. And that fourth dimension is duration.
Time. There is a tendency to draw an unreal distinction between the first three dimensions
of space and the fourth, time,
because it happens that our consciousness moves
along the latter, from the beginning to the end of our lives. Now, it is remarkable that this
is so extensively overlooked. Really, the fourth dimension
There is no difference between is only another way of looking at time.
time and any of the other three dimensions of space, except that our consciousness
moves along it. I have been at work upon
my findings are curious. the geometry of four dimensions for some time, and some of
For instance, here is a portrait of a man at eight years old, and
another at 23, and so on. All of these are three another at 15, another at 17,
which is a fixed dimensional representations of his four dimensional being,
and unalterable thing. >> Reily: But if time is really only a fourth dimension
of space, why is it,
and why has it always been, regarded as something different? And why can we not move in time,
as we move about in the other dimensions of space?
>> Dudley: But, my dear madam, we do move about in time.
That is just where the
For instance, if I am recalling wan incident very vividly,! I go back to the instance away of this occurrence.ment.
I become "absent-minded," as you say. I jump back for a moment. Of course, we have no means
of staying back for any length
of time, any more than a leaping animal has
six feet above the ground. of staying suspended
He can go up against gravitation But, unlike the animal, a human being is better off in this respect.
in a balloon, so why should he not hope that ultimately
or accelerate his drift along the time dimension, or even turn about and travel he mthe other way?stop
James: Oh, really.
This is all... >> Dudley: Why not? >> James: It's against reason.
Dudley: What reason?
>> James: You can show black is white through argument,
Dudley: Possibly not. But now you begin to see but you'll never convince me.
the point of my investigations into the fourth dimension.
Not long ago, I had a vague inkling of a machine... >> James: That travels
Dudley: That shall travel indifferently in any direction through time?
( all laughing at Dudley of space and time as the driver determines.
) >> Matthews: It would be remarkably convenient! One might
witness the Battle of Hastings. Find out what really happened! travel back and
Our ancestors, I'm sure, >> Reily: Don't you think one might attract attention?
had no great tolerance for anachronisms. >> James: One might get
one's Greek from the very lips
plow you down! of Homer and Plato! >> Reily: In which case they would most certainly
The German scholars have improved Greek so much! >> Matthews: Then there's
future! Just think, one might invest
and hurry on ahead all one's money, leave it to accumulate an interest,
to reap the profits! >> Filby: To discover a society erected on a strictly
Communistic basis...
if you start floating about in the future, aren't you likely to mess things up >> James: I say, old man,
Dudley: That's the most important part of the question for the rest of us?
Can man control his destiny? to which I hope to find an answer.
Can he change the shape of things to come? >> Matthews: Yes...
Well, I wish you luck with
your study and your experiments, but I'm afraid it's time
James: Yes, I promised for me to go.
to get back early tonight. Thank you for a lovely dinner and lively conversation.
Dudley: Thank you for coming. >> Reily: Goodnight, Professor. Sweet dreams. See you next week.
James: Take care of yourself, old man.
Don't work too hard. >> Dudley: Goodnight.
Matthews: Thank you.
>> Dudley: Mrs. Reily. >> Filby: Well, professor,
as well. I suppose I should be off,
>> Dudley: Suit yourself. Goodnight, then. >> Filby: Yes, um, but...
Do you really believe it, sir?
Do you really believe that one can travel through time?
Filby: Of course, memories and dreams, but >> Dudley: It's been done!
traveling back and forth in time as you suggested tonight?
Do you really believe that's possible?
>> Dudley: Filby, my friend, it's a certainty.
If your mind isn't as closed
as my other guests', you should come with me and see firsthand
what I've been working on for the past three years. >> Filby: All right, you're on! ( footsteps )
( door opening and
Dudley: Thank you. closing ) >> Filby: You have an impressive laboratory, Professor.
Now, look here. What do you think? >> Filby: It looks like one of
those horseless carriages,
Is that a new kind of engine? >> Dudley: It's a Time Machine. >> Filby: This thing? >> Dudley: This very thing.
Filby: This framework made
of quartz, and bronze, and ivory?
and seats in the middle? With its levels, and its dials,
This contraption? >> Dudley: I promise you, Filby, that on this "contraption"
a man can go wherever he likes
in time. By working these levers,
his year, his very day. >> Filby: Oh, for-- Really, Professor. he can choose his century,
tonight, >> Dudley: As I told you
why not in time as well? time is only a kind of space. If we can travel in all the other dimensions of space,
>> Filby: You can't just ride back and forth in time.
Dudley: What of the journeys It's impossible.
I've already taken on this little contraption? >> Filby: You must have been
dreaming. Mrs. Reily and Professor James
Your imagination were right. You've been working too hard.
is getting the best of you. >> Dudley: You think so? Very well, my friend,
you shall have proof. >> Filby: How?
Sit here beside me >> Dudley: Just climb aboard, Filby.
facing these ivory dials, and I'll take you on a little ride through time.
Filby: What?
You mean, right now? >> Dudley: Right now. >> Filby: Just in case
this thing really does take off,
Like a toothbrush? is there anything I should bring with me? >> Dudley: What?
No, Filby. You won't need any luggage
You'll be back in my laboratory in less than a minute. on this trip.
aboard, please tell me, what time is it? >> Filby: Oh? >> Dudley: Before you climb
Dudley: Good. Now, be so good as to leave your watch just past ten in the evening.
Filby: Here? propped up on the table there.
Now what? >> Dudley: Hold on tight. >> DuIt sways a great deal.ard! >> Filby: All right, I'm on.
Filby: Stop trying to scare me, Professor! I'd hate to lose you.
I can't be frightened. >> Dudley: Then you're braver
than I am. >> Filby: (
laughing nervously ) Yes, right. >> Dudley: Before we start,
I just want to adjust this control a bit. ( high pitched humming )
ship-shape? >> Dudley: Tell me, did you notice anything just then? >> Filby: Uh, everything
a high-pitched humming noise. Nothing else. >> Dudley: And what time is it? >> Filby: You just asked me,
Professor, and you told me
to leave my watch on that table. That's odd. My watch says
quarter to nine, but...?
with it. But it was just after ten a moment ago! There must be something wrong
a full day, 22-1/4 hours to be precise. I t>> Filby: But, how can...?t, and we've gone forward
Filby? >> Dudley: Finished scoffing,
>> Filby: Yes. Yes, I believe I have.
This will be the real article. >> Dudley: Then hold tight.
>> Filby: Ready when you are, Professor. >> Dudley: Good man.
Well, say goodbye, Filby. Say goodbye to 1902. >> Filby ( narration ): We went
off with a shattering jolt, with the machine swaying wildly under us. The walls of the Professor's
laboratory suddenly fell away.
Night was speeding after day like the flapping of a huge bird's wing.
I saw the sun hopping across the sky, leaping swiftly across it every second,
and every second marking a day. I saw the moon going through her
quarters like a spinning ball, from new to full,
all in the twinkling of an eye. Trees grew and blossomed
like puffs of smoke, and then passed away.
All the while, we were going
faster and faster. Now our pace was a year a second,
so that second by second, the white snow flashed across the world, and was followed by the bright, brief spring.
And still we raced
at ever increasing speed into the future.
Filby? >> Dudley: How do you feel,
>> Filby: Rather weak. Very dizzy. >> Dudley: Just don't let go!
Don't fall off! >> Filby: Where are we? How far have we come? >> Dudley: We are in 100,050
100,060, and 100,070... >> Filby: That's enough!
Stop this machine! Stop! I can't stand it any more!
Filby: Yes, I-- ( metalI believe so.) >> DudlNo broken bones.ou all right?
Dudley: I'm not sure. It must have stopped What happened?
Professor? too suddenly. >> Filby: Where are we,
>> Dudley: Look around for yourself. A wide lawn.
A beautiful, vast garden. >> Filby: I meant geographically. >> Dudley: Just where
we started. Where my laboratory stood.
What is the year now? >> Dudley: >> Filby: And the year, Professor?
absolutely incredible. 100,080. >> Filby ( narration ): It seemed
A dream. And a pleasant one, for the garden in which
we found ourselves was beautiful
and summery. The air perfumed with strange flowers and greenery.
At some distance, we could see
a large imposing building of white marble, in the shape something
like a winged sphinx
about the unseeing eyes and the faint shadow of a smile on the lips of this strange Therarchitectural beast.ous
The pedestal appeared to be made of bronze
and imparted an unpleasant and was thick with verdigris. It was greatly weatherworn
suggestion of disease. But everything was completely quiet and peaceful around it.
Perhaps too quiet.
An unfathomable strangeness, sent a shiver up my spine.
Filby, do you want to go back? >> Dudley: 100,080.
And maybe now we'll go to 1066, >>or to one million B.C.! (nk human-like cry of distress ) >> Filby: t.
Did you hear that?
>> Dudley: From over there, in the bushes! ( cries continue )
Filby: It sounded human.
Seems to be a very small girl. >> Dudley: Come on! ( running footsteps ) >> Filby: Why, it's a child!
Look at the marks on her arm. >> Filby: Easy, my dear. a beast here of some kind that has struggled with her.
You'll be all right now. We'll help you.
Hmm, how silly of me
to expect her to understand English. >> Dudley: She's motioning us
to go with her. >> Filby: What about the animal that attacked her?
Dudley: No, not a glimpse. Did you see it?
Too fast for us. >> Filby: Perhaps we better go back.
Professor, the girl seems to be all right now.
Yes, I've had enough. >> Dudley: Well, they haven't, >> Dudley: Leave her like this? >> Filby: Yes.
Filby. Because they're here,
all around us.
of this era had crept up >> Filby (narration): A hundred or so of the little people
girl we had saved was not a child, but a full-grown woman. to surround us. And it became apparent that the
They all stood about four feet high
and wore simple tunics. Beautiful creatures,
in a dream. And all we could hear were their bird-like voices, They were like eerie figures
light, silken clothing as they and the rustling of their
circled happily around us, their faces smiling and wondrous.
( indistinct light voices ) >> Filby: Why, they're not
and gentle little people. >> Dudley: Yes, but there is savage at all. They're very loving
Dudley: They seem to have the minds of pre-school children. >> Filby: Well, how did you >> Fexpect them to be?ean?
Dudley: Far ahead of us,
of course. Incredibly ahead of us
Look at them. Children. >> Filby: They seem to be happy in this huge garden of theirs.
Professor, I've changed my mind.
with our little friends. Let's stay. Maybe we should enjoy spending a few days
>> Filby (narration): The little people led us home,
into their valley.
They all lived together in colossal buildings, sleeping together
in one huge hall, eating in another, playing
days in utter contentment. and frolicking in the sunshine. We lived with them for several
One afternoon, Professor Dudley and I walked along the banks of a great river that I realized
must be a future incarnation
of the Thames. >> Dudley: Filby, have you
all wear the same clothes? noticed that the little people
They all have the same soft, hairless skin, the same feminine roundness of limbs?
Filby: Yes, and I've noticed
that they're all vegetarians. >> Dudley: They're vegetarians because they have to be.
You haven't come across any horses, or deer, or cattle
of any kind, have you? >> Filby: No, Professor,
now that you mention it.
>> Dudley: With good reason. All extinct by now, just as the dinosaur is with us.
Such a strange and different
place our earth has become. >> Filby: Yes. I actually prefer it
in some ways. Less noisy. More pastoral.
for people. >> Filby: Pardon? >> Dudley: You know what I'm talking about, Filby.
As a scientist, I want to learn all there is to know about them and their culture,
at their lack of, well... >> Filby: Humanity? bu>> Dudley: Yes, exactly.ed
With the exception
of that girl we rescued, any time we try to communicate
they all break into laughter. >> Filby: I was trying to teach some of them English, but I began to feel like
an unpopular school master
One moment they come up to us with eagerness, and the next they wander away, children.
Filby: You sound upset. >> Dudley: I am. onto something else.
on the wane. It seems to me that we've happened on humankind
The sunset of humanity, if you will. >> Filby: What makes you
say that? >> Dudley: Strength comes out of need.
we're trying to make life more We come from a time when
comfortable with electricity, more secure and convenient with the power of steam,
more connected with telegraphs
and wires. All these things
a true civilizing process. are making our lives better;
>> Filby: How can that be bad? What happened?
Dudley: The work Where did we go wrong?
of ameliorating and improving the conditions of life must have continued steadily
to a climax.
One triumph of a united humanity over nature following another.
mere dreams must have become Things that are for us
reality, and progressed to a point where there was no need to strive.
And the harvest is here before us in these playful, grown-up children,
What a waste! >> Filby: I can't put my finger on it, Professor, devoibut it doesn't add up.tion.
There is something strange here,
something hidden away. It is so silent.
The year 100,080 Something is not right.
may look pretty, but I can't help feeling
Dudley: We think alike, Filby. that we're being spied on.
levers of the Time Machine. >> Dudley: I took the precaution See this? >> Filby: Those are the control
on the main switches. I don't much fancy the idea of someone riding away with it and putting a master lock
and leaving us here for the rest of our lives. into another century
>> Filby: That makes me feel a little better.
( sighs ) London is so completely different now.
geographical landmarks, an ancient building from our time here and there, but even the Thamesw
seems to be miles from where it used to flow. >> Dudley: Yes, quite extraordinary.
Come on then. Let's head back to
I've seen enough the little people's shelter and gather our things.
Wait. Professor, do you know >> Filby: I'm inclined to agree with you.
This is near where we landed. >> Filby: I thought so, but... where we are? >> Dudley: Yes, of course.
>> Dudley: Why do you ask? >> Filby: I can't see
the Time Machine anywhere!
>> Dudley: The Machine's not here.
They've taken it away!
They've stolen it! >> Filby: This is where it was, right?
It was right here!
where they've dragged it... >> DudOver there!Filby! Come along! ( running footsteps )
Dudley: Down this path! Look! Right there!
They took it to the monument. >> Filby: The tracks stop at The monument.
Open up, you little thieves! ( those bronze doors on the base. >> Dudley: ( yelling ):
metallic pounding ) >> Filby: The doors are locked! (
Filby: Professor, did you hear that? indistinct, faint
>> Dudley: Something is behind the doors.
It sounds like movement,
and faint laughter, but... >> Filby: But what? >> Dudley: Nothing.
The Machine must be in there! Let's go! Look for something to pry the doors open
or break them down! We must get in there! Come on!
against that wall. >> Filby: There's a ladder
We can use it as a battering ram against the doors.
Ready? One, two, three! ( ladder clangs against door ) >> Filby: It's no >> Dudley: Fgood,let's do it!
Professor!
They're solid! We'll never break through!
a way! >> Dudley: There's got to be
There's always a way! >> Filby: The doors are solid. >> Dudley: I spent years
building that machine,
and I'm not going to let a simple door stand in the way
Filby: The reality of our only way home!
the Time Machine?! has just struck me that we may never go home again. >> Dudley: Why take
Why?! Why?! ( yelling ) hy?!
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Gilliland: You're listening to Wisconsin Public Radio's "Old Time Radio Drama"
The Time Machine, brought to you live from the Town Center and production of H.G. Wells'
on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. the Wisconsin Science Festival,
Filby ( narration ): We were caught in the year 100,080. And now, back to our story.
The Time Machine was gone. The bronze doors of the monument
held. Our retreat was cut off.
The thin line by which we could make our way back home,
back to our own time, our own people, back to 1902, was broken. And the little people's language
was still a mystery.
Any time we tried to communicate with them, our efforts were met with howls of laughter.
But it wasn't hostile.
They weren't taunting us. Their attitude was innocent. They were like simple,
wondering children. Only one, the young woman whose life we had saved on that first day, became
truly interested in us, and was able to tell us her name. It was Weena. She always kept close to us.
She went with us wherever we went, and slept near us
and bring us flowers, which she would sometimes adrop in our pockets. She'd always make us garlands
being somewhat of a mystery and delight to her. I was pleasantly surprised The very idea of pockets
furious with her for this. that Professor Dudley was not
I suppose the main thing was that we had a friend in her.
teach her a few words of English As time went on, we were able to
and learn a few words of her language. We learned that her people
were called the Eloi. Now that we could communicate with her, we redoubled
against the clock, so that our efforts like men racing
We were talking to her one night we might speak to her and discover the secret of our immense loss.
after the others had gone to sleep.
No. >> Dudley: How can you be so sure your people didn't steal >> Weena: No, not we, Dudley.
Aren't there any thieves the Machine?
Professor. You'll wake them. among them? Are they all perfect? >> Filby: Not so loud,
Besides, she doesn't understand. >> Dudley: ( whispering ):
The thief must be sleeping
somewhere in the hall. ( louder ): Weena?
Weena: No, Dudley. They take Machine?
Filby: We are friends? No! >> Dudley: Who, then? Who took it, Weena?
>> Weena: Yes. >> Dudley: We must have Machine!
Dudley: Who took Machine? Other people? Not yours? >> Weena: Yes, Dudley, yes.
Filby: What about those doors, Weena? Doors open? >>>> Weena: No!r?
( fearful ): No!
>> Dudley: Weena, Weena: ( very scared ): No! No! Not open! Not open! Bad!
Bad!
Get some rest. >> Dudley: All right, never mind. Go to sleep.
>> Weena: Yes, Dudley. Sleep now.
become of us, Filby? >> Dudley: What's to
Are we caught here in this century?
with these little creatures and their secrets? To spend our lives
We'll find a way to break in. We have to. >Goodnight, Professor.k t( gasps ): Professor?!morning.
Professor? >> Dudley: Yes? >> Filby: Did you just-- ( panicking ): There it is
Dudley: What? >> Filby: Something touched my face, cold and disgusting, on my face and in my hair!
It's cold!
It's like death! Professor!
There was something here >> Dudley: You're right.
with us. It smells of the grave. What was it?
Filby: I don't know.
together, as though they've been stampeded Look at the Eloi! >> Dudley: They're huddled
Let's get out of here! I want some fresh air!
>> Filby ( narration
): We went quickly from the hall and outside
away from the Eloi. The moon was full overhead
speeding close behind us, and we turned, nerves ragged, and imuscles tensed,dawn. to find it was only Weena
coming swiftly to join us.
something. >> Weena: Dudley, I afraid! Dark! >> Filby: Then there is
>> Dudley: What do you mean, Weena?
Weena: Dark things! Dark place! Night! Dark, what?
afraid of the night, Professor? >> Dudley: Not the night alone, "dark place." >> FilThat's our clue.hey be
Filby: Perhaps its something
underground. >> Dudley: Perhaps it is.
Try to get some rest. I'll keep watch.
Filby ( narration ): We arose just before dawn, and We'began another day in thishis istrange world.
We had wandered into
a lovely, wooded area about a mile from the community. Suddenly, Weena screamed.
Weena: Filby! >> Filby (
A pair of glaring eyes narration ): We stopped short.
were fixed upon us. As we stood there petrified, the thing,
a little ape-like figure, rushed across our path
Filby: What was it? >> Dudley: I couldn't see it and disappeared in the clearing about 30 yards away.
very well. It seemed to be a dull
white creature
with white hair on its head and on its back. >> Filby: It looked like
a small ape!
>> Dudley: It was running on all fours with its arms held very low.
Filby: Weena? Weena, what was it? >> Weena: Morlock!
Dudley: Who are the Morlocks? What are they? Morlocks!
Dudley: Let's go to where the Time Machine disappeared. Come along, Filby. >> Weena: No! No!
Filby ( narration ): In the clearing, we found a round
well-like opening. Professor Dudley and I
leaned over and looked down a deep shaft. A small white creature
in the well. was retreating down a ladder
Like a human spider, its large white eyes watching us
then disappeared in the shaft. as it went swiftly down, and
Filby: Yes, but also like >> Duda man.ilby, did you see it? Like an ape!
Filby: Yes. >> Dudley: The little people >> Dudley: So there are two species of humans in this world!
this bleached monster, below. >> Filby: That white appearance is common to animals and this obscene thing,
like huge rats, like worms that live in the dark,
Dudley: Filby? that are cold to the touch. I know, because they've touched me.
Can you feel the air being sucked down into the shaft? >> Filby: Yes.
Dudley: The earth must be tunneled enormously here
in the tunnels. >> Filby: I think we know who stole our Time Machine. >> Dudley: Yes, then we must...
Filby: Then we must go down and have a look.
Dudley: Why not, Weena? >> Weena: Morlocks! You never come back! Not go!
our Machine! >> Filby: Weena, we must have
Filby ( narration ): And You wait for us here. >> Weena: No! No!
so, down we went. Our heels ringing on the small, metallic bars
that were meant for creatures so much smaller than us.
Down we climbed. Down, down, down,
deeper into the darkness, ever, it seemed,
( distant rumbling ) into the center of the Earth, into the core of the world.
>> Filby: How much longer? >> Dudley: We won't know
It can't be much further. ( rumbling continues ) until we reach the bottom.
We're almost there. >> Filby: Thank heaven for that. Do you hear that? Like machinery.
>> Dudley: All right, Filby. I'm on the bottom.
Come along, just a few more steps.
Now, give me your hand, Filby. Good.
We're here. >> Filby: Yes.
In the land of the Morlocks. >> Dudley: Do you have a match?
Filby: Yes, here. ( strikes match ) >> Dudley: There seems to be
at the end of this passage. >> Filby: What do you suppose they'll do if they catch us? a large vaulted chamber
Best not to be caught. >> Dudley: I have no idea.
Another match! ( strikes match ) >> Filby: That throbbing noise!
Dudley: Probably
their ventilating system pumping the air down. There must be thousands
upon thousands of these Morlocks
who came down ahead of us. living under the earth. >> Filby: We haven't seen any yet, except for our friend
Why do you suppose they wanted our Time Machine? >> Dudley: I think they wanted
us, not the Machine.
>> Filby: And we've come to them.
It's our only chance. Filby, if that noise does come >> Dudley: We had no choice.
from air pumps...? >> Filby: Yes?
Dudley: Why is it so stuffy here? So oppressive?
Professor, what's that strange >> Filby: I noticed that, too.
smell? ( machinery rumbling
Dudley: Blood. and pounding )
( strikes match ) >> Filby: Dudley, look straight ahead, >> Dudley: Light another match.
Dudley: It's set for a meal. on the white metal table
Dudley: We know that cattle and deer are extinct. >> Filby: Then what do they feed on, these Morlocks?
Dudley: Can't you guess.
>> Filby: God help us! >> Dudley: Another match! >> Filby: Professor, I have
no more matches!
We've used the last of them! >> Dudley: What ill planning, not to bring enough matches!
Without matches,
Filby: Right behind you! we have no choice but to return to the surface. Come on!
and they are the masters >> Dudley: At any rate, we know the secret now. The Morlocks live under ground,
of this age. Our little friends up above are merely fatted cattle
fed by the Morlocks.
Clothed, supplied and housed until the day when
and brought underground as food. they are cut out of the herd
>> Filby: It's not the fading Utopia you had theorized about after all.
Dudley: No. This is the future
Filby: Professor?! you are looking at. This is our future.
>> Dudley: What is it? >> Filby: In this darkness! I felt hands!
Cold hands! >> Dudley: There are pipes
along the walls. Do you feel them?
Some are loose. Pry one off and use it
as a weapon! ( pipes clanging )
Use it against the Morlocks!
I can feel their breath on my neck! ( growling and moaning ) They're here beside me!
Man: In business, she's pleasant to have around.
In public, everybody enjoys her company.
In private, that special
young man thinks she's perfection. Yes, she's nice to be near,
because she's smart.
She wouldn't think of offending. She relies on Listerine Antiseptic
for that breathless charm.
Listerine night and morning, and before every date is her extra careful precaution.
Independent research has proven that Listerine Antiseptic not only stops halitosis instantly, and keeps it stopped usually
for hours on end, but averaged four times better
than the leading chlorophyll products
against which it was tested.
is fermentation of proteins Hathat are presentl everyday problem. By far its most common cause
The trouble is, you could have halitosis in everybody's mouth, all the time.
and never know it, and even your best friend
won't tell you. Why take chances
Listerine, the most widely-used oral antiseptic in the world. when ther He said pleasant, extr That she said ion?
That he had halitosis She said
That he said It's true of some girls, too
He said That she said The answer was simple Here's what she said to do
Try Listerine Buy Listerine Keep breath fresh and clean With Listerine
( applause )
>> Gilliland: This evening's "Old Time Radio Drama"
performance of The Time Machine is brought to you live from the Town Center, as part of the Wisconsin Science
And now, back to our story. ( Morlocks growling ) >> Dudley: Keep swinging that
metal pipe against them!
Give it all you've got! We've got to keep them at bay! >> Filby: They're all around us!
Dudley: This way! Follow me this
way! Back this way! >> Filby ( narration ): We went
back into that evil darkness, back to the ladder
Fighting every step as we went, kicking and clawing ourselves oloose from their taloned we had entered this nightmare.
up toward daylight and freedom, away from their stench and the grasping hands, we climbed up,
for daylight was their enemy, and their great fear. eagerWe lived once againands. among the lush gardens
of the little people, like prisoners, like men without reprieve,
but still walk the earth. For the Time Machine like men who are dead
and we knew we could never was locked away behind great bronze doors,
force them open. And sooner or later,
the Morlocks again. Then, one day, Weena told us we would have to deal with
an ancient, sagging structure that had survived through many ages, and was filled with many curious objects.
Dudley: A museum! That's what it must be! A museum, Filby,
Filby: I'm in no mood to look at a museum. from a much earlier time!
in museums. Perhaps there are things, >> weapons, machinery,ee? Specsomething we can use!ealed
Filby: Yes! Yes, of course! If we could find some kind of dynamite, or gunpowder,
or something. >> Dudley: We could blast those doors!
Filby: Where is this place, Weena? We could get in!
Weena: Come, not far. >> Filby: A chance, Professor! This old building that no one ever goes near?
>> Filby ( narration A slim one, but a chance nevertheless.
The building had been deserted, unused for perhaps a century. ): AlThe child-like peoplerough of that time had long since
ceased to care about anything but their own personal comforts.
into dust. We encountered a vast library of books that had disintegrated
I had never seen the professor look so sorrowful,
of all the learning contained in those volumes. We found nothing useful as whein the museum, until fate
late in the afternoon when we came upon the chemical section. At first, it seemed that
would continue. >> Dudley: It's dust. All of it. our complete disappointment
for countless centuries. It's been dust
to hope that nitrates >>would retain their formd. >> Dfor 100,000 years.ss. We were out of our minds
Nothing here? >> Dudley: Wait. >> Weena: We go now?
Just a moment. There's something in this case.
Filby: Break the case with your lever!
( glass breaking ) >> Dudley: Stand back a little.
>> Dudley: A box of matches. Medically sealed. >> Filby: Why, they're perfect!
Solid and sound.
They're not even damp! >> Dudley: What should we do
Burn down those bronze doors? >> Filby: Well, we'd better keep them. with them?
Dudley: Filby? They're sure to be useful.
>> Filby: What? >> Dudley: On the floor. Do you see them?
Small, narrow footprints leading
Filby: We'd better go! away into the darkness at the end of this gallery! >> Weena ( very scared ): Dudley!
It will be dark soon. >> Dudley: Pick Weena up and carry her.
We're going to have to
make a run for it! >> Filby: Don't be frightened,
Come with me! ( Morlocks my dear, it will be all right.
Filby ( narration ): We came out of the gloom growl of the ancient museum y: into the deeper gloom of dusk,
and suddenly we saw we were trapped! All around us were the Morlocks. ( growls and moans
They were there by the grow louder )
thousands, surrounding us and coming closer, an ocean of deathly white eyes
blinking in the half-light, and tiny mouths alive with appetite.
The matches! >> Dudley: Filby!
here in this tall grass. >> Filby: Yes, I have them! ( strikes match ) >> Dudley: Light a fire
The forest around us is dry. Hurry, man! We'll have an inferno here
in a minute!
Filby ( narration ): The These little monsters don't like light or heat! ( fire crackling )
fire leapt high to the heavens and the countryside was instantly ablaze.
The Morlocks turned in fear,
blinded by the flames. ( Morlocks screaming )
into the raging fire, and the rest faded away like fog. I had left a narrow passageway Some of them plunged
down a long corridor for our retreat, and we fled
of leaping flames and blistering heat. We fled instinctively toward
the community of the Eloi.
But as we ran, we passed the huge sphinx-like monument with its great bronze doors.
And suddenly, in the glare
of the distant fire, we saw something
Dudley: They're open! Filby, the doors are open! that stopped us short.
Dudley, no! >> Filby: It's a trap! >> Weena: No! Not go in!
They're waiting for us inside! >> Dudley: Trap or not,
we're going in! >> Filby: Professor,
one minute to screw the levers it's suicide! >> Dudley: It'll take me
back on again, then I touch them and we're away! >> Filby: All right!
I'll try to give you one minute.
>> Dudley: Good man! >> Weena: No! Not go!
Not leave me! >> Filby: Weena,
hold tight around my neck. You're going home with us.
Dudley: All right.
Let's go! Wait-- Look at the Machine!
They haven't harmed it
in the least! >> Filby: On the contrary. It looks as though
they've cleaned and oiled it! >> Dudley: It's a trap, all right.
They'll be around us any moment. ( audience laughs )
Quickly! >> Filby: I don't see them yet. >> Dudley: Come on! Now!
( doors clang shut ) >> Filby: The doors, Professor! They're closed!
It's pitch black again! >>
for the hum that would signal Dour departure. ( Morlocksat. growling and moaning ) There >> Filbyin the darkness, the
Morlocks were finally upon us.
away from the machine. Cold persistent fingers swarmed over my body, tugging at me and pulling me
I held tight to Weena, as any man would hold fast to life. I tried to kick them away
with my feet. >> Weena: Filby!
Filby! >> Filby: Hurry, Professor!
Hurry!
>> Dudley: Just one more moment! >> Dudley: There, Filby!
We're away! Were gone... ( high pitched humming )
>> Filby: Yes! Yes, we made it!
Filby: Yes, I'm fine. >> Dudley: Good. >> Dudley: Are you all right?
And Weena? >> Filby: Weena--
Isn't with us, Professor. >> Dudley: What happened? >> Filby: They tore her from my hands.
At the last second, they got
I couldn't. theirI still have a piece her and wrenched her from my grasp. I tried to save her.
Professor, nothing else. >> Filby ( narration ): And fist, a little piece of her tunic,
Back to the very minute in which we had left. We were in Professor Dudley's so,laboratory again,in.
sitting side by side
It was all too much. on the bizarre, marvelous contraption he called his "Time Machine."
because the next thing I knew, I must have blacked out from sheer exhaustion and the shock of it all,
I awoke in a chair in front of a blazing fire
Professor Dudley in Professor Dudley's library.
was nowhere to be seen. I rushed back to the laboratory, the Time Machine was gone!
James: Oh, this is
ridiculous. Simply preposterous! >> Matthews: Well, there's one
thing I'll say for you, Filby.
You do know how to spin a good yarn. Best adventure story
I've heard in years!
>> Reily: Truthfully, where have you been? And where is Professor Dudley?
Filby: I understand your doubt. Think that I am lying,
Now that I am back, I hardly believe it myself. Except that when I awoke, I still had this little piece
of silken fabric in my hand,
Weena's tunic. And in my pocket, I found this strange
withered flower, the flower playfully placed there by that same lovely, innocent little creature.
A present for you, Mrs. Reily.
You were always interested in botany.
with any species known today. >> Reily: I don't think I can. Try to match this flower
this story is true, do you? >> Matthews: And Professor >> James: Come now, you don't really think
and why is he not here? >> Filby: He's gone. Dudley? Filby, where is he really,
and the Morlocks. Back to try to rebuild I believe he went back. Back to Weena, and the Eloi,
missing from this library. civilization. I noticed several books
What books? >> Filby: I don't know. What books would you have taken? >> James: Books?
believe he will ever return? >> Reily: Mr. Filby, do you
>> Filby: One cannot help but wonder. all the time in the world.
( applause )
Gilliland: With a look into The Time Machine, and the University Theater's production of the H.G. Wells' classic,
coming to you live from Town
Center and the Wisconsin Science Festival. The Time
for radio and directed Machine was adapted
by Patricia Boyette. And included in the cast were:
as Professor Dudley, William Bolz
Peter Hiller as Filby, Santiago Sosa as Professor James,
Jake Penner as Matthews,
and Liz Casserino as Mrs. Reily and Weena. Composer and pianist
was Stanislav Ossovsky. ( applause continues )
Our Foley operator was Jeff Parulski.
Our lighting design was Brandi Mitchell.
Our production stage manager was Sarah Marty.
Tim Hamilton was our dramaturg. Gail Brassard and Jim Greco provided our '40s costumes. Thanks also to our
WPR engineer Joe Hardtke
and to our Town Center engineer Alan Ruby, and to Michelle Traband,
Michelle Good,
and to our Wisconsin Public Television production team, including Bruce Johnson Nora Hand Tina Hauser.Annen,
There's more to come on tonight's Old Time Radio Drama. It'll be Harry James
right here on the Ideas Network at Wisconsin Public Radio.