Original subtitles

Good afternoon, sir. Code, please. This way, please.

Welcome aboard.

Well, hello there.

My name's Miller, honey, and I need lots of attention.

Thank you, sir.

This way, please. Thank you.

Welcome aboard.

May I help you with your code?

No.

This way, please.

Oh, for heaven's sake. Boy, you look wonderful.

Any room in there for a dead -heading pilot?

I thought you were on the Paris run.

No, they switched me to the coast. The Pacific run.

How's that boyfriend of yours?

I figured you'd be married.

Gone by now.

Well, uh... We broke up.

Another padded expense account.

How are you? The name's Miller. Please fasten your seat belts.

Oh, there we go.

How do you feel?

What do you care?

Great.

You didn't worry about me when my dad made us get married. Why'd you start

Marge, will you quit?

I married you when Morty won.

Honeymoon time?

Sir, did you want something?

Yes, I'd like to talk to the pilot, please. Would you open the door?

Well, I'm sorry, but passengers aren't allowed in there.

Would you return to your seat, please? Is there a telephone?

I'm sorry, but passengers aren't permitted to use the telephone.

You tell the pilot I'd like to talk to him.

Please.

Readley. Captain.

Miss Cagle speaking.

One of the passengers would like to speak to you.

Mr. Putnam, seat B3.

He's got a gun.

Gun?

He's got a gun.

Put him on.

I'm afraid there's been a change of plan.

We'll all stay aboard in Seattle while you refuel.

Then you'll take off for Anchorage.

Anchorage. Why Anchorage?

To pick up more fuel for another lap.

Another lap?

To where?

To Harbin, Captain.

Manchuria.

Quinn Martin, Warner Brothers Production.

Starring Ephraim Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott, Stephen Brooks,

with guest stars Arthur Hill, Jessica Walter,

Milton Seltzer.

Tonight's episode, Flight to Harbin.

The New York office just called. They checked out the phone number that Putnam

gave the airline.

It's the hotel off Times Square.

How was he registered?

Ernest C. Putnam, Bafa, Washington.

I've got a call in to the SAC Seattle.

Mr. Ward, I have Inspector Erskine in San Francisco.

Lewis?

You know, that's a magnificent makeup, but isn't your nose a little shiny?

Yes, Arthur.

I hate to break in on your vacation, but how soon can you get out to the

airport? What?

There's been a hijacking. A KBL jet from New York to Seattle.

The hijacker's name is Putnam. He has a gun. He wants to go to Manchuria.

Is he acting alone?

Well, we're not so sure about that, but apparently, yes.

Do we know anything about him yet?

Nope.

Lou, this is Jim.

We know his name isn't Putnam.

He gave his address as Bothell, Washington, but Graham Carter in Seattle

it's a phony. There is no such name.

Where'd the address come from?

A hotel registration card, New York City.

Have him go over to the hotel room. He may have left something.

Yes, sir.

All right.

Is the plane still headed for Seattle?

Yes, they'll have to refuel. Go on to Anchorage, refuel again.

Oh, come on, for Pete's sake. What do those two babes do, jump out? We're

supposed to get a meal.

Miss?

It was one of the passengers.

They'll be wondering what happened to us.

Let them wonder.

You'll have to tell them sooner or later.

All right, go ahead.

I don't expect you'll do anything to panic them.

If you do, of course I'll kill your friend.

Yes, sir.

Lady, what's your name?

Miss Gibbs.

Well, Miss Gibbs, I've had lousy service in my time, but this takes the cake.

Where's our food?

Oh, we've had a little trouble, sir.

It'll be ready in a moment.

Excuse me.

Trouble, spelled L -A -Z -Y.

I'd like to know what's happening to other kids these days. No more

responsibility than a man on the moon and all those crazy dances.

What's crazier, dancing or marching?

What?

I'll make a deal with you.

When we land, you go report to my draft board, and I'll stay home and pay your

expense account, right?

Sonny, I'd like to tell you something.

If I was 25 years younger, nobody would have to draft me.

What I believe in may be corny, but I believe in something.

I wish I could stay on this plane forever.

Captain Thomas.

Yes, Gibbsy.

Is it chow time?

What's happened?

There's a man in the lounge with cake.

He's got a gun.

Does the pilot know?

Yeah. It's the passenger in B3, Putnam.

He wants to fly to Manchuria.

Please don't cry. There's nothing to be afraid of.

This was my last trip.

I was going to be married.

The other stewardess just couldn't keep her mouth shut, could she?

Mr. Putnam, is it?

Yes.

Well, Miss Gibbs said you had gone.

She thought you might be worried or in trouble.

You know, sir, I think it's the most aggravating thing in the world to be

to as though one were a child or a mental patient.

There's nothing wrong with me at all.

I realize quite well what I'm doing.

You also realize you're putting nearly a hundred lives in danger.

I don't see how that can be.

That's a competent crew. What

was

that?

You just shot Thomas.

Yes. Captain, there's been a slight accident.

There'll be bigger ones if any more tricks like that are tried.

Yes, sir. I want you to tell them on the ground that they can check the engines

and refuel.

But if anyone approaches the doors or tries in any way to stop us from taking

off again, I'll kill both stewardesses. Do you understand?

Yes.

Yes. Can you talk to the coach section from there?

Yeah. At the coach, stewardess, tell our passengers what's going on, will you

please?

No one is to try to leave.

What's going on? Get back in your seat.

And open those curtains.

Tell everyone to stay quiet and they won't get hurt.

There'll be a remaining on the plane.

And after we land, we'll be taking off again very shortly.

Go!

What's the matter?

That fool sat in that seat. He's got a gun.

He won't let us off the plane when we land.

KBL 835, do you have an emergency?

Repeat, do you have an emergency?

Negative. Negative for landing.

KBL 835, you are cleared to land.

Carter, SAC Seattle. Yes, Carter. Have they landed?

Well, they just hit the outer runway now, sir. The pilot reports some

deadheading KBL employee tried to jump Putnam. Putnam shot him.

Did he kill him?

Well, I don't know, sir, but they say it's clear he means business.

He's threatened to murder the stewardesses. Anybody so much as comes

plane except to refuel it. Let's get to the tower. I want to talk to him. Yes,

sir. Oh, by the way, they've diverted the plane to the hangar area.

I can go to the bathroom.

No, no, no.

Now, wait a minute. Calm down, everybody.

Calm down. Calm down.

Everything will be all right.

We'll get you out of this in a minute. Now, now, sit down. Sit down.

Come on. Sit down.

So he won't let us off.

Now, isn't that going to bug my draft board?

He'll let us off. I'll see to that.

I gave you permission to bring it aboard.

I'm a jewelry salesman. I carry a lot of diamonds around.

Here he is now, Captain.

Give me Mr. Ward in Washington.

Yes, sir.

835, sitting right over there, sir.

Captain Wrigley, this is Inspector Erskine, FBI.

How's the wounded man?

Well, it's a little hard to tell from in here, Inspector.

He took one in the shoulder.

He's alive.

The stewardess seems to have been able to stop the bleeding.

Where's Putnam?

Still in the lounge.

Let me talk to him.

I'm sorry, sir. I can't do that.

As long as I'm in charge of the aircraft, no maniac with a gun is going

inside this compartment.

Captain! If Putnam wants gains access, we're through, Inspector.

Suppose ground control orders me to take off for anchorage.

What happens if Putnam goes berserking here and kills all three of us?

I've got 96 passengers and crew to think of.

I know that, Readley, but we've got to determine what he's after.

Whether he can be reasoned with. Whether he's sane. or psychotic.

All right, we'll see what the Bureau can find out at their end.

We'll refuel as slowly as possible.

If Putnam gets restless, notify the control supervisor at once.

Yes, sir.

Here's Mr. Ward.

Arthur.

Carter's filled me in.

You're not going to let the plane take off for Anchorage.

Can't you block the runway?

and Putnam would see that he's caught.

I can't take a risk like that, Arthur, until I know more about him.

Has New York come up with anything?

They're sending the hotel registration card and some other articles to us by

special courier.

So, uh, hang tight.

What do you think you're doing? Shut up.

What do you want? What are you doing in here?

Food.

What?

What?

We're hungry.

We haven't had anything to eat.

Fix him something.

And I need some coffee, miss.

Black.

Now get back to your seat and stay there.

Yes.

So what was that supposed to accomplish?

We've been able to get some sleep, but he hasn't. He'll be ready to keel over

another... Listen, I've got an idea.

Will you help?

Oh, no.

Oh, you have to do it. No.

I see.

If the army wants you, they'll have to come and get you.

Even if it has to be in Auburn, Manchuria.

Hey, mister.

My name is Miller.

Young. Listen, Young.

Will you help me get us out of this mess?

What's the ground crew doing?

How long does it take to refuel an airplane?

This isn't a kiddie car you're playing with, Putnam. Give him time.

Mr. Putnam, please let them take Captain Thomas to the hospital.

Is it bad?

It, uh... It's smart, son, yeah.

I wish there was something I could do.

I should stay here and hold my hand and talk.

I wish we had something to take the cane away.

Miss, tell the passengers to fasten the seatbelts. We're taking off.

But they aren't through out there. They are now.

Yes. Are you cleared for takeoff, Captain?

Putnam, can't you understand?

Sir, if we're not moving in five minutes, I'll finish off Captain Thomas.

Five minutes more and I'll have to kill Miss Gibbs.

Five minutes more, Miss Cagle.

After that, one passenger at a time, every five minutes.

Please don't make me do that.

KBL 835 to tower.

Inspector.

Yes, Captain.

He's giving me five minutes to start engine, sir.

How's the plane check out?

Everything seems to be okay.

We filed a flight plan.

Weather report.

Severe storms piled along the coast.

It looks very bad.

Really, we may have to block your runway with a couple of FBI cars and take our

chances with Putnam.

I'm holding a direct line open to Washington.

I'll let you know the decision just as soon as I can.

Yes, sir.

All right.

PBL 835 cleared as planned.

Fairbanks alternate for anchorage.

Taxi north on runway 16.

Transpond 77 now.

We're moving.

We're not getting help.

You know what to do when I say.

Yeah.

Joe.

It's all right, Ma.

KVL 835 clear for takeoff. Contact departure control leaving 2000.

Dearest Stan, I hope you and the children can forgive me for... That's

Well, there he is.

Ernest C. Putnam.

Family man.

Insomniac.

Intellectual. And what else?

Spy, fugitive, psychopath, what?

That's odd.

Look what the infrared shows.

We're in luck. He used two different writing instruments.

Well, then he wrote down the address Bothell, Washington, inked it out, and

wrote it down again.

But why?

Yes, sir, good question.

Let me look at that.

KBL Jet E35 is on its way to Anchorage.

I just talked to Lewis.

The Air Force is going to try to get him there before the KBL Jet lands.

Can you tell whether the inked -out word Washington...

was written before the word Bothell?

No, sir. There'd be no way to determine that.

But I see what you mean. It almost looks as though the name of the town was

squeezed in as an afterthought. The name of the false town.

Just suppose... Suppose he started to write his real address automatically

and then caught himself before he added D .C.

Suppose Botho was an afterthought.

Yes, and he couldn't quite get it in, so he inked the whole thing out and

rewrote it properly.

Okay.

Then we could be looking for a scientist with at least two children and a wife

named Dan who lives in or around Washington, D .C.

And who may have been reported missing by now.

Yes, sir.

KBL 835, Swamp 21A, we have you over Sardi.

Send a request to Anchorage ETA.

I've checked Yucatan.

Our ETA be Anchorage now 0 -5 -2 -5 Zulu.

Needed advisories in upper air. It's over.

No change in in -route forecast.

Expect frontal passage at Anchorage near 0 -9 -0 Zulu. Last Anchorage terminal

weather, indefinite. Precipitation ceiling 100 and 1 -8. Wind 1 -8 -0 at 3

with gusts of 5 -0. Are you continuing? Repeat, are you continuing?

Stand by.

Yes, Captain, what do you want?

Putnam will have to turn back.

No, that's not... Listen to me.

I can't get around this storm. I can't get above it. I just don't want you

blasting away when you find you're not in Anchorage.

If we land anywhere but in Anchorage, Captain, you'll be responsible for a

bloodbath that'll turn your stomach.

Now, you can back away from this storm if you please.

But I can promise you you'll wish to heaven you hadn't by the time I get

in here.

Shall I tell him we're turning back, sir?

Now, we'll proceed on course.

Male, Caucasian, 46, 47 years of age. According to the hotel clerk, 190

pounds, gray hair, no visible scars.

Here we are.

Male, Caucasian, 48, 6 '2", 185 pounds.

Disappeared on his way to the office Thursday at 4 noon.

Reported missing by his wife, Anne.

Name? Charles King.

I'll write out the address.

What's he do?

Nuclear theorist.

Look, you don't think we ought to wait? No, no.

Let me handle this. I know what I'm doing.

Poor guy.

Well, nobody asked him to try a trick like that.

He might have known he'd get shot.

He was trying to help us.

You'd be proud of him if he just sat there and done nothing?

You know, he thinks a lot of you, Gipsy.

Come on, Grace.

He does.

He told me.

I saw him in London just after you announced your engagement.

We had a couple of drinks.

He talked about you all evening.

You could have killed him.

Miss?

More coffee, please.

There is no more. I'm sorry.

You sure?

I'm sorry.

How's the captain?

Not very good.

You know, you've all been very sensible, very cooperative.

I don't want to hurt any of you.

Your families must be worried.

When we get to Anchorage, I think I'll let everyone get off.

Except the men in the pilot's compartment.

If you're fair with me, I'll be fair with you.

Mrs. King?

Yes?

FBI, ma 'am.

You're here about my husband?

Come in, please.

Thank you.

Sit down.

Have you found him?

Mrs. King, has your husband ever expressed any dissatisfaction with U .S.

nuclear policy? Never.

Never?

Where is he? What's happened?

He may have decided to defect to Red China, ma 'am.

As a matter of fact, he may be in his way there now.

Well, it just isn't possible.

He's been tired, he's been working hard, but... He said nobody talked to anybody

anymore. Nobody listened.

He said if all the scientists could just get together and talk, communist, free

world, all together, maybe in Peking.

Oh, my, what will they do to him?

Mr. King, he's aboard a jet.

He has a gun, and he's threatening the other passengers with it.

Now if we could put you in contact with him, would you be willing to help us?

Let me get my coat

Thank you.

Something's wrong.

I feel... Tell the stewards...

Hard...

Help

me!

What's the matter?

Come in here if you want something.

All right.

That's the way you want it. That's the way you'll get it.

I've tried to be fair with you.

You want guns?

All right.

Dave McFarland, Sir SAC Anchorage. Dave, anywhere from the KVL flight?

Yes, sir. We're in contact with them now. We're also holding a line open to

Washington. They've identified the hijacker, Dr.

Charles King. His wife is standing by.

Earthkin, would you put me through to Mr. Ward, please?

Ward.

I hear you've identified the subject.

Yes, we have, Lewis.

Can I tell you who he is?

Nuclear theorist.

Defected? Well, his wife doesn't feel that way. She thinks it's got to be a

of overwork, fatigue, breakdown.

Please don't hurt him.

I know he shot someone, but he must have been terribly provoked, terribly

afraid.

If I could just talk with him.

Could that be arranged?

I doubt it. The pilot doesn't dare let him in the cockpit.

What about a tape?

Personal message?

Would you do that for us, Mrs. King?

Well, yes, if...

Hey, can you get us a tape recorder fast?

I've got one in the car.

I'd also be a way for me to get aboard when they land.

Lewis, there's one more thing.

It doesn't really matter whether this is fatigue or defection.

We cannot allow the Communists to get their hands on King.

That flight has got to end at Anchorage.

It will.

Mrs. King?

We have the recorder ready.

Just speak slowly and clearly. Tell him exactly how you feel.

If you hold just a moment, Mr. King.

It's 835 now, sir.

at 26 and changing to ground.

Clear to gate 11, KBL.

Second turnoff.

Yeah, big turn.

Captain Wrigley, this is Inspector Erskine.

Yes, Inspector.

We've identified the hijacker.

He's a nuclear theorist, a Dr. Charles King.

I'm going to try to come aboard to talk to him.

I wouldn't recommend it.

Things have gotten considerably worse.

What's happened?

Some fool pulled a gun.

Putnam, or King, or whatever his name is, took it away from him.

King was going to let the passengers off here.

Now he's even changed his mind about that.

There's no way out of this one now, Inspector.

No way.

I said no!

But you promised.

You've got to let him off. You said we'd been fair with you. We haven't tried

anything, but he promised.

You're not going to help him by getting shot yourself.

How's the arm?

It'll be okay. It'll be okay.

Well, I cooked everybody's goose, didn't I?

Face the problem. I was something That's what I should have helped

Funny I've carried that gun for 15 years just aching for the chance to use it to

be the big hero now the chance comes along and I Read

a story the other day fellow said Always

be careful what you wish for is it might come true

Fathead who wanted to stay on this plane forever.

Well, the Seattle draft board looks a little friendly, eh?

Well, you'd think a man at 23 years old, Mr. Miller, would begin to grow up a

little. Oh, don't fret about it, son. Look at the head start you got on me.

I'm 50.

No.

It's going to be a long flight.

Dangerous flight.

Do we care?

I mean... It is our

honeymoon, isn't it?

from your wife.

All right, give me the tape recorder.

Move away.

You know what to do. Yes, sir.

I'm Inspector Eskin.

How'd you find out my name?

Your wife filed a missing persons report.

Your family's very worried about you, Doctor.

They don't understand how you could do a thing like this.

Is that the message?

No.

No, the message is on tape here.

Your wife telephoned it in from Washington.

Boyd?

You open it, Miss Cagle, please.

Charlie?

Hello, darling.

I wish I were looking at you, talking to you face to face, but I guess this is

better than nothing.

I told Natalie and Dan where you'd gone and why.

Why I thought you'd gone.

But I guess I don't really know.

Oh, Charlie, I miss you so much.

Well,

let's see.

I think everything's okay around the house.

I told the painter to go ahead on the upstairs bedroom.

I guess that's all I can think of, except... Stay well, darling.

Charlie, I love you.

I think it's about time you came home, don't you, Doctor?

It's no longer possible to get this airplane off the ground.

The second you pull that trigger, I'll be on top of you.

Maybe I ought to shoot you first.

Same thing applies.

Shoot him and I'll jump you.

We'll both jump you.

It's over, Dr. King.

There's no way for this plane to get off the ground.

All you can do is add a murder charge to the rest.

No.

thank you

So that's about it.

King's in the custody of the United States Marshal.

How did Captain Thomas make out?

Doing fine.

The stewardess says she's going to stay on in Anchorage until he's released.

How about you?

Me? Well, you're still on vacation, aren't you?

So I am.

And you always wanted to see Alaska.

Another time, Arthur.

There's a beautiful girl waiting for me in San Francisco I'd rather see.

Well, then.

Have fun, Lewis.

Do it upright as long as you're there.

Just, uh... Make sure you're back at your desk bright and early day after

tomorrow.

Thank you.