Movie Classics at the Ritz Theatre presents The Day Earth Stood Still at Wayne Densch Preforming Arts Center

Washington, D.C., is thrown into a panic when an extraterrestrial spacecraft lands near the White House. Out steps Klaatu, a soft-spoken interplanetary traveler, and his laser spewing robot bodyguard, Gort. An overzealous soldier wounds Klaatu. Klaatu announces he has a message of the gravest importance for all humankind, which he will deliver only when the leaders of all nations agree to meet with him. Given world politics in 1951, Klaatu's demands are denied and he is ordered to remain in the hospital. Klaatu escapes, taking refuge in a boarding house, where he poses as Mr. Carpenter (one of many parallels between Klaatu and Christ). He gains the confidence of a widow and her son, Bobby. Klaatu seeks "the smartest man in the world", a Dr. Barnhardt. Then, at 12 o'clock, Klaatu causes the world to "stand still" -- he shuts down all electrical power worldwide, with the exception of essentials like hospitals and planes in flight.