On Thursday We Leave for Home (2 May 1963)
"The Twilight Zone" On Thursday We Leave for Home (original title)

Space colonists from Pilgrim I, Earth's first spaceship to colonize the outer regions, have spent 30 years in their new home. It's a lonely barren place and they are waiting for a ship from... See full summary »

Director:

Buzz Kulik

Writers:

Rod Serling, Rod Serling (creator)

Stars:

James Whitmore, Tim O'Connor, James Broderick

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
James Whitmore	...	Capt. William Benteen
Tim O'Connor	...	Col. Sloane
James Broderick	...	Al
Paul Langton	...	George
Jo Helton	...	Julie
Mercedes Shirley	...	Joan
Russ Bender	...	Hank
Danny Kulick	...	Jo-Jo (as Daniel Kulick)
Madge Kennedy	...	Colonist
John Ward	...	Colonist
Shirley O'Hara	...	Colonist
Tony Benson	...	Colonist (as Anthony Benson)
Lew Gallo	...	Lt. Engle

Storyline

Space colonists from Pilgrim I, Earth's first spaceship to colonize the outer regions, have spent 30 years in their new home. It's a lonely barren place and they are waiting for a ship from to arrive to transport them home. Some of the colonists are at their wits end and another one, the 9th in six months, commits suicide. They are led by William Benteen, who they call Captain, a tough no-nonsense type who does his best to keep the together. They rejoice when the ship arrives and are given three days to prepare for their departure. As the day approaches however, Benteen assumes the community will stay together on Earth. When he realizes that most in the community will go their own way once they get home, he decides they should stay. When the group decides otherwise, Benteen is left with only one option.

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Plot Keywords:

megalomaniac | planet | pleading | rescue mission | abuse of power | 

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Genres:

Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 May 1963 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cayuga Productions, Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

51 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Included landing and lifting footage from Forbidden Planet whose spaceship prop it also used.

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Goofs

During one of his monologues, Captain Benteen talks about the planet never experiencing night due to the presence of two suns. For this geometry to be true, the suns would have to be on opposite sides of the planet, yet they are clearly close together in the sky. This would actually leave night across the opposing hemisphere of the planet's surface.

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Quotes

Captain Benteen: Now listen to me. I want to tell you some things about the Earth that you haven't heard before. Things that are ugly. Things that are wrong. Things... that cannot be lived with. There is violence on Earth. There are hatreds! And jealousy! Now listen to me, listen to me and listen carefully. The Earth is a place we do not know. The Earth is a place we have never lived in. It is a society we do not belong in. If we leave here, we will die. We will *die*! We'll be committing suicide if we go back ...
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User Reviews

Captain Benteen

This was one of my favorite TZ episodes and I grew up with them from the beginning. What is interesting about this one is Rod Serling's naming of the starship captain "Captain Benteen" which was the name of one of Custer's doomed company commanders at Little Big Horn. A great historical allusion which is sorely lacking in TV today. James Whitmore did a great job portraying a benevolent dictator trying to hang onto his power, which had become his identity and reason for living. I agree with other reviewers who have said that this episode is not so much a quest for absolute power but rather the trait in human nature that once you get into a position of authority it is hard to relinquish.