the Evil Eye of Venus

plot
Professor Borra of Venus has invented a giant mechanical eye, which he places near Cresta, the capital city.  The eye has been programmed to detect and destroy all metal which does not come from Earth, Mars or Venus which comes within three miles of Cresta.  Raeburn grants the crew of Galasphere 347 two week’s leave and they choose to spend it in Cresta.  General Smith, however, points out that, as Galaspheres are made from plutonite, they will be unable to land in Cresta.  The Venusian president sends Borra to reprogram the eye, but his hover jet is destroyed by the eye as soon as it comes within range and Borra is killed.  The eye soon goes out of control, destroying anything that comes close enough.  Raeburn realizes that ultrasonic sounds can stop it working. Dart and his crew volunteer to administer the waves and, once they have stopped the eye, they destroy it using their lasar gun.

notes
The Uranus plant from the Robot Revolution and the Dark Planet is seen again in this episode.

credits
a National Interest Picture production
Wonderama Productions Ltd. © 1962
produced by Roberta Leigh and Arthur Provis
directed by Frank Goulding
created & written by Roberta Leigh
voices by Libby Morris, Dick Vosburgh, Ronnie Stevens, Murray Cash, Ysanne Churchman
puppetry by Martin & Heather Granger, Joan Garrick
electronics by F.C. Judd
editor: Len Walter
recordist: Cyril Brown
RCA sound recording
processed at Kay’s
cameraman: Arthur Provis
art director: Roland Whiteside
models: Derek Freeborn
script assistant: Denise Kaye
space consultant: Colin Ronan
special effects & animation: Brian Stevens, Bert Walker
2nd unit cameraman: Jimmy Hopewell