The Day the Earth Stood Still – Gort lands in Washington D.C

A 1951 American black-and-white science fiction film from 20th Century Fox, produced by Julian Blaustein and directed by Robert Wise. The film stars Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe, Billy Gray, Frances Bavier and Lock Martin. The screenplay was written by Edmund H. North, based on the 1940 science fiction short story “Farewell to the Master” by Harry Bates, and the film score was composed by Bernard Herrmann.

The flying saucer lands in Washington’s Ellipse, but the shooting took place at Fort George G. Meade in Maryland, where the humanoid robot, Gort, destroys soldiers’ weapons / The Day the Earth Stood Still 1951/ Production company – distribution: 20th Century Fox

**Aerial view of the Ellipse in Washington, D.C / Image: via wikipedia.org**

Set in the Cold War during the early stages of the nuclear arms race, the film’s storyline involves a humanoid alien visitor who comes to Earth, accompanied by a powerful robot, to deliver an important message that will affect the entire human race.

Principal outdoor photography for The Day the Earth Stood Still was shot on the 20th Century Fox stage 3 – 4 and on its studio back lot, with a second unit shooting background and other scenes in Washington D.C. Some of the military scenes in the movie were filmed at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.

**Fort George G. Meade in Maryland / Image: via baltimoresun.com**

▶ The Day the Earth Stood Still (2/5) Movie CLIP – Gort Appears (1951) HD

Featured Image: Gort, the fictional humanoid robot / The Day the Earth Stood Still 1951 / Production company – distribution: 20th Century Fox

Websites: 20thcenturystudios.com