A huge 'flying saucer' lands in Washington, D.C. A semi-panic ensues and troops arrive. A humanoid alien (Klaatu) (Klaatu2.wav-29k) and a robot (Gort) emerge, but Klaatu is wounded by a nervous soldier. Gort then uses his laserbeam 'eye' to melt the weapons right out of soldiers' hands and even a tank. Klaatu's arm is treated at Walter Reed hospital and he tries to arrange a meeting with the leaders of the world, but they cannot agree on a meeting place, letting pettiness and pride rule them.

"I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it". (impatient.wav-40k)

The story continues with Klaatu escaping from the hospital, hiding out in a boarding house, befriending a young boy, and contacting a scientist in the attempt to meet with the best scientific minds of Earth. Even they require prodding, so Klaatu arranges to shut down Earth's power for half an hour (hence the title). He is hunted down by the military, is killed, brought back to life by Gort, and introduces the world to the phrase, "Gort, Klaatu barada nikto". (Klaatu.wav-81k) One reviewer thought that means "don't destroy the planet". I rather believe it means, "Hey, come get me!", but yes, "spare those dumb humans" is part of it. Anyway, once he finally has our attention (and is ready to leave), he addresses a world audience, warning us that unless the people of Earth stop their nuclear frenzy, which also endangers the rest of the universe, Gort and the rest of the robots on Klaatu's planet will reduce the world "to a burnt-out cinder". (Cinder.wav-66k) "The choice," declares Klaatu, "is yours."

It still is.