Farewell to the Master

By: Harry Bates

Narrated by: Tom Weiner

Were the alien and his robot here to help or hinder humankind? Find out the surprising answer in the original story that inspired the classic 1951 science-fiction movie The Day the Earth Stood Still.

This is a must-read for any science-fiction lover, for, as the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction says, "the film lost the story's ironic ending." Now listeners can discover first-hand what Hollywood left out in this best-known novella of the legendary 1930s idea man, Harry Bates.

Bates's novella, published in 1940 under the title Farewell to the Master, with its poignant, haunting last line, posthumously brought him the coveted Balrog Award (1983). Long-time science-fiction fans rank it and its creator among the greats.

Public Domain (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

An interesting variation from the film

Not the film, but in its own, very different way, excellent. An interesting variation in several ways. This may be one of the very few examples of a film better than the source material.

I would not say that of the remake of the film.

Remember, the story came first...

Starts a bit flat, but gradually builds until I was eager to find out how the punchline would be delivered!

Better Than all the Movies which it Inspired

This was a very good short story. Why no one has bothered to make it into a proper film, I don't understand.

Farewell

Fantastic story. The morality was lost in the Hollywood version. Very Meaningful. Great short story.

the Day the Earth Stood Still

Story written in ancient times. A guess at electronics and weapons. I liked it. if you remember the movie you gotta read this.