View source for A for Andromeda: The Machine

{{infobox episode
| name       = "The Machine"
| series     = [[A for Andromeda]]
| season     = 1
| number     = 2
| image      = File:A for Andromeda 1x02 001.jpg
| airdate    = [[October 10th]], [[1961]]
| writer     = [[Fred Hoyle]]<br>[[John Elliot]]
| director   = [[Michael Hayes]]
| producer   = [[Michael Hayes]]<br>[[Norman James]]
| starring   = [[Esmond Knight]]; [[Patricia Kneale]]; [[Peter Halliday]]; [[Noel Johnson]]; [[Julie Christie]]
| previous   = [[A for Andromeda: The Message|"The Message"]]
| next       = [[A for Andromeda: The Miracle|"The Miracle"]]
}}
'''"The Machine"''' is the second episode of the [[British]] science fiction television series ''[[A for Andromeda]]''. It was directed by [[Michael Hayes]] with a script written by [[Fred Hoyle]] and [[John Elliot]]. It first aired on the [[BBC]] on [[October 10th]], [[1961]]. 

== Synopsis ==
At the behest of the [[Ministry of Defence]], Doctor John Fleming goes to the [[London Institute of Electronics]] where he is allowed to use their [[computer]] resources to decode the subspace messages that he picked up at [[Bouldershaw Fell]]. There, he meets a young woman named [[Christine]]. Working to translate the code, Fleming theorizes that the signals are actually a mathematical set of instructions, which includes designs for the construction of a larger, more complex computer system. The Ministry gives Fleming permission to begin construction on the computer and they set up a military research center at [[Thorness]] in [[Scotland]]. The computer is activated and begins to output its first set of instructions. 

Meanwhile, Fleming's colleague, [[Dennis Bridger]], sells out to an unscrupulous industrialist named [[Kaufmann]], who represents a company known as [[Intel]].  

== Cast == 
{| class="wikitable" border=1
|- style="background:#CCCCCC"
!width="150"|Actor
!width="200"|Role
|-
| [[Peter Halliday]] || [[John Fleming|Doctor John Fleming]]
|-
| [[Esmond Knight]] || [[Ernest Reinhart|Professor Ernest Reinhart]]
|-
| [[Patricia Kneale]] || [[Judy Adamson]]
|-
| [[Frank Windsor]] || [[Dennis Bridger]]
|-
| [[Noel Johnson]] || [[J.M. Osborne]]
|-
| [[Julie Christie]] || [[Christine]]
|-
| [[Donald Stewart]] || [[General Vandenberg]]
|-
| [[Geoffrey Lewis]] || [[Doctor Geers]]
|-
| [[John Hollis]] || [[Kaufmann]]
|-
| [[Robert S. Young]] || Commissionaire 
|-
| [[Peter Henchie]] || Egon
|-
| [[Frederick Treves]] || Captain Lovell
|-
| [[John Nettleton]] || Harries
|-
| [[Margaret Denyer]] || Mrs. Tate-Allen
|-
| [[Jack Gwillim]] || Air Commodore Watling
|-
| [[Ernest Hare]] || Minister of Science Ratcliff
|-
| [[Brenda Peters]] || Secretary
|-
| [[Anne Hudson]] || Nurse
|} 

== Notes & Trivia ==
* The story is told in flashback from the recollection of Professor [[Ernest Reinhart]].

* This is the first appearance of actress [[Julie Christie]] as [[Christine]]. This is Christie's first major acting role. 

* This episode marks the television debut of actor [[John Hollis]]. 

== Allusions ==
* {{No allusions}} <!-- Remove template once the task has been satisfied -->

== Bloopers ==
* {{No bloopers}}  <!-- Remove template once the task has been satisfied -->

== Quotes ==
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== See also ==
{{A for Andromeda SA}}

== External Links ==
* {{imdb|title/tt0959582/|"The Machine"}}
* {{tv iv|http://tviv.org/A_for_Andromeda_(1961)/The_Machine|"The Machine"}}
* {{tv.com|http://www.tv.com/a-for-andromeda/the-machine/|"The Machine"}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:A for Andromeda: 1 02}}
{{A for Andromeda episode}}

{{Cat|Anne Hudson}}
{{Cat|Brenda Peters}}
{{Cat|Frank Windsor}}
[[Category:1961/Episodes]]
[[Category:October, 1961/Episodes]]
[[Category:John Elliot]]