The film ended with extra-terrestrial "first contact" being established between a landing spaceship of aliens (Vulcans) ("Live long and prosper") and humans due to Cochrane""s warp-drive flight, with Picard and crew witnessing the historic event before returning to the 24th century in theEnterprise.) Independent producer Stanley Kramer and director Edward Dmytryk (one of the original blacklisted "Hollywood Ten" and director ofMurder, My Sweet (1944)andCrossfire (1947)) had earlier collaborated on the melodramatic thrillerThe Sniper (1952), the dramatic combat filmEight Iron Men (1952), andThe Juggler (1953)with Kirk Douglas, but this fourth film was their most-acclaimed and successful work.He made his way to the fortress aboard a sled pulled by rabbits.]As the group continued on their way, they realized hat some of their ponies were missing.They came upon three large Mountain Trolls (with brownish skin) around a campfire (Tom, Bert, and William) who had carried off four of their animals for a meal.Maternalistic, Irish housekeeper Mrs.Meredith (Emma Dunn) questions why the stationmaster has brought them there:Mrs.Meredith: He""s over to the park arranging a bazaar so as to make money for the fire engines.Mal, you should have known he was at the park.Stationmaster: Knew it all the time, but these men said they wanted o see the house.Can""t read their minds if they don""t say what they want.She offers small-town hospitality: "Sure I couldn""t get you a glass of lemonade or something?" Expositionally, she explains background about Deeds: he co-owns and runs the small-town allow works.