NEWLY FOUND RECORDING SHOWS ASTRONAUT WAS REALLY PLEADING FOR HIS LIFE, FEARFUL THAT MOON'S SURFACE MIGHT BE QUICKSAND
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A secret recording of Neil Armstrong's first words as he stepped onto the moon in July 1969 was found this week in the National Archives, and it reveals that the astronaut did not say, "That's one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind." Audio experts have concluded that those words, familiar to generations of Americans, were actually dubbed by actor Alan Young, who most notably portrayed Wilbur Post on TV's beloved sitcom Mister Ed about a talking horse.
In contrast, the real recording found this week shows that Armstrong's actual first words were: "Oh, sh - -; oh sh - -. Don't let this be quicksand! Please don't leave me to die on the moon! Oh, sh - -! I've just wet myself."
Armstrong has long denied that his first words were dubbed, but a careful review of the "official" well-known recording of his alleged first words reveals not only that the speaker was Alan Young, but that another faint voice can be heard in the background. Audio experts have concluded that the voice in the background is that of the late actor Alan Lane, Young's co-star and the voice of the talking horse, Mister Ed, from the television series. Lane is faintly but distinctly heard to say, "Wilbur, turn on the TV for me."
