Original subtitles

Strange! These Indian Fakirs are a bit uncanny.

Look at this old fellow.

- Feeling jumpy? - Sure, trembling like a leaf.

What do you think of our Indian magic now?

Magic! I travel halfway across the world

and the first thing I see is the same old trick

my father used to do. - Your father?

He used to go around with a traveling circus.

- I've a half a mind to show you... - I wouldn't if I were you.

- Let him try, sir? - Come here, Fatima... Come...

Ladies and Gentleman...

And not forgetting me friend the Yogi...

(My friend wants to try the magic.)

(Let him do it if he can.)

- He says you can try... if you can. - If I can!

It's as easy as drilling with the rifles.

At the command 'one', take the girl gently by the shoulder

and place her in the bag, giving the impression

the operation is extremely difficult. And the head too...

Command 'two', carefully covering the basket.

Command 'three', assume a ferocious expression,

reach down and take a sword firmly in the hand.

Hey, you're not going to...?

- What's the matter? - I can't stir...

Something's happened!

Is it him?

(Never will be able to do it.)

(Always will remain under the magic spell.)

If you laugh at him again, he'll keep

the magic spell on you. - A magic spell?

Tell him I won't laugh...

I'm new... I'm ignorant. Tell him anything!

(Let him go.)

A magic spell!

O'Leary... O'Leary !

- Did you believe it was a spell? - I don't know. I suppose not,

but strange things do happen out here or seem to.

May be because you can't understand them.

Sure... a magic spell.

A touch of my old lumbago,

and you fooling me the while. - I wasn't.

If we weren't going up to the Frontier,

I'd show you more of this. - I'd rather you showed me a fight.

There'll be plenty of fighting up there.

You don't see so much in the papers, but...

Why, Nura!

Do you know her?

As a kid she played around the barracks.

There's the makings of a beautiful fight right here.

So it's twisting her arm? How do you like it?

No, let me go.

- Need any help? - Help? And I was thinking

he'd give me a fight. Off with you,

or I'll be putting a spell on you then...

A magic lump will rise on your head the size of an egg. Off with you!

We'll see no harm comes to you.

- No, no. I go... - You've always let me help you.

You kind to me always. Before I go, I give you this.

- The Monkey's paw! - A monkey's paw?

The Fakir... You saw him give it to me.

- The Fakir? - I remember. Another spell!

Make 3 wishes with that paw in your right hand and

you'll get whatever you wished.

The Sahib will wish for his own happiness.

- No, wish nice things for yourself. - I have wished my last wish...

The one wish of my heart. I have wish that I may die.

She only a kid. She'll get over it soon.

What's that?

Nura!

Come on, boys!

Regimental headquarters... Caporal O'Leary's detachment reports

a strong enemy concentration at the foot of hill X 2202...

Yes, O'Leary expects an attack in force

unless you stop them with a heavy bombardment. What?

The trench mortars aren't in position yet?

Tell them to hurry and open fire as soon as possible.

Cease fire!

How many rounds of ammunition left?

- 2 rounds. - Save it.

The next flurry will be a genuine attack.

- Will the trench mortars come? - I pray they will.

- Who's there? - Sergeant Major Morris.

- Any news? - The mortars are on their way.

- On their way? - They'll be here soon.

Soon? I'll show you a thing for your own good.

Come here. The tribesmen are massed behind those rocks

and they're going to be here very soon.

And if them mortars don't come...

- The pain of the devil himself. - I'll give you something for that...

Where's the... ?

The paw...

The monkey's paw!

Sergeant Major... They're coming.

Hold your fire. Send up a flare so we can see something.

I wish those trench mortars would open fire.

The trench mortars!

The paw... You wished on the paw!

Look out! They're dropping them short. Look out!

I'm glad you're back.

Me too. Here's to good health!

Gracious, don't look at the time.

I have to be off. How much?

Will you come in on our Christmas raffle?

There's a turkey, plum pudding, port

and Scotch. - How much?

- Only one and six. - Just to be sociable-like.

Well, I'm going to their house tonight.

- How's Herbert? - He'll be down in a minute.

- Rose, we'll have them over there. - All right.

I wish he weren't on a night duty.

Well, when you're married you mustn't let him do it.

- What's father up to? - He went out on the porch,

looking very mysterious with Herbert's bicycle lamp.

Oh, yes.

We're expecting Sergeant Major Morris tonight.

- I told you, didn't I? - Yes.

Mother, tell them to wash my new flannels, will you ?

They're too rough.

- How are you, Dad? - Hello.

- Where's Rose? - There's some idea

of your having breakfast in the kitchen.

- Late for breakfast as usual. - And I can't argue,

because it's all my fault.

- You know how I sleep. - How should I?

Of course.

That's a good-looking omelet, isn't it?

- Don't let it get cold. - I won't.

- What have you been doing today? - Nothing much.

I washed the dog, and mother and I went shopping.

We ran into Charlie Parsons.

- Was Maisie with him? - Yes, they were choosing a house.

We're way ahead of them.

Did you tell them we'd chosen ours?

Yes, but they can pay for theirs.

Then we're way behind them.

Never mind, darling, I'll get that 200 pounds.

I'll save... and save some more.

More than enough.

Um... this is good.

So you see, if I play my cards properly,

I might be a foreman. - Then you'll be a foreman.

Rose, your father's here.

Oh, dear. Father's an angel but there are times...

Rose!

All right, half a minute.

Say, aren't you wearing any galoshes tonight?

I don't like galoshes.

Then you'd better change your shoes and stockings

when you get home. - All right, old lady.

- Good night, darling. - Good night...

- See you tomorrow. - Come on. Must get a move on.

Mind you change your shoes and stockings.

A whole half hour before I have to push off.

- Do you mind? - Did you hear that, Dad?

Always fishing for compliments. You know I'm crazy about you.

One day you'll walk out with Rose

and never come back. - Don't be a goose.

We'll only be over the road,

and Rose won't kick if you still want to darn my socks,

and you an have my room to dress in, Dad.

Yes...

It won't be so soon anyway.

- I'll do a bit of studying. - Not now.

Let me give you that beating.

Come on, then.

We've just got time.

I say, when we finished last night, my queen...

wasn't she there? - Certainly

before I made my big move. - Your big move?

With my knight. I took your castle, remember?

- But my queen... - Are you telling this or am I?

Your queen was here... The black queen

stayed all night with the white Bishop.

Dad, please remember I sing in a choir.

- If you can't be serious... - I'm sorry.

Of course it's just as you say. Now, my move, isn't it?

- Got you, I think. - He's beaten you?

Why, no. He's overlooked...

- The wind's rising. - Yes...

- Remember that storm...? - Check

mate...

Well...

- I'll let him in. - No, I'll go myself.

Good old Tom.

Come in, come in, come in.

- I've chosen a night, haven't I? - John wouldn't have slept a wink

if you hadn't. - I'm glad.

You must have had a job against that wind.

I thought I'd never get past that cemetery.

I'm so glad...

It's no good arguing.

I'll have to be getting myself some spare parts.

Well... I...

He lost his arm.

Come in, come in.

- I'm so sorry. - Don't worry.

I've still go an arm to put around you.

Thanks...

Young fellow, you are filling out, eh?

- How did it happen? - One of them frontier scraps,

and a stray slug with my number on it.

- You won't be going back to India? - No. I get my discharge tomorrow,

so if you know of a job for a bright young fellow

that's tough and sober... What's this?

Whiskey...

And hot, and a lump of sugar

and a slice of lemon.

No, I said I'd never...

but seeing the sort of night it is...

- Here's another thousand a year. - Same to you, old Tom.

- Now... - Aren't you drinking?

I'm on night duty down at the power house.

Yes, isn't it a shame? Every night at 11.

Perhaps you can help us. Herbert and I had an argument...

That Indian basket trick... How is it done?

- Magic. - Really?

Yes, I've seen a bloke with

no more clothes on than a baby, if you know what I mean...

Take an empty basket...

Empty, mind you, as empty as... this glass...

- Fill it up. - I meant for illustration only.

I've read how the basket trick worked.

- It's all a fake. - It is, is it?

I suppose it's a fake when a native chucks a rope up

in the air, mind you... and swarms up it same as if

it were hooked on, and vanishes out of sight.

I've seen that, too.

Wasn't it a friend of yours who saw it?

- As a matter of fact... - Of course.

Nobody's ever seen this trick, because it's never been done.

If you doubt my word...

- You'll have no more yarns from me. - It's only his fun.

He's laughing at what he ignores.

If I chose,

I could tell you of magic. - But you can't show us any.

Can't I? And supposing I can?

- I knew you'd bring us a present. - A present?

I wouldn't give this as a present to anyone.

I just keep it in my pocket

for fear of what might happen.

- Let's see it anyway. - Not much to look at,

but it's magic all right.

- Bless my soul, a monkey's paw? - Yes...

A monkey's paw,

an ordinary little paw,

all dried to a mummy. - I don't like it.

- I wish... - Don't you do that.

You don't know what you're doing...

This paw here has a magic spell on it.

Just hark at the wind.

- Who put the spell on it? - An old Indian fakir.

You know, the dirtier the holier and this one was very holy...

Half naked, you know, and matted 'air .

I can just see him.

We used to watch the natives consult him

as a sort of an oracle.

One day a girl jumps up...

Just a little dancer I'd known as a kid.

She was in love with a man that didn't love her,

being married at the time. But she didn't care.

She asks the fakir how she can get her heart's desire.

The old man tells her she can't have him.

It's against the fate...

All people, he says, is ruled by fate.

There's no getting away from it.

He tells her to go home or she'd be sorry.

But the girl just laughs,

and so did some of the others.

So the fakir looks at her kind of quiet

and he ups with this bit of a monkey's paw,

and puts a magic spell upon it.

Yes...

- What sort of a spell? - He made it so that 3 people

who held the paw in their right hands, and wished aloud,

could each have 3 wishes, all be granted.

- Irrespective? - Quite,

they'd happen so natural that it might be a coincidence.

Here was the catch...

The girl didn't know and neither did I until too late,

that thought the wishes were granted,

those people would all have cause to wish they hadn't been.

He started off with the young lady?

Yes,

he gave the paw to the girl, and her first wish

was granted.

And her second?

I don't know,

but the third was for death.

- And did she? - Yes, that's how I got...

the paw.

After that... Herbert, here...

You don't know any more funny stories, do you?

Did you have your 3 wishes?

Yes...

They were all granted.

You've only got to wish for things

that can't have any bad luck about them.

Exactly. Look here, if you've had your wishes,

that paw's not good to you. How about...

- John, you're not... - If it amuses him.

If you could, would you have your wishes over again?

I can't say I would.

- Oh, I'm darned if I would. - You can't do that!

- Let it burn. - Don't touch it.

If nobody else wants it, I do.

- I wish... - Stop! Give it to me, old fool.

I've only one arm, but it's a good one.

Friend or no friend...

Yes, if you put it like that.

Sit down and finish your drink.

No, if you don't mind. I'm sorry, old lady,

This thing's got on my nerves.

Good night all.

John!

Wait till you hear what I was going to wish.

- Allow me. - Thank you.

- I'm sorry. - That's all right.

It gave me the shivers,

and as for your father... - Stop it, mother.

It's not worth talking about.

- Come again soon. - Aye, aye. Good night.

- What did you think of it? - I'm not talking to you.

- That's no way to treat a friend! - You don't understand.

How else could I prove it was all hanky-padoodlum?

- You didn't believe in the paw? - Of course I did,

and 3 times a week I jump over the moon.

I'm glad the things out of the house.

There was something nasty about it

like a dead mouse. - You go up to bed, and put

your head under the clothes. - That's right.

- It's long past her bedtime. - Keep your fingers crossed.

You'll need your nice warm muffler.

You'll need a nice hot water bottle.

Good night, dear.

- No nightmares, mind. - Don't talk foolishness.

- John, you'll be up soon, won't you? - All right, Mrs. Heebie-jeebies...

Now, my boy, I suppose you'll be off to work, eh?

You seem in an awful hurry to get rid of me.

- Really, my boy... - Then what?

I'm just tired.

- Up to anything, are you? - Nonsense!

Must see about that...

Now, let's have a look at you.

So they put a spell on you, did they?

If so, why don't you answer?

You have the nerve to tell me you can grant 3 wishes...

All right, just as a joke...

We shall see!

Now you give it to me and I'll put it in the fire.

Very well, then...

catch me. - You think I can't?

Go it, Dad.

- I'm pretty quick on my pins. - Come on, 2 to 1 on the lady.

You haven't an earthly chance...

- Now, Mother! - Well,

of all the measly things to... - Hand it over.

All right, and just to make sure of that house of yours...

I wish for 200 pounds.

What's the matter?

It moved...

As I wished, the paw sort of clenched its fist.

John!

Clenched its fist?

Dad, you're seeing things. Look, it's as stiff as a bone.

- Well, where's any money? - Herbert...

I'm sorry, Mother.

I must be getting along.

Good night, Dad.

You better put your head under the covers, too.

Good night, dear. Be back at 9.

- I'm glad no harm's been done. - Yes...

- It gave me a bit of a shock. - Let it be a lesson to you.

No...

You've been naughty enough for tonight.

Yes, I... I...

What a pair of old fools we've been,

getting all spooky over a silly paw,

because a window blew open, which might happen any night.

- We ought to be ashamed. - That's right.

- We ought to. - Now, you bolt the door

and come straight up.

We'll have a good laugh in the morning.

Yes, that's right...

Don't think you kept me awake all night,

I'll tell you 2 things... A:

you don't look so good in the daylight yourself. B:

I was plastered last night.

You've got that paw again?

Let me see it.

In the sunshine what a measly little thing it looks.

Just what I was telling it... What I was thinking.

The idea of your listening to such nonsense.

My listening... Huh!

Old Tom and his yarns.

And you and your faces in the fire.

Where's the sugar?

Here.

How could wishes be granted nowadays?

Who's been thinking about it all night, eh?

Who kept me awake talking about it in his sleep?

- Let's drop the subject. - All right.

All that rubbish as if your wish had been granted.

- How could you gain 200 pounds? - Might drop on my head...

Don't see any other way, and I'd try to bear that,

though mind you,

Tom did say it might happen so naturally,

you might take it for coincidence. - It hasn't happened.

That's all I know, and it isn't going to.

How you can believe this?

- What's that? - Postman, of course.

He's knocked twice.

It's important.

- Supposing... - What?

- It was the 200 pounds. - Don't talk nonsense.

Why don't you fetch it?

- Good morning, Mrs. White. - Good morning.

- Will you sign here? - Just a minute.

I'm so nervous. I can scarcely write

Here...

- So long. - So long. Thank you.

- The postman's brought a letter. - What did you expect?

- A ton of coals? - A registered letter.

Look how thick it is! Something crisp inside it.

- Who's it for? - You.

Hand it over then. The idea...

Superstitious old woman!

- Where are my specs? - Let me open it.

Don't touch it. Where are my specs?

- Take care. - Will you find my specs?

Here, John... Oh, don't... don't tear it.

- Tear what? - Supposing it's banknotes...

You've gone looney.

Don't make me nervous.

"Reference premium demand notes enclosed...

"unless premium on the above policy is paid by the 13th instance..."

That's what comes from listening to tipsy old soldiers.

What does?

You thought there were banknotes.

- I did not. You did... - Herbert will have a good laugh.

- No, don't tell him... - Remember how he joked

when you said the paw clenched its fist?

So it did.

Anyway... You saw how it upset me, didn't you?

Isn't it about time for Herbert?

That's right. It is after 9. I wish he gave up this night work.

He misses the sunshine and...

- What's the matter? - Nothing.

Do you see Herbert coming?

- No. - What is it, then?

Nothing, only a man.

- Pretty prosperous, too. - What about it?

He's standing at the gate

as if he wanted to come in but didn't dare.

You're at it again...

Going back again.

He looks like a lawyer

with a brief case. - With 200 pounds in it?

Finish your breakfast

Where is he now?

He's turned back again. He has made up his mind

and he's coming in, and me all untidy.

Well, he's probably come to the wrong house.

Good morning. Is this Mr. White's?

Please step in. I'm Mrs. White.

Well, I'm so glad... My name's Sampson.

This way, Mr. Sampson.

You must overlook our being so untidy,

and here is John in his garden coat.

You didn't take his coat...

No, please. What I have to say will take

such little time. - It's nice to see you,

Mr... - Sampson,

of Sampson & Sampson, the lawyers.

- Well... Won't you...? - Thanks.

- Have you something to tell us? - I wished you both to prepare

yourselves for something quite unexpected.

We represent the electrical works.

Do you want us to wait until Herbert gets here?

He'll be here any minute.

I'm afraid not, Mr. White.

- Why? - Is anything the matter?

- I was asked to call... - Herbert...

Has anything happened? Is he hurt...?

Come, come. Let him speak. Don't get upset.

- No bad news, I hope. - Is he hurt?

Yes.

- Badly? - Very badly.

John!

Is he in pain?

- No, not anymore. - Oh, I'm so glad.

Aren't you?

Well?

You didn't mean Herbert...

I can't believe it.

I just... can't.

Go on, sir.

He was telling his mates, and

he was laughing and wasn't noticing,

and a flywheel caught him...

- My little boy. - A flywheel caught him.

I hate telling you this, but the company wishes me

to offer our sincere sympathy in your great loss.

- Our great loss... - And...

while disclaiming all responsibility,

I am to give you this as...

a compensation.

Compensation!

- To give me... what? - 200 pounds.

I ought to warn you, sir.

When these machines catch hold of a man,

he isn't so easy to identify.

I keep on trying to realize it...

Only last night we were planning...

It's all so unfair!

Forgive me. I'd have given my life for him.

My dear.

Have you seen him?

- I'm going over at once. - Oh, no!... No.

I must see him again!

Can't you realize he's all I've got now?

You can't go, Rose.

Oh, father!

But why?

Mr. Hartigan, why?

John!

They asked that you shouldn't...

They're bringing him here tomorrow. Isn't that true?

That true.

So just to please me, my dear, I wish...

Haven't you wished enough already?

Jenny... Jenny...

- Yes. - Were are you?

- At the window. - What are you doing?

Looking up the road.

What's the use, Jenny?

That's where the cemetery is. Where we've laid him.

A week ago.

- What time is it? - I don't know.

- We lose track of time now. - So what? He doesn't come home.

He'll never come home again.

- There's nothing to think about. - Or to talk about.

Come away from the window. You'll get cold.

- It's colder where he is. - Yes, gone forever.

And taken all our hopes with him.

And all our wishes.

All our...

- John! - What is it?

- Well? - The monkey's paw.

- I want it. Find it. - There...

- What do you want of it? - Why didn't I think of it?

- Why didn't you? - What?

Your other 2 wishes.

- You've only had one. - Wasn't it enough?

No. We have one more. Take it quickly and wish

our boy alive again.

Are you mad?

Take it... Take it quickly and wish.

- Oh, my boy! - Get up to bed

and sleep. You don't know what you're saying.

Your first wish was granted. Why not the second?

He's been dead 10 days, and Jenny, I lied to you.

I only knew him by his clothing.

If you weren't allowed to see him then,

how could you bear to see him now?

I don't care.

- Bring him back. - I daren't touch it.

Here... Wish.

- Jenny! - Wish...

Wish.

I wish... my son alive again.

- Nothing... - Thank heaven!

Along the whole length of the road... Not a living thing.

- Nothing left in our live now... - Except each other, Jenny...

And memories.

Don't take on so, mother.

- I'm a mother... no longer. - Jenny...

Go on up to bed... Go on. I'm coming.

Whether I'm here or in bed... or wherever I am,

I'm with my boy.

I'm with my...

- What's that? - Only the door rattling.

- It's Herbert's knock! - Where are you going?

- Let me go. It's Herbert, my boy. - Don't go!

I forgot the cemetery was a mile away. I must open.

Don't. Think of what you might see.

Do you think I fear my own child?

- Let me go. Coming, Herbert! - Don't do it.

- Herbert, my boy! - The paw!

Where is it? One wish left.

The top bolt's stuck. I can't move it.

- I can't find it... - Help me...

- The paw... I can't find it. - Please help me, John!

- Wait, my boy. Don't go. - The paw... The paw...

- Here... - Where did it fall?

- Listen to me. Just wait... - Don't do it! Here it is!

- My boy! - I wish my son

back in his grave. - Herbert!