Original subtitles

[Dramatic music playing]

[Dramatic music continues playing]

[Scottish accent] MAN: Welcome, sir.

Welcome to the Immortal Hills.

MAN 2: Thank you.

It's all by way of making you feel right at home, Bobby.

Mr. Chairman.

Come along, sir.

After you.

This is your place now, you know?

Of course, it isn't as if you was any stranger here, Bob.

Yes, but somehow this place all looks different to me,

like I never saw it before.

Well, maybe I never had to.

It's cold as an icebox in here.

Oh, that thing hasn't worked in years.

Cement halls, the wet, you know--

makes the air a wee bit crisp, you see.

Won't bother you none once you get down to work.

Well, I'm not sworn in yet.

Oh, that's only for show, sir.

Now, let me see if I've got the list

of committeemen right.

First, Chairman Robert Kraft, yourself.

Now, Mr. Honegger, treasurer,

your Uncle George, secretary,

and, of course, Mr. Trowbridge, and Mr. Bates,

making five in all, right?

Right.

You canna find me at any time.

My dwelling's straight across the boulevard,

opposite the gate.

Makes it nice, living so close to my work.

Now, would you like to see the sights, sir,

give the roof a chance to catch the heat?

Hmm.

If you care to make a tour, it's a bit warmer outside.

That's quite a map.

Oh, yes, sir, that's a map of the entire cemetery

down to the wee-est speck of dust.

Here we are, and here's my shed with the rose stone,

and there's the gate you come in.

Certainly kept it up to date,

there's the new mausoleum on here, already.

Aye. Oh, yes, sir.

This map's going to be a big help to you, Bobby.

Suppose you got a customer and you want to know

what ground we can show him,

this is where the map comes in.

One look, and quick as a wink,

you know who's where and what's what.

It's them pins that makes it so easy.

The black ones stand for the ones that is already there,

and the white ones for them as has made

their arrangements for the future.

Now, for example,

here's my place.

Lovely, isn't she, Bob?

There.

Sun in the morning, but, eh, gets those trees

to give shade in the afternoon heat.

McKee, you've been on this job now, 40 years, right?

Aye.

Well, I guess the committee's right,

it's high time we retired you.

Nothing to worry about, full pension.

You'll draw the same check every month.

I'm to be paid for nothing from now on?

[Laughs] No, you're to be paid

for 40 years of devotion,

and that's something.

Anyone in mind to replace you?

Oh, aye, uh, why I hadn't a given it much thought, sir,

but, uh, why?

There must be plenty of young and hard-muscled toughs

who would give their eyeteeth for my shoes.

It's a lovely place to work.

You're outside near Mother Earth.

Well, let me know if, uh, you find somebody, huh?

Oh, aye, I will.

[Eerie music playing]

Yes, sir, that's quite a map.

Pardon me, sir.

I just wanted to show you where we keep this,

in case of emergencies.

No need to worry, though, we haven't had none, yet.

- [Bell rings] - [Car approaching]

Oh, you expecting visitors, sir?

No, but that sounds like Stu Drexel.

Oh, aye!

Drexel and pretty Beth Ferris.

I heard they was promised.

ROBERT: Looks like they're hitched.

[Laughing]

- She finally caught me, Bob. - [Big band music playing]

Bethie, many happy returns of the day.

Stu, that's a great place you picked for a honeymoon.

Oh, marriage has made me conservative.

How 'bout it, Mrs. D?

Can I carry you over the threshold?

I still don't think it's so very funny.

I think it's positively awful,

if you really want to know the truth.

Aw, Bethie, don't be that way.

What's the trouble?

How would you like to get a cemetery plot

for a wedding gift?

Now, Bethie, you know Pop never meant it for a present.

It's just a formal legal sort of thing.

You see, Dad left part of my inheritance

in trust for when I got married.

One of the provisions was that myself and my wife

had first-class accommodations here at the Immortal Hills.

Doesn't cost us a cent,

but we have to buy the plots

before the bank will let me have the cash.

You know, Dad,

he never did consider me much on responsibility.

He was a very smart man.

Oh, aye, that he was.

And though a bonny bride should have her thoughts

far from doom, it's a lucky girl

whose father-in-law provides from the beyond

for her future.

Isn't he sweet?

Thanks, Scotty.

Bob, give us a couple near the old man, will ya?

And call Owens at the bank in the morning

so I can cash a check.

I don't think it's funny at all.

[Bell rings]

From the last administration, sir.

Folks get a wee bit rocky when they come out here, sometimes.

Best to be prepared.

Down the hatch.

[Sighs]

- Thank you. - Mm.

Oh, over here, that's where the Drexel bunch is.

Ah, it'll get so you'll love it out here, Bobby.

It's a fine and green and lovely place.

A fine place to slip away from the cares of the world.

Slip away and live a wee bit.

[Eerie music playing]

"As retiring chairman of the Immortal Hills

Cemetery Management Committee--"

- George, I haven't got-- - Sh!

"It is now my very great pleasure to announce--

- I don't even-- - Sh!

The appointment of Robert Kraft,

President of Kraft Department Store--"

Now, George, don't shush me. You railroaded me into this.

Now, wait a minute, Bob. It's your turn.

Last year was his turn.

The year before, it was mine.

Nobody refuses to take the chairmanship.

Pardon us, Henry.

"President of Kraft Department Store--"

Why?

Why?

Nobody ever has.

It's just not done, son.

Well, can you give me one good reason

why I should take over the management

of a whole big cemetery

when I'm up to my neck in my own business?

"As retiring--"

Hold it. Of course I can.

Tradition, particularly for us Krafts.

You always harp on dignity, honor, prestige.

Well, how do you think we got it?

Because your great grandfather, your grandfather,

and your father served on every community project,

board, and committee that was ever created.

They served for free.

But they did it for business.

That's what a fine family has to do in this town.

And you can't refuse to do it without losing a lot of respect

from our customers.

And another thing... it's just not done.

Well, pass me over till next year.

I'm up to my ears.

Bob, do you realize you're talking about

only a few hours a month, at the most?

McKee, the caretaker, handles everything.

All you do is show up once a week

and sign the checks.

- It's getting late, George-- - Proceed, Henry.

Raise your right hand.

Well, what about Bill Honegger?

Raise your right hand.

[Sighs]

"Do you, Robert Kraft, swear to discharge the duties

and responsibilities of this office

faithfully and completely,

to the utmost of your abilities?"

I do.

Congratulations, Bob. See ya.

- So long, Henry. - Thanks, Mr. Trowbridge.

Thank you, Uncle George.

Uh, okay, Miss Lane, you can put through his calls now.

Thank you, Mr. Watson. I'll ring him for you now.

Hello.

There's a guy named Watson on the phone, says it's urgent.

- Do you know him? - Of Olds and Watson?

Of Olds and Watson, you know.

Oh, the undertaker. Swell.

Hello.

Well, thank you very much, Mr. Watson.

I'll do the best job I can.

Yes, sir.

Aw, you're kidding.

Well, sir, uh, don't worry about it.

I'll take care of it myself.

I'll be there within an hour.

Yes, sir, thank you.

Well, what about this ad?

Have to wait, I'm sorry.

Well, now, call McKee.

You don't have to go up there every time.

This is different.

Somebody prominent?

Stu Drexel and his wife.

Stu and Bethie?

No.

Hi.

Hi, Jess.

McKee, this is Mr. Jessup of the Milford Herald.

Hi. Jessup, Jessup-- oh, the west slope,

between the Pattersons and the Finleys.

What else is new?

You were my big news for the day.

"Asked about plans for the coming year,

Kraft revealed the Immortal Hills will install

a drive-in bar to stimulate additional trade."

I'm stuck with the obituary detail.

Boy, it's cold in here.

McKee, let's get that heat on no later than tomorrow, huh?

We'd better get ready for the interment.

Aye, that'll be done, sir.

And you better change the Drexel pins,

black instead of white.

Oh, they already got black pins, sir.

Oh? Who changed them?

Well, now, the last I remember

was the very day they come out here

to give you the order, and you stuck in two pins.

Yeah, I guess that's right.

I must have picked up the wrong color.

Hmm?

[Eerie music playing]

ROBERT: Oh, nothing, it's just a little weird, that's all.

What?

Well, the kids came out here right after they tied the knot,

and they bought a couple of plots.

Stu was complying with some technicality in his trust.

And it was all very cute. We had a couple of laughs,

and afterwards,

I jabbed two pins in the map-- white pins, I thought,

just to make it official.

Now I hear today they've been killed,

and the map's had them on the blacklist all the time.

Okay, so what?

Oh, nothing, it just made me feel a little eerie,

that's all.

I think he means he marked the young couple

for death, sir.

[Eerie music playing]

Yeah, I guess that was it.

That must have been the feeling I had.

Boy, it's funny what'll go through a guy's mind,

isn't it?

Do me a favor, McKee.

If he starts fooling around with those pins again,

be sure he stays away from the west slope,

Between the Pattersons and the Finleys.

MCKEE: Indeed, I will, sir.

Hi, Annie.

What are you doing out here?

I had a luncheon date, but I was stood up.

JESSUP: I know a nice little place down the street.

I just might take you up on that.

I won't hold my breath.

Oh.

George told me about Beth and Stuart,

and I just had to see you.

Made me think how lucky we are, just to be alive and together.

[Engine starting]

Oh, Ann, this is Mr. McKee.

This is Miss Craig, my fiancée, Andy.

- How do you do? - Miss.

Would you be wanting me for anything else, Bobby?

No, thanks, Andy.

Bob.

Hmm?

What's wrong?

Oh, nothing.

I'm just a little depressed, that's all,

but you'll take care of that.

Ann, I kept wishing we could keep our appointment.

Oh, rendezvous, if you don't mind.

- Your gray flannel is showing. - [Laughs] Yeah.

Actually, do you know what made me turn around

and come here instead of going home?

Mm-mm.

Well, I was driving along, feeling rejected,

and then, all of a sudden, I saw you very clearly in my mind.

Bob, it's just that you're too attractive.

After all, President of a department store

and in charge of the Immortal Hills?

- Irresistible. - [Laughs]

I saw you and I heard you.

"Lunchtime, Annie."

That's what you said, distinctly.

[Laughing] "Lunchtime, Annie"?

Well, I can do better than that, I hope.

Oh, you did.

You said...

"I want you, and I need you" and...

and a whole lot of lovely things I'd be embarrassed to repeat.

Yeah.

You know, just about the time

you were seeing me,

I had you on my mind.

That's amazing.

No, I mean it.

And I don't blame you

for not wanting to repeat what I was thinking.

Oh.

Darling, we'd better go to lunch.

Or get married. [Chuckles]

Or I can just as easily join Jess at that little spot

down the road he spoke of.

We regret the management does not permit exchanges

once the merchandise has been purchased.

[Kisses] Then I'll freshen up.

[Chuckles]

[Eerie music playing]

[Door opening, closing]

[Eerie music continues playing]

[Phone ringing]

Immortal Hills, Kraft.

Hi, Carl.

- No, terrible. - [Door closing]

No, I'm sorry, the funeral's been

confined to the immediate family.

Yeah, all right, Carl. I'll see you later.

[Sighs]

No, not--

Oh, Ann, you're right.

What?

You're right. We are lucky to--

lucky to be alive and...

with each other.

Come on.

[Eerie music playing]

[Music box playing "Three Blind Mice"]

[Dramatic music playing]

[Gasps]

♪ Hey, ho, nobody home ♪

♪ Meat nor drink nor money have I none ♪

- ♪ Still I will ♪ - [Car approaching]

Hey! Bobby!

♪ Be happy ♪

♪ Hey, ho... ♪

Ah, I picked this Drexel stone for class.

Fine and rich and swirly.

I'm a granite man, myself.

Bobby!

Bobby, I've got a surprise for you--

You found your replacement.

Oh, well, no, no, not yet,

but I'm scouting the countryside.

This is far sweeter.

[Birds chirping]

MCKEE: This is what I call getting things done.

Oh McKee, you should have been an executive.

[Both laughing]

Ah.

Hey, best take off your coat, Bobby.

You'll be getting overheated.

Fairly quiet this week, only one passing.

Now, if you'll just sign these.

Let's get rid of these flowers.

Oh, aye, they smell a wee bit sickly.

I was hoping to keep them for the burial this afternoon.

Oh, you need much help?

MCKEE: Oh, no.

This is just an average funeral.

They don't come like the Drexel doings

every day, thank the Lord.

[Eerie music playing]

McKee, this bill for W. Isham, what's it for?

Why, he's the lad for this afternoon, Bobby.

Oh, no need to look so sad.

Will Isham was the same aged lad as me.

Oh, there's something that I've been meaning to tell you.

Mighty queer it strikes me, Bob.

I went to the map just after we got the news

to change Will Isham's pin to black.

It was already black.

Looks like there might be something...

creepy about that map.

Changing pin colors,

without human assistance, no less.

I changed Mr. Isham's pin, Andy.

You-- but, Bob, you haven't been here since he died.

Jessup, please.

I know, I changed his pin before he died, not after.

[Dramatic music playing]

Jess, it's Bob Kraft.

Can you come over here right away?

No, I'm at the cemetery.

That map's nothing but an old piece of paper

hanging on the wall.

All you do when you stick pins in it

is to make holes in the paper.

White pins, black pins, safety pins,

it doesn't make any difference, see?

Well, look, it's unfortunate that it worked out this way,

but coincidences are part of everyday life.

Some are funny, some are pretty odd,

but this one isn't even good enough

to make the back page of the shopping news.

That's all it is, Bob, coincidence.

Yeah.

You're right, Jess.

Thanks.

That's okay.

Sometime when I've tied on a real head-bender,

you can do the same for me.

What's your trouble?

Well, nothing, but I've...

...been through all this before.

[Eerie music playing]

The grass and the quiet...

[Faint clanging]

...and that sound.

[Faint clanging continues]

I never knew what it was.

It's the sound of a name being cut into a headstone.

Yeah, I've-- I've heard of people who thought

they'd been through the same bit before

in their dreams.

I think it's even happened to me.

What would you say if I told you

this happens to me regularly,

ever since I was a child,

sometimes as often as every other week?

I'd say you were sensitive

or exaggerating.

"Third-floor sportswear-- $9,280 gross."

compared to $8,500 at the same date last year.

Hmm.

- Basement sportswears-- - [Bangs desk]

I'm gonna call Bates and Honegger

and Trowbridge right now and tell them I'm quitting.

Don't worry, George.

Nothing drastic will happen to the store.

My mind's made up.

You mean mixed up.

I've lived in Milford all my life,

and I can't remember any man

who ever let that place get the better of him.

Why, when I was chairman,

I'll bet I stuck the wrong colored pins

in that thing a dozen times.

If I ran out of one color,

I-- I used the other.

You've only been down there a couple of times.

George, I put black pins in the map

for the Drexel couple the day they were killed.

Now, I didn't think anything of it at the time.

And then I took a white pin out of the map,

quite at random,

and I put a black pin in its place,

and today I find out the old man it belonged to

died during the week.

[Laughing]

Bob, that's terrible.

For heaven's sake, Bob, everybody loves a ghost story.

Where's your sense of humor?

You don't really believe that stuff you're telling me,

do you?

No.

[Sighs]

But I still think I may be learning

something about myself.

Where are you going?

Oh, I think I'll just take a run out to the cemetery.

What for?

Sounds like it might be fun.

After all, I've been trying to find some way

to wipe out our competition for years.

[George chuckles]

Good night, George.

[Door slamming]

You want to take my car?

All right.

MCKEE: Won't be but a moment, sir.

GEORGE: Now, don't bother, McKee.

I think I've got it.

Oh, that'll be all, McKee.

Is everything all right, Bobby?

We'll see you later, Andy.

Well, the place hasn't changed a bit

since I was chairman.

A few more pins in the map.

Black ones.

White ones, too.

Sit down and relax, Bob.

I think I can get this whole thing

cleared up for you.

ROBERT: What are you gonna do?

I'm going to convince you

that there's nothing out here for you to worry about.

George, let's forget this.

Uh, Bob.

I said I'm just going to convince you.

Well, George,

suppose you took Henry Trowbridge's white pin out

and put a black one in its place,

and tomorrow morning he turned up dead.

[Chuckles] There's not a chance.

Well, I know not a chance,

but suppose by some weird coincidence,

it happened.

Now, it's happened to me three times already.

I deal strictly in facts, son.

I don't go for this coincidence bunk.

But if Henry Trowbridge

even looks a little peaked tomorrow,

you can resign, and I'll back you up.

Now, Henry Trowbridge-- let me see if I remember.

George, I just mentioned Henry as an example.

Now, you're not gonna use him.

Why, Henry's as good a choice as anybody,

considering he directly preceded you

as committee chairman.

Wait a minute, George.

You, uh, better let me put the pin in.

If you do the honors and nothing happens,

it won't be quite as conclusive.

By all means, let's not diverge from the established pattern.

But I'll have you know, I was no slouch

when it came to pinning the tail on the donkey

when I was a kid.

Uh, no reflection on Henry.

Go ahead, Bob.

[Dramatic music playing]

You better call Henry and tell him what we did.

Eh, he'd only think we were kidding.

No, he'd believe you.

Then he'd call my physician,

and he'd reserve a nice, quiet room for me

at Providence Hospital.

Let's keep this quiet, my boy.

Henry can't complain.

After all, if his term had run a week or so longer,

he might be having the willies instead of you.

[Laughs]

[Eerie music playing]

[Door closing]

[Sighs]

[Dialing phone]

[Ringing tone]

WOMAN ON PHONE: Hello?

Hello, Mrs. Trowbridge, this is Bob Kraft.

What are you doing up so late?

Uh, nothing serious.

Uh, I just meant to call Henry earlier,

and, uh, it slipped my mind.

Uh, put him on, will ya?

Oh, if he's watching a movie and enjoying it,

uh, ask him to call me back during the commercial.

MRS. TROWBRIDGE: No, no, Bob.

Just hold on, and I'll get him.

He's upstairs reading in bed, but I'm sure he's not asleep.

Well, I hate to disturb him.

MRS. TROWBRIDGE: You just hold the wire, Bob.

[Clock ticking]

[Eerie music playing]

[Clock crashing]

[Mrs. Trowbridge whimpering]

Hello, Henry?

[Mrs. Trowbridge sobbing]

MRS. TROWBRIDGE: Oh, he's--

he's not breathing, Bob.

I've got to call a doctor.

I understand.

I'll hang up right away.

[Line disconnects]

I'm... terribly sorry.

[Dramatic music playing]

♪ Hey, ho, nobody home ♪

♪ Meat nor drink nor money-- ♪

Wait here. This won't take long.

Morning!

How do you do, sir?

Well, I don't understand it.

Jess said he'd be here in 20 minutes.

MAN ON PHONE: I'm sure he's on his way--

Lieutenant Clayborne.

So that's it, huh?

Sure big enough.

There are the black pins, eh?

We're, uh,

particularly concerned with these four.

Isham, and the Drexel couple and now Trowbridge.

Let me get this straight, Mr. Kraft.

You say that every time

you stick a black pin in the map,

people turn up dead?

ROBERT: That's right.

Well, go ahead, Lieutenant.

You think I'm a crackpot, and I hope you're right.

I just want to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.

"Stuart and Elizabeth Drexel,

D.O.A., Emergency Receiving Hospital,

result of highway collision."

"William Isham, cause of death--

cerebral hemorrhage."

"Henry Trowbridge-- coronary thrombosis."

Well, the rule is this--

where no evidence of homicide exists

on initial investigation, the matter will be dropped.

Investigated and found nothing.

- LT. CLAYBORNE: Sorry. - [Door opens]

Jessup.

What's new? Or should I say, real?

Nothing like murder, if that's what you're after.

I'm sorry Bob saw fit to disturb you, Lieutenant.

No harm done.

What do you make of it, Jess?

I keep telling him it's just coincidence.

Yeah.

If I were you, Mr. Kraft, I'd take a week or two off,

take it easy.

You'll forget all about it.

If you're gonna use this story,

kindly refrain from mentioning my name.

I know.

Lieutenant Clayborne, with an "E" on the end.

[Door opening, closing]

Boy...

Didn't think four deaths could appear so flimsy

to a policeman.

You never should have called the police.

Clayborne's one of the best.

Any other guy might have looked

for a big, heavy book to throw at you.

Yeah, maybe you're right.

On the other hand, maybe that thing's dangerous.

Really dangerous.

Or maybe the element of danger is in a man.

In me.

Bob.

Is there something different about me, Jess?

I'm really beginning to wonder.

Hey, buddy, if there is anything to this map bit,

don't go blaming it on nameless forces.

Maybe somebody's trying to scare you.

Could be you got an enemy or two?

Somebody using your desk, George?

Oh, he came in to keep me company, darling.

That was very sweet of him.

Oh, darling, you must be dead tired.

I'm all right, Ann.

No sleep, and then to have to go back

-out there again-- - I'm all right!

There's no crime in needing a good rest.

George, I've got some correspondence

to take care of.

I've already taken care of your mail.

And I took the liberty of making reservations for you.

Flight 33 leaving for Miami at 5:45.

My pal, Sanford, owns one of the finest hotels

on the beach--

George, thanks, anyway.

There's nothing I'd rather do, but I can't possibly go now.

Bob, I gave you my word

that if anything happened to Henry,

you could resign.

I talked to Charlie and Bill Honegger,

and they understand completely.

It's all fixed, son.

The situation's changed.

Until this thing's cleared up,

I'm not about to resign.

Oh.

Now, will you tell the others?

Ask them to meet me here in my office,

7:30 tonight.

It's awfully short notice.

The committee can't just ignore what's happened.

I guess you're right.

Darling.

Ann, I'm sorry.

- I didn't mean to snap at you. - Oh.

Now, why can't you resign?

Well, because...

Well, possibly something real, unreal--

I don't know--.

Is waiting to kill one of us

every time I jab a black pin into that map.

Bob, if you're talking about Henry Trowbridge,

the poor man died of a heart attack.

Heart disease is the country's number one killer.

Maybe not in Milford.

Oh, Bob, you can't mean that that map

is literally killing people?

No, Ann, maybe it isn't the map.

Well--

What about the other day?

You saw me, you heard me--

"Lunchtime, Annie. I want you. I need you."

Bob, I was obviously trying to bring a little--

A little romance into our very dull

and dismal lives.

No, Ann, don't try to deny it now.

I do deny it!

Bob, I love you. I'm--

I'm not in any sort of occult thrall to you.

Hey.

Can't you take a joke?

[Sighs]

All right, then, I was lying, too.

Does that bring you back to reality again?

Bob?

I think we better take advantage of--

of those plane tickets.

George's Mr. Sanford could be best man.

The offer's awfully attractive.

I love you so much.

Ann, if you're gonna cry, do it someplace else.

[Door slamming]

Now, Bob, it's real simple.

We're willing to play ball with you.

If you want to remain chairman of this committee,

we wouldn't think of trying to dissuade you,

because we have confidence in you.

Full confidence.

All the confidence in the world, Bob.

Now, all we want before we break this up

is a promise from you, Mr. Chairman,

that before you turn in tonight,

you'll go out to the cemetery-- now, let me finish.

You'll go out there

and change my white pin to black,

and Charlie's and George's.

Just as simple as that.

And then go home and go right to bed.

No, sir.

You're not the committee, Bob.

You're only our chairman with a duty

to carry out the will of the majority.

We feel that you should do as Bill said,

because it'll put an end to this business

once and for all.

Otherwise, we'll do the resigning

right here and now.

Well, let me sleep on it.

Let's all sleep on it.

I don't think you people realize what might be involved here.

Motion defeated, tonight.

Well, your devotion

to the principle of majority rule

moves me deeply.

[Eerie music playing]

Okay.

Then, good night.

[Eerie music continues playing]

All right, Charlie.

Here goes nothing, George.

[Dramatic music playing]

[Knock at the door]

Who is it?

MCKEE: It's me, Bobby. Open up.

[Sighs]

I seen your car lights from my window

driving through the gate, so I come a runnin'.

You needn't have bothered, McKee.

You put in a full day already. Now, I'll see you tomorrow.

No, no, no.

B-- Bobby, please, Bobby, listen.

When you locked and bolted this place,

I said to myself,

"Now, there's a man who knows his business."

That's what I said.

"He may not know everything, what's behind it,

but he knows when a thing's to be fooled with

and when it's to be left alone."

"There's nothing to fear with a man like Bobby Kraft

at the wheel," that's what I said.

Well, that's fine. Now, you run along home

and don't worry about a thing.

Nothing's going to happen to you.

N-- No. Please.

Bobby, lock this door again and send yourself home,

or else, who can answer for what may happen

to the whole miserable lot of us?

It'll have to be open sometime.

If I don't do it, they'll get somebody who will.

Now, good night, Andy. Good night.

[Phone ringing]

Andy, go home.

[Phone ringing]

[Picks up phone]

JESSUP ON PHONE: Hello?

Is this the Immortal Hills Cemetery?

What do you want, Jess?

JESSUP ON PHONE: Bob?

Why didn't you answer me?

I've been looking all over town for you.

I'm calling from your place now.

What are you doing at the cottage again?

Haven't you had enough for one day?

Jess, I think I've done something terribly wrong.

JESSUP ON PHONE: For the love of Pete,

what are you talking about?

Well, we had a meeting of the Cemetery Committee

after closing tonight.

Bill Honegger, Charlie Bates, and George, everybody.

And they voted to make me come out here to the cemetery

and stick black pins in the map

for each of them,

just like it was some kid's nightmare.

So I did it.

Jess, there's a black pin in that map

for Charlie Bates and Bill Honegger

and George.

And if anything happens to them,

to any of them,

it's my fault, nobody else's.

JESSUP: Nothing's going to happen to them, Bob.

as a matter of fact, I think they did you a big favor.

I've never heard of a coincidence

involving three people dying all at once.

By tomorrow at this time, this whole big worry of yours

will be nothing but a lot of hot air.

Yeah.

Well, I hope you're right, Jess. [Sighs]

I guess there's nothing for me to do

but see this thing through, huh?

I think I'll check on 'em myself and see--

[Line disconnects]

Bob?

Bob?

Honegger, Bates, and George.

[Eerie music playing]

[Eerie music continues playing]

[Crickets chirping]

[Dramatic music playing]

Six-six-six.

[Ringing tone]

MAN ON PHONE: Desk.

Lieutenant Clayborne, please.

MAN 2: Homicide.

This is homicide, Sergeant Greer.

Uh, Lieutenant Clayborne, please.

SGT. GREER: Not here. Can I take a message?

Sergeant, uh, this is, uh, Bob Kraft,

Kraft Department Store.

SGT. GREER: Oh, sure. Wait a second.

Wait a second, and I'll check.

Uh, Mr. Kraft, are you calling on police matters,

or is it just something personal?

Well, uh, it's a little bit of both, Sergeant.

Try him at Adams, one-three-one-one.

Thank you.

[Eerie music playing]

Adams, one-three-one-one.

[Busy signal]

[Dramatic music playing]

[Sighs] Adams, one-three-one-one.

[Busy signal]

Adams, one-three-one-one.

[Busy signal]

[Sighs]

Bill Honegger, Adams, one-three-one-one.

Adams one--

[Dramatic music playing]

- MAN: Desk. - Get me homicide.

MAN: Yes, sir.

SGT. GREER: Homicide.

This is Bob Kraft speaking.

I can't get through to that Adams number.

SGT. GREER: So?

Clayborne's at that number, and it's imperative

that I speak to him right now.

SGT. GREER: Well, sir, uh-- just a second, sir.

I think he's reporting in on another line.

I've been trying get you, but your lines are busy.

Hang up, and I'll call you back right away.

[Dramatic music playing]

[Phone ringing]

Something happened to Bill Honegger?

Hello?

JESSUP: It's Jess, Bob.

Jess, uh, I'm expecting a call from Clayborne.

He, uh-- hang up, call me back in 10 minutes.

JESSUP: Clayborne's with me.

Let me talk to him.

JESSUP: He's not here now. He's--

What's wrong, Jess?

JESSUP: Bill Honegger's dead.

Soon as I found out,

I routed Clayborne out of the sack

and filled him in on the whole wild story.

We were over at Honegger's in 10 minutes

with two squad cars detailed

to cover Charlie Bates and your uncle.

How did Honegger get it?

JESSUP: He didn't. That's the trouble.

What?

JESSUP: Poor guy just dropped dead.

ROBERT: Nothing out of the ordinary?

Bates?

Charlie Bates?

JESSUP: They found him in his apartment.

Say it.

JESSUP: No homicide.

Just stopped breathing.

ROBERT: George?

JESSUP: George, yeah...

I called and told him about Honegger

before I left for Clayborne's.

By the time the police got there,

George had already left.

Oh, they'll find him, Bob. Don't worry.

I'll be waiting for word about George.

[Dramatic music playing]

Let me know.

[Dramatic music continues playing]

[Hangs up phone]

[Door opening]

[Dramatic music continues playing]

Well, Bob, I see you followed our wishes to the letter.

Come on, now.

I'll drive you home before you catch pneumonia.

ROBERT: You three men made a terrible contribution

to this town tonight, whether you meant to or not.

I'm not going anywhere, Uncle George.

I'm staying right here.

Well, I'll-- I'll admit that, uh...

What with, uh, Charlie and Bill going so suddenly--

ROBERT: Charlie and Bill and Henry

and Isham and Beth and Stu.

Stop looking at the map.

ROBERT: You're looking at it!

I'm looking at you.

And we're both waiting, aren't we, Uncle George?

Waiting to see if you escape.

Escape dying?

Nobody escapes that, my boy.

ROBERT: The only question is how long?

The only question is does a man die

in his own time or in the map's?

So far, everyone's been forced to conform

to its schedule.

Everyone but you.

GEORGE: That puts me back on schedule.

My own schedule.

ROBERT: Well, if it makes you feel any better.

Let me tell you something--

From now on, if you want to see me,

you're going to have to come down to the store.

I won't make another special trip

on your account.

ROBERT: The next time I see you, George,

we'll both be right here.

[Suspenseful music playing]

[Dialing phone]

[Engine starting]

MAN: Desk.

Homicide.

SGT. GREER: Homicide.

This is Robert Kraft out at Immortal Hills.

LT. CLAYBORNE: Clayborne speaking.

Lieutenant, my uncle just left here.

I think under the circumstances, the least you could do

is put a man on to watch over him,

no matter how ridiculous the situation seems to you.

LT. CLAYBORNE: Thanks a lot, Mr. Kraft.

we'll take care of it right away.

He's wearing an overcoat over his robe and pajamas.

LT. CLAYBORNE: We put a description on the wire

quite some time ago.

[Dramatic music playing]

Then, you do think there's danger.

LT. CLAYBORNE: Sergeant, Kraft, George M.,

driving east on Bunker Hill.

probable destination, manor apartments...

We'll have your uncle safe and sound

in 10 minutes, Mr. Kraft.

You'll hear from me.

- [Sighs] - [Dramatic music playing]

[Phone ringing]

[Ringing tone]

Are you sure your uncle was out there tonight?

You didn't just think you saw him?

ROBERT: I told you he just left here.

That was two hours ago and no sign of him anyplace.

I put out an all-points after the first hour.

He's not on the road, and he's not home.

Hold the wire, Lieutenant.

[Crickets chirping]

[Car engine idling]

[Car door opening]

[Footsteps approaching]

[Door creaking open]

[Door slamming]

ROBERT: You better come out, Lieutenant.

He's still here.

[Hangs up phone]

[Dramatic music playing]

♪ O where ha you been all the day ♪

♪ Randal, my son ♪

♪ O where ha you been all the day? ♪

Andy!

♪ Someone ♪

♪ I been out huntin', Mother ♪

♪ I been out huntin', Mother ♪

♪ Make my bed soft, Mother ♪

♪ Make my bed soon ♪

♪ For I'm sick-- ♪

Andy!

McKee, I'm gonna burn that stuff

in the greenhouse

if this heater doesn't work by tonight.

Bobby, it took a whole lifetime of collection

for me to get the whole caboodle here.

And see here, you haven't even touched your food.

Man, you've got to eat

if you want to keep above the ground.

Ah, lights for me, Bobby.

Of course, I cannot answer

for what happens after sundown.

[Brakes squealing]

Better wait in the car.

[Solemn music playing]

Irresistible, huh?

Aren't I crazy?

Completely.

I'll never change, I'm afraid.

Annie, uh, I'll see you later?

Bob, please. I take it back.

What?

That day in the car--

I did see you, and I did hear you.

I really did. I should never have denied it.

[Eerie music playing]

It's all right, Annie.

I'll see you later.

[Solemn music playing]

Do you have a party named Jacob Mittel

someplace on the map? M-I-T-T-E-L.

The importer? Sure.

LT. CLAYBORNE: You know him?

Yeah.

We contact the French designers through Mittel.

As a matter of fact, he's in Paris now.

Better strike him out.

Jay?

Go ahead.

How did he die?

He isn't dead. At least, not yet.

I know what you're thinking, Mr. Kraft.

You're thinking that we tricked you

into killing Jacob Mittel.

Well, you're 100 percent right, so try to relax, huh?

This one's on the police.

You see, Jacob Mittel's in the prime of life.

No previous major illnesses, no record,

life expectancy exceptionally good.

He's in Paris with all that ocean water

to protect him from this mess.

Up until now, all the deaths

have been confined to the local area.

If it strikes somebody on another continent,

then, we've really found something.

I knew I should have

gotten rid of those pins four days ago.

Even the map. The whole thing. Out!

What I want to know is what are you

going to tell the district attorney

is responsible for these deaths?

We gave this case a real full-dress investigation,

Mr. Kraft.

Questioned you and all the other suspects

and witnesses until the point of comedy.

Found nothing. No motive, no opportunity,

no suspect, no crime, no weapon.

Except seven pins went in...

and the seven people died.

Not one-- seven.

Who put in those pins?

You did. All seven.

Other chairmen and so on have been putting pins

in that map for years and nothing happened.

But... with me...

It isn't impossible for a certain kind of man

to be endowed with powers

that nobody had ever dreamed he could have.

A lot of scientists claim that.

[Eerie music playing]

Maps and pins can't kill alone,

the power of a human brain has to be behind them.

Like in the Indies, I guess.

Those voodoo dolls you hear about.

Witch doctor sticks pins in the thing

until the guy in question is jinxed into dying.

Of course, I--

I know you didn't mean to kill anybody.

[Eerie music continues playing]

I have to get back.

You'll hear from me the minute we get word.

- [Car door closing] - [Engine starting]

I think I best be running along, too.

Bob...

I think so.

[Dramatic music playing]

[Door closing]

[Dramatic music continues playing]

[Crickets chirping]

[Sighs]

[Eerie music playing]

[Heater shattering]

[Eerie music continues playing]

I destroyed them.

Something in me killed them.

Something in me...

But I-- I couldn't refuse the job.

[Scoffs]

Not a man with my reasoning power.

Power...

If I have the power of death

using the black pins...

then I must have the power of life

using the white ones.

[Sighs]

[Dramatic music playing]

[Dramatic music continues playing]

[Crickets chirping]

[Rumbling]

[Creaking noise]

[Eerie music playing]

[Eerie music continues playing]

[Rumbling]

[Creaking noise]

[Eerie music playing]

[Crickets chirping]

[Digging]

[Coughing]

[Coughs]

[Coughing]

[Continues coughing]

[Crickets chirping]

[Dramatic music playing]

[Crickets chirping]

[Eerie music playing]

[Eerie music continues playing]

[Dramatic music playing]

[Dramatic music continues playing]

[Suspenseful music playing]

[Suspenseful music continues playing]

[Phone ringing]

[Phone continues ringing]

[Drops gun]

This is the cemetery. That's right.

ROSEMOND MITTEL: This is Rosemond Mittel.

Rosemond, I don't-- yes.

[Sighs]

ROSEMOND MITTEL: Can't you hear me?

This is Rosemond Mittel, Jay's wife.

Rosemond. Yes.

ROSEMOND MITTEL: I... just received a cable, Bob.

Can't you hear me?

You just received a cable from Paris, France.

ROSEMOND MITTEL: That's right.

I'll read it again.

"Regret to inform you, Jacob W. Mittel died in...

Hotel Royale."

"Body awaits disposition."

"Signed, American Embassy, Paris, France."

ROSEMOND MITTEL: That's right. He died there.

Died in Paris, France.

[Line disconnects]

Died.

Jacob W. Mittel.

[Hangs up phone]

MCKEE: Impossible.

Impossible. He cannot be dead.

What? What?

You still think that thing's the killer?

Or your own puny power, Mr. Chairman?

The only power you or that map ever had

was me, so as far as killing goes...

You-- you marked them for death, Mr. Chairman,

but who did the deed?

Andrew McKee.

Oh, Andy, why?

MCKEE: You and your high and mighty committee,

turning out a man with 40 years of service

on the grounds.

40 years.

I told you, Andy, a full pension.

It isn't a cash that keeps a man going, lad,

what keeps his feet on the ground,

and keeps him on the job till the Lord makes him quit.

The Lord...

but nobody else.

This is my house, my lands,

my activities.

Aye, we come a long dark road

to put this gun to your head, Bob.

Andy, we never tried to take anything

away from you.

Aye. I made sure of that.

I snuck up on each one of them in turn

when they was alone

and held them fast, like so, until they went.

Aye, even big old George, your uncle,

Left as easy as a baby.

ROBERT: Mittel?

That doesn't explain what happened to Mittel.

Mittel's dead.

Will you stop that confounded talk, man?

That map's naught but a doodad, you fool.

There's nothing to fear here.

[Faint clanging]

[McKee panting]

[Clanging grows louder]

That map.

Andy, talk about something else, quick.

It's important.

You're finished with talking.

Finished you are,

with maps, and pins-- black and white.

Talk about something else, I said.

It's important.

Right now. Talk about anything else.

Now!

[Clanging]

Why?

Because I caused you to kill those people.

[Clanging continues]

ROBERT: Andy, you better get this straight right now.

You heard that Lieutenant.

It's possible for some people

to have things inside them

that make other things happen.

Nothing is impossible for a man like that

if he thinks about it hard enough.

I know you, Andy-- you're no killer.

I made you do it.

You thought me into killing them?

[Clanging]

Then they could all be back.

Andy, I never knew it.

[Clanging continues]

How do you account for that?

That noise. Can't you hear it?

[Clanging continues]

Andy. Andy, stop. There's nobody.

[Screams]

[Dramatic music playing]

MCKEE: They could all be back.

They could all be back.

Stop.

Kraft,

don't let them get inside.

They're coming.

You shouldn't have stuck in them white pins, Bobby,

But now it's too late.

Too late.

[Dramatic music playing]

I only killed five.

You gave me only five.

Not the young Drexel couple.

Go away. Go away. Leave me alone.

Go away. Go.

Save me, Bobby.

[Banging at the door]

[Dramatic music playing]

He's dead, Lieutenant.

LT. CLAYBORNE: All right, forget the normal procedure.

Get him out of here.

Exhibit A. He really didn't need it.

They died of fright first, just like he did.

You're forgetting about those seven trips

to the mausoleum, Lieutenant.

Seven bodies, seven trips.

They helped.

Lieutenant, uh...

Jacob Mittel, uh, died in Paris?

No, that was a plant, Mr. Kraft. Mittel's all right.

Sorry we had to put you through this,

but it was the best way

to make McKee come out in the open.

Uh, Mrs. Mittel stayed up all night at headquarters

Waiting for us to call in.

Our radio car is posted just outside.

We signaled her to phone you

and tell you that lie about her husband.

Am I getting through to you, Mr. Kraft?

Well, not quite yet.

We watched him, Bob.

He actually managed to--

unearth all seven of them.

Wonder what got into him.

It was those white pins.

[Chuckles]

It was.

Oh.

[Crickets chirp]

- Annie, I've lost my overcoat. - Hmm?

Oh, where?

Which one? I'll get it.

No, never mind.

[Sighs]

I think I can find it myself.

[Dramatic music playing]

[Crashing]

[Dramatic music continues playing]