Original subtitles

Good evening, fellow traveller, and welcome to Shea Hitchcock.

We have had a rash of unexplained homicides lately.

I knew you would enjoy hearing that, but I'm terribly upset.

You see, with all these people checking in and then not checking out, our books

just don't balance.

However, I'm sure our house detective will clear them all up just as soon as

he finds out who stole his seeing-eye dog.

I believe you will be also interested in knowing that we have television in every

room. Television cameras, that is. The receiving sets are in the dining room

and the casino.

I see the supper show will begin in a minute. Just time enough for you to get

settled.

Front.

Darling, that's all right. Mother's late.

But lunch will be ready soon.

Oh, Margie, answer that for me, will you, please, dear?

And this in residence.

Oh, Margie, just say hello.

Mother, it's for you.

Who is it? Long distance daddy, I think.

Margie, stop first.

Turn it down.

Hello?

Yes, this is she.

Ma?

Hi, sweetheart.

Oh, moderately hectic. How about you?

Oh, you won't be able to come home?

Well, I might have known.

Where are you, dear? At the Proving Grounds?

Uh,

I'm sorry, honey, I didn't hear you.

You say you'll have to be there another week.

Is Mrs. Henderson at home?

You'll have to wait. She's on the telephone.

Oh? All right, darling, then we'll see you sometime next week.

Mommy, please, can I talk?

Oh, sweet, our daddy's in a hurry.

No, we haven't anything important except those dental appointments on Thursdays.

Oh, and I told Harriet that you'd give her a quarter if she didn't cry.

But don't say I told you.

So there's no great problem here.

But we miss you.

Me too.

Call when you can, dear.

Bye-bye.

Mrs. Henderson?

Oh, hello.

My name is Vera Brandon.

Yes.

Haven't we left?

No, no, I don't think so.

I've come at an awkward moment. I'm very sorry. I should have telephoned first.

It's about a bedroom you plan to rent?

Why, yes, we have been thinking about it, but...

Someone at the university mentioned it.

Oh, I couldn't imagine how you knew. You must have heard from Dr. Thorpe. I

understand you and the Thorpes are quite good friends.

Oh, yes.

Celia's their daughter.

Well, I haven't met him, but I'm told he's a brilliant man.

Oh, excuse me.

Oh.

It certainly is a...

Beautiful child.

Well, he's a lot prettier when he isn't so hungry. And he has been very patient.

Girls, go bring your tea party in here. Marjorie, you can feed Lonnie for me.

The room is at the top of the stairs.

It isn't always so chaotic around here. Mrs.

Anderson, shouldn't you stay with the baby?

Oh, no, Marjorie can feed him.

He'll be all right for a little while.

Here, you carry the sandwiches.

No, Marjorie said I can't be made anymore.

You and your husband are so fed.

Oh, he looks like my brother, David.

I was planning to put out notices at the university, but I hadn't done it yet

because, actually, it's still something of a mess.

It's been sort of a catch-all for my husband's old books and the children's

toys.

It isn't a very large room.

Well, we didn't think that a student would need a large room, and that's what

we had in mind, actually.

I think a college girl could be quite comfortable here, but... Is that the

bathroom? Oh, yes, that's another thing. There is the inconvenience of sharing

that with the girls. Their room connects to the other side.

How much are you asking?

Well, we thought $30 a month.

That'll do very nicely.

Who is it?

Miss McGuinness, Mrs. Williams.

Oh.

Just a moment.

Miss McGuinness.

Michael is asleep.

I saw your car drive in, Mrs. Williams, and this package came from the toy

store.

Thank you. I was just writing you a check when you knocked.

Oh, then you're not giving up the apartment?

I'll be wanting it for another month.

Oh, how nice.

But the rent isn't due, you know, until next week.

Yes, I know that, but we'll be away for a few days.

Oh, taking Michael on a holiday?

A friend of mine from college.

Her husband's going to be out of the city on business, and she's asked us to

stay with her until he gets back.

Oh, how nice.

Well, I hope I didn't disturb the baby.

If he'd been disturbed, he'd complain.

Celia, your mother's ready to go now, dear.

Oh, thanks again, Louise, for watching Celia all afternoon.

Oh, honestly, Grace, she was a help.

She and Marjorie practically cleared out that whole room up there by themselves.

And then that woman has the impertinence to be late. Are you sure you don't know

her? She mentioned your brilliant, loving husband.

Vera Brandon.

Well, name doesn't mean a thing to me.

And she also mentioned that both Mark and I are blonde.

Which you are.

Yes, but that means she must have met him somewhere.

Well, not necessarily.

I mean, after all, you do display his portrait on the mantel.

Oh, sure, that's it.

Anyway, if this woman is going to arouse all of your latent hostility, why take

her in?

In the first place, it wasn't hostility. It was idle curiosity.

In the second place, I need the extra money in the first place.

Then you can afford to get a sitter for Lonnie and come with me to the

fashion... Oh, Grace, I just can't. Why?

Well, because of... There she is. Oh.

Don't wake Lonnie.

He's not asleep, Mother.

I'm sorry to disturb you. I forgot to ask you for a key.

Oh, I never thought about it.

We got the room all cleaned up. Celia and I did most of it. Come on in.

Mrs. Thorpe, Miss Brander. Oh, Dr.

Thorpe's wife.

I'm so pleased.

How do you do, Miss Brandon?

Can we have some of the coffee cake, Mother? No, dear, no more.

Will you have some coffee with us? Oh, thank you. No, but I will sit down for a

moment, if I may. I've had rather a hectic day.

Mother, we're going back upstairs. No, no, Celia, we're really going home. Now

get your sweater, honey.

Louise tells me that you're writing your doctoral thesis.

At last.

I'm a few years behind my original schedule.

In what field?

I'm doing a comparative study of the effects of Thalian philosophy.

I'm in history.

Greek origins, really.

Mama, I want to stay and play some more.

Oh, no, no, no, Celia. We really are going home.

Our home is right around the corner, Miss Brandon. Why don't you come over

one afternoon for tea? Oh, thank you very much. Oh, the fashion tea. Are you

going to be able to come with me tomorrow?

Oh, Grace, I can't. Oh, why not? It's a very worthy cause.

And I have been chosen to model two of the dresses.

Have you really? Yeah, so it's your duty to come.

Well, I'll call you in the morning. I'll see if I can get a sitter for Lonnie.

All right.

It's the annual affair for the hospital fund. Would you like to come, Miss

Brandon? Oh, thank you very much, but I'll be working.

But I'll be here.

I'd be happy to take care of the baby if you'd really like to go. Oh, no.

Why not?

I mean, if Miss Brandon really doesn't mind.

I'm a little out of practice, but I did help raise a baby brother.

The girls will be in school all afternoon. You know Lonnie. He'll just

sleep.

Well... Oh, no. It's too much of an imposition.

Oh, not in the least.

good that settles it then you will come good goodbye miss brandon it was very

nice to have met you good louise listen maybe i will sure why not i hate

to

miss you i'll say that much

Oh, Michael.

Oh, Michael.

It's all right, darling. It's all right.

I'm here now.

I'm here with you. I'll never leave you. I'll never leave you.

which I know why she's here, is on account of Daddy's rocket secret.

The secret rocket plane?

Uh-huh, because she's a spy.

Miss Brandon is?

I know she is. A secret atomic spy.

Hello?

Oh, Grace, I was just about to leave.

Yes, I'll pick you up first, and then we can drop the girls off at school.

Okay, I'll be there in about five minutes. Bye.

Now, if you all have finished with your lunch, get your hands washed and hurry.

The girls will be home from school about three, and the fashion show should be

over about three, so I can't see how we'd be any later than, well, I should

say before four.

I hope Lonnie lets you get some reading done.

We'll be just fine, Mrs. Henderson. Don't you worry about us. Enjoy your

afternoon. Well, you be a good boy, Lonnie.

Bye-bye.

Michael.

My, I didn't know we'd see you again till next week.

We were shopping and we thought we might have some mail.

Oh, that just reminds me.

Your rent receipt.

I brought it down to put in the mailbox and it slipped my mind. Thank you.

Oh, what a darling baby.

Oh, my, my, my, my.

He is having such an exciting time.

Mercy.

He has the brightest eyes.

Oh, Mrs. Williams, he's just the image of you.

Everyone seems to think so, but I'm always very flattered to hear it.

Any mail, Miss McGinnis? No, not today, dear.

Michael?

Michael? No mail.

Oh, Michael wanted mail.

I think he's just a little tired. He hasn't had his rest.

Will you excuse us? Oh, of course, of course.

Bye-bye, Michael.

Bye-bye.

Bye-bye.

Bye-bye. Bye-bye.

Oh,

Michael.

Michael, Michael, Michael, Michael.

Michael you see you see what a beautiful nursery And

it's all ours yes it is

Ugh.

Where is everybody?

Kids?

Girls?

Anyone here?

Oh, how's the baby?

Resting beautifully.

We had a lovely, quiet afternoon together.

Oh, good.

Where are the girls?

They're next door.

I put them in here to bed, and then I came in here to study.

Where did this come from?

Oh, I bought that for him yesterday when I was out.

I hope you don't mind.

It has a music box.

Plays a lullaby.

I was awake, Mrs. Henderson. I thought I might reach him before he disturbed your

sleep.

It's wrong to pick up a baby every time he cries, Miss Brandon.

I'm trying to coax him to sleep through the night. But the... I think the baby

is hungry, Mrs. Henderson.

I'm sure he is.

I'll take care of it.

She's probably a secret agent or something, see? And she's supposed to

steal the plans for Daddy's secret rocket.

Gee, you better tell your mother. We can't. They come up to spies that spy on

secret agents. We have to make a secret pledge that you won't ever tell what I

found out.

No, I'm not signing any more solemn pledges in blood. It hurts.

All right, girls, it's a raid.

You know the rules about eating in the living room.

Now take the cookies and milk into the kitchen.

Very carefully.

Marjorie.

Now you're old enough, dear, to know when you're doing wrong without being

told. You mean about the cookies?

No. I couldn't help overhearing about Miss Brandon.

She's a spy.

Was that bad?

Yes, spies are bad, aren't they?

Well, if they are, then you must be bad.

Because you were spying on Miss Brandon, right?

Well, sometimes they're good.

No, Marjorie.

Being a snooper is never good.

Well, she snoops.

Honestly, Mother, she acts real funny.

And she keeps her door locked.

Only the key to my room fits her room, too. And she does have a secret black

book in her desk with Daddy's name in it.

Honest.

Daddy's name in it?

And some other men, too.

They're probably scientific, just like Daddy is.

Well, darling, if anything ever troubles you like this, I want you to come and

talk to me about it, promise?

But believe me, Miss Brandon is not a spy.

Do you like her?

Well, whether we do or not, we must always remember to respect each other's

privacy.

Wednesday is her usual day, but I asked her to change this week because of our

dental appointments. Remember?

Yeah, she's so good with Lonnie.

Yeah, we're just about to leave.

Honey, will you talk to the kids a minute?

Okay, here they are.

And make it quick, both of you.

Daddy, when are you coming home?

You are day after tomorrow.

I want to talk. Come on, one at a time.

I got about a million things to tell you. Not now, Margie.

Okay, bye.

Daddy.

I'm going to the dentist.

So if I don't even cry a drop, can I have a quarter?

I can?

A whole quarter?

Oh, boy.

Honey, we have to pick up Celia and Grace and be there before four.

Mark, are you really going to be home day after tomorrow for sure?

Well, listen, will you call me tomorrow, will you?

No, there's nothing wrong.

It's, um... Oh, we just miss you. That's all.

Okay, honey.

Bye-bye.

Bye, Daddy.

Bye. Everybody out. Get in the car.

Katie?

Katie? Yes, Ms. Henderson?

It takes a dentist a couple of hours to wade through all of this, but we should

be home before 6.30, okay?

We'll be just fine.

Okay.

Carefully, girls, carefully. Just get out one at a time. What do we do?

I think we better watch cartoons in the house.

No, I want to play house.

I want to watch cartoons.

Honestly, now, Louise, I think that you're overdramatizing. Oh, I know I am.

I make my own problems when I'm tired.

Katie!

The girls were all so brave in that dentist chair that we decided to take

them for a treat.

I'll take you home later.

Well, uh, Miss Brandon hasn't come back yet. Yes, I noticed her car was gone.

But the baby's with her.

What? Well, Lonnie was fussy, and she had some shopping to do, so she thought

the fresh air might do him good.

Katie! What? What's wrong?

Wrong?

She has Lonnie.

Well, she said it would be all right with you.

Kids, go wait in the kitchen. Come on, out, out.

Katie, you had no right to do this. Do what?

How could you let her take him out of your sight?

Well, she said it was all right with you.

Katie, I changed your day this week so that you would be here with him.

You, not her.

But you never told me, Mrs. Henderson.

Oh, Katie.

Louise, Louise, you're falling apart.

You haven't seen anything yet. What are you going to do?

I'm going to call the police. Now, Louise, don't you think you should find

out what happened first before you make a fool of yourself?

Mrs. Henderson?

Where have you been?

Well, surely Katie told you. We went for a little walk.

How dare you take my baby out of this house without my permission?

It just never occurred to me that it would upset you.

I was out shopping, and I found your little bakery.

We'd have been home earlier, but I stopped to buy you some of that coffee

cake you like so much.

So concludes the first half of tonight's Alfred Hitchcock Hour.

The second half will continue after we hear from some other way stations along

the Old Post Road.

Some people call what you have just seen a station break.

I call it interminable.

The second half of our floor show has been delayed for another 60 seconds.

Perhaps you would get more prompt service if you tipped more generously.

Are you looking for Matthews? Oh, yes.

Arthur Matthews.

Well,

I take messages for him.

I'm his wife.

Or did he forget to mention me?

Oh, no.

Actually, Ms.

Matthews, your name was given to me by Vera Brandon.

Oh, yeah.

She come after you, too.

What? Well, isn't she the one with that baby modeling agency pitch?

Well, she's rather tall and dark.

Yeah, that's her.

She came around when Robbie was about three months old. I told her when

Robbie's six months, I'll sign.

But I didn't expect to see her again.

Why not?

Well, I mean, my little guy's real handsome.

Huh?

I mean, a real doll.

But this Miss Brandon, she hardly even looked at him. Like, like nothing.

So I figure we tapped up.

But... This other agency came by and we signed with them. Why, we've made 60

bucks already.

And that's all she wanted?

To sign your baby as a model?

Yeah. Hey, but if you want your kid to work, honey, let me get you this card of

this outfit I'm with. Why, they're the best.

No, thank you. You're missing out on a good thing, huh?

Hey, let me see him.

Hey,

he's real cute.

Look at him.

How old is he? Six or seven months? He's seven months.

Same as Robbie.

Say hello to the little boy.

Well, thank you very much.

Why don't you drop by sometime? We'll let him play together.

We'd love to. Thank you. Yeah.

Bye-bye.

Say bye-bye, Mrs. Henderson.

Bye-bye.

That's my boy.

That's my boy.

May I help you? Oh, yes, thank you. Is this your little boy? Yes.

Hello there.

Hello there.

What's his name?

Joel. Hello there, Joel. This is Lonnie.

Oh, how old is he? Seven months old.

Well, so is ours.

I'm, uh, I'm looking for some people named McFarland.

I'm Mrs.

McFarland. Oh, how do you do? I'm Mrs. Henderson.

Your name was given to me by Vera Brandon.

Oh. Oh, yes, I remember her.

Um... Was she... Was she working with a modeling agency?

No, she didn't mention that.

She read my husband's advertisement and telephoned for part-time secretarial

work. We're in insurance and real estate. We run this motel.

Oh.

But she never worked for you? She came by to see us, but then she lost interest

right away.

Oh.

Well, thank you. I won't take any more of your time.

Bye-bye, Joel.

Bye-bye.

Bye-bye.

He sure is a healthy-looking one. Oh, he really is.

I had him with me from the very first.

I think it makes a difference.

So did I. That's why I love St. Dominic's. St. Dominic's Hospital?

That's where I had Joel.

St. Dominic's?

Thank you.

Thank you.

Well, I know you don't remember me, but you're a real charmer.

I wish more of my mothers would come back to visit.

We seldom see them after they take their babies home.

Of course, you're one of our star boarders.

Do you remember Mrs. McFarland?

Oh, she was here the same time you were. She had a boy, too.

I saw her today.

And Mrs. Matthews. She was here that time. You remember?

Matthews? She had a boy.

Oh, she was the blonde girl.

Oh, yes, the nurses used to call her the makeup kit.

She was asking for mascara before the anesthetic wore off.

Her Robbie is a model for baby ads now. Oh? Well, he was a pretty little thing.

I just thought it, well, it might be fun to visit with all of the mothers who

were here at that time.

I must have missed a couple, though.

Well, there weren't too many.

Sister, do you remember Vera Brandon?

Vera Brandon.

She was tallish and dark in her middle 30s. I don't remember that name.

Vera. Vera.

Vera. Oh, it wasn't Brandon.

Williamson or Williams, I think.

Here, you take Lonnie and I'll look.

That would be a good point.

Oh, yes, I remember her now.

She was one of our sad ones.

Her husband had deserted her and her baby died.

Poor little thing was premature.

Simply didn't have the strength to live.

Oh, no, Mark, I'm not afraid. It's... It's just that I don't want her here any

longer.

Oh, no, I'm not going to give her a deadline.

I just thought I'd ask you to find another place and move as soon as it's

convenient.

Okay.

Okay, darling.

Hurry home.

I love you.

Mrs. Henderson?

Oh.

I, uh... I thought perhaps you'd gone to bed.

You know, I was trying to do some work.

My husband just telephoned from the base.

He's coming home.

I know. I heard the girls mention it. Tomorrow evening, isn't it? Yes.

Uh... Well, it's definite now, so I thought I ought to tell you.

I was going to speak to you when you came in, but... Well, you were having

dinner and I went straight upstairs. I was rather tired. I... Actually,

Mrs. Henderson, I would like to talk to you about the room.

I do hope you won't be offended, but I spent almost the entire afternoon

looking for another place to live.

Why, uh... I know we said we'd try it, and if it didn't work out... Well, if it

weren't for my work, I'd be pleased to stay.

But I did see a place this afternoon that I think will be a little better for

me.

When would you be leaving?

Tomorrow.

The weekend is a good time to get settled.

I, uh... I wonder if I might have a cup of coffee.

I've been walking around all afternoon and I am rather exhausted.

Oh, yes, of course.

It's in the kitchen.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

It's been made an awfully long time.

I hope it's not too strong for you. Use lots of cream and sugar. I like it

black.

You know, I do like little girls, but Mungery and Harriet are a little

distracting.

Believe me, Miss Brannan, I know exactly what you mean.

Boy, this is awful.

Michael and I are leaving now, Mrs. Henderson.

I'm taking him home with me.

Oh, I am sorry for you because I think in your own way you've grown really fond

of my baby.

But you see, Michael is my child.

I've known that from the very beginning.

From that first day.

Seven months ago.

You see, they brought me your baby and they told me it was mine.

Oh, that poor...

Pale, weak little thing.

But I knew they were lying.

Because I knew what Michael had to look like.

I always knew I'd have a big, strong, healthy boy.

And I knew he wouldn't be blonde.

I knew he'd have dark hair like mine and like his father's.

Oh, Mrs. Henderson, you see, your... Your baby died.

And then they knew how much you wanted a little boy, so they gave you mine.

I suppose they thought I wouldn't find out, but I did.

I gave up everything.

And I searched.

And I searched.

Till I found him.

Here.

Oh, I know I knew from the beginning that you were a good person, Mrs.

Henderson. And I knew that you wanted my Michael to be happy.

So don't you see, now that you know that I'm his real mother, I'm sure you have

to agree that this is the best solution.

The only solution.

Michael belongs with me.

And I'm going to take him home.

But what about school?

Go over to Celia's house now. But Mommy!

Right now!

Give me the police.

This is an emergency.

What? My baby's been kidnapped.

Louise?

Oh, no thanks. Oh, come on, honey. No, Gracie.

Did you get that call through to Mark?

No, he'd already left the base.

Gracie could be anywhere.

She could have left last night. Louise, listen to me now.

The police are checking the airports and all the railroad stations.

Now, please, honey, try not to worry.

Mommy, look!

It's the spy lady's coat. You're not supposed to put it on.

Girls, please, won't you try just this once to play nicely together?

And I found the secret message, too.

Louise, is that Miss Brandon's coat?

Yes.

Yes, it is.

Where did you find it? In the hall.

and Harriet found it. And I found the secret message, too.

Okay, girls, that's fine. Now, will you just run along like good girls?

Maybe she'll come back for it.

Yes, maybe she will, sweetheart.

Thank you both very much.

Mommy. Harriet, please run along.

Well, if nobody wants to see my secret message.

Oh, I'd like to see the message. Thank you, dear.

Now, please run along.

What is it?

Grace.

Is that her address?

Williams. That's what Sister Mary said at the hospital. Mrs. Williams.

Lieutenant Novotny, please.

Well, how can I get in touch with him?

I have to get a message through to him. It's very urgent.

All right, will you tell him this is Mrs. Mark Henderson speaking?

Tell him I think that my baby is at 2120 Ashley Avenue.

The name is Mrs. J.A. Williams there.

Yes, tell Lieutenant Novotny that I'm going there right away.

Yes, thank you.

I'll go with you.

No. Grace, you stay here with the girls, please.

Just a minute.

Why, Mrs. Henderson.

Where is my baby? Oh, you brought my coat. Thank you so much. Where is

Lonnie? Shh.

Is my baby in that room? Michael's asleep. And, Mrs. Henderson, Michael is

not your baby. Is he in there? Shh.

He's sleeping.

He needs his morning nap.

If you've harmed that baby, I'll...

Harmed him?

Oh, my dear, do you think I'd harm my own son?

That baby is not yours.

Mrs. Henderson, everybody in this neighborhood knows my son. We've lived

here for over a month. They know him at the candy store. They know him at the

drug store, at the toy store. Even my own landlady knows him.

Would you like to talk to her?

Mrs. Williams.

It's Brandon.

Your Michael is dead.

Your Lonnie is dead.

Oh, I know how hard it is for you to face it. I know, but...

You have a beautiful home and a lovely family. Hospitals don't make mistakes.

It was deliberate. They meant to do it.

No, you're wrong.

No, I was conscious every minute when Lonnie was delivered.

I saw him before he took his first breath. I know.

Mrs. Henderson, you know, I don't think there's any point in continuing this.

Now, I want you to go away, and I want you to stop annoying us.

And if you still persist in coming here, I'm going to have to take steps to see

that you stop.

Are you Mrs. Williams?

Yes, I am.

Oh, Miss McGinnis must have sent for you. Would you please come in? Thank

you.

I've been trying to avoid a scene, but Mrs. Henderson, he just doesn't seem to

understand. You are Mrs. Henderson?

Yes. You spoke to Lieutenant Novotny about a baby. Yes.

You told me all about it. He's waiting downstairs.

He asked me to come up and see that everything's been straightened out.

The baby's here?

Oh, yes, yes. How old is he?

Michael, he's seven months old.

I have two nephews, one ten months and one two years.

Well, Michael is very healthy. He's quite big for his age. I'd love to have

a look at him.

When is he?

If you don't mind, I'd rather he weren't disturbed right at the moment.

I just want you to tell her that he is my baby.

Well, of course I understand, Mrs. Williams, but I thought you'd like to

set the record straight for his sake.

The records were changed deliberately.

But you don't want to leave them that way, do you?

No. No!

Well, we really ought to go to the hospital and confirm the footprints and

fingerprints that were taken at birth.

and then to the Hall of Records for his birth certificate.

Yes.

Yes, perhaps we ought.

We could go together, you and Michael and I.

Is it sweetheart?

Shh, Michael.

Shh, baby. Shh.

Michael.

Michael, shh.

What is it, darling? What is it?

Michael. Michael, what is it, sweetheart? Please, please, stop crying.

Michael.

What's wrong with you?

Michael. Shh, baby.

Baby, shh. Shh.

It's another terrible thing that they've done.

See, they let him stay with her for all those months. He doesn't even know me.

I'm his own mother.

down to the car I'll carry him for you

no let me know he's mine

I trust you have enjoyed your stay here.

Please return next week, for we plan to have another intriguing floor show.

As for your bill, someone else is taking care of that for you. I can't reveal his

identity, but he left this message for you.