Original subtitles

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Alfred Hitchcock Hour.

I've been asked to fill in for my brother Alfred, who has been delayed.

He's been giving some lessons in masking one's identity.

Ah, here he comes now.

It's about time.

Now get out of that ridiculous disguise and get to work.

Granted, he has a certain knack for impressions and ingenious disguises, but

that was sheer exhibitionism.

Brother Alfred is almost ready now, although there's hardly any point in his

appearing. I now turn you over to Alfred.

He's telling you that tonight's story will begin in a minute, and that one of

the characters is a strange, indescribable, four-footed monster.

But first...

A word from our sponsor.

Show off.

I felt that my duty was clear, but I do hope I handled it discreetly. Believe

me, Mrs. Manson, we tried to spare you. You reached Dr. Babcock? I spoke to his

nurse, Mr. Manson. The doctor will go directly to the house.

He'll meet you there.

I'm sure we can count on you, Ogden, to say nothing about this to anyone.

Let's keep it within the family, understand?

Oh, yes, Mr. Manson, I understand.

Dr. Babcock, I'm so glad you got here ahead of them. What's the trouble, Emma?

My nurse called me from a very important meeting.

It's Mrs. Manson, Doctor. She fainted. Mr. Ogden telephoned from the bank.

Babcock? George, what's the matter with your mother?

Sure, talk it out, poor dear thing.

She was awake the whole night.

Well, there's a little trouble at the bank. Mother went over to meet with

Ralph and Edgar Ogden. Your mother's been handling trouble at the bank for

years, so I don't see... Really upset her, is he?

Seem to think my brother's run away.

Robbie run away?

Poppycock! Here they are.

Poor dear.

How do you feel?

Thank you for coming so promptly, Dr. Babcock.

Her bed's already turned down. I'd like to have the little lady to myself for a

while, if you please. Now, what's this nonsense about Robbie running away?

You told the doctor.

Oh, not actually, no.

True, Ralph. Mother just fainted.

She spent nearly an hour going over the evidence. It was more than she could

stand.

How much is missing?

$200,000.

Your brother's loan accounts have been juggled for nearly two years.

I mean, Robbie's always represented everything good to me, especially since

father died. He's been... Well, it just seems so incongruous.

What did he say yesterday when you went to him with it? He surely denied it. No,

he didn't say a thing.

I let Ogden do most of the talking because he was the one who found out

there was something wrong.

Ogden was climbing the walls because me and Chief Loan Officer Robbie had his

hand in so many records.

You mean he said nothing? He just disappeared?

Took most of his books and just vanished.

You think he just planned it that way to cut and run?

Don't you?

I've just been through his studio upstairs, Ralph, and there are things up

there I know he'd have taken with him if he planned to disappear.

That cigarette case and some things father left him.

Things Robbie loved very much.

George, if you and Robbie were my own real sons or my kid brothers or

something, you'd know without any explanation that I'm as hurt and

confused as you are.

Maybe he'll come back.

Let's hope he does.

Here we are. Made a nice cup of cocoa for you, Mrs. Manson.

Nourishment is what you need right now.

Nourishment and a good long sleep.

Everything looks rosier after we've had our proper rest, as almost any doctor

will agree.

True, Emma, true.

And we also sometimes prescribe fresh air. I'll thank you to open one of those

balcony doors.

Right-o.

Now you take one of those capsules with your cocoa, and you just lie there and

sleep.

I'll see that she does, Doctor.

I'll read to her. She likes that.

Don't you?

Come in.

How is she, Doctor?

She's nervously and emotionally exhausted.

Just leave her alone.

What she needs now is rest.

I have one more call to make and then I'm going home.

I can be here in five minutes if you need me later this evening.

Emma, show me to the door. Yes, Doctor.

I'll be back in a minute to read to you, dear.

Mother, now you relax and rest. I'm going to try and find Robbie.

I'll scour Parkville tonight, and I'll try New York tomorrow if I have to.

I'm going to ask Fred Pross for a little quiet help.

Fred Pross? Oh, no, not the police. George, please.

Mother, Fred's not the police. He's a friend.

George, darling, understand me. I want this kept completely quiet.

The bank is all taken care of, and as soon as Ogden knows the exact amount,

he'll restore the money from my personal funds.

Not to buy immunity for Robbie.

But I want him home and safe so we can find out why this happened and face it

rationally. If this becomes a public disgrace, we'll never see him again.

All right, Mother, I'll try it on my own, but just for now.

Let's organize it together, George, and I'll cover half the town you cover the

other half.

Don't you want to stay with Mother?

Yes, of course, but finding Robbie... Ralph, let me try it on my own, just for

now. I'll ask a lot of questions and I won't attract any attention.

Darling, get a book and read to me.

Wasn't Emma going to do that?

Emma tries to sound like the Barrymores, and I'd rather have you read to me.

Georgia's right. Stay with me.

Yes, of course, dear.

Could Robbie do this?

Could he really steal from our own bank? Why?

Why did he need that money?

Darling, what are you doing?

Oh, I'm just getting a few things together. I'm going to spend the night

in the room across the hall.

I don't object, darling. I'm reluctantly but courageously obeying Dr.

Babcock's orders. You need undisturbed rest.

I'll come back later and read to you.

Ralph?

Robbie.

Where's Mother?

Is she all right?

Yes, Robbie, she's asleep.

Where have you been, Robbie?

Yes, I knew you'd be wondering.

Wondering when I'd come home to point the finger at you.

At me?

I have the proof, Ralph. It's all in here.

Have you been to the police?

I haven't had time.

I wasn't sure who was guilty, so I've been careful.

I've been to New York, though.

A couple of handwriting experts, South American brokers who know you as Mr.

Parnell.

Did you tell them that...

I stole the money.

I'm not interested in hurting you.

I just want to straighten this out for Mother's sake.

Robbie, I wanted to talk to you yesterday. I came back to your office,

but you'd gone.

I never intended that anyone should suffer.

I just wanted to show your mother that I could succeed on my own ingenuity. I

needed some capital. I had to put back every cent I took.

But you've been paid 30,000 a year.

I needed some initiative.

I'd like to believe you, Ralph, but there's a lot that isn't explained.

For example, the suitcase you were carrying.

I was frantic. I was... I know.

Watching every moment for a chance to get away.

This was plan B, wasn't it, Ralph?

But Ogden threw you off by coming to you instead of going to Mother.

And I threw you off by failing to shout my denials and stir up a hornet's nest.

You planned on getting lost on the fringes and escaping in the confusion.

Instead, you're stuck in the middle.

But frantic?

I don't think so, Ralph.

If I hadn't opened that door, you'd be on your way to an airport, free and

clear.

That's very dramatic.

Very. Isn't this why you married, Mother?

Didn't you calmly intend four years ago to steal everything you could and then

run out? Are you suggesting I'm a swindler and a gigolo?

All right. If I'm wrong, you can prove it.

Come upstairs with me.

To Nora?

Exactly. She's in love with you. No, Robbie. Robbie, wait. She'll throw me

out. Not if you're frank. Tell her you love her and you're sorry. Robbie,

she'll despise me for hurting you.

She can't sympathize. She'll send me to prison. I don't think you ever loved

her. Keep your voice down. Mother deserves the truth. Shut up and listen.

This is ridiculous.

Robbie. This is ridiculous.

Robbie. Give me a chance to get away. Just an hour.

Two hours.

She can divorce me, Robbie. I'll never come back.

The money means nothing to her, Robbie.

I can't stand being around here any longer.

Probably.

Thank you.

you

Robbie! Robbie!

Robbie! Nora!

Cut him down!

Don't. He's dead. Don't you understand? He's dead.

He's dead.

Don't you understand?

Typing. I know. Nora, will you control yourself?

Don't you understand? Nora.

Nora,

it was an accident.

You.

Typing. I heard you typing. No, Nora. Yes, it was you. You killed him.

Mother.

What happened? What happened?

Georgia, I... Robbie.

Robbie.

Oh, mercy, mercy.

Oh, my God, dear. She's dead.

She's dead. Quiet. Go call Dr. Babcock and get a blank.

What happened?

She saw Robbie. She fainted. I couldn't... Mother.

She's alive.

She's badly hurt.

She's alive.

She's alive.

She's alive.

Gentlemen, you can come in now.

Gentlemen, this is Miss Jean Decker. She will be Mrs. Manson's daytime nurse.

How do you do? Miss Decker.

Could you excuse me?

I've made arrangements for you to sleep in this adjoining room, but I don't want

you underfoot in here.

There's a great deal to be done if we're going to save Nora.

Is she going to live, Doctor?

She's living now.

That may mean everything, or it may mean nothing.

The neurologist found no evidence of intracranial pressure.

Her heart is strong.

And there seems to be average brain activity as such.

But she doesn't move. She doesn't even seem to breathe.

Well, she is breathing.

Her involuntary processes are working, thank God.

But she's completely paralyzed.

Response to nothing.

How long can that last?

There's no way of telling.

This may be brain damage due to the fall.

It may be emotional shock.

Hysteria. Or it may be a combination of the two.

But if her brain is active...

You notice I refer to the brain, not the mind.

I don't have time to expose the particulars, but I'm afraid you must

prepare yourself for the possibility that Nora may never think normally

again.

And even if she lives, she may never be able to speak.

Nora?

Nora, can you hear me?

Nora, I'm right beside you.

Nora, I'm going to bed now.

Darling, can you hear me?

I'll be in the very next room.

Do you understand?

I've been near you, Nora.

I've been near you all the while.

I'm going off duty now, Mr. Manson.

I ordered you some supper. It's on its way up.

It's too late for supper, Miss Decker.

I think I'll take a nap.

But you didn't touch your supper last night either.

Does the night nurse clearly understand about notifying the moment there's any

change, any change at all?

Yes, but I'll remind her.

I think if Mrs. Manson ever becomes aware of anything, it should be that

there's someone beside her who loves her.

It'll mean everything to her.

To me too, Miss Decker.

She's all I have.

I'm afraid.

I'm afraid.

I am afraid.

When I was a little girl, whenever I'd get sick, my mother used to sit on my

bed and brush my hair.

Beautiful girl, Jean.

Beautiful girl.

I think you like it, don't you?

Are you trying to tell me?

What's wrong with me?

Why am I here?

What's wrong?

We know she can swallow now, so Miss Decker's going to try feeding her

orally. Give the stomach something to do.

I have absolute confidence in Miss Decker.

In fact, I wouldn't even consider moving home if she weren't on the job.

Good. We'll keep her on the case.

Wonderful husband.

He's been here all week, you know that?

I... I'm afraid of Ralph.

Hey, your eyes.

Everything all right?

Yes, fine. I even think she's gaining just a little.

I'll be absolutely certain you call me at home or at the bank the moment

there's a definite sign.

No.

I want to be the first to know.

I promise you'll be the first.

No, that's wrong.

There's something wrong with Ralph.

Something wrong.

Something.

George, I'd have kept her in the hospital six years if she needed it.

But she showed no sign of improvement in six weeks.

And I think she may improve here.

If she knows she's at home, and if her memory's a factor, and if being moved

hasn't already weakened her and set her back.

All right.

Maybe young bookkeepers never gamble.

But old witch doctors sometimes have to.

However, if you want me removed from the case, just discuss the matter with your

stepfather. I'm sorry, sir.

I just can't help feeling insecure with only that Decker girl to depend on.

Ralph has been urging this change for almost a month.

He has confidence in Miss Decker, and so have I.

Will you show me which closet you want me to use?

Yes, it's the one that's always been mine.

I'm taking my things across the hall to Robbie's room tonight.

Thank you.

Robbie.

I never see Robbie.

All right. Robbie embezzled her own bank and then he killed himself.

That's where the block is. She's withdrawn from specifically that

reality. Correct, presumably.

I'm perfectly healthy and I've got trouble with that reality myself.

What happens if being at home brings it all back to her suddenly in a rush?

Will she revive or finish her?

That I do not know.

May I help you? No, I can manage. Thank you, Miss Decker.

Nora, can you hear me?

Ralph, why haven't I seen Robbie?

Do you know where you are, Nora?

You're in your own room, your own bed.

My son Robbie, where is he?

You're safely home, darling.

Tell me about Robbie.

Robbie?

Tell me, where's Robbie?

Are you sure that's warm enough?

Yes, it's fine.

She's going to be in the morning sun, Emma.

It'll do nicely, thank you.

Mother, I don't want to tell that nurse of yours to her faith, but last week

when they brought you home, I was about to have her fired as a potential

incompetent. She's got you taking sun baths.

I don't know how she does it, but by golly, I do look better.

Well, she's physically fine, thank goodness.

She must have been very athletic. She has such a beautiful body. It's so

strong and healthy.

Well, she's normally youthful and active.

Discussing me as if I were on exhibit.

Well, I'm going to be at the bank.

I'll see you this evening.

Yes, the bank.

George has all the real estate.

Robbie, the bank.

And then there was...

Who's typing?

Who's typing?

Who's typing?

I hear him.

I hear him.

We shall continue with my brother Alfred's hour after this brief trip to

the interior of darkest America.

He's absolutely correct. We have another one after which we continue with our

story.

She'll explain to me why you defied my express instructions to call me first. I

reminded you when I left this house not an hour ago.

But Emma shouldn't have called you at all.

I only asked her to check with the doctor.

This was nothing. It was simply a spasm.

What was that all about?

Oh, it was just a bullying out, Mr. Corey.

Mr. Manson wanted to be first.

I see.

Ralph, four years. I've never seen him ruffle his feathers before.

Oh, it's... It's just that he's been so nice to me and... Well, don't let it

ruin your friendship. He's on edge. I guess we all are.

What actually happened to Mother?

It was... It was just a convulsion.

Some sort of a spasm.

Not that I blame Emma for getting excited, but this was simply not that

significant.

Actual movement, control movement, is something entirely different.

Then you're sure she hasn't begun to recover her capacities, her memory?

We can't be sure of anything, Ralph.

Well, don't let him know.

Not sure she can't hear me?

I'll be gentle, just in case.

Gentle? Oh, dear heaven, gentle.

Nora, will you try to let me know if you can hear me?

Oh, please don't let him know.

Keep me still.

Don't let me even tremble.

Keep me...

Absolutely still.

I'm going back to the bank.

All right. I'll meet you downstairs, George.

No.

Don't leave me alone with him.

George.

Oh, someone, come back.

Well, yes. If she hasn't been resting, I'll send over some powders to help her

sleep. But what makes you think she's been awake from?

Well, Doctor...

She's becoming active.

She's mentally alert.

You've been reading her eyes again?

Well, I can communicate with her, sir.

This is my seventh week on the case, and I know my patient.

All right, my girl. It may be dangerous to tell you this, but it's certainly

dangerous not to.

I think she did experience partial recall this morning.

I haven't told her husband, and if you tell him, you're off the case.

But shouldn't he be the first to know?

His nerves are mangled. I don't want him tortured with false hopes.

And if she is commencing to revive, if she is aware, we just take one small

push of anxiety or urgency or excitement from him or anyone else to throw her

back beyond reach, beyond a chance of recovery or even survival.

All right, sir.

But what about Emma? Emma knows her so well.

Caution, Emma.

Don't tell her why, but caution her.

Yes, sir.

Is it moving?

What a love of living you had.

How gay you were.

You still are immodely, aren't you?

You want to live.

Robbie wanted to live.

You killed him.

You had a special kind of gladness in your eyes. Did you know that, darling?

And you want my hand to tremble or my eyes to tell you what I remember?

And if they... I know you will kill me too.

All my happiness lies there with you, Nora.

Oh.

Let me be still.

Let me be perfectly still.

Come in, Emma.

It's time for the sleeping powder, Mr. Manson.

Come in, Emma.

My instructions are to stay away from Mrs. Manson. I brought the cocoa.

Good night.

Stay away?

Exactly.

Who instructed Emma to stay away?

I did.

No.

No. Her presence is disturbing to my wife. She's too emotional.

Too loyal.

Too loyal to me.

As a matter of fact, I should have blamed Emma this morning instead of you.

It was very unjust of me. I do apologize.

I'm really on your side, you know.

I can handle the feeding.

Why don't you let me give her the cocoa you...

Take a rest. I'll sit with her till she's asleep.

In heaven's name, Jean, tell him no.

Don't leave us here alone.

Maybe tomorrow night.

I want to see how the sleeping powder affects her.

All right, then, tomorrow night.

As a matter of fact, I think young George will be delighted to ask you to

dinner.

I'll mention it to him.

I think your husband's matchmaking, Mrs. Manson.

He's trying to get me alone.

Maybe he's just angling for a little time alone with you.

Couldn't you hear him?

He was warning me.

Well, it might be a good idea.

We'll have to see what Dr. Babcock says.

I'd like an evening out.

Oh, what am I going to do?

What if I can move? What if I can't hide?

Well, shall we try the cocoa now?

It's going to help you sleep.

No, not yet. Let me think. I've got to warn someone before Ralph finds out.

Is something wrong?

Is it the cocoa?

Oh, if I could dare to show you.

Don't be afraid.

It'll help you sleep.

Just trust me.

I know you trust me.

But you trust Ralph, Jean.

Don't you see? You mustn't leave me alone with him.

What is it, dear?

Why, Mrs. Manson, you're crying.

I can.

Whenever I want to, I can.

I could show George and Dr. Babcock, but I never see them alone.

And I'd have to make them understand at once what Ralph has done.

At once.

But how?

How?

How?

Come in.

Well, well.

Goodness, if you're all that surprised, I don't think I'm very flattered.

Be whatever you want to be. I'm delighted.

Mr. Manson.

The doctor's going to call in about a half an hour, and Emma will bring up the

cocoa about nine.

If you'll just stir in one sleeping powder, I'm sure you can manage the

rest.

We'll be at the movies after dinner, and we'll probably be home around midnight.

If that's all right with you, sir. It makes it a pretty long evening.

That's more than all right. I'll enjoy it.

Just relax and have a good time.

Thank you.

Night, Mother.

Good night.

Good night.

Oh, darling, our first evening alone together.

If Robbie really loved to paint, and if he was good at it, why didn't he just

quit the bank?

Partly because of father's will and mostly because he felt responsible.

He just doesn't sound like the type who would do a thing like that.

I can't imagine Robbie going to all that forgery and petty trouble for... $200

,000.

Where I come from, that's an awful lot of money, George.

Not to Robbie. In a year and a half, he'd have earned his inheritance.

Almost a million in cash.

What did he do with the money?

Nobody knows. Fred, you met Fred Pross, the police captain.

He's been quietly trying to help me find it, but nothing.

Do you think someone else... Now you're getting into an ugly area.

But... He left the suicide note.

Now, wasn't that a confession?

I didn't mention the money exactly.

I find myself wondering who else had the opportunity.

It seems to be Ralph and Ogden.

That's a tough one.

Here's a tougher one. If Robbie didn't steal the money, what was he confessing

to and why did he kill himself?

Thank you, Emma. That's all for tonight.

I think we'll try three powders tonight, Nora.

See what effect three powders have.

Oh, no.

No.

No.

No.

Drink, Nora.

No. No.

You don't want it, do you?

You heard me, didn't you?

You heard me say three powders.

Dear heaven, let me scream.

Do you remember, don't you?

Let me scream.

Let me scream!

Nora, this was not my fault.

Can you understand that?

I asked you for money and you refused.

You forced me to steal.

Someone help me.

I never loved you, but I was good to you and attentive.

He's going to kill me.

You owed me something for the time I gave you, Nora.

I would have settled for the 200,000.

I was on my way out when Robbie came home.

What happened then put everything in a new light?

He's going to kill me.

I didn't want to kill Robbie.

But you know I did.

And if you recover, you'll accuse me.

I'll never be free of it.

But if you die, I'll be safe.

The doctors think a shock might kill you.

Fear, perhaps.

Fear of death.

Fear of smothering.

Even helpless people have been known to smother.

Helpless people?

Even little children?

I don't want you to suffer.

I don't think you will suffer.

Please, dear God, let me scream!

Get away, please.

It was another attack. I didn't know what... What happened? What caused it? I

don't know. I tried to give her the cocoa and all of a sudden... What's the

matter? It's another spasm. Just leave me alone with her.

Call Dr. Babcock?

No, not yet. Just leave me alone with her and let me comfort her.

Well, I... No, please, just leave.

I'm

sure glad

we changed our minds about the movie.

Jean couldn't relax. She just didn't feel it was right leaving you so long

with Mother.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm so, so sorry.

But what happened? What could have happened to you?

Jean, my hand.

Was it the cocoa?

You didn't want it last night either, did you?

What is it about the cocoa?

My hand, Jean.

My hand.

You're trying to tell me. I know you are.

Your pulse is still racing.

Look.

You're moving it.

Are you doing that?

Yes, yes, yes.

Jean.

Is she all right? Don't tell him. Don't tell him.

I think so, Mr. Manson. You want the doctor?

No, but I do want her to have her sleeping powder.

Would you please go down and ask Emma for a cup of warm milk?

Sure. Come on, Ralph. No, I'd rather stay close by you, girl.

Make him leave.

Jean, please.

All right, Mr. Manson.

Would you please sit quietly over there?

Gene.

Gene, don't let him stay.

He's watching me.

She's quiet now and exhausted. It would be a great deal easier to feed her

without an audience.

Come on, let's go around.

Please, I'll give her her milk and she'll be sound asleep in five minutes.

You can do with a drink. I know I can.

Let's go downstairs.

Well, George, you go and have your drink. I think I'll go to my room.

Good night.

Good night.

Jean, if anything, the smallest thing happens, you'll call me at once.

I will. Good night. Good night.

Oh, I hope I didn't imagine this.

Can you really move your hand?

Oh, Jane.

Oh, Jane, Jane, yes.

I thought you didn't know.

Can you control it?

Yes, Jane.

Yes.

Make a signal to me.

No, no, no, no.

Just move it once.

And now twice?

Very good.

Once for yes, and twice for no.

Oh, I thank you.

What brought this on?

Was it the cocoa?

No.

Was Emma in here?

Mrs. Manson, did your husband say something?

Yes, yes, yes.

No, no, no, no. You're just flopping it now.

You have to concentrate.

Did your husband say something?

Mrs. Manson, are you afraid of him?

I'm going to go and see George now, Mrs. Manson. I'll be right back.

No, Jean, wait.

Wait with me. Don't leave.

Don't leave me.

You mean she can speak? She can actually speak?

No, she can't make sounds, but she can move.

And she's afraid of Mr. Manson.

I'm afraid to think what it means, but now I know she's always been afraid of

him, George.

All right, I'll call Fred Pross, and I'll have him come over quietly.

We don't have any evidence, but go on upstairs, and if there's any trouble up

there, you scream your lungs out.

All right.

Nora, what are you hiding from me?

Tell me before she comes back. Give me a chance to protect myself.

George,

help me.

Nora, speak to me.

I know you told them something.

Stop him.

Nora, speak to me.

Speak to me before I hurt you, Nora.

Speak.

What are you doing?

I just came in to see how she was.

I don't believe you. Look at her.

It was another attack.

No. Get away from her. I was just trying. You're lying.

You were hurting her.

You be still. No.

Don't you understand?

Don't do this to me.

Don't do this to me.

Everything's all right. It's all right now.

George.

It's all right.

Mother.

You have the most beautiful voice.

I want it to appear as myself in order to say goodnight.