Original subtitles

("Alfred Hitchcock" theme music)

Good evening.

Greetings, fellow astronauts.

I believe the search

for inexpensive space exploration is at an end.

Our program thus far has achieved untold of heights

in a budgetary sense.

Now I am confident that we shall be able to reduce

the important cost per mile factor

to an unprecedented low.

Simplicity is the key note.

I believe a child could operate this ship,

thus freeing men for more important tasks.

We shall stage a demonstration this evening,

but first we wish to bring you a story.

It is called "The Magic Shop,"

for that is where Steven Grainger

has a frightening and eerie experience.

It begins in a few moments.

(tinkly music)

- It was on Tony's birthday it happened.

We'd always tried to be good parents,

progressive within limits, and understanding.

I wonder if we really did understand.

There must have been some sign somewhere

to show us that he was the sort of child

to whom such a thing could happen.

The thing that happened that day.

The day that changed our lives.

Come on, birthday boy!

Haha!

* Happy birthday to you *

Happy birthday to.

(Steven laughing)

- [Tony] One, two, three, four, five, six!

* Happy birthday dear Tony *

Happy birthday.

(doorbell rings)

- Well go on, open 'em up.

- Hello, Mr. Adams.

- I'm disturbing you.

- No.

- You sure?

- Quite sure.

- For Tony.

I thought he might get something for himself.

- Oh, you shouldn't have, but thank you.

Won't you come in?

- Oh no no, I'll just be in the way.

I hope I did the right thing.

I mean, I really don't know what boys like these days.

Oh, oh.

Oh, they're not for Tony.

He wouldn't care for roses.

They're for you.

They're the very first of the year,

and I thought they might brighten up your table.

- Well that's so nice of you.

They're just beautiful!

Oh please do come in.

- Oh no, no thank you.

Thank you, no thank you.

- This is great!

- [Mom] What does the card say?

- The card, oh yes.

From you, Dad!

(Steven chuckles)

- All right now, today we get the right kind of plants.

Next week we get the fish.

Better to have the plants growing first, you see?

Did you see the instructions in there?

- No.

Here they are.

Yes, it's all here.

Thanks.

Thanks a lot.

- [Steven] Hey, Tony, off the table, off the table.

- A camera!

- You can change it if it's not what you want.

- It sure is!

- [Mom] There are other presents, dear.

- More money, $10!

That makes 15!

- That's from Grandma, dear.

- Can I get what I like with it?

- Of course you can.

- Whatever I like?

- Oh, no. - You said so!

You said so, a dog!

- Tony, no.

That's not--

- Hey now, wait a minute.

You've forgotten.

We said next year you can have the dog.

When you can take care of it properly.

- Tony, look.

Here's this from Mr. Adams.

Oh that's lovely.

(piggybank rattles)

Isn't that nice of him?

- Looks like a lot, but--

- [Steven] Tony?

Now you go and thank him right after breakfast.

- For his roses, too.

Mm, I'm gonna put them in water.

- Tony, you know,

this means quite a lot to Mr. Adams.

You understand?

All right, come on.

Here, we'll open up the last package.

Now, you know what this is?

Something you've been hinting about for the last 11 months.

- From Uncle Alex?

Gee, I guessed it was it!

I was scared to look!

- Here, let me help you.

- How do I look?

(Steven laughs)

- Well.

- [Mom] Breakfast!

- Come on, we'll discuss it over some food.

- I'm going to wear this today.

- Won't you be too hot?

- No.

Know where I want us to go today?

- We're going to get some plants for the aquarium,

and some snails, and some sand.

- And I want us to go to the magic shop.

If you won't let me buy a puppy,

I want to buy something there.

- This shop you're talking about, Tony, on Arcright Street?

- Yes.

- Tony, I've told you, I've looked.

There is no such shop.

- Yes there is.

- I've looked for it too, darling.

There really isn't one.

- There is.

(tinkly music)

- Well you're wrong, son.

It just isn't there.

Tony!

(horns blaring)

Tony!

Now listen, Tony, I don't have to tell you--

- Do you know what you did?

You almost caused an accident.

- I'm sorry, officer.

- If you was responsible,

you'd be getting the ticket this minute,

but it wasn't you, it was your kid.

- Well he's a little overexcited, officer.

- Jaywalking's an offense in this city.

Look, one of these days you're gonna get yourself killed,

as well as other people.

Well, we can't tie up a whole business district

just because a kid doesn't have sense enough

to be let off the leash.

I'll let him go this time.

All right, come on, move along, keep moving.

- Thank you, officer.

I assure you it won't happen again.

- Now you see to that.

All right, come on, let's go, keep moving along!

- Why'd you let him bawl me out like that?

- Because it's better for him to blow off steam, Tony.

- I'd blow him up.

- Now look, I told you about--

- Here we are, here's the magic shop!

Come on, Dad, come on!

(bell dings)

(eerie music)

(guillotine clatters)

- Hey, look at this.

Now you see it,

now you don't!

(Steven laughs)

That's very good.

Doesn't look like there's anybody here.

(eerie music)

Hello!

Hello?

(Tony giggles)

- Hey Dad, look.

(Steven laughs)

- [Steven] Well, how do you like that for a likeness?

- What's so funny?

- What, don't you think you're funny?

(both laugh)

Hey, that's strange.

Doesn't reflect me.

Must be the angle, huh?

- Good morning, gentlemen.

(eerie music)

Mr. Dulong, at your service.

(eerie music)

- How do you do, Mr. Dulong?

Were you, had you been here all the time?

- All the time.

- Really, well I guess it's so dark.

Tell me, the mirror,

the glass in that mirror there.

Is that special glass?

- Well, everything here is rather special.

- Well the reason I'm asking is--

- Hey, what can I have the pleasure of showing you?

- Oh, just a few simple tricks.

You know the sort of thing.

- Aha, well perhaps?

Blow.

(Steven chuckles)

And blow.

Now.

What have we here, huh?

Here, here it comes, here.

Let's put him to sleep, shh.

Shh, sleep.

Now, how about this trick?

You see the glass?

Completely covered, huh?

You see the coin on top?

Now, tap the coin.

(coin clinks)

- Well, Tony?

- Oh, it's for you, my young friend.

- Yes you see, it's my birthday--

- It's a good day to be born on.

- I don't know what you mean.

- Oh you know what I mean.

(Tony giggles)

- Tony, now which do you want?

Do you want the coin trick, or the bulb trick or both?

That is, if they're not too expensive.

How much are they?

- Well, I don't think this boy would be interested

in (speaks in foreign language) tricks.

He wants the real deal. - Magic.

- That's quite a little boy you have there.

I knew it when I heard.

(bell rings) The bell ring!

Looks quite easy to open, doesn't it?

- Well it is.

- Really?

And who opened it?

- Well he did, this little boy,

so it's not so difficult.

- Exactly.

This little boy.

- Now, just a minute.

We came in here to buy some magic--

- Daddy?

Don't be,

you know.

I'd like to see some real magic.

- And would you know what it is when you see it?

- I'd know it.

- Well, let's see.

What do you think of that?

- Is that magic?

- Oh come on now, don't make a fool out of the boy.

You can lock a door by remote control.

All you have to do is push a button.

You better do something about it,

or you're gonna lose a customer.

- Oh, that little boy is better lost.

He's the wrong sort of boy.

- [Tony] How do you know?

- Because only the right sort gets past the door.

- Then I'm the right sort?

- Well, you're in here, aren't you?

And he...

Go take a look at him.

- [Eric] Why don't ya help?

- But Eric, the place is shut up!

- Oh no it's not.

It's not, it's not!

I tell ya, there's people in there.

- Oh, just those ugly old masks.

That's what you see, Eric.

- People, people standing there talkin'.

(Eric laughs)

- I told you so!

- Tony, what'd you do to make him laugh so hard?

- That was the other side of his face.

- Exactly.

Had enough magic?

- Are you joshing?

- Well, this is what I want to show you.

- What is it?

- A policeman.

Now, if you prefer, we have others.

A teacher?

An interfering aunt?

We even have some mothers and fathers,

meaning no offense, sir.

- This one.

- Oh what an instinct your little boy has.

The face, a little wider wouldn't you say?

Like this?

- [Tony] And the cheeks.

- Like this, hm?

There.

Clever boy.

You've caught a likeness.

Now, what do you do when you've caught a likeness?

Did you ever catch a butterfly?

- Stick him!

- About here, I would say.

Here would be quicker.

Here, more interesting.

- Tony, now just a minute.

Now this is a lot of nonsense.

- Of course it is, just a lot of nonsense.

Infantile, don't you think?

Take it.

Pick it up.

Take the pin.

Try it.

Don't be afraid.

Who's afraid of nonsense?

Just a child's game, don't you think?

Now this will interest you.

I think, sir, you will find these little fellows

more interesting.

Absolutely lifelike, and highly educational.

Indian krait?

Russell's viper.

And a coral snake.

- It's amazing.

They're so real.

- Here's the pin.

(Dulong whispers)

Take it.

(ominous music)

(man groans)

Again.

(man groans)

There's no doubt about it.

You really are the right sort of boy.

- Well Tony, I think we've seen enough, don't you?

- Not yet!

- Well now look, you've seen plenty to choose from.

You've got the bulb trick, the coin trick.

There's artificial snakes there, how about them?

- Kid's stuff.

- Tony, look around and buy what you want, but hurry.

We have to get to the pet shop yet.

We have those things for the aquarium to buy, remember?

- I'd rather stay here.

- [Steven] Tony, I know it's your birthday but--

- There's so much to see.

And to learn.

- A very talented boy, if I may say so.

- For something better

than conjuring tricks I hope, Mr. Dulong.

- Oh, but of course sir.

Altogether better, and quite on a different plane.

Do you really want to learn everything?

- Yes.

- Everything?

- Yes.

- Come with me.

Look at this cabinet.

There is just room, exactly enough room

for someone your size.

- Tony.

- As it if were made to measure.

- Now there's no point showing the boy this.

He only has $15 to spend.

- Your son has something more valuable than $15.

Would you like to try it?

Then get in.

- Tony!

We'll have to be going now.

We have a lot of things to do this morning.

- [Dulong] Very well, tell him to come out.

- It's a very funny trick.

You can overdo this sort of nonsense.

Tony?

Tony!

Dulong?

(ominous music)

Dulong!

Tony.

(eerie music)

Tony.

(Tony giggling)

Tony?

Tony?

Tony, come on outta there!

Tony!

Come outta there, now no more nonsense!

(Tony giggling)

Tony!

Dulong?

Dulong!

Where is he?

- He's not far away.

Not far away.

(Tony giggles)

(box clatters)

(Tony giggles)

- Tony!

Tony.

Tony!

Where is he?

Where's my boy?

Where's my boy?

What have you done to my boy?

(intense music)

(horn blaring)

- What's the idea?

What are you doing there?

- [Man] Can we help?

- Come on fella, come on.

There, say, what are you doing here?

- I don't know.

What happened?

That shop.

- You mean the travel agency?

- No, Dulong's magic shop.

My, my boy is in there.

- Magic shop?

- The shop, it was there.

It's gone.

- [Officer] What's the trouble here?

- I almost hit him, he was lying in the street.

(siren wails)

- Stop.

(people chattering)

What happened?

- I don't know.

I tell you, it was there.

The magic shop was right there.

And my boy Tony is inside there.

- let's take a look at you, take it easy.

Take it easy, you're all right.

- But I tell ya, he's in the shop there.

It's not a travel agency, it's a magic shop!

- Here, here, sit down, sit down, take it easy.

- Where's my coat?

- Listen, you're in shock.

You'll be all right.

We'll take you to the hospital.

Help me get him inside.

- I can't leave now.

Tony, I tell ya, my son is in the shop over there!

But he's in that shop over there!

- Easy with him, easy.

- He is in that shop over there!

My boy is in that shop. - Take it easy, take it easy.

- My boy is in the shop, he disappeared.

- Just sit back, take it easy.

- I lost him in that shop.

(man groans)

He saw us, ask him.

Remember me, officer?

Me and the little boy?

Officer, you bawled us out for jaywalking.

- Oh don't bother me.

- But just tell him that we were crossing the street.

We were heading for the magic shop.

- Leave the man alone, he's in bad pain.

Acute appendicitis.

- But he saw us, I'm not crazy!

- There was a boy.

- Yes, yes.

We were crossing the street.

We went into the magic shop.

- He-- - Never mind about that.

Hold still.

(man groaning)

- Heading for the

travel agency.

(dramatic music)

- Sorry you missed the blastoff,

except for a moment when the tail

was momentarily caught in a tree,

it progressed without incident.

Notice the ground to spacecraft communication.

We shall continue our experimentation

under cover of this station break,

and the second half of our show.

(eerie music)

- [Steven] He just disappeared, Lieutenant.

- You mean, you lost him.

- No, now once and for all, I did not lose him.

- Mr. Grainger, lots of children get lost around here

and the parents come in all worried.

- I did not lose him.

- And they tell us all kinds of stories.

They didn't leave the children for a second.

- I did not leave him.

- They just turned around, and the child had vanished.

- But he did!

And it was no longer this magic shop.

It was a travel agency.

- Mr. Grainger, the hospital reported

that you were in a state of shock when you were brought in.

You had a slight concussion.

Obviously you'd just been in some kind of an accident.

As a result, you can't remember exactly what happened.

- Lieutenant, do you think Tony may be hurt too,

and he's in the hospital?

- Well, we've been on the phone

to all the hospitals, Mrs. Grainger.

No little boy answering Tony's description

has been brought in.

- Well I'm sure something must have happened to him,

otherwise he would find someone to bring him home.

He's really a very sensibile little boy.

- Well, we've talked to all the shopkeepers

in that area too.

No one seems to have seen him.

Well, I have a complete description,

and the photographs.

I hope we'll have some good news for you soon.

- Lieutenant,

you don't believe any of my story, do you?

- Well let's say that I believe that you believe it.

But in all this mix up, the only thing we know for sure

so far is that you were the last person with the boy.

(somber music)

(tinkly music)

- Darling, do come to bed.

- I can't sleep.

I keep seeing that horrible face.

I can't begin to tell you what it was like in that shop.

- Dear, you've had a concussion.

Isn't it possible you became confused,

and just imagined this magic shop?

- No.

No, there was a Mr. Dulong.

There was a shop, it was there.

And yet I know it isn't there.

I don't know why.

I've been over and over it in my mind.

I just don't understand it.

Maybe, maybe Tony didn't disappear.

Maybe he did just wander off, like the police think.

- They'll find him, darling.

I know they will.

- Yes, well I understand that.

Yes, thank you very much.

The lieutenant's not in yet,

so I left word for him to call me back.

- Well it's only just past eight.

- Yes, I know.

I guess he gets this every day.

People disappearing, relatives thinking

that the world has come to an end.

It is a little different though,

when it has come to an end.

I'll call him again in a minute.

- Hi Mom!

I'm hungry.

Breakfast ready?

- Tony! - What's up?

- Tony, where have you been?

- Tony!

How did you get home?

How did you get in?

- You were having breakfast alone, without me!

- Tony.

Now tell me, what happened?

- I can't tell you.

- But darling!

- Stop picking on me.

- Tony, you were missing nearly 24 hours.

- 24 hours?

Days, more like it.

Or weeks.

- Now, yesterday was your birthday Tony, the 28th, yes.

I took you...

Where did I take you?

- The magic shop.

- That's right.

And that was yesterday.

(phone rings)

That's gonna be the lieutenant.

- Darling?

It was your birthday. - Hello?

- Do you think we could forget?

- It was a long time.

- Let's go have some breakfast, huh?

- Yes, Lieutenant.

He just came back.

I don't know.

We don't know yet.

- Look, there are the flowers

Mr. Adams brought just yesterday.

I'll get you your orange juice.

(ominous music)

- Now you told me Tony that you and your father

went to buy some plants for your fish tank on your birthday.

- Yes, but we never did.

- Oh, instead you went to another shop.

- Yes, I've told you.

- The magic shop?

Here, have another.

Tell me, do you think you could find your way there again?

- If I wanted to, I could.

- You know, your father told me

that you went into the cabinet,

and then you disappeared.

Do you know where you went to?

Please come in.

Well, I've talked to Tony

and he's more or less talked to me,

but I'm afraid I haven't been able to get very far with him.

Now he remembers the morning of his birthday,

and that you gave him the camera,

and that you suggested you two go down

and buy some plants for his fish tank.

- Did he discuss the magic shop?

- No, no.

Every time I bring that up, he just clams up.

Please, sit down.

- Well then he

didn't say anything about what happened to him

after he got out of the cabinet?

- Well, well either he doesn't remember,

or he doesn't want to remember.

- Everybody seems to think that the two of us are lying

about going into that shop.

- Yes, people seem to think we're doing it for publicity.

- Well, I don't share that view entirely.

You know, in the year 1692,

on Arcright Street,

there was a Dulong Apothecary

indicted by Cotton Mather,

executed for witchcraft.

Now that's a fact.

And there was a Dulong's Magic Shop in 1901

that was destroyed by some unknown force

that's never been explained, and that's a fact.

And that your son Tony did disappear is a fact.

But that's where it stops, no answers.

- Doctor, all we care about is Tony.

- Of course.

Well I'm not sure how much he remembers

about his experience.

Either he can't give me any details, or he doesn't want to.

He seems, I'm afraid, rather happy about the whole thing.

- Afraid?

- Just as you are.

Oh I don't mean that Tony is any kind

of juvenile delinquent, but as I said,

he's been through this disturbing experience.

And he appears to believe that he's in possession

of a knowledge that other people don't have.

Maybe this is more a matter

for a priest than a psychiatrist.

- A priest?

You mean exorcize the devil?

- Oh good heavens, no.

I don't believe in that kind of thing.

I merely meant that maybe, maybe he would talk more freely

to his parish priest than he has to me.

- Well, I'm afraid we haven't been

taking him to church very regularly.

- Well, the only other thing I can suggest

is that you give him an ordinary life of an ordinary boy.

Try and help him forget whatever has happened to him.

Does he,

does he have any particular hobbies?

- Well he's very fond of his aquarium.

- Does he take good care of the fish?

- All the time.

- He's always wanted a dog.

- Well, might be a good idea for him to have one.

- All right, then I'll buy him one.

- Good, better still,

let him buy it.

Take him to the pound or the pet shop,

and let him choose for himself.

- Well there's a pound right back of us in the next block,

so I let him go around there by himself if he wants to.

- Fine.

If he comes home with some awful looking mutt,

never mind.

It's his choice.

- Let's go outside and play.

Come on!

- Well, he seems to be doing fine

forgetting what happened.

Did he say anything to you?

- Not a word.

He's his old self, lately.

Just normally mischievous.

- That dog is settling down too.

- Yes, he's only been here 24 hours

and already they're inseparable.

We really should've gotten him one before.

(dog snarling)

- Is that Adams?

(dog barking)

- You're scaring my dog!

- Talk about scaring your dog, boy, he's trying to bite me!

(dog barking)

- Tony, what is it?

Sh, Tony, get that dog inside.

- What happened?

- That dog.

- Did he bite you, Mr. Adams?

- Oh it's nothing.

- Oh well, let me get you to our doctor.

He's not far from here.

- No, that's all right.

- No really, we'd be much happier if you'd let us.

- Please do this, no one will look after you.

This will be much safer.

- No, I'll treat it myself.

- Oh be sure and use plenty of disinfectant.

- I will.

- Mr. Adams, I'm so sorry.

Tony just got the dog,

and he's probably not used to the place yet.

- Oh I like dogs!

But not that one, he's a mean brute.

- Now Tony, you've got to learn to make that dog obey.

- It won't happen again, will it Tony?

- No.

Come on, Dulong.

(eerie music)

- Tony!

What did you call him?

- Dulong.

Because if I'd never been to Dulong's Magic Shop,

you'd never let me have a dog, would you?

- Well, don't you think that Prince

or Rover might be better?

- No.

- Well, after all, he is your dog, Tony.

- Oh yes.

I'll teach him and train him,

and make him do everything I say.

- [Steven] Yes, that's a good boy, Tony.

- And I'll do everything he says.

(ominous music)

- Mine's higher than yours! - No it isn't!

- [Kid] Mine's going to the moon!

- [Kid] You don't understand.

Only rocketships get to the moon.

(eerie music)

(balloon pops)

- My balloon, my balloon!

What's happened to my balloon?

(Tony giggles)

(eerie music)

(balloon pops)

My balloon.

(Tony giggles)

- You did that! - What?

- [Girl] Bust their balloons.

- How could I bust their balloons?

- You were aiming at something.

I saw your hand up.

And air pistol, maybe.

- Where is it then?

I haven't moved.

- Well I know you did it!

But I can't prove it.

But let me catch you, just once.

Just once, and I'll clobber you!

(eerie music)

(sprinkler hissing)

(girl shrieks)

(Tony giggles)

You did this, you did this! - What happened?

- You turned the sprinklers on me!

- How could I?

The faucet's over there.

Come on, Dulong.

- I'm sure he didn't mean to do it, dear.

- Yes he did!

Look at my dress, it's ruined!

Oh I hate him!

Oh Mother, Father!

- And then you can have some fun--

- Tony, Tony.

I told you not to let the dog on the sofa.

Come on, get down, get down.

Take your feet off the couch.

Tony, Susan says that you turned the sprinkler on her.

- I did not.

- I think you did, and you were pleased.

Now Tony, that's terrible.

It is!

I don't know why you do these things, but it's bad.

Hurting people is bad.

Darling, I want you to promise me something.

I want you to promise me you won't go on behaving like this.

You're making me very unhappy, and your father too.

- I promise.

(robot whirring)

- [Mom] No, Tony, you must mean it.

- Mommy, you don't understand anything.

- I understand what's right and what's wrong.

- You don't want me to be able to do things.

- [Mom] What things?

- Just games.

Fun!

- Causing accidents and hurting people?

Is that your idea of fun?

Your father and I don't seem to be able

to talk to you these days.

Don't you realize, everybody in the neighborhood

is beginning to dislike you.

And if the neighbors can prove

that you're purposely hurting their children,

they might even report it to the police.

And they could take you away from us.

- Just let 'em try it.

- You know, cutting these back really helped them.

- Yeah.

(dog snarling)

Was that Adams?

- Oh no.

- Where's Tony?

- Upstairs in his room.

- Where's the dog?

- I thought he was there too, I don't know.

- It is Adams, look.

(dog barking)

- What is it, Mr. Adams?

- Here, come inside, let me get you a drink.

A whiskey?

- What happened, Mr. Adams?

Was it the dog again?

- [Steven] Soda or water?

- Just plain, thanks.

- We're gonna have to get rid of him.

- [Steven] Yes, we are.

We'll have to get rid of it.

- Tony's gonna be very upset.

- Mrs. Grainger, your dog did bite me again,

but that's not all, I'm afraid.

- [Steven] Not all, what do you mean?

- Well I had this hoe in my hand,

and he came at me, and I had to defend myself

and I hit him, and I--

- Mr. Adams!

(Adams grunting)

Mr. Adams.

Mr. Adams, where's the dog?

If he's hurt, I'd better get him to the vet.

- Mr. Grainger, I'm afraid there's not much you could get.

He kept coming at me, and I hit him.

I hit him hard, and...

I killed him.

(somber music)

And then he,

he just sorta rotted away.

Into little pieces.

In no time at all.

- He was mine.

Mine, and you killed him.

But it doesn't matter,

because he taught me everything.

So you're too late.

But he was mine.

And you won't get away with it.

(somber music)

(eerie music)

(flames crackling)

(ominous music)

(sirens wailing)

(men shouting)

- It's the Adams house.

- I hope he's not inside.

(flames crackling) (men shouting)

- Excuse me.

The man who owned that house, did he get out all right?

- Out of that?

(flames crackling)

(timbers crashing)

(eerie music)

- Tony.

- He couldn't have had anything to do with this.

- Couldn't he?

(ominous music)

Tony?

You did that, didn't you?

Tony.

You set the fire, didn't you?

I was sure you were here in your room.

I didn't hear you leave.

Now when did you go out?

- Steven, your cheek.

It's bleeding.

- How'd I-- - I don't...

(ominous music)

- [Steven] That night seems a long time ago, but it isn't.

Only a few years.

Since then, our son holds us in the hollow of his hand.

Parents without power, only fear

of their child.

That's our position today

and that's the world in which we live.

What will happen, we don't know,

and we dare not think.

We can't see any way out.

We're the prisoners of Anthony Richard Grainger,

our son.

(eerie music)

- Our daring astronaut sustained a skinned knee,

but that only made the sight more colorful.

As for the criticism that our launching

lacks dramatic sounds, I believe his scream

will soon put an end to that loose talk.

They say what goes up, must come down,

so while we wait for that truth to be verified,

we shall see some scenes from next week's story.

(plucky music)

(dramatic music)