All language subtitles for Alfred.Hitchcock.Presents.S01E13.The.Cheney.Vase.1080p.PCOK.WEB-DL.AAC2.0.H.264-Hurtom_track3_[eng]

[ * Charles Gounod's
"Funeral March
of a Marionette" * ]

Oh, oh, good evening.

I was just about to
send greetings to
an old friend.

I'm sure
Martin's civilized methods
of homicide...

are much more efficient,
but I don't care for them.

I abhor violence.

That is why on this program...

we use stabbings,
shooting and garrotings...

only when they are
absolutely essential
to the plot...

or when the whim strikes us.

Tonight's play
begins in a museum.

And the title is
"The Cheney Vase".

That's all
I intend to tell you.

You'll have to figure
the rest out for yourselves.

I don't intend to
discuss it any further.

I want you to
leave the museum
this afternoon.

Mr. Koether,
the work I did here
as your assistant...

could be done by
a reasonably intelligent
child.

Leaving won't be
exactly a hardship.

However,
you're rather conveniently
forgetting my severance pay.

If you want to
make an issue of
the money, Lyle...

I'll be glad to
take it up with the Board.

I'm prepared to go completely
into your record...

during the three months
you've been here.

Your inability to arrive
even approximately on time.

The four days off last month,
with no reason whatsoever.

It was spring, Mr. Koether.
Though I doubt whether
you were aware of that.

I want you
out of this building by 3:00.

Yes, sir.

(Pamela)
How'd it go, Lyle?
It went and so shall I.

Oh, no,
what are you going to do?

[intercom buzzing]

You got me this job,
you got any other ideas?

[intercom buzzes]

Let me go.

(Miss Cheney)
Mr. Endicott!

Miss Cheney,
no one told me
you were in the museum.

Frances and I
just arrived.

Now, aren't you
looking chipper,
if I may say so.

Well, of course
you may say so.

Everyone lies to me and
spoils me. I'd rather be
put out, if they didn't.

But the only thing chipper
about my appearance...

is perhaps my suit.

And if you had known me
longer, Mr. Endicott...

you'd know that that's almost
as old as you are.

Well,
it's still very handsome,
and so is its owner.

But now, doesn't this
add a touch of color?

There we go.
It's very thoughtful of you,
Mr. Endicott.

Thank you.
You're not gonna run off...

with one of
the museum's treasures
in that box, are you?

No, this is-- this is
my own last little effort.

Frances, why don't you run
along and do your errands?

I shan't need you for a while.

Well, now, you know,
it's really very good.

You've cut this
in here beautifully.

Yeah.

[Miss Cheney exclaims]

Well, of course...

it's only a hobby, but...

at least no one can say
that I completely
waste my time...

rattling around
in that old house
out in the country.

There you are, Herbert.
Good afternoon, Martha.

What a nice surprise.
I didn't expect you
till Wednesday.

It was the only day
I could come.

Have you taken care
of that matter,
as I asked you to?

Yes, I'll take care
of that immediately,
Mr. Koether.

Miss Cheney,
it was so nice
to see you again.

Goodbye, Mr. Endicott.
Goodbye.

What did you want
to see me about?

Martha,
I'm leaving for the coast.

Are you really?
Day after tomorrow.

Martha, it would be
a wonderful send-off
for my trip...

if I could inform
the Board of Trustees
that at long last...

I've arranged to purchase
the Cheney vase.
Now, you're not still at it?

No, Herbert, you know
I could never sell it.

It was the last thing of
my father's, and I'll keep it
as long as I live...

and that's going to be
a long, long time.

But, Martha,
you always promised.
No, Herbert...

that's final.

So, you're leaving
for the coast?
Frances is leaving me, too.

So I have to manage
without Frances.

This will probably be
my last visit, for a while.

So act like a curator,
Herbert.

[chuckles]

I'd like to see
those Chinese figurines....

No explanation, no nothing.
He just fired you.

Darling, I'm sick.

What is it with us?
Do we just have
the unlucky touch?

Other people get married,
save money and have babies.

Think that this is the best
of all possible worlds.

Why not just once...

just once can something
work out right for me?

Will they let you stay
in your apartment
until I get my check?

I'm not gonna take
any more money from you.

[typewriter clicking]

Take a letter, Miss Waring.
What?

Of recommendation.

At least you can type one,
I think...

even if
our distinguished curator
won't feel obliged to.

What will I say?
Just write a nice,
kind enthusiastic letter.

Lyle Endicott worked here
at the Manhattan Museum
of Art...

as my assistant
until May 12...

during which time,
he turned out to be
a very dependable worker.

(Lyle)
I hope you don't mind
my coming to you.

But, you see,
I'm in no position financially
to engage someone like you.

There could be
other compensations
in my case.

You see, I could continue
my research here in
your wonderful library.

May I?

Thank you, Mr. Endicott.
Call me Lyle.

Well, I....
Look, if I'm going to
be taking care of you...

you can hardly go around
calling me mister,
now, can you?

It was very kind of you
and Herbert to think of me...

but you know that when
Frances leaves, there'll just
be Bella, the cook...

and I'm helpless
since my illness last year.

I can't get around at all.
Then you need a man
around the house...

now, don't you?

Well...

would you be willing
to put it on a trial basis?

Say, one month?
Of course.

I know that
I won't change my mind.

Well. Then let's seal
the bargain, Lyle.

Would you like
another cup of tea, dear?

Sitting here gossiping
with you isn't going
to get any work done.

And I ought to have been
in my studio an hour ago.

We certainly can't let talent
go to waste, now, can we?

Here we go. Whee!
Oh, no.

Lyle.

There.
Oh, no, please.

[exclaims]

There.
Really.

Now, you go on upstairs
and get to work...

and I'll make
all the arrangements
about lunch.

You're not supposed
to bother about
things like that.

Why not?
I enjoy doing things for you.
There we go.

Oh, Lyle.

Put those somewhere.
I'll answer them later.

Okay.

Yes, sir.

Bella, would you clear up
Miss Cheney's tea things,
will you?

Yes, sir.

But, Bella,
it isn't important...

one cup, and you so rarely
break anything.

Miss Cheney,
I didn't break it.
Now, as Mr. Endicott said:

"It wasn't broken
when I had my tea from it...

"and you're the only one
who's touched
the tray since."

If you cracked a cup,
there's no harm in
admitting it...

but don't try to
blame someone else.

Are you calling me
a liar, sir?

I'm saying that when one is
as old as you are,
and is prone to breaking--

Bella, I know you're tired.
You've had too much to do
since Frances left.

So why don't you go
and lie down
for a little while.

Never thought the time
would come you wouldn't
believe me, Miss Cheney.

I can see
I'm not wanted in this house.

Bella, wait. Bella.

I'm afraid
we hurt her feelings.

I hated having to
worry you about this but...

some of the things
that've gone on lately....

Bella has been with me
for 18, almost 20 years.

I couldn't possibly
do without her.

I hope she'll stay with me
as long as I live.
I just thought perhaps...

she might need
a little vacation.

Why don't you tell her to
take a couple of weeks off?

I'm sure
I can take care of you.

[chuckles]

Well.

So, this is where
the artist creates
her masterpieces?

It's a good place for work.
It's quiet, it's soundproof.

When the elevator's
downstairs, I feel cut off
from the rest of the world.

Do you keep the vase up here?

What vase?
The vase.
There's only one, isn't there?

I don't want to talk....

I don't want
to talk about it.

Everybody's always asking me
about it. I thought you'd be
different from the rest.

It seems a shame to keep
such a beautiful work of art
hidden away...

where no one
can appreciate it.

It's my vase and I will do
what I like with it.

[glass clinks]

Everybody's always telling me
what I have to do.

Martha, what's the matter?
Can I help you?

I think, if you don't mind,
Lyle, I'd like to be alone
for a while, please...

and just rest quietly.
Oh, no.

No, I wouldn't think of
leaving you now. You need
someone to take care of you.

[door opens]

Good morning, Martha.
How are we feeling today?

Oh, I'm sure, I'm much better.
Good.

I thought maybe I could
go out for a little while
into the air.

I haven't been
out of the house
for three weeks.

Why don't you go upstairs
and try and do a little work?

You know how you've missed
your sculpting.

Do you think I could?
Why, of course.

Why, you were showing
just wonderful work before
this little setback of yours.

Why, that last head
you did showed
tremendous improvement.

Here we go, up we go.
That's right. Hold tight.

There, now.

We'll have
a beautiful one-woman show
for you in no time at all.

Sit right down,
that's right.

There we go.

There we are. Now.

I've got to talk to you,
Mr. Endicott.
Later, Ruby.

But--
Later.

Lyle.
What?

I don't like that maid.

When are you going
to get rid of her?

As soon as I can find someone
who'll come
all the way out here.

But Bella will be back soon
from her vacation.

Vacation?

Martha, don't tell me
you've forgotten already
that Bella wrote you.

Bella wrote me?
Yes.

When?

Really, Lyle?

Martha,
she wrote you in August...

saying that it was
too much work and that
she couldn't come back.

Don't you remember,
Martha?

I know
I get confused sometimes...

but this is different.
I know.

That's why I've been
so very worried about you.

You've been wonderful,
Lyle.

I don't know why
you put up with
a silly old woman.

(Pamela)
But I do worry. It's wrong.
Why is it wrong?

She's got that vase
hidden away somewhere.
What good's it doing her?

I know, Lyle,
but she's
a helpless old woman.

I do wish
you'd give up the idea.

Maybe Koether
might know where it is.

I'm sure he doesn't.
Are you positive?

Yes.

She's got it hidden away
in that house somewhere.

I may have to strangle her,
but I'll get it.

Darling.

Who's Max Reisenweber?

He's one of
the most important
art collectors in Europe.

He's written the museum
a couple of times.

Koether seems to think
he's a bit shady.

Oh?
Why do you ask?

"And if it is
a genuine Cheney vase...

"I may be induced to go
as high as $45,000...

"payable in dollars,
or marks at Frankfurt."

Think of what we could do
with all that money.

We'd go to Europe,
we can have cars, clothes....

Where's the book
with the picture
of the vase in it?

[object thuds]

Yeah.

(Lyle)
"The Cheney vase
is comparatively small...

being eight inches high.

"Made of porous sodaphine...

"it bears a simple crimson
design on a lustrous
natural background.

"It was discovered
by the archeologist,
William Cheney, in 1881."

What now?

I think you might start
learning German and arrange
about your passport.

I think we ought to
deliver it to that very nice
Mr. Reisenweber in person.

Who's that?

I figured you'd been up here
for such a time, maybe a cup
of tea would taste good.

Nobody told me,
I just figured.

Now, that's very...

that's very kind.

Put it on the table.

I don't remember your name,
my dear.
Ruby Boyenton.

Ruby...

where is Mr. Endicott?
I don't know.
Downstairs, I guess.

Ruby.

I want you to help me.

I've got to get out of here,
and he won't let me.

He won't let me see anyone.

He's done something
to the telephone
and I can't call anyone.

You've got to help me.

Now,
this is to my attorney.

I want you to take it
and make sure
that he gets it.

Will you, please?

Please.

Thank you.

Allow me, dear.

Why didn't you ring?

I don't think
I can get what I want
in this house anymore.

Martha.

You know that everything
I do here is for you.

Why, I feel like
almost one of the family.

Lyle, this arrangement
of ours, it hasn't worked out.
I want you to go.

Martha, I'd feel guilty
if I left you now.
You know you're not yourself.

You are not responsible.
I know I haven't
been myself recently.

But I'm beginning
to see everything
very clearly now.

How can you say that,
Martha?

When you have such delusions.

When you can write
such fantastic letters
like this?

Martha, really.

[phone ringing]

Hello.
Hello, darling.

Listen, I'm afraid
I got some bad news.

I think our little scheme's
down the drain.

The man from her bank is
just here, and it seems like
the Cheney vase...

is in the safe deposit box
down there.

Good evening, darling.

How about a drink?
I've had a bad day.

Why can't just once,
just once, something
work out right for us?

[groans]

And now she says
she needs a rest...

and she wants to go off
somewhere with me for a month.

Where are you going?
Her sister's got a place
up in Maine.

I don't know.
We'll be stuck
up in the North woods...

with no telephone, I won't--
Stop it, Lyle!

I'm sick of death
of your lying...

I'm sick of whatever
you're doing to
that poor woman.

What are you talking about?

When you applied for your
passport, you gave the museum
as your business address.

I did a little checking,
and suddenly everything
began to fall into place.

The way
you've been avoiding me...

that cock-and-bull story
about the vase being
in a bank somewhere.

And now
you're going off to Maine.

All right,
I'll level with you.

You're right.

I do consider
you and your morality
excess baggage...

but since
I'm off to Frankfurt
tonight at 8:30....

What?
Oh, yes.

It's been delightful, Pamela,
every minute of it.

I just have time to go over
and pick up the little vase
from Miss Cheney's and be off.

And I wouldn't
go to the police,
if I were you.

That letter of recommendation
you wrote implicates you
just as much as me.

[phone ringing]

(Pamela)
Hello. Yes, Mr. Koether.

(Koether)
I'm at the station.

I hate to bother you,
but I have a mountain of work.

I wondered if you could come
round the museum tomorrow...

even though it's Saturday.
Yes.

Yes, I think so.
Fine.

I'll tell you
about the trip tomorrow.

Mr. Koether,
go to Mrs. Cheney's at once,
it's important.

[Pamela thudding]

He'll be there by 6:00.
You haven't got time.

It's almost 5:00 now.
It'll take him an hour to
get there from the station.

I still have time.

I wouldn't do that,
Mr. Endicott. That one
might be the original.

And I wouldn't try to make me
tell you which one it is.

I'm a poor, deluded old woman,
probably mad, you know...

I wouldn't be able
to tell one from the other.

You know,
they're really rather good,
those copies.

I'll probably be able
to sell them...

for a great deal of money.

And so another
American primitive was born.

Thinking our audience...

might be interested
in obtaining a memento
of tonight's story...

we asked Grandma Cheney...

to whip up
a few thousand more vases.

And we're prepared to make
an amazing offer...

on a strictly
first-come first-served basis.

Listen closely,
this will not be repeated.

If you wish
one of these lovely vases...

just send us
your name and address...

together with $45,000 in cash.

Please do not send
stamps or coins.

My, they did go fast,
didn't they?

Next week we shall return--

Please, don't be alarmed.

Plastic.

Next week we shall return
with another story.
Good night.

[ * Charles Gounod's
"Funeral March
of a Marionette" * ]

* *

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