All language subtitles for Alfred.Hitchcock.Presents.S01E23.Back.for.Christmas.1080p.PCOK.WEB-DL.AAC2.0.H.264-Hurtom_track3_[eng]

Good evening,
ladies and gentlemen...

especially the ladies.

Now you see what
might happen if you
fall asleep under the dryer.

Shrunken heads are
a hobby of mine.

Collecting them of course,
not making them.
Takes too long to make one.

First of all, you must wait
until the original owner
of the head dies.

I haven't
the patience for that.

As you have,
no doubt, already guessed...

tonight's story
has nothing whatsoever
to do with shrunken heads.

It is called,
"Back for Christmas."

[man digging]

(Hermione)
Herbert.

Oh, Herbert.

Yes, my dear?

Oh, there you are,
working on your wine cellar.
How nice.

Yes, I thought I'd do
a bit of the digging.

Nothing much else
to do the last day,
you know.

You've got everything
so well organized.

Thank you, my dear.

But really, don't you think
this is more than you ought
to do by yourself?

I mean, I don't think
you'll ever get it finished
if all this has to be dug up.

Well, I can do a little
at a time.

As a matter of fact, I think
I've done about all that's
necessary for the moment.

Yes, I think I have.

Then come to lunch now.
We've a nice surprise for you.

You can come back
a little later.

Really, I think
it's a waste of time.

Five feet four inches.

Allow two inches. 5'6".

Yes, that ought
to be about ample.
No use crowding.

There you are.

Your favorite lunch, Herbert.
Shepherd's pie.

It isn't truly my favorite,
you know.
Of course it is, Herbert.

You know how often
we have it,
and you always enjoy it.

Do I?

Now, let me see.

All the delivery people
have been notified,
the telephone company.

I must call up
about the electricity.

Did you get
my typewriter back?

Yes. It's in the car.
Good.

Because I must send
those articles back
to the magazine.

You know, my impressions
of isolated countries.

Thank you.

Are the curtains down
in the bedroom, Elsie?

I'll get them right
after lunch, ma'am.
Good.

Because the cleaning man
will be here
this afternoon...

and he'll keep them
until we come back
from America.

I'll write you
as soon as I know
the exact date.

December 15, probably.
Yes, ma'am.

The furniture
all covered up?
All the upstairs, ma'am.

And I'll do
the living room directly
the guests leave after tea.

Good. The Hewitts and
Sinclairs are coming over
for tea, to say goodbye.

What about the Wallingfords?
They'll try,
but probably not.

Let me see.
Have you had the gutters
cleaned out?

Oh, ages ago.

The papers have cancelled,
the milkman.

Have we
any library books out?

You took them back
days ago.
Oh, yes.

Haven't you any letters
to write or business
to attend to?

No, I have
the whole afternoon free
for packing.

You don't have to give
that a thought, dear.
All that's attended to.

Everything that you'll need,
it's all packed.

I can't have you concerned
with trivialities like that.

Your must keep your mind free
for more important matters.

Yes. Very thoughtful
of you, dear.

You know,
few men have wives
like you.

That is nice of you,
Herbert.

One likes to have one's
little efforts appreciated,
doesn't one?

There is something.

The man who does the garden
will be here this afternoon.

Will you talk to him
about the hedge?

We don't like the way
he's been trimming it
lately at all.

Of course,
if you have time....

Yes, of course. I'll try
and fit it in somehow.
Thank you, dear.

Thank you, Major.
Not at all.

Could I hand you
something else? A scone?
Nothing more, thank you.

This place you're going to
is in California, isn't it?

Yes. Los Angeles.

Is that where
you were before?

Yes. But only
for a few weeks last trip.
What is it like?

Large, casual,
very disorganized.

(Mrs. Sinclair)
But that was because
Hermione wasn't with you.

This time everything
will be different.

Yes, indeed.
Of course, it will.

Let me give you
another cup of tea.
Yes, thank you, do.

Oh, dear, we shall miss you,
Hermione.

But you won't be gone long,
will you?

(Hermione)
No, we should be back for
Christmas, you may be sure.

Indeed. Yes, we must
have you with us
for Christmas in any case.

There's some talk
of us staying longer.
Permanently, in fact.

Of course,
that's all very tentative.

Don't worry. We shan't hear
of any nonsense such as that,
you may be sure.

We'll be back.

(Mrs. Hewitt)
Just what is it
Herbert is going to do?

You know, more or less
what he's been doing here,
I understand.

[inaudible]
I'm not exactly clear
about that.

It must be very scientific.

(Sinclair)
He works for an aircraft firm.
Metallurgy, I believe.

Something to do with metals.
Anyway, Herbert's awfully
good at it, I believe.

I'm sure he must be.
You see,
with these new jet planes...

I believe some of the metals
get terribly hot, you know.

It's a question of, well,
alloys and stress and all of
that sort of thing, you know.

(Mrs. Hewitt)
Now I understand.

Some of the work he did here
attracted their attention,
you know.

(Mrs. Sinclair)
You're not flying, Herbert,
Hermione tells me.

No, I don't like
flying at all.
It frightens me.

Fortunately, Hermione
doesn't like it, either.

(Mrs. Sinclair)
That is fortunate.

Anyhow, we're taking the car.
Yes, of course.

That will be a
great convenience, won't it?

Are you planning
to motor across the continent?

Yes. It's frightfully dull,
I understand...

but one feels one should,
you know.

(Mrs. Hewitt)
They're going to drive
to Southampton this evening...

dine in Salisbury
on the way...

and in the morning go aboard
ship at their leisure.

No trains, no fuss,
no rush, no bother.

Doesn't Hermione
arrange things beautifully?

She's marvelous.

Don't you wish
I were like that?

(Hewitt)
No, not really.

(Mrs. Sinclair)
Well, my dear,
it's time for us to be off...

and let these people
attend to their
last minute details.

There is no rush.
All we have to do is get in
the car and drive away.

Trust Hermione.

No last minute details
with her managing,
eh, Herbert?

No, indeed.
(Mrs. Hewitt)
But we really must get along.

I hope you have
a delightful crossing.

(Hermione)
We shall.

You will write, of course,
when you can?
Of course, my dear.

Now you be sure to bring
Herbert back for Christmas,
won't you, no matter what?

Christmas wouldn't be right
without you.

I shall. I shall indeed.

As a matter of fact,
I have a little surprise
for Herbert...

which will require
our being here.

So you could rely on it.

I shall have him
back for Christmas,
no matter what happens.

Well, goodbye, Herbert.
Got your coat?

Yes, thank you.
Goodbye.

Everything.
It's all very nice.

(all)
Goodbye, Herbert.
Goodbye.

Do you want some more tea?
No, thank you.

Well, perhaps, yes,
just a spot.

Which is your cup?
That one.

Elsie, you needn't wait
for us to leave.

You can go as soon as you've
done that and cleared away
the tea things.

We'll close up
the house.
Thank you, ma'am.

Here are your wages
and a little something extra.

Thank you, ma'am.

I'll write to you as soon
as we know the exact date
we're coming back.

Yes, ma'am.
Might be longer
than you think.

Elsie, do you have enough
covers for all the furniture
in this room?

Yes, ma'am.

Time for you to change.

Yes, I say it is.
I won't worry about the tea.
All right.

Goodbye, Elsie.
No, we won't say goodbye.

Just au revoir.
It won't be long.

Yes, ma'am. Goodbye.
Goodbye, Elsie.
Have a good holiday.

Goodbye, Mr. Carpenter.
Yes, have a very
good holiday, Elsie.

Now let's--

Put on your brown tweeds.
They're laid out
on the bed for you.

And be sure and take
everything out of the pockets
before you pack it.

That's all
you have to do.
Yes, I will.

Elsie.

Hermione.

Hermione.

Yes? Where are you?

In the cellar.
Will you come down?

There's something
I'd like to ask you.

There's something I'd like you
to help me with first.

Must it be done this minute?

One thing at a time.
Everything in order.

First things first.

That's the way you
get things done, you know.

Are you coming?
All right. I'll come up.

There's no need to rush.
There's plenty of time
for everything.

I always leave an ample margin
for unexpected events,
you know.

Yes, well, that's good.

Would you get me
the little ladder out
of the kitchen closet?

I want to change
this dust cover.
What's the matter with it?

It'll cover the sofa
so much better than
that little one in there.

Will you get me
the ladder, please?
I suppose so, all right.

A little further forward.

Let me do it.
No.

I've had it done wrong
once today already. It's
much simpler to do it myself.

Hold the ladder steady.

There.

Now give me the other one.

But don't let
go of the ladder.

Now, you'll have to....

I'm afraid this is impossible,
dear. My arms aren't
sufficiently elastic.

You'll have
to stand quite still.
How trying.

Here it is.
Thank you.

Oh, dear.

I'm not very good
at this.
No, dear.

Steady.

There. Now I'm coming down.

Thank you, dear.
Will you take the
ladder back, please?

Why? Elsie will only have
to get it out again when
it's time to take this down.

Nobody will be here.
Herbert. How like a man.

Run along while
I cover the sofa.

Now will you come down, dear?
(Hermione)
Just a moment, dear.

I want to check the windows.
Will you help me, please?

But Elsie locked them all.

Yes, but Elsie was supposed
to put the dust covers
on properly, dear.

The only way to make certain
is to do it oneself.

Will you check
the dining room?

[sighing]
Very well, dear.

Now will you come down, dear?
(Hermione)
Of course, dear.

You know, I always take
an interest in your
little enterprises.

(Hermione)
What is it about?
The wine cellar?

Yes, I wanted your opinion
on something.

You see, I've been thinking.
Perhaps it might be
better to....

Aren't you coming?
Yes, dear.

Now then, what is it?

Well, I....

Do you think this is going
to be deep enough?

I don't think it makes
a particle of difference.

Take a better look,
proper look.

No, not from there.
Herbert.

No, from here. See?

Really, Herbert.

Do you think
I should lower the floor
another six inches...

or do you think that's enough?

I don't know, Herbert.
I don't know
anything about....

She turned it off.
She turned it off at the main.

[water running]

[doorbell ringing]

[doorbell continues ringing]

Herbert?
Hermione?

Wherever can they be?
The car's there.

Maybe they've
popped round
to Mrs. Liddell's.

We must see them.
Or to the shops, maybe.

Something at
the last minute.
No, not Hermione.

I say, listen.
Isn't that someone
taking a bath?

Shall we shout?
How about banging
on the door?

Don't. It might
not be tactful.
There's no harm in a shout.

No, dear.
Let's come by
on our way back.

Hermione said
they wouldn't be
leaving before 7:00.

They're dining
on the road, you know.
Is that so? All right.

I do want to have that
last drink with old Herbert.
He might be hurt.

Let's hurry.
We can be back by 6:30.
All right.

[car engine starting]

There!

The next time,
I'll let the first shade
of doubt creep in.

[doorbell buzzing]

Just a minute.

Good morning.
(Hall)
Good morning, Mr. Carpenter.

Thought I'd just drop
over from the plant...

to see if there was
anything we could do for you.

I see you're getting
unpacked, I expect
you'll be settled soon.

Settled now, in fact.
I was just having
some breakfast.

Can I get you something?
No. Thanks.

Well,
this is a pleasant place.
Yes, isn't it?

You always have beer
for breakfast?
No, only recently.

I like it very, much, though.
It's just the thing. Are you
sure you won't have something?

No, thanks, just the same.
I'll have to get on back.

You had some mail.
It came this morning.
I brought it along.

There are some
for Mrs. Carpenter, too.

Is she going to join you?
No. My wife
and I separated recently.

It was rather sudden.
I suppose...

actually it's been coming on
for quite a long time...

and some of our friends
haven't heard about it yet.

I really must write to them
and let them know.

Well, I'll be
getting along.

By the way, have you
made up your mind
to stay over here with us?

Well, I can tell you this,
I've been giving it some
very favorable thought.

I must say I like it here.
Good.

I'll see you Monday morning,
then? Your office is
all ready for you.

Yes, indeed.
That'll be fine.
I'll see you out.

Don't bother.

It's no bother at all.
It's very decent
of you to stop by.

Not at all. If there's
anything we can do,
be sure and let us know.

Thanks awfully,
but I think I have
everything under control.

Good. See you Monday, then.
Right, Goodbye.

Mrs. Carpenter.

Mrs. Carpenter.

Freda Wallingford.

[doorbell buzzing]

Just a moment.

It's the maid.
Oh, good.

I'll answer that
in a day or so.

Good morning,
Mr. Carpenter.
Good morning.

Well, I see you've
certainly been unpacking.
Don't worry, though...

I'll get everything
all straightened up
before you know it.

No, please don't move
anything. It's all just
exactly the way I want it.

You might do the vacuuming
and wash the dishes,
that will be fine.

Don't you even want me
to move this bath towel?

Oh, yes, the towel.

This looks like a bill.

Well, that's simple.

"Holt and Son,
Builders, Decorators.

"Madam, receipt....
Your kind acceptance....

"Estimate below....
Working almost immediately...

"as per your request,
so as to have it
finished for Christmas."

Back for Christmas.

She said I'd be back
for Christmas.

That concludes our sideshow.

We shall be back
next week to....

"Made in Texas...

"by Texans...

"with New Yorkers."

I think I'd better
be trotting off.

I've just decided
to have my ears Sanforized.
Good night.