The Bride (1973) - full transcript

(suspenseful music)

(electronic music)

(slow happy music)

- There it is.

You like it?

- It's, it's wild.

(slow happy music)

Isn't it beautiful?

You know, the
architect was right.

He said a house is always a
reflection of its builder.

This house is me.



I could live in it forever.

You love it too don't you David?

If you love me, you
love the house I built.

- I love you both.

- That's what I love to hear.

Come on, I'll show you around.

(upbeat happy music)

- What, what do you
call this style?

- Contemporary Barbara.

- Yeah that fits.

You know you're the first
girl I've ever known

who's built a house.

- And the last girl
you're going to know.

(upbeat happy music)



Thank you.

Come!

Now never mind all this
stuff, construction junk.

I want to use your imagination

and picture it as
it's going to be.

This is the living room.

- Wow.

- Come!

Anyway I was driving
somewhere with Roger.

Oh my God.

(laughing)

I think we were going
to a medical convention.

I was that desperate,
I was actually going

to medical conventions
with Roger.

Anyway, we were passing one
of those massive developments,

you know filled
with rows and rows

of dreary little houses
and I said to Roger,

"Roger if I ever build a
house, it will not be little

and it will not be dreary."

Roger said "All right,
why don't you build one?"

I said "why not?"

Well naturally I have to talk
it over with Daddy first.

- A house?

Why on earth should you
want to build a house?

- I can't paint pictures,
I don't write music.

Why not let me build a house?

- Sure, just like that huh?

Build a house.

Oh Barbara honey, I know
we've spoiled you but

this is too much.

- Nonsense daddy,
it's quite practical.

If I don't care for it, I can
always sell it at a profit

or rent it.

But if it turns out
to be what I want,

then I'll live in it someday.

So you see it's really
quite practical.

Daddy.

Daddy I want this.

I want it very badly.

Please?

We can afford it, can't we?

We have the money.

- We have the money.

- Oh David, I can't begin
to tell you what fun it was.

Planning with the architect
and working with the builder.

The first time in
my useless life,

I finally accomplished
something.

Something

real.

Now it's nearly finished

and it's exactly the
house I dreamed of,

for us.

But you started
building last year,

before you knew me.

- David I knew you.

I've known you all my life.

I just hadn't met you yet.

(soft music)

Let's go see the rest.

(upbeat music)

(glasses clinking)

- To us and the house.

- Oh, to all three of us.

(glasses clanking and laughing)

David?

- [David] Mm?

- I hate to bring
up unpleasantness.

- [David] Don't.

- I have to.

Have you decided when
you're gonna talk to Daddy?

- Yes, I've decided not to.

I'm gonna sneak in your window
some night and carry you off.

- I like that.

- Unfortunately it's
not very practical,

especially if I want to
stay on with the firm.

- We're gonna have
to tell him soon.

- Tricky proposition.

Has to be handled just right.

- If only he knew
you the way I do.

- Sure.

To know me is to love me.

- It's true.

Maybe if I have you
over to dinner this week

you and Daddy could
get better acquainted.

- Brandy and cigars
in the library?

Man to man talk,
that sort of thing?

- Might be worth a try.

- Barbara let's face it, the
man simply does not like me.

The only reason he
keeps me on at the firm

is that I'm damn good at my job.

- You're good at
a lot of things.

- Right,

with one exception.

I can't make your father
eat out of my hand,

that's your department.

You've been doing it so long
you're not even aware of it.

How'd you get the money
to build this house?

The magic words are
"please daddy I want it."

So tell him you want me.

- Is that the way
you want it David?

- I think it might
be the best approach.

- All right, I think
you're probably right.

I'll do it.

- Good.

- And then, once we're married,

daddy will grow to respect you.

- How can he help it?

- You'll be a
partner in the firm.

- Naturally.

- And we live here,
raise a proud family,

and be gloriously
happy, forever.

(soft music)

- You guarantee all that?

- Of course.

It's what I want,

and I always get what I want.

Daddy I want him and
I intend to have him.

Now is that clear?

- [Daddy] It's clear.

- Good.

I'm sorry I yelled.

- Well that's all right,
you've been yelling at me

for 25 years.

- That's not true.

Oh daddy.

It's too bad it has
to be like this.

We've always been friends.

- We still are.

- I hope so.

Daddy I know David has faults,

but he'll make me
a good husband.

Come on Daddy, he's good enough
to work for you at the firm.

- The firm is in the
business of making money.

He's useful to me in that regard

but that doesn't
mean to say that I,

I want him as family.

Barbara I've had the opportunity
of observing your friend,

David, every day at the office.

- Daddy don't start in again.

- No I'm going to say it
now, once and for all.

And then I'll shut up.

There is something about
David, something negative.

I can't name it.

I can't prove it,
but it's like a,

an unpleasant odor you
can't exactly trace.

- I am NOT going
to listen to this.

- What I'm saying is,
I think he stinks.

I don't think he has
any real affection

in his heart for you.

I think he's using you.

- Have you said it all now?

- I've said it.

- Daddy I'm going
to see David tonight

and we're going to set a date.

Step ma ma can start making
all the arrangements.

Daddy I hope that you'll be
walking down the aisle with me.

I want that.

- Well of course I will.

It'll be my last chance
to talk you out of it.

("Wedding March" by Mendelssohn)

- They're beautiful.

(clapping)

- Thank you, so
glad you could come.

- It's his old girlfriend.

- [Man] You look so beautiful!

- Oh genes jokes.

- I wish I was the groom.

- Thank you so much.

You know my husband David.

David?

David, I'd like you
to meet my (mumbles).

Oh, I'm so glad you're here.

- David, congratulations.

- Thank you so much.

(people chattering
in the background)

I'm sorry, I cannot
take anymore.

(slow dance music)

(guests clapping)

(slow dance music)

- Swell time.

- This is really nice you
know, but when I get married,

I mean if I do get
married, I'm just gonna

run away someplace.

I mean, I'm a deeply
committed atheist

so the church
wouldn't be relevant.

- Well it's hard to
figure out what's relevant

and what's not
relevant these days.

- Well these are times you know.

Change and confusion, you know?

- I'm not confused.

- That's because
you're not relevant.

(shrugging)

(upbeat dance music)

- Well, you know, these are
times of great confusion

and changes, it's hard
to know what's relevant

and what's not
relevant, you know?

- Meet me upstairs
in five minutes?

(guests clapping)

- Hi, Spack.

(giggling)

- [David] Honey, excuse me.

I'm afraid I'm
getting a headache.

- Oh my poor darling.

- I've got some aspirin
in the bag upstairs.

I'll be back in a minute.

- Okay.

- [Guest] Look at the
flowers, just beautiful here.

- Oh, wow, isn't that good?

- [Guest] Bill Johnson.

(upbeat music)

- You said God is dead?

I mean, that's a
really heavy statement.

Do you want a refill?

Okay, I'll get you a refill.

(upbeat music)

- I could kill you.

- Relax and enjoy it.

(distant laughing)

(upbeat music)

- [Barbara] Are you
having a nice time?

- [Woman] Beautiful.

- [Barbara] Good, thank you.

David?

David?

- Barbara.

(suspenseful music)

Hey hey listen, I can explain.

- (screaming) David!

(suspenseful music)

(gasping)

- [David] My arm!

(suspenseful music)

(crying)

- Daddy was right.

(uptempo music)

- What are you all staring at?

(laughing)

You should see the other guy.

(screaming)

(fretful music)

(tires squealing)

(soft piano music)

- Oh hello David, so
glad you could make it.

Sit down.

Oh now what'll it be?

- Nothing, thanks.

- Nothing at all?

- My stomach's
been bothering me.

- Oh, alright thank you.

Long life, and
happy anniversary.

- Anniversary?

- Two weeks ago today.

Your wedding.

How's the arm
feeling by the way?

- It's healing.

- Well good.

- Have you had any word?

- From Barbara?
No nothing at all.

- Well don't worry,
she'll turn up.

- Oh I'm sure she will.

I'm not worried, she's
hiding out very cleverly.

That's a familiar pattern David.

When she was little girl
she used to spend hours

at a time in her room pouting.

- I haven't decided what
to do about a divorce.

You have to admit,
I have a case.

Deserted on my wedding day.

- I sincerely hope it
won't come to that David.

I have no idea what went on
between you and Barbara that day

and I don't care to know.

- I've been expecting
you to fire me any day.

- The thought did cross my mind.

- What stopped you?

- Two reasons.

In the first place, from
a business standpoint,

your work has been
quite satisfactory.

I like the way
you've been handling

old Mrs. Meyers' account.

You have a, you seem
to have a happy knack

with the ladies David.

You're an asset to the firm.

- Well I'm glad you
finally noticed.

What's the second reason?

- Oh that's a little
more complicated.

You see David, I still salute
the flag as it goes by.

Not out of respect
for a piece of cloth

but for the meaning behind it.

I know it's old-fashioned
these days but I can't help it.

I believe in the reality
of simple legal forms

from ceremony so two weeks ago,

you who became my
son under the law.

For better or for worse

and I feel a moral
obligation towards you David.

You have to be warned.

- Of what?

- My little girl, Barbara.

I've known her for
a long time now.

- I think I know
her well enough.

- Well enough to marry her.

That isn't saying much.

No I've had a little
more experience with

what we might call the
dark side of her character.

Don't get me wrong,
David, she's a lovely girl

but she's always had a
real streak of cruelty

and potential for violence.

- I'm aware of that.

- Yes, you had a good lesson.

Take it to heart.

- I can handle her if she
ever decides to come back.

- I'm sure you can.

I see the special
is fried chicken.

Shall we try it?

- I'm not too hungry.

- Reminds me of the
time a long time ago

Barbara was a little girl
and some idiot gave her

a chicken for a pet.

Evil looking thing.

I couldn't stand the sight of it

but Barbara liked it
well enough for a while.

When she grew bored with it
and started tormenting it.

Barbara had a special
talent for tormenting.

And then one day as any creature
would, it turned on her.

Attacked her with its claws
and beak, quite viciously.

As I recall Barbara had to
have quite a few stitches taken

and she took it with no tears

but the next day

she took my straight razor

and cut the chicken's
head off, slowly.

She locked herself in her
room so we couldn't get at it

but we could hear that
poor creature screaming

for over an hour.

On second thought I think
I'll have the roast beef.

- What happened?

- We had lunch.

- You mean you're
still employed?

- I'm an asset to the firm.

- I knew that.

- I still can't figure it out.

He hates my guts.

- Well I can't blame him,
it runs in their family.

Has he heard anything
from your crazy wife?

- Look I wish you would...

- Has he heard anything
from dear Barbara?

- No.

- Pity.

- It might be better if we
sort of cooled it for a while.

- Oh and how do we
sort of cool it?

- You move back to your place.

- Oh you poor deserted lamb,
I wouldn't think of it.

You need me here
to hold your hand.

- It would get a
little embarrassing
if Barbara shows up.

- Could be.

Why worry about it?

- What's she trying to prove
disappearing like that?

- Do you think the old
man knows where she is?

- Well if he did he
wouldn't tell me.

He likes to play games.

- So, what next?

- Make yourself look human
and I'll take you to dinner.

- You say the sweetest things.

- Hey I'm,

I'm glad you're here.

- Yeah, me too.

(upbeat music)

(telephone ringing)

- Hello?

- [Woman] Hi there David.

This is your answering service.

- My what?

- [Woman] Your answering
service precious.

May I leave a little
ol' message for you?

- Miss, there's
some mistake here.

I don't have an
answering service.

- [Woman] Well you
do now precious.

Did our little man have fun
playing in the park today?

- Who is this?

- [Woman] You don't listen.

I said this is your
answering service.

Oh by the way, Barbara called.

Said to behave yourself.

She's watching you constantly.

You got that precious?

Constantly.

- Who was that?

- Trouble.

- Sit down David.

Oh and take the sofa.

Make yourself comfortable.

Have you had a chance to look
over those factory contracts?

Sorry I've been snowed under.

I'll take them home
with me tonight.

- Oh good.

It will give you something
to occupy your time.

Must be pretty lonely for
you at home without Barbara.

- Yes it is.

- I'm sure you miss her.

- Of course.

- I think you ought to
know that I've hired

a private investigator.

I'll see what he can learn.

- Good.

I hope he finds her.

- If and when he
does find her David,

is there any hope
for reconciliation?

- I don't know, that
would depend on Barbara.

- It might also depend on Helen.

That will be all David.

- All right you
know about Helen.

I hope you don't
take it seriously.

I don't.

I mean my wife deserted me.

I hope you don't expect
me to live like a monk.

Let's face it a man
has certain needs.

- Yes a man has certain needs.

Love, honor, loyalty.

That'll be all now David.

Go back to your work.

(telephone ringing)

- Hello?

- Hi it's me.

I just called to
see how you are.

- I'm absolutely
lovely thank you.

- There haven't been any
more calls, have there?

- No, stop worrying.

- I can't help it.

You saw what she did
with those scissors.

(doorbell ringing)

- Hey I've gotta run,
there's somebody at the door.

- [David] Hey wait a minute.

- See you tonight (kissing).

(pensive music)

(screaming)

- What the hell do you
think you're doing?

- Oh darling I'm sorry.

That was childish

but I just couldn't help it.

And I hereby accept it.

As soon as you're free of
your previous indiscretion.

- What are you talking about?

- Didn't you send me this?

- Me?

You think I sent it?

- You didn't?

- Well of course
not, why should I do

a stupid thing like that?

- Oh.

- Take it off, get rid of it.

- [Helen] I thought
it was your way of...

- Of what?

- [Helen] I thought you were
trying to tell me something.

- You know who sent this dress.

It's an exact copy of the
one she wore that day.

- Yes it's probably
impregnated with poison.

- Probably.

- Undo me please?

And the poison I want
you to catch it too.

- Yeah thanks.

(pensive music)

(scary organ music)

(screaming)

- [David] Hey!

(screaming)

Helen!

Shhhh, what's the matter?

(heavy breathing)

- She was here, she
had me by the throat.

- Who was here?

- Your wife, your
goddam crazy wife!

- You're dreaming.

There's nobody here.

- It was real.

Her hands were so cold.

- Just lie quiet, it
will be all right.

- I hope it was a dream.

Oh God I hope it was a dream.

- That's all it was.

Bad dream.

- [Helen] Okay.

(mysterious music)

- [Ghostly Voice] David.

David?

David?

David, this is my house.

David, this is my house!

(mysterious music)

David?

David.

Darling?

(mysterious music)

David?

This is my house.

David, don't go away.

Don't.

Don't go away.

(mysterious music)

What have you done David?

What have you done? David!

David! Look at my face!

(sharp organ music)

I want you David.

I want you.

You you you (echoing).

(yelling)

- David! David what happened?

What happened?

It's getting to you too.

- I was trapped somewhere,
I couldn't get out.

- Poor darling.

- I think I need a drink.

- At four o'clock
in the morning?

- I don't think I can
sleep anymore tonight.

- Can you remember the dream?

- I don't want to.

- Is there anything I can do?

- No go back to sleep.

I'll read for a while
and catch an early train.

- Are you sure you're all right?

- Sure.

(birds chirping)

(eerie music)

(screaming)

(eerie music)

(telephone dialing)

- [Woman] Yes?

- Hello, is David there?

- [Woman] He's out,
can I take a message?

- No, no message.

(crying)

(eerie music)

(telephone ringing)

(crying)

David!

- [Woman] It ain't
David sweetie.

- Who is this?

- [Woman] Well it's
little ol' ever loving

answering service sweetie.

- Well sweetie you can
take your answering service

and (screaming).

(whimpering)

Who's up there?

(gasping)

I know it's you Barbara.

Barbara I'm coming up.

Answer me goddammit!

Let's talk, after all we do

have something in
common don't we?

What do you want
from me Barbara?

Do you want me to leave him?

Say so.

Let's stop playing games.

I don't want to hurt you.

And I don't want you to hurt me.

(screaming)

(suspenseful music)

(screaming)

(suspenseful music)

(telephone ringing)

You win.

Whoever you are,

you understand me?

I'm getting out.

You hear me?

I'm getting out.

(crying and sniffling)

(door shuts)

- Helen?

(ice clanking)

Helen?

Hey, you upstairs?

Helen?

(suspenseful music)

(telephone ringing)

Yes?

- [Woman] This is
your service David.

Is our little man lonely?

- What do you want?

- [Woman] I want to be
of service precious.

Your playmate packed her
bags and left at 11:42 a.m.

Which is just as well precious.

Now then David, why don't
you visit your wife.

- Where do you suggest I look?

- [Woman] Why at
her house precious.

- Hello?

Hello?

The house.

(upbeat rock music)

Barbara?

(suspenseful music)

- Alright, let's
cut out the games.

Where are you?

- I hope I haven't
kept you waiting long.

- What are you doing here?

Somebody call you too?

- Come on boy, we have
a lot to talk over.

- Well how'd you know
I was gonna be here?

- When you get to be my
age, you know it all.

- I thought I might
find Barbara here.

- Really?

- I guess I was wrong.

It's as empty as it ever was.

- Striking piece of
architecture, isn't it?

- I've never seen
anything like it.

- The house that Barbara built.

It's an accurate reflection
of her, don't you think?

Bright windows to
let in the light.

Corners to trap the darkness.

All of it unfinished, wasted.

This is a house
of great solitude.

Don't you feel it?

- It's an empty house,
no more, no less.

- Well, it's much
more than that David.

This house is a
monument to Barbara.

Her spirit lives here.

- You talk as if she were dead.

- View your wife!

(suspenseful music)

- She came here the
evening of her wedding day

and hanged herself.

I found her here the next day

and it was easy enough
to find the cooperation

of an embalmer.

She's lovely, don't you think?

Except for that unfortunate
rope burn around her neck.

- You knew all along.

You knew she was dead.

- I spoke the truth that they
had the restaurant David.

I am an old-fashioned father,

so of course when my only
daughter was dishonored

on her wedding day,
driven to suicide,

steps have to be taken.

Punishment's arranged.

Your little playmate
Helen was smart to get out

when she did.

- It was you.

- With the little
help, and for money,

your answering
service, the dress,

those are another arrangements.

Helen can tell you about them,

but I doubt that you'll
be seeing her again.

How about it, David?

Shall we go downstairs?

Pay our respects?

(suspenseful music)

Hurry David!

- [David] You didn't
have to do that.

(yelling)

(suspenseful music)

(grunting)

- [Daddy] Lift the veil.

(suspenseful music)

- My God!

(suspenseful music)

(yelling)

(suspenseful music)

(ghostly laughing)

(suspenseful music)

(echoing laughing)

(suspenseful music)

(laughing)

- I knew it, I knew
you weren't dead.

- Oh David I'm as
alive as you are.

- Yeah well it's a
pretty stupid joke.

- Oh dear, you're angry.

- Angry?

I come here and find you
painted up like a corpse

in a coffin, then your old
man tries to murder me.

Yeah I think I'm a
little bit angry.

- Oh dear.

Let me kiss you.

- Don't touch me!

- My poor darling.

I will make it up to you.

Come.

Please.

How I love this house.

Every window, every
room, every door.

- It's a spook house,
exactly where you belong.

- Don't be cruel.

- You know, I've
got one consolation.

Divorcing you is
going to be so simple.

Desertion, enslaving,
attempted murder.

- Oh David, divorce
is quite impossible.

- Oh yeah? Well, we'll see.

- Yes, you will see.

Come!

For you, for me.

For us.

You have a duty to
perform, husband.

- You're out of your mind
if you think I'm going to...

- But David, you took me
for better or for worse.

- That was the biggest
mistake of my life.

- No David, your biggest
mistake was Helen,

dear desirable Helen
was so precious to you

that you had to degrade
me on our wedding day!

But I'm not desirable
to you am I David?

My face repulses
you, doesn't it?

- [David] Yes, yes it does!

- Kiss me.

- Go to hell!

(exhales sharply)

(laughing)

- I can't.

- But you can touch me.

- It's cold.

- Oh David, it's taken
you so long to understand,

it's so much easier
when you understand.

(eerie music)

There, you see?

Daddy didn't just
try to kill you.

He always succeeds at
whatever he sets out to do.

- No.

Oh my God no, no, no.

- My poor darling.

Don't cry.

It's not really such an
unpleasant existence.

A bit boring perhaps.

But we'll find ways
to pass the time.

You're all mine David.

And I'm all yours.

We have all eternity
to get acquainted.

- No, no.

- Kiss me David.

- No.

- Kiss the bride.

- No.

No.

- David, kiss the bride.

- No.

No, no, no, no.

(screaming and yelling)

- [David] (yelling
faintly) no, no, no.

(moaning)

No!

No!

(crickets chirping)

No!

No!

♪ I have no rule of my own ♪

♪ My force belongs to you ♪

♪ I see your face
all around me ♪

♪ Can't help loving you ♪

♪ When you are here with me ♪

♪ My body is your shadow ♪

♪ You know my love is true ♪

♪ I can't help loving you ♪

♪ Your mouth is raw to me ♪

♪ Your eyes are all I see ♪

♪ Life and love
are all brand new ♪

♪ When I am loving you ♪

♪ Can't help loving you ♪

♪ I just can't help loving you ♪

♪ And everything I seem to do ♪

♪ Turns out loving you ♪

♪ No I can't help loving you ♪