The Monster Maker (1944) - full transcript

(dramatic orchestral music)

(sweeping orchestral music)

(lively piano music)

Dad's playing beautifully
tonight, isn't he?

There's no finer artist.

Lenora.

Yes, it is the living image of her.

Bob, will you change seats with me?

Why of course, dear.

What's the matter?

Oh nothing.



But that man in the next
box keeps staring at me.

(audience applauds)

Let's go back and see dad
during the intermission.

All right.

Why, it is like seeing
the dead return to life.

I must know who she is.

That can do no good.

The dead have no place among the living.

I shall be the judge of that.

Really, Mr. Lawrence,
for a man your age,

you're certainly in the pink.

I have to be.

Most people don't know,

but giving a piano recital



requires the stamina of a marathon runner.

Hey Judd, I think you better

give my right forearm
muscles another going over.

I feel a slight cramp in my index finger.

Yes, sir.

Hello, dad.

Hello, darling.

Hi, Bob.

How am I doin'?

Marvelously.

I don't believe I've ever
heard you in better form.

(chuckles)

That's because you're home from school,

my dear.

I was playing for you tonight.

Oh, am I glad this engagement
ends my concert tour.

Now I can relax, wear old
clothes, and let my beard grow.

(laughs)

And devote some time
to your only daughter.

You know, I feel as if I'd
been sired by a grand piano.

Ah ah ah, don't bite the piano
that feeds you, my darling.

(knocking on door)

See who that is, Bob.

Yeah.

This gentleman would like
a minute with Mr. Lawrence.

Just a moment.

A Dr. Igor Markoff
is waiting to see you.

Igor Markoff.

I don't know the man.

I'll tell him to write
me for an appointment.

No, wait a minute, Bob.

I've got a few minutes.

Let him come in.

My dressing gown, Judd.

(groaning)

So I have the pleasure

of addressing Mr. Anthony Lawrence.

That's right, doctor,
what's on your mind?

I should like to apologize
to this charming young lady

for my seeming rudeness.

Well, I don't know what
you're talking about,

but go ahead.

This is my daughter Patricia.

Dr. Markoff.

Please forgive me, young lady,

for staring so rudely at you,

but I really could not help it.

Seeing you tonight was
quite a shock, because,

well, because you are the
living image of my wife Lenora

as she looked at the time we were married.

She was taken away from me
under very tragic circumstances.

I understand.

I accept your apology.

Thank you.

This will always remain an
unforgettable moment in my life.

(sighs)

Thank you.

Auf Wiedersehen.

So nice to have met you.

I always appreciate the privilege
of meeting a great artist.

Thank you, doctor.

And goodnight.

Goodnight, sir.

Funny people, these foreigners.

Do you suppose Pat really
resembles his dear departed or...

Or is right.

That cock and bull story
was old in Caesar's day.

The nerve of the guy.

My dear boy,

you've got to get used to
other men admiring Pat.

She's a very beautiful girl.

There's a difference
between admiring and ogling.

Why, the way he stared at
me, he gave me the jitters.

You'll find him in the next
box, fishy stare and all.

Oh no, I won't.

We're going to hear the rest
of this concert from backstage.

Then I'll have to get your wrap.

You left it in the box.

Oh please do, I'll wait for you here.

[Anthony] Oh Judd, five
minutes, we better get ready.

Seems that the great Dr. Markoff

failed to make a favorable impression.

Temporarily, yes.

But there will be many
opportunities in the future.

Besides, the doorman was not adverse

to accepting a little gratuity,

and gave me all the information I needed.

Igor, I've risked my life for you.

I've kept your secret all these years.

Does all this mean nothing to you?

Don't I mean anything to you?

Because of your knowledge of my work,

I need you as an assistant.

You have never meant anything
more, and you never shall.

Keep that in mind.

(light piano music)

Flowers for Miss Lawrence.

Sign, please.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

More flowers for you, Miss Lawrence.

(Patricia sighs)

Flowers, flowers, flowers.

Morning, noon, and night.

The man must be crazy.

If he keeps on I'll hate the sight of him.

Have Williams take those
to the Children's Hospital.

Right away, miss.

(knocking on door)

[Anthony] Come in.

Dad, you've just got to make Dr. Markoff

stop pestering me.

First it was flowers three times a day,

and now he's sending notes with them.

Here, look.

I can't stand anymore of this.

You've just got to make him let me alone.

Oh, that man must be out of his mind.

I've never heard of such presumption.

Now, don't you get upset about it, Pat.

I'll take care of Dr. Markoff.

You just forget about him,
and let me handle this.

What are you going to do, dad?

I'm going to call on our friend

and tell him very plainly

that his attentions to you are unwelcome,

and he must stop them immediately.

You be careful, won't you.

(chuckles)

Careful?

What do you mean?

You'll probably laugh at me,

but when you call on Dr. Markoff,

will you take Bob with you?

Pat, I can take care of myself.

He won't make any trouble.

But you said yourself
he was out of his mind.

Did you notice his eyes that
night in your dressing room?

They seemed to stare right through me.

(chuckles softly)

You've been listening

to too many horror radio programs lately.

What you need is a good
workout on the badminton court.

Come on, run along.

Fear not, fair lady.

I shall burn the reptile in his den.

(both laugh)

(ominous orchestral music)

(intercom buzzing)

Yes?

Mr. Anthony Lawrence is
here to see you, doctor.

I will see him in a few moments.

Oh, and Maxine, you had better relieve me.

I am making a new batch of X54,

and it requires constant watching.

I'll be right in, doctor.

The doctor will see you in a few minutes.

Won't you be seated?

Thank you.

(door creaks)

(door clicks shut)

(dog whimpers softly)

(gorilla growls)
(Maxine screams)

(dog barks)

Stop it.

Stop it, Ace, get back where you belong.

(gorilla snarls)

(Ace barks)

(cage rattles)
(Ace whines)

I wish you'd get rid of that brute.

He's always hated me, you know.

I'm deathly afraid of him.

Oh don't be a fool, he's
perfectly safe in that cage.

How could he harm you?

It is silly.

Besides, he's very essential to my work.

Now, when that concentrated pituitary

boils dry,

turn off all of the burners.

Add some elixir.

Place it in four cc ampoules,
and refrigerate them.

Yes, doctor.

Watch it closely.

See that it continues to
boil, but very slowly.

Now I must go and talk to Mr. Lawrence.

I cannot leave him waiting any longer.

(door slams)

(Ace whines softly)

Oh.

Oh, Mr. Lawrence, nice to see you again.

This isn't a professional
call, Dr. Markoff.

I've come here on a
purely personal matter.

Oh.

Well, in that case,

you'd better come into my private office.

Thank you.

Won't you sit down?

I'll remain standing, if you don't mind.

Oh, as you wish.

Now, I'll get to the point
very quickly, Dr. Markoff.

I've come here in regard
to my daughter Patricia.

Ah yes, a lovely young woman.

That's beside the point.

She doesn't welcome your attentions.

I am forced to ask you
to stop annoying her.

I'm afraid you are being very insulting.

Your persistence has
left me no other choice.

I've already explained my
deep interest in your daughter.

Perhaps you thought I was lying.

Would you look at this picture?

What if there is a resemblance?

That doesn't give you the
privilege of annoying her.

But I am going to marry her.

Marry?

(chuckles)

I'm amazed at your conceit.

I'm warning you, Dr. Markoff,

unless you stop annoying my daughter,

I shall call the police.

Stop, not so fast.

[Anthony] Let go of me.

(thudding)

(ominous orchestral music)

(foreboding orchestral music)

(door clicking)

(eerie orchestral music)

Pardon me, Miss Lawrence.

Dr. Markoff is on the telephone for you.

Dr. Markoff?

Oh, say I'm not in.

But he says it's important,

he must talk to you
concerning your father.

My father?

I'll talk to him.

Hello?

Yes, Miss Lawrence speaking.

Oh, Miss Lawrence.

Your father has had a
slight attack of vertigo.

Yes, he's here in my office.

It was probably brought
on by overwrought nerves.

I was wondering if you had
not better come and get him.

Is he very ill?

No, no, no, not seriously.

However, scarcely able
to drive his own car.

Of course, I could keep him here.

Or if you wish, I could call an ambulance.

Ambulance?

Oh no, I'll be right there.

Where is it?

1335 Cliff Drive.

Thank you.

(intercom buzzing)

Yes, doctor?

Maxine, turn down all
the flames to about half.

But Dr. Markoff, the constitute
is nowhere near dry yet.

I know, but it must boil very slowly.

All right.

So you see, Mr. Lawrence,

nobody having witnessed our encounter,

I am perfectly willing
to keep it a secret.

Of course, if you desire
to say something about it,

I will admit that you
threatened me with violence.

And I was forced to protect myself.

It is simply a case of
your word against mine.

(knocking on door)

[Patricia] Is this
Dr. Markoff's residence?

Yes.

Are you Miss Lawrence?

[Patricia] Yes.

Come in, the doctor's expecting you.

Father.

How do you feel?

Pat, what are you doing here?

(sighs)

Well, Dr. Markoff said you
were a little indisposed,

so I came to drive you home.

Are you feeling better now?

Yes, yes, much better.

Are you well enough to start?

Yes, of course.

Steve, help Mr. Lawrence to his car.

Miss Lawrence, may I have a word with you?

Yes.

I think that your father
would bear watching.

If you notice him developing
certain symptoms of,

well, if you notice him acting strangely,

I would strongly advise you
persuade him to see his doctor.

I'll remember.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Have you finished?

Yes, I did exactly as you told me.

Why are you working on formula X54?

I thought you were satisfied with X53?

Not quite.

I have succeeded with X53

in arresting the disease acromegaly.

But it will do no more
than hold it in check.

Come, I will show you.

You will recall that after I
injected him with the disease,

it was allowed to proceed to this stage.

Enlargement of the head,
the feet, and so forth.

But from the moment I gave
him an injection of X53,

there has been no change in the condition.

Neither progressive nor retrogressive.

I have every reason to
hope that this new formula

will prove to be a complete
cure for the disease.

Think what it will mean to have the power

to control a dread
disease like acromegaly.

The only living man to have such power.

(laughs dryly)

And why are you the only
living man to have such power?

You know why.

Yes, I do.

And you're not even a doctor.

You stole the name and laboratory notes

from the man you killed.

He deserved to die.

And his death made it possible for me

to escape from Europe
as the real Dr. Markoff.

And reap the rewards
earned by another man

with years of work and study.

What I took from him was small repayment

for what he tried to take from me.

The love of Lenora, my
wife, the woman I worshiped.

But his love cooled as I knew it would

when he looked at her beautiful face

and saw the ravages of the
hideous disease acromegaly.

Did you deliberately inoculate
her with that dread disease?

I did!

I was determined that
no other man should try

to take her from me.

I knew if she were no longer beautiful,

no one else would want her,

then I would have her all for myself, I...

But she could not stand
the sight of her own face.

So she killed herself.

This is incredible.

Only a madman could do a thing like that.

I'm getting out of here.

I'm going to the police and
I'm telling them everything...

Stop, no, stop!

I'm gonna go to the police,

and I'll tell them about a madman!

Stop!

You are going no place.

You are going no place.

Go to your room.

Stay there.

(gentle piano music)

It's good to have you
back again with us, Bob.

I'm glad to be back once more, Pat.

It's no fun being away from you.

(laughs softly)

I do wish you didn't have

to spend so much time out of town.

If I didn't, your father would probably

get himself a new business manager.

You know, it's chiefly on his
business I'm away so much.

I know.

Bob, do you think you could book father

for a series of summer concerts?

Pat, what are you talking about?

If you knew the heavy schedule
I booked him for next season,

you'd want him to have a good rest.

Oh I do, but he can't seem to rest.

I don't know what's gotten into him.

He seems to have so much energy.

He just can't seem to work it off.

Well, let's hope it keeps up.

Oh, but it can't, Bob.

Do you realize that he's
up at six every morning?

That he walks practically all day long,

and that I can't get him
to go to bed at night?

Why, sometimes I awaken at
two or three in the morning,

and he's still playing his piano.

That's not normal in a man of his age.

(lighthearted piano music)

(lighthearted piano music)

(jarring piano notes ringing)

Pat.

Come here.

You too, Bob.

Doesn't it look as if
my fingers were thicker?

Well, your hands are swollen.

Well, the fingers are anyway.

(groans)

They feel awkward.

When did you notice this?

The past few days I
felt something coming on.

My feet, too, seem enlarged.

All my shoes feel tight.

Do you suppose you've eaten
something that poisoned you?

Oh, no, no.

I'd know it if I had.

He said if you felt bad,

I should persuade you to see a doctor.

[Anthony] Who said?

Dr. Markoff.

Markoff?

- Yes.
- When was that?

That day you went to see him about,

about a social matter.

Oh rubbish.

Why should I see a doctor

when I never felt better in my life?

Because I want you to, father.

Promise me you'll see Dr. Adams at once.

Let me call him now.

Nonsense.

There's nothing the
matter with me, really.

I'll tell you what I'll do.

If this condition doesn't
clear up by tomorrow,

I'll drop in to see Dr. Adams
just to put your mind at ease.

But you won't go, you'll put it off.

Why don't you let me call him now?

Because it isn't urgent.

Anyway, right now I feel
like going out for a walk.

[Patricia] But you've
been walking all day.

I can't help it, I feel
restless and full of energy.

(door slams)

What do you make of it, Bob?

Oh, perhaps some minor upset.

But I would have him
checked over by Dr. Adams.

And how are you feeling
today, Mr. Lawrence?

Physically, extremely well.

And your appetite?

Still increasing.

Mr. Lawrence, after
studying all of the results

of your laboratory tests,

X-rays, metabolism records,

I have reached a conclusion.

But not being satisfied
with my own diagnosis alone,

I called into consultation
Dr. Krueger and Dr. Nailor,

whose reputation of course you know.

Yes, certainly.

And they, without any hint from me,

both came to the same
conclusion, acromegaly.

[Anthony] Acromegaly?

Yes.

It's a very rare disease.

Glandular in origin.

Activated by a defective pituitary.

Doctor, can't you
tell me in plain English

what's wrong with me
and how serious it is?

[Dr. Adams] I'm trying to tell you.

You have a glandular disorder.

A disorder of the pituitary gland.

A disease so rare

that medical science knows
little about it as yet.

Is it fatal?

Fatal?

Well, not necessarily.

It's a progressive disease,
enlarges the extremities.

It's accompanied by an
increasing amount of energy

to a fabulous and dangerous degree.

[Anthony] Is it curable?

Mr. Lawrence, there is but one man,

to my knowledge,

who knows anything
important about acromegaly.

He's a specialist in glandular disorders.

And I understand he's devoted
a great deal of research

to this particular disease.

I urgently suggest that
you consult this man,

who is in a position to do more for you

than any person in the profession.

Who is it?

[Dr. Adams] Dr. Igor Markoff.

Dr. Markoff?

[Dr. Adams] Yes, do you know him?

Yes.

Strange you didn't think to consult him.

Well, I've just met him socially.

I don't know him socially,

but his name ranks among the
top names in the profession.

His reputation is international.

So he is, therefore,

the man that you should see, Mr. Lawrence.

I'd rather not see Dr. Markoff.

Isn't there anybody else I can consult?

No.

He's the only man I know
of that can help you.

He has not seen fit as yet
to give out his findings

or his method of treatment
to the profession.

So therefore, if you're to be
helped, you must go to him.

And there's nothing you
can do for me, Dr. Adams?

Frankly, Lawrence, nothing effective.

Well, thank you for your,

your frankness.

You will see him?

I'll think it over.

Hello, Stack, is Miss Lawrence in?

Oh, how do you do, Mr. Blake?

I'll tell Miss Lawrence you're here.

Bob, darling, I'm so glad you're back.

I've only been away four weeks.

How are you, sweetheart?

I'm so worried.

About what?

About father.

What's he been up to now?

Well, that's just it, Bob, I don't know.

He's locked himself in his room for weeks.

He hasn't allowed anybody in to see him.

Stack takes his meals in to him,

but he has to leave the
tray in the music room.

He says the door into
the bedroom is locked,

and that father won't come
out until after he's left.

Is he in there now?

Yes.

But door from the music
room into his suite

is locked from the inside.

(melancholy piano music)

He sounds in excellent form.

Why, he hasn't touched
the piano in weeks.

(record needle scratches)

(suspenseful orchestral music)

(Patricia screams)

Take her out of here, Blake,
take her out of here quick.

(rattling)

Hello, Stack.

Have William bring my car around

to the side entrance immediately,

and leave it there.

I'll drive it myself.

No.

(receiver thuds)

(light slapping)

Darling.

Easy, darling, you fainted.

Bob, did you see what I saw?

What are you talking about?

Did you see his face, his head?

It was so large.

It's your imagination, darling.

The lights in there were
strange, that's all.

No, Bob, no.

(knocking on door)

Maxine, see who is in my waiting room.

Maxine.

(clunking)

Maxine, are you there?

Maxine?

Maxine?

(pounding)

Maxine?

(suspenseful orchestral music)

Lawrence.

Yes, Markoff.

Weren't you expecting me?

You knew I'd have to come
to you sooner or later.

To you, the one man with experience

concerning the hideous
disease of acromegaly.

Oh, you had it cunningly
worked out, Markoff.

So that I would be forced to come to you,

to you alone for help.

Then you would be in the position
to dictate your own terms

in exchange for that help.

Terms which no doubt would
involve my daughter Patricia.

Oh, you were clever, Markoff.

Exceedingly clever.

As the only man with sufficient
knowledge of the disease.

Not only to alleviate it, but
to infect a person with it.

You hold a decided advantage.

So you see, Markoff,
I know you infected me

with something that caused acromegaly.

But how you made the
disease develop so rapidly,

when science has proven

that it takes years to reach this stage,

I do not know.

But you did.

And now, Markoff, I've come
to you as you knew I must.

To make terms.

Yes, I've come to make terms.

No, no, Lawrence.

You overestimate my
control of the disease.

I have made an extensive study of it,

yes, that is true,

but after all, I am only an apprentice.

Yes, the devil's apprentice.

(tense music)

Markoff, you have set
yourself up as a Frankenstein

and created a monster.

I am that monster.

But if you remember,

the monster destroyed
the man who created him.

That is what I'm going to do to you.

[Steve] Markoff!

I'll destroy you!

(Anthony groans)

Good work, Steve.

Put him on that chair while
I prepare an anesthetic.

But Pat, darling,

I wish you wouldn't disturb
him again on this evening.

[Patricia] But I must
put my mind at rest.

Can't you take my word for it, Pat?

I'm sorry, Bob, in this case, I can't.

It's locked.

You see, he doesn't
want to be disturbed.

But I must see him.

Oh, not tonight, Pat, please.

In the morning, perhaps.

I'll tell you what.

I've got to see him in the
morning on some business.

And as soon as I've
finished, I'll send for you.

How's that?

Well, make it early.

I can't have this hanging over my head.

I know dear, and I'll make
it just as early as I can.

Now, how about getting
some rest for yourself?

You look exhausted.

Oh, I suppose I do, but I can't help it.

You look lovely to me, dear.

But you do need rest.

Now run along.

Sleep well.

I'll try.

Goodnight.

Oh Stack.

Stack, have you got a
key to the music room?

Why, no, sir.

Why?

Well, it's locked, and I
wanted to see Mr. Lawrence.

I'm sorry, sir, but he's gone out.

Out?

Oh yes, about a half an hour ago.

He had his car brought around,

and then he dismissed William.

Where did he go, do you know?

Not the slightest idea, sir.

I didn't see him, but William
said he was all muffled up.

Oh.

Stack, I wish you'd ring me
at home when he comes in.

Very good, sir.

And shall I wait up for him, sir?

Well, no.

If he comes in soon, you might ring me.

Otherwise, go to bed.

I'll see him in the morning.

Very good, sir.

Goodnight, Stack.

Goodnight, Mr. Blake.

Put him in the room off
to surgery in the east wing.

How could you be so inhuman

as to infect him with that disease

in order to bargain for his daughter?

Who gave you that idea?

You left the Dictograph open.

I heard every word that was said.

Forget what you heard,
it does not concern you.

I'll not forget.

If you don't give up that insane idea

of marrying Patricia Lawrence,

I'll tell the truth about you.

[Igor] You would not dare.

Oh yes, I would.

Does this mean that I have
completely lost your loyalty?

(Maxine laughs dryly)

You speak of loyalty.

You don't even know the
meaning of the word.

You seem to forget all the
things I've done for you.

I've even risked my life for you,

hoping that you might
realize how much I love you,

that someday you might return that love.

But no, all I meant for
you was just someone

to help you attain your own selfish aims.

I'm tired of it.

I can't stand it any
longer, do you hear me?

I can't stand it!

I'll never let you marry that girl.

Never.

Never, never, never!

(shrieks)

Maxine.

You heard nothing.

You heard nothing.

You heard nothing.

Now, go to your work.

(door clicking)

(light orchestral music)

(suspenseful orchestral music)

(Ace growls)

It is all right, go
back in the other room.

(light orchestral music)

(foreboding orchestral music)

(gorilla growls)
(thudding)

(Maxine screams)

(aggressive stomping)

(Maxine screams)

(Ace barks)

(gorilla snorts)

(doorknob rattles)

Good morning, doctor.

Bruno's cage was left unlocked last night.

Oh no, really?

Why, he could have killed somebody.

Yes, he could have killed me

if Ace hadn't heard me scream

and driven him back again to the cage.

Oh, well, you are very fortunate.

Very.

And so am I.

I could have lost a valuable assistant.

How do you suppose the
cage was left unlocked?

Oh, I suppose the
attendant was careless.

I shall discharge him immediately.

Look, doctor, it's normal.

You've discovered a cure!

Why, Maxine, it is marvelous.

Maxine, this is great.

Do you know what it means?

It means I can ask my own price, I can...

Yes.

Oh, by the way, Maxine,

I have a special
prescription I want filled

at Handcuff and Groves.

Now, you will go and see
to it yourself, personally.

Couldn't it be ordered over the phone?

If I wanted it that
way, I would have said so.

Very well.

Good morning, Stack.

[Stack] Good morning, Miss Lawrence.

Have you taken my father's
breakfast in to him yet?

No, I hadn't.

You haven't?

Why not?

Well, as a matter of
fact, your father isn't in.

Isn't in?

Where did he go?

I don't know, he didn't say.

When did he go?

I can't exactly say.

Sometime last night.

Last night?

Yes, miss.

You mean he's been away
all night and left no word?

Absolutely none.

(telephone rings)

I'll get it.

Hello?

Yes, Miss Lawrence speaking.

This is Dr. Markoff.

Now, please don't be alarmed,

but your father came to me
last night for a consultation.

Father came to you last
night for a consultation?

Yes.

I found it advisable to keep
him here for observation.

How is he?

Well, he's quite comfortable now.

Yes, quite comfortable,
Miss Lawrence, I assure you.

I'll be right over, and pick
him up and bring him home.

I would strongly advise

against taking him home, Miss Lawrence.

But why?

I can't leave him there.

Do you think I should
take him to a hospital?

I suggest you leave him right
where he is, Miss Lawrence.

You see, I have all the facilities here

to take care of him in my sanatorium.

Oh, I didn't know you
had a sanatorium, too.

I'll be right there.

When Mr. Blake arrives, tell
him I've gone to Dr. Markoff's.

1335 Cliff Drive.

Dr. Markoff's, 1335 Cliff Drive.

Yes.

Very well, miss.

Lawrence, I want you to try hard

to understand what I am saying.

(Anthony groans)

Try hard.

Uh-Huh.

This is Dr. Markoff.

I can save you, Lawrence, I can cure you.

Do you hear me?

Yes.

I can hear you.

Good.

Remember that I am the
only one that can cure you.

And I will cure understand
on one condition.

(Anthony groans)

A very simple condition, Lawrence.

(Anthony groans)

Your daughter is on her way over here now.

(Anthony groans loudly)

I want you to persuade her
to be very agreeable to me.

No.

You can convince her that it
is you she is coming to see.

You can tell her that I am helping you.

(Anthony grumbles)

That is a very little
thing to ask for your cure.

No, no, no.

(whimpers)

Very well.

We shall see about that.

(knocking lightly on door)

(loud knocking)

Dr. Markoff, please.

Come in.

Dr. Markoff wants you to wait in there.

(door creaks)

How long ago did she leave
for Dr. Markoff's, Stack?

About a half an hour
ago I should say, sir.

I'll have to step on it.

1335 Cliff Drive you say?

That's correct, sir.

I do not have to cure you, Lawrence,

because nobody knows I
have discovered the cure.

(Anthony moans)

(knocking on door)

(Anthony groans)

Miss Lawrence is here.

(Anthony moans)

(light orchestral music)

Miss Lawrence.

Oh, it is a great
pleasure seeing you again.

Dr. Markoff, how is my father?

He's resting comfortably.

Please be frank with me,
what's the matter with him?

It is a glandular ailment.

How serious is it?

Well, Miss Lawrence, I am
afraid it is quite serious.

Particularly in your father's case.

Why particularly so in
his case, Dr. Markoff?

Well, you see,

the peculiar disease your
father is suffering from

causes extreme enlargement
of the extremities.

The hands, feet, and certain
portions of the head.

In a professional pianist, it is fatal.

That is, to the continuance
of his career, I mean.

Not only are his fingers incapacitated

for the intricacies of
delicate performance,

but his very appearance

upon which so much depends
for public approval

is most uninviting.

Dr. Markoff, how does it
happen my father came to you?

[Igor] I think you will find

that your Dr. Adams sent him to me.

Dr. Adams?

Yes.

Dr. Adams ran exhaustive tests,

and in consultation with several
eminent colleagues of his

diagnosed your father's
case, and correctly so,

as acromegaly.

Acromegaly?

I've never heard of it.

[Igor] Few have, it is very rare.

And since glandular disturbances
are my special field,

and acromegaly, my particular interest,

your father was advised to consult me.

With what results?

I am anxious to cure
your father, Miss Lawrence.

Most anxious.

Providing he's willing
to obey my instructions

to the letter.

Do you anticipate
any lack of cooperation

on his part, Dr. Markoff?

Perhaps some.

You see, Miss Lawrence,

it is rather long and slow treatment.

Naturally, a man of your
father's nervous temperament

will be impatient, obstinate.

Even rebellious on occasion.

Progressively so as the brain begins

to function more normally.

You see, Miss Lawrence, your
father is mentally incompetent.

You mean he's...

Oh, well, shall we say,
temporarily unbalanced mentally.

The functioning of the pituitary

being aggravated by pressure

makes the patient physically
violent on occasion.

And great care must be taken

that he does not do violence to himself

or to others.

Dr. Markoff, I must see my father.

I can easily understand your
need to do so, Miss Lawrence.

And I would gladly save
you the pain if I could.

But I know you will not be satisfied

unless you do see him for himself.

Besides, it will give you
a basis for comparison.

It will give you new hope from day to day

as you see him improve.

Where is he?

Take me to him.

In a moment.

But remember, although he
is still under a sedative,

he might easily be aroused to violence.

I will advise not to excite him,

merely to reassure him

that he will receive the very best care.

That you will see to it
yourself, personally.

And that you recommend
he do everything possible

to cooperate with us.

I will, I will.

Take me to him.

This way, Miss Lawrence.

(tense orchestral music)

You know what to do.

And remember, Miss Lawrence,
advise your father.

Fullest cooperation in every way possible.

(doorknob rattles)

How ghastly.

You can't go in there, Maxine.

Why not?

Dr. Markoff said so.

[Maxine] What are doing?

(Maxine screams)

Father, speak to me.

It's Pat.

Father?

(Anthony groans)

Speak to me, it's Pat.

(Anthony moans)

It's Patricia, father, I'm here.

Pat.

You're going to be all
right, Dr. Markoff says so.

[Anthony] Markoff.

Yes, he's going to cure you.

He and I.

Markoff, Markoff.

Markoff.

No, no.

Markoff, markoff.

(groans)

No.

Dr. Markoff, why is he strapped down?

To prevent his doing violence to himself

or to others, Miss Lawrence.

Take them off, take
them off, do you hear.

Oh, that would be very dangerous.

(sighing)

Take them off, I say,
take them off at once.

Stop that, calm yourself.

Calm yourself, Miss Lawrence.

I don't care what you say.

You can't treat him like a wild animal.

[Igor] It is a necessary
precaution, Miss Lawrence.

If he were to become violent,

he would be extremely dangerous.

I don't can what you say.

You can't treat him like a wild animal.

His recovery depends solely on you.

What do you mean?

I will cure your father when
you decide to become my wife.

(scoffs)

[Patricia] Let go of
me, I'll never marry you.

[Igor] Never is a long time.

Some people do change their minds.

(suspenseful orchestral music)

Let me go.

(mutters)

Let me go, you.

Let me

go.

(grunting)
(thudding)

(suspenseful orchestral music)

(Anthony groans)

[Bob] Pat.

Oh, hurry, father needs help.

(gun fires)

(Anthony moans in exhaustion)

Is he all right?

Yes, he's just fainted.

(Patricia sighs)

Dr. Markoff was the only
man who could cure dad.

With him dead, there's not much hope left.

Oh yes, there is, Miss Lawrence.

I am familiar with the serum
Dr. Markoff has perfected

for the cure.

He was been using it to bargain
with your father for you.

He'll be all right.

It might take a little while,
but he'll be all right.

Thank you.

(lively piano music)

(bright orchestral music)

(lighthearted orchestral music)