Blonde Sinner (1956) - full transcript

[suspenseful music]

[car horn honks]

[men play a jolly tune]

[suspenseful music]

[smooth jazz music plays]

[music stops]

[suspenseful music]

[music intensifies]

[gunshot]

[gunshot]

[people chatter excitedly]



[suspenseful music]

[music intensifies]

[titles music]

- Good evening, Chaplain.
- Good evening, Sister.

Is the governor with Hilton?

Yes. Result of her appeal's
just come through.

Yes, I know.

I'm glad I haven't got the governor's job.

- Good evening, Chaplain.
- Good evening, Governor.

- How is she?
- She's taken it very well.

You'd better go in now.

Thank you.

Good evening, Mrs Hilton.

I'm very sorry, Mrs Hilton.



Is there anything you would
like me to do for you?

Your mother,
would you like me to write to her or...

When Will it be?

I wasn't quite taking it in
when the governor told me.

You have two more weeks here.

Then, unless you're reprieved,
it would be in the third week.

Excuse me, sir. Mrs Hilton's lawyer
has been waiting to see her.

Do you feel well enough to see him?

Your lawyer, do you want to see him?

Yes, all right.

[door shuts]

Yes, well, I'll be back later.

I'm sorry, Mrs Hilton,
I'm very sorry indeed.

But even now it is possible
that there may be a reprieve.

Do you follow me?

Even now the Home Secretary
may recommend a reprieve.

In which case, the governor will bring
the news to you immediately,

be it day or night.

You can rest assured that everything
possible is being done on your behalf.

And if you should Wish to see me at any time,
it can be arranged without delay.

I'm tired. I've got a headache.
I want to go to bed.

And I don't want any cocoa.

It's early.
Surely you don't want to go to bed yet?

Nothing else to stay up for.

- The others will be here in a few minutes.
- Yes.

- Who's on tonight?
- Hill and MacFarlane.

You'll get something to help you to sleep,

help you have a good night's rest.

You can have it now if you like.

-[lock rattles]
- Here they are.

Yes.

Hello.

Hello, MacFarlane.
Was it raining when you came in?

[indistinct chatter]

- You've forgotten to fill in the date, Brandon.
- Oh, I...

All right, I'll do it myself.

- Are you ready for sleep?
- Yes. Can I have the cloth?

The doctor said you could take these.

This is what they do to you
when you face a firing squad, isn't it?

I told you not to start the cloth business.

She'll have this performance
every evening now.

[chapel bell rings]

Thank you, Mrs Hilton, thank you.
The food all right?

Better keep your cloak on when you
go out this morning, Mrs Hilton,

there's still a nip in the air.

- There's some talk of him retiring.
- Oh, I hope not.

I think he's ever so nice.
He's a good doctor too.

Of course, Hill remembers Dr Morris.
He was before our time.

Of course, she hasn't got
a good word to say for this one.

- You know why that is, of course?
- No, Why?

[chuckles] When Hill went to him
complaining about her dreadful headaches,

he told her she must expect them
at her time of life.

[they chuckle]

- She says she's only 44.
- Go on!

She'll never see 50 again,
as far as I'm concerned.

I have no time for women
who try to conceal their ages.

I suppose it's all very well to talk
if you've nothing to conceal.

- What do you say, Hilton?
- Perhaps. Doesn't seem to matter.

You're all right, anyway.
You needn't worry.

It's the stringy kind like me
that wears badly.

It's time for...

It's time for exercise.

Let's go out before it starts raining.

That was a close shave.

I think it's silly the way we officers aren't
allowed to smoke and the prisoner is.

Of course.

Here, have one.

[Mary Hilton]
"And since to look at things in bloom,

fifty springs are little room.

About the woodlands I will go,

to see the cherry hung with snow."

Keep moving, Hilton, or you'll be cold.

You'll be cold.

You'll be cold.

"To see the cherry hung with snow."

Hung.

I killed Lucy.

Now they're going to kill me.

Supposing I'd never met Jim,

none of this would have happened.
Or would it?

No, no, that's not it either.

It's not as cloying as that.
Something sharper.

More like the bouquet
of very good brandy.

It does make it difficult when you don't
even know the manufacturer's name.

How about that bottle there? That one
that looks like green Chartreuse?

If only I could remember what it's called.

-"Lost Weekend" from the sound of it.
- Hey, wait a minute.

- Mm?
-[he sniffs]

That's it! That's it.

- Now, what scent are you wearing?
- It's called Christmas Rose.

Yeah, that's the one.

We only have very small bottles
of Christmas Rose at five guineas.

No kidding.

- I suppose you don't split them?
- No.

All right, I'll take it.

One, two, three, four, five.

And, er...

five shillings.

[chuckles] Don't bother to have it delivered,
it'll fit in my pocket.

- Who's that?
- I don't know.

- He looks OK.
- Mm.

[cash register rings]

Lots of people came into the beauty shop

and I never expected to see Jim again,

until one evening Doris and her boyfriend
asked me to join them for a drink.

- Oh, Bob, don't! You know what happened before.
- Don't fuss!

- There!
- Charge it, Georgie.

Entertainment to my expense account.

Exercise now, dear,
before my arteries harden.

Excuse us, won't you, my dear?
Another drink for the lady, George.

[chuckles] George, it looks like
a wet night inside as well as out, eh?

-[laughs]
- Same again, miss?

Er, yes, please.

Would you care to dance?

No, thank you, I'm with somebody.

[piano plays romantic music]

Hello.

Well, it's Christmas Rose.

- Come to talk to the slave?
- Is this what you do for a living?

No, this is what I do three nights a week,
but not for a living.

- Then what?
- I teach.

But also not for a living.

No, mostly I invest.

- What in?
- Horses.

But not for a living.

Maybe we ought to introduce ourselves.
My name's Jim.

Jim Lancaster.

I'm Mary Hilton.

Thanks. I needed that.

You're with your husband?

- Oh, no, he's not my husband.
- But you're married.

- Yes, I'm married.
- Where is he?

- Home, I suppose.
- He doesn't mind you, er...

Fred?

Fred doesn't mind.

Poor Fred.

[applause]

Christmas Rose, shall we dance?

[smooth jazz plays]

Christmas Rose.
That certainly is a wonderful smell.

I've still got that bottle of scent.
Would you like it?

No, thanks. Anyway,
you must have got it for somebody.

- Yeah, sure I did.
- Well, what's her name?

Lucy Carpenter.

- You know her?
- No, I don't think so.

She used to come in here most nights.
Just slumming, I suppose.

- Thanks.
- You know what I mean.

Girls with too much money get spoiled.

Anyway, she's made a big impression.

You even know
what her favourite perfume is.

Only because it's yours...

Christmas Rose.

It doesn't take long to fall in love.

And as we danced,
I wished we could be together always.

- Jim used to meet me most evenings after that.
-[thunder crashes]

And I remember the first time
he took me back to where he lived.

[rain splatters]

- Come on, in here.
-[thunder crashes]

I told you it's quite a way
from the bus stop.

Should have waited for a cab. You're soaked.

Doesn't matter.

What a nice room you've got.

I suppose not too bad.
Been in plenty worse.

Still, the view isn't exactly
Buckingham Palace.

Come on. These will warm us up.

Go on, knock it back.

[thunder crashes]

Who's that woman downstairs?
She gave me rather a peculiar look.

You mean my landlady, Mrs Thomas.

Doesn't she approve of female visitors?

No, not on principle, but I flatter myself
I'm her favourite lodger.

Sounds as though
you have hundreds of girlfriends.

Oh, thousands. You know, sometimes
there's such a crush on the staircase,

can't get up or down.

[thunder crashes]

You know something, I feel very funny.
Slightly delirious.

Well, if you don't get out of those wet clothes,
that's what you will be.

Now, you're gonna have a nice hot bath.

That's one thing about this dump,
the water's always boiling.

[thunder crashes]

Well, there it is.

- I'll go and see about some food.
- OK.

- How do I look?
-[laughs] Wonderful!

You'd better get by the fire,
you'll catch cold.

[he sneezes]

You sound as though
you've caught one already.

Don't worry about me. Nobody'd care
if I caught double pneumonia.

What's the matter with you?
Why do you always sound so bitter?

Oh, it's nothing.

You know, you've never really
told me all about yourself.

- What, the story of my life and hard times?
- Mm-hm.

Well, OK.

Well, to begin at the beginning.

Born in Bristol, only child.

Father Canadian, mother Irish.

Father wanted to live in Canada,
Mother didn't.

Well, first of all, she got her way,
then he got his.

She kept nagging the old man to bring
us back to England, but he wouldn't.

Finally he died
and Mother did bring me back here.

Well, there wasn't much money
and any dreams I'd had

of being a famous pianist
or composer soon faded away.

Then the war.

My mother was killed in the Blitz and
I can't pretend that I was broken-hearted.

Well, after the war I joined up with
a third-rate dance band playing the piano,

and a couple of years ago
they took me on at the club.

That's about it.

Anything else you want to know?

Lots, but it'll keep.

[romantic music]

Jim was moody at times,
but he seemed happy enough.

And I could always make him laugh.

He often took me dancing,

but I liked the ordinary times best,

when we walked in the park
not saying much.

Perhaps my marriage was just like
any other that has gone wrong.

I don't know.

I only know that I began to grudge
every minute spent away from Jim,

until the time came
when I could bear it no longer.

So I made up my mind to leave Fred.

I must have been blind.

Or maybe I wouldn't let myself believe
that Jim never loved me the way I did him.

You're not angry, are you?

No, I'm not angry, but, er...

you can't stay here.

No. Course not.

I'll go to a hotel tonight and then
tomorrow I'll find myself somewhere.

Your husband,
what's he gonna say about all this?

Oh, he'll get over it.
All he ever thinks about is his work.

Hardly ever seems to notice
whether I'm there or not.

Well, that's marriage, I guess.

What do you know about it?
You've never been married.

What difference does that make?

You don't have to go down a coal mine
to know it's dark and dirty.

By all accounts he seems
a decent enough chap.

- Is he going to divorce you?
- Maybe.

I don't know.

I'll bet Mum tries to stop him, though.

I can just hear her saying, "Give her
enough rope and she'll come back."

- Mum's like that.
- Maybe she's right.

Of course she's not. She's only afraid
I might be a burden on her.

Anyway, it isn't only
because of you that I've left.

Fred doesn't really need me.

We'll be all right. You've got your job
at the club and I'm earning good money.

Jim, you do love me, don't you?

Yeah, sure I do.

If only I'd met you years ago.

Then we could have been
always like this.

- You do really love me, don't you?
- Yeah. Yeah, I do.

Oh, Jim, don't let me blame you.

For if I truly blamed you,
I would want to die.

Time to go in now, Hilton.

Try and eat a little, Hilton.

- It's much better for you if you eat.
-[she scoffs]

Is it?

Fattening me up like a Christmas turkey.

Don't like turkey, myself.
We always have goose.

What time's my visit?

Three, I expect.

Mum and my brother
are supposed to be coming.

The governor's made special arrangements
for them to see you in the interviewing room.

Have they got far to come?

No. Only about three-quarters
of an hour on the bus.

Well, that's not too bad, is it?

Mum was wondering...
Weren't you, Mum?

Mum was thinking perhaps you'd be
wanting some of your own clothes.

It'd be no trouble to make up a parcel.

Thanks, but I have to wear this.

Oh. Well, it's not too bad.

- And cigarettes? What about...
- Like I said, I'm allowed ten a day.

Oh.

Well, you were always trying
to cut down on them.

[Mum coughs and wheezes]

I hope you weren't thinking I was lacking
in feeling not coming before,

but Dr Barton said I mustn't
have any more upsets. [coughs]

Mrs Arden at number 12,
she sends her regards.

We don't want no sympathy from her.

And the newspapers making out
you never had a decent home.

Why, your dad would turn in his grave

thinking of all the good money
spent bringing you up like a lady.

Mum.

We'll be coming up again next week.

Mum's written to the Home Secretary
and we're getting up a petition.

It's Alan that goes round
collecting all the signatures.

Not a job for a young boy,
you might say, but...

I just couldn't look anyone in the face.
Honest, I couldn't.

Mum, please.

Time is up.

Try not to worry, Mary.

I'll write to you tonight,
the moment I get...

When I get home.

Bye, Alan.

Goodbye, Mary.

Put that down. It's mine.

And there's nothing in prison regulations
to say I can't draw on my own property.

I know every mark and blemish in this cell,

every crack in the walls,

the scratches on the wooden chairs,

the place where the paint
has peeled off the ceiling...

and the door at the foot of my bed.

The door without a handle.

I know it better than any room
I've ever lived in.

The light.

The light.

Why don't they put out the light?

Why don't they put out the light?

Oh, it's no good. It keeps slipping off!

All the others have lights out, why can't I?

Right, lie down, Hilton.

Lie down and try and get some sleep.

Will you be with me when they do it?

Will you?

There can still be a reprieve.

[footsteps approaching]

[door opens]

- Good morning, Barker.
- Morning, madam.

Good morning, Hilton.
Shall we sit down?

- Good morning, Hill.
- Morning, madam.

I've had a letter this morning
from your husband.

- Fred?
- Yes.

He says he would like
to come and see you.

Do you Wish to see him?

Oh, I don't know.

We've been separated for a long time.
I don't even know where he lives now.

Somewhere near Winchester.

You don't have to see anyone
if you don't want to,

but I think perhaps
it would be a good thing.

- All right, if you say so.
- Good.

I'll see to it.

Finish making up your bed.

Ready now?

No. I suppose this will call
for a handkerchief.

[laughs]

Come along.

- Hello, Mary.
- Hello, Fred.

I would have come before, but...
Well, you know how it is.

I've got a few days off from work,
so if there's anything I can do.

Perhaps you could keep an eye on Alan.

Don't let them come again.
He's too young and Mum only gets upset.

I don't know how all this
came about, Mary, but...

it doesn't make any difference
to the way I feel.

Oh, Mary, I'm so sorry.

- But there's still a chance.
- Well, don't let's count on it.

Thanks for coming, Fred.

You heard there was trouble in
E Wing last night.

Yes. Discipline's what they want
and what they got in my young days.

Give me charge of this prison for a few months
and you'd soon see some changes.

- Where's she come from?
- She belongs to Matron at the hospital.

Don't let her come near me. I hate cats.

- Come along. It's too windy to stay out here.
- Give her to me. I'll take her back.

- Seems to be a letter for you.
- Fred, I expect.

You're lucky to have
such a regular correspondent.

I used to censor the letters once.

There was one man wrote so small,
you almost needed a microscope to read it.

You're not supposed to receive
more than two sheets.

I suppose he thought
he'd get in more that way.

Different for you, of course.

Fred writes to me every day now,

but I'm afraid his letters
bore me as much as ever.

I don't think you should write
about love unless you're a poet.

It sounds silly.

But then I never loved anyone but Jim.

And I never had a letter from him.

Everything all right?

Mm.

How about a game of chess?
There's time before you have your bath.

You're picking up the game very well.

Ten minutes late.

Really is too bad.

They don't seem to think
that we want any supper.

Give me your hand.

Canteen food's bad enough at any time.
At this hour it's impossible.

Well, those two have no sense
of responsibility.

[door rattles]

Oh, about time.

Oh, so you're here at last?

I'm awfully sorry, Miss Hill, but I stopped
to have a wee smoke after supper.

Next time make it a cigarette, not a cigar.

- Here, this is your job.
- Thank you.

Mind, if this happens again, I shall report it.

Come, Barker.

[giggles]

You'd think we were an hour late
instead of ten minutes.

Hill's always picking on me
as well these days.

I've got a good mind to ask
for a transfer before the summer.

- Been in this prison long enough anyway.
- Oh, you wouldn't do that, Pat.

Oh, I suppose not. One gets used to it.

I'll get the towel.

[chapel bell rings]

Come along now. We'd better hurry,
there's the chapel bell.

You're limping, Hilton.

It's these shoes.
They've given me a blister.

Why haven't you reported it?

- I didn't think it mattered.
- Well, of course it matters.

You know we have to report
things like that.

I'll tell the doctor myself this afternoon.

[choir sings a hymn]

A“ And trust in his redeeming blood

a“ And try his works to do

♪ Amen I'

Are you all right?

My foot hurts me.

They said they'd try and get me
another pair of shoes.

That was the first thing
I noticed about Lucy.

Her legs and feet.

Beautiful shoes she had on.

Black suede with very high heels.

Isn't Mario's customer smart?

Who is she? I haven't seen her before.

I have, with your boyfriend
at the Orchid Grove.

[laughs] Don't be so silly.

Jim couldn't afford to go
to expensive places like that.

Nobody said he paid, darling.

[suspenseful music]

[Roy] 80 he said to her, "Those aren't
Grey hairs, they're cobwebs!"

[laughter]

Hey, drink up, boys. It's gone time.

That was a cheap round for you
now that Mary's gone TT on us.

-[laughter]
- Who said so?

Oh! Little Miss Iceberg thaws at last.
Well, perhaps you'd like to dance now.

My car's outside.
We could dance in the back of that.

[laughter]

No, seriously, Mary, it's too early
to go home. Come back to my place.

We can make it a party,
there's plenty to drink.

- Who's gonna be there?
- You and me.

[laughter]

Come on, Mary, how about it?

Sorry, Roy.

Goodnight.

Well, that was a gay evening, I must say.

That fellow Roy wanted me
to go dancing with him.

- Well, why didn't you?
- What do you think I am, a nightclub queen?

I have to get up early in the morning
and do a full day's work tomorrow.

Look, some other time. I'm gonna be late.

Late for what?

I told you. I've got
another engagement tonight.

- You didn't tell me.
- Sure I did. At Perry's Club.

Can I come too?

I thought you said
you weren't a nightclub queen.

Anyway, the boss wouldn't like it.

- Shall I see you tomorrow evening?
- No, I'm going to the dogs with Ally.

- Again?
- Well, why not? I need the money.

I did quite well last time.
We've got a new system.

- Then when?
- Friday, I guess.

Jim...

if it was over between us,
you'd tell me, wouldn't you?

- Oh, Mary...
- No, Jim, listen. I...

I don't want it to be over, but...

Well, if you didn't care about me any more,
it would be just awful to go on.

I... Everything's just the same, Mary.

Come on. I'll get you a cab.

Are you coming?

You forgot your cigarettes.

But it was over, Jim.

You left me that night to go to Lucy.

It was over then, but you didn't
have the courage to tell me.

Until you had to.

Jim had promised to call for me
after work that Friday,

but it didn't surprise me
when he wasn't waiting outside as usual.

Well, you can see for yourself
he's not here.

You'd better wait.
Maybe he won't be long.

- If he phones, I'll tell him you're here.
- Thank you.

Mind you, I don't really like to let young
ladies wait in the gentlemen's rooms.

The last time I did was two years ago,

when a lady came to see Mr Kalores.
[laughs]]

She's still here.

"Loveliest of trees the cherry now

is hung with bloom along the bough.

And stands about the woodland ride,

wearing white for Eastertide.

Now of my three-score years and ten,

twenty will not come again.

And take from 70 springs a score,

it only leaves me 50 more.

And since to look at things in bloom,

fifty springs are little room.

About the woodlands I will go,

to see the cherry hung with snow."

[front door slams]

- Is that you, Mr Lancaster?
- Aye.

Oh, that Mrs Carpenter phoned four times
this morning, said it was urgent.

OK.

And there's someone waiting
to see you in your room.

I didn't know you read poetry.

I had that when I was 15.

Read all sorts of things
when I was young.

- I was ambitious once.
Perhaps you still are.

What do you mean?

Why are you so late?
Where have you been?

With a woman.

That's what you wanted me
to say, isn't it?

If it isn't true.

Why didn't you tell me before
about Lucy Carpenter?

Because you didn't ask me.

You should have stayed with Fred.
I'll never be any good to you.

Well, maybe I should have told you about
Lucy, but I thought it was all over then.

Lately she's been coming back
into the club and...

Oh, it's no use talking about it.

Are you in love with her?

I suppose you could call it that.

But you're not happy.
What's the good of that kind of love?

You wouldn't understand.

No, I wouldn't understand!

I wouldn't know all the tricks
a woman like that uses

to keep you on the end of a string.

I wouldn't have the money
to take you to ritzy places

and fill you up with drinks.

I've seen her, Jim. She lives in a different
world from us. She'll drop you when...

Stop it, can't you? It's no good!

I suppose I've got no pride, but...

I still love you, Jim.

Mary...

[gas hisses]

I don't know how I got through
the next few weeks.

I never heard from Jim.

And the one time I phoned,

at the last minute
I couldn't face asking for him.

I hardly ever went out in the evenings
in case he should come to me.

I sat at home writing letters to him,
then tearing them up.

Until one night the doorbell rang.

[doorbell rings]

[doorbell rings, banging on door]

[Jim] Mary!

[banging on door]

Mary!

[doorbell rings]

[banging on door]

[banging on door]

Jim.

What's the matter?

[drunkenly] I was going to meet Lucy
and she never turned up.

She wouldn't even answer the telephone.

What are you doing with this?

It's none of your business.

You really wanna know,
I was gonna blow my head off.

I took the gun and locked it away
in a drawer.

I took his shoes off
and he fell asleep in the chair.

Nothing mattered any more.

I was happy again.

Jim had come back.

Jim!

- Yeah?
- Oh.

- I thought you'd gone.
- No, I was having a wash.

Would you like some breakfast?

I could do with some coffee.

I'll bet. I'll make some.

- You know something?
- What?

I love you.

You haven't forgotten that
it's New Year's Eve, have you?

Remember we promised to go
to Doris and Bob's tonight, to a party?

Yeah, so we did.

You know, I really don't think I can wear
that old dress of mine again.

Maybe I'll go out today
and buy a new one.

Uh-huh.

[Mary hums happily]

[music plays on the radio]

One egg or two?

Who were you phoning?

It was Lucy, wasn't it?

Look, look, Mary, it's no good.
I've got to see her again.

Can't you understand? Can't you?

I've got to find out
what's happening, I've got to.

What's she done to you?

Why do you knock yourself out
for this girl?

- You're just another man to her.
- I can't help myself!

Try and understand.
Please try and understand.

I've tried to understand, but I can't.

I'll make her see me today.

If I could only see her for five minutes,
I could get it all sorted out.

- I've got to see her.
- No!

- No, Jim! Jim, don't go! Please don't go!
- Look, I'll come back.

I couldn't spend New Year's Eve
without you, I couldn't!

- I'm sorry, Mary. I've made up my mind.
Please don't go!

[sobbing] Please don't go, Jim!

Please say you'll come back tonight!
Promise me!

I said I'd come back! I promise!

[sobbing] No! No!

Jim, I don't want you to go!

- Stop, Mary, stop!
Please!

[sobbing] Please!

[Mary sobbing]

- No, no!
- Be quiet. Hilton.

Hilton! Be quiet.

It was just a bad dream, that's all.

Just a dream.

No.

It wasn't a dream.

It wasn't a dream.

Close your eyes.

Try and go to sleep.

I'm afraid it will be some time
before we can lance it,

but it will be all right
with this dressing on.

- Barker, it's to be changed every evening.
- Yes, Doctor.

Well, Mrs Hilton,
you're to have a visitor today.

Someone who's been connected with
the Prison Service for a very long time.

She asked specially if she could see you
and the governor arranged it for this afternoon.

I think you'll like her.

If there's anything you wish to, er...
unburden yourself of,

well, I don't think you could
do better than talk to her.

- Who is she?
- Her name is Miss Bligh.

Oh, yes, I lived in London
for many years,

but I'm really supposed to be retired now,

so that's how I'm able to live
in the country.

My garden takes up much of my time,

though still not as much
as I should like to give it.

I spent this morning at a flower show

they were holding
at one of those big stores.

Are you fond of flowers?

Yes, but I don't know
very much about them.

Everybody loves flowers, don't they?

Oh, I wish you could have seen them.

Oh, and look. I bought some
of those to plant in my own garden.

- Well, I hope they come up all right.
- Yes. It's chastening work, gardening.

Oh, gracious, I must fly.

But I'll come and see you
again soon if I may.

Is there anybody you'd like me to call
and see on your behalf?

Are you sure?

There's no one,
but thank you, all the same.

There you are, my dear.

They'll give you some water
and you can put them beside your bed.

Did you ever have
anything like this before?

Something the same.
Got it when I went skating.

I think it was the boot
pressing against my heel.

- Do you like skating?
- I did once. Long time ago.

There was a pond near where
we used to live in the country.

We used to look forward to it
freezing over every year.

Oh, the violets are nice.

- Yes, the visitor brought them.
- Miss Bligh?

- Mm.
- Let's put them in water.

How do you get on with her?

She seemed OK.
Does she come here often?

No, not very often now.
She comes here to lecture sometimes.

She writes books, too.

- What about?
- Prison reform, mostly.

Does that do any good?

Oh, I imagine if you'd been in prison
25 years ago, you'd notice the difference.

I expect the ones like me
found it very much the same.

I suppose that's true, Hilton,
but the ones like you, as you put it,

are a very small part of the life in here.

You mean there aren't many
in for murder?

No.

Well, that's easy,
since they bump off those who are.

There a quite a few doing life sentences,
you know.

I don't know and I don't want to know.

Especially when you're all so smug
about everything.

Cocoa will be here in a minute.
You'd better get undressed.

Can't even put them by the side of
my bed. You'd better take them away.

[sighs]

What are you making now?

A nosebag for me old man.

[they laugh]

There's a hole in my vest.

Never mind, you'll be getting
clean things tomorrow.

Yes.

It's the end of the week.

[chapel bell rings]

If you're really not well, Hilton,
that's a different matter.

Otherwise you must get up at once.

What's the use?

You must try and pull yourself together.

We've got out job to do, you know.

And looking after people in here
isn't our favourite part of it.

Hilton, I've been a prison officer
for 25 years.

And believe me, I'm right when I tell you
that if you accept your punishment,

don't fight it,

you'll find it far easier to bear.

What's the trouble?

Now, now, Mrs Hilton,
what's the matter, are you in pain?

None that you could cure.

Ah, you'll feel better once you're up
and had some breakfast.

I don't want any. I'm not hungry.

It's not essential to eat anything, but a good
strong cup of tea would do you good.

[she scoffs]

It's not easy, this waiting,
for you or any of us.

But... by forcing yourself
to conform to the routine,

however hard and futile it may seem,

you'll find that when the time comes,
if it does come,

you'll be better prepared to meet it.

The things that we most fear
are seldom as terrible as we expect.

Now, how about it, hmm?

That's better.

Get Mrs Hilton's clothes
and help her to dress.

Oh, I nearly forgot.
Your mother has your cat. Billy, isn't it?

He's very well, she said to tell you.

I hope he's eating all right.
He's very fussy.

Oh, yes. Cats are very adaptable.

They're by nature independent.
A great help.

You've been to see my mother?

Yes, and your brother, Alan.
Such a nice boy.

Is he all right?

It's been a bad time for them.

I expect the visits are trying.

Some people find it difficult
to know what to say.

Are you sorry for what you've done?

Oh, I don't mean are you sorry
that you're here.

I regret nothing.

I don't believe you mean that, Mrs Hilton.

But I'm not here to question you.

I expect you've had more time to think
since you've been here

than you have in your whole life before.

Am I not right?

Of course I have.

But at the moment I've got
more important things to think about

than being sorry for what I've done.

I doubt that.

Remember what I've said.

Don't be afraid.

Of course, I'm very sorry for the girl.

But we mustn't forget the other one,
the one that was murdered.

Oh, I don't forget her. But another death
won't bring her back.

How was Miss Bligh?

She told me not to be afraid.

How can I be anything else?

I know about that door
at the foot of my bed.

It's through there
that it happens, isn't it?

[suspenseful music]

Are you sure there's nothing
I can send you, Mary?

Are they treating you well?

- So it's not too bad, then?
- It's OK.

Bye, Fred.

I'll come and see you again soon.
I've told 'em at work and they don't mind

-if I have more time off.
-[door slams]

How was your husband?

He's not my husband, we're separated.

Decent of him to come and see you, then.

The animals in the 200
are always a big draw.

You don't mean that, Hilton. He must
be fond of you or he wouldn't come.

I expect it” help him
with his story for the press.

Surely you don't think that?

Who cares what I think?
It doesn't matter, does it?

No, of course it doesn't
in your present state of mind.

What do you know about
the state of my mind?

You're none of you human.
You know nothing. Nothing!

Would you like to play? It's all arranged.

I'm sick of everything being arranged!

- I don't understand this game and I never will!
- It's easy to learn if want...

I don't want to learn!

I keep wondering if there'll be a reprieve.

This is the only hope left to me.

They said I would be told
directly any news came.

And every time I hear
footsteps in the passage...

- I expect it to be the governor.
-[footsteps approaching]

[lock rattling]

This week is bad enough.

But next week will be worse.

It will be my last on Earth unless...

Unless...

If they're going to do it,
why don't they do it quickly?

Here you are, Hilton.

I've brought you a nice fried egg
for your breakfast.

Do I have to eat this
with spoons as well?

Oh, but it's easy.
You don't want that out up, do you?

You know who's coming
to see you today?

No, I haven't looked in
my engagement book yet.

[chuckles]
Oh, very good. Very good!

They're sending over a clean dress.
You might as well put it on this morning.

Got you. Heave. Over.

Come along, Hilton,
your mother's already waiting.

I'm not going, I don't want to see her.

- Hilton!
- I told her not to come.

She doesn't care about me,
she never did.

Whatever else you may think,
she's still your mother.

No, I won't see her, I won't!
She always said I'd come to a bad end.

Now she just wants to gloat at me
because she was right.

- Why does she keep coming here, why?!
- Be quiet!

[she sobs]

Can't you think of anyone
but yourself, even now?

Don't you know what this time
must be like for your family?

Whatever happens, it's going to be
with them for the rest of their lives.

So what?! I didn't ask to be born, did I?

- Stop it!
- I didn't!

Come along.

You don't want
to keep your mother waiting.

Mum...

I asked you not to bring Alan again.

It... It's not her fault, Mary.

I wanted to come.

I wanted to see you.

How are you, Mary?

Things all right?

The chaplain gave me a book to read.

It has bits of poetry and quotations in it.

And there's one place
I keep coming back to.

"For the night is already at hand

and it is well to yield to the night."

Perhaps it is well, but I can't.

I want to live.

I want it more than ever.

Did you know MacFarlane
had to see the governor today?

- No, what about?
- Search me.

Mac always keeps things to herself.

I like her, mind you,
but she's a bit of a strain sometimes.

She's got a sort of way
of shutting you up.

Good job too. [chuckles]

You young things talk too much, anyway.

[lock rattles]

Come and get your cocoa, Hilton,
then you'd better get ready for bed.

Expect that Chair's getting
pretty hard now, anyway.

Your limp seems worse. We'd better
get Sister to look at it tonight.

Think we'll have a plaster on now.

If you leave it on for a few days,
it'll be healed by the time you take it off.

There. That's all right, then.

If you need anything else, Miss Hill,
I can always come back.

"Always come back."

"Always come back."

Come back, Jim.

New Year's Eve.

New Year's Eve.

New Year's Eve.

[rumba music plays on the radio]

Jim said he'd come back
on New Year's Eve.

And all that day I made myself
believe he'd keep his promise.

I even bought a new dress,
the most expensive dress I ever had.

I spent my last penny on it.

But the hours dragged by
and still no Jim.

[phone rings]

Hello, darling?

-[loud music plays, loud chatter]
- Shh! Quiet! Quiet!

I can't hear! Shh!

Hello. Hello, Mary?
When are you coming over to join us?

- It's you, Doris.
- When are you coming over, Mary?

It's only an hour to go before New Year.

I've been trying to ring him
for three-quarters of an hour,

-but his number's always engaged.
- Well, listen, Mary.

If you're not over in ten minutes,
we're coming over to fetch you.

Jim or no Jim! Aren't we, Bob?

Are we?! [chuckles]

Well, in fact, I think we'll come now.

No, Doris, don't do that.
Look, I'll try Jim's number again.

-[doorbell rings]
- Wait a minute.

He's here now! See you later. Bye!

Surprise!

You told me to drop in some time
and here I am!

Come on, we're going
to paint the town red.

Why, and you're all dressed up
and nowhere to go!

At least I hope so! [laughs]

Not tonight, Roy, please.

Mary... you need cheering up.

The gang's downstairs.
Come along with us.

No strings. I mean that.

That's very sweet of you, but no thanks.

OK.

Bye.

[rumba music continues]

[music stops, applause]

[radio presenter]
And now, Fido Bettini and his rumba band

will take you on a trip to the sun-drenched,
silver beaches of Tobago,

with an exciting new number,
Arma Parlour.

[phone rings]

[piano plays, loud chatter and singing]

[phone rings]

Yes, what is it?

Is Jim there?

Jim Lancaster.

Oh. Well, er...

Well, I don't think so.

He maybe. Hold on a minute
and I'll go and have a look.

[people singing "Knees Up, Mother Brown"]

[rumba music plays]

[gasping]

[singing continues]

Alfred! Alfred, come here, quick.

- What is it? What's the matter?
- Shut the door.

Quick, quick. Upstairs. Mr Lancaster.

Hello?

Hello?

W-What's happening?

Hello?!

What's the matter?!

Answer me, please!

Hello?

Miss, something terrible's happened.

You'd better come...

right away.

[singing continues]

Then your husband came up here and opened
the windows and then telephoned the police?

- That's right, Sergeant.
- Right, I think you'd better wait downstairs.

Thank you.

- What did he do? What did he do?
- No, no, don't!

[Mrs Thomas sobs]

He left this note on the table.
I... I presume it's for you.

[Mrs Thomas sobs]

Excuse me, miss. May I have
your name and address, please?

Mary Hilton.

5 Blakestone Gardens. West 8.

I suppose you know that any notes
written by the deceased

should be submitted to the coroner,
as evidence.

Of course, anything personal
will be returned to you.

It... It's not personal!

It's not personal!

[loud jazz music plays]

[switches off radio, music stops]

[sobbing]

I didn't go to work
on the day of the inquest.

I wasn't needed as a witness.

It was Lucy he'd written to.

Since Jim's death,
I'd felt sort of stunned.

Like I was drugged or something.

I bought a paper from a newsboy,
quite calmly,

although I knew I was going to read
what they said about Jim.

Lucy made it sound as though he was
just a man she'd met a few times

who'd become infatuated with her
and was making a nuisance of himself.

[Lucy] He came to see me
on the afternoon of his death.

He was very drunk. I told him to leave.

I also told him that I was going to be
married again,

and a further meeting would be impossible.

He became very abusive.

Fortunately, my fiance arrived
and dealt with the situation.

I was naturally shocked
to hear of his death.

[Mary] I got up.

I must have looked strange because
an elderly lady touched my arm

and said something to me.

But her voice seemed to be coming
from a long way off.

I could feel the hate for Lucy
welling up inside of me.

I hated her.

But her life could go on
as though nothing had happened.

I felt sick with hate.

I can't remember the exact moment
when I made up my mind to kill Lucy,

though it may have been
before I found the key.

I found the key in the trouser pocket
of one of Jim's suits.

After the funeral, his landlady
sent me some of his things,

but I couldn't face looking at them.

I just put the parcel away in a cupboard
until a couple of months after...

after Jim died.

Maybe it would have been better
if I'd done it at once.

Premeditated. That's what the judge said.

In cold blood.

I didn't know at first that it was the key
of Lucy's mews cottage.

I just hoped it was.

I found Lucy's number.

I went there one afternoon
and tried the key in the lock.

It fitted.

I rang Lucy's number
lots of times after that.

In the mornings, a voice answered
that I took to be the daily woman's.

Hello?

Hello?

But after four in the afternoon,
it was always another voice.

A voice that I felt sure was Lucy's.

Hello?

Hello?

And so I made my plans to kill Lucy.

With Jim's gun.

Out of revenge.

In cold blood, just like the judge said.

[screams]

Hilton.

Hilton.

Hilton!

What time is it?

It's three o'clock.

You don't know.

You don't understand.

I understand, Hilton,
but it can do no good.

No! You're in league with the others.

You want to kill me!

I hate you! I hate all of you!

Come along now, Hilton, we're late as it is.
We let you sleep on this morning.

The governor will be here directly.

- It's Sunday, isn't it?
- Yes.

It may be my last.

You can always tell it's Sunday,
even in prison.

Come on, love,
your porridge is getting cold.

Doesn't look as though we shall get out
this morning. There's a bitter east wind too.

You could catch your death...

Haven't given you enough, have I?

[door closes and locks]

- Sit down, Hilton.
- I'm sorry, madam.

- I'm afraid we're late this morning.
- That's all right.

Go on.

I see you like lots of sugar
with your porridge too. So do I.

Your mother will be here this afternoon.

I don't want to see her.

I don't want to see anyone
looking like this.

No one can advise you in these matters.

But don't you think your mother
has a right to see you?

Don't make a decision
you may regret, Hilton.

Your mother is suffering too, you know.

I don't know.

Believe me when I tell you that she is.

It upsets her to see me.

It will upset her more if you refuse.

Your brother will not be with her.

She seemed ever such a nice lady.

Miss... Miss Bligh, is that her name?

Real helpful she's been,
looking after your things and that.

We've got a whole heap of signatures
for the petition,

and no end of important people have
been writing to the papers about you.

You'd be surprised.

Alan wanted to come,
but I did as you asked, Mary.

Well, I must be getting along now.

We must have hope.

Don't give up hope, Mary.

Don't give up.

Good evening, Mrs Hilton.

Sit down, please.

I am glad to find you here.

I came because I was frightened.

Well, of course you're frightened.

Our Lord was frightened
when he was near to death.

And yet, he could say to the repentant
thief, who was crucified beside him,

"This day, thou shalt be with me in paradise."

I think those are
the most beautiful words in the Bible.

If you can believe in them.

Everyone who has put their trust in him
have found his words to be true.

Mrs Hilton, when you fall in love,

you don't ask for proof that the man
you love is worth it, do you?

In real love, you only want to give,

and God is love.

Real love.

I loved someone.

I still love him.

But all this can't help me now.

No one can.

You can only believe if you want to.

Try and think about what I've said.

Oh, I wish I hadn't volunteered now.

There's nothing to it.
It's only for a few hours.

She'll be going to bed soon, anyway.

Hello, Hilton. There's a letter for you,
it's on the bed.

Where's MacFarlane?
She hasn't been on today.

Oh, she's on special leave.
Richardson's here instead.

Don't be scared, I'm not gonna bite you.

Can I have some water, please?

The other door.

[chapel bell rings]

MacFarlane will be dreadfully upset.
She used to visit her mother regularly.

I'd never known anything about it.
You know, she never talks about her home life.

I could have told you. She was
a mental case. Had been for years.

Personally, I think people
like that ought to be put away.

Painlessly, of course.

- Probably a happy release.
- Mm. I'm sorry for Mac.

No use saying anything to her about it.
She only freezes you up.

It's a waste of breath.

Oh, another Monday morning.

She's still asleep. We won't wake her.

I hear you're eating better now.
Are you satisfied with the food?

I see you had a nosebleed last night.
Does that often happen?

Come over here for a moment.

[footsteps in the distance]

Footsteps.

- Keep still, please.
- Footsteps.

It's the governor.

I know her footsteps.

[lock rattles]

Good morning, Doctor.
I hope I'm not interrupting.

No, I'm finished, thank you, just finished.

Good morning, Hilton.
I hope you had a restful night.

Is there anything you want?

No? Well, there's some books and magazines
for you in the post this morning.

You'll get them after lunch.

Here's your cigarette ration, Hilton.

Beats me how you can smoke this brand,
they make me cough.

I'll see to these.

I'm sorry about your mother.

- Who told you?
- No one.

I just heard them talking.

Everyone knows everything in here.

I went to the funeral yesterday.

I'm sorry.

Well, it's better that way.
They told me it would happen suddenly.

It's just...

It's just that she was all I had.

[Mary sighs]

Have you always been a prison officer?

I wasn't born one,
if that's what you mean.

I mean, did you ever
want to do anything else?

Yes and no. When I was a child,
I always thought I'd be a nurse.

When I was older, I just wanted to get
married and have lots of children.

Why didn't you?

I could say because nobody ever
asked me, but it wouldn't be quite true.

I could have got married once,
but there were obstacles.

You mean you had to
look after your mother?

No, I didn't...

Yes, it had something to do with it.

Perhaps you will, now that she's dead.

I don't think so.

Maybe you don't love him enough.

Men don't wait forever.
He's married now.

If only I hadn't loved him so much.

I wish I'd never loved Jim.

Do you?

This won't come out! I shouldn't
be surprised if there's a card missing.

MacFarlane always forgets
to put them back in the case.

Don't know however you get that one out.
It's too difficult for me.

Barker did it yesterday
but she probably cheated.

I can't see what satisfaction
it gives you if you cheat.

You'll wear that floor out, Hilton,
if you don't stop pacing.

- I think I'll go to bed.
- Yes, I should, love.

You've had a long day.

I once read of a drug
which seemed to slow down time,

but heightened and increased sensation.

Something like that
is happening to me now.

Everything seems suddenly sharp
and larger than life.

The pattern on the playing cards.

The bitten end Of Brandon's pencil.

Hill's flat, sensible shoes
with iron studs on the soles.

Is this because I am near to death?

Tonight is the worst yet.

Maybe this will be the last night
before I know.

I want to know.

But please don't tell me
that I'm going to die.

Wake up.

Wake up.

It's time to get up.

What day is it?

It's Tuesday.

Your breakfast is ready
and your clean clothes are on the chair.

Tuesday.

It's Tuesday.

[prison officers' voices echo]
The doctor to see you, Hilton.

Your cigarettes, your letters.

The newspapers.

MGM Tuesday.

It's Tuesday.

[prison officers' voices echo]
The chaplain to see you, Hilton.

- Time for exercise.
- Get your cloak, Hilton.

Lunch is ready.

Tea.

[footsteps approaching]

Nam She's coming to tell me.

I know her step.

I'll know in a minute. No, wait.

I don't want to know.

Don't tell me. I don't want to...

[lock rattles]

You must have courage, Hilton.

It is my painful duty to tell you
that the Home Secretary

has not seen fit
to recommend a reprieve.

The execution will take place
on Thursday morning.

The chaplain will be ready
to see you at any time.

And if you have any special requests,

I shall do my best to see
that they are carried out

in accordance with the regulations.

[door locks]

[footsteps fade away]

Are you all right, Hilton?

Oh, Hilton, I'm so sorry.

I'm so dreadfully sorry.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,

who in his great mercy
hath promised forgiveness of sins

to all them that with heartfelt repentance
and true faith, turn to him.

Have mercy upon you.

Pardon and deliver you
from all your sins.

Confirm and strengthen you
in all goodness,

and bring you to everlasting life

through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.

Amen.

Would you like your mother and brother
to come with Fred tomorrow?

I know Fred wants to see you very much.

You hate it, don't you?

- All right, I'll see Fred.
- Oh, good.

- I'd like to see Miss Bligh.
- Miss Bligh?

Well, I'll try and arrange it.

Put out the light.

Please put out the light.

You're cold. I'll get another blanket.

Wednesday.

It's Wednesday.

Get up. The doctor will be here soon.

Just lie down, Mrs Hilton,
your husband will be here soon.

They all have a funny look in their eyes,

like I had once.

For they're going to kill someone, too.

Only this time, it's legal.

It's ten to three.
You must get ready for your visit.

All right, Hilton, your husband's here.

Fred.

Mary!

Mary!

Can you hear me?

Yes, I can hear you.

Have you... any message
for your mother?

Tell her I'm all right.

Tell Alan, too.

I love you, Mary. I'll always love you.

Please don't.

You'd better go now.

Goodbye, Fred.

Goodbye, Mary.

I'll be thinking of you.

All the time.

God bless you, darling.

And forgive you.

I'm praying for you, Mary, all the time.

You'd like to go out now, wouldn't you?

Been out a long time today, haven't we?

Would you like to go in?

I looked up at the sky.

It was the last time I should see it.

I'm not used to the daylight any more.

I was glad when we went in.

I've thought about what you said.

I want to be sorry for what I've done,

but I'm too afraid to be sorry.

I want to be brave but I can't.

Now that it's so close,
I can't think of anything

but that I'm going to die in the morning.

We're all of us afraid of death
in the physical sense.

We shouldn't be human
if it were not so.

Believe me, tonight is the hardest time.

When you get up tomorrow,
the worst will be over.

The burden of your sin will have passed

from you to those who have to go
as usual about their daily business.

You will be free.

Your body will obey you automatically,
as it's been taught to do.

Your mind will be along way off,

as if in a dream.

And when you wake from that dream,

I pray you may be in God's keeping.

[clock ticking]

The doctor will give you something
to help you to sleep tonight.

You must try to put everything
out of your mind.

I know it isn't easy, nor is it easy
for the people who are with you.

By remaining calm,
you'll make it less difficult for them,

and better for yourself.

You'd better get undressed now.

You've been asleep, Mrs Hilton.

I'll give you something
to make you sleep again.

It's only ten o'clock.

What time... What time is it?

It's half past twelve.

I don't want it to be morning.

You won't be with me?

No.

But you'll be all right.

Won't you?

I don't know.

Doesn't take long, does it?

Do you believe in God?

Oh, yes. I believe in God.

Your religion...

it means a lot to you, doesn't it?

I couldn't live without it.

I wish I could believe like that.

God is with us all,
whether we believe in him or not,

even when we can't feel his presence.

It's easy for you to talk.

You are not going to die in the morning.

Have you ever thought...

we all, all of us...

die some morning.

I know I've done wrong.

It doesn't make me want to die.

I'm not ready to die.

[she sobs]

[chapel bell rings]

Goodbye, Mary.

[door slams, lock rattles]

Get up, Hilton.

You must get dressed now.

What time is it?

[chaplain] Mrs Hilton.

Mrs Hilton.

Shall we pray?

And he said unto me, "It is done.

I am Alpha and Omega,
the beginning and the end.

I will give unto him that is athirst
of the fountain of the water of life freely.

He that overcometh shall inherit all things,

and I will be his God,
and he shall be my son."

Unto God's gracious mercy
and protection, we commit you.

Amen.

[lock rattles]

[door slams shut]

[chapel bell rings]

[melancholy music]