Cry Wolf (1947) - full transcript

Good evening, senator.

Good evening, Becket.

I will not be dictated to!

If I want to ride beyond the estate,

I shall do so!

I won't! I won't!

If you don't mind waiting

here for just a moment,

I'll tell my brother you're here.

Thank you, senator.

Miss Marshall,

my brother will

see you now.

Thank you,

and thanks for the lift

from the station.

Miss Marshall.

Good evening.

I believe my brother

the senator has told you

we're in mourning here.

My nephew died recently.

Yes, I know.

So I presume your business

must be very important.

Won't you sit down?

Thank you.

I came here because I

happened to read of his death.

Then you noticed that services

were limited only to family.

Isn't a man's widow

a member of the family?

If there is a widow, miss Marshall.

My maiden name was Sandra Marshall.

My married name is

Mrs. James Caldwell Demarest.

I am your nephew's widow.

Perhaps I'd better

postpone my condolences

until I learn a few more

of the facts.

This is

my marriage license.

Jim's papers include no copy of this.

Perhaps he had a hidden

safe deposit box.

We'll check on it.

If I hadn't seen that notice,

I would've known nothing

of my husband's death.

He would have been safely

buried before I discovered it.

Safely buried-that's a strange

expression, miss Marshall.

Mrs. Demarest.

I should prefer to be called that.

Of course,

but I'm afraid

I must insist

upon a little more proof

than this copy of a license,

which I'm by no means

sure is genuine.

May I ask the reason for this...

Secret marriage?

I'm not sure it was secret to you.

Oh, come now, Mrs. Demarest.

If I am to believe you,

you must believe me.

But he must

have told you.

He had to be married in

order to get his inheritance.

What would have been the use

of the marriage otherwise?

I don't follow you.

The will.

What will?

The will you encouraged

Jim's mother to draw up.

Surely you remember the clause.

I suppose you refer to the one

which keeps Jim and his

sister's money in trust

until they reach 30.

It always annoyed Jim.

You made yourself

guardian of his fortune.

It must have been extremely difficult

to ask his uncle for money

when he had the right to millions.

Difficult, but not insupportable.

That might be forgivable,

but certainly not passing

control over to the wife

if he married.

No doubt you intended

to choose that wife.

Some placid girl who would

do what you told her,

but Jim was smarter

than you thought.

He married me.

And I am not a placid girl.

No... you're not.

Um... might I ask

where he found you?

We knew one another at college.

I was working for my

doctor's degree in geology.

Hmm. Do your parents

know of this marriage?

No.

No?

They're both dead.

Were you in love with him?

No.

He came to me as a friend,

and I helped him.

Ohh... you helped him.

And exactly what did you

get out of helping him?

I needed money.

He gave me $2,000

to complete my studies.

I was to divorce him

after six months.

There were

no other strings.

I see.

You were married five months.

Jim's death was quite

convenient, wasn't it?

$2,000 has now become 2 million.

Well, what do you

intend to do?

I shall claim the rights

left me in his will.

But he left no will.

I don't know where the original is,

but here's a copy.

No signatures.

It's completely worthless.

I happen to know there is an

original, completely attested.

If you don't find it,

I shall be forced to claim

my entire rights.

If I were to bring

this... battle of wits

down to direct insults,

I'd say you were one of the most

cold-blooded, scheming women

I've ever met in my life.

You've already said that.

For the moment,

we'll let it rest there.

For Jim's sake and

the rest of the family,

I'd prefer no unpleasantness tonight.

I suppose you'll

have to stay the night,

but I'd prefer you left in the morning.

Would it be possible to see...

Your husband?

No. The casket is closed.

You will, however, allow

me to pay my last respects.

This way.

Charles...

Well, Mark, before you say a word,

I can't go through with it.

I'm going back

to Washington at once.

You're not. You're in

this as deeply as I am.

No, I'm not!

Keep your voice down.

The girl's in there.

Well, who is she, anyway?

I'll tell you later.

Uh, my housekeeper Marta

will show you to your room.

Thank you.

Get this straight.

I'm leaving here tomorrow.

How would it look if you

weren't at the funeral?

I should have never consented...

This way, madam.

I'm sorry. I hope I

haven't kept you waiting.

No.

Uncle Mark, how dare you

open my letters!

Julie...

Allow me to introduce you

to Sandra Demarest,

your sister-in-law.

My sister-in-law?

Yes. Jim's widow.

I'm very glad

to know you, Julie.

I'm stunned...

But completely, absolutely stunned.

You're not a bit Jim's type.

Oh, I don't mean you're

not awfully attractive,

because you are, but...

Why, it's stupendous.

Will Amy Daniels be mad.

It serves her right.

Sandra, tell me all

about it. Please, please?

We will, Julie,

if you'll control yourself.

It was a secret marriage.

Oh, how exciting, Sandra.

I'm going to call you

Sandra right off.

Anyway, I'm awfully

glad you're here.

You'll stay for a long time, won't you?

Mrs. Demarest is not

prepared to stay.

Why not?

I have a suitcase

checked at the station.

Well, Becket can bring

it in the morning.

Thank you.

Good.

That's settled.

How about this letter, Mark?

May I ask what right

you had to read it?

I didn't. I wanted the address.

It wasn't on the envelope.

If you think you're busting up

this romance, you're mistaken.

I hardly think this is the proper time

to discuss marriage proposals.

Oh, who said anything

about proposals?

You want me stuck in this

mausoleum all my life?

We'll discuss it later, Julie.

No, we won't!

Sit down.

Good night, Julie.

Yes?

May I come in?

Yes, of course, Julie.

I'd have come before,

but Marta was hanging around.

She's always spying on me.

And that wasn't very nice of

me to talk about Amy Daniels.

But Jim was always

mad about her until-

well, I suppose after

she let him down flat.

Um...

Did she really turn him down?

Oh, she turned him down all right.

It was so strange.

They were engaged.

I know they both were

crazy about each other.

She'd been here playing tennis

the day before it happened.

They were spooning about

something fierce.

And then the very

next day, it went poof!

Don't you think that's strange?

Yes, I do.

Did Jim say anything

about Mark to you?

A few things. Why?

I think Mark was the one

who broke it off.

He's always managed to stop Jim

from doing anything he wanted.

Jim could've done so many good,

fine things with his money.

But I guess you know

about the money.

Yes, I know.

But Mark didn't think so.

He said Jim was

a dreamer, an idealist.

So now he's using the

money for his laboratory,

his plans, his ideas.

Julie, those are

dangerous accusations.

That money's in trust.

That won't stop Mark.

I know him for what he is.

He'll twist you around his finger

like he does everybody else.

Believe me, Julie...

That won't happen.

You're imagining things, aren't you?

That's what Mark says.

He says I'm always imagining things.

You won't let on to him

about what we've been saying,

no matter how he tries

to pry it out of you?

You know I won't.

I knew you were regular.

My, this is attractive.

It's very old.

It came from Florence.

It belonged to my mother.

It's late. I suppose

you want to go to bed.

I am tired.

Then I'm off.

I don't want Marta to start snooping.

Julie...

What did Jim die of?

Of pneumonia.

Didn't Mark tell you?

No, he didn't.

He'd been in Canada.

He came home late at night.

I heard his voice in the library,

I'm sure I did.

The next morning

Mark said he was ill.

And you never saw him again?

They put him

in the laboratory.

I'm never allowed in there.

Oh, Sandra, please stay here.

I'm so terribly lonely in this house.

Nobody to talk to,

people looking at me all the time.

Promise me you'll stay.

I'll stay

as long as I can.

Thank you.

Good night, Sandra.

Good night, Julie.

I think I'm going

to like having a sister.

Same here.

We all go

into the library.

I'm sorry, I must get back

to Washington.

One moment, Charles.

Davenport, go in with

the others, will you?

I'll join you in a moment.

I put in an appearance

at the funeral.

You can't ask for anything more.

It's a question of Jim's will.

You should be here.

No. I don't want anything to do with it.

I hope you won't regret this.

I hope you won't, Mark.

You realize

this whole thing

has been a great shock to us.

So it will take a

certain amount of time-

Mark, I've been

explaining to Mrs. Demarest

we're making every effort

to locate Jim's deposit box.

How long will it take?

Two weeks, I should say.

Oh, then Sandra

can stay. I'm so glad.

Of course Mrs. Demarest can stay.

We want her entirely

satisfied about everything.

I think you should keep

this death certificate.

May I look at it?

Certainly.

I think you'll find it quite in order.

Signed by the local

doctor and undertaker.

May I keep it?

Of course.

You're Jim's widow.

Can't we skip these gruesome details?

It's going to be a nice day.

Can't we go riding, Sandra and I?

Mrs. Demarest may not care to.

It'd be pleasant to get some sunshine.

But I haven't any-

riding habit? Don't worry.

I can find something for you.

Mrs. Demarest...

I've no objection

to your going riding,

but I wish you wouldn't let

Julie take you off the estate.

Don't you think you're holding

too tight a leash on her?

No.

I saw her yesterday jumping fences,

dashing across country.

You can't bottle up

all that energy very long.

No? I must still insist.

But if she doesn't get around

and meet people her own age,

how will she learn discrimination?

Discrimination?

If Julie exercises as much

discrimination as you did about men,

she might not find it

resulted so profitably,

or would she?

I rather asked for that one, didn't I?

Oh, that was wonderful.

It's beautiful here in the woods.

Sandra, you're going

to think me an awful heel.

I brought you riding

under false pretenses.

Julie, we haven't left the estate?

Oh, no.

I'm meeting Ronnie.

Ronnie?

Yes, Ronnie Manning.

He wrote the letter Mark opened.

Until the sun came out,

I was afraid

we wouldn't make it.

Do you think you should?

Why not? I don't know

how much longer

Mark will let me leave

the house, let alone ride.

Why do you say such things?

You'll find out.

There he is, Sandra.

Come and meet him.

No. You go ahead.

I'll wait here.

Where's Julie?

Well, she was right behind me.

I'll ride back and see

what's happened to her.

She's meeting Manning, isn't she?

I was hoping you'd be

more sensible about Julie.

But I'm afraid you're

incurably romantic.

I'm no chaperone.

Don't ask me to be one again.

It's very important for

Julie to be straightforward.

Things like this don't help.

Do you think the atmosphere here

is conducive to being straightforward?

Please accept my handling of Julie.

I've asked you once,

now I'm asking you again.

Sandra!

How long have you been here?

I wish you hadn't done this,

especially after promising me.

I'm afraid Mr. Manning won't like

what I have to tell him either.

How dare you spy on me!

I won't stand it.

I won't!

Now...

If Mrs. Demarest

will please excuse us,

I'd like a word with you.

Get down, please.

Get down!

Where's miss Julie?

She'll be along.

Mr. Mark is with her.

She rides so wild,

I get scared.

I watched you riding in.

You sit a horse well.

Thanks.

Tell me, Roberts,

do they use the rear wing

of the house?

Oh, yes, ma'am. That's

Mr. Caldwell's laboratory.

Thank you.

Julie?

Did you hear it, Sandra?

You did, didn't you?

Julie, what is it?

You heard it.

I didn't imagine it.

Julie, shh. Quiet.

You'll wake everybody.

I've heard it before, a week ago.

Mark says I have nightmares.

That isn't true.

I do hear it.

Hear what?

Voices. People scuffling.

A man crying out in agony.

You heard that tonight?

Yes. And it sounded

like Jim's voice.

Jim's voice?

Oh, no, Julie.

It couldn't be.

Aah!

It is! I tell you-

which is the door into the

other wing of the house?

The laboratory?

Up there.

But it's locked.

It's always locked.

That's where it must have come from.

Get into bed.

Pretend you're asleep.

Julie, I don't know

what's going on here,

but I'm going to find out.

Please stay with me tonight.

No. You'll be all right.

When I leave, lock the door.

In the morning,

tell Mark what you heard.

If he finds I left my room,

they'll lock me in like before.

Don't say you left the room.

Remember, I wasn't with you.

Understand?

Yes.

Remember, Julie,

I wasn't with you.

Yes.

Good morning.

You slept well, I hope.

Soundly, thank you.

Good.

Good morning, Mrs. Demarest.

Good morning, Angela.

I'll just have fruit juice,

toast, and coffee.

I see my brother

is having his troubles.

His political opponents are

after him like a pack of wolves.

Really?

They'd like

nothing better

than to find some

chink in his armor.

If would be a great thing

for the Caldwell family

if the senator landed

such an important position.

You'd be world famous,

not that your scientific

reputation isn't enough.

Hello, everybody.

Good morning, Julie.

Good morning, Julie.

You slept well?

I did not.

You didn't?

Why not?

It happened again last night.

What happened?

Something woke me up.

A sound of scuffling,

and it seemed to come

from the laboratory.

Somebody cried out.

Really, Julie, these

nightmares of yours.

You know perfectly well

no one's in that wing.

It wasn't a nightmare.

I heard it.

You couldn't have.

Didn't you hear it, Sandra?

No. I'm afraid I didn't.

Julie forgets she's

had dreams about my lab

since she

was a child.

Why?

I used to take her

in there quite often

when she was little.

Then she'd start sneaking

in when I wasn't there

and playing around

with the apparatus.

That was dangerous,

so we put a lock on it.

I wasn't asleep.

If there had been some such noise,

wouldn't someone else

have heard it?

Becket's room is-

Becket. He'd say anything

you asked him to.

That's unnecessary.

You're overly excited, my dear.

You have a tendency

that way, haven't you?

May I make a suggestion?

What?

Next time you hear some

odd noise in the night,

just follow the custom of your sex

and stick your head

under the bed clothes.

Excuse me.

You see?

He was lying.

Yes, he was.

What are we going to do?

Do nothing to make him suspicious.

I want to see Jim's room.

What's the day's schedule here?

Who is where at what time?

In the afternoon,

Marta has her nap.

Becket watches me then,

but he has a lot to do.

You won't keep things

from me, will you?

Of course not, Julie, I-

Good morning, Mrs. Demarest.

Good morning.

Miss Julie.

Good morning.

Sandra, let's go out to the garden.

This is Jim's room.

Look, Sandra.

These were all taken last summer.

The girl there with him is Amy Daniels.

That was about two years ago.

Jim was awfully attractive, wasn't he?

Yes.

You know,

there's something curious

about this picture of Jim and Mark.

What do you mean?

It's a friendly-looking

picture...

Not at all what

I was led to believe

about the way Jim

and Mark got along.

Mark used to be sweet to us...

Perhaps because

we were younger,

more under his influence.

It's only when we want

to have our own way

that he's mean.

That was my mother.

She died when

I was 4 years old.

Haven't you any pictures

of your father?

I can't even remember

what he looked like.

He died in a hospital.

They say it broke my mother's heart.

This money

you're to inherit

belonged to your

mother, didn't it?

Yes.

She must've been very

devoted to your uncle Mark.

I know why you say that.

On account of the will.

Who's to know

how devoted she was?

I was 3 when she

and Mark drew it up.

Jim was away at school.

All I know is that father

was taken to a hospital,

died there.

From then on,

mother was never the same.

Julie, is this the way

Jim always kept his room?

Yes.

Nothing's been changed

or taken away?

No. It's exactly the way

it was when he was alive.

I wonder why all his pipes are gone.

Jim was always smoking.

Yes.

He had lots of pipes.

Are these all his clothes?

Oh, no. His sport clothes

are all gone.

The things he wore

for riding, for tennis.

Sandra, what does all this mean?

What are you thinking, Sandra?

You think it really

was Jim last night.

Then what are they doing to him?

What's going on in the laboratory?

Julie.

Sandra, tell me

what's happening in there.

Something horrible.

That's why Mark wouldn't

let anybody in there.

They'll take me next.

That's why they won't

let me off the estate.

I've got to run away.

I won't stay

in this awful place.

I'll run away. They'll

never find me! Never! Never!

Julie, they won't do anything.

Please be sensible

and calm down.

Mrs. Demarest, Mr. Caldwell would

like to see you in the library.

Thank you.

I'll be right down.

Come on, Julie. I'll take you

to your room.

Sandra, I'm afraid.

I'm sorry I upset you.

Please lie down and get some rest.

I'll go see what

your uncle Mark wants.

You'll be all right?

In this room

it isn't so bad...

When the door's closed

and I know that

no one's looking at me.

I don't like eyes

looking at me.

That's when I get frightened.

Then-

I can't explain.

It's as if everything

went dark.

As if something

were closing in on me,

a dark cloud.

And I want to run

and run and run,

but it keeps following me.

Then you mustn't run away.

Turn and face it.

That's what I always do.

But aren't you ever afraid?

Everyone's afraid

once in a while.

For instance, a minute ago I was afraid

when I thought

Jim was alive.

I thought the way you did,

that they were doing

something awful to him.

And you see what happened?

I made you afraid.

And that was stupid.

Fear is stupid.

Get some rest.

I'll try.

You wanted to see me?

Yes.

I know

Julie likes you.

I thought

it would be nice

for her

to have a companion,

but I thought I'd also made it clear

she cannot have her head.

I'm told you were both

in Jim's room

and that Julie was greatly upset.

Can't you see

that dwelling on Jim

is the worst possible

thing you could do to Julie?

I don't know

what plans you have

in that devious

feminine mind.

If you're trying to

enlist Julie's sympathy,

don't do it.

And if I ignore

your advice?

I'll kick you out.

That wouldn't do any good.

Julie's very fond of me.

That's exactly why

I've been so forbearing.

So long as you're in this house,

I'd like her to keep

her illusions about you.

She wouldn't have any if

she knew why you're here.

If I'm to believe you're acting

in Julie's best interests,

then you must believe I'm here

because I have a right to be.

Of course, Mrs. Demarest.

You're here because you're

a member of the family,

an unhappy bride of five months.

You're wasting your time.

Don't forget, Mr. Caldwell,

I have a card up my sleeve-

a little matter of a will which

your lawyer is attempting to find.

I can assure you that if

Davenport does find the will,

I, for one, shall be vastly relieved.

The Caldwells have always

been very proud of their women.

No doubt you've noticed their

portraits around the walls.

All of them beautiful.

Some of them clever.

My grandfather, for

instance, married a dancer.

She was

the toast of Paris.

Doesn't sound

like a Caldwell.

He was

a venturesome fellow.

Sailed around the horn as a lad.

Captain of

a sailing ship.

Care for a drink?

Unfortunately, his

romance with the dancer

came to a bad end.

Really?

She died two months

after they were married.

What a pity.

He poisoned her.

Something wrong?

Quite an interesting

liqueur, isn't it?

Made from a recipe

belonging to our family

and only used on special occasions.

You consider this a special occasion?

I certainly do.

Lovely color, too, isn't it?

And a fascinating name-

lagrima sangue.

Do you know Italian?

Enough to know that it

means tears of blood.

I forgot. Of course.

You're a college graduate, aren't you?

Well, to the will.

Bless its little heart.

It's very good.

Thank you.

I'm glad to see you have an

appreciation of good things.

In fact, I'm beginning to

realize it more and more.

You're altogether

a very charming person.

Thank you.

Attractive.

I like women with steady eyes,

firm chin.

My teeth are also very good.

And, of course, a sense of humor.

Am I to turn this into a

mutual admiration society?

I think

it's a little late

for you to change your

first impression of me.

You don't like me, do you?

Hmm...

Silence is revealing.

I'm the silent type.

Are you?

I wonder what type you really are.

Surely your scientific mind

has figured that out by now.

It would be interesting to

know into which category I fall.

Category?

Don't you catalog all women

and keep them neatly filed

in a sort of

mental card index?

In my human relations,

I'm quite open-minded.

You surprise me.

Then I am progressing.

Yes.

I think it's time

I got dressed for dinner.

By dinnertime, we'll be

right back where we started.

You underestimate yourself.

Then I have made an

impression. A good one, I hope.

Don't answer. Just let

me use my imagination.

Can I trust it?

Not to carry me too far?

I'd sooner

not commit myself.

I prefer to give it free rein.

I'd like to probe behind that

sphinxlike exterior of yours,

find out what goes on

behind those eyes...

Those very lovely eyes.

Why did you do that?

The scientist in me

came uppermost.

The scientist?

Yes.

Purely research.

I wanted to confirm my

first impression of you.

And did you?

I did.

Mrs. Demarest!

Mrs. Demarest!

Miss Julie would like to know

if she could borrow your cold cream.

Certainly, Angela.

Did miss Julie have a rest?

Oh, yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

No! Don't! Don't!

Please don't!

I'm just doing what

I'm told, miss Julie.

Miss Julie is asleep.

Mrs. Demarest, I've

been meaning to ask you.

Would you like some hot

chocolate before bed?

Now that you've mentioned

it, it sounds very nice.

Sorry. You could have had it last night.

I'm new. It takes a while

to get used to things.

It's not too much trouble?

Oh, no. Miss Julie

always has hot chocolate.

Mr. Caldwell has sandwiches and scotch

in the laboratory.

Must be a problem to get

anything to Mr. Caldwell

sealed up in his lab.

Becket always fixes his tray.

It goes up

in the dumbwaiter.

Of course

nobody else does it.

Mr. Mark is so particular

about the laboratory.

I guess he does need

something working so late.

Sometimes he works as late as 2:00.

Sometimes all night, I wager.

No, ma'am. He has

very regular habits.

It's never later than 2:00.

He's sort of particular about that.

He likes us to be regular, too.

For instance, Becket always

sends the tray up at 12:00.

Once it was 12:30, and

Mr. Mark didn't like it.

I'll bring your hot chocolate

in just a few minutes.

Thank you, Angela.

You mustn't come here

again unless I tell you.

You understand?

Is everything all right

at three hills?

I wish you could come out

sometime.

That's impossible.

You mean on account of that girl?

Who is she?

She claims to be Jim's wife.

Jim's wife?

We're checking her story.

In the meantime, if she

should find out anything-

that's my problem.

That prescription you wanted

is in

the filing cabinet.

I'll get it

while you're here.

I'm getting kind of worried

about the prescriptions.

I don't like the idea of

filling it around here.

You know how the gossips

are at the drugstore.

Everybody knows

everybody else's business.

Have it filled in Salem.

Don't bother me with details.

You sure Doc Reynolds is all right?

Reynolds is a old family friend.

I'll take care of him.

I'm not suggesting you're

not doing your part.

Stop talking nonsense.

I don't remember

sending that tray down.

Aah!

Where is she?

Don't look.

Julie! Julie!

Oh, no.

No.

It was an accident.

She was trying to run away-

that's a lie.

It was an accident.

That's a lie!

This way, doctor.

I'll have to notify the coroner.

That's the law in case of violent death.

If she was trying

to run away,

she wouldn't have taken this. It's mine.

Someone else packed it.

Someone who does

what you tell her to do.

Stop that, Angela.

I'll never forgive myself, never...

Being asleep last night

when it happened.

Maybe if I'd been awake,

I might have heard something

and stopped her some way.

Nobody could have done

anything last night.

It happened too quickly.

Come.

We're finished in here.

Three hills.

Have you any explanation

for your remarkable behavior?

What is this insane

desire to get into my lab?

I want to find Jim.

And what makes you think

Jim has risen from the dead?

I don't think he is dead.

You really are

a remarkable woman.

You fling the most

amazing accusations at me

without proof of any kind...

Or do you think

you have some proof?

Maybe.

Don't try my patience too far.

What do you know?

I don't know

what you've done to Jim

or where he is,

but I do know

what happened to Julie.

You drove her to her death.

It was an accident.

I don't believe it.

I don't give

a hoot in Hades.

I warned you about Julie.

You ignored my advice.

Filling her head with

stupid ideas about me.

You made her afraid.

The poor kid

tried to run away

from the home

where she was loved.

Why did you keep her

a prisoner?

I thought it best for her.

The night I arrived, she talked

about your treatment of Jim.

There's something else

you should know.

Everything she said about

hearing a man's voice scream

was all true.

I know

because I heard it, too.

She was with me.

We heard it together.

She was with you?

In my room.

We knew you were lying.

I see.

And to what use do you

intend putting this knowledge?

Well, what are you going to do?

Answer me!

I think

you'd better leave.

Wait.

You seem to prefer that way.

Here's something else you may need.

"Earth to earth,

"ashes to ashes,

"dust to dust.

"In sure and certain hope

of the resurrection

"unto eternal life through

Our Lord Jesus Christ,

"at whose coming in glorious

majesty to judge the world,

"the earth and the sea

shall give up their dead,

"and the corruptible bodies

of those who sleep in him

shall be changed and made like

unto his own glorious body."

Oh, Marta, you'll all be

leaving on tonight's train.

Yes, sir.

I'll be driving. You can

take my things with you.

Pack me an overnight bag, will you?

Yes, sir.

The last time

of anything is sad,

but sometimes

not knowing it is the

last time is even worse.

I was thinking of that ride

Julie and I took together.

If she had known,

how she would have

drained every last moment

of its happiness.

They could at least

have left this room alive

until we left.

You may not believe it,

but this was once

a very happy house...

When Jim and Julie

were kids.

I remember one summer- 4th

of July, I think it was-

we invited everybody

from Miles around

to come and celebrate

and bring their kids.

Julie had

a small pony then.

She must have been

about 5 or 6, I guess.

She was giving

the other kids rides.

One little guy got bucked

off into the fish pond.

She laughed so hard

at that kid standing there

shivering in his wet things,

all the other kids

started jumping in, too,

just to hear her laugh

some more.

That's the effect

her laughter had on you.

You wanted to hear it

again and again.

There's something

I'd like to show you.

Most people don't appreciate

fine old pieces like this.

I thought perhaps you might.

This was my father's

wedding present to my mother...

And this was given to my

sister when Jim was born.

No jewel

is quite like a pearl.

Just like the ocean

they come from-

the same depth,

the same coldness.

The same subtle cruelty

just beneath the surface.

This my brother and I

gave her when Julie was born.

That was a great event

for a us, a girl.

The Caldwells

generally run to boys.

These were all meant for Julie

when she grew old enough

to appreciate them.

Take what you want.

Why me?

You're Jim's widow.

You've changed your mind

about me, haven't you?

I spoke to Davenport on

the telephone this morning.

Jim's safety deposit box

has been found.

I see.

It was opened by court order.

The will was in it

completely attested.

It's a little late for apologies.

Things have gone

too far for that.

I'm leaving for Washington.

You're welcome to stay

in the Boston house

as long as you want.

I can't understand

why you want me around

after what's happened.

When tragedy strikes a house,

the lives

of everyone in it

become tangled up.

What are you going to do?

I haven't decided yet.

You know, I-

I really am very sorry

for having treated you

the way I have.

Thank you.

And there's

something else.

Come with me, will you?

Where are we going?

To my lab.

You always wanted to

get in there, didn't you?

Well, I did, but now-

at least give me a chance

to change your opinion of me.

Why bother?

I wouldn't want you leaving

thinking badly of me.

What makes you think

showing me an empty room

will change

my opinion of you?

It'll be a beginning.

Of what?

We seem to have built

a wall between us.

I'd like to try to break it down.

You see, Sandra,

I find I like you very much,

very much indeed.

What is this?

More scientific research?

You don't forget very easily, do you?

No.

No, I don't forget.

This room

I think you know.

You see?

Simple workroom.

No hidden secrets,

no mysterious strangers.

Who is Laidell?

Laidell?

He's a sort of gamekeeper.

Been with you a long time?

Quite long.

Like doctor Reynolds,

an old and trusted friend

as well as a servant?

That's right.

Must be wonderful

to command such loyalty.

It is.

How can you give it all up,

go and live in an

apartment in Washington,

leave this house, this estate?

I couldn't work here anymore.

There's too many

unhappy memories.

What are you doing about the horses?

Horses?

Selling them.

Have they gone yet?

No. Why?

I should like to ride.

Do you mind?

Of course not.

There's nothing to do

until we leave tonight.

I'll call down

to the stables.

Roberts, Mrs. Demarest

is going riding.

Yes.

Let her have Colonel, will you?

Good afternoon, Mrs. Demarest.

Well, there he is all ready.

Thanks, Roberts.

I shan't be long.

What will you do now that

the house is being closed?

I got a job at the mannings', ma'am.

Have you been here long?

About five years before the war.

Were you in the service?

Yes, ma'am.

Canadian air force.

Two years overseas.

Well, there he is.

He needs some exercise.

A good horse, he is.

I'll miss him.

I don't want to ride off the estate.

How far does it extend exactly?

Go down the road

as far as that other gate

and back into the woods

as far as them three hills.

The three hills?

That's the game preserve.

It's a lonely place.

Nobody goes there no more.

Is there a lodge there?

Yes, ma'am.

Never used no more.

If you're thinking

of riding over that way,

I shouldn't.

It's overgrown.

Don't worry. I won't.

Have a good ride, ma'am.

Jim! Jim!

All right!

I'm coming!

Jim.

Jim.

I've been searching for you

everywhere,

ever since I came to Willow Miles.

Willow Miles?

Don't you remember me?

It's so difficult to remember.

It's been difficult

ever since the accident.

What accident?

I'll be all right.

I'll stay here until I'm well.

The Laidells take care of me.

What do you mean,

take care of you?

They give me things

to make me sleep.

If they didn't,

I wouldn't be able to.

Jim, listen to me.

Don't you remember

the things you told me

about Mark

trying to get your money?

That's why we married-

to stop him from getting it.

Surely, you remember that.

Mark sent me here.

You told me you thought he

was planning to murder you.

Sandra, I remember you.

Jim, last week there was a funeral.

It was a mock funeral.

People think you're dead.

Mark arranged it.

Why do you lie to me?

Why should Mark

do a thing like that?

He has control of your

money and Julie's, too.

Julie's too young

to give him his way.

He won't hurt her.

Jim... Julie is dead.

She was driven to her

death. Mark did it.

You say Mark did it?

He has all the money,

just as you were afraid of.

I was afraid of that.

He's closing the house,

going away.

No one must know

you're alive.

Don't you understand, Jim?

But you know, Sandra.

He can't close my mouth

with money

the way he did the

undertaker and the doctor.

But he can close your mouth.

He wouldn't dare.

What's that?

Laidell.

Supper's ready!

Coming!

Now listen to me.

Go back to the house.

I'll have to wait till

they think I'm asleep.

When they give me my sleeping

pills, I'll fool them.

After they're asleep,

I'll leave.

Jim!

Take it easy, Laidell.

I'm coming.

Take this path here.

It leads around

behind the shed

where they keep the truck.

Mrs. Laidell will be

coming back with it.

Slip through the gate

before she locks it.

How are you

going to get out?

I'll meet you at the house.

Don't worry. They both sleep like logs.

Watch yourself.

Jim. Jim, what's going on?

You're like an old hen,

Laidell. Here I am.

How about some cards after dinner?

Why, sure. Sure, Jim. Anything you say.

What happened?

I was thrown.

I thought so when the

horse came back without you.

We've searched

for hours.

I'm sorry.

Oh, that's all right.

It's lucky you weren't hurt.

I kept a fire going in

the library. Come on in.

You must have ridden

quite a long way.

Yes.

How far?

I don't know.

Through the woods.

I can't tell exactly.

Roberts.

It's all right.

Mrs. Demarest is back.

Yes.

Well, I won't see you again,

so goodbye, and thank you.

Well, it's too late

for the train,

so you'll have to

drive in with me.

Marta left you a tray.

Won't you eat something?

No, thank you.

I'm not hungry.

The sooner we go,

the better.

Would you mind

if I stayed here tonight?

I'll take a taxi to the

station in the morning.

The house is closed.

There's no one here.

I can manage.

Then I'll stay on, too.

I wouldn't want you to change

your plans on my account.

That's all right.

I prefer it.

I don't like driving

at night either.

I'll be all right, really.

Won't you please-

you're not trying to drive me

out of my own house, are you?

No, of course not.

Look...

Sandra...

You and I may never

see each other again,

so there's something

I should tell you.

I think I will have

something to eat.

I'll take it to my room.

Why don't you just

have it by the fire?

I'll see you in the morning. Good night.

Jim.

Jim.

Jim, I-

what are you doing?

Let me go.

What made you think

I was Jim?

You still think

he's alive, don't you?

Yes.

I don't know who or what

was in the coffin,

but Jim is alive.

I've seen him.

I've spoken to him.

All right.

You want the truth,

you'll have it.

I tried to tell you inside,

but you wouldn't listen.

You're not going

to like it.

There was a very good

reason for the will

that made me trustee

for Jim and Julie.

Their father died

in a sanitarium,

violently insane.

Their father was in...

Oh, no.

No.

There's proof

in my safe.

I wonder if you...

If you have any idea

what it is to live in

the shadow of insanity.

The terror of it.

The...

Well, if you had, you could

understand a lot of things.

Ever since

they were children,

I had to take care

of them, watch them,

for any sign of that terrible thing

I knew

was in their blood.

I took them to the finest psychiatrists,

the finest doctors.

They could do nothing

except tell me to...

Watch them.

Watch them carefully.

I did my best.

If you are

telling the truth,

what really happened to Julie?

I can only give you an opinion.

No one was in the room

with her.

No one spoke to her.

I think Julie knew

about herself.

I believe

she committed suicide.

Then why did you try to make

it look like an accident?

I had to because of...

Because of my brother.

If his enemies, and

he has plenty of them,

ever knew that a Caldwell

had committed suicide,

that there was insanity

in the family-

you said the insanity

is in the Demarest blood.

That wouldn't have stopped them.

They would have crucified

him. I had to protect him.

Why do you keep Jim a prisoner?

Jim killed a man.

I don't believe it.

Don't you? You're

going to listen anyway.

He was on vacation in Canada,

shortly after you were

married, I imagine.

His car skidded,

there was an accident.

He got into an argument

with a gas station attendant,

hit him with a wrench.

He died the next day.

I used every bit of

influence my brother and I had

to keep it out of

the American papers.

The upshot of it was...

The court committed him to my care.

Rigid confinement for

the rest of his life.

Most of the time he's quite normal.

Then something happens that

upsets him, and he goes berserk.

Like the other night.

I had to keep him in that wing

until the compound was ready.

Now perhaps you can imagine how I felt

when you suddenly appeared

and claimed to be his wife.

I had been warned that

under no circumstances

could either Jim or Julie

ever marry, have children.

But it can't be true.

I've seen Jim.

I've talked with him.

He's as normal as you or I. He-

Jim!

He was telling you a lot of

lies, and you believed him.

No, I didn't.

But you might have killed him.

Would it make

any difference?

Are you in love with him?

No, Jim, of course not, but I...

You are in love with him.

Let me go.

You're going away

with me.

But first I want

to destroy those papers.

The papers?

I heard Mark.

I can open the safe.

I don't want any proof...

Proof of anything.

We'll get in a car

and go away.

You do want to go away

with me, don't you, Sandra?

Don't you?

Sandra!

Why are you

afraid of me, Sandra?

I've never hurt anybody.

You and Mark think

you'll put me away again,

but you won't

get the chance.

I don't want you

to go back there.

I begged you

to come with me.

You think I'm crazy.

I'm not.

I won't hurt you, Sandra.

I know, Jim. I know.

Jim!

Don't move.

If you do, I'll...

I'm not going back in that

pen for the rest of my life.

You hate me.

No, Jim. No.

Yes, you do.

So does Sandra.

I heard enough just now.

I don't like people to hate me.

Nobody hates you, Jim.

Let's talk about this...

Quietly.

This could only make

trouble for all of us.

No. No!

I'm going

my own way.

I warn you, don't try to stop me.

Aah!

It's...

It's better this way.

It was all my fault.

No. No, you shouldn't

blame yourself.

I was so stubborn.

So suspicious.

So hard to convince.

Why not?

I didn't trust you either.