Curse of the Demon (1957) - full transcript

It has been written...

since the beginning of time...

even onto these ancient stones...

that evil,

supernatural creatures exist...

in a world of darkness.

And it is also said...

man, using the magic power...

of the ancient runic symbols...

can call forth

these powers of darkness...

the demons of hell.

- I must see Dr. Karswell at once.

- Who shall I say is calling?

Professor Harrington.

Tell him it's most urgent.

I'm afraid Mr. Karswell

is not at home, sir.

I know he's here. Tell him

I won't leave until he does see me.

- I'm very sorry, sir.

- Well, go back and say...

- Karswell.

- That's all right, Bates.

Please, come in.

This way.

- Good evening.

- Good evening.

Mother...

Well, I'll go and see

about some tea.

That won't be necessary.

We shall only be a minute.

Call it off, Karswell.

Stop this thing you've started...

and I'll admit publicly I was totally

wrong and that you were totally right.

It's very gratifying to hear that,

but some things...

are more easily started

than stopped.

But I've heard it.

I've seen it. I know it's real!

You involved me

in a public scandal.

I protested.

You said, "Do your worst,"

and that's precisely what I did.

Please, Karswell.

I'll stop this investigation.

When Holden arrives,

I'll tell him I've made a mistake.

I'll send a statement

to the newspapers.

No more newspapers. All I ask for

is privacy for myself and my followers.

- Well, I promise.

- All right. That's good enough.

Then you'll stop this?

You've still got that parchment

I gave you?

The runic symbols?

No, they burned. I couldn't stop it.

I see. Well, I think

perhaps you'd better go home.

- Then you will help me?

- I'll do all that I can.

- Karswell, if you only knew.

- I do know.

Thank you.

- Good night, Mrs. Karswell.

- Good night.

Thank you again.

Good-bye, Professor.

Excuse me.

I can't get out.

- Sorry.

- Good.

Here they come.

Dr. Holden?

I'm Lloyd Williamson.

- Professor Harrington's personal aide.

- How are you?

I'm so glad I'd be able

to meet you here, sir.

The professor had planned

to meet you here himself, but he...

- Well...

- Dr. Holden?

We're the press, sir.

Could you spare a few minutes?

- What makes me news?

- Ghosts.

What exactly is the function

of this convention you're attending?

Investigation of international reports

on paranormal psychology.

"Para" what psychology?

Just say mind-reading,

fortune-telling, spirits and zombies.

Operator, I'm still waiting

for my number.

I'm sorry. The number you requested

is reported out of order.

Could you check it, then?

It's to Professor Harrington's house.

That is the correct number, but

I'm sorry. The line is out of order.

Oh. Thank you.

Sorry to keep you waiting,

Williamson.

You were saying

Professor Harrington couldn't come.

I'm afraid I have

some terrible news for you.

Professor Harrington

was found dead this morning.

Found dead?

Sorry to disturb you, but there's

so much to do and so little time.

I'll be right out.

The police say that

Professor Harrington was electrocuted.

Somehow, his car ran into

a power line outside his house.

It was a terrible accident.

He must've died instantly.

- The services will be held tomorrow.

- I'll be there.

This is Mark O'Brien. He's been

working with Professor Harrington.

- He'll continue to do so with you.

- Fine.

You'll have to forgive me.

I had a little sleep to catch up on.

- Of course.

- Sit down. I won't be very long.

- What is this?

- Part of O'Brien's research...

which is tied up with

the Karswell Devil Cult investigation.

I see.

Let me get some clothes on.

I wrote Professor Harrington recently

that if he wanted to find the key...

to Karswell's phony supernatural power,

all he had to do...

was check the psychological makeup

of some of his followers.

I know,

but we ran into difficulty.

The one cult member

we persuaded to speak up...

A farmer named Rand Hobart...

Was arrested several weeks ago

as an alleged murderer.

He can still be useful.

I'm afraid not.

His mind is in total collapse.

He's in a state of catatonic shock

and in a home for the criminally insane.

Why do you say "alleged murderer"?

That's just my personal view.

A short while ago at the asylum,

I succeeded in rousing Hobart.

Under hypnosis,

he produced this drawing.

It's crude, but remarkably similar

to these copies...

of old woodcuts

and medieval drawings...

of a fire demon invoked

by witchcraft to destroy an enemy.

You mean you think that thing

committed the murder?

I thought the purpose of our convention

was to disprove that type of thinking.

- Yes, but Mark says...

- I'll speak for myself, Lloyd.

I'm a scientist also, Dr. Holden.

I know the value

of the cold light of reason.

But I also know the deep shadows

that light can cast.

The shadows that can

blind men to truth.

What truth? Myths.

Demonology and witchcraft

have been discredited...

since the Middle Ages.

I wrote a book about it.

That's why I'm here.

Then explain how

an uneducated farmer like Hobart...

could know anything

about this creature...

whose legend has persisted through

civilization after civilization.

Babylonian, Baal, Egyptian...

Sethtyphon, Persian, Asmodeus...

Hebraich, Moloch...

Come in.

Good evening. KT Kumar, Bombay,

apologizes for being late.

That's quite all right, Kumar.

We're just about to begin.

- This is Dr. Holden.

- How do you do?

Dr. Holden.

I'm very pleased to meet you.

Your work on hypnotism

is a great favorite of mine.

Thank you. Now, we were just talking

about devils and demons.

What are your views on the subject?

I believe in them.

Absolutely.

You'll find the library

straight through, sir.

I'm sorry, sir,

but the last volume you asked for...

The True Discoveries

of the Witches and Demons...

Is not available.

What does "not available" mean?

It should be in

our restricted section.

The only known existing copy...

is over 400 years old, you know.

Yes, I know.

It seems to be missing.

Most peculiar.

I'm having it checked.

It was mentioned

in these research notes.

Never mind. I can probably

find what I want in these.

I hope so, sir.

I'll do my best to trace it.

Excuse me, sir.

I couldn't help overhearing

your conversation with the librarian.

You're interested in seeing The True

Discoveries of Witches and Demons.

- Is that it?

- Yes.

I have a copy I'll gladly

put at your disposal.

Then the British Museum

didn't have the only copy.

Apparently not, Dr. Holden.

I have what is perhaps

the finest library in the world...

on witchcraft and the black arts.

- You know my name.

- Oh, yes.

And you know mine.

I'm Julian Karswell.

It's rather difficult to talk here.

Why not come out to my place

in the country? The book's there.

If I don't find what I want,

I might take you up on that.

Delighted.

Just one thing.

Let's understand each other.

My investigation

of you and your cult...

won't be stopped.

But if I could make my point,

I could persuade you.

I'm not open to persuasion.

But a scientist

should have an open mind.

That's what investigations are for.

Well...

in any event, here's my card.

Lufford Hall.

It's near Wargrave.

I'll be seeing you soon, I'm sure.

Excuse me.

How clumsy.

I'm so, so sorry.

Here are your papers, sir.

- Thank you.

- Good-bye.

Don't leave it too long.

Can I help you, sir?

Did you see that man

who was just here?

I can't say that I did.

- What do you make of this?

- It's a visiting card.

No, I mean the handwriting on it.

- No handwriting.

- Yes, there is.

Forget it.

Nice of you to drop in, Kumar.

Good evening, Holden.

Why, Mr. Holden.

Are you ill?

- I'm all right. Hello, Mark.

- I phoned you earlier.

The authorities have been difficult

about cooperating on Hobart.

We need the family to sign a release.

I have it here.

If it's gonna be that much trouble,

forget it.

His memory patterns

are probably worthless anyway.

Besides, I've met this Karswell.

- He's just a harmless faker.

- You are a very skeptical man.

That's what Karswell said.

- Care for a nightcap?

- I wouldn't mind.

Haven't you gentlemen heard that

alcohol is the devil's brew?

And interested as I am in the devil,

I never indulge, thank you.

O'Brien, don't you think that...

O'Brien, don't you think that...

skepticism is

the scientific attitude?

Oh, sometimes.

All good scientists

are from Missouri.

In other words, they should

continually be saying, "Show me."

- And if you are shown?

- Then I'll look twice.

- Like water?

- No, thank you.

The whole question

of this demon monster...

that you think shocked Hobart

out of his mind...

is a perfect example of

auto-suggestion and mass hysteria.

Just the same as flying saucers.

Someone imagines that

they see moving lights in the sky.

And the next thing,

a thousand hysterical witnesses...

turn up all over the world swearing

that Martians are attacking us.

And now, this nonsense.

It even affects serious men

like yourselves.

Sometimes, even me.

But logic... the reality

of the seeable and the touchable...

That's what convinces me finally.

Certainly not rumor

or intuition or funny feelings.

Here's how.

I wouldn't dream of arguing with you.

You say, "Show me."

I say, "Look for yourself."

You know, the devil has something here.

Very pleasant.

He's most dangerous

when he's being pleasant.

Look, Mark,

I don't want to be arbitrary...

about this Hobart business,

if you're so set on it.

- Let me think it over, will you?

- We haven't much time.

- This is the release form.

- Thank you.

I wonder...

if either of you

could recognize this tune.

It goes something like this.

And then it goes...

Sounds like a distortion

of an Irish folk tune.

About the devil, I believe.

Present devils excepted, of course.

A most odd coincidence.

For in Northern India

there is a similar tune...

which is also part

of an enchantment spell.

Well, that takes care of that.

I guess I must have heard it somewhere.

It kept running through my mind.

Tell me, what have you got in your

program for the convention tomorrow?

Only a few sessions on

extrasensory perception.

The timetable

is over there on the desk.

I'd like to watch you work.

Do you mind?

Not at all.

Be glad to have you.

Holden, you are not leaving us

after the 28th, are you?

No. Why did you ask that?

Well, it's just that all the pages

after the 28th are torn out.

I can't find anything

on this card.

- Nothing at all?

- No.

I could try some absorption tests,

but that would take time.

- How much time?

- Tonight?

Fine. Call me at my hotel

when it's finished.

- Aren't you...

- Yes, on the plane.

- Did you know the professor?

- Did you?

Yes, I worked with him.

I'm John Holden.

Then I must talk to you.

It's very important.

I'm Joanna Harrington.

Professor Harrington was my uncle.

- My deepest sympathies.

- Thank you.

- When can we meet?

- Tonight?

- Call me at my hotel.

- All right.

- 412. Down to the left, miss.

- Thank you.

- Well, come in.

- Thanks.

So you really are Dr. Holden?

All scientists

don't wear thick glasses.

I apologize for bothering you

on the plane.

What was all

that writing about anyway?

Letters to my pupils

about my trip to America.

I'm a kindergarten teacher.

I'm sorry it ended

so tragically for you.

- Thank you.

- Sit down, won't you?

- Would you like a drink?

- No, thanks.

You don't mind if I have one, do you?

I need it.

It's cold tonight, isn't it?

No, it's hot.

Quite hot.

Do you think so?

I heard you're continuing

my uncle's project.

And?

I believe you're in danger.

I found my uncle's diary.

It's all in here.

- You make it sound very menacing.

- It is.

I think it had something to do

with my uncle's death.

Something horrible happened to him.

Something unexplainably horrible.

- I'd like to read it to you.

- Go ahead.

"Met Karswell at Albert Hall concert."

He puts three exclamation marks

after that sentence.

Karswell can be

a pretty startling character.

- You've met him?

- This morning.

Listen to this.

"Karswell most pleasant."

Lost my program during concert,

and Karswell gave me his.

"A nice gesture,

since I save them."

That doesn't sound

particularly menacing.

Wait.

"Today I found the parchment..."

in the concert program

Karswell gave me.

"It had runic symbols drawn on it."

That's not mysterious.

Runic symbols are the oldest form

of an alphabet.

They're found carved on ancient stones,

like hieroglyphics.

They're supposed to have magic powers.

They don't.

"The parchment acted

as if it were alive."

It pulled from my hand

and flew into the fire and burned.

I think I can guess

what Karswell has done to me.

I'm under some kind of witch's spell.

My mind is in the balance.

"Must speak to Holden about this."

Unfortunately, you came too late.

What you're trying to tell me is...

your uncle was killed by witchcraft.

As a doctor,

I can assure you you're wrong.

Please don't treat me like

a mental patient who has to be humored.

I also majored in psychology.

- I'm sorry. I didn't mean...

- You could learn a lot from children.

They believe in things in the dark

until we tell them it's not so.

Maybe we've been fooling them.

Good night, Dr. Holden.

I'm really quite flattered you've taken

such an interest in my welfare.

Don't be. If I hadn't been away,

my uncle might still be alive.

- It was an accident.

- I don't believe that.

I loved my uncle very much, and I want

to know exactly what happened to him.

You don't seem to share my view.

Good night.

Wait just a minute.

I've tested this card

through and through.

There's been no chemical

used on it.

Are you sure? Couldn't it

have rubbed off in my pocket?

Maybe, but some of it certainly would

have been absorbed into the card...

and my absorption tests

would have shown it.

This card is 100% clean.

I guarantee it.

I see.

Well, thank you.

How would you like to show me

the way to Lufford Hall...

and the friendly

Mr. Karswell tomorrow?

- Then you think...

- Don't jump to conclusions.

I just wanna borrow a book from him

and discuss a chemistry problem.

- Are you sure this is Karswell's place?

- That's what it said back there.

I don't know what his racket is,

but it pays very well.

Sounds like a human sacrifice.

Well, you remember

the magic word, of course.

- Yeah!

- Now!

It's magic.

Just a tame magician.

So that was it.

That was what?

The answer to

my chemistry problem.

Why don't...

Right, children. Now,

just be good for a few minutes.

I shall be back.

- Holden. Delighted to see you.

- I hope we're not intruding.

Not at all. Just my annual Halloween

party for the village children.

I'll come right up.

- He's just a nice old guy.

- Perhaps he's Santa Claus in disguise.

I didn't recognize you.

I used to earn my living

like this years ago.

You see before you

Dr. Bobo the Magnificent.

Excuse me.

This is Miss Joanna Harrington.

- Miss, uh, not by any chance...

- Yes. He was my uncle.

I was very sorry

to hear of his accident.

He was a man of great principle.

Mother?

I'd like you to meet my mother.

You must try her homemade ice cream.

She's very proud of it.

- May I introduce Dr. Holden.

- How do you do?

And Miss Joanna Harrington.

Miss Harrington is a niece

of Henry Harrington's.

Dr. Holden's going to borrow

a book from my library.

- I've asked them to stay.

- How nice. Do you like ice cream?

- Yes, I love it.

- Come with me. I'll give you a treat.

- Would you like to try some?

- Not right now, thank you.

Say, this is quite a place

you have here.

Yes, yes.

Let me show you around.

Snakes and Ladders. An English game.

You wouldn't know it.

You see, if you land at the foot

of the ladder, you climb up to the top.

But if you land on the head of a snake,

you slide all the way down again.

Funny thing.

I always preferred sliding down

the snakes to climbing up the ladders.

You're a doctor of psychology.

You ought to know the answer to that.

Maybe you're a good loser.

I'm not, you know.

Not a bit.

Just how much do you know

about this book that you're after?

Not very much. Only that Professor

Harrington referred to it in his notes.

A remarkable work. The few men

that really understood it...

learned many strange

and terrifying secrets.

Only a few?

Is it that hard to understand?

I spent my life

trying to decipher it.

The ancient sorcerers

who wrote it knew their information...

was far too valuable to entrust

to any known language.

I didn't realize

what I was asking for.

You don't believe in witchcraft?

Do you?

Do I believe in witchcraft?

What kind of witchcraft?

The legendary witch that rides

on the imaginary broom?

The hex that tortures

the thoughts of the victim?

The pin stuck in the image

that wastes away the mind and body?

Also imaginary.

But where does imagination end

and reality begin?

What is this twilight...

This half-world of the mind that

you profess to know so much about?

How can we differentiate

between the powers of darkness...

and the powers of the mind?

- This is a stick-up!

- How terrifying.

What do I see here?

Yes, some chocolate, I do believe.

And there as well.

Here we are.

Gosh! Chocolate!

Wonderful, aren't they?

If only we grown-ups...

could preserve their capacity

for simple joys and simple beliefs.

I see you practice

white magic as well as black.

Oh, yes.

I don't think it would be

too amusing for the youngsters...

if I conjured up

a demon from hell for them.

Or for myself, for that matter.

As we're not protected by the magic

circle, we'd both be torn to shreds.

And you'd spoil the party.

You're so right.

But how to prove my point.

There. It's done.

What is?

A magician doesn't like

to expose his magic, black or white.

- Where are the others?

- They probably went 'round by the back.

I didn't know

you had cyclones in England.

We don't.

- You probably could use a drink.

- The perfect host.

This way.

I'm sorry. I miscalculated.

The wind's stronger than I expected.

Much too much.

You're talking in riddles.

To prove my point.

A medieval witch's specialty...

A wind storm.

Take my professional advice

and stick to rabbits and puppy dogs.

You think I'm mad?

Unfortunately, you won't be able...

to explain away your death

on the 28th of this month so easily...

with my prediction of it

at this moment.

You're really serious, aren't you?

You will die as I said...

at 10:00 on the 28th of this month.

Your time allowed

is just three days from now.

"My time allowed."

Oh, yes, your trick with the card.

Very good too.

I'm sorry you remain so skeptical.

But as the time gets closer,

mental disintegration will set in.

First, weakness and unsureness.

And then horror, as the fear of

what is behind you grips your heart.

Because it's there, Dr. Holden.

It's there!

It has been from the moment

we met in the museum.

You actually believe this nonsense.

I asked you to drop

this ridiculous investigation.

Perhaps you will

before it's too late.

Well, it's nice to know that

I do have a way out, Mr. Karswell.

The choice is yours.

I hope we don't run out of candles

before the power lines are repaired.

Don't you think eating

by candlelight is romantic?

Yes, but not on a night like this.

Shall we have some brandy

in the living room?

I could use something

to warm me up.

Don't say it.

I know you think it's hot in here.

No. As a matter of fact,

it's rather chilly.

Do you know The Ancient Mariner?

Vaguely. I read it in school.

I found a copy of it

in my uncle's desk.

He underlined one part.

"Like one that on a lonesome road

doth walk in fear and dread..."

because he knows a frightful fiend...

"doth close behind him tread."

I hope you don't read poems like that

to your kindergarten class.

When it's important that

a child learn something...

I use the most

direct means available.

I get it, teach.

He scribbled a note

on the next page.

I never had a kindergarten teacher

as pretty as you are.

- I'm serious.

- So am I.

You wouldn't deny a dying man

a last request, would you?

You'll listen whether you like it

or not. You haven't much time left.

"Today I found all the pages

of my desk calendar...

torn out after October the 22nd."

I know why.

He died on the 22nd.

John, what's the matter?

The same thing happened

to my desk calendar, after the 28th.

And I know why.

You put the two together, and

they add up to a very obvious trick.

You see, when a tribal witch doctor

puts a hex on his victim...

he always lets the victim know

well beforehand.

Let me see your uncle's diary.

In case it would

make you feel better...

a parchment has to be passed...

and the person has to

take it without knowing.

My mother taught me never

to take anything from strangers.

- I still don't.

- Then what killed my uncle?

An accident with a falling

power line killed him.

Then he should only

have been burned.

His body was mutilated horribly.

The police said

it could've been an animal.

The only thing they didn't say

was what kind of animal.

What do you expect me to do?

Nobody's free from fear.

I have an imagination

like anyone else.

It's easy to see a demon

in every dark corner.

But I refuse to let this thing

take possession of my good senses.

If this world is ruled by demons and

monsters, we may as well give up now.

Nobody said we were ruled by them.

You just want me to give in to

Karswell's carefully calculated threats.

That's exactly what he wants me to do.

Because he knows he can't stand up

to a real investigation.

If he's so all-powerful,

what's he so afraid of?

I wish I knew.

Are you sure Karswell never

passed anything or gave you anything...

on which the runes

could have been written?

- What if he did?

- Did he?

Well, he could have at the museum

when my notes fell to the floor.

As a matter of fact,

he mentioned the museum the other day.

Yes?

Well, he picked up the papers

and handed 'em back to me.

- Where are they now?

- At my hotel, I suppose.

No.

They're in my briefcase.

I have it here.

He did give you the parchment.

- It's trying to escape!

- It's just the wind.

But it is trying to escape

into the fire!

It's the draft from the chimney.

What made them stop?

I don't know.

That's it, sir.

Number 44.

Thank you.

Over here, John.

I'm sorry I'm late. I just got back

to the hotel and found your message.

It's only a minute or two.

I wanted to wait and go in with you.

- What is this all about?

- I'm not sure I know.

That's why I asked you to come here.

I didn't want to have to explain.

I promised Mrs. Karswell

I'd bring you here.

- Mrs. Karswell?

- John, she wants to help you.

I thought we might take a chance.

I mean, I thought...

at least we might learn something.

After this afternoon, I must confess

there are a few things I don't know.

I'm so glad you've come,

both of you.

Mr. Meek has just telephoned.

He's on his way.

- May I ask who Mr. Meek is?

- The gentleman I want you to meet.

And this is Mrs. Meek.

Miss Harrison...

I mean Harrington,

and Dr. Holden.

- How do you do?

- Excuse me, please.

Don't you worry. All your problems

will be solved. You'll see.

That's very nice.

May I ask how?

- Through tonight's seance.

- Seance?

Yes. Mr. Meek

is the most remarkable medium.

I come to him with all my problems.

Here he is now.

John, she's trying to help you.

I said I'd talk to her.

But this nonsense...

- These things are all phony.

- Oh, please.

You'll hurt Mr. Meek's feelings.

- He really is a most wonderful man.

- Well, good evening.

'Tis a good evening too.

A little warm, perhaps.

Mr. Meek, this is Dr. Holden.

So you're the gentleman who was

in trouble. Maggie, dear?

Well, life's full of

little problems, isn't it?

Let's see. What's yours?

No, perhaps you better not tell me.

The spirits sometimes

resent previous knowledge.

Well, let's see if

we can clear the air.

Well, let's see if

we can clear the air.

Not being part of the circle,

you two had better sit by the window.

Well, Maggie, no point in wasting

these good people's time.

I must be insane to get involved

in a thing like this.

John, please.

Very well, Maggie.

Cherry ripe

Cherry ripe

Ripe, I cry

Full and fair ones

We must all sing.

The spirits like it.

He's going off.

That's really very quick.

He's so helpful, you'll see.

Mrs. Karswell...

Something's here.

Can't you feel it?

That's Crimson Eagle.

He's Mr. Meek's guide.

He's a Red Indian Chief from

an obscure part of your country.

Well, a kindly good evening

to you, friends.

Good evening, Mr. McGregor.

That's Mr. McGregor.

He always comes through.

He's a friend of ours.

Bonny weather we're having.

It'll do a mickle of good

to the flowers and the barley.

Lovely weather, Mr. McGregor.

But I sense we have

strangers in our midst.

Two strangers.

But they're very sympathetic.

Will ya ha' them into the circle?

That's really a great honor.

Mr. McGregor's so particular

who sits in the circle. Here.

Over here, both of you.

- It's my uncle.

- Don't be foolish.

- Are you there, Joanna?

- Yes.

- These things are all faked.

- But it is my uncle! I know his voice!

Please!

You'll hurt Mr. Meek.

Got to...

Got to tell Holden...

he can't fight it.

It's too strong.

He means you must

give up the investigation.

- This is crazy.

- Karswell has the key.

He's translated the old book.

The answer is there.

- No!

- Look!

It's in the trees!

It's coming!

The demon!

It's coming! No!

That does it.

Don't turn the light on!

He's in a trance!

- A trance my eye.

- Maggie, I feel sick.

- You're not the only one.

- He's still alive, no thanks to you.

Don't you know that to wake a medium

out of a trance is to risk his life?

But it was real!

You must do as he says.

Don't you understand?

Oh, dear.

Mr. Holden!

Don't go, Mr. Holden!

Oh, Mr. Holden, you must listen!

Mr. Meek knew nothing!

Let them go. All right, Mother.

Come along with me.

But I tell you, it did sound

like my uncle's voice.

It was Mr. Meek doing

voice impersonations.

And your supposed friend,

Mrs. Karswell, staged the whole thing.

She's looking out

for her son's interests, not mine.

Tomorrow's the 28th.

That would be a real miracle

if Karswell could change time.

What if we did find he really had

a translation of that book.

Would that convince you that

there is something in all this?

It might help.

Then I'm going to Karswell's house

to see if I can find it.

Go ahead.

Aren't you even going

to try to stop me?

It would be easier

to stop Karswell's demon...

than a woman who has

her mind made up.

No lights are showing.

If anybody finds you there,

the charge will be burglary.

Karswell is away.

His mother told me.

If you find a reception committee

waiting for you...

will you believe then that

Mrs. Karswell loves her son, not us?

I hope that's

what does happen.

Don't you see

I want to be wrong?

There's nothing I'd like better

than to find out...

that this is all being put on

just to scare you off.

Where are you going?

- To see if I can get into the house.

- But it was my idea.

You didn't think for a minute that

I'd let you go in there, did you?

- I'll go with you.

- No, it'll be much easier for me.

I can get next to the house by going

through the woods without being seen.

And with you waiting,

I'll hurry back.

- Why did you drop the poker?

- It's red-hot.

It isn't, you know.

My boy, you're as pale as death.

There was something in here.

Nothing to worry you. Just a minor

demon I set to protect the room.

Nothing like the real thing

when you meet it.

It may have been minor,

but it had claws and teeth.

Oh, claws and teeth.

Did you bite the man?

Oh, shame.

I don't keep you as a watch cat.

I left the book in full sight for him.

His name is Greymalkin.

A very fashionable name

for English cats in the Middle Ages.

- They were used in witchcraft.

- It was not that cat.

Oh, yes, it was.

You must have awakened him.

You shouldn't have,

at the time of the full moon...

when cats wander

and witches dance.

Oh, yes. They do dance.

I've seen them.

- You really are crazy, aren't you?

- On the contrary. You seem unhinged.

Is breaking into my house to read

my scribbles an indication of sanity?

- I was talked into that.

- Ah, Miss Harrington, no doubt...

that horribly bright young woman.

- I don't think she'd be flattered.

- At least her head isn't in the sand.

She believes that she can see.

She can.

She believes that she's alive.

She is.

She believes that you'll die

tomorrow night. You will.

Julian, I thought I heard...

It's all right, Mother. Just a social

visit. Dr. Holden was just leaving.

- Is your car outside?

- Housebreakers don't leave cars.

You have a point there. Give my regards

to that intelligent young woman.

If you're thinking of going through

the woods, you might find it unpleasant.

I suggest you use the drive.

I'll put on the light for you.

I have one superstition...

I like to go back the way I came.

He's a very obstinate young man.

I told him not to go through the woods.

He just wouldn't listen.

It was dark in the trees...

and I saw this smoke.

I know this sounds crazy, but...

I could've sworn

the smoke came after me.

And don't forget

Karswell tore out those pages.

I mean,

the book must have had the answer.

Why would he have

torn them out otherwise?

Quite. One usually has

a reason for tearing things out.

And this feeling

of being followed.

And Karswell says

Dr. Holden will die tomorrow night.

Of this enchantment thing?

Forget the hex. Let's say something

came after me. Take it from there.

We've been through

all of this before.

Frankly, I think

a bit of sleep is indicated.

It's extraordinary how different

a thing can look in the morning.

- But there's so little time!

- If what you say is true.

- But it is! All of it!

- Doctor...

I don't think Scotland Yard can be

anything but an interested spectator.

- I see your point.

- You mean, Uncle, you have a victim?

You already have one...

My uncle.

Have we got anything in criminal records

to cover phantoms and demons?

- Not that I know of.

- I didn't think so.

You're right. It will seem

different in the morning.

But it is morning. It's 3:00

in the morning, to be exact.

If you insist on setting the wheels

grinding, will you please wait here?

Spare me a minute, sir.

There's a Dr.John Holden outside, sir.

- The psychology chap?

- That's it, sir.

It's... It's a bit awkward.

He's...

It seems he's bewitched.

You know, broomsticks and all that.

Thinks he's being followed by something.

Apparently,

he's going to die tomorrow night.

- Does he say so?

- Well, not exactly, sir.

There's a young lady with him,

a Miss Harrington.

Apparently, her uncle

went through the same thing.

Thought he was being followed

by something or other.

Thought he was going to die

on a certain night at 10:00.

Did he?

That's the thing that's

got me puzzled, sir. He did.

You look angry.

Maybe that's because I am.

- With me, for bringing you here?

- No. At myself...

for not realizing

what their attitude was bound to be.

Look, Joanna,

let me tell you something about myself.

When I was a kid, I used to walk

down the street with the other kids.

When we'd come to a ladder,

they'd all walk around it.

I'd walk under it, just to see

if anything would happen.

Nothing ever did.

When they'd see a black cat...

they'd run the other way

to keep it from crossing their path.

But I didn't,

and all this ever did for me...

was make me wonder why...

Why people could get so panicky

over absolutely nothing at all.

I've made a career studying it...

maybe just to prove one thing...

That I'm not a superstitious sucker

like about 90 percent of humanity.

But what did you

run from in the woods?

It was a trick gadget that Karswell

had rigged up to frighten me away...

and I fell for the bait

like an idiot.

But he told you himself not

to go back through the trees.

That's good psychology.

The same as he used when he had

your sweet old Mrs. Karswell...

plant the story

about his being away.

Don't bother about him.

He thinks I'm crazy anyway.

I'm beginning to think so myself.

Allowing myself to be stampeded

like this into a state of hysteria...

I suppose you mean by me.

I didn't say you were

doing it deliberately.

But that's what you meant.

Good night, Dr. Holden.

When your partner comes out, tell him

it was just a bad Halloween joke.

I want to clear up everything today,

even if it means...

having the closing session

tonight.

- Is that all right with you?

- Fine.

Hobart's been send down today

by ambulance under guard.

I want to get back to the States

as soon as possible.

I'll get it.

You finish your breakfast.

Yes?

Who's calling?

It's Mrs. Karswell.

Tell her I cut my throat.

Anything. Get rid of her.

She's been calling all night.

Dr. Holden has just left

for the day. I'm sorry.

Hmm?

She's hung up.

Karswell's working

his mother overtime.

Let's go, shall we?

All of us here know that

through the use of hypnotism...

we can unlock certain sections

of the human mind...

that are not

accessible to memory.

A great deal of publicity

has been given lately...

A great deal of publicity

has been given lately...

to hypnotized persons

who supposedly recall...

an existence prior to birth.

In all cases,

we must ask ourselves...

"Do hypnotized people

always tell the truth?"

The subject of hypnotism

brings us to a presentation...

of the late Professor Harrington's

study and investigation...

of people who follow

witch cults...

and practice devil worship.

We're going to perform

an experiment on the platform...

with a Mr. Rand Hobart...

who, through an experience

related to devil worship...

has lost all contact with reality.

Professor O'Brien,

the platform is yours.

We have here

an extraordinary subject.

For a period of time,

this man has been as you see him here.

He fails to respond

to any normal stimulation.

His experience, whatever it was...

which we hope here to discover,

has left him...

in a state of absolute

catatonic immobility.

When I first investigated this case,

the problem of how to hypnotize...

an unresponsive person

was the major one.

Now, the proceedings may be somewhat

dramatic, but they are necessary.

The only way of bringing his mind

out of the womb of darkness...

into which it has retreated

to protect itself...

is by therapeutic shock...

Electrical or chemical.

For our purpose,

we are today using pentathol...

and later methyl amphetamine.

Hobart, look at this.

Look at this.

You see only this.

You see nothing else.

Only the light.

Only this.

You see only the light.

Look at this.

You see only this.

You see nothing else.

You see only this.

Your eyelids are getting heavy.

Tired.

More and more tired.

You're going to sleep.

Sleep.

Calm, restful sleep.

Rest. Sleep.

Now.

You hear nothing but my voice.

Do you understand, Hobart?

You hear nothing but my voice.

The patient is now in a deep trance and

will obey the commands of Dr. Holden.

Methyl amphetamine.

- Do you wish to proceed?

- No, I'll turn him over to you.

- Do you wish to proceed?

- No, I'll turn him over to you.

Hobart, you'll next hear

the voice of Prof. O'Brien.

From that point on,

it will be his voice and his alone...

that you will hear and obey.

Do you understand that?

Yes?

- Do you hear me?

- Yes.

Mine is the only voice you'll hear.

Is that clear?

Yes.

Only you.

Hobart, what is the order

of the true believer?

Those of us

who believe that...

evil is good...

and good evil.

And who revealed this

to you, Hobart?

Who?

The one who has brought us

the wisdom...

of the true belief.

- Julian Karswell?

- Yes.

Now, I want you to come

forward in time.

It is the night of the demon.

You must.

It is the night of the demon.

No! It's there.

I see it in the trees...

the smoke and the fire.

My time allowed

is almost over.

Hobart, what do you mean,

"your time allowed"?

He's not in rapport with you.

Want me to turn him over?

- Yes, please.

- Hobart...

from now on, the only voice you'll hear

is that of Dr. Holden.

Do you understand?

What do you mean by

"your time allowed"?

To prepare for my death.

Why must you die?

I've been chosen.

How will you die?

The parchment was passed to me.

I took it without knowing.

Hobart, open your eyes.

Is this the parchment?

I passed it back to the brother

who gave it to me.

It was the only way.

I had to return it to him.

I didn't want to, but it was

the only way I could save myself.

To save yourself, you had to give it

back to the one who gave it to you?

Yes. Yes.

I had to.

And the demon took him.

Not me! Not me!

You're trying to pass it

to me again.

But I won't take it.

I won't!

Let it escape!

Let it escape!

It was born in fire!

Let it die in fire!

Oh, this is terrible.

Really terrible.

Could you get me a car

to take me to Lufford Hall?

You can use mine.

But why should you want to go there?

I have something to return

to Mr. Karswell. Give me the key.

Certainly.

Dr. Holden. Wait.

- I do not believe he's there.

- How do you know?

Mrs. Karswell told me

earlier on the telephone.

Knowing your attitude, I told her you

would not be interested. Are you?

- Yes, I am.

- She kept saying all evil must end...

but how could it?

- Go on.

- I hardly understood her...

but it seems that her son is taking

the 8:45 train to Southampton tonight.

- Would you know why?

- The 8:45.

Has the Southampton train

come through yet?

- She's in the station now.

- Give me one ticket, please.

Good evening, Dr. Holden.

My boy.

I've been expecting you.

Joanna.

First-stage hypnosis.

Oh, just a convenient way of stopping

idle chatter on the train.

She's not harmed.

I'll bring her out of it.

Now, wake.

There's a friend here.

Talk to him.

- John.

- This is abduction, you know.

Oh, dear me,

no, no, no.

She came quite willingly.

You came willingly,

didn't you?

You remember.

We discussed it...

oh, at great length.

John, he's frightened...

Terrified of you.

I thought it was supposed

to be the other way around.

- He's trying to run away from you.

- You see why I let her sleep?

This idle chatter.

Karswell, I know now...

that you were right

and I was wrong.

Really?

But there is a way out for me.

You always said so.

- Here.

- What's this?

Read it.

You want me to admit your power.

You can send this to any newspaper...

and photostatic copies

to all your followers.

- Isn't that what you want?

- Yes, but it's too late now.

It's six minutes to 10:00.

Well, I guess it was my fault

for not listening to Joanna.

I'm sorry now

that I didn't listen.

And I want to thank you

for convincing me...

of the existence of a world

I never thought possible.

Oh, if only

you'd understood sooner.

I suppose...

I still have time

for a last cigarette.

No, thank you.

I've stopped smoking.

It must have been quite recently.

- Have you got a match?

- Yes, of course.

Thank you.

That's all right. You keep them.

I shan't need them anymore.

You're very generous.

Well, I'll leave you two alone.

I know there's a certain feeling between

you, and you might want to be alone.

Sit down. Your generosity is becoming

overwhelming as it gets closer to 10:00.

You're staying with me, Karswell.

You've sold your bill of goods too well,

because I believe you now.

I believe that in five minutes...

something monstrous and horrible

is going to happen.

And when it does,

you're going to be here...

so that whatever happens to me

will happen to you.

You're insane.

You can't do this.

No?

You're staying here, Karswell.

- You're staying right here.

- No!

Let him go, Holden!

- This man's insane. I must go.

- It's all right, Doctor.

We're the police,

as Holden knows.

We've had you under observation

at his request.

- Fortunately for you, as you can see.

- Yes, I see. Thank you.

It's obvious that Holden has got a bit

of a persecution complex about you.

Something about your

putting a hex on him.

That's ridiculous. If you'll excuse me,

I'm getting out of this station.

Johnny, he's lying. He bought a ticket

to Southampton. I saw it myself.

This is idiotic.

I can leave this train when I want.

- Excuse me.

- Here's your book.

It's not mine.

I found it here when I got on the train.

- Your bag, sir?

- My bag... Oh, yes.

- Yes, of course.

- These are his too.

You want your hat and coat,

don't you, sir?

Oh, yes. Very forgetful of me.

Thank you very much.

You passed them.

You slipped them in my pocket.

- It's two minutes of 10:00.

- Come on.

- What was that?

- Come on.

- There's a man on the track!

- What happened?

I don't know, but I think

the train's hit him.

Maybe it's better not to know.

The train must have

hit him and dragged him.

I thought he was on

the other side, sir.

Don't be ridiculous, Simmons.

Look at him.

The train must have hit him.

You're right.

Maybe it's better not to know.