Marriage a la Mode (1955) - full transcript

Does anybody here speak English?

That's a good one, sir.

Where is this?

What?

But where please, could you tell me where?

20 miles south of Aberystwyth.

Aberystwyth?

You mean Wales?

Wales, that's it, sir, where else?

Wales, Wales.

Oh, excuse me.



Could you tell me the date?
- Fifth.

Fifth.

Thank you very much.

July?

September.

September.

September.

I wonder what I'm doing in Wales.

I woke with the most peculiar
feeling this morning.

It is this morning, isn't it?

It just suddenly occurred to me,

it might be this afternoon after all,

or even this evening.

When I opened my eyes I
saw a pink lamp shade,



then my feet, then I looked in the mirror,

and I didn't know me.

I don't know how I got here

I don't remember leaving anywhere,

or why I came...

I don't even know who I am.

In fact, I don't remember anything...

Afternoon all, afternoon.

Hello Thomson.
- Good afternoon sir.

Thank you, doctor.

How's the patient?

Still a blank?
- Well just the same.

This is Professor Llewellyn,

department of psychological
medicine, South Wales.

How do you do?

Come 70 miles to see you.

You sound just my meat.

U see you've called him Mr. X,

pretty hackneyed old
man, pretty hackneyed.

No external injuries?
- Only a few minor bruises.

Oh well, let battle commence.

Sit down please.

I'm going to try a word association test.

I'm going to fire a
string of words at you.

I want you to reply each time

with the first word that
comes into your head.

You ready?

Uh, grass.

Green.

Book.
- Maker.

Cork.
- Champagne.

Name.

Don't know.

Spring.
- Mendelssohn.

Food.
- Zabaglione.

Come again?
- Zabaglione.

What's that?
- I've no idea.

It's an Italian sweet, sir,

take the yolks of egg, Marsala and sugar,

you whip up the eggs

and then you get...
- Yes, yes, yes,

thanks very much, mhm.

Winter.
- Monte Carlo.

Now, you'll be glad to
hear that there's no question

of brain disease or anything like that.

This is a purely functional thing.

Functional?

I mean I can find no
physical reason for it.

You're a very interesting case.

You remain aware of what one might call

the general background of events

but the you that you know
now has become out of touch

with you as you were before this happened.

How?
- Well your mind has shut out

your past like a sort of watertight door.

But why?

Well, shock.

Overstrain, some crisis perhaps.

We'll know when you're identified.

Well how long am |
going to be like this?

Well it's difficult to say.

Could be any length of time.

What?

Well, isn't there any treatment?

Yes, the safest way
would be to return you

to your accustomed surroundings.

Yes, but we don't know
my accustomed surroundings.

Well, I admit that
is a slight difficulty.

Slight?

Well the police have
only known for a few days.

I don't even know what
sort of character I am.

| couldn't sleep last
night thinking about it.

What do I do?

Am I good or bad?

I might be anything or anybody.

Oh no, not quite.

You're obviously familiar
with life about town,

and used to having money in your pockets.

Your tailor's name isn't in your suit,

but anyone can see it's a Saville Row job.

Ah no, I should say that you're travelled,

well-educated, and
quite probably cultured.

Yes, but I don't think
that helps us at all.

I might be anything from an archdeacon

to a confidence man, they travel.

Yes, yes, exactly.

Well, if there's been no development

by the time I return I'll
try hypnosis or penthathol.

You aren't going away?

Only for two or three days.

I have to pop up to town
for a scientific meeting.

Meanwhile, take it easy, just relax.

Relax?

Good evening Professor,
can I have a word with you?

I'm in a hurry Sergeant, what is it?

I think we may have some
information about your patient.

Yes, it's just come in.

What are you?

Who the devil are you?

The Law?

The Church?

Musician?

Oh no.

The sporting world?

Titled perhaps?

Oh.

A clue, a clue.
- What?

Some news has just
come through about a car.

Austin A40 GBX 676.

Discovered in a ditch new Llangollen,

early morning of the fifth.

We've traced it to a Drive Yourself firm

in London, Car Loan Limited.

He's just called them.
- That's right.

They say it was hired on
the night of the fourth

by a person of your general description.

The dates fit too.

This may be it.

You'd better come up to
London with me in the morning.

Call for you 7:30 sharp, right?

Right.

We oughta be there by four.

Supposing they don't know me?

You'll be no worse off.

I must get those tappets quietened down.

Well sir, these old speed
model three litre Bentleys

always were a little noisy at low speeds.

That's right.

You remember that, do you?

What, oh yes, I suppose I do.

How extraordinary.

This is the place.

Coming in?

Do I have to?
- What's the matter, nervous?

A bit.
- All right, you wait here.

Great news.
- Do they know me?

Yes, you hired that car all right.

Here it is.

Mr. Charles Hathaway, Leighton House,

Mordon Road, Hampstead, NW3.

Hathaway.
- That's you.

Ring a bell?

No.
- Never mind, get in.

Where are we going?

Home, Mr Hathaway, home.

Wait a minute, yes, there it is.

Leighton House, and very nice too.

Mine?
- Presumably.

You recognise it?

No.

Here we go.

No!

I wonder what we shall
find on the other side.

Supposing...

We'll see.

Why sir, this is a pleasure.

What a nice surprise.

Good afternoon.
- Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

We didn't expect you
back quite so soon sir.

Oh, didn't you?

Of course not.

Well he's pleased to see you.

Yes sir, he always goes crazy

when he hears the master's steps.

Down Mark Anthony, down.

Come dog, down, good dog, good dog you.

Madam's in the studio, sir.

Madame?

Come along children.

Hurry up, come along.

Come on.

How many did you make it?

Seven.

Might as well know the worst.

Ready for another Monica?
- In a second.

I'll brighten
the kids up a bit.

Now, let's have a smile dears.

Now keep absolutely still.

Fine.

Just one more children and
then you can all go home.

Gladys, put a jelly in
number two, will you?

Okay, Monica.

Darling!

Oh, what a wonderful surprise.

Oh, how lovely to have you back so soon.

Er yes.

Oh, this is Professor Llewellyn, er...

From Wales.
- How do you do Mrs. Hathaway?

How do you do?

Wales?
- Yes.

That's right.
- Yes, he comes from Wales.

Oh, then you must be another boffin.

Boffin?
- Yes.

Ready Monica.
- Okay, shan't be a minute.

Charles will mix us a
drink, won't you Charles?

How about the lighting Monica?

Just the same.

Ready?

She's a charmer, old man.

Drink.
- Over here.

What am I going to
have did you say Charles?

This is a most extraordinary
situation, Professor.

Why, don't you like her?

Well, that's scarcely the
point, I don't know her.

As far as I'm concerned
she's a complete stranger.

Well, we must look on the bright side.

Think of all your morbid
fancies of yesterday

and then look at all this.

And by gosh, Charles.

Look at all that.

We're all ready now Monica.

Now keep quite still.

Lovely voice.
- Yes, lovely.

Sorry about all that,
but we're nearly through.

Where's my drink?

Oh, I beg your pardon.

What would you like?
- Oh, darling,

the usual of course.
- The usual?

Might I have a word with you, please?

Hmm?
- About Charles?

Charles?
- I think we should have

a little talk, Mrs Hathaway.

I think it'd be an awfully
good idea, Mrs Hathaway.

What?

Shall we wander into the hall?

Come on children,
that's all for the day.

You can all go home, run along.

Hurry up dears.
- Come on.

Yes,
that'll be all children,

now hurry up and change.

That's just about the best photo

Monica's ever taken, I can't imagine

why you wouldn't let her exhibit it.

Uh, modesty, perhaps?

Nobody would accuse
you of that, Charles.

Oh, well, that's worth knowing.

Come along girls.

Good afternoon Mr. Hathaway.

Oh, good afternoon.

Charles.

Oh, Charles, you poor darling.

You poor thing.
- It is a bit of a mess.

I'm awfully sorry.
- Your wife has taken it

wonderfully well.
- Well I've scarcely had time.

I've been so afraid of
something like this.

Charles has such a terribly
responsible position.

Oh?
- I wasn't so far wrong.

It appears you're quite a senior official

at the Ministry of Munitions.

Oh yes, you're second in command

of their research administration.

Am I really?

Oh, splendid.

Well the whole thing's clear to me now.

You've obviously been
bottling up all your worries

without saying a word to the little woman.

The Ministry sends you to Wales,

car skids into ditch,
concussion triggers off

an attack of functional
amnesia, and bob's your uncle.

That sort of thing's absolutely rampant

in our scientific departments these days.

Indirectly, I expect you're
a casualty of the Cold War.

Well, I fancy that clears up the mystery.

Overstrain in a nightmare world.

I'm sorry darling, it's
just taken me unawares.

Yes, of course.

I'm writing a little note for you.

You should report to the Ministry

as soon as you feel fit.

A period of sick leave
should put you right.

Meanwhile, I'm confident that everything

will come back if both
of you will be patient.

When it happens, Mrs Hathaway,

I want you to make an exact
note of his behaviour for me.

You can find me at the Clinical Society

during the next couple of days.

Well, I'm so glad to have
seen you safely home.

You're not going to leave me?

My dear chap, I have a paper to read.

But, we can put you up here.

Can we?
- Of course.

Please, of course.
- No, no.

Your best plan is to lead
a completely normal life.

You'd find that a little difficult

with a medical cuckoo in the nest.

Well, you can stay for dinner anyway.

Well I'm sorry, a
crowded meeting awaits me.

Admission is free

I'll look in before I go back, good bye.

Oh darling, I could do with that drink.

I wouldn't say no to another myself.

Finished now Monica.

Oh fine, Gladys, goodnight.

See you tomorrow.
- Goodnight Mrs Hathaway.

Goodnight girls.
- Goodnight

Goodnight.

The usual, by the way, is gin
with a dash of dry sherry.

I will mix it.

Forgive me, but how long
have we been married?

Five months and three days.

Oh, is that all?

Are we happy?
- Terribly.

Oh, good.

May I ask a stupid question?

What kind of a person am I?

You're careless and untidy.

Very selfish.

You snap at me in the morning,

and you spend ages in the bathroom.

In fact, you're awfully sweet
and I love you very much.

Where do we keep the ice?

Under the counter.
- Thanks.

What on earth was I doing on
the Atlantic coast of Wales?

I've no idea.
- What?

No, you've been off on these jobs

two or three times before.

Top secret.
- Oh, I see.

You were there with me one
minute, and gone the next.

There, where?

At your club, the
Adelphi, last Thursday week.

It was the 50th anniversary,

and they were having a ladies night.

We were having supper on the terrace

and you went to the buffet
to fetch me a zabaglione.

A zabalg... what?

You remember?
- No, not a thing.

The zabaglione seems to have stuck

for some curious reason, that's all.

Did I get it?
- No, Jack Carter came back

with it instead, saying that
you'd asked him to see me home.

Who?
- Jack Carter.

Your best man at our wedding.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

You telephoned before midnight,

and explained that old J.F. was

sending you off on an urgent mission.

Old J.F.?
- Oh honey, J.F. Hasset,

the head of your
department at the Ministry.

My boss?
- Yes.

Oh, well then he'll know all about it.

Well of course, absolutely everything.

Oh good, well then I'll ask him.

There we are.

Well, what about you?

Oh dear.

Well, I've been married before.

It didn't work out.

I suppose I'm an independent type.

It does seem terribly funny
having to tell you this

all over again, darling.
- Yes, it must.

Then my aunt died
and left me this place.

You mean it's yours?
- Yes, darling,

of course it is.

All of it?
- Yes.

Oh.
- I converted it with

the money she gave me, gave
up the fashion magazine,

and sort of set up here on my own.

You know, a disillusioned career girl,

determined never to lose
my independence again.

Then you came along and I suppose

you swept me off my feet, darling.

Did 1?

Really?
- You see, I'd never believed

things actually happened this way.

Suddenly everything seemed
to take on a different look.

Yes, I know exactly what you mean.

Yes, I...

Well how do you know
if you don't remember?

Well, I naturally took it for granted

we shared the experience.
- Yes, but now

you've forgotten me.

Me, and where we keep the ice.

Well, it hasn't gone forever you know.

Llewellyn made that quite clear.

It's all in here somewhere, it's just

a question of winkling it out.

It's his language, not mine.

Yes, I know, he told me.

He...

I wonder if...

What is it?

Look, darling, it's just something

I've thought of that might work.

In fact, I'm sure it might.

Well, what?
- Shock treatment.

Oh.
- No, no, darling.

Wait and see after dinner.

Horrocks.

Horrocks?

Horrocks?

Do you mind if we have
coffee in here Charles?

Not in the least, not in the least.

Cigar, sir?

Oh, yes, thank you.

Thank you Bridget.

Did you hear what I said?
- What?

It's coming back, it
must be coming back.

I said, "Thank you Bridget".

Oh darling, her name isn't Bridget.

It's Clara.
- Oh, is it?

I wonder where I got Bridget from?

Well, perhaps it's one
of the girls at the office.

Yes, perhaps.

You know, up until this afternoon

I was seriously worried.

I might have been absolutely anyone,

even a murderer.

Instead of which, I've got a job

of national importance, a
beautiful and talented wife,

it's all too good to be...

Oh.
- Ready, Madam?

Yes Horrocks, go ahead.

Oh, Horrocks.

I told you I had an idea.

You're going to see yourself
as you were, darling.

And how we first met,
and then you'll remember,

I'm sure you will.
- What, you mean?

Shh.

The Golf Club, you took this bit yourself.

I did?
- On Jack's camera.

He gave us the film as part
of his wedding present.

There's Jack Carter.
- No.

Jack wanted to see
what his swing looked like,

so he foolishly handed
over the camera to you.

Oh darling, you had a roving eye.

Look.

By George, it's you.

Oh, the very first time we met.

I was with Jill, remember?
- No.

You couldn't take
your eyes off me, you said.

You forgot all about
poor old Jack's swing,

he was simply furious.

Oh I say.

Did we really meet like that?

Truthfully.

Three weeks later we were married,

we had the reception here in the garden.

Hmm.

He remembers, don't you Mark?

Yeah, lucky dog.

That's typical
of you I'm afraid darling.

Oh, is that so?

Ah, is that all?

You don't remember?

Not yet but...
- Not after that?

Well...

It didn't mean anything at all?

Nothing?
- Well, it was very pleasant,

of course.
- But I could never

imagine myself ever forgetting you.

I feel simply terrible about this,

but there's nothing in the least personal

about it, you know.
- How right you are.

Well that is to say
it's purely functional.

Whatever that may mean.
- Oh please, Monica.

Oh.

Well you're looking at me
like some sort of an uncle.

What, well it's quite
unintentional, I assure you.

I assure you, I assure you.

This is what happens when you let yourself

become emotionally dependent on somebody.

I always swore I'd never
let it happen again,

I should have known better.

Er, um, Monica?

We had all this out
before we were married.

What?
- Well, what did you

say in June?
- I've no idea.

You carry on with your
career, I'll carry on with mine.

I wouldn't dream of interfering.

That's what you said.
- Well I haven't interfered.

Or have I?
- I mean, how on earth

can one possibly
concentrate on one's career

in a situation like this?
- I may not be ticking over

very well yet, but I don't
see the connection at all.

It's perfectly obvious.
- Well, it may be obvious

to you Monica, but it's...
- I answer to Mrs Hathaway,

remember?
- Oh really.

You think I'm being
unreasonable, don't you?

Well...
- Well, you're perfectly right

I'm behaving abominably.

I ought to be ashamed
of myself, and so I am.

Utterly, well I apologise.
- Well then I accept.

Well, be that as it
may, you will no doubt

be relieved to hear in
the present circumstances

I intend to make no demands
upon you of any kind whatsoever.

I know I'm being an absolute beast,

so there's no point in telling me.

Clara will bring up your breakfast.

Goodnight.

Sick leave.
- What?

Hmm?

The professor said it might do the trick.

I thought...

Oh, I beg your pardon.

I thought if I went to
the Ministry tomorrow,

I could show his letter to old B.F.

J.F.
- J.F. I mean,

I ought to report anyway.

Charles,
that's a very good idea,

I'll drive you in myself
first thing in the morning.

Oh will you really?

That's fine, well er...

Goodnight.
- Charles?

Yes?
- I suppose I am just

a teeny bit difficult to live with.

Oh, I wouldn't say that.

Well, um, goodnight.

Goodnight.
- Goodnight, darling.

Good...

Good morning sir.
- Good morning.

Good morning sir.
- Good morning, uh...

Horrocks.
- Oh, Horrocks, good morning.

Here we are.

I suppose this is the right entrance.

I've never been here before.

Now you're sure you've got
the letter from the Professor?

Er, yes.

What did you say his name was, Bassett?

No, Hassett.
- What's he like?

I don't know, I've never met him.

Go on darling, I'll wait for you here.

Oh, and be firm about that sick leave.

You bet.

Morning.
- Morning.

Morning sir.
- Morning.

Morning miss.
- Good morning.

Good morning sir.
- Good morning.

Good morning.
- Good morning.

Morning.
- Morning

Is Mr Hassett in yet?
- I don't know sir.

That's his office, first on the left.

Good morning, J.F.

Good morning Hathaway.

I thought I ought to come
and see you without delay...

To explain.
- Is this the place

for an explanation?
- Why not, sir?

I should have thought that
was obvious, even to you.

But surely you want to know why it is

I'm not in Wales.
- Wales?

Yes sir.
- I completely fail to see

what Wales has to do with it.

You sent me there, sir.
- I did?

Yes sir.

Perhaps you've forgotten?

Are you quite well, Hathaway?

No sir, that's why I wanted to see you.

You'd be much better
advised to see a doctor.

Oh I've done that sir.

I have a letter, he suggests sick leave.

Sick leave?
- Well naturally, as my boss.

Your boss?
- Well, I- I- I- work here.

Don't I?

If you work anywhere Hathaway,

which I beg leave to doubt,
it's most certainly not here.

But look...
- Yes, Mr Hassett?

Yes, Mr Hassett?
- Kindly show this

gentleman out.
- But, just a minute sir.

I can well understand that your conduct

cries out for an explanation.

But the proper place for
it, when you've recovered

from your delirium, is the Club.

The Club?
- Always supposing that you

dare to show your face there again.

I'm completely at a loss.
- Good, show him out.

Come along sir.

B.F., Mr Bassett, Hassett.

Make sure he leaves the building.

Excuse me.

Sergeant?
- Yes.

I suppose you know
everybody in the building.

Yes, pretty well, I think.

Now, look at me carefully,
have you ever seen me before?

Oh yes, sir.

When?

Just now, when you came in.
- Oh.

Charles.

Charles!

Darling, where on earth were you off to?

Further along.
- What?

I thought you'd parked further along.

Oh darling, what is the matter?

Didn't you see J.F.?
- Yes, I saw him.

Well did he let you have it?

Yes.

Er, what?
- Sick leave.

Oh yes, yes, of course.
- Well, how long?

Er, a month?

A month?

Oh darling, how marvellous.

We'll close up the studio
at the end of the week

and we'll hop over to Paris.

Or would old J.F. think that
was too far for you to go?

No, old J.F. wouldn't think

that was too far for me to go.

Yes, but if I never worked
at the Ministry at all

| must have been living a lie for months.

It's terrifying.
- Yet Hassett recognised you.

Yes, well I must have
met him somewhere else

and pinched his background.
- Well, if you didn't go

to the office, where did you go?

Look.

I see.

What about the salary
you can't be getting?

Well, I asked Monica in
a roundabout sort of way,

apparently I'm paying my
uncle's debts off with it.

Hmm.
- Exactly.

I can't take her to Paris after this.

Just when I was getting to know her, too.

This is fantastic, what a case.

You don't seem to realise, I'm beginning

to be seriously concerned
about my character.

What were you doing in Wales, I wonder.

The Ministry certainly never sent you.

No, that's true.

And then at the Adelphi Club.

Something obviously happened there.

Obviously.

The Club and Wales.

I'm going, I'm driving back there tonight.

Here, how about a two-pronged attack.

I'll take Wales, you take the Club.

What, where I daren't
show my face again?

That's right.
- Oh no, now look.

Thank you.

Good evening.

Good uh...

Good evening.

Large scotch.

Well!

You're Jack Carter.
- You sound surprised.

Keeping well, Jack?

Where the devil have you been?

Wales.
- Wales?

I never seem to get very far with that.

What?
- Have a drink, barman?

What, um...

The usual for Mr Carter.

I suppose you're wondering how I dare

to show my face in here again.

Well, I mean, it would
have been excusable

if you'd been roaring tight,

but Monica tells me you only
had one glass of champagne.

Uh?
- Oh, it's all right,

I only told her what you told me to.

Oh, you mean the
night of the Club party?

Well of course, yes, what else?

Oh, oh, what else indeed.

Your luck was in.

Most people thought it
was an accident at first.

An accident?
- Yes, well they thought

the fellow had tripped over something

and was too near the
balcony to stop himself.

Oh.

I suppose they realised later?

You bet they realised later.

What?

Hmm?

What?
- What?

What did they realise later?

That you knocked him over
the balcony, you idiot!

Oh.

Did he...

Could he...

Was he...

What?

Dead.
- Hmm, what?

Dead?
- Huh?

Dead, no, no, no, no, a
sprained ankle and a black eye.

Oh, well it might have been much worse.

Well that's an infirmly callous way

of looking at it, I must say.

Though no worse than your
behaviour at the time.

You shoved the plate in
my hand and told me to...

I know what was on
that plate, zabaglione.

Of all the cold-blooded fish,

you might have killed him.

It's not as if he was one
of the Club waiters, either.

Oh that's what he was, oh wasn't he?

You know perfectly well he came

from an outside catering firm.

Now come along, what was it all about?

Well, how did it look to you?

Inexplicable, old man.

That's why I'm asking you.

Well, they say that the
onlooker sees most of the game.

Yes, well all I saw was
you coming from the buffet

with this waiter behind you,

you knocked him over the balcony,

all on one glass of champagne.

Inexplicable, old man.

Well, I suppose I shall have to make it

up to the poor fellow.

Ten pounds, do you think?

I've asked you to explain, Charles,

so that I can contradict
these ugly rumours

that are floating around.

The other day, the waiter
went round to the Club

and met the Committee behind closed doors

with his eye shut.
- Yes, go on.

Well, I can't bring myself to tell you.

No, no, I can't, I can't.

For heaven's sake, Jack.

Well, you see, it appears...

I only hope it's not true,
for your sake and Monica's.

Oh, well I'll, um...

I'll see you, I have a couple
of phone calls to make.

I'll see you at the pub on
the corner in 20 minutes.

Hathaway, the Committee wish you

to appear before them tomorrow at 6:45

to hear your explanation, if any.

Look sir, just what exactly...

Meanwhile, if you
insist upon using the Club

we can't of course prevent you.

That's all.

Oh, J...

F.

So, you come back, huh?
- Hm?

Still, you don't remember me, huh?

Oh.
- Si.

Oh, wait a minute, I only just heard

I knocked you over the balcony.

Hey, what do you think you're doing?

Let me go.

Quiet, Peter.
- Peter?

Who are you?
- It's the same again,

he pretends again.

Where you been, Peter?
- Wales.

Wales?
- Oh, skip it.

I tell you, there's some
mistake, stop the car.

Keep on!

You still say you don't
remember Sopranelli's, huh?

Yes.
- Like you say that night

at the Club, like you
knock me over the balcony?

Help, help!

Peter, think, do you want the police?

What?
- Do you?

Don't 1?
- You know, not me.

Oh, where are we going?
- To Lola, of course.

Lola.
- Aiee.

Where is this?
- This may be a shock for you,

she has gone back.
- Shock, back, what, where?

Ladies and gentlemen.

Do keep perfectly silent.

Lola.

Peter!

Now you know where you are, huh?

Bah'

Mama, Papa, we've got him, Peter is here.

Peter, my boy, you are back!

Mama, mama.

Mama, give him a chance, let him explain.

He says he does not
remember, not even me Papa.

Peter, where have you been?

Why did you go away?

This you don't remember, huh?

No?

Peter, you must remember.

Think of the customers, huh?

I think you had better read this.

To whom it may concern.

I hereby certify that the bearer has been

under my care suffering from...

Or loss of memory.

Loss of memory, Peter!
- That is a trick!

Signed J...

Llewellyn.

M.D.

Pietro, is this true?
- Nah, wait, you tell us

when you lose it, huh?
- And what were you doing

at the Adelphi Club, huh?

You never wrote to me, Pietro.

And where you been, huh?
- He don't remember mama,

he do not remember, huh?

That's right, you'd
better ask the doctor.

Lolly-olly M.D., can you not see

he's a sick man, he needs rest.

Josef, go get some grappa.

Come Peter, Peter, come.

Lola, Lola, come.

Take your old place by Peter, here.

Si, Papa.

Like you used to...
- Stromboli.

Huh, on this right side.

You take it, please.
- Thank you, sir.

Is it better, Peter, huh?
- I'm sorry, it's naturally

been a shock.
- Sure, sure, you take

your time before you tell us.

I'm afraid you'll have to tell me, I...

After you marry Lola, you live here

very happy for one year my boy,

and then one day you go out to buy paper...

And you never come back.

Not a word, you leave me and your job.

Job, huh!
- Mama is always against him,

nothing Peter did was right.

How could it be?

He never did nothing.
- Only sit around

with his chianti and his "Sporting Life"

growing fat on Lola's zabaglione.

Zabaglione.
- You remember, Pietro?

It strikes a chord.
- Stromboli.

Lola!
- Eh?

What's wrong?
- What's wrong?

When did I go away?
- A year and two months ago.

14 months.

You are not a good man, in my opinion.

You may possibly have something there.

Lola, shall I tell Peter about it?

Lola was broken hearted at first,

but she's young and Mama tell her

you never come back, and
Sopranelli's are famous

for show business, so
she met Stromboli here.

Of course, it's only professional name.

Oh, I'm relieved to hear that.

How do you do?

I am now her dear friend,
and artistic partner.

You see Peter, Lola was brought up

in the circus by Mama.

It's in the blood.

She had to do something
in the long evenings.

Stromboli, he train her and
look after her like a brother.

A bro...

Brother...

Well...

But, Peter and Lola are man and wife.

Now he has come back to her,

she must come back to him, eh?

No!
- Never.

He has something to hide.

What?
- He do not remember,

he do not remember.
- How true.

Lola, you must decide.
- Ah, that's right.

All I ask is she picks the best man,

namely, yours sincerely.

Pietro,
- Don't talk to him!

Send him away.

Take him back.

Ladies and gentlemen, listen to me.

If I have behaved badly,
I beg your pardon.

While having no recollection of it.

Lola, please forgive me for
behaving so disgustingly,

though I can't remember how.

The only decent thing to do is to return

whence I came, if I could
only remember where that was.

Goodbye Lola.
- Mama mia.

Peter, Peter, why you go?

Why do you tell her that?
- It's the only thing to do.

Oh, please Peter.
- No, I'm sorry.

If you leave her like this

it'll be the worst thing you've done.

At least go up and say a proper goodbye.

For me, for me Peter.

You were like son to me, huh?

Go.

Go.

Well only for a moment then.

Stromboli.

How can he talk

in front of all of you, get out, get out.

Peter,

you are in your rightful place now.

Now, go, go.

Lola.

Lola...

Lola.

I don't know what to say,
except I really am sorry.

I don't remember, it's gone,

so I don't know how much
you may have to forgive.

But from what I gather
you're well rid of me, and...

Goodbye.

Pietro, why did you leave me?

I can't imagine.

Good heavens, what am I
doing, forgive me Lola.

What?
- It's unspeakable of me.

Better for you if you'd never met me.

The least I can do is to clear out.

Try to forget me, yes, do that, goodbye.

Just like old times.

This is definitely goodbye.

Trunks, I want to call Wales.

Number?
- Cardiff, 87641.

And your number?

Gerrard 9801.

Hello?

Can I speak to Dr Llewellyn?

I'm afraid he's not in.
- What, you mean he hasn't

arrived?
- We're expecting him back.

Yes, I know that, but...
- Who is that?

Mr Charles Hathaway, it's urgent.

Can I take a message?
- Yes, tell him

that things have taken a
serious turn for the worse.

Where can he get you?
- Gerrard 9801.

Tell him to be careful.

Tell him I'm trapped.

Who you been talking to, huh?

Uh, my medical advisor.
- What for, where you go?

I'm not going anywhere,
I can't find my trousers.

Well they've gone to be invisible mend.

What am I supposed to wear?
- I should care.

Why do you knock?
- Did 1?

Oh.

Someone sent my pants to be mended.

That would be Papa.
- What am I gonna wear?

You don't have to go out.
- Is this a trick

to keep me here?
- What?

What is it Pietro?

Aren't you glad to be back?
- Of course I am Lola,

you know that.
- Really?

You will find your clothes
just as you left them

when you went away.
- Clothes!

Oh, good, thank you.
- Your beautiful check suit

is still hanging inside.
- Yes, yes.

This one?

Used to be mine?
- Yes, it hasn't been touched.

Oh, thanks.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say

what I did just now.
- You know something.

You were wearing this the
very first time I saw you.

Oh.
- Come here, Pietro.

Look, you recognise that garage?

No.

It seems like only yesterday.

I looked down and I saw this suit,

with you inside of it, in a car like that.

An old Bentley.

Did I buy it?
- You were not buying cars,

Pietro, you were selling them.
- Oh.

How long did I work there?

Maybe three months.
- Three months, 14 months.

You had just sold your yacht

and come back from Monte Carlo.

My yacht?
- Because you had lost

the fortune your uncle left
you, at roulette Pietro.

I see.

You lost the whole lot on number seven.

Wasn't that romantic?

Yes, very.

Who told you?
- You did, Pietro.

It was a wonderful story.
- Yes, I'm sure it was.

If you are a good boy, you can collect

me after the circus,
I shall tell Stromboli

I finish this week.

Ciao my Pietro, and don't worry,

luckily, memory is not everything.

Charing Cross Cloakroom, one trunk.

One trunk.

One trunk.

One trunk.

Yes, here it is.

It's been here a long time.
- Been abroad.

Got the keys?
- Yes.

Why?
- Comes in handy

for unlocking it

'Ere Ted, give us a hand will you?

'Ere.

Want a taxi sir?
- Yes, please.

Okay Ted.
- Do you know a small,

quiet hotel where I
could go for a few hours?

We'll ask the taxi driver, sir.

Steady.
- It'll do there.

Thank you sir.

Oh.

D.S.0.,M.C... Africa Star.

Well, that's better.

That's very much better.

Eton and Harrow?

That's impossible.

Bill darling.

Have just gone round to the
Waterburys for cocktails.

Do come along the minute you get home.

I've put a shirt out for you.

Hurry poppet.

Love dearest Bridget.

Bridget.

It must be coming back,

I said, "Thank you Bridget".

Oh no.

The Old Malt House, Woodborough,
Sussex Woodborough 240.

Can I have Woodborough, Sussex 2407

Yes sir.
- Thank you, I'll hold on.

One moment.

I'm ringing the number.
- Thank you very much.

Woodborough 240.
- Hello?

Is that Bridget?

Yes, who's that?
- Do you recognise my voice?

Bill.

Where are you?

When did you get back?

On, Bill, I thought I'd
never see you again.

After all this time, I
thought you must be dead.

Oh, I know it was a dangerous mission

and you couldn't talk, but surely

you could have sent a messenger?

Mr Sopranelli?

This is for you.
- Thank you.

You're welcome.

Goodbye Lola, please forgive me, Peitro.

Madam.

Got here as soon as I could, Charles,

what is it?
- Terrible news, Llewellyn.

Did you get to the Club?

Yes, I followed the trail all right.

This is going to shake you
Professor, to begin with...

To begin with, I've found another wife.

What, you too?
- Do you mean you?

I'm afraid so.
- No.

Well, practically.
- What's yours called?

Olwen, O-L-W-E-N, Olwen.

From the window of the
"South Wales Banner".

Land owner's daughter to wed sportsman.

The wedding was stated for the fifth,

but the bridegroom never showed up.

I think I can trump that.

The one with the tropical touch

seems to be the earlier.

There's also a lady in Sussex

signing herself Bridget,
and addressing me as Bill.

Yes, I make the score five to date.

One near miss.
- Well perhaps on should

say near-Mrs.

At last, I know what I was.

A professional bigamist.

An exploiter of women, a monster.

Oh, Llewellyn, oh Llewellyn,
let's have a drink.

Same again.
- I suppose I must

have had a kink.
- No.

No moral sense perhaps,
a complete parasite.

A marked inability to foresee

the consequences of your acts.

Probably a pathological liar,
but I wouldn't say a kink.

Oh, good.
- Deepest sympathy.

Thank you, professor.

If you care to come along to my clinic,

I could try treatment by hypnosis at once.

What, do you mean bring back my memory?

Well the chances would
be much better now.

No, no.
- Yes sir?

Same again.
- I have found out

quite enough to go on with thank you.

What are you going to do?

I thought a lot about it in the train.

I said to myself, I
must make a clean start

somewhere else.
- Why not?

Well then I thought, if I run away,

I'm behaving like him, like the man I was,

and this is something that I won't have

at any price.
- I can understand

your reluctance.
- So I made up my mind

to do the only decent thing.

I'm going to give myself up.

No, no, Charles, we must
talk this matter over.

No, no, no, no, my mind is made up.

I'm going to give myself up.
- You are William Egorton?

No, I'm going to take my punishment

like a man.
- Otherwise known

as Peter Enford-Pewsoy?
- No, no.

I'm going to the nearest policeman.

Or Charles Hathaway, perhaps?

Yes?
- We're police officers, sir.

You were recognised by a constable

outside Cardiff station.

If you'll just come quietly with us,

we'll charge you formally.
- Charge?

Charge?
- Now wait a minute,

this wants talking over,
I was just discussing

with the Professor.
- That's right.

You can make a statement later.

Come along.
- But you can't just

rush me off without a word of warning,

without giving me time to think.

After all, I'm not the
character you think I am.

Not in any real sense.

Professor!

Hey, you can't do this, Llewellyn!

Hello Charles.
- Hello Professor.

Sorry it had to come to this old man.

This is my solicitor Mr Daniels,

he's agreed to act for you.

So this is the gentleman, remarkable.

Good day.
- How do you do.

We have briefed eminent counsel

who should be here at any
moment for consultation.

How can you possibly defend me?

I married all five, didn't 1?

Seven, stop press.

Seven!
- Pending a recount.

But wait a minute, I haven't any money.

Who's going to pay for a fully fledged

barrister in a wig?

Arrangements are being made old man.

How are you Miss Chesterman,

delighted to see you again.

Good afternoon Daniels.
- Your counsel.

My...

No!
- ER?

No women!
- I beg your pardon?

It's asking too much of me,

I refuse to be defended by a woman.

Your crime is a crime against women,

and the fact that a woman is prepared

to defend you will put in
its proper perspective.

Whether or not I shall be prepared

to defend you however is another matter.

This case is on the face
of it peculiarly repellent.

You say he claims to be
suffering from loss of memory?

Well I'm prepared to swear
that it's perfectly genuine.

Well in that case, you'd oblige me

by retiring with Mr Daniels to prepare

a rather more comprehensive proof

of your evidence, Professor.

Oh, very well.
- Oh, with as little

medical jargon as you can
bring yourself to employ.

Yes?
- What?

Did anybody knock.
- No.

Oh.

Sit down, Egerton.

Now then.

You don't contest that you went

through a form of
marriage with these women?

I'm afraid I'm not in
a position to sir, uh...

This case is a monument
to the unutterable

folly of womenkind.
- I quite agree.

For some strange
reason, one after another

appear to have found you irresistible.

I know, ma'am.
- It would be understandable

if they'd been congenital idiots,

but they appear to be quite normal people.

Yes, ma'am.

I can't speak for the
late entries, of course.

I should have thought
it patently obvious

that you were nothing more
than a plausible rogue.

Yes ma'am.
- No special attraction

or appeal.
- None, whatsoever.

I must say, I find
it utterly mystifying.

Utterly.

One's mind boggles.
- Mine boggles too.

The encephalograph showed
no abnormalities at all.

Of course, it doesn't follow

that they will
cross-examine on that point.

Ten past four, she's a long time.

Poor Charles, I expect
she's putting him through it.

And that's just it, as I was saying.

The judge only said what he did

because I was a woman, and
that's just what I mean,

it's such a handicap in my job.

You do understand that?
- Oh, yes.

I so desperately want to
succeed on my own merits.

Of course.
- After all, it's a perfectly

natural ambition.

Your train, Miss Chesterman.
- Oh, yes.

My train.

Oh, how kind, thank you.

Have you formed any
views, Miss Chesterman?

Views?

Oh yes, he'll plead not guilty, naturally.

Naturally?
- Naturally.

I shall put forward a defence
which is to my knowledge

unprecedented in criminal jurisprudence.

Seats for the big trial,

seats for the big trial.

Get your seats for the big trial.

Only a few stools left
for the trial, ladies.

Seats for the big trial, ladies.

Seats for the big trial.

Get your stools for the big trial, ladies.

Stools for the big trial ladies.

Put up William Egerton.

Silence!

William Egerton, you stand charged

on indictment that on the third day

of November, 1948 at Winchester

in the county of Hampshire,
being at the time

validly married, you did knowingly

enter into a marriage
with one Anne Pargitor.

And subsequently, on the 6th day of June,

1949, at St Albans in the
county of Hertfordshire

did knowingly enter into a marriage

with one Joanna Mary Brewer.

Witnesses wait here please.

And subsequently, on
the 19th day of April

1954 at Hampstead in the county of London,

did knowingly enter into a marriage

with one Monica Hendricks.

William Egerton, how say you?

Are you guilty or not guilty?

Not guilty.

I shall show that in August 1946

the accused married his first
and only legitimate wife.

Isobel May Hawkshaw,
in Darejeeling, India.

With or without the e, Mr Fortescue?

Hawkshaw or Darjeeling?
- Hawkshaw.

Without, my lord.

In Darjeeling...
- Thank you.

Thank you.

In Darjeeling, India,
where she is still living.

Although some five months ago,

she obtained a divorce from her husband

on the grounds of desertion she remained

his valid wife during the
period of these offences.

I shall show that on
his return to England,

the accused systematically inveigled

no less than six other ladies
into bigamous marriages.

Letters A to G in the
particulars, My Lord.

My lord, it may save my friend time

if I say that the defence accepts

that these marriages
did in fact take place.

A,B,C,D,E, F, G, the lot?

The lot, My Lord.
- Very well.

I thank my friend.

Members of the jury, I shall show

how the accused exploited
his female victims

one after the other, and indeed,

in some cases, simultaneously,

displaying a quite exceptional appetite

for matrimony at which we can only marvel.

There is no suggestion that he

has embraced any polygamous faith.

He seems simply to have embarked

on this method of livelihood
in preference to any other.

Strip these events of any false glamour

that they mas possess,
and what are we left with?

The seedy swindles of
a practised adventurer.

A shabby series of frauds
by a cheap trickster.

The dingy exploits of a shopworn cavalier.

Hear, hear.

When were you?
- 1948.

Oh, I should have
thought it was earlier.

Miss Pargiter.

I see.

The expectations you had under

your uncle's will came to nothing?

Nothing at all.
- Whereupon the accused

abruptly vanished from your life?

That's right.

On the following Monday,
as a matter of fact.

Thank you, Miss Pargiter.

Now Miss Pargiter, I only
want to ask you one question.

If the opportunity offered itself,

would you take the accused back again?

Oh yes.

Definitely.

I only want to ask you
one question, Miss Brewer.

Would you take the accused back again?

Yes, I would.

I hate him, that is how I feel.

I hate him!
- But would you take him back?

But of course, naturally.

Would you take him back Miss Popham?

Oh yes.

Would you, Mrs Hendricks?
- I oughtn't to.

Please answer my question.

Silence, silence!

This seems to be a convenient moment

to adjourn for lunch.

You sent for me?
- Yes, I want to ask you

a straight question, and this time,

I want a straight answer.

Who's paying for my defence?

My wives, isn't it?
- What makes you think that?

Well, who else could it be?

If the ladies wish to subscribe

to what they feel is a deserving cause.

This is really too bad, if I'd known

about this before I'd never

have agreed to appear in court.

I've taken their money once,

and now I'm unwittingly
doing the same again.

The same again, my dear
sir, is every woman's ideal,

they're gluttons for punishment.

I refuse to be defended
at their expense.

And anyway, they frighten me to death.

Oh don't be absurd.

I've worked day and night to get up

this case and developed a unique defence,

and in my view you're innocent.

Really?
- Well, naturally.

Nauseating, revolting,
but technically innocent.

You very properly pleaded not guilty,

and I intend to carry out my brief.

It appears that you have no choice.

Sent in by Mrs Monica.

Monica?
- With her best wishes.

Tell her it's very sweet of her,

but I really don't deserve it.

Okay, Willy boy.
- Charlie boy

if you don't mind.

Oh, no.

From Mrs Lola, sir.

From Mrs Bridget.

Well, here's to more trials

of this description.
- That's right.

Have a pull.
- Do you think he'll get off?

Take a miracle.
- Ah.

After you with the vino.

It is my contention,
members of the jury,

that apart from a purely
coincidental resemblance,

this man is a totally different person

from the author of these crimes.

I shall show you that he
underwent a loss of memory.

You will hear how he awakened in Wales

without the slightest recollection

of who, where, and above all, what he was.

As soon as he heard of
the nature of his past,

he was overcome by horror and disgust.

You will hear an eminent doctor tell you

of the type of person he
knows the accused to be.

I'm sorry to interrupt you again

Miss Chesterman, but are you saying

that this man has undergone such a change

as not to be liable for the crimes

previously committed by whomsoever

he was when he committed them?

Your Lordship puts it
with your customary clarity.

You're not saying
are you that the police

have got hold of the wrong man,

and that there is another man who did it?

Oh no My Lord, this
is the physical shape

of the man who did it.
- Then, how do you

intend to prove that he
differs from the culprit?

He is a different man, My Lord.

A moment ago, you said
he was the same man.

No, My Lord, I said he had
the same physical properties.

But only just now you
said he was a different man.

Yes, My Lord.

My point is that the physical
man is not the mental man.

Are you saying he's unfit to plead?

Or are you invoking the McNaughton rules?

Oh no, My Lord.

He is perfectly sane
now, but I can't speak

as to whether or not he
was insane at the time,

as the mind that we may now inspect

is not the mind that was his at the time,

when it is necessary to
consider the state of his mind.

I remain hopelessly adrift.

What does it matter to us what the state

of his mind is at the present moment?

Very simply, My Lord, I submit

that it is quite impossible to know

whether or not the present mind is guilty

as the mind that might have been guilty

at the time when it was important to know

whether the mind was
guilty, is not the mind

that is now before us.
- I see, very well.

You'll have to prove whatever it is

you're going to prove, and then we can

see what it looks after you've proved it.

As Your Lordship pleases.

Members of the jury, I
would ask you to listen

carefully to every word that is given

in evidence, and I am
convinced that you will arrive

at the unshakeable
conclusion that the mind

within the frame now sitting in that dock

is not the mind of the scoundrel

who committed these crimes.

You are William Egerton?
- So I am informed.

You are not yourself aware of it?

I don't remember anything about myself

before September the fifth, last.

You have heard Professor
Llewellyn's evidence.

Is it true that you would
not allow him to treat you?

It is.
- Why?

I refused to be identified with this man

as soon as I discovered
what sort of person he was.

He?
- William Egerton, My Lord.

But that's you.
- No, My Lord.

My Lord, the accused feels that he has

no mental connection with...
- Either he is

William Egerton, or he is not.

In fact, he admits he is.
- Was, My Lord.

Well, whoever you feel you are,

don't keep saying he when you mean I.

I don't mean I, My Lord.
- You must not argue with me.

It would be less confusing if you said

I when you mean him, as well as of course

I when you refer to you,
as His Lordship directs.

Now look at these unfortunate women.

Can you imagine yourself,
as you are today,

embarking on the same course with all,

or any one of them?
- Certainly not.

Will you tell the jury
what your feelings were

when you discovered the sort of man

William Egerton was?
- I was absolutely horrified.

Face the jury.
- I was absolutely horrified.

I'd no reason to assume that I was

anything other than a decent citizen.

When I heard what this brutal,

blackguard was up to.
- Nobody has said he was

actually brutal.
- Who my lord?

This other man, William Egerton.

Now I'm doing it.

Please, My Lord, you
mustn't whitewash him,

he was rotten through and through.

Oh no!
- Not through and through.

Oh no.
- Silence!

This court is not a beer garden,

in spite of all the
evidence to the contrary.

If there's any further disturbance

I shall order the court to be cleared.

Members of the jury, I do not ask you

to bring in a verdict that is other

than in accordance with the evidence,

but I implore you to ask yourselves

can it possibly be just that Dr Jekyll

should be punished for
the sins of Mr Hyde.

Is this man to be set free
to face the world again,

to start afresh on a new unblemished page

of his life, to walk again in the streets,

to breathe the same air
as his fellow creatures,

free from a forgotten
past in which he feels

himself to have had no part whatsoever.

Or is he, for misdeeds
which he cannot remember,

and with which he feels
himself to have no affinity

to be shut away, utterly,
cut off from the world,

caged in the solitude and
silence of a prison cell,

remote from the highways
and byways of humanity.

That is the choice that lies before you.

And it is my contention,
members of the jury, that...

Miss Chesterman.
- Ah.

If Your Lordship will permit me.

Yes?

But you can't.

You can't possibly do a thing like that.

What is going on Miss Chesterman?

Well if Your Lordship doesn't mind,

I'd like to plead guilty now.

Silence, silence.

Do you understand what you're saying?

No, of course he doesn't My Lord.

I want to plead guilty.

Let me put the issue simply before you.

The question really is whether you now say

you now believe you were,
when you committed the crime,

the man you were before you became

the man you say you are now.

Is that quite clear?
- Perfectly clear, My Lord.

But what's the matter, why
have you changed your mind?

What do you want?
- Solitude and silence.

But you're innocent!
- I insist that I'm guilty,

and I won't be talked out of it.

I should never forgive
myself if I were innocent.

Charles.
- Pietro

Bill, no.
- You can't.

May I talk to the prisoner below?

No, I want to go to prison.

I want to be utterly cut off from

the highways and byways of humanity

at the earliest possible moment.

Your Lordship will appreciate

that the considerations
of a most recondite

juridical character must be utterly beyond

the comprehension of the lay defendant.

My retainer entitles me, My Lord,

you must stop him, it's wicked,

it's utterly unfair, it's criminal.

You beast!

Clear the court, clear the court.

Clear the court.

Charles.

Charles!

Charles!
- Pietro!

Bill!

Verona, no.
- Roland!

Pietro!

You'd better wait,
we'll try the side door.

Okay.

Good luck.
- Thanks.

Egerton.

Egerton.