The Ripper (1985) - full transcript

- Here, stop here driver.

- Here, mum?

Not here, mum.

This is no place
for a lady like you.

- Yes, please stop.

Stop here.

You must stop now!

- As you wish, mum.

That'll be six shills, please.

I wouldn't mind waitin'.

East End, no place for
a lady like yourself.



There'd be no extra charge, and

I can wait, m'lady.

- That won't be necessary.

Good evening.

- Thank you, mum.

And good evening to ya.

- Now, from that description,

what famous crime
is brought to mind?

Mr. Patton.

- Jack the Ripper.

- Correct.

See that's the kind of picture

that's been painted in
our minds by Hollywood.

Kind of imagery
that movie makers



are so fond of
using to manipulate

history and make
it more exciting.

If you'll pardon the
expression, more colorful

than it actually was.

It should come as no
surprise to any of you

that Hollywood often portrays

historical events in a much more

romantic light than
was actually the case.

And if you weren't
aware of that before,

you will be by the
end of this course.

As a matter of fact, there
were several inaccuracies

in the description
I just gave you

in Jack the Rippers'
first murder.

Which, by the end
of the semester

you should be able to pick out.

Any questions?

Yes, ma'am.

- Well Hollywood makes
movies about murders.

We know that.

But what about
murderers imitating

what they see in the movies?

Has that ever happened?

- Good question,
and yeah it has.

We'll cover that
later in the course.

It's the old question
of art imitating life,

life imitating art.

Take a good look
at that later on.

Yes?

- Um, did you hear about
that murder downtown?

It's the one they're
comparing to Jack the Ripper?

It's like this prostitute, um,

you know she bought the farm,

same kinda deal that um, that

you're talking'
about, um earlier.

- Yeah, now that you mention it,

I do remember.

What's your name?

- Brian.

Brian.

For those of you who
didn't read about it,

what Brian is referring to

is a murder that took
place over the weekend.

Where a prostitute
was killed by someone

who slit her throat.

From ear to ear.

Police are calling that a

modern day Jack the Ripper.

Why do you suppose
they're doing that, Brian?

- I, don't know.

- Yes.

- Well, because Jack the Ripper

like killed prostitutes.

And when he did, he
sliced their neck

across here all the way across.

And then he'd cut them
up, just like this.

Well that's how he did it.

- Exactly.

That was Jack's proclivity.

Prostitutes.

Looks like you
could've been there.

We're not only going to
talk about Jack the Ripper.

The name of this course
is Famous Crimes.

It's on your syllabus,
but for the sake of

redundancy I'll put
it up here anyway.

On Film.

What we'll be doing
is looking at a number

of famous crimes.

We'll take a look at
the Brinks robbery,

St. Valentine's Day massacre,

um, Bluebeard, Leopold Loeb,
and the White Chapel murders.

Those actually committed
by Jack the Ripper.

We'll get a pretty solid
account of each one

based on what history
tells us about it.

Then we'll view
one or more films

based on the incident,
and discuss how the crimes

were portrayed by Hollywood.

Yes, mam'am.

- This may be a
dumb question, but,

- Young lady, there is
one thing you will learn

in my class.

There are no dumb questions.

- Okay, then who was Bluebeard?

- You're joke...

Oh, that's a dumb question.

- He does that all the
time, it's a big joke.

- No, I'm sorry I'm kidding.

Seriously, Bluebeard was
a Frenchman named Landru

who knocked off several wives.

He collected them like
some people collect stamps.

We'll learn a lot
more about him too.

It's all right here in
the text for this course.

Leo Matlin's Crime Cinema.

It's a must.

And really good reading.

Well, for those of you hoping
for a short first class,

I'm going to make your day.

If there are no
further questions,

we'll see you all tomorrow.

And one more thing.

This is the first
time the University

has offered this course.

It's sort of an experiment.

Whether it is repeated or not,

will depend a lot on you.

And how good you make me look.

So make me look good, okay?

Hmm?

Okay, we'll see you tomorrow.

- It's gonna be an easy A, huh?

- I think so, man.

Let's go.

- Goodbye.

You must be a glutton
for punishment.

Two semesters in a row.

- Hey, I can spot an
easy A when I see one.

- I see you managed to drag
an accomplice along this time.

- Oh, Cindy Blair,
Professor Richard Harwell.

- Hi, it's nice to meet you.

- Same here.

I suppose Steve has
already told you

about the University's
automatic grade point inflater.

Me.

- Well, he told me I'd
learn a lot about movies.

- Well you know it's tough
when one of your students

thinks he knows more about the
subject matter than you do.

- Did you see House
of Wax last night?

- Last night, I
thought it was tonight.

- Nope.

Last night.

- Dammit, I wanted to tape it.

- Well you can still catch
Conqueror Worm tonight.

- Wait, wait, Theater
of Blood is on tonight.

- No no, Theater of
Blood's tomorrow night.

Conqueror Worm's tonight,
House of Wax was last night.

- Does he always talk like this?

- Yeah, most of the time.

- See ya.

- Bye.

See, I told ya he
was a neat professor.

- Yeah, he is he's okay.

- Okay, that's great
kids, that's real good.

That's what I wanna see.

Uh, let's take it
again from the top,

but this time, relax
and smile okay right?

You all remember
how to smile, yeah?

Great let's do it again,
this time full out.

K, let's go.

♪ I can feel it inside

♪ Cuttin' deep in my heart

♪ It's like electricity

♪ And it's drivin' me crazy

♪ I got this burnin'
fire inside of ♪

♪ My body's yearnin'

♪ Dyin' inside for you

♪ I'm goin' in baby

♪ I'll do anything
that you want me to ♪

♪ You set me on fire

- You got it.
♪ A feelin' I can't control

♪ Our love is on fire

♪ It's deep into my soul

♪ Oh, you can set me on fire

- Okay, great.

Good that's what I wanna see!

Keep it up.

♪ My heart is beatin' baby

♪ Can't hold back
this burnin' desire ♪

♪ My love is beggin'
for your love ♪

♪ Hot so hot

♪ I'm on fire

♪ I've got this burnin'
fire inside of ♪

♪ My body's yearnin'

♪ Dyin' inside for you

♪ I'm goin' in baby

♪ I'll do anything
that you want me to ♪

- All right, you're
moving as one.

Can you all feel that?

Good.

♪ A feelin' I can't control

- Stretch.

♪ And our love is on fire

♪ It's deep into my soul
- Okay, great.

♪ Again set me on fire
- Good.

- It's okay, don't worry.

Keep it up.

I like that, great.

- Hello, Nurse Ratchet.

- Richard, I'm in the
middle of a class right now.

♪ Ooh, ooh, oh

♪ You set me on fire

- Can I watch the world
series Nurse Ratchet?

- Shh, you gotta be quiet.

- Please?

♪ It's deep into my soul

- Alright, good
that was wonderful.

Just terrific.

I'm pleased with it.

Uh, let's rest up a bit,

you all go home and
think about how you can

improve on it for
Wednesday, okay?

Get out of here.

I love ya, scram.

- Not bad.

- It's a good class,
what can I say.

- Yeah but giving 'em
that whole routine

the first day, what
are you trying to do

screw their minds
up immediately?

You're supposed to take
three weeks to do that.

- There are some of
us, Professor Harwell,

unlike others of us
who seem to feel that

every minute of class
time is valuable.

- Oh.

Mmm.

- Oh that's good, that's
my favorite flavor,

fabric softener.

- I'm sorry.

That's better.
- That's much better.

My favorite flavor
of human being, mm.

- Um, Richard, Richard, no
there's students please.

- You ready for lunch?

- I'm very ready for lunch.

But, I want to show
you something first.

- Hey, students.

- Oh, I forgot.

Stop, see?

- What?

All I see is a
room full of junk.

- The headboard, silly,
isn't it the most

gorgeous brass headboard
you've ever seen?

C'mon, c'mon.

I'd just love to
sleep under this.

Wouldn't it be
great in my apartment?

I always wanted a
brass headboard.

- It needs a little polishing.

- I know, but imagine
it all shined up

and pretty and clean.

Wouldn't it be great?

I wonder if it's too expensive.

- Ma'am, you wait here.

I'll go rustle up some help.

- Thank you.

- May I help you?

- Gosh, you startled me.

- Did I?

I'm sorry.

I didn't hear you come in.

Did the bell ring?

- Yes, I think it did.

- Mmm hmm.

- Must be the hearing aid.

Battery getting low I guess.

Did you come after the
brass headboard dear?

- Yes ma'am.

- I noticed you in
here the other day.

And once before, too.

- That was me.

So, how much do you want for it?

- Oh, I just love this headboard.

It should go to a
nice couple like you.

How long have you been married?

- We're not married.

- Yet.

- Well, nevermind.

Why don't you just
go look around,

and we girls will discuss price.

If that's all right.

- Yeah, go ahead, go have fun.

- Just,

look around.
- Right.

- Yes.
- Sure.

- Just make yourself at home.

Now, what is your budget, dear?

- Well, to tell you the truth,

my budget is only about $50.

And even at that I
can't really afford

all of it at once, but
I just want it so badly.

Maybe, maybe if I
could pay you about,

I don't know, $20
down first month, and

pay you $10 every
month after that

until I get to
$50 to pay you up.

And, uh then that would
work out just fine.

I really want a
headboard, it's so pretty.

If we could work something
out I'd be very grateful.

- Hey, you ready?

- Uh, yeah sure.

- Isn't that an
interesting ring?

- Yes it is.

- Uh, this doesn't
look like you Richard.

- An old man brought it
in just this morning.

He said he found it in an alley.

I don't think I've ever seen
one quite like that before.

- It is different.

- If you're interested
in buying it, young man,

I'll sell it to
you for, oh, $50.

- Uh, oh, you know
thanks really.

It, uh, it just caught my eye.

- Well.

- You getting the headboard?

- I'm gonna think about it, um

maybe after a few
more paychecks?

- That headboard
was meant for you.

You'll have it by my word.

- I'll be back for it.

- Oh, young man.

If you change your
mind about the ring,

$50, it's a deal.

It looks like 14 carat.

- Thanks.

- Bye bye.

Yeah, what a salesman huh?

- It's amazing what some
people think is attractive.

- Hi honey, it's me.

I just called to tell you
thanks for the great afternoon.

And uh, I mean, I'd probably take the headboard

if you gave it to me.

See you later, bye bye.

- Hmm.

- Mr.
Harwell, Steve Patton.

Just called to remind
you about Conqueror Worm.

Comes on in about 15 minutes.

It's about a quarter
to eight right now.

Hope you don't miss it.

- Hello?

- Mr. Harwell,
Steve Patton again.

I see you're home.

- Yes sir.

- Did you get my message?

- As a matter of
fact, I'm watching

Conqueror Worm right now.

- Good.

Well, I didn't want
you to miss it,

you know after last night.

Hey, no problem.

Enjoy the flick.

Thanks.

- Who was that?

- Oh, uh, telling
him about the movie.

You know this is a great
home cooked meal you made.

- I tried really hard.

You mean that was
Professor Harwell?

- Yeah, we're old buds.

- He doesn't mind you
calling him up at home?

- No, he's an old
movie buff like me.

Did this take you
a while to cook?

- No, I just whipped it
up, you know, microwave.

- No, you didn't come
close to the microwave.

- You sure he doesn't mind?

- No, he doesn't mind at all.

- Very nice of you to call.

- This is a good movie.

It's got Vincent Price.

It's kinda corny,
but you'll like it.

- I think I'll go take a bath.

You could be in
here for a while.

- No, you'll miss the movie.

- But see, you're taping it all.

I'll watch it later, I promise.

- No you won't.

Again, just like
the other movie.

- You're right I won't, but see

you spoil everything for me when

you tell me how
they do the effects.

- No I don't.

I never do that.

- Yes you do.

- No I don't, go take a bath.

- You do it all the time.

No, for real even, I
want you to know that,

you do do that all the time.

- No I don't, go take a bath.

- Yes you do.

You know where I'll be.

- Yeah.

Call me if you need anything.

Human washrag, bar of soap...

What a cook.

The power of the ray,

and we could deflect it
to the chemical bath,

right when the Worm gets there,

it will cause it to crystallize!

- Right.

How about it General?

- Well, I
guess it's worth a try.

Okay, Paul, you and Ju wait
for me in the convoy truck.

And I'll get the professor
to deflect the ray.

Colonel?

- Yes, General?

- Well,
you heard the man.

What are you waiting for?

- I'm on
my way, General.

Major, I'll need B Company
to canvass that area

before we get there.

Have your men load
the deflection gear

as the 21st in the water.

I'll give you the coordinates
as soon as you arrive.

Get the professor on the horn,

he's got to boost that worm...

- Who are you?

What do you want from me?

Quit doing this to me!

What do you want with me?

Get away!

Stay away from me!

- Great, wasn't it?

- Yes, uh...

- Do you believe those effects?

Weren't they great?

- Uh, hello.

I must have dozed off.

- Dozed off?

During Conqueror Worm?

C'mon, Mr. Harwell.

- Listen, Steve, I gotta go.

See you tomorrow.

- See ya in class.

Great movie.

- Is that Professor
Harwell again?

- Yeah.

- Steve, you're sure he doesn't mind

you calling him this late?

- No, I told ya.

We're old buds.

Don't you look nice.

- Shit.

Hello.

- Hi, you okay?

- Oh, hi I thought it
was one of my students.

This guy's been
calling me all night.

- Sorry, I didn't
mean to bother you.

- No, no no problem.

How are you?

- I'm fine.

Did you get my message?

- Yeah I did.

I had fun too.

Thanks.

- I was just sittin'
here thinking about you.

Um, I'm sorry I called so late.

Hope you don't mind.

- Have you ever heard me
complain in five years?

- No, I don't think I ever remember

you complaining about anything.

- You know I was
thinking about you too.

- Oh you were?

- Yeah, a little while ago
I had the strangest dream.

- What dream?

Tell me about it.

- Well, I don't
know if I should.

- C'mon, you can tel me.

- Really, I don't know
you might not like it.

- I don't think there's
anything about you

that I don't like.

- Well, it was a nightmare.

- A nightmare?

- Yeah, something to
do with the theater

and your students.

And in the end, you got killed

by a slasher, or,
Jack the Ripper.

- Richard, you just watch too
many of those horror movies.

- Yeah, but that's
not the worst part.

I was the one who killed you.

- Richard!

- You, missed the movie.

- So what.

- To the bed?

- How about the couch?

- How about the couch.

This may be better
than the movie.

- You sure are sweet tonight.

- Yeah, so are you.

I was right.

This is a lot better
than the movie.

- You always gonna be like this?

- You'll see.

- That's Jack the Rapper.

He's an okay dude.

He'd kill his own mother.

Just to get some food.

- Whenever you're
finished, Brian.

- Walkin' the beat.

- Hi.

- Where you been?

- I had a little trouble
getting up this morning.

Thanks to you.

- Good morning,
ladies and gentlemen.

Today, as promised, we begin our

study of crime in the cinema.

With a look at perhaps
the most famous

series of murders
ever committed.

The White Chapel murders.

Those committed by
Jack the Ripper.

I say they are perhaps
the most famous,

because more than any other
series of crimes in history

that I know of, the
White Chapel murders

have been the subject
of many many films.

Especially in the
British cinema.

So, we'll start with
the most popular.

The White Chapel murders
all took place between

August 31st and

November nine,

1888.

In all, Jack the
Ripper is alleged

to have committed 14 murders.

The key word there is alleged.

Although as many as 14 killings

were at times
attributed to Jack,

if we may become that familiar,

It's commonly agreed
upon that only five

were actually his work.

The others may have
been copycat killings.

There are many theories
as to who Jack was,

and why he committed
the murders.

Hollywood has been
great at supplying us

with those through the years,

and we'll look at
some of them later on.

But for now, these
are the facts.

Each victim was a prostitute.

Each victim had her throat slit.

And, each victim was
savagely mutilated

and usually disemboweled.

That means her insides
were carved out.

In one case, a police said Jack

wrote to them that he
had fried and eaten

one of his victim's kidneys.

- He sent the other one to
them in the note to prove it.

As a matter of fact,
Jack wrote several

notes to the police.

They were all very glib and
related to his progress.

In one he told of how a
victim squealed a bit,

so he had to rush the job and

escape before being discovered.

Welcome back to Earth, Brian.

Wanna get that?

Jack's last victim was a
woman named Mary Jane Kelly.

With her murder,
his trail vanished,

and his identity remains
a mystery to this day.

For which countless
novelists and screenwriters

have been eternally grateful.

Yes.

- Uh, did you hear about
the murders last night?

The police are saying that
it's another Jack the Ripper.

- No, what murder?

- Some lady was cut
up in the theater.

And just like you said,
her guts were ripped out.

You think it's a
copycat killing?

- Yeah, yeah I think so.

Jack himself was last heard
from over 100 years ago.

There have probably been
hundreds of Jack imitators

over the years with
all the publicity

his killings have gotten.

But what's really
fascinating about him

is all the speculation
as to his identity.

Sir Arthur Conan
Doyle hypothesized

that the murders weren't
committed by a man at all,

but rather by a
deranged midwife.

Hence the disemboweling
of the victims.

My favorite theory
comes from a recent film

called Murder by Decree.

It says that Jack was
actually a Royal Physician.

And a Freemason sworn
to protect the monarchy.

He killed prostitutes
in order to abort

the bastard child of I
believe the Prince of Wales.

It's a great Sherlock
Holmes film starring

James Mason and Christopher Lee.

- Christopher Plummer.

Plummer.

- Yes I believe it was
Christopher Plummer.

Thank you.

And then,

there is

this book.

I haven't read it
yet, but it takes

the cover up theory
a step further.

Claiming that there
was crucial evidence

found at the scene of
Mary Jane Kelly's murder

that as part of the
cover up was lost

and never heard from again.

Except as rumor.

It's called the
Ripper Conspiracy.

And...

Uh, well as I say, I
haven't read it yet

but it's supposed to be the
latest thing on the subject.

Any questions?

Good.

Now if you'll all be quiet so
as not to disturb Mr. Stodd,

I'll give you another
short class today.

As long as you read at
least one book on the

White Chapel murders.

We'll meet again
on Friday and view

The Lodger an early
Hitchcock film about Jack.

- So, quiet now.

And uh, good day.

Class dismissed Brian.

Hi.

- Can I help you?

- Um,

- Oh!

You came back for
the brass headboard.

- Yes.

Ah, actually no.

It's gone it's not here.

- I beg your pardon?

Well, it's right where
it's always been.

- The ring.

It's not here.

- Oh, you came
back for the ring.

What is it with that ring?

- What do you mean?

- Well, ever since
that ring came in here,

everybody wants it.

And then, they don't want it.

- They what?

- Just after you left yesterday,

a woman came in, bought it,

paid $50 for it, said it was
just perfect for her husband,

and this morning the
husband brings it back.

Said it was bad
luck or something.

I gave him their money back.

- Well where is it now?

- Well I sold it.

I almost sold it.

- Almost sold it?

- Well I promised
a lady that I'd

hold it for her until noon.

- You mean you have
it in the store now?

- Yes.

- May I see it?

- I don't see why not.

- I don't see what is so
special about this ring.

- I really wouldn't know.

- Uh, how much did
you say that lady

was going to give
you for the ring?

- $50.

- All right, well
I have $100 cash.

May I have it?

- Well I really
couldn't do that.

- Why not this is $100 cash.

- Honey, it's not the money.

It's the principle.

I promised her I'd
hold it until noon,

and I must keep my word.

You can't stay in business
if you go back on your word.

- Well look it's a
couple minutes to 12 now.

- I tell ya, I'll
sell it to you at noon

if she doesn't come back.

In the meantime, why don't
you just browse around,

make yourself at home.

I'll show you that
headboard again if you like.

- No, thanks.

- It'd be better if
you invested your money

in that headboard.

It sure would
impress your fiance'.

- Thanks.

- Uh huh.

Well hello Mrs. Pratt.

- Hello, is it ready?

- Yes it is.

- Uh, excuse me.

- Yes?

- Oh I, uh, I thought I
knew you from somewhere.

- Oh really, from where?

- Um, you just look
familiar that's all.

- Oh, well I used to
work at the Red Cross,

I met a lot of people that
way all over the country.

I used to travel to
fairs and exhibitions

and help run first
aid centers and,

and I gave first aid
instruction and all.

Do you know what the
first disaster was

that the Red Cross worked?

- Uh, no.

- The big San
Francisco earthquake.

- Oh!

- In 19, uh, what?

- That will be $120 exactly.

- One hundred and
twenty dollars.

All right.

Here it is!

Oh, isn't it beautiful?

- Yes.

Oh don't you want me
to put it in a box?

- I know I'll just take
it right like this.

- Oh Mrs. Pratt, your receipt.

- Oh I've got the clock, I
don't need a receipt.

- All right then.
- Oh thank you.

- All right you come back.

- Oh I will.

- All right.

- It's 12:00.

- Oh, it's, that ring,
where did I put that?

Oh, here it is.

Colonial Antiques.

Yes, yes I've got it right here.

- Shit.

- Oh, well I'm glad you called.

Yes I have a young
man right here

that wants to buy it.

Yes, uh, oh.

I see, fine.

Yes, all right.

Goodbye.

It's yours, $50.

- Honey it's me,
give me a call about 7

if you get a chance.

I've got us some good news.

Bye, love you.

- Uh, Richard,
Patty here, from Psychology.

Did you read the
paper this morning?

There's been another
knife murder.

Police are calling it
another Jack the Ripper type.

I, um, thought that was
interesting since you're

teaching Jack the
Ripper and all.

Richard, I don't know
how to tell you this,

but I hear weird things
in the administration

and I don't know what
to think exactly.

It's big news, they've
already had a meeting.

They thought the killer
might be a student of yours,

so I just thought
someone should tell ya

so it wouldn't come as a
complete surprise to ya.

Bye.

- Discovery of a 10 carat Baroque.

Baroque.

- I'll see you guys
tomorrow night, okay?

Bye.

- Shit.

- Oh, hi.

- You okay?

- Oh, sure.

- Why wouldn't you answer the phone?

I've been calling all night.

- What time is it?

- 11:15.

Did you get my message?

- Yeah, I got it,
uh, call at seven.

I must have dozed off.

- Dozed off.

You dozed off for
over four hours?

Some nap.

I was really afraid
something had happened to you

when you wouldn't
answer all night.

- I haven't been sleeping
very well lately.

- Yeah, obviously to give up
one of my Italian dinners.

- Mama mia!

- Richard, don't tease me.

I'm really angry.

Especially when I thought maybe

you'd found something more
interesting to do like

um, watch tv.

- Dammit.

I missed taping Theater
of Blood tonight.

That's twice this week!

- Geez, I don't believe it.

You stand me up, all night long,

and now all you're
really worried about

is missing some stupid
slasher movie on tv.

- Hey, Carol, c'mon
give me a break.

I said I was sorry.

Okay?

Okay?

Hey, you are not going to
believe what happened to me.

Right now we're studying
Jack the Ripper.

And I came across this book.

- Go on I'm listening.

- Uh, it's a book with a theory.

- You okay?

- Yeah, uh, forget
it it's no big deal.

Hey.

I really am sorry.

About tonight.

- So, are you uh, still hungry?

Let me make you something
to eat real fast.

- No, no I'm not hungry.

- Are you sure you're okay?

- Yeah, yeah I'm fine, really.

Hey, you uh,

do you wanna get together
tomorrow night to, uh

make up for tonight?

- Yeah, that's the least you can do.

- Okay.

- What are you doing?

- Making some coffee.

- Oh, not for me I hope.

- Yes for you, it'll
do you some good.

- Oh Carol I don't need more
then I'll be up all night.

- I'm sorry I jumped on you.

I was just worried.

- Jump on me anytime you like.

- You don't
give up, do you?

- Nope.

- Richard.

- Sorry.

You got a hangover?

- No, I slept
miserably last night.

I don't know what it is.

- Hey, I've got a
great telephone joke

if you wanna hear it.

- Sure.

- Okay.

You call up the bowling alley,

and you say "excuse
me sir do you uh,

"have 12 pound balls?"

And he says "well yeah, sure."

And you say "I bet
you have a hard time

"puttin' your pants on."

- Is there a point
to this little visit?

Hmm, mm hmm?

- Did you hear about
the murder last night?

- No what murder?

- Down on Brookside.

Cocktail waitress
got killed as she was

getting in her car after work.

They're calling it another
Jack the Ripper job.

Talk about gruesome,
pulled her insides out,

and threw 'em on her.

- Really?

- Yeah.

You know, it's
kinda weird having a

Jack the Ripper in our town

after all these
years killing people.

- Yeah well that Brookside's

such a circus I'm not surprised.

- If you really think about it,

it all started three days ago.

Same day our class began.

Talk about coincidence.

- I'd rather not.

Thanks.

- Hey, I found out
something interesting.

You know yesterday you told us

to ready a book
about the murders?

Look.

- That's a people's almanac.

- Mmm hmm.

Yup.

Look, look at this.

Famous left handed people.

Harpo Marx, Judy
Garland, Charlie Chaplan,

- Leonardo DaVinci, Paul
McCartney, Jack the Ripper.

- Interesting, that bit of
information had eluded me.

Now maybe I can sleep tonight.

Really, Steve a
people's almanac?

- Hey, uh, nice ring.

That new?

- I can't get the
damn thing off.

- Sorry.

Hey will you sign something
for me real quick?

- Sure.

What are you dropping?

- I'm not dropping.

I'm adding your
Steinbeck course.

- You realize that's
next semester.

- Yeah. I wanna beat the rush.

- Yeah, right.

- Thanks.

See you Friday.

- See ya, Steve.

- Bye.

- 12 pound balls?

- Knock it off!

- Uh huh, oh, this is great.

Watch this.

Here we go.

C'mon it's so real.

- Think?

- Ah, I don't wanna watch it.

Oh, gosh.

What now?

Is she gonna get murdered?

- No, no nothin' like that.

- Gross.

Gosh!

Wait a minute, what is that?

- What?

- That ring!

Did you go back to the
store and get that ring?

- No, no I bought that on campus

the other day from some guy.

- Some guy, huh,
what's his name?

- I don't know I
never met him before.

- Let me see.

You went back to the store
and got the ring didn't you?

- Yeah, okay I did.

- I didn't think
you liked jewelry.

God, that's so gaudy!

- Yeah, it is.

But it's interesting, too.

- I guess, here let me see.

- Ah, ahh!

- Wow it won't come off.

- Yeah I know.

- Take it off I wanna see it.

- I can't it won't come off.

- Richard, I'm serious I wanna
see if it fits on my fingers.

- I swear it won't come off!

You think I'd be
wearing the damn thing

if I could get it off?

- Well, uh...

That's kinda weird.

Why would you go back to the
store and get that ring if...

Richard Harwell you are a
strange bird, you know that?

- K well that's why all the
women are crazy about me.

- Okay, just just
hush and kiss me

before I have the time
to think about it though.

Mm hmm.

Now watch the movie.

Oh God!

- Yeah!
- You gotta be kiddin' me.

This is ridiculous.
- Look, look, look!

- Oh, it's squirtin' all over!
- Shh, shh, shh, shh.

This, this thing is
good, look at this.

I got some friends in this one.

That guy right there,
they call him potato head.

- What was that?

Pizza ready?

- Pizza?

Hey, silly, hey it's about
time for me to get going.

- Oh you can't do that.

We gotta watch the
rest of the movie.

- You mean the one that
ended about an hour ago?

- Ended?

- Yeah,
about an hour ago.

- Dammit, I did it again.

- Hey, it's okay don't worry.

You're just all
wound up from the,

the new semester
and your new class,

all that good stuff.

You'll get over it.

Get a good nights sleep tonight

and we'll have a
great time tomorrow.

- But that's just it, I can't
get a good nights sleep.

I can't get rested up, my
system's all screwed up.

I doze off in the
evening, I wake up,

stay awake all night long.

I don't now what's
happening to me.

- Maybe it's uh, early menopause.

- Dammit, honey,
I'm not kidding.

- I'm sorry.

Hey, hey I didn't
mean to be so cruel.

Let me stay the night, okay?

♪ My heart is beatin' baby

♪ Can't hold back
this burnin' desire ♪

♪ My love is beggin'
for your love ♪

♪ Hot so hot

♪ I'm on fire

♪ Dyin' inside for you

♪ I'm goin' in baby

♪ I'd do anything
that you want me to ♪

♪ You set me on fire

♪ A feelin' I can't control

♪ And my love is on fire

♪ It's deep into my soul

♪ You set me on fire

♪ I can't control you

- Oh, man.

This stinks.

Shoot.

Why does this stuff
always happen to me?

Empty, I knew I should
have filled this up

before I left.

Shit.

Thanks a lot, car.

Now what am I gonna do?

Out here in the
middle of nowhere,

and I'll bet you anything
this place is closed.

Shit!

Now what am I gonna do?

Why do these things
always happen to me?

I should have known better.

Huh, shoot.

Watch nobody be home now.

- Hello?

Hello, hello dad?

- Uh, Jenny is that you?

- Yeah.

Is Mike there?

- Uh, is
something wrong darling?

- No, no I'm okay.

I just ran out of gas.

I wanna know if Mike
can come and pick me up.

- I got some
time, I can come do it.

- No, no just go get Mike.

I'll wait.

- Okay, hold on.

- Shoot.

Can't believe this,
can't believe it.

just can't believe this.

- Jenny?

Mike's on his way.

Hello?

Hello?

Jenny?

Jenny?

Hello?

Hello Jenny?

- It's The Joys of a Woman.

- No, the answer
is Emmanuelle 2.

Give me 'em up.

- Like hell!

I worked at the theater
where it played.

It was Emmanuelle
the Joys of a Woman.

I saw it six times.

- But that's not
what the card says,

and this is what we're going by.

- Right, okay okay.

Okay fine.

Disqualify that card,
ask me another one.

- I don't think so.

If you have a complaint,
you write the company.

We're going by what
the card says, Steve.

- Excuse me.

Jeez.

How nice are you?

You're very nice.

Go ahead.

Hey Professor Harwell,
look look look look look.

- Hi, Steve.

Look.

Okay, alright.

Entertainment, cards got
the wrong answer on it,

she says I'm wrong.

Just read that.

- He does this all the time.
- Tell her who's right.

- That's the right
answer, Emmanuelle 2.

- See, I told you.

- No it's not!

You feelin' okay?

- Yeah, I'm fine,
look, I'm in a hurry,

Steve I'll see you later.

Bye bye.
- Cya.

- Bye.

- You really shouldn't go around

doing things like that, Steve.

- Did you notice his ring?

- His?

No.

- The big one, on his left hand.

- No.

- It's just like the
one that was found

at the scene of Jack the
Ripper's last murder.

Look.

- Steve, I didn't get
a good look at it.

- Believe me.

He was wearing it
on his left hand.

You remember Harwell
being left handed?

- I never noticed, but so what.

- I've known him
more than a year

and I never remember
him being left handed.

Boom, suddenly he's left handed?

Yesterday, yesterday
he signed an add form

for me with his left hand.

- Hmm.

- Just then he took that
card in his left hand.

- So, what?

I don't.

- Jack the Ripper was left handed.

- No, no seriously
- C'mon, Steve.

- Now here's a guy, who's
always been right handed.

- Mmm hmm.

- He buys a ring, puts
it on his left hand,

and suddenly he's left handed?

A ring that looks just like one

that was found a
hundred years ago

on a Ripper victim?

To me that's pretty strange.

- I think you've seen
too many weird movies.

- No!
- Cmon let's finish the game!

- Don't you think it's strange,

especially with all
these murders going on?

- No, actually I think you're
trying to get out of the game

because you're losing.
- No, seriously!

Don't you think it's strange?

- I think you're strange.

Aw, c'mon.

Lose the game gracefully or

we won't go parking tonight.

- Parking?

- You heard me,
ask me a question.

- You win.

- You're
just going to forfeit

just like that?
- That's it.

Darn the luck, I lose let's pack it up.

- Okay.

- I love that song.

- So do I.

Let's dance.

- No, let's not.

Mmm, whoah buddy give me some air okay?

- Okay, relax
- Let's go for a walk.

- Time out.

Mr. Cool, you know.

Time out, doing my best work.

- Jeez.

Oh!

- Don't you just
happen to be bad?

- I do not.

You're not even...

It's beautiful out here.

- Yes.

Just like you.

- Cutie.

Not bad yourself.

- Well, you know.

So I hope you know
all this studying

is really going to
help my grade point.

- Yeah.

What a way to go.

Look over there.

- Yeah.

- We should go
pretty soon, though

there's a curfew.

- Oh we should go.

We're over 18.

- I don't want to
get in trouble.

- What the hell is life
without a little danger?

- I just don't want
to get in trouble.

- I'll protect you.
- Okay.

- Worry wart.

- Alrighty.

- Wanna go for a walk?

- Yeah, c'mon.

- What's that?

- What?

You know I never knew you
were such a good dancer.

- There's a lot of things
you don't know about me.

- Like what?

- Like...

- Like what?

- I'll figure somethin' out.

- What?

- Let me show you something.

- Steve, wait a minute
what are you doing?

- C'mere.
- You're gonna drop me.

- C'mere.
- Put me, put me down.

- No I'm not, c'mere.

- Steve, put me down.
- How much you eat today?

Look, when we get married,

we gotta have a little spring.

- Are we gonna need
a house for that?

- What house?
- Okay.

- I would build it right here.

What do you think?

- You cleared this with the
Parks Department, right?

- Oh don't worry about
the Parks Department.

I'll take care of that.

And this could be
the living room,

and you walk in to the den,

and then the kitchen.

And you could cook here.

You gotta move this rock.

What do you think of this?

- I think it's great
but the Parks guys

might not go for it.

- Oh, forget about
the Parks guys.

That's just the first floor.

- Mmm.

- Second floor we could
have the kids room.

- Kids?

- Yeah.

We gotta make that bigger.

- Lots of kids, well..

- You're gonna have some kids, right?

- Yeah, I think.
- We're gonna get married.

- Is that the only reason
- Yeah that's it.

- You'd marry me?
- Dad's here.

Kids.

Okay, next to the kids room

- Oh.

- You gotta have a bath.

- Uh, huh.
- Right?

- Cuz that's
- That's logical.

- That's okay, good.

Oh, and then comes our room.

With a big ol' waterbed.

Stand back.

Mirrors on the ceiling, we
could look at ourselves.

Silk sheets, I
think I'm in heaven.

It could be our dream house.

What do you think?

Cindy?

Cindy don't hide from
me, I'm not in the mood.

Cindy?

Cindy I swear when I
find you I'm gonna...

Cindy?

Cindy where are you?

Cindy?

Cindy.

Cindy where are you?

Cindy?

Cindy.

Come here.

Cindy?

Cindy...

Oh God, Cindy!

Noooooo!

Wait, hurry he's gettin' away!

- Wait a minute!

- He killed my girlfriend!

He's gettin' away!

- Who killed who?

- Forget it!

C'mon he went down there!

- Yeah, I saw him.

You just stay right here.
- He's on foot!

Let's go!
- No, stay here!

- No, we gotta go
he's gettin' away!

- Who are you anyway?

- Steve Patton.

That's the Ripper,
the one that's been

killin' all the girls!

He killed my
girlfriend back there

And now he's gettin' away!
- Now son, listen to me.

Settle down.

I've gotta go get some help,

we'll go check on your
girlfriend, you stay right here.

- He's gettin' away!

- Now will you sit right
here, you promise me?

- No, he's...

Answer me!

You gonna stay right here?

- Yes.

- All right, you
stay right here.

- We got a
homicide suspect on foot.

- Uh, his,

His first film,
however was The Lodger.

Made in 1926.

It was a silent film,
and was remade twice.

As a talkie in 1932,
and again in 1944.

It was also the first
film in which Hitchcock

made one of his famous
cameo appearances,

because they didn't
have enough extras.

And now as far as I know,
the film you're about to see

is the first cinematic
representation

of the White Chapel
murder mystery.

Many more of course would
follow through the years,

including a number
of television shows.

Including one on,
uh, Twilight zone,

and another on Star
Trek, entitled, uh,

"The Man Trap".

- "Wolf In the Fold".

- What was that?

- Wasn't it Wolf In the Fold?

That was the
episode on Star Trek

that was about Jack the Ripper.

- Yeah, uh, I'm
sorry you're right.

Uh, Wolf In the Fold.

Anyway.

What makes the White
Chapel murders so

appealing to writers
is the fact that they

were never solved.

The murderer was
never apprehended.

And so, that's been
the springboard for
a great many ideas.

Well, I have an appointment
in about five minutes,

and that should do
it for introductions.

Steve?

Uh, Brian if you could
put your friend down,

get the lights and
the VCR, I'll see you

when the film's finished.

- Cool.

- Oh, hi.
- Hi.

I'm glad, I'm glad you
could meet with me.

- No problem, no problem, um,

I don't even have
a class until 11,

but, uh, let's, let's
walk real quick.

- Sure, sure, fine.

- So, uh, what's on your mind?

- Those knife murders.

- They talked to ya, huh?

- No.

Fred, Fred.

The one last night was
one of my students.

She was with her boyfriend.

He's in my class too.

- The one in the phone booth?

- No no that was
the night before.

Last night was in the park.

- There was another one?

- Do you read the papers?

- Is that what you wanted
to talk to me about?

- No, yeah, well,

listen, you teach
Abnormal Psychology

don't you Fred
among other things?

- Mmm hmm.

So what do you wanna know?

- Well, they're comparing
this to Jack the Ripper.

What I'm wondering is,
do you think this guy

is an imitator, or do you think

he really believes he
is Jack the Ripper?

- Could be either one.

- Oh.

- You say the girl
last night was

with her boyfriend in the park?

- Yeah.

- And as I remember, another was

a cocktail waitress, and uh...

I'd say the guy
thinks he's Jack.

- Why?

- Well, if he were an imitator,

chances are he wouldn't
know enough about him

to imitate him to a T.

But, if he's operating under the

delusion that he actually
is Jack the Ripper,

well, he'd do everything
Jack would have done.

Uh, an imitator
wouldn't necessarily be

on the ball enough to
make the distinction.

- I see.

- On the other hand,
care for some coke?

- Uh, no thanks.

- On the other hand, uh,

depending upon the guy's
psychological makeup,

here would you hold this for me?

- Sure.

- Thanks, and uh,

that uh, I think this
book on Freud, here.

has what I'm
- Ah.

- Looking for.
- Okay.

- I got it.

Let's see here.

I found it earlier.

Yeah, yeah yeah yeah.

See, see that?

That's what a Victorian
prostitute looked like.

Hmm.

- So?

- So?

Look around.

Ah hah!

- Yeah, but, what
about his methods?

Why would he mutilate them so?

- Well, it depends on
if you're talking about

the current murderer, because
that's the way Jack did it.

If you're talking
about Jack himself,

could be any one of
a number of reason.

- Such as?

- Oh, such as, uh,
a mother hate thing,

uh, massive inferiority
complex, uh,

religious mania.

Or quite the opposite.

It could be some type
of occultic thing.

- Occultic?

- Yeah, yeah.

Ritualistic killings,
and mutilations,

usually disembowelment.

- For what purpose?

- Power, immortality,
soul transference.

- Yeah but Fred.

- Fred!
- Huh?

- How prevalent was all that
back in the Victorian era?

- The more severe the
society, the more extreme

the other side of the coin.

- That so?
- Uh huh, uh huh.

Well take prohibition
for example.

It was a gangsters heyday,

and you'd be surprised how much

occultic activity was going on.

- Ah!

To hell with ya.

- Hello?

- Hi, honey, just calling to
let you know I'm on my way.

- Well that was sweet of you.

Hey, you made me
a very happy girl.

You'll never guess
what arrived today.

- Let me see...

Is it, round and shiny and

sticks so far out of your bed

that you could hang a hat on it?

- You're a doll, Richard,
you really shouldn't have.

Oh I love it!

So does this mean we're,
uh, tying the knot

now that we have our
own brass headboard?

- Ahhh, well, I'm dying
to see what it looks like

in your bedroom.

Be ready in 20 minutes?

- Uh, in 20 minutes?

I'll try.

See ya later, bye bye.

- Ah!

Hi, honey, it's me.

Battery's dead in
the Porsche again.

Can you pick me up?

- Yeah, I guess so.

- I'll just wait here
for you, allright?

- I'm not ready yet, um, it's
going to take a few minutes.

- Well, I'm not going anywhere.

- Okay bye.

- Bye.

Steve, what are you doing here?

- I need to talk to you.

- Uh, look this is
really not a good time.

- Can I come in?

- Sure why not, Steve?

Come right in.

I was sorry as hell to hear
about your girlfriend, Steve.

- I was with her, you know.

- I know.

- We were going to get married.

I heard that.

God, I'm sorry Steve.

- I really loved her.

And like that, she's gone.

You know what that
does to someone?

- I can imagine.

- Can you?

- Hey look, Steve, let me
get you a drink or something.

- I don't want a drink!

I wanna talk to you.

- Ok, so sit down, we'll talk.
- I don't wanna sit down!

I wanna talk to right here!

- Okay I'm all ears.

So talk.

- I wanna talk to you because...

I think you're the Ripper.

I think you killed Cindy.

- Me?

- The ring.

You know about the ring.

- Yeah, I know about the ring.

- I wanna see your leg.

Show me your leg.

- What are you talking about?

- Show me your leg!

- Hey, hey.

Look, Steve, now there's
no need for that.

Put the gun away.

- Your left leg!

The Ripper fell on his left leg,

now let me see your left leg!

- Settle down.

I didn't kill your girlfriend.

I'm not the Ripper, I
never killed anybody.

- Show me your leg!

Professor Harwell.

Why?

- Steve, that's been
there a long time.

Look, I never killed anybody.

Now, let's call the Police.
- No!

The ring.

What about the ring?

- I bought it as a joke, now
it won't come off that's all!

- No.

You know that Jack the
Ripper owned the ring.

- Steve, that's speculation,
that's some writer's theory,

that's not a fact!

Now give me the gun.

- No.

You killed them.

- Steve, look at me.

- I never killed anybody.

Now I've got a date coming
over in a couple of minutes.

Why don't you give me the gun?

- You still going out
with the dance teacher?

- Yeah I am, now
give me the gun!

- Hello?

- Carol, Carol Hastings, do
you date Professor Harwell

at the University?

- Yeah.

- Do you have a date
with him tonight?

- Who is this?

- Don't meet him.

Don't go out with him
he's going to kill you.

- Who, who is this?

- He killed my
girlfriend and he killed

those other girls too.

And now he's going to kill you.

- Is this some kind of a joke?

- It's no joke, I swear it!

He's the Ripper.

And you're his next victim.

Stupid.

- Richard?

Richard?

Richard?

Richard?

Richard, what are
you doing in here?

C'mon, let's go eat, okay?

Honey?

Richard?

Don't do this to me!

Oh
my God, who are you?

- Uh, moi?

Uh.

I should think that
would be obvious.

Though, considering that
people have been asking me

that question for
the last 100 years,

hearing it again
hardly surprises me.

- Where's Richard?

What have you done with Richard?

- Richard?

Richard?

Richard?

Richard?

You have no idea.

Like any intelligent man,

I do enjoy the
occasional challenge.

However I am not of
the temperament tonight

to put up with any more of
this cat and mouse game!

- Ah!

- Zipper
five to dispatch.

Request backup at
12 North Vancouver.

- Uh!

- Though I'm sure
there are many people

that believe that I
kill for mere pleasure,

I assure you that's
not the case.

Like any good hunter, I kill
to sustain my existence.

And had it been
known that roguery

is a practice common to mortals,

perhaps I would
not have achieved

immortality quite so eagerly.

You see, my dear,

immortality exacts
a handsome price.

Both for those
who must claim it,

and those who must pave the way.

I can be, not without honor.

I do have a
conscience, you know.

I initially took
the vise of those

that society would
miss the least.

- Uh!
- Waifs.

The misbegotten.

The misfits.

The derelicts.

But as time progresses,

I find it increasingly difficult
to make the distinction.

Therefore, I do apologize,

but I must take your life.

- Help.

- But too many times I have
been stopped short of my goal.

I have been hindered
in my quest.

But tonight, tonight
this very night,

you, are the only thing
that stands between me,

and permanent release from the
void that has been my prison

for the better part
of this last century.

If I fail,

I may have to wait
another 100 years

before fate presents
me with an escape.

Don't...
- Ah!

Fight it.

You have...
- Uh!

A great honor.

This is your night.

This is the night,

that you, release me.

From my mortal coils.

- Let her go!

Go ahead, drop the knife!

Let her go!

- Young man!

You can't kill me.

You can kill her,

but you can't kill me.

- Ah!

- Ahhhhhhhhhh!

- He's the Ripper!

He's in there get him!

Get him it's the Ripper!

- Kill him!

Don't let him get the ring on!

You can't kill him when he does!

Kill him!

Kill him!

- Get him, please, get
him he's the Ripper!

- Easy, there.

- Don't let
him get the ring on!

It's Jack the Ripper!

The Ripper!

The murderer!

Kill him!

- Ahhhhhhhh!

- No, it's the wrong man!

- Take him out!

- Don't shoot!

- Ah!

- No, it's
the wrong man!

Don't shoot!

- Kill him!

- No!

Oh Richard!

Oh!

- Hey, what's that?

- Oh, neat
something shiny!

- Wow it's a ring!

- Hey, it's kinda neat!

- Looks kinda weird.

- Let me see it.

- No, I want it.

- I think mom might like it.

- Let's bring
it home to her.

- Nah, she won't want it.

- Let's give it
to her as a present.

C'mon!

- Oh, okay.