The Seventh Veil (1945) - full transcript
One dark summer night, Francesca Cunningham, a once world famed pianist, escapes from her hospital room and tries to commit suicide by jumping off a local bridge. She is rescued and taken back to the hospital and undergoes psychological treatment by Dr. Larsen. Larsen, desperately wants to know the events and persons who drove her to this state and help her. He makes Francesca talk about her past - a past with a controlling guardian, Nicholas, no friends, kept apart from the man she loved and forced to practice the piano 5-6 hours a day.
Thank you. Some place where we can talk?
This way.
She never attempted suicide before?
No, never.
I see.
What is her occupation?
She's a well known concert pianist.
I've heard her play several times.
She does not speak at all.
If you question her...
she doesn't answer.
One would think she didn't hear one,
if one didn't know that she does.
She will talk to me. I should like to
examine her again tomorrow under hypnosis.
Rather, if she's not cooperating, under narcosis.
And you really think that will help?
It may do. At least it'll tell us the nature of the injury to her mind.
I know you fellows get some remarkable results
but I can't say I altogether like it.
It seems a little like prying
if you see what I mean.
Dr. Kendall...
A surgeon doesn't operate without first
taking off the patient's clothes.
And nor do we with the mind.
You know what Staple says:
the human mind is like Salome at the beginning
of her dance.
Hidden from the outside world by seven veils,
veils of reserve, shyness, fear,
they're with friends.
The average person will drop first one veil,
then another, maybe three or four altogether.
With a lover, she wild take off five, or even six,
but never the seventh.
Now, you see, the human mind likes to cover
its nakedness, too
and keep its private thoughts to itself.
Salome dropped her seventh veil of her free will
but you will never get the human mind to do that.
And that is why I use narcosis.
Five minutes under narcosis
and down comes the seventh veil.
Then we can see what is actually
going on behind it.
Then we can really help.
I'll be back tomorrow at 3 o'clock.
You'll have the patient ready, please.
Goodbye, Dr. Kendall.
Good bye.
Good afternoon, nurse.
Good afternoon, Doctor.
Well, how is the patient today?
Just the same, Doctor.
I would like you to prepare an injection.
It's just to put her to sleep the first time.
Later on when she is cooperating
she'll be able to get along without it.
I shall start as soon as you are ready.
Good afternoon, Miss Cunningham.
My name is Larsen. I trust you slept well?
Oh, you didn't.
That is a pity, a great pity.
When one doesn't sleep, one isn't very happy.
Well, never mind, never mind.
You shall get a little sleep now.
I want you to breathe deeply.
Now we'll have a little sleep.
You're very tired and you'd like to go to sleep.
Relax now... that's right.
Relax and close your eyes, gently,
very slowly....
You're so tired, so terribly tired.
So lazy, and you want to go to sleep.
It's so nice to relax. It's so nice to go to sleep.
That's right, soon you will be asleep....
There, you are asleep.
Nothing can hurt you now because you're asleep.
You understand, don't you?
Nod your head if you do.
That's right.
Now, you can do what you like
and you can go where you please.
What would you like to do?
Where would you like to go? Hm?
Would you like to go back to school?
You were happy when you are little girl,
weren't you?
Would you like to go back
and be happy again?
Back to school?
School.
Yes?
School.
Yes, tell me about it.
School.
Listen, you are 14 years of age now.
How old are you?
I am 14.
That's right
You are 14 and you are at school.
School.
Oh God, he's getting away, mind.
Oh, look, he's escaping.
Look...
Look out, you'll fall.
You'll be sorry.
Of course I won't.
How many?
Six.
No, seven.
Where are we going to keep them?
Under the bed.
Suppose matron finds them.
She won't.
How do you know?
She's frightened to look under beds.
She is not.
She is, I tell you
Why?
In case there's a man there, of course.
Susan, you are dreadful.
You carry that and I'll bring the nets.
Susan, listen.
The bell. It's time to check in already.
So what?
We must hurry, Susan, we're terribly late.
What's the good? It'll take us
at least ten minutes to get back.
And then we've got to change.
Oh, my knickers are all wet.
I must go, I mustn't be late.
Why not, Miss Lawson will only give you
a black mark.
No she won't.
She'll sent me to Miss Dunken.
It's the third time I've been late
this week already.
You can say you felt sick.
Said that on Tuesday.
Say you lost your way.
It was always like that.
Susan could persuade me to do anything.
I'd do it because she asked me.
And I was the one who got into trouble for it.
I was punished.
Oh, I know I must be punished, of course,
but not on my hands, please, not on my hands.
Today is music scholarship.
If you cane me, if my hands... please.
That afternoon my hands were
swelling and blistered.
I played so badly I knew I hadn't a chance.
I'd set my heart on that scholarship.
Music was the only thing I really cared for
even then.
The next time you sat for it
you passed easily.
I never sat for it again.
During that year, my father died.
My mother had died when I was 6.
But now my father was dead too.
They told me I must go and live
with my uncle Nicholas.
Uncle Nicholas wasn't really my uncle at all.
I believe he was my father's second cousin.
But he was rich and he was the only relative
I had in the world.
All right, let's have look at you.
Francesca, isn't it?
Yes, Uncle Nicholas.
Don't call me uncle. I'm not your uncle.
If you must call me anything, call me Nicholas.
Yes, Nicholas.
Turn around.
Take your hat off.
Yes, you're Florence's child all right.
Same straight back, same long legs,
same nose.
I suppose you've got the same
sanctimonious disposition.
Well, are you sanctimonious?
I don't know what the word means.
Let's hope you never will.
Come here.
Listen to me, listen carefully.
This is a bachelor establishment.
Do you know what that word means?
Yes, it means that you're not married.
It means I don't like women
about the place.
When I came to live in this house
I promised myself no woman should ever enter it.
So far none ever has. You're the first.
I see.
What do you see?
That I'm to do my best not to intrude
on your privacy more than I can possibly do.
Ring the bell... er, please.
Yes, Uncle... yes, Nicholas.
Would you like to stroke him?
No.
Why not?
I hate cats. They frighten me.
Oh, well, you'll soon will get used to them
in this house.
Parker, this is Miss Cunningham
How do you do, Miss.
How do you...
Take her away, you know where to put her.
Yes, sir. This way, Miss.
Parker, who is that?
Mr. Nicholas' mother, Miss.
Is she dead?
I don't think so.
What happened to her then?
I can't tell you that, Miss.
I shall have ask Mr. Nicholas.
I don't think I should do that
if I were you, Miss.
He doesn't like the subject
to be discussed.
Her name is never mentioned in this house.
Do you really want to know
what happened to her?
No.
Yes.
She left her old man.
Ran away with a singer
How do you know?
Everybody knows, it was in all the papers.
There was a divorce, Mr Nicholas had to give
evidence. He was only twelve then.
How beastly of her!
Oh, I don't know.
You might do the same sometime.
You got what it takes.
How dare you!
Sorry, Miss.
I've a jolly good mind to tell Parker
what you said.
Well, I...
All right, I won't.
You may go now.
Thank you, Miss.
James
Yes, Miss?
How long have you been here?
Twelve years, Miss.
Has it always been like this?
Yes, Miss, just like this.
Oh, dear!
Yes, Miss.
Those first weeks with Nicholas
were the loneliest I ever spent.
Sometimes I wouldn't speak to a soul
for days on end, except to say good morning.
Sometimes not even that.
Good morning, Nicholas.
Good morning, James.
Good morning, Sir.
All of the servants were men.
They were very polite.
But I always felt they resented
my being there.
Nicholas made me feel like that too,
but he had a different way of showing it.
He would limp about the house, leaning on his cane
and look right through me as though I wasn't there.
On the rare occasions when he did send for me
I was so nervous I could hardly speak.
Mr. Nicholas has been asking for you, Miss.
Where is he?
In the drawing room, Miss.
You wanted me, Nicholas?
Do you recognize this?
Yes.
Did you notice it was addressed to me?
Yes.
Then why didn't you give it to me?
I... forgot.
Did you really forget?
No.
I see.
Did you know what was in it?
Yes, it was a letter from Miss Dunken.
What about?
About me.
Did you know what she says?
No.
Let me tell you.
She says, let's see...
... your intelligence is rather above
the average. Do you agree?
I don't know.
She also says you can sew.
Is that correct?
I suppose so.
Francesca is extremely well-behaved,
and has a charming friendly disposition.
when she has overcome the initial shyness,
which sometimes prevents her
making friends easily.
Are you shy?
Yes.
Of me?
A little.
There's no need to be,
I won't eat you.
I know, but I...
But what?
Nothing.
What else does the encyclopaedic Miss Dunken
say of her fledgling?
She has studied French, German,
elementary mathematics, History
and soon and so on.
Francesca has an extraordinary talent
for music.
She plays the piano extremely well
and has an appreciation of music
far in advance of her years.
Play something for me.
I can't.
Why not?
Please don't ask me. I can't.
Come here.
Sit down, play something.
I can't! I won't!
After that Nicholas made me practice
4 or 5 hours a day.
He was always beside me now,
listening to everything I did.
It was terribly hard work.
But Nicholas saw to it that I didn't
shirk one minute of it.
He was a slave driver.
But he was a wonderful teacher, too.
He knew instinctively how to get best
out of me.
He knew more about the spirit of music
than any man I ever met.
Yet, he didn't play it very well himself.
He used to say rather bitterly:
"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."
All right.
I've taught you all I know.
It's time you had some proper training.
I've arranged for you to start at the college
tomorrow. You'll find all the details here.
Report to the secretary 10 o'clock.
Oh, Nicholas, thank you.
Don't do that!
Don't do that ever again.
Next morning when I got up,
Nicholas had gone away.
He didn't come back for nearly 3 months.
Meanwhile I'd started at the college
and I was far too busy finding out
how little I knew to worry about Nicholas.
Those first months at the college were
the happiest in my life.
Though I don't suppose I spoke to a soul
the whole time.
Except to say good morning
or ask one of the teachers a question.
And I didn't care whether I had
any friends or not.
I didn't care.
You didn't care because you were happy.
No.
He took away my happiness.
Who did?
Nicholas. He hated me to be happy.
Had you no one else else, no friends?
Only Peter.
Peter? Tell me about Peter.
Where did you meet him?
At a little caf? where most of us used to
go for lunch.
It was kept by an old Italian
who used to play the fiddle at La Scala.
I remember the date.
June 14th.
And the dress I was wearing
and my old beret.
I had just finished eating when
I felt someone was staring at me.
I looked up... there was Peter.
You know, you're working too hard.
I like work.
I like ravioli but I don't eat it
all the time.
I don't work all the time.
I bet you don't stop even when you're
asleep. And you look so serious.
Don't you ever smile?
When there's something to smile at.
Come on, put that score away. I'll
pay your bill. I wanna show you something.
Thank you, I...
Come on, come on.
Peter was like that.
I'd seen him before at the college,
but I'd never spoken to him
and I didn't think that he'd even noticed me.
He was an American working his way
through college.
Playing in a dance band at night
and studying during the day.
Will you please send this back.
You know, there's practically nothing
wrong with you.
Thank you.
You're a bit of a prig, but that's the way
you've been brought up.
And you're extremely rude.
I suppose that's the way you've been
brought up.
Check. I was dragged up.
I know it.
I must go.
Why do you always run away when
you're having fun?
I don't. I just have more important things
to do.
That's the trouble with you!
How often you take the evening off
and go to the movies?
Never!
There you are!
I don't like films.
But you should!
Why?
Because they take you out of yourself
out of real life altogether.
Is that such a good thing?
Of course it is, now look.
Suppose this is a film....
Poor, struggling musician, that's me.
Meets a snooty rich girl, that's you.
You know what happens?
What?
She's cold, and stuck up
and rather unattainable.
But underneath it all, she's falling for him
in spite of herself, see?
No.
That's because you don't go to films.
You know what happens next?
No.
He just leans forward and kisses her.
You know what she does?
No.
She pushes him away and walks
right out of the place.
leaving him standing there looking
like a dummy!
But that's only in films.
In real life, it's quite different.
Yes?
Oh, yes, quite different.
In real life, I just lean forward and kiss
you like this.
Do you know what you do?
Yes.
You know this happens in films, too.
Will you please go away?
After the snooty rich girl walks out on
tbe poor, struggling musician
you know, when he kisses her,
they're both awfully unhappy.
And after a day or two they both take to
hunting the spot where they first met.
Why?
Because of both getting pretty hungry,
I guess.
Mariani, two raviolis.
I don't want anything to eat. I've had my lunch.
Don't worry, you're not getting any.
They're both for me.
I want you to realize I've been so miserable
I haven't eaten for a week!
Good evening!
Good evening, Nicholas.
I didn't know you were back.
Yes, I'm back.
You're looking rather pale.
Have you been working too hard?
I don't think so.
You're not ill? No, I'm quiet well, thank you.
Aren't you going to play for me?
Yes, of course.
Are you mad?
But you asked me to play.
I ask you to play!
If you can't think of anything better
play a chromatic scale or a 5 fingers exercise.
But spare me your suburban
shopgirl trash!
Peter?
Hm?
Do you know why I didn't come out
with you yesterday?
Uncle Nicholas.
No. I went to the pictures.
You dared, eh?
Who with?
By myself.
It was a most interesting film...
It was about a girl who... knew a boy loved her
but hadn't the courage to ask her
to marry him.
so... she thought about it...
and decided that if he didn't ask her
she'd have to ask him.
So...are you listening?
Yeah, hm-hmm.
Well, this girl... in the film, I mean..
she decided that she'd have to ask
him herself.
Did she?
No.
At the last minute, her courage failed her.
Peter?
Hm?
Do you remember saying that films were
the reverse of real life?
Hm-hmm.
Well, they are.
I mean, my courage hasn't failed me.
Peter, I want you to marry me.
That night as I sat up and waited for
Nicholas to come home,
I thought there's nothing
to be frightened of.
He can't do anything.
Peter would take care of me now.
And then I heard his key in the lock.
Nicholas!
Good evening, Francesca.
Isn't it rather late for you to be up?
Yes, I suppose it is.
But, Nicholas, I must talk to you.
Won't you wait till the morning?
No, it's important.
Very well.
Nicholas!
Won't you wait till we're inside?
I'm sorry.
Hm...
Well, now, what was it you
wanted to say to me?
I don't know how to start.
Why not start at the beginning?
That's the usual way, isn't it?
Well, there's nothing usual about this..
so I'll start at the end...
Nicholas, I'm engaged.
Oh...
Well, good night.
Nicholas...
Did you heard what I said?
Perfectly!
But... don't you understand?
I've found a man I love
...and I want to marry him and
he's asked me and I've said yes...
Go to bed!
And, Francesca, before you go to sleep,
pack a bag.
We're leaving for Paris
in the morning.
Paris? You mean you're taking me to Paris?
Yes?
But I can't go.
I won't go.
I want to stay here with Peter.
What could I do in Paris?
You'll carry on with your studies.
I won't!
I won't go, I tell you!
You can't make me.
I don't care whether I ever play again.
If you take away me from Peter
I won't ever play again, I mean it!
Why can't you be kind to me?
Why do you always treat me as though
I were a child?
Because you are!
I'm not! I'm a grown up, I'm a woman.
I have a right to live my own life.
I know what I want.
You're just trying to take it away from me!
The only thing I've really cared for!
How old are you?
I won't go, I won't! I won't!
I said, how old are you?
Seventeen.
Exactly, until you're 21 you're
in my care.
I'm your guardian. Your legal guardian.
Do you understand what that means?
No.
It means you can't marry without my
consent.
You can't even leave this house without
my permission.
If you do, I can have you brought back
by the police, if necessary.
It's my duty to see that you behave properly
and don't make a fool of yourself.
Is that clear?
Yes.
Then go to bed.
Go to bed.
From that moment, Nicholas never let me
out of his sight.
It was seven years before
I saw Peter again.
Seven years of music.
Paris, Vienna, Rome.
Seven years of Nicholas planning my life.
Turning me into his dream of a concert
pianist.
We lunched and dined in crowded restaurants.
We were always alone.
Of course you can't play tennis.
It would ruin your hands.
Nicholas was always reminding me to take
care of my hands.
Take care of your hands.
They're your only real asset.
Nicholas was always at my elbow.
never left me alone for a day.
I don't suppose anyone ever led such
a sheltered life as I did with Nicholas.
Always think of your hands.
They're your most precious possession.
Nicholas never let me forget that I was
to be a pianist.
Never risk harming your hands....
He always talked of music and my hands.
Always look after your hands.
Remember.
You must take care of your hands.
My precious hands.
Your hands... your hands... your hands!
Take after your hands.
No! No! No!
Spread your skirt!
Let the knee drop right down!
Now try it again!
Smile! For heaven's sake, smile!
And remember,
bow to the conductor first...
then to the audience, all of us.
At last, Nicholas decided that I was
ready for my first concert appearance.
It was in Venice.
Everyone was very kind.
Monsignor Leoni came all the way from Rome
to hear my debut.
They're lovely, thank you.
You're ready?
Yes, Nicholas!
Don't forget. Wait for Pirelli
to lead you onto the platform.
Take your time
Don't give him the signal to start
until you're quite ready.
You've got a handkerchief?
Yes.
Turn around.
And around.
Let me see the front again.
Anna!
That hem's hanging badly.
See to it.
Don't let it happen again!
Yes, sir.
I happen to be a very old friend of Miss
Cunningham's.
Francesca!
Susan!
Darling.
You're Susan Brook, isn't it?
Dear, how clever of you to remember
after all these years.
Only it's not Brook now,
it's Krobotovitch. Horrid, isn't it?
Darling, I'm married.
Francesca and I were at school together,
you know.
Darling, you haven't change a bit.
Now you're a famous pianist.
I only saw your name on the bills
this afternoon and I said to my husband...
He's my second...
The first was crunchy cornflakes.
This one is arch treasures.
So much nicer, don't you think?
Susan, you are dreadful.
I said to my husband,
"I was at school with that girl!"
He said, "It may not be the same one".
You know how silly men are, my dear.
I said, oh, yes it is, mine was a pianist, too"
Then I told him that screamingly funny story
of how you failed your music exam, remember?
It was when we were at school.
We played truant one day
to go and catch frogs or lizzards
or something quite revolting
and I fell in the water
We got found out. The whole thing was
my fault, of course.
But the headmistress was absolutely livid
and insisted on caning us both
most frightfully.
Darling, do you put that down.
Of course, I couldn't have cared less.
But the joke of the whole thing was
Francesca was sitting for
a music exam that same afternoon.
She played nothing on earth
and failed miserably.
Just thing of Francesca failing her
first music exam.
It truly is too funny.
What's the matter, Francesca,
is something wrong?
Nothing, Nicholas, thank you.
Oh, did I say something I shouldn't?
Well, I mustn't interrupt you anymore.
I'll go out front and listen.
Darling, you simply must come have tea with me
one day and meet all my husband's relatives.
Terribly odd people.
Quite frighteningly rich.
Goodbye, darling! Astonishing luck.
Don't forget to ring me! Good bye.
My dear good man,
I'm sure we're in the front row.
I shall never forget it, never.
That awful fear of my hands.
I could almost feel my fingers swelling
as I played.
I know it's nonsense but I really did feel it.
Yes.
I'm sure you did.
You never saw Peter all this time?
No.
I managed to write to him from Paris
but the letters came back marked "Gone away".
Somehow I didn't mind.
I know it sounds foolish.
But in some strange way, I knew that one day
we must get back to London again.
And that when we did,
I'd find Peter waiting.
I knew exactly how it would happen
and sure enough it did.
I was in my dressing room.
It was in the Opera House,
in Copenhagen.
I was going to play the Schumann.
And the door opened and Nicholas came in.
He always came in without knocking.
That's how sure of me he was.
Cable from London,
They want you for the Arbertour next month,
do you want to go?
Why ask me? You usually settle these things
without consulting me.
If I do it it's only to save you trouble.
You know you can do exactly
as you please.
Can I, Nicholas?
Of course!
You mean I can refuse this offer?
Any offer?
Of course, if you wish to.
No, I think I should like to go.
I'll wire them now.
That night when Nicholas came to collect me
after the concert
he knocked at my door.
Come in!
It was the first time I ever remember him
doing so.
You're ready?
Almost.
Would you like to dine at the Viking?
If you like.
We can go to the Rotunda if you'd rather.
No, the Viking will do.
Francesca, there's something I'd
like to say to you.
Yes, Nicholas?
You said tonight that I never consulted
you over anything.
It doesn't matter.
But it does.
If I haven't done so it's because I wanted your life
to be as smooth and easy as possible.
To save you worry.
To enable you to concentrate on your music.
No, but...
Let me finish.
I've devoted years
to converting a very ordinary little girl
in pigtails into a first class artist.
I've given up everything to be with you.
To help your career.
And yet I've made no demands on you at all.
No demands of any sort.
Do you understand?
Yes, Nicholas.
You're completely free to do as you please,
to come and go as you choose.
Yes, Nicholas.
Good, then it's understood.
Now, I've invited the Baron Von Ullman
and the Princess to dine.
They're waiting for us at The Viking.
Tomorrow, after lunch there'll be a little
reception on the Burgomaster's.
I've told them you'll be tired.
You'll play only once, no encores.
Then, on Thursday, we'll...
Are you ready?
Just a minute.
On Thursday I've arranged for you
to play for the patients of the national hospital.
Ready?
Yes, Nicholas.
Now, smile
There are a hundred people
at the stage door.
No autographs tonight but you might
throw these from the car.
Where's that smile?
Nervous?
No.
I'll be all right!
Of course you'll be all right.
They're in for a suprise.
They haven't heard anything like you
for 20 years.
Ready, Miss Cunningham?
Thank you.
Good luck, my dear.
Thank you, Nicholas.
I'll stay back here and wait for you.
I'd made up my mind that directly the concerto
was over, I would go and look for Peter.
I suppose I must have realized
that he probably wouldn't be at the club anymore.
But what I hadn't bargained for was that
the name of the club should have changed.
And the hat check girl, and the band.
All I could find out was that Peter had had
a row with the management
and gone to the Golden Fleece.
At the Golden Fleece someone remembered
that they'd seen him at the Monte Carlo.
At the Monte Carlo nobody knew where he was.
Except for a receptionist who thought he'd gone
to the halls in a big stage band.
And then when I had given up all hope
of finding him
My taxi suddenly stopped and there,
looking straight at me,
was Peter's face.
Well, what happened then?
I'd rather not talk about it.
You can tell me.
I don't want to talk about it.
All right.
Tell me about Max.
Max?
Yes, you remember Max.
Maxwell Leyden.
Yes.
Tell me about him.
I was outside the door, listening.
You didn't know I listened through keyholes,
did you?
That's what Nicholas did for me.
The door was half open anyway,
and I could hear everything
they were saying inside.
Excellent cigar! Kingley's in Bond Street
import them for me especially.
I keep them for my closest friends.
and those of whom I have favor to ask.
And I come in the second category.
Yes.
Then I hope it's in my power to grant it.
I'll come straight to the point.
For several years I've been
a great admirer of your work,
especially your portraits
I'll never forget that lovely thing you did
of the American ambassador's wife.
Thank you.
Now I'd like you to paint my ward.
Will you do it?
I'm afraid that will be impossible.
May one ask why?
I don't paint portraits anymore.
Besides, I've never met your ward.
That can be remedied.
She is not unattractive.
I'm convinced she's lovely.
But that doesn't interest me.
Maybe I've known too many beautiful women.
I've set my heart on it.
Mr. Cunningham, I just don't paint
portraits anymore..
It interferes with my serious work.
Very well.
That's the end of that.
Good evening!
Francesca, this is Maxwell Leyden.
My ward, Miss Cunningham.
How do you do.
How do you do.
I've often heard you play.
Oh? Where?
In my studio.
I've all your records.
That's very kind of you.
And are you doing a portrait
of anyone exciting at the moment?
No... no.
Nothing exciting at the moment.
I was just suggesting that Mr Leyden
should paint your portrait.
Oh. But I don't care to have
my portrait painted.
I beg your pardon?
May one ask why?
Certainly.
it interferes with my serious
work. Good night, Mr. Leyden.
Good night, Nicholas.
I hope my being here doesn't
interfere with your playing.
Not at all. When I'm working
I lose all my contact with the outside world.
I sometimes go on long past mealtime.
Do you?
Hm.
If you do that today, I'll just slip away...
if you don't mind.
No.
I'm merely being considerate.
Considerate?
To my stomach.
Can you really work as well
when I'm playing?
No!
You're terribly....
It was our bargain I'm not to interfere with your work.
Even if my playing interferes with yours?
That's what we agreed on.
You'd like me to sit for you properly,
up on a dais, wouldn't you?
Naturally.
With my hands, and arms and head
all arranged in a striking pose.
Yes.
Under strict instructions
not to move until you say so.
Yes.
Would you still like me to do that
for you?
I would love you to do that.
In spite of our bargain?
In spite of our bargain.
Well, I'm not going to.
Can I move?
In just one second.
My neck's getting stiff.
I'm getting cramps in a
most peculiar place.
All right.
Move.
May I look?
Not yet. You go and dress.
I think you're being most secretive.
And you're being most curious.
Oh, thank you.
Would you like some tea?
No, thank you.
I'm sure you would like to get back
to that piano.
Oh, no. I doubt but I
should ever be able to play again.
Oh?
My neck's so stiff I shan't be able
to see the keyboard.
I am sorry. But I think I can cure
that. Turn around.
Is that it?
Hm-hmm.
Better?
Lovely.
Everything about you is lovely.
I thought I was the ugly duckling in your
gallery of beauties.
No, you're not. You are...
What?
Must you really know?
Hm.
You're the most beautiful woman I've
ever painted.
Not because you're beautiful,
but because I'm in love with you.
Hopelessly in love with you.
Good night.
Leyden, I'd like a word
with you before you go.
Do you mind if I ask you a question?
Of course not, as long as you don't move.
Last time you were here, you said
something that worried me very much.
Did I?
But you must know that you did.
Oh, you mean when I told you I was
in love with you.
Yes.
But why should that worry you
so much?
Surely it's the most natural thing
in the world.
Not for me.
I hate love. I hate being in love.
I never wanted it to happen to me again.
If you deny yourself love,
you might as well be dead.
I'd rather be dead than go through
what I've been through all over again.
I was happy in the life
I built up for myself.
I put a fine high wall of music around me
and nothing could touch me.
I was safe and secure.
Then you had to come along and knock it
all down. I hate you for that.
On the contrary, you love me.
Maybe I do.
Francesca!
Well, would you like to look at it?
It's very... very good.
I hate to think of Nicholas
having it.
Why?
Because he looks right through me and
I hate to think of Nicholas being able to do that.
You're frightened of Nicholas, aren't you?
Yes.
Why?
He has some extraordinary
power over me.
You'll think it's absurd but he
knows what I'm thinking,
he knows what I'm going to do.
almost before I know myself.
He's quite determined I shan't
do anything that interferes with his plans.
Then why do you stay with him?
I don't know.
I don't think I can help myself.
Don't let's talk about it.
All right.
Can I get you a drink?
Yes, please.
What are you going to do
now that you've finished it?
Take a holiday, I suppose.
Have I been such hard work?
No, no.
Yes, perhaps you have.
Where will you go?
I don't know yet. Italy, perhaps.
I've got an old tumbled down villa there on a hill
above the sea.
Very quiet, so restful.
Sounds lovely.
Will you paint?
Not unless you come with me.
Francesca, must we keep on
pretending?
I'm in love with you and you love me.
We could be very happy.
We're both tired and miserable.
and we are both losing something we really want
only because you are frightened.
Can't you forget it, come away with me?
To Italy?
Hm-hmm.
I'd be a very poor companion.
I don't believe it,
but I'll risk it.
I'd like to, Max, very much.
What is it, darling?
I was wondering how I was
going to tell Nicholas.
Let me tell him.
No, I'll manage somehow.
Max, it's not important,
but just how do we arrange things?
How do you mean?
Do you want to marry me?
I never thought of that.
I see.
Do you want me to?
I'm not sure.
You know if you want...
No...
I don't think it matters.
I see.
And when are you thinking
of getting married?
I don't know, probably never.
But you said you were going to Italy.
I am.
You mean you're going to live with him openly.
Yes.
How can you even think of such thing?
I won't listen to another word.
Nicholas, I don't care whether
you listen or not.
I don't care what you say or what you do.
This is my life and I propose to live it
in the way I think...
Francesca!
It's no good, Nicholas.
you can't browbeat me anymore.
I'm grateful to you for some of the things
you've done for me.
But I'll never forgive you for some of the others.
Anyway, it's over now.
I'm going with Max next week.
Please don't try to stop me...
...or make me change my mind.
Because I won't change my mind.
Nothing's going to stop me.
Is that clear?
I'll say goodbye to you before I go.
What do you want?
Francesca, I haven't deserved this of you.
I've always treated you as though
you were my...
my own daughter.
All the love and sympathy I've had
I gave it to you.
My life hasn't been a happy one. I've never told you
about it and I'm not going to tell you now.
But you are the one beautiful thing
that's been in my life...
and I can't live without you.
You must know that.
I can't give you up.
I won't give you up,
you're a great artist!
Great artists don't just happen,
they have to be made and I've made you.
I've spent 10 years training you, molding you.
You're my life's work.
Now you want to throw it all away on a man
who doesn't even want to marry you.
Francesca, listen to me!
You can't stand up against me.
You haven't got the strength.
You'll do as I say.
I demand that you give up this man.
I demand that you send him away.
Listen, we'll go to America.
They've been asking for you in New York
for months.
Now we can go. We'll go.
You and I together
Francesca!
This happened before once,
you remember?
You came away with me then.
You weren't sorry, were you?
You didn't really love that boy,
you don't love Leyden,
and I'll tell you why.
You belong to me.
We must always be together.
You know that, don't you?
Promise me you'll stay with me always!
Promise!
Very well, if that's the way you want it.
If you won't play for me you shan't play
for anyone else ever again.
Max!
What happened, darling?
Get in the car.
Max wouldn't let me go back into the house
even to pack a bag.
He gave me his raincoat to keep me warm
and then we drove for what seemed to be hours
through the cold starless night
I felt completely numb.
All I could realize was that I was free.
Free at last from Nicholas
and everything he stood for.
Nothing could touch me again, nothing!
Then...
I woke up in bed at the nursing home.
For a moment I couldn't think what
had happened.
And then it all came crawling in on me.
I looked down at my hands.
They were bandaged and I couldn't
move them.
I knew then that I should never play again.
Thank you, nurse.
Hello, Francesca.
Oh, that's nothing.
Hello, darling
Why didn't you kill me promptly?
It was an accident, darling,
I couldn't help it.
No, I know you couldn't, but...
But I'd rather be dead.
But you're scarcely hurt.
The doctors say you'll be up in a day or two.
I don't want to get up.
I want to die.
Why?
Look at my hands.
They were only slightly burned.
No bones broken.
Nothing that won't heel up
in a week or two.
I don't believe you.
But it is so!
Ask the doctors, ask the nurses.
I don't believe them either.
You're all saying this to keep me quiet.
I know, I tell you, I know.
I shall never able to be use them again.
I shall never be able to play anymore.
Francesca.
Don't touch me!
I wish I were dead.
I wish I were dead!
Thank you, nurse.
Your coat, Doctor.
I'll be back tomorrow at 5 o'clock.
Yes, Doctor.
Shall I have another injection, ready?
No, that won't be necessary.
Miss Cunningham and I are friends now.
So here we have Francesca Cunningham's
case history.
The caning at school resulting in the failure
at the music examination
and fear that her hands might be injured,
the attempt by her guardian to smash her hands
finally the car crash, the shock of finding
herself in hospital with her hands bandaged.
Now, all these things together
have produced a fixation,
a barrier in the patient's subconscious mind.
which is now preventing her full recovery.
It is this barrier which we now have to
break down.
And I believe I have found the way to do it.
That's why I've put her under hypnosis.
Now, with the help of the music,
music which we know she loves,
I'm going to suggest to her the way
to conquer this fixation.
If I can make her play the piano.
I shall wake her up
while she is actually playing
and then she will know there is nothing
really wrong with her hands.
I've got some records here
made by Miss Cunningham a few years ago.
I propose to play one of them
in a moment.
You put this on, will you?
Now, Miss Cunningham,
I want you to listen to me carefully
and do exactly as I tell you.
You understand, don't you?
Right!
Now.
Give me your hand and get up.
I want you to come with me.
I want you to sit down here at the piano.
That's right.
Now, would you like to hear
some music today?
Nod to me if you want me to play you
some music.
Good!
There, there is your music,
just as I promised you.
Isn't it beautiful?
Don't you want to play it yourself?
Play?
Yes.
Don't you want to play?
I can't.
Yes, yes, you can!
You can if you want to.
And you do want to, don't you?
Nod to me if you want to.
Then play!
Your hands are on the keys now.
Your hands want to play.
You want to play, don't you!
Try, try!
Promise you'll stay with me always
Promise me... Very well.
If that's the way you want it, very well.
If you won't play for me you shan't play
for anyone else ever again.
No, please, don't.
Take me away, take me away...
Oh, yes, sir.
Will you take a seat, please.
I would like to speak to you for a moment,
please.
Certainly.
I've just come from the nursing home.
They told me you have removed
Miss Cunningham from their care.
Is that so?
Yes.
Mr. Leyden I feel it's my duty
to go on treating her.
I'm sorry, Doctor.
After what has happened, surely even you
will agree that she has suffered enough.
She will go on suffering until she is cured.
All she needs is rest.
Yes, but that's for her body not for her mind.
Her mind will restore itself
if she's left alone.
No, her mind needs treatment.
Treatment?
Your treatment is likely to unhinge
her mind altogether.
Mr. Leyden, are you aware of the responsibility
if you prevent me from finishing my treatment?
It's Miss Cunningham who will have to pay for it
with more suffering.
And one day you will have to come
back to me.
Only then it might be too late.
I'm sure I can get results if we carry on
right away.
I'm sorry, doctor.
Very well.
How is she today?
Fine, thank you.
I see.
Mr. Leyden this is all wrong.
This is all wrong.
I do not want to fail
with this particular case.
Would you mind if I went to
Miss Cunningham's guardian
and asked his permission to treat her?
Not at all.
Only he won't be her guardian much longer.
No? Why is that?
We are to be married next week.
Oh, I see.
Excuse me, but have you got her consent?
I propose to ask her.
Mr. Leyden, that poor girl is in no condition
to make up her mind on anything at the moment.
I warn you, what you're doing
is very dangerous.
I'm prepared to take the risk, Doctor.
Very well.
Good day!
Good day.
Doctor Larsen?
It's good of you to see me.
Take a seat.
Thank you.
Your business?
I've come to ask your assistance in a case
in which I'm working.
What is the case?
The name of my patient is Miss Cunningham,
Francesca Cunningham.
Well?
Miss Cunningham is your niece and...
She's my second cousin.
I see.
But she has lived with you here in this house
and I take it you have often heard her play the piano,
practicing and so on...
What is all this leading up to?
I have a record here.
It is of a tune which has assumed some importance
in the case.
I wonder if I could play it to you.
And if you would be good enough to tell me
whether you know anything about it.
Whether perhaps it has any sentimental associations
or is connected with anyone she knew.
Go ahead!
Thank you!
Don't expect me to know anything about her
private affairs.
It is always possible.
Get out!
You dropped you cane, Mr. Cunningham.
Allow me to thank you.
You have helped me after all.
I always knew of the power you have
over Miss Cunningham.
But now I know why.
I know what she means to you.
All right.
I wish to see Mr. Leyden.
Mr. Leyden is not at home, Sir.
I'll wait.
It's quite safe.
I shan't steal the pictures.
Francesca!
So you're still angry with me.
I'm not to be forgiven, eh?
It is of no consequence.
I'm not stupid enough to expect forgiveness
of anyone except myself.
And I'd never forgive myself if I allowed
you to go on like this.
You know there is nothing
the matter with you, don't you?
You know you can be cured quite easily
and play again if you want to.
No, I don't know. I don't think so.
Larsen can cure you if you give him
the chance.
I can understand Leyden
not wanting you to get better.
It would mean he'd lose you and of course
that's the last thing he'd want.
But you? I can't understand you.
Don't you want to be the real
Francesca Cunningham?
I shall never play again, never.
If you don't, it's your own fault.
My fault?
It's no use brooding over the past.
It's your future you should be thinking
about.
I have no future.
Larsen can give it back to you.
He couldn't last time.
I see.
Larsen failed to work a miracle
so he is not to be allowed another chance,
is that it?
Yes.
Won't you let him try again?
No.
Not for me?
No.
You're the most obstinate woman
I've ever known.
Do you remember the first time I asked
you to play for me?
You were as stubborn as a mule.
I was frightened.
Frightened? Am I such a frightening person?
Yes.
You're not frightened now, you're smiling.
It's funny.
What's funny?
It's so different when you're kind.
When you're like this, I'd do anything for you.
Then you'll play again, won't you?
All you've got to do is to make up
your mind.
Larsen will do the rest.
I can't, Nicholas, I've tried.
Look at me! Look at me!
I tell you there's nothing to be
frightened of ever again.
Nothing to be frightened of ever again.
You really want to play, don't you?
Yes, I do, Nicholas!
And you'll see Larsen.
Yes, I'll see Larsen!
The clinic?
May I speak to Doctor Larsen, please?
You want me?
Are you Mr. Gay?
That's right.
My name is Larsen.
How do you do?
I'm a doctor and...
I don't need a doctor, I'm pretty fit as I am.
I'm very glad to hear that.
But I've really have come here
because I believe you know a patient of mine.
Miss Cunningham, Francesca Cunningham.
Sure, I do, but why?
Is she in any trouble?
In very great trouble, Mr. Gay.
And I believe you can help me to put it right.
You knew Miss Cunningham very well
at one time, did you not?
Yeah, I did, but...
Then she went away to the Continent.
When she come back, first thing she did
was to come and see you, here.
Yeah.
Mr. Gay, I want you to tell me
what happened that night.
Nothing, nothing at all.
Something must have happened.
Oh, I told her I was married
if that's what you mean.
How did she take it?
She just walked out on me.
She is like that, you know.
Has Miss Cunningham ever met your wife?
Not that I know of.
We were divorced 2 years ago.
I'm sorry.
That's all right.
There is one more thing.
There was a tune you used to dance to.
A waltz.
Yes.
You haven't got a gramophone record
of it, by any chance.
Oh, I'm afraid I haven't.
Could you get one?
Yeah, I'm sure I could.
It's old, of course, and pretty corny
but it's still sweet if you like them that way.
Yes, Mr. Gay, I want you to get that
record for me, or rather, for Miss Cunningham
and bring it to this address,
do you mind?
Not at all.
Tomorrow, tomorrow at seven.
Okay.
Thank you, Mr. Gay.
Good bye, Doctor. Anything I can do,
bring my boys along...
Your boys?
No, that won't be necessary.
It was not your boys she was
in love with.
This way, sir.
Who is that?
His name is Peter Gay.
He is the apostle of a new religion
called swing.
What has he got to do with Miss Cunningham?
He's the man she wanted to marry.
I shouldn't do that. It won't help.
What is that music?
Call it that if you like.
It's a tune they used to dance to.
Why should he be playing it now?
Weren't you at the last little experiment
he made?
Yes.
Then you ought to be able to imagine
what's going on.
Whisky?
Yes, please.
Parker!
Sir?
Whisky for Mr. Leyden, please.
Well?
Well what?
Did anything happen?
That's what I'm trying to figure out myself.
Is she all right? What did Larsen say?
I guess it all adds up to something,
but he's away ahead of me.
What's the good of turning
the clock back anyway?
Never did anyone any good.
I wouldn't be too sure of that.
Have a drink.
Thanks.
Doesn't she play beautifully?
Is she playing?
Yes, that's my Francesca.
Can I go up now?
It would be pity to interrupt her.
Doesn't she want me with her?
Perhaps.
What do you mean "perhaps"?
Forgive me, gentlemen. I'm afraid
I should have explained to you at once.
But the music has put it out my head.
Yes, I think I can promise you
a complete cure.
But... you have to prepare yourself for
a new Francesca.
A new and very different person.
In what way?
You see the past is over for her now,
quite over.
Her mind is clear
and the clouds have been swept away.
She's no longer afraid.
Whether you will be entirely satisfied with
the change in her, I don't know
But it might be wise not to expect
too much.
Are you trying to tell me she...
I'm trying to tell you, will she want to be
with the one she loves
or the one she's been happiest with
or the one she cannot do without?
Or the one she trusts?
And who is that?
It would hardly be fair of me to say.
Subtitles by Lu?s Filipe Bernardes
This way.
She never attempted suicide before?
No, never.
I see.
What is her occupation?
She's a well known concert pianist.
I've heard her play several times.
She does not speak at all.
If you question her...
she doesn't answer.
One would think she didn't hear one,
if one didn't know that she does.
She will talk to me. I should like to
examine her again tomorrow under hypnosis.
Rather, if she's not cooperating, under narcosis.
And you really think that will help?
It may do. At least it'll tell us the nature of the injury to her mind.
I know you fellows get some remarkable results
but I can't say I altogether like it.
It seems a little like prying
if you see what I mean.
Dr. Kendall...
A surgeon doesn't operate without first
taking off the patient's clothes.
And nor do we with the mind.
You know what Staple says:
the human mind is like Salome at the beginning
of her dance.
Hidden from the outside world by seven veils,
veils of reserve, shyness, fear,
they're with friends.
The average person will drop first one veil,
then another, maybe three or four altogether.
With a lover, she wild take off five, or even six,
but never the seventh.
Now, you see, the human mind likes to cover
its nakedness, too
and keep its private thoughts to itself.
Salome dropped her seventh veil of her free will
but you will never get the human mind to do that.
And that is why I use narcosis.
Five minutes under narcosis
and down comes the seventh veil.
Then we can see what is actually
going on behind it.
Then we can really help.
I'll be back tomorrow at 3 o'clock.
You'll have the patient ready, please.
Goodbye, Dr. Kendall.
Good bye.
Good afternoon, nurse.
Good afternoon, Doctor.
Well, how is the patient today?
Just the same, Doctor.
I would like you to prepare an injection.
It's just to put her to sleep the first time.
Later on when she is cooperating
she'll be able to get along without it.
I shall start as soon as you are ready.
Good afternoon, Miss Cunningham.
My name is Larsen. I trust you slept well?
Oh, you didn't.
That is a pity, a great pity.
When one doesn't sleep, one isn't very happy.
Well, never mind, never mind.
You shall get a little sleep now.
I want you to breathe deeply.
Now we'll have a little sleep.
You're very tired and you'd like to go to sleep.
Relax now... that's right.
Relax and close your eyes, gently,
very slowly....
You're so tired, so terribly tired.
So lazy, and you want to go to sleep.
It's so nice to relax. It's so nice to go to sleep.
That's right, soon you will be asleep....
There, you are asleep.
Nothing can hurt you now because you're asleep.
You understand, don't you?
Nod your head if you do.
That's right.
Now, you can do what you like
and you can go where you please.
What would you like to do?
Where would you like to go? Hm?
Would you like to go back to school?
You were happy when you are little girl,
weren't you?
Would you like to go back
and be happy again?
Back to school?
School.
Yes?
School.
Yes, tell me about it.
School.
Listen, you are 14 years of age now.
How old are you?
I am 14.
That's right
You are 14 and you are at school.
School.
Oh God, he's getting away, mind.
Oh, look, he's escaping.
Look...
Look out, you'll fall.
You'll be sorry.
Of course I won't.
How many?
Six.
No, seven.
Where are we going to keep them?
Under the bed.
Suppose matron finds them.
She won't.
How do you know?
She's frightened to look under beds.
She is not.
She is, I tell you
Why?
In case there's a man there, of course.
Susan, you are dreadful.
You carry that and I'll bring the nets.
Susan, listen.
The bell. It's time to check in already.
So what?
We must hurry, Susan, we're terribly late.
What's the good? It'll take us
at least ten minutes to get back.
And then we've got to change.
Oh, my knickers are all wet.
I must go, I mustn't be late.
Why not, Miss Lawson will only give you
a black mark.
No she won't.
She'll sent me to Miss Dunken.
It's the third time I've been late
this week already.
You can say you felt sick.
Said that on Tuesday.
Say you lost your way.
It was always like that.
Susan could persuade me to do anything.
I'd do it because she asked me.
And I was the one who got into trouble for it.
I was punished.
Oh, I know I must be punished, of course,
but not on my hands, please, not on my hands.
Today is music scholarship.
If you cane me, if my hands... please.
That afternoon my hands were
swelling and blistered.
I played so badly I knew I hadn't a chance.
I'd set my heart on that scholarship.
Music was the only thing I really cared for
even then.
The next time you sat for it
you passed easily.
I never sat for it again.
During that year, my father died.
My mother had died when I was 6.
But now my father was dead too.
They told me I must go and live
with my uncle Nicholas.
Uncle Nicholas wasn't really my uncle at all.
I believe he was my father's second cousin.
But he was rich and he was the only relative
I had in the world.
All right, let's have look at you.
Francesca, isn't it?
Yes, Uncle Nicholas.
Don't call me uncle. I'm not your uncle.
If you must call me anything, call me Nicholas.
Yes, Nicholas.
Turn around.
Take your hat off.
Yes, you're Florence's child all right.
Same straight back, same long legs,
same nose.
I suppose you've got the same
sanctimonious disposition.
Well, are you sanctimonious?
I don't know what the word means.
Let's hope you never will.
Come here.
Listen to me, listen carefully.
This is a bachelor establishment.
Do you know what that word means?
Yes, it means that you're not married.
It means I don't like women
about the place.
When I came to live in this house
I promised myself no woman should ever enter it.
So far none ever has. You're the first.
I see.
What do you see?
That I'm to do my best not to intrude
on your privacy more than I can possibly do.
Ring the bell... er, please.
Yes, Uncle... yes, Nicholas.
Would you like to stroke him?
No.
Why not?
I hate cats. They frighten me.
Oh, well, you'll soon will get used to them
in this house.
Parker, this is Miss Cunningham
How do you do, Miss.
How do you...
Take her away, you know where to put her.
Yes, sir. This way, Miss.
Parker, who is that?
Mr. Nicholas' mother, Miss.
Is she dead?
I don't think so.
What happened to her then?
I can't tell you that, Miss.
I shall have ask Mr. Nicholas.
I don't think I should do that
if I were you, Miss.
He doesn't like the subject
to be discussed.
Her name is never mentioned in this house.
Do you really want to know
what happened to her?
No.
Yes.
She left her old man.
Ran away with a singer
How do you know?
Everybody knows, it was in all the papers.
There was a divorce, Mr Nicholas had to give
evidence. He was only twelve then.
How beastly of her!
Oh, I don't know.
You might do the same sometime.
You got what it takes.
How dare you!
Sorry, Miss.
I've a jolly good mind to tell Parker
what you said.
Well, I...
All right, I won't.
You may go now.
Thank you, Miss.
James
Yes, Miss?
How long have you been here?
Twelve years, Miss.
Has it always been like this?
Yes, Miss, just like this.
Oh, dear!
Yes, Miss.
Those first weeks with Nicholas
were the loneliest I ever spent.
Sometimes I wouldn't speak to a soul
for days on end, except to say good morning.
Sometimes not even that.
Good morning, Nicholas.
Good morning, James.
Good morning, Sir.
All of the servants were men.
They were very polite.
But I always felt they resented
my being there.
Nicholas made me feel like that too,
but he had a different way of showing it.
He would limp about the house, leaning on his cane
and look right through me as though I wasn't there.
On the rare occasions when he did send for me
I was so nervous I could hardly speak.
Mr. Nicholas has been asking for you, Miss.
Where is he?
In the drawing room, Miss.
You wanted me, Nicholas?
Do you recognize this?
Yes.
Did you notice it was addressed to me?
Yes.
Then why didn't you give it to me?
I... forgot.
Did you really forget?
No.
I see.
Did you know what was in it?
Yes, it was a letter from Miss Dunken.
What about?
About me.
Did you know what she says?
No.
Let me tell you.
She says, let's see...
... your intelligence is rather above
the average. Do you agree?
I don't know.
She also says you can sew.
Is that correct?
I suppose so.
Francesca is extremely well-behaved,
and has a charming friendly disposition.
when she has overcome the initial shyness,
which sometimes prevents her
making friends easily.
Are you shy?
Yes.
Of me?
A little.
There's no need to be,
I won't eat you.
I know, but I...
But what?
Nothing.
What else does the encyclopaedic Miss Dunken
say of her fledgling?
She has studied French, German,
elementary mathematics, History
and soon and so on.
Francesca has an extraordinary talent
for music.
She plays the piano extremely well
and has an appreciation of music
far in advance of her years.
Play something for me.
I can't.
Why not?
Please don't ask me. I can't.
Come here.
Sit down, play something.
I can't! I won't!
After that Nicholas made me practice
4 or 5 hours a day.
He was always beside me now,
listening to everything I did.
It was terribly hard work.
But Nicholas saw to it that I didn't
shirk one minute of it.
He was a slave driver.
But he was a wonderful teacher, too.
He knew instinctively how to get best
out of me.
He knew more about the spirit of music
than any man I ever met.
Yet, he didn't play it very well himself.
He used to say rather bitterly:
"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."
All right.
I've taught you all I know.
It's time you had some proper training.
I've arranged for you to start at the college
tomorrow. You'll find all the details here.
Report to the secretary 10 o'clock.
Oh, Nicholas, thank you.
Don't do that!
Don't do that ever again.
Next morning when I got up,
Nicholas had gone away.
He didn't come back for nearly 3 months.
Meanwhile I'd started at the college
and I was far too busy finding out
how little I knew to worry about Nicholas.
Those first months at the college were
the happiest in my life.
Though I don't suppose I spoke to a soul
the whole time.
Except to say good morning
or ask one of the teachers a question.
And I didn't care whether I had
any friends or not.
I didn't care.
You didn't care because you were happy.
No.
He took away my happiness.
Who did?
Nicholas. He hated me to be happy.
Had you no one else else, no friends?
Only Peter.
Peter? Tell me about Peter.
Where did you meet him?
At a little caf? where most of us used to
go for lunch.
It was kept by an old Italian
who used to play the fiddle at La Scala.
I remember the date.
June 14th.
And the dress I was wearing
and my old beret.
I had just finished eating when
I felt someone was staring at me.
I looked up... there was Peter.
You know, you're working too hard.
I like work.
I like ravioli but I don't eat it
all the time.
I don't work all the time.
I bet you don't stop even when you're
asleep. And you look so serious.
Don't you ever smile?
When there's something to smile at.
Come on, put that score away. I'll
pay your bill. I wanna show you something.
Thank you, I...
Come on, come on.
Peter was like that.
I'd seen him before at the college,
but I'd never spoken to him
and I didn't think that he'd even noticed me.
He was an American working his way
through college.
Playing in a dance band at night
and studying during the day.
Will you please send this back.
You know, there's practically nothing
wrong with you.
Thank you.
You're a bit of a prig, but that's the way
you've been brought up.
And you're extremely rude.
I suppose that's the way you've been
brought up.
Check. I was dragged up.
I know it.
I must go.
Why do you always run away when
you're having fun?
I don't. I just have more important things
to do.
That's the trouble with you!
How often you take the evening off
and go to the movies?
Never!
There you are!
I don't like films.
But you should!
Why?
Because they take you out of yourself
out of real life altogether.
Is that such a good thing?
Of course it is, now look.
Suppose this is a film....
Poor, struggling musician, that's me.
Meets a snooty rich girl, that's you.
You know what happens?
What?
She's cold, and stuck up
and rather unattainable.
But underneath it all, she's falling for him
in spite of herself, see?
No.
That's because you don't go to films.
You know what happens next?
No.
He just leans forward and kisses her.
You know what she does?
No.
She pushes him away and walks
right out of the place.
leaving him standing there looking
like a dummy!
But that's only in films.
In real life, it's quite different.
Yes?
Oh, yes, quite different.
In real life, I just lean forward and kiss
you like this.
Do you know what you do?
Yes.
You know this happens in films, too.
Will you please go away?
After the snooty rich girl walks out on
tbe poor, struggling musician
you know, when he kisses her,
they're both awfully unhappy.
And after a day or two they both take to
hunting the spot where they first met.
Why?
Because of both getting pretty hungry,
I guess.
Mariani, two raviolis.
I don't want anything to eat. I've had my lunch.
Don't worry, you're not getting any.
They're both for me.
I want you to realize I've been so miserable
I haven't eaten for a week!
Good evening!
Good evening, Nicholas.
I didn't know you were back.
Yes, I'm back.
You're looking rather pale.
Have you been working too hard?
I don't think so.
You're not ill? No, I'm quiet well, thank you.
Aren't you going to play for me?
Yes, of course.
Are you mad?
But you asked me to play.
I ask you to play!
If you can't think of anything better
play a chromatic scale or a 5 fingers exercise.
But spare me your suburban
shopgirl trash!
Peter?
Hm?
Do you know why I didn't come out
with you yesterday?
Uncle Nicholas.
No. I went to the pictures.
You dared, eh?
Who with?
By myself.
It was a most interesting film...
It was about a girl who... knew a boy loved her
but hadn't the courage to ask her
to marry him.
so... she thought about it...
and decided that if he didn't ask her
she'd have to ask him.
So...are you listening?
Yeah, hm-hmm.
Well, this girl... in the film, I mean..
she decided that she'd have to ask
him herself.
Did she?
No.
At the last minute, her courage failed her.
Peter?
Hm?
Do you remember saying that films were
the reverse of real life?
Hm-hmm.
Well, they are.
I mean, my courage hasn't failed me.
Peter, I want you to marry me.
That night as I sat up and waited for
Nicholas to come home,
I thought there's nothing
to be frightened of.
He can't do anything.
Peter would take care of me now.
And then I heard his key in the lock.
Nicholas!
Good evening, Francesca.
Isn't it rather late for you to be up?
Yes, I suppose it is.
But, Nicholas, I must talk to you.
Won't you wait till the morning?
No, it's important.
Very well.
Nicholas!
Won't you wait till we're inside?
I'm sorry.
Hm...
Well, now, what was it you
wanted to say to me?
I don't know how to start.
Why not start at the beginning?
That's the usual way, isn't it?
Well, there's nothing usual about this..
so I'll start at the end...
Nicholas, I'm engaged.
Oh...
Well, good night.
Nicholas...
Did you heard what I said?
Perfectly!
But... don't you understand?
I've found a man I love
...and I want to marry him and
he's asked me and I've said yes...
Go to bed!
And, Francesca, before you go to sleep,
pack a bag.
We're leaving for Paris
in the morning.
Paris? You mean you're taking me to Paris?
Yes?
But I can't go.
I won't go.
I want to stay here with Peter.
What could I do in Paris?
You'll carry on with your studies.
I won't!
I won't go, I tell you!
You can't make me.
I don't care whether I ever play again.
If you take away me from Peter
I won't ever play again, I mean it!
Why can't you be kind to me?
Why do you always treat me as though
I were a child?
Because you are!
I'm not! I'm a grown up, I'm a woman.
I have a right to live my own life.
I know what I want.
You're just trying to take it away from me!
The only thing I've really cared for!
How old are you?
I won't go, I won't! I won't!
I said, how old are you?
Seventeen.
Exactly, until you're 21 you're
in my care.
I'm your guardian. Your legal guardian.
Do you understand what that means?
No.
It means you can't marry without my
consent.
You can't even leave this house without
my permission.
If you do, I can have you brought back
by the police, if necessary.
It's my duty to see that you behave properly
and don't make a fool of yourself.
Is that clear?
Yes.
Then go to bed.
Go to bed.
From that moment, Nicholas never let me
out of his sight.
It was seven years before
I saw Peter again.
Seven years of music.
Paris, Vienna, Rome.
Seven years of Nicholas planning my life.
Turning me into his dream of a concert
pianist.
We lunched and dined in crowded restaurants.
We were always alone.
Of course you can't play tennis.
It would ruin your hands.
Nicholas was always reminding me to take
care of my hands.
Take care of your hands.
They're your only real asset.
Nicholas was always at my elbow.
never left me alone for a day.
I don't suppose anyone ever led such
a sheltered life as I did with Nicholas.
Always think of your hands.
They're your most precious possession.
Nicholas never let me forget that I was
to be a pianist.
Never risk harming your hands....
He always talked of music and my hands.
Always look after your hands.
Remember.
You must take care of your hands.
My precious hands.
Your hands... your hands... your hands!
Take after your hands.
No! No! No!
Spread your skirt!
Let the knee drop right down!
Now try it again!
Smile! For heaven's sake, smile!
And remember,
bow to the conductor first...
then to the audience, all of us.
At last, Nicholas decided that I was
ready for my first concert appearance.
It was in Venice.
Everyone was very kind.
Monsignor Leoni came all the way from Rome
to hear my debut.
They're lovely, thank you.
You're ready?
Yes, Nicholas!
Don't forget. Wait for Pirelli
to lead you onto the platform.
Take your time
Don't give him the signal to start
until you're quite ready.
You've got a handkerchief?
Yes.
Turn around.
And around.
Let me see the front again.
Anna!
That hem's hanging badly.
See to it.
Don't let it happen again!
Yes, sir.
I happen to be a very old friend of Miss
Cunningham's.
Francesca!
Susan!
Darling.
You're Susan Brook, isn't it?
Dear, how clever of you to remember
after all these years.
Only it's not Brook now,
it's Krobotovitch. Horrid, isn't it?
Darling, I'm married.
Francesca and I were at school together,
you know.
Darling, you haven't change a bit.
Now you're a famous pianist.
I only saw your name on the bills
this afternoon and I said to my husband...
He's my second...
The first was crunchy cornflakes.
This one is arch treasures.
So much nicer, don't you think?
Susan, you are dreadful.
I said to my husband,
"I was at school with that girl!"
He said, "It may not be the same one".
You know how silly men are, my dear.
I said, oh, yes it is, mine was a pianist, too"
Then I told him that screamingly funny story
of how you failed your music exam, remember?
It was when we were at school.
We played truant one day
to go and catch frogs or lizzards
or something quite revolting
and I fell in the water
We got found out. The whole thing was
my fault, of course.
But the headmistress was absolutely livid
and insisted on caning us both
most frightfully.
Darling, do you put that down.
Of course, I couldn't have cared less.
But the joke of the whole thing was
Francesca was sitting for
a music exam that same afternoon.
She played nothing on earth
and failed miserably.
Just thing of Francesca failing her
first music exam.
It truly is too funny.
What's the matter, Francesca,
is something wrong?
Nothing, Nicholas, thank you.
Oh, did I say something I shouldn't?
Well, I mustn't interrupt you anymore.
I'll go out front and listen.
Darling, you simply must come have tea with me
one day and meet all my husband's relatives.
Terribly odd people.
Quite frighteningly rich.
Goodbye, darling! Astonishing luck.
Don't forget to ring me! Good bye.
My dear good man,
I'm sure we're in the front row.
I shall never forget it, never.
That awful fear of my hands.
I could almost feel my fingers swelling
as I played.
I know it's nonsense but I really did feel it.
Yes.
I'm sure you did.
You never saw Peter all this time?
No.
I managed to write to him from Paris
but the letters came back marked "Gone away".
Somehow I didn't mind.
I know it sounds foolish.
But in some strange way, I knew that one day
we must get back to London again.
And that when we did,
I'd find Peter waiting.
I knew exactly how it would happen
and sure enough it did.
I was in my dressing room.
It was in the Opera House,
in Copenhagen.
I was going to play the Schumann.
And the door opened and Nicholas came in.
He always came in without knocking.
That's how sure of me he was.
Cable from London,
They want you for the Arbertour next month,
do you want to go?
Why ask me? You usually settle these things
without consulting me.
If I do it it's only to save you trouble.
You know you can do exactly
as you please.
Can I, Nicholas?
Of course!
You mean I can refuse this offer?
Any offer?
Of course, if you wish to.
No, I think I should like to go.
I'll wire them now.
That night when Nicholas came to collect me
after the concert
he knocked at my door.
Come in!
It was the first time I ever remember him
doing so.
You're ready?
Almost.
Would you like to dine at the Viking?
If you like.
We can go to the Rotunda if you'd rather.
No, the Viking will do.
Francesca, there's something I'd
like to say to you.
Yes, Nicholas?
You said tonight that I never consulted
you over anything.
It doesn't matter.
But it does.
If I haven't done so it's because I wanted your life
to be as smooth and easy as possible.
To save you worry.
To enable you to concentrate on your music.
No, but...
Let me finish.
I've devoted years
to converting a very ordinary little girl
in pigtails into a first class artist.
I've given up everything to be with you.
To help your career.
And yet I've made no demands on you at all.
No demands of any sort.
Do you understand?
Yes, Nicholas.
You're completely free to do as you please,
to come and go as you choose.
Yes, Nicholas.
Good, then it's understood.
Now, I've invited the Baron Von Ullman
and the Princess to dine.
They're waiting for us at The Viking.
Tomorrow, after lunch there'll be a little
reception on the Burgomaster's.
I've told them you'll be tired.
You'll play only once, no encores.
Then, on Thursday, we'll...
Are you ready?
Just a minute.
On Thursday I've arranged for you
to play for the patients of the national hospital.
Ready?
Yes, Nicholas.
Now, smile
There are a hundred people
at the stage door.
No autographs tonight but you might
throw these from the car.
Where's that smile?
Nervous?
No.
I'll be all right!
Of course you'll be all right.
They're in for a suprise.
They haven't heard anything like you
for 20 years.
Ready, Miss Cunningham?
Thank you.
Good luck, my dear.
Thank you, Nicholas.
I'll stay back here and wait for you.
I'd made up my mind that directly the concerto
was over, I would go and look for Peter.
I suppose I must have realized
that he probably wouldn't be at the club anymore.
But what I hadn't bargained for was that
the name of the club should have changed.
And the hat check girl, and the band.
All I could find out was that Peter had had
a row with the management
and gone to the Golden Fleece.
At the Golden Fleece someone remembered
that they'd seen him at the Monte Carlo.
At the Monte Carlo nobody knew where he was.
Except for a receptionist who thought he'd gone
to the halls in a big stage band.
And then when I had given up all hope
of finding him
My taxi suddenly stopped and there,
looking straight at me,
was Peter's face.
Well, what happened then?
I'd rather not talk about it.
You can tell me.
I don't want to talk about it.
All right.
Tell me about Max.
Max?
Yes, you remember Max.
Maxwell Leyden.
Yes.
Tell me about him.
I was outside the door, listening.
You didn't know I listened through keyholes,
did you?
That's what Nicholas did for me.
The door was half open anyway,
and I could hear everything
they were saying inside.
Excellent cigar! Kingley's in Bond Street
import them for me especially.
I keep them for my closest friends.
and those of whom I have favor to ask.
And I come in the second category.
Yes.
Then I hope it's in my power to grant it.
I'll come straight to the point.
For several years I've been
a great admirer of your work,
especially your portraits
I'll never forget that lovely thing you did
of the American ambassador's wife.
Thank you.
Now I'd like you to paint my ward.
Will you do it?
I'm afraid that will be impossible.
May one ask why?
I don't paint portraits anymore.
Besides, I've never met your ward.
That can be remedied.
She is not unattractive.
I'm convinced she's lovely.
But that doesn't interest me.
Maybe I've known too many beautiful women.
I've set my heart on it.
Mr. Cunningham, I just don't paint
portraits anymore..
It interferes with my serious work.
Very well.
That's the end of that.
Good evening!
Francesca, this is Maxwell Leyden.
My ward, Miss Cunningham.
How do you do.
How do you do.
I've often heard you play.
Oh? Where?
In my studio.
I've all your records.
That's very kind of you.
And are you doing a portrait
of anyone exciting at the moment?
No... no.
Nothing exciting at the moment.
I was just suggesting that Mr Leyden
should paint your portrait.
Oh. But I don't care to have
my portrait painted.
I beg your pardon?
May one ask why?
Certainly.
it interferes with my serious
work. Good night, Mr. Leyden.
Good night, Nicholas.
I hope my being here doesn't
interfere with your playing.
Not at all. When I'm working
I lose all my contact with the outside world.
I sometimes go on long past mealtime.
Do you?
Hm.
If you do that today, I'll just slip away...
if you don't mind.
No.
I'm merely being considerate.
Considerate?
To my stomach.
Can you really work as well
when I'm playing?
No!
You're terribly....
It was our bargain I'm not to interfere with your work.
Even if my playing interferes with yours?
That's what we agreed on.
You'd like me to sit for you properly,
up on a dais, wouldn't you?
Naturally.
With my hands, and arms and head
all arranged in a striking pose.
Yes.
Under strict instructions
not to move until you say so.
Yes.
Would you still like me to do that
for you?
I would love you to do that.
In spite of our bargain?
In spite of our bargain.
Well, I'm not going to.
Can I move?
In just one second.
My neck's getting stiff.
I'm getting cramps in a
most peculiar place.
All right.
Move.
May I look?
Not yet. You go and dress.
I think you're being most secretive.
And you're being most curious.
Oh, thank you.
Would you like some tea?
No, thank you.
I'm sure you would like to get back
to that piano.
Oh, no. I doubt but I
should ever be able to play again.
Oh?
My neck's so stiff I shan't be able
to see the keyboard.
I am sorry. But I think I can cure
that. Turn around.
Is that it?
Hm-hmm.
Better?
Lovely.
Everything about you is lovely.
I thought I was the ugly duckling in your
gallery of beauties.
No, you're not. You are...
What?
Must you really know?
Hm.
You're the most beautiful woman I've
ever painted.
Not because you're beautiful,
but because I'm in love with you.
Hopelessly in love with you.
Good night.
Leyden, I'd like a word
with you before you go.
Do you mind if I ask you a question?
Of course not, as long as you don't move.
Last time you were here, you said
something that worried me very much.
Did I?
But you must know that you did.
Oh, you mean when I told you I was
in love with you.
Yes.
But why should that worry you
so much?
Surely it's the most natural thing
in the world.
Not for me.
I hate love. I hate being in love.
I never wanted it to happen to me again.
If you deny yourself love,
you might as well be dead.
I'd rather be dead than go through
what I've been through all over again.
I was happy in the life
I built up for myself.
I put a fine high wall of music around me
and nothing could touch me.
I was safe and secure.
Then you had to come along and knock it
all down. I hate you for that.
On the contrary, you love me.
Maybe I do.
Francesca!
Well, would you like to look at it?
It's very... very good.
I hate to think of Nicholas
having it.
Why?
Because he looks right through me and
I hate to think of Nicholas being able to do that.
You're frightened of Nicholas, aren't you?
Yes.
Why?
He has some extraordinary
power over me.
You'll think it's absurd but he
knows what I'm thinking,
he knows what I'm going to do.
almost before I know myself.
He's quite determined I shan't
do anything that interferes with his plans.
Then why do you stay with him?
I don't know.
I don't think I can help myself.
Don't let's talk about it.
All right.
Can I get you a drink?
Yes, please.
What are you going to do
now that you've finished it?
Take a holiday, I suppose.
Have I been such hard work?
No, no.
Yes, perhaps you have.
Where will you go?
I don't know yet. Italy, perhaps.
I've got an old tumbled down villa there on a hill
above the sea.
Very quiet, so restful.
Sounds lovely.
Will you paint?
Not unless you come with me.
Francesca, must we keep on
pretending?
I'm in love with you and you love me.
We could be very happy.
We're both tired and miserable.
and we are both losing something we really want
only because you are frightened.
Can't you forget it, come away with me?
To Italy?
Hm-hmm.
I'd be a very poor companion.
I don't believe it,
but I'll risk it.
I'd like to, Max, very much.
What is it, darling?
I was wondering how I was
going to tell Nicholas.
Let me tell him.
No, I'll manage somehow.
Max, it's not important,
but just how do we arrange things?
How do you mean?
Do you want to marry me?
I never thought of that.
I see.
Do you want me to?
I'm not sure.
You know if you want...
No...
I don't think it matters.
I see.
And when are you thinking
of getting married?
I don't know, probably never.
But you said you were going to Italy.
I am.
You mean you're going to live with him openly.
Yes.
How can you even think of such thing?
I won't listen to another word.
Nicholas, I don't care whether
you listen or not.
I don't care what you say or what you do.
This is my life and I propose to live it
in the way I think...
Francesca!
It's no good, Nicholas.
you can't browbeat me anymore.
I'm grateful to you for some of the things
you've done for me.
But I'll never forgive you for some of the others.
Anyway, it's over now.
I'm going with Max next week.
Please don't try to stop me...
...or make me change my mind.
Because I won't change my mind.
Nothing's going to stop me.
Is that clear?
I'll say goodbye to you before I go.
What do you want?
Francesca, I haven't deserved this of you.
I've always treated you as though
you were my...
my own daughter.
All the love and sympathy I've had
I gave it to you.
My life hasn't been a happy one. I've never told you
about it and I'm not going to tell you now.
But you are the one beautiful thing
that's been in my life...
and I can't live without you.
You must know that.
I can't give you up.
I won't give you up,
you're a great artist!
Great artists don't just happen,
they have to be made and I've made you.
I've spent 10 years training you, molding you.
You're my life's work.
Now you want to throw it all away on a man
who doesn't even want to marry you.
Francesca, listen to me!
You can't stand up against me.
You haven't got the strength.
You'll do as I say.
I demand that you give up this man.
I demand that you send him away.
Listen, we'll go to America.
They've been asking for you in New York
for months.
Now we can go. We'll go.
You and I together
Francesca!
This happened before once,
you remember?
You came away with me then.
You weren't sorry, were you?
You didn't really love that boy,
you don't love Leyden,
and I'll tell you why.
You belong to me.
We must always be together.
You know that, don't you?
Promise me you'll stay with me always!
Promise!
Very well, if that's the way you want it.
If you won't play for me you shan't play
for anyone else ever again.
Max!
What happened, darling?
Get in the car.
Max wouldn't let me go back into the house
even to pack a bag.
He gave me his raincoat to keep me warm
and then we drove for what seemed to be hours
through the cold starless night
I felt completely numb.
All I could realize was that I was free.
Free at last from Nicholas
and everything he stood for.
Nothing could touch me again, nothing!
Then...
I woke up in bed at the nursing home.
For a moment I couldn't think what
had happened.
And then it all came crawling in on me.
I looked down at my hands.
They were bandaged and I couldn't
move them.
I knew then that I should never play again.
Thank you, nurse.
Hello, Francesca.
Oh, that's nothing.
Hello, darling
Why didn't you kill me promptly?
It was an accident, darling,
I couldn't help it.
No, I know you couldn't, but...
But I'd rather be dead.
But you're scarcely hurt.
The doctors say you'll be up in a day or two.
I don't want to get up.
I want to die.
Why?
Look at my hands.
They were only slightly burned.
No bones broken.
Nothing that won't heel up
in a week or two.
I don't believe you.
But it is so!
Ask the doctors, ask the nurses.
I don't believe them either.
You're all saying this to keep me quiet.
I know, I tell you, I know.
I shall never able to be use them again.
I shall never be able to play anymore.
Francesca.
Don't touch me!
I wish I were dead.
I wish I were dead!
Thank you, nurse.
Your coat, Doctor.
I'll be back tomorrow at 5 o'clock.
Yes, Doctor.
Shall I have another injection, ready?
No, that won't be necessary.
Miss Cunningham and I are friends now.
So here we have Francesca Cunningham's
case history.
The caning at school resulting in the failure
at the music examination
and fear that her hands might be injured,
the attempt by her guardian to smash her hands
finally the car crash, the shock of finding
herself in hospital with her hands bandaged.
Now, all these things together
have produced a fixation,
a barrier in the patient's subconscious mind.
which is now preventing her full recovery.
It is this barrier which we now have to
break down.
And I believe I have found the way to do it.
That's why I've put her under hypnosis.
Now, with the help of the music,
music which we know she loves,
I'm going to suggest to her the way
to conquer this fixation.
If I can make her play the piano.
I shall wake her up
while she is actually playing
and then she will know there is nothing
really wrong with her hands.
I've got some records here
made by Miss Cunningham a few years ago.
I propose to play one of them
in a moment.
You put this on, will you?
Now, Miss Cunningham,
I want you to listen to me carefully
and do exactly as I tell you.
You understand, don't you?
Right!
Now.
Give me your hand and get up.
I want you to come with me.
I want you to sit down here at the piano.
That's right.
Now, would you like to hear
some music today?
Nod to me if you want me to play you
some music.
Good!
There, there is your music,
just as I promised you.
Isn't it beautiful?
Don't you want to play it yourself?
Play?
Yes.
Don't you want to play?
I can't.
Yes, yes, you can!
You can if you want to.
And you do want to, don't you?
Nod to me if you want to.
Then play!
Your hands are on the keys now.
Your hands want to play.
You want to play, don't you!
Try, try!
Promise you'll stay with me always
Promise me... Very well.
If that's the way you want it, very well.
If you won't play for me you shan't play
for anyone else ever again.
No, please, don't.
Take me away, take me away...
Oh, yes, sir.
Will you take a seat, please.
I would like to speak to you for a moment,
please.
Certainly.
I've just come from the nursing home.
They told me you have removed
Miss Cunningham from their care.
Is that so?
Yes.
Mr. Leyden I feel it's my duty
to go on treating her.
I'm sorry, Doctor.
After what has happened, surely even you
will agree that she has suffered enough.
She will go on suffering until she is cured.
All she needs is rest.
Yes, but that's for her body not for her mind.
Her mind will restore itself
if she's left alone.
No, her mind needs treatment.
Treatment?
Your treatment is likely to unhinge
her mind altogether.
Mr. Leyden, are you aware of the responsibility
if you prevent me from finishing my treatment?
It's Miss Cunningham who will have to pay for it
with more suffering.
And one day you will have to come
back to me.
Only then it might be too late.
I'm sure I can get results if we carry on
right away.
I'm sorry, doctor.
Very well.
How is she today?
Fine, thank you.
I see.
Mr. Leyden this is all wrong.
This is all wrong.
I do not want to fail
with this particular case.
Would you mind if I went to
Miss Cunningham's guardian
and asked his permission to treat her?
Not at all.
Only he won't be her guardian much longer.
No? Why is that?
We are to be married next week.
Oh, I see.
Excuse me, but have you got her consent?
I propose to ask her.
Mr. Leyden, that poor girl is in no condition
to make up her mind on anything at the moment.
I warn you, what you're doing
is very dangerous.
I'm prepared to take the risk, Doctor.
Very well.
Good day!
Good day.
Doctor Larsen?
It's good of you to see me.
Take a seat.
Thank you.
Your business?
I've come to ask your assistance in a case
in which I'm working.
What is the case?
The name of my patient is Miss Cunningham,
Francesca Cunningham.
Well?
Miss Cunningham is your niece and...
She's my second cousin.
I see.
But she has lived with you here in this house
and I take it you have often heard her play the piano,
practicing and so on...
What is all this leading up to?
I have a record here.
It is of a tune which has assumed some importance
in the case.
I wonder if I could play it to you.
And if you would be good enough to tell me
whether you know anything about it.
Whether perhaps it has any sentimental associations
or is connected with anyone she knew.
Go ahead!
Thank you!
Don't expect me to know anything about her
private affairs.
It is always possible.
Get out!
You dropped you cane, Mr. Cunningham.
Allow me to thank you.
You have helped me after all.
I always knew of the power you have
over Miss Cunningham.
But now I know why.
I know what she means to you.
All right.
I wish to see Mr. Leyden.
Mr. Leyden is not at home, Sir.
I'll wait.
It's quite safe.
I shan't steal the pictures.
Francesca!
So you're still angry with me.
I'm not to be forgiven, eh?
It is of no consequence.
I'm not stupid enough to expect forgiveness
of anyone except myself.
And I'd never forgive myself if I allowed
you to go on like this.
You know there is nothing
the matter with you, don't you?
You know you can be cured quite easily
and play again if you want to.
No, I don't know. I don't think so.
Larsen can cure you if you give him
the chance.
I can understand Leyden
not wanting you to get better.
It would mean he'd lose you and of course
that's the last thing he'd want.
But you? I can't understand you.
Don't you want to be the real
Francesca Cunningham?
I shall never play again, never.
If you don't, it's your own fault.
My fault?
It's no use brooding over the past.
It's your future you should be thinking
about.
I have no future.
Larsen can give it back to you.
He couldn't last time.
I see.
Larsen failed to work a miracle
so he is not to be allowed another chance,
is that it?
Yes.
Won't you let him try again?
No.
Not for me?
No.
You're the most obstinate woman
I've ever known.
Do you remember the first time I asked
you to play for me?
You were as stubborn as a mule.
I was frightened.
Frightened? Am I such a frightening person?
Yes.
You're not frightened now, you're smiling.
It's funny.
What's funny?
It's so different when you're kind.
When you're like this, I'd do anything for you.
Then you'll play again, won't you?
All you've got to do is to make up
your mind.
Larsen will do the rest.
I can't, Nicholas, I've tried.
Look at me! Look at me!
I tell you there's nothing to be
frightened of ever again.
Nothing to be frightened of ever again.
You really want to play, don't you?
Yes, I do, Nicholas!
And you'll see Larsen.
Yes, I'll see Larsen!
The clinic?
May I speak to Doctor Larsen, please?
You want me?
Are you Mr. Gay?
That's right.
My name is Larsen.
How do you do?
I'm a doctor and...
I don't need a doctor, I'm pretty fit as I am.
I'm very glad to hear that.
But I've really have come here
because I believe you know a patient of mine.
Miss Cunningham, Francesca Cunningham.
Sure, I do, but why?
Is she in any trouble?
In very great trouble, Mr. Gay.
And I believe you can help me to put it right.
You knew Miss Cunningham very well
at one time, did you not?
Yeah, I did, but...
Then she went away to the Continent.
When she come back, first thing she did
was to come and see you, here.
Yeah.
Mr. Gay, I want you to tell me
what happened that night.
Nothing, nothing at all.
Something must have happened.
Oh, I told her I was married
if that's what you mean.
How did she take it?
She just walked out on me.
She is like that, you know.
Has Miss Cunningham ever met your wife?
Not that I know of.
We were divorced 2 years ago.
I'm sorry.
That's all right.
There is one more thing.
There was a tune you used to dance to.
A waltz.
Yes.
You haven't got a gramophone record
of it, by any chance.
Oh, I'm afraid I haven't.
Could you get one?
Yeah, I'm sure I could.
It's old, of course, and pretty corny
but it's still sweet if you like them that way.
Yes, Mr. Gay, I want you to get that
record for me, or rather, for Miss Cunningham
and bring it to this address,
do you mind?
Not at all.
Tomorrow, tomorrow at seven.
Okay.
Thank you, Mr. Gay.
Good bye, Doctor. Anything I can do,
bring my boys along...
Your boys?
No, that won't be necessary.
It was not your boys she was
in love with.
This way, sir.
Who is that?
His name is Peter Gay.
He is the apostle of a new religion
called swing.
What has he got to do with Miss Cunningham?
He's the man she wanted to marry.
I shouldn't do that. It won't help.
What is that music?
Call it that if you like.
It's a tune they used to dance to.
Why should he be playing it now?
Weren't you at the last little experiment
he made?
Yes.
Then you ought to be able to imagine
what's going on.
Whisky?
Yes, please.
Parker!
Sir?
Whisky for Mr. Leyden, please.
Well?
Well what?
Did anything happen?
That's what I'm trying to figure out myself.
Is she all right? What did Larsen say?
I guess it all adds up to something,
but he's away ahead of me.
What's the good of turning
the clock back anyway?
Never did anyone any good.
I wouldn't be too sure of that.
Have a drink.
Thanks.
Doesn't she play beautifully?
Is she playing?
Yes, that's my Francesca.
Can I go up now?
It would be pity to interrupt her.
Doesn't she want me with her?
Perhaps.
What do you mean "perhaps"?
Forgive me, gentlemen. I'm afraid
I should have explained to you at once.
But the music has put it out my head.
Yes, I think I can promise you
a complete cure.
But... you have to prepare yourself for
a new Francesca.
A new and very different person.
In what way?
You see the past is over for her now,
quite over.
Her mind is clear
and the clouds have been swept away.
She's no longer afraid.
Whether you will be entirely satisfied with
the change in her, I don't know
But it might be wise not to expect
too much.
Are you trying to tell me she...
I'm trying to tell you, will she want to be
with the one she loves
or the one she's been happiest with
or the one she cannot do without?
Or the one she trusts?
And who is that?
It would hardly be fair of me to say.
Subtitles by Lu?s Filipe Bernardes