The Spider Woman Strikes Back (1946) - full transcript

Evening, Eddie.

Hello, Mr Stanton.

Here it is.

Hal.

Gee, why didn't you let me know?

I didn't make up my mind till yesterday.

I always knew you'd make
it up someday, darling.

Oh, you didn't come to see me then.

No Hal, I didn't.

I'm going to work here.

In Domingo?



I answered an ad and here I am.

For a while at least.

Just two pieces, wasn't it, Miss?

Yes, that's right.

My trunk's coming later, thanks.

Well trunk sounds like you came to stay.

Look, Jean,

even though you haven't changed your mind,

couldn't I see you once in a while anyway?

Of course, Hal.

I'll call you just as soon as I'm settled.

Well, couldn't I give you
a lift wherever you're going?

Thanks, but I think
they're sending a car for me.

Okay.



I'll be waiting for that phone call.

I'm in the book.

Goodnight Hal.

Goodnight.

Can you tell me whether
Ms Dollard's car is here?

Well, I don't see it.

Expecting it.

Well, I thought so.

Is there a taxi here?

Well yes, if you can call it that,

but it's over at Willow Lake right now

with a fishing party.

I'll bet you're gonna be.

Ms Dollard's new companion, ain't ya?

Yes, I am.

Well, in that case, we've
got to get you up there.

Oh, Hal!

Oh, no.

This young lady wants to
go up to Zenobia Dollard's.

Can you give her a lift?

Can I?

Right this way, lady.

Goodnight Bill, and thanks a lot.

Well, anybody think
I'd done him a favor?

Maybe I did.

What are you doing now?

Well, after I graduated I
went in partnership with dad,

we're racing thoroughbreds.

You always loved horses, didn't you?

I loved you too, Jean.

But now that you've really
seen Domingo, maybe.

I'm sorry, Hal,

I wasn't very nice about it

when you asked me to live here, was I?

You were entitled to
your own point of view.

What happened to that career you wanted?

Oh, I had it for a little while.

I got to be merchandise manager

for a woman shop in San Francisco.

Didn't you like it?

I loved it, but it was too hectic.

My doctor ordered me to take a rest.

So now you're gonna work for Zenobia.

What's she like, Hal?

Oh, she's swell, Jean.

Can't understand why
she has so much trouble

keeping a companion.

She does, why?

Little trying to work for them, maybe.

They understand the last
one left to get married.

You probably won't last long either.

Has she always been afflicted?

No, happened about two years ago

when she was doing some
research in Central America.

She's been all over the
world trying to be cured.

She came home to stay about a year ago.

It must be terrible to be blind.

I don't blame her for
being a little cranky.

Zenobia's not cranky.

A little moody sometimes,
but I think you'll like her.

Well there it is.

Here's where you catch up on your reading.

Oh, you're joking.

Nobody lives here.

I warned you you'd be lonely.

But there isn't a light in the place.

Suppose no one's home.

There must be.

She never goes out at night.

Mario's coming now.

Who?

Mario, this is Miss Kingsley,
Ms Dollard's new companion.

She's expecting her.

My phone number's in their book, too.

Don't forget to use it.

Of course, Hal.

Goodnight, and thanks for the lift.

Goodnight.

Ms Dollard is in, isn't she?

Can't you speak?

Oh, I'm sorry.

Miss Kingsley?

Yes.

I'm Zenobia Dollard.

Yes, Ms Dollard.

You sound frightened.

What's the matter, my dear?

Nothing, but it's so dark in here.

Has Mario forgotten to make a light?

I'm sorry.

Mario, bring a light, please.

I do hope you like me and be
happy here, Miss Kingston.

I'm sorry the car wasn't
there to meet you,

but I really didn't
expect you until morning.

Have you had your dinner?

Such as it was.

The bus only stop long enough for a bite.

Well, then you must have something.

Mario, bring Miss
Kingsley a glass of milk.

Oh no, please don't bother.

It's no trouble at all.

You may find it a little lonely here.

The countryside looked
beautiful from the car.

I don't notice the loneliness myself,

because the blind are always lonely.

Later on, we'll travel,

but I'd like to spend
part of each year at home.

Memories give light to a dark world.

Were you born here, Ms Dollard?

Yes.

My grandfather built this house.

He spoiled me outrageously.

He even allowed me to climb
over this beautiful furniture.

Everything is lovely.

The streams I fished
in with my grandfather,

the lake, the woods.

The cattle on the hilltop

silhouetted against the setting sun.

They're all scenes I can
conjure up from memories.

But when we travel, I shall
have to depend on your eyes.

Can you describe scenes vividly?

I'll do my best to
please you, Ms Dollard.

That you, Mario?

Has he brought you milk, Ms Kingsley?

Yes, but I stopped drinking
milk when I was a child.

Then it's high time you started again.

Adults need milk, too.

You see, I feel responsible
for your wellbeing

while you're with me.

You're very kind, but I.

Thanks.

If you've put Ms Kingsley's
luggage in her room,

that will be offered tonight, Mario.

Goodnight.

Would you like for me to read
to you tonight, Ms Dollard?

Oh no, that would be an imposition.

Tomorrow will be time enough
to discuss your duties.

Would you come close to me, Miss Kingsley?

You're very pretty.

Thank you.

Nice hat.

I know you now as well as
though I could see you.

There's character as well
as beauty in your face.

I think you're going to stay with me.

Oh, but you must go to bed now.

Let me have your arm as far as the door.

Your room is upstairs, of course.

Next to mine.

It will be the only one lighted.

I'm going to enjoy having you here.

Goodnight and pleasant dreams.

Goodnight Ms Dollard.

Sleep well.

And be down for breakfast early.

Thanks, you're very considerate.

Good morning, Ms Dollard.

Good morning, my dear.

I can't imagine what
you must think of me.

Being late for breakfast my first morning.

That doesn't matter.

I don't live by the clock.

Sit down.

I think Mario has
brought you a grapefruit.

Yes, thank you.

Did you sleep all right?

I don't know when I've slept so well.

It's the good country air.

Mario just brought in your mail.

Will you open it, please?

That will be one of your duties.

Oh, by the way,

you've had a phone call
while you were asleep.

From whom?

From Hal Wentley.

I didn't know that you
knew anyone in Domingo.

I don't, except Hal.

I was amazed to run into him

when I got off the bus last night.

He brought me out here.

Yes, so he told me.

Here's a gas bill for $60.

That's all right.

We buy it in tanks for our light and heat.

Send them a check later.

The Peter Pan summer camp
is asking for a contribution.

Send them $10.

Here's a letter addressed
to miss Betty Sanders,

in your care.

Oh?

Forward it to 153 West
119th Street, New York City.

She's the young lady you're replacing.

I don't think she'd
ever been out of earshot

of a trolley car until she came here.

Couldn't she get used to the country?

Oh, it wasn't the country.

She didn't seem to like Mario.

He is an atrocious servant, I know,

but he was born on the
place and he's very loyal.

And I'm afraid if I turned him out,

he'd be unable to care for himself.

May I have Betty's letter, please?

Here it is.

I'll have Mario mail it.

Finish your breakfast, my dear.

I'll be in the garden.

No, I'll come with you now.

Of course,

Mario wasn't the real reason
for Betty's going away.

She left to get married.

That's what Hal said.

Please don't think we were
discussing your affairs.

He just happened to mention it

when he heard I was coming here to work.

I hope you don't have a
boyfriend in San Francisco

who's going to come down
and whisk you away from me.

Oh no, there isn't anyone
in San Francisco now.

Good, I thought I made it clear

I wanted someone free and unattached.

I'm entirely on my own.

Why, nobody even knows I'm here.

Except Hal Wentley.

Why, I do hope you'll stay, Jean.

I'm really very lonely.

You can count on me, Ms Dollard.

I know I'm going to like it here.

Oh, of course you are.

You may go and telephone Hal now.

Mario will show you where.

Thank you.

I wandered lonely as a cloud

that floats on high o'er vales and hills,

when all at once I saw a crowd,

a host of golden daffodils.

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

What a beautiful picture.

I'm so glad you chose
Wordsworth tonight, dear.

Shall I go on, Ms Dollard?

No, my dear.

Let's stop with that beautiful picture.

I had no idea it was so late.

You read so well, I forget about the time.

You must be tired.

No, I enjoy it, too.

But I don't want to wear you out.

Run along to bed, dear.

Al right.

Goodnight, Ms Dollard.

Goodnight, dear.

What is it?

Yes?

Oh, the trunk.

You can take it away.

Mario.

Nevermind.

That's all, goodnight.

Don't worry, Mario,
she's in excellent health.

May I have them, please?

You beautiful creature.

You love Zenobia, don't you?

And Zenobia gives you the food

that makes you strong and virile,

and the most beautiful of your kind.

My lovely drachanina,

I must rob you of a little of your beauty.

Grow strong my friend and
bring me a new blossom.

Yes?

Good morning, Jean.

Oh, come in Ms Dollard.

The door is locked, my dear.

Oh, just a minute.

I'm sorry I overslept again.

It doesn't matter.

I just thought you might be ill.

Oh, I'm all right.

But my alarm ran down without waking.

I can't understand it.

Why, it's the good country air, Jean.

Don't worry about it, so
long as you feel well.

Oh, I feel all right,

but I can't seem to
wake up in the mornings.

It's never happened to me before.

You're just relaxing.

It's good for you.

Are you dressed?

Yes, I was just about to come down.

Then let's go down together.

You're such a fine, healthy girl, Jean.

You know, I'm becoming more
and more dependent on you.

I try to be of help to you, Ms Dollard.

You are.

I don't know what I'd do without you.

Oh, after you've had your breakfast,

I want you to drive down to the village.

Mario's off on an errand.

I'd love to.

Good morning, miss.

Oh, good morning, Mr Stapleton.

My, but this place is deserted.

Where is everybody?

Oh, they're having trouble
down at Jim Stanley's place.

Two of his cows died this morning

and now his little girl is sick.

Oh, that's too bad.

Oh, it's been a terrible
year, especially for cattle.

May I have a stamp.

- Certainly.
- Air mail.

Air mail?

Yes, don't you have any.

Well, not much call for air mail stamps.

I guess folks around here
ain't in such a hurry.

How about two threes and a two?

We'll compromise on that.

Let me lick them for you.

Miss Betty Sanders, huh?

Why, I bet it's the girl who used to work

for Ms Zenobia before you.

Yes, I know it.

Why, I didn't know you
was acquainted with her.

May I have my letter, please?

I'll take care of it for you.

Anything else this morning?

Yes, Ms Dollard wants a
few skeins of Navy blue wool.

Oh, that's in the dry goods department.

Doesn't have to match, exactly.

I think we have that.

Well, that's it.

I'll take four.

Four?

What's she making now?

I think it's another boy's sweater.

Oh, she's always doing something

for the kiddies he's around here.

A lot of them wouldn't have
sweaters if it wasn't for her.

How much is it?

Oh, put down a bill.

And remember me to Ms Zenobia.

Thanks, I will.

There you are.

Oh, if you happen to see her,

please don't mention that
I've written to Betty Sanders.

No?

Why?

Well, she might think
it a little strange.

Well, I do, too.

Is something worrying you?

Now, maybe I could tell you
whatever it was you asked Betty

and ease your mind right away.

I was wondering if Betty Sander's

really left to get married

or if there was some other reason.

Why do you say that?

I don't know exactly.

But I'm nervous all the time

and I wondered if Betty felt the same way.

Oh, maybe it's the
house that depresses me.

That old house was different
place when Zenobia was young.

Nothing lonesome about it then.

Why, folks used to come
for a hundred miles

for their parties.

Sometimes I think she
only lives there now

because of past associations.

Oh, she's the kindest,
most thoughtful woman I know.

Oh, a little strange sometimes, maybe,

even moody you might say,

but I shudder to think what
I'd be like if I lost my sight.

Oh, it isn't that I mind.

Ms Dollard's been lovely to me.

Is it Mario?

Why, I know he's not very
pleasant to have around,

but he's lived here for 40 years.

He's never hurt anybody yet.

Try to understand him
a little, both of them.

And if you get lonesome, come
on down here for a visit.

Thanks, I will.

Mario.

How dare you come in this room without me.

Didn't I tell you to wait?

No Mario, she'll not die like the others.

I'll be careful to not take too much.

You remember your bargain, Mario,

and I'll remember mine.

I can't say what it is, friends,

from this sort of examination,

but it looks like poison.

Howdy, Hal.

Hello, how are you boys?

I never heard of any
poison weed around here.

Nor me,

and I've been farming in
this county for 20 years.

There ain't no poison weed around here.

- You're certainly right.
- I never heard of any.

I tell you a plague has hit our cattle.

But there's no outward
sign of any disease.

That is, that I know about.

How about Jim Stanley's kid?

Ain't you heard?

She died about an hour ago.

What'd she die of, Cal?

Well I'm no MD, and maybe
it's not for me to say,

but her ma said she took sick

about an hour after eating her breakfast.

What are you driving at, Cal?

Well it looks to me like
this cow died of weed poison.

So maybe Jim Stanley's girl
died of milk poisoning.

You know what that means?

The dairies in town
ain't gonna buy our milk.

I telephoned the department
of agriculture yesterday.

They're sending an expert.

Good idea, Hal.

Now don't go all in trouble.

Wait until after an investigation.

I ain't waitin'.

My herds worth more than my land.

There've been to many cattle
dying like this around here.

I'm getting out.

My beloved has gone
down into his garden,

to the beds of spices,

to feed in the gardens
and to gather lilies.

I am my Beloved's and my beloved is mine.

Thou art beautiful, oh my love,

and terrible as an army with banners.

Did I hear Mario come in?

Yes.

Thanks Mario, but I don't
want any milk tonight.

You'd better drink it, dear.

You know how well it makes you sleep.

But I'm not sleeping well, Ms Dollard.

I have nightmares.

May sound silly,

but I think it's all
this milk I'm drinking.

Oh, nonsense.

Perhaps you'd rather have some fruit or.

Thank you Ms Dollard,

but I don't care for
anything at all tonight.

Thou art beautiful oh my love,

and terrible as an army with banners.

Ms Dollard?

Ms Dollard?

Ms Dollard,

I couldn't sleep so I thought
if you were still up, I'd.

Ms Dollard?

Oh, it's you, Mario.

I thought I heard someone
moving around down here,

and thought it might be Ms Dollard.

So I came down to see

if there was something I could do for her.

Where is she?

What is it, Mario?

Go back upstairs and see
that she's in her room.

Let's hope she sleeps
better tomorrow night.

And come back quickly.

Mornin', Bill.

You got my balance figured out?

Yeah.

27.80.

I hate to see you go, Len.

You're making a big mistake.

You wouldn't say that

if you had seen the sale at
Jim Stanley's place yesterday.

Plenty of buyers for
their stock and equipment,

but not so much as a
dollar was bid on the farm.

All this will blow over, Len.

It's a mistake to get in a
panic and abandon your property.

Common sense.

You'd be smart to sell out
too, if you could find a buyer.

I just made a down payment on 100 acres

over in Turbille county.

I'm getting out of while
I've got a herd and a family.

Well, folks is waiting Bill, so goodbye.

Bye.

Good morning, Mr Stapleton.

Good morning, Miss Kingsley.

How are you today?

Oh, I'm all right, thank you.

Well.

I've got a letter for ya.

Looks like Miss Sanders moved again.

Do you remember the day she went away?

Did you sell her a ticket?

Did you see her get on the bus?

No, Mario must've driven
her over to the station.

Jean?

Jean?

Oh, Hal I.

Why, I'm so ashamed.

Your mother was talking
to me and I fell asleep.

I have no idea what she was saying.

Jean, this is Mr Moore.

Jean Kingsley.

- How do you do?
- How do you do?

Excuse me, I'll tell
him mother we're back.

Mr Moore, Mrs Wentley was telling me

that you and Hal were out
looking for poison plants.

Yes, with the usual lack of success.

How could poison weed
suddenly appear in a district

where they were previously unknown?

There are many ways.

The wind sometimes carries
seed hundreds of miles.

The birds could bring it out.

And it could come in fertilizer,
feed or even other seed.

Isn't it rather peculiar

that although so many cattle have died,

you're still unable to locate the weed?

Yes it is.

And I'm supposed to know
where to look for them.

That is where they'd be growing

in relation to soil and
moisture and so forth.

You know, Hal's a pretty
good botanist himself.

Could anyone have deliberately
introduced the weed?

Well I don't.

Whatever put that idea in your head?

Well, when cattle are dying all around

from eating poison plants
where there are none,

it is rather mysterious, isn't it?

Oh, we were just talking
about poison plants.

So I heard.

Are milk and cattle
poisoning common in America?

Fortunately not.

Well, poison plants do
spring up occasionally,

and when they do, cattle will eat them

and poison themselves and their milk.

But one who caused the
abandonment of entire settlements

is really quite serious.

Isn't there any way of
eradicating the weeds?

There is now.

That's why I'm here.

Gotta find a ways to eradicate them.

Oh, I had no idea it was so late.

Will you walk to the car with me, Hal?

Sure.

I'm very glad to have met you, Mr Moore.

Thank you, I hope to see you again.

No you fool, she's only fainted.

She may have discovered I'm not blind.

Are you all right, Jean?

Can you speak now?

You fainted.

Yes.

I'd just come into the room.

How stupid of me.

I'm all right now.

Can you stand now if Mario helps you?

I am standing.

Come Jean, sit down and
have something to eat.

I don't think I can.

Why nonsense.

Fainting is an indication of weakness

and food will give you strength.

Mario, bring her some brandy.

Come, sit down.

Sit down, Jean.

Is Mario getting the brandy?

He's bringing it now.

Oh Mario, will you bring
another glass, please?

I'll have some brandy tonight.

He's brought two glasses, Ms Dollard.

Oh.

It's to the right of your knife.

Do I have everything, dear?

Yes.

Come Jean.

You're not eating anything.

I don't feel well, Ms Dollard.

You'll have to excuse me.

Well, perhaps you'd better
go to your room and lie down.

Thank you.

We got two more dead cows here.

Now what you gonna do about it, Mister?

We don't need you to
tell us they're dead.

Take it easy, please!

Tom, this is your place.

You do the talking.

Yeah, come on, Tom.

Well it's like you heard.

I got two dead cows

and I want to know what
you're gonna do about it.

There's more cattle
died since you got here,

then died before.

And we're tired of being
told it's poison weed.

Now wait a minute.

There's nothing I can do about it tonight.

We'll hold an autopsy on
those cows in the morning.

In the meantime,

I suggest you put your
cattle back in the barns

and keep them there.

Well we didn't need you to tell us that.

Oh, we've had autopsy's
around here before,

never found out nothing.

You suppose there could
be anything to Jean's idea?

I don't know.

I'm ready to try anything.

You can't blame these farmers.

We tell them their cattle are dying

from eating poison weeds,

and we can't find a single specimen

in the countryside any place.

Let's stop by the
Dollard home on the way.

It's a good idea.

I want to meet Ms Dollard, anyway.

It's Mario I'm thinking about.

Zenobia couldn't be mixed up in anything.

Would you like to read to me, Jean?

Or would you rather look
at my beautiful plants?

Mario, bring some food.

Come, these are my beautiful drachanina.

I brought them all from the
jungles of Central America.

I was going to give them to science

until I discovered my Uncle
had gambled away my lands.

Now my drachanina are
winning them back for me.

All of them.

How can I plant recover your lands?

These stupid farmers are leaving

because their cattle are dying.

But not for eating poison weeds.

The poison I make from drachanina's

beautiful flowers leaves no trace.

That's very clever, Ms Dollard.

But, how can it help you
to drive away the farmers?

Once we owned thousands
of acres around here.

I'll own them again.

When these petty farmers are driven off,

I'll buy up all the land
for delinquent taxes.

Feed it, Jean.

Let it drink.

With your own strength,
you've made it strong.

You don't understand, it's your own blood.

You're going to die,
Jean, like the others.

But it won't be really dying,

because you will live on
in this beautiful plant.

But, but people will miss me.

How will you explain my
disappearance to Hal?

When I tell him you've
returned to San Francisco

without saying goodbye, he'll be hurt.

Perhaps he'll be so hurt
he'll forget you completely.

No one will ever suspect me of anything.

Not dear, blind, Zenobia.

And when I have my lands back again,

I shall miraculously recover my sight.

Come, my dear.

You pour it.

Give a little of yourself to drachanina.

Mario, stop her!

Who is it?

Hal Wentley, Ms Zenobia.

Oh, come in, Hal.

Thank you.

Is someone with you?

Yes, Ms Dollard, I'd
like to introduce Mr Moore.

How do you do, Mr Moore?

How do you do, Ms Dollard?

Won't you come into the sitting room?

Thank you.

Mr Morris from the
Department of Agriculture.

Oh.

We've been trying to locate the weeds

that have been poisoning
the cattle around here.

Any success so far, Mr Moore?

Not yet.

We're sorry to bother
you at this late hour,

but we thought perhaps you
might've heard something

in the old days that would help us.

About poison weeds?

Yes.

Hal tells me your family was
the first to settle here.

Yes, they were.

The Dollards owned all
the land around here,

but I never heard anyone
mention poisoned weeds.

Begins to look like
this is the first time

they put in an appearance.

Has Mario been in all
evening, Ms Zenobia?

No, he drove Jean to
the railroad station.

The railroad?

Yes.

You mean Jean's gone?

Just before dinner.

I was terribly upset.

I had no idea she intended to leave me.

I can't understand her going
without saying goodbye to me.

She's not well, Hal.

That's why I didn't
attempt to dissuade her.

She's been terribly nervous
ever since she came here.

Well yes, I know that.

I think she was either on the
verge of a nervous breakdown

or just recovering from one

when she applied for the position.

You may be right about that,

but are you sure she didn't
leave any message for me?

She didn't, Hal.

But she'll probably write to you

as soon as she gets back home.

Well maybe she left
some words with Mario.

Is he back yet?

No, not yet.

But if she did,

I'll have him drive over with
it as soon as he returns.

Thanks, I'll appreciate that.

I thought you and Jean

were becoming fond of each other, Hal.

I had the same idea.

We had a little spat this afternoon,

but I didn't think that was serious enough

to drive Jean away.

Perhaps it's all for the best, Hal.

Maybe.

We'll run along now.

Don't get up, we'll let ourselves out.

Then goodnight.

Goodnight.

Have Hal bring you over again, Mr Moore.

Thank you, Ms Dollard, goodnight.

Goodnight.

I don't believe Mario ever
took Jean to the railroad.

It doesn't seem likely she'd have gone

without saying goodbye to you.

That's what I thought.

Come on, I want to see something.

It's cold.

This car hasn't been used.

Something's wrong.

I'll look around here.

You go for help.

The nearest phone's at my place.

Mario!

Mario!

Where?

Burn everything, Mario.

Hurry, open the gas cylinders.

All this must be destroyed.

They'll hang you, if you
don't burn everything.

Mario.

Help, help me, Mario!

Jean!

Jean!

Hal, Hal!

Hal!

It's horrible in there.

Zenobia, Mario.

They're both dead, darling.

Come on.

Cold, darling?

Mm-hm.

I've got the jitters, I guess.

What you need is a hot drink.

You just relax and forget
everything that's happened.

When we get home,

I'll fix you a nice
big glass of warm milk.

Milk?