Thirteen Women (1932) Movie Script

Woman: June!

Look who's here, sis.

Why, Hazel cousins!

Hello, June.

How you been, you old so-and-so?

Oh, gosh, it's good to see you!

Tell me, do you see

any of the old crowd--

You know, the dear old campus?

No. I don't get around much.

I've been taking a motor trip

with a friend.

And when I saw you were here,

I simply had to come in

and say hello.

That's swell.

Come on, snap into it, honey.

We're on next.

I'll be right back.

What's the matter, June?

I'll have to tell you.

I've got to tell somebody

to get it out of my head.

Hazel, I shouldn't go on

with this act.

I'm afraid.

Afraid? Of what?

Oh, it's something that's been

on my mind for a long time now.

Didn't bother me much at first,

but now it's driving me--

No, no, I can't go out.

What's the matter?

What's happened?

Do you remember that round-Robin

letter we all sent each other?

Yes.

Well, in that letter,

one of the girls mentioned

how miraculous

some swami in New York was

in predicting what was

going to happen to us.

So you sent for your horoscope?

Did you, too?

Well, he sent us

3 letters--warnings.

I didn't tell my sister.

Hazel, he said something terrible

was going to happen

to one of us--

An accident--

And that the other

one of us would go--

Oh, no, I can't go on,

way up there.

Oh, no, I'm afraid.

Sister: June!

Come on, we're on.

Good-bye.

[Audience applauds]

[No audio]

Ladies and gentlemen!

I take great pleasure

in introducing to you

the marvel of

the Joe E. Marvel circus,

the Raskob sisters!

[Applause]

[Circus music playing]

And now the Raskob sisters

will do their world-famous

double flip,

done without a net--

The most breathtaking,

death-defying

aerial feat that this,

or in my opinion,

ladies and gentlemen,

any generation, will ever see!

[Drumroll]

[No audio]

[Drumroll stops]

[Screaming]

I worked this horoscope out 5 times.

It predicts great happiness,

but still I’m afraid to send it.

Why, swami?

Because I was fatally wrong

about June Raskob.

Her future was as

happy as this one.

A week after I wrote her,

her sister was dead,

and she was insane.

You must send it.

Have I--

Have I lost the power

to divine the stars?

No, swami.

But you must send the letter

for the sake of those 12 women

who wrote the round Robin

asking for their horoscopes.

They were schoolgirls together.

Their lives form

one chain of destiny--

12 women who believe.

Don't destroy their fate

in the occult, swami.

What is in that brain of yours?

Your eyes--

We've met before,

of that I'm certain.

Not on this earth.

Were we lovers in another

incarnation, swami?

Tell me.

Couldn't you learn

by casting my horoscope?

I have cast it...

To see if the heavens

could explain your--

Your effect on me.

Yes?

Please don't make me tell you.

Tell me.

It is death I read for you.

Aren't we all to die?

But you not pleasantly.

Oh, the thought is too horrible.

Your body--

mangled like that.

How?

An accident, the stars say.

A railroad, perhaps.

How strange.

So are you to die like that.

Don't look at me that way.

Don't look at me like that.

You're very tired, swami.

Sleep is so sweet.

Hazel!

[Screams]

Boy: Oh, mother!

We're playing Tarzan,

and nan' says I can't climb trees.

But Tarzan did, mother,

so why can't I--

Shh.

Los Angeles calling

Mrs. Helen Frye, New York.

Mrs. Helen Frye?

Yes?

Hello? Hello, Helen.

Why, Laura Stanhope.

It's grand hearing you again.

What's up?

Oh... oh, yes.

His prediction came true.

Oh, but, dear,

that's just a coincidence,

may going like that,

and then Hazel.

We mustn't believe in it, Helen.

I'm going to put

a stop to it, do you hear?

Listen, Grace Coombs

lives out here,

and Jo Turner's going to stop off

on her way back from Hawaii.

Helen, you try to come out.

Oh... oh, I'd love to, Laura,

but George has been

so wretched since--

Since the baby left us.

I don't think I’d--

But the trip will do you good.

We'll laugh those fool horoscopes

right out of our heads.

All right.

Let me know.

Good-bye.

Can I, mother, in my old clothes?

Yes, darling, you can climb the

apple tree in your own yard.

OK!

Oh, hello, Grace.

How are you?

Come on, sit down.

Oh, another one

of those messages, huh?

Yes.

Grace, if you don't stop

selling your soul to the devil

by believing in those

foolish horoscopes...

What about may?

And Hazel is in jail.

It's pitiful, yes,

but the result of natural causes.

And belief in anything else

is believing in... Magic.

But, Laura--

And you could help the rest of us,

Grace, if you'd hush...

and stop writing your letters

telling us all to prepare for our--

But the moon does

control the tides,

and nothing can live

without the sun.

Why shouldn't we be controlled?

Because we are reasoning

human beings, silly,

and not irresponsible machines.

Listen, Laura,

this letter came from the

swami just an hour ago.

I have to tell you.

Listen.

"I would do anything

to prevent the disasters

"that have come down upon

you and your friends,

"as I would do anything

to save my own life.

"But I can do neither,

for I am helpless, too.

"I knew too much

about the heavens.

"They're killing me.

"My own horoscope shows

that I am to leave this

earth before July 1st."

[Laughs]

Well, if I needed anything

more than common sense

to disprove your argument,

that would be enough.

No one is going to

take his own life

just to prove to 12 women

that he's a good stargazer.

You're deranged, Grace.

If this happens...

If the swami himself does die,

how can we disbelieve?

In New York before July 1st.

[Screaming]

Well, that makes it

practically unanimous.

I'll have a lemonade

with bitters, please.

Excuse me.

Aren't you Helen Dawson?

Before I was married, yes.

Hello, um...

St. Alban's school, wasn't it?

Oh, I--I have forgotten your name.

Ursula Georgi.

Oh, yes, of course.

Well, isn't this fun

meeting like this?

Are you going to the coast?

It doesn't seem long

since we were

in St. Alban's, does it?

Tell me about the girls.

It's nice of you

to ask about the girls.

As I remember, it wasn't

very pleasant for you.

Oh... I didn't mind having to leave.

It was hard on the missionary

who sent me there.

He picked me up in India

to, uh, to save me.

All those things mattered

so dreadfully then.

They seem so childish now.

How I used to envy you girls--

Your parties, your sororities.

You're lucky you don't belong,

if you ask me.

Because of those timetables

laid out by the stars

you were talking about?

You straight-thinking,

oh-so-rational Anglo-Saxons

don't believe

in such things, do you?

Laura doesn't, thank goodness.

Mrs. Stanhope always was a

strong character, wasn't she?

Yes. That's why she's

getting us all together--

To laugh it all away.

I haven't laughed in so long.

My little girl had the bluest eyes.

She was just 2 1/2 years old.

It's what happened

to Yogadachi himself

that makes it all so convincing.

He predicted

even the date he'd go.

You can't laugh that off, can you?

No.

I want you to read his last letter.

[Train whistle blows]

Isn't that silly?

A man I've never seen--

He has the nerve to tell me

that I'm going to kill myself.

Why the gun, then?

Aren't you afraid that--

Afraid? Why, of course not.

It belongs to my husband.

I brought it along with me

just to prove to myself

that that swami is bogus.

If--if I avoided the thing now,

I would know that I was afraid.

Oh, are you going to bed?

Yes. It's so late.

We'll be in Los Angeles

in the morning.

I'll see you at breakfast.

Fine.

If I were you, I’d--

This? Oh, don't worry.

No stars are going to twinkle,

twinkle me into committing suicide.

Good night.

[Laughs]

[Sobbing]

[Gunshot]

[Laughing]

Oh, you let an old lady beat you.

You did not beat me.

I let you win 'cause you're a girl.

You're going to help mother

now, darling. Come on, you run--

Ah, she don't want to

help you, mother.

Yes, she does want

to help me, too.

Scoot.

Oh, he's precious.

I do envy you, Laura.

To me, life is just an ashtray

full of cigarette butts.

Why don't you marry again, Jo?

Oh, I would if I was sure of

getting a kid like Bobby.

What about the present fiance?

Oh, he's a lot of fun,

but all he wants

is a well-stocked cellar,

a racehorse, bridge...

Anything but babies.

Laura, why don't you

marry again sometime?

No.

I could never be dependent

on anyone again.

I love standing on my own feet.

I wonder if any woman can.

Why not?

I say, do you remember

how you were always afraid

the boys would go too far,

and I was afraid

that they wouldn't?

[Both laugh]

Here, let me help.

Well, here's Helen's.

Where do you want her?

Oh, let's put Helen there, hmm?

Excuse me, Mrs. Stanhope.

Bobby: Mother!

Can I put this up in my room

with nails, mother?

It's for my engine to sleep on.

Hey, Burns,

will you do it for me?

Sure.

That's keen! Come on.

Burns, where's Mrs. Frye?

Didn't you meet her?

I met the train, yes, ma'am,

but no one came.

Isn't it funny Helen didn't wire?

Oh, she probably missed him

and is taking a cab.

[Train bell clangs]

Man: What do you say, sergeant?

I agree with you,

coroner, for once.

Mmm. Much obliged.

What is it?

What's happened?

Suicide.

Sergeant Clive here

says the restricted angles

of the compartment prove that.

He's the mathematician

of the department, so--

Suicide's bad enough,

but I'm relieved it wasn't--

Murder? No.

On the other hand,

something makes one kill oneself.

So suicide is murder.

Trouble is,

you can't arrest

a "something," can you?

I beg your pardon.

The Porter believes he saw you

passing Mrs. Frye's drawing room

at about the time

the suicide happened.

That's very possible.

Tell me, did you hear

or see anything unusual?

I can't say that I did.

I feel terribly upset about it.

I met the lady on the train,

and she seemed very charming.

Thank you, miss--

Or is it "Mrs."?

Miss Сlemons.

Clemons.

Thank you, miss Clemons.

Sergeant: All right, folks.

You can go now.

I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.

[Playing light tune]

Jo, I sent a wire

to Helen in New York--

"thought perhaps

you'd missed the train."

Haven't gotten an answer yet.

Strange, isn't it?

- Hello, Grace.

- Hello, dear.

- How are you?

- Very well, thank you.

- Jo Turner's here.

- Oh.

- Hello, darling.

- Jo, dear.

Quite in the flesh.

Darling, I'm sorry to make a liar

out of your infallible swami,

but I haven't killed myself

over a man yet.

Jo.

He should have known

that it's the men...

that kill themselves over me.

Sit down, Grace dear.

Sit down.

Oh, Jo, please don't

be so flippant.

What is written in the stars

must come to pass.

OK with me.

I've had a lot of fun.

You're both faithless.

[Knocking]

Sure. When the gods

are fed up with me--voila.

Don't pay any attention to her, Grace.

Beg pardon, madam.

Oh, yes.

We'll wait dinner

for the others, Henry,

but you might bring some

cocktails in here, please.

Yes, but, excuse me, a policeman.

May I come in?

You'll excuse me,

but the baggage belonging

to a Mrs. Frye...

was marked to be delivered here.

Has anything happened?

I'm terribly sorry.

It appears to be...

Suicide.

It happened on the train.

Do you know of any reason

that could account for--

I, uh--Mrs. Frye, a couple

of months ago, sergeant,

lost her only child,

and since then--

I can understand that,

Mrs. Stanhope.

We were just going to

have a reunion dinner.

Old classmates.

Mrs. Stanhope,

if you'll be kind enough to drop

into headquarters...

Tomorrow, say...

A routine statement about Mrs. Frye--

Oh, yes, of course, sergeant.

Thank you.

Good night.

Well, do you still doubt, Laura?

Are you still laughing, Jo?

Yogadachi's been right again.

Oh, you must accept

his truth, as I have.

That's the trouble with you, Grace!

Glorifying such rot!

Rot? I tell you that

nothing could save Helen,

nor may, nor Hazel, from fate.

Don't you understand?

It was written for them...

As it is for all of us.

Well, if it's all settled

for us, why worry?

Stop talking about it!

Stop thinking about it!

Anyone can think

themselves into anything!

You two are stumbling in a dark,

material world.

I am above it...

As Yogadachi was.

Death means peace, freedom.

I shall meet him... Gladly.

Well, I shan't.

Depression or not, personally,

I'm mad about this world.

Oh! Go on home, Grace!

You give me the creeps!

No, no, not I,

but what's written for you,

only you're afraid to face it.

Grace, I think you'd better go.

Just as you say.

Brrrr!

She gives me the jitters!

Guess you'd feel

the same way, too,

if you'd received one

of those horoscopes.

I have.

No!

I've been trying not

to think about it, Jo.

He warned me that...

That something dreadful

would happen to Bobby...

on or... Before his birthday.

But my dear, why on earth

didn't you go to the police?

Oh, I... I was determined not

to give in to superstition.

Yes, but... Surely it's gone

beyond a joke now.

You're right.

When I see that detective

in the morning,

I'm going to tell him everything!

I think you should.

When is Bobby's birthday?

Sunday.

Three days.

[Wind blowing]

I don't know how I've...

Lasted... Away from you.

You haven't.

You've grown fat.

Well, it's a soft job.

Did you have any trouble

finding the place?

No.

I thought a little house

would be better--

Yes, Burns.

How long does a man have

to be in love with you

before you call him

by his first name?

Why, you--you'd think

I was working for you.

You are!

Yeah.

- Burns: Haven't you missed me?

- Of course I have.

When are you going to

tell me about things?

When are we going

to stop with all this?

Shh.

I didn't figure on going this far.

I didn't even think it'd work!

But you see it does.

With the others, perhaps.

But... but miss stanhope!

Is Mrs. Stanhope--

Laura--

Is she still strong?

Yes, she is.

I hate her--

Her cool, poised character,

her rigid mind.

You will never break her.

Yes, I will.

"That big elephant

that was so friendly

picked him right up

with his trunk!"

Here, Robert.

It's for you.

Does it say my name on it?!

Yes.

I bet it's a present

for my birthday!

Mmm! Chocolates, nan'!

Not until you've finished your milk!

'Bye, darling.

[Muffled talking]

Where'd that come from?

The mail, madam.

Perhaps I shouldn't

have given it to him.

It must be a present for sunday.

Sunday.

Now, can I, nan'?

Can I?

No! No.

Not so early in the morning, darling.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Stanhope.

Come along, Bobby.

You'll be late for school.

No! No...

No... Bobby.

How would you like

to miss school today,

stay at home and help nan'

with your birthday party?

Can--can Burns finish

building my pirate place?

You bet he can!

Would you like that?

Thank you, mommy!

Hey, Burns!

I don't have to go to school today!

Well, the candy's ok,

but it's been tampered

with since it was bought.

If anybody had eaten it,

he'd have strangled

to death in 30 seconds.

Bobby!

[Sobbing]

How many of the swami's predictions

have come true, Mrs. Stanhope?

- 3.

- 4.

You must remember that the swami

foretold his own death.

Well, there's no sense in it.

The man goes out

and mails the candy,

then goes and kills

himself. No sense!

That's right, chief.

Looks like the swami was hired

to scare those women into--

How can you hire

a man to kill himself?

Eh, there's no sense in it.

Anyway, sergeant, it's your case.

If I think about it anymore,

I'll probably wind up

in the booby hatch!

That's just what happened

to the other people--

Thinking about it too much.

This case is just crazy enough

for sergeant Clive to solve.

Excuse me, lady.

Oh, w-why should the swami

want to kill my little boy?

Perhaps he didn't.

This package was stamped

at the parcel post window

at 14 minutes past 3:00.

Now, the accident happened

at 2 minutes past 12:00.

Hmm! The swami was

dead for over 3 hours

when the candy was mailed.

- Dead?!

But someone else is still alive.

S-Someone who--

Who still wants to kill Bobby!

Possibly.

There must be an accomplice...

And the person that

mailed this box of candy

is very likely responsible

for everything that's happened.

- I'm going to find that person.

- Oh!

I'll send some men

to your house at once.

I suggest that...

You be at your boy's side constantly.

Oh, yes.

Yes, I'll be very careful.

- Good-bye, sergeant.

- Oh, pardon me.

Is that sorority pin

always worn there?

Yes. That's the ritual.

And only the girls who were members

of your particular club wear them?

Yes.

Where is St. Albans seminary?

North of San Francisco, at Medura.

What are you thinking, sergeant?

I was just thinking of you,

of your boy, Mrs. Stanhope.

- Oh, thank you.

- Not at all.

- Good-bye.

It seems incredible that

such things as you describe

could possibly be happening

to those other children

of mine out in the world.

They're not children anymore.

The New York police questioned

Mrs. Hazel cousins in jail.

She told them that she

started the round Robin,

but, uh...

You gave her the idea.

Why, how could she say

that, when I didn't?

I was merely having luncheon

with the dear child,

when I was attending a conference

of educators in New York.

Pardon me, miss Kirsten.

Hazel cousins insists that

you suggested the idea to her.

Oh, but Mr. Clive, I?

Why--oh! It's simply impossible!

Why--why, I--

wait a moment.

I'm remembering something.

Yes, I did see someone else.

Who?

Yes... yes! The mood

is coming back to me.

Schoolgirl friendships

fading and soon forgotten.

That's a lovely sentiment,

but would you mind telling me who?

- Of course not.

- Who?

Another one of my girls.

Ursula Georgi.

Hmm.

That's a very musical name, isn't it?

- Do you mind saying it again?

- Ursula Georgi.

Ha! You enunciate beautifully,

miss Kirsten.

Oh ho!

What was she like?

Sweet--very--

and mystical!

Sounds very interesting.

Now tell me, miss Kirsten,

have you a photograph?

I mean, a class group or anything--

Oh, no. She wasn't here

long enough for that.

One day, she decided to leave, and--

And she left.

You're a very

understanding young man.

Oh, why didn't I go

to the police sooner?

I've been crazy, Jo!

Trying to whip instinct with--

With just reason.

Oh, you mustn't talk like this!

You mustn't even think like this!

No, I know I mustn't.

I know I mustn't.

But I am!

That boy of mine's all I've got, Jo.

How can I help it with things

I don't understand striking at him,

like it did the others,

out of the dark wh--

Where you can't protect him,

imagining that--that every little

breath he takes may be his last!

[Sobbing]

Nothing can happen here.

No. My mind tells me

it's impossible,

but it is happening!

I'm afraid.

Jo, I'm afraid!

Bobby! Bobby!

Darling, promise mother you'll never

leave the house alone again.

- Promise?

- Why not, mumsy?

Oh, mother's just a little

worried, that's all.

You don't need to worry, mumsy.

I'll take care of ya.

Clear this to New York

right away, will ya?

All right, sergeant.

[Typing]

Give this to master Bobby,

with all your love.

And don't drop it.

I...

I can't.

I can't bear the thought of it.

I...

I can't do it!

Of course you will!

Darling! You and I are going

away together, aren't we,

as soon as everything is done?

You'll do it, won't you?

What... what will it do to him?

He won't know anything.

He'll bounce it.

Children always bounce rubber

balls, don't they?

And then--

[Gasps]

Why, it--it--

Shh!

You've done a lot for me, Jo.

We've helped each other, rather.

But with sergeant Clive around,

you won't need me.

Ah! But just the same,

I hate to see you go.

I hate going, too,

only I don't dare stay.

Why?

Oh, well,

I've followed my fiance, and...

I believe anything of myself

when I'm in love.

Look here, Jo.

You surely don't believe

your prediction?

[Laughing]

I'm human, too.

Do you know,

the only credulous animal

on the whole face of the earth...

Is the human!

Ha ha ha! Jo! Ha ha ha!

If you'll excuse me,

Mrs. Stanhope.

Yes, Burns.

I hope you don't mind.

I, uh... I took the Liberty of...

Well, of getting the

little fellow a...

Well, I got him a ball

for his birthday.

Oh, that's very thoughtful

of you, Burns!

I'm sure he'll like it.

Is the car ready, Burns?

- Yes, miss Turner.

- Oh, good.

Well, darling.

- Good-bye.

- Good-bye, Jo.

What's that?

A present, dear, from Burns.

Can I see it?

Oh, no!

No, no, Bobby!

If you open it now, you won't have

anything left for your birthday!

Come on, sweet.

Now, take your nap.

That's a man.

All right?

Here's a wire from

New York, sergeant.

- Are you almost through?

- Just about, sergeant.

- Say, I know that woman!

- Yeah?

Yeah, she was on the train when

Helen Frye committed suicide!

Let me have it.

- Mike!

- Coming.

We want this woman.

Her name's Ursula Georgi.

Half-breed type.

Half-hindu, half-Japanese.

I don't know.

She's living right here in this town.

I want you to find her.

Check every move she makes.

There are 1,238,048

people in Los Angeles,

and you want only 1 woman?

Cinch!

[Laughing]

Get going. Get going.

Nan', did you tell Burns

I wanted him?

He's bringing the car,

Mrs. Stanhope.

- Are these all the presents?

- Yes, Mrs. Stanhope.

Well, I won't feel satisfied until

I have every one of them tested.

I suppose it's silly,

but ever since that

poisoned candy came...

Put these in the car please, Burns,

and then take me to headquarters.

Yes.

What's the matter, Burns?

I beg your pardon, Mrs. Stanhope.

I'd... I'd hoped

to have the afternoon off.

You see... My mother is not well.

Oh, well, I'm sorry, Burns.

Well... well,

I'll tell you what you do.

You drop me off at headquarters,

and then you take the car

on out to your mother's.

Sergeant Clive will bring me home.

But--

[Engine won't turn over]

[Engine grinds]

Anything wrong, Burns?

Why, I don't know.

Something--

[engine grinds]

Is your switch on?

[Laughs]

[Engine starts]

Well, I got a hot line

on Ursula Georgi.

She bought herself some dynamite

at a hardware store.

Dynamite?!

How could she get hold of

dynamite without a permit?

Talked him right out of it.

He says she gave him the willies.

Mike, we've got to get that woman!

Oh, sergeant!

Here's some more dope

on that hindu dame's case.

Read it.

"Yogadachi's chauffeur Burns

disappeared a month ago."

Burns!

Hello. Get me Mrs. Stanhope

in Beverly Hills, quick.

You have her number on the board.

Hello? Is Mrs. Stanhope there?

Mrs. Stanhope has just

left for your office.

She's taking all the packages

that Bobby had for his birthday.

Is Burns there?

Burns? He's driving her down.

Do you know if there was a present

from Burns among those things?

A what?

A rubber ball?

Come on, Mike!

Los Angeles police department

calling all cars.

Man, on radio: Watch all roads

from Beverly Hills.

Be on the lookout for a limousine

driven by a chauffeur.

Contains a woman passenger.

They're headed toward

police headquarters.

Be careful.

Not so fast, please, Burns.

[Engine speeds up]

Burns, don't you hear?

Not so fast, please!

Burns! Burns!

[Gunshots]

Throw out the packages!

Laura: Take me home, sergeant!

Take me home!

Mike, take care

of Mrs. Stanhope's car.

Ok, sergeant.

I--I can't stand any more of this!

Why should she want to kill Bobby?

I don't understand it!

Mrs. Stanhope,

I wish you'd get out of town

until we catch

this Ursula Georgi.

Oh, anything!

Anything to get away from all this!

Why don't you take the train

for New York tonight?

- Yes... yes, I will! Tonight.

- Fine.

Man: Los Angeles Police

Department calling all cars.

Be on the lookout for a man.

He may be dressed in a

light-gray chauffeur's uniform.

Also a woman,

a half-caste Indian.

Watch all trains.

Watch all highways.

Watch all boats.

How are we going to

beat this dragnet?

If you'd only let this go

this morning...

They've got--

They've got everything watched!

As if I--I'd run into their arms!

- They don't think!

- Well, what-- what about me?

I'll come back for you. So wait.

I'll check this at the station,

and you can pick it up when we leave.

Go on a train?

Didn't you hear that?

All trains are--

Why can't we hide out here

till this thing blows over?

They can't hang anything on us now!

Nothing's going to happen

to the boy now.

You can't go on a train after what

Yogadachi said would happen to you.

Yogadachi was a fake!

I was his brain, as I am yours!

You're running out on me!

They'll get me!

I won't stay here!

Oh, yes, you will.

I'll...

I'll be alone!

You'll be more alone

if you go out,

because you won't know what

to do or where to turn,

and they'll pick you up

in minutes.

That's why you'll stay here.

[Train bell clanging]

Good-bye, Bobby.

Be sure and take

good care of mother.

Sure, and don't forget you said

you'd get me a policeman badge.

I won't forget,

and I'll get you a gold one, too.

[Laughs]

- Good-bye, Mr. Clive.

- Good-bye, Bobby.

Good-bye, Mrs. Stanhope.

I hope you have a pleasant trip.

Good-bye.

I wish... I'd feel better

if you were going with us.

I wish I were going.

[Steam hisses]

Man: All aboard!

Board! Board!

[Train bell clanging]

Everything's all ready, sergeant.

- Good night.

- Good night, Mrs. Stanhope.

Good evening...

Laura.

Ursula Georgi!

Does the exclusive Mrs. Stanhope

further honor me...

by remembering my name?

[Train clacking loudly and bell]

Bobby! Bobby!

Nan'! Let me go!

Let me go!

[Train whistle blows]

[Clacking ends]

How is your child, Laura?

They tell me he's handsome

and bright and very lovable.

Yes, Burns told me.

And tomorrow is his birthday.

I looked at his star tonight,

and it was glowing red,

like the ball I sent him.

Why should you want to kill Bobby?

He's your child, isn't he? Yours!

What have I done?

What has anyone done

to make you so inhuman?

[Laughing]

Do I hear the very human, white race

asking that question?

When I was 12 years

old, white sailors--

- You're insane! You're insane!

- Maybe I am!

But do you know what it means

to be a half-breed,

a half-caste in a world

ruled by whites?

If you're a male,

you're a coolie.

And if you're a female, you're--

Well... the white half of me

cried for the courtesy

and protection that

women like you get!

The only way I could free myself

was by becoming white!

And it was almost in my hands,

when you-- you and

your kappa society stopped me!

You're crazy! We never did--

I spent 6 years slaving

to get money enough

to put me through

finishing school,

to make the world

accept me as white!

But you...

And the others

wouldn't let me

cross the color line.

But we were young!

Maybe we were cruel...

But you can't use that

to justify murder!

I can!

Y--

[train whistle blows]

You're very tired, Laura.

[Door opening]

Mrs. Stanhope!

[Train whistle blows]

Captioning made possible by

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Thirteen Women (1932) - full transcript