Trilogy of Terror (1975) Movie Script

Hmm, whoa, the one in the dress.

Hi, how you doing?

Math class.

Oh there you go.

Oh, your coat's terrific.

The whole thing's terrific.

God, have you ever seen

so many dogs in one place?

Oh, the trouble with you Chad

is you're just spoiled.

Yeah, I know.

Good morning.

Now that's ugly.

I just got the weirdest idea.

Yeah, what?

I wonder what she looks like

under all those clothes.

Who, Eldridge?

Are you kidding?

No, I'm not kidding.

It's kind of like the idea

just jumped into my head.

Basic literary triangle.

Can anyone tell me

why Fitzgerald's

name is on the bottom?

Mr. Foster.

Because Fitzgerald's

liberated work of the 20's

beginning with

"This Side Of Paradise",

formed the base for

the extended realism

of both Hemingway and Faulkner.

Quite correct.

I would like to amplify this

aspect of the discussion,

but I see by the clock

that our time is up.

Your assignment due

for tomorrow's class

will be the final chapter of

"For Whom The Bell Tolls".

You are to summarize this

chapter with special emphasis

on the prognostic time

continuum thought processes

relating to his father's death

and his own

impending death in Spain.

Class is dismissed.

Thank you, Chad.

You're welcome.

You sure carry a lot of books.

Yes.

Miss Aldridge, do you

go to the movies much?

Sometimes, not often.

No?

I do.

A lot.

But then I tend

to think in pictures.

Oh?

Yeah, you see my

hobby's photography.

Well that's very interesting.

Well I thought

that maybe we could...

It's very nice

talking with you Chad,

but I do have another class.

Yeah.

See you.

You're really serious

about that, aren't you?

Well if you've

got any funny ideas,

you'd better forget it.

Don't go messing

around with teachers.

Oh really?

Gee, I didn't know that.

Going out tonight?

No, I have too much to do.

You know, for the kind

of money they pay you,

you put in an

awful lot of hours.

That's true.

Julie,

Steve has a friend.

He's a very nice guy.

But you can't just

stay home all the time.

You've got to go out some times.

I'm all right Ann.

Don't worry about me.

The problem with you is

you don't give

yourself half a chance.

If you'd work

at it just a little,

you'd really be attractive.

Ann, have a nice time tonight.

Okay.

Good night.

Night.

That scene in "Sanctuary"

where Faulkner has

his character

Popeye rape the girl.

I prefer Fitzgerald.

He only suggests violence.

Faulkner was just

telling it like it is.

I guess some

people enjoy violence,

lead perverted lives.

And speaking of perversion,

there's a wonderful

little vampire picture

playing down at the

Village Drive-In this Friday.

It's all in French

with English subtitles.

It's a real classic.

How about going

to see it with me

for reasons of

cultural expansion?

Well I thank you Chad,

but you know,

teachers aren't

allowed to date students.

Or didn't you know that?

So, who'll find out?

My lips are sealed.

I won't tell.

You have your pick of all

these lovely coeds Chad.

Why would you want to date me?

Because I prefer

maturity in a woman.

All those others?

They're just a bunch of kids.

You look like

you could use a drink.

Yes I guess I could.

It's ridiculous,

but these kind of

things always upset me.

You want popcorn too?

Oh no, I couldn't eat anything.

But a drink would be

fine Chad, thank you.

All right.

What'll it be?

Two large root beers.

All right.

And easy on the ice.

Two large root beers,

easy on the ice.

How much is that?

A dollar.

There you go.

Thank you.

Here's your drink.

Thank you.

Taste's bitter.

Yeah, mine too.

I guess they're not putting

enough syrup in them.

What's the matter?

Don't you like the movie Chad?

Sure I like the movie.

It's just that

I like you better.

What's wrong?

I don't know.

Do you want to get

out and get some air?

Can I do something for you?

Yeah, I need

a room for the night.

Me and my wife.

The name's Harker.

Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Harker.

You got any bags?

Yeah I've got baggage.

It'll be fifteen

dollars in advance.

All right.

You need to fill out the card?

Thank you.

Yeah.

What time is it?

It's late.

We're home.

Boy you must have

really been tired.

How could I?

Did I really fall asleep?

Um-hmm.

I'm sorry.

I mean this has never

happened to me before.

I'm just sorry that I took

you to such a boring picture.

Well I...

I warned you at least.

I told you I wouldn't

be a very exciting date.

Forget it.

I decided to let you sleep.

I figured with

all the work you do,

you needed the rest.

Still I'm afraid

I spoiled your evening.

No.

I had a fine time.

Chad, I'm really sorry.

Hey,

I thought we agreed

to forget about that.

Yes, we did.

I had a very good

time, thank you.

Can I call you tomorrow?

I don't think so Chad.

Why not?

Because it was foolish

of us to go out tonight.

I could lose my job

and you could be expelled.

No board of trustees tells me

who to see and who not to see.

I do what I want.

Now Chad.

No, I really must

be firm about this.

We can't go out again.

We'll see.

Good night Julie.

Hello?

It's me, Chad.

Chad, It's not

even eight o'clock.

I want to see you.

I told you last night

that I don't think we should.

Listen, you get dressed

because I'm coming

over there right now.

You and I are taking

a little drive together.

Absolutely not.

Now what's the matter with you?

I don't find this

at all amusing.

It's not meant to be.

Are you ready to tell me

why you're behaving this way?

We?, didn't I tell you?

My hobby's photography.

You drugged me

last night, didn't you?

How could you do

something this sick?

Well I think they came

out rather well, don't you?

Oh, and you can keep these,

because you see,

I have the negatives.

I'll call the police Chad.

No you won't.

First of all, you have no

proof that I drugged you.

I'II deny it,

and offer these photos as proof.

Tell them you seduced me.

That you've got

a thing for your students.

Now, I'm sure you

don't want the police

or anyone else to see these.

All right Chad.

What do you want from me?

The realism of Faulkner,

Steinbeck,

Hemingway

and even Hamot

opened the doors

to a new kind

of literary expression,

indigenous to the new

American frontier experience.

Here was a raw muscle prose

which completely

transformed the period

and formed a direct bridge

linking us all the way from...

from the aesthetic realism

of a Dreiser

to the rather disheveled...

Class is dismissed.

What are you doing up?

Do you know what time it is?

Julie...

Will you please tell

me what's going on?

Nothing.

I didn't stay up all night

to get that kind of answer.

I'm worried about you.

It's been like

this for a month now.

I know.

Julie, this isn't like you.

Please tell me what's happening.

I really can't

talk about it Ann.

Go to bed.

Hey, I want that on.

I want it off.

Since when does

what you want count?

Since now.

Tonight.

This second.

It's all over Chad.

It's over.

Nothing is over

until I say it is.

I don't think so.

You see, I'm bored.

And when I'm bored,

the game is over.

Bored?

Um-hmm.

Not terrified, not shocked.

Just plain bored.

Who's idea did you think

this whole thing was?

What are you talking about?

What I am talking about Chad,

is that you are a singularly,

unimaginative young man.

Did you really think that

that dull little mind of yours

could possibly have conceived

any of the rather dramatic

experiences we've shared?

Do you remember the day

you watched me

walk up the steps?

Since that moment,

your mind has not been your own.

Why do you think you suddenly

had the overwhelming desire

to see what I looked like,

under all those clothes?

Don't feel bad.

I always get bored after awhile.

Although, there was

one boy in Denver

who did keep me amused

for almost nine weeks.

But then he was

wonderfully creative.

First you'll

experience dizziness.

Then mild paralysis

and then total cardiac arrest.

You've drugged me.

No clear, I've killed you.

No!

I told you about

those chemicals Chad.

How dangerous they could be.

He was one of your

best students, wasn't he?

Yes, he was,

wonderfully bright

and a spirited boy.

You know, I warned him

about those chemicals,

how dangerous they could be.

Are you sure you're okay?

Julie, I can skip work

and stay here with you.

No, you go on.

I'll be fine.

Are you sure?

Yes Ann.

Miss Aldridge?

Yes.

I'm Arthur Moore.

I saw your notice on the board.

And you need help?

Yeah, I um...

my lit grades are lousy.

Do you have time

for me Miss Eldridge?

Of course I do Arthur.

In fact if you like,

we can start right now.

Oh that'd be great.

I'd like that a lot.

Good.

I think we're going

to be friends Arthur.

Very good friends.

The funeral is over

and I'm alone in the house.

Therese is out cavorting

with one of her men

on this night when father

is barely cold in his casket.

Iran some old family films

to remind myself when it began.

Even then at twelve,

she was already

using her wiles on him.

Poor mother.

So weak, so innocent.

Never suspecting the

depth of evil in Therese.

My spoiled sister.

Her sweet little face

never fooled me for an instant.

I knew the darkness behind it.

I knew the fomenting

ugliness in her soul.

Mr. Anmar?

Yes.

Please come in.

I know what you're thinking.

You're wondering how

sisters look so unalike.

I have never found it necessary

to affect the ways of Therese.

Please sit down.

Is she here?

Oh no.

She's gone to a party.

A party?

This afternoon at the funeral,

she seemed so distraught.

My sister is an

unusual girl, Mr. Anmar.

I doubt that you

truly understand her.

Which is why

I've called you here.

What do you mean?

I want you to look at something.

Here's Therese and father.

She was fifteen then.

I want you to notice

the way she's pressing

herself against him.

I, I don't understand.

Why are you telling me this?

My sister is evil, Mr. Anmar.

I think you should know that.

Even as a child,

she was vicious and cunning.

But father worshiped her,

and she him.

When she was sixteen,

she seduced him.

Now look,

I don't know what

you're trying to do,

but I don't want to

hear any more of this.

It was not long after that,

that mother died.

The doctor said

it was an accident.

That she had taken an

overdose of sleeping pills.

But it was no

accident, Mr. Anmar.

It was Therese.

She had put those

extra pills in her milk.

If this is true,

how could you live in the

same house while they...

Well you see,

I had no place else to go.

I had no money

and no way to earn any.

No escape.

So,

I kept to myself

as much as possible,

and tried to avoid Therese,

to ignore what was happening

in this house.

You don't believe me, do you?

Miss Laura, I don't

know what to say.

These books show what she is.

Demonology.

Pornography.

Satanism.

Voodoo.

Witchcraft.

These books aren't

just relics, Mr. Anmar.

She uses them to capture

the souls of others.

By her own admission,

Satan guides her.

You don't really expect me

to believe this, do you?

But you must

believe me, Mr. Anmar.

You see,

Therese's soul is damned.

I cannot help her.

But I can help you.

Miss Monroe,

I'm afraid you're the one

that really needs help.

How naive you are.

Do you really think

she cares for you?

She lies to you.

She laughs at you.

Sorry, but I really

must be going now.

I know all about

that night at Morley

and what happened there.

She told you about that?

Yes.

She told me everything.

Gloated.

Bragged about how she

was able to corrupt you.

My sister enjoys

inflicting pain, Mr. Anmar.

And apparently she

somehow persuaded you

to share that perversion.

Now do you believe me?

Now you are saved, Mr. Anmar.

I have freed you from evil.

This afternoon while

I was out shopping,

Therese violated my room

in an insane act of revenge,

and upon my return, raged at me

using foul and obscene language,

cursing me for

having dared to reveal

the truth to Mr. Anmar.

Her behavior was

crude and astral.

She's becoming more

violent by the day.

It's as if father's death

has released

the demons within her

and I actually fear for my life.

Hello?

Dr. Ramsey, it's Millie.

It's about Therese.

She's much worse.

Oh, I thought we

settled that matter.

You were going

to see about Therese.

But you can't imagine

the things she's

been saying about me.

About us.

Us?

She's jealous

of our relationship.

She's twisted it

into something lewd

and something sordid.

Look Millie.

I have a hospital call to

make in your area tomorrow.

I'II drop by and

we'll talk about this.

Thank you doctor.

Hi doc.

Come on in.

I've been expecting you.

You want a drink?

No thanks.

No, course not.

I suppose you're here

on your usual mission?

I know all about

what dear little Millicent

told you on the phone.

I was listening on the

extension in my room you see.

I see.

So, I guess this is just

a wasted visit doctor.

Because I know Millicent

won't talk about me

when I'm in the house

and here I am.

Did you destroy her room?

Yes I destroyed her room.

Why shouldn't I?

She deserved it.

I mean where does that

little twit get off

thinking she's got the right

to stick her nose

into my affairs.

Don't worry doc.

I'm sure she's got it

all straightened up by now

in her proper little

housekeeper's manner.

Therese, this hatred

has got to stop.

You'll destroy yourself.

Oh, I don't think so doc.

Besides, it's really

all Millicent has.

Her hatred of me

is the only passion

in her lonely,

pathetic little existence.

You know,

you're really a very

handsome man, doctor.

If you'd just

loosen up a little.

Oh, did that bother you?

Do I make you nervous, doctor?

I don't think we need

to carry this any further.

What's the matter doc?

You still a virgin?

Or um...

is it that you

just don't like girls?

I'll call again soon.

We don't need

you anymore Ramsey.

Why don't you just get

the hell out of our lives?

Don't phone us

and don't call on us.

Leave, and don't

ever come back here.

He's gone.

Dr. Ramsey's gone Millicent.

He won't be back.

What do you think of

that dear little sister?

Answer me you creep.

But I wouldn't answer her.

Nor would I allow her to enter.

I remained locked in my room,

silent while she

raged and swore at me.

Finally, she staggered

back into her own room

and fell into a drunken sleep.

How I loathe her.

I could no longer bear

to live in this house,

and watch evil prevail.

Something must be done.

Yes.

Therese must die.

Tracy, what's wrong?

What's the matter?

My doll is broken.

Oh, let me look at it.

Oh my.

How did this happen dear?

Your sister broke it.

Therese?

Therese did this?

But why, why did she do it?

I was just playing with my dolly

when all of a sudden

your sister came running out

of the house and yelled at me.

She said I was

making too much noise.

Then she grabbed my dolly

and threw it on the

ground and broke its head.

I hate her,

Miss Millicent, I hate her.

You poor thing.

Next time I'm in town,

I'm going to buy you

a brand new dolly.

You will?

Will that make you feel better?

Thank you Miss Millicent.

When I returned to the house,

I was still thinking

of Tracy's broken doll.

And it was then

that the solution

suddenly became quite clear.

At last, I had

found the ideal way.

How ironic.

I would use Therese's

own books to destroy her.

I began to collect

the necessary items.

Parings from Therese's

long painted nails.

Strands from her

lovely blonde hair.

The rhinestone buttons

from her most

Iedey seductive dress.

And then at last,

I had all that was required.

Therese's life, held

literally within my hands.

Hello?

Hello Dr. Ramsey.

It's Millie.

I've been trying to

reach you since yesterday.

Millie, I'm terribly worried.

We must talk.

I appreciate the concern doctor,

but I no longer feel

there is any need to talk.

You see, things

are different now.

I've found a way

to deal with Therese.

I insist that we talk.

That is all I have to

say to you Dr. Ramsey.

Your advice is

no longer required.

Good bye.

Millicent?

Millie?

Millie, are you in here?

Millicent?

This is Dr. Chester Ramsey,

470 Stetton Place.

I want to report a death,

female, age twenty six.

Cause of death...

Cause of death unknown.

Just a moment,

before you take her away.

I was the family physician.

I knew her quite well.

Her name was

Therese Millicent Larimore.

The most advanced case

of dual personality

I have ever seen.

He who kills.

Boy are you ugly.

That face.

Even your mother

wouldn't love you.

Very sharp.

Arthur's going to love it.

Well, better get it over with.

Hi mom.

I couldn't call earlier.

I just got home.

Mother,

mother it's about tonight.

I know we always spend

Friday night together,

but I thought...

no, I feel all right.

It's not that.

Mother, I'm not sick.

Mother, there's a man.

His name is Arthur Breslau.

He's a teacher at City College.

It's his birthday and um,

well I sort of promised him

that we'd spend the night...

um, the evening together.

Mother, it has nothing

to do with preferring.

When do I break my word to you?

What do you mean when?

Give me a when,

when do I break my promises?

Well of course I love you.

Yes I do, yes I do dear.

Mother...

Mother I'm not being cruel.

It's just...

it's his birthday, that's all.

I see you two or

three nights a week.

Mother please stop

treating me like a child.

I'm grown up.

I'm not yelling.

Because I like it here.

It's only a sub-lease.

They'll be back in six months.

I like having it...

for my own.

I like being alone.

I didn't mean it

that way, I'm sorry.

About a month.

I...

I meant to tell you before.

Um...

he's a very nice man.

He's kind and gentle.

You'd like him.

It didn't happen that way.

I met him after

I rented the apartment.

Mother, you should see

what I'm getting

him for his birthday.

It's a genuine Zuni fetish doll.

I found it in a

curio shop on Third Avenue.

Arthur teaches Anthropology.

That's why I got it for him.

It's a Zuni hunting fetish.

It's really interesting.

There's supposed to be some.

Zuni hunter's spirit

inside of it and um,

there's a golden

chain wrapped around it

to keep the spirit from

making the do? come to life.

Come to life.

It says, should

this chain be removed,

spirit in do? will

become one living...

well, that's what it says.

On the scroll.

The scroll.

It comes with the

doll inside the box.

You should see his face mom.

Mom?

Why is it always like this?

I will not get a headache.

I am going to take a bath

and then I'm going

to meet my fellow.

And we're going

to have a lovely time.

A lovely time.

Mom.

Hello, Arthur?

Hi.

Well, I um...

you know me too well, don't you?

It is our one night on the town.

You know, every

Friday night, well...

you know, I've told you before.

I just don't want

to hurt her feelings.

My moving out was

hard enough on her.

Well, I know I had

every right to move out,

that's not the point.

I realize we planned to spend

the evening together, but...

Arthur...

it's only one day.

Couldn't we celebrate your

birthday tomorrow night?

I just don't want

to hurt her feelings.

She is my mother after all.

All right.

Bye.

Hooray for Friday night.

What did you do,

fall off the table?

Where'd you go?

Where are you?

Ow!

Well,

I guess I found you.

At least the tip of your spear.

But how you got that far back.

I'm getting warm.

Come out, come out

wherever you are.

Is that you little man?

He's got to be there.

What's going on?

Come on Amelia.

Now don't get

spooky on me Amelia.

Wooden dolls do not move about.

That bulb probably

just burnt out.

Oh, God.

Operator, operator,

please get the police.

I don't know where I'm located.

Just get the police.

It's an emergency.

There's a, there's a...

just get me the police please.

This can't be happening.

This is Amelia mom.

I'm sorry I acted the way I did.

I think we should

spend the evening together

just the way we planned.

It's kind of late though.

Why don't you come by my place

and we'll go from here.

No, I'm all right.

Good.

Trilogy of Terror (1975) - full transcript