The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977–1979): Season 2, Episode 17 - Voodoo Doll: Part 1 - full transcript
I have a sister.
She wrote and told me about a man
who had completely captivated her.
Voodoo.
Kumbala!
They rented it before
I could talk to them.
I don't believe it.
Nancy Drew.
What are you doing here?
I'm following someone.
I was afraid if you recognized
me, you'd blow my cover.
These are voodoo cards.
You said these cards
told you about us.
What does this card mean?
Death.
Look.
THATCHER: The voodoo curse.
There she is!
We want to talk to you!
NARRATOR:
Tonight on the Hardy Boys,
Voodoo Doll, Part 1.
Introducing
Janet Louise Johnson
as Nancy Drew.
(CROWD CHEERING)
The best black magic voodoo
show in all of New Orleans.
Step right up,
ladies and gentlemen!
It's the best black magic
show in all of New Orleans!
Dr. Dove, Dr. Dove,
fresh from Haiti!
The best show in
all of New Orleans.
Come and see Dr. Dove!
Step right this way,
ladies and gentlemen.
Dr. Dove, fresh from Haiti.
The best black magic
show in all of New Orleans.
(DRUMS BEATING)
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
Please, may I have
a Perrier with lime?
Yes, of course.
Thank you.
(SCREAMING)
(SCREAMING)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dr. Dove is here from Haiti.
Step right this way,
ladies and gentlemen!
Come and see the best black
magic show in all of New Orleans!
(GASPING)
I can't see!
Oh, please,
somebody help me.
(WHIMPERING)
Please, I can't see.
No...
(SCREAMING)
(OFFICERS CHATTERING
ON POLICE RADIO)
We pulled him out of the
swamp this morning, Lieutenant.
Okay, take him in.
Marty,
they found this on him.
I thought I'd seen
the last of those.
Spring time
in New Orleans.
Ah, the Mardi Gras.
Nothing but
rest and relaxation.
Parties, decadence...
Rest.
Dark Cajun beauties...
Sleep, lots of sleep.
Creole temptresses,
Southern belles,
the most beautiful women
from all over the world!
A hammock under
a magnolia tree.
You don't come to
the Mardi Gras to sleep!
Who comes to
the Mardi Gras to sleep?
It's been
a difficult year, Joe.
It's vacation time.
Time to reflect,
recharge tired batteries.
(SIGHING) You can
recharge, I'm going to party.
(CROWD CHEERING)
Not bad.
Yeah, yeah,
I think it'll do.
WOMAN ON PA: Mr. Ramarez
to the front desk.
Mr. Ramarez
to the front desk, please.
Excuse me.
The name is Hardy.
Hardy?
H-A-R-D-Y?
That's right.
I don't seem to have
anything with that name.
What?
There must be some mistake.
We were booked
over a month ago.
We got our confirmation
in the mail.
Perhaps you did,
but not at this hotel.
Yes, monsieur.
The ambassador will require
five additional rooms.
Ah, trés bien.
But of course.
Anything
the ambassador wishes.
You boys need a room?
Seems so.
I might be able to help.
Uh...
Yeah. Hotel des Puces.
Just around the corner. I work
there, too. I think you'll like it.
This is our best room.
Hate to see the worst.
This is the bathroom.
This room has hot water!
Whose are those?
Previous tenant.
He left without his things?
Yes, and no.
He left the room, but
he's still in New Orleans.
What?
They found his body floating
in the bayou, just south of town.
Rumor has it, it had
something to do with voodoo.
You people still don't
believe in that stuff?
Let me give you
some free advice, friend.
Never take voodoo lightly.
Lot of people
who take voodoo lightly
find themselves
in big trouble.
Especially during
the Mardi Gras.
Oh, come on.
Free advice.
Never take voodoo light.
I thought that
was free advice.
The advice is free, carrying
the bags costs you money.
(SIGHING)
Thanks.
Remember, if you need
anything, just holler.
Holler! Holler and the roof
would cave in.
Come on, it's not that bad.
It's a little stuffy.
I think the word is "rank."
(GRUNTS)
(SIGHING) Well, Frank, this is
another fine mess you've gotten us into.
You think there are
living things in there?
We won't discuss it until
we're too tired to stand up.
So near, and yet so far.
Come on, Frank.
The Mardi Gras awaits.
It's got to be
better than this.
DOVE: Did you get the room?
I told you to
get right there!
I was waiting
for the room.
They rented it before
I could talk to them.
It wasn't my fault!
Who rented it?
I don't know,
it was two young men.
Hmm.
Well, I've got
to have that room.
Looks like we're going to have to do
something about those two young men, right?
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(CROWD CHEERING)
(SIREN BLARING)
WOMAN: Fortunes told.
Only a dollar, fortunes
told. Fortunes told.
All the truth, all that's
good, all that's bad.
This is great. This is terrific.
I mean, do you believe this?
It's all free. In a world full of
inflation, rising costs, totally free.
Where else could you find it,
except New Orleans in Mardi Gras.
Nowhere.
Nowhere.
Fortunes,
I tell your fortune.
No, I'm fine.
Maybe some other time...
No, for free,
I tell you free!
Free, I tell you.
No money?
No money, free!
Okay.
It's free,
I told you.
(EXCLAIMS)
Yes, so I see...
(EXCLAIMS)
Oh, that's very bad!
What? What do you see?
You must go back
wherever you came from.
Mardi Gras
very dangerous for you.
Very, very dangerous.
(EXCLAIMS)
Excuse me, I'm sorry.
It's okay.
Joe, my wallet's gone!
So's mine.
The girl, come on!
There's more!
Oh, no!
She's got all our money.
She's gone, Frank.
Come right this way,
ladies and gentlemen.
It's the best show
in all of New Orleans.
Unless...
She went into that club.
It's the only place open.
Right this way, gentlemen, for the
best black magic in all of New Orleans.
Dr. Dove is here
directly from Haiti.
The high priest of voodoo,
the authority of black
magic in all the world.
Come right in,
continuous performance.
Step right inside
and have a drink,
the best drink on the house
on Dr. Dove. Enjoy the show.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Come right his way,
ladies and gentlemen!
Black magic, the best black
magic in all of New Orleans!
(DRUMS BEATING)
Wow, look at this place!
I guess
the bellman was right.
Some people do
believe in this stuff.
Hey, she's not bad.
Yeah, but that's magic,
that's not voodoo.
Unbelievable.
Voodoo.
I'm sorry,
I hope you don't think
I'm being rude,
but I could hardly help
overhearing you scoff at voodoo.
Won't you sit down?
May I order you something?
Oh, I'm Dr. Orin Thatcher,
professor of ethnic culture
at London University.
I came over here
to see your Mardi Gras,
to get a firsthand look
at the local customs.
Sit down, please.
I'm Frank Hardy.
How do you do?
This is my brother, Joe.
Hi there.
(DRUMS BEATING)
ANNOUNCER: And now,
direct from Haiti, the one and only,
the incomparable master
of the black arts, Dr. Dove.
(ALL APPLAUDING)
Kumbala!
You don't believe in voodoo?
Not really.
Although your book, Black
Science in the 20th Century
was very convincing.
Oh, you read my book!
Both Joe and I did.
54 weeks on
the best sellers list,
who hasn't?
But you don't buy all this?
This? Oh, this is pure hokum.
Just a magic show,
designed for
entertainment only.
This is not real voodoo.
I am writing
a thesis on it.
Believe me,
voodoo can be very real.
There are many aspects
of the black arts
which cannot be explained
by scientific means.
By any means.
Like what?
Watch.
(SHRIEKING)
That's her.
(PEOPLE MURMURING)
It's the girl.
(CHANTING)
(PEOPLE APPLAUDING)
ANNOUNCER:
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dr. Dove will be back
in just one hour's time,
so don't go away.
Joe, she's got
to be backstage.
Excuse us.
Hi.
Hi...
We're looking for the girl
that you just burned up.
She already left.
DOVE: Qui est la?
Nobody, Doctor.
Just some fans.
DOVE: Well, let them in.
Dr. Dove is always
interested in his fans.
Hi. Dr. Dove?
Hello.
Did you enjoy the show?
Yes, thank you. But
that's not why we're here.
Go on.
One of the girls
that works for you,
the one you burned up?
She lifted our wallets
down on Bourbon Street today.
You're sure of
these accusations?
Absolutely.
We followed her here.
How very disturbing.
Are you vacationing
in New Orleans?
Yes, and now our money
and credit cards are gone.
That's so unfortunate.
You'll probably have
to be leaving Mardi Gras.
Having no money, I mean.
Well, actually,
we wanted to know
if you knew
where the girl lived.
I'm afraid
I can't help you.
I don't even know
the girl's last name.
Marie Claire or something,
I believe?
You see, most of our people
are itinerant.
They don't travel with us.
We merely hire local girls
to participate in our act.
Terrific.
But I assure you,
if the girl returns,
I will question her at length.
This sort of thing reflects
very badly on me and the show.
I'm sorry you'll have
to be leaving the city.
Well, it's not that bad. Our
father can wire us some money.
Well, how fortunate.
But before you leave, could
you give one of my assistants
your name and where
you can be reached?
Of course.
And when the girl comes back, I will
see that your wallets are returned to you.
Oh! Let me read your palm.
Oh, no, not again. No, no,
thank you. I'm fine, really.
We're just on our way...
Can we go, please?
Oh, no! This is bad,
very bad for you.
I feel like I've been
through this before. Yeah.
That was pretty good,
did you see that?
Hey, now that's better.
We could use some
of that right about now.
That was terrific,
but I think we'd better...
Good, but we've got
to be moving along.
Follow me.
Frank...
Is that who I think it is?
I don't believe it.
Nancy Drew.
What are you
doing down here?
Oh, we're having
a wonderful time.
What are you
doing down here?
I'm following someone.
I was afraid if you recognized
me, you'd blow my cover.
Who are you following?
I can't tell you yet.
You're not on a case?
Well, in theory,
we're relaxing.
But we've gotten
our wallets stolen.
Oh, no.
Do you need some money?
I think we're all right.
Where are you staying?
We're staying at the...
Hotel des Puces.
Oh, yeah, I saw it.
Looks cozy.
(SIGHS) Yeah,
well, we call it home.
I'm staying across the
street at the Jean Laffitte.
The Jean Laffitte.
Hey, look, you guys,
I gotta get going.
Take care. New Orleans
can be a dangerous city.
(STAMMERING) Nancy...
She's obviously meeting
someone. I wouldn't bother her.
I wonder if the case
she's working on
has anything to do with that
girl or our wallets being stolen.
You know, I never realized
she was a magician.
Well, except in her capacity
to cast a spell on you.
You think she's in New
Orleans because of Dr. Dove?
I'll bet on it.
What's the matter?
Look.
What is this?
Do you believe this?
Oh, this must be my doll.
There's a piece of my shirt on
here, in case there was any doubt.
Yeah, mine, too.
Go home, death man,
go home.
Aren't you going to remove
your pin? I believe it's customary.
I'm going to
have a headache,
whether or not
I remove the pin.
I wonder how many of these
things they sell a week to the tourists?
Somehow I don't think we'll find
these handed over the counter.
They're authentic.
Why would anyone
go through the trouble
to try and scare us
like that?
I mean, if we were scared.
I mean,
if we took it seriously.
Which we don't.
Do we?
Only if the person
who hung them was serious.
How did they get in the
room? The door was locked.
Joe, if you believe in
voodoo, that doesn't matter.
Then again,
we don't believe in voodoo.
Do we?
You mean, these things are,
like, the real voodoo dolls?
I think I know someone
who can tell us.
Oh, I think
we're too late.
Joe, haven't you ever heard
about the French Quarter?
It never sleeps.
I can understand why.
Everybody's too scared
to close their eyes.
Come on.
We're closing.
THATCHER: That's all right,
they're with me.
I've been expecting them.
Come along, join me.
Sit down.
Please, sit down.
You said
you were expecting us?
We weren't expecting us
until about a minute ago.
Well, the cards told me.
I was concerned. Their
message is not quite clear.
Rather frightening.
What kind of cards are these?
Voodoo cards.
You can buy them in any curiosity
shop on Bourbon Street, by the dozen.
But not like these cards.
These are over 100 years old.
I got them from
a high voodoo priest
who practices magic
on the streets of Hispaniola,
in the Caribbean.
I got them in
a high-stake poker game.
My wager was $5000.
You said these cards
told you about us.
Yes.
Now that's you,
the jesters.
Also known as the clowns.
They made people laugh.
They were also pawns.
Expendable.
There's a woman in your lives.
You don't really
know her well.
She's a mysterious force.
Now, this is confusion.
Indecision.
It's a bad card to draw.
And this?
Well, it could mean
many things.
It all depends on
the next card that's drawn.
Would you mind?
I may hate myself for asking,
but what does this card mean?
Death.
And what does that card mean
in conjunction with this?
A burial.
The gray is the cemetery.
The blood-red line, the extinguished
life being lowered into the ground.
Swell.
What are you two doing here
in New Orleans?
Why have you come
to the Mardi Gras?
What do the cards tell you?
That there is danger.
Not merely confusion.
There's a girl, and burial,
and death.
And this?
Means that it is all connected
with a voodoo curse.
That high priest you were
talking about before,
that wouldn't happen
to be Dr. Dove, would it?
No.
Then he's not for real?
In the world of the unseen,
it is hard to say what is real
and what is fake.
Dr. Dove has a presence,
a power.
Whether malevolent or not,
well, that is questionable.
And that's why you're here.
You're most astute.
I am studying the man, yes.
Would he have a motive of trying
to scare two strangers half to death?
What are you talking about?
We're talking about this.
You still have the pin?
No, I threw it away.
And you?
Yeah, I got one, too.
Wouldn't want
to be left out.
This is serious,
very serious.
Then it is real.
I've only seen one
like it before, in Haiti.
It was hanging over the door
of a man who was lying within,
slowly dying.
There seemed to be
nothing wrong with him,
but he withered away
until death was a release.
It's native superstition.
The man was a colleague
of mine from London.
(DOOR OPENING)
There she is.
Wait a second!
We want to talk to you!
Professor, can you wait
here? We'll be right back.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
WOMAN: Hey, slow down!
Slow down!
MAN: Hey, friend, Mardi Gras
isn't a place to rush!
Stick around,
play with us!
Joe, what happened?
I lost her.
Joe, let's get
back to the club.
We can't let Thatcher go,
he's the only lead we have.
With what?
Somehow, you've trespassed
into the world of darkness.
Have you any idea what you've
done? How you've offended?
It has to have something
to do with that girl,
the one in
Dr. Dove's act.
We've got to get to her.
That old woman
was in here tonight.
All roads seem to
lead back to Dr. Dove.
Well, he's not
difficult to find.
You just have to know
where to look, that's all.
Someone's been
tasting my porridge
Said the Daddy bear
Someone's been
tasting my porridge
Said the Mommy bear
"Bo Bob A Ree Bear,"
said the little wee bear
Someone has broken my chair
(JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING)
Someone's been
sleeping in my bed
Said the Daddy bear
Someone's been
sleeping in my bed
Said the Mommy bear
So ends the story
of the three
The Daddy bear, the
Mommy bear, the baby bear
But don't forget Goldilocks
with the blond hair
The story of
the three bears
(ALL APPLAUDING)
I understand we have
Dr. Dove in our midst.
Dr. Dove, come on up here and
do some of your good magic, okay?
(CROWD CHEERING)
What can he really do?
Anything he wants to.
Frank, that's the girl.
Marie Claire, Marie...
She cannot hear you,
young man.
She's in a trance.
Do you hear me?
Yes, I hear you.
She's hypnotized.
Or worse.
You know that in my world,
there are no boundaries.
All things are possible.
Yes.
If you believe,
they believe.
(CROWD CHATTERING)
Can I have some room
up there, gentlemen?
(CHANTING)
(ALL APPLAUDING)
(PEOPLE EXCLAIMING)
May I borrow
your shawl, madam?
Thank you.
(CHANTING)
Fascinating.
(EXCLAIMS)
(ALL APPLAUDING)
Well, easy come, easy go.
(CAR APPROACHING)
Hello.
What are you doing here?
I left my hotel key
in my costume.
How did you get in?
The door was open.
Indeed.
Can I go?
Long day tomorrow.
I mean, I want to be
sharp for the show, and all.
Be free.
Watch her.
Wait a minute.
I dusted the door for
fingerprints before we left.
Print.
You ready?
After you.
I have to talk to you.
Yeah, well, we've been
wanting to talk to you, too.
You have kind of a funny
habit of disappearing.
I work for Dr. Dove.
He told me to lift your wallets.
I had to go along with him.
Well, can we
have our wallets?
I don't have them,
Dr. Dove has.
I can't get them back.
He thought that if I lifted your
wallets, you'd have to go home.
He wants you
out of this room.
Why?
I don't know.
I don't know
what's happening.
Look.
I need
somebody to turn to,
and somehow I felt
that I could trust you.
Why don't you tell us
what's going on?
I can't tell you everything.
(SCOFFING)
Listen, so far we've had our
wallets stolen, thanks to you,
have been warned
to get out of town,
found two voodoo dolls
hanging in our room,
and been told
our lives are in danger.
Now, either you tell
us everything you know,
or I'm going to pick up
that phone, call the police,
and we'll discuss it
downtown in a detention cell.
Al right.
I have a sister, Josette.
We're very close.
She came to New Orleans
five months ago,
looking for excitement.
She'd heard that this is the
most exciting city in the world.
And the most dangerous.
Go on.
Josette and I trained at the
Magic Castle in Los Angeles.
It's a magician's club.
She's a much better magician
than I am.
She's also fascinated
by black magic.
She wrote and told me about a man
who had completely captivated her.
A Dr. Dove.
She worked at the club.
It was he who was going to
introduce her into a darker world.
Voodoo.
I tried to call her,
but she wouldn't listen.
She said that I didn't
understand New Orleans,
I didn't understand it at all.
What happened then?
That was the last
I heard of her.
She didn't answer
my letters.
She was never in
for my phone calls.
I knew something
had happened to her.
That's when you
came to New Orleans.
But there wasn't a trace
of her, not anywhere.
No one seemed to know
anything about her.
It was as if...
As if she never existed.
That's when you decided
to join Dr. Dove, as she had.
As soon as I met him, I knew that he was
responsible for my sister's disappearance.
I have to gain his trust
so that I can find her.
That's why I did
whatever he told me to.
Will you help me?
We'd be happy to help you,
but you're going
to have to help us.
There's got to be
something you can tell us,
something that'll help
lead us to your sister.
All I have is this.
I found it in the hotel
room she abandoned.
It's an address
down on the harbor.
This is it, here.
What would your sister be doing in an
abandoned warehouse in the waterfront?
I don't know.
Let's check it out.
(CAR TIRES SQUEALING)
(YELLING)
Look out!
(GASPING)
Did you get
the license number?
I didn't even see the car.
Marie?
Marie Claire?
THATCHER:
They just picked her up.
Those men who
tried to run you down,
they stopped the car long
enough to drag her into the car.
I tried to help her,
and they almost
ran me down, too.
Well, where were we?
We were right here.
Why didn't we see her
get pulled in the car?
How did they know
we were here?
Probably followed you.
How did you know
we were here?
I was following you, too.
Or rather, Marie Claire.
Then you know her.
Well,
I didn't tell you before,
but I knew her sister.
An extraordinary girl,
alluring, yet naive.
Very beautiful.
And one night, she disappeared
from the Club Damballah.
So, I consulted the cards.
They told me
she was in trouble.
So, when her sister came
and started asking after her,
I knew the cards
hadn't lied to me.
Were you and Josette
very close?
Well, she rather looked
upon me as a father figure.
She was obsessed by
this idea of voodoo.
So, I vowed to myself
I would find her.
That's why I wanted to
talk to Marie Claire tonight.
Why tonight?
Because I think I have
found her sister.
Over here.
Ramsay.
Not the correct surname,
of course,
but I am convinced that
Josette is buried within this crypt.
How do you know?
I can't reveal my source,
but it's reliable.
Very reliable.
Why was she killed?
Because she knew
the secret of Dr. Dove.
And what is that?
I'm afraid
it was buried with her.
If that's Josette in there.
There's only one way
to find out, isn't there?
Here, try this.
(GRUNTING)
(EXHALING)
Well, you're the oldest.
Yeah, but you're more agile on
your feet, and stronger. Since when?
Since right now.
Thanks.
Well, open her up, Frank.
Somebody's got
to hold the light.
(GRUNTING)
All right, both of you.
Hold it right there.
This is the police.
I don't know what it is
about Mardi Gras time.
Perfectly sane,
rational people
just suddenly go crazy.
I've been a cop in this city for 30
years. I thought I'd seen everything.
But grave robbing?
It's a new one on me.
You can't rob a grave
if there's nothing in it.
Coffin's empty.
All right, fellas,
what did you do with it?
We didn't do
anything with it.
There wasn't anything
in it when we opened it.
Well, what is it
that you're looking for?
Somebody's disappeared.
We were afraid she'd been
killed and placed in this crypt.
Dr. Thatcher thought
she might be in here.
Who?
Doctor?
Doctor?
(STAMMERING) Well, he
was right here a second ago.
He's a friend of ours,
he's an English professor.
We met him at
the Club Damballah.
You know, I hate to talk
here, surrounded by death.
There must be somewhere more pleasant to
continue our conversation, don't you think?
How do we do it,
how do we get ourselves
in these situations?
It's a gift.
You know, I'd like to know
what happened to Thatcher.
Either he disappeared
when the cops arrived...
Or he was grabbed.
Yeah.
And why entomb
an empty coffin?
Unless they want us to think
that Josette was dead.
You know, I know I've asked
you this question before,
but who are they?
Somebody made your bail.
Who?
Does it matter?
I found out who you are.
You're Fenton Hardy's sons.
Your father and I did a little work
together when he was on the NYPD.
So, why don't you boys tell me just
what you were doing in that cemetery,
and who's this Josette
Ramsay, anyway?
She's the sister
of a friend of ours.
She's missing.
Well, she's not on the missing
persons report, I checked.
We're not sure
Ramsay is her real name.
Well, what is her real name?
We don't know.
You know, boys,
I'd really like to know
what's going on here.
Lieutenant, if we ever figure it
out, you'll be the first to know.
All we know is that it has
something to do with voodoo.
What? It has something
to do with voodoo.
Then get out of it.
Look, boys,
I'm just a cop.
I deal with MOs and
rap sheets and informers,
and busts in the street.
I don't believe anything
I can't understand.
But I've seen
a lot of strange things.
And I've looked down
at a few dead people
with bones and dolls
in their hands.
Get out of it.
Thanks for the advice,
Lieutenant.
Here's your
guardian angel.
Can't you two stay out of
trouble for more than a day?
I should have known.
Thank you.
How much do we owe you?
$50 each. You were arrested
for disturbing the peace.
For disturbing the peace
in a cemetery?
What are you guys into?
Does it have something
to do with Dr. Dove?
What can you tell us
about Dr. Dove?
I can't tell you, not yet.
But you have to be careful,
he's dangerous.
Nancy...
I can't tell you
anything more.
Not now.
But I don't want
anything to happen to you.
Please be careful.
I didn't say anything.
I didn't say a word.
You didn't have to.
This room is busier
than Grand Central Station.
Do we go in?
We've come this far.
Oh, my God.
She wrote and told me about a man
who had completely captivated her.
Voodoo.
Kumbala!
They rented it before
I could talk to them.
I don't believe it.
Nancy Drew.
What are you doing here?
I'm following someone.
I was afraid if you recognized
me, you'd blow my cover.
These are voodoo cards.
You said these cards
told you about us.
What does this card mean?
Death.
Look.
THATCHER: The voodoo curse.
There she is!
We want to talk to you!
NARRATOR:
Tonight on the Hardy Boys,
Voodoo Doll, Part 1.
Introducing
Janet Louise Johnson
as Nancy Drew.
(CROWD CHEERING)
The best black magic voodoo
show in all of New Orleans.
Step right up,
ladies and gentlemen!
It's the best black magic
show in all of New Orleans!
Dr. Dove, Dr. Dove,
fresh from Haiti!
The best show in
all of New Orleans.
Come and see Dr. Dove!
Step right this way,
ladies and gentlemen.
Dr. Dove, fresh from Haiti.
The best black magic
show in all of New Orleans.
(DRUMS BEATING)
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
Please, may I have
a Perrier with lime?
Yes, of course.
Thank you.
(SCREAMING)
(SCREAMING)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dr. Dove is here from Haiti.
Step right this way,
ladies and gentlemen!
Come and see the best black
magic show in all of New Orleans!
(GASPING)
I can't see!
Oh, please,
somebody help me.
(WHIMPERING)
Please, I can't see.
No...
(SCREAMING)
(OFFICERS CHATTERING
ON POLICE RADIO)
We pulled him out of the
swamp this morning, Lieutenant.
Okay, take him in.
Marty,
they found this on him.
I thought I'd seen
the last of those.
Spring time
in New Orleans.
Ah, the Mardi Gras.
Nothing but
rest and relaxation.
Parties, decadence...
Rest.
Dark Cajun beauties...
Sleep, lots of sleep.
Creole temptresses,
Southern belles,
the most beautiful women
from all over the world!
A hammock under
a magnolia tree.
You don't come to
the Mardi Gras to sleep!
Who comes to
the Mardi Gras to sleep?
It's been
a difficult year, Joe.
It's vacation time.
Time to reflect,
recharge tired batteries.
(SIGHING) You can
recharge, I'm going to party.
(CROWD CHEERING)
Not bad.
Yeah, yeah,
I think it'll do.
WOMAN ON PA: Mr. Ramarez
to the front desk.
Mr. Ramarez
to the front desk, please.
Excuse me.
The name is Hardy.
Hardy?
H-A-R-D-Y?
That's right.
I don't seem to have
anything with that name.
What?
There must be some mistake.
We were booked
over a month ago.
We got our confirmation
in the mail.
Perhaps you did,
but not at this hotel.
Yes, monsieur.
The ambassador will require
five additional rooms.
Ah, trés bien.
But of course.
Anything
the ambassador wishes.
You boys need a room?
Seems so.
I might be able to help.
Uh...
Yeah. Hotel des Puces.
Just around the corner. I work
there, too. I think you'll like it.
This is our best room.
Hate to see the worst.
This is the bathroom.
This room has hot water!
Whose are those?
Previous tenant.
He left without his things?
Yes, and no.
He left the room, but
he's still in New Orleans.
What?
They found his body floating
in the bayou, just south of town.
Rumor has it, it had
something to do with voodoo.
You people still don't
believe in that stuff?
Let me give you
some free advice, friend.
Never take voodoo lightly.
Lot of people
who take voodoo lightly
find themselves
in big trouble.
Especially during
the Mardi Gras.
Oh, come on.
Free advice.
Never take voodoo light.
I thought that
was free advice.
The advice is free, carrying
the bags costs you money.
(SIGHING)
Thanks.
Remember, if you need
anything, just holler.
Holler! Holler and the roof
would cave in.
Come on, it's not that bad.
It's a little stuffy.
I think the word is "rank."
(GRUNTS)
(SIGHING) Well, Frank, this is
another fine mess you've gotten us into.
You think there are
living things in there?
We won't discuss it until
we're too tired to stand up.
So near, and yet so far.
Come on, Frank.
The Mardi Gras awaits.
It's got to be
better than this.
DOVE: Did you get the room?
I told you to
get right there!
I was waiting
for the room.
They rented it before
I could talk to them.
It wasn't my fault!
Who rented it?
I don't know,
it was two young men.
Hmm.
Well, I've got
to have that room.
Looks like we're going to have to do
something about those two young men, right?
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(CROWD CHEERING)
(SIREN BLARING)
WOMAN: Fortunes told.
Only a dollar, fortunes
told. Fortunes told.
All the truth, all that's
good, all that's bad.
This is great. This is terrific.
I mean, do you believe this?
It's all free. In a world full of
inflation, rising costs, totally free.
Where else could you find it,
except New Orleans in Mardi Gras.
Nowhere.
Nowhere.
Fortunes,
I tell your fortune.
No, I'm fine.
Maybe some other time...
No, for free,
I tell you free!
Free, I tell you.
No money?
No money, free!
Okay.
It's free,
I told you.
(EXCLAIMS)
Yes, so I see...
(EXCLAIMS)
Oh, that's very bad!
What? What do you see?
You must go back
wherever you came from.
Mardi Gras
very dangerous for you.
Very, very dangerous.
(EXCLAIMS)
Excuse me, I'm sorry.
It's okay.
Joe, my wallet's gone!
So's mine.
The girl, come on!
There's more!
Oh, no!
She's got all our money.
She's gone, Frank.
Come right this way,
ladies and gentlemen.
It's the best show
in all of New Orleans.
Unless...
She went into that club.
It's the only place open.
Right this way, gentlemen, for the
best black magic in all of New Orleans.
Dr. Dove is here
directly from Haiti.
The high priest of voodoo,
the authority of black
magic in all the world.
Come right in,
continuous performance.
Step right inside
and have a drink,
the best drink on the house
on Dr. Dove. Enjoy the show.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Come right his way,
ladies and gentlemen!
Black magic, the best black
magic in all of New Orleans!
(DRUMS BEATING)
Wow, look at this place!
I guess
the bellman was right.
Some people do
believe in this stuff.
Hey, she's not bad.
Yeah, but that's magic,
that's not voodoo.
Unbelievable.
Voodoo.
I'm sorry,
I hope you don't think
I'm being rude,
but I could hardly help
overhearing you scoff at voodoo.
Won't you sit down?
May I order you something?
Oh, I'm Dr. Orin Thatcher,
professor of ethnic culture
at London University.
I came over here
to see your Mardi Gras,
to get a firsthand look
at the local customs.
Sit down, please.
I'm Frank Hardy.
How do you do?
This is my brother, Joe.
Hi there.
(DRUMS BEATING)
ANNOUNCER: And now,
direct from Haiti, the one and only,
the incomparable master
of the black arts, Dr. Dove.
(ALL APPLAUDING)
Kumbala!
You don't believe in voodoo?
Not really.
Although your book, Black
Science in the 20th Century
was very convincing.
Oh, you read my book!
Both Joe and I did.
54 weeks on
the best sellers list,
who hasn't?
But you don't buy all this?
This? Oh, this is pure hokum.
Just a magic show,
designed for
entertainment only.
This is not real voodoo.
I am writing
a thesis on it.
Believe me,
voodoo can be very real.
There are many aspects
of the black arts
which cannot be explained
by scientific means.
By any means.
Like what?
Watch.
(SHRIEKING)
That's her.
(PEOPLE MURMURING)
It's the girl.
(CHANTING)
(PEOPLE APPLAUDING)
ANNOUNCER:
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dr. Dove will be back
in just one hour's time,
so don't go away.
Joe, she's got
to be backstage.
Excuse us.
Hi.
Hi...
We're looking for the girl
that you just burned up.
She already left.
DOVE: Qui est la?
Nobody, Doctor.
Just some fans.
DOVE: Well, let them in.
Dr. Dove is always
interested in his fans.
Hi. Dr. Dove?
Hello.
Did you enjoy the show?
Yes, thank you. But
that's not why we're here.
Go on.
One of the girls
that works for you,
the one you burned up?
She lifted our wallets
down on Bourbon Street today.
You're sure of
these accusations?
Absolutely.
We followed her here.
How very disturbing.
Are you vacationing
in New Orleans?
Yes, and now our money
and credit cards are gone.
That's so unfortunate.
You'll probably have
to be leaving Mardi Gras.
Having no money, I mean.
Well, actually,
we wanted to know
if you knew
where the girl lived.
I'm afraid
I can't help you.
I don't even know
the girl's last name.
Marie Claire or something,
I believe?
You see, most of our people
are itinerant.
They don't travel with us.
We merely hire local girls
to participate in our act.
Terrific.
But I assure you,
if the girl returns,
I will question her at length.
This sort of thing reflects
very badly on me and the show.
I'm sorry you'll have
to be leaving the city.
Well, it's not that bad. Our
father can wire us some money.
Well, how fortunate.
But before you leave, could
you give one of my assistants
your name and where
you can be reached?
Of course.
And when the girl comes back, I will
see that your wallets are returned to you.
Oh! Let me read your palm.
Oh, no, not again. No, no,
thank you. I'm fine, really.
We're just on our way...
Can we go, please?
Oh, no! This is bad,
very bad for you.
I feel like I've been
through this before. Yeah.
That was pretty good,
did you see that?
Hey, now that's better.
We could use some
of that right about now.
That was terrific,
but I think we'd better...
Good, but we've got
to be moving along.
Follow me.
Frank...
Is that who I think it is?
I don't believe it.
Nancy Drew.
What are you
doing down here?
Oh, we're having
a wonderful time.
What are you
doing down here?
I'm following someone.
I was afraid if you recognized
me, you'd blow my cover.
Who are you following?
I can't tell you yet.
You're not on a case?
Well, in theory,
we're relaxing.
But we've gotten
our wallets stolen.
Oh, no.
Do you need some money?
I think we're all right.
Where are you staying?
We're staying at the...
Hotel des Puces.
Oh, yeah, I saw it.
Looks cozy.
(SIGHS) Yeah,
well, we call it home.
I'm staying across the
street at the Jean Laffitte.
The Jean Laffitte.
Hey, look, you guys,
I gotta get going.
Take care. New Orleans
can be a dangerous city.
(STAMMERING) Nancy...
She's obviously meeting
someone. I wouldn't bother her.
I wonder if the case
she's working on
has anything to do with that
girl or our wallets being stolen.
You know, I never realized
she was a magician.
Well, except in her capacity
to cast a spell on you.
You think she's in New
Orleans because of Dr. Dove?
I'll bet on it.
What's the matter?
Look.
What is this?
Do you believe this?
Oh, this must be my doll.
There's a piece of my shirt on
here, in case there was any doubt.
Yeah, mine, too.
Go home, death man,
go home.
Aren't you going to remove
your pin? I believe it's customary.
I'm going to
have a headache,
whether or not
I remove the pin.
I wonder how many of these
things they sell a week to the tourists?
Somehow I don't think we'll find
these handed over the counter.
They're authentic.
Why would anyone
go through the trouble
to try and scare us
like that?
I mean, if we were scared.
I mean,
if we took it seriously.
Which we don't.
Do we?
Only if the person
who hung them was serious.
How did they get in the
room? The door was locked.
Joe, if you believe in
voodoo, that doesn't matter.
Then again,
we don't believe in voodoo.
Do we?
You mean, these things are,
like, the real voodoo dolls?
I think I know someone
who can tell us.
Oh, I think
we're too late.
Joe, haven't you ever heard
about the French Quarter?
It never sleeps.
I can understand why.
Everybody's too scared
to close their eyes.
Come on.
We're closing.
THATCHER: That's all right,
they're with me.
I've been expecting them.
Come along, join me.
Sit down.
Please, sit down.
You said
you were expecting us?
We weren't expecting us
until about a minute ago.
Well, the cards told me.
I was concerned. Their
message is not quite clear.
Rather frightening.
What kind of cards are these?
Voodoo cards.
You can buy them in any curiosity
shop on Bourbon Street, by the dozen.
But not like these cards.
These are over 100 years old.
I got them from
a high voodoo priest
who practices magic
on the streets of Hispaniola,
in the Caribbean.
I got them in
a high-stake poker game.
My wager was $5000.
You said these cards
told you about us.
Yes.
Now that's you,
the jesters.
Also known as the clowns.
They made people laugh.
They were also pawns.
Expendable.
There's a woman in your lives.
You don't really
know her well.
She's a mysterious force.
Now, this is confusion.
Indecision.
It's a bad card to draw.
And this?
Well, it could mean
many things.
It all depends on
the next card that's drawn.
Would you mind?
I may hate myself for asking,
but what does this card mean?
Death.
And what does that card mean
in conjunction with this?
A burial.
The gray is the cemetery.
The blood-red line, the extinguished
life being lowered into the ground.
Swell.
What are you two doing here
in New Orleans?
Why have you come
to the Mardi Gras?
What do the cards tell you?
That there is danger.
Not merely confusion.
There's a girl, and burial,
and death.
And this?
Means that it is all connected
with a voodoo curse.
That high priest you were
talking about before,
that wouldn't happen
to be Dr. Dove, would it?
No.
Then he's not for real?
In the world of the unseen,
it is hard to say what is real
and what is fake.
Dr. Dove has a presence,
a power.
Whether malevolent or not,
well, that is questionable.
And that's why you're here.
You're most astute.
I am studying the man, yes.
Would he have a motive of trying
to scare two strangers half to death?
What are you talking about?
We're talking about this.
You still have the pin?
No, I threw it away.
And you?
Yeah, I got one, too.
Wouldn't want
to be left out.
This is serious,
very serious.
Then it is real.
I've only seen one
like it before, in Haiti.
It was hanging over the door
of a man who was lying within,
slowly dying.
There seemed to be
nothing wrong with him,
but he withered away
until death was a release.
It's native superstition.
The man was a colleague
of mine from London.
(DOOR OPENING)
There she is.
Wait a second!
We want to talk to you!
Professor, can you wait
here? We'll be right back.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
WOMAN: Hey, slow down!
Slow down!
MAN: Hey, friend, Mardi Gras
isn't a place to rush!
Stick around,
play with us!
Joe, what happened?
I lost her.
Joe, let's get
back to the club.
We can't let Thatcher go,
he's the only lead we have.
With what?
Somehow, you've trespassed
into the world of darkness.
Have you any idea what you've
done? How you've offended?
It has to have something
to do with that girl,
the one in
Dr. Dove's act.
We've got to get to her.
That old woman
was in here tonight.
All roads seem to
lead back to Dr. Dove.
Well, he's not
difficult to find.
You just have to know
where to look, that's all.
Someone's been
tasting my porridge
Said the Daddy bear
Someone's been
tasting my porridge
Said the Mommy bear
"Bo Bob A Ree Bear,"
said the little wee bear
Someone has broken my chair
(JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING)
Someone's been
sleeping in my bed
Said the Daddy bear
Someone's been
sleeping in my bed
Said the Mommy bear
So ends the story
of the three
The Daddy bear, the
Mommy bear, the baby bear
But don't forget Goldilocks
with the blond hair
The story of
the three bears
(ALL APPLAUDING)
I understand we have
Dr. Dove in our midst.
Dr. Dove, come on up here and
do some of your good magic, okay?
(CROWD CHEERING)
What can he really do?
Anything he wants to.
Frank, that's the girl.
Marie Claire, Marie...
She cannot hear you,
young man.
She's in a trance.
Do you hear me?
Yes, I hear you.
She's hypnotized.
Or worse.
You know that in my world,
there are no boundaries.
All things are possible.
Yes.
If you believe,
they believe.
(CROWD CHATTERING)
Can I have some room
up there, gentlemen?
(CHANTING)
(ALL APPLAUDING)
(PEOPLE EXCLAIMING)
May I borrow
your shawl, madam?
Thank you.
(CHANTING)
Fascinating.
(EXCLAIMS)
(ALL APPLAUDING)
Well, easy come, easy go.
(CAR APPROACHING)
Hello.
What are you doing here?
I left my hotel key
in my costume.
How did you get in?
The door was open.
Indeed.
Can I go?
Long day tomorrow.
I mean, I want to be
sharp for the show, and all.
Be free.
Watch her.
Wait a minute.
I dusted the door for
fingerprints before we left.
Print.
You ready?
After you.
I have to talk to you.
Yeah, well, we've been
wanting to talk to you, too.
You have kind of a funny
habit of disappearing.
I work for Dr. Dove.
He told me to lift your wallets.
I had to go along with him.
Well, can we
have our wallets?
I don't have them,
Dr. Dove has.
I can't get them back.
He thought that if I lifted your
wallets, you'd have to go home.
He wants you
out of this room.
Why?
I don't know.
I don't know
what's happening.
Look.
I need
somebody to turn to,
and somehow I felt
that I could trust you.
Why don't you tell us
what's going on?
I can't tell you everything.
(SCOFFING)
Listen, so far we've had our
wallets stolen, thanks to you,
have been warned
to get out of town,
found two voodoo dolls
hanging in our room,
and been told
our lives are in danger.
Now, either you tell
us everything you know,
or I'm going to pick up
that phone, call the police,
and we'll discuss it
downtown in a detention cell.
Al right.
I have a sister, Josette.
We're very close.
She came to New Orleans
five months ago,
looking for excitement.
She'd heard that this is the
most exciting city in the world.
And the most dangerous.
Go on.
Josette and I trained at the
Magic Castle in Los Angeles.
It's a magician's club.
She's a much better magician
than I am.
She's also fascinated
by black magic.
She wrote and told me about a man
who had completely captivated her.
A Dr. Dove.
She worked at the club.
It was he who was going to
introduce her into a darker world.
Voodoo.
I tried to call her,
but she wouldn't listen.
She said that I didn't
understand New Orleans,
I didn't understand it at all.
What happened then?
That was the last
I heard of her.
She didn't answer
my letters.
She was never in
for my phone calls.
I knew something
had happened to her.
That's when you
came to New Orleans.
But there wasn't a trace
of her, not anywhere.
No one seemed to know
anything about her.
It was as if...
As if she never existed.
That's when you decided
to join Dr. Dove, as she had.
As soon as I met him, I knew that he was
responsible for my sister's disappearance.
I have to gain his trust
so that I can find her.
That's why I did
whatever he told me to.
Will you help me?
We'd be happy to help you,
but you're going
to have to help us.
There's got to be
something you can tell us,
something that'll help
lead us to your sister.
All I have is this.
I found it in the hotel
room she abandoned.
It's an address
down on the harbor.
This is it, here.
What would your sister be doing in an
abandoned warehouse in the waterfront?
I don't know.
Let's check it out.
(CAR TIRES SQUEALING)
(YELLING)
Look out!
(GASPING)
Did you get
the license number?
I didn't even see the car.
Marie?
Marie Claire?
THATCHER:
They just picked her up.
Those men who
tried to run you down,
they stopped the car long
enough to drag her into the car.
I tried to help her,
and they almost
ran me down, too.
Well, where were we?
We were right here.
Why didn't we see her
get pulled in the car?
How did they know
we were here?
Probably followed you.
How did you know
we were here?
I was following you, too.
Or rather, Marie Claire.
Then you know her.
Well,
I didn't tell you before,
but I knew her sister.
An extraordinary girl,
alluring, yet naive.
Very beautiful.
And one night, she disappeared
from the Club Damballah.
So, I consulted the cards.
They told me
she was in trouble.
So, when her sister came
and started asking after her,
I knew the cards
hadn't lied to me.
Were you and Josette
very close?
Well, she rather looked
upon me as a father figure.
She was obsessed by
this idea of voodoo.
So, I vowed to myself
I would find her.
That's why I wanted to
talk to Marie Claire tonight.
Why tonight?
Because I think I have
found her sister.
Over here.
Ramsay.
Not the correct surname,
of course,
but I am convinced that
Josette is buried within this crypt.
How do you know?
I can't reveal my source,
but it's reliable.
Very reliable.
Why was she killed?
Because she knew
the secret of Dr. Dove.
And what is that?
I'm afraid
it was buried with her.
If that's Josette in there.
There's only one way
to find out, isn't there?
Here, try this.
(GRUNTING)
(EXHALING)
Well, you're the oldest.
Yeah, but you're more agile on
your feet, and stronger. Since when?
Since right now.
Thanks.
Well, open her up, Frank.
Somebody's got
to hold the light.
(GRUNTING)
All right, both of you.
Hold it right there.
This is the police.
I don't know what it is
about Mardi Gras time.
Perfectly sane,
rational people
just suddenly go crazy.
I've been a cop in this city for 30
years. I thought I'd seen everything.
But grave robbing?
It's a new one on me.
You can't rob a grave
if there's nothing in it.
Coffin's empty.
All right, fellas,
what did you do with it?
We didn't do
anything with it.
There wasn't anything
in it when we opened it.
Well, what is it
that you're looking for?
Somebody's disappeared.
We were afraid she'd been
killed and placed in this crypt.
Dr. Thatcher thought
she might be in here.
Who?
Doctor?
Doctor?
(STAMMERING) Well, he
was right here a second ago.
He's a friend of ours,
he's an English professor.
We met him at
the Club Damballah.
You know, I hate to talk
here, surrounded by death.
There must be somewhere more pleasant to
continue our conversation, don't you think?
How do we do it,
how do we get ourselves
in these situations?
It's a gift.
You know, I'd like to know
what happened to Thatcher.
Either he disappeared
when the cops arrived...
Or he was grabbed.
Yeah.
And why entomb
an empty coffin?
Unless they want us to think
that Josette was dead.
You know, I know I've asked
you this question before,
but who are they?
Somebody made your bail.
Who?
Does it matter?
I found out who you are.
You're Fenton Hardy's sons.
Your father and I did a little work
together when he was on the NYPD.
So, why don't you boys tell me just
what you were doing in that cemetery,
and who's this Josette
Ramsay, anyway?
She's the sister
of a friend of ours.
She's missing.
Well, she's not on the missing
persons report, I checked.
We're not sure
Ramsay is her real name.
Well, what is her real name?
We don't know.
You know, boys,
I'd really like to know
what's going on here.
Lieutenant, if we ever figure it
out, you'll be the first to know.
All we know is that it has
something to do with voodoo.
What? It has something
to do with voodoo.
Then get out of it.
Look, boys,
I'm just a cop.
I deal with MOs and
rap sheets and informers,
and busts in the street.
I don't believe anything
I can't understand.
But I've seen
a lot of strange things.
And I've looked down
at a few dead people
with bones and dolls
in their hands.
Get out of it.
Thanks for the advice,
Lieutenant.
Here's your
guardian angel.
Can't you two stay out of
trouble for more than a day?
I should have known.
Thank you.
How much do we owe you?
$50 each. You were arrested
for disturbing the peace.
For disturbing the peace
in a cemetery?
What are you guys into?
Does it have something
to do with Dr. Dove?
What can you tell us
about Dr. Dove?
I can't tell you, not yet.
But you have to be careful,
he's dangerous.
Nancy...
I can't tell you
anything more.
Not now.
But I don't want
anything to happen to you.
Please be careful.
I didn't say anything.
I didn't say a word.
You didn't have to.
This room is busier
than Grand Central Station.
Do we go in?
We've come this far.
Oh, my God.