All language subtitles for Alfred Hitchcock s03e11 The Deadly

Oh, good evening.

I guess if you want something done
right, you have to do it yourself.

The plumber keeps fixing the leak, and I
don't want it fixed.

I'm sure many of you have one of these
in your homes, but for the benefit of

backward, I shall explain.

The subject is strapped in this chair.

I then turn this valve...

and the water drips on his head, one
drop each minute.

After about a week of this, I suddenly
turn the water off.

It produces the most astounding effects.

It is especially valuable if you have a
friend who wishes to lose his

inhibitions.

Naturally, you may lose your friend too.

However, there is one serious danger.

Don't ever leave it running when there
is no one in the chair.

Because in a few days, the force of the
dripping water can actually drill a hole

through the wood.

Now, while I go back to the shop to get
the proper tools, we shall have the rest

of this evening's entertainment.

Oh, we say a honeymoon can't last
forever.

But some people expect it to. Is this a
conspiracy, Myra, or may I have a light?

Oh.

We were just talking about Ann Warren
and her husband.

What's the matter? Trouble in paradise?

So I hear.

Well, she doesn't exactly look like the
happy young bride.

Thanks.

Hello, Ann.

Margo, are those women talking about me?

Those women are talking about everybody.

It's the only form of communication we
have. You'll adjust to it.

I suppose so. Would you like a
cigarette?

Margo, how do you balance a bank book?

Oh, that's simple. You just doctor the
books, cheat on the budget, and deal

yourself.

I'll have to try it.

I was going to call you this afternoon,
ma 'am. We'd like you and Joe to come

for dinner.

Friday night.

We haven't been going out much.

I'll talk to Phil about it.

Well, I'll phone you, huh?

Hi.

Hello, darling. B?

Is there a fault?

Then I'll save the dire news for you to
catch a drink.

Anything wrong?

Oh, no, not really. Something sprang a
leak in the basement. I don't know. It's

got something to do with the water
heater.

Hmm.

So I was already being trepid and put my
finger in the dike, but I couldn't see

where it was coming from. No, I'll have
a look at it before dinner.

Oh, by the way, I asked Warren for
dinner.

Not tonight.

Oh, no, Friday.

Ann's got problems.

I invited them in the spur of the
moment.

Her biggest problem's Joe Warren.

What's the trouble?

How should I know?

He's just a jealous, suspicious guy.

Well, you saw him last weekend at the
country club. He just sat and glowered

he... Well, I've already invited them. I
hope you don't mind.

I guess not.

But it doesn't sound like a very
stimulating evening.

We're certainly overstimulated by the
frantic life we lead out here. I thought

you liked living out here.

I do, but you must admit there isn't
much excitement.

I mean, when the big event of my day is
a leak in the basement.

What you need is a good knife murder or
one of those juvenile gangs.

Shut up.

It's too dark down there to see what's
wrong. I guess you'll have to call a

plumber. First thing in the morning.
Come on, get washed up. Dinner's ready.

Oh, and honey, be sure you get an
estimate before you let him do any work.

Yes, dear.

If he says it's going to be more than
$10, you can just tell him to forget it.

Oh, well, shouldn't I bargain with him?
I had such good luck with the butcher.

Yeah, well, it's the milkman I've got my
eye on. Oh, darling, I didn't know you

were the jealous type. Well, I wouldn't
be too sure.

You phoned me up about a leak.

Oh, you're very prompt. Come in.

Thanks.

Would you make a note of the time? I
work by the hour. I wouldn't want my

customers to think I'm overcharging
them.

Oh, it's just 9 .30.

Say, this is a nice place you got here.
I like the way you got it fixed up.

Thanks.

I bet you did it all yourself.

Well, yes, most of it.

Now, this is what really interests me.

The kitchen.

Not like most men, huh?

No, I suppose not.

Oh, well, it's different with me, you
see, being a plumber.

I kind of make it my business to know
just what appeals to women.

I didn't mean that the way it sounded.

You know something?

I can take a look at a kitchen and give
you a pretty fair estimate of that

person's income.

Would you believe that?

Uh, no, not really.

You wouldn't, huh? Okay, I'll prove it
to you.

I'd say your husband makes about, uh...
Oh, about $19 ,000, $20 ,000 a year.

I came pretty close, didn't I?

You know that Rhoda Forbes that lives
down the block? Yes, I know Mrs. Forbes.

Yeah, well, I did some work for Mrs.
Forbes last winter, and I guess her

husband's income right on the nose.

Well, I... I guess I'd better take a
look at that leak.

Oh.

Yes, it's right down there behind the
finish. I'll take care of it. Do you

where the turn -off valve is?

No, but it's down there someplace.

I'll find it.

Oh, say, my husband said to get an
estimate before you do the work.

Anything you say, Mrs. Brenner.

Oh, wait a minute.

You're not finished already.

Oh, no, no, no. I'm just waiting for the
pipe to drain. It takes a couple of

minutes, you know.

I've got to turn the valve off in the
bathroom. Now, where's that, upstairs?

Oh, yes.

Why do you have to go upstairs to fix
the leak in the basement?

Well, you've got to equalize the
pressure, or else you'll flood the whole

cellar. That's the trouble with the
Stetson valve. Otherwise, they're very

Say, Rhoda, will you call me back again
in a few minutes?

No, just a domestic crisis.

Yeah, thanks.

The bathroom's over there.

Hey, you painted this.

Margot Brenner, that's you, ain't it?

Yes, last summer up in Maine.

Well, what do you know?

A real artist.

I never met a celebrity before.

Don't be ridiculous. It's very
amateurish.

No, no, it's not. You've got real
talent. Listen, I never had much

before, but I've got an artistic side. I
know something good when I see it. I've

got real appreciation.

Most people have appreciation, but
they're just untrained. They don't

things. That's absolutely true. You
know, people go through life with their

closed. Not me. You'd be surprised at
some of the things I see.

You take this room, for instance.

I can tell you've got good taste.

You take those drapes.

Take this furniture.

Take that bedspread.

How much do you pay for a spread like
this?

Please.

I wish you'd get on with your work.

Sure. I know, I know. I talk too much.
That's what everybody tells me. But I

don't mean no harm. I'm just trying to
be a little friendly.

Now, the world would be a better place,
wouldn't it, if everybody was just a

little more friendly?

You know, love thy neighbor?

That's the way I am.

That's nice.

Got a lot of style.

Just like you.

Put it down.

Okay, okay, okay.

Nice and silky.

You look scared, Mrs. Brenner.

It's on account of me. I want to
apologize. I don't mean no harm. I just

natural curiosity, that's all. You know,
it takes curiosity to be a good

plumber.

Well.

Guess I'd better get on with my trade,
huh?

Mrs. Brenner, I'm going down to the
basement now. I ought to be able to give

an estimate in a couple of minutes.

I think I found out where the trouble
is.

Oh, it'll be real easy to fix.

How much is it going to cost?

Yes, sir, this is a mighty fine kitchen.

Not many people would be able to afford
a house like this. Five hundred dollars.

What?

Five hundred. That's what I figure the
job is worth.

Now, wait a minute. I've had just about
enough of this.

You wouldn't want people to hear about
it, would you?

Hear about what?

About us being upstairs together.

Well, people would wonder how I knew
about that painting you did in Maine and

about the bedspread and the pink
negligee.

Why, they wouldn't believe a word you
said.

Wouldn't they?

How about the neighbors?

My truck's been parked in front of the
house since 9 .30.

What time is it now?

It's just 20 minutes past 11.

I've been here for nearly two hours
giving you an estimate on a leaky valve.

You and me, all alone, Mrs. Bennett.

And you too busy to even answer the
phone.

Why, it never rang.

Maybe you didn't hear it.

I wonder what Mrs. Forbes thought when
she called you back and she didn't get

any answer.

And doesn't your husband ever phone you
from the office?

Why, this is blackmail. I'll report you
to the police.

Yeah, that's what Myra Herbert said, but
she didn't do it.

Myra?

Neither did Ann Warren.

Ann Warren? You blackmail Ann Warren?
Why, she's only been married a few

Yeah, I know.

And they tell me her husband is kind of
jealous, too.

I won't give you a cent.

And if you make any talk about me, I'll
tell my husband. He's a lawyer, and

he'll take you... Oh, that's good.

That's good.

Because you're going to need a lawyer if
I decide to sue you.

Sue me?

For damages.

On account of I hurt my back when I
slipped and fell in that bathroom of

upstairs.

Why, you wouldn't dare.

If I'm asked, I'll just have to describe
that bedspread and the negligee and

all, just to prove my case. You ask your
husband about the legal points.

You see, even if I lose, you won't win.

Unless your husband's a really broad
-minded guy.

I don't have... Have $500.

Sure, I know.

But you can get it.

And don't give me any song about your
husband handling all the money.

You see, I know all the angles to this
game.

I do it a couple of times a month. I
average close to 15 grand a year.

Tax -free.

Then you ought to realize I don't have
$500 in the house.

Yeah, I know.

But I'll be back tomorrow morning bright
and early to fix that leak.

And, uh...

That'll give you plenty of time to get
to the bank.

See you, Mrs. Brenner.

Have my shower.

Oh, uh, get me the police department,
please.

Hello? Uh, this is Mrs. Lewis Brenner,
173 Sayosset Road.

Yes, I would like to have an officer
come over in about an hour.

I'm in trouble.

I'm being blackmailed.

Yes.

Thank you.

Are you absolutely sure?

I'm positive.

Jack Staley. Thank you.

I didn't think he went in for that kind
of stuff.

Well, he does. You'll see.

When he comes, let him in and try to act
as natural as you can.

Have you got the money for it?

Yes, right here.

Let me have it. I'll mark it so I can
prove he got it from you.

Good morning, Mrs. Brenner. I'll have
that leak fixed in no time. Just a

Here.

What's that?

The money. I've decided to pay you even
though it is blackmail. I don't want any

trouble.

I don't understand you, Mrs. Brenner.
You wanted $500. Here it is.

Look, if you're worried about yesterday,
forget it.

We all make mistakes.

Why don't you pretend it never happened?

That's not the way you talked yesterday.

What do you mean about my back?

Oh, no, no. I only wrenched it a little.

It was a bit sore when I got up this
morning, but it'll be all right in a day

two. If there's a big medical bill,
you've probably got enough insurance to

cover it. But I couldn't take any money
from you. I feel funny about it. You're

twisting everything around.

Look, why don't I just finish the job
and get out, huh?

Hello, Staley.

Mrs. Brennan, what are you trying to do
to me?

Well, she tells us that you tried to
extort $500 from her.

What's your story, Staley?

Nothing. It's... It's just between the
lady and me. Why, he's lying. He's

distorting everything.

All right, Mrs. Brenner.

How about it, Staley? Look, Sarge, why
don't you leave the lady alone?

She didn't mean any harm. I'm... I'm
ready to forget the whole thing.

Well, that's up to Mrs. Brenner. She
made the accusation.

Your husband's a lawyer, isn't he, Mrs.
Brenner?

Why don't you phone him and see what he
wants to do?

I don't want him to... No, I can't.

You believe his lies, don't you?

It doesn't matter what I believe.

You say one thing, he says another.

If you want to make a charge, I'll take
him in.

No.

Okay.

On your way, Staley.

He was lying.

He knew that you were... The coffee
cups. He saw that there were two of

That's possible.

Mrs. Brenner, you haven't lived in North
Park very long, have you? No, but...

Staley was born here. Everybody knows
it. It'd be your word against his.

But I'm not the only one he's tried this
on. He's boasted about the women he's

blackmailed. He's even told me who some
of them were.

We've never had any complaints about him
before.

Because they're afraid to complain, he'd
ruin their reputations.

Look, isn't this... Something you can
do? Not without some evidence.

If I were you, Mrs. Brenner, I'd have a
talk with these other women.

If enough of you got together, you could
make a case against him.

Providing it's true.

But it is true.

Okay. That's the best advice I can give
you.

Goodbye, Mrs. Brenner.

Mrs. Brenner?

Yes? It was a dirty... you tried to pull
before.

I thought you had better sense. I saw
that one coming from way back.

You really got yourself into trouble
now.

If I have to go into court, that cop
will tell everything he heard today.

And you won't stand a chance.

I know that.

Okay, then. I'll be around for the money
later this afternoon.

Mrs. Brenner? You hear me, Mrs. Brenner?

Yes.

I'll have the money ready.

Okay.

And no more tricks.

Or else I might have to raise the price
on you.

Thanks.

And this time, if you don't mind, I'll
take a little look around.

You'd be surprised at some of the tricks
they try.

Well, I didn't know you had company,
Mrs. Brenner. I'd better come back some

other time. Oh, that's quite all right,
Mrs. Daly. I think you know most of

these ladies.

Yes, indeed.

Hello?

Would you like a sandwich?

Or perhaps some tea?

No, nothing.

Nothing? Oh, surely you want your $500.

That's why you came.

Oh, don't be embarrassed, Mrs. Daly. All
these ladies know about it.

Some of them have even paid you.

Okay.

Okay, Mrs. Brenner.

Do you have everybody here? Are you all
present?

Well, now, what are you going to do?

I'd just like to know.

Sergeant Thompson?

Oh, this is Mrs.

Lewis Brenner.

Yes, I took your advice. I have all the
ladies here and... Oh, just a moment,

Sergeant. Did you want to speak to the
Sergeant?

Okay, okay.

You win.

I'll call you back later, Sergeant.

Well, I know it couldn't last forever.

Oh, what...

Just a minute, Staley.

We're not finished with you yet. We want
our money back.

Are you kidding? I don't have your
money. I spent it all.

Well, then you'll just have to work it
out.

What? Yes, you're a plumber. We all have
some repairs we need.

Yes, we need a new sprinkler system.

Of course, you'll have to dig up the old
one first. Oh, very good, Mara. We have

a heater to install.

What do you need, Ann? Oh, I have a lot
of jobs.

Over $300 worth. Nothing doing. I
wouldn't have any time for myself.

Listen, I've got to live too, you know.
Why?

You can't make me do it.

That's just plain... Blackmail?

Oh, well, perhaps you'd like to call the
police.

I'll dial them for you. No, wait a
minute.

Okay, I'll do anything you want.

Well, we thought you would.

Now we'll have to decide on the order.
Shall it be alphabetical or should we do

it in the amount already paid?

Alphabetical. My name's Adam. But I paid
more.

Hi.

Hello, darling. All in? As always.

How about you? Another exciting day in
suburbia?

I had some of the girls over this
afternoon.

We had tea.

Tea? That's nice. What else?

Oh, the plumber came to fix the leak in
the basement. Oh, honey, did you get

that estimate? Oh, stop worrying,
darling. It was such a small job. You

take a stand.

thief and blackmailer posing as a
plumber.

Nothing is sacred anymore.

I shall be back in a moment after you
view this rusty elbow in the plumbing of

television.

That is all for tonight.

Next week we shall be back with another
story.

I've fixed this.

Nothing to it, really.

Good night.