Original subtitles

("Alfred Hitchcock" theme music)

- Good evening.

We are broadcasting my portion of this evening's program

by radio instead of television.

I seem to have lost some weight,

and I don't wish to mar my image.

I cannot reveal exactly how much weight.

I can only say that had I lost 10 more pounds,

I would have had to file a missing persons report.

For the uninitiated, I should explain

that radio is simply television with the tube burned out.

In radio, sound is a rather important ingredient.

When it does not exist, it is manufactured.

For example.

This cellophane simulates the sound of a crackling fire.

This sound effect is so authentic

one can almost smell the smoke.

This evening's play tells of two nurses

who spend one terrifying night

in a large house in the country.

But first, some sound and fury, signifying

our sponsor's product. (siren blaring)

- Thank you for everything.

You're sure you're all right?

'Cause I can go in and get my coat

and walk you back to the clinic.

- I'm absolutely fine.

Goodnight, Mr. Crispis.

- Goodnight, Miss Little.

(suspenseful music)

(twig cracking)

(dog barking)

- [Man] Frieda?

- Who's there?

- [Man] You're such a pretty nurse, Frieda.

(screaming)

(man laughing)

(wind howling)

- While the news from overseas is filled

with explosive new developments,

here in the city, the tension continues to mount

with each new dramatic turn

in the current rash of brutal killings.

Now there is another one, and this is the third

nurse murder committed in this area in the past two weeks.

The search for nurse Frieda Little,

who disappeared last Thursday evening,

was ended early today with the discovery of her body

here in Northside Park at seven o'clock this morning

by a park gardener.

The victim had been dead for several days.

Miss Little was returning from an assignment

where she'd been engaged for the past three days.

Newsman Al Ruben interviewed Mr. Boris Crispis,

the last man to have seen Miss Little alive.

- And you had no idea when she walked out of this door

you would never see her again.

- Well, no, no.

She was a real fine nurse.

My wife has been sick about a year now, and uh,

well, we've had a lot of them through here,

and she was saying just this morning that she was the best.

We were wondering why she'd never phoned.

- Did Miss Little ever speak of the other two murders,

the nurses that were killed two weeks ago?

- Yes, we spoke about it a little bit.

She, uh, she said she knew one of them.

She was upset about it, I guess you could say.

- Uh-huh, was there ever anything else

that was strange or unusual that happened

while she was here in the house?

- Yes, as a matter of fact, there was.

It happened the night before she left.

Oh, I, I pooh-poohed it at the time.

You see, my wife has been bedridden about a year now,

and she woke up one night yelling

that she saw a man standing at the window

looking in at her and Miss Little.

Well, I took a flashlight and I went outside,

but I couldn't see anything.

- Thank you very much, Mr. Crispis.

- All three murders in this neighborhood.

The police are now searching for a definite suspect,

and they are certain that he is still in this area

and have cautioned all residents, particularly all nurses,

to be extremely careful until the killer is caught.

You are urged to speak to no strangers,

keep your doors and windows locked.

Now let's take a look at the weather.

- That's charming.

He obviously finds out where nurses are working,

and waits for the chance to get at them.

Oh, it's horrible.

I wouldn't go out tonight on a bet.

- Not for a million.

Lock every door, every window.

- I'll check everything downstairs.

- Fine.

(suspenseful music)

- I read in a book about a man

who only killed trombone players.

He beat them to death with their own trombones.

You know, this is the same kind of thing,

only this one just. (gasping)

Oh, oh, Miss Stella.

We're going to have to have some rules,

we're going to have to start knocking, I suppose.

- I'm sorry.

- Is everything all right?

- I'm just checking that everything is locked.

- [Cook] The kitchen's tight as a tick.

- Stella? - Yes?

- Stella? - What is it, Miss Ames?

- When was the last time you checked the oxygen tank?

- I don't remember.

- Is there another tank in the house?

- No, why?

- The pressure's very low, it won't last the night.

- Are you sure?

- Yes.

Sam, you'll have to go into the clinic

and get another tank, we must have it.

Stella, you simply can't forget things like this.

(cat meowing)

- I'm sorry, Sam.

- Just go to the clinic, ask for a tank of oxygen.

- Yes, they know, there's a standing order there

for Mr. Baker, you'll just sign for it.

- I'll go with you.

- You stay here and do your job.

You gotta feed these people, Maude.

- Isn't there anyone there who could bring it up?

- Not this time of night.

- I don't wanna be left here alone.

- You're not alone, three hefty women

ought to be able to give good account of themselves

if someone came scratching at the door.

Well, I'll be back as soon as I can.

Just lock up good behind me, and don't let anybody in.

(wind howling)

(engine revving)

- Did you check the cellar?

- There's no light down there.

Why, I wouldn't go down there for anything in the world.

- Have you got a flashlight?

- The fixture's broken down there.

Sam started to fix it the other day,

and then he left it dangling, like he does everything else.

I'm right here if you need me.

You know, I knew somebody once that

tried to kill a couple people with a butcher knife.

He was my father's best friend.

Far as I know he's still locked up somewhere.

Wonder why this one just wants to kill nurses?

Now, I know why my father's best friend

wanted to kill those people.

(mouse squeaking) (screaming)

What is it?

- There's a mouse!

(breathing heavily)

- Hey, Gus, a job. (meowing)

Gus will take care of him.

Here, let Gus earn his keep.

Come on, Gus, get him.

- Why am I so terrified of such a little thing?

I know better.

- I'm that way about snakes.

Just show me a snake, any kind of a snake,

and I'll show you how fast my little legs can carry me.

The way that they, they frighten their prey,

and then they swallow them whole.

You know, I read in a book about a snake

that swallowed a full-grown goat.

- Well, I think I'll be going upstairs.

- I'll bring your supper up in just a few minutes.

(suspenseful music)

(sighing)

(meowing)

- How is he?

- About the same.

- Sam will be back as soon as he can.

- Have you checked everything?

- Yes, I think so.

- Every door, every window?

- Yes.

Yes. - You're hesitating.

Have you forgotten something?

- No.

- Are you sure? - Yes.

- Stella, you have all the qualities

to assure a very good success,

but you must always be on guard about

a very serious handicap.

- I know.

I just get excited, and then I get rattled.

- Well, you must not get excited and rattled.

It makes you forget things.

- I know.

- Some day you'll forget something vital.

Oh, it won't be a name or a spoon or even

to check the pressure on an oxygen tank.

Last night when I arrived, I thought it was

just because you were tired, but it's more than that.

(tapping)

He's waking up.

- How do you feel?

- Better.

Is the crisis over?

- Mm-hm, all over.

- Who is this?

- This is Nurse Betty Ames.

Dr. Jones felt I was working too hard,

so he sent her over last night to help out.

- Oh yes, I vaguely remember.

Oh, I do feel better.

- Well, he's all yours now.

I'm going downstairs for a cup of coffee.

(gasping)

Oh, I'm sorry.

- I was going to knock, I was just trying

to balance the tray on my knee to knock.

- Is there any coffee downstairs?

- Fresh pot.

- I'll be in the kitchen if you need me, Stella.

- Oh, how's the patient?

- Coming up for air.

- Did Stella tell you about the new murder?

Third nurse in two weeks, strangled,

just like the rest of them.

Chicken soup.

Poor thing, she was killed walking home from a job.

You don't like my chicken soup?

I made that from scratch.

- Even rang the chicken's neck.

- Sure.

- Aw, you're a suspicious character, Maude.

You ever watch Maude start the soup from scratch?

Oh, she's a champion neck-wringer.

- Now that's enough.

- Oh, she lures it closer and closer,

then she grabs it and twists it around.

And there she stands, one hand on her hip

and that look on her face, and the poor bird.

Oh, I don't want any soup.

- It's going to rain.

It's really going to rain,

and that road turns to mud when it rains.

It rained one day last year.

Sam was in town, and he couldn't

get back up the hill for all the mud.

(phone ringing)

I'll get it.

- I bet you think I can't get out of this bed.

- Well, you better not try.

- I could, though, if I wanted to.

(phone ringing)

- Hello, Mr. Baker's residence.

Yes?

Oh, hello, Dr. Jones, it's Maude.

Yes, I'll call her.

Stella?

Stella?

- Yes? - Just a minute.

It's Dr. Jones.

- Oh.

- If you like, I'll sit with Mr. Baker,

and make sure he eats his dinner.

- Hello?

Hello, Dr. Jones.

Oh.

What?

Are you at the clinic?

Oh.

Yes.

Yes.

No, we have no car.

No, Miss Ames arrived in a cab.

Well, Sam's gone to the clinic to get a tank of oxygen.

Yes, of course.

Yes.

Yes, everything's locked up.

All right, thank you, doctor.

Goodbye.

There's been another murder.

- When?

- They've just discovered the body two miles from here.

Dr. Jones doesn't know much about it,

and he's on his way over to make an examination.

He said he'd call back, but until then,

he said we're not to leave, and not to let anyone in.

The police think that the killer

is still in the neighborhood.

- I'll relieve you in an hour.

- In the neighborhood!

They're sure he's in the neighborhood.

- Well, we'll be all right as long as

we keep everything locked up tight,

and we don't let anyone in.

(suspenseful music)

(meowing)

- 1001, 1002, 1003.

(thunder crashing)

Three miles.

- What?

- From the time of the lightning flash

to the clap of thunder in seconds

is how far away the storm is.

Three miles, I counted three seconds

from the flash of lightning to the thunder.

- Oh.

- 1001, 1002.

(thunder crashing)

It's getting closer.

- Gin.

- Well, I better go see if they need anything.

- Yes, it's about time I went on duty, too.

(thunder crashing)

- 1001, 1000-- (thunder crashing)

1001. (thunder crashing)

It's right on top of us.

- What's on top of us?

- The rain, listen.

- He didn't eat enough.

- Oh, he ate enough.

- It's great kidney pie.

- You didn't eat enough.

Stella, your dinner's on the stove.

- I'll take care of him while you eat.

- It's time for some more oxygen.

- Oh, well, goodbye, goodbye.

Adios.

- 1000. (thunder crashing)

Look at it.

This house, isn't it lovely?

Oh, it's full of charm.

There are places to hide in every corner.

On every landing.

You can't have just a simple house

and simple walls to work in.

Gotta have this thing called angles and funny turns

and dark pockets.

Ooh, I'll be so glad when Sam gets home

and the sun comes up.

I can't even force myself to look out the window again.

Every one of those little old trees

looks like a man all crouched down

and creeping up toward the house.

What amazes me, makes me wonder,

is how all of those poor girls, now how did he?

He's like a snake creeping around,

following them and making his plans.

When and where and how.

You have to make plans to do something like that.

Now, I knew this man that started to act strange.

He wanted to get rid of his wife.

So he got this trunk from the attic.

It was only about so big, it was much too small for her.

So he got this knife and he started to cut.

- Mm, I know, you told me.

(tapping)

(suspenseful music)

- What is it?

- There's something there.

There's something in the window.

(tapping)

- That's only a tree limb, Maude.

- A tree limb?

- Yes, it's nothing.

It's really nothing.

(tapping)

- That's not what I saw.

- Of course it is.

- No, it's not.

That's not what I saw, I saw something else, I did.

I saw something else.

(tapping)

(thunder crashing)

- What's the matter?

- Nothing.

- There's enough to last til Sam gets back

from the village, isn't there?

- Oh, sure.

- Why is it that when you're taking care of me

I feel so good, and when the new nurse

is hovering over me I feel really rotten?

- Haven't the foggiest.

- No? - No.

- I really do feel better, though.

You can give Miss Ames her walking papers in the morning.

- Ah, well, we'll see.

- I don't intend to have any kind of relapse, unless.

- Unless what?

- Unless you say no.

- To what?

- To marrying me.

- Oh!

- If you say no, I intend to spend

the rest of my days in hypochondria.

I'll build a little house there, with room for you,

'cause I'll always need a nurse.

- That's not a nice place to live, you know.

The climate's terrible.

- Then say yes.

I promise to get well instantly,

take you hunting tomorrow.

- I don't like hunting, fishing, or hiking.

I'm afraid I'm a city girl,

and I'd tire of this place awful fast.

- Well, we don't have to live here.

Don't you like my house?

- Mm-mm.

I can't tell you how my heart sank

when the doctor drove me up here

and I got my first look at the Baker estate.

- Well, I bought it last year.

I had to have someplace to hide

from my students at the university.

But I don't want, and I don't intend to have,

that kind of peace and quiet any longer.

I like the house, though.

I was hoping it was haunted.

I've never lived in a haunted house before,

I was kinda looking forward to it.

- All right.

Time to go back under the tent.

- The real estate agent assured me

there'd never been a murder, a suicide,

or any kind of violence within these walls.

It belonged to a family, a little old lady, finally,

who died peaceably in a clinic at the age of 95.

It's too bad a hideous old house like this

has no hideous history to go along with it.

Goodbye again.

(suspenseful music) (thunder crashing)

(man chuckling)

- Who is it?

Who's there?

- [Man] (chuckling) You have such a pretty neck.

- Who is it?

(man chuckling)

(thunder crashing)

- What are you doing?

- I heard something.

I heard something!

- Stella.

Miss Stella.

- I heard a man talking.

- What are you doing?

- I'm turning on all the lights in the house.

I wanna be able to see.

- It was Glendon you heard.

- I know Mr. Baker's voice, it wasn't him.

I know his voice.

- Turn off the lights, Maude, the darkness protects us.

Now if there's someone outside he can see in

and see that we're alone.

(thunder crashing) (suspenseful music)

Don't turn on another light, Maude.

- I wanna be able to see.

He may be hiding up there.

- Didn't you hear me, Maude?

(gasping)

- What is it?

What is it?

What happened?

He's here!

- [Betty] You've blown a fuse.

- Why didn't you listen?

(meowing)

- We shall return in a moment,

but first we ask your local station to take it away.

- They're all blown, every single one of them.

Well, there won't be any electricity in the house tonight.

Are these all the candles, Maude?

- Uh, there's a candelabra in the hall.

- Well, go and get it and take it upstairs.

- I can't, I, I can't go in there alone.

- Come on, Maude.

Come on.

(suspenseful music)

Hurry, Maude.

(thunder crashing)

(Maude screaming)

- Sh, he's asleep.

But you can't bring that in, the oxygen's on.

- Oh.

- I gave him a pill.

- Luckily there are candles in the house.

- No fuses?

- Not a one.

(gasping)

- Sh, Maude!

- I hate it!

- Come on, Maude, come on.

- Now that's enough, Maude.

No, you can't have any more.

- No!

I heard a voice, he is in the house.

Ooh.

Around and around, the cat and the mouse.

And the chicken, the poor skinny little chicken,

chicka chicka chick, you ever pluck a chicken?

(clicking tongue) I'll show you first,

you throw him in the hot water,

and then you go pluck, pluck, pluck.

Stella, don't forget to singe the feathers

before you put 'er in the pot.

Stella, you'd forget to singe the feathers,

I'll bet you would, 'cause you got a bad memory.

That's...

He only kills nurses, doesn't he?

I'm not a nurse.

Do I look like a nurse?

No, no.

Thank goodness.

He's in the house.

- Well, that's that.

- Nothing could've stopped it.

- But we can't leave her here,

and she's too heavy to get downstairs.

- We could put her on one of the singles in my room.

- Right.

- Hm? - There we go.

- Huh?

- Up you go.

- Where are we going?

Huh?

- Come on. - Stella.

- Yes. - Hm?

- Sh.

- Listen, you're not going to leave me.

(gasping)

- Sh. - Don't take me in there

by myself, alone.

- She's like a great big bug.

You know, the kind with the dark, two-section shells?

- Down for the night. - There you go.

- Stella. - Hm?

- This morning there were four of us

who were capable of defending ourselves,

and now there are only two of us.

And the police are sure he's in the neighborhood

Have you ever seen someone after they've been strangled?

- No, and I'm not up to any graphic descriptions.

- Oh, I'm sorry.

- We're neglecting our patient.

Pulse is strong.

- I'm not so sure how sick he was.

- What do you mean?

- He seems much healthier than he pretends to be.

- He was very sick three days ago.

I sat with him through the crisis, it was terrible.

- Stella, he's asked you to marry him.

- How do you know?

- He told me so tonight.

He wanted my opinion of you.

- And?

- I said you're everything a wife should be.

A little absent-minded, perhaps,

but love conquers all failings sooner or later.

- Have you ever been married?

- Yes, years ago.

That was a case where love conquered nothing.

Disaster.

- I'm sorry.

- Oh, there's no need for you to

feel anything akin to sorrow.

It was a long time ago, and it had nothing to do with you.

I'm on duty now, you go and get some rest.

- I don't think I can sleep very well.

- Well, you ought to try.

Afraid?

- A little, I suppose.

- But everything is locked up, isn't it?

Isn't it?

- Yes.

(suspenseful music)

(wind howling)

(footsteps thudding)

(man chuckling)

(screaming)

- What is it?

- I heard him again!

He was in the room.

I couldn't see him, but I heard him, he was laughing.

- There's nothing here.

Nothing.

- Oh, yes there was, I heard him.

I know that I heard him, I heard his voice,

he was right in here with me!

- We'd better give her a sedative.

- Yes, please, give me something to put me out.

- All right, I'll get it.

- Sh.

It's going to be all right.

(moaning)

(branch rustling)

(gasping)

Sh, it's only Stella.

- It sounded like (chuckling).

Just like that.

(chuckling)

He was right here with me, he was going (chuckling).

Like that.

(chuckling)

He was right here with me.

- Did you hear anything?

- No, did you? - No.

(phone ringing)

Oh, I'll get it.

Hello?

They hung up.

(phone ringing)

Hello?

No.

No.

Leave us alone.

I hung up on him.

He said he's been watching you for days.

He was out front last night

when the cab brought me to the door.

He knows we're alone, and he intends to pay us a visit

before the night is over.

(phone ringing)

Leave us alone.

(suspenseful music)

(phone ringing)

(suspenseful music)

Yes.

Yes, that's right, Sergeant.

You take the first turnoff at Cuticutt Road.

Then you continue on five miles further

til you come to a sign, "Private, Keep Out."

Then you go on about 50 yards more,

you take the turnoff, and come up the hill.

Yes.

How soon?

Yes.

Yes.

N-no one.

Yes.

Thank you, Sergeant, please hurry.

Well, they're on their way,

but they won't be here for at least an hour.

I think he thought I was a bit of a crank.

- Well, at least they are coming.

- Yes, yes, he said he'd send a squad car.

(branch tapping)

(meowing)

- What are you doing out there, Gus?

How did you get outside?

- What is it?

- The cat.

She was down in the cellar.

I wonder how...

The window.

That's what I was trying to remember.

There was one window down in the cellar.

One window I forgot to check.

(suspenseful music)

(branches rustling)

(window creaking)

(screaming)

Miss Ames!

Miss Ames, Miss Ames!

- What is it, Stella?

- He's outside, he's here!

I saw him, he's outside!

(breathing heavily)

It's dead, it's dead, he's cut the wires.

(knocking)

- [Man] Hey there, let me in!

- I saw him, he's at the back door!

- Go upstairs, go on, go to your patient.

- And what about you?

- Go on.

Go on.

(suspenseful music)

(thunder crashing)

(knocking)

- [Betty] Go away!

- Go away, go away!

Glendon?

Wake up, Glendon, wake up.

(Betty screaming)

(thunder crashing)

(wind howling)

Miss Ames?

Miss Ames?

(glass crashing)

Glendon, wake up, wake up!

- [Betty] Stella, Stella!

- Miss Ames?

- [Betty] Stella!

Stella!

- Miss Ames?

- [Betty] Help me, Stella.

(chandelier tinkling)

- Miss Ames?

- [Betty] Stella, help me!

He's in the house, Stella, he's in the house!

(man chuckling)

Stella!

- Where are you, Miss Ames?

- Here, here, under the stairs.

I'm here, help me!

Stella, Stella.

Here, here.

- Oh, are you all right?

- He tried to strangle me.

He had his hands on my throat.

His eyes, Stella.

- Where is he? - I don't know.

- Did he go out?

- I don't know.

He's, he's in the house, somewhere.

Come, let's try and get out the front door.

Run, Stella!

(screaming)

- What is it? - I saw him.

Behind the door.

- Sam!

Sam!

Oh, I'd forgotten about Sam.

Sam!

(man chuckling)

- Yes.

You'd forgotten about Sam, Stella.

But I didn't.

Stella, you have a bad memory.

(gasping)

(screaming)

You're the man, the police?

- There are no police coming, Stella.

I faked that call to the police.

It doesn't matter, Stella.

Stella, you're such a pretty nurse.

(screaming)

- Thus ends our story.

unless you are interested in knowing more about Nurse Ames.

You see, he later made a regrettable mistake,

and found himself attempting to throttle a nurse

who turned out to be a policeman in disguise.

It was most embarrassing.

Now I have another radio sound effect to test.

(door creaking)

Excellent.

Until next week, then, good night.