Original subtitles

Keep passaging.

It’s been too long, Gil.

More adrenaline.

Cardiac needle.

Go ahead, Gil.

If you need to practice.

It can’t always work, Gil.

There’s got to be death for everyone some time.

Why?

I’ve been watching you for over three hours.

That’s a long time to take when you die.

It took nine months on the other end.

As one dedicated man to another

there are few questions I wanna ask you.

That’s right, local office of bullets and bodies.

What can you tell me?

Only that a few ounces of lead

just destroyed 3,000 years of medical research.

Please, doctor, I saw your little outburst

of perfectionism in there

and I’m sure you have several million words

on the ideals and objectives of medical science

but all I’d like to know is what happened

so I can start an accurate report.

The body will be in the morgue tomorrow. Why bother me?

I find it valuable to get as many details as possible

before minds have become colored

by the calmness and disinterest born of time.

It’s the kind of attitude that’s raised me to lieutenant

made my wife and children very proud of me.

There’s nothing I can contribute to your next promotion.

Oh, come now, doctor.

As assistant chief of surgery

in a hospital of this size

a man of your age.

You must have more than average ability

and powers of observation.

There were three 38-caliber bullets.

- Weren’t there? - Yes.

What was the specific cause of death?

Three bullets.

Yes, I see I shouldn’t have put it that way

in your present state of mind.

Acute hemorrhage, complicated by lung and spinal damage.

The bullet shattered ribs, entering from the back

penetrating the lung

and exiting just to the right of the sternum, alright?

Indicating a tight little pattern of rapid fire

at a slight upward angle.

Our murderer could have been a short man standing

or any kind of man sitting.

Would it be your habit to sit on the curb

at 8:00 or 8:30 on a night this cold?

Hardly.

The fresh tire marks we found do associate them.

I see you pinning on captain’s bars already.

Anything else?

No.

Now, if you’ll excuse me.

Yes?

Unusual considering the extent of damage

but while we were getting ready for surgery

Ken told me they almost had to pry his hands

from the lamp post.

While I was operating I noticed them too.

Powerful hands..

...yet sensitive at the same time.

They never relaxed even while he was still alive and unconscious.

Now, that’s the type of thing I might never have realized.

It could tell us a great deal about him.

Hands.

Amazing things when you think about it.

A genius device of flesh and bone

that can paint a beautiful picture

control a scalpel, press the trigger

’and perhaps the delicately line pictures’

’on the tips of those hands themselves’

’may tell me all I want to know.’

- You were wonderful. - Little sister approves?

’Congratulations!’

I wasn’t sure, during that last encore.

Fifteen years of work, practice, and hope

came into complete focus.

I know that tonight’s the beginning.

There’s nothing that can’t be done now.

Well, I wouldn’t exactly call you an amateur

during these last six years.

But any minute now, the thundering herd

is coming through that door to lift you on their shoulders.

I still have to get some details straight with you

about the New York concert in recordings

before I make that 12:30 plane.

Just a few minutes, George

to let my ego feed off the crowd.

Dina, I want you to go ahead to the party with the others.

I’ll join you soon as George and I are through.

Mm. Lucky piano.

Lucky me.

I’m jealous of you both, you know?

I want to be so much to this magnificent man.

Wouldn’t that be a little like playing

the same composition over and over?

Beautiful perhaps, but monotonous.

You’re not only brilliant, you’re obscene.

I’ll forgive you only if you promise to keep me

very close to you all of this exciting night.

I want you to go ahead to the party

with Dina and the others.

George and I have business first.

Oh, you’re hard to love sometimes.

Dina, I know all of this makes you very happy

but, uh, when does your life begin?

When do I trade in my brother and his piano

on babies and things?

Something like that.

When he doesn’t need me anymore, I guess.

I think it’s time.

He’s old enough, successful enough.

He certainly always seems to have

plenty of women around him.

Implying a scandalous relationship

between me and my brother?

Well?

George..

...you see those soft gray gloves he always wears

before and after he plays?

Remember the time you kidded him about them?

Said they were a great publicity gimmick

and you wished you’d thought of them first.

I think that’s the only time I ever saw him angry at you.

He needs those gloves.

They protect his hands from the cold

and they help keep his fingers completely flexible

when he plays.

It may be psychological

but it’s a part of his greatness with music.

Everything’s a part of it.

You’re his gray gloves of the business world and..

And you’re his gray gloves against loneliness?

For the time being.

A great many women love the dramatic concept

of Vernon Paris at a Saturday night concert

and the parties that go after.

It’s amazing how few of them are willing to wait

and fight through the hours of practice and insecurity

that make each Saturday night possible.

Dina, I don’t think he’s that dedicated.

Oh, but he is. You should know.

He’s the most selfish man in the world

when it comes to his concept

of the creation of beauty.

He pours everything into it.

It’s the source of his greatness

and of his loneliness.

Hey, you’re the guy on the billboard, aren’t you?

What was that?

The poster outside the theater.

You’re the guy with the piano.

That’s right.

- Oh, my kid sure loves music. - Really?

Yeah, he practices all the time.

He’d really like to meet you.

Well, bring him around next time I’m here.

I’ll have some passes for him.

You’re okay, Mr. Paris.

Maybe sometime you could even hear him play?

Maybe.

- How old is he? - Ten.

Don’t think he’s a sissy.

He’s a best shortstop on the school team.

I play the piano and I don’t think I’m a sissy.

You know what I mean.

Yes, I know.

Ten-year-old boys just don’t usually.

It’s something his mother always wanted.

She died four years ago.

And I found this teacher who’d come give lessons at night.

It’s a good time for it too.

Night.

That’s when you can start thinkin’ about a lot of things.

Yeah, a lot of things.

’This piano and all the practicing make it easier.’

Even the bad notes.

Music and people go together.

Like kids and dogs.

And be sure you teach him the creation of beauty.

Something you can never lose.

Once achieved, it’s with you all your life.

I think he knows it already.

I only hope it makes him amount to something

more than his old man.

He’s got the fight too.

You tell him most people waste time with meaningless fights.

The only real enemies the world has

are the enemies of beauty.

That’s the only thing he’ll ever have to fight.

I never thought about it like that.

Yeah.

Hey, I want you to see a picture of my kid.

I’ve got it right here.

Look out!

I don’t see any other way.

Get him ready.

What are you going to do?

You’re not supposed to be in here.

Regulations be damned! What are you going to do?

Alright, Mr. Britton.

You have a right to know.

I’m going to amputate what’s left of his hands.

You’re mad. This man is Vernon Paris.

You can’t cut off his hands.

He no longer has anything left that resembles hands.

You’re wrong, you’ve got to be wrong.

I was at the accident. I saw them.

They were cut, bleeding, bent, yes

but my God they were still hands.

You’re overlooking a basic fact.

His gloves were on, cut, torn, and blood-stained

but still with a semblance of shape.

That’s what you saw.

Gloves.

You know

to do this to a man like that

it’ll be better just to drive your scalpel through his heart.

Simpler for you

same result for him.

Without his hands, Vernon Paris will be dead.

Tell me, doctor

what would your reaction be if suddenly

you were to find yourself without either one of these?

Yes, now let’s pretend they are your hands.

What would you do?

- Well, there’s.. - ’Yes.’

There’s only one possibility.

The odds against success are almost total.

Almost as opposed to something that’s already definite.

I wonder if we’re thinking the same thing.

It couldn’t be anything else

under the circumstances, could it?

You’ve got to get permission first.

’There’s no time.’

Perhaps it was lucky for all of us

that you were just behind him at the crash.

We’re going to try something radical.

I don’t know if you’re gonna like it.

It doesn’t matter as long as you save his hands.

Nothing will save them, but he’ll have hands.

Mechanical hands are of no use to this man.

Don’t you understand that?

Perfectly.

I said hands.

Some years ago, people would have called you crazy

if you told them that you could take part of one human eye

and place it in another.

Yet today a corneal transplant is a standard operation.

It gives renewed sight.

Yes, I know, but hands are different.

A different part of the same human body.

Surgical scientists in every country

all over the world are dedicated to the future truth

that human life one day might be extended indefinitely

by the replacement of defective or worn-out parts.

Right now, such a principle is the only one

that will save the musical talent of your friend.

But, muscles, nerves, how do you know th--

I’ve already told you, we don’t know.

Now, do we go ahead or not?

You know, I want you here.

I’m asking you to stick your neck out.

Maybe.

I pulled you in on a lot of operations.

Made you watch and study.

Deliberately made you accept a crash program of training

because you have the mind and heart of a great surgeon.

I want you to be ready sooner.

You’ll have even more time to save lives

and make others better.

I’m grateful, Gil.

Don’t be grateful. Be good.

Pay closer attention tonight than ever.

You have five years on both Ross and me.

In your lifetime

this type of an impossible in surgery

may become a reality.

Later, you’ll be making the contributions.

Stand opposite to me at the table.

- Gil. - Yeah?

I don’t think you’re asking me to stick my neck out.

No?

No.

I think you fully expect us to work.

Keep him as close to the surface as possible.

I want maximum response in the muscles and nerves.

And now..

Why?

My God. Why?

What right have they got to do a thing like that?

Not to Vernon, not his hands.

Dina, you’ve got to understand.

I understand you’re trying

to make me believe a nightmare.

I can only tell you that surgically

everything went as planned.

"Surgically everything went as planned."

Dina Paris, Dr. Harding.

I’m sorry we have to meet under these circumstances.

I’m sorry we have to meet at all.

I know how must feel about his loss.

You pretend to understand what a pair of hands

means to man like my brother?

I think a surgeon is aware of the importance

of the human hand in all it’s aspects.

Well, perhaps that’s one you’ve overlooked.

You think you understand a human hand?

I’ll teach you more than you ever thought you knew about.

You’re not a doctor! You’re a monster!

A selfish, crazy monster!

I must be having a nightmare.

I know I’ll wake up, I’ve got to.

I’ve transplanted other hands, yes.

Done in order to save his talent

not destroy it.

What I cut from the ends of his arms

no longer resembled hands.

It’s a lie.

It’s got to be a lie.

You needed some kind of a guinea pig

for your insane experiment.

Miss Paris, what we did in that operating room

just now could end all our careers.

If you want vengeance, you can have it very easily

because we didn’t get your approval.

But if you choose that vengeance

you may set off a chain of emotional reaction

in your brother that’ll guarantee failure.

Guarantee that he’ll never have hands.

You cannot turn my brother

into some kind of a freak two-headed dog

just for the sake of science.

There is something you have to see.

You can’t do that.

I don’t think she’ll understand

any other way.

Please.

I saw them before the operation.

No.

No.

The genius that flow

through these hands is no more.

But his basic genius remains.

With a great deal of luck, will have made it possible

for him to continue.

You must have faith.

Is it faith doctor

or just ego as far as your

particular talents is concerned?

Tonight, four people did everything

in their power to help your brother.

I appreciate your feeling of personal tragedy

but I think you’ve wallowed in it long enough at my expense.

Listen, doctor, I realize you’ve been through

a great deal tonight, but I don’t think--

Well, I do think.

From now on, the only thing that’s

important is the absolute cooperation

of everyone involved in this man’s life.

Cooperation that will create the proper

recovery state of mind for him.

Your attitude is a very crude one, doctor.

Maybe we ought to wait until--

No, George.

This man who’s taken such sudden control

of Vernon’s life

I want to know what he expects to do.

And I wanna know whose hands

he put on my brother’s arms.

- Can you answer that? - No, I can’t.

There’s no precedent for what we’ve done.

No published catalogue of spare parts

to choose from at the local deep freeze.

Then you know nothing about the other man at all.

Coincidence placed him on that table

two hours before your brother’s accident.

He had powerful hands, that’s all we have to know.

That’s all.

If you’re concerned with the possibility

that he might have been some kind of mad man

let me assure you that psychotic tendencies

don’t transfer themselves mystically

to the physical extremities after death.

You know that for a fact?

No. No, I don’t.

I don’t even know about mother goose

or the weak people in her clan.

You’re right.

Guess, I was cracking under it.

A personal loss for us.

A terrible responsibility for you.

We’ll be back in the morning.

The man has been finger-printed.

A complete check will be run, I assure you.

When can we see him?

Not for a weak.

He’s under heavy sedation

and additional radiation treatments.

It’s a critical period for his body’s acceptance

of the hands.

Can’t we even see him?

Trust me, if you can.

And when you do see him

it’s vital that he believe

he’s only had simple emergency surgery.

I’ve got to have at least six weeks

before the final bandages come off.

How long until we really know?

It won’t be long before his body gives us the answer.

What we do as far as his mind is concerned..

Well, he’ll need all of us for that.

You know, doctor

I’m one of those people who believes

that our department renders a definite service

to the safety and welfare of the community just as you do.

Now, I’m..

I’m sure you observe certain regulations

and make your work more, uh, orderly

more effective. Am I not correct?

Generally.

Well, now, so do we.

For instance when we have a homicide

to contend with and, uh, we receive

a body at the morgue.

We feel it’s reasonable to expect

that we’ll receive all of it.

Mm-hmm.

Don’t ask me why, but I hold a feeling

of kinship and respect for a man like you.

On the other hand, I suspect you

of some premeditated diddling

on the hill side.

Mind you, I’ve said nothing about this

at the department because I am sure you have

a totally worthy explanation.

So, um..

...exactly what have you done with those hands?

It’s nice to know you’re sympathetic to my needs

but you know this isn’t enough.

What if I told you it had to be enough?

For now.

Doctor, when I was in college

one of my best friends was a medical student

so, um, one night he stole into the laboratory

and removed part of a cadaver

which he then utilized

to produce a therapeutic effect

on a timorous young lady at a beer party.

Surely, you have progressed beyond this.

Inspector, let’s pretend it’s the past.

Say two months prior to the time this technique

of identification was established.

Suppose you came to me and you said that you were

on the verge of a discovery

that will greatly advance your profession.

And mankind as a result.

Yet for definite reasons

you needed those last two months

in order to prove it.

Would you expect me to block you

or to interfere?

Mm, very good analogy.

I’m sorry you thought of it.

Well?

It’s fortunate for you that I seem to sense

a certain quality of honesty and greatness

otherwise I’d pulled you in right now.

Will you go long with me for that long?

For the promise you’ll be given the complete story

at the second it’s possible?

You have enough on this chart

for a full preliminary check.

Oh, you’re complicating things for me at the department.

I suppose I can create an acceptable story.

I suppose I’m as idealistic as you in many ways.

I’m sure my wife and children would support me

in that up to a point.

And for everyone’s sake..

...let’s hope we don’t pass that point.

’This will be his first moment of true consciousness.’

’Please let me handle explanations.’

Guard your reactions against

any indication of seriousness.

Mr. Paris.

You have visitors.

’Mr. Paris?’

My hands.

You’re going to be perfectly alright.

What’s happened to my hands?

There was a traffic accident.

Some of your fingers were broken.

You’re going to be alright.

Cab.

That fool driver..

Why are my hands like this?

We knew who you were.

What your hands meant to you.

We’ve immobilized them so the fingers

will mend perfectly.

I have to be in New York.

Concert, recordings.

I postponed them until you’re well again.

You will play again, Vernon. You will.

Dina, don’t lie to me.

I’m not lying, darling.

Dr. Harding did a beautiful job.

Your hands will be perfect.

Doctor...Harding?

"Perfect," Dr. Harding, in your terms or in mine?

In yours.

In just a few weeks, you’ll have

full flexibility again.

Full-timing.

Why did it have to happen to my hands?

You’re lucky it was only this.

’Glass was shattered from every window of the cab.’

You can see to play

and you will play.

’All you need is that belief.’

’And some patience.’

Not very aesthetic, is it, George?

Might make an unusual shot for our next poster.

You’re going to be alright, Vernon.

Does Eileen know about this?

- I don’t know. - Thank you.

But she was at the party.

Isn’t that where they notified you?

Yes.

Well, it’s alright.

My little dramatic butterfly

wouldn’t like it here very much.

No bright lights.

Mink stoles.

You don’t serve martinis

do you, doctor?

Not for the time being.

Well, I guess she’ll be around again

when things aren’t so stark and sterile.

It’ll be a month before we can remove the bandages.

You can go home in a weak.

I think you’ll be more comfortable there.

Home.

Where I can stare at the piano.

Wonder how long it’s going to be

and how good it’ll ever be again.

So you can stare at it.

Remind yourself to be patient.

To fight for something that’s important..

...and beautiful.

Look at that.

Perfect fusion on both.

- You’ve done it, Gil. - Not yet.

All we know is that his body’s accepted the hands.

We don’t know how they’re going to function.

But nobody’s even gotten this far before.

You realize what that means?

It only means we’ve taken a step, Ken

that’s not enough.

Not enough?

Gil, even if the rest fails

if the nerve and muscle connections don’t work--

It must work.

But you can’t hope for too much.

Why not?

It’s the only way we have the courage

to take the next step

and the next.

Oh, when will we know?

That’s why I’ve called you in here.

I’ve waited longer than I planned to be sure.

Now.

I’m going over to remove the bandages

and make the first reflex test.

I want you all there because

you helped make it possible.

Also, I think he’ll need all the moral support

we can give him.

This may not be pleasant so if any of you

don’t want to come, say so.

Ross?

Kenny?

Holly?

Did I ever tell you I couldn’t stand

the sight of blood?

Let’s see if our dream’s a realistic one.

If it’s possible to recreate beauty out of chaos.

Dina, push the lamp back a little.

We don’t need that much.

Hope you don’t mind an audience.

Ross, Ken and Holly all helped

the night of the accident.

I’m used to audiences.

Glad to have one again after so long.

These weeks of waiting haven’t been easy

but if it ends well, I’ll be grateful to all of you.

You’re ready?

After seven weeks? Yes, I’m ready.

You must do one thing for me.

I ask you not to question it.

I want you to close your eyes

and keep them closed

until I tell you.

That shouldn’t be so hard.

’Only a few more minutes after seven weeks.’

Apparently, dramatics aren’t limited to the stage.

Keep your hands flat on the table.

Now, I’m gonna touch the fingers of your hand.

Each time when you feel the touch

I want you to move that finger.

Before you open your eyes I’m going to tell you one thing.

I want you to remember it. It’s vital that you do.

Are you trying to ease me into acceptance

of a failure, doctor?

What we’ve done for you surpasses my hopes.

But the success of every surgery depends on two things.

Medical skill, and acceptance on the part of the patient.

Are these your usual terms for such a thing

as simple as broken fingers?

- I don’t think so. - ’Keep your eyes closed.’

The response in your fingers is 80 percent correct.

The rest will return, but it’s going to take practice

on your part.

’You were right about one thing.’

’It was more than just...broken fingers.’

But the thing that you’ve got to believe

is that we’ve been successful. Because we have.

’During these weeks of waiting’

’you told me about your absolute belief’

’in music and beauty.’

’When you open your eyes you’re going to see something’

’that will demand a great deal of the sensitivity’

’courage and creative thinking’

’you have as an artist.’

Now..

...open your eyes.

What have you done to my hands?

They were terribly mangled in the accident.

- We’ve made it possible-- - What have you done?

We’ve made it possible for you to have perfectly good hands.

These aren’t my hands.

What have you done?

We’ve given you hands

while you had none.

When you arrived at the hospital

we were faced with the tragedy.

We didn’t accept that.

We fought to restore the beauty

that was so important to you.

And we did.

They’re strong normal hands.

And your body has accepted it.

’Now, you must accept them, and fight.’

- Why? Why? - Because it is.

What have you done with my hands?

What you brought to the hospital

were no longer hands.

Stand up.

Take hold of my arm.

Take hold of my arm!

Both hands!

Grip it. As hard as you can.

The fact that you can even do that

proves the muscles work.

Can you feel my arm?

’That proves the nerves are functioning.’

’Muscles and nerves, that’s all you need.’

’These hands are new, but your talent isn’t.’

’What happened to you seven weeks ago was cruel.’

’What I’m doing to you now is cruel.’

’But what we did in that operating room wasn’t.’

’Now, you can accept or you can quit.’

It’s up to you.

Get out.

- Vernon, we-- - All of you.

Patience, exercise, belief.

There’s every chance in the world.

Every chance..

...that beauty can once more be created

by your surgical freak.

- It can. - You’re right, doctor.

You were cruel just now.

But your bluntness has restored reality for me.

I’m just not sure how long it can remain.

I suggest you leave now.

Tomorrow we’ll talk about that reality.

I’ll be back, Vernon.

- Dina.. - I know, George.

Thank you, uncle.

Let him have his anger and torment for now.

I think he’ll be strong enough later

to accept the fight.

His finger reactions weren’t even right.

- Yes, they were. - But when you touched--

I touched the fingers on each hand in sequence at first.

Then I deliberately changed the sequence.

The finger that reacted was the one he thought

should react next.

Then I went back and touched the finger and it moved.

It’s simply a matter of mental coordination

on his part.

Seems so much to expect.

Dina what we’ve done has never been done before.

It’s a triumph for us.

But it’s got to be one for him too.

I think I’d better move in here for a while.

He’ll need you.

I wonder if there’ll ever be a day when he doesn’t.

I know how hard it is for you to accept.

But do you realize what Gil has done for you?

Yes, he made them come true.

Those dreams I’ve had through the years

about something happening to my hands.

Gil’s genius has made it possible

for your talent to continue.

He’s genius with a knife in the human body

has put on my arms the hands of some man I don’t even know.

Is that important if you can play again?

Important?

It’s important my sanity could even accept

that these aren’t mine.

His genius has given me hands to feel with.

But can he guarantee these stolen chunks of flesh

and bones will ever be..

These are your hands.

’Now, it’s up to you to make them sing’

’in the future as they did in the past.’

It’s you who control your hands.

Don’t you understand?

I was my hands, they were my life.

Now, I’m carrying the life of someone I know nothing about!

Then you must learn again!

Or you will have no life.

Why me?

Why couldn’t this have happen to that cab driver

who doesn’t need his hand so much?

I only know from Gil that the man suffered too.

His life may not be as delicate

or as complex as yours..

...but I’m sure he’ll fight to maintain it.

Leave me alone.

I’m going to stay here for a while.

I’ll be back as soon as I get some things from my apartment.

Please be patient.

Why, you’re a half-hour..

Why, Vernon, what a pleasant surprise.

I wanna talk to you.

I can’t right now.

It’s important.

Alright, but I only have a few minutes.

You always did have a talent for creating

the proper visual mood.

This is no concern of yours.

Obviously, since our relationship

is primarily a social one.

What does that mean?

It must be if you haven’t been

interested enough to see me

during these past weeks.

I called the hospital the following day

left my sympathies.

Very generous of you.

Vernon, I’m very sorry about your accident, but--

Pain isn’t a desirable substitute

for laughter and excitement, is it?

Vernon, I’ve had a great many things to do.

I’m also expecting a guest within a half hour--

- A guest? - You don’t own me, Vernon!

I know!

- But now I need you. - How interesting.

Well, there were times when I needed you.

Remember your favorite line?

"That would be too much like playing

"a great composition over and over.

You had to play many in order to live and grow as an artist."

There’s a difference now.

Look, I, I can’t explain everything right away

but my life has changed. You’ve got to understand.

Vernon, if one of your other women has put you in your place

I don’t see any reason to come crying to me.

That’s not it! Yes, there were others!

There were others for you too, I don’t think either of us

had any illusions about that!

But for me you were always the most important

the loveliest.

In the back of my mind maybe I always thought someday..

Vernon, neither of us ever thought that someday.

You were always a very exciting, very desirable man.

But this attitude on you now, this heaviness

I don’t like it at all.

I’ll be very happy to see you on the old basis

but right now I’d wish you’d go.

What if the old basis has been changed

by something I can do nothing about.

I don’t like you this way and I don’t like riddles.

What if there won’t be any concerts or parties?

- What if there’ll only be me? - Stop it, Vernon.

I’ve never seen you this way and I don’t want you this way.

- What if there’ll only be me? - Stop it! Stop it!

- Answer me! - Let me go.

Your hands are breaking my arms!

- Your hands! - Yes, my hands.

The hands that brought you concerts parties,

glamour, excitement.

That’s what happened when you called

to leave your sympathies.

My hands that you knew so well.

Look!

They don’t look like my hands, do they? They’re not.

My hands were destroyed

the night of my greatest concert.

But medical science gave me a new pair of hands.

Hands from another body, so that I can play again.

Yes, Eileen, I may play again.

But I may not. What if there’ll only be me?

What will you do if I need your help now

more than I need your beauty?

Don’t touch..

Why don’t you take off? You too, Holly.

Kenny can handle emergency tonight.

Oh, sure. And when do I get a chance to get married?

I have a girl who’s pretty fed up already.

Who ever heard of young doctors getting married?

You have to be middle aged before

you can afford to be married.

Yeah, I see what you mean.

Come on, junior, I have a new trick

I wanna show you with the scalpel.

You know, I’ve got a boyfriend

who’s the greatest guy in the world, but..

Holly, never get interested in a dedicated man.

May look good on the surface

but you can always end up second

no matter how much he feels for you.

Thanks, Gil, for putting it the nice way.

She’s a lucky girl.

I know this must make me look pretty much like a snoop

but, uh, I’m sure you understand

it’s part of my job.

I also understand we made a bargain.

With the time factor that was up a week ago.

You see, I’m not without patience.

The main point was I give you the complete story

as soon as it was possible.

You implied you’d trust my judgment.

Yes, I remember but there’s a problem.

I have somewhat of a neurotic respect

for perfection in my work.

I don’t like to see assignments go unsolved.

Although, I recognize there’s no set schedule

for this solution.

Specifically, the fingerprint you gave me

have been thoroughly checked and they gave me nothing.

And you think I gave you a false set?

You’re not that kind of a man.

We’re in the process of checking them through foreign bureaus

but, uh, while we’re waiting

I thought there might be something new

you could offer to keep my mind at peace.

There’s nothing I can tell you yet.

There’s a human factor that’s involved.

It’s critical.

Trust me a while longer.

- Very well. - Thanks.

Uh..

In the meantime..

...please remember my wife and children.

When I got back last night

he was sitting at the piano dazed.

He didn’t say a word all night.

I don’t think he went to sleep either.

And then in the morning came the tragic news

of the death of a woman who was very important to him.

He was more depressed.

- When did he leave? - Late this morning.

He said he wanted to be alone.

I, I wanted to go with him, but..

...he was cruel in the way he rejected me.

I’m frightened.

Don’t be frightened.

It’s natural in the beginning.

He’s got to feel sorry for himself.

Hate everyone and everything that caused this.

He’ll be back.

I hope you’re right.

In the meantime, I think this separation is good for us.

Let’s have dinner. We’ve never done that.

I know a little place with violins not far from here.

We’ll be back early.

Does Tony Wilder live here?

Yes, sir.

- Is he in? - No, sir.

But he’ll be back in a little while.

He went to get somethin’. A dog.

Isn’t that great?

I’m an old friend of his used to ride in his cab

all the time.

I wanna talk to him.

I really shouldn’t let you in, but..

...I guess you look okay.

You like dogs?

Okay. Come on in.

You ever had a dog?

Hey, mister, you ever had a dog?

Yes, a long time ago.

When you were a kid like me, huh?

You got a piano once too?

Were you any good?

I’m good too.

Want me to play for you?

Oh, I’m not bad. Honest.

I like to play.

Dad never has to make me.

You know a lot about the piano?

I-I’ll play a real great tune I just learned.

It’ll make you feel better

because...you, you don’t look so hot.

No. Not right now.

Oh, come on. I like to play for people.

Helps me not to be nervous.

I’ll make you a deal.

If you don’t like it I’ll quit, okay?

And they were both killed when we were very small.

We ended up with relatives who resented the obligation.

So more or less we banded together

for emotional survival.

You both had a great desire for life even then.

- That’s important for him now. - Perhaps.

But I think we became too close as a result, too dependent.

I had talent too

but his was greater.

I used my talent to help him.

The whole thing was a calculated plan

to bring us independence and freedom.

And now just when we were both

reaching a point when we could be truly free..

Dina, nothing’s going to be wasted.

Don’t you see, by going through this

he can become part of a new

and even greater kind of beauty.

Maybe that’s a lot to imagine right now

but eventually there can be no such thing

as a permanently defective heart

a permanent cripple

a permanent birth malformation, blindness.

Oh, they’ll always be accidental deaths.

But from these tragedies science will be able to sustain

and recreate joy for the living.

’And when people know that a worn out or defective part’

’of their body can be replaced, they’ll approach life itself’

with a great deal less fear.

Three thousand years of research, Dina.

And we’re just beginning.

This is the next major step

and he’s the key part of it.

If it had to happen..

...I thank God we found you.

- Gil, whose hands are they? - We don’t know yet.

But they’re strong, normal hands.

They might be hands from someone even more talented than Vernon.

But they could be from someone--

Don’t let fear drive you

into a pit of superstition.

But are we sure the soul

really controls the outside?

Or as what we call a soul

really shaped by our own pleasures

or hatreds with the outside

and how they’re accepted by the world?

If you love beauty you’ll conquer handicaps

so beauty can live.

And if you don’t?

Well, mister, how did you like it?

Good.

You play very well.

You mean it?

You could be good, very good if you practice.

Did you practice a lot when you were a kid?

Yes, I practiced a lot when I was like you.

But I can’t remember many things about being ten years old.

Yes. Yes, I can.

Are you still any good?

I don’t know.

Come on and try.

I wanna hear you play now.

First you gotta take your gloves off.

Whoever heard of playing the piano

with their gloves on?

- I can’t take them off. - Sure you can.

You put them on, didn’t you?

Gee, mister, you got strong hands.

Maybe someday I’ll have hands like that

so I can play a lot easier.

Come on.

Gee, mister, it must’ve been a long time

’cause you sure can’t play now.

How can you play the piano if you can’t even hit the cords?

Don’t say that. I can play.

I will play again.

Music is my life!

You mustn’t say I can’t! I will play!

I’ve never known anything else.

That’s why I’ll play again.

I must play again.

You see that, don’t you?

’Skeet.’

’I’m home, Skeet.’

Easy, boy. Easy.

I know it’s strange. You’ll get used to it.

Skeet!

Skeet! Skeet!

Skeet, where are you?

Well, this time I don’t think we’ll have to be as critical.

You can open them.

It’s working, Vernon.

It’s all working.

Should I say congratulations again, doctor?

To yourself for your patience.

Every finger response was correct.

’Timing was a little slow, but with this much progress’

’this soon, there’s no reason why’

full dexterity can’t return.

All you need now is a strong incentive.

But it’s something you’ve had for a long time.

Yes, doctor.

I think I’ll enlarge on your exercises

to include the piano.

Congratulations.

Congratulations.

It’s wonderful, Mr. Paris.

Ouch!

I want you and Dina to have dinner with me tonight.

Go someplace where we can laugh for a change. How about it?

It’s time to see again what the outside world

and smiling faces look like.

How about it?

Yes, sir, a beautiful throw. A beautiful throw.

Here’s a smiling little doll to take home with you

to remind you of your shining hour.

You take that thing home and you’re gonna be the one

that has to dust it.

Test this game of skill.

Win yourself a beautiful prize

of a tryout with the LA Dodgers.

Oh, a warm-up pinch. Only a warm-up pitch.

Even the greatest need that.

Try again.

Hey, what are you? Some kind of a nut makin’ fun?

- That’ll be 20 bucks, buddy. - I’m sorry.

Forget the sorry. I said 20 bucks, buddy.

And if you don’t know how to use your hands

stay away from here.

- I’m gonna call the cop! - Okay, wait a minute.

Here’s more than enough to take care of the damage.

Alright, but I’m still gonna call the cop.

That guy is some kind of a nut!

Look, here’s more.

Please forget it. He’s a patient of mine.

He’s been through quite enough as it is.

Give him a break.

Okay.

But if you can’t handle him, buddy

we got a place right down the street that specializes

in freaks.

Vernon, you know how proud I am of you.

The new attitude you’ve had since Gil returned.

- Are you? - Very.

Remember the night the three of us

went out together?

I remember.

It started then, didn’t it?

I think it started a long time before that.

Gil’s proud of you too.

I told him you’ve been practicing everyday since then.

You don’t know how important it is to him

that he used his skill to bring you a new life.

Yes. They all brought me a new life.

And for me, I, I think you know

how I’ve come to feel about Gil.

I want you to be happy for that too.

I’m very glad that you’ve come to mean so much to each other.

Why won’t you let me stay on nights that you practice?

Oh, you know me at my best

I want you to hear me that way the next time.

Besides, you haven’t regretted all the time

you’ve been able to spend with him, have you?

Alright, I’ll wait.

What time you’ll be back tonight?

11:00 or 12:00. Just dinner and a conversation.

Have a good time.

Hey, don’t you wanna marry me?

- Yeah. - Yeah.

When?

A year so, maybe.

I can’t ask you to live on what I’m making now.

- I can’t even live on it. - I wouldn’t mind working.

I’ve, I’ve done it before.

We might have to if we get married in a year or so.

Then why not now?

It’s just too rough.

You’re too intent on your work.

I admit it.

It’s the future, Sue, and I’ve got a chance

to be a part of something wonderful.

Mm-hmm.

I guess I’m selfish

because I want to be a right kind of future.

For my work and for us.

- Don’t you understand? - You know I do.

It’s just that I wish there could be more time for us.

I’m not gonna stop loving you, Ken.

It’s.. It’s just that the night’s get lonely out.

It can’t be.

Gil. Gil, can it?

It must be a record.

He never bought any of his own records.

He was always afraid of becoming a mechanical copy of himself.

I know his style so well.

I don’t know, it may be possible

if he’s really been practicing and exercising the way you said.

It’s-it’s one of his more simple pieces.

Gil. Gil, it must be.

Oh, Vernon, was that you playing?

Oh, I’m sorry you heard.

I wanted it to be when I was a little better.

Oh, it sounded wonderful.

Well, it’s the only one I’ve worked on.

It’s taken me all these weeks.

What does the man who made it all possible have to say?

I’m, I’m surprised--

But you told me yourself there was no reason

why it shouldn’t happen, with exercise practice.

Yes, I know.

But I didn’t expect this much dexterity this soon.

Not even when the incentive or desire to create beauty

is strong enough?

You did your work well, doctor. Now I’m doing mine.

If it’s true, there’s no one outside you two

who could be happier than I am.

Then smile, doctor.

Get rid of that troubled questioning look.

Help us rejoice in the success of our mutual triumph.

I know what I have to do now.

Please play for us.

It’s been very hard to get this far

and I think even the doctor will tell you

that it’s natural to expect fatigue to set in easily.

Well, make it soon.

It will be.

Understand one thing.

I wanna believe.

Then do it, doctor.

Do it because you too have the incentive.

Gil.

Well, I’m sorry. I know he was a close associate of yours.

Did you know the girl, too?

Tragedies of this kind are always senseless

but I’m afraid I have to press you

about the significance behind it.

How can there be any significance to waste?

Sometime ago I read a routine report about a death

that occurred in the suburbs.

The man came home and found his son dead.

Apparently as the result of a burglar

who was discovered and panicked.

The unusual thing was that most of the boys fingers were broken.

Possibly was the result of a fight

except that the fingers were all squeezed together

as if they’d been crushed.

The man was an ex-cab driver named Wilder.

Can you raise the sheet farther this time

and look at your friend’s hands?

Done with a bookend.

If you’re thinking it might have been a burglar, forget it.

It was calculated, the bookend was placed in the girl’s hand

to make it look as if she defended herself

against a sex attack.

Then you have your answer.

That’s rather difficult to believe

since the girl was choked to death.

The series of tragedies with one thing in common, a human hand.

The same thing that brought us together, doctor.

- It’s ridiculous to assume. - Is it?

Perhaps if anybody else, but your friend had been involved.

This is the kind of coincidence that forces me

to become less patient.

I think I know now what’s happened.

If I’m correct

it’s an amazing piece of surgery, doctor.

Under the circumstances I must insist you meet me at my office

within a half-hour.

I, uh..

I hope I’m wrong. I hope this is pure coincidence.

Otherwise it means you failed to control an experiment

that could have been of great value.

Regardless..

...both of our objectives are the same.

I think you know why I wanted you to be

the first to hear me play.

Vernon, I’ve never been so happy.

You won’t mind if it’s the same piece?

I wouldn’t care if it was the scale of seeing one octave.

Just to know you’ll play again.

Even though I can’t play

I’m still nervous about..

...about these hands.

Takes all my concentration.

Would you mind sitting in the other room just this once?

I’d listen to you from the other end of the world

if it would help make you great again.

Dina, I want you to remember just one thing.

Tonight, I’ll play my greatest concert.

I need you to help make it complete.

I’ll remember.

Now what do I do?

Destroy the very thing I created?

Help him. Any jury will call it insanity.

With proper treatment, he can be brought back.

And Ken...can I?

Gil, I was almost as close to Ken as you were.

But even his sacrifice can’t stop our work, it mustn’t.

How stupid I was.

What he said about incentive.. Oh, yes, he had one, alright.

Vengeance on everyone he thought destroyed his ability

to create music.

The driver, Ken.

I think we can take care of ourselves.

- Dina. She’s with him. - He won’t hurt her.

She’s on his side. We’re the enemies.

With a maniac as shrewd as he’s become

I won’t take that chance.

- I’m coming too. - No, you’re involved enough.

’Go home to your security.’

Try to figure out why it’s so hard

to fight for men like me.

And don’t make the same mistakes.

- Are you sure about this? - It must be.

He made a special point about it.

"Tonight, I’ll play my greatest concert."

- Dina, I.. - Oh, I don’t blame you, Gil.

How can you blame anybody for this?

I just feel numb.

For all the loneliness and misery

he must be feeling inside.

Thank you for remembering what I said, Dina.

I was sure I could depend on the audience.

Very important part of the concert.

Yes, I’m going to play for you, doctor.

I’m used to a great deal of applause after my concerts.

And what could be more desirable than applause

from the man who made it all possible?

There were others almost as much a part of it

as you who should be here.

But I don’t think we’d find their applause

very enthusiastic.

Now...I did manage

to convince one of them though.

We had a long chat on the way down here.

It turns out he was very partial of the music

and my future ability.

The only trouble was he didn’t mean it.

He was only trying to trick me.

’Why, Vernon?’

It was only a matter of time

before you would have played again.

Time! Time to cut off these hands and give me others.

And others if those don’t work.

I guess the doctor has all the time he needs in his laboratory.

He can do anything, except give me back my life.

- He tried to save that life! - He failed!

How do you know yet?

- Shall I show you? - It’s too soon.

I said I was going to play for you.

I am, now.

I want you beside me, Dina, because you were always there

in the past.

You can’t go out there.

- He still needs me. - It’s a trick!

I might be able to humor him. Still save him, I’ve got to.

It’s too much of a chance, you can’t do it.

Then take a gun and go out there and shoot him now!

Listen, behold the wonders of medical science

and your kind doctor.

Your triumph, doctor, and now mine.

Let her go.

Go on back, we’ll be alright.

The talented Dr. Harding, still in charge.

You’re right about one thing.

I’m not responsible for the loss of your hands.

But I am for this.

Like your friend you imagine yourself

a clever psychologist.

It won’t work, doctor.

You’re interested in nothing but vengeance?

Beauty is no longer important to you!

On the contrary

justice is a form of moral beauty.

Or is that too unscientific?

I did everything I could surgically.

And your body’s accepted it.

Beyond that I know I failed you.

Your mind couldn’t accept.

That’s very beautiful.

What a shame it’s only meant to throw me off guard.

What do you want?

I want you to take another look at your work.

Just for this moment I want to share this triumph with you.

Have you found out whose hands they are?

Not yet.

Does it make any difference?

I think you know we’ll have to talk sooner.

And maybe you’ll be able to tell me if we have the right to

push ahead so fast..

...even when we believe.

Men like you who aren’t afraid to grow

they’ll always be the right.