Original subtitles

Alice, turn out the light. But, Uncle.

Do you hear me?

It would be better with the light. I want it off.

I'm not frightened of a storm.

I'm frightened when there's no storm.

Have you bolted everything up downstairs?

I have. Did you put the parcel, Tom?

I did.

One day those live wires round the house will kill someone.

They'll kill, all right.

I've seen to that.

Heaven help anyone who does try to get in here at night.

I can't imagine anyone wanting to get in here.

No?

No?

Well, I could tell you. Uncle, be quiet.

You know what the doctor said? Yeah?

I know what the fool said. He thinks I'm a neurotic, mad.

He doesn't know.

He doesn't lie in night after night, haunted, paralyzed by fear.

Fear?

Fear of what?

You know.

Fear of unseen, sudden death, of murder.

Uncle, will you be quiet?

Let me help you. Help?

You help a lot.

You and that cussed lover of yours.

How dare you call Norman that?

You saw him yesterday, didn't you?

I did.

Uncle, you're cruel.

Unjust. Unjust?

You oppose me always.

What is your position in this house? Don't you owe everything to me?

I do.

I've given you everything you wanted since you were a child.

Everything. And now you encourage an idle loafer.

A man who's only after the money and he thinks I'm going to leave you.

Cruel, am I?

I can be cruel.

If I didn't know how ill you were, I think I could hate you.

What are you staring at me for?

Nothing. I know.

You want me to die, don't you?

They all want me to die.

They want my money, my house.

I'll see you all dead first.

Where are you going?

Alice, come back.

I'm afraid the storm might keep you away.

From you, darling.

Is he worse?

Much.

Norman, I can't bear this ghastly house much longer.

Has he been torturing you again?

He's crazy with fear.

He'll have no one but me with him in the place at night.

It's terrible.

And now he thinks I want to kill him too.

He's killing you.

Alaris, come away with me now.

Not yet, Norman.

I don't believe him.

The doctor said any shock might kill him.

Death might come at any moment.

Perhaps it'll come sooner than you think.

What do you mean?

Oh, I'm sorry.

That I could kill him for his cruelty to you, day after day, night after night.

I shall face it to the end.

Even if it means years of agony.

I've promised.

I owe everything to him.

You got a cigarette?

You'll find some at the desk.

Cheerful thing to have about.

Four chambers loaded out of five.

That's another mad idea.

Like the live wires around the house.

Well, I don't like it.

It's too easy to get at there.

I'll put it somewhere where it's not quite so noticeable.

He's ringing.

You'd better go.

I'm glad you came to see me.

Alaris, end it all.

Come with me.

It is you.

Shut the door.

I don't want the light.

Turn it off, do you hear?

I'll get your medicine.

It's difficult to see in the dark.

Use your eyes.

You can when you're light.

What are you doing?

It's nearly ready.

There, Uncle.

Now, do be calm.

I can't sleep.

Leave me alone.

Good night, Uncle.

I can't sleep.

I can't sleep.

It's a very strange case, Rector.

Oh, very.

Good day, Doctor.

Good day.

A very simple case, Rector. Oh, yes, yes.

Well, nothing much for the paper, Doctor.

Just an ordinary suicide.

Yes, just an ordinary suicide.

You satisfied with the verdict, Inspector?

Of course, if the Doctor is.

Doctor, I'm not satisfied.

Oh? You say that a man in Brown's condition could fire at himself, miss,

and then shoot again?

Certainly.

Doesn't sound reasonable.

But he wasn't. You can't judge him by reasonable standards.

Hmm. You're quite sure that he was mad?

Absolutely.

relatives were waiting to murder him.

Just a mere obsession?

Entirely. All the signs.

My tales of anonymous letters threatening his life.

But you never saw them.

He had always destroyed them.

Well, you satisfied the coroner that a man could shoot at himself twice.

So that's that.

Well, he understands.

He's a doctor himself.

He was...

Pretty well off, wasn't he?

So they say.

Some people will be glad that he's dead.

Good day, doctor.

Alaris, what time is the lawyer expected?

At any moment.

What is troubling you?

Ever since that inquest, you've been completely different.

When they've read the will, promise me you'll leave the place.

I can't.

Why?

Norman, please. But my dear, you... They'll hear you. Well, personally, I'm

glad the old blighter's kicked the bucket.

That's right.

Insult your uncle. He's dead.

And buried.

Oh, don't you start, my dear. Don't worry. Sit down.

Well, I think we might have a little respect for the dead.

Of course, we're all very sorry for Peter.

Ah, poor dear old Peter.

So kind, so generous.

I bet he doesn't leave you a brass farthing.

I didn't come here to be insulted.

I realise that.

You came here to find out how much your old skin-fender brother has left you.

Michael, are you going to allow him to talk to me like that? Well, it's sheer

hypocrisy to pretend we were fond of Peter.

Very likely.

But I like things to be done properly.

Where's Alaris? I think she's rather upset.

We're all upset, but we're here.

We're here because we're here, because we're here, because we're... Disgusting.

Ah, here's Mr. Yarrow.

I'm so sorry I'm late. Please forgive me.

Well...

Here we are again.

Meant to perform a very sad duty.

With your permission, I will convey to you the terms of the late Peter Brown's

will. Well, that's what we're here for.

My client was rather eccentric.

I have no knowledge whatever of the contents of the will. But didn't you

help him draw it up?

Yes, and...

You see, he wanted to tell you in his own way the terms of the will.

Here is the will. It's very curious.

His voice on that?

Yes. Michael, I can't bear it.

Please, Mrs. Brown.

It's a horrible idea.

I'm sorry. Of course, you need not remain to hear it. Put the confounded

thing on.

George Yarrow has done his work.

I am talking to my dear brother, Michael, and his loving wife, Angela,

my sweet sister, Kate, my adopted and obedient niece,

Alaris, and her charming lover, also my delightful nephew,

Vivian, all having waited so long for my money.

And now I am dead.

Well, let me tell you this.

There is no possible doubt that I have been murdered.

Angela, keep quiet. This is terrible.

I refuse to hear anymore.

I'm afraid. I will not listen to a madman raving about murder. But murder

is... Everybody knows he shot himself. The coroner's verdict was suicide.

Go on.

We all know he was mad.

It's rather funny.

Put it on again.

If George Yarrow has done his work, I am talking... I

can't

tell you how sorry I am.

Oh, Alaris, do forgive me. It was a straight drive off the golf course.

Of course, I know I'm an awful fool.

I... Oh, thank you, Mr. Yarrow.

I do hope I haven't interrupted anything.

Not at all, sir. We were just amusing ourselves with a comic gramophone

record.

Won't you sit down? Look here, what the devil do you think you're doing?

I offered my friend the rector a seat. I say, Yarrow, this is... Mr. Maycomb, the

fact is... Just a moment.

Mr. Maycomb, I don't think you know Colonel Brown, Peter's brother.

A great sport.

Mr. Maycomb, Colonel Brown.

Delighted. Oh, the Colonel won't play.

Mrs. Brown, Norman, Alaris, an old friend. Oh, yes, sir.

And Miss Kate Brown, whom I think you've met before.

Yes, well, you've chosen a nice time to come, I must say.

Oh, don't mind, dear old Auntie Kate. Look here, Mr. Bacon.

Bacon? Oh, well, Macon, then.

The record's gone! What?

Ridiculous nonsense.

What is it you've lost?

Well, you see, sir, poor dear old Uncle Peter, who was quite mad.

What right does Mr. Macon to know our private affairs?

Well, perhaps I could help.

I object very strongly. Hold your tongue. Let's find the thing.

How dare

you?

Well, you never know.

Your manners get worse and worse.

What on earth are you going to do next?

Simply disgusting.

Now, where is this ridiculous thing? It can't possibly have gone. Are you

standing on it?

Well, let's look at the other way. You haven't even looked for it yet, you

know, and you were near the... It's gone completely.

How do we know it's gone completely? No one's looked for it yet.

It can't possibly have gone.

Please,

one moment.

I take a very serious view of this theft.

Theft? Mr. Maycomb, we have been listening to the will of the late Peter

Brown. Oh.

Oh, I'm so sorry. Alleris, my dear, I didn't know.

I apologize, Mr. Yarrow. Of course, I'll go at once.

I should think so, too.

No.

I want you to stay.

I think you can help a great deal.

I agree with Alleris.

What?

You see, Mr. Maycomb, Peter Brown made a gramophone record of a personal message

to his friends and relatives.

We had not got to the terms of the will, but we heard... We

heard the voice of the dead man saying that he had been murdered.

Murdered? But he shot himself.

Yes, in two girls.

Pop-pop.

And you've just lost this record.

Yes, it went just after you came in. Funny, wasn't it?

It rather looks as if someone here were afraid of hearing that record to the

end. Bosh.

Perhaps Mr. Brown wasn't so mad after all.

Murdered. You said murdered.

Yes, yes.

Bumped off.

Now is your chance, Rector.

You're a bit of a Sherlock Holmes.

I think the police ought to be informed.

Outrageous! Is it? I don't think so.

I shall inform them myself.

Mr. Maycomb, must you?

Yes, I'm afraid so.

Unless... What?

Unless whoever took that record puts it back.

If it is returned, and we find that he was just mad, well then... Everything in

the garden's lovely.

Exactly.

In the meantime, I suggest that we all adjourn till, say, dinner.

By that time, the record may have been put back.

I should say, found.

Who gave you authority?

Oh, no one.

But if I'm not to inform the police, you must all do as I say.

Alice, my dear, will you let me look over the house?

Of course.

Norm will show you round.

Thank you.

I never heard such infernal impediments. Yes, but then...

Norman, do be careful.

Surely there's no need for the police to come into this?

I hope not.

This is where the first bullet went.

Yes, they never found it.

Extraordinary.

What do you think? Hmm?

You know.

Who shot him?

I thought he shot himself.

Yes, but that record.

Oh, yes, I've forgotten about that.

Funny thing, it should have disappeared.

There it is.

What will you do if it isn't found?

Pardon the police, my duty.

I say, that was a remarkable drive of yours off the golf course, through the

trees, into the window.

Yes, nearly broke the record, didn't it?

By the way, is there another entrance to this room?

There is a priest hole somewhere.

Allery showed me the door once. I haven't been through it myself.

Why, here.

Ah.

Let's have a look.

Cheerful place.

A good place to hide someone.

You're right.

It is.

Hello?

What's that place?

I don't know. Have a look.

You'll have plenty of time to think out your duty in there, Mr. Maycomb.

Oh, Michael.

I'm so frightened.

No one suspects.

Oh, if they only knew.

Excuse me, have you seen Alaris?

She's in the drawing room.

Oh, thanks.

He heard us.

I don't think so.

That golf drive of Maycomb's was no accident.

He meant to get in.

He knew what was on.

And I know what he's wondering.

What? If I shot my uncle.

Yes, that's why I... But... I didn't!

I didn't!

But I've got to tell Macomb. That old fool, he's out of the way for a bit.

What do you mean? I shot him in that little room in the priest hole.

What?

Do you know what that is?

No.

An old well with ten feet of slime at the bottom. What?

Wait, I'll get the light.

Wait!

Mr. Maycomb!

How did you get out?

Never mind.

Cops out and Auntie Kate.

Why did you do it? Mr. Maycomb, I swear I didn't know. Where's Anna?

In the priest hole.

Go back to her.

Wait there for me.

I've got to see Kate.

Go back!

He's out.

What?

Kate saved him.

Kate?

Thank God for Auntie Kate. He was at the medicine cupboard.

The medicine cupboard?

Yes. Why? What's the matter?

Why, Alleris?

Shh.

Now you know the truth.

Yes. You sent him those anonymous letters to terrify him.

Yes. For his cruelty to Alleris. To everyone.

Everyone. Oh, don't do that. It gets on my nerves.

I didn't think you had any.

Then you don't understand women.

I am a mass of nerves.

Go on.

Angela lived in dread of the fiend. Oh, but I dare tell you that story.

Peter Brown was a human devil.

And you scared him into suicide.

Yes.

That's why I hid that record.

I dreaded what it might say.

Have you heard what it said? Have you tried it for yourself?

With you nosing round?

You don't understand women.

They're not fools.

You're not?

Where did you hide that record?

Have you got it?

No, but I can feel it. What's that? Are you sure?

It's...

Somebody's taken it and put a card in its place.

Splendid.

You know you gave me quite a turn for the moment.

I don't understand.

No, but you will.

If that record had been there, I should have failed.

But now I'm getting nearer.

What do you mean?

Kate, you did me a good turn down in that priest hole.

It was lucky your golf clubs wedged across it. Yes, and now I'm going to

help you.

Your brother didn't commit suicide.

Oh Yes, you haven't got that on your conscience You hid that record and

someone else took it You think

What are you going to do?

Just a little revolver practice

What are you two talking about?

Nerves. Whose?

Mine. I spotted you both through the window.

You seemed rather jumpy.

Jumpy? What do you mean?

Well, I thought you were going to chuck that book at him.

Did you?

How's he getting on?

Got a clue?

He's getting nearer.

I knew it was a shot.

Why don't you have another shot?

No more bullets.

You've hurt your ear.

Yes, I never did care much for that ear anyhow.

Tired of life?

Yes.

Look here, Mr. Maycomb.

I know what you're up to, and I'm going to tell you something.

Well?

I shot Peter Brown.

Now, why have you confessed to me?

There was no need to, you know.

I couldn't bear it any longer.

I know that when that record turns up, it will be the end of me.

So you didn't take it?

I wish I knew where it was.

Why did you shoot your uncle?

Well, I forged his name for 500 pounds.

He wanted to send me to Quad.

I should hate Quad.

And so that night I hid in the house, waited till Alleris had left him, and

shot him. You stood at his bedside and shot him? Oh, no.

Hadn't the plug.

I fired from the doorway.

From the doorway?

Yes.

So now send for the Black Mariah and let me say, ta-ta.

Well, I've told you.

And now I'll tell you.

The shot you've confessed to didn't kill your uncle.

What? No.

A second shot fired close to killed him. Close to?

I'm interested in the person who fired that shot.

Then you're no longer interested in me.

Oh, yes.

You can help me a lot.

After dinner.

Rather. I'm always at my best after dinner.

Well, as Vivian would say, here we are again.

Mr. Maycomb, I know what you've found out.

Really?

I'm going to tell you. Alice, tell me what?

Norman threw you in there, but he didn't know the danger.

He wanted to stop you, to give me time, time to escape.

To escape?

Yes.

He thinks I had something to do with my uncle's death. Alaris, I... Norman, I've

got to tell.

I killed my uncle.

You? By accident.

You shot him?

No. Yes, but I... I poisoned him.

Poisoned him?

Yes.

Then it was a dead man that was shot.

He was terrified of being poisoned by some unknown enemy.

He made me change the labels on his medicine bottle.

I put the one from the poison bottle, a drug he kept, onto his ordinary medicine

bottle. Yes, yes, well... So if anyone attempted to poison him, they'd be

tricked.

I was the only one that knew of the change.

And on that night... Well?

I... I... I was terrified by his ravings.

I suppose I gave him a dose from the wrong bottle by mistake.

I found out in the morning.

The dregs in his glass were red, instead of black, as they should have been.

But the doctor was in the room when you discovered your mistake.

Yes. Didn't he notice anything?

He seemed startled.

But he didn't say anything.

I think he suspected.

But... Norman,

look after Anneris.

Where are you going?

What are you going to do?

Just a little research work. Now, don't you worry. I shall see you later.

What you told the coroner about

Peter Brown's death was very interesting.

Yes. But hardly convincing.

The coroner was satisfied?

Yes.

You saw to that.

I don't understand you. Surely you don't believe that he shot at himself twice. I

do. He was a madman. I don't agree.

I think there was foul play.

Oh, then why didn't the police think there was something wrong?

Because, as I said before...

You saw to that.

What are you insinuating?

Oh, nothing.

But I'm going to get to the bottom of this, and I want you to help me.

I'm no longer interested.

Oh, yes, you are.

You mix your own medicines, don't you?

Yes. Why?

One of the medicines you gave Peter Brown contained poison, didn't it?

It did.

It was a sweeping draft.

But I resent this questioning.

You've known Alaris since she was a child.

Well?

Would you like to see her standing in the dock on a charge of murder?

Sit down.

Alaris gave him his ordinary medicine every night.

Yes. There was no poison in that.

No. Well, she gave him his medicine on the last night, as usual. Yes.

There was poison in that. How did she know? Never mind.

But she knows that you know.

What the hell are you driving at?

Why didn't you tell the coroner about the poison?

Oh, get out.

All right.

I'll go and see the inspector.

No, no, no, wait.

Wait.

I'll tell you.

I'm finished.

For years I've been the victim of nerves.

Over strain.

Worry. Well, you know, there was only one way to make me forget.

Drugs. Go on.

I know I made mistakes, but I was never found out.

But when I saw that glass at Brown's deathbed, I knew I had again made

a mistake.

And so you held your tongue. Well, I can't be helped now.

Everything will be known.

You'll see to that.

Oh, no.

You made no mistake in that medicine.

No mistake.

The old man was so frightened of being murdered that they had the labels on the

bottles changed.

Alaris gave him a sleeping draught by mistake.

But there wasn't enough in that to kill him.

That's just what I wanted to know.

You know, that stuff's no good to you.

Leave it alone.

Alaris, I just had a talk with Dr. Stewart.

He told me the poison in that sleeping draught wouldn't kill a fly.

Thank heaven.

I'm very glad to have helped you both.

Tell me, Norman, how did you get in here on the night of the murder?

How did you know I was here?

I didn't know, but I do now.

We thought no one would ever know.

But now, you'd better know all.

Norman came to see me that night, after Uncle was in bed.

We sat here and talked. Sat here and talked, yes. Let me tell him. I'd like

Alaris to tell me.

He went to the drawer to find me a cigarette.

Well?

And he found Uncle's revolver. The one that was found in your Uncle's dead

hand?

Yes.

He saw it was loaded.

In how many chambers?

Four. One was empty.

I thought so.

What do you mean?

Nothing. Go on.

Norman was afraid of it being about in so open a place.

He put it where it wouldn't be seen so easily.

And where did he put it? Here, in this drawer.

And only you and Norman knew it was in that drawer?

Yes. Yes. Thank you.

I can see now why Alaris didn't dare speak of this to anyone.

For your sake, Norman.

Yes, and I think she was right.

We shall have a very interesting evening another item in the program

What

does he mean I don't know

I say, Auntie, here's something right up your street.

You beast!

Mr. Maycomb, what are your plans for this evening? Oh, yes.

With your permission, I want to stage a little amateur dramatic performance.

Hooray! The party is waking up at last.

How about Auntie Kate as the widow Twankey?

Shut up, you young fool!

What the devil do you mean?

I'll tell you in a few minutes, if you'll allow me.

You understand, Inspector.

Nine o'clock.

You've got your instructions.

You were talking to the police.

Why not?

Then you know something.

Something? Not all, but quite enough.

Mr. Maycomb, there's something I must tell you. You too.

What can you tell me that I don't know already?

Know already?

Then you know I killed my brother. No, I didn't know that.

But I... It's all right.

Now I... I understand that your late brother blackmailed your wife.

You know that too?

I do.

I'd better tell you everything.

Yes, it's just as well.

On that night...

I discovered that my wife had received another horrible letter. I must have

lost my reason. I got my arm a revolver, got into the house, waited till it was

dark and Alaris had gone to bed, and under cover of thunder, shot him.

Where were you standing?

By the door.

Where was your wife while this was taking place?

My wife?

She was at home.

All right, Colonel, you can make your peace with your conscience.

The shot you've confessed to wasn't the fatal one.

Another shot, fired near the bed, killed him.

How do you know that? Never you mind.

Now it's nearly time for a little entertainment.

And I've got all my program quite complete, thanks to you.

Just wait here.

Now I warn you that this little performance may not be exactly a comedy.

But I think it'll clear up the mystery and we shall all sleep soundly. For I'm

to be Queen of the May, Mother.

I'm to be Queen of the May. The play will start in Peter Brown's bedroom.

But where's Michael?

He's waiting for me.

I want you all to go there and I shall be with you in a couple of minutes.

Please.

No, that's all right. Everybody can keep seated.

A little over a week ago, in this room, Peter Brown was killed.

Then it was murder. No, please, please.

A terrible storm was raging.

Rain, wind and thunder stifled all other sounds.

And under cover of this, the oldest crime in the world, murder.

was committed here.

But remember this.

Cain, the first murderer, had a mark set upon him.

By that he was known.

And so will the murderer of Peter Brown be known.

Now, Alaris, I want you to tell us exactly what happened.

I'd been in the room about an hour.

Uncle was crazy.

The storm and his horrible fear.

You all know of that.

Go on.

I couldn't bear it any longer.

I went downstairs.

Never mind about downstairs.

Tell us what happened when you came back.

Uncle was very frightened.

And I went to get the medicine.

I think it will be better if you actually show us and turn out those

lights, just as they were then.

But Mr. Maycomb, need I?

Please. Norman, put the lights out.

Vivian, light that candle.

I gave him his... Do it.

Mr. Maycomb. Yes, please.

Good night.

That's all.

All right.

Now this is what I imagine took place.

When she had gone, but sometime afterwards, someone opened that door.

And thinking Brown was asleep, fired and closed the door again.

But old Brown was not asleep.

He saw the door open, he moved, and the bullet missed him by inches.

And that bullet was never found.

Then whoever opened that door and fired was not the murderer.

No.

He crept away thinking he had killed him.

But if...

Now, Mark, if some other person wanting to kill him were hidden in this room,

then the first shot was a perfect alibi for the second.

So now we see the real murderer was alone in this room, and he or she

would be able to kill him without being found out.

But who could have got in?

I said if. Aha, if.

Elementary, my dear Watson. Oh, I know this is only conjectural, but let me

continue.

Now, the second shot was fired probably from here. I could show you better if I

had a revolver.

Vivian, just get your uncle's revolver from his desk. Right-o, Mr. Maycomb.

Wait for little Vivian.

Now this...

Closer, come closer.

This second shot... Stop where you are!

What's the matter?

No one must go from this room.

It was a shot in the dark, but I've got you. Have you?

I don't think I'm wanted.

I am convinced my murderer will be my worthless nephew, Vivian Waugh.

Justice will deal with him.

And for a loving kindness to me always, to my dear niece Avarice, I

leave all my worldly possessions.