Original subtitles

(eerie music)

- Good evening.

Tonight, I'm going to tell you

another strange and unusual story

of the unexplainable which lies behind the Veil.

(fire crackling)

All through his history,

man has constantly striven to push back

the frontiers of knowledge,

to discover what lies behind the Veil

which separates knowledge from ignorance.

In my own lifetime, I've seen things come to pass

that will be unbelievable to my parents and my grandparents:

travel through the air,

the ability to speak to a friend halfway around the world.

Well, if these wonders have occurred in so short a time,

just think of what our children and grandchildren

will be able to know and understand.

Happenings that to us defy explanation

will be commonplace and ordinary to them.

But whether we understand it or not,

the event that we depict in tonight's story was very real.

It started with a cry for help,

a plea to Almighty God,

and following that, to a mortal,

to a man referred to by the peasants

of a tiny Italian village as

I! Dottore.

(gentle music) (wind howling)

(woman praying in Italian)

(sobbing) (mumbling)

- Si cara, ti passera.

Lamamma e qui con te amore.

No, no. Cara, no.

(door clicks) (wind howling)

(door thuds)

(women chattering faintly)

- Signora, how long has she been like this?

- The whole day, off and on.

- Has she eaten?

- No, she won't take her food, nothing.

Nothing!

(girl coughing)

(indistinct)

- Ma, she's choking.

I! Dottore, il Dottore.

He'll take care of her.

- Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

- Dottore.

Toni! Toni!

Toni! (door rattles)

Toni! Papa!

Toni!

Presto, go to the doctor.

Go to the doctor, presto!

Call the doctor-- - But the storm.

- Well, what is it, Mamma?

- It's Francesca. She's worse.

- But the truck is broken down,

and it is two miles to the doctor.

- You want your sister to die?

Do you not have two good legs?

Stupido, vai adesso!

(woman sobbing)

It's all right.

(wind howling)

(pills clatter)

- There.

Now take two tonight when you go to bed,

and two in the morning when you get up.

Understand?

Wait three days, and if you don't feel better,

come and see me.

(horn honking)

Ah, that's my son.

- He is here!

Yes, Signor Angelo is here, Doctor.

Signor Angelo!

Oh!

- How's my Maria?

(chuckles) - Oh, fine. Fine!

Whoo! (door thuds)

Here, let me help you.

(laughs)

- Angelo, my son!

My son!

(laughs) Welcome home.

- And how glad I am to be here, Father.

- And what delayed you?

Was your train late?

- No. Giuseppe had trouble with the car.

- This is the second time this week

it's broken down, Doctor.

It's too old.

- Giuseppe, take those things upstairs.

Don't stand here in the draft, Doctor.

Take him inside by the fire.

I'll go get something to warm him up. (laughs)

(giggles)

- Ah, my son, it is good to see you home again.

You're looking well.

But it is a long time, over a year.

- I know.

And I had a terrible job getting away

from the hospital, even now.

- So? Too many patients already?

- Oh, it's not so much that, Father.

They are shorthanded.

They lost two surgeons last month and,

well, you know how tt is.

- Ah, who should know better than 1?

- How about you?

- Oh, go along from day to day, nothing much happening.

Same as usual.

- No, ! mean your health.

You look tired.

(sighs)

- No one gets any younger.

- Do you still permit them to bother you as much as ever?

- Bother me?

- Oh, I know these peasants.

Every time they stub a toe they yell for the doctor,

like children, only worse, in my opinion.

There's some excuse for children.

- Ah, they are like children.

They frighten so easily.

But the trouble is, one never knows how serious it may be.

The stomachache can be unripe apples or

an appendix.

A little temperature, a simple cold,

or maybe the beginning of a serious fever.

Well, a doctor is rewarded by--

- ! know the arguments.

But seriously Father,

you look far too tired for my liking.

(Carlo sighs)

- You are absolutely right, Signor Angelo.

Some days, he's running from morning until night,

and it's no good my talking to him.

Maybe you can make him see some sense.

Or better still, maybe you can stay here and be the doctor.

- Well, I, 1 don't know about that.

(Carlo sighs)

- If I'm going to the Venturellis 1 better hurry.

- You see? (scoffs)

Always a-running!

Always running. (Carlo chuckling)

- You have to go out?

- Oh, it is not very far.

- But on a night like this, can't go for you?

- No, it is for the poor old grandmother,

but nothing can be done for her.

- Well, in that case, can't you miss just once?

Listen to that wind.

There's a storm blowing up.

- Ah, the poor soul counts on seeing me every evening.

If l miss just once, she would have a bad night.

And she's not too many left.

Well, here's to the future.

- And here's to that long rest

that I'm going to see to it that you have.

- Ah, and how are you going to manage that?

Come back here and take my place?

- And bury myself here in this...

(Carlo sighs)

I'm sorry, Father. I, ! didn't mean that.

(scoffs) - Oh, you're

quite right, my son.

This is no place for a rising young surgeon.

- Well, in the big hospitals, there's much more opportunity.

Up-to-date equipment and, you know.

- Yes, we have none of that here.

But there is one thing here that is just the same.

- What is that?

- The patients.

Whether it is in a big city hospital or a peasant's cottage,

the patients are just the same.

All a little helpless, a little frightened.

(Angelo chuckles)

Well, I must go.

- l wish you didn't have to leave.

- Tell you the truth, ! wish I didn't, too.

Giuseppe!

- [Giuseppe] Yes, Doctor?

- Time to get started.

- [Giuseppe] I'm ready, Doctor.

(sighs)

- Well, I think I have everything here.

Although the good God knows that all the equipment

in the finest hospitals in the world

could not help that poor old woman now.

All l can do is to give her a little friendship,

a little comfort.

Angelo, it is amazing what power those things have.

Sometimes I think they do more good

than all of my pills. (chuckles)

- 1 brought you a present.

- Oh? - Anew bag.

A fitted one with everything in it.

- A fitted bag!

- But l warn you, you're not going to need it for long.

- How is that?

- Because you're going to retire,

and you're going to come and live with me in the city.

- Retire?

Leave these people?

(scoffs)

Angelo, they are my children.

I, ! could not do that. (chuckles)

Why, no, no.

1 could never do that.

(bag thumps)

- Now you get back before the storm gets any worse.

Don't let them keep you talking.

(Carlo laughs)

- I'll be back before you know tt.

(door rattles) (wind howling)

(door thumps)

- Whew.

Ah, what a night!

Oot.

How do you think the doctor looks, Signor Angelo?

- He's aging far too quickly for my liking, Maria.

I'm worried about him.

- Yes, he is tired, and he gets more tired every day.

But now that you are here, it's going to be easier for him.

- I'm not going to stay, Maria.

- Oh?

- You've got to help me.

! want him to come and live with me in the city.

You're the only person that can help me persuade him.

- Take him away from here?

You can't do that.

- Why not?

- Why they, they wouldn't let you.

- Who wouldn't?

- The people here.

They can't do without him.

- Is there so much sickness here then?

- Oh, it isn't only sickness.

It's, it's everything.

Anything that happens, it's, "Ask the Doctor."

And he never refuses.

(knocking at door)

Oh, mamma mia! Who can it be?

I'm coming! I'm coming!

(pounding at door)

Are you trying to knock the door down?

(wind howling)

(door thuds)

Toni Bianchi, what do you want?

- The doctor, he must come at once.

- The doctor is not here.

- But he must come!

- But how can he come if he's not here?

Stupido.

- What's the matter, Toni?

- Buonasera, Signor Angelo.

It is little Francesca.

She is very sick, and Mamma is saying that she will die.

and Mamma is saying that she will die.

- But-- - All right, I'll come, Toni.

There's a bag with the suitcases, a black one,

will you get it for me?

- Yes! - But it is the doctor.

Mamma said-- - 1am a doctor too, Toni.

- [Toni] But...

(hat thumps)

(wind howling)

- (indistinct) Quanto soffre.

- She is very sick.

- Where is that Toni?

1 should have gone myself.

- Why doesn't he come?

- The doctor will come, he

always does, coraggio, coraggio.

(wind howling) (door clicks)

(Somber music)

- Dottore,

dottore! Santa Maria!

Santa Maria!

Madre di Dio,

salva della mia bambina.

(wind howling)

- Hit the creek, go across at the field!

- How much further ts it?

- What?

- How much further ts it?

- It's not too far.

(wind howling)

(wind howling)

(door thuds)

- Here, let me help you with your coat.

- Oh, be careful, Maria.

The doctor's hands is hurt.

- Now what have you done with yourself?

- He scald it with boiling water.

- Let me see.

- It is nothing.

- Ay, that is bad.

- I'll fix it easily.

- Oh, all right.

(Carlo groans)

(clattering)

(Carlo sighs)

Let me do this for you.

- All right. (Maria exclaims)

(bandage rips) - You are so careless.

You won't be able to use this hand for a while.

Giuseppe, go get the doctor's slippers.

Come and sit down, Doctor.

- Where is Angelo? Upstairs?

- No. He went out.

Toni Bianchi came for you.

Uh, Francesca, the little girl, she is sick.

- And Angelo went?

- Yes.

- Did Toni say what was wrong with the child?

- No.

He just said that she's very sick,

but you know how they are.

They are always very sick.

- Shall I put the car away, Doctor?

- No, Giuseppe.

Maybe I better go myself and see.

- What?

You go out again on a night like this?

And, and with that hand scalded?

Ugh! (Carlo sighs)

- Did Toni come in the truck?

- No, I don't think so.

- You mean, they walked in a storm like this?

- They are both young.

Now you stay right there. No nonsense.

- [ hope he'll be all right.

- Of course, he'll be all right.

He's a doctor, isn't he?

- 1 know, but--

- You worry too much.

Now you stay right there and rest,

and I'll go finish the dinner.

- Giuseppe, take the car and go down the road.

You may be able to pick them up before they get there.

- Yes, Doctor.

- In any case, wait and bring Angelo back.

- Va bene.

(Carlo groans)

(door thuds)

(Carlo murmurs) (eerie music)

(Carlo sighing)

- Will he never come?

(door thuds)

- Il Dottore.

I! Dottore!

- Dio sia stato ringraziato, il dottore.

(wind howling)

- [l Dottore, Dio sia ringraziato, you've come.

- Signor Angelo?

- Well, where is the doctor?

- l ama doctor. Where is the child?

- What have you done?

I told you to bring the doctor.

What have you done?

- couldn't help it, Mamma.

The doctor wasn't there.

- My father was out on another call.

Toni said it was urgent, so I came instead.

- But, but we need a doctor.

- lama doctor, Signor Bianchi.

1 can do everything that is needed.

Now where is the child?

In there? - No.

- Dottore, dottore, no!

Non la tocchi dottore, non la tocchi.

(Francesca labored breathing)

My baby. My baby.

- Just a minute. Let me look at her.

- No, no. You must not touch her.

- I'm not going to harm her.

(labored breathing)

(labored breathing continues)

Your child is very sick.

I'll have to be quick if I'm to save her.

(labored breathing)

(bag thumps) (instruments clatter)

I'll have to boil these.

Put some water on the fire.

You heard me?

1 have to boil these instruments.

- What are you going to do with them?

- I'm going to operate on the little girl.

- No.

No, Signor Angelo, you will not touch.

We will wait for the doctor.

- Don't you understand how sick your child is?

- You will not touch her!

- Do as I say. Put that water on the fire!

Of all the stubborn fools!

- We will wait!

(thumping)

(wind howling) (door thuds)

- Giuseppe, what are you doing here?

Where's my father?

- He sent me with the car to take you back.

- Go back and get him.

Tell him these fools won't let me operate,

and it's a matter of life and death.

Now hurry!

(door rattles)

(wind howling) (door thuds)

Now will you put that water on?

- We wait for the doctor.

- There won't be time then!

This way, they'll be ready for him.

(objects clank)

(labored breathing)

(rustling)

Since you're too stubborn to let me help you, pray.

Pray that my father gets here in time.

(women sobbing) (Somber music)

(women praying in Italian) (crying)

(Francesca cries out) (dramatic music)

- My baby's going to die!

My baby's going to die!

- Oh, no. Oh, no.

No, non morivano, benedetto...

- Signor Angelo.

- Get out.

- l Say, you must not touch her.

- 1 can't wait any longer.

- You must not touch her.

Stop!

- You fool!

Your child is dying!

One minute, two minutes, she'll be dead.

Do you want her dead?

Do you want to kill her?

(door clicks)

(wind howling) - Il Dottore!

Dio sia stato ringraziato.

- [Woman] Dottore.

- Thank God you've come.

Now will you go?

(curtain clanks)

I'll have to be quick. It's diphtheria.

(labored breathing)

(wind howling)

Father, you look all in.

You better go back with Giuseppe.

I'll clean up here. It'll take some time.

- She's gonna be all right?

(women gasping)

(wind howling)

(door clicks)

(bag thumps)

- You'll have to see to it

that the child has absolute quiet.

You understand?

Has Giuseppe come back with the car yet?

- No, Signor Angelo.

Are you not going to wait for the car?

- No, it's probably broken down again.

I'll be back in a few hours

to see how he child is.

My father's too tired to come.

He's completely worn out.

I'll have to come alone.

You understand?

- Signor Angelo.

- Yes?

- Many thanks, Doctor.

(wind howling)

(door clicks)

(door thuds)

(gate creaking)

- What's the matter this time, Giuseppe?

- It's the car again, Mr. Angelo.

1 can't start it.

- Where is my father?

- At the house.

(wind howling)

(bag thumps)

- Here you are, at last.

l saved dinner for you.

I hope it hasn't spoiled.

How's Francesca?

- She's fine.

Is Father all right?

- Yes, he's inside, but where's Giuseppe?

- Are you all right, Father?

Father? - Hmm?

Huh?

Oh. It is you, Angelo.

- Are you all right?

- Why, yes, I'm all right.

- Thank goodness.

l was worried about you getting through that storm.

- Well, we, we worried about you, too.

Didn't we, Maria?

- What happened to your hand?

- He scalded it at the Venturellis.

- Ah, it is nothing.

How is it with the little Francesca?

- Oh, she'll be all right.

I'm going back to see her later on.

What is the matter with these peasants?

A child choking to death for lack of a simple tracheotomy,

and they wouldn't let me touch her.

Thank goodness you showed up when you did.

Another minute, and I'd have had to knock out

that crazy Bianchi, to save his own child's life.

And when I saw the car was broken down,

and you had to come back through that storm, I...

(eerie music)

What's the matter?

- Didn't Giuseppe bring you back?

- No.

He never returned to the Bianchis after he took you home.

l passed him a mile up the road.

Why? What's wrong?

- The doctor hasn't been out.

- Not been out?

But you were with me, Father.

What's the joke?

What is this?

- ! have been asleep here all the time.

Ask Maria.

(eerie music continues)

- But we all saw you.

- Mister Angelo, the car,

1 couldn't get to the doctor as you told me.

l hope everything was all right.

- Aman may well doubt what he sees with his own eyes,

but when reliable witnesses give confirmation,

it's difficult to disbelieve.

The elder Doctor Marcabienti, however,

didn't doubt this strange occurrence.

He believed in the truth of the statement

that he'd made to his son.

In the treatment of a patient, faith

is often more important than medicine.

It was enough for the good doctor,

that whatever the reason,

one of his people had been saved.

He didn't question. He accepted.

Doctor Angelo did not as yet have this understanding.

It puzzled and annoyed him to be unable to arrive

at a scientific explanation.

Well, he never did.

But his acceptance by the peasants as the young Dottore

did bring him around to his father's way of thinking.

The glamor of big city medicine gradually lost its power,

and he stayed with his father

to help what soon became their people.

Such actual happenings as this one,

on which tonight's story is based,

occur much too frequently to be passed off lightly.

Time and again in my research,

I've encountered reports of cases of this kind,

which have been thoroughly documented

by reliable authorities.

The explanation?

There is none.

At least, not one yet known to us.

(eerie music) (fire crackling)

Please join me again for another journey into the world

of the unexplainable that lies behind the Veil.

Good night.

(eerie music continues)

(dramatic music)