Original subtitles

- [Announcer] Welcome back

to "Elvira's 40th Anniversary Special."

It's scary, it's special,

and it's all now.

And you're watching it.

Come along with Elvira as she takes you

on a little road trip to "The City of the Dead."

- Oh, hi darling.

I'm on the road with Desmond, who's being a real bonehead.

Pun intended. If that was a pun, hmm.

Can name calling be a pun?

In case you didn't know,

the exterior of the house on haunted hill is a real house

in east Hollywood.

It's super creepy and awesome.

And it was designed by the famous American architect

Frank Lloyd Wright,

who I just learned was not one of the Wright brothers.

Anyway, it's in quite a few movies

and I was over there one day and, true story,

the gate was open and you know what they say?

An open gate is like a stupid man with money.

So I walk in and who's standing in the driveway,

but the king of creep himself, Christopher Lee.

So they were shooting and howling too.

And he was such a mench just right up until

the time I tore his shirt

and the police were physically removing me from his body.

But I only bring this up because he's in the next special

movie in my movie special.

Film has everything, witches, warlocks, college kids,

professors, a beautiful blonde,

a blind cleric, devil worship, weird dancing, 13 o'clock,

whatever that is.

And more fog than in the movie "The Fog"

and "The Fog" remake put together.

From 1960, it's "The City of the Dead."

(dark dynamic music)

(singing in a foreign language)

(ominous drumming music)

(crowd chattering)

- Bring out Elizabeth Selwyn.

(crowd shouting)

- Bring out the witch!

Bring out the witch.

- [Woman] Bring her out.

- Sssss.

- Witch!

(crowd shouting) - Burn her!

Burn her!

Burn her!

Burn her!

Burn her!

Burn her, burn her.

(thunder cracking)

- Burn the witch.

(crowd shouting)

- Jethrow, Jethrow,

Jethrow, Jethrow!

- Jethrow Keane, hast thou consorted

with the witch Elizabeth Selwyn?

- No.

- Burn the witch!

(crowd shouting)

- Please no!

No.

Please.

No!

Oh, no, no, no, no. (crowd shouting)

- Help her, oh Lucifer, help her!

- Elizabeth Selwyn, (drum roll music)

on this third day of March,

in the year of our Lord 1692,

we the people of Whitewood, Massachusetts,

condemn thee as a witch.

May the flames cleanse thy soul of its evil,

of its lust for blood that made thee

bring about the death of Abigail Adams.

(screams) (crowd shouting)

- Oh!

- Help her, oh Lucifer, help her!

(thunder cracking)

- I have made my pact with thee, oh Lucifer.

Hear me, hear me.

I will do thy bidding for all eternity.

For all eternity shall I practice the ritual

of Black Mass.

For all eternity shall I sacrifice unto thee.

And I give thee my soul.

Take me into thy service.

- Oh, Lucifer, listen to thy servant.

Grant her this pact for all eternity and I with her.

And if we fail thee but once,

you may do with our souls what you will.

- Make this city an example of thy vengeance.

Curse it, curse it for all eternity.

- A curse. - And let me

be the instrument of thy curse.

Hear me, oh Lucifer, hear me!

- She's making a curse. (thunder cracking)

- Curse?

- A Curse?

- [Crowd] A curse, a curse.

- Burn her! - Burn witch,

burn, burn witch, burn!

Burn witch, burn, burn, burn, burn!

Burn witch!

Burn witch, burn!

Burn witch!

Burn witch, burn witch!

Burn, witch, burn witch, burn witch,

burn witch, burn witch,

burn witch, burn witch, (Abigail laughing evilly)

burn witch, burn witch

burn witch, burn witch.

- Burn witch burn witch, burn, burn, burn!

So shouted the people of Whitewood

when they burned Elizabeth Selwyn in 1692.

Though, as I've said, little is known today

of the actual practice of witchcraft

in 17th century New England,

superstition, fear and jealousy drove the Puritans

to accuse their friends and relatives

of consorting with the devil.

Parading around huge bonfires,

repeating vindictive chants

they consigned the poor creatures to the flames.

The tortured souls cried out in agony

as the flames mounted higher and higher!

Burn witch, burn witch!

Burn, burn, burn!

- Dig that crazy beat.

- Shh!

- That will be all for today.

Tomorrow will be my concluding lecture

on the history of witchcraft

in 17th century New England.

I shall bring along some illustrations

which I'm sure will interest you all.

- I'll bring the matches.

(students laughing)

- Maitland!

Since you chose to attend these lectures,

I had hoped that it was in a spirit

of scientific curiosity about the subject.

That'll be all.

(students chattering)

- Bill, how could you?

- He takes it all so darn serious.

He's got you all hypnotized.

- Oh, Miss Barlow.

- [Nan] Yes, Professor.

- Can I see you for a moment, please?

- [Nan] Yes.

- What about our date?

- I'll meet you. - Look, um,

I'll wait for you outside, huh.

- [Nan] Yes, Professor?

- Rather a difficult young man that.

I fear that you are more of an attraction to him

than my poor efforts.

However, I've been reading

through your papers, Miss Barlow.

They show a very sound appreciation of the subject.

- I want to go to New England to do my senior paper.

- Mmm hmm, you're really quite good, you know.

Well, I'm not quite satisfied. (clock ringing)

I feel I need some first-hand research.

I wanna get the atmosphere,

find out how widespread witchcraft really was,

what the witches were really like.

- That might take a little time, you know.

- Well, I have the time.

My brother and I were gonna spend our vacation

with our cousins.

What I'd really like to do is to get a room

in the smallest, oldest town in New England

I can find, check through all the Town Hall records,

re-check the libraries,

talk to the Puritan descendants,

make a really thorough investigation.

- Your brother is Professor of Science, Miss Barlow.

I hardly think he'd be very interested

in the history of witchcraft.

- Then, I'd go alone.

- You don't think he'd object to that?

- You leave Richard to me.

He's picking me up here for lunch.

- Hello, Bill.

- [Bill] Professor Barlow.

- Nan here?

- Yeah, she's in there with him.

Well, I don't like her getting mixed up

in this witchcraft business.

- Why not?

It's only part of a history course.

- Professor Barlow? - I wanna find out

how widespread

witchcraft really was. - Yeah?

- Before you go in there, could,

could I have a word with you?

- Why sure.

- Well, it's about Nan and me.

- Oh.

- If you're really serious about this,

I happen to know of a town in New England.

As a matter of fact, it's the identical place

where the events occurred that I mentioned

in today's lecture, Whitewood.

It's, uh, quite a small place.

It's a little bit off the beaten track,

so maybe these directions will help you.

- [Nan] Thank you.

- I think you might very well find

what you're looking for there.

I happen to know the woman

who owns the inn in Whitewood.

Her name is Newless, Mrs. Newless,

so you just tell her I sent you.

- Ravens Inn, Whitewood.

- What's Whitewood?

- Now Dick, don't be too upset but, uh,

I'm gonna change my plans for the vacation.

- Change your plans?

- Yes, I'm going to a place called Whitewood

for a week or so to do some research.

- Oh, are you?

And what about cousin Sue?

Why she's expecting you

for her birthday party on the 17th.

She'll never forgive you.

- I can still easily make it by then.

This is important.

My term paper's got to be good.

It could mean a scholarship.

- Nan, I've made all the arrangements.

- Come on, Dick, you'll have a good time without me.

My mind's made up, I'm going to Whitewood.

- But surely any good encyclopedia

will give you all the nonsense

you wanna know about witchcraft.

- Witchcraft is not nonsense, Barlow!

- I'm sorry, Driscoll, witchcraft, black magic, sorcery.

To me it's nothing but fairy tale mumbo-jumbo.

I'm a scientist Driscoll.

I believe what I can see,

what I can feel and touch.

- The basis of fairy tales is reality,

the basis of reality is fairy tales.

As a scientist, you should be

familiar with that quotation.

- Yeah, well I don't believe that somebody in Chicago,

can die of a heart attack because some woman in New Orleans

sticks a pin in a wax doll.

- Maybe you don't!

But practitioners of voodoo claim otherwise.

- Dick, you're just being difficult.

- No!

When I look into a microscope, Driscoll,

I see bacteria swimming, fighting, existing.

That's real.

These witches that were persecuted and burned

in the 17th century were real too,

but they weren't witches.

They were pitiful human beings,

victims of hysteria.

- There are many eminent scholars

who have documentary proof

about the actual practice of witchcraft.

- Yeah, but how effective was this practice?

Did any of these eminent scholars

ever meet a real practicing witch?

Did you ever meet a witch, Driscoll?

- Perhaps.

- Ah, come on, you're a historian.

No witch ever survived

the burning at the stake for all their pacts

with the devil.

- In 1692, Elizabeth Selwyn

went to the stake.

She was buried in a church yard in New England.

And yet three years later-

- Yeah?

- Three years later, a new wave of blood sacrifices

broke out in the village that had condemned her.

The daughters of the elders who had condemned her

were themselves found murdered with every last drop of blood

drained from their bodies.

And afterwards, people came forward to testify

that they had actually seen Elizabeth Selwyn.

- Oh, stop.

This would be more effective at midnight

with howling winds and crashing thunder

and even then it wouldn't frighten anyone.

- Dick!

I'm sorry, Professor Driscoll.

- That's all right, Miss Barlow.

He won't be the first person to have scoffed at the subject.

- Honey, when you get to um, where is it?

- Whitewood.

- Ah, yes, Whitewood.

Well, send me a picture postcard of a witch,

if possible, autographed.

Now, uh, let's have some lunch, huh?

- I'm sorry, I have a date.

(jazzy music)

(moving to ominous music)

(upbeat music) (patrons chattering)

- Nan, darling, I still don't see

why you have to go off to this Whitewood place.

Now, I thought we were gonna have some time together

during this vacation.

- You know I want to be with you,

it's just this is important.

- Look, what the heck can you find

that hasn't been found before?

- I don't know.

It's just that maybe, hidden in some attic,

or buried in some old antique shop

there's something that might

give a whole new outlook to the subject.

- Oh, what new outlook can there be?

- You're a science student, honey.

You know how important research is.

- But this isn't about anything real.

This is just superstitious people burning silly old women.

- But suppose the women weren't silly?

Suppose they really had a pact with the devil,

a pact that could have supernatural power?

- Oh, come on, what kind of power?

- I don't know.

(suspenseful music)

- Oh look, it's no use, Bill.

We've both tried our hardest to talk her out of going.

- Do you really think she will find anything worthwhile?

- Well, I think we have to respect

her desire to find something new even if we,

even if we don't agree with the subject.

- Agree with it?

I've never heard so much nonsense

as that guy Driscoll talks in all my life!

- Well, here I am, all packed.

- Oh, I suppose nothing I can say

will stop you from going, huh?

Yeah, well, I'll uh, I'll put this in the car.

(gentle music)

- [Bill] I still hoped you'd change your mind, Nan.

- Don't worry, darling.

I'll be back as quick as I can, and I'll write.

- Well, don't forget me altogether, huh?

- I won't.

Give Sue my love and don't forget

we have a date at her party.

- Goodbye, darling.

(upbeat music)

(brakes screeching)

(horn honking)

- Um, excuse me, can you help me?

I seem to be lost.

- Sure, if I can.

- I'm looking for the Wamport Road.

- Wamport Road? Hardly anyone uses that any more.

- Well, my friend gave me the directions, uh, take Road 28A,

turn on to the Wamport Road,

bear left at the fork through to Whitewood.

- Whitewood?

- Am I that far away?

- No ma'am, not far.

Not many God-fearing folks visit Whitewood nowadays.

If I were you I'd-

- Well if, if you'll excuse me, I'm in a hurry.

Which way is it?

- Well, follow this road about two miles.

You come to a fork. There'll be a sign, Wamport Road.

Turn left, keep straight, there'll be Whitewood.

- Thank you very much.

(suspenseful music)

Does that sign say Wamport Road?

- Wamport Road? Yes.

- Oh good, I was afraid I missed it.

- Is it, uh, Whitewood you seek?

- Yes.

- I too.

Uh, would I be imposing if-

- No, of course not, get in.

- [Jethrow] Thank you.

You'd think the highway commission

would do something about these roads.

Watch out, here comes another bump.

- What is your mission in Whitewood?

- Mission?

Well, I'm going there to do some research on witchcraft.

Professor Driscoll gave us some very interesting lectures

on the subject and I'm going there

to get some original source material.

Do you know Whitewood?

- I've known it for many years.

- Do you go there often?

- Fairly often.

- Oh, then you must know the Raven's Inn?

- I shall be resting there.

- Oh, so shall I.

Oh, my name's Nan Barlow.

My name is Jethrow Keane.

- Pleased to meet you.

- Pleased to meet you.

(somber music)

- It's just like a picture out of a history book.

I feel as though I were in the 17th century.

Why hasn't Whitewood been written about?

- It's off the beaten path.

Few tourists come here.

For Whitewood, time stands still.

- Look at that church.

Must have been beautiful.

What a shame they let it get so run down.

Straight on?

- [Jethrow] Yes, follow the road around.

- Ah, there it is! What a lovely old building.

17th century at least.

How picturesque can you get?

Right by the graveyard.

- Yes, it has not been used for more than 200 years.

- [Nan] Any witches buried there?

- There are indeed, all in a section

of unconsecrated ground. (scary music)

- Spooky isn't it?

Well, keep your fingers crossed for me, Mr. Keane.

I hope Mrs. Newless has that room.

(dramatic music)

(clock ticking) (fire crackling)

(dramatic music)

(bell ringing)

(gasps)

(Lottie mumbles)

- Oh, I didn't hear you come in.

Are you Mrs. Newless?

- Nnn.

- Oh, uh, I'm Nan Barlow.

I was told I might find a room here.

(Lottie mumbles)

I was recommended by a friend of mine, Professor Driscoll.

Perhaps you know him.

- That will be all, Lottie.

I'm sorry to keep you waiting.

Unfortunately, Lottie cannot talk.

I've often told her not to answer the bell.

- Oh, poor thing. Then you're Mrs. Newless?

- I am, may I help you?

- Yes, I'd like to have a room here for two weeks.

- The hotel is quite full.

Oh, the guests are never about at this time of the day.

- Well, I'm a student of Professor Driscoll's.

He told me if I mentioned his name, I'd have no trouble.

- Well, there is a room I could let you have.

It's just off the lobby.

- Oh, thank you.

Oh, Mrs. Newless, that plaque,

is it true that Elizabeth Selwyn

was really burned here for being a witch?

- She was.

- And do you believe she was a witch?

(suspenseful music)

- Come along. I'll show you to your room.

I hope you will be comfortable.

(dramatic music)

Yes, it is a nice room.

The previous occupants have always found it most agreeable.

Well, if there's anything you should need

just ring the bell for me at the desk.

- Thank you.

(humming)

Oh!

- It's been so many months,

I've counted the days to this holiday.

- So have the others.

It wasn't easy for some of my guests to get here.

Many had to travel vast distances.

- I was lucky.

The last few miles were enchanting.

(clock ticking)

Miss Barlow is very good company.

- You must be tired, Jethrow.

Your room is ready.

- And the festivities?

- I am prepared.

(door clacking)

- Oh, Mrs. Newless.

I thought I'd have a short look around town.

I won't be gone long.

- I think you'll find the church interesting.

Unfortunately it no longer has a congregation.

- He will be pleased.

(suspenseful music)

- I'm told this was once a house of worship.

- It is still a house of worship.

I am the reverend of this church.

As long as the breath of life is within me,

this house shall remain God's house.

- Must have been a beautiful building.

- To me, it is still beautiful.

- I'm sorry.

What a shame the people have let it fall into such a state.

- Strangers rarely come to Whitewood.

Who are you?

- I'm Nan Barlow.

I'm staying at the Raven's Inn.

- Why have you come to Whitewood?

- Well, because I'm interested in witchcraft.

- Young woman, leave Whitewood,

leave Whitewood tonight.

For 300 years, the devil has hovered over this city,

made it his own.

The people in it are his.

Evil has triumphed over good here.

Look at my church.

I have no parish.

No one worships here.

His is the power.

- What power?

- Leave Whitewood.

Leave Whitewood tonight!

I beg of you!

- [Nan] What power?

- Leave before it is too late!

(suspenseful music)

(door clattering)

- [Pat] Good evening.

- Good evening.

- Please excuse the mess. We haven't been open long.

- You have some very interesting things here.

- Yes, they belonged to my grandmother.

When she died, I came back to sort things out.

- Oh, I'm sorry, then you don't live here?

- No, my family have lived here for generations

but I've just been back a few weeks.

Would you like to have a look around?

- Thank you.

Oh, I didn't mean to frighten you when I came in.

It's just that all the people I've met here

have acted like I'm a person from another world.

- They don't see many strangers here.

- And I had the most, well,

unusual experience with the reverend.

He barred my way from the church.

And he talked to me about a curse.

And he warned me to leave Whitewood.

Can you explain that?

- No, I can't.

- Does he often act that way?

- He's my grandfather.

- Oh, I'm sorry.

- Oh, it's all right, it's happened before with strangers.

With the lack of parishioners and loss of his sight,

has made him bitter and suspicious.

- I'm afraid what with him and the town,

I, I was very scared.

When I saw your lights, I made a dash for them.

- I'm glad you did.

- Um, do you have any books or pamphlets on witchcraft?

You do don't you? A friend of mine-

- Well, we, we have a collection gathering dust,

but why on Earth would you be interested in,

oh, I'm sorry, it's really none of my business.

- No, that's all right.

I'm studying it in college and I've come here

to write my term paper.

- Well, just wait, I'll see what I can find.

That's Elizabeth Selwyn,

burned as a witch, March 3rd, 1692.

- Yes, I know, I saw the plaque in the lobby of the hotel.

- You're staying at the Raven's Inn?

- Yes, it was recommended to me

by a friend of mine, Professor Driscoll.

- Alan Driscoll?

- [Nan] Yes, do you know him?

- No, but my grandfather speaks of him.

His family come from here.

- [Nan] Oh, I didn't know that.

- Here, I think this will do for a start.

(church bells ringing)

What a lovely locket, may I see it?

- I believe it's quite old.

- Oh, it is! You're very lucky.

- I'm even more lucky to have found this,

A Treatise On Devil Worship In New England.

This must be a very rare book.

I'm afraid I couldn't afford to buy it.

- You can borrow it, if you like.

- Oh, could I? That would be wonderful!

I promise I'll bring it back in a few days.

- You're very welcome, Miss, uh?

Barlow, Nan Barlow.

- Nan Barlow.

- Thank you very much, good night.

Good night.

(singing in a foreign language)

- Mrs. Newless!

Mrs. Newless!

- Yes, Miss Barlow?

- [Nan] I, I've heard some strange noises in my room.

- Oh, possibly the water in the pipes.

This is a very old inn.

- No, it seemed to be coming from the cellar underneath.

- I hardly think so, Miss Barlow.

The cellars do not extend beneath your room.

- Then why is there a trap door in the floor?

- The ground was filled in many years ago

to strengthen the foundations of the building.

- But I'm sure I-

- Well, if you insist, I will come and see.

I don't hear anything.

- Well, just a few minutes ago...

Never mind, I'm sorry.

- You're welcome.

But you can see for yourself there is no ring

in the trap door because there is no reason to lift it.

There is nothing underneath but earth.

(suspenseful music)

(easy dance music)

(clock ticking)

(light knocking)

- Come in.

Oh, hello, Lottie, come in.

Oh, I don't need any more towels.

I haven't used mine and

they're quite clean.

- Lottie!

- I've told you before not to bother the guests.

Miss Barlow, I thought you might care to join the others.

- I will as soon as I finish my notes.

I'll put some clothes on and join them.

- A Treatise On Devil Worship In New England.

Well, do you find this interesting?

- Why, it's fascinating. The things I've learnt.

I bet you don't know the half of it.

And you live right here on a spot

where the witches were actually burnt.

Listen to this.

On Candlemas Eve, February 1st,

in the year 1692, a coven of witches,

a coven, that's 13, some men some women,

whose power came from the devil

gathered beneath the Raven's Inn

to perform a Black Mass in the honor of Lucifer.

The witch, Elizabeth Selwyn,

later to be burnt at the stake, marked a young girl

for sacrifice by obtaining an object of value

belonging to her with which to call her

and leaving in its place a dead bird

and a sprig of Woodbine.

The witches sacrificed her on the altar

and drank her blood at the hour of 13.

- What's the hour of 13?

- Well personally, I have never heard

a clock strike more than 12.

Now, how about joining the dancing?

- In a little while, I promise.

Oh, by the way, I seem to have misplaced my locket.

I remember having it in my room

and now it's disappeared.

- Oh, I'm sorry, I, I'll ask Lottie.

- Well, I'm, I'm not saying it was stolen,

it's just, I remember having it on the dresser

and now it's gone.

I would appreciate it.

- Of course. I'll look into it immediately.

(jazzy dance music)

Lottie, I have warned you too often

about annoying our guests.

If you disobey me again, I shall turn you out.

And if I turn you out,

there will be no place for you anywhere.

You do understand, Lottie, don't you?

(lively dance music)

(upbeat rhythmic music)

(fire crackling) (clock ticking)

Ah, Miss Barlow.

I'm afraid Lottie is nowhere to be found.

But I will inquire about your locket

first thing in the morning.

- Oh, thank you. Where is everybody?

- Most of the other guests have gone to services.

Services, on the 1st of February?

Candlemas Eve.

The night when the witches mock the rituals of the church.

- Are you all right, Miss Barlow?

- Yes, quite, thank you. Good night.

- Good night, Miss Barlow.

(gasps)

- Mrs. Newless!

Mrs. Newless, Mrs. Newless!

(fire crackling) (clock ticking)

(clock whirs) (gasps)

(clock chiming)

(sighs)

(clock ticking)

(singing in a foreign language)

(metal clanging)

(singing in a foreign language)

(ominous music)

(Elvira coughing)

- Hello, I can't begin to tell you what I've gone through.

It's been hell!

That's definitely a pun, right?

I had to pull over, at least I think I pulled over.

I haven't been able to actually see anything

for about a mile and a half.

And since we've gone on this road we've had

no signal whatsoever, no phone, no radio, no GPS lady.

So I'm walkin' to the Raven Inn, where I heard

they have a landline. (sighs)

But oh, what about you?

I keep forgetting about you, darling.

Are you loving this movie as much as I am?

So many twists and turns. Pun, right?

For me, one of the biggest surprises

was when Miss Barlow took off her robe.

Pretty fancy undies there.

I had no idea she was also working at the Diamond Horseshoe.

Probably some type of work study, scholarship program.

She's so industrious.

(sighs) Boy, was that scene integral to the plot.

Oh, got to go!

(eerie music)

(door creaking)

(screams)

- Quiet!

- Help!

No, no!

Ah!

Ah, no!

Let go of me!

Help!

No!

Let me go!

Ah, no!

Ah, take your hands off of me!

Let me go!

No!

No, no, ah, let go of me!

No! (screaming)

(clock chiming)

(coven chanting)

- Three, four,

five, six.

- Wait! - Seven.

- No, no, Mrs Newless, no! - Eight.

- No, no, no!

- I am Elizabeth Selwyn.

- No, no!

- 11.

- No! Let go of me, let go. - 12.

(screaming) 13.

- Yay!

* Happy Birthday to you

* Happy Birthday to you

* Happy Birthday, dear Suzie - Here you are.

* Happy Birthday to you

- (drowned out by cheering) serving it for me please.

- Take another paper?

- [Dick] Sure.

(guests chattering)

- My word.

Mmm, yummy.

Delicious.

- Dick, have you got any idea what's happened to Nan?

- I'm sure she'll show up.

She probably met a good looking he-witch

and is bringing him along to the party,

only their broomstick blew a gasket.

- It's not like Nan to be late for anything.

Aren't you a bit worried about her?

- Oh, she'll be here, I'm sure she'll make it.

(doorbell ringing)

Oh, that's probably her now.

- Well, you answer the door

and I'm going to put a record on for some dancing.

- All right.

(upbeat dance music)

- Hi, Dick. - Bill.

- Well, what's the matter? You were expecting somebody else?

- Why, yes, Nan. Look, come in, come in.

- Well, Nan, isn't she here yet?

We made a date to meet here

before she left for Whitewood.

- Well, she probably got held up.

Look, look, give me your coat, huh.

- Aw, Nan was never late for anything in her life.

- Relax, take it easy.

Join the party, she'll be here.

- Dick.

Dick, I haven't had a letter from Nan

in over two weeks now.

- She's probably been too busy working on her paper.

- No, no, there's something wrong, I know it.

Look, will you do something for me?

- Mmm hmm.

- Ring up Whitewood, will ya?

Ask 'em, ask 'em if she's left.

- You serious? - Yes, I am.

- Okay.

(phone dial clacking)

Hello, long distance,

I'd like to speak with a Miss Nan Barlow

at the Raven's Inn, Whitewood.

No, I, uh, I don't know the phone number.

- What, didn't she give you the phone number?

- Why no, but, uh, that's my sister.

They say there's no such place as the Raven's Inn.

- But that's crazy, she's staying there.

(phone dial clacking)

Get me the police!

(suspenseful music)

- She left in such a hurry, she must have forgotten

to return it to you, Miss Russell.

- She seemed such a nice girl, too.

Wouldn't have thought she was the sort

who would forget to return a book.

- We cannot always judge by our first impressions, can we?

- I'm not usually wrong about the people I lend my books to.

- Well, perhaps you'll be more careful in future.

- Thank you for letting me have it.

- Remember me to your grandfather.

(metal clattering)

- Lottie!

Get out of the way, you clumsy creature.

- Can I help you?

- Yes, we're from the Sheriff's Office.

We had a call this evening.

A missing person's report

on some college kid named Nan Barlow.

The party calling said that her last known whereabouts

was the Raven's Inn.

- Nan Barlow, that's strange. Yes, I met her.

- When did you last see her? - Oh, about two weeks ago.

She came to my shop and borrowed this book.

It's quite valuable and so not hearing from her,

I decided to come and get it.

Mrs. Newless had it.

- May I? - Yes.

- A Treatise On Devil Worship?

I must put this in the report.

Peculiar things some of these college kids do nowadays.

Well, thanks for your help. Come on Charlie.

(phone ringing)

- Hello.

Yeah.

It's the police.

Yeah.

Okay, thanks.

Thank you.

- Well?

- The police sent a car out to the Raven's Inn.

Nan checked out two weeks ago.

- I don't get it.

- Well, neither do I.

Look, these are Nan's books and papers.

Go through them, see if you can find anything

which might give us a lead.

I'm going to pay a visit to a colleague of mine.

(suspenseful music)

(dove cooing)

- Oh, lord of light, accept this sacrifice.

(dove cooing)

(knife thudding)

(doorbell buzzing)

(doorbell buzzing)

(doorbell buzzing)

Why, Barlow. - May I come in?

- Well, yes, of course, please do.

Can I take your coat?

- I tried to phone you last night,

but I guess you weren't in.

- No, uh, no, I wasn't.

Would you care to go in the study?

Sit yourself down.

- Thanks.

- Will you take a drink?

- Rye and soda.

- Ice?

- Please.

- So, what's on your mind?

- Nan's missing and she has been

since the day after she arrived at Whitewood.

- Really, you quite sure?

- That's what the police said.

- What are they doing about it?

- Carrying out a routine check.

I, I don't suppose they can do much more

until they've got something definite to go on.

I would have thought there was a very great deal

more that they could do.

- What?

As far as they're concerned, she disappeared two weeks ago

and no one in the village seems to know anything about it.

- What have you come see me for?

- I thought you might have some ideas.

Why did you send her to Whitewood?

- Because it was the best place for her research.

- And you suggested she stay at the Raven's Inn.

- Sure, it's the only inn there is.

- With an unlisted phone number?

- The inn has it's own clientele, Barlow.

It doesn't need to advertise.

- How do you know it so well?

- Because I was born in Whitewood.

- I see.

And you'd have every reason to believe

she'd be perfectly safe in going there.

- I have no reason to suppose that she wouldn't be.

Nan struck me as being perfectly capable

of taking care of herself.

- I grant you that, but why hasn't she come back

or let us know?

- Look, Barlow, I can understand your anxiety,

but I'm quite sure there's nothing for you to worry about,

nothing at all.

She's probably got absorbed in subjects

and gone off some place.

I wish that all my class had her application.

- Yeah, well I'm going to find out

where this application led her.

I'm going to retrace every step Nan took.

I'm either gonna find Nan or know what happened to her.

(suspenseful music)

(dramatic music)

- I can't stop you from going.

- [Dick] No.

- You're not afraid?

- Afraid, why?

- Well, if anything did happen to your sister

and somebody else went along to try and find out about it-

- Same thing might happen to them?

- Possible.

- You seem to think something happened to my sister then?

- No, I just think you're jumping to conclusions, Barlow.

- Maybe, but I shall find her. (doorbell buzzing)

- Professor Driscoll?

- [Alan] Yes.

- I don't like to disturb you, but may I see you?

- Well, of course, please come in.

Good luck in Whitewood. - Thanks.

- I'm sorry, but did you say he was going to Whitewood?

- Yes, he is.

- Silly to be surprised but, uh,

I've just come from Whitewood.

- Really? Quite a coincidence.

My own family happens to come from Whitewood.

As a matter of fact, I was born there.

- Yes, I know.

- Please sit down.

- Thank you.

- Do you care for a drink?

- [Pat] No, thank you.

I think you know my grandfather, the Reverend Russell.

- Russell? Why, yes, of course I do.

How long have you been living in Whitewood?

- Since my grandmother died a few weeks ago.

- Oh, I'm sorry.

Well now, how can I help you?

- I've come about a pupil of yours, Barlow, Nan Barlow.

- Yes.

- She came to Whitewood two weeks ago.

I met her and liked her and she told me

that she was a student in one of your classes,

that you recommended that she stay at the Raven's Inn.

- That's quite right, I did.

- Well, that's what I've come to see you about.

On the day after she arrived she disappeared.

- Oh?

- Later the police came asking questions.

Her family were worried.

I thought you might have their address.

- And why do you want her family's address?

- Because I have something of hers I want to return.

- Well, you just leave it with me

and I'll make sure they get it safely.

- Well, I don't want to trouble you,

if you'd just give me their address.

- As you wish.

Her address is Dorchester Street.

225. She lives with her brother.

As a matter of fact, he's a colleague of mine.

You just met him.

He was leaving when you arrived.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a lot of work to do,

I'm rather a busy man at the moment.

- Of course, thank you for your help.

- Not at all, I hope it achieves something.

Well, you will remember me to your grandfather, won't you?

- Yes, of course. Goodbye.

- Goodbye, Miss Russell.

(suspenseful music)

- Yep, that's Nan's locket all right.

- As far as I know, it's unique.

I gave it to her. Where did you get it?

- The servant at the inn gave it to me.

It was strange.

I don't think she wanted Mrs. Newless to know I had it.

- Mrs. Newless?

- [Pat] She runs the inn.

- Well, why did you come here, Miss, Miss Russell?

- I found this.

- It's Professor Driscoll's note paper.

- I found it in the pages of a book I lent your sister

on her first evening in Whitewood.

When she didn't return it, I went to the hotel.

- What was the book?

- An old book, book about witchcraft.

- Do you believe in it, Miss Russell?

- I don't know. Sometimes I almost think I live with it.

- Live with it?

- It's an obsession of my grandfather's.

Up till now, I didn't take him very seriously.

He's an old man.

But now I'm beginning to wonder if what he says isn't true.

- What does he say?

- That there's something evil about the village.

That on certain nights, the inhabitants leave the streets,

close their doors, and stay behind them.

That on these nights, the dead come to life.

- Nights like Candlemas Eve?

- What do you know about Candlemas Eve?

- It's in one of Nan's books.

(suspenseful music)

- I don't believe it!

Things like this don't happen today.

- In Whitewood, I wonder.

I'm going to Whitewood tomorrow, after classes.

I can give you a lift.

- Thank you, but I must get back.

I can't leave my grandfather alone. He's blind.

- May I come and see you when I arrive?

I'd, uh, I'd like to have a talk with him.

- [Pat] Please do. It's the house next to the church.

Goodbye.

- Goodbye.

- I'll see you to the door.

(tense music)

- Would you be going to Whitewood?

- Yes.

- Would you take me along with you?

It's a dark night for walking.

You're the Reverend Russell's granddaughter, aren't you?

- Yes, how did you know?

- I know a great deal about Whitewood.

- Have you ever been there?

- Now and then.

- I've never seen you.

- To see me is a special privilege.

It's reserved for a chosen few.

- (chuckles) What does that mean?

- We'll soon be at Whitewood now.

(brakes squeaking)

- This is as far as I go, you will...

(dramatic music)

- She's pretty too.

- Yes, she is, very pretty.

A living descendant of those who were cursed.

It somehow seems to make it better.

(clock chiming)

- Another day.

- And tomorrow.

- The Witches Sabbath.

(suspenseful music)

(jazzy music)

- Which way to Wamport Road?

- Straight ahead.

Fork in the road, you see a sign, turn left.

You headin' for Whitewood?

- I am. Many people head this way?

- Not many.

- Is this the only way in and out of the town?

- In this direction, yup.

- You wouldn't remember by any chance,

a pretty girl in a convertible about a month ago?

- The Barlow girl.

Read about her in the papers.

Never seen her again. Told the police.

- Thanks.

- Owner, could you tell me the way to Whitewood, please?

- Another one!

Straight ahead, fork in the road,

you see a sign, Wamport Road, turn left, takes you right in.

- Why, thanks.

- Let me warn you, young fella,

they don't like strangers in Whitewood.

- Okay, fine, thanks very much.

(Elizabeth laughing)

(tires screeching)

(Bill screams)

(glass shattering) (dramatic music)

(fire crackling) (eerie music)

(clock ticking)

- Good evening.

- Good evening.

- I'd like a room, please.

- The inn is closing.

- I'll only be here a few days.

- But the inn is closing.

- When? - In two days.

- Well, if you don't mind, I'd like to stay until then.

- If you insist.

- Could I, could I have the, uh, the same room,

my, my sister had?

Still available, isn't it?

- [Elizabeth] Yes, it's available.

- Mrs. Newless, you told the police

that my sister checked out.

- You are mistaken, Mr. Barlow.

I told them that on the morning of February 2nd

I went to her room and found it empty,

her bed not slept in, her luggage and car gone,

and her bill unpaid.

- Well, you can put the charges on mine.

When was the last time you saw her?

- On the evening of February 1st.

It was shortly before midnight.

She'd been in the lobby here dancing

with some of the guests.

She seemed to be enjoying herself.

- Did any particular guest pay special attention to her?

- Not that I noticed.

Your sister kept very much to herself.

- Do you know why she came to Whitewood?

- It is not my habit to inquire

into people's private business.

- Would the fact that she was investigating witchcraft

have antagonized anyone in the village?

- Hardly. There have been other students here you know.

Besides, your sister was a very agreeable

and likable young woman.

- Have you any idea of where she might have gone?

- None.

- Thank you. Now, may I see the room?

- As you wish.

It is this way.

(suspenseful music)

If you should need anything and I am not at the desk,

you have only to ring the bell.

- Thank you.

(suspenseful music)

- Hello.

- I'm so glad you've come.

I saw your car outside the Raven's Inn earlier.

I wondered what had happened to you.

- I've been talking with Mrs. Newless

and then I took a walk around the village.

- Find out anything?

- Everyone here seems to be afraid of something.

- Then you don't think it's just my imagination?

- I don't know.

Who's to say where imagination ends and truth begins.

It's nothing tangible.

It's just they way they look at you.

- I felt it, too.

- May I see the book that Nan borrowed?

- Yes, I put a marker between the pages

where she must have stopped reading.

Just sit down and I'll tell my grandfather you're here.

- Thank you.

(suspenseful music)

(moving to dramatic music)

- I warned you, Lottie.

(Lottie shouting and gagging)

(cane tapping)

- Grandfather, this is Mr. Barlow.

- How do you do, sir?

- God be with you.

- Shall we sit where we'll be more comfortable?

Here's your chair, Grandfather.

You must be tired.

- I am, really tired.

I have little strength left these days for the fight.

- Won't you sit down? I'll make some coffee.

- The fight against what, Mr. Russell?

- Against the evil that besets this village.

The people are creatures of the devil.

They know no other god.

- You mean they worship Satan here, today?

- Satanism was never stronger than at the present time.

For 200 years, the people of Whitewood

have carried out rituals that mock the Church's teaching.

- I find it very hard to believe, sir.

- Do not doubt, my son.

It is real enough.

For years I struggled against the witches.

Their master took away my sight.

- Seems incredible.

- I have tried to convince others.

They, too, found it unbelievable.

But I know these people have a pact with the devil,

to worship him and do his works.

In return, he gives them eternal life.

- Eternal life? - Aye.

And to seal this bargain, they must sacrifice

a young girl on two nights of the year.

- When are these nights, sir?

- Candlemas Eve and the Witches' Sabbath.

- Candlemas Eve, that's February the first.

And when is the Witches Sabbath?

- Tonight.

- Now you know why I came to see you.

I had no idea it was so late.

May I, may I have a rain check on the coffee?

I'd like to have a few words with Mrs. Newless again.

- Of course.

- Good night, sir.

- Good night.

- I'll see you to the door.

- God be with us.

- Oh, Miss Russell, do you think that Nan's disappearance

is connected in some way

with these, uh, witch's ceremonies?

- Yes.

- Well, I'd, uh, I'd like to come back later, if I may?

- Please do.

And my name is Pat.

- Mine's Richard.

- I think I feel better now you're here.

- Well, I'm, I'm gonna stay

until I find out what's happened to Nan.

- Take care.

(somber music)

Now drink your coffee before it gets cold.

- You must not see that young man again tonight.

- Why not?

- The devil comes in many disguises.

- I'll get you a spoon.

Grandfather, there's a bird in the drawer.

It's got an arrow through it. (moving to dramatic music)

- Go and look on the front door!

- It's a sprig of Woodbine.

- Shut the door!

Shut the door quickly!

- Grandfather, what does it mean?

- Now listen, my darling.

This is their sign, the witches' sign.

- What can we do?

- We must leave here. Leave here immediately!

- I'll start the car.

(engine cranking)

Something's wrong.

They've wrecked the car.

- Barlow, phone Barlow!

- Hello, hello?

Hello, I want the Raven's Inn.

(phone ringing)

- Yes, Mrs. Newless.

Mr. Barlow?

- Is that for me?

- Yes.

- Hello.

- Dick, Dick, I'm in terrible danger!

We've got to leave Whitewood at once!

- Danger, but from what?

- [Pat] We've got to leave.

(screams)

- Pat! - Please help me!

Patricia! (dial tone buzzing)

Pat!

(laughs evilly)

(loud pounding)

Patricia!

Pat!

(fast suspenseful music)

Pat!

Patricia!

Mr. Russell, are you there?

(gonging music)

Where is she?

What's happened, Mr. Russell?

- The witches!

- The witches have Patricia!

Destroy them!

- Mr. Russell, how?

- The shadow of the cross.

Use the cross!

I abjure thee, oh creatures of salt

by the living God!

(dramatic drumming music)

- Mr. Russell!

(dramatic music)

Maitland!

Maitland, what's happened?

- I, uh...

(suspenseful music)

(thunder cracking)

(thunder cracking)

(gate squeaking)

- Pat! Patricia!

(thunder cracking)

Hello, hello operator?

(singing in a foreign language)

(clock ticking)

(door creaking)

(door rumbling)

(singing in a foreign language)

(necklace clattering)

(chains clanking)

(water dripping)

Darn!

(gasps)

(door creaking)

Pat!

- We've been waiting for you.

- Dick, these are the dead who killed Nan!

- [Alan] Barlow.

(Pat screams)

(gun firing)

- [Pat] Please help me!

(dramatic music)

- [Dick] Come on, Pat, quick.

- [Pat] The old gray!

Dick!

(dramatic music)

Dick!

(singing in a foreign language)

(screams)

No!

- Pat!

- Dick!

(Bill grunts)

(thunder cracking)

(dramatic music)

(singing in a foreign language)

(Pat crying)

- Maitland!

Get to a cross, a cross!

The shadow of a cross!

(thunder cracking)

Ugh!

(Pat screams)

- Bill!

(bell tolling)

(singing in a foreign language)

(dramatic music)

- Dick, Dick, he's moving!

- Bill, lift the cross!

- Quick!

(Pat screaming)

(thunder cracking) - Witches of Salt,

I abjure thee by the living God.

(fire whooshing)

(witch screaming)

- Back from the cross!

- Come nearer, Bill!

Get the shadow on them!

- It comes nearer!

- Dare not fail!

We must finish the sacrifice.

(bell tolling) (Pat screaming)

- Dick! - Pat!

- Wait!

Wait for the hour of 13.

(witch screaming)

(bell tolling) (witches screaming)

- Pat, are you all right?

- Think so.

(thunder cracking)

- Bill!

(Bill grunting)

- I've got a score to settle with Mrs. Newless!

(dramatic music)

(suspenseful music)

(clock ticking)

You stay here.

(screams)

(gasps)

(thunder cracking) (dramatic music)

(singing in a foreign language)

- Oh, it was no use, I couldn't see,

and so Desmond came and picked me up and now he's giving me

the silent treatment because we didn't stop for coffee.

Skeletons. Can't live with them.

Can't grind them up for bone meal.

At least the CD player's working.

Wasn't a soundtrack for "City of the Dead"

like way cool, Daddio?

Hey, here's a fun fact about Christopher Lee.

He wasn't just a great actor.

He was also a popular singer in the UK.

In fact, his number one album, "I Could Just Kill You"

came out right after this movie and it was huge.

Remember in the first scene when he did that subtle burn,

which burn wrapped for the students.

Well, that led to his biggest hit Burn, Witch, Burn.

And if you don't remember it since my crowd is either

embryos who don't know anything or senior citizens who don't

remember anything, what was I saying?

Oh, oh yeah.

Lucky for you. I know it by heart.

(upbeat music)

* Burn, Witch, burn, Witch, burn, burn, burn *

* Burn, Witch, burn, Witch, burn, burn, burn *

* Burn, Witch, burn, Witch, burn, burn, burn *

* Listen to the teacher, baby, learn, Witch, learn *

* Burn, Witch, burn, Witch, burn, burn, burn *

* I'll take you to the underworld of doom and gloom *

* Burn, Witch, burn, Witch, burn, burn, burn *

* 'Cause there is no escapin' once you're on my broom *

* Burn, burn, burn Witch, burn, burn, burn *

* Zoom zoom baby, now you're ready to burn *

* Burn, Witch, burn, Witch, burn *

* Gloom meets your body, baby Witch now you're ready to burn *

* Burn, Witch, burn, Witch, burn *

* She's gettin' burned

* Burn, Witch, burn baby, burn burn burn *

* Burn, Witch, burn, Witch, burn *

* She's gettin' burned

(tires squealing)

- [Announcer] Don't go away, baby.

Elvira will be back with "Messiah of Evil"

faster than you could put out a burning witch.