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GER-1936-Douglas Sirk-La Neuvième symphonie-Schlussakkord

SCREENPLAY BY:

CINEMATOGRAPHY: ROBERT BABERSKE

SET DESIGN: ERICH KETTELHUT

MUSIC SUPERVISOR AND COMPOSER:

PRODUCED BY:

CAST:

GARVENBERG, MUSIC DIRECTOR... WILLY BIRGEL

CHARLOTTE, HIS WIFE... LIL DAGOVER

HANNA... MARIA von TASNADY.

FREESE, THE HOUSEKEEPER... MARIA KOPPENHOFER

PROFESSOR OBEREIT... THEODOR LOOS

LITTLE PETER... PETER BOSSE

GREGOR CARL-OTTO... ALBERT LIPPERT

BARON SALVIANY... KURT MEISEL

MRS. CZERWONSKA... HELLA GRAF

PRESIDING JUDGE... ERICH PONTO

PROSECUTOR... PAUL OTTO

MR. SMITH... ALEXANDER ENGEL

DR. SMEDLEY... WALTER WERNER

HEAD NURSE... EVA TINSCHMANN

THE ORCHESTRA OF THE BERLIN STAATSOPER

BERLIN SOLOIST ASSOCIATION

SOLOISTS:

DIRECTED BY:

RECORDED ON:

Hello!

Hello!

Cigarette?

Do you have a match... for an honest old businessman?

Do you?

You don't feel well, I guess.

Cheer up!

Just wait. In the new year...

Help!

Stop!

Have you gone insane?

Have you seen a policeman around here?

Over there...

In the park.

On the bench.

There he is.

It's true.

- Suicide? - On New Year's Eve.

I wanted to wish you a happy New Year

Mrs. Burns.

And I wanted to ask

whether your husband was back yet.

Oh, Mr. Smith

I've been waiting for three days.

I can't stand it anymore.

I can't stand it anymore!

Didn't I tell you...

Please, just stop it.

- Are you a relative of John Burns? - No.

My name is Smith. Washington Smith. Choral singer.

But this is his wife.

So, Mrs. Burns

I have to tell you...

We have...

Your husband...

- My husband? - Yes.

We found your husband in Central Park.

Dead?

I have a question for you.

Excuse me.

Did this gun belong to the deceased?

Yes.

A European model.

Are you a foreign national, Mrs. Burns?

Yes. I'm German.

- And your husband? - Him too.

But Burns is an English name.

His name was Miller.

Christian Muller.

My husband, he...

He embezzled money.

We had to leave Germany at a day's notice.

I wasn't even able to take

my child.

Have a seat. Always so hasty.

People are always rushing.

- Just one moment, please. - I can wait.

It was, of course, in the other bag.

- You see? - Here are his papers.

Let me have a look.

Those are, of course, not the real parents.

- Poor little guy. - They spent all the welfare on booze.

Unbelievable.

I don't know why people love alcohol so much.

- Right? - It has no taste and makes you hot.

-If you could see the misery that I... - I know.

- What's your name, little boy? - Well?

I am asking for your name, boy!

Goodness. Such a shy child.

He has been completely neglected.

Come on out, little boy. I mean well!

Look here!

Stop with that silly noise! It's no surprise the kid is all worked up.

Nurse, has the music director, Garvenberg, already...

Oh, well, what do we have here?

The child was brought in today, Professor.

The foster parents didn't take care of him.

- I'm afraid the boy is mentally ill. - Don't talk to me about psychology.

- Excuse me”? - I don't like it.

He just needs to be with other children. Then his mental constitution will be fine.

Come on. Why don't you tell me your name, young man?

Go ahead, you can tell Uncle Obereit your name.

- Peter. - Peter?

- And your last name? - Muller.

I see. So this is Peter Miller.

- And where are your parents? - 'Merica.

Golly! That's pretty far away.

I'd say it's about time for a bath.

And, Nurse, when the music director, Garvenberg, arrives,

let him know I'm upstairs in the office.

He wanted to pick me up right after rehearsal.

Gentlemen, one more time, from the fourth movement,

the presto before the recitative.

Please.

- Listen, up there! - The old guy is playing the flute.

Hey! “What?

It's Garvenberg.

- Good evening. - Good evening, nurses.

Good evening.

Good evening, my friend.

I'm glad you're here.

- We both sounded good. - Yes.

If I didn't know that hundreds of kids need you here, I'd go on tour with you.

What?

We'd find a third musician for our chamber group.

Nothing would tie us down. No obligations, no jobs, no women.

We'd do nothing else but travel the world and play Bach, Haydn and Mozart.

- And Schubert. - And Schubert.

- Yes? - Excuse me, Professor.

- What is it? - The little boy that came today.

Peter Muller. “We can't manage.

I'll be right over. You have to wait a second.

- Or just come along! - Yes.

Peter, be a good boy. You have to get some sleep.

So glad you're here, Professor.

I don't know what to do with the boy.

Well, what's bothering the little man? He doesn't want to go to sleep?

What in the world shall we do?

Look what I have here.

Blow on it.

Go ahead, blow on it. Like this.

It listens to me.

Let me try it.

- Shall we let him try it? - Yeah.

Well, well.

- You're pretty dumb. - What did you say?

He said you're dumb!

Yeah. Do you want to try? Come on, blow on it.

Yeah.

-Well, that is... -Who would believe...

The watch listens to him too?

I find that very surprising.

- It doesn't listen to anybody else. - I see.

- So cute, right? - Such silly men.

I guess I have to leave the watch with you.

But you have to go to sleep. Otherwise, it won't do it anymore.

- Did you hear what he said? - Yeah.

You would make a great nanny.

Stay with him until he's asleep.

Who is that little boy?

His parents abandoned him.

- Good night, Doctor. - Good night, Nurse.

And the foster mother almost let him starve to death.

- What are you thinking about? - Nothing.

Another fever.

Well. She doesn't want to eat, Doctor.

If a person doesn't want to get better, there's nothing a doctor can do.

I'll come by again tonight.

Would you come over to my place for a moment?

- If I can smoke a cigar, gladly. - But of course.

- Do you want one too? - I have to take care of my voice.

- Wow, you have a radio! - Yes, I borrowed it.

Because I wanted... I wanted...

No, that would bother Mrs. Burns.

What is it?

-Today, the whole world is listening... -No, don't exaggerate.

Not the whole world. What is playing?

Beethoven's Ninth. Garvenberg is conducting.

- Garvenberg? - Yes.

No idea who that is.

But classical music isn't so terrible.

- Really? May 1? - Of course.

You know, us modern doctors...

Broadcasting live from the Berlin Philharmonie,

the Ninth Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven...

FEBRUARY 16

8:00 P.M. - BEETHOVEN'S NINTH CONDUCTED BY ERICH GARVENBERG

This sign, just as all the other ones in the zodiac,

is neither jest nor superstition, but of great symbolic depth.

The image of the Gemini illustrates most wonderfully the wealth,

but also the dilemma, suffered by those born under this sign.

Allow me to summarize.

Experimental astrology is founded on a strictly scientific basis

and has nothing to do with magic.

I, for one, have no reason to fear the scrutiny of science.

I was able to document in writing, and even before the court,

that my circle serves research, progress and the truth.

Bravo!

And now a short break,

after which I will conduct an experiment in musical correspondence.

Most of you surely love music.

I will let you rediscover this art as something completely different,

specifically as a function of subliminal forces, as we, the experts, say.

- Bravo. - That's so interesting, Maestro.

- Where does he find these expressions? - Carl-Otto is a genius.

And you, dear Baron, are a mocker.

You were wonderful again, just

I have to leave. Remember, my husband's concert.

That's too bad. I will walk you out, madame.

Excuse me for just a moment, Mrs. Czerwonska.

You could be listening to music with me too.

But I understand. If he doesn't see you...

What a charming lady, this Mrs. Garvenberg.

Here, madame.

- Why are you so nervous? - My God, I'm in a rush.

By the way, to avoid any mix-up with the keys, I had some made for you.

- That's so sweet of you. - And... tomorrow?

Tomorrow

I don't know yet if I...

Not now.

Well, have fun... with Beethoven.

I am sorry, madame,

but once the concert begins, the doors remain closed.

- It's only just started! - I must ask you to be more quiet.

- You're disrupting the concert. - I don't need your lectures.

And if you're interested, I'm Mrs. Garvenberg.

- That was Garvenberg's wife. - Really?

Of course.

That's not good.

Stop it.

He turns every concert hall into a church.

A prima ballerina is more approachable than he is.

To just leave. Today!

Half of the world is listening to him, but his own wife is missing.

One would think Mother Freese is mad.

My dear!

Your own mother couldn't have lied for you as much as I've had to every day.

- Why were you even late? - I got held up.

Oh, yes? Held up? Look at me.

I'm guessing it was your Carl-Otto. Your husband can't know about him either.

You're crazy. What do you know about Carl-Otto?

I know everything about you, my dear,

from when you were a little girl and I had to pick you up at dance class.

I only had to look you in the eye.

Yes. And when you met Garvenberg, I told you he wasn't right for you.

But you had your mind made up.

Only because it flattered you to be married to someone famous.

- Is that so? - Yes.

I love him. Yes, I love him.

Whatever you call love.

- And I will never leave him. - No, no. And not the other one either.

- That's none of your business. - Of course it isn't.

I love him. And you know what, Freese?

Sometimes he's a stranger to me.

He only cares about Bach and Beethoven and whatever those other names are.

It's not my fault that I'm not very musical.

Don't cry. Just go. You'll make it in time for the finale.

Tell him it was wonderful. That will make him happy. For sure.

Oh, Freese. Shall 1?

Didn't you tell me your buffoon Carl-Otto said the 16th would be your unlucky day?

February 16.

Freese! Where is my coat?

Indeed, whoever can call even one soul.

His own on this earth!

- What is it, Mrs. Burns? - The Ninth.

Kisses she gave us, and wine!

And the cherub stands before God.

- What is that supposed to mean, Doctor? - No time to explain.

Come with me to Mrs. Burns.

You can listen to it there just as well.

Mrs. Burns, I'm bringing the radio to you.

But you have to lie down, all right?

- Did you hear this, Doctor? - What?

"And the cherub stands before God."

Yes, sure. But now please lie down, all right?

That way you can listen even better.

- Are you familiar with the music? - Yes.

I've heard it before. In Germany.

Doctor! I don't have to die, do I?

No, you will get better. But you must want to.

I want to.

I have to return to my child.

- Absolutely incredible. - Congratulations.

Excuse me. My wife.

- Good evening, dear. - What happened?

- My love, it was beautiful. - But...

-You know when I say that... - I didn't think you were here.

- How could you even think that? - But I didn't see you.

- Oh, because my seat was empty? - Yes.

- I sat in the back. - Excuse me, madame.

I just want to say I'm sorry.

Maestro, I wasn't able to let your wife inside...

- Don't worry about it. - because she arrived late.

- Thank you. You were just doing your job. - Excuse me.

Why do you always lie to me?

Maestro, please come. The audience is calling.

What is it?

He found me out. Now it's all over anyway.

Go to the music room and talk to him.

- May I come in? - Please.

Don't you want to talk to me at all anymore?

Why don't you have a seat.

-If you weren't always so polite with me... -I'm not polite. I'm tired.

Charlotte, I think we no longer get along.

My God, you're so fussy.

- Because of that little fib? - That too.

- And now you're mad. - Schoolgirls fib, women lie.

But that's not all.

Sometimes I think there are other things you're not telling me the truth about.

Other things?

I have a feeling there are things in your life that I don't know about.

Like what?

I don't know, but there is something. Something dark, Charlotte.

"Charlotte"! Don't call me Charlotte. Call me Charlie.

Charlie, wouldn't it be better to separate?

- Now you're chasing me away. - Then you'd have the freedom you need.

I don't need freedom.

I just need you!

Do you think it's so easy to live with you?

I know you're a great human being. You're a genius.

But I'm afraid of you. Afraid! This is suffocating me.

Because I just can't do it. I can't! I can't do it anymore.

Yes, I know I'm a worthless woman. I'm vain and ignorant, but I love you.

I love you so...

- Charlotte... Charlie. - See how you always treat me?

You can't love.

You're always so distant, with your music. And then the others just... come to me.

- What others? - Well... just people I know.

Oh, Erich, I'm always so awfully lonely.

And then the others... just come.

Charlie, maybe it would have all been different if we had had children.

Kids, is it yummy?

They like it. Do I get some?

- No. - No?

- See, I don't get anything. - Uncle Obereit should get something.

It's all right. They just don't treat me well.

But Peter Miller is getting a double serving.

- Nurse, how much does he weigh now? - Forty-one pounds.

Forty-one pounds! Goodness.

- Good morning! - Morning.

- Do you want to have breakfast with us? - Yes.

- No, no. - What's going on?

A lot. I have to talk to you.

I talked to her. I was being unfair to her.

No, no, it's my fault, maybe all of it. I have my music, but she...

Well, so I just thought... What if... we had a child?

You said his parents disappeared to America.

You really think Charlotte would like such a little troublemaker?

-First it will be fun, but then... -No, she really wants to.

Please let me have the boy. There they are, the little rascals!

Hello, Peter!

Yes, hi!

- Do you remember me, Peter? - Yes! You're the uncle with the watch.

Exactly.

But I don't have time. I want to go play!

See, Peter recognized me.

So early in the morning! Why don't you come in?

No, I just want to...

Excuse me, I want to tidy up a bit. The meeting last night went pretty long.

My apologies if it looks a little messy.

Oh, well. Break something, change your luck. Right?

But why are you just standing there?

Oh, I see.

May I introduce you? Mrs. Sperg from New York.

Widow of Mr. Sperg, the rich safety pin mogul who died last year of a fatty heart.

She wanted to ask his spirit if she may remarry. I did her the favor.

His spirit said yes. And to celebrate, she drank us all under the table.

She can't be moved.

But what is the matter?

You're making this easy for me.

- What is bothering you, my dear? - Don't touch me.

It's over.

Good-bye.

The lady of the house? She's still at her toilette.

Let her know we're here.

- I'll show you the fish! - Yes, the fish!

- See, that's our fish. - I love it!

- Freese! Freese. - Quiet. He's back already.

- Are they all made of silver? - Yes, of silver and gold.

Look at this fat one. His name is Peter, the same as yours.

- Why aren't they all fat? - They don't all eat as much.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is... hot dogs.

Hot dogs? That's great!

Hot dogs do taste excellent. Look, there is your new mom!

- That's him. - Oh, he's so cute!

You are an adorable little guy. What is your name? Can you tell me?

You forgot? Just wait. He'll tell us in a moment.

There.

"Miller's donkey. Miller's cow."

- Muller's... - Peter.

And that's you!

Wait, what's the matter?

- I think he doesn't like me. - Nonsense.

He's just a little shy, right?

I can't wait to see my boy again.

You'll get some use out of these pots and pans.

No, I can't accept them. Maybe you'll need them...

You still don't believe that it's possible to get to Europe without any money.

Miracles don't happen nowadays, right?

If there were no more miracles, who would be able to stand being alive?

You see, Dr. Smedley is responsible for this miracle.

I could hug him, I'm so happy.

Well, just go ahead, madame. But it was no miracle.

- How are you? - Thank you.

It's not that you're traveling for free.

There are always lots of children on the ship.

And you will make sure none of them go overboard.

Children...

And now you, madame.

Thank you. With this, the parental rights and obligations

will be transferred to you once the court confirms the agreement.

- Are you happy? - Yes, very much.

Daddy! Daddy, Daddy!

- Be a good boy. - I want Daddy!

Daddy is gone. Mommy can't come either. She has guests.

Is that what you really want?

I want nothing to do with him anymore.

But Carl-Otto is such a charming man.

Oh, yes, he's a charming man.

Choose something quiet. You know the child is sleeping.

- So how do you feel now, Mother? - Thank you, pretty good.

It's a bit of work, but the boy is just lovely.

But an adopted child, isn't that a little risky?

Why risky?

Because you don't know who the parents are.

Charlotte, the child is misbehaving again.

Wait, I'll come.

- Should I show you our little boy? - Yes, yes!

- I'll bring him downstairs. - What a lovely idea, madame.

What a fuss the Garvenbergs are making about this child!

Peter, downstairs, there are lots of nice uncles and aunties

that you'll say hello to, yeah?

- Charlotte! Carl-Otto is here. - Carl-Otto?

I took him to the music room. Don't just stand there, come!

He has to leave before your husband gets here. The opera ends any minute now.

Peter, go back to your room. Be a good boy. I'll be right back.

- Excuse the intrusion. - How dare you!

If you don't answer my letters, I have to come in person.

- You have to leave immediately. - Why so unwelcoming?

-My God, you know that... - I know what you think, but it's wrong.

You will not get rid of me. By the way, I am in an unpleasant position.

Several stupid things happened. I have to go abroad for a while.

- Unfortunately, I am lacking funds. - Where should I get money from, again?

You're going to abandon me? No.

The maestro is here.

-Am I getting... -The money? Tomorrow. If I can manage.

Freese!

- Freese! - Yes?

- Where is the boy? - In his room.

- What's going on? - The child's not in his room.

- Where is he? - You should know. You're the mother.

His door was open when I walked by.

- Don't upset the guests. - I don't care about the guests.

Mr. von Garvenberg, don't get so upset.

- What's going on? - The child has disappeared.

- My gosh! - Impossible.

Well, little Peter!

Well, little Peter! Well, who do we have here!

You little rascal.

They're looking everywhere for you,

from the attic down to the basement.

Peter!

There's the little runaway!

A male child has been found!

The concerned dad or the worried mom shall contact the band.

- The boy is here. The baron found him. - The baron?

Who are the people who have my boy?

Well, your sudden interest is strange.

First you take off to America, make no contact...

Because I wasn't allowed to.

I wrote a hundred times, tore up the letter every time.

I wasn't allowed to!

You know that my husband...

They were after him.

The money that he set aside for the boy was also seized by the police.

And one day

when I sent a letter to Germany through an intermediary,

the foster parents had moved away.

I wasn't able to find out where to.

Do you think I did that for myself? Separate myself from my own...

Where is he?

He's doing much better than he ever did with you.

Better... than with his mother?

What a naughty little boy.

- He was just afraid. Right, Peter? - Yes.

Please excuse me downstairs.

- But you are coming? - Of course. I have to call Obereit first.

- Daddy. - What?

- I want you to stay here. - Yes.

I cannot be denied my own child. I'm his mother!

According to Article 1765 of the Civil Code...

Article? What do I care?

All right. But your child adores his new father.

- My child? - Yes.

One moment, please.

Hello? No, he's not here.

The professor has gone out.

What?

It's you, Erich! What do you want? A caretaker for the child?

What about the nurse who always makes eyes at you?

Not her? Okay, then someone else. Let me think.

Yes. I might... have someone.

Yes, see you tomorrow. No, I'm busy during the day.

After the opera. I'll come backstage. Bye.

You wanted to know who adopted your child?

Yes.

Do you like music?

Because tomorrow, you will go to the opera with me.

- Here, at the opera? - Yes.

- The dancer? - No. Him.

Garvenberg?

-And who is... -You want to know who the mother is?

The mother? His wife.

- Are we alone? - Of course.

Here's the money. That's all I could get. Hopefully enough to cross the border.

Thanks. Are you happy that I'm getting out of here?

- I have to leave. - Oh, you have to leave.

- I know, you are always in a rush. - Leave me alone.

- I don't stand a chance with you. - Leave me alone. Please.

I don't want to lie to my husband anymore.

I see.

I didn't know that. You love your husband.

- Please understand. - Well, then.

Adieu.

Your glove, madame. Here.

You have to promise me something. Then I'll help you.

You can't tell anyone that you're Peter's biological mother.

- Is that possible? - Difficult.

Cigarette? No.

Don't worry. Nothing classical.

Are you leaving already?

Let it be.

I know you want to say "I hate you."

No, I just hate myself.

CONDUCTOR'S ROOM

I can absolutely vouch for her.

Okay, then. So be it.

Come on in.

Mr. Garvenberg would like to hire you to be the caretaker of his child.

- Yes, under one condition. - Condition?

I want you to meet the boy first. You have to like him, right?

- I'm sure I will. - And he must like you.

Why don't you take her with you? Her suitcase is at the hotel.

If you don't mind?

I'm going to Vienna tomorrow and would like to introduce you to my wife.

- The lady has gone to bed. - Mrs. Freese, that's Miss Muller.

She'll take care of Peter from now on. Please make up a room for her.

- Good evening, Mrs. Freese. - Good evening.

Come, I want you to see the boy.

Just take a look.

Quietly, he's sleeping.

Daddy, I'm not sleeping.

There you have it! He's not asleep yet.

Peter, do you know who this is?

No.

Little Peter. Pete.

Peter, you know what? The lady here...

What is your first name?

- Hanna. - So this is Hanna.

Remember that, because she'll be staying with us.

Hanna.

- Do you like her? - I like her tons.

And you like him too, of course.

That's good. I will bring this downstairs.

- I'll come back upstairs later. - Yes.

Peter, little Peter. Darling!

Finally I have you back! Oh, Peter.

Finally I have you back, my darling. Oh, Peter.

Don't you know me?

- Don't you know me? - No.

But you love me!

What are you doing here?

I... I'm here for the child.

- It's nice here, Peter, right? - Yes, but hot.

Don't look into the sun. Keep your eyes closed.

But, Hanna, it's getting dark.

A cloud is blocking the sun.

- I'm the cloud! - Dr. Obereit!

- Peter! - Did Daddy come too?

Of course. He's down by the water.

Daddy!

You two are pretty lazy.

Daddy, where are you?

- Hello! - Daddy!

How are you? Good, right? See, it was the best solution.

Yes, but... You probably think I'm very ungrateful.

Nonsense. What is it?

I can't keep going like this forever.

Why?

What am I here? Just a nanny who can get fired anytime.

Who would want that?

Not Mr. Garvenberg.

But?

The two women.

Queen of spades.

Next to the ten of hearts.

Big path, small path, up to the seven of clubs.

Well.

So spades is a woman, very close to him.

What about me?

You? Here. Queen of hearts, of course.

- So far away from him. - Let me take a look.

What do you see?

Rubbish.

- You saw something bad. - Nonsense.

I have to make tea. Martha is out today.

- Mrs. Czerwonska is coming for tea, right? - Freese?

- You just don't want to tell me. - There is nothing to tell.

It is what it is and... done.

Good evening, my dear theater director.

Come in, ladies and gentlemen! The show is about to start.

My dear, always staring in the mirror! The show may be sold out.

My God, that would be awful. Are there any seats for us?

- How much is it? - 3,000 cents.

- That's expensive. - Hanna is free.

Thank you so much, sir.

Where are our seats? It looks packed.

Here in the first row, please.

Next to Mr. Cock-a-doodle-doo? It's a pleasure.

- What are you presenting today? - Snow White and the Six Dwarfs.

- Six dwarfs? Not seven? - But I only have six.

The seventh is broken. We're starting now.

- But you have to clap. - Now?

That's stupid, Hanna! Later, when I tell you to.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?

You, my queen, are fair, it is true. But Snow White, beyond the mountains

with the six dwarfs, is still a thousand times fairer than you.

What is the old mirror saying?

Go fetch me the forest warden, Obereit, right away!

The huntsman is coming.

What's going on here?

Here I am, my queen.

You go straightaway to Snow White.

She is the one who is as white as snow,

as red as blood and as black as ebony wood.

Exactly, my dear huntsman. Now you go and make her dead.

Then you bring me her lung and kidney so I know it's true.

- Do you like it? - Wonderful.

It will continue in a moment.

- The boy has theater in his blood. - Where did he get that from?

From me, of course.

But you are not his biological father.

That's true. But you like him so much too, and you're not his real mother.

Miss Muller? You need to come downstairs. The police are here.

Yes?

I want to say good-bye to Erich. I'm sure he's in the boy's room.

Probably.

You are the wife of Christian Albert Miller?

A warrant for his arrest was issued for embezzlement.

The New York police informed us that your husband passed away on January 1.

Is that correct? Suicide, right?

Now comes the part where Snow White eats the poisonous apple.

Children's theater, how lovely. And all those stuffed animals.

I just wanted to say good-bye to you and the boy.

- Good-bye, Peter! - What is it now?

Lovely.

Do you know that your nanny is the wife of a convict?

- Daddy! - May I walk you downstairs?

But, Daddy, why are you running away?

She's going to spit the apple out. She's not really dead!

May I see the death certificate? Then they will close the case.

- May I mail it to you? - Of course.

Miss Hanna!

It's nothing bad, is it?

No, everything is fine.

Glad to hear.

- Good-bye. - Good-bye.

- Are you leaving already? - Yes, it's time to go to the opera.

And?

What are you talking about?

What are you planning to do in the matter of Mrs. Muller?

I'm planning on being particularly nice to her.

Peter, is the show over?

-Well, if you are all running off... -But I'm back now.

What exactly is a convict?

A convict?

Auntie Czerwonska said you're the wife of a convict.

Mrs. Miller?

Yes, madame?

I'm bringing the boy to bed myself. You are off tonight.

Drops of hemlock Sweet and deadly.

Mix together with the wine To kill thee.

Poison and fragrance.

Entwine.

And in the spirit of the wine.

Dance the spirits of death.

While she who is ill.

Yet hopes for love.

Take this drink, my child.

Good night.

Well, well, where are you coming from?

- Good evening, Mr. Garvenberg. - Good evening.

Charlotte, come look.

- Did you go for a walk?? - I was at the opera.

- Tonight? - Yes.

But I can get you free tickets.

Please don't laugh at me. Once, it almost saved my life.

- What, you mean music? - Yes. It was in New York.

- I heard Beethoven's Ninth on the radio. - Oh, the Ninth.

I was very sick at the time. And the music gave me the will to live.

I understand.

It's the most beautiful thing I can think of.

You know the part... In the third movement.

The adagio?

Yes, that's the part I was talking about.

As if you were sitting in an ancient, overgrown garden.

After a thunderstorm.

You can see far, far out into the countryside.

Raindrops are falling from the leaves.

And it smells so good.

Of summer rain and tree sap.

And of wet wood.

It's beautiful, how you said that.

I remember it exactly.

It was February 16 when I heard the Ninth from Berlin.

On February 16? I was conducting it here at the Philharmonie.

You?

So we've known each other for a while.

That is... uncanny.

Charlotte.

- Charlie! - What's the matter?

Charlotte. Charlotte!

I knew it.

I knew it.

I knew it.

It's Garvenberg.

Excuse me for calling so late. It's very important.

A family member has fallen ill.

We have to cancel tomorrow's concert.

Please call Copenhagen immediately.

Yes, here at home, anytime.

Good. I'll be expecting your call.

Mr. Garvenberg? Why did you cancel?

Not because of me?

Then I can't stay here.

Only...

- The boy. - No, no.

If anyone has earned a right to the child, then it's you.

Please excuse me.

Garvenberg residence.

Mr. Garvenberg?

No, he's not available right now.

Can I take a message?

Yes, I'll write it down. Go ahead, please.

Concert... sold out... for weeks.

Royal family... in attendance.

A cancellation... is therefore

impossible.

This will be an opportunity.

By the way, it's not the worst that she canceled. Now I get to be home.

I love Pagliacci. "So beautiful the dance"...

Have a pleasant trip.

Mr. Garvenberg! I have to talk to someone.

Mr. Garvenberg!

What do you need?

I have to tell you something that you don't know.

And it might change everything.

You mean the matter about your husband? But, Hanna, who do you think I am?

Good-bye. I really have to go.

I have to tell you something!

I'll be back tomorrow!

I'm Peter's mother!

I can't hear you.

Yes, yes.

-I couldn't get in. The lock... -Yes, I'm supposed to give you something.

These are your wages through the first.

What does that mean?

That isn't so hard to figure out, is it?

-Mrs. Garvenberg, I... -What are you doing here?

- What am I... Peter! - What do you want from him?

What do I want?

I can't ban you from the music room, but you can no longer enter Peter's room.

- How dare you talk to me that way! - You seem to forget that this is my house.

- And my child. - Your child?

Your child? My child!

Why don't you ask Professor Obereit?

Why don't we call the police?

- They were already here. - But he's my child!

That's enough, miss! We've had enough of your stories!

I'm sure you can find the door.

But you can't...

You can't take away my child!

What an embarrassment.

I should have taken her house keys too.

What's the matter?

Freese, you know what? He looks like her.

What are you talking about? He doesn't look like anyone.

- May I help you? - Please.

I have to see Professor Obereit immediately.

That's not possible. The professor is not available.

But I have to see him. It's important.

Well, well.

What is going on?

Professor. They want to take my child away.

Why don't you come in?

The lady of the house will be right with you.

Sure, we'll wait today.

- Hello, Baron. - Pleasure to see you.

Madame, please excuse me for calling on you unannounced.

But I come on a very urgent matter.

I'm here on behalf of our friend Carl-Otto.

- Carl-Otto? - Yes.

He is back.

And the issue that forced him to leave has been taken care of completely.

But could we maybe sit down? I really don't like standing.

And imagine, now he has even become a poet, our Carl-Otto.

It's not exactly poetry that he's written.

It's more of a... novel.

Very romantic.

A true roman a clef, the emphasis being on "true."

He's an incredibly talented fellow, our Carl-Otto.

The book hasn't been published yet.

The rights are still available for purchase.

So I told Carl-Otto that it would only be fair

that Charlotte had the first right of refusal.

So I'm supposed to pay?

"Paying" is not quite the right word.

It's entirely in your own interest, madame.

Am I paying so he'll stay in Paris?

Look, madame, you don't want to chase him out of his native country.

And who cares if he's here or in Paris?

The important thing is the novel, right?

I have a suggestion. I will write down the minimum amount I'm thinking of,

and you write on another piece of paper what you want to give.

Then we'll compare.

But I don't have anything left!

So just write what you think you don't have.

Please.

May I?

But, madame, that must be a joke!

Yes, yes, it's incredibly funny.

Charlotte! What happened?

Listen!

Get out of here.

Be reasonable, Mrs. Muller. Just keep calm.

As soon as Mr. Garvenberg is back, it will be a whole different story again.

Don't you see that I can't wait any longer?

What is that supposed to mean? You "can't."

You can't just go and steal the boy.

Who knows?

Don't do anything stupid!

Have the pharmacy prepare this immediately.

If she has another spell, give her ten drops.

Ten drops, is that clear?

I am holding you responsible. This medicine is basically a poison.

- Understood? - Yes, certainly.

Good evening.

Ten drops.

Ten drops, he said. But it's poisonous.

I'm not even sick.

It's something completely different.

Freese. Do you think he'll come back?

Who, your husband? But of course.

He'll be back tomorrow.

But in his mind, he is always away.

What did you say?

Oh, no. I forgot about the money.

- What money? - He has to get money.

Carl-Otto? Money from you?

- Yes, so he won't stay here! - Forget about this scoundrel.

And I don't have anything left.

- Do you have any? - You can have all my savings.

- Didn't you just hear it ring? - What, the phone?

- No, no. Downstairs. - You're worrying me.

Mrs. Freese, you're the only one I have left.

She wants to take the child away too.

She was talking nonsense.

- And he's so attached to the boy. - She's a fraud!

You're so much prettier than she!

- You think so? - Yes. Here, take a look.

- Yes, but she is so... young. - Young? Oh, just take a look.

Freese, Erich once said I'm the most beautiful woman in the world.

Because you are.

Why don't you get me my toner?

And the cream.

Not that one. The night cream.

It's empty.

- Get a new one right away. - Now, in the middle of the night?

Why not? Some pharmacies are open all night.

Yes, yes, I'll go right away. I just have to get my coat.

Free...

It's me, my angel.

Why do you make me wait so long?

Be quiet! I can't hear a thing.

I'm celebrating my return.

You made quite a scene in front of the baron today.

I have to talk to you in person.

Why don't you take a cab and come over here?

What? Excuse me?

If you're not here in 30 minutes, I'll come get you.

- Understood? - Yes.

Freese!

Freese, is the front door lock

Mrs. Garvenberg, I'm so sorry.

What are you doing here?

In the middle of the night...

- Freese! - I just wanted...

Oh, my God. Mrs. Garvenberg, are you sick?

My husband.

Can I... help you?

Drops.

One, two, three, four,

five, six, seven,

eight, nine, ten.

NIGHT BELL

HOMEOPATHY BIOCHEMISTRY

- Hanna, where are we going? - Quiet, little Peter.

We are together again.

What do you want? Night cream?

Please tell the lady that you buy night cream during the day,

even if it is called "night cream."

I have no trouble getting up for people in pain,

but not for night cream.

That's how it works.

The bed is excellent and very wide.

Will this be a long stay?

A long stay? No.

- For now, just one night. - Please fill this out.

Including the name of the boy, and so on.

Yes, of course.

Muller? Is that your real name?

My God, yes. Some people do have that name.

All right, I'm back.

Freese.

Freese...

Do you want me to give you your medicine?

What did you do here?

Look, Garvenberg is coming.

Over here.

- What do you want? - Thanks for opening up for me.

Are you insane?

I'm so sorry, Mr. Garvenberg.

We just wanted to invite your wife to a little...

- We thought you were in Copenhagen. - I took the night flight.

May I ask you what you want at my home in the middle of the night?

May I introduce myself? Carl-Otto. We haven't had the pleasure.

- Carl-Otto? - Scientific astrologer.

Your wife is one of my devotees.

You mean was. My wife stopped this monkey business a while ago.

Monkey business?

Don't misjudge the relationship she has with my work and with me.

Gosh, just come already.

Excuse us, Mr. Garvenberg. He is a little...

A glass of champagne too many, you know?

How dare you speak of my wife in that manner!

You really shouldn't talk.

Because I know a lot about your wife.

Mr. Garvenberg!

- Mr. Garvenberg! - What is it, Freese?

It's good that you're here.

Charlotte is lying upstairs

dead.

Dead?

Muller? Is that your real name?

15, 16,17, 18

six, seven

eight, nine, ten.

No! I didn't do it!

- What exactly did you not do? - The child's name is Garvenberg.

- What do you want from me? - Hanna, what is it?

Get dressed. You're under arrest.

According to the charges, you gave Mrs. Garvenberg a deadly dose of morphine.

Let me review it all once more.

You don't deny that you waited in front of the house

for an opportunity to go in and see your son.

That you intended to take your son, if needed, by force.

Then you saw Mrs. Freese leave the house and...

Well? And?

Tell us everything one more time, in chronological order.

I already told you everything. There is nothing else to tell.

I know that it looks suspicious.

I was in the house even though I didn't have the right to be there anymore.

Then I ran to Mrs. Garvenberg, gave her the ten drops and...

Ten drops. I swear to God. Only ten drops.

You are telling us that you gave her the right dose without thinking of murder?

[... I may have thought about...

What were you thinking?

I have... I... My... Not of murder!

But when I put the drops in the glass,

I realized it was in my power to let her go to sleep.

And you are saying you consciously didn't do it?

Yes.

I didn't put one extra drop into the glass.

Under no circumstance.

And then you supposedly had a dream

that you indeed gave Mrs. Garvenberg the deadly dose?

Yes.

I dreamt it.

But where is the court supposed to draw the line

between reality and dream?

- My God, I am telling the truth! - Please calm down.

May I ask you to go easy on my client, please?

Please be seated.

I have no more questions for the defendant for now.

Mr. Prosecutor?

We now begin with discovery. I would like to call Mr. Garvenberg as a witness.

The witness, Garvenberg!

The witness, Erich Garvenberg. Forty-two years old.

Music director.

Not related to the defendant by blood or marriage?

But with the adoption, I became the father of...

That's irrelevant.

We would like you to tell us if you believe the defendant is guilty,

or if you supposed her guilty at any point in time.

No, of course not.

Why did you remove the morphine bottle as soon as you entered the room?

Which was found later, broken, with the defendant's fingerprints.

I have answered that question repeatedly without contradicting myself.

I have a question for the witness.

Go ahead.

You claim that you were following an impulse.

Yes.

Maybe you only did it because Mrs. Freese told you she didn't do it herself.

Isn't that what happened?

"She didn't do it herself," Mrs. Freese said to you.

"Mrs. Muller was here and gave her the drops."

Do you deny that Mrs. Freese said this to you right away?

- No. - Thank you.

We must come to the conclusion

that you knew what you were doing when you got rid of the bottle.

At that moment, you believed that Mrs. Muller gave your wife the morphine.

- The deadly dose, of course. - But, Mr. Garvenberg

- Mr. Garvenberg, how could you think that? - Madame, please keep quiet.

I apologize to the court.

That it was murder

and that the murderer was someone that you,

due to certain feelings, wanted to protect.

This woman is not capable of murder, not even of the thought of it.

Mr. Prosecutor, do you have any motions regarding the swearing in of the witness?

I'd like to ask the witness to refrain from being sworn in for now.

Please take a seat on the witness bench. We may question you further.

Order!

I'd like to call Mrs. Freese as a witness.

The witness, Freese!

Go ahead.

- How is it going? - Wait here.

Witness Freese, you know what this is about.

I don't know anything. Nothing at all.

I hope your amnesia doesn't make you liable for prosecution.

Can you at least tell me something about the relationship of the deceased

and a certain Carl-Otto?

No.

Witness Freese, weren't you in Mrs. Garvenberg's confidence?

Mrs. Garvenberg didn't say anything about it to me.

Witness Freese,

it's possible your testimony will decide the defendant's fate.

I know nothing.

- May I ask the witness a question? - Go ahead.

Can you tell us about the relationship between the defendant and Mr. Garvenberg?

- Mr. Garvenberg is innocent. - That wasn't the question.

Did Mrs. Garvenberg have any reason to be jealous of the defendant?

I don't know.

Witness Freese,

you will have to swear later under oath that you did not conceal anything.

I know nothing.

Be seated.

The court calls Carl-Otto as a witness.

The witness, Carl-Otto!

Order!

The witness, Carl-Otto!

Present.

Your Honor.

- The witness, George Carl-Otto. - It's Gregor.

Gregor Carl-Otto.

Thirty-nine years old.

Not related to the defendant by blood or marriage?

No.

You were at the Garvenbergs' the night of the incident.

Can you tell us again what brought you there?

Let me explain.

As an astrologer,

I was well aware of the dark aspects in the horoscope of my client.

And I suspected that a life was in danger.

The night Mrs. Garvenberg died,

this suspicion suddenly became a certainty.

At the time, I was with a circle of cheerful, like-minded friends.

Nonetheless, as if driven by a force of the cosmos, I had to make a call.

I asked Mrs. Garvenberg, for the sake of her fate, to immediately come join us.

Cheerful and lightheartedly, she declined.

But a sense of unease brought me to her house.

I rang the bell, when I heard hurried footsteps behind me.

It was Mr. Garvenberg. He was so agitated that he didn't even see me at first.

- Until I spoke to him. - Please be a little more specific.

What was your impression of Mr. Garvenberg's emotional state?

It startled him to see me in front of his house.

And if I'm perfectly honest,

I cannot deny, in hindsight,

that Mr. Garvenberg seemed to be shaken,

as if by some terrible experience.

Why didn't you mention this during the investigation?

A misguided but understandable consideration for the deceased

kept me from alleging that her husband...

Are you insinuating that, based on your observations,

you believe Mr. Garvenberg played a role in the death of his wife?

What does that mean?

Order!

Given the seriousness of the situation and my oath, I have to say yes.

No!

That's not true. Don't believe him.

Order!

Mr. Garvenberg is innocent. My God!

Witness Freese, please approach.

I knew you were holding something back.

The woman is crazy!

- Or she has something to do with it. - Me? You!

You caused Mrs. Garvenberg's death!

Now you want to get Mr. Garvenberg behind bars.

I ask the court to protect me!

You don't seem in need of protection. Wait outside.

Witness Freese.

First, he was going after my Charlotte.

He ruined her, through and through.

He tormented her and wouldn't leave her alone

even though she was finished with him.

They kept coming after her... Him and his friend, the baron.

They blackmailed her, Your Honor,

until she didn't know what to do anymore and...

And... killed herself.

Order!

If I understand you correctly, Mrs. Garvenberg committed suicide?

Do you know this for certain?

I was there when she died.

Then please... tell us.

It was like this.

When I came back from the pharmacy,

I called, "I'm back!"

She was lying in bed, her head halfway to the floor.

And she said with a completely different voice...

Freese...

Shall I give you your medicine?

What did you do?

It's empty!

Freese...

Don't get scared.

I'm dying.

You...

You're just putting on an act, right?

Don't tell anyone about

Carl-Otto.

My husband... can't... know about it.

Don't let them pry anything out of you.

didn't poison myself...

You...

"You...

Charlotte."

"You"

I kept repeating it,

but she couldn't hear anything anymore.

That's how it was.

And you were willing to burden your conscience with perjury.

And drive this woman, who never did anything bad to you, to misery.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Muller.

Mr. Garvenberg, forgive me.

But I couldn't say anything.

I had given her my word

in death.

THE END