Original subtitles

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[TRAIN RATTLING]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[LOUD RATTLING]

[SCREAMING]

WOMAN: John.

John.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

MILDRED: John.

John?

-Just a minute, Mildred.

JOHN (VOICEOVER): My name is John Harrington.

I'm 30 years old.

I am a paranoiac.

Paranoiac-- an enchanting word, so

civilized and full of possibilities.

The fact is, I am completely mad,

the realization of which annoyed me at first,

but is now amusing to me.

Quite amusing.

Nobody suspects that I am a madman, a dangerous murderer.

Not Mildred, my wife, nor the employees of my fashion center,

nor, of course, my customers.

Poor little fly.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

Why are you so daring?

You're so fragile, and yet you're born,

you reproduce yourself, and you die like men.

The difference is that you don't think,

and you don't need to remember.

You don't fear death because you ignore it.

Your insignificant life is a mere biological accident.

But death exists, I can assure you,

and that is what makes life a ridiculous and brief drama.

But the fact remains that I have killed five young women, three

of whom are buried in the hothouse-- Carol,

Mary, Margaret They were the friendliest,

the most attractive. ones.

There is one problem I must go on wielding the cleaver.

It's most annoying, but when I begin to hear those footsteps,

those stealthy footsteps, I know I must kill.

And I shall have to continue killing

until I find out the whole truth.

That's it-- until I find out the whole truth.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Good morning, Mildred.

Did you sleep well last night?

-You know I never sleep well.

It's pointless to ask me the same question every day.

-How sad.

Another bride killed.

Sad, but fortunately, [CHUCKLES] she paid for her wedding dress

in advance.

-Have you made any decisions about what

we spoke of yesterday?

-I'll never give you a divorce.

Never.

We shall stay married until death do us part.

-That's a vague answer.

They didn't suspect a death was going to part them so soon.

-They're in my power, John-- the banks, the, uh, wholesalers.

Everything works thanks to my money.

None of this would exist if it weren't for little, old me.

-Yes, but don't forget, I inherited the house

and the fashion business from my mother.

-A mountain of ruin buried in debt.

That's all it was, and you know it.

That's when I had the misfortune of finding

a completely useless husband.

I have records right down to the last penny I've invested.

Stop that!

Better listen to me carefully, John Harrington.

I will never give you a divorce.

Never.

Do you understand?

Never.

-As you wish, Mildred.

I won't insist.

-John!

Dr. Kalleway has invited me to a seance tonight.

I want you to come with me.

-Are you trying to communicate with your first husband?

If he was really as intelligent as you say he was,

I don't think you'll be able to manage it.

-At least while he was alive, he was a man.

But you-- how easily one is deceived by appearances.

-I could compete with your deceased husband

easily, if it was worth the trouble.

[MACHINES WHIRRING]

-Hello.

-Hello, Mr. Harrington.

[CHATTER]

EMPLOYEE: Mr. Harrington?

-Hmm?

-We'd like to have you take a look at these sketches.

-Another time.

[DOOR CLOSING]

[SHATTERS]

Who are you?

-Hello.

My name is Helen Wood.

I'm a professional model.

I heard you had a vacancy.

-How'd you find out?

-Oh, a friend of Rosie's told me.

-Rosie.

She worked for a year here.

Left us without Warning a couple of weeks ago.

Have you worked before?

-Here are my references.

-Your last job was at Regents.

Why did you leave there?

-For personal reasons.

-Hmm.

Height-- 5' 7".

Weight-- 122.

37, 22, 37.

-You're half an inch out.

My waist is 21 and 1/2.

-Have you ever modeled wedding dresses?

-Oh, a few times.

-Well, here you'll have to do it constantly,

and pajamas, lingerie.

We specialize in everything a bride

might use on her wedding day.

-Including the bridegroom.

-You seem to be very intelligent and rather witty.

-I think I am.

-I can offer you a month's trial at 500 francs a week.

And we have to have an exclusive.

Taxes and insurance are both included.

-I'll take it.

You'll report to Miss Louise.

-All right.

-She'll show you the routine.

Welcome to Harrington and Company.

I hope you'll enjoy working with us.

-I hope so.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

MAN: We are congregated here with our remorse, our hates,

our loves, our unspeakable desires.

And I summon ye, the ones who can still

feel pity for those of us alive here.

I begin to perceive some kind of message

with increasing intensity.

This room is being filled with pity,

with forgiveness, with compassion.

Who are you?

Whom do you seek?

[HUMMING "LULLABY AND GOODNIGHT"]

[GASPS]

[SNIFFLES]

[CHUCKLING]

-Oh, John.

Behave yourself.

Leave me alone.

Don't be naughty.

I love you, John.

John!

I love you, my baby.

[SCREAMS]

[HUMMING RESUMES]

I loved you so much, John.

-Stop it.

Stop it!

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

-Good morning, Mr. Harrington.

-Good morning, Inspector Russell.

Do you want to ask me some more questions?

I'll do anything I can to help you,

only I'm afraid I told you all I know.

-Just passing this way.

I thought I'd drop in and pay my respects.

This place fascinates me.

Oh, it's only a hothouse.

-I'm attracted to everything that

is an alteration of nature, like the brain of a mental patient.

Even that must be something like your hothouse.

Don't you agree?

-A curious analogy, Inspector.

-An impressive atmosphere-- flowers that are strange,

and the birds of crime fluttering about in his brain.

A special hybrid?

-Heat, and watering, and the right fertilizer.

-We've drawn a blank regarding those murders.

In less than a year, there were three women killed,

and on their wedding night.

Not to mention the four missing.

-Maybe their husbands weren't too keen about marriage.

-Oh, I can except any crime if I can understand

the human impulse that motivated it.

When you're dealing with a demented mind--

-Well, why do you say that?

-Is there another possibility?

-A madman can also have good reasons.

-For him.

But I'm sure in the dark.

That's the advantage the criminal has.

He operates without logic, you see.

Who knows who his next victim will be?

-More than 200 couples get married in Paris every day.

-The leaves, you burn here, huh?

-Yes.

Only leaves.

-Have you had any word from Rosie Miller?

-No.

She left without notice.

Look at these lovely flowers, Inspector Russell.

They're beautiful, aren't they?

-Hmm, yeah.

Rosie was also quite beautiful.

-But, Inspector, she wasn't planning to get married.

At least she wasn't just before she left.

I think I've mentioned before that the girls who

work in fashion are political and ambitions.

Husbands sometimes buy the garments for their wives

and use the models for themselves, if you understand.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Thanks That's it.

-You'll get the same photographs in color.

-Yeah, OK.

-Do you think Rosie is taking a secret vacation?

-Why not?

PHOTOGRAPHER: Beautfiul.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Miss Wood.

-Hmm?

Excuse me.

JOHN: This is Helen Wood.

She filled the vacancy left by Rosie's departure.

Inspector Russell, I'd like to introduce

you to Miss Helen Wood.

-It's a pleasure, Miss Wood.

There ought to be a law against pretty models going away

without leaving a forwarding address.

-I'm not going anywhere.

-Miss Wood?

-I'll have to leave you.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Hold it.

That's it.

-The husbands of your clients are very fortunate men indeed.

Oh, uh, I-- I may have to trouble you again.

-Just routine.

Is that right, Inspector?

-Simply routine.

-Oh, Inspector, don't worry about those girls.

I'm sure you'll find them.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[CHATTER]

-Mr. Harrington?

Mr. Harrington, I wanted to notify you

that I'm going to have to quit working for you.

-Why?

-Because I'm getting married.

-I want you to stay after the other girls leave tonight.

[WOMAN LAUGHING]

FEMALE WORKER: Come on.

Come on.

Hurry up.

MALE WORKER: What are you doing tonight?

FEMALE WORKER: I have an appointment.

MALE WORKER: See you in the morning.

-Good night.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[CHIMING]

[CAR DOORS CLOSING, ENGINE REVVING]

-Here you see all the dresses created

by the House of Harrington since my mother

founded the organization in 1927.

I adored my mother, and I decided to carry on her work.

You're so young.

and so lovely.

Choose whatever dress you like.

It will be my wedding gift.

Go ahead.

Choose one.

-This is the prettiest, isn't it?

-Put it on.

-Now?

Yes, now.

I want to see you in your wedding dress,

as it tonight really belonged to us.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

JOHN (VOICEOVER): A woman should live only until her wedding

night, love once, and then die.

[MUSIC BOX PLAYING]

Do you hear those footsteps?

Someone is tiptoeing inside my brain.

Who?

Why do I hear those footsteps?

WOMAN: John.

John.

JOHN (VOICEOVER): Now you'll turn into another woman.

And I'll find out a little bit more.

Why that woman keeps calling my name,

Why there's so much pain in her eyes.

And I'll see her features more clearly.

Each time, more clearly.

[SCREAMING]

WOMAN: John.

John.

[SCREAMING]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[WHIRRING]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Don't you smell something burning?

John, what do you find so interesting in the newspaper

that you forgot the toast?

-Don't do that, Mildred.

You know it bothers me.

-I was only trying to make your toast edible.

Did I tell you I received a letter from my cousin, Gladys?

-No.

-Aren't you going to ask me what she said in it?

-You're going to tell me anyway.

-She's not feeling well, and she asked

me to pay her a visit to keep a company.

So if you have no objections, I'll go tomorrow.

-I have no objections.

-Of course you have no objection.

For a whole week, you can pretend you're divorced.

But I promise you, I will come back, my dear.

[LAUGHS]

You can be certain of that.

d

[INAUDIBLE P.A.]

-Hello, My.

Harrington.

-Hello.

What are you doing here?

-What do you think I'm doing?

I could tell you I knew your wife was going away,

and I've come because I wanted to be alone.

I might be a model whose sole purpose is to capture her boss.

Or Rosie Miller's sister, for example, who wants to ask you,

what did you do with my sister, Mr. Harrington?

-As a matter of fact, I killed her, raped her,

and buried her in the hothouse.

[LAUGHS]

-Must have been marvelous.

What motive would you prefer to have brought me here?

-The real one.

That'll be the most interesting.

Are you really Rosie's sister?

-Would it matter to you if I was?

-No.

-How often have you been unfaithful to your wife?

Three, four times?

-You ask a lot of questions.

That's the only way that you're like other women.

-The only way?

-There's something different about you.

I don't know exactly what it is.

Perhaps your eyes, or your skin.

But for me, you're different from any woman I've ever known.

-I'm just an ordinary girl.

I adore luxury.

I'm terribly lazy.

And I like to amuse myself doing crazy things.

-Oh?

What kind of things?

-Well, I just turned 23, and I've had several lovers.

-How many lovers have you had?

-Oh, I never counted them.

Not many.

-Why aren't you happily married?

-Every man needs women for different reasons,

apart from love.

-Apart from love?

Why do you need them?

-Perhaps to find out something about myself.

-You know, I could help you find out about yourself.

-I wouldn't want to-- to use you that way.

I don't want to harm you.

-I know how to take care of myself.

-Do you live here?

-Yes, I do, alone.

-Well, good night, Helen.

-Do you mind if I ask you another question?

-No.

-Why haven't you kissed me?

WOMAN ON TV: Please, Mary.

Come away from here.

Come with me.

He'll be all right.

MARY: No.

[MARY SOBBING]

Please.

WOMAN ON TV: I beg you to come.

I can't leave you here.

I don't want to leave you here.

MAN ON TV: Listen, Mary, she knows best.

MARY: No!

WOMAN ON TV: Oh, you've got to understand.

MAN ON TV: It's for your own good.

You must.

MARY: I don't want to understand anything.

All I know is, he's good as gone.

Why?

He was the only thing I ever loved in the world.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[LAUGHING]

-I'm not a ghost, my dear.

I took the first plane back.

I wanted to surprise you, and apparently I did.

Where have you been?

With some woman?

[CHUCKLES] What were the two of you doing?

Did you tell how much you loved your mother?

-Mildred!

-Did you think I was going to leave you here alone?

I sent Gladys a telegram saying I wasn't coming.

I don't intend to leave you here alone for a week, do you hear?

Don't even bother dreaming about it.

Are you listening?

Not a week, not a day, not even a minute.

I'll always be here at your side,

whether you like it or not.

Always.

Always!

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[FOOTSTEPS]

-Why do we torture each other?

-Who's torturing whom?

-There was a time when we were-- we were happy.

[SCOFFS]

-Before we got married, to be exact.

-We laughed together, made plans, had dreams.

-But you were never my husband.

-I know, but I wanted you so much.

-John.

-Then something happened.

Right on our wedding night, I-- I heard those footsteps.

-What footsteps?

-Mildred, I know I should have done something that night,

but I was afraid.

-John.

John, don't leave me like this.

Have pity, darling.

Don't leave me.

-I'll be back in a minute.

I promise.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-John?

-Mildred, you don't want to separate from me.

And I don't want you around my neck.

What other solution is there?

I hated these last years with you.

And now, finally, it will be all over.

-But why?

Why?

-I think it's necessary.

It's inescapable.

I'm sure of it.

[SCREAMING]

-No!

[MILDRED SCREAMING]

WOMAN: John.

John.

[GASPING]

[MILDRED SCREAMING]

[POUNDING ON DOOR]

[DOORBELL RINGING]

[POUNDING CONTINUES]

RINGING CONTINUES]

-All right, where is she?

Where is she?

-Where's who?

-Alice Norton.

-I know she's in this house with you.

-Alice Norton is Mr. Kane's fiancee.

-We heard a woman screaming.

-Screaming?

-Yes.

we certainly heard it.

-Oh, Inspector, you're allowing yourself to be influenced

by a very impressionable young man.

I'm surprised at you.

It's not worthy of you, you know.

WOMAN ON TV: No.

No, don't touch me.

Leave me alone!

[WOMAN SOBBING]

[WOMAN SCREAMING]

JOHN: Were these the screams you heard?

-Very interesting.

You like horror films, do you?

I don't find them very entertaining.

I keep thinking that reality is more terrifying than fiction,

wouldn't you agree?

Another strange disappearance of one of your models,

Mr. Harrington-- Alice Norton, who hasn't been seen in a week.

Since she works at your fashion house and no one saw her leave,

I thought you might be able to help me.

Logical?

-No.

-It's hard to believe she wouldn't

leave work with someone.

Alice Norton and Jimmy Kane were to be married before long.

Did you know that, Mr. Harrington?

-Your visits are becoming too frequent, Inspector.

They began to annoy me.

-If you wish to continue this investigation,

you'll have to make a formal charges against Mr. Harrington.

KANE: So you don't know anything about it?

JOHN: No. INSPECTOR: I must apologize.

It was a misunderstanding.

Isn't that so, Mr. Kane?

KANE: I think so.

-Hmm.

Good night, Mr. Harrington.

JOHN: Good night.

-Oh, um, it's very cold tonight, isn't it?

-Yes, quite cold.

-It's curious.

You seem to be sweating.

Very curious.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[SHOVELING]

YOUNG JOHN (VOICEOVER): I saw Mommy dead.

Something awakened me that night.

It was raining very hard.

I crossed the whole house to get to their room.

I was afraid because it was so dark.

Why did they kill Mommy?

Who did it?

I want to know who did it.

WOMAN: John.

John.

John!

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[MUSIC STOPS]

-What are you filling that cup for?

-Your wife asked for it.

-Can I have a look?

Perfect.

-The wig for number 12.

-Almost ready?

-Mm, in a minute.

The white boots go with model 24.

FEMALE WORKER: Yes, ma'am.

I'm on my way.

-Mrs. Harrington, it's a pleasure to see you here.

We thought you were away.

Oh, by the way, John, what satin are

we going to use for model 25?

What would you suggest, Mrs. Harrington?

She's gone.

Well, should we leave it the way it was?

John?

Is it all right?

-Yes, fine.

[CHATTER]

Listen, I'd like a color shot of this for the cover, Jacques.

How's it going, Marie?

-Fine.

-Good.

Are you ready?

-Mhm.

-Do you like that negligee?

-Uh-huh.

-It looks fine.

-Thanks.

I'm happy.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

ANNOUNCER: Model 11, Subtle Breeze.

Fashion from a base of Swiss origin and appliqued

with a smattering of flowers in free form.

The flowered cap has a short veil.

Also, an organza.

The shoes are of delustered stain with Italian heels.

-Good morning, Betsy.

Good morning, Lady Wooster.

ANNOUNCER: Model 12, Summer Moon.

This is an empire-style gown in fur, with a cloak of lace.

The shoes and stockings are of silver lame.

Model 15, Awakening.

This one is a nightgown of fine Dutch tulle, worn

with slippers trimmed in swan's down.

-Excuse me for a moment, won't you, ladies?

ANNOUNCER: Model 18, Orange Flowers--

an enchanting ensemble in natural silk

and delustered satin.

The shoes are buckled--

-Inspector Russell, what brings you here?

-Used to be when marriage for a woman

was a simple problem of finding success or failure.

Now she also has a simple problem of keeping alive.

Now which of those wedding gowns will

the next victim be wearing?

This one?

That one?

-I wouldn't know.

I made a routine call to the television station.

I asked them to show me the film that was playing that night

that we showed up uninvited at your house.

Strange, but nobody screamed before that scene

we saw when you turned on the TV in front of us.

Interesting, huh?

Yeah, it's very interesting.

-Hmm, yeah.

Oh, would you like me to tell you

my plan for trapping the murderer?

-If you want to.

-Just patience, only that.

Just patience.

Right now, all I can do is wait.

But it won't be very long until I'll

be able to burst his bubble.

Good day.

-Good day, Inspector

ANNOUNCER: --a short dress whose top

is completely ruffled in handmade lace.

The ruffles are repeated at the hem.

-A bore, wouldn't you say?

My mother still thinks these things are important.

-And you don't think so?

-If only girls who deserve these dresses wore them

you'd go bankrupt.

-Do you deserve one?

-Certainly not.

You don't really think that I'm a lily-white virgin, do you?

I'm my own boss.

I hope you're going to be present at my wedding.

You are?

-Sure, why not?

-He must like you, and that's something.

He's very nervous.

-And very lucky.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-What's wrong with your mother?

She's talking to herself.

-Are you blind?

She's with your wife.

Mildred?

Mildred?

Mildred, where have you gone to?

[LAUGHING]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[WIND HOWLING]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-I'll never leave you, John.

Never.

Everyone will see me except you.

By your side, as always.

Always, John.

Always by your side.

They'll say we're a perfect couple.

Always together.

Always.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-My incinerator is too much.

Even too much for you, Mildred.

I think now you'll leave me in peace, won't you, Mildred?

I hope that finally you're happy.

You wanted to be with me, dear.

Always.

You said so yourself.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Yes, sir?

-A whiskey, please.

Would you like something, dear?

-A whiskey for you, monsieur, and a sherry for madam.

-Here's to us, Mildred.

Would you like to come home with me?

-You have company.

-She won't disturb us.

We'll go to my house, the three of us.

My wife will see something she won't

ever forget, not even in hell.

WOMAN: You rotten pervert!

Who do you think you are?

Throw him out of here.

He disgusted me.

Nothing but a pervert.

-Here's your bag.

[LAUGHING]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[MILDRED LAUGHING]

[JOHN GASPING]

[MUSIC BOX PLAYING]

[WHIRRING]

[CHIRPING]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-I was in the fitting room and I was you come up here.

May I come in?

-Yes, of course.

Come closer, Helen.

When I was a little boy, this was my room.

-We've all had a room like this.

And then it gets lost, this room of memories.

But you've kept yours beautifully.

-Yes, the memories do float about somewhere, vaguely.

-You managed to preserve them very well.

[JOHN GRUNTING]

-Get out of here, Helen.

-John, are you ill?

-I'm coming to the end of a long road.

Our minds get so tired of suffering, of suffering so.

I've got to find out.

There's only a little way to go.

Only one step more., and I'll have found out everything.

Only one step more, the last, Helen.

[SIREN WAILING]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[DOOR OPENING]

[DOG YELPING]

[DOG GROWLING]

[WHISTLE BLOWING]

[DOORBELL RINGING]

[POUNDING ON DOOR]

-I didn't expect you to be here, Harrington.

-What do you want, Inspector?

-The killer tried to get to Lady Wooster's daughter at her house

tonight.

You were at the reception, weren't you?

-Yes.

-How long were you there?

-Not long.

Mr. Harrington and I have been here all evening.

We decided to spend the night together.

Any objections?

-Oh, no, of course, Miss Wood.

-You won't be long, will you?

-You seem to be a very lucky man, Harrington.

I must say, very lucky.

If I were you, I wouldn't press my luck.

Pardon this interruption.

A You are certainly very fortunate.

I envy you.

I'd visit a doctor if I were you.

You're sweating again in the cold air,

and that can turn into a nuisance.

Good evening.

-Helen, what are you doing here?

-Can't you guess?

You don't mind my using your bath, do you?

Or getting into your dressing gown?

-Why did you lie to help me?

-I wanted him to leave so that we could spend some time alone.

-You're not afraid to be alone with me?

-Me, afraid?

Not a chance.

-Go away, please.

Please go away.

-Do you mean it?

Really?

-Yes.

Something unforeseen has happened.

Go.

Go now.

Before it's too late.

-I don't want to go.

I want to stay.

I want to be with you.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

John?

Let's dance.

[MUSIC BOX PLAYING]

-I never wanted to harm you, Helen.

No, I didn't.

But I must fit that last piece into place.

I must know who did it.

[SCREAMING]

[GRUNTING]

John!

John.

[SOBBING]

-I killed my mother.

I did it!

I didn't want her to marry again.

I killed her.

I killed her.

INSPECTOR: Are you all right?

-Yes.

INSPECTOR: Miss Wood, you are a very courageous young lady.

[CRYING]

-Helen was the pawn you introduced into the game.

Am I right, Inspector?

It could have been so nice, I think.

Although I suppose it couldn't be.

Let's go, Inspector.

[ENGINE STARTING]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Good evening, John.

At first, you couldn't see me, and now

nobody will see me except you.

And we'll always be together-- at first in the insane asylum,

and then in hell for eternity.

-No.

Go away.

I don't want you with me.

No.

No!

GAURD: Hold it!

Get back!

JOHN: Let me go!

Oh, make her go!

Make her go!

[MILDRED LAUGHING]

GAURD: Get back here!

JOHN: I killed her once.

I don't want to have to kill her again.

No!

[MUSIC PLAYING]