Sergeant Martin?
Yes.
Detective Inspector Holloway.
Oh, good afternoon, sir.
It's quite an honor to have
you come all this way down
from Scotland Yard.
You think so?
I've got more important things on my plate
than chasing temperamental film stars.
Would you like a cup of tea, sir?
I haven't come here for tea either.
I sent my report in as
quickly as I could, sir
Yes, I know, I read it.
You must realize, sir,
this sort of thing's
not really in my line.
Your report makes that very clear.
Well, there is something
I didn't mention in my report, sir.
About Paul Henderson?
No, sir.
About the house.
This is not the first time
that something has happened
to the tenants of that house.
Other disappearances?
No, not exactly disappearances, sir.
Well, what then?
Well, I have a file here, sir,
you ought to have a look at.
There's something that happened
about two years ago, sir.
The house was empty for some time
then the estate agent had an inquiry
from a young couple in London.
Hillier, the name was,
Charles and Alice Hillier.
- Good morning, Mrs. Hillier.
- Good Morning, Mr. Stoker.
Good Morning.
- Good Morning.
- Glad you could make it.
Thank you.
Well, shall we go in?
Why not?
Who was your last tenant?
Queen Victoria?
No, but the house has
been empty for some time.
Perhaps you'd like to see the kitchen.
I hope there's a refrigerator.
Oh, yes.
Not the most modern of course
but definitely a refrigerator.
I realize the house isn't
modern, Mrs. Hillier.
But it does have some
virtues, don't you think?
I can't say I've seen them, Mr. Stoker.
This collection is fantastic.
Somebody who lived here
had literary tastes
after my own heart.
It's perfect isn't it?
You're not serious.
No, I mean it.
It's ideal for me.
Oh, darling.
Now look, I promise
we'll move back to London
as soon as I finish the book.
I haven't been able to write a
line in weeks, you know that.
Do you really
want us to take it?
Hmm.
I suppose I could bear
it for a month or two.
Good.
I know I'll be able to work here.
What sort of work, may I ask?
My husbands a writer, Mr. Stoker.
Oh, what sort of writing does he do?
Horror stories.
He specializes in murder.
In the most gruesome ways imaginable.
Hello darling, you're back early.
It's past eight.
So it is.
I must have worked right through.
So I see.
Can I read it?
No.
Let me show you.
Show me?
Here.
They say one pictures better
than a thousand words.
That's Dominick.
He's the villain in my story.
He's a strangler who's
escaped from an asylum
for the criminally insane.
He roams the countryside at night,
searching for fresh victims.
Laughing maniacally as he kills them.
Sometimes, I wonder
where you get your ideas.
Looking through the window.
That's where I first
saw him, this morning.
Just after you left.
You saw him?
Only in my minds eye.
From now on, Dominick's
my partner in crime.
He's gonna make us a lot of money.
Well, here's to Dominick.
Darling, have you seen the car keys?
Huh?
Yes, there.
How's it going?
Splendidly.
I'm almost halfway through.
Oh good.
You can thank my strangler for that.
Dominick.
You know, he's really taking over.
I've come to know his mind.
Almost the way he feels.
That's what makes him so very real.
And so very frightening.
Hello, darling.
What's wrong?
I didn't know.
I didn't know it was you, I...
Who else did you think it was?
You silly.
Oh, I'm exhausted.
I'll make some coffee.
Do you want some?
Oh darling, what's the matter?
It's Dominick.
I saw him.
You mean you imagined him?
No, I mean,
I saw him, last night,
just before you came
back from the theater.
And again, just now.
But he's just a character
in your novel.
- I know.
You can't...
I know but I saw him.
Darling, you've been
working much too hard.
Your imagination's
playing tricks with you.
Why don't you take the day off
and come up to London with me?
No, no not till I've finished my book.
Charles?
What is it?
It's Dominick.
He's in there!
Oh, Charles!
No, no, please!
He's over there.
He's sitting in the chair.
There's nobody here.
Didn't you see him move?
He's over there.
Didn't you hear that?
He laughed.
Oh darling, please.
Toast, darling?
No, thank you.
Charles, you really must see a doctor.
But I've got a deadline, I can't.
When the book's finished...
No, now.
How much longer do you think
we can go on like this?
Alright.
So that's the story, doctor.
What do you think?
What I think doesn't matter.
It's what you think that's important.
What more can I tell you?
A good deal, Mr. Hillier.
I don't understand.
Exactly.
The point of psychiatry is
to help you to understand.
And, that takes time.
I should like to see you regularly.
At least, once a week.
Perhaps you'd have a
word with my receptionist
and make an appointment.
You do think that you can help me?
I'll try.
There's nobody here.
How's it going?
It isn't.
I think there's a storm brewing.
A storm.
Andrews keeps talking
about a storm inside me.
Everything comes from
the inside, apparently.
A projection of my own imagination.
Do you know what he actually
told me at our last session?
He said that when an
author creates a character,
it's like an actor playing a role.
And sometimes, the role takes over.
I shan't do any more work tonight.
You just relax, darling.
I'll make you a nice hot drink.
Better?
Yes, thank you, darling.
Don't touch me!
Keep away from me!
I saw him, it was Dominick.
It wasn't Dominick.
It was you.
Me?
Yes, you came up behind me.
And tried to strangle me.
Oh my God!
Oh, Charles!
Darling, what are we going to do?
I'm gonna call Dr. Andrews.
He must see you tonight.
As I've told you before, Charles.
An authors characters are an extension
of his own personality.
Sometimes, a part of it that he normally
tries to conceal from himself.
Please, try to relax.
Close your eyes.
Listen to me.
You think of yourself as
a kind and decent man.
You love your wife but you
also have hostility toward her.
Instead of expressing that hostility,
you create a character
to express it for you.
But that character is only a
creature of your imagination.
It is not real.
As I have said before,
you're like an actor who
loses himself in his role.
You've lived with this
character day after day.
You visualized his appearance,
dramatized his acts.
Thought his thoughts.
So much so that you've come to believe
that he really exists.
But he doesn't.
But I've been writing
about murderers for years.
And I've never wanted to become one.
I mean, why should I
suddenly want to do so now?
Even in my subconscious.
Well, how did it go?
Everything's taken care of.
Darling, I knew the plan would work.
Now we can go away together.
They said that I
wasn't a very good actor.
We don't have to worry
about getting work.
We'll have plenty of money now
with all the royalties on Charles's books.
That I wasn't believable
in the parts I played.
Hello?
Could I speak
to Mrs. Hillier, please?
Yes, speaking.
This is Detective Inspector Chapman
from Scotland Yard, madam.
I'm calling from Dr. Andrews's office.
I'm afraid I've got some bad news.
We've found your husband dead.
Doctor Andrews is murdered too.
Hello, Mrs. Hillier.
Hello?
The police say they've
found Dr. Andrews's body
and that Charles has
been strangled as well.
That's right.
Both of them are quite dead.
Andrews first and then Charles.
But...
It was very easy.
Much easier than I'd imagined.
But that wasn't the plan!
The point was to prove Charles insane.
It's better this way.
Much better.
But don't you see?
They'll be looking for a killer.
Perhaps, they'll come
looking for you, Richard.
Richard?
I don't know anyone called Richard.
My name is Dominick.
We found him standing
over her body, laughing.
It's not all him, you know.
It's that house.
The house?
Yes, there's something strange about it.
Listen, sergeant,
I'm interested in facts
not fantasies.
Very well, sir.
Consider this.
When that house was empty again,
the estate agent rented
it out to a new tenant.
A retired stockbroker from the city.
A Mr. Philip Grayson.
Interesting house.
Yes it is, for the right person.
You're retired, aren't you?
Yes.
Businessman?
Yes.
Oh, I see.
Wife?
I beg your pardon?
Are you married?
No, I've never been married.
Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry.
I was just thinking you
might get rather bored
living all alone in this house.
I'm used to being alone.
As a matter of fact, I'm
looking forward to living here.
And doing some of the things
I had little time to do
when I was working.
Gardening, reading, listening to music.
Oh, no.
I shan't be bored.
She is beautiful, isn't she?
My Salome.
Oh, yes.
Yes, it's very well done.
Perhaps she reminds you of someone?
You see, she has a
strange effect on people.
They seem to see in her
all sorts of things.
Was she modeled from life?
You might say that.
Who was the model?
My wife.
She must be a very beautiful woman.
She's dead.
Murdered.
No doubt you've seen
the rest of the figures
in my exhibition.
They're all murderers.
That's what the public wants to see.
But you said your,
the model you used for
Salome was a victim.
A victim, yes.
And also a murderess.
I found her one day holding an ax.
And nearby, the body of my dearest friend.
It was the state that murdered her.
I made a waxen image
of her body, her face.
I wanted to preserve her beauty forever.
And now, men come and stare
at her the way you did.
You will come again, won't you?
Even though you know.
No.
No, I don't think I shall.
Thank you, goodbye.
My dear Philip.
Neville!
Friends?
Yes, yes, of course.
Aren't you gonna invite me in?
Forgive me, come on in.
I was so surprised to see you.
So this is where you've
been hiding yourself.
I never thought I'd see you
in this part of the world.
Can I offer you a drink?
Thank you.
Scotch?
Lovely.
I was travelling north on business.
Then I remembered you had a place
about a mile from the road
so I thought I'd drop in and surprise you.
To tell you the truth, I
was getting a bit lonely.
Will you stay to dinner?
Overnight if you wish.
I've got lots of room.
You sound as though you'd be afraid
to be left here on your own.
That's past now.
And with me.
We could never have won her, Philip.
Either of us.
We're not winners, you and I.
Anyway, it was a long time ago.
Now she's dead.
How do you manage to occupy
yourself here all day?
Oh, I have plenty to do.
I read, listen to music, do the garden.
And I walk into town occasionally,
when the weather is nice.
That reminds me, I must pop in myself
and get some tobacco before I leave.
Can I give you a lift in?
Well, I wasn't going
in but, well, why not?
Rather a good antique shop here.
I used to collect those when I was a kid.
Did you?
Would you like that swan
as a souvenir of your visit?
I wouldn't know what to do with it.
Unless you filled it with apple strudel.
I must say things are
very much cheaper here
than they are in London.
They always are aren't they?
Good lord!
There's a waxworks museum here.
Yes.
Let's go and have a quick look see.
Oh no.
It's sure to be dull and
it's such a nice day.
I haven't seen one since I was a kid.
Come on!
Yes, you're quite right.
It is rather dull.
Let's go.
Wait a minute, what's over here?
Neville.
It's stuffy in here.
Let's go.
She's beautiful.
She's almost alive.
She's lovely.
Goodbye, Philip.
Thanks for being such a marvelous host.
Not at all, it was my pleasure.
I'm only sorry you can't stay.
No, I'd better fly back, I'm late now.
Sure I can't give you a lift into town?
No thanks, I'm not going in today.
I'll be off then.
Bye.
Cheerio.
Take care of yourself.
Thanks for everything.
Chow.
Neville?
I helped myself.
Neville, I saw you at that museum.
I know.
I came back to apologize.
I don't know why I went there.
I do.
It was the face of Salome, wasn't it?
Yes.
It was uncanny.
It was almost as though...
As though she was standing there?
Yes.
It's exactly what I felt.
That's why I tried to persuade you
not to go into that museum.
There's something evil about that place.
Yes, there is.
And I don't think either of us
should go there again, ever.
No.
Well.
Would you like to stay here tonight?
No, I should have left
before now as it is.
Philip, I'm sorry.
It was silly of me.
Take care of yourself.
Take care on the road.
I always do.
Bye.
Good luck.
Hello?
Hello Philip, this is Neville.
Well, hello Neville.
Anything wrong?
I'm still at the village.
I'm staying at the hotel.
The Queens Head?
I know it sounds absurd Philip
but I can't leave here.
I've got to go back to that place.
Don't go there!
You stay where you are.
I'll be right over.
Neville?
I told you that my wife was guillotined
because she'd murdered my best friend.
Well, it was I who killed him
and made sure she was found near him.
Can you guess why?
The authorities let me have her body.
And I embalmed her in all her beauty
so that she would be mine forever.
But she drew men to her
even after her death.
Others came and admired her
like your friend and you.
But you shall never have her.
None of you.
She is beautiful, isn't she?
My Salome.
And Henderson moved in next.
No, sir, there was
someone else before him.
Another disaster?
Of a sort.
But not like the others.
Not like the others at all.
It's that house, there's
something about it.
What?
I don't know, sir.
I see.
Well.
I think it's about time I paid a call
on the gentleman who's responsible
for renting that house.
What's his name, Stoker?
I tried to warn them.
Warn them of what?
The house.
But what about it?
Haven't you guessed its secret yet?
What secret?
What sort of a place do
you live in, inspector?
Well, a plain ordinary flat.
Quite comfortable.
A bit on the cold side perhaps?
What do you mean?
Never mind.
Well, shall we get down to facts?
I'm here regarding a disappearance.
Now I'd like to know
who lived in that house
before Paul Henderson moved in.
The tenant just prior to him
was a gentleman called Reid.
John Reid.
Quiet man.
And although I didn't
realize it at the time,
a dangerous one.
Dangerous?
To himself.
Jane?
Come along.
Well, Mr. Reid, you see
I haven't exaggerated.
You and your daughter
would have no difficulties
keeping it up.
No, I suppose not.
May I see the rest of it, please?
Yes, of course.
Let me show you the study.
I think you're gonna like this.
Lots of room.
With a bit of re-arranging,
make a play room for your daughter.
What a very lovely child she is.
Yes, Jane?
A bit cold in here, isn't it?
Oh, no problem.
This would make a nice play room.
Yes.
What frightened her, sir?
It was fire.
She's a little nervous of fire.
I see.
Well, it's a standard lease,
seems perfectly in order.
Just needs your signature.
Good.
There's just one other thing
I'd like you to do for
me Mark, if you would.
Yes?
My business brings me up to London
quite a bit as you know.
I need somebody to look after my daughter,
preferably someone who
will teach her as well.
You're still against sending
her to boarding school?
You know my views on that subject.
Yes, I do.
Well, you sign, there and there.
I'd hoped you might
have changed your mind.
No.
Well, I shall have to
get someone very soon.
Mr. Reid?
Yes.
I'm Anne Norton.
Come in.
I've been expecting you since noon.
Ah, yes, I'm sorry.
I'm afraid I got a bit
confused by the directions.
Anyway, I took a wrong turn.
Yes.
Please sit down.
Now, Miss Norton.
Mrs. Norton.
I'm a widow.
When you telephoned yesterday,
you said that you'd been a school teacher.
Before I was married.
Do you still
think that you are capable
of handling the education of a child?
In the classes I taught,
I had more than 40 children.
None of them was like Jane, Mrs. Norton.
Why don't you want your
daughter in school, Mr. Reid?
Is she a problem child?
I suggest you find
that out for yourself.
She's in the study.
Please.
Hello, Jane.
I'm Mrs. Norton.
Mind if I sit down?
You know you and I really
should get acquainted.
From now on, we'll be spending
a lot of time together.
I'm a teacher, Jane.
Your father has asked me to come here
and help you with your lessons.
Well then.
I can see we won't have any
problem finding books to study.
We've a new set of encyclopedias.
What a nice room you have here.
I hate it!
Everything's so cozy and cheerful.
Come on, lets go by the
fireplace and have a nice chat.
No!
Jane.
Look at me, Jane.
That's better.
Friends should always speak face to face,
don't you think so?
Particularly when they
have problems to discuss.
You know, if you tell me what's wrong,
I might be able to help you.
Is it the fire?
He always has it going.
Of course.
It would be too cold in here without.
Jane, I'm going to ask you something
that you don't have to answer
me if you don't want to
but I do hope you will.
It's about fire.
Have you ever been burned?
Did it happen to somebody else,
somebody you knew and loved?
I'm glad.
'Cause fire can never harm
us so long as we're careful.
So there's really nothing
to worry about, is there.
You know, I've often wondered
just what we'd do without fire.
Did you ever stop to think
how much it helps us?
It keeps us warm, it cooks
our food, even gives us light.
Besides, it's really very pretty.
I love to watch the
flames dancing, don't you?
Sometimes, it's nice just to
see the way the colors change.
Look.
There's all sorts of shapes.
I never get tired of watching.
Better?
I'm afraid your daughter
does have problems.
You're not interested in
taking the position then?
Oh, on the contrary Mr.
Reid, I'm going to stay.
This river goes to a big river
which flows into the
ocean far, far away, see?
Perhaps, we could go on a
trip some day on a boat.
Maybe even as far as the
ocean, would you like that?
Yes.
Alright, come on
then, it's getting late.
Let's go home to tea.
"Oh, I've had such a
curious dream." said Alice.
And she told her sister as well
as she could remember them.
All those strange ad, ad...
Adventures.
Adventures of hers that you
have just been reading about.
And when she had finished,
her sister kissed her
and said, "It was a curious dream, dear.
"Certainly, but now run in to
your tea, it is getting late."
It is getting late.
I think we've accomplished
quite a bit today, don't you?
I liked Alice in Wonderland.
Did you?
And you read it very well.
My father taught me.
He said it would give me
something to do when I was alone.
Where you always alone, Jane?
Have you never had other
children to play with?
My father doesn't like
me to play with children.
So, all you've had are your toys?
My father doesn't want me
to play with toys either.
Well, we're going to have
to do something about that.
Where are you going?
To make us some lunch.
Do you want to come and help?
I'd rather just stay here now.
And do what?
Watch the fire.
I'm not afraid of it anymore.
Ever since you told me how
you could see shapes in it,
I can see things too.
What sort of things?
Pretty ones.
Sometimes, I can see my mother.
Her mother?
Ridiculous.
Her mother died when Jane was only a baby.
She couldn't possibly remember her.
I'm sure she must have
seen photo's of your wife.
I haven't any photographs, Mrs. Norton.
They aren't necessary.
Jane is all I need to
remind me of her mother.
She's the living image of her.
She grows more and more
like her every day.
Then your wife must have
been a very beautiful woman.
Very.
Was she as lonely as Jane?
Mrs. Norton...
That's your daughters real problem.
Loneliness.
There's a park in town with a playground.
I could take her...
No, that's out of the question.
But surely, contact
with other youngsters
would only help her.
Not yet.
Please, I do have my reasons.
I'd be glad to hear them.
You shall, all in good time.
Until then, I must ask you to be patient.
Alright.
On one condition.
Oh?
I want to buy Jane some toys.
Good evening, Jane.
Hello.
Did you have a nice day?
Yes, thank you.
I hoped I might find
you studying those lessons
I left for you.
They're all finished.
Oh, good.
Well, I've got some other
things here for you to look at.
Is it toys?
Mm-hm, I told you I was going shopping.
Paint box, jigsaw puzzle.
A word game.
But first, I want you to see this.
She's very beautiful.
Go on.
Take her.
What shall we call her?
Give me that!
Where did this come from?
You gave me permission to buy some toys.
Educational toys, Mrs. Norton!
Not this!
That was a cruel thing to do.
But necessary.
Why do you treat her like this?
Is it because you blame her
for what happened to your wife?
No, I was glad when she died.
Glad?
Yes, glad!
Because by then, I'd found
out what she really was.
There are all kinds of trees here, Jane.
I want you to tell me their names.
What's that one?
Silver birch.
Good, yes.
And that one there, what's that?
Oh, um.
A green, a green oak.
Quite right.
And what about that one?
Walnut.
Very good.
You do know your trees.
That's very good indeed.
Now, what about this one
here, this dark green one?
What's this?
That's a yew tree.
Quite right.
You know something, Mrs. Norton?
In olden times, yew trees
used to be evil magic trees.
How did you know that, Jane?
I read it in a book.
Jane.
Jane?
Lunch is ready.
What are you doing?
Nothing.
Quite a storm, isn't there?
Yes, there is.
Jane in bed?
All safe and sound.
She was asleep when I looked in.
Good.
You wanted to talk to me about something?
Yes, I do.
Sit down please.
Thank you.
Mr. Reid, you bring your daughter
to an isolated old house in the country,
you shut her off from
all outside contacts,
you even hired me as a private tutor
so that she doesn't have
to be with other children.
Jane is frightened.
Not half as frightened as her father.
That's absurd, Mrs. Norton.
Is it?
Then why did you throw
that doll on the fire?
There must be a power failure.
I'll get some candles.
That's funny, they're not in the dresser.
Are you sure that's where you put them?
Quite positive.
What is it?
What is wrong?
There are only four candles here.
There are only four candles here.
Where are the others?
What did you do with them?
Where are they?
Mr. Reid?
Yes?
There's a telephone call for you.
Alright, I'll come down.
Hello?
Yes.
Good.
So they're all ready to sign?
Yes.
Alright then.
This afternoon.
What time?
Three?
Yes, that'll be alright.
Yes, I'll drive in.
Fine.
I may be a bit late.
Traffic's probably going
to be rather heavy.
But I'll get there,
well, I'll get there as close
to three as I can, alright.
Goodbye.
Will you sign there on the
bottom of all four copies?
What's the matter?
John, what is it?
My arm!
Jane?
Come on, dear.
It's a lovely day, let's go for a walk.
Alright.
It's gone now.
Are you sure?
Can I get you a drink?
No, no.
I'm perfectly alright, thank you.
I'm sorry.
Mr. Reid?
What is it?
Chest pains, chest.
I'll get a doctor.
No, no, no, no, don't!
No.
Hello, Dr. Brady?
Yes, look, can you come around at once?
This is Mrs. Norton, Yew Tree House.
Yes, I'm afraid it is very urgent, yes.
Thank you so much.
We'll be expecting you.
Nothing wrong with your heart.
No fever, pulse and respiration, normal.
And you say the pain's gone?
Yes, quite gone.
Well, I suggest you stop
by my office tomorrow.
Well, we'll take a few
lab tests and X-rays.
Probably just an old
fashioned case of indigestion.
Well, I shall expect you in the morning.
Goodnight.
Goodnight, doctor.
Thank you, doctor.
Goodnight.
Goodnight.
Are you sure you're feeling better?
Yes I'll be alright now.
Then I'll say goodnight.
Ann.
Ann, I know you haven't understood
why I'm treating Jane the way I do.
I didn't ever want to tell you
but now I know I've got to.
It's because I'm afraid of her,
just as I was afraid of
her mother before her.
Afraid of a child?
She's not just a child.
She's evil.
Those candles I was looking for,
she made a wax image of me out of them.
You must find it.
You must search the house,
but you must find that doll!
You must find it before it's too late.
Jane!
Jane?
Jane?
Give me that doll.
Give it to me.
Give it to me.
Give me the doll, Jane.
I promise you nothing will happen.
We'll go on just as before.
Nothing will happen.
Give me the doll, Jane.
He said I didn't have a real doll.
This isn't real, it's only wax.
Come on darling, give
me the doll, please.
Please, give me the doll.
Jane.
Jane!
It wasn't the man or the child.
Or what either of them believed
that caused the tragedy.
It was the house.
I'm not interested in
superstitions but in facts.
About it's next occupant.
Paul Henderson, the
film star who disappeared.
Yes, that's the case I'm on.
Understand the house
and you might find out
what happened to him.
What do you mean?
He only wanted the
house for a short time.
I tried to discourage him from taking it.
Why?
I didn't think he'd be happy there.
Not with his personality.
Still, if he really wanted it.
I remember waiting for him to arrive.
Yes.
Yes, I like it.
You see, I told you.
This place is absolutely ideal for you.
Yes, well it's just for a few months
while we're shooting the picture.
Of course, the main advantage
is it's less than an hours
drive from the studio.
Hmm, does seem quite comfortable.
Before you decide...
I've already decided that to take it.
In that case, I feel that
it is only fair to warn you.
Warn me?
The former tenants.
There were tragedies.
Are you trying to tell me
that this house is haunted?
Not exactly.
What a pity.
I would have liked a ghost.
You see it isn't that I just
star in the horror pictures.
I'm an expert on the whole subject.
Ghosts, vampires,
werewolves witches, demons.
In fact, there's very little I don't know
on the subject of the
supernatural, mister, erm.
Stoker.
Stoker?
That's true.
this is the third film Mr. Henderson
and I will have made together.
And I know him pretty well by now.
At heart, he is pure gothic.
You know, Paul, sometimes, I think,
you'd feel more at home
in some medieval castle.
Yes.
Yes, that's right.
Castle.
You approve, Mr. Henderson?
Yes.
Oh, yes Mr. Petrich.
I approve of this.
But hardly of that.
Call sheet for tomorrow, Mr. Henderson.
Any similarity between this model
and that set is purely coincidental.
It's all we
could afford on the budget.
Paul, I'm so sorry.
Everything alright, I hope.
No, everything is not alright.
As long as you and your art director here
insist on my acting in this rabbit hutch.
What's wrong with it?
Tell me, Mr. Talmadge,
since leaving the depressing
confines of television,
how many films have you made?
Well, actually, this is my second.
But your first horror film.
Well, let me tell you Mr. Talmadge,
I have made hundreds of 'em.
Hundreds.
Oh, my god.
And if I go on working for this company,
I shall finish up looking like him.
Look at this scenery.
Look at it!
Look.
So flimsy, you could blow peas through it.
Please, Mr. Henderson,
it's been freshly painted.
That's what's wrong with
your present day horror films.
There's no realism.
Not like the old ones now, great ones.
Frankenstein, Phantom
of the Opera, Dracula.
The one with Bela Lugosi, of
course, not the new fella.
They didn't have freshly painted scenery.
Well, I'm sure you'll
like your vampire costume.
Rita, will you please bring over the cloak
for Mr. Henderson?
Who did this belong to?
The Flying Nun?
It looks perfectly alright to me.
My dear fellow, it's too new.
It's not sinister enough.
I want a wardrobe that look
as if it's been lived in.
Or died in.
Well, what do you expect us to do?
Rob a graveyard?
Take this shmutter away, madam.
Use it for draperies.
But were scheduled to
start shooting tomorrow,
we have no time.
Find anything else.
Well it looks as though
I shall have to find
something for myself, doesn't it?
Mr. Henderson.
Wardrobe, mistresses,
ineffectual art directors,
low budget pictures.
Curse of the Blood Suckers.
Come.
Your call sheet for
tomorrow, Mr. Henderson.
By the way, somebody left this card
on my dressing room mirror.
Any idea who it was?
None at all, Mr. Henderson.
Right, thank you.
Hello?
Anybody here?
Shop?
May I be of some assistance?
You are...
Yes, I am Von Hartmann.
You are a celebrant?
I beg your pardon?
Oh, I see what you mean.
No, of course I have
performed the black mass
on many occasions.
Ah!
In my films, you understand?
My name is Henderson.
Paul Henderson.
The film actor.
I'm afraid, sir, I do
not patronize the cinema.
Well.
So I'm looking for a cloak.
A cloak?
Yes, a long black cloak,
something old and worn.
The sort of thing that
might have been used
by a Transylvanian vampire.
A vampire's cloak?
Yes, I was hoping to find
something that looked authentic.
It's so important, don't you think?
I think I may be able to help you, sir.
I think this may well be
what you require, sir.
Try it on.
That's funny, I felt a sort of chill.
Yes, it's been a long time down below.
It's very cold down there.
Yeah.
How much are you asking for it?
Shall we say 13 shillings?
That's an odd sum, 13 shillings a week?
No, my dear sir, 13 shillings
and it's yours for life.
Well that seems very reasonable.
10, 11, 12, 13.
I shall soon be closing
this establishment.
I only hope you put the
cloak to its proper use.
My dear Mr. Von Hartmann, in my films,
there is nothing improper.
Shall I put it in a bag?
Thank you, no.
I'll take it over my arm.
My car is just outside.
Good day, sir and thank you.
Thank you.
Now, I shall be able to rest in peace.
Come.
Ready in two minutes, Mr. Henderson.
Right, thank you.
Come.
Were ready for you now, sir.
Right, thank you.
I'll bring
the cloak for you, sir.
Yes, thank you.
We'll come into close-up
half way through the scene
and cut, just after you kiss her.
Then makeup will put in your
fangs for the next shot.
And we'll come in from the other angle
as you raise your head.
Look, I have done this sort
of thing before, you know?
Yes, well I think we'll try a take.
Kill the house lights.
Now, quiet please, quiet!
Turn over.
Scene, mark it.
27, take one.
Action!
Must you really go?
It's almost midnight.
I'm not afraid.
Even though your father
believes that in my family,
there runs a thirst for blood?
You mustn't take him seriously.
He still believes in the old
superstitions of our land.
That at the stroke of
12, the vampire must feast.
But do you believe it?
I only know that I love you.
Goodbye, my dearest.
Cut!
Okay?
Okay.
Paul!
Paul!
Help!
You beast!
You bit me!
Oh!
Paul, that's a very splendid performance
but you really don't have to
get quite so carried away.
Egg roll?
You know I'm vegetarian.
Morning, Mr. Henderson.
Good morning.
What scenes are we doing today?
24, 35, 53 and 89.
None with the cloak?
No, sir.
Thank god.
Has Ms. Lind arrived yet?
Yes, sir, she's over there.
Carla, I really must apologize
for what happened yesterday.
I don't know what came over me.
I've been playing vampires for years
but I've never actually
bitten anybody before.
Then why start on me?
Carla, please.
Am I forgiven?
Alright, Paul, but it
will cost you a dinner.
Then back to my cottage
afterwards for champagne.
If you promise I'll be safe with you.
Safe as houses.
Thank you for a lovely dinner, Paul.
My dear, Carla.
It's the least I could do
under the circumstances.
Let me recharge your glass.
Thank you.
It's rather good, don't you think?
No.
Oh.
Doesn't do you justice.
Good heavens.
What is it?
Listen to this.
Fire destroys costumery shop.
The salvage authorities
investigating the cause of the fire
are puzzled by the discovery of a coffin
buried in the earth of the
cellar beneath the shop
containing the body of an elderly man.
Although dead for years, the
body was quite well preserved
and death appeared to
be from natural causes.
It's Von Hartmann.
Who?
The man from whom I brought my cloak.
He said he was closing the place
and was glad to find
someone to give it to.
Well, that someone was me.
What are you talking about?
I'll show you what I'm talking about.
This.
I asked for something authentic.
Well, don't you see?
This is authentic.
That old man was a vampire
and this was his cloak.
He had to pass it on to
someone before he could die.
Carries his spirit and
transfers his blood lust
to whoever wears it.
I know about these things,
I've read all about them.
That's why I bit you last
night and that's why.
Excuse me.
What are you going to do?
I'm gonna burn it.
Oh, surely you don't.
Oh look, it's only an old cloak.
Every time I wear this,
I'll turn into a vampire.
Oh nonsense, put it on,
prove to yourself then.
No!
Look at the time.
It's nearly midnight, the witching hour.
There's no telling what might happen.
Paul, I think you are afraid.
Me, afraid?
Nonsense.
Prove to yourself that it's
only a silly superstition.
Come on, put it on.
Very well, but I must say,
I'm not over keen on the idea.
You see, nothing happened.
Well, I can't understand it.
Wait a minute, this isn't my cloak.
No, this one is.
Carla.
Carla, no.
No.
No, Carla.
Carla, don't put that on,
you'll turn into a vampire.
Carla!
Carla, please!
We love your films so much
we wanted you to become one of us forever.
Welcome to the club.
Carla!
Carla!
Don't be ridiculous.
Carla, this is going too far.
Carla!
Carla!
You must be joking.
Now what sort of a crazy story is that?
Oh, I just thought it might amuse you.
Look I'd like to see the house.
May I have the keys, please?
If you wait until the morning,
I'd be most happy to accompany you.
No, I'd like to see the house tonight.
One question if I may.
In your job, do you ever
give anyone another chance.
Someone who's not likely
to commit a crime again?
All crimes must be
paid for, that's the law.
I'd not advise your going
to the house, not alone.
The keys please.
You've heard what's happened there.
Haven't you fathomed its secret yet?
The keys, please.
I still say you'd do better
to wait until the morning.
The electricity is cut off.
I know what I'm doing.
Do you?
No!
Perhaps you understand the
secret of this house now.
Precisely, it reflects the personality
of whoever lives in it and
treats him accordingly.
I hope it finds a proper tenant soon.
Perhaps you would like it.
There's nothing to be afraid of,
if you're the right sort of person.
Think it over.