Sabotage (1936) Movie Script
(HORN HONKING)
MAN: What's happened here?
(PEOPLE SHOUTING)
(HORNS HONKING)
- Sand.
- Sabotage.
- Wrecking.
- Deliberate.
- What's at the back of it?
- Who did it?
I know how the law stands.
You broke a contract,
therefore you broke the law.
But it's everywhere. Look at the street.
MAN: I pay my money
to look at the pictures.
(SINGING)
MAN 1: If I want to sit in the dark,
I can do it at home.
MAN 2: Yes, free of charge.
MAN 1: Yes.
I think it's a blinking shame,
robbing the poor people like that.
We've got to have our money back.
It's an act of providence,
like an earthquake or a thunderbolt.
Or a baby.
Will you kindly not interfere?
MAN: We've got to have our money back.
I'm so sorry I'm late, Mrs. Verloc,
but I had a hell of a time
trying to eat my egg on toast in the dark.
Half of it's in my ear now.
(CROWD MURMURING)
They want their money back,
but we can't afford it.
I do wish Mr. Verloc would come.
WOMAN: Rotten place.
Can't even see the pictures.
- They're getting nasty.
- Nasty? Leave them to me.
Here you, what's all this about?
Lend me your flashlight, Jack.
Is it our fault if the light fails?
Supposing you were a policeman,
got hit over the nut.
You think the government would
ask for their money back?
I paid for my seat.
Yes. And what about the one
you put your feet on?
Carl, when did you get home?
I haven't been out.
You weren't in 20 minutes ago.
I came and called up the stairs.
I was asleep.
Why are you shining the torch on me?
Can't you switch on the light
or something?
We can't, it's failed.
What, the fuse gone down?
No, it's everywhere,
in the streets and the trams.
And the audience downstairs
wants their money back.
They're making a terrible row about it.
Well, give it back.
- We can't possibly afford it.
- Yes, we can.
You must be crazy. It'll clear us right out.
You're always saying
we don't cover expenses.
That's all right.
Doesn't pay to antagonize the public.
I've got some money coming in. Go on.
Well, it's for you to say.
If we're going to be generous,
let's do it properly.
Come on downstairs
and make a speech about it.
No, no. They're used to you. You do it.
All right. I still think you're crazy.
- It's an act of God, I tell you.
- And what do you call an act of God?
I call your face one, and you won't get
your money back on that.
(CROWD LAUGHING)
If a plane were to come along
and drop a bomb on you,
that would be an unfriendly act
within the meaning of the act.
But if the juice dries up of its own accord,
that's an act of providence
as laid down in the act of William IV
where an act is defined as any activity
actuated by actual action.
WOMAN: No wonder
the blinking lights went out.
(CROWD LAUGHING)
- It's a moot point.
- I'll moot point them. Make them pay.
MAN: That's right, ma'am.
WOMAN: Yes.
- MAN: We want our money back.
- And how will you get it?
Apply sanctions? Are you familiar
with the details of the covenant?
If you'd studied Article 257,
paragraph 24, line 6, sanction B,
- it says definitely no.
- WOMAN: Oh.
Yes. You didn't know that, did you?
You're all ignorant.
Now if you take my advice, you'll go off
home because there's nothing doing here.
Now go on, get off.
- What do you think you're doing?
- TED: Just lending a hand.
I thought I told you not to interfere.
I've been delivering a little counterattack.
Look, they're on the run.
Well, they can come right back.
Listen, ladies and gentlemen,
you're going to get your money back.
(ALL EX CLAIMING)
Don't give in now. I'll stand by you.
I'd prefer you to go
and stand by your apple stall.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I've been speaking to Mr. Verloc,
and since you're all regular patrons
and good friends,
he's going to let you
have your money back.
There'll be no money back, I tell you.
Go on, get off.
Please don't pay any attention to him.
I tell you, you're crazy. I had it all fixed.
- Will you mind your own business?
- Of all the obstinate people...
If you don't go away, I'll call the police.
(CROWD MURMURING)
Renee, start refunding the patrons
their money.
(PEOPLE GASPING)
JACK: None of that.
You haven't been here before. Hop it.
Thank you for your trouble.
I'm sure you meant well.
Not at all. I like trouble.
(DOOR SLAMS)
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)
(MAN CHA TTERING ON SCREEN)
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)
RENEE: How many?
WOMAN: Two seats, please.
RENEE: Two.
WOMAN: Right.
RENEE: Thank you.
- How many?
- MAN: Two shillings, please.
Two shillings?
Right.
Take your change, please.
- How many?
- One.
- How many?
- None, thanks.
Vegetables is all ready for dishing up.
Please tell Mrs. Verloc, miss.
There you are, ma'am.
I've got to hurry home now
because me husband's having trouble
with his kidneys again,
and I can't leave him for long.
Your young brother's looking after them.
- What, the kidneys?
- No, the vegetables.
Oh, Stevie, have you done
all this by yourself?
Oh, come on, don't be so modest.
Well, we didn't have to pay them back
their money after all.
(MRS. VERLOC CHATTERING)
Always that woman, Mrs. Jones,
manages to make the cabbage brown.
I'm always telling her
you like things green.
I'll make you a salad.
Stevie, run next door
and get a nice big head of lettuce.
Long or round? I like long best.
Whichever's freshest.
Tell them to charge it.
We very nearly wouldn't have been able
to afford lettuce if we'd paid them back.
You didn't seem very interested
when I told you.
I mean, why were you so keen
to pay them back at all?
No, it's not that.
Only anything for quiet.
I don't like attention
being drawn to us like that.
Good evening. Forgive me for butting in
your private affairs,
but this bright specimen didn't
appear to know
whether you wanted long, round, square,
or oblong lettuce. So I brought a selection.
- I distinctly said long ones, you know I did.
- Did you? I thought you said long ones.
I said long ones.
Oh, good evening, Mr. Verloc.
So you came home just in time
to see the trouble, eh?
Me? I've been in all the afternoon.
But I could've sworn
I saw you come in just about...
Well, you were wrong.
I didn't know anything about it
until you woke me, did I?
No. He was lying down upstairs.
I had to call him.
Sorry. My mistake, I suppose.
Well, here we are.
(WOMAN SCREAMING ON SCREEN)
I thought someone
was committing a murder.
Someone probably is. On the screen there.
Stevie, hop on a chair and fix that fanlight.
Look out George Arliss
doesn't bite you, Steve.
Well, good night, all.
(GUN FIRING ON SCREEN)
All right, lady, I'll look around
the market tomorrow.
Thank you.
Mind if I pop off early tonight, guv?
- Okay, Ted.
- Thank you.
Good night, boys.
That fellow seems to get off
whenever he likes.
All right, we'll put someone onto that.
Well, Sergeant, you saw
what happened tonight.
- Yes, sir.
- Anything your end?
I'm not certain, but I could've sworn
I saw Verloc come back
in the middle of it all.
Later when I challenged him,
he said he hadn't been out at all.
- His wife confirmed it.
- Naturally.
She would if she's in it.
You better find some way of talking to her.
Now, listen, Spencer,
the Home Office have been on
and they're scared something worse
than tonight's job may happen.
What's the idea, sir?
What's the point of all this wrecking?
Making trouble at home to
take our minds off what's going on abroad.
Same as in a crowd.
One man treads on your toe.
While you're arguing with him
his pal picks your pocket.
- Who's behind it?
- They're the people
that you and I'll never catch.
It's the men they employ that we're after.
Don't you know that's very dangerous?
- What?
- Leaving stuff like that lying about.
Supposing you or me were to
break our leg on that
you'd be pleased with yourself, I suppose.
That would depend
whether it was your leg or mine.
Can't tempt you, I suppose? Oranges,
very nice today. Good for the feet.
Hello, guv, going to the pictures?
As a matter of fact,
I'm off to a trade show.
Well, pick us a good one then,
you know, with plenty of murders.
This love stuff makes me sick.
The women like it, though.
He's just going.
Then tell him not to come back too late
'cause we're going out.
Don't come back too late
'cause you're both going out.
I'll be back as soon as I can.
(WHISTLING)
Penny each, pineapples.
Pineapples, penny each.
Penny each, pineapples.
Pineapples, penny each.
Penny each, pineapples.
Pineapples, penny each.
What's them bubbles, Dad?
Has the fish got hiccups?
You'd have hiccups
if you had to live on ants' eggs.
MAN: They're funny-Iooking things.
MR. VERLOC: Yes.
They're funny-Iooking things.
MAN: It'll take three like that to make soup
for the Lord Mayor's banquet
next Saturday.
MR. VERLOC: Think of that.
They say it's digestible.
Hmm.
There's a thing with a mustache.
MR. VERLOC: I hope you're satisfied
with last night's show.
Wasn't as easy as it looked.
I had to spend money, too.
MAN: No doubt.
MR. VERLOC: A neat job, though.
The sort of thing to make people sit up.
I think you'll agree I've earned my money.
I hope you didn't mind my asking for it
in pound notes.
MAN: You made London laugh.
When one sets out
to put the fear of death into people,
it's not helpful to make them laugh.
We're not comedians.
It's not my fault if they're such fools.
Londoners are not fools.
They laughed because they realized
what happened last night was laughable.
They did right to laugh. This time.
What do you mean?
Mr. Verloc, you will be paid your money
when you've earned it.
I don't follow.
My dear Verloc,
I once read a sign in Piccadilly Circus
calling it the center of the world.
I think you'd better pay a visit there
in a couple of days' time,
and leave a small parcel in the cloakroom
at the underground station.
What sort of a parcel?
I don't know.
MAN: Let's say a parcel of fireworks.
MR. VERLOC: I couldn't do it.
I'm not going to be connected
with anything that means loss of life.
You'll have to get somebody else.
I won't touch it.
MAN: Very well then, Mr. Verloc.
- Lf you think you're so well-off that...
- MR. VERLOC: You know I'm not.
You know my position.
MAN: All right, then.
You'll be paid your money when...
In any case, if you're so fussy
about doing it yourself,
surely you have some kind friends
who'd help you?
Now don't be so silly.
Go and see this man.
He's a very nice old gentleman
and he makes lovely fireworks.
I'll try and see him.
And don't forget the date.
Saturday next. Lord Mayor's show day.
Lots of people.
You want me to come and report?
Thanks, no.
If your report itself is loud enough,
it won't be necessary.
Which is the way out, please?
Thank you.
This bivalve's rate of fertility
is extremely high.
After laying a million eggs,
the female oyster changes her sex.
I don't blame her.
- Excuse me, can I help you?
- Oh, thank you.
Its feet are cold.
Isn't it fat?
You'd be fat, too, if you were fed
corn and bits of bread all day long.
- Why, if it isn't Stevie and Mrs. Verloc.
- It's Ted, look. Ted.
Yes, it always is.
Fat, isn't it? Ought to eat more fruit.
You and your fruit. That's our lunch today.
Is that all? How about a nice juicy steak
with me? What about it?
- I'm all for it.
- Stevie!
- Good. Where shall we go?
- I'd like to go to Simpsons.
A boy I know,
his uncle took him there once.
Don't be silly, Stevie, we're going
to the corner house to a teashop.
Don't be too hard, Mrs. V,
let's make it Simpsons.
Come on.
- Have you ever been here before?
- No, never.
Stevie, look what you're doing.
You're pulling the tablecloth.
I saw a picture once where a chap
snatched the tablecloth off the table
and left everything standing on it.
- You ought to try that at home one day.
- He did.
All this is very expensive, isn't it?
Yes, it looks like it, doesn't it?
I've got a pound note if you want it.
It's all right.
Now, Steve, setting aside the steak
for a moment, we have here before us
oysters, caviar, smoked salmon,
- fried, grilled or boiled sole.
- I'll have a...
Roast saddle of mutton, Kentish
Chicken Pudding, boiled silverside,
roast sirloin, chopped steaks,
grilled kidneys or roast duck.
MRS. VERLOC: I think Stevie'd like
a nice poached egg on toast
and I'll have a mixed salad.
Here, drink this.
Poached egg here at Simpsons?
Why, that's enough to make the roast beef
turn in its gravy.
Three bullocks roasted whole,
and a cup of coffee.
WAITER: Sirloin at Number 8.
When did you come over from America?
About a year ago.
Business wasn't too good over there.
That's funny.
People used to go to the States because
business wasn't too good over here.
- How are things here now, not too good?
- Not terribly.
I hadn't noticed you turning people away.
It's hard to make a one-man business
pay these days,
unless you run a sideline.
Has Mr. Verloc a sideline?
No, but we're quite satisfied
with things as they are.
Just one happy little family.
Just one happy little family.
Mr. Verloc's very kind to Stevie.
And that means a lot to Stevie's sister.
It means everything.
- Now here we are.
- Good morning, sir.
No fat for you, as usual?
You see, I don't forget.
I haven't seen you for a long time.
Do I look as though I don't like fat?
- What's the big idea?
- What idea?
First, pretending
never to have been here before.
Second, affording to come here
on your salary.
That's what everyone would like to know.
There's a mystery about me.
Come to think of it,
there's a mystery about most people.
- Haven't you got some terrible secret?
- Never mind about that.
What goes on after hours
in that cinema of yours?
Deeds of darkness.
Does your husband
go on mysterious journeys?
He does, wearing false whiskers.
Aha! That means there's another woman
in his life.
(GIGGLING)
- What's the joke?
- Lf you only knew him.
He's the quietest, most harmless
home-Ioving person.
Well, what luck with Mrs. Verloc?
- She knows nothing, sir, nothing at all.
- What makes you think so?
She has a straight answer to everything,
besides her manner...
Pretty woman?
- What's that got to do with it, sir?
- I know,
I'm too tender-hearted myself,
especially where women are concerned.
What about Verloc?
I'm not certain, but if he is mixed up
in this, he's not giving himself away.
I'm not so sure about that.
Your assistant, what's his...
Hollingshead.
Hollingshead was signaled
by you this morning to follow this man.
- Yes, sir.
- Just reach me that paper, will you?
This is his report, telephoned
from a call box 10 minutes ago.
"Verloc went to the zoo aquarium,
evidently by appointment,
"and met a certain foreign individual
who handed him a paper.
"He then proceeded to 465 Liverpool Road,
Islington, which is a bird shop.
"I'm waiting for him to come out
and report again later on."
- Islington?
- Exactly.
Doesn't mean much to me, either.
But I can't understand, madam,
one of my best songbirds.
It sang all day before you purchased it.
Perhaps in a few days it will settle down.
Nothing will make it settle down.
I've tried all ways,
whistling to it, clapping me hands,
frying bacon, no use.
It just sits there and makes me look silly.
- Not the bird's fault, I assure you, madam.
- Isn't it?
I'll have my two and nine, please,
and there's your bird back.
I want a canary for company.
Perhaps I can make him sing.
(WHISTLING)
(BIRD SINGING)
There, now.
- Are you sure it was him?
- Listen again.
(WHISTLES)
(BIRD SINGING)
Didn't see his beak open.
Of course you did. There's a good boy.
Now, don't forget, plenty of watercress
and you must whistle to him.
Me whistle? Perhaps you'd like me to sit
in the cage and him do the housework.
Yes, of course, you want something
from my other department, don't you?
Hmm?
This way.
My daughter.
Much better than having strangers
doing for you.
Strangers too inquisitive, you know.
Now, where are my keys?
(TSKING)
How very careless.
She oughtn't to let the child play up here.
A bit dangerous.
There you are. No father, no discipline.
What can you expect?
Is the little girl's father dead?
I don't know.
He might be.
I don't know. Nobody knows.
My daughter would like to know, too.
But there you are.
It's her cross and she must bear it.
We all have our cross to bear.
Hmm?
(SIGHS)
Everything there looks pretty harmless.
You are right, my friend.
But if I were to mix,
say, a little tomato sauce
with some strawberry jam, then...
I gather from our mutual friend
that Saturday is the day,
and the hour 1:45.
But how do I start the mechanism?
You leave that to me.
By the time you receive it,
everything will have been set in motion.
You seem a little nervous. Don't be afraid.
Say to yourself,
there is one man who envies you.
Envies me?
I've been a fighter always until now.
But alas, I'm no longer wanted
in the frontline.
I must keep the fighters supplied.
But I would rather be in your shoes.
My dear, just look here.
Yes, yes, perhaps you're right.
I must have put it there myself.
(GRUNTS)
There, there. No harm done.
Well, I think everything is quite clear.
Slap me hard.
Granddad's been very naughty.
Look there. What's he doing?
He might be watching me. Why not?
They probably know too much already.
They'll raid you one day.
I shall give them
a nice, warm welcome if they do.
He didn't see me.
On Saturday without fail, sir.
Two canaries in a nice cage
with a very deep tray.
Don't forget, Saturday at 1:45.
Good day, sir.
Good day.
That child again.
SHOP OWNER: And now, sir.
MAN: I want a nice singing canary.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
SHOP OWNER: A canary, you said,
and my dear little birds
at once answer for themselves.
MRS. VERLOC: Of course I realized
he wasn't a greengrocer's assistant at all.
I mean, a greengrocer's assistant
can hardly afford to lunch at Simpsons,
can he?
He's really quite well off,
and he's there to learn the business.
It's one of a big chain, that shop.
If you ask me, I believe he's the son
of the man who owns them.
How would you like a job
selling fruit, Stevie?
I wouldn't mind with Ted.
He makes it all sound fun.
Wouldn't it be grand to have steak
whenever you like?
Crumbs, I'd have it three times a day.
- You'd soon get sick of it.
- Bet I wouldn't.
I don't see how you could get sick of
things to eat, except poached eggs.
MRS. VERLOC: What's the matter
with poached eggs?
STEVIE: I think they're the worst things
in the world. I bet Ted doesn't eat them.
I'm sure he does.
I bet he doesn't.
They're beneath his dignity.
MRS. VERLOC: I don't think Ted's
so terribly dignified.
Well, he's too dignified to eat eggs.
- See, you're bunching it up.
- It's all right, Stevie.
Do you think Ted will come with us
and sail it?
He might if you ask him.
He's more likely to if you ask him.
STEVIE: Sailing boats is fun. I like it,
but Ted knows about all sorts of things.
Gangsters and burglars and everything.
MRS. VERLOC: How does he know?
STEVIE: He reads about them.
He says gangsters are not
nearly so frightening as you'd think.
Some of them are quite ordinary
looking, like you and me and Mr. Verloc.
Perhaps he's right.
After all, if gangsters look like gangsters,
the police would soon get after them,
wouldn't they, I mean?
Sixpence, please.
Thank you.
Is Mr. Verloc in?
- Was he expecting you?
- Yes.
- Do you know your way through?
- Yes, I think so.
- Pass one, Jack.
- Thank you.
I have an appointment with Mr. Verloc.
- Do you know your way through?
- No.
You go right through the theater.
Pass one, Jack.
Thank you.
GREENGROCER: Lady there, Ted.
A pound of those apples, please.
I'll have to slip away in a minute.
Maybe I won't be bothering you anymore
again after tonight.
MAN: Thank you.
Keep an eye, Jim, will you?
- One balcony, please.
- Pass one, Jack.
WOMAN ON SCREEN... I'm glad you found
this. It's the most important of the lot.
I'll burn it, too.
MAN ON SCREEN... Allow me.
WOMAN... Oh, thank you.
Well, all our troubles are over now.
Oh!
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)
(MAN GROANING)
MAN 1... Look out.
Oh, look out!
MAN 2... Come on, Ridley!
Hello, Ted. Where are you going?
Just going to have a word with Mr. Verloc.
He doesn't talk through loudspeakers.
- Is that what's in there?
- Only the screen, not much to look at.
(MAN CHA TTERING)
(MAN GROANING)
Where does that lead to?
To our front room.
You remember when it fell open.
I'll give old Mr. V a surprise.
MAN 1... Master Don.
MAN 2... Come out of there.
MAN 1... I'm your nephew.
MAN 2... Are you?
MAN 2... Don't fiddle about, that's no good.
Leave it to me, I'll get it out of him.
(MAN 1 YELLS)
MAN 1... Don't you do that to me.
MAN 2... Well, don't you talk like that to me.
Remember I'm your uncle. Older...
Not at all.
I'm only too glad
to pay what the job's worth.
Well, I don't see anything against it.
I'll call in tomorrow about 11:00.
And afterwards...
I'll settle with you
when you've done the job.
Of course,
if the Arsenal lose to Birmingham
on Saturday, I shan't be so pleased.
Arsenal? I don't follow.
No, I know you don't follow Arsenal,
but they're a good bet, believe me.
Don't forget I filled in about 10 coupons.
Stands me in at about 15 bob,
so I'd better...
MR. VERLOC: Why, I know him.
- What were you doing up there?
- MAN 1: Who is he?
He's from the grocery next door.
I know him, all right, but...
What's happened?
I was showing Ted the back of the screen
and the loudspeakers.
Wasn't that all right?
I hope I didn't hurt you.
You never know, you know.
Well, Mr. Verloc, no harm done, I hope.
I must be getting back to the shade
of the old apple tree.
Sorry.
Good night, all. Good night.
That is Detective Sergeant Spencer
of Scotland Yard.
- But who is he after?
- You're having us on.
What are we going to do about him?
But he's connected
with the fruit stall next door, I tell you.
Spencer got me my last stretch,
the one I'm on license from now.
- What're we gonna do about it?
- One thing.
This job is off, out, finished.
- We go quick from here and scatter.
- And keep scattered.
If he comes out again, tell him
you don't know where we live.
Say we've gone abroad, anything you like.
(MUSIC PLA YING ON SCREEN)
Yesterday, at Simpsons,
when you had lunch with that fellow.
With Ted, you mean?
Remember what he said to you?
Did he ask you any questions
about yourself? About me?
None that I can think of. Why?
Because he's a detective
from Scotland Yard, that's why.
Spying on us, on me, through you.
But why should he?
What is there to find out?
I'm all right. It must be one of those
fellows who came here tonight.
But you said he was spying on you.
No, not me.
This place, I meant.
If he has anything against anybody
why didn't he come straight to you?
You'd help him.
I'll talk to Mr. Detective Ted.
No, no. I'll speak to him myself.
- You may clean all that.
- Right-o, governor.
Where's Ted?
He's gone.
- Has he gone to Scotland Yard?
- Sorry, Mr. Verloc.
Of course, I didn't like the idea,
but I couldn't refuse.
You see, it was official.
But why? What's wrong?
- Did they say what it was about?
- Not so far as I know.
You must have been showing
some funny sort of films, I daresay,
you know, perhaps a bit too hot.
Was he there?
Post.
I was trying to get hold of him
since first thing this morning.
- Wasn't there anybody there to answer?
- No.
Well, it's too late to stop him now.
He's gone out with an order.
All right. All right.
An old man just left this.
I thought he must have made a mistake.
No, that's all right.
It's only a pair of birds for Stevie.
I was just phoning about it.
You're terribly good to him.
Not to you?
If you're good to him, you're good to me.
You know that.
Yes, I know.
- What made you think of it?
- Someone made the suggestion.
Go and call him, will you?
(DOOR CLOSES)
Stevie.
What are you doing up there?
There's a surprise for you inside.
- What is it?
- Go and see.
There was no one on the door.
Forgive me for busting in like this.
We're getting used to it.
I'm afraid we've nothing showing
at this early hour.
I'm sorry, Mrs. Verloc,
but I'm here on business.
Same business as last night?
Mrs. Verloc,
there's nothing personal in all this.
Isn't there?
You had us fooled all right. Trying to make
Stevie and me think you were a friend.
- Do you think I enjoyed it?
- Then why did...
Listen. I asked to be taken off this job
this morning.
You can guess why.
But it's not as easy as that.
In my job you have to do as you're told.
What have you been told? If it's about
the men who came here last night,
my husband had nothing to do with it.
You'd better realize that.
They came here on business
about the cinema.
That's just it.
You've no idea what their business was.
Whatever it was, I'm sure my husband
hasn't done anything wrong.
I hope you're right.
Why do you say it like that?
Because we believe there's something
going on here connected with sabotage.
That blackout the other night,
you remember?
Well, my husband
hasn't anything to do with sabotage.
He told me that night
he'd been in all evening.
That wasn't true.
I saw him come back with my own eyes.
I don't believe it.
You're making things very difficult for me.
I'm afraid
I've got to ask you a lot of questions.
Now, about those men.
I've told you before, he's the most
harmless person in the whole world.
He wouldn't do anything to...
TED: Did these men arrive together
or one by one?
Did you recognize any of them?
Are you quite certain that you didn't know
one of them by sight?
(WHISTLING)
Stevie!
They're beauteous. Which one's the hen?
Well, you'll have to wait
till one of them lays an egg.
Wouldn't it fool everybody
if one day the gent laid an egg?
- Gosh, wouldn't that be funny?
- You're right.
By the way, has that two-reeler
gone over to the Canterbury yet?
There's plenty of time.
I was just wondering.
Maybe you could take it along now.
'Cause there's another little job
I want doing at the same time.
- You know, kill two birds with one stone.
- Not my birds.
No, they'll be here when you come back.
No, it's that projector gadget
wants seeing to.
Harris out at Watford says he'll do it
cheaper than they will in town.
But he can't come right over here
and fetch it, so what we'll do is this.
You leave it in the cloakroom
at Piccadilly Circus,
and Harris picks it up at 1:30.
But can he get it without the ticket?
Oh, that's all right.
You leave the ticket with the man.
Harris knows him. We've done this before.
(WHISTLING)
- You'd better get along now.
- Well, there's no hurry.
- You'll have to walk all the way.
- Walk? What for?
Well, you know
you can't take film tins in public vehicles.
Oh, yes, I forgot.
You needn't tell your sister that you are
going as far as Piccadilly.
You know what she is.
Always thinking
you are going to get run over.
She needn't worry.
Heads I wash, tails I don't.
Tails it is.
(SIGHING)
For God's sake, why don't you go?
I mean, hurry up. You might be late.
Don't forget
it's got to be there by 1:30 at the latest.
Hello, Steve. What have you got there?
I'm taking a two-reeler
over to the Canterbury.
"Bartholomew the Strangler."
That sounds a juicy one. Have you seen it?
- Fourteen times.
- Must be quite a wrench parting from it.
- Well, so long, Bartholomew.
- So long.
- Careful of the crossing.
- I can look after myself, can't I?
- Steve, is Mr. Verloc in?
- Yes, I just left him.
I'm afraid I've had to impose on you,
Mr. Verloc.
I couldn't afford to let you in on this.
Now I've put my cards on the table.
I've come here to ask for your help,
nothing more.
I see.
About those men that were here
the other night, when I dropped in myself.
I've been instructed
to get a little information about them.
We'd be very grateful if you'd help us.
Well, any help I can give him, of course.
About yourself, Mr. Verloc.
When did you first come to this country?
- Can I get you a drink or something?
- Not now, thanks.
Well, I've got to think now. Let's see.
Perhaps it would be better if you
put it down on paper. Just a formality.
Could you find a pen and ink?
We can start right away, you know.
"I, Carl Anton Verloc..."
MAN 1: Now, ladies and gentlemen,
I want to ask you a question.
- What is it causes teeth to fall out?
- MAN 2: Why, a punch on the jaw.
(ALL LAUGHING)
MAN 1: The process of decay,
inevitable in all human organisms,
but decay can be arrested,
instantaneously arrested, and by what?
MAN 3: A copper.
MAN 1: Yes, exactly.
But if I may say so, by rather more
than one copper, by a few coppers.
I have here in my hand
a tube of that
remarkable preparation, Salvodon,
derived from two Greek words,
salvonomor and dontoupe.
Sixpence for four tubes
and a shilling for the large tube
containing four times as much.
Now let me give you just a little
demonstration. Now, if somebody...
I see here a young gentleman
who I'm sure would be happy to assist me.
- No, I wouldn't.
- ALL: Yes, you would.
Come on, bung him up.
- In the chair, sir, if you don't mind.
- But I...
- Allow me to relieve you of the toffee.
- It isn't toffee. I have...
All right. Stay where you are.
Don't get excited.
Now then, here we are.
The first thing to do
is to take the tube in the left hand
and remove the cap. Like so.
Then we pick up the toothbrush
and we squeeze some of the Salvodon
along the bristles. Like so.
Then, I want you to observe,
ladies and gentlemen
that the young gentleman's teeth
are very dirty.
- They're not.
- Yes, they are.
Now, come on. Open your mouth.
That's a good boy.
We now proceed to use the brush.
Now with the ordinary
commercial dentifrices, what happens?
It is either too gritty
and takes all the enamel off,
or it ain't, and it don't take nothing off.
But with Salvodon,
that's the happy medium.
Neither too strong nor too weak.
It performs the functions
that nature forgot.
It cleanses the teeth, refreshes the mouth,
and removes all traces of halitosis.
Hali what?
- Bad breath to you, sir.
- Same to you.
Thank you, I don't need it.
Relax, sonny.
Don't be afraid. There you are.
Now, ladies and gentlemen,
you'll observe that I have unfortunately
disarranged the young gentleman's hair,
but that is easily attended to.
Now I have here a bottle of Loswell.
A shilling for that size.
But I have a large size, four times the size,
which is only 18 pence.
I will now give you a demonstration
of how it's used.
You put it on the hair like that, you see.
It's a remarkable stuff.
(ALL LAUGHING)
It is guaranteed to give the appearance
of patent leather to the human thatch.
You are now groomed for stardom,
as they say.
Go on, buzz off, you little basket. Go on.
What do you want? Go on, hop it.
(MAN CHATTERING)
Where you going?
Go on, back to your place. Go on.
Come on, son. Get right back.
MAN: Here they come.
(BAND PLAYING MARCH)
(CROWD CHEERING)
Pushing and shoving.
What do you think you're doing?
I say, do you think
we'll get to Piccadilly Circus by 1:30?
Yes, 1:30 in the morning.
Have you got to meet a young lady there?
You can't bring those on a public vehicle.
- They're films, ain't they?
- Yes.
Then they're flammable.
Go on. Hop off, big boy.
But I've got to get to Piccadilly.
Can't I leave them
on the platform or somewhere?
It's Bartholomew the Strangler.
Oh, well, as it's you, Bartholomew
old fellow, you can stay
as long as you promise not to
set about me or the passengers.
Thank you.
(LAUGHING)
Well, now everything seems to be all right.
- Will you have your drink after all?
- No, thanks.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Come in.
Oh, excuse me.
Will you ring up Whitehall 1212?
TED: May I use your phone?
Put me through
to Superintendent Talbot please.
Spencer here, sir.
A whole busload of people
have been blown up in the West End.
How awful.
- What time?
- Why do you ask?
Well, after all, I can't be in two places
at the same time, can I?
I suppose not.
I may be back later on.
- Caught onto anything?
- I'm not sure.
Well, make up your mind.
What is it anyway?
(MUTTERING)
Bartholomew something.
That's a film tin, isn't it?
I thought you said
Verloc hadn't been out since morning.
He hadn't.
Well, you'd best go back there
and see if that's one of their films.
- Do you want me, sir?
- Yes, yes.
You better join Hollingshead
at the bird shop.
- Yes, sir.
- Don't go inside. Just keep your eyes open.
- Right-o, sir.
- All right, Spencer.
Is that anything to do with it,
Mr. Spencer?
"Bartholomew the Strangler."
That's a film tin, isn't it?
No. Sardines.
NEWSBOY: Big bomb sensation!
Late extra news, big bomb sensation!
He's all right. He can take care of himself.
You've got nothing to worry about.
Late extra news, big bomb sensation!
Big bomb sensation!
Give me a penny.
NEWSBOY: Late extra news.
Big bomb sensation.
Late extra news. Late extra news.
Big bomb sensation.
Late extra news. Late extra news.
Big bomb sensation.
(CROWD EX CLAIMING)
MAN: Look, the lady's fainted.
(CROWD CHATTERING)
I want Mr. Verloc.
I want to see Mr. Verloc.
I didn't mean any harm
to come to the boy.
Come on. We've got to think of tomorrow.
You'll need all your wits about you
if they get onto me.
You might answer a fellow.
Do be reasonable.
What would it have been if you'd lost me?
That swine in the aquarium.
Silly, jeering, dangerous brute,
with no more sense than...
You didn't know. Quite right, too.
I'm not the chap to worry a woman
that's fond of me.
You had no business to know.
You'll have to pull yourself together,
my girl.
What's done can't be undone.
You go to bed now.
What you want is a good cry.
I know how you feel.
Do you think it doesn't touch me?
Do you think I fixed it
so that he'd be killed?
No. But I tell you who did.
Your Scotland Yard friend
from next door, Ted. Blame him.
I'd have carried the thing myself,
but he was hanging around
watching, spying. I couldn't get away.
Listen, it's done now.
And there's the future. Perhaps...
I don't know.
Perhaps if we had a kid of our own...
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)
(WHISTLING)
(ALL LAUGHING)
(CHA TTERING)
(CROONING)
(GROANS)
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)
MAN... (SINGING) Who killed Cock Robin?
CHORUS... Who killed Cock Robin?
Everything is dished up.
Young Stevie ain't in, but I've laid for him.
I'll be getting along now.
MAN... (SINGING) Who, who, who, who
Who killed Cock Robin?
Who killed Cock Robin?
CHORUS... Who killed Cock Robin?
Who got him with the shot?
And put him on the spot?
Who killed Cock Robin?
Pulled yourself together a bit.
That's better.
Never green.
Why can't that woman
cook green stuff any better?
Surely she's been long enough here to
know how fond I am of that sort of thing.
I don't think I want any cabbage.
Couldn't we send next door for some...
(CRIES)
That hurt!
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
Stevie! Stevie!
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
- You've heard.
- Yes.
I'm terribly sorry.
I don't know what to say.
- You know why I'm here?
- Yes.
- I have to arrest him.
- Yes.
I'll help him if I can, of course.
For your sake, if not for his.
I'd do anything for you.
You know that, don't you?
It's very good of you, Ted.
There isn't anything you can do
for either of us.
Things aren't as bad as that.
The evidence is against him, I admit.
But nothing's going to happen to you.
I know this isn't a very good time
to tell you.
I shouldn't tell you at all, I suppose.
But before I take him along,
I want you to know
that what happens to you
means a lot to me.
I didn't want to tell you
how I felt about you, but there it is.
I guess I'd better get my coat
if we're going. I can't stop shivering.
- For God's sake, what happened?
- He killed Stevie.
I feel warmer now. Let's go.
- Go where?
- To the police, of course.
No, hold on. Wait a minute.
(MUSIC PLA YING ON SCREEN)
My friends, take a look at this book.
Do you realize what this means to you?
Listen to me,
you can't go through with this.
Ted, let me go.
You're not guilty.
I know it was an accident.
Anyway, you only did
the hangman's job for him.
Please let me go.
I know the facts, but no one else does.
What chance would you stand
with the judge and jury?
I don't care anymore.
You're telling me
you've nothing more to live for, is that it?
Look at me.
Ted.
My dear, we're going to get out of all this.
Clear out.
You know it's no good.
You'll just ruin yourself.
To hell with that. It's Saturday night.
We don't need passports for the Continent
if we ask for weekend tickets.
The train leaves at 9:00.
Will someone try and get in that room?
Mrs. Jones or anyone?
Mrs. Jones comes in at 8:00
in the morning.
And you say we've got no chance.
Why, we've 12 hours' start
before anyone can find him.
You shut up. I don't want to hear
another word from you.
Now go straight to that cinema
and bring that birdcage right back
before the police get there and find it.
How could you be so mad
as to do such a thing?
- A birdcage with a bomb in it.
- My dear, I couldn't help...
Well, you can help now.
Here's your hat and your coat.
- My dear, but what of the risk?
- Risk? Who to? You?
What about me and the child?
Haven't our lives
been one long risk for months?
Now go on, get into that taxi.
And get that birdcage.
Bijou Cinema, Plouthorp Road.
Follow that taxi.
Put this through to the Yard.
- Police van... What's our number?
- UDC 4768.
Reporting.
Man under observation just left bird shop.
Is making for the Bijou Cinema in a taxi
which we are following.
Any instructions?
Reply is, "Arrest man and Verloc
on arrival at cinema.
"Chief Inspector coming from Yard."
I'm all right now. I just...
You mustn't look
as though you've been crying.
- I'm all right.
- Come on, then.
Ted...
Whatever happens...
(MAN SHOUTING)
Is Mr. Verloc in?
What is it?
It's a policeman.
- Come on.
- Not that way.
(BAND PLAYING)
- Are you in charge?
- Sorry. No time now, madam.
- But I'm Mrs. Verloc.
- Where have you been, Spencer?
- Look here, sir...
- He was just taking me along
to the police station.
Oh, I see.
Does Mrs. Verloc know
we want to question her?
Yes. He's explained all that. I told him
I wanted to make a statement.
Statement, eh? What kind of statement?
Mrs. Verloc, you can make your statement
later at the station.
All right, Spencer. I'm in charge of this.
The statement to do with your husband?
- Old man's gone through to the back, sir.
- Right. I'm coming over.
You wait here.
Your husband will be along in a minute.
- No...
- TED: But Mrs. Verloc!
Yes. No time now, I'm afraid. Later.
You stay here by the car, Spencer.
How many men have gone round the back?
Mr. Verloc?
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Mr. Verloc?
Come on, Grandpa.
Open up. It'll save a lot of trouble.
SHOP OWNER: If you open that door,
I'll blow the place sky-high.
- Perhaps he's got a bomb.
- Half a tick. Better clear the cinema.
- I'll look after the old man.
- No, thanks. I'm staying here.
- You've got a wife.
- All the more reason why I should stop.
Go on, get the audience out.
He's gone to back. He's got a bomb.
Says he's gonna use it.
A bomb? Is Verloc inside, too?
I don't know.
Perhaps something happened to him.
(CROWD MURMURING)
Ladies and gentlemen,
I must ask you all to leave.
No need to get alarmed.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- Mrs. Verloc, is your husband inside there?
- She knows nothing, sir.
- Why do you keep interfering, Spencer?
- Yes, he's inside.
The old man's got a bomb.
What's your husband's nerve like?
Can he control him?
- No.
- TALBOT: He can't?
He's dead.
(BOMB EXPLODING)
(CROWD SHOUTING)
(POLICE OFFICER GIVING ORDERS)
The roof's gone, the whole of the back
of the place, clean blown out.
- Anybody...
- All the audience were clear,
thank goodness, but Verloc. You know,
I saw some things in the war, but...
- Is there enough left to identify?
- I wouldn't say so, sir.
You'd better get a first aid man
to attend to that head of yours.
(MRS. VERLOC CRYING)
Spencer.
You'd better look after Mrs. Verloc.
Her husband's dead. Blown to glory.
You can break it to her.
There'll be a few enquiries later.
There's nothing against her
so far as I can gather.
Yes, sir.
(WEEPING)
Make way there.
That's queer. Is that girl psychic?
- She said that Verloc was...
- Dead, sir?
You don't need second sight
in a case like this.
But she said it before.
Or was it after?
I can't remember.
(ALARM RINGING)
MAN: What's happened here?
(PEOPLE SHOUTING)
(HORNS HONKING)
- Sand.
- Sabotage.
- Wrecking.
- Deliberate.
- What's at the back of it?
- Who did it?
I know how the law stands.
You broke a contract,
therefore you broke the law.
But it's everywhere. Look at the street.
MAN: I pay my money
to look at the pictures.
(SINGING)
MAN 1: If I want to sit in the dark,
I can do it at home.
MAN 2: Yes, free of charge.
MAN 1: Yes.
I think it's a blinking shame,
robbing the poor people like that.
We've got to have our money back.
It's an act of providence,
like an earthquake or a thunderbolt.
Or a baby.
Will you kindly not interfere?
MAN: We've got to have our money back.
I'm so sorry I'm late, Mrs. Verloc,
but I had a hell of a time
trying to eat my egg on toast in the dark.
Half of it's in my ear now.
(CROWD MURMURING)
They want their money back,
but we can't afford it.
I do wish Mr. Verloc would come.
WOMAN: Rotten place.
Can't even see the pictures.
- They're getting nasty.
- Nasty? Leave them to me.
Here you, what's all this about?
Lend me your flashlight, Jack.
Is it our fault if the light fails?
Supposing you were a policeman,
got hit over the nut.
You think the government would
ask for their money back?
I paid for my seat.
Yes. And what about the one
you put your feet on?
Carl, when did you get home?
I haven't been out.
You weren't in 20 minutes ago.
I came and called up the stairs.
I was asleep.
Why are you shining the torch on me?
Can't you switch on the light
or something?
We can't, it's failed.
What, the fuse gone down?
No, it's everywhere,
in the streets and the trams.
And the audience downstairs
wants their money back.
They're making a terrible row about it.
Well, give it back.
- We can't possibly afford it.
- Yes, we can.
You must be crazy. It'll clear us right out.
You're always saying
we don't cover expenses.
That's all right.
Doesn't pay to antagonize the public.
I've got some money coming in. Go on.
Well, it's for you to say.
If we're going to be generous,
let's do it properly.
Come on downstairs
and make a speech about it.
No, no. They're used to you. You do it.
All right. I still think you're crazy.
- It's an act of God, I tell you.
- And what do you call an act of God?
I call your face one, and you won't get
your money back on that.
(CROWD LAUGHING)
If a plane were to come along
and drop a bomb on you,
that would be an unfriendly act
within the meaning of the act.
But if the juice dries up of its own accord,
that's an act of providence
as laid down in the act of William IV
where an act is defined as any activity
actuated by actual action.
WOMAN: No wonder
the blinking lights went out.
(CROWD LAUGHING)
- It's a moot point.
- I'll moot point them. Make them pay.
MAN: That's right, ma'am.
WOMAN: Yes.
- MAN: We want our money back.
- And how will you get it?
Apply sanctions? Are you familiar
with the details of the covenant?
If you'd studied Article 257,
paragraph 24, line 6, sanction B,
- it says definitely no.
- WOMAN: Oh.
Yes. You didn't know that, did you?
You're all ignorant.
Now if you take my advice, you'll go off
home because there's nothing doing here.
Now go on, get off.
- What do you think you're doing?
- TED: Just lending a hand.
I thought I told you not to interfere.
I've been delivering a little counterattack.
Look, they're on the run.
Well, they can come right back.
Listen, ladies and gentlemen,
you're going to get your money back.
(ALL EX CLAIMING)
Don't give in now. I'll stand by you.
I'd prefer you to go
and stand by your apple stall.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I've been speaking to Mr. Verloc,
and since you're all regular patrons
and good friends,
he's going to let you
have your money back.
There'll be no money back, I tell you.
Go on, get off.
Please don't pay any attention to him.
I tell you, you're crazy. I had it all fixed.
- Will you mind your own business?
- Of all the obstinate people...
If you don't go away, I'll call the police.
(CROWD MURMURING)
Renee, start refunding the patrons
their money.
(PEOPLE GASPING)
JACK: None of that.
You haven't been here before. Hop it.
Thank you for your trouble.
I'm sure you meant well.
Not at all. I like trouble.
(DOOR SLAMS)
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)
(MAN CHA TTERING ON SCREEN)
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)
RENEE: How many?
WOMAN: Two seats, please.
RENEE: Two.
WOMAN: Right.
RENEE: Thank you.
- How many?
- MAN: Two shillings, please.
Two shillings?
Right.
Take your change, please.
- How many?
- One.
- How many?
- None, thanks.
Vegetables is all ready for dishing up.
Please tell Mrs. Verloc, miss.
There you are, ma'am.
I've got to hurry home now
because me husband's having trouble
with his kidneys again,
and I can't leave him for long.
Your young brother's looking after them.
- What, the kidneys?
- No, the vegetables.
Oh, Stevie, have you done
all this by yourself?
Oh, come on, don't be so modest.
Well, we didn't have to pay them back
their money after all.
(MRS. VERLOC CHATTERING)
Always that woman, Mrs. Jones,
manages to make the cabbage brown.
I'm always telling her
you like things green.
I'll make you a salad.
Stevie, run next door
and get a nice big head of lettuce.
Long or round? I like long best.
Whichever's freshest.
Tell them to charge it.
We very nearly wouldn't have been able
to afford lettuce if we'd paid them back.
You didn't seem very interested
when I told you.
I mean, why were you so keen
to pay them back at all?
No, it's not that.
Only anything for quiet.
I don't like attention
being drawn to us like that.
Good evening. Forgive me for butting in
your private affairs,
but this bright specimen didn't
appear to know
whether you wanted long, round, square,
or oblong lettuce. So I brought a selection.
- I distinctly said long ones, you know I did.
- Did you? I thought you said long ones.
I said long ones.
Oh, good evening, Mr. Verloc.
So you came home just in time
to see the trouble, eh?
Me? I've been in all the afternoon.
But I could've sworn
I saw you come in just about...
Well, you were wrong.
I didn't know anything about it
until you woke me, did I?
No. He was lying down upstairs.
I had to call him.
Sorry. My mistake, I suppose.
Well, here we are.
(WOMAN SCREAMING ON SCREEN)
I thought someone
was committing a murder.
Someone probably is. On the screen there.
Stevie, hop on a chair and fix that fanlight.
Look out George Arliss
doesn't bite you, Steve.
Well, good night, all.
(GUN FIRING ON SCREEN)
All right, lady, I'll look around
the market tomorrow.
Thank you.
Mind if I pop off early tonight, guv?
- Okay, Ted.
- Thank you.
Good night, boys.
That fellow seems to get off
whenever he likes.
All right, we'll put someone onto that.
Well, Sergeant, you saw
what happened tonight.
- Yes, sir.
- Anything your end?
I'm not certain, but I could've sworn
I saw Verloc come back
in the middle of it all.
Later when I challenged him,
he said he hadn't been out at all.
- His wife confirmed it.
- Naturally.
She would if she's in it.
You better find some way of talking to her.
Now, listen, Spencer,
the Home Office have been on
and they're scared something worse
than tonight's job may happen.
What's the idea, sir?
What's the point of all this wrecking?
Making trouble at home to
take our minds off what's going on abroad.
Same as in a crowd.
One man treads on your toe.
While you're arguing with him
his pal picks your pocket.
- Who's behind it?
- They're the people
that you and I'll never catch.
It's the men they employ that we're after.
Don't you know that's very dangerous?
- What?
- Leaving stuff like that lying about.
Supposing you or me were to
break our leg on that
you'd be pleased with yourself, I suppose.
That would depend
whether it was your leg or mine.
Can't tempt you, I suppose? Oranges,
very nice today. Good for the feet.
Hello, guv, going to the pictures?
As a matter of fact,
I'm off to a trade show.
Well, pick us a good one then,
you know, with plenty of murders.
This love stuff makes me sick.
The women like it, though.
He's just going.
Then tell him not to come back too late
'cause we're going out.
Don't come back too late
'cause you're both going out.
I'll be back as soon as I can.
(WHISTLING)
Penny each, pineapples.
Pineapples, penny each.
Penny each, pineapples.
Pineapples, penny each.
Penny each, pineapples.
Pineapples, penny each.
What's them bubbles, Dad?
Has the fish got hiccups?
You'd have hiccups
if you had to live on ants' eggs.
MAN: They're funny-Iooking things.
MR. VERLOC: Yes.
They're funny-Iooking things.
MAN: It'll take three like that to make soup
for the Lord Mayor's banquet
next Saturday.
MR. VERLOC: Think of that.
They say it's digestible.
Hmm.
There's a thing with a mustache.
MR. VERLOC: I hope you're satisfied
with last night's show.
Wasn't as easy as it looked.
I had to spend money, too.
MAN: No doubt.
MR. VERLOC: A neat job, though.
The sort of thing to make people sit up.
I think you'll agree I've earned my money.
I hope you didn't mind my asking for it
in pound notes.
MAN: You made London laugh.
When one sets out
to put the fear of death into people,
it's not helpful to make them laugh.
We're not comedians.
It's not my fault if they're such fools.
Londoners are not fools.
They laughed because they realized
what happened last night was laughable.
They did right to laugh. This time.
What do you mean?
Mr. Verloc, you will be paid your money
when you've earned it.
I don't follow.
My dear Verloc,
I once read a sign in Piccadilly Circus
calling it the center of the world.
I think you'd better pay a visit there
in a couple of days' time,
and leave a small parcel in the cloakroom
at the underground station.
What sort of a parcel?
I don't know.
MAN: Let's say a parcel of fireworks.
MR. VERLOC: I couldn't do it.
I'm not going to be connected
with anything that means loss of life.
You'll have to get somebody else.
I won't touch it.
MAN: Very well then, Mr. Verloc.
- Lf you think you're so well-off that...
- MR. VERLOC: You know I'm not.
You know my position.
MAN: All right, then.
You'll be paid your money when...
In any case, if you're so fussy
about doing it yourself,
surely you have some kind friends
who'd help you?
Now don't be so silly.
Go and see this man.
He's a very nice old gentleman
and he makes lovely fireworks.
I'll try and see him.
And don't forget the date.
Saturday next. Lord Mayor's show day.
Lots of people.
You want me to come and report?
Thanks, no.
If your report itself is loud enough,
it won't be necessary.
Which is the way out, please?
Thank you.
This bivalve's rate of fertility
is extremely high.
After laying a million eggs,
the female oyster changes her sex.
I don't blame her.
- Excuse me, can I help you?
- Oh, thank you.
Its feet are cold.
Isn't it fat?
You'd be fat, too, if you were fed
corn and bits of bread all day long.
- Why, if it isn't Stevie and Mrs. Verloc.
- It's Ted, look. Ted.
Yes, it always is.
Fat, isn't it? Ought to eat more fruit.
You and your fruit. That's our lunch today.
Is that all? How about a nice juicy steak
with me? What about it?
- I'm all for it.
- Stevie!
- Good. Where shall we go?
- I'd like to go to Simpsons.
A boy I know,
his uncle took him there once.
Don't be silly, Stevie, we're going
to the corner house to a teashop.
Don't be too hard, Mrs. V,
let's make it Simpsons.
Come on.
- Have you ever been here before?
- No, never.
Stevie, look what you're doing.
You're pulling the tablecloth.
I saw a picture once where a chap
snatched the tablecloth off the table
and left everything standing on it.
- You ought to try that at home one day.
- He did.
All this is very expensive, isn't it?
Yes, it looks like it, doesn't it?
I've got a pound note if you want it.
It's all right.
Now, Steve, setting aside the steak
for a moment, we have here before us
oysters, caviar, smoked salmon,
- fried, grilled or boiled sole.
- I'll have a...
Roast saddle of mutton, Kentish
Chicken Pudding, boiled silverside,
roast sirloin, chopped steaks,
grilled kidneys or roast duck.
MRS. VERLOC: I think Stevie'd like
a nice poached egg on toast
and I'll have a mixed salad.
Here, drink this.
Poached egg here at Simpsons?
Why, that's enough to make the roast beef
turn in its gravy.
Three bullocks roasted whole,
and a cup of coffee.
WAITER: Sirloin at Number 8.
When did you come over from America?
About a year ago.
Business wasn't too good over there.
That's funny.
People used to go to the States because
business wasn't too good over here.
- How are things here now, not too good?
- Not terribly.
I hadn't noticed you turning people away.
It's hard to make a one-man business
pay these days,
unless you run a sideline.
Has Mr. Verloc a sideline?
No, but we're quite satisfied
with things as they are.
Just one happy little family.
Just one happy little family.
Mr. Verloc's very kind to Stevie.
And that means a lot to Stevie's sister.
It means everything.
- Now here we are.
- Good morning, sir.
No fat for you, as usual?
You see, I don't forget.
I haven't seen you for a long time.
Do I look as though I don't like fat?
- What's the big idea?
- What idea?
First, pretending
never to have been here before.
Second, affording to come here
on your salary.
That's what everyone would like to know.
There's a mystery about me.
Come to think of it,
there's a mystery about most people.
- Haven't you got some terrible secret?
- Never mind about that.
What goes on after hours
in that cinema of yours?
Deeds of darkness.
Does your husband
go on mysterious journeys?
He does, wearing false whiskers.
Aha! That means there's another woman
in his life.
(GIGGLING)
- What's the joke?
- Lf you only knew him.
He's the quietest, most harmless
home-Ioving person.
Well, what luck with Mrs. Verloc?
- She knows nothing, sir, nothing at all.
- What makes you think so?
She has a straight answer to everything,
besides her manner...
Pretty woman?
- What's that got to do with it, sir?
- I know,
I'm too tender-hearted myself,
especially where women are concerned.
What about Verloc?
I'm not certain, but if he is mixed up
in this, he's not giving himself away.
I'm not so sure about that.
Your assistant, what's his...
Hollingshead.
Hollingshead was signaled
by you this morning to follow this man.
- Yes, sir.
- Just reach me that paper, will you?
This is his report, telephoned
from a call box 10 minutes ago.
"Verloc went to the zoo aquarium,
evidently by appointment,
"and met a certain foreign individual
who handed him a paper.
"He then proceeded to 465 Liverpool Road,
Islington, which is a bird shop.
"I'm waiting for him to come out
and report again later on."
- Islington?
- Exactly.
Doesn't mean much to me, either.
But I can't understand, madam,
one of my best songbirds.
It sang all day before you purchased it.
Perhaps in a few days it will settle down.
Nothing will make it settle down.
I've tried all ways,
whistling to it, clapping me hands,
frying bacon, no use.
It just sits there and makes me look silly.
- Not the bird's fault, I assure you, madam.
- Isn't it?
I'll have my two and nine, please,
and there's your bird back.
I want a canary for company.
Perhaps I can make him sing.
(WHISTLING)
(BIRD SINGING)
There, now.
- Are you sure it was him?
- Listen again.
(WHISTLES)
(BIRD SINGING)
Didn't see his beak open.
Of course you did. There's a good boy.
Now, don't forget, plenty of watercress
and you must whistle to him.
Me whistle? Perhaps you'd like me to sit
in the cage and him do the housework.
Yes, of course, you want something
from my other department, don't you?
Hmm?
This way.
My daughter.
Much better than having strangers
doing for you.
Strangers too inquisitive, you know.
Now, where are my keys?
(TSKING)
How very careless.
She oughtn't to let the child play up here.
A bit dangerous.
There you are. No father, no discipline.
What can you expect?
Is the little girl's father dead?
I don't know.
He might be.
I don't know. Nobody knows.
My daughter would like to know, too.
But there you are.
It's her cross and she must bear it.
We all have our cross to bear.
Hmm?
(SIGHS)
Everything there looks pretty harmless.
You are right, my friend.
But if I were to mix,
say, a little tomato sauce
with some strawberry jam, then...
I gather from our mutual friend
that Saturday is the day,
and the hour 1:45.
But how do I start the mechanism?
You leave that to me.
By the time you receive it,
everything will have been set in motion.
You seem a little nervous. Don't be afraid.
Say to yourself,
there is one man who envies you.
Envies me?
I've been a fighter always until now.
But alas, I'm no longer wanted
in the frontline.
I must keep the fighters supplied.
But I would rather be in your shoes.
My dear, just look here.
Yes, yes, perhaps you're right.
I must have put it there myself.
(GRUNTS)
There, there. No harm done.
Well, I think everything is quite clear.
Slap me hard.
Granddad's been very naughty.
Look there. What's he doing?
He might be watching me. Why not?
They probably know too much already.
They'll raid you one day.
I shall give them
a nice, warm welcome if they do.
He didn't see me.
On Saturday without fail, sir.
Two canaries in a nice cage
with a very deep tray.
Don't forget, Saturday at 1:45.
Good day, sir.
Good day.
That child again.
SHOP OWNER: And now, sir.
MAN: I want a nice singing canary.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
SHOP OWNER: A canary, you said,
and my dear little birds
at once answer for themselves.
MRS. VERLOC: Of course I realized
he wasn't a greengrocer's assistant at all.
I mean, a greengrocer's assistant
can hardly afford to lunch at Simpsons,
can he?
He's really quite well off,
and he's there to learn the business.
It's one of a big chain, that shop.
If you ask me, I believe he's the son
of the man who owns them.
How would you like a job
selling fruit, Stevie?
I wouldn't mind with Ted.
He makes it all sound fun.
Wouldn't it be grand to have steak
whenever you like?
Crumbs, I'd have it three times a day.
- You'd soon get sick of it.
- Bet I wouldn't.
I don't see how you could get sick of
things to eat, except poached eggs.
MRS. VERLOC: What's the matter
with poached eggs?
STEVIE: I think they're the worst things
in the world. I bet Ted doesn't eat them.
I'm sure he does.
I bet he doesn't.
They're beneath his dignity.
MRS. VERLOC: I don't think Ted's
so terribly dignified.
Well, he's too dignified to eat eggs.
- See, you're bunching it up.
- It's all right, Stevie.
Do you think Ted will come with us
and sail it?
He might if you ask him.
He's more likely to if you ask him.
STEVIE: Sailing boats is fun. I like it,
but Ted knows about all sorts of things.
Gangsters and burglars and everything.
MRS. VERLOC: How does he know?
STEVIE: He reads about them.
He says gangsters are not
nearly so frightening as you'd think.
Some of them are quite ordinary
looking, like you and me and Mr. Verloc.
Perhaps he's right.
After all, if gangsters look like gangsters,
the police would soon get after them,
wouldn't they, I mean?
Sixpence, please.
Thank you.
Is Mr. Verloc in?
- Was he expecting you?
- Yes.
- Do you know your way through?
- Yes, I think so.
- Pass one, Jack.
- Thank you.
I have an appointment with Mr. Verloc.
- Do you know your way through?
- No.
You go right through the theater.
Pass one, Jack.
Thank you.
GREENGROCER: Lady there, Ted.
A pound of those apples, please.
I'll have to slip away in a minute.
Maybe I won't be bothering you anymore
again after tonight.
MAN: Thank you.
Keep an eye, Jim, will you?
- One balcony, please.
- Pass one, Jack.
WOMAN ON SCREEN... I'm glad you found
this. It's the most important of the lot.
I'll burn it, too.
MAN ON SCREEN... Allow me.
WOMAN... Oh, thank you.
Well, all our troubles are over now.
Oh!
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)
(MAN GROANING)
MAN 1... Look out.
Oh, look out!
MAN 2... Come on, Ridley!
Hello, Ted. Where are you going?
Just going to have a word with Mr. Verloc.
He doesn't talk through loudspeakers.
- Is that what's in there?
- Only the screen, not much to look at.
(MAN CHA TTERING)
(MAN GROANING)
Where does that lead to?
To our front room.
You remember when it fell open.
I'll give old Mr. V a surprise.
MAN 1... Master Don.
MAN 2... Come out of there.
MAN 1... I'm your nephew.
MAN 2... Are you?
MAN 2... Don't fiddle about, that's no good.
Leave it to me, I'll get it out of him.
(MAN 1 YELLS)
MAN 1... Don't you do that to me.
MAN 2... Well, don't you talk like that to me.
Remember I'm your uncle. Older...
Not at all.
I'm only too glad
to pay what the job's worth.
Well, I don't see anything against it.
I'll call in tomorrow about 11:00.
And afterwards...
I'll settle with you
when you've done the job.
Of course,
if the Arsenal lose to Birmingham
on Saturday, I shan't be so pleased.
Arsenal? I don't follow.
No, I know you don't follow Arsenal,
but they're a good bet, believe me.
Don't forget I filled in about 10 coupons.
Stands me in at about 15 bob,
so I'd better...
MR. VERLOC: Why, I know him.
- What were you doing up there?
- MAN 1: Who is he?
He's from the grocery next door.
I know him, all right, but...
What's happened?
I was showing Ted the back of the screen
and the loudspeakers.
Wasn't that all right?
I hope I didn't hurt you.
You never know, you know.
Well, Mr. Verloc, no harm done, I hope.
I must be getting back to the shade
of the old apple tree.
Sorry.
Good night, all. Good night.
That is Detective Sergeant Spencer
of Scotland Yard.
- But who is he after?
- You're having us on.
What are we going to do about him?
But he's connected
with the fruit stall next door, I tell you.
Spencer got me my last stretch,
the one I'm on license from now.
- What're we gonna do about it?
- One thing.
This job is off, out, finished.
- We go quick from here and scatter.
- And keep scattered.
If he comes out again, tell him
you don't know where we live.
Say we've gone abroad, anything you like.
(MUSIC PLA YING ON SCREEN)
Yesterday, at Simpsons,
when you had lunch with that fellow.
With Ted, you mean?
Remember what he said to you?
Did he ask you any questions
about yourself? About me?
None that I can think of. Why?
Because he's a detective
from Scotland Yard, that's why.
Spying on us, on me, through you.
But why should he?
What is there to find out?
I'm all right. It must be one of those
fellows who came here tonight.
But you said he was spying on you.
No, not me.
This place, I meant.
If he has anything against anybody
why didn't he come straight to you?
You'd help him.
I'll talk to Mr. Detective Ted.
No, no. I'll speak to him myself.
- You may clean all that.
- Right-o, governor.
Where's Ted?
He's gone.
- Has he gone to Scotland Yard?
- Sorry, Mr. Verloc.
Of course, I didn't like the idea,
but I couldn't refuse.
You see, it was official.
But why? What's wrong?
- Did they say what it was about?
- Not so far as I know.
You must have been showing
some funny sort of films, I daresay,
you know, perhaps a bit too hot.
Was he there?
Post.
I was trying to get hold of him
since first thing this morning.
- Wasn't there anybody there to answer?
- No.
Well, it's too late to stop him now.
He's gone out with an order.
All right. All right.
An old man just left this.
I thought he must have made a mistake.
No, that's all right.
It's only a pair of birds for Stevie.
I was just phoning about it.
You're terribly good to him.
Not to you?
If you're good to him, you're good to me.
You know that.
Yes, I know.
- What made you think of it?
- Someone made the suggestion.
Go and call him, will you?
(DOOR CLOSES)
Stevie.
What are you doing up there?
There's a surprise for you inside.
- What is it?
- Go and see.
There was no one on the door.
Forgive me for busting in like this.
We're getting used to it.
I'm afraid we've nothing showing
at this early hour.
I'm sorry, Mrs. Verloc,
but I'm here on business.
Same business as last night?
Mrs. Verloc,
there's nothing personal in all this.
Isn't there?
You had us fooled all right. Trying to make
Stevie and me think you were a friend.
- Do you think I enjoyed it?
- Then why did...
Listen. I asked to be taken off this job
this morning.
You can guess why.
But it's not as easy as that.
In my job you have to do as you're told.
What have you been told? If it's about
the men who came here last night,
my husband had nothing to do with it.
You'd better realize that.
They came here on business
about the cinema.
That's just it.
You've no idea what their business was.
Whatever it was, I'm sure my husband
hasn't done anything wrong.
I hope you're right.
Why do you say it like that?
Because we believe there's something
going on here connected with sabotage.
That blackout the other night,
you remember?
Well, my husband
hasn't anything to do with sabotage.
He told me that night
he'd been in all evening.
That wasn't true.
I saw him come back with my own eyes.
I don't believe it.
You're making things very difficult for me.
I'm afraid
I've got to ask you a lot of questions.
Now, about those men.
I've told you before, he's the most
harmless person in the whole world.
He wouldn't do anything to...
TED: Did these men arrive together
or one by one?
Did you recognize any of them?
Are you quite certain that you didn't know
one of them by sight?
(WHISTLING)
Stevie!
They're beauteous. Which one's the hen?
Well, you'll have to wait
till one of them lays an egg.
Wouldn't it fool everybody
if one day the gent laid an egg?
- Gosh, wouldn't that be funny?
- You're right.
By the way, has that two-reeler
gone over to the Canterbury yet?
There's plenty of time.
I was just wondering.
Maybe you could take it along now.
'Cause there's another little job
I want doing at the same time.
- You know, kill two birds with one stone.
- Not my birds.
No, they'll be here when you come back.
No, it's that projector gadget
wants seeing to.
Harris out at Watford says he'll do it
cheaper than they will in town.
But he can't come right over here
and fetch it, so what we'll do is this.
You leave it in the cloakroom
at Piccadilly Circus,
and Harris picks it up at 1:30.
But can he get it without the ticket?
Oh, that's all right.
You leave the ticket with the man.
Harris knows him. We've done this before.
(WHISTLING)
- You'd better get along now.
- Well, there's no hurry.
- You'll have to walk all the way.
- Walk? What for?
Well, you know
you can't take film tins in public vehicles.
Oh, yes, I forgot.
You needn't tell your sister that you are
going as far as Piccadilly.
You know what she is.
Always thinking
you are going to get run over.
She needn't worry.
Heads I wash, tails I don't.
Tails it is.
(SIGHING)
For God's sake, why don't you go?
I mean, hurry up. You might be late.
Don't forget
it's got to be there by 1:30 at the latest.
Hello, Steve. What have you got there?
I'm taking a two-reeler
over to the Canterbury.
"Bartholomew the Strangler."
That sounds a juicy one. Have you seen it?
- Fourteen times.
- Must be quite a wrench parting from it.
- Well, so long, Bartholomew.
- So long.
- Careful of the crossing.
- I can look after myself, can't I?
- Steve, is Mr. Verloc in?
- Yes, I just left him.
I'm afraid I've had to impose on you,
Mr. Verloc.
I couldn't afford to let you in on this.
Now I've put my cards on the table.
I've come here to ask for your help,
nothing more.
I see.
About those men that were here
the other night, when I dropped in myself.
I've been instructed
to get a little information about them.
We'd be very grateful if you'd help us.
Well, any help I can give him, of course.
About yourself, Mr. Verloc.
When did you first come to this country?
- Can I get you a drink or something?
- Not now, thanks.
Well, I've got to think now. Let's see.
Perhaps it would be better if you
put it down on paper. Just a formality.
Could you find a pen and ink?
We can start right away, you know.
"I, Carl Anton Verloc..."
MAN 1: Now, ladies and gentlemen,
I want to ask you a question.
- What is it causes teeth to fall out?
- MAN 2: Why, a punch on the jaw.
(ALL LAUGHING)
MAN 1: The process of decay,
inevitable in all human organisms,
but decay can be arrested,
instantaneously arrested, and by what?
MAN 3: A copper.
MAN 1: Yes, exactly.
But if I may say so, by rather more
than one copper, by a few coppers.
I have here in my hand
a tube of that
remarkable preparation, Salvodon,
derived from two Greek words,
salvonomor and dontoupe.
Sixpence for four tubes
and a shilling for the large tube
containing four times as much.
Now let me give you just a little
demonstration. Now, if somebody...
I see here a young gentleman
who I'm sure would be happy to assist me.
- No, I wouldn't.
- ALL: Yes, you would.
Come on, bung him up.
- In the chair, sir, if you don't mind.
- But I...
- Allow me to relieve you of the toffee.
- It isn't toffee. I have...
All right. Stay where you are.
Don't get excited.
Now then, here we are.
The first thing to do
is to take the tube in the left hand
and remove the cap. Like so.
Then we pick up the toothbrush
and we squeeze some of the Salvodon
along the bristles. Like so.
Then, I want you to observe,
ladies and gentlemen
that the young gentleman's teeth
are very dirty.
- They're not.
- Yes, they are.
Now, come on. Open your mouth.
That's a good boy.
We now proceed to use the brush.
Now with the ordinary
commercial dentifrices, what happens?
It is either too gritty
and takes all the enamel off,
or it ain't, and it don't take nothing off.
But with Salvodon,
that's the happy medium.
Neither too strong nor too weak.
It performs the functions
that nature forgot.
It cleanses the teeth, refreshes the mouth,
and removes all traces of halitosis.
Hali what?
- Bad breath to you, sir.
- Same to you.
Thank you, I don't need it.
Relax, sonny.
Don't be afraid. There you are.
Now, ladies and gentlemen,
you'll observe that I have unfortunately
disarranged the young gentleman's hair,
but that is easily attended to.
Now I have here a bottle of Loswell.
A shilling for that size.
But I have a large size, four times the size,
which is only 18 pence.
I will now give you a demonstration
of how it's used.
You put it on the hair like that, you see.
It's a remarkable stuff.
(ALL LAUGHING)
It is guaranteed to give the appearance
of patent leather to the human thatch.
You are now groomed for stardom,
as they say.
Go on, buzz off, you little basket. Go on.
What do you want? Go on, hop it.
(MAN CHATTERING)
Where you going?
Go on, back to your place. Go on.
Come on, son. Get right back.
MAN: Here they come.
(BAND PLAYING MARCH)
(CROWD CHEERING)
Pushing and shoving.
What do you think you're doing?
I say, do you think
we'll get to Piccadilly Circus by 1:30?
Yes, 1:30 in the morning.
Have you got to meet a young lady there?
You can't bring those on a public vehicle.
- They're films, ain't they?
- Yes.
Then they're flammable.
Go on. Hop off, big boy.
But I've got to get to Piccadilly.
Can't I leave them
on the platform or somewhere?
It's Bartholomew the Strangler.
Oh, well, as it's you, Bartholomew
old fellow, you can stay
as long as you promise not to
set about me or the passengers.
Thank you.
(LAUGHING)
Well, now everything seems to be all right.
- Will you have your drink after all?
- No, thanks.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Come in.
Oh, excuse me.
Will you ring up Whitehall 1212?
TED: May I use your phone?
Put me through
to Superintendent Talbot please.
Spencer here, sir.
A whole busload of people
have been blown up in the West End.
How awful.
- What time?
- Why do you ask?
Well, after all, I can't be in two places
at the same time, can I?
I suppose not.
I may be back later on.
- Caught onto anything?
- I'm not sure.
Well, make up your mind.
What is it anyway?
(MUTTERING)
Bartholomew something.
That's a film tin, isn't it?
I thought you said
Verloc hadn't been out since morning.
He hadn't.
Well, you'd best go back there
and see if that's one of their films.
- Do you want me, sir?
- Yes, yes.
You better join Hollingshead
at the bird shop.
- Yes, sir.
- Don't go inside. Just keep your eyes open.
- Right-o, sir.
- All right, Spencer.
Is that anything to do with it,
Mr. Spencer?
"Bartholomew the Strangler."
That's a film tin, isn't it?
No. Sardines.
NEWSBOY: Big bomb sensation!
Late extra news, big bomb sensation!
He's all right. He can take care of himself.
You've got nothing to worry about.
Late extra news, big bomb sensation!
Big bomb sensation!
Give me a penny.
NEWSBOY: Late extra news.
Big bomb sensation.
Late extra news. Late extra news.
Big bomb sensation.
Late extra news. Late extra news.
Big bomb sensation.
(CROWD EX CLAIMING)
MAN: Look, the lady's fainted.
(CROWD CHATTERING)
I want Mr. Verloc.
I want to see Mr. Verloc.
I didn't mean any harm
to come to the boy.
Come on. We've got to think of tomorrow.
You'll need all your wits about you
if they get onto me.
You might answer a fellow.
Do be reasonable.
What would it have been if you'd lost me?
That swine in the aquarium.
Silly, jeering, dangerous brute,
with no more sense than...
You didn't know. Quite right, too.
I'm not the chap to worry a woman
that's fond of me.
You had no business to know.
You'll have to pull yourself together,
my girl.
What's done can't be undone.
You go to bed now.
What you want is a good cry.
I know how you feel.
Do you think it doesn't touch me?
Do you think I fixed it
so that he'd be killed?
No. But I tell you who did.
Your Scotland Yard friend
from next door, Ted. Blame him.
I'd have carried the thing myself,
but he was hanging around
watching, spying. I couldn't get away.
Listen, it's done now.
And there's the future. Perhaps...
I don't know.
Perhaps if we had a kid of our own...
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)
(WHISTLING)
(ALL LAUGHING)
(CHA TTERING)
(CROONING)
(GROANS)
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)
MAN... (SINGING) Who killed Cock Robin?
CHORUS... Who killed Cock Robin?
Everything is dished up.
Young Stevie ain't in, but I've laid for him.
I'll be getting along now.
MAN... (SINGING) Who, who, who, who
Who killed Cock Robin?
Who killed Cock Robin?
CHORUS... Who killed Cock Robin?
Who got him with the shot?
And put him on the spot?
Who killed Cock Robin?
Pulled yourself together a bit.
That's better.
Never green.
Why can't that woman
cook green stuff any better?
Surely she's been long enough here to
know how fond I am of that sort of thing.
I don't think I want any cabbage.
Couldn't we send next door for some...
(CRIES)
That hurt!
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
Stevie! Stevie!
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
- You've heard.
- Yes.
I'm terribly sorry.
I don't know what to say.
- You know why I'm here?
- Yes.
- I have to arrest him.
- Yes.
I'll help him if I can, of course.
For your sake, if not for his.
I'd do anything for you.
You know that, don't you?
It's very good of you, Ted.
There isn't anything you can do
for either of us.
Things aren't as bad as that.
The evidence is against him, I admit.
But nothing's going to happen to you.
I know this isn't a very good time
to tell you.
I shouldn't tell you at all, I suppose.
But before I take him along,
I want you to know
that what happens to you
means a lot to me.
I didn't want to tell you
how I felt about you, but there it is.
I guess I'd better get my coat
if we're going. I can't stop shivering.
- For God's sake, what happened?
- He killed Stevie.
I feel warmer now. Let's go.
- Go where?
- To the police, of course.
No, hold on. Wait a minute.
(MUSIC PLA YING ON SCREEN)
My friends, take a look at this book.
Do you realize what this means to you?
Listen to me,
you can't go through with this.
Ted, let me go.
You're not guilty.
I know it was an accident.
Anyway, you only did
the hangman's job for him.
Please let me go.
I know the facts, but no one else does.
What chance would you stand
with the judge and jury?
I don't care anymore.
You're telling me
you've nothing more to live for, is that it?
Look at me.
Ted.
My dear, we're going to get out of all this.
Clear out.
You know it's no good.
You'll just ruin yourself.
To hell with that. It's Saturday night.
We don't need passports for the Continent
if we ask for weekend tickets.
The train leaves at 9:00.
Will someone try and get in that room?
Mrs. Jones or anyone?
Mrs. Jones comes in at 8:00
in the morning.
And you say we've got no chance.
Why, we've 12 hours' start
before anyone can find him.
You shut up. I don't want to hear
another word from you.
Now go straight to that cinema
and bring that birdcage right back
before the police get there and find it.
How could you be so mad
as to do such a thing?
- A birdcage with a bomb in it.
- My dear, I couldn't help...
Well, you can help now.
Here's your hat and your coat.
- My dear, but what of the risk?
- Risk? Who to? You?
What about me and the child?
Haven't our lives
been one long risk for months?
Now go on, get into that taxi.
And get that birdcage.
Bijou Cinema, Plouthorp Road.
Follow that taxi.
Put this through to the Yard.
- Police van... What's our number?
- UDC 4768.
Reporting.
Man under observation just left bird shop.
Is making for the Bijou Cinema in a taxi
which we are following.
Any instructions?
Reply is, "Arrest man and Verloc
on arrival at cinema.
"Chief Inspector coming from Yard."
I'm all right now. I just...
You mustn't look
as though you've been crying.
- I'm all right.
- Come on, then.
Ted...
Whatever happens...
(MAN SHOUTING)
Is Mr. Verloc in?
What is it?
It's a policeman.
- Come on.
- Not that way.
(BAND PLAYING)
- Are you in charge?
- Sorry. No time now, madam.
- But I'm Mrs. Verloc.
- Where have you been, Spencer?
- Look here, sir...
- He was just taking me along
to the police station.
Oh, I see.
Does Mrs. Verloc know
we want to question her?
Yes. He's explained all that. I told him
I wanted to make a statement.
Statement, eh? What kind of statement?
Mrs. Verloc, you can make your statement
later at the station.
All right, Spencer. I'm in charge of this.
The statement to do with your husband?
- Old man's gone through to the back, sir.
- Right. I'm coming over.
You wait here.
Your husband will be along in a minute.
- No...
- TED: But Mrs. Verloc!
Yes. No time now, I'm afraid. Later.
You stay here by the car, Spencer.
How many men have gone round the back?
Mr. Verloc?
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Mr. Verloc?
Come on, Grandpa.
Open up. It'll save a lot of trouble.
SHOP OWNER: If you open that door,
I'll blow the place sky-high.
- Perhaps he's got a bomb.
- Half a tick. Better clear the cinema.
- I'll look after the old man.
- No, thanks. I'm staying here.
- You've got a wife.
- All the more reason why I should stop.
Go on, get the audience out.
He's gone to back. He's got a bomb.
Says he's gonna use it.
A bomb? Is Verloc inside, too?
I don't know.
Perhaps something happened to him.
(CROWD MURMURING)
Ladies and gentlemen,
I must ask you all to leave.
No need to get alarmed.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- Mrs. Verloc, is your husband inside there?
- She knows nothing, sir.
- Why do you keep interfering, Spencer?
- Yes, he's inside.
The old man's got a bomb.
What's your husband's nerve like?
Can he control him?
- No.
- TALBOT: He can't?
He's dead.
(BOMB EXPLODING)
(CROWD SHOUTING)
(POLICE OFFICER GIVING ORDERS)
The roof's gone, the whole of the back
of the place, clean blown out.
- Anybody...
- All the audience were clear,
thank goodness, but Verloc. You know,
I saw some things in the war, but...
- Is there enough left to identify?
- I wouldn't say so, sir.
You'd better get a first aid man
to attend to that head of yours.
(MRS. VERLOC CRYING)
Spencer.
You'd better look after Mrs. Verloc.
Her husband's dead. Blown to glory.
You can break it to her.
There'll be a few enquiries later.
There's nothing against her
so far as I can gather.
Yes, sir.
(WEEPING)
Make way there.
That's queer. Is that girl psychic?
- She said that Verloc was...
- Dead, sir?
You don't need second sight
in a case like this.
But she said it before.
Or was it after?
I can't remember.
(ALARM RINGING)