The Bionic Woman (1976) s01e14 Episode Script
The Ghosthunter
(WlND WHOOSHlNG)
(GATE CREAKlNG)
(CLATTERlNG)
(BUZZlNG)
Mother!
It's all right.
It's all right, Amanda.
It's just another
bad dream.
It's all over now.
(SlGHS)
Ghosts?
You said that, not me.
I didn't say ghosts.
I just said, something
Some force, some energy.
I don't know what it is.
All I know, it's something
that's interfering with
a very important OSl project.
So how do
I fit in?
You are going to do some
bionic snooping, my dear.
The name of the town
is Essexville.
And this is
Dr. Alan Cory.
He's in charge of two very
important components
of our Alpha-Sensor project.
Nice looking.
Is he married?
He was. His wife
died a year ago,
and since then he's become
very temperamental,
very secretive.
He won't operate
anywhere except
in his house.
How does he get
away with that one?
Well, geniuses get away
with an awful lot, my dear,
even on government projects.
But this force is getting
the townspeople upset
and I think Alan Cory
knows what's going on,
but for some reason
he won't tell me.
What makes you think
he's gonna let me play
detective in his house?
Because the OSl
has supplied him with a new
governess for his daughter.
What happened to
the old governess?
She left after
the last incident.
Jaime, I want you inside
that house to protect
the Alpha-Sensor project
and I want you to find out
what's going on in there.
We've got to catch
a plane, come on.
Where is Essexville,
anyway?
Along the coast of
Massachusetts between
Boston and Salem.
Salem?
Maybe I should
just gas up my
broomstick, huh?
Jaime, whatever caused
this disturbance is very
real and very dangerous.
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
Miss Sommers?
Yes, you must be Amanda.
Yes, won't you
come in?
I'm sorry I took
so long getting down.
I was reading.
I thought Father might
answer, but he's too
engrossed in his work.
Engrossed?
Yeah. He's working on a very
important project right now.
It takes up most of his time.
Well, at least
he's working here.
It's better
than if he went off
every day, isn't it?
I suppose.
What happened here?
Oh! It fell over
last night.
It's very heavy.
Father said he'd
get someone to take
care of it later.
I should tell him you're here,
Miss Sommers. I'll go get him.
Okay.
Amanda
Why don't you
call me Jaime,
all right?
Okay.
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
ALAN: Just at the
wrong time, too.
It's a pity
she couldn't have gotten
here in the morning.
AMANDA: You were working
this morning, also, Father.
Let's get the
introductions over with
as quickly as possible.
I've still got a few good
working hours left.
Yes, Father.
How did you
Oh, well, I was just
cleaning things
up a little bit.
Hello.
How do you do, Miss Sommers?
My name is Alan Cory.
May I see your OSl
identification, please?
Oh, certainly.
Your house
is so beautiful.
Does your bookcase
fall over often?
(CHUCKLES)
I'm afraid
I don't have much time
for the niceties of polite
conversation right now.
But I'm sure you're
tired after your trip.
Uh Yeah,
it's been a long day.
Well, then you won't
mind if I leave you.
There's some food
in the kitchen.
Amanda can show you
to your room
and perhaps in the
This doesn't
belong here.
I'll take care
of it, Father.
At any rate,
I'll assign you to your
duties in the morning.
And now, if you'll excuse me,
I must get back to the lab.
Amanda will you take
care of things, please?
Yes, Father.
Boy, she's very beautiful.
That is your mother,
isn't it?
Yes.
Let me see.
You do take after her.
Why does this book
have a special place?
It's been in the family
for a long time.
One of my
great-greats
is in it.
Rebecca Putnam,
that's my middle
name. Putnam.
Great-greats?
(STUTTERS) How many
greats ago is that?
Four or five, I think.
On my mother's side.
(WHlSPERlNG)
It's a witch book!
Rebecca Putnam died
in a Salem jail and
they said she was a witch.
That's terrible!
Kind of intriguing,
though, can I read it?
Yeah. See, that's her,
Rebecca Putnam.
JAlME: There is
a resemblance.
(JAlME READlNG)
Wonder if all
that's in here.
Poor Rebecca Putnam.
How did you feel in 1692?
JAlME: Stand,
Rebecca Putnam.
Stand and face those
tormented children
JUDGE:who even now writhe
in agony from the demons
you send to flay their flesh!
REBECCA: The imps they see
are but visions harbored
in their own demented souls.
They are of their
own making, not of mine!
JUDGE: If this be
as you say, Rebecca,
pray tell how explain
you those objects you
caused to fly about,
to cause such mischief?
They were truly
seen by many folk.
I cannot explain
the wonders of God's
invisible world,
but evil it be not,
for are we not all
creatures of the Lord?
You send objects
flying through the air
on invisible demon hands
and dare call these
mischiefs God's doing?
Nay Rebecca, 'tis
the work of your
dark master, Satan!
Let her be taken
from here to Salem jail.
Go, witch, and pray
for repentance!
No! No!
I shall surely perish
in that dreadful place!
I am innocent! Innocent!
(SlGHlNG) Whoa!
(CLATTERlNG)
(RUSTLlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(CREAKlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(CREAKlNG)
(JAlME SCREAMS)
What are you
doing here?
The same thing
you are doing,
seeking information.
Who are you?
I am Emil Laslo.
I am an investigator of
Shall we say,
unusual phenomena.
(STUTTERS) And you
just happened to be
dropping by, huh?
On the contrary, I am
here on an assignment.
There is a force
here in Essexville,
that is most interesting
to certain people
and believe me, could prove
extremely dangerous to you,
Miss Sommers.
(lNAUDlBLE)
JAlME: Something strange
is going on here, Oscar,
but so far, I haven't gotten
anything from Dr. Cory.
OSCAR: What was the name
of the other man?
Laslo. L-A-S-L-O.
First name, Emil.
And he gives me the creeps.
Can you check
him out for me?
All right. Call me later,
I'll get the full story
on him.
Okay.
Thank you much.
Bye-bye.
Bye.
Can I help?
Goldman tells me you
have a grade six security
clearance, is that right?
Yes.
Miss Sommers,
I'm not naive.
Any governess
with a grade six is
here to keep an eye
on more than
just my daughter.
Well, with eight million
dollars invested in
the Alpha-Sensor project,
can you blame him?
I guess not.
(SlGHS) All right, come on in.
What happened in here?
We had another
visitation last night.
Fortunately,
I packed the Alpha-Sensor
component very carefully
and it wasn't damaged.
Stop!
That's sulfuric acid.
There could be some
left on the bottle.
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(CREAKlNG)
You have a way with
shelves, don't you?
What is causing
this disturbance?
I'm not sure.
But, whatever it is,
it seems to center
itself in this lab.
Well, as a scientist, you
must have some theories.
I do.
But I hesitate
to investigate them.
Let alone bring them
to the attention
of my colleagues.
Dr. Cory, if something
is preventing you from
completing your work,
don't you think
you should have
it investigated?
No! She
It's too private.
Too close to me.
She?
(SlGHS)
My wife, Elizabeth,
was different.
Her family background
wasn't ordinary.
In what way?
Well, it seems that several
of Elizabeth's ancestors
had unusual abilities.
One of them,
Rebecca Putnam,
died in jail.
She'd been put there
for practicing witchcraft.
And you attribute
this to witchcraft?
Well,
the superstitious
call it that.
Parapsychologists
call it telekinesis,
the ability to move
objects with the mind.
Did your wife have
telekinetic abilities?
These things
really fascinate me.
Was she telekinetic?
Yes.
Here.
Without going into
quantum mechanics,
this instrument is used
to register extremely
low energy waves.
I'm using it in conjunction
with the work I'm doing
on the Alpha-Sensor
for the OSl.
My wife,
through sheer will,
could cause those
needles to register.
But she's dead now.
Yes. She is dead.
When Elizabeth
knew she was dying,
she promised me
that she would
try to contact me,
from beyond the grave.
Well, if that is what's
happening here,
why would she want
to sabotage your work?
I don't know.
But I can't leave
Putnam House
until I find out.
Don't you think
this is awfully
difficult for Amanda?
She seems
so melancholy
and alone here.
Yes. I haven't been
devoting too much
time to Amanda lately.
When her mother
was alive, we would go
on picnics, do things.
Elizabeth was
an extremely beautiful,
stimulating woman.
(SlGHS) Lately,
I've been busying myself
with the Alpha project.
Hiding in your
loneliness?
Yes, I suppose so.
I'd rather forgotten
what it's like
to have an attractive,
vital young woman around.
Amanda's
other governesses have left
a great deal to be desired.
I'll tell you what,
maybe we could go
on a picnic sometime.
I think Amanda
would like that.
Oh, yeah, I think
she would, too. Yeah.
Well, it's a thought.
That's an idea.
I finished phase one
of the Alpha-Sensor
project yesterday.
I deserve a day off.
Let's make it
this afternoon.
(STUTTERS) Oh,
that'd be wonderful.
Um, I'll tell you what,
Dr. Cory,
Iet's get this place
of yours cleaned up here,
and then
I'll go tell Amanda.
Jaime, I have a first name.
It's Alan.
JAlME: Well, I guess
I'd better put this away
before the ants carry it off.
(ALAN CHUCKLES)
ALAN: Well, that was good,
wasn't it, Amanda?
AMANDA: Mmm-hmm.
I'm just happy
to be out here
with you.
Yes, it's just like
old times, isn't it?
Getting out here
by the lake,
we spent many a happy
hour out here.
Elizabeth
loved the lake.
Can we take a ride
in the canoe later?
Hmm. Tell you what,
sleepyhead,
you haven't been sleeping
very well the last couple
of nights, huh?
I think an afternoon nap
would do you a world of good.
Why don't I give Jaime
a ride first, huh?
Then I'll come back
and pick you up, all right?
All right.
Okay. All set, Jaime?
Sounds like fun.
ALAN: It's done us both
a lot of good to get
away from that house.
JAlME: Well, doing something
different does give somebody
a different outlook, you know.
Hey! What are you doing?
New friendships can give
one a good outlook, too.
(SCREAMS)
Where did that
come from? God!
That moved!
Oh, it's just
the current.
Let's head over
that way.
(CRASHlNG)
(SCREAMS)
What in the world?
Any damage?
Don't worry about it,
it's just a little bit.
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
Look!
(CRASHlNG)
(YELPS)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
Mother!
AMANDA: Mother!
Are you all right?
Mother was here.
But this time,
she was trying
to hurt Jaime.
All right, Jaime.
Here it is.
Emil Laslo, he's a well known
ghost hunter and illusionist
throughout Europe.
He's investigated
a large number of
unexplained phenomena,
and is a firm believer
in the supernatural.
But, he's exposed
many alleged ghosts
as clever hoaxes.
He makes a lot of money
writing about them,
and demonstrating
how such illusions
can be created.
Jaime, are you there?
Yeah.
I was just thinking.
Go on.
All right, Laslo
has been associated
with psychic research
at the University of Warsaw,
and he's spent
the last few years at the
Get this.
At the People's lnstitute
for Parapsychology
inside East Germany.
So, he could be
a foreign agent.
Very possible. He may
be trying to sabotage
the Alpha-Sensor project.
Have you noticed
anything suspicious?
JAlME: All I can
tell you is,
someone or something
tried to sink a canoe
with Dr. Cory and me in it.
What? Were either
of you hurt?
No, we're all right.
But it was pretty spooky.
What about
the Alpha-Sensor?
There was no further damage.
Dr. Cory's getting phase one
of it
ready to deliver
to MlT today.
Good. I'll tell them
it's on its way.
Meanwhile,
you keep an eye out
for this Emil Laslo.
Or Elizabeth Cory's ghost.
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
AMANDA: How long
will you have to stay
in MIT this time?
ALAN: A little longer
than last time, four
or five days, probably.
Why so long?
Because I have to teach
them how to integrate it
into their computers.
The diametric feedback
equalizer circuitry
is very complex.
I wish you cared
as much about me
as you do your work.
Amanda,
try to understand.
I'm on the verge of
a major breakthrough
in physics.
Now I promise not
to stay away one day longer
than is absolutely necessary.
That's what you
said last time.
But you would have
stayed longer if my governess
hadn't quit because of Mother.
Or whatever
happened here.
I will be back as soon as
possible and until then,
you'll have Jaime
to keep you company.
I like Jaime a lot,
don't you?
(SlGHS)
Will we have
any time together
when you get back?
Well, I'll have
to start work on the
phase two component,
but we'll find some
time to spend together,
like we always have.
Yeah.
And you
I'll be very happy
to get back and spend
some time with you.
Oh, Jaime, will you
lock up the lab
for me, please?
Sure.
And Amanda,
remember,
in bed by 9:30.
Bye.
See you all
in a couple of days.
Come on, kiddo,
he'll be back
in a few days.
What's wrong?
Mother used to get
so upset when he'd spend
so much time away from us.
Well, let's get this
place cleaned up a little bit.
Then maybe we can take a walk
into town or something?
All right.
All right.
You know, your father
may be a brilliant scientist,
but he certainly
does need someone
to clean up after him.
Yeah, he's a mess.
I usually do it.
(BOTTLES CLlNKlNG)
Jaime!
(JAlME EXCLAlMS)
Jaime, your foot!
I'll call the hospital!
It's all right,
Amanda.
It's okay.
Your foot
should be
blistered.
Well, I think
the shoe took
most of it.
It's Mother.
I know it's Mother.
She's been trying
to interfere
with Daddy's work.
Trying to get him
to spend more time
with me.
Amanda, that acid
fell on me.
Maybe she's jealous because
Daddy kissed you goodbye.
I don't believe
in ghosts.
(STUTTERS) There's
got to be another
explanation for this.
(SNlCKERS)
Hello, I am Emil Laslo.
Is your father at home?
No, but Miss Sommers is.
EMlL: Oh!
Miss Sommers!
May I come in?
Yes, come in
the living room.
Are those your shoes?
Oh, no, I found them
in the lab, they fit
and the floor was cold.
Those were
Mother's shoes.
Elizabeth Putnam Cory.
A direct descendant
of Rebecca Putnam of Salem.
The resemblance
is striking.
You know about
Rebecca Putnam?
Yes.
My research work
is always thorough.
For example, I saw
what happened to you
in the lake yesterday.
You did?
Yes.
And I think I can
explain how it happened.
(RATTLlNG)
It's Mother.
She's mad 'cause
you're wearing her shoes.
It's happening again.
It's amazing.
Mr. Laslo, if you
know what's going on,
please tell me.
Yes.
But I do have to speak
to you privately.
Come this way.
Amazing. I have only seen it
happen like this once before
in Hungary.
Look out!
JAlME: Oh!
(GROANlNG)
What happened?
Amanda,
call an ambulance!
(EMlL GRUNTlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
Help!
Mr. Laslo, it's all right.
Everything's gonna be okay.
There's help on the way.
(STUTTERS)
You must beware.
You must beware,
it is after you.
What is?
(STUTTERS) Poltergeist.
Mr. Laslo?
The only ambulance
is in Salem.
They won't be here
for an hour.
Well, help me
get him into his car,
Amanda,
and we can take him to
the hospital ourselves.
Jaime, I don't
want to go.
My mother died
in that hospital.
I'll be all right
if I stay here. Really.
(STUTTERS) Okay,
just help me, okay?
He's still unconscious,
but they feel he's out
of danger.
Thank you very much.
(SlGHS)
Poltergeist. Poltergeist.
Excuse me,
may I use
your telephone?
Well, we've got one
It's a very important call.
I'd really
appreciate it.
All right.
Thank you.
Alan, it is not
your wife's ghost that is
causing all this trouble.
I think it's Amanda.
What?
Let me read
you something.
This was written
by an authority
on the supernatural.
Poltergeists,
a disquiet and
damaging spirit,
usually linked to
a disturbed child
with telekinetic abilities.
But Amanda is not
a disturbed child
and she has never
displayed telekinetic
abilities.
Well, have you
tested her?
ALAN: Well,
of course, I have.
She couldn't budge the needle,
much less knock over
all the equipment in my lab.
Besides, most of that
happened at night
when she was asleep.
(SlGHS) That's true.
But every time she was
dreaming about her mother.
You tested her
conscious mind,
what about her
subconscious mind?
What?
Well, isn't it
possible that she has
telekinetic abilities
in her subconscious?
Well, yes.
I suppose
that's possible.
Well, it makes
sense to me, Alan.
She's been complaining
so much about you not
spending any time with her.
And maybe,
when she's sleeping
her subconscious
uses those abilities
to lash out at your
work or at me
or anything that
could possibly take
you away from her.
Alan, I'm not saying she's
aware of what she's doing.
But I think she has,
in her dreams,
Mother,
acting out her desires.
She was asleep
each time, wasn't she?
Even yesterday
at the lake.
Jaime, I think you
may be on to something.
Oh, what are we
talking about?
She was wide awake this
afternoon when that acid
fell and the bookcase
Yes, but her resentment
for my work and you,
may be becoming so strong
that her subconscious
is becoming dominant,
even when she's awake.
Oh, and this morning
when I left,
I told her that I'd be
starting on the phase two
of the Alpha project
when I got back.
And then you
kissed me goodbye.
Poor little thing.
She probably feels more
threatened now than ever.
And if she starts
dreaming again,
she may seriously damage
the Alpha Two components
stored in the lab.
Oh, Alan, can you
come home right away?
Yes, but listen Jaime,
there's one more thing,
if Amanda's mind is
really behaving that way,
you better get to her
and make her
understand it before
she gets to sleep.
Otherwise, her subconscious
may try to attack you more
severely than ever before!
Oh, I'll be starting work
on the phase two component
when I get back.
We'll find some
time to be together,
like we always have.
I like Jaime a lot,
don't you?
I'll be very happy
to get back and see
some more of you.
Oh, I'll be starting work
on the phase two component
when I get back.
(RATTLlNG)
ALAN: I like Jaime a lot.
(BED LAMP RATTLlNG)
(WlND WHOOSHlNG)
(TlRES SCREECHlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BRlDGE CREAKlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(DOOR CREAKlNG)
Amanda?
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
Amanda!
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(WlND WHOOSHlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
Amanda!
Wake up!
Amanda! Amanda!
It's Mother! She's come
to take Daddy's work away.
No, it's not your mother,
Amanda.
It's you. It's your mind.
She's gonna take
you away, too.
(BOTTLE SHATTERlNG)
Amanda! It's your
subconscious mind,
honey.
Leave me alone!
Amanda,
you're doing this!
Just like your ancestor,
Rebecca, and like your mother.
(STUTTERS) And you
do it when you're asleep
and when you're dreaming.
I'm not asleep now.
But your subconscious
mind is still in control,
Amanda. You can stop this!
Get away from me!
Amanda, I am not gonna take
your father away from you!
He's coming home right now
and he wants to be with you.
No, he's just
gonna keep working.
Amanda, he loves you,
you've got to believe me.
He doesn't love me!
Yes, he does!
He understands now how
much he's neglected you.
And he wants to be
a better father,
but honey,
you've got to give
him another chance.
Amanda, do you want
to end up hurting him?
You almost killed him
in the lake the other day!
Do you understand that?
No!
Oh, honey,
go ahead and cry.
Get it all out.
But you gotta think
about good things, okay?
Now think about spending
time with your father, and
doing things together, okay?
Think about taking a long,
long walk with him
and holding his hand.
That's a girl.
Now think about
Think about talking to him
and going in the canoe,
when having
a long talk,
and him being
the kind of father
who listens,
who really listens
and who cares
about you.
Amanda, think about how
much you love him, honey.
He loves you so much.
He really does.
You gotta believe that.
He wants to be
a good father to you
and he is going to be.
(SlGHS)
And the hospital said
that Mr. Laslo's
gonna be just fine.
I'm glad.
The people at Ml
say the component
is a great success, Alan,
and they'll be working
on it for the next
couple of months.
Good. Because
I'm putting off work on
the phase two component.
I've got a lot of research
to do with my own little
brain child right here.
So they're finally gonna
find out how that little
noggin' of yours works, huh?
Yeah. And Dad's
invited some neuro
Neuropsychiatric.
Yeah.
Experts up to help figure out
how I can learn to control
all that telekinetic stuff.
But mostly I'll be
working with him.
Oh, you're not
gonna like that
too much, are you?
No, not too much.
Jaime, we've got to
leave or we won't
stand a ghost of a
Chance to catch
that airplane.
That's the spirit,
Mr. Goldman.
Goodbye, honey.
Bye. Take care.
(GATE CREAKlNG)
(CLATTERlNG)
(BUZZlNG)
Mother!
It's all right.
It's all right, Amanda.
It's just another
bad dream.
It's all over now.
(SlGHS)
Ghosts?
You said that, not me.
I didn't say ghosts.
I just said, something
Some force, some energy.
I don't know what it is.
All I know, it's something
that's interfering with
a very important OSl project.
So how do
I fit in?
You are going to do some
bionic snooping, my dear.
The name of the town
is Essexville.
And this is
Dr. Alan Cory.
He's in charge of two very
important components
of our Alpha-Sensor project.
Nice looking.
Is he married?
He was. His wife
died a year ago,
and since then he's become
very temperamental,
very secretive.
He won't operate
anywhere except
in his house.
How does he get
away with that one?
Well, geniuses get away
with an awful lot, my dear,
even on government projects.
But this force is getting
the townspeople upset
and I think Alan Cory
knows what's going on,
but for some reason
he won't tell me.
What makes you think
he's gonna let me play
detective in his house?
Because the OSl
has supplied him with a new
governess for his daughter.
What happened to
the old governess?
She left after
the last incident.
Jaime, I want you inside
that house to protect
the Alpha-Sensor project
and I want you to find out
what's going on in there.
We've got to catch
a plane, come on.
Where is Essexville,
anyway?
Along the coast of
Massachusetts between
Boston and Salem.
Salem?
Maybe I should
just gas up my
broomstick, huh?
Jaime, whatever caused
this disturbance is very
real and very dangerous.
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
Miss Sommers?
Yes, you must be Amanda.
Yes, won't you
come in?
I'm sorry I took
so long getting down.
I was reading.
I thought Father might
answer, but he's too
engrossed in his work.
Engrossed?
Yeah. He's working on a very
important project right now.
It takes up most of his time.
Well, at least
he's working here.
It's better
than if he went off
every day, isn't it?
I suppose.
What happened here?
Oh! It fell over
last night.
It's very heavy.
Father said he'd
get someone to take
care of it later.
I should tell him you're here,
Miss Sommers. I'll go get him.
Okay.
Amanda
Why don't you
call me Jaime,
all right?
Okay.
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
ALAN: Just at the
wrong time, too.
It's a pity
she couldn't have gotten
here in the morning.
AMANDA: You were working
this morning, also, Father.
Let's get the
introductions over with
as quickly as possible.
I've still got a few good
working hours left.
Yes, Father.
How did you
Oh, well, I was just
cleaning things
up a little bit.
Hello.
How do you do, Miss Sommers?
My name is Alan Cory.
May I see your OSl
identification, please?
Oh, certainly.
Your house
is so beautiful.
Does your bookcase
fall over often?
(CHUCKLES)
I'm afraid
I don't have much time
for the niceties of polite
conversation right now.
But I'm sure you're
tired after your trip.
Uh Yeah,
it's been a long day.
Well, then you won't
mind if I leave you.
There's some food
in the kitchen.
Amanda can show you
to your room
and perhaps in the
This doesn't
belong here.
I'll take care
of it, Father.
At any rate,
I'll assign you to your
duties in the morning.
And now, if you'll excuse me,
I must get back to the lab.
Amanda will you take
care of things, please?
Yes, Father.
Boy, she's very beautiful.
That is your mother,
isn't it?
Yes.
Let me see.
You do take after her.
Why does this book
have a special place?
It's been in the family
for a long time.
One of my
great-greats
is in it.
Rebecca Putnam,
that's my middle
name. Putnam.
Great-greats?
(STUTTERS) How many
greats ago is that?
Four or five, I think.
On my mother's side.
(WHlSPERlNG)
It's a witch book!
Rebecca Putnam died
in a Salem jail and
they said she was a witch.
That's terrible!
Kind of intriguing,
though, can I read it?
Yeah. See, that's her,
Rebecca Putnam.
JAlME: There is
a resemblance.
(JAlME READlNG)
Wonder if all
that's in here.
Poor Rebecca Putnam.
How did you feel in 1692?
JAlME: Stand,
Rebecca Putnam.
Stand and face those
tormented children
JUDGE:who even now writhe
in agony from the demons
you send to flay their flesh!
REBECCA: The imps they see
are but visions harbored
in their own demented souls.
They are of their
own making, not of mine!
JUDGE: If this be
as you say, Rebecca,
pray tell how explain
you those objects you
caused to fly about,
to cause such mischief?
They were truly
seen by many folk.
I cannot explain
the wonders of God's
invisible world,
but evil it be not,
for are we not all
creatures of the Lord?
You send objects
flying through the air
on invisible demon hands
and dare call these
mischiefs God's doing?
Nay Rebecca, 'tis
the work of your
dark master, Satan!
Let her be taken
from here to Salem jail.
Go, witch, and pray
for repentance!
No! No!
I shall surely perish
in that dreadful place!
I am innocent! Innocent!
(SlGHlNG) Whoa!
(CLATTERlNG)
(RUSTLlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(CREAKlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(CREAKlNG)
(JAlME SCREAMS)
What are you
doing here?
The same thing
you are doing,
seeking information.
Who are you?
I am Emil Laslo.
I am an investigator of
Shall we say,
unusual phenomena.
(STUTTERS) And you
just happened to be
dropping by, huh?
On the contrary, I am
here on an assignment.
There is a force
here in Essexville,
that is most interesting
to certain people
and believe me, could prove
extremely dangerous to you,
Miss Sommers.
(lNAUDlBLE)
JAlME: Something strange
is going on here, Oscar,
but so far, I haven't gotten
anything from Dr. Cory.
OSCAR: What was the name
of the other man?
Laslo. L-A-S-L-O.
First name, Emil.
And he gives me the creeps.
Can you check
him out for me?
All right. Call me later,
I'll get the full story
on him.
Okay.
Thank you much.
Bye-bye.
Bye.
Can I help?
Goldman tells me you
have a grade six security
clearance, is that right?
Yes.
Miss Sommers,
I'm not naive.
Any governess
with a grade six is
here to keep an eye
on more than
just my daughter.
Well, with eight million
dollars invested in
the Alpha-Sensor project,
can you blame him?
I guess not.
(SlGHS) All right, come on in.
What happened in here?
We had another
visitation last night.
Fortunately,
I packed the Alpha-Sensor
component very carefully
and it wasn't damaged.
Stop!
That's sulfuric acid.
There could be some
left on the bottle.
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(CREAKlNG)
You have a way with
shelves, don't you?
What is causing
this disturbance?
I'm not sure.
But, whatever it is,
it seems to center
itself in this lab.
Well, as a scientist, you
must have some theories.
I do.
But I hesitate
to investigate them.
Let alone bring them
to the attention
of my colleagues.
Dr. Cory, if something
is preventing you from
completing your work,
don't you think
you should have
it investigated?
No! She
It's too private.
Too close to me.
She?
(SlGHS)
My wife, Elizabeth,
was different.
Her family background
wasn't ordinary.
In what way?
Well, it seems that several
of Elizabeth's ancestors
had unusual abilities.
One of them,
Rebecca Putnam,
died in jail.
She'd been put there
for practicing witchcraft.
And you attribute
this to witchcraft?
Well,
the superstitious
call it that.
Parapsychologists
call it telekinesis,
the ability to move
objects with the mind.
Did your wife have
telekinetic abilities?
These things
really fascinate me.
Was she telekinetic?
Yes.
Here.
Without going into
quantum mechanics,
this instrument is used
to register extremely
low energy waves.
I'm using it in conjunction
with the work I'm doing
on the Alpha-Sensor
for the OSl.
My wife,
through sheer will,
could cause those
needles to register.
But she's dead now.
Yes. She is dead.
When Elizabeth
knew she was dying,
she promised me
that she would
try to contact me,
from beyond the grave.
Well, if that is what's
happening here,
why would she want
to sabotage your work?
I don't know.
But I can't leave
Putnam House
until I find out.
Don't you think
this is awfully
difficult for Amanda?
She seems
so melancholy
and alone here.
Yes. I haven't been
devoting too much
time to Amanda lately.
When her mother
was alive, we would go
on picnics, do things.
Elizabeth was
an extremely beautiful,
stimulating woman.
(SlGHS) Lately,
I've been busying myself
with the Alpha project.
Hiding in your
loneliness?
Yes, I suppose so.
I'd rather forgotten
what it's like
to have an attractive,
vital young woman around.
Amanda's
other governesses have left
a great deal to be desired.
I'll tell you what,
maybe we could go
on a picnic sometime.
I think Amanda
would like that.
Oh, yeah, I think
she would, too. Yeah.
Well, it's a thought.
That's an idea.
I finished phase one
of the Alpha-Sensor
project yesterday.
I deserve a day off.
Let's make it
this afternoon.
(STUTTERS) Oh,
that'd be wonderful.
Um, I'll tell you what,
Dr. Cory,
Iet's get this place
of yours cleaned up here,
and then
I'll go tell Amanda.
Jaime, I have a first name.
It's Alan.
JAlME: Well, I guess
I'd better put this away
before the ants carry it off.
(ALAN CHUCKLES)
ALAN: Well, that was good,
wasn't it, Amanda?
AMANDA: Mmm-hmm.
I'm just happy
to be out here
with you.
Yes, it's just like
old times, isn't it?
Getting out here
by the lake,
we spent many a happy
hour out here.
Elizabeth
loved the lake.
Can we take a ride
in the canoe later?
Hmm. Tell you what,
sleepyhead,
you haven't been sleeping
very well the last couple
of nights, huh?
I think an afternoon nap
would do you a world of good.
Why don't I give Jaime
a ride first, huh?
Then I'll come back
and pick you up, all right?
All right.
Okay. All set, Jaime?
Sounds like fun.
ALAN: It's done us both
a lot of good to get
away from that house.
JAlME: Well, doing something
different does give somebody
a different outlook, you know.
Hey! What are you doing?
New friendships can give
one a good outlook, too.
(SCREAMS)
Where did that
come from? God!
That moved!
Oh, it's just
the current.
Let's head over
that way.
(CRASHlNG)
(SCREAMS)
What in the world?
Any damage?
Don't worry about it,
it's just a little bit.
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
Look!
(CRASHlNG)
(YELPS)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
Mother!
AMANDA: Mother!
Are you all right?
Mother was here.
But this time,
she was trying
to hurt Jaime.
All right, Jaime.
Here it is.
Emil Laslo, he's a well known
ghost hunter and illusionist
throughout Europe.
He's investigated
a large number of
unexplained phenomena,
and is a firm believer
in the supernatural.
But, he's exposed
many alleged ghosts
as clever hoaxes.
He makes a lot of money
writing about them,
and demonstrating
how such illusions
can be created.
Jaime, are you there?
Yeah.
I was just thinking.
Go on.
All right, Laslo
has been associated
with psychic research
at the University of Warsaw,
and he's spent
the last few years at the
Get this.
At the People's lnstitute
for Parapsychology
inside East Germany.
So, he could be
a foreign agent.
Very possible. He may
be trying to sabotage
the Alpha-Sensor project.
Have you noticed
anything suspicious?
JAlME: All I can
tell you is,
someone or something
tried to sink a canoe
with Dr. Cory and me in it.
What? Were either
of you hurt?
No, we're all right.
But it was pretty spooky.
What about
the Alpha-Sensor?
There was no further damage.
Dr. Cory's getting phase one
of it
ready to deliver
to MlT today.
Good. I'll tell them
it's on its way.
Meanwhile,
you keep an eye out
for this Emil Laslo.
Or Elizabeth Cory's ghost.
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
AMANDA: How long
will you have to stay
in MIT this time?
ALAN: A little longer
than last time, four
or five days, probably.
Why so long?
Because I have to teach
them how to integrate it
into their computers.
The diametric feedback
equalizer circuitry
is very complex.
I wish you cared
as much about me
as you do your work.
Amanda,
try to understand.
I'm on the verge of
a major breakthrough
in physics.
Now I promise not
to stay away one day longer
than is absolutely necessary.
That's what you
said last time.
But you would have
stayed longer if my governess
hadn't quit because of Mother.
Or whatever
happened here.
I will be back as soon as
possible and until then,
you'll have Jaime
to keep you company.
I like Jaime a lot,
don't you?
(SlGHS)
Will we have
any time together
when you get back?
Well, I'll have
to start work on the
phase two component,
but we'll find some
time to spend together,
like we always have.
Yeah.
And you
I'll be very happy
to get back and spend
some time with you.
Oh, Jaime, will you
lock up the lab
for me, please?
Sure.
And Amanda,
remember,
in bed by 9:30.
Bye.
See you all
in a couple of days.
Come on, kiddo,
he'll be back
in a few days.
What's wrong?
Mother used to get
so upset when he'd spend
so much time away from us.
Well, let's get this
place cleaned up a little bit.
Then maybe we can take a walk
into town or something?
All right.
All right.
You know, your father
may be a brilliant scientist,
but he certainly
does need someone
to clean up after him.
Yeah, he's a mess.
I usually do it.
(BOTTLES CLlNKlNG)
Jaime!
(JAlME EXCLAlMS)
Jaime, your foot!
I'll call the hospital!
It's all right,
Amanda.
It's okay.
Your foot
should be
blistered.
Well, I think
the shoe took
most of it.
It's Mother.
I know it's Mother.
She's been trying
to interfere
with Daddy's work.
Trying to get him
to spend more time
with me.
Amanda, that acid
fell on me.
Maybe she's jealous because
Daddy kissed you goodbye.
I don't believe
in ghosts.
(STUTTERS) There's
got to be another
explanation for this.
(SNlCKERS)
Hello, I am Emil Laslo.
Is your father at home?
No, but Miss Sommers is.
EMlL: Oh!
Miss Sommers!
May I come in?
Yes, come in
the living room.
Are those your shoes?
Oh, no, I found them
in the lab, they fit
and the floor was cold.
Those were
Mother's shoes.
Elizabeth Putnam Cory.
A direct descendant
of Rebecca Putnam of Salem.
The resemblance
is striking.
You know about
Rebecca Putnam?
Yes.
My research work
is always thorough.
For example, I saw
what happened to you
in the lake yesterday.
You did?
Yes.
And I think I can
explain how it happened.
(RATTLlNG)
It's Mother.
She's mad 'cause
you're wearing her shoes.
It's happening again.
It's amazing.
Mr. Laslo, if you
know what's going on,
please tell me.
Yes.
But I do have to speak
to you privately.
Come this way.
Amazing. I have only seen it
happen like this once before
in Hungary.
Look out!
JAlME: Oh!
(GROANlNG)
What happened?
Amanda,
call an ambulance!
(EMlL GRUNTlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
Help!
Mr. Laslo, it's all right.
Everything's gonna be okay.
There's help on the way.
(STUTTERS)
You must beware.
You must beware,
it is after you.
What is?
(STUTTERS) Poltergeist.
Mr. Laslo?
The only ambulance
is in Salem.
They won't be here
for an hour.
Well, help me
get him into his car,
Amanda,
and we can take him to
the hospital ourselves.
Jaime, I don't
want to go.
My mother died
in that hospital.
I'll be all right
if I stay here. Really.
(STUTTERS) Okay,
just help me, okay?
He's still unconscious,
but they feel he's out
of danger.
Thank you very much.
(SlGHS)
Poltergeist. Poltergeist.
Excuse me,
may I use
your telephone?
Well, we've got one
It's a very important call.
I'd really
appreciate it.
All right.
Thank you.
Alan, it is not
your wife's ghost that is
causing all this trouble.
I think it's Amanda.
What?
Let me read
you something.
This was written
by an authority
on the supernatural.
Poltergeists,
a disquiet and
damaging spirit,
usually linked to
a disturbed child
with telekinetic abilities.
But Amanda is not
a disturbed child
and she has never
displayed telekinetic
abilities.
Well, have you
tested her?
ALAN: Well,
of course, I have.
She couldn't budge the needle,
much less knock over
all the equipment in my lab.
Besides, most of that
happened at night
when she was asleep.
(SlGHS) That's true.
But every time she was
dreaming about her mother.
You tested her
conscious mind,
what about her
subconscious mind?
What?
Well, isn't it
possible that she has
telekinetic abilities
in her subconscious?
Well, yes.
I suppose
that's possible.
Well, it makes
sense to me, Alan.
She's been complaining
so much about you not
spending any time with her.
And maybe,
when she's sleeping
her subconscious
uses those abilities
to lash out at your
work or at me
or anything that
could possibly take
you away from her.
Alan, I'm not saying she's
aware of what she's doing.
But I think she has,
in her dreams,
Mother,
acting out her desires.
She was asleep
each time, wasn't she?
Even yesterday
at the lake.
Jaime, I think you
may be on to something.
Oh, what are we
talking about?
She was wide awake this
afternoon when that acid
fell and the bookcase
Yes, but her resentment
for my work and you,
may be becoming so strong
that her subconscious
is becoming dominant,
even when she's awake.
Oh, and this morning
when I left,
I told her that I'd be
starting on the phase two
of the Alpha project
when I got back.
And then you
kissed me goodbye.
Poor little thing.
She probably feels more
threatened now than ever.
And if she starts
dreaming again,
she may seriously damage
the Alpha Two components
stored in the lab.
Oh, Alan, can you
come home right away?
Yes, but listen Jaime,
there's one more thing,
if Amanda's mind is
really behaving that way,
you better get to her
and make her
understand it before
she gets to sleep.
Otherwise, her subconscious
may try to attack you more
severely than ever before!
Oh, I'll be starting work
on the phase two component
when I get back.
We'll find some
time to be together,
like we always have.
I like Jaime a lot,
don't you?
I'll be very happy
to get back and see
some more of you.
Oh, I'll be starting work
on the phase two component
when I get back.
(RATTLlNG)
ALAN: I like Jaime a lot.
(BED LAMP RATTLlNG)
(WlND WHOOSHlNG)
(TlRES SCREECHlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BRlDGE CREAKlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(DOOR CREAKlNG)
Amanda?
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
Amanda!
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(WlND WHOOSHlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
(BlONlC POWERS ACTlVATlNG)
Amanda!
Wake up!
Amanda! Amanda!
It's Mother! She's come
to take Daddy's work away.
No, it's not your mother,
Amanda.
It's you. It's your mind.
She's gonna take
you away, too.
(BOTTLE SHATTERlNG)
Amanda! It's your
subconscious mind,
honey.
Leave me alone!
Amanda,
you're doing this!
Just like your ancestor,
Rebecca, and like your mother.
(STUTTERS) And you
do it when you're asleep
and when you're dreaming.
I'm not asleep now.
But your subconscious
mind is still in control,
Amanda. You can stop this!
Get away from me!
Amanda, I am not gonna take
your father away from you!
He's coming home right now
and he wants to be with you.
No, he's just
gonna keep working.
Amanda, he loves you,
you've got to believe me.
He doesn't love me!
Yes, he does!
He understands now how
much he's neglected you.
And he wants to be
a better father,
but honey,
you've got to give
him another chance.
Amanda, do you want
to end up hurting him?
You almost killed him
in the lake the other day!
Do you understand that?
No!
Oh, honey,
go ahead and cry.
Get it all out.
But you gotta think
about good things, okay?
Now think about spending
time with your father, and
doing things together, okay?
Think about taking a long,
long walk with him
and holding his hand.
That's a girl.
Now think about
Think about talking to him
and going in the canoe,
when having
a long talk,
and him being
the kind of father
who listens,
who really listens
and who cares
about you.
Amanda, think about how
much you love him, honey.
He loves you so much.
He really does.
You gotta believe that.
He wants to be
a good father to you
and he is going to be.
(SlGHS)
And the hospital said
that Mr. Laslo's
gonna be just fine.
I'm glad.
The people at Ml
say the component
is a great success, Alan,
and they'll be working
on it for the next
couple of months.
Good. Because
I'm putting off work on
the phase two component.
I've got a lot of research
to do with my own little
brain child right here.
So they're finally gonna
find out how that little
noggin' of yours works, huh?
Yeah. And Dad's
invited some neuro
Neuropsychiatric.
Yeah.
Experts up to help figure out
how I can learn to control
all that telekinetic stuff.
But mostly I'll be
working with him.
Oh, you're not
gonna like that
too much, are you?
No, not too much.
Jaime, we've got to
leave or we won't
stand a ghost of a
Chance to catch
that airplane.
That's the spirit,
Mr. Goldman.
Goodbye, honey.
Bye. Take care.