02x14 - John Brown's Body

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Good evening, and welcome
to Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

Thank you.

See you next year.

We thought
you'd like to see this.

So many of you
have expressed an interest

in knowing how I was paid.

Now I can afford
to go back to my diet.

Tonight's play
is about a body.

Not mine.

However, the title is

"John Brown's Body. "

In my opinion, John,
this is the type of furniture
we should be making.

Remarkable.

What is it?

It's a chair,

made out of
wrought iron and plastic.

It's the latest
modern design.

And this, Harold?

That's a copy
of a new Swedish
reversible sofa.

Hmm. Does
a set of instructions
go with them?

I'd be afraid to
get into that thing.

Unfortunately, John,
our customers are not
quite so old-fashioned.

The public is demanding
modern furniture now.

Take this sofa.

My boy,
that is not a sofa.

That is a sofa.

Constructed,
not turned out.

Quality, my boy.
That's what we're selling.

People are looking
for something new.

We've got to
give it to them.

Chairs made out of
scrap metal?

That's not what
our customers expect

from John Brown
and Company.

We'd get new customers
with a line of
modern furniture.

Now, Harold,
our sales are fine.

We're making money.

We'll end the year
with our usual nice profit.

We could triple
our profits.

And we could
go bankrupt.

So you won't even
consider it?

I'm afraid
the answer is "No. "

But listen, John,
if you'd just...

Hello!

Oh, did I interrupt anything?

No, no, my dear.
We've finished.

How're you, Harold?

Hello, Mrs. Brown.

You didn't tell me
you were coming
into town today.

Oh, I thought
it'd be fun to pop in
and surprise you.

You can take me
to lunch.

I'm afraid
I have an appointment.

If you'd have
mentioned it this morning...

Well, then it wouldn't
have been a surprise.

I'm afraid I can't stand
many more surprises today.

Maybe Harold will volunteer
to take you to lunch.

I'm sure Harold
has his own plans, dear.

Nothing important, Mrs. Brown.
I'd be happy to volunteer.

But you do have
an appointment.

I'll change it.

It's no problem
for a junior partner.

Goodbye, dear.

Hors d'oeuvre, madame?
Yes, please.

Oeufs a la russe?
Yes.

It must have been a girl.

Pardon?

Pate maison?
Yes.

Your lunch date.

It was with a girl,
wasn't it?

As a matter of fact,
yes, it was.

Des ecrevisses?
Oui.

Now I'm going
to spoil your fun.
How dreadful of me.

Don't tease the animals,
Mrs. Brown.

You might get bitten.

Du saumon?
Oui.

My, we're in
a bad mood.

Excellent.

Et vous aussi,
monsieur?

Nothing for me, thanks.

Tres bien. Merci.

Why were you and John
glaring at each other
when I came in?

I told him our product
was years out of style.

A lot of people
still buy it.

Three times as many
would buy furniture
like this.

What's that?

Sketches of a new line
of modern furniture
that we're not bringing out.

May I look?

You can have them.

Are these your own ideas?

Well, some of them.

I had a designer
working on it.

Oh, I think
they're awfully good.

I really do.

Well, thanks.

How about our
going into partnership?

Or do we have to ask
John's permission?

He's a charter member.

Do you have
any influence with him?

I never interfere
in his business.

But you just got
a share of it now.

You just became
a partner.

Are you as conservative
as your husband, Mrs. Brown?

No wonder my husband
thinks your ideas
are too advanced.

I just meant we could
make a lot of money.

Oh, now you're
angry again!

Are you sorry
John made you
take me to lunch?

I wasn't drafted.
I volunteered.

I shouldn't tease you.

Your sketches
are wonderful.

And most women
would like to make
a lot of money.

Sure. Some of them
marry for it.

That's a low blow.
I'm very fond of John.

I'm sure you are.

Good evening,
Mr. Skinner.

Hello, Ellen.

I'm a little early,
so if Mr. Brown hasn't
finished his dinner...

He's not here.

He left for Philadelphia
late this afternoon.

Well... Well, that's odd.

I'm supposed
to meet him here
to go over some statements.

Would you like to
speak to Mrs. Brown?

Oh, no, no.
Don't disturb her.

I'll just leave these
with you.

What is it, Ellen?

It's Mr. Skinner,
ma'am.

Harold!

What a surprise.

You're just in time
for dinner.

Oh, no, thanks.
Well, I owe you
a meal.

Remember,
you bought my lunch
a few weeks ago,

under pressure.

Well, thanks. I've eaten.

I had an appointment
with John,

but he seems to have
forgotten all...

Well, come in.

I can't imagine John
getting his appointments
so mixed up.

Darling, your act was
absolutely priceless!

Darling?
Mmm?

What are we
going to do about John?

Do you have to
worry about that now?

Well, let's face it.

We're running out
of ways to meet.

We can't pull
this one again.

Ellen will be
suspicious.

And if I take you
to lunch once more,

John is going to
start asking questions.

Yes, I know.

Have you talked to him
about bringing out
the new line of modern stuff?

He won't discuss it.

I've got to find some way
to make money.

Why doesn't he
just retire and let me
run the business?

There's not
a chance of that.

The business
is his whole life

and he's still
in his prime.

Except for his
absent-mindedness
about appointments.

You know,

I think you've got something.

What do you mean?

The old boy
is losing his grip.

He doesn't know
what he's doing.

When you can't remember
business matters,
it's time to retire.

John's got a memory
like a file cabinet.

He never forgot
anything in his life.

Ellen thinks he forgot
about my appointment,
doesn't she?

You know very well
you never had
an appointment.

I know it.

But does John?

Don't you get it?
He prides himself
on his memory.

If we can convince him
that he is getting forgetful,

then we'll
be able to...
Oh, no!

He'd be a nervous wreck
in no time.

Oh, what a horrible
thought.

It was only an idea.

I think it's a wonderful
horrible idea.

Something I can do?

Something you should've
done three weeks ago.

Why haven't
the contracts been sent
to the Craddock people?

Just waiting for you
to sign them.

What are you
talking about?

I signed them
a month ago.

I'm sorry, John.
They're still in
your drawer, unsigned.

No!

I know very well
that I...

I could have sworn
I signed these.

Why didn't you
remind me?

I did remind you.
Several times.

And there are at least
three memos on your spike.

I must have overlooked it.

See that they're
mailed immediately,

and attach
a letter of apology.

Certainly.

Well, what is it?

I hate to mention this,

but the safe was open
again this morning.

I distinctly remember
locking it last night.

Maybe it was...

No, I checked it.

There's nothing missing.
It wasn't a burglar.

Then it was
somebody in the office.

John, you're the only one
who has the combination.

Good evening, Ellen.
Good evening, sir.

I lost my keys.

Well, you left them
on the table
this morning, sir.

Here's John now.

I was sure
I put them in my pocket.

You promised
you'd be home early!

Good evening, John.

Oh, hello, Sam.

I was so busy
I didn't notice the time.

Why, are you
working too hard?

Oh, no. I don't know.
Perhaps a little.

Dear, why don't you
go up and change
so we can have dinner?

Oh, that's a good idea.
I'll wash and then we'll eat.

Oh, hey. Will you
stay for dinner, Sam?

Well, I was.
Thank you, John.

That'd be nice.

Didn't you tell him
I was coming to dinner?

Doctor,

it was his idea
to invite you tonight.

I reminded him
just this morning.

I can hardly
believe it.

Why, his memory
is phenomenal.

How long has he
been like this?

It's been months.

I kept trying to
get him to see you,
but he wouldn't.

I begged him to
take it easy, retire,

but he just
goes into a rage.

What's wrong with him,
Doctor?

Well, it certainly
can't be anything physical.

I gave him
a thorough checkup
only a few weeks ago.

Would you object
to having a specialist
examine him?

A specialist?
What do you mean?

I mean a psychiatrist.

You don't think he's...

Now, now, now,
don't jump to conclusions.

It may be nothing more
than just mental fatigue.

But I do think you should
take him to see Dr. Croatman
as soon as possible.

Now, there, there, there.

Good morning.

If Dr. Helck
thinks I'm sick,

why doesn't he
treat me himself?

Why does he
slough me off
on a strange doctor?

Sam thinks it's best
or he wouldn't have
suggested it.

Mr. Brown.
Yes?

Dr. Croatman will
see you immediately.

May I use the
phone, please?

Certainly.

How do you do, Mr. Brown?
I'm Dr. Croatman.

Won't you sit down?
We'll have a little talk.

There's nothing
to talk about.

You want me to take
some medicine,

give me the prescription,
let me get out of here.

I don't prescribe
medicine, Mr. Brown.

Sit down.

Just what kind of
a doctor are you?

Hello, Harold?

I'm afraid John
won't be able to come
to the office today.

I've had to bring him
to see a doctor.

Oh, really?
What's the matter with him?

Well, we won't know
until Dr. Croatman
completes his examination.

Will you be able
to manage things

if John should have to
take a long rest?

If it's long enough,
I'll have this business
coining money.

That's what I thought.

I don't want to stay.
Let me out of here.

All we can hope
is that the doctor
finds nothing wrong.

He thinks
I'm insane!

I've nothing wrong with me.
I'm getting out of here.

Doctor?
Mrs. Brown.

Is he...

You saw for yourself.

Your husband needs help.

I advise you to place him
in a rest home

as soon as possible.

Hello?

Harold,

I'm afraid I can't
talk to you now.

It seems that
John is much worse
than I thought.

Sure, I heard.
He's mad as a hatter.

Well, aren't you
the busy little man?

Oh, hello, darling.
Isn't lunch time, is it?

It's : .
And you said : .

But if we hurry,
maybe there'll be
something left.

Good heavens.
I had no idea
it was so late.

How's the new line going?

Oh, fine, fine.

Where would you like
to go to lunch?

How about
the Royalty Room?

I'm afraid I have to
be back by : .

I have an appointment
with the manager at Tilfords.

I, uh...

I want to persuade him
to take on our
contour chairs.

Darling, is anything wrong?

Nothing to worry about.
It just takes time.

But I am going to put on
some new salesmen.

This crew still thinks
they're working for John.

Well, how are we
feeling today?

If you're implying
I'm a split personality,
both of us are fine.

You know, I just
came from visiting
a dual personality.

Both of them
feel terrible.

You, you're doing
very nicely.

Does that mean
you're going to
let me out of here?

Well, what's wrong
with this place?

It's quiet, pleasant.
You have leisure time
to paint.

May I look?
It isn't finished yet.

Oh, it's unusual,
certainly.

What do you call it?

I haven't quite decided

whether to call it
Modern Living or
simply Biography.

I see.

Tell me, John, just
what were you trying
to interpret here?

How do I know? I'm a loony.

There it is, Mr. Skinner.

Your capital position
is badly impaired

due to the heavy investment
which is frozen in inventory.

Just give it to me
in basic English.

Very well, Mr. Skinner.

Unless there is a drastic
increase in sales,

and a liquidation of your
past due accounts receivable,

the company is going
to be insolvent

in approximately
three months.

Three months?

Well, I'll need
at least a year.

Then I'd suggest you
obtaining additional capital.

On what?

The name
John Brown and Company

has always been
sufficient collateral.

Maybe John Brown
could get a loan.

The company
can't borrow a dime.

These are the debits.

And here are the
complete assets as of...

Harold, I can't even
balance a checkbook.

You'll have to
explain it to me.

It's very simple.

If we don't make some money
in the next few months,
we're out of business.

How much do you need?

We need $ , ,
partner.

Oh, we've gone back
to a partnership, have we?

We never dissolved.
Everything's split
right down the middle.

Up to now it's been
% of nothing.

When do the profits
start coming in?

"We could make a lot
of money, Mrs. Brown. "
Remember?

I remember you thought
it was a pretty good idea
at the time.

I was wrong.

I guess you should've
stayed with John.

Darling,
I didn't mean that.

It wasn't just the money.
You know that, don't you?

I know.

Isn't there anything
we can do?

We've got to find
some way to raise
$ , .

Oh, the stuff will sell.
It just takes time.

Have you tried
to get a loan?

All over town.

They'd lend it to John,
but they think I'm just
a young upstart.

Maybe if John
used his influence.
Would that help?

I don't think he'd do it.

He'd do anything
for the company,
you know that.

It's worth trying.

Come on,
I'll drive you out there.

John?

Oh, Vera!

Come in, my dear.
Or come out,
whichever it is.

I wasn't expecting you
till next weekend.

Then you don't mind
my surprising you?

Still the same Vera.
Just the same.

You might have caught me
making up to
one of the nurses.

Here, sit down, my dear,
sit down.

How are you feeling, John?

I've quite taken
to this sort of life.

It's rather pleasant.

Painting, talking,
just taking it easy.

You know, I never realized

how uncomfortable
a starched collar could be

till I started wearing these.

Of course, they'd...
They'd never do in business.

John, you haven't
mentioned the business.

I'm sure Harold
is doing excellently.

He's a very clever
young man.

A little erratic,
but I dare say
he's learning.

Well, he's doing
the best he can,
but he needs help.

Maybe you could
advise him.

I don't see
how I could do that.

I've been out of touch
too long.

Nearly a year, isn't it?

Just about.

Too many things
change in that time.

I don't know
what conditions are.

No, no, Harold's right there.
He knows more about it
than I do now.

Come back.

The company needs you
and...

And so do I.

Oh, you mean leave here?

Oh, I'm afraid Dr. Croatman
would have something to say
about that.

But you're so much better,
John.

You've had a long rest,
and you look wonderful.

Don't you think
if the psychiatrist
examined you again,

he'd see that?

He does seem rather pleased
with my progress.

Oh, good!

Then I'll tell Sam
about it.

He'll know what's best
to be done.

If you wish, my dear.

But I'm not sure
it'll do any good.

Stop pacing
like a caged animal.

What if they
don't let him out?

Why shouldn't they?
There's nothing
wrong with him.

I know. But you can
go off your rocker just
being in a place like that.

If it doesn't work,
we're finished.

If it does,
what about you and me?

We just
have to be careful.

Mrs. Brown,
Dr. Helck is here.

I've just come
from Dr. Croatman.

My dear, John is waiting
for you to bring him home.

Wonderful.

Well, it was
a great months.

This isn't the end.

We'd better go in.

We won't be able
to see each other.

We can't pull
this trick again.

We'll find a way.

Just as soon as
he has the company
making money again.

Wait a minute.

John!

Oh, hello, my dear.

And Harold.
Nice to see you again.

How are you, John?

All I know is
what my psychiatrist
tells me.

He says
you're entirely well.

And it's going
to be wonderful
to have you home.

Isn't it, Harold?

It's the best news
I've heard in months.

Well, all packed,
I see.

You know, I'm beginning
to think that you never
liked this place.

It's not so bad
after you get
used to it, Doc.

But you say
I'm all right now
and my wife wants me home.

Well, you take care
of yourself.

I don't want to see you
back here again,
except as a visitor.

I'll see that
he never comes back,
Doctor.

Shall we go, dear?

John, if you'll sign this
we'll spring you.

Anything you say,
Warden.

That's a fine way
to talk.

Here, I'll take those.

Oh, I forgot this.

Well, I think
that's everything.

Mrs. Brown, I'm sorry.

Your husband won't be
able to go with you
just now, after all.

I don't understand.

He is not able
to leave here now.

But he's completely sane.
You said so.

He gives that
appearance, yes.

But in disturbances
of this sort,

we can't always be sure.

No, I'm afraid John
has to stay here.

But he can't.
We need him.

The business.
I must take him home.

You'd only be
taking home his body.

His mind is...

Look for yourself.

I hope that ending
was properly terrifying.

What's this?

Nothing but sawdust.

Oh, well, two can play
at that game.

That's all I have here.

This concludes our program
for tonight.

On our next program,
we shall both be back.

Me and my shadow.

Good night.