Ghost Breakers, The (1940)

[bunniefuu]

Hello, operator?

Operator?

Operator, the lights in my room.

What?
The lightning?

Well, do you suppose you could
send up some sort of light?

I'm leaving for Cuba tonight
and I still have packing to do.

Well, thank you.

The entire hotel's
in darkness.

They're sending up
some candles.

The lights are out
all over the city.

New York has had many storms, but
never has the whole place gone dark.

It's very strange.

Exciting, isn't it?

Oh, that
must be the boy.

Oh. I hope these will help, Ms. Carter.

They will. Thanks. We expect
to have the lights on soon.

Oh, that'll be fine.

Hold it, sister.

Just like Christmas,
ain't it?

More like
the Fourth of July.

Yeah.

Nice night
for a m*rder.

How did you know?

I didn't. I didn't!

I just said it would be
a nice night for one.

One flash of lightning

and we're practically
back in the Middle Ages.

You'll have to get used
to candles, Ms. Carter.

There's no electricity
on Black Island.

The castle today is exactly as your
great-great-grandfather built it.

You mean, the ghosts have to
find their way around in the dark?

How depressing.

Oh, so you know the stories
about Castillo Maldito?

Mother told me about it.

She also told me about Santa Claus,
Snow White and the seven dwarfs.

Unfortunately, the legends about
the castle are not bedtime stories.

Oh, Mr. Havez, I believe
you're trying to discourage me.

Well, I suppose as a member
of the Cuban consulate,

I should paint the castle
as a palm-fringed paradise.

But, privately, Ms. Carter, I advise
you to stay away from Black Island.

Oh, come now. You don't believe in ghosts.

We must admit there is
a dividing line somewhere

between superstition
and the supernatural.

All I know is that
during the last 20 years,

no human being who has tried to
spend a night in Castillo Maldito

ever lived to see a sunrise.

I bet I will.

Very well. I shall cable
that you are coming.

Who's there?

It's Kelly. Raspy Kelly.

Speak up. I can't
hear you in the dark.

Come on, push that button. I don't
wanna be here all night. I'm in a hurry.

But Mr. Lawrence ain't got
time to talk to nobody tonight.

Alex!

Just a minute.
I is coming, boss. Oh.

Thunder and lightning going...

What a night, and ain't
nobody don't want me.

Mr. Lawrence's domicile.

Who's calling?

Broadcasting station?

Just a minute.
He's getting dressed.

No, no, not you.
Wait a minute.

Ouch! Will you quit buzzing there?

Do you by any chance
know where I put my pants?

How lovely! Alex.

Alex.

I is coming.

Look, give me the candle and you
fall over the furniture for a while.

Yes, sir.

Basil Rathbone
must be giving a party.

Yes, sir.

Kind of rough,
isn't it?

You know, Alex, every time
we have a storm like this,

something happens to me.

You remember that
Greek girl in Los Angeles?

I sure do.

Mmm, I don't like it.

I don't like it either.

Who was that
on the phone?

Radio station, boss.

They said don't pay any
attention to the storm

'cause they's gonna use
some kind of auxiliary power.

"Aux," what?

They mean you'll go on the
air at the regular time.

Well, did they get a
positive okay from heaven?

I don't know.

If that's Raspy Kelly,
I owe him some money.

Well, from the tone of his
inflections, you better pay him.

And that dame in Cincinnati.
Boy, what a storm that was.

Hiya, Larry.
Hiya, Raspy.

Say, get my hat and coat, will ya, Alex?

Yes, sir.

Say, here's that 50 for
that Frenchy Duval story.

Thanks. When you gonna
spill it over the air?

In just about 30 minutes.

Yeah?

How can they broadcast
on a night like this?

They'd manage to stay on the air
if the world was coming to an end.

They would, eh?

You don't mind, do you?
No.

Thanks. I got another
one for you. Even better.

It's about Machine g*n Marky.

Oh, really? Is it hot
up to the minute?

Is it hot?
Wait'll you hear it.

He's driving his car, see?

Another car comes along,
runs him into a ditch.

Marky gets all smashed up.

When did it happen?

Well, I can't tell you exactly,
but it'll probably be tomorrow.

Tomorrow?
Yeah. Well, so long.

Hey, Raspy, wait a minute.

Does your mob know you're
giving me these stories?

Oh, don't worry.
But anytime you get...

Don't shout.

Anytime you get
too gabby on the air,

the boys just
tune you out.

But they don't mind a little
publicity. They kind of like it.

I know. I plug them
or they'll plug me.

You get the idea.

Raspy, you don't mean...
Now, listen.

Have you got a match or a
blowtorch? Alex, where are you?

Right next to you, boss.

Oh, you look like a
black out in a blackout.

This keeps up, I'm gonna
have to paint you white.

Oh, that's better.
Where's Raspy?

I heard a door slam.

You did?

Better get going,
Mr. Larry.

Yeah.

You know, you sure do
keep me worried.

Oh, don't be silly. I'm in great
shape, for the shape I'm in.

I know, but a lot of
folks don't like you, boss.

I expect some of these mornings when
I come to get you out of the bed,

I'll have to pull the
sheet up instead of down.

Well, you can stop worrying
for the next four weeks.

Finish packing my bags and pick
me up right after the broadcast.

Yes, sir.

Tomorrow we'll be up
in those trout streams.

Don't forget your muffler.

Ah, that's the life.

Those great open spaces,
fresh mountain air.

Go to the window
at 6:00 in the morning,

open it, climb in
and go to bed.

Ah, life, love and the
pursuit of happiness.

Remember that redhead
in Poughkeepsie?

Well, don't be late.

Yes, sir.

Getting up 6:00 in the morning,
climbing in and out of windows.

If only you had some
relative to go with you.

Don't worry about me. Poor
working girl, honest but tough.

I can take care of myself.

That must be him now.

Come in, Mr. Parada.

I'm sorry to be late.

Oh, am I intruding?

Not at all. This is Mr.
Havez of the Cuban consulate.

This is Mr. Parada.

How do you do?

I presume you are here
to witness the transfer

of the estates
to our charming friend?

Yes, as a matter
of routine.

Very well. Here are all
the rights and titles

to the Castillo Maldito
on Black Island,

and to the island itself.

I am sure you will find
them all in good order.

And here, my dear, is your
transportation to Havana,

if you still care
to use it.

Well, outside of the ghosts, are there any
new reasons why I shouldn't sail tonight?

Now, maybe this is
a good reason.

I just received this cablegram
giving me the authority

to offer you $50,000
for your castle.

$50,000!

This doesn't make sense.

Why should anyone offer so much for
a castle full of secondhand spooks?

Who's making the offer,
Mr. Parada?

I'm sorry, I'm not at
liberty to tell you that.

Excuse me.

Hello. Yes.

You don't know me,
Ms. Carter.

My name is Mederos.
Ramon Mederos.

I want to warn you against
selling your castle to Parada.

What did you say?

Well, I...

I can't see you right now.
Where are you?

I'm in the hotel.
When may I see you?

In 20 minutes?

I'll be there.

In the meantime,
be cautious.

Everything's in regular
order, I'd say. Thank you.

And now if you will witness the transfer
with your signature, Senor Havez.

Just a record for me to have in case
anything should happen to Ms. Carter.

Thank you.

The Castillo Maldito
is now your property.

Oh, what do you wish
to do about that offer?

Well, must I decide now,
this minute?

After all, anything over $4
calls for deep thought on my part.

Take your time, my dear,
until sailing time.

Thank you.

I hope you'll
change your mind.

I'll be in my room
down the hall

if you wish to reach me. All right.

Well, good night.

And if you don't change
your mind, bon voyage.

Thank you for everything.
It's been a pleasure.

Well!

Is your decision
to go to Black Island?

More than ever.

Then let me
wish you good luck.

Thank you, Mr. Havez,
and you've been swell.

As you Americans say, watch
yourself, and let me hear from you.

I'll send you a snapshot of the
sunrise over Castillo Maldito.

Good night.

And now for another story

from that sun-dodging prowler
of the underworld.

That slaphappy habitu?
of Manhattan nightspots.

The man who sees all,
hears all,

knows all and tells all,
Lawrence Lawrence.

Good evening,
ladies and gentlemen,

and good evening
to my friends, too.

"Say, I've just
finished breakfast

"and I wanna tell you
that Cronin Coffee

"is the only coffee
that lets you sleep

"and keeps you awake
at the same time.

"There's no chicory in it, no
caffeine, no mocha, nothing.

"Ah, nothing can change the
peculiar flavor of Cronin Coffee.

"So our advice is keep it in
the can, uh, with confidence.

"Oh, and now I'm gonna tell you a
story filled with sunshine and shadow,

"laughter and tears,
corn and hokum.

"A true story of how
a baby's innocent hands

"have softened
the heart of a racketeer.

"Say, you all have heard of Frenchy
Duval, the number one big shot

"of our busy,
bustling underworld?"

Hey, Frenchy, you're on.

"Well, sir, Frenchy
was out in the tall grass

"for his health
a few weeks ago

"when his landlady
was called away from home,

"leaving Frenchy with the care
of her four-month-old baby.

"She didn't come back until
three days later, and by that time

"Frenchy used everything in the house
for didies down to his last sock.

"So now, Frenchy has a nice,
new racket, baby laundries.

"You know the kind I mean,
with the slogan,

"'We wash everything
but the brat. '

"Frenchy discovered that there were
about 2,000 baby laundries in the state,

"all of them making money.

"So, without telling even his
closest pals what he was doing,

"Frenchy moved in and
three-cornered the market.

"And so, today, the hard-boiled
king of the underworld

"is really cleaning up
in a big way.

"Frenchy is a modest fellow, so this
will be news to the public, the police,

"and, oh, yes, the Federal
Income Tax Bureau. "

Get that guy
on the phone.

We're gonna have
a little talk.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen,
you jive hounds of the java,

"I bid you good night
and goodbye

"as I leave tonight
on my vacation.

"Yes, sir, for the next four
weeks I'll be off the air,

"off the payroll,
off my nut..."

And off of
Cronin Coffee.

"And so this is Larry Lawrence signing off,

"sounding the keynote
of Cronin Coffee.

"Goodbye."

You've just heard
Lawrence Lawrence,

the man who knows all the
rackets and all the racketeers.

Phone call for you,
Mr. Lawrence.

For me?

How'd you like
the program?

Oh, you were wonderful,
if you're any judge.

I'll think of something.

Hello.

Oh, hello, Frenchy.

How'd you like the ad?

Okay, Larry, but you had
the story a little wrong.

Yeah. Come on over
to the hotel.

Uh, you're not
sore, are you?

No, I'm not sore.
Why should I be?

I'm just asking you
to come over to the hotel

so I can give it
to you straight.

Yeah, well, sure, Frenchy.
I'll be right over. Yeah.

Wants to give it
to me straight.

Uh-oh.

Well,

it's been
nice knowing you.

Hey, Gerty, Frenchy Duval
just phoned Lawrence...

How long will you be, boss? You
know our train leaves in an hour.

Yeah, well, we'll make it. I
just have to run in here a moment

and see Frenchy Duval.

Frenchy Duval?
Yeah.

Nothing to be afraid of.
He's an old friend of mine.

He wants to see me before
I start on my vacation.

Did he hear your
broadcast tonight?

Well, certainly he did.

Just a minute, Mr. Larry.

Huh?

I expect you better
take this with you.

Yeah, I think...
Oh, no thanks, Alex.

I don't imagine I'll need
it. Frenchy wouldn't dare.

Or would he?
I mean, to a pal?

Ah! Don't be silly.
Am I a man or mice?

Here, give me that.

Park the car and
come up to Room 1409.

And I'll expect to see you in five minutes.

I hope
you get your expects.

Which way is 1409?

End of the hall,
turn to the left.

Yeah. Don't go far away. I wouldn't
want to go down without you.

Hello.

Is that you?

No!
No, it's not me.

I'm sorry, I was expecting
someone else to pass.

Oh, I'm glad.

Perfectly safe,
public place like this.

Courage, Camille.

So you thought you'd
get away with it.

What's going on?

Do you mind
if I come in?

What is this?

Don't talk and
especially don't scream.

If there's going to be any hysterics
around here, I'll have them.

Put it down, sister.

And stand still.

If this is another attempt to
scare me into selling the island...

Lady, I'm not buying an
island, I'm headed for one.

Oh, pardon me.

Say, you're terrified,
aren't you?

Yeah, and a little
sick, too.

I don't mind dying, but
I hate the preliminaries.

Well, put down that g*n. The way you're
shaking, you might sh**t somebody.

Yeah, that's the trouble,
I just did.

Oh! I feel the same way about it myself.

I think my blood is running
the wrong way, if it's running.

Who'd you sh**t?
I have no idea.

Is it m*rder to k*ll
a perfect stranger?

Why'd you sh**t him?
He was sh**ting at me.

Isn't that self-defense?

Lady, when you k*ll one of
Frenchy Duval's men, it's suicide.

You wouldn't be Ramon Mederos, would you?

No, my name is Lawrence.

Lawrence what?

Lawrence.
Lawrence Lawrence.

Yeah, and my middle name
is Lawrence, too.

My folks had
no imagination.

May I?
Lawrence?

Not Cronin Coffee
Lawrence?

Yeah. Good to
the last flop.

Oh!

Will you come to see me
on visitors' day?

What's the
excitement, mister?

Unknown man shot
on the 14th floor.

He ain't unknown to me!

What do you
know about this?

I'd just come in...

I really know all about it. But
really, I do. Just a minute, lady.

But, really, I do.
I was in my room...

Quiet, everybody!
Quiet, please.

You'll all have
a chance to talk later.

Where were you when
you heard the two shots?

In my room, reading.
I heard a woman scream.

That was me.

When I opened the door, I found
this poor fellow on the floor.

That's right.
I saw him open the door.

Gangway.

Hi, Lieutenant.
Is he dead?

You tell me.

This lady says
she saw a tall man

wearing a scarf
run down the hall.

I certainly did.
He went right down there.

Did you see him?
No.

The guy's dead.

All right, folks, get back to
your rooms, please, and stay there.

Well, you're not gonna
leave him here! Please.

We'll take care
of this, lady.

Jim, you stay here
till the coroner comes

and don't let
anyone off the floor.

Yes, sir. Are all the exits covered?

Yes, sir. All right, boys.
Go through every room.

Let's try this room, Sergeant. Yes, sir.

Open up.

It's the police! They're
searching the rooms.

Oh, don't give me
away, please.

Someday you may have a
little boy that will grow up

and commit
an innocent m*rder.

What can I do?

Can I go out that way?

No, that door
leads into the hall.

Where can I go?
The bathroom.

Yeah, the bath...
Oh, not the bathroom.

My mother was once frightened by a plumber.

Oh, you're gonna make me
miss my boat! Boat? What boat?

Who is it?

It's the police.

Quick, under the bed.
Oh, thanks.

I'll do the same thing
for you sometime.

Open up!

Just a moment.
I'm coming.

Sorry, miss. We're making a checkup of
every room, trying to locate a k*ller.

A k*ller? Do I look
like the sort...

Look, there's nothing
personal about this.

I'd just like to look
around your room.

Certainly.

Nobody
in this room.

Is that the bedroom?

Yes, but there's
nobody in there.

There never is. We'll have a look anyway.

Going somewhere?

Yes, I'm taking
a boat tonight.

Got your ticket?

Yes.

Let me see it, please.

Here it is!

Thanks.

Nothing
in this closet.

Service hall, huh?

Cuba, huh?
Some folks are sure lucky.

Yes.

Nothing
in the bathroom.

What happened?
Did you lose something?

No, I was just scratching.

Come in.

Excuse me, Ms. Carter.
Can I get your trunk?

I... I'm busy
at the moment.

I know, miss, but if I don't take
it now, it might not make the boat.

Is it all right, Officer?

Sure, go ahead.

Thank you.
Come on, Sergeant.

Will you lock it, please?

Yeah, sure.

Sorry to have bothered you this
way, but that's the routine.

It's quite all right. I'm
sure you'll find your man.

Well, he ain't gonna get off
this floor unless he jumps.

You can come out now.

Where are you?

Look, ma'am, where have you got my boss?

Your boss?
Who do you mean?

I don't know
what he told you,

but his real name is Lawrence, three times.

Who are you?

I'm Alex,
the old family detainer.

He's hiding
somewhere in here.

I might have known.

Mr. Lawrence. Okay, Mr.
Larry, you can come out now.

Certainly was
nice of you, miss.

Mr. Lawrence?

Hey, boss?

Mr. Lawrence?

My good dresses. And I
packed them so carefully...

Good heavens!

What's the matter, miss?
The trunk.

Trunk?
He's in my trunk.

He took these things out.
I'll phone the porter.

Oh. Oh, please don't, miss. He's
gotta get out of here somehow

'cause they's got
the hotel surrounded.

But we've got to get him out
of that trunk. Get it.

My initials are on it, M.C.,
Mary Carter. Now, hurry.

Where's the trunk
going, miss?

To the pier. I'm sailing for Cuba tonight.

Cuba? Hot Congo!

Extra! Extra!
m*rder in downtown hotel!

Read all about it! Extra!
m*rder in downtown hotel!

Heads up!

Get your morning edition!
Paper! Paper!

Sweet Judas!

Mr. Larry?
Mr. Larry?

Calling Mr. Lawrence!

Mr. Larry?

M.C., M.C.
I don't see no M.C.

Where are you?
Are you there, Mr. Larry?

Mr. Lawrence!

Where are you?
Mr. Larry?

All these trunks and things.
I won't ever find any M.C.

Mr. Larry?

Mr. Larry?

Are you there?

Are you there?

Oh, Mr. Larry was

I just love fooling around with
baggage. I used to be a porter.

Is that so?
Yes.

I been around trunks
for 20 years now.

Yes.

Mr. Larry?
Where is you?

Mr. Larry?

Mr. Larry?

Come in!

How you feel, boss?

I'll tell you
when I'm unpacked.

We'll get you out as soon
as Ms. Carter get here.

She better hurry
or it'll be too late.

Keep your chin up,
Mr. Larry.

I can't, my knees
are in the way.

Don't sh**t!

Come on, do it again.

Do what? Talk to the trunk.
That's positively amazing.

Oh?
Who's that?

It's marvelous.
It's marvelous!

I never saw your lips move
one bit. Come on, do it again.

Mister, I ain't always
got the power.

All right, I can
be stubborn, too.

I'm gonna stand right here
until you do it again.

Get me out of here!

That's terrific!
It's positively terrific!

Come here. You know what I'm gonna do?

I'm gonna take you
back up to Tony's.

The g*ng up there'll
love your act.

No, sir, I ain't
going no place.

Oh, you gotta.

Look, you and I'll
pass the hat.

You and I will make a
fortune on this trunk.

This trunk's got
to stay right here.

Oh! You're too good, eh?

Well, if you're gonna
act that way,

do you know what
I'm gonna do?

I'm gonna kick this trunk
right off the pier.

You might
hurt somebody.

In fact, I think I'll
kick it right in the ocean.

Are you gonna make this
trunk talk or aren't you? I...

Here come
Ms. Carter now.

Is he all right?

He can still talk.

Just get me
out of here!

I will as soon as I can, but
I seem to have lost my keys.

Lost your keys!

Maybe they're in the top
drawer. Will you look and see?

I'm in the top drawer.
They're not here.

Gangway!

Oh, you can't take my trunk
yet. I want to get something out.

Well, you'll have to
do that in your stateroom.

Oh, but I want
to get it out now!

Lady, do ya want this trunk
to go to Cuba or don't you?

Certainly.
Well, all right.

Why, he can't
sail with me.

He ain't sailing, lady.
He's flying.

Oh!

Poor Mr. Larry.

Alex, I remember now.

The keys are
in my overnight bag.

Yeah, but, lady,
he's up there.

Oh!
Oh, I beg your pardon!

Pardon me.

Oh, it was my fault.

Oh! Now, isn't that always
the way when you're in a hurry?

Yes.

There you are.

Thank you.
Not at all.

I'm terribly sorry.
It was my fault.

m*rder in downtown hotel!
Big m*rder in big hotel!

Read all about it! Get
your paper before sailing!

Extra! m*rder
in downtown hotel!

Extra! Read all about it!
Get your paper before sailing!

Whoa, it's lucky
he's in that trunk!

Will you hurry with that trunk, please?

Never dropped one
in my life, lady.

Put it here, please.

Can I open it for you,
ma'am? No, thanks, I'll do it.

Much obliged. Hope you have a nice trip.

Thanks.

I'll have it open
in a minute.

There.

What's new?

Hold it. There's
someone at the door.

Good evening, Ms. Carter.

Mr. Parada.

I just wanted to make sure that
you were quite comfortable here.

Oh, yes, everything's just fine,
thank you. All visitors ashore.

Isn't that the last
all ashore warning?

Perhaps it is.

All visitors ashore!

Ms. Carter, I must ask you a
question that may seem impertinent.

What is it?

Someone telephoned you tonight
while I was in your room.

Yes. I'd like you to tell me who it was.

Ms. Carter?
Yes, thank you.

Excuse me.

From an admirer?

No. Just a friend
wishing me a safe trip.

Safe? Is there
any doubt of that?

And now, my dear young lady,
this person who called you?

Oh, it was a man
I didn't know.

He said his name
was Ramon Mederos.

Did he mention me when
he was talking to you?

I don't remember.

But it is important
that you do remember.

Mr. Parada,
you really must go now.

Thank you for
all your trouble and...

And for coming down
to see me off.

To see you off? But, my
dear, I am sailing with you.

What?

There's nothing to keep me in New
York now, so I've decided to go home.

My stateroom is
right across the way.

The boat's pulling out!

Of course.

Oh!

Let's go up on deck and wave
goodbye to... To anybody.

Yes, it may be some time
before you see New York again.

Yes. There are certainly
a lot of people going to Cuba.

What's this?

This would happen to me.

Oh, no.

Go away,
we're all very ill.

You okay, boss?

I'm fine. Is there a
chiropractor in the house?

Don't you think
you better sit down?

I gotta learn
to stand up first.

Give me your hand.

Yeah, that's better.

All we need is a grind organ and a tin cup.

Up. Up. Up.

Put me down. Put me down! Put me...

Ah, that's
the way to die.

Listen, Mr. Larry, did you sh**t
that man in the hotel with my g*n?

Yes, I confess.
Just go away.

No, you didn't.

My g*n's a.32, and that
man was shot with a.38.

.32,.38.

That's six points
in my favor.

Look.

I didn't k*ll him.

That's what I told you.

It was somebody else.

I'm pure again.

Let's go home.

Oh.

That's all right, Mr.
Larry. I brought your bags.

Oh, this certainly
teaches me a lesson.

So help me, I'm through
mixing with murders,

my own or anybody else's.

I...

Alex, that girl's
in trouble.

She ain't in half as
much trouble as you are.

Do you know where she went
with that man that was in here?

Now, Mr. Larry, you ain't jealous, are you?

How would you like
another m*rder tonight?

m*rder?

That fella, Mederos, he
telephoned Ms. Carter tonight.

Then somebody shot him.
So now you're gonna horn in,

and get shot. And get shot. That's right.

Ms. Carter saved my life.
Maybe I can save hers.

Ain't you just
a little bit scared?

Scared? Me?

I'm shaking so hard, the
water on my knee just splashed.

There's a great deal
of fog on Black Island.

You know, at times it
completely shrouds the castle.

You can't discourage me.
I'm going to have fun in Cuba.

A daiquiri at the Florida,
a rumba at the Nacional,

and the beer-barrel polka
at Sloppy Joe's.

There are certain things that
travel folders do not mention.

Ghosts again?

I was a skeptic too until
I saw with my own eyes

this malignant force
at work in your castle.

A priest might
call it a demon.

The natives
call it voodoo.

Is there any particular reason why this
"malignant force" should pick on my castle?

Some say it's because this remote
ancestor of yours who built it

was Cuba's greatest
sl*ve trader.

So, it's perhaps the vengeance
of all those lost souls

who've been tortured, starved and
m*rder*d in the castle dungeon.

Pardon me,
am I protruding?

Lovely view, isn't it?

Mr. Lawrence, I want
you to meet Mr. Parada.

He's just been telling me
about the castle I've inherited.

How do you do?

Oh, I feel as though I know
you, I've heard so much.

You've been
in Havana before?

No, my first trip.

Pleasure trip?

Not exactly.

Are you interested in
tobacco plantations? No.

Sugar industry? Look, I'll
save you a lot of time.

I'm a ghost breaker.
A what?

Well, you've heard of trust
breakers and home breakers?

I'm a ghost breaker.

I take family skeletons out of
the closet and dust them off.

I explain mysteries that
people don't want explained.

I make a nice living, too,
chasing ghosts of the past,

if you'll pardon
the poetic reference.

It's very interesting.

Are you the one who is advising
Ms. Carter not to sell her castle?

Oh, no. My advice is to keep
the castle and sell the ghosts.

I myself have heard
of only one ghost,

the spirit
of Don Santiago.

Does he appear nightly, or
just Sundays and holidays?

I never saw it.

But I've known
several people who have.

Your uncle,

your mother's brother
was the last one.

What did he tell you
about it?

Nothing.

He was dead.

Dead?

He was lying at the foot
of the staircase.

His eyes were staring, mad.

His face a mask of terror.

Good laugh would be worth a
lot of money at this point.

Uh, what connection is there
between this bogeyman of yours

and the buried treasure?

Treasure?
What treasure?

Well, there's always money
where the ghost walks.

Cute.

I hope you still feel as comical when
you come out of the castle, my friend.

You smell
something burning?

Sulfur, no less.

Thanks for dashing
to the rescue.

Well, I got a little excited
when I read your fan mail.

I don't mind saying that it did
something to my girlish morale.

That was the idea, to
scare you off the boat.

What's the answer?

Lady, one or more persons,
identity unknown,

definitely do not
want you in that castle.

I wonder why.

Me,
I'm mentally Ret*rded.

I'm still 11-years-old when it comes to
Fourth of July, circuses or haunted castles.

Say, how are you gonna
get off the boat?

That's right. I better
go and see the purser.

Stay here.

I beg your pardon.

Well, we always seem to be
bumping into each other, don't we?

Foggy night, isn't it?

Oh!

Are you all right?

A lot of cold chills are
running up and down my back.

Yeah. They must've
run over from mine.

Come on.

Well, what'll you take with
your aspirin? Scotch or rye?

What are you having?

I think I'll start with an
Old-Fashioned and bring it up to date.

I'll have the same.

All right.

Well, lovely.

I beg your pardon.

Are you engaged for this
dance, Lady Wimplesnood?

Dance?

Yes. Lovely party the
vice president is giving.

Ah, good old vice.

sh**t the chassis
to me, lassie.

Your name?

Oh, you remember me.
The girls call me Pilgrim

'cause every time I dance with
one, I make a little progress.

You may be a pilgrim, but
I can see you're no puritan.

Oh. Keep dancing.

Oh, tell me, who's the lady asleep
over there on the pool table?

Oh, don't be silly, girl.
That's no pool table.

That's our hostess.

My dear!

Oh, where did you learn
to dance so divinely?

Oh, didn't you know? I used
to dance with Sally Rand.

Oh.

It's quite a feather
in my cap, too.

Keep dancing.

Oh, I remember.

You're that amusing butler
I went swimming with.

Oh, I'm sorry,
that was my father.

He was the son of that famous
old Indian chief, Sitting Bull.

Oh, what was his name?

Uh, Sitting Yet.

Oh, my word!
And you're his son Lariat.

Yes, that's right.

Oh, steady, steady. I know
you've had a rough evening,

and I don't know what
it's all about either,

but don't lose
your nerve, honey.

Would it make you feel
any better to know

that you're not cavorting
with a k*ller? What?

Well, the man I didn't
sh**t was Ramon Mederos.

What in the world
are you saying?

Look.

He was shot with a.38,

and I'm from
the class of.32.

So that's
Ramon Mederos.

Who is it?

Excuse me, boss. If you
hurry, we can make it.

Make what? We can get off the
boat and go back with the pilot.

We can?
Oh, that's great!

We got to hurry.

Goodbye, Ms. Carter.
Goodbye, Alex.

Goodbye, Larry.
Goodbye, Mary,

and lots of luck to you.
Thanks for everything.

I'll be seeing you
when you get back.

What am I doing?

What?

Why, I'm not going to New
York. I'm going to Cuba.

But why?
Why?

Well, because I'm crazy
to go to Cuba.

Everybody should go to Cuba.
See Cuba and die.

No, that's going too far.

Now, wait a minute, Larry,
if you're doing this on my...

Oh, not at all.

No, Alex and I want to
investigate Black Island

and get acquainted
with the spooks.

You speak for yourself, boss, 'cause
I won't have no parts of no spooks.

What, you're not afraid of
meeting a few spooks, are you?

I'll meet them
when I have to,

but ain't no sense
in teasing them.

Honest, Mary, I just love m*rder mysteries.

Even since I was
a little shaver.

Before I started
to shave even, uh...

Alex, close that door.
Yes, sir.

Lady, somebody's playing
at m*rder, but for keeps.

First Mederos.

Somebody found out he was gonna
tell you something important...

Exit Mederos.

Then I come to the rescue and I'm
greeted by a flying fire bucket.

You know, I'd swear Parada did
it, except that he looks guilty,

and in situations
like these,

you never suspect the guy
that looks guilty.

As far as I'm concerned,
I can ignore the whole thing.

Get out.

But the pilot... Yes, sir.
Out! And get me a stateroom.

Not too far from this one. Yes, sir.

He always sees the
darker side of everything.

He was born
during an eclipse.

Are you sure
you should stay on board?

Oh, I won't be
too much trouble.

Just one meal a day
and put me out

for a few minutes at night
and in the morning.

There aren't any words
to tell you

how much I appreciate
what you're doing.

You know,
it's downright chivalrous.

It's dangerous, too.

I don't know why
I do such things.

I'm crazy.

You're an angel.

Good night.

Good night.
Is it bedtime?

All right,
you can put me to bed,

but you can't
put me to sleep.

Will you please lock this door
and keep it locked till morning?

Don't worry.

Good night.
Good night.

Look, if you and I were out
on a beautiful lake in a canoe,

just drifting along,
but soulfully,

underneath a million stars
and a great big moon

with a soft breeze blowing

a perfume of
a lot of roses around,

do you think...

I mean, could you...

No, I guess not.
Good night.

Good night.

Give me Mr. Lawrence's
cabin, please.

Hello.

Larry, there's somebody outside my window!

What? Oh.

That's only Alex.

Yeah, he'll be there all night
and I'll be there all day.

We tossed a coin for the
night shift and I lost.

Yeah.
Thanks again.

And, um, Larry,

I hear there are
lots of lakes in Cuba,

and the moon's so big
you can hardly see Havana.

Good night.

Got to stay up all night and watch her.

When was it built?

I've got the facts
right at my fingertips.

"Completed in 1597, Morro
Castle stands grimly guarding

"the beautiful
harbor of Havana,

"with its history of piratical
plundering, sl*ve traders and buccaneers."

Sounds like
a Cecil B. DeMille script.

Exactly.

"Cuba is truly
the island of romance,

"a land of
flashing-eyed senoritas

"seasoned with onions and a dash
of garlic, all for 50 cents."

What?

Could that be?
Here, let me see it.

"Flashing-eyed senoritas,

"many of them continental style,
spread out over the sidewalk."

Huh? Oh, no. You'd fall
over them in the dark.

Wait, there's a trick
to these things.

Now you just give like that, and just
let them fold naturally like that.

Then you have it.

"A land of flashing-eyed senoritas
equipped with red, green and amber lights

"to control the traffic."

They do everything,
don't they?

Yeah, in this folder.

Well, now you know
all about the castle.

Good morning,
Ms. Carter.

Good morning.

May I have a word
with you before we land?

Sure. Now?

Will you excuse us?

Of course.
Thank you.

Secrets.

Maybe my slip is showing.

What are you
doing there?

Nothing, senor.
Nothing.

I beg your pardon.

I just happened to see a disagreeable
chap listening at your door.

It's none of my business, of course,
but I thought you might like to know.

Thank you.

Aren't you...
Yes. And you're...

Pelham!
The Murrays!

The six-day bike race
at the garden!

Right! Now I know.
You're Geoff Montgomery.

And you're Mary Carter.
Yes.

Come in.
Thank you.

Have you been aboard
all the time?

No, I flew down from New
York about 10 days ago.

I just came aboard on the official
launch to meet some friends.

You've lived in Havana
for some time, haven't you?

Oh, practically a native.

Perhaps you can tell me
what that means.

Hello!

What is it?

It's a voodoo ouanga.

A what?
An ouanga.

Charm prepared
by a voodoo priest.

Some of them are supposed
to bring good luck.

But not that one.

No.

This is a death ouanga.

Do you know what's back of this,
Ms. Carter? Perhaps I can advise you.

I suppose you've heard of the
forbidden castle at Black Island?

Oh, yes. Yes, I heard
that jinx was wished on...

Not you?
Me.

Well.

I'm simply doing my best
to make clear to you

that Ms. Carter is taking
her life in her hands

if she goes into
that castle tonight.

You know, that gives me an idea
that scares me out of my wits.

What?
I'll go there first.

Hmm. You're a brave man.

Me? No, my nerves
are the breakaway kind.

I've got
rabbit blood in me.

Do you know what'll happen if I
should see a ghost there tonight?

No.
I'd be so scared,

I'd probably take
a shot at it.

Won't I feel silly
sh**ting ghosts?

But that's me all over.

Tell your friends.

I'll be seeing you.

Ms. Carter, I think you'd be foolish

to go further
without some help.

I wouldn't trust Parada.

He has a peculiar
reputation.

If it weren't for the
voodoo element, I'd...

Yes?

Do you know anyone here
in Havana? Anyone in Cuba?

No, but Mr. Lawrence
is on my team.

Who? Lawrence. Larry "Radio" Lawrence.

Yes?

Oh, come in, Larry.

This is Mr. Montgomery. I met
him a few weeks ago in New York.

How are you? Yes.
You live here?

Well, maybe you know
what a zombie is. A what?

Well, Parada just told me about
a caretaker on Black Island.

n*gro woman, lives in a
little shack with a zombie son.

Yes, that's more voodooism,
and not very pleasant.

When a person dies
and is buried,

it seems there are certain
voodoo priests who...

Who have the power to
bring him back to life.

How horrible.

It's worse than horrible because
a zombie has no will of his own.

You see them sometimes
walking around blindly

with dead eyes,
following orders,

not knowing what
they do, not caring.

You mean
like Democrats?

That's all we needed on top of
ghosts and skeletons, a zombie!

How about some drinks
in the smoke room?

Let's.
That'll help.

Oh. Well, while I think of it,
how is the Hotel Santana?

Oh, as good as any. The best food
is at Las Palmas on the Malec?n.

Let me take you there tonight, uh, both of
you, to celebrate your first night in Havana.

Thanks, I'd love it.
Wouldn't you?

Yes, I've been
wondering about tonight.

Now that's all
taken care of.

First night in Havana!

It's all so lovely,
so romantic.

Just what I expected
Havana to be like.

May I say that it's never seemed
more lovely to me than at this moment.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I wonder what in the world
has happened to Larry.

I'm having an excellent time without him.

It would be just like him to sneak
over to Black Island without me.

May I?

Thank you.

Oh, good evening,
Ms. Carter.

Good evening.

That man seems
to be everywhere.

Oh?

How far away
is Black Island?

The other side of the mainland,
then about half mile offshore.

Would you like
to take me there?

Tonight?

Sorry, only this morning my doctor
warned me against sudden shocks.

And even if he were wrong,
I wouldn't take you there.

You aren't afraid,
are you?

No.

No, but it's hard to laugh
off that voodoo stuff.

At night in Castillo
Maldito there are things...

There's no denying it.
They...

They move about in the shadows. They...

Look! That man.

What's the matter?

Is he a ghost?

Looks pretty
solid to me.

I beg your pardon,
senor, senorita.

You are Ms. Carter?
Yes.

I am Francisco Mederos.
Ramon was my twin brother.

I want to know why he
was m*rder*d, and by whom.

I... I have no idea.

You talked with him
in New York.

On the telephone,
yes, I...

Then he was k*lled.
Why was he k*lled?

I don't know.

Ms. Carter,
I must insist.

You heard Ms. Carter say
she knows nothing about...

You will mind your own business, senor.

I think it's
about time you...

Hello, Francisco.
How are you? I haven't...

Excuse me, but I haven't seen
this man in a month of Sundays.

You look... Why, you gotta come
over and have a drink with us.

I've got Dolores with me. You remember
Dolores. She meets all the boats.

Now, come on. I won't
take no for an answer.

Very well.

You will see me
again, Ms. Carter.

Oh, yes, you'll
see us later.

Well!

I can do very nicely without
anymore of Mr. Mederos.

Who is he?

Oh, he comes from
an old Cuban family.

They own half the country
down here, a lot of money.

Would you like to leave?
Go somewhere else?

Only to one place, and
you won't take me there.

I think your father must have been as
courageous as your mother was beautiful.

Corny, but nice.

Don't you think we ought to use
some more of that dance music?

Let's. And forget about
your friend, Mr. Lawrence.

The only way that he can get out to
Black Island tonight is by swimming.

The native boatmen won't
tie up there after dark.

Larry'd find a way.

Oh, I wouldn't worry
about him if I were you.

I'm not, but after all,
it's my castle and my ghosts.

Pardon me, Mr. Montgomery,
will you take a telephone call?

Oh, yes.
Will you excuse me?

Of course.
I'll be right back.

Do you mind
if I run along?

I have several
things to do.

Good night, Dolores.
Good night, my friend.

Good night.

Come on, will you? You're
rowing slower and slower.

But my heart's beating
faster and faster.

And you told me you rowed
number four at Harlem Tech.

Yes, but we knew
where we was going.

Look,
there's a light!

Come on, get going!

Lafayette,
we are here!

Lafayette's here, too!

Give me the rope.

Come on, Seabiscuit.
Come on!

Yes, sir.

Boss, don't you think we
ought to have our lunch now?

Pack in a little solid food before we go
messing around with them spirits up there?

Oh, now relax, will you?
It's only 11:45

and you know it's against
the union rules

for ghosts to start
walking before midnight.

Your watch must be slow.
There's one now.

I don't know why
you get so nervous.

That's probably the colored
caretaker Parada told me about.

She's just trying
to scare us.

Well, she's wasting her time,
'cause we're scared already.

He must be the zombie.

I'll say he is.

What do you want?

Could we interest you in a
subscription to Weird Stories magazine?

Three more subscriptions
and I get a year at Vassar.

Wait a minute,
Aunt Dinah.

Well, let's go, Alex.
That...

Alex! Where are you?

Here I am.

I can row all right now. I'm all rested.

Oh, come on out of there and
help me up the hill, will you?

Up the hill?
Yeah, come on.

Wait now!

Can't we detour
around that-a-way?

Do you see
what I see?

I'm trying
to hope not.

If you pay no attention,
sometimes they go away.

How long since
anybody lived here?

Twenty years.

But it's only been two
months since anyone died here.

Now why did
I say that?

I don't know.

Give me the flashlight.

Look!
Bats!

Guess they're scared.

Come on.

Guess there ain't
nobody home. Let's go.

Let's go.

Parada,
is that you?

Is that you?

Ghost has a cold.

Light a couple
of those candles.

Yes, sir.

Alex!

Who does
that look like?

Why,
that's Ms. Carter.

Oh, thanks.

Hey, wait a minute.
That's impossible.

Isn't it?

I'm befuddled.

Mmm, what a hot Spanish
dish you must've been.

Wish me luck, darling.

Hey, boss, you ain't going upstairs,
are you? Where those ghosts is?

Listen,
you stay there

and if a couple of fellows come running
down the stairs in a few minutes,

let the first one go.

That'll be me.

If somebody passes you,
that'll be me.

That'll be me.

Nothing under the bed.

Hmm.

Mr. Larry!

Mr. Larry!

Wait now!

Now wait a minute.
You can't do that to me.

I know better.

Old man Mose
is certainly dead.

Come out of there
before I sh**t!

Alex!
Honest, it's me.

You're bleached!

No, I ain't, boss.

When I gets scared, my
albino blood shows through.

Come out
of that dust bowl!

No, sir. You say there wasn't no ghost

and I saw him,
right over there.

So did I, but I still
don't believe it.

Well, I'm convinced.
Let's go home.

Mmm-mmm, not till I find
out who's trying to scare us.

And what a swell
job he's doing.

This is no penny
ante game, Alex.

Well, what are you
gonna get out of it?

Heart failure.

Come on.

Let's find out what that is and oil it.

"Maria Ysobel Sebastian."

And that's all that's left of
that gorgeous girl in the portrait.

Boss, is that a mummy?

Yes, Ms. Carter's
great-great-grandmummy.

I didn't mean it,
honest.

You think I'd pull
a crack like that

in a place like this?

Must've been a frog
in my throat.

That's better than having a knife in it.

Come on.

Hmm, old Don Santiago
himself.

That's the gentleman
we met in the hall.

He sure gets around.

He's got a lot
of spirit.

Well!

Now we know where that
ghost music came from.

I wonder where you
put the nickel in?

Larry!
Larry!

Whoo-hoo!
Whoo-hoo!

Larry!
Larry!

Is that you?
Is that you?

Larry!
Where are you?

Is anything back there?

No, it's a dead-end street.

Larry!
Whoo-hoo!

That sound like
Ms. Carter's voice.

Nah, that's just what they're
trying to make us believe.

They can't fool us.

Yes, sir.
Here, help me down.

Larry?
Larry?

Stop clowning, will you,
please? Where are you?

Where are you?

Get out! Get out!
Run away.

Run away before
it's too late.

Get out! Get out! Away!

Run away before
it's too late!

Larry, where are you?

Help!
Larry, help me!

Larry!

Alex!
Where are you?

Here I am.

Believe me, we aren't gonna get hurt

unless we find the real
secret of this place.

Well, why do we
keep looking for it?

It is sort of ridiculous, isn't it?

Gesundheit.

What'd you say, boss?

I always say "Gesundheit"
when anybody sneezes.

I didn't sneeze.
I ain't got the strength.

You didn't sneeze?

Well, if you didn't
sneeze, and I didn't sneeze,

something smells
around here.

And it ain't
fried chicken.

Who could it
have been?

It's the guy that sent
the death warning to Mary.

It's the volunteer fireman that
tried to drop the bucket on us.

It's the ghost we've been chasing
ever since we left New York

and he's right here
in this castle!

What's the matter,
boss?

Why do you let me
babble on like this?

Suppose he's listening.
Suppose he knows I know.

Suppose we get
out of here.

We'll go down have a little
talk with Mother Divine

and that phony
zombie son of hers.

From the frying pan
right into the fire!

We'll turn on
the heat.

If anyone should join
the angel throng tonight,

we can have her
as an accessory.

Look out!

Hold him, boss!
Hold him!

Alex, quick,
get the can opener!

Hold him, boss,
hold him!

I got him, boss!
I got him! I got him!

It's the zombie!

It ain't Baby Snooks!

Move over, Alex.
Here I come.

Here come
some more ghosts!

Alex! Alex!

In the closet, boss!

Wait now!

Put him
in there!

Oh, Larry!

Oh, boy,
let him out again.

Is that sure
enough Ms. Mary?

Larry, what in
the world was...

Uh, before we go
any further,

allow me to tell you that you're the
most beautiful ghost that ever walked.

Well, I couldn't let you
have all this fun by yourself.

How'd you get
over here, Ms. Mary?

When boats
won't land, you swim.

Swim? Didn't anyone tell
you about the sharks?

Never mind
the sharks.

Larry, the picture.

Oh, she was lovely,
wasn't she?

Yeah, she certainly was.
And she's improved with age.

There's nothing in reincarnation, is there?

Why?

I seem to understand her.

She's pointing at something
she wants us to know.

She's telling us the way to
solve the secret of the place.

What's down there?

Oh, just some of your
stuffed ancestors.

Take me there.

Sure.

You stay here,
just in case.

Yes, sir.

Lady, if you can tell them anything,
tell 'em to get out of here!

Don't move!

If you a ghost, this
ain't gonna do me no good,

but if you isn't, it
ain't gonna do you no good.

Now which is you?

Wait now!

Hold on! Hold on!
I'm no ghost.

You're Mr. Lawrence's
man, aren't you? Yes, sir.

Is Ms. Carter here?
Yes, sir.

Is she all right? I mean,
did she arrive here safely?

Yes, sir.

Well, as long as you two are
on deck to look after her,

I guess there's
no reason for me to...

My boat!

Someone's stealing
my motorboat!

Is you there, Zom?

Okay.

Larry.
Hmm?

Look up there.

What does it say?

"God's" something.

Treasures! That word is
"treasures," isn't it?

Yes. "God's treasures in abundance lie."

That's it. Something,
something, "heavenly."

"Heavenly key
before they die."

Hmm, there's more to
this than meets the eye.

You're telling me. That's a
message if I ever read one.

Look for a key.

What kind of a key?

The only keys I ever saw in church
were in the collection basket.

Listen, let's find a keyhole,
then look for a key to fit it.

Here are a lot of keys.

Very funny.
Very funny.

Well, it could mean music.

Not on that organ.
It doesn't work.

I thought you said
it didn't play.

It didn't.

Someone or something has
pumped air into it since I left.

There's a gag
here somewhere.

Holy smoke!

What's the matter?

Don't look now, but grandpappy
is having a nightmare.

Mr. Parada!

Easy, old boy.
We'll get you out.

It's no use.

I've only a few minutes.

He stabbed me.

Who? Who did it?

I...

I came here
to warn you,

to protect you.

Under the... Under the castle, fortune...

A fortune.

What kind
of fortune?

You'll find it.

Music.

Marching men.

The organ.

Oh, he must
be delirious.

Listen, Parada, tell
us who did this to you.

Music.

Marching men.

Organ...

Mr. Parada!

Upstairs, at the end of the hall.

Men.

Marching men.

Larry! The marching men are notes of music!

The key! That's what he
was trying to tell us!

Keep playing, Mary!
Keep playing! Higher!

That's enough! Look!

I'll see what's down there. You stay here.

Alone? Here? Oh, no!

All right. Watch it.

Look at these
old sl*ve chains.

Yes, but who lit
this lantern?

Look at these railway
tracks running through here.

Reminds me of my hotel room in Scranton.

It's some sort
of a mine.

Here.

It's stuck.

Find something
to pry it open.

Here's something. Oh!

Oh, let me have it.

Ramon's twin brother.

Thanks.

My name is Lawrence.

I was there when your brother was shot.

In fact, I thought I'd
done it myself until...

You can't get away with it! Now listen!

Not you! Look out!

Geoff!
Back away!

Put that down!
Back away!

You, too!

Move!

Put your hands
behind your back.

Let the girl go.

For what?

I did everything I could
to keep her away from here.

I even tried to buy her out, but first
your brother and then Parada crossed me!

What's it all about?

A vein of silver as wide as the
island, that's what it's all about!

I discovered it
and it's mine!

Who told you about it?

What difference
does it make?

None now, because it's not
going to do you any good.

Now wait a minute!
Let Mary go!

Nobody's going to carry
any tales out of here!

Close your eyes.

Close your eyes!

Boss, did I press
the wrong button?

I'll match you
to see who faints first.

I can explain everything that
happened but that transparent ghost.

Wasn't it Geoff? He
arranged everything else.

He couldn't have reached the
island that fast from the nightclub.

Wonder if Mederos knows?

Hey, Commodore!
Yes?

Who was that playing
Don Santiago?

He wasn't playing.
That was the real ghost.

Now we have something to
worry about on our honeymoon.

Our what?

Our honeymoon.
Didn't I tell you?

No, but I'd like
to hear about it.

You would?