["Alfred Hitchcock" theme music]
- Good evening.
As you see, I'm devising
a new parlor game.
It is based on the story of the
young man
who had to choose between two
doors.
He was told that behind
one was a beautiful lady,
behind the other, a ferocious
tiger.
Of course, my personal theory is
that he knew which door each was
behind,
but was still in a dilemma.
You see, he couldn't remember
whether they had said
the lady was beautiful
and the tiger ferocious,
or that the lady was ferocious
and the tiger beautiful.
He was a very confused young
man,
just as I am at this moment.
This should make a perfect party
game.
It is the best way I found
to thin out a guest list
without hurting anyone's
feelings.
Our main attraction this
evening is not about tigers,
but we do have two ladies and
one very interesting door.
It is at the other end of this
dismal,
one minute corridor.
[suspenseful music]
- Well, this is it.
- Come on, let's go.
[dramatic music]
- It's all locked up, Dave.
- You wait right here.
[dramatic music]
[glass breaks]
Won't you come in, madam?
[door slams]
[dramatic music]
[mysterious music]
So, this is the old homestead,
huh?
Holy mackerel.
While you were warming yourself
here,
I was out grubbing for pieces of
coal
along the railroad tracks.
- I can't help the way I was
born, Dave.
- I'm sorry, honey.
You know I've got an inferiority
complex.
How do I rate a girl like you,
huh?
- It's the other way around.
You could get any girl you want.
- Hey!
What's wrong now?
- You scare me when you get like
that.
Two weeks ago when you
said we were through,
do you know, Dave, I almost
died?
- That'll never happen again.
- You're the only boy I've
ever loved in my whole life.
- The whole 19 years of it?
What's the matter?
- It's so long since I've been
here.
I was only six when Daddy died,
and then Mother moved us
to the city right after.
- Leaving all this, like it was
nothing.
How long has it been for sale?
- Years.
- Come on, let's go see the rest
of it.
- Do you think we should?
- Sure, why not!
- Hey, wait for the tour
conductor.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet Uncle
Eustace,
the black sheep of the Daniels
family.
- Hi, Eustace.
Meet the black sheep
of the Snowden family.
- You're not a black
sheep, you're a wooly lamb.
- Boy, what a bedroom.
- Mother never liked
anyone to come in here.
- Who's little freckle face?
- That was me, I'm afraid.
- Hi cutie.
- Dave?
[dramatic music]
Dave?
Dave, where are you?
Dave?
Dave, cut it out!
Dave?
Dave?
- Boo!
- Oh!
Oh, you surprised me!
Stop acting like a child!
Dave, stay put for just one
moment.
Oh, I'm so happy.
- So am I.
More than you'll ever know.
[dramatic music]
Hey, this one's stuck.
- No.
It's locked.
It's always been locked.
- Well, what is it?
- I don't know.
There was some workmen here for
some time,
I never did know what they were
doing.
Then, Daddy died, we just left
the house
and never came back.
- Wow.
How mysterious and intriguing.
What do you say?
Should we break it in?
- No.
- Why not?
- I just feel funny about it,
that's all.
Maybe I associate it with
Daddy's dying, I don't know.
- That's silly.
Look, there might be money in
there.
I mean, your father left
the place to you, didn't he?
If there's anything of
value, why it's yours.
- I don't care.
That's all I need is a room full
of money.
Then you'd get that
strange look on your face
as though you hated me for it.
- Not you, just the idea
that you've had things
I can never give you.
- Then forget it.
Please?
- Sure.
Let's see your room, where is
it?
- It's upstairs, but, I don't
ever want to go in it again.
- For Pete's sake, why not?
- I spent almost the first
six years of my life in there.
All I can remember is being sick
and puny.
I was never happy in this house.
- Not even today, with me?
- Always with you, Dave.
- Cone on, let's go.
- Daddy barely came near me.
He couldn't stand the thought
that
he had a daughter who wasn't
pretty.
- Now cut that out, you are
pretty.
- Daddy didn't think so.
I suppose that's why Mother's
always been so protective.
She's always been afraid I'd
meet some
wickedly handsome fortune
hunter.
- And you did, you did!
- She meant well.
But she gave me so many
doubts about myself,
I thought no boy could
ever really like me.
I kept my feelings all locked
up.
Like that room upstairs.
- Maybe there's a key to that
room too.
- I can't imagine where.
- What do you say,
should we make a search?
- Oh, honey, I'm so tired.
I just want to stay here, close
to you.
- There.
Lie back.
[dramatic music]
We've got company.
- Mother!
- Yes, Mother.
I found this young thief.
- Now, just a minute, Mrs.
Daniels.
- I really couldn't believe it
when old Mr. Spencer called.
I told him he must be mistaken,
my daughter's in school.
And then I found your car
outside.
- Mother.
This is Dave Snowden.
- I know who he is, I know all
about him.
I made it my business
as soon as you started
mentioning him in your letters.
Now get your things, I'm taking
you home.
- You're not taking her any
place.
- Would you prefer that I press
charges
against you, Mr. Snowden?
- For what?
She happens to be my wife.
- It's true, Mother.
We were married last week in
Elkton.
- Would you like to see the
license?
- Why, you child!
You pathetic child.
- Now look, Mrs. Daniels.
Be reasonable.
I know what you're
thinking, but it's not true.
I happen to love Bonnie.
- Love, oh come now.
An uneducated boy, a nobody
without a dime to his name,
pursues a plain young girl.
Very plain, but very rich.
- That's enough!
You've been yelling
plain, plain, plain at her
until she's afraid to show her
face.
She's afraid to show it right
now!
You made her so scared of
guys being after her money
that she ran away from any man
that gave her a second look.
- But you managed to catch up
with her.
- That's right, and we're
married.
And there's nothing you can do
about it.
- You're quite wrong, Mr.
Snowden.
I can have it annulled.
- Can you?
- Will you tell him, or shall I?
- Tell me what?
- Mother, please.
Can't we--
- She's a minor, Mr. Snowden.
- She's 19.
- 17, and she won't be
- But her driver's license.
- Females lie.
Especially about their age,
when they're afraid of
being too young or too old.
Well, now.
Are we ready to go home,
or shall I call the
Sheriff for this young man?
Wait for me in your car.
- I love you, Dave.
She can't stop that.
- All right, you spoke your
peace.
What are you waiting for?
- For you to get out of this
house,
and if you ever enter it again,
you'll find yourself in a
larger one, a penitentiary.
My chauffeur's outside,
he'll drive you home.
My attorneys will contact
you about the annulment.
- I'll get her back, if it's
the last thing I ever do.
[dramatic music]
- It may be.
- Mr. Snowden?
I'm Adam Driscoll.
- Where's Bonnie?
- Oh, she's in the other
room, you'll see her.
Just thought it might be wise
if we settle a few details
first.
Sit down, please.
- Thank you, I'll stand.
And I'll skip the last
cigarette and the blindfold.
- I've prevailed upon Mrs.
Daniels
to consider this situation
from your viewpoint.
A young man falls in love
with a girl of a
different station in life,
and they enter into a rash
marriage
that unfortunately is not legal
without the consent of Mrs.
Daniels.
Now, according to the
information contained here--
- What is that?
- You were no longer
attending the university
where you and Bonnie met.
- I had to drop out and go to
work.
- Well, that's too bed.
A young man needs a diploma
these days.
How would you like to
go back and get yours?
Now, we'll arrange a sort of
a scholarship, you might say.
Then after graduation,
a very good job to get you
started.
- I see.
Free tuition and a job.
Courtesy of Mrs. Daniels.
In exchange for what?
- For getting out of my
daughter's life and staying out.
- And what if I say no to this
deal?
- I'm not making any deal, as
you put it.
- Bonnie is a minor, Mr.
Snowden.
This annulment will be granted
with or without your consent.
- Mr. Snowden.
In less than three weeks,
on her 18th birthday,
Bonnie will make her debut.
- Coming out party.
- Dave, you claim to love
Bonnie.
- I do.
- [Adam] Well then, prove it.
- What do you want me to do?
- Just sign this.
Quiet and painless.
- Painless to whom?
May I see her now?
- Bonnie, would you come in
please?
Dave has agreed that the
annulment
is in the best interest
of everyone concerned.
And he's accepted your mother's
offer
to pay his way through school.
- That's not true.
I agreed to the annulment,
period.
I'm not right for you, I never
was.
But it's you I love.
Not your money, or hers.
Your gracious offer is
declined, Mrs. Daniels.
Without thanks.
- Dave!
- Bonnie.
It's for the best, child.
[dramatic music]
I hope.
[dramatic music]
[knocking]
- Who is it?
[knocking]
Who is it?
- May I come in?
[dramatic music]
Oh, Davey.
- You're supposed to be with
your mother, aren't you?
- I couldn't stand to be away
from you a moment longer.
This is the first chance I've
had.
She's been with me night and
day.
She's going to send me away
tomorrow
to a school in Switzerland.
- This is the first place
she'll look for you.
- But it doesn't matter now.
I'm 18 today.
I'm 18, and she can't
do anything about it.
We can be re-married now.
You still want me, don't you?
- Wouldn't work.
- Dave.
Give me a chance.
Let me prove it to you!
Some day she'll see.
- You are beautiful.
Do you know that?
Really beautiful.
- All right, Bonnie.
Come along.
Now that you've said goodbye,
we have guests waiting.
And you have a busy day
tomorrow.
- Yes, very busy.
We're getting married again,
Mrs. Daniels.
Would you care to come along?
- I don't think that will
be necessary, Mr. Snowden.
There is perhaps a little detail
I should've mentioned to you
before.
Everything Bonnie has,
everything,
is held in trust by me
until her 25th birthday.
She can't touch a thing, not a
dime,
without my consent.
Even her car.
Seven years, Mr. Snowden.
Seven long years.
So, why don't you find yourself
another
rich and stupid victim.
- Don't listen to her, Dave.
I'll k*ll myself if I
lose him, I swear I will.
- Don't be melodramatic, Bonnie.
The school offer still holds.
Take it or leave it.
Well, Mr. Snowden?
- Get your purse, Bonnie.
The car keys, Mrs. Daniels.
This is my home.
It's not much, but it's mine.
Don't ever come here again,
unless you're invited.
- You'll be very sorry about
this, Bonnie.
[door slams]
[car honking]
- Hi, Dave!
- Hey, Bonnie!
Look what I've got!
Come on down!
- I can't, I'm not dressed.
- Okay.
Well? What do you think of it?
- Who's is it?
- Ours!
price.
Nobody leaves my wife without a
car.
- Oh!
- Well, it's not really too
much, is it?
- It's wonderful.
I love it already.
- What do you say we take a
nice, long drive this weekend?
Get out of this rat's nest, huh?
- Hey, crazy!
- We might even pay a visit
to the old homestead.
- Well, do you think we should,
Dave?
I mean, the way things are.
- Well, why not? The place
belongs to you, doesn't it?
At least, it will someday.
- Then why don't we
just wait until someday.
- What's the matter with you?
- Is it that locked door in the
house
that intrigues you so?
- Boy, she did get to you,
didn't she?
- Who?
- Your mother, that's who.
She plants her sick little idea
and then stands aside to let it
grow.
- Oh, Dave.
I didn't mean--
- I know what you meant.
- Where are you going?
- Out for some air!
- No, Dave, please.
Please stay.
- Don't you see what we're
doing?
Exactly what she wants.
I even suggest a drive, and
right away,
the wheels start turning.
- But Dave, why the house?
- A destination, that's all.
You drive some place, you drive
back.
And what if I am curious about
that room?
There must be something of value
in there
that your father meant you to
have.
Would it be so wrong to find
out?
- I don't care!
- Well, maybe you should.
- Why?
- How long do you think
we can go on like this?
I don't want anything for
myself, Bonnie,
but you, you weren't
meant to live like this.
I shouldn't of let you.
[dramatic music]
- Dave.
I'm happy here.
- Hm.
For how long?
We're almost broke, I can't get
a job.
- But you will.
Things will get better, wait and
see!
- Why don't you go back
to her until they do,
until I have something I can
give you.
I won't blame you, Bonnie,
honestly.
- I wouldn't leave you
for anything in the world.
I love you, Dave.
[dramatic music]
- She's going to beat us,
Bonnie.
I know what poverty can do, I've
seen it.
My mother and father...
It's hard for me to believe,
but they must've loved each
other once.
Promise me something.
- Anything.
- If it gets too rough, if you
just can't take it anymore,
tell me, huh?
Don't stick because some kind
of pity or crazy loyalty.
- You goof.
You dear, sweet goof.
- Promise.
- Okay, I promise.
I promise if that ever
happens, and it won't,
we will go out to the old house,
or even rob a bank with
our new getaway car.
But until that day, Mr. Snowden,
you prepare yourself for
seven years of hamburgers.
I'll always be as happy as I am
right now.
[dramatic music]
You're late.
I was getting worried.
You want some coffee or
something?
- Yeah.
- Well?
How did it go?
Bill, would you bring
another coffee please?
- Great, I got a job.
Bank president, $1000 a week.
- Can I even ask anymore?
- You remember me telling
you about Lou Downs?
My buddy at school?
His father's a big shot
at a brokerage firm.
Helenger and Downs.
Well, I went to see him.
- And?
- I told him the whole story.
- What did he say?
- Your mother is one of
their clients, period.
- She can't keep doing this,
Dave,
it just isn't fair.
I'll go and see her.
- Thank you.
- Talk to her.
- About what?
She's convinced I want your
lousy money
and that's that.
- Dave.
What if there wasn't any money?
What if I signed away all
rights?
She'd have to believe us then.
- I can't let you do that,
Bonnie.
- I don't care, Dave.
I just want her to leave you
alone.
- The money is yours, you're--
- Shh.
- You're entitled to it.
- Dave, please.
Please, it's the only way.
- No.
I've been thinking too.
There is another way.
It's a crazy idea, nutty.
I wouldn't blame you for
not going along with it.
- Well, tell me.
- Do you remember what you said
the night she followed
you to the apartment,
about k*lling yourself?
- I don't follow you.
- She didn't believe you, of
course.
Nobody believes people when
they talk wild like that.
But if anything could make her
realize
what this marriage means to you.
Don't look at me that way.
I'm talking about a plan,
a trick, that's all.
I mean, if she thought you were
serious
about k*lling yourself,
it might make her change
her mind in a hurry.
- She'd say the same thing
again.
We couldn't make her believe it.
- If we were smart, she could.
I mean, if there was an
actual suicide attempt.
Not really, only enough
to make it look good.
- How?
- There are lots of ways.
Gas, for instance.
You could fake it by turning on
the gas,
just for a little while.
Okay, forget it.
Forget the whole thing.
- No, go on, Dave.
I'm listening.
- How about poison?
Iodine or something, just a
little.
Not enough to be dangerous,
but enough to have the doctor
in.
He'd have to pump your stomach.
- Dave, wouldn't that hurt?
Burn?
- Yeah, it might.
Okay, no poison then.
Sleeping pills.
Sure!
It's safer, no pain, I've even
got some.
See, you could write your mother
a letter,
tell her what you're planning to
do,
but that I don't know anything
about it.
See?
You could do it while
I'm out looking for work.
- You mean, really take them?
- Not an overdose, only a few.
But when your mother finds
out...
- It scares me.
- Honey, would I let
anything happen to you?
Come on, let's go.
[dramatic music]
- Television seems to be
dedicated to the proposition
that the viewer's memory
span is only 30 minutes long.
So, now we must interrupt
to tell you again
what station you are watching,
[dramatic music]
- All right, try this.
"Dear Mother.
"Forgive me for hurting you.
"I know you meant well,
"but you won't leave us in
peace,
"and I just can't live without
Dave.
[dramatic music]
"By the time you read this,
"I will have taken an
overdose of sleeping tablets.
"It's the only thing I can think
of doing.
"When Dave gets home,
he will find me dead.
"But he will know, he will
know how much I loved him".
Okay, sign it.
Now, the envelope.
What time does the mail
get to your mother's house
in the morning?
- About 10.
- 10.
[dramatic music]
First thing she'll
probably do is call here.
Then she might call the
police or an ambulance
when there's no answer.
But she'll probably have
somebody else do that
while she races over here.
- What if the ambulance gets
here first?
- In this city?
It'll take them half an hour.
She can make it in 15 minutes.
You oughta take the pills around
nine.
By the time she gets here,
you should be sleeping pretty
soundly.
- Where will you be?
- I'll go out just before she
gets here.
I'll wait across the street
'til I see her drive up,
and then I'll come up in a few
minutes.
Honey, we've gotta make it look
good.
I've gotta look just
as surprised as she is.
You understand that, don't you?
- I understand.
- We'll watch the Late Late Show
tonight.
By morning, you'll be
tired enough to sleep
without the pills.
Well, I better mail this right
away.
I'll be back in a couple of
minutes.
[dramatic music]
- Dave?
[dramatic music]
[mysterious music]
- Feel sleepy yet?
- I feel funny.
[mysterious music]
- Better take the last one.
- I don't feel ready.
- Oh, they can't hurt you.
I took some myself one night.
While we were separated.
That a girl.
Your mother will be getting
the letter any minute now.
You gotta be really sound asleep
by the time she gets here.
There.
- My mommy, coming here?
- Good.
They're taking hold now.
[phone ringing]
That's her now, she's got it.
All right now baby, come on.
Come on.
That a girl.
[phone ringing]
All right, knock it off.
- I feel funny.
- Just relax, stop fighting it.
[phone ringing]
Now that's it.
- Dizzy.
Dizzy.
- You'll be out like a light.
Come on, now.
I gotta get out of here.
[phone ringing]
That a girl.
Perfect.
[dramatic music]
- Bonnie, please.
Please, Bonnie!
Bonnie, come.
- What is this?
What have you done to her?
- What have I done?
Oh, read this!
Bonnie, please.
- Dear God.
- Why did you leave her?
- I was out looking for work!
- I can't wake her!
Do something!
- I'll call an ambulance.
- I did that! Come on, get
her up, get her on her feet.
Make her walk!
- You're responsible for this,
you wouldn't lay off, would you?
- It was you, you!
- Come on, Bonnie.
Try to stand, honey.
Come on.
- There, baby.
Oh, give me this.
- Here.
- She's dead.
- No.
Come on, honey.
Stand up, honey.
Wake up, darling, come on.
Bonnie.
Come on, sweetheart.
Wake up.
Come on, darling.
That a girl, come on.
- She's dead.
- Bonnie.
Bonnie!
Come on.
Four pills!
That's all there were, only
four.
- One would've been enough.
- [Dave] How could it?
- She had rheumatic fever as a
child.
It left her with
respiratory after effects.
A weak heart.
Any barbiturate would've k*lled
her.
[dramatic music]
- Did she know that?
[sobbing]
[dramatic music]
- Leave this open for him.
There's no staff on Saturday.
- You sure he's coming?
- He said he would, at the
cemetery.
I prepared these papers
yesterday.
Why are you doing this, Celeste?
- It would take too long to
explain.
- You have no obligation to the
boy.
- Not to him, to Bonnie.
- May I come in?
- Yes, please.
Sit down please.
Mrs. Daniels has something
she wants to say to you.
- Mr. Snowden.
Under the terms of my late
husband's will,
anything Bonnie had reverted to
me
if she died before me.
- Is that it? Is that
why you asked me here?
- Will you listen a moment?
Whether I liked it or not
is no longer important,
but you were my daughter's
husband.
And she loved you.
- So, you finally know that.
- Yes.
That is why I feel it necessary
to
make some sort of gesture
in regard to your welfare.
For Bonnie's sake.
- Her sake, or your own guilt?
- All right then!
- [Adam] Dave.
- I'm sorry.
- No, you were right.
I deserve it.
Perhaps if I had accepted
things as they were
the night I found you in the old
house,
Bonnie might still be here.
Did I misjudge you, Dave?
- Yes.
- Then I want you to have that
house
and every last memory of it.
Do you want it?
- What kind of trick is this?
- There's no trick, Dave.
- It's yours.
The land, the house, and
everything in it.
- Why?
- I told you, for Bonnie.
Do you want it or not?
- Yes.
Bonnie and I would've been happy
there.
- Adam, give him the papers.
And a complete set of the keys.
- Mrs. Daniels, I don't know
how to thank you after--
- Don't.
I didn't do this for you.
- If only we hadn't misjudged
each other.
- That's a misfortune we'll
never have to face again.
Isn't it?
[dramatic music]
- It's really mine.
- The moment you sign this.
[dramatic music]
- Mother was right, baby.
You were as plain as dishwater,
but you finally paid off,
and now Davey's gonna get
a look at the jackpot.
♪ The Snowdens are coming, yo
h*, yo h* ♪
♪ The Snowdens are coming
to find the dough ♪
Boo!
♪ The Snowdens are smarter
than once they were ♪
♪ Just find a rich pigeon and
marry her ♪
[singing]
[screaming]
[dramatic music]
[yelling]
Help!
Help, please!
My back!
I can't move!
Get me out of here!
- No, Dave.
This is your home now.
- What is it?
What is it?
Where am I?
- You should've asked that
before.
It was meant to be an elevator.
Bonnie's father was having it
built.
She was too ill to walk up and
downstairs,
but he died before it was
completed.
I had it locked off so
that nobody would get hurt,
especially Bonnie.
My poor, little Bonnie.
- [Dave] You can't leave me!
No!
- Oh, Mr. Snowden.
Your keys.
[dramatic music]
- No!
No!
No!
- Since you didn't seem to mind
that two of our principals
were disposed of
during the course of the play,
I'm certain you shall be able to
bear up
under the news that Mrs. Daniels
did not live happily ever after.
Justice triumphed, and now
she is behind a locked door.
This concludes my portion of the
program.
You may think I've made this
test too easy
by putting signs on the doors.
I don't think so.
There's a tiger in here, and in
here...
[tiger growls]
Lady tigers.
[lighthearted music]
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Did you know that you can remove censorship board-wide, use our advanced search functions, be notified when new content is posted, join our memberships, set episodes to show in any order you want & more if you are logged into your account?
Register or sign in here: ucp.php?mode=register