Silent Dust (1949)
1h 22min | Thriller, Drama | 29 December 1949 (USA)
A wealthy blind man is determined to build a cricket pavilion as a memorial to his dead son, who was killed in battle in World War II. Not long before the dedication ceremony is to be held, the son shows up; it turns out that he wasn't killed in battle but deserted, and has become a blackmailer and a killer. He wants to get some money to "start a new life", but his blind father senses that something is wrong and sets out to find out what's going on.
Director: Lance Comfort
Writers: Michael Pertwee (play), Michael Pertwee (screenplay)
Stars: Stephen Murray, Beatrice Campbell, George Woodbridge
1h 22min | Thriller, Drama | 29 December 1949 (USA)
A wealthy blind man is determined to build a cricket pavilion as a memorial to his dead son, who was killed in battle in World War II. Not long before the dedication ceremony is to be held, the son shows up; it turns out that he wasn't killed in battle but deserted, and has become a blackmailer and a killer. He wants to get some money to "start a new life", but his blind father senses that something is wrong and sets out to find out what's going on.
Director: Lance Comfort
Writers: Michael Pertwee (play), Michael Pertwee (screenplay)
Stars: Stephen Murray, Beatrice Campbell, George Woodbridge
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
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00:14:01What are you so nervous about?
00:14:03Well, Robert's always frightened me. It's silly, I know.
00:14:06He was a good father-in-law, I suppose.
00:14:08He has such strange ideas on loyalty.
00:14:11And he's been hurt so much already.
00:14:12Angela, darling, what could possibly hurt him about us?
00:14:15Unless he takes an instant dislike to me, of course.
00:14:18Which he probably will, I warn you.
00:14:21♪♪♪
00:14:44Sure you don't want me to come in?
00:14:46Yes, darling, sure.
00:14:48Ashamed of me, eh?
00:14:50Visibly.
00:14:51I don't blame you.
00:14:52And if he tells you you're too good for me, he's perfectly right.
00:14:56I entirely agree.
00:15:00I'll phone you later, let you know how he took it.
00:15:02I don't give a darn how he takes it.
00:15:03You phone me later to tell me when I can see you again.
00:15:06All right.
00:15:08Welcome home, Mrs. Rawley.
00:15:10Hello, Sally. How's your mother?
00:15:11Oh, worse, ma'am. Thank you.
00:15:13Oh.
00:15:14Where's everybody?
00:15:15Madam's in her room. Mr. Rawley's in the sitting room.
00:15:17Right, I'll go straight up.
00:15:20Hello, Sally.
00:15:21How's your mother?
00:15:22Oh, worse, ma'am. Thank you.
00:15:24Oh.
00:15:25Where's everybody?
00:15:26Madam's in her room. Mr. Rawley's in the sitting room.
00:15:28Right, I'll go straight up.
00:15:30Madam's in her room. Mr. Rawley's in the sitting room.
00:15:32Right, I'll go straight up.
00:16:00The memorial pavilion dedicated to the memory of Lieutenant Simon Rawley.
00:16:20Robert!
00:16:23Angela.
00:16:24So it was you.
00:16:27How are you?
00:16:28My health's all right. You?
00:16:30I'm fine.
00:16:32It's been a long time, hasn't it?
00:16:34Too long.
00:16:36Who's that drove away in the car?
00:16:39Maxwell Oliver, Lord Clandon's nephew. He brought me here.
00:16:43He works in Berlin, too, you know.
00:16:45No, I didn't.
00:16:47You know why Joan asked you to come home?
00:16:50Yes, I think so. I've just seen this thing here and read the card.
00:16:54I didn't write you myself because you seem to have lost interest in us these last three years.
00:16:59Have you been to visit Simon's graveyard?
00:17:01No, I don't like graveyards very much.
00:17:04Neither do I.
00:17:06Least of all, that one.
00:17:08I'll be there once a year, till I die.
00:17:12You wouldn't look on that as a natural bit of homage, as both...
00:17:16I seldom go to church, Robert, but I do believe in God.
00:17:19It's a lawyer's answer. It doesn't come from the heart.
00:17:22You crowd all to people's hearts.
00:17:24No wonder you found it in yours to come here at all.
00:17:26I came because I wanted to see you.
00:17:29And because I had something to tell you about myself.
00:17:32Yeah?
00:17:33I'm...
00:17:37It doesn't matter.
00:17:40Angela, lovely to see you.
00:17:43Hello, Joan.
00:17:44What is this secret you're going to tell me?
00:17:46What is this secret you're going to tell me?
00:17:49It isn't a secret or I wouldn't be telling you.
00:17:52Can I change before lunch?
00:17:53Of course.
00:17:54I'll take you to your room.
00:18:05Who gave you a lift here?
00:18:07Maxwell Oliver.
00:18:08So you did meet.
00:18:10He looks nice.
00:18:11He is.
00:18:12Bare.
00:18:13Bare.
00:18:15Then life's not too bad.
00:18:16On the whole, it's very good.
00:18:21I'm glad.
00:18:25Nothing's changed here.
00:18:27So I see.
00:18:29Have you got over Simon yet?
00:18:33No.
00:18:34I don't think I shall ever quite get over Simon.
00:18:37Berlin's helped a bit, though.
00:18:38Hmm?
00:18:40It's helped quite a lot.
00:18:41You'll understand why when you meet him.
00:18:43I'm sure I shall.
00:18:45Angela.
00:18:46If you have got something to tell Robert,
00:18:48I think I should wait until after the ceremony on Saturday.
00:18:51Why?
00:18:53We're all made differently.
00:18:55Your way of getting over things was to turn your back on them.
00:18:58Robert's is to keep them with him.
00:19:00He just won't forget.
00:19:02I know.
00:19:03He died, but his memory shall live.
00:19:05That word shall tells everything, doesn't it?
00:19:07Just about.
00:19:09I thought I'd better warn you.
00:19:11Come down when you're ready.
00:19:38I think I'll take a straddle down to the bridge.
00:19:40Anyone care to join me?
00:19:42I'll come with you.
00:19:43Angela?
00:19:44Well, I was thinking of asking Max round for a drink.
00:19:46Max?
00:19:47Maxwell Oliver.
00:19:49Oh, him.
00:19:50So it's Max, is it?
00:19:52Really, Robert.
00:19:53You're going all Victorian.
00:19:55We met often in Berlin.
00:19:57But I won't ask him if you'd rather not.
00:19:59Oh, have him round by all means.
00:20:01If his uncle will let him come.
00:20:02I'll telephone him.
00:20:04You'll like him, I'm sure.
00:20:06Will I?
00:20:09She's fallen in love with us, Max.
00:20:11Whatever makes you think that?
00:20:14Instinct.
00:20:16Would it be so terrible if she had?
00:20:38Max!
00:21:08Max!
00:21:39Is that you, Max?
00:21:43I tried to get you this afternoon, but you were out.
00:21:48You know, I haven't.
00:21:52I know I'm sorry, but I just haven't had a chance.
00:21:57Of course.
00:21:59A few days at the most.
00:22:03Well, come round and have a drink and I'll explain.
00:22:05Yes, that's all right.
00:22:06He's expecting you.
00:22:08Bye.
00:22:35I'm just going to get a cigar.
00:22:37I'll meet you in the hall.
00:22:38Robert.
00:22:40About Angela.
00:22:41She's only human.
00:22:43And don't forget, Simon has been dead over three years.
00:22:47I don't think I'm likely to forget that, Jo.
00:23:05I love you.
00:23:36Who's there?
00:23:49Robert, I've just been to...
00:23:54What's the matter?
00:23:56I said, what's the matter?
00:23:59Nothing.
00:24:01Why do you cry?
00:24:02Nothing.
00:24:04What do you cry out for?
00:24:06I twisted my ankle.
00:24:08All right now?
00:24:10Yes, all right.
00:24:17Sure you won't come with us?
00:24:19Yes, quite sure.
00:24:22I didn't give you much of a welcome this afternoon, did I?
00:24:25I'm glad to have you here.
00:24:29Funny.
00:24:30When I came into the room just now,
00:24:31I had a feeling there was someone here.
00:24:35What's that?
00:24:36No.
00:24:38Ghosts, perhaps.
00:24:48Simon.
00:24:50Simon.
00:24:51Yes, and I'm not a ghost.
00:24:54How long will he be gone?
00:24:57I don't understand.
00:24:58They said you were...
00:25:00Your grave.
00:25:01He saw your grave.
00:25:03Oh, I didn't fall in battle.
00:25:05I only fell by the wayside.
00:25:09But if you weren't killed, you would have told us.
00:25:12Why did they say you were dead?
00:25:14What does it mean?
00:25:16Well, everyone doesn't have to be killed in a war.
00:25:18I was too young to die.
00:25:20So I didn't.
00:25:24You ran away.
00:25:25Uh-huh.
00:25:26That's funny.
00:25:28He died, but his memory shall live.
00:25:32Stop it.
00:25:33Stop it, will you?
00:25:34Stop it!
00:25:36Let's get out of here.
00:25:37Where can we go?
00:25:40Your room.
00:25:41How do we get there?
00:25:43Better come this way.
00:25:53Nice place.
00:25:55Nice place the old man's got here.
00:25:57Always hid himself well.
00:26:00Sorry if my reappearance was a bit of a shock, Angela,
00:26:03but I can hardly send a wire saying,
00:26:04not dead, deserted, could I?
00:26:11Oh, pretty good.
00:26:14And all this, I suppose, will be mine.
00:26:16Great of the old man to keep a room for me.
00:26:18Ah, well,
00:26:19one of the penalties would be more dead than alive.
00:26:25Moonlight suits my complexion better.
00:26:28I don't want people asking questions
00:26:30till I'm ready for them.
00:26:39That's good.
00:26:42I'm done.
00:26:46I'm done.
00:26:48I'm done.
00:26:50I'm done.
00:26:52I'm done.
00:26:55You're just as pretty as ever.
00:26:57Prettier, if anything.
00:26:58You've grown up.
00:27:00Simon,
00:27:02what are you going to do?
00:27:06I don't know.
00:27:08I must have money to get away.
00:27:10England's not much cop when you're on the run.
00:27:13You can't spend the rest of your life running away.
00:27:15But Father will help me.
00:27:16Well, he must.
00:27:17He's got money abroad.
00:27:19If I can fix something with him,
00:27:20I can manage the passport side.
00:27:22Simon, what a fool you are.
00:27:23I know. Don't keep telling me.
00:27:26Angela, get me some food. I'm starving.
00:27:29All right.
00:27:30And some cigarettes.
00:27:31As many cigarettes as you can lay your hands on.
00:27:33Angela,
00:27:36you're being very decent about all this.
00:27:39If there's one person I expected trouble from,
00:27:40it was you.
00:27:41I'd better hurry.
00:27:45I'd almost forgotten what you look like.
00:27:48But you hadn't forgotten me.
00:27:50No, Simon.
00:27:51I hadn't forgotten you.
00:27:54Simon, why did you do it?
00:27:57That's a question that's been
00:27:58cropping up in my mind for the past three years.
00:28:01There just isn't any answer.
00:28:03I never wanted to join up. I was frightened.
00:28:06If I had the guts, I'd have been a concierge, but I hadn't.
00:28:08Oh, I was a hero as long as there was no danger about, but
00:28:12when it came to the real thing, I was scared stiff.
00:28:16Oh, Angela.
00:28:17Oh, Simon, please.
00:28:18Oh, there's someone else, isn't there?
00:28:20You'll get your cigarettes.
00:28:48Let's go.
00:29:14We'll have supper now.
00:29:15Fetch them two chickens legs out the larder.
00:29:17You'll get deviled if you don't do what you're told.
00:29:29Ooh, front door. I wonder who that can be.
00:29:48Oh, good evening. Is Mrs. Rawley in? Mrs. Angela Rawley, I mean.
00:29:52I think so, sir. Will you come in?
00:29:57Oh, there she is. Hello, Angela.
00:30:01Not too early, am I?
00:30:03No.
00:30:05Oh, I'm sorry. I've got a letter for you.
00:30:08Oh, thank you.
00:30:09Oh, I'm sorry. I've got a letter for you.
00:30:12Oh, I'm sorry. I've got a letter for you.
00:30:14Oh, I'm sorry. I've got a letter for you.
00:30:15No.
00:30:17Well, I was supposed to come, wasn't I?
00:30:19Yes, of course. You'd better come upstairs.
00:30:21Thank you. You've got some explaining to do, remember?
00:30:24What have you got in there? Fish and chips?
00:30:26Yeah, nothing.
00:30:39Look! Look!
00:30:40What?
00:30:41The drumsticks! They've gone!
00:30:42Oh, don't talk so silly. Get back and look properly.
00:30:44I did look proper. They were laying there as plain as plain.
00:30:47I saw them with me own eyes.
00:30:48Oh!
00:31:15But you're a free woman, Angela. Why can't you tell him?
00:31:19Who is this Rawley to govern your life?
00:31:22What crime have we committed? We fell in love.
00:31:24Oh, Max, please. I don't want to talk about it any more tonight.
00:31:28Very well. But I've been afraid of this all along.
00:31:32I'm not such a fool as to think I could step into another man's shoes and fulfil in a minute all the...
00:31:37Don't talk like that.
00:31:39Why not?
00:31:40We've never talked much about sex.
00:31:42We've never talked much about Simon, but he's always been there, in the background.
00:31:47You must know I love you.
00:31:49I was ready to spend the rest of my life with you. Isn't that enough?
00:31:53Yes.
00:31:54But you'll never really be happy if you go on letting yourself be haunted like this.
00:31:58I know you loved Simon.
00:31:59I loathed him! I couldn't tell you before because...
00:32:02Because you didn't know I was alive.
00:32:05But I am.
00:32:07Nice of you, Angela, not to speak ill of the dead.
00:32:10But don't go broadcasting my return to every casual caller at the house.
00:32:14I don't know who you are, but from what I just overheard, you'll be as interested as I am in keeping your mouth shut.
00:32:20Angela, when did he...
00:32:21Just now. This evening.
00:32:23Why couldn't you tell he were alive?
00:32:25He's a deserter. That's why.
00:32:28Oh. I'm beginning to understand a lot of things now.
00:32:31Max.
00:32:33It's all right, darling. I'm almost glad this happened.
00:32:36His memory hasn't been an easy one to live with.
00:32:38Just carry on as if I weren't here.
00:32:40But you've got to face it. I am.
00:32:44What do you want?
00:32:45What's it got to do with you, Sonny?
00:32:46I said, what do you want?
00:32:48Angela, ask this fancy man of yours to leave us alone.
00:32:52I'm not leaving anywhere till I know what you've come here for.
00:32:54He wants money.
00:32:56Is that all?
00:32:58I said, is that all you want?
00:33:01If you're thinking of my wife, I repeat, what's it got to do with you?
00:33:04If you're thinking of my wife, I repeat, what's it got to do with you?
00:33:07Angela married me a month ago in Berlin.
00:33:09She what?
00:33:24Who is it?
00:33:26It's me, ma'am. Nellie.
00:33:29What do you want?
00:33:31Lord Flanders on the phone, asking for...
00:33:33Mrs. Worley, you're out.
00:33:35Yes, ma'am.
00:33:36But there's something else. Cook wants to know if...
00:33:38Please, Nellie, not now.
00:33:42Very well, ma'am.
00:33:47Try any more of that rough stuff, you'll find me hitting back in a way you won't like.
00:33:51That depends on you.
00:33:53Well, I'd better get out of here.
00:33:56Did you get that food?
00:33:57It's there.
00:33:59I don't want too many people to see me till I'm ready.
00:34:01Now, wait a minute, you.
00:34:03How much do you want to disappear again for good?
00:34:06Oh, did you hear that, Angela?
00:34:08We both speak the same language.
00:34:10I'm afraid she'll cost you rather a lot.
00:34:12I should be glad of a chance to show how much she means to me.
00:34:14So great a love couldn't be worth less than...
00:34:175,000?
00:34:18Stop this.
00:34:19His return has nothing to do with you. Nothing.
00:34:22Oh, as husbands-in-law, I think we disagree.
00:34:25We'll discuss it later.
00:34:27When the coast is clear down here, give me a whistle like this.
00:34:32It's a bit gloomy upstairs.
00:34:34Remember it.
00:34:37Otherwise I might come trotting down every time somebody wanted a dog.
00:34:41I should think you would.
00:34:42Oh, very comical.
00:34:44I can see I'm going to like you.
00:34:45Wait down here, Max, will you?
00:34:46I think I'd better come with you.
00:34:47Please wait here.
00:34:48Can't you see our wife wants to be alone with me?
00:34:51If it's any consolation to you, I'm really romantic before meals.
00:34:54Just now, I'd rather have a mutton chop than anything.
00:35:02Who on earth is whistling that in the house?
00:35:05I didn't hear anything.
00:35:07You wouldn't.
00:35:09You poor people with eyes.
00:35:10Miss Hoff, what's going on in the world?
00:35:12Show off.
00:35:16What's up?
00:35:18Nothing.
00:35:19I thought I saw a light at the top of the house.
00:35:21Where?
00:35:23From here, it looked like Simon's room.
00:35:26Angela, perhaps.
00:35:28Be nice to Maxwell Oliver, won't you, Robert?
00:35:30What makes you think I wouldn't be?
00:35:32Well, you were rather sharp with his uncle this morning.
00:35:34I like that.
00:35:35What do you expect?
00:35:37You were saying next year you'd agree with the old fool.
00:35:40You've never asked for my opinion.
00:35:42All right.
00:35:44I'm asking for it now.
00:35:46Well, I'm sure Simon died bravely, but so did hundreds of others.
00:35:51Perhaps it is a little ostentatious to pick him out from all the rest.
00:35:56I'm doing no more than many other parents do.
00:35:58Aren't you?
00:36:00Publicly, on invitation cards with black edging,
00:36:03official unveiling speeches,
00:36:05and in a place where he's never even lived.
00:36:08Knows that resenting can stop away, and goes for you too.
00:36:11Oh, Robert, don't say things like that.
00:36:14It's just that everybody's talking about it and laughing at you behind your back.
00:36:21You mean as much to me as Simon did to you.
00:36:26It doesn't seem so.
00:36:27There's only one excuse I can find for you talking like this.
00:36:30Because you never had a child yourself,
00:36:32you can't understand the feelings of those that have.
00:36:35Robert.
00:36:40If I can get enough cash without father knowing, so much the better.
00:36:43After all, it'd be a pity to spoil his fun with the memorial.
00:36:46In fact, you're scared to death of him.
00:36:50Does he make you an allowance?
00:36:52Yes, but I've never touched it.
00:36:54Why?
00:36:55You've been living on the doctor?
00:36:57Or the money you got from my insurance policies?
00:36:59Incidentally, how much did you get?
00:37:01Over 3,000.
00:37:03Hmm, not bad.
00:37:05Any left?
00:37:07Yes.
00:37:09Good, when can I have it?
00:37:11Never. I shall need it to pay back the insurance company.
00:37:13But how will they know I'm alive?
00:37:15Because you've shown me that you are.
00:37:17I'm not risking prison for you.
00:37:19You aren't impressing me, Angela.
00:37:21I seem to remember that, intellectually, you were always my inferior.
00:37:23So cut that out.
00:37:25No, Simon.
00:37:27Since you died, I've had time to recover
00:37:29from your rotten, sadistic little mind.
00:37:31So if you think you can still influence me, you're wrong.
00:37:34Am I?
00:37:36I'm still your husband, you know.
00:37:38Oh, I don't blame you for falling in love again,
00:37:40but, oh, there must be something left for me.
00:37:42The only thing left for you is to give yourself up.
00:37:44Are you crazy?
00:37:46They'll catch you in time.
00:37:48And when they do, your hold on any of us will be gone.
00:37:50Give yourself up, Simon.
00:37:51What?
00:37:53You want me to go to jail while you and the boyfriend
00:37:55romp together discreetly in Harley Street, is that it?
00:37:57No. I want a divorce.
00:37:59A divorce? Over my dead body?
00:38:01I'll make it worth your while.
00:38:03Oh, I know you will, but on my terms.
00:38:05Now, listen.
00:38:07If you want to live happily with that pugilistic doctor,
00:38:09between you, you'll have to support me.
00:38:11And comfortably.
00:38:13I'm not dragging Max into this.
00:38:15There was a time when you would have done anything to help me.
00:38:18Yes, there was.
00:38:19You would now, if you let yourself.
00:38:21I've done all I'm ever going to do for you.
00:38:23All right, that's the way you feel.
00:38:25Go to your precious Max.
00:38:27But remember, Angela,
00:38:29you've two husbands now,
00:38:31and this one's not going to be got rid of so easily.
00:38:50Max.
00:38:52Max!
00:38:54Darling, you've been such a long time.
00:38:56What are we going to do?
00:39:02Angela?
00:39:06Simon!
00:39:08Simon!
00:39:10Simon!
00:39:12Simon!
00:39:14Simon!
00:39:16Simon!
00:39:18Simon!
00:39:25Yes, I know Goggs is a poacher, all right,
00:39:28but beyond that, he's a reliable sort of chump.
00:39:30Well, Goggs swears that he saw him in your farm lane.
00:39:33I didn't get a close look, but the description was near enough.
00:39:36Better keep your doors and windows locked.
00:39:38He's an ugly customer.
00:39:40He sounds it.
00:39:42Yeah, we'll keep a look out.
00:39:44Somebody's kitchen will be ready tonight.
00:39:45I'll keep my words.
00:39:47Well, I'd better be getting along,
00:39:49but I'll look back later just to see if everything's all right, sir.
00:39:52Yeah.
00:39:54She makes an excellent cup of tea, does my cook.
00:39:56Good night, sir.
00:39:58Good night, Mr. Raleigh, sir.
00:40:01Just a song that I like
00:40:04And a fling
00:40:08Now, don't get up.
00:40:10I only came to say you'd better lock the doors and windows tonight.
00:40:13There's a dangerous man in the neighborhood.
00:40:15Oh, gracious.
00:40:17The chicken, that's what it is.
00:40:19The drumsticks, sir.
00:40:21They've vanished into thin air.
00:40:23I was saying to Nellie, wasn't I?
00:40:25That's the first time I've known a pair of legs to grow wings.
00:40:27Where'd they go from?
00:40:29The larder, sir.
00:40:31About the time the gent came for Mrs. Angela.
00:40:33He must have put his hand through the window.
00:40:35How dreadful to think he might have been hiding outside.
00:40:37Well, if it was him, he'd be well on his way by now.
00:40:39We was wondering whether it wasn't Mrs. Angela, sir.
00:40:41Though as I said to Nellie,
00:40:42she's not with them after all that dinner she did.
00:40:44I wouldn't know.
00:40:46Why should it be her?
00:40:48Well, Nellie said she'd see her in the passage here.
00:40:50I expect she'd only gone to the gun room.
00:40:53I can't imagine why she should want to go there either.
00:40:56Oh, good night.
00:40:58Better look under your bed tonight, Nellie.
00:41:00Always do, sir.
00:41:02Oh, sir.
00:41:04Lord Clandon telephoned for you.
00:41:06Oh, what did he want?
00:41:08He didn't say, sir.
00:41:10Oh, he'll ring again.
00:41:12He'll look me in the face and won't let me in.
00:41:14You seem to be crediting Mrs. Angela with a lot of odd behavior.
00:41:16Why did you do that?
00:41:18I don't know, sir.
00:41:20Except the gentleman might have fainted.
00:41:22What are you talking about?
00:41:24Well, sir, from what I could see of him, he was lying on the floor.
00:41:26Nellie, you'd better go to bed.
00:41:28And don't look under your bed tonight.
00:41:30You might find a crocodile.
00:41:34So there we are.
00:41:36I don't want to cause any trouble.
00:41:38But if you wish to keep me dead, you'll have to help me.
00:41:40All of you.
00:41:42Why do you hate me, Simon?
00:41:44Because however happy it might make me,
00:41:46Robert must never learn the truth.
00:41:48If you let him know you're alive,
00:41:50I shall send for the police immediately.
00:41:52Why do you hate me, sir?
00:41:54I've never done you any harm.
00:41:56If you only knew.
00:41:58Even when you were dead, you never let us rest.
00:42:00And unless Robert's heart is to be broken,
00:42:02it will go on like that.
00:42:04And on and on, alive or dead,
00:42:06you'll never leave us in peace, never.
00:42:08How much peace do you think I've known these past three years?
00:42:10You asked for it.
00:42:121,000 dead heroes are better than one live coward.
00:42:14All right, I'm a coward.
00:42:17But I am alive.
00:42:19And that's how I meant it to be.
00:42:21Oh, it's easy for you to judge me.
00:42:23You weren't there.
00:42:25Night after night, day after day,
00:42:27with the noise and the horror
00:42:29and death and destruction all around.
00:42:42It's over.
00:43:06You mustn't be frightened if you're an officer.
00:43:08It's against the army regulations to be frightened.
00:43:10You're not human enough.
00:43:12anymore. Just a machine who leads his men on with a brave and cheerful smile.
00:43:33I'm no more a coward than the rest. What happens to your smile when a bomb falls nearly on top of you and you're left shell-shocked and wounded?
00:43:42That's when I got this pretty scar. One of my men was half-dead. The other had his head blown off. I suppose I lost mine too, what was left of it. The pain was nearly killing me and I can't remember clearly what I did. I must have stripped him of his papers and identity disc and planted him with mine.
00:43:49It was weeks before I properly regained my senses, but at last I limped into Brussels more dead than alive. Every day I meant to give myself up. I really meant to, but the thought of it made me want to die.
00:44:19of what this would mean to father and Angela always held me back.
00:44:31If you all thought I was dead, maybe you'd be kinder if I stayed that way.
00:44:44I had to have some money,
00:44:46so I looked around for some work.
00:44:53At last, the opportunity presented itself
00:44:56and I took a job in the motor business.
00:44:59It didn't earn me much, but it was work, decent work,
00:45:03and gave me back a little self-respect.
00:45:16I might have been there still, eking out an existence,
00:45:23but the determination to make something decent of my life, after all, drove me on.
00:45:28So I left and hitchhiked back to Brussels.
00:45:47A lot of deserters went crooked and made a packet that way,
00:45:59but anything I made, I came by honestly.
00:46:02I was down and out, but at least I kept my hands clean.
00:46:06For months, I lived at starvation level,
00:46:08but the hunt for deserters and full cry,
00:46:10I hardly showed my nose outside except at night,
00:46:13and then only to slink into some workman's cafe for a bite to eat.
00:46:30My clothes were in rags,
00:46:31my health and morale were nearly broken.
00:46:34I often thought of suicide.
00:46:44In desperation, I took a job as a waiter in a low nightclub.
00:46:54The men were all crooks and the women didn't interest me.
00:46:59It was dreary, ill-paid work, barely giving me the means to live.
00:47:14The hardest of all to bear was the utter loneliness of the life.
00:47:31I hadn't a friend in the world to turn to.
00:47:33I thought of home with a hopeless, hopeless longing for father and Angela,
00:47:37but above all, for Angela.
00:48:07Let me stand, hold me tight, find a fire and stop this pain.
00:48:38Dreams may fail, dreams may die,
00:48:46make for love by the rest of my life.
00:48:53Let me stand, hold me tight, find a fire and stop this pain.
00:49:24Let me stand, hold me tight, find a fire and stop this pain.
00:49:43But so long as I stayed in that nightclub,
00:49:45there was always the dread of being recognized.
00:49:51Sometimes, men I knew by sight came in.
00:49:54Slowly, the net was closing round me.
00:49:58And one night...
00:50:21The nightclub was demolished by a flying bomb.
00:50:29I was pretty badly knocked about myself,
00:50:31but I went back to help rescue the injured.
00:50:59You might call it poetic justice, I suppose,
00:51:01but to me it seemed sheer bad luck that one of the men I rescued
00:51:04was a member of my old unit, whom I thought to be dead.
00:51:09He recognized me and denounced me.
00:51:29After that, I was on the run again.
00:51:31And that's how it's been ever since.
00:51:32Driven further and further down.
00:51:34Why couldn't they have pardoned us?
00:51:36Why don't they now?
00:51:37They must know what it does to a man to be hunted,
00:51:39hiding, running all the time.
00:51:41Oh, Joan, if you only knew the agony.
00:51:43I don't want to know.
00:51:44I don't want to hear any more.
00:51:46You get no sympathy from me.
00:51:49You thought you were cleverer than most people.
00:51:51But you weren't.
00:51:52Everyone was as scared as you were,
00:51:55but most of them realized it was useless to run away
00:51:57because there wasn't anywhere to run.
00:52:00I'll get you some food.
00:52:01Joan, you're right about Father.
00:52:04He must never know.
00:52:05It would break his heart.
00:52:07I'll have to speak to Angela
00:52:08because she's set on me giving myself up.
00:52:11Then he's bound to know.
00:52:13I'm relying on you, Joan.
00:52:15You're the only one.
00:52:17You've got to help me.
00:52:19Got to.
00:52:21That's about it.
00:52:24That's about it.
00:52:32Max, we could go on arguing for a year,
00:52:34but it doesn't order anything.
00:52:35If you won't surrender and give me a divorce,
00:52:37I shall go back to Berlin tomorrow.
00:52:38I won't let you.
00:52:39What happiness would there be
00:52:40for either of us living under such a threat?
00:52:42We married in good faith.
00:52:43Yes, if you could get up and say so,
00:52:45but we can't.
00:52:46Who cares?
00:52:47There isn't a soul who would report us for living together
00:52:50after honestly believing we were married.
00:52:52There are only three people in the chaplain who'll know.
00:52:54There's still time to wipe everything out.
00:52:56No, there isn't. It's too late.
00:52:58I warn you, Angela.
00:52:59If you leave me, I'll kill him.
00:53:06Who's been shifting the furniture in here?
00:53:09I'm afraid it must have been me.
00:53:11Robert, I want you to meet Maxwell Oliver.
00:53:13Oh.
00:53:15Trying to sabotage me seems to run in your family.
00:53:18I'm sorry.
00:53:19It's all right.
00:53:21We all have our little whims.
00:53:22Tidiness and order are mine.
00:53:24Glad to meet you.
00:53:27Are you cold?
00:53:29No.
00:53:30What are you trembling for?
00:53:32Probably because my uncle said you were a very frightening man.
00:53:35He's not scared of me.
00:53:37You won't believe it, but I like him.
00:53:39I like any man who'll go down with his flag flying.
00:53:42By the way, who are you going to kill?
00:53:44What?
00:53:45When I came into the room,
00:53:46you were threatening to kill somebody.
00:53:48Oh, it was just a figure of speech.
00:53:49I assure you.
00:53:50I hope so.
00:53:51Have a drink.
00:53:53Whiskey?
00:53:54No, gin.
00:53:55Gin, please. I don't care for whiskey.
00:53:57Somebody's been mucking about with this decanter.
00:54:00Who gave this whistle about half an hour ago?
00:54:12What are you bouncing about for?
00:54:14I'm not.
00:54:15I dropped my compact.
00:54:17Yeah?
00:54:18It didn't sound like that.
00:54:21Funny about that whistle.
00:54:22It struck me because I used to whistle like that
00:54:24to let Mrs. Noyes home from the works.
00:54:26To Simon's mother, that was.
00:54:30Please don't whistle anymore, Robert.
00:54:31It gets on my nerves.
00:54:33Jumpy, aren't you?
00:54:34I just don't like whiskey.
00:54:36Better have a drink.
00:54:37I don't. Thank you.
00:54:39Of course. You never did, did you?
00:54:41You don't drink.
00:54:42Oliver doesn't care for whiskey,
00:54:44but somebody's punished this decanter since dinner.
00:54:48Who?
00:54:53Angela.
00:54:55Go and look for Joan, will you?
00:54:57I'd like her to meet Oliver.
00:54:59She was afraid I might decide to eat him.
00:55:02Unlike everybody else, I'm not hungry.
00:55:04I'll go and look for her.
00:55:19Halt!
00:55:20Hey, what do you want?
00:55:22I'm sorry, my lord.
00:55:23It's me, Pringle again.
00:55:24Good heavens, haven't you found that fellow yet?
00:55:26No, my lord, but we know he's in the district.
00:55:28One of our men has seen him.
00:55:29He's got a scar on his face.
00:55:30Where's he been, George?
00:55:31Oh, he's a dirty customer, my lord.
00:55:32That boat which he hit on the head has died, you know.
00:55:34Well, I don't know what the country's coming to.
00:55:36What with murders and the Ministry of Food,
00:55:38well, I'm on the way.
00:55:40Celebrating, my lord?
00:55:41Well, I shall do if I don't drop it before I get there.
00:55:44Good night, Pringle.
00:55:45Good night, my lord.
00:55:48I'm sorry, Angela, but Robert shan't be told.
00:55:51But he'll find out.
00:55:52I know Simon.
00:55:53In the end, he'll go running to his father as he always did.
00:55:55Not while I'm here to stop him.
00:55:57Robert's been hurt enough.
00:55:58I'm not going to see him suffer any more.
00:56:00Has Robert any more right to be happy than I have?
00:56:02I want a life of my own.
00:56:03I've always been the one to suffer because of Simon.
00:56:05I'm sick of it.
00:56:07I know, Angela, but Robert's blind.
00:56:10And we must keep him blind, even if it ruins us?
00:56:14Yes.
00:56:15Because the alternative might kill him.
00:56:19I'm really sorry.
00:56:22But I've got to think of Robert.
00:56:24And you'll be by his side at the unveiling on Saturday, I suppose?
00:56:28Yes.
00:56:29I shall be there.
00:56:30Well, I won't.
00:56:31He can think what he likes.
00:56:33I'm leaving for Berlin tomorrow.
00:56:39Oliver, what's going on in this house?
00:56:42How should I know, sir?
00:56:43When I asked who whistled my little tune,
00:56:46it was a sort of gasp.
00:56:48Nobody answered.
00:56:50Why?
00:56:51I have no idea.
00:56:53What sort of a powder compact does Angela use?
00:56:56Oh, an ordinary gold one.
00:56:58Oh, yeah.
00:56:59I gave it to her.
00:57:03Drops without a sound.
00:57:06Why'd she rush to this door?
00:57:09I know she did, because I heard the latch click.
00:57:16Any views on that, Oliver?
00:57:18None.
00:57:19Except that if Angela felt it necessary to hide something from you,
00:57:22I shouldn't dream of talking about it.
00:57:24Neither should I.
00:57:26I begin to like you.
00:57:29Then how about giving me a breather?
00:57:31Right.
00:57:39Ah.
00:57:52A glass from which no one drank half a decanter of whiskey in.
00:57:57Mysteries are beginning to add up, aren't they?
00:58:03How are you, Captain Oliver?
00:58:04How do you do?
00:58:05Sorry not to have been here when you came.
00:58:07Robert's been entertaining you, I hope.
00:58:09I've been annoying him.
00:58:11He takes it well, though.
00:58:13Angela.
00:58:14Yes, Robert?
00:58:15How's your ankle?
00:58:16There's nothing wrong with it.
00:58:17Why?
00:58:18You twisted it when you came in here after dinner.
00:58:19Yes, I did.
00:58:20I'd quite forgotten.
00:58:21It seems to have cured itself.
00:58:24Everything doesn't cure up so easily.
00:58:37Oh, hello, Millie.
00:58:40You's a master idiot.
00:58:43Yes, my lord, upstairs.
00:58:46Will you follow me?
00:58:49Certainly.
00:58:50How's your mother?
00:58:51Worse?
00:58:52Oh, yes, thank you, my lord.
00:58:55Out of the way, Joan.
00:58:58Any strangers been in this room tonight?
00:59:01No, Robert.
00:59:03No strangers.
00:59:06Lord Clanton, sir.
00:59:08I'm afraid this is an awful hour to call, Raleigh,
00:59:11but I felt I had to come.
00:59:13This is no time for ill feelings of any kind.
00:59:16That's nice of you.
00:59:17Oh, this is the young lady.
00:59:19Uncle, you haven't met Mrs. Simon Raleigh,
00:59:21Mr. Raleigh's daughter-in-law.
00:59:22Well, why else should I be here?
00:59:24I shall only stay here long enough
00:59:26to split this object that I managed to get through
00:59:28the police cordon.
00:59:30Police?
00:59:31Yes, they're still out looking for the murderer.
00:59:33Hmm?
00:59:34A fellow with a scar.
00:59:36Murderer?
00:59:37Yes, the owner of the car died, you know.
00:59:40Well, as I was saying, Raleigh,
00:59:42I brought down this bottle of 28 Bollinger
00:59:45to celebrate the occasion.
00:59:4628 Bollinger?
00:59:48What does...
00:59:49Yes, just a friendly little toast.
00:59:51Let's forget about toasts, uncle.
00:59:53They're out of date.
00:59:54So am I.
00:59:55Might I inquire why you tell your aunt
00:59:57and leave me out of these things?
00:59:59Look here, Clanton, what are you talking about?
01:00:02Surely you don't mean to say that they haven't told you
01:00:05that they were married in Berlin?
01:00:12Angela.
01:00:17Yes, Robert?
01:00:18Why didn't you tell me you were married?
01:00:22We are not married.
01:00:24Have you heard what Lord Camden said?
01:00:26It isn't true.
01:00:28Now, look here, young lady.
01:00:30I may be senile, but not to that extent.
01:00:34Why don't you say something?
01:00:37Why do you stand there looking like a clod?
01:00:39I've nothing to add.
01:00:41Are you suggesting that your aunt's lying?
01:00:44Angela, will you give me your word of honour
01:00:46that you haven't married Maxwell Oliver?
01:00:48Leave me alone.
01:00:51Leave me alone.
01:00:53We'd better go upstairs.
01:00:55I'm sorry, but you know...
01:00:58Yes.
01:01:02Bombshell, I...
01:01:04I don't know whether I'm going mad or everyone else is.
01:01:08No one is.
01:01:10Ronnie, I want you to believe
01:01:13I came here this evening sincerely
01:01:16and with the best intentions.
01:01:19I know that, Clanton.
01:01:21I'm not a fool.
01:01:23It's inexplicable.
01:01:26My missus will bear me out.
01:01:28He told her?
01:01:29Yes, yes.
01:01:31Earlier in the day, Angela almost plucked up courage to tell me herself.
01:01:36Since dinner, something's happened
01:01:39that's thrown everyone into confusion.
01:01:44What...
01:01:46beats me?
01:01:49Well...
01:01:51I suppose I'd better be
01:01:54going home
01:01:56and see what point in my staying.
01:02:08Clanton.
01:02:12Don't go yet.
01:02:15Make yourself comfortable in the dining room.
01:02:18I want a few moments to get things
01:02:21sorted out in my mind.
01:02:23Don't you wish it?
01:02:25You know the way.
01:02:26Yes, yes, yes. Don't you?
01:02:27Trouble.
01:02:39Let me think.
01:02:42Let me think.
01:02:46Something turned up.
01:02:50No.
01:02:52Someone turned up.
01:02:56Came in here after dinner.
01:03:07I went to get a cigar.
01:03:12Who's there?
01:03:14Who's there?
01:03:17I was in this room.
01:03:21Whiskey.
01:03:23I took a drink of whiskey.
01:03:25Surprised by me.
01:03:28Funny.
01:03:29You must have known I was blind.
01:03:31How?
01:03:32Robert, I've just been talking to...
01:03:35Angela.
01:03:37What's the matter?
01:03:38Nothing.
01:03:40I twisted my ankle.
01:03:43It was there.
01:03:45Someone she knew.
01:03:48This murderer with a scar.
01:03:51Murderer.
01:03:53Joan, any strangers been in this room tonight?
01:03:56No, Robert.
01:03:57No strangers.
01:03:59Not a stranger.
01:04:00Someone Joan knew too.
01:04:03Someone from the past.
01:04:06With a scar.
01:04:09I warn you, Andrew.
01:04:10If you leave me, I'll kill him.
01:04:11She'd married him, but she wanted to leave him.
01:04:14Why?
01:04:15We are not married.
01:04:16What are they trying to hide from me?
01:04:20Who's that whistling in the house?
01:04:27What are you bouncing about for?
01:04:29I dropped my compact.
01:04:32Behind that door.
01:04:34Hiding.
01:04:35Upstairs.
01:04:37I thought I saw a light.
01:04:39It looked like Simon's room.
01:04:41Simon's room.
01:04:42He's there now.
01:04:44In Simon's room.
01:04:46Why?
01:04:48Why in Simon's room?
01:04:54Simon.
01:04:59Simon.
01:05:01Simon!
01:05:04Robert.
01:05:06Darling.
01:05:07It's true, isn't it?
01:05:10It's Simon.
01:05:12Yes, Robert.
01:05:14I'd have given anything to keep this from you.
01:05:18You all did your best, didn't you?
01:05:22Have you talked to him?
01:05:25Yes.
01:05:28Why is he so ashamed that he must hide from me?
01:05:32He was frightened of what you might say.
01:05:36You see, he deserted.
01:05:40Deserted?
01:05:43Coward that hadn't even the guts to speak to me.
01:05:48Stood there and said nothing.
01:05:51Nothing.
01:05:55Why did he come back?
01:05:57He was desperate.
01:05:58He wanted money.
01:06:00Is it bigger?
01:06:02Or with threats?
01:06:07Sunk as low as that.
01:06:10Didn't you say you'd give him some?
01:06:12There wasn't any choice.
01:06:14You could have told me.
01:06:16I couldn't.
01:06:19If you hadn't hurt me, you'd hang a murderer around your neck.
01:06:24Poor Joe.
01:06:27Was Angela fond of him?
01:06:30No.
01:06:32I only learned tonight how unhappy he'd always made her.
01:06:36It's another life he's smashed.
01:06:40He no longer can't to settle as this precious son of mine.
01:06:46Joe, go downstairs and talk to Clandon, will you?
01:06:51Simon's night problem now.
01:06:54Shall I tell Lord Clandon?
01:06:58No, not yet.
01:07:01Go along now.
01:07:02Bless you.
01:07:05Joe, tell him...
01:07:08Tell him I'd like him to make the speech at the opening on Saturday
01:07:13and dedicate the place to all the boys who fell.
01:07:21Why don't you tell him, Robert?
01:07:23No.
01:07:25Rather you did.
01:07:27Please.
01:07:30You know, I am grateful for the last few minutes.
01:07:35They've taught me just how lucky I really am.
01:07:44Funny.
01:07:47Knowing how beautiful you are without ever having seen you.
01:07:52Remember, Robert, I love you.
01:07:56I love you.
01:08:05Go along now.
01:08:26Go along now.
01:08:56Go along now.
01:09:27Father.
01:09:29Simon.
01:09:32So you recognize me this time?
01:09:35Why, yes, I...
01:09:37Sit down. You've got to have a talk.
01:09:39Yes, yes, I want to explain everything.
01:09:42Sit down then and start.
01:09:47Why do you lock the door?
01:09:49Ghosts can be slippery customers.
01:09:53That's locked too.
01:09:55Sit down, Simon.
01:10:09That's better.
01:10:12You must have a lot to say after all this time.
01:10:15Who told you I was here?
01:10:17You mustn't believe a word they say. They're all against me.
01:10:20What did they tell you?
01:10:22That you were a deserter
01:10:24and that you'd return demanding money.
01:10:26I only wanted enough to get away.
01:10:28Why didn't you come to me?
01:10:31To spare you the shock.
01:10:33You'd been hurt so much already.
01:10:35I didn't want you to learn what a failure I turned out to be.
01:10:39Yes, Joan told me about the memorial.
01:10:43It made me want to cry.
01:10:45You think of all that money being wasted?
01:10:47Yes.
01:10:48Must be flattering to know I was spending it because you died.
01:10:52Maybe you're shocked to hear that I wouldn't give a farthing to keep you alive.
01:10:57But you must. You must.
01:10:59Why?
01:11:00The driver of the car you stole has died of his injuries.
01:11:03You killed him.
01:11:05No.
01:11:07Murderer. Thief.
01:11:10Deserter. Blackmailer.
01:11:13Doesn't leave much on which to plead for help, does it?
01:11:15But you wouldn't give me up. You couldn't.
01:11:16Why not?
01:11:19Who's there?
01:11:20It's Glenn over here, Rory.
01:11:22What is it?
01:11:23I'm sorry to disturb you, but a police sergeant's called.
01:11:28What's he want?
01:11:29He says he's been talking to you.
01:11:32Wants to know if everything's all right.
01:11:36Yes.
01:11:39Tell him everything's all right.
01:11:46Very well.
01:11:51Thank you, Father.
01:11:54I didn't mean to hurt him. Really, I didn't.
01:11:57Look, they must never catch me now.
01:12:00Think of the disgrace.
01:12:01I am thinking of that.
01:12:03And of the people whose happiness you can destroy.
01:12:06What am I going to do?
01:12:08Aren't there anything to say? Anything?
01:12:13Save yourself and everyone else.
01:12:16Misery of a trial and inevitable consequences.
01:12:21There's only one way out.
01:12:24What do you mean?
01:12:26You know what I mean.
01:12:28You have to make me say it.
01:12:30No.
01:12:32No.
01:12:33No.
01:12:35It takes courage, doesn't it?
01:12:40And there's no other way except to give you up.
01:12:43But I...
01:12:45But I want to live.
01:12:47You can't condemn your own son.
01:12:51My son is dead.
01:13:10Don't force me to send for them, Simon.
01:13:14Father.
01:13:17Let me go.
01:13:19I don't want help.
01:13:20Just give me the chance to make a break for it.
01:13:22That's all I ask.
01:13:23It isn't much.
01:13:24It's too much.
01:13:25I can't even if I want to.
01:13:26You must see that I can't. I can't.
01:13:29Give me that key.
01:13:32Give me that key.
01:13:40Keep away from me.
01:13:42I warn you.
01:13:43Keep away from me.
01:13:44Don't move, Simon.
01:13:46Or you'd even turn on a blind man.
01:13:50You can't get away this time.
01:13:52Don't move.
01:14:10Police.
01:14:11Open up.
01:14:39Robert.
01:14:58Robert, look out.
01:15:29Come away.
01:15:35Robert.
01:15:38You can't do it.
01:15:40He's dead.
01:15:46Take me to him.
01:15:47No, Robert.
01:15:48Take me to him, please.
01:15:58We shall have to telephone the police, I'm afraid, Raleigh.
01:16:02It's that fellow with the scar they're searching for.
01:16:05He broke into the house, no doubt.
01:16:08And you surprised him.
01:16:11Yes.
01:16:12That's the explanation.
01:16:15If it'll save you any trouble, I'll ring up the police.
01:16:19Just a moment, Raleigh.
01:16:21May I make a suggestion?
01:16:24When my son was killed, I hid away every picture of him in the house.
01:16:29If you do the same, I believe it'll save you a lot of unhappiness.
01:16:35I don't need pictures to remind me, Clandon.
01:16:38You can't see them.
01:16:40Remember?
01:16:41Quite so.
01:16:43But other people can.
01:16:45The police will be here in ten minutes.
01:16:50Ten minutes at the most.
01:16:56Thanks, Clandon.
01:17:03Angela.
01:17:04Yes, Robert?
01:17:06Do as he says.
01:17:08Now.
01:17:10At once.
01:17:12Yes, Robert.
01:17:42THE END
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