Black Chiffon by Lesley Storm

Oldtuberadio

On the eve of her beloved son's society wedding, the highly respected Alicia Christie makes one defiant criminal gesture - a cry for help - when she steals a black chiffon nightdress from a reputable department store. This play is a psychological study of a woman driven finally to the edge due to the cumulative stresses and strains placed upon her by her demanding and divided family. The results are absorbing and deeply moving to witness.  Do you enjoy the variety on Oldtuberadio? Like, Share and Subscribe to be notified of our new shows  Do you enjoy the variety on Oldtuberadio? Like, Share and Subscribe to be notified of our new shows #radio #crime #thriller #drama To Support this channel please visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/oldtuberadio https://ko-fi.com/oldtuberadio98 https://www.patreon.com/oldtuberadio https://locals.com/Oldtuberadio

Transcript

00:00:00Saturday Night Theatre

00:00:07The Flora Robson Festival

00:00:09Dame Flora stars in some of her favourite plays

00:00:13This week she's chosen Black Chiffon by Leslie Storm

00:00:18in which she appears as Alicia Christie

00:00:20The play has been adapted for broadcasting by Molly Hardwick

00:00:24and features Stephen Murray as Robert Christie

00:00:27and John Glenn as Dr. Bennet Hawkins

00:00:30The action takes place over a period of three days in October 1949

00:00:36and the play opens in the drawing room of the Christie's house on Chelsea Embankment

00:00:41It's a mellow, comfortable room that's been lived in a long time

00:00:46Its windows look out over the river

00:00:48and the distant trees in Battersea Park are red and golden in the sunshine

00:00:53It's Monday afternoon

00:00:55Roy, I think you're a very nice boy

00:01:07Louise, I think you're a very nice girl

00:01:10Break it up, you two, break it up

00:01:15Why should we, Theo?

00:01:16Yes, why should we?

00:01:17We like it

00:01:18You've only got four more days to last out before the wedding

00:01:21and you look as if you'll hardly make it

00:01:23So what?

00:01:25Yes, so what?

00:01:26You'll put me off my knitting

00:01:27Your knitting puts us off

00:01:28It fills us with gloomy foreboding, doesn't it, Louise?

00:01:31The moving finger knits, and having knit, moves on

00:01:35Theo, you sit waiting for that infant of yours like a tricoteur's

00:01:38A shade more grimly

00:01:39All that clicking going on a few inches from its ears

00:01:42Suppose it thinks it's a time bomb

00:01:44Might hurry us along a bit

00:01:46Where's Mother?

00:01:47She said she had some letters to answer

00:01:48Why aren't you at work, Roy?

00:01:50Oh, he's got three weeks off

00:01:52Isn't he clever?

00:01:53In view of my approaching nuptials

00:01:54They said I could start my three weeks today

00:01:57Did they give you a present?

00:01:58A cheque

00:01:58How much?

00:01:59Twenty guineas

00:02:00What's the score now?

00:02:01In cash?

00:02:02Three hundred and eighty-six guineas

00:02:04It's a good racket getting married

00:02:06I've never had so much money in my life

00:02:08Tax-free at that

00:02:09Bill and I got much more

00:02:11We've still got a few days to go

00:02:12We're waiting for the last-minute rush

00:02:14Has Daddy given you anything yet?

00:02:16We're hoping for his blessing

00:02:17He'd much sooner give you a cheque

00:02:19Perhaps

00:02:19For the pleasure of hearing me say thank you

00:02:22Oh, Roy

00:02:22Why must you be so awful about him?

00:02:24Darling

00:02:25Don't be the little peacemaker, will you?

00:02:27I was only thinking how it must hurt your mother

00:02:29It doesn't

00:02:30She's lived with the situation long enough

00:02:32Well, I think

00:02:33Roy's getting out of the house in a few days' time, Louise

00:02:36Doesn't matter anymore

00:02:37It might be the moment to patch it up

00:02:39As the boy said when he stuck his thumb in the dike

00:02:41It's something I don't understand

00:02:43It seems unnatural to me

00:02:46Is it?

00:02:47I don't know

00:02:48You see, I've never known him

00:02:50He was away long spells in South America when we were children

00:02:54We were here in London with Mother

00:02:56Every time he came home, he was a stranger who took her away from us

00:03:00And you were jealous

00:03:01He should have spanked you both

00:03:03He was jealous

00:03:04We were too friendly, the three of us

00:03:06He'd have preferred unruly children in need of masculine discipline

00:03:10So that he could have thrown his waiter by

00:03:12Weren't you ever unruly?

00:03:14Only with him

00:03:15There was no need, otherwise

00:03:17I took on responsibility very early

00:03:20I was the man of the house

00:03:22He once read me a long lecture before he went

00:03:24About how I was to look after Mother and Thea and the house

00:03:27And I took him too seriously

00:03:29When he came back, he didn't like it

00:03:31There were frightful rows

00:03:32Roy ran away

00:03:33Did you?

00:03:34He was away for two days

00:03:35Mother was frantic

00:03:36How old were you then, Roy?

00:03:38Eight or nine

00:03:38Oh, goodness

00:03:39We never were a family, really

00:03:42It was always lopsided

00:03:44He commandeered Mother and resented us intruding

00:03:47He didn't resent you, Thea?

00:03:49No, not so much

00:03:50It was you, Roy?

00:03:51Oh, Lord, yes

00:03:52Always

00:03:52And I was scared of him

00:03:55It didn't help

00:03:56It's Mummy who's always had the heavy end of the stick

00:03:59Having to be a wife and mother in face of sabotage from both sides

00:04:03I think she's wonderful

00:04:04That calm she has

00:04:06Most women would have thrown their hand in

00:04:08But she'll stand beside Daddy in church on Thursday

00:04:11And see Roy married

00:04:12And no one will know the long war she's fought

00:04:15Roy?

00:04:17Roy?

00:04:17There she is now

00:04:18Yes, Mother?

00:04:21Will you slip across to the pillar box with those letters?

00:04:23Sure, I'll go now

00:04:25The whole trouble, of course, is Roy

00:04:28In what way?

00:04:30He's so light, Mother

00:04:31In temperament, tastes, everything

00:04:34Even in appearance, he's the image of Mother's father

00:04:37Going into publishing, he's following her family

00:04:40You know her father was John Meredith

00:04:42Yes, Roy told me

00:04:43She knew a lot about her father's business

00:04:46And since Roy decided that was what he wanted to do

00:04:49All her interest has revived

00:04:51Though he made the decision

00:04:53I knew she lent him money

00:04:54Gave it to him

00:04:56Oh, yes

00:04:56She'd give him her last penny

00:04:58I realised that when I first met her

00:05:00I was afraid she wouldn't like me

00:05:02Wouldn't think I was good enough

00:05:04You don't think that now?

00:05:06No

00:05:06No one could have been sweeter

00:05:08I like your father, too

00:05:11He's all right, except for this bee in his bonnet

00:05:14This awful jealousy thing

00:05:17It's something he can't help

00:05:19It's grown with the years and it's there

00:05:21However much one tries to ignore it

00:05:24Keeps cropping up in different shapes

00:05:26Different circumstances

00:05:28Cut off one head and it grows another

00:05:30Perhaps our being married will solve it

00:05:33It will, to an extent

00:05:34Dear, I'm afraid Roy won't come back here very much

00:05:39No

00:05:40It will be much more of a break than it ought to have been

00:05:44Chuck me my knitting bag, will you, darling?

00:05:47Of course

00:05:48Here, thanks

00:05:49How about going to a film, Louise?

00:05:52Yes, I'd like to

00:05:52What would you like to see?

00:05:53Let's have a look at the paper

00:05:55Did you catch the 2.30 post, Roy?

00:05:57Yes, darling

00:05:58Oh, hello, dear

00:05:59I didn't know you were here

00:06:00How are you?

00:06:01Horribly well, I'm afraid, Mother

00:06:02I saw Dr. Stevens this morning

00:06:04He says he's bored with me, I'm so normal

00:06:06Says I could probably have it under a hedge and walk home

00:06:09Dull, isn't it?

00:06:11Yes, too bad, darling

00:06:12We shall have to find you a nice hedge to test his theories

00:06:15It would certainly make an unusual announcement

00:06:17To Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins, suddenly in Battersea Park

00:06:21What about Mickey Rooney and Fugitive from Quarantine?

00:06:25Oh, dear

00:06:25What about the French film at the Academy?

00:06:27Mother's crazy about Jean-Louis Barrel

00:06:29What we ought to do is go round to the flat with a tape measure and start measuring things

00:06:33Flat? A room, you mean?

00:06:35You can't call a studio just a room

00:06:37It's an all-purpose flat

00:06:39Well, you haven't seen it, Thea

00:06:40It's one large room with a gallery and a little kitchen and bath

00:06:43What are you going to do with the gallery?

00:06:45When Louise burns the dinner, Roy can always go up there and boo

00:06:48Oh, thanks, Mother

00:06:49Have you any other bright ideas?

00:06:51Oh, what colour should we have it?

00:06:53I should say white

00:06:54Oh, that's what I thought

00:06:55Roy says green

00:06:57Too cold, it's a north light

00:06:59Have you seen it, Mummy?

00:07:00Yes

00:07:00Only for a couple of minutes

00:07:01You blew in and blew out again

00:07:03I was in a hurry

00:07:04I don't think you liked it

00:07:05Did you get some sort of queer feeling about it?

00:07:08No, darling, what makes you think that?

00:07:10Oh, you know how one sometimes feels about a house

00:07:13As if it was being sort of secretly hostile

00:07:16Did you feel that about it?

00:07:18Oh, no, but I wondered if you did

00:07:20Louise is chock-full of superstitions

00:07:22She's always looking for pegs to hang them on

00:07:24If there'd been anything clairvoyant about Mummy

00:07:26We'd have sent her out to cash in on it long ago

00:07:29Where is this studio, anyway?

00:07:31Yeoman's Place

00:07:31Quite near

00:07:32You'll never get rid of your children, do you, Mummy?

00:07:35No, it's too bad

00:07:37How about that film, Louise?

00:07:38Oh, I wonder if I ought...

00:07:39Oh, come on

00:07:40I've got such a lot to do

00:07:42What?

00:07:43Preparing for this date we have in church

00:07:45Should I wear gloves?

00:07:47I shouldn't

00:07:47They always stick, especially if one's nervous

00:07:50I wore long white suede gloves and they were agony

00:07:53They might have been glued on

00:07:54Where were you married?

00:07:56St. Martin's in 1925

00:07:58Another era, another world

00:08:01Life was simple and uncomplicated then

00:08:06We didn't know what was before us

00:08:08Wonder what's before us

00:08:10Well, it isn't within one's control, I'm afraid

00:08:13Keep your marriage right

00:08:14It's a great source of strength, they say

00:08:16I'll try

00:08:17Come on, Louise

00:08:18Oh, I don't think I'll go to the film, Roy

00:08:20No

00:08:20I've got a hundred things to do

00:08:22Can I help you with anything, darling?

00:08:24Any packing?

00:08:24Oh, I'm only taking one suitcase down to Cornwall

00:08:26I shall leave the rest of my things here, if I may

00:08:29Until we get back to town

00:08:30You'll be staying here anyway for a little while

00:08:33Until your flat's ready

00:08:34I thought we'd go to a hotel, Mother

00:08:37Why?

00:08:39There's plenty of room here

00:08:41I know, darling, but...

00:08:42Roy?

00:08:43Roy thinks his father mightn't like it

00:08:45That's nonsense

00:08:46Darling, I'd rather go to a hotel

00:08:49I don't have to tell you why

00:08:51I don't want to come back

00:08:54It seems silly

00:08:57You should have to go somewhere else

00:08:59When this house will be practically empty

00:09:00I'm sorry, darling, but...

00:09:02It's a new life

00:09:03Yes, of course

00:09:05And you understand?

00:09:06Why, yes, Roy

00:09:08All right, I'll get it

00:09:10Hello?

00:09:13Who is it speaking?

00:09:15Yes, just a moment, please

00:09:17It's someone for you, Louise

00:09:18She won't say who she is

00:09:20Oh

00:09:20Hello?

00:09:24No, I don't know

00:09:25Mummy!

00:09:30Mummy, are you speaking from India?

00:09:34From London?

00:09:36Oh, no, darling

00:09:39I can't speak

00:09:41I'm nearly weeping with excitement

00:09:43Where are you?

00:09:46Both of you?

00:09:48You flew?

00:09:51No, I can't wait

00:09:53I'm going to hang up

00:09:54I'll dash out and get a taxi

00:09:55I'll be with you in a few minutes

00:09:57Oh, it's my parents

00:09:59They phoned over for the wedding

00:10:01So they took it into their heads

00:10:03Darling, I'm so pleased

00:10:04Oh, I haven't seen them for three years

00:10:06And I pictured them thousands of miles away

00:10:09On my wedding day

00:10:09Well, it's wonderful for you, darling

00:10:11I'll get a taxi

00:10:11Where do they stay?

00:10:12Smith

00:10:13Well, hold your horses till I get a cab

00:10:14Well, I call that a pretty nice surprise

00:10:18No cable, no anything

00:10:19Just a phone call with you

00:10:21And they were so positive they couldn't make it

00:10:23I couldn't be more delighted

00:10:24I didn't say it

00:10:26But I felt so sorry for you these last few days

00:10:28I knew you were missing someone of your own around

00:10:31You were like a little orphan

00:10:32Oh, I hope not

00:10:34You've been so marvellous

00:10:35So sweet to me

00:10:36You've been the absolute opposite

00:10:38Of all one ever thought about mother-in-laws

00:10:40Mother's-in-law, darling

00:10:41Oh, yes

00:10:42I must go and see if I've got a taxi

00:10:44She's terribly excited, poor child

00:10:48No wonder

00:10:49Oughtn't we to do something about her parents?

00:10:52Oh, yes, of course

00:10:53I'll ask them to dine with us tonight

00:10:56Louise?

00:10:57Yes?

00:10:58Ask them to come to dinner tonight

00:10:59Will you hear?

00:11:00Oh, thank you

00:11:01They'd love to, I know

00:11:02And we'd love to meet them

00:11:03Hop by seven

00:11:04Lovely

00:11:04There's Roy, look at the cat

00:11:12It's funny to think none of us has ever met

00:11:16There they go

00:11:22Roy's gone with her

00:11:24He's mad

00:11:25I'm sure she'd rather have gone alone

00:11:27And prepared them for the shock

00:11:29I'd better think about this dinner

00:11:31We were going to have fish

00:11:33They haven't been in England since before the war

00:11:35You can't throw a piece of fish at them the moment they arrive

00:11:38I don't intend to, darling

00:11:40I must go out and see what I can find

00:11:42Well, the fishmonger does have some pheasants

00:11:44Shall I go for you?

00:11:45No, thanks, dear

00:11:46I'm a much better shopper than you

00:11:47Pheasants?

00:11:49Well, why not?

00:11:51Did you ring, madam?

00:11:53Oh, nanny, Miss Louise's parents have suddenly arrived from India

00:11:56Isn't it exciting?

00:11:57Well, I never

00:11:58They flew for the wedding

00:11:59Oh, yes

00:12:00And I've asked them to dinner tonight to meet us all

00:12:02Oh, dear, madam

00:12:03We've only got that bit of fish

00:12:05I know

00:12:06It isn't all that fresh

00:12:07I know

00:12:08Thea says they've got pheasants at the fishmongers

00:12:11If you'll attend to them, I'll go up to Hartman's and see what else I can find

00:12:14Very good, madam

00:12:15Let's see

00:12:16Soup, pheasant, peaches in brandy or something like that

00:12:20And, uh, they might have smoked salmon

00:12:23I'll go now

00:12:25I shan't be long

00:12:26How many will there be, madam?

00:12:28What?

00:12:29Oh, um, you'll come, Thea, you and Bill?

00:12:31We can't, darling, I'm sorry

00:12:32We've got a date tonight

00:12:34Oh, what a pity

00:12:34We'll be six then, nanny

00:12:36Oh, uh, where's my bag?

00:12:39I must have left it in the hall

00:12:41I'll tell you something, Thea

00:12:45I'll be glad when this wedding's over and done with

00:12:48Me too

00:12:49She's restless

00:12:50Can't settle to anything

00:12:52The nearer the day comes, it gets worse

00:12:54I'm so afraid she'll work herself up into a state

00:12:58Now, you've never seen her in a state, nanny, have you?

00:13:01She's not that kind

00:13:02Well, I don't know

00:13:03You'd better hurry up and have that baby

00:13:06And give her something to occupy her mind

00:13:07Well, it can't be soon enough for me

00:13:09Nanny, I'll get some fresh flowers for the table when I'm out

00:13:12And, uh, we'll use the lace mats, shall we?

00:13:15Very good, madam

00:13:16Thea, will you phone Daddy sometime and tell him in case he's late?

00:13:20Yes, darling

00:13:21Uh, shan't be long

00:13:22I'll be back about, um, half past four

00:13:27You asleep, Thea?

00:13:41No, I'm still waiting

00:13:43Where on earth can she be, Nanny?

00:13:45It's half past six

00:13:46The shops are closed

00:13:48She said she'd be back by half past four

00:13:50And she knows dinner's a bit of a scramble

00:13:52Where can she be?

00:13:54I rang up Rita's, she isn't there

00:13:56She sometimes goes to a newsreel

00:13:58Not till this time

00:13:59Not when she knows there are things to do at home

00:14:01I'm worried, Nanny

00:14:03Well, if anything had happened to her, we'd have known

00:14:05Nanny, something must have happened

00:14:07They're due at half past seven

00:14:09And it's quite an occasion

00:14:10You know what Mummy's like

00:14:12She's not careless about things like that

00:14:14Perhaps she had to see about something for the wedding

00:14:16No, that's all done

00:14:18Do you think I ought to ring up the police?

00:14:21Give her another hour

00:14:22Wait till your father comes back

00:14:24Suppose she's in some hospital

00:14:26Now, it's no use meeting trouble halfway

00:14:28We'd have heard

00:14:29Ah, there's somebody now

00:14:31Perhaps it's her

00:14:32Hello, are you still here, dear?

00:14:35Roy, Mother isn't back yet

00:14:37Back from where?

00:14:38Well, she went out to get some odds and ends for dinner

00:14:40She said she'd be back by half past four

00:14:42Well, she must have gone on somewhere

00:14:44Rita Hedges, perhaps

00:14:45No, I rang Rita, she isn't there

00:14:47What are you in such a flap about?

00:14:48Can't she be a couple of hours late if she wants to?

00:14:51It's odd, that's all

00:14:52She's got this dinner tonight

00:14:54Yes, and they're changing for it

00:14:56Really want to do it in style

00:14:57Oh, Lord, that makes it worse

00:14:59Where's Louise?

00:15:00I left her at the hotel

00:15:01I thought they might like a natter on their own

00:15:02And I had some shopping to do

00:15:04What's in the parcel?

00:15:06My trousseau

00:15:07Oh, let's see

00:15:07Now, be careful, dear

00:15:09She can't keep her hands off anything

00:15:12Blimey!

00:15:13What's it meant to be?

00:15:14A dressing gown

00:15:15Gay little number, isn't it?

00:15:16You're going to wear it or signal with it?

00:15:19Yellow and red

00:15:20Pretty nifty, isn't it, Nanny?

00:15:22Hmm

00:15:22Plenty of colour, isn't it?

00:15:24It'll knock the girl for six when she sees it

00:15:26She'll realise what she's chosen

00:15:28You'd have looked better done up in cellophane

00:15:30With a blue ribbon

00:15:31Listen, go and see who it is, Nanny

00:15:34All right, all right

00:15:36You're giving us the jitters, Thea

00:15:38Don't be so silly

00:15:39It's your father, Thea

00:15:40I rang him up and told him about Louise's parents

00:15:43Good evening, Nanny

00:15:45Good evening, sir

00:15:46Let me take you go

00:15:48Thank you, Nanny

00:15:50Hello, Daddy

00:15:55Hello

00:15:56Oh, Roy, you're early?

00:15:59I'm on three weeks' sleep

00:16:00Oh, of course, I've forgotten

00:16:02Where's your mother?

00:16:03She's out

00:16:04Out? Where?

00:16:05She went up to Hartman's to do some shopping

00:16:07Oh, she's late

00:16:09Hartman's closed an hour ago

00:16:11Yes

00:16:11Anything the matter?

00:16:14Nothing

00:16:14I've just been wondering why she's so late

00:16:17What time are these people coming?

00:16:19Half past seven

00:16:20You've got to put on your dinner jacket

00:16:22Oh, must I?

00:16:25You met these future relatives of yours, Roy?

00:16:28Yes, this afternoon

00:16:29They're well, I hope?

00:16:31Yes, thank you

00:16:32I trust they'll find us to their liking

00:16:34Sounds as if they were cannibals

00:16:36Isn't it time you went home, Thea?

00:16:38I'm just waiting till Mother gets back

00:16:40Well, Bill will be back by now, won't he?

00:16:43Well, he can put the dinner in the oven

00:16:45Well, it's your job, Shirley

00:16:46Why?

00:16:48He's the worker

00:16:49The wage earner

00:16:50I know

00:16:51I don't like to let it go to his head

00:16:53You might get me a drink, Roy, wouldn't you?

00:16:56What would you like?

00:16:57Uh, pink gin

00:16:59Right

00:16:59I hope these people aren't going to get me involved

00:17:02In a lot of silly arguments about money

00:17:04And settlements and nonsense

00:17:06They weren't

00:17:07Do you have to keep on calling them these people, Daddy?

00:17:10What's wrong with her?

00:17:11Her name's Fletcher

00:17:12Yes, I know

00:17:14Here's your pink gin

00:17:15Thank you

00:17:17Now, forgive me if I don't seem over-enthusiastic

00:17:22But having strange people to dinner

00:17:24Is always a little trying at the end of a hard day's work

00:17:26Of course

00:17:27Would you prefer me to ring them up

00:17:29And ask them out to a restaurant?

00:17:31Well, that I'm afraid would make trouble with your mother

00:17:33Would it?

00:17:34It hadn't occurred to me

00:17:36One is always aware of the innocence of your intentions

00:17:39Why?

00:17:42Well

00:17:43If I have to change, I'd better go and have my bath

00:17:46What can be keeping, Alicia?

00:17:49I must hope she gets back before these people arrive

00:17:52I can't wait to get out of this house

00:17:57He's in one of his moods

00:17:59I shouldn't take any notice

00:18:00He'll ooze charm when they arrive

00:18:03And I shall find myself closing up like a clam

00:18:05I can see the way the evening's going to go

00:18:07Thank heaven for a wife of my own and my own house

00:18:11I think Mother suddenly saw this afternoon

00:18:14How complete the break would be

00:18:15Not with her

00:18:16Not with her, Theo

00:18:18She knows that

00:18:19You can't ask her to your house without Daddy

00:18:21And you can't make a point of coming here only when he's out

00:18:24That's exactly what I shall do

00:18:26Oh, Roy

00:18:28Between you, you tear her apart

00:18:31I wish I knew where this all began

00:18:34Don't ask me

00:18:35You must have contributed to it

00:18:37If I did, it was unconsciously

00:18:40Is that her?

00:18:41Thanks, Annie

00:18:42Yes, Louise

00:18:42Tell her what's the matter with me

00:18:45Roy, when she was going out

00:18:48She looked tired somehow

00:18:50Sick of everything

00:18:51I should have gone with her

00:18:54Hello, darling

00:18:54Hello, dear

00:18:56Hello

00:18:56Are they thrilled with you?

00:18:58What do they think of Roy?

00:18:59I've been exaggerating him, of course

00:19:01All they're worried about is our finances

00:19:03Did you tell them we have the same deadly premonitions?

00:19:07Where's your mother, Theo?

00:19:08She's not home yet

00:19:10We're worried

00:19:10She should have been back about half past four

00:19:13Oh, could she be with friends?

00:19:14Might be

00:19:15Theo, I wanted to ask you before

00:19:18Does she ever walk in her sleep?

00:19:21Mother?

00:19:22What on earth put that into your head?

00:19:24I just wondered

00:19:25Why?

00:19:27Because I woke up last night

00:19:28And she was standing at the foot of my bed

00:19:31Did she say anything?

00:19:32No

00:19:32Did you?

00:19:34I sat up

00:19:35But before I could speak

00:19:37She went away

00:19:38She walked out slowly

00:19:40As if she was walking in her sleep

00:19:42You must have dreamt it

00:19:43I swear I didn't

00:19:44She must have just come in to say goodnight

00:19:46But it was three o'clock in the morning

00:19:48You haven't mentioned it to her, have you?

00:19:50No

00:19:51Well, don't

00:19:52All right

00:19:53Oh, darling

00:19:55I didn't warn the parents

00:19:56That you and your father don't quite hit it off

00:19:58Are you afraid of a scene tonight?

00:20:01Don't worry

00:20:01We shall have our party manners on

00:20:03You'd better go and change, Louise

00:20:05They'll be here before you're ready

00:20:06Oh, what shall I wear?

00:20:08I wish I had that problem

00:20:10I've got to wear this little maternity number

00:20:12Till it disintegrates

00:20:13Oh, poor Theo

00:20:15Roy, where can she be?

00:20:18I don't know

00:20:19One thing you can be sure of

00:20:21She's all right

00:20:21I mean, don't start thinking in terms of accidents

00:20:24How do we know?

00:20:25If there's anything like that, one hears quickly

00:20:27I can't go home till I know she's back

00:20:30You'd better go and change

00:20:33I suppose I must

00:20:34Do you think I should ring the police?

00:20:37Oh, don't be crazy

00:20:38She'll be furious

00:20:39Listen

00:20:41Isn't that a taxi stopping?

00:20:43Oh, quick

00:20:43Look out of the window

00:20:44Yes

00:20:47There she is

00:20:48Paying off the taxi

00:20:49Oh, thank God

00:20:51Unscathed

00:20:52And sound in wind and lid

00:20:53Silly little fool, you

00:20:55Shall I ring the police, Roy?

00:20:57Oh, get out

00:20:58All right, I'll go quietly

00:20:59Hello, Wanderer

00:21:03We'd almost given you up

00:21:04Had you, Roy?

00:21:05You shouldn't have done that

00:21:06There

00:21:09You still here?

00:21:11What about Bill all this time?

00:21:13I say, darling

00:21:14You've miscalculated a bit, haven't you?

00:21:16You've got to change, you know

00:21:17And you've got less than half an hour

00:21:18What time is it?

00:21:20Five to seven

00:21:21Where are your things?

00:21:23What things?

00:21:24Your shopping

00:21:24Mother, don't say you've left them in the taxi

00:21:27Nanny will slay you

00:21:29Did you leave them?

00:21:31No

00:21:31I forgot to get them

00:21:34You look all in, Mummy

00:21:36Sit down, I'll get you a drink

00:21:38No, really, Thea

00:21:39I don't want on

00:21:40No, Mummy, you've got to

00:21:42You haven't had an accident or anything, have you?

00:21:45No, darling, of course not

00:21:47Well, put yourself outside that

00:21:49Then I'll come and help you change

00:21:51Alicia, where on earth have you been?

00:21:53I didn't realize how late it was, Robert

00:21:56You have to hurry

00:21:57These people are due

00:21:58Oh, it's all right

00:21:59I should be ready

00:22:00Oh, I am tired

00:22:01No wonder it's ridiculous trying to entertain these days

00:22:05Without proper help and not enough warning

00:22:07And precious little to eat

00:22:09Roy should have invited them out

00:22:11Drink up, darling

00:22:12Now run your bath, Alicia

00:22:14Please, Robert

00:22:15Oh, very well

00:22:16Have a cigarette, darling

00:22:18No, thank you

00:22:19Now relax

00:22:20Relax

00:22:21Oh, did you get the peaches, madam?

00:22:23And the flowers?

00:22:24She left them in a taxi, nanny

00:22:26What?

00:22:26Don't worry her

00:22:27I'm sorry, nanny

00:22:28That's all right

00:22:30I'll make do with the plums

00:22:32Mummy, your hand's trembling

00:22:36It's upset you

00:22:37Tell me

00:22:39Tell me, darling

00:22:40I've done a terrible thing

00:22:44I took something from a shop

00:22:48I told you I'd done a terrible thing

00:22:52I stole it

00:22:52I put it in my handbag

00:22:54Now, Mummy

00:22:56Tell me exactly

00:22:57Which shop?

00:22:59Hartman's

00:22:59Does anyone know?

00:23:00Did anyone see you?

00:23:01Yes

00:23:02A detective

00:23:02A woman

00:23:03And then what?

00:23:05I had to go to the police station

00:23:07You mean they arrested you?

00:23:10Yes

00:23:11I have to appear in court on Wednesday

00:23:13The day before the wedding?

00:23:15If I could think

00:23:16If I could think how to tell them

00:23:20Don't worry about them

00:23:21What was it you took, Mummy?

00:23:26A nightdress

00:23:27But it's ridiculous

00:23:30You've got plenty

00:23:31But it's so ridiculous

00:23:33They can't touch you

00:23:35I mean, what sort of thing was it?

00:23:37Was it expensive?

00:23:39I mean, what attracted you?

00:23:40What colour was it?

00:23:41Black

00:23:42Black chiffon

00:23:44Darling, it just doesn't make sense

00:23:47You wouldn't wear a thing like that

00:23:49Nothing would induce you to wear it

00:23:50You know that

00:23:51How dare they treat you

00:23:53As if you'd taken it

00:23:54But I did take it

00:23:56I know what it was

00:23:57It's this true, Sophas

00:23:58You meant to buy it for Louise

00:24:00No, I didn't

00:24:01But you meant to pay for it

00:24:02You saw it

00:24:03And you thought it was attractive

00:24:04And you picked it up

00:24:05And you forgot

00:24:06In your vague way

00:24:07You walked off without paying

00:24:09You know how absent-minded you are sometimes

00:24:11I picked it up?

00:24:12I picked it up

00:24:13Where did you put it?

00:24:16I slipped it into my handbag

00:24:19I'll answer it, darling

00:24:22Yes?

00:24:25Bill, yes, it's there

00:24:27Darling, I'll be late

00:24:28No, I'm all right

00:24:30Oh, Bill, don't ask me now

00:24:33No, no, I swear I'm all right

00:24:35You'll go, darling

00:24:36I'll come on later

00:24:38Thier, you're going out, aren't you?

00:24:42It doesn't matter

00:24:43It isn't important

00:24:44We must think

00:24:45Roy?

00:24:48No, Thier

00:24:49What is it?

00:24:50Come down a minute

00:24:51Thier, this is something

00:24:52I have to cope with myself

00:24:54He mustn't know yet

00:24:55Not till the wedding's over

00:24:57You can't carry this by yourself

00:24:59Something's got to be done

00:25:00What is it, Thier?

00:25:01Get through to Louise's parents

00:25:02And put off this dinner tonight

00:25:04Thier, I won't have it

00:25:05I won't have it, I tell you

00:25:06What on earth's the matter?

00:25:07Thier's gone mad

00:25:09You'll do nothing of the kind, Roy

00:25:10Mother isn't well

00:25:11She can't face it

00:25:12Face it?

00:25:13You're treating me like an imbecile

00:25:15You can't go through with it

00:25:16It's better to put it off

00:25:17Than break down in the middle

00:25:19Darling, what is the matter?

00:25:21Mummy, we need this evening

00:25:22To see what we're going to do

00:25:23There isn't much time

00:25:24Do?

00:25:25Do what?

00:25:26What are you talking about

00:25:27In heaven's name?

00:25:28You can't put them off

00:25:29At this time of day

00:25:30Certainly you can't

00:25:31Roy, I mean it

00:25:33If I knew what this was all about

00:25:35Nothing

00:25:35It's nothing, Roy

00:25:36Mummy

00:25:37Roy's got to know

00:25:40Roy

00:25:42I've made a very stupid

00:25:45Mistake

00:25:47A very stupid

00:25:49And embarrassing mistake

00:25:51Well

00:25:51Tell me, darling

00:25:53I'm with it

00:25:54She's ill

00:25:55Between you and father

00:25:57You've torn her in two

00:25:58Why haven't you gone to change, Alicia?

00:26:00What's going on?

00:26:01Roy

00:26:01Go and phone from the hall

00:26:02Tell the mother's ill

00:26:03I'm not ill

00:26:04All right

00:26:05Thea, you've gone crazy

00:26:08I'm asking, what's the matter?

00:26:11Are you with Alicia?

00:26:13No, Robert

00:26:14Daddy

00:26:15She's in serious trouble

00:26:17What's the matter, Alicia?

00:26:20Mother, shall we go?

00:26:21Would you like to talk alone?

00:26:22No

00:26:23Louise is going to phone them

00:26:24You tell them, Thea

00:26:25She took something from a counter

00:26:28In Hartman's this afternoon

00:26:30What?

00:26:32She was seen by the store detective

00:26:34How did you explain it?

00:26:37I didn't

00:26:38You mean

00:26:39They're bringing a charge against you?

00:26:42Yes

00:26:42A charge of theft?

00:26:44Yes

00:26:45What in God's name made you do a thing like that, Alicia?

00:26:49And you've always got enough money

00:26:52Don't I give you enough?

00:26:53Yes

00:26:53Well, what was it you took?

00:26:56Only a nightdress

00:26:57I'm completely at a loss

00:27:00What had the world possessed you, Alicia?

00:27:03You must have been mad

00:27:04You have any idea why you did it?

00:27:07I wanted it

00:27:08Well, then, for God's sake

00:27:09Why didn't you buy it?

00:27:10I don't know

00:27:11Forgive me, Father

00:27:11I don't want to interfere

00:27:13But I don't think you're the right person to question her

00:27:15And who should question her?

00:27:16You

00:27:17There's nothing I can tell either of you

00:27:19Except what I've already told you

00:27:20What made you want it?

00:27:22What sort of thing was it?

00:27:24It was black chiffon

00:27:26Black chiffon

00:27:27What could you want with a thing like that?

00:27:30You of all people

00:27:31Why me of all people?

00:27:33At that moment, I wanted it

00:27:35You get no sympathy in the court for that kind of theft

00:27:37You talk as if it were a crime

00:27:38What else is it?

00:27:39A breakdown

00:27:40Thanks to you, Father, and me

00:27:42What the hell are you talking about?

00:27:44Start anything

00:27:44I can't stand it

00:27:46Call it a crime

00:27:47Or whatever else you want to call it

00:27:48It is a crime

00:27:49After years of honourable living

00:27:51One finds oneself on the wrong side of the law

00:27:53Forgive me if I can't call it by anything but his real name

00:27:57You, Roy, with your glib talk of blackouts and breakdowns

00:28:01Daddy

00:28:01I...

00:28:02I apologise

00:28:04Very humbly to you all

00:28:06Oh, Mummy

00:28:07Hush, dear

00:28:09Hush, darling

00:28:10Roy, take her home

00:28:12She shouldn't be here

00:28:13She shouldn't be upset

00:28:14Darling, go home and sleep

00:28:16Forget it

00:28:16It isn't your worry

00:28:18Go home

00:28:18Go with her, Roy

00:28:20Good night, darling

00:28:22Yes, Mummy

00:28:23Roy?

00:28:27Yes?

00:28:28It's my responsibility to try to get your mother out of this mess

00:28:31I'll be obliged if you don't interfere

00:28:34Please understand that none of this has anything to do with you

00:28:39Very well

00:28:41If you take a seat, sir, I'll tell Mr. Christie you're here

00:28:50Thank you

00:28:51Dr. Hawkins

00:29:04Good afternoon, how are you?

00:29:07I'm Christine

00:29:08How do you do?

00:29:10Nice view you have here

00:29:12The river and those trees

00:29:14Yes

00:29:14John Brissing did a painting of it a few years ago

00:29:18Where we're standing now

00:29:19There it is

00:29:21Over the fireplace

00:29:22Oh, yes, I see

00:29:23You'd scarcely recognise it, would you?

00:29:26It was in the 1936 Academy

00:29:28I don't know Brissing

00:29:29No, he wasn't well known

00:29:31Died about ten years ago

00:29:33Yes

00:29:34I used to have a house full of pictures

00:29:36When I was a young GP in the King's Road

00:29:38I got pictures in lieu of fees

00:29:40You make on that or lose?

00:29:43I have no idea

00:29:44All I knew then was that I couldn't eat canvas and paint

00:29:47Can I get you a drink?

00:29:49No, thanks

00:29:49You're in a spot of trouble, I hear

00:29:53Yes, and Brooke Williams rang me this morning

00:29:56Yes, my solicitors have briefed him

00:29:58I told them, I had to tell them

00:30:00Get the best counsel you can

00:30:01These cases are very tricky

00:30:04As I suppose they've told you

00:30:06Yes, the courts have had a crop of them

00:30:09Much of it is deliberate, organised theft

00:30:12In this case, no doubt

00:30:14We could rule out any suspicion of its being organised

00:30:17No, really, Doctor

00:30:18One has to start at the beginning

00:30:19I have no knowledge of either you or your wife

00:30:22You can see for yourself what we are

00:30:25And how we live

00:30:26I see the evidence of comfortable living

00:30:29The fruits of hard work, I can assure you

00:30:32Oh, I don't doubt it

00:30:33My wife shares all I have

00:30:35She has an ample, even generous allowance

00:30:38Is she given to extravagance?

00:30:41Overspending?

00:30:41No, not at all

00:30:43And her general health?

00:30:45Is there any history of illness?

00:30:47No, her health's always been good

00:30:49But you're of the opinion that this theft can be explained by mental disturbance

00:30:53Mental illness

00:30:55Only because I can think of no other reason for it

00:30:59A well-to-do woman steals a luxury article

00:31:03Legal and medical aid are immediately organised on her behalf

00:31:07You must see that this will produce initial scepticism in court

00:31:12It can be broken down only if her case is a genuine one

00:31:17Yes, yes, of course I see that

00:31:19Mr Christie

00:31:20The courts have been inundated with psychiatric evidence

00:31:23Which has been too often unscientific, even unscrupulous

00:31:27If there is evidence of genuine mental stress or nervous derangement

00:31:33Then it's one's duty to explain it to the court as best one can

00:31:36If there is no such evidence

00:31:39You will have to rely on the clever tongue of your counsel

00:31:43Yes, I understand

00:31:44But don't you want to ask me anything about my wife?

00:31:49What sort of person she is?

00:31:51The general set-up?

00:31:53What do you want to tell me?

00:31:55Nothing much

00:31:56Just that we're a normal, average, happy family

00:32:00Well, I congratulate you on your happiness, Mr Christie

00:32:03It may be normal, but it isn't average

00:32:07Well, I love my wife

00:32:08And she, I believe, loves me

00:32:10How long have you been married?

00:32:12Twenty-four years

00:32:13You can imagine, Doctor

00:32:15This is a terrible blow

00:32:17Yes, I know

00:32:18I seem to feel the disgrace of it more than she does

00:32:21She doesn't seem to appreciate the seriousness of it

00:32:24You mean she isn't interested?

00:32:26Oh, yes, she's interested

00:32:27But I'll tell you something that struck me as odd, Doctor

00:32:30We were sitting here last night

00:32:32Both of us very upset

00:32:33Because I hadn't minced matters with her about her position

00:32:37And suddenly

00:32:38She burst out laughing

00:32:41Hysterically?

00:32:42No

00:32:42Quite ordinary laughter

00:32:44She didn't seem able to express it

00:32:46You see what I mean when I say she doesn't seem to feel the disgrace of it as much as I do

00:32:50Do you often find her behaviour puzzling?

00:32:55No, not at all

00:32:57There's nothing difficult or complicated about her

00:32:59The reverse

00:33:01You read her like a book

00:33:03I envy you your powers, Mr. Christie

00:33:06I'm safe in saying, Doctor

00:33:07That she's never done anything unpredictable in her life

00:33:10And certainly nothing dishonourable

00:33:12She couldn't

00:33:13It wouldn't enter her head

00:33:14That's what's so puzzling

00:33:17She lives for her home and her family

00:33:20She's what you or anyone else would call

00:33:22A good woman

00:33:24May I see, Mrs. Christie

00:33:26Yes, of course

00:33:27I'll send her in

00:33:29You won't see her alone?

00:33:32I should prefer to

00:33:33Um

00:33:35Doctor, if anything crops up about my relationship with my son

00:33:40Yes

00:33:41Don't pay too much attention to it, will you?

00:33:45It's nothing serious

00:33:46It's just that we're inclined to get on each other's nerves occasionally

00:33:50You know how it is

00:33:52Yes, I know

00:33:53Good afternoon, Dr. Hawkins

00:34:09Now, Mrs. Christie

00:34:10How do you do?

00:34:12It's been a beautiful day, hasn't it?

00:34:15Yes, indeed

00:34:15Won't you sit down?

00:34:18No, thank you

00:34:22Doctor

00:34:23I feel very awkward about this interview

00:34:27It was arranged without my knowledge

00:34:29I am rather at a loss as to what you expect me to say

00:34:32Have you any ideas as to what I might expect?

00:34:35Probably that I heard voices or something

00:34:37No, you're not the type who hears voices

00:34:40It'll help, as time is so short

00:34:43If you make an effort to be truthful

00:34:45I'm quite truthful, as a rule

00:34:47Tell me, Mrs. Christie

00:34:49Have you ever stolen from a shop before?

00:34:52No

00:34:52Have you ever been tempted to?

00:34:55No

00:34:55What were you going to do with this nightdress?

00:34:59Wear it?

00:35:01I don't know

00:35:02Or hide it away somewhere?

00:35:04I don't know

00:35:05What did it suggest to your mind when you first saw it?

00:35:09Try and think back

00:35:10Doctor, I'm not a patient

00:35:12I haven't come to you with a problem

00:35:15I haven't asked you to help me fight anything

00:35:17Or escape from anything

00:35:18I realise that

00:35:19But you do have quite a pressing problem

00:35:22The question of your defence tomorrow

00:35:24It doesn't concern only you

00:35:26It concerns your husband

00:35:27And your family

00:35:28Do you think I'm indifferent to that?

00:35:31I don't know

00:35:31I have a son who is getting married in two days' time

00:35:35This story will become public on his wedding day

00:35:38How do you think I feel, Doctor?

00:35:40Except

00:35:41Paralyzed with shame at having inflicted this on him

00:35:46He is your only son?

00:35:48Yes

00:35:48I see

00:35:50This uneventful domestic life you say you lead

00:35:55Family life is seldom uneventful

00:35:57Mine is

00:35:58We live very quietly

00:36:00You are not a thief

00:36:02You didn't take this thing with some idea of financial gain to yourself

00:36:05No

00:36:06Well

00:36:07Let's assume that you were impelled by some force

00:36:10Or combination of forces

00:36:12Which must have a source somewhere

00:36:15One should have an anaesthetic for this kind of operation

00:36:19Or a battering ram to break down the wall of defence you've built about yourself

00:36:22I'm sorry

00:36:24And around your family

00:36:25What are you hiding, Mrs Christie?

00:36:29Nothing that I'm aware of

00:36:31Are you deceiving yourself about the uneventfulness of your life?

00:36:36The quiet of family life is deceptive

00:36:38There is occasional contentment

00:36:40But more often intolerable tensions

00:36:42It's a battlefield, in fact

00:36:44On which the struggle for happiness is won or lost

00:36:47And people like you are the spectators

00:36:49First aid men

00:36:50We help to attend to the casualties

00:36:52You say your son gets married on Thursday?

00:36:57Yes

00:36:57Nice girl?

00:36:58Yes, charming

00:36:59So Thursday's the end of a chapter

00:37:01What do you mean, Doctor?

00:37:04You know what I mean

00:37:05Yes, I suppose I do

00:37:09But it's the natural order of things

00:37:12One wouldn't have it otherwise

00:37:14Are they going to live far away?

00:37:16No, quite near

00:37:17They've found a studio

00:37:18Oh, they're lucky

00:37:19I don't think so

00:37:20It was Louise who found it

00:37:22So I couldn't say anything

00:37:24I'm feeling my way round this awkward relationship

00:37:27Of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law

00:37:29You'll admit it's awkward, Doctor

00:37:32Oh, yes

00:37:32Undoubtedly

00:37:34But I'm so anxious it should be successful

00:37:37Probably over-anxious

00:37:38You don't like they're going to live there?

00:37:40No, I don't

00:37:42I've only been there once

00:37:44I went in and out again

00:37:46I wasn't in the place more than a couple of minutes

00:37:49I couldn't bear it

00:37:50Your, um, impressions identify themselves with the past?

00:37:55Naturally, they must have done

00:37:56If one gets a peculiar feeling about an empty house

00:38:00It must necessarily be a sense of its past

00:38:02Not necessarily

00:38:03What else could it be?

00:38:06It could be a sense of its future

00:38:08It could be a picture of the life that would go on inside its walls

00:38:12Their life?

00:38:14Their life

00:38:15But, Doctor

00:38:17I can only think of their life together with interest

00:38:20And warmth and love for them both

00:38:22Did you mention it to them, this feeling you had about the house?

00:38:28No, of course not

00:38:29Why?

00:38:30If it were a sense of its past

00:38:32Wouldn't it be natural to say

00:38:34Oh, I don't like this place

00:38:35It has unpleasant or unhappy associations

00:38:38My opinion was my own

00:38:39Why bore them with it?

00:38:40But your reaction was so strong

00:38:42That you couldn't bear the place for more than a couple of minutes

00:38:44It was an instinctive thing

00:38:45There was no reason for it

00:38:47You're very fond of your son, aren't you?

00:38:52Yes

00:38:53We've always been very great friends

00:38:56Now, there's an awkward relationship, if you like

00:38:58A mother and son

00:38:59Awkward?

00:39:00No, Doctor

00:39:01Easy

00:39:03The easiest of all relationships

00:39:06It was close and friendly and very precious

00:39:10Why do you say it was?

00:39:13Did I?

00:39:14Well, it was and it is

00:39:16Would you say there's an equal affection between your husband and your son?

00:39:22Have you discussed this with my husband?

00:39:25He referred casually to some slight friction

00:39:27Doctor, I'm

00:39:32Forgive me, but I can't go on with this

00:39:37I think it's important that you should, Mrs. Christie

00:39:39I want to help you

00:39:42I don't like to see a woman of obvious courage in this sort of mess

00:39:46There is some resentment between them

00:39:50Yes

00:39:52On whose part?

00:39:54The boy or his father?

00:39:56My husband

00:39:57Is it recent?

00:39:59No

00:40:00All the time

00:40:01Ever since Roy was a baby

00:40:04Would you call it jealousy?

00:40:07It's difficult to believe that a father could be jealous of his son

00:40:13But it's a long story of misunderstanding and bitterness

00:40:18I've had to make up for the hurts

00:40:21I've had to be father and mother to Roy

00:40:24And it's made the attachment between us stronger than it would have been otherwise

00:40:29Yes

00:40:30How does the boy stand in all this?

00:40:34Oh, now he's found himself

00:40:36He's a boy with his girl and he's delighted with her

00:40:40I'm certain it will be a happy marriage

00:40:43And your work is finished

00:40:45Yes

00:40:46It's the end of a chapter, as you said

00:40:50But it's even more than that, Doctor

00:40:54In a kind of way

00:40:57It's the end of my life

00:41:00Oh, now

00:41:01Yes, it is

00:41:01He's the person I've loved most in the world

00:41:06Is that very terrible?

00:41:09Only for you

00:41:10Doctor

00:41:14I've been very frightened

00:41:16There's nothing the matter with my mind, is there?

00:41:21No, nothing

00:41:21You find me quite sensible and reasonable

00:41:24Too reasonable

00:41:25It isn't enough just to turn the light of reason on one's problems

00:41:28Reason can be plausible, persuasive, fallible

00:41:32Anything it wants to be

00:41:34This approaching marriage

00:41:37You've had to argue yourself into a conventional attitude to it

00:41:41Yes, but I've done it

00:41:42I've nearly done it

00:41:45Not quite?

00:41:47That's what I meant when I asked if my mind was all right

00:41:50Because there are moments as the marriage

00:41:52The breakaway comes nearer

00:41:55When I can only think of it with panic

00:41:57It's a sort of panic that makes you beat your hands against a closed door to get out

00:42:03Or to get in

00:42:05Why do you make that difference?

00:42:09You saw the difference at once

00:42:11We mustn't talk like this

00:42:14It horrifies me

00:42:15Why?

00:42:16It doesn't horrify me

00:42:17It's the old battlefield I mentioned before

00:42:20The family

00:42:20The bloodiest struggles in the history of the human mind have been fought on it

00:42:25But surely, doctor, its purpose and design was for security

00:42:28That doesn't keep out the old primeval loves and hates

00:42:31What are you saying, doctor?

00:42:33Doctor, we're a civilized family

00:42:36What do you know anyhow or think you know?

00:42:38You're a stranger knocking at the door of my mind

00:42:41The stranger knocking at the door of your mind might be yourself

00:42:45Just how could I be a stranger to myself?

00:42:47The woman who stole a black chiffon nightdress and slipped it into her handbag

00:42:51Was a stranger to the woman I'm talking to now

00:42:55What am I, then?

00:42:59A monster with two faces?

00:43:02Not a monster

00:43:02But with several faces

00:43:05You're shocked by my conception of the family

00:43:09I should like to believe the pretty pictures that are handed out to us

00:43:13Because if I could accept them

00:43:14My pessimism would be complete

00:43:16And I could go and fish on the Y

00:43:18Why do you say your pessimism would be complete?

00:43:21Because my own private fight is for more truth in the vision of life

00:43:24Deeper soil for the mind to grow in

00:43:27So that its roots can strike down into the fertile darkness below the surface

00:43:31We have different points of view

00:43:33But you're not unacquainted with the darkness, Mrs. Christie

00:43:36Oh, I've dug down

00:43:37Searching perhaps for life and strength

00:43:40But I haven't found it

00:43:42I've found deeper confusion, that's all

00:43:46Looking back

00:43:50Can you recall anything of your state of mind when you took it?

00:43:53Were you excited?

00:43:55Agitated?

00:43:56Confused?

00:43:57Defiant?

00:43:59It would help if I knew

00:44:00Robert

00:44:05I was shaking with laughter

00:44:08Yes

00:44:09You see

00:44:11I knew exactly what I was doing

00:44:14My mind couldn't have been clearer

00:44:16I knew it was theft

00:44:17I have no excuse to offer either you or the magistrate

00:44:20Why were you laughing?

00:44:23Do you know, Doctor, the dreadful thing is I still want to laugh

00:44:26I brought this awful trouble on my husband and family

00:44:30I'm deeply ashamed, but

00:44:31I still can't think of that moment

00:44:35Without an appalling desire to laugh

00:44:38You see

00:44:43It began with laughter

00:44:45Someone else's

00:44:47Another woman, a stranger

00:44:49I'd like to give this a little more clearly

00:44:51I'm tempted to tell you the real story of yesterday

00:44:55When I came into this room, I'd quite made up my mind not to

00:44:59I was in a taxi on my way to Hoffman's

00:45:04Yes

00:45:05I was unbearably depressed

00:45:08It was a mood, Doctor, it would have passed

00:45:12But I was seeing for the first time how complete the break was going to be with my son

00:45:18Something he said about never coming back

00:45:22It wasn't so much the fact of his going as the fact that he was going for good

00:45:28I knew he was and that he was glad to go

00:45:31And I knew that I should have been glad for him, but

00:45:34I wasn't

00:45:36I was devastated

00:45:38Go on

00:45:39I thought of the long years I had fought to preserve our family unity

00:45:45I blamed them all

00:45:47I looked back on a long stretch of wasted years and I hated them all

00:45:53Sitting there in the cab, I thought

00:45:55Oh, God, let me escape

00:45:58Let me get out of this bondage

00:46:01Let me get free of every kind of love and the slavery of it

00:46:04It was real depression, Doctor

00:46:06I was right down in the depths

00:46:08But the mood changed

00:46:10Yes

00:46:12Doctor, how much in life is accidental, do you think?

00:46:19Oh, I don't know the answer to that one

00:46:22Because this was sheer accident

00:46:24My noticing this woman, I mean

00:46:26My taxi was held up in a traffic jam

00:46:29She was beside me on the pavement

00:46:32One could see what she was, but she was pretty and pleasant looking

00:46:37She just accosted a young man

00:46:41And I was watching her from the depths of my gloom

00:46:46And suddenly

00:46:48She threw back her head and laughed

00:46:53Yes?

00:46:55She laughed

00:46:56And do you know, Doctor

00:46:58It was a lovely love

00:47:01Rich, infectious and uplifting

00:47:04It seemed to fill the cab and beat on my ears

00:47:07I sat up

00:47:09It came on me like a flash

00:47:11There was I, the good woman

00:47:12Oh, I don't mean that priggishly

00:47:15I mean the sort of woman to whom love is synonymous with responsibilities

00:47:20I don't know what you mean

00:47:21Well, there was my kind of woman

00:47:22In these black depths of depression

00:47:25And there she was with a laugh like that

00:47:29The taxi moved off and behind it

00:47:32And as if it were following it

00:47:34There came another peel of laughter

00:47:37I can't describe the strange, exciting quality of it

00:47:42It worked on me like some sort of magic

00:47:45I couldn't sit still

00:47:46I got out of the cab and I walked the rest of the way

00:47:50With her laughter still ringing in my ears

00:47:52I went into the shop with this bedazzlement all around me

00:47:57I went into the food department

00:47:59But I couldn't bring myself to think or care what I'd got for

00:48:02So I went upstairs

00:48:04I felt reckless, defiant

00:48:07I can't quite explain

00:48:08I was walking through the shop on a kind of gale of laughter

00:48:13Inward laughter

00:48:15I wanted to push everybody out of my way

00:48:18Yes

00:48:18And then upstairs

00:48:20Harry saw this thing on the counter

00:48:24I stood there and looked at it

00:48:26I knew what I was going to do

00:48:29And I was afraid the girl would see me laughing

00:48:31But she didn't

00:48:32Maybe I wasn't laughing

00:48:34Maybe it was all inside me

00:48:35I edged nearer to it and waited

00:48:39For the right moment

00:48:40And then I

00:48:42I slipped it into my bag

00:48:46And then?

00:48:49And then I walked away

00:48:51And this feeling of exaltation

00:48:55How long did it last?

00:48:57Right through the shop till I reached the door

00:48:59I marched

00:49:01I didn't walk

00:49:03As if I were marching to music

00:49:06Loud, exciting music

00:49:08And then?

00:49:10And then

00:49:11Outside

00:49:13A man barred my way

00:49:17Looking back on it today, Doctor

00:49:23From my proper surroundings here at home

00:49:25It seems utterly fantastic

00:49:28I wouldn't blame you

00:49:30If you told me you didn't believe me

00:49:32Oh, I do believe you

00:49:32I don't doubt a word of it

00:49:34Did you mention anything of this

00:49:37When they questioned you?

00:49:38No

00:49:38You made no excuse?

00:49:39No, I hadn't any

00:49:41I didn't speak

00:49:42Except to give my name and address

00:49:44I was overwhelmed with shame

00:49:47I still am

00:49:48No, shame

00:49:48Is the wrong word

00:49:49It's how I feel

00:49:51Isolated by it

00:49:53I go around the house as usual

00:49:55But I'm separated from everybody in it

00:49:58I don't feel that I belong amongst them anymore

00:50:02Is your son at home at the moment?

00:50:06Yes

00:50:06I'd like a word with him

00:50:08I don't want him involved, Doctor

00:50:10Not in any way

00:50:11It has nothing to do with him

00:50:13I shan't keep him a moment

00:50:14Very well

00:50:18Roy?

00:50:24Coming

00:50:24How old is the boy?

00:50:28He's 22

00:50:29Yes, Mother?

00:50:31This is my son

00:50:33Dr. Hawkins

00:50:34How do you do?

00:50:35How do you do, sir?

00:50:37I'll see you before I go, Mrs. Christie

00:50:39Yes

00:50:40You wanted to speak to me?

00:50:45Yes

00:50:45Cigarette?

00:50:47Thank you

00:50:48I've had quite a talk with your mother

00:50:54Yes

00:50:55I want to help her

00:50:57How much of this business do you understand?

00:51:02I think in a vague way I understand it, Doctor

00:51:05Something of it, anyhow

00:51:07Enough to know that you and your impending marriage

00:51:10Will have to be mentioned in her defense

00:51:13It has something to do with that, though

00:51:14Oh, yes

00:51:15I knew it

00:51:16I mean, I guessed it

00:51:17I'm afraid I shall have to use

00:51:19Use and even underline her strong affection for you

00:51:24You may find that embarrassing

00:51:26I should feel happier if I had your permission

00:51:30You don't have to ask, Doctor

00:51:32I shan't bring you into it more than I can help

00:51:35So, you were getting married on Thursday?

00:51:41Yes

00:51:41Your mother's very pleased about it

00:51:44Is she?

00:51:45Is she rarely, Doctor?

00:51:46Yes

00:51:46Delighted

00:51:48So, you're here, Roy

00:51:51I heard that my son was bringing his intelligence to bear upon the problem, Dr. Hawkins

00:51:55I asked to see him for a moment

00:51:57Having been told what a phenomenon he was, I suppose

00:52:00Well, I don't think I have anything else to discuss with him

00:52:03Goodbye, sir

00:52:04Goodbye

00:52:05Well, Doctor, have you had any luck?

00:52:10Uh, luck?

00:52:11With your defense evidence

00:52:12I shall prepare a report this evening

00:52:15Is it going to help us?

00:52:18It's, uh, a little involved

00:52:20It'll have to be simplified

00:52:22Surely the more involved, the better

00:52:23Tie them up in knots

00:52:24Magistrates don't like knots

00:52:26They've got a simple remedy

00:52:27Take out the knife of the law and cut through them

00:52:30You must remember that the law is very clear as regards theft

00:52:33They may imprison a mother who steals a loaf of bread for her starving child

00:52:38In cases of theft, the motive isn't the law's affair

00:52:41But here there wasn't even a motive

00:52:43Was there?

00:52:46Oh, yes

00:52:46What?

00:52:49A kind of revenge

00:52:51Revenge?

00:52:52But against whom?

00:52:54Against whom?

00:52:56You, probably

00:52:57Me

00:52:57But, Doctor, I love her

00:53:01I've given her everything

00:53:02I've been faithful

00:53:04I've...

00:53:05You can't mean that she did it just to bring the scandal round my ears

00:53:09Because I wouldn't believe you

00:53:10No, nothing like that

00:53:11But what then?

00:53:12Tell me

00:53:13It's nearly driving me crazy to know my wife has to answer a charge like this

00:53:17She's got to be acquitted

00:53:18It's got to be shown to be a mistake

00:53:21It wasn't a mistake

00:53:22My evidence can only be an explanation or analysis of her present state of mind

00:53:28Will it get her off?

00:53:29That I can't say

00:53:30You think she'll be fined?

00:53:32It's a stiff court

00:53:33It's right in the heart of a shopping centre

00:53:35They get a great many cases

00:53:36In the last few months they've dealt with them very severely

00:53:39I hope she'll be fined

00:53:41You don't think for a minute they could send her to prison?

00:53:45You know as well as I do that they could

00:53:47But to first offence, Doctor, no magistrate would sentence her

00:53:50That's a fallacy, I'm afraid

00:53:51It depends on the circumstances

00:53:54The theft of property is very high on the list these days

00:53:57Doctor, I couldn't bear it

00:53:59Can you think what it would mean to her?

00:54:01To all of us

00:54:02Judgment day, Mr. Christie, is any day in one's calendar

00:54:05It crops up when its moment arrives

00:54:08What do you mean, judgment day?

00:54:10The day when the past catches up with us

00:54:12When cause catches up with effect

00:54:14It seems fairly clear, as far as this incident is concerned

00:54:20That in your innocence

00:54:22There is guilt

00:54:24And in her guilt there is innocence

00:54:28I don't understand

00:54:30You must try

00:54:31I want to, but

00:54:32You must help me, show me how

00:54:35You are aware of her love for her son

00:54:40Yes

00:54:41Is it that?

00:54:43Partly

00:54:43Some twisted jealousy in you

00:54:47Has driven them together

00:54:49I mean it, driven

00:54:50They've been locked together

00:54:52Emotionally

00:54:53Are you trying to tell me something

00:54:55Unspeakable

00:54:57Unnatural

00:54:59Heavens no

00:55:00It's the most natural thing in the world

00:55:01What might seem natural to you

00:55:02Might seem like that to me

00:55:03It's a profound love

00:55:05It has its roots, I should say

00:55:08In a common despair

00:55:09You might do well to think about that

00:55:11I must go now

00:55:16I'm sure I can rely on you

00:55:17Not to repeat anything of our conversation

00:55:19To your wife

00:55:20Of course not

00:55:22Don't worry too much

00:55:27We'll do our best for her

00:55:30Goodbye

00:55:32Goodbye, Doctor

00:55:34Has the doctor gone?

00:55:45Yes

00:55:45What is it, Louise?

00:55:48I wanted to tell him something

00:55:50About Alicia?

00:55:52Yes

00:55:52If it's important, I'll pass it on to him

00:55:55I don't know if it is or not

00:55:56It might only be a coincidence

00:55:58But he might be able to make something of it

00:56:01That could help

00:56:02What is it?

00:56:04Well, the night before last

00:56:06I woke up and she was standing

00:56:08At the foot of my bed

00:56:09Alicia?

00:56:10Yes

00:56:11I didn't speak

00:56:13I thought she was walking in her sleep

00:56:15Never

00:56:15Well, she was standing looking at me

00:56:18Didn't she say anything?

00:56:19No

00:56:20Just looked

00:56:21Then she went away

00:56:23But the strange thing about it is that

00:56:26I was wearing a black chiffon nightdress

00:56:30Tea's ready, Louise

00:56:38Oh, I'm going to tea with Mummy

00:56:40I shall be known

00:56:41I've killed Roy

00:56:42Well, if you hurry

00:56:43You'll just catch my taxi

00:56:44Oh, thank you

00:56:45Hello, Daddy

00:56:47I've collected Mother's hat for the wedding

00:56:49Where is she?

00:56:50She'll be here in a moment

00:56:51What's the matter, Daddy?

00:56:53Has Dr. Hawkins been?

00:56:55He has

00:56:55What does he say?

00:56:57Is everything going to be all right?

00:56:59I don't know

00:57:00Hello, darling

00:57:01Oh, tea's in

00:57:02Roy, Louise

00:57:04Tea?

00:57:05Coming

00:57:05I collected your hat, Mummy

00:57:07I can't wait to see it

00:57:08Shall I take it out of the box?

00:57:09If you like

00:57:10Louise has gone to tea with her parents

00:57:13We're going to the theatre tonight, Mother

00:57:16I wish you'd come

00:57:17Who's going?

00:57:18Tea, darling?

00:57:19Thank you

00:57:19Louise and I and her parents

00:57:21Would you like to come, dear?

00:57:23Tonight?

00:57:23No, thanks

00:57:25Too much to think about

00:57:26You, Mother

00:57:27You'll only sit here and mope

00:57:29Tea, Robert

00:57:29Thanks

00:57:30Oh, Mummy

00:57:32It's a gorgeous hat

00:57:33Absolute heaven

00:57:34Do put it on

00:57:35Not now, darling

00:57:36Oh, you must

00:57:37I must see what you're going to look like

00:57:39Not now, darling

00:57:40It's beautiful

00:57:41You're going to steal the picture

00:57:42Tea, put the damn thing away

00:57:47Yes, Daddy

00:57:48I'm sorry

00:57:50Our nerves are rather on the edge, Thea

00:57:53We've had a trying day

00:57:55It was silly of me

00:57:57This time tomorrow it will be over

00:57:59And then perhaps we can relax again

00:58:00Yes

00:58:01Darling, what did Dr. Hawkins say?

00:58:04Nothing much

00:58:05But he thinks it's going to be all right

00:58:07Yes, of course

00:58:08I knew it would

00:58:09Thea

00:58:09It'd be a very good thing if you could take your glib talk somewhere else

00:58:13What's glib about it?

00:58:15I know it's going to be all right

00:58:16Then you're very fortunate

00:58:18Robert

00:58:18What did Dr. Hawkins say?

00:58:23Robert

00:58:23What did he say?

00:58:26I don't know which is the worst to endure

00:58:28The scandal

00:58:29Or the reason for it

00:58:31He knows the reason

00:58:33He told you, Roy, didn't he?

00:58:35No

00:58:35I had no reason

00:58:36I told him so

00:58:37What you tell him

00:58:38And what he gathers from what you tell him

00:58:39Are two different things

00:58:40I told him the whole circumstances

00:58:42And that I had no reason

00:58:43No motive

00:58:44Nothing beyond a sudden impulse

00:58:46Didn't he give you any explanation of it?

00:58:48No

00:58:48How could he explain something that wasn't there?

00:58:52I had no reason, I tell you, Robert

00:58:53Tell the magistrate that

00:58:54And you'll go straight to prison

00:58:55Prison?

00:58:57Yes

00:58:57Now by God, it'll be you who've landed her now

00:59:00Robert

00:59:00Can't you see mothers going through hell?

00:59:03It doesn't help to add to it

00:59:05To frighten her with talk about going to prison

00:59:07You know very well that will never arise

00:59:09Don't talk like an idiot

00:59:10When I mentioned prison, I meant it

00:59:12The possibility is there

00:59:14And you don't have to defend your mother against me

00:59:17If the possibility is there

00:59:18It's so remote, it doesn't matter

00:59:19You don't know what you're talking about

00:59:20Mind your own business

00:59:22Please, will you stop it?

00:59:23I'm sorry

00:59:24I'd better go

00:59:25Yes

00:59:25I think you'd better

00:59:27I'll go too, Mummy

00:59:28I'll ring you later

00:59:29All right, dear

00:59:30Goodbye, darling

00:59:32These scenes are absurd, Robert

00:59:38The children are bewildered and worried

00:59:41As I am and you are

00:59:43And I'm devastated at being the cause of it

00:59:46Roy is the cause of it

00:59:48Listen, Robert

00:59:50You've ruined what might have been a very happy family

00:59:54By this jealousy of Roy

00:59:56You've never left him alone

00:59:58What twist it is in you

01:00:00Or where it comes from, I don't know

01:00:02But it's been there like a frightening presence in this house

01:00:06Ever since he was a child

01:00:08Because I know you've always loved him more than you love me

01:00:10Well, it isn't true

01:00:11I haven't

01:00:12He's had all your love

01:00:13I had to give him that much more

01:00:15Because you gave him so little

01:00:17You've spoiled him all his life

01:00:18Is he spoiled?

01:00:20He's kind

01:00:21He's good

01:00:22He works hard

01:00:23He leads a straight, honourable life

01:00:26And don't I?

01:00:27Yes, of course you do

01:00:29Why do you ask for comparison?

01:00:31I never measure him against you or you against him

01:00:34I'm obliged to you

01:00:36Look, Robert

01:00:38The years when we might have been happy with a young family have gone

01:00:42But we've still a lot of time ahead of us

01:00:45Why don't you try to clear your mind of this

01:00:48This poison

01:00:50And let's live the rest of our lives in peace

01:00:53Poison?

01:00:54In my mind?

01:00:55How about yours?

01:00:57Mine

01:00:57Dr. Hawkins said it was through your love for Roy that you landed in this

01:01:02Through Roy?

01:01:04What utter nonsense

01:01:06Dr. Hawkins says

01:01:07And these are his very words

01:01:08That you're locked together emotionally, you two

01:01:13Oh

01:01:13And because he's going out of your life with Louise

01:01:16You go and do this thing

01:01:18But that is the most monstrous lie

01:01:22You must be wrong

01:01:24Dr. Hawkins would never have said that

01:01:26Could I have made it up?

01:01:27Would it ever have occurred to me?

01:01:29You talk about poison in my mind

01:01:31There might be more peace in our lives if we make a clean sweep while we're about it

01:01:35Did you know that you went into Louise's room?

01:01:38When?

01:01:39I often go into Louise's room

01:01:40A couple of nights ago, during the night

01:01:42Never

01:01:42Well, the truth is that whether you knew it or not, you did

01:01:45And she was wearing a black chiffon nightdress

01:01:49I don't believe it

01:01:52Who said so?

01:01:53I never told Dr. Hawkins

01:01:54It's impossible not to connect the two things

01:01:55One doesn't have to be a mind specialist to see that you had some

01:01:58Queer, half-witted notion of competing with Louise

01:02:01What you say is quite hideous

01:02:03The facts are hideous

01:02:04I can straighten out this idea about Louise now

01:02:07I like her

01:02:07I want her to marry Roy

01:02:09With all my heart, I want them to be happy

01:02:11That's what you tell yourself

01:02:12I swear, it's the truth

01:02:13There are a hundred subtle ways in which a woman who didn't want her son to marry

01:02:18Could use her influence

01:02:19Had never even been tempted to try

01:02:21Then ask yourself this

01:02:22You go to Louise's room

01:02:25She's wearing a black chiffon nightdress

01:02:27The very next day, you go and steal

01:02:30Steal, not buy

01:02:31The identical object

01:02:33Ask yourself why

01:02:35Because you have to answer it tomorrow morning from the dock

01:02:38And you can take it that they'll get at you personally for your answer

01:02:41However strongly you may be propped up by Brooke Williams and Hawkins

01:02:44It has nothing to do with Louise

01:02:45However you explain it to yourself, you must admit it was an abnormal act

01:02:50It sprang from something abnormal

01:02:52There's nothing abnormal in me, Robert

01:02:54Or is there?

01:02:56I don't know

01:02:57What?

01:02:58It's quite obvious to anyone else

01:02:59Your love for Roy

01:03:00Rubbish

01:03:01Utter and complete rubbish

01:03:04I've never heard that rubbish in my life

01:03:07Ask Hawkins

01:03:07And what's more, it's all got to come out

01:03:10It's your defence

01:03:11It's the story that'll be told in court tomorrow

01:03:14And you better prepare yourself to cope with it

01:03:16He's going to use that in court?

01:03:18Did he tell you that?

01:03:19He has to

01:03:19It's the truth

01:03:20Horrible as it is

01:03:22And no more for you than for me

01:03:24And it has to be used because it's the only thing that'll win sympathy for your case

01:03:29Sympathy? I don't want sympathy

01:03:31For your case, I said

01:03:32If that is put forward in open court, then where do I stand for the rest of my life with Roy and Louise?

01:03:37I'd be shut off forever for them and their children

01:03:40That might be a good thing

01:03:41For whom?

01:03:43For you and me

01:03:44If I were a possessive mother, it would be a good thing

01:03:47But am I?

01:03:48Have I tried to keep Roy from marrying?

01:03:50Haven't I treated Louise as my own daughter?

01:03:53If there were anything abnormal in my love for Roy

01:03:56What you forget is that you've proved it abnormal

01:03:58It's got you into a dock answering a charge in public

01:04:01And your sole defense is that it was an abnormal act springing from an abnormal state of mind

01:04:07I shall deny it with my whole strength

01:04:10You can't deny it

01:04:11You won't be in a position to

01:04:13Don't imagine that I like the revelation of this any more than you do

01:04:17My whole object in making you face this now

01:04:20Is so that you'll be better able to face it tomorrow

01:04:24Face it, stand by while I'm acquitted of theft and quietly accused of something unspeakable

01:04:29You won't be accused

01:04:30But I shall be defended by an insinuation that I'm in love with my son

01:04:34No, they won't say that, they won't put it that way

01:04:36They'll make it sound that way

01:04:37I'd rather die than have him hear it

01:04:41And it's lies, lies, complete and absolute lies

01:04:44He's got to hear it

01:04:45It'll put an end to this nonsense

01:04:47He won't hear it, it isn't true, I tell you

01:04:49It is true, it's always been true

01:04:51And you want him to hear it

01:04:53A distorted story that will make him ashamed

01:04:56I can't bear this, Robert

01:04:59I love him

01:05:01He's my only son and I've loved him all my life

01:05:04Is that so terrible?

01:05:06Is that something for which I should feel ashamed?

01:05:09It's terrible in this

01:05:10That it brought about a crisis that threatens to wreck the lives of all of us

01:05:15You must see what you've done

01:05:19What were the words Hawkins used?

01:05:25Locked together emotionally

01:05:27Is that what you say tomorrow?

01:05:31Something like that

01:05:32It's a pleasant discovery to present to a boy on the eve of his marriage

01:05:37That's his look-out

01:05:38I shall prevent it

01:05:40I shall protect him from it somehow

01:05:44Protect it?

01:05:45It's yourself you'll have to protect

01:05:47You'll be standing there in the dock

01:05:49Fighting for your own reputation

01:05:51And mine

01:05:52I shan't hurt

01:05:55Your reputation

01:05:58Robert

01:05:59Hello?

01:06:25Oh, good morning, Mrs. Barnes

01:06:27It's Mrs. Christie

01:06:28Yes, I am early

01:06:31But I have to go out

01:06:32Would you send me the usual amount of potatoes

01:06:35And two pounds of cooking apples?

01:06:39What fresh fruit have you today?

01:06:42Oh, have you?

01:06:44Well, perhaps you'd let me have a couple of pounds

01:06:46Yes, thanks

01:06:48Goodbye

01:06:49Well, that's taken care of, Nanny

01:06:54Now, what else have we to think of?

01:06:57You could make a curry for lunch with that cold meat

01:07:00And for dinner, well, we can have fish

01:07:01When do you think you'll be back?

01:07:05We've got to be at the court at ten

01:07:07I really don't know, Nanny, dear

01:07:10But I should think we'll be back by lunchtime

01:07:12Well, I'll get it ready for the usual time

01:07:14One o'clock

01:07:16Yes

01:07:16Would you like me to make you a nice cup of coffee before you set out?

01:07:21No, thanks, Nanny

01:07:22How about flowers?

01:07:26Now, you won't have any time tomorrow

01:07:27Yes, you might call in and order some

01:07:29Hello, darling

01:07:31Hello, Nanny

01:07:32What are you doing here at this time of the morning, Sia?

01:07:34I thought you might like me to come to the court, darling

01:07:37Whatever, put that idea into your head

01:07:39Daddy's going

01:07:40He's only driving me down

01:07:41I don't want him to come in

01:07:42Well, madam

01:07:44If I don't see you before you go

01:07:46Good luck

01:07:48Yes

01:07:49Oh, Nanny

01:07:51I'm expecting Dr. Hawkins

01:07:52Bring him up here the minute he comes, will you?

01:07:55Yes, madam

01:07:56I like your hat

01:08:01It's got a thickish veil that I can pull down to cover my face

01:08:05You think of everything, don't you?

01:08:08You shouldn't have got up so early

01:08:10Didn't you sleep?

01:08:11Yes, of course, darling

01:08:12I slept like a log

01:08:13Did you?

01:08:15Yes, thanks, dear

01:08:15What's Dr. Hawkins coming to see you about?

01:08:18Nothing much

01:08:19Some last-minute details

01:08:21Well

01:08:22It'll be a relief when it's behind us

01:08:25It won't be long now

01:08:27We shall be back for lunch

01:08:29Will you be here, Theo?

01:08:31Yes

01:08:31And Bill sent you his love

01:08:33He told me to tell you he'd keep his fingers crossed for you

01:08:36That was sweet of him

01:08:37You shouldn't have had this worry, Theo, at this time

01:08:41Darling, don't give it a thought

01:08:43I'm not worried

01:08:44I know everything's going to be all right

01:08:46I only wish I could come and hold your hand in...

01:08:49In the court

01:08:51It's like waiting for the train to go

01:08:55When one's going back to school, isn't it?

01:08:57Yes

01:08:58Oh, Mummy

01:09:00Mummy, I can't keep it up

01:09:03I'm so frightened for you

01:09:05Dear, stop it

01:09:06Listen to me

01:09:07I will not have you upset yourself

01:09:09Now stop it

01:09:09It's all right

01:09:12It's stopped

01:09:14Oh, dear

01:09:16I came round here full of advice from Bill

01:09:19To be gay and bright

01:09:20He'd be furious with me

01:09:21What can I do while you're out?

01:09:25Is there anything you need for tomorrow?

01:09:26No

01:09:27No, darling, I don't think so

01:09:28Shall I order you a spray of orchids?

01:09:31Yes, dear

01:09:31What colour?

01:09:32Oh, I don't mind

01:09:33And get some for yourself

01:09:34I'm too pregnant for orchids

01:09:37What would you like?

01:09:39Sunflowers?

01:09:39Dr. Hawkins, madam

01:09:43Oh, good morning, Doctor

01:09:45Good morning, Mrs. Christie

01:09:46My daughter, Thea

01:09:47How do you do?

01:09:48Good you do

01:09:49I'll leave you

01:09:51You haven't much time

01:09:52Oh, uh

01:09:53Will you see we're not interrupted for a moment, Thea?

01:09:56Yes, of course

01:09:57Thank you for coming round so quickly, Doctor

01:10:01I phoned you because I had to see you before we went to the court

01:10:05Do sit down

01:10:07Thank you

01:10:08I don't know how to apologise to you

01:10:12But yesterday, when I talked to you, I was overwrought

01:10:16I didn't tell you the truth

01:10:18No?

01:10:19I'm sorry, I had reason enough

01:10:22I was ashamed of the real truth

01:10:25You believed what I told you yesterday, didn't you?

01:10:29Yes

01:10:30You made your diagnosis on it

01:10:32A mother clamped emotionally to her son

01:10:36Locked together was the phrase you used

01:10:39Not to you

01:10:39I used it to your husband

01:10:42Well, no matter

01:10:44Your memory must be better than mine

01:10:46But it's your picture of the situation

01:10:49The one you're going to use, isn't it?

01:10:51More or less

01:10:52What I want to tell you is that it's entirely false

01:10:55The real picture is quite discreditable

01:10:58He'll probably wash your hands of the whole affair

01:11:00Are you anxious that I should, Mrs. Christie?

01:11:03No, but you must hear what I have to say

01:11:06Yes, Mrs. I'm listening

01:11:07My motive in stealing that thing, Doctor

01:11:12Was as clear-cut as that of any other person who steals deliberately

01:11:17I wanted it

01:11:19I was going away

01:11:21After the fuss of the wedding

01:11:23I was going away

01:11:25With someone who wants me to

01:11:27To go away with him

01:11:29I was ashamed at my age

01:11:32To buy an exotic piece of nonsense like that

01:11:34But I wanted it

01:11:35So I took it

01:11:36It seemed so much easier

01:11:38So you see why I lied

01:11:41It's a disorderly little story, isn't it?

01:11:46Yes

01:11:46It puts rather a different face on the defence

01:11:49Who is this person you were going away with?

01:11:53What's his name?

01:11:54Why should I answer that?

01:11:55Please don't stall, Mrs. Christie

01:11:56What is his name?

01:11:58It's Brissing, if you must know

01:12:00John Brissing

01:12:01What does he do?

01:12:03He's an artist

01:12:04I see

01:12:06Well, you've set me a very difficult problem

01:12:11Because I've upset your defence at the last moment?

01:12:14More complex than that

01:12:15You see, Mrs. Christie

01:12:17When I first came into this room

01:12:19I said something about the view

01:12:20And your husband pointed out that picture over there

01:12:24By an artist called John Brissing

01:12:26He said he'd been dead for ten years

01:12:29You're laughing at me

01:12:33No

01:12:34No, I'm...

01:12:37I'm not an enemy, Mrs. Christie

01:12:39I know

01:12:40I'm sorry

01:12:42So I can discount the whole story of your going away

01:12:45As a desperate invention dictated

01:12:47By a desperate dilemma

01:12:49Which I'm just beginning to see

01:12:52Doctor

01:12:54I will not have the relationship between my son and myself

01:12:59Manhandled in a court

01:13:00You know it could be torn to shreds

01:13:03And where would he stand afterwards?

01:13:07Where especially in his new, young, delicate relationship with his wife?

01:13:13And my husband, where would he be?

01:13:16A father jealous of his son

01:13:17Cruel, hard, unkind, they'll say

01:13:20And he isn't, Doctor

01:13:21He isn't

01:13:22Whatever sort of woman I am

01:13:25Or whatever they think I am

01:13:27I have some sense of values

01:13:28I've lived long enough to decide what is important

01:13:32And what isn't so important

01:13:33And what is important to you is that

01:13:35Nothing should be made of your love for your son

01:13:38Or the friction between him and your husband

01:13:41Not a word

01:13:42No suggestion of it

01:13:44Or any mention even that I have a son

01:13:46But your whole defence rests on it

01:13:48I can't help that

01:13:49Mrs. Christ

01:13:49I'd rather be tried for a petty crime and accept their judgement on it

01:13:53Than have the secrets of my heart explored in public

01:13:58When did you come to this conclusion?

01:14:00During the night

01:14:01You see, Doctor

01:14:03In the last 24 hours

01:14:06I've learned that when these strange human secrets are dragged out

01:14:12They assume a new shape

01:14:13They take on a life of their own

01:14:16I find it terrifying

01:14:18What in particular are you afraid of?

01:14:21Their power of destruction

01:14:22I haven't your knowledge

01:14:24I've got nothing to go on except my own instinct

01:14:27I see this as a serious incident in my life and my husband's

01:14:32But more so in my son's

01:14:34Put yourself in his place

01:14:37On the eve of his wedding there is a public discussion

01:14:40Perhaps a heated, intensive discussion

01:14:43On the relationship between his mother and himself

01:14:46If it becomes a battle of wits between the defence and the magistrate

01:14:51Neither you nor I will have any power to say where it will end

01:14:55Doctor, that is so, isn't it?

01:14:57Go on

01:14:57The defence at the least would be an attack on his privacy

01:15:01On the privacy of my whole family

01:15:03To save myself it would mean

01:15:06Tearing down a wall of my house

01:15:09And exposing all these years of life inside it

01:15:14That would be a terrible thing to do

01:15:17Also, Doctor

01:15:19And this is what matters most

01:15:21Words and phrases will be used

01:15:24Because of what I've done

01:15:26There might be the suggestion that in my love for my son

01:15:32There was something abnormal

01:15:35But that's nonsense, Mrs Christie

01:15:37There's nothing abnormal in your love for your son

01:15:41There isn't?

01:15:44No, nothing

01:15:45I should never dream of using the word abnormal

01:15:48No

01:15:50You wouldn't

01:15:52But they might

01:15:53No one who knew the whole facts of this case would use it

01:15:56It has only to be mentioned once

01:15:58To do infinite harm to him and his wife

01:16:00That's something we shall have to risk

01:16:02You can't be allowed to discard your whole defence

01:16:05Because of words and phrases that might or might not be mentioned

01:16:08Forgive me, Doctor

01:16:09But that is exactly what I mean to do

01:16:11Discard the whole defence

01:16:14Mrs Christie

01:16:14Please listen to me

01:16:15Because time's very short

01:16:17If you're tried for theft

01:16:20Without the background of mental stress

01:16:21And strong emotional disturbance

01:16:23You might

01:16:24If you're lucky

01:16:25Get off with a fine

01:16:26On the other hand

01:16:28You might not

01:16:29I knew there was that possibility

01:16:32It's more than a possibility

01:16:34The magistrate is Sanderson

01:16:35Only a couple of weeks ago

01:16:37He made public his views on this sort of theft

01:16:39The only way to deal with it, he said

01:16:41Is by imprisonment

01:16:43We've had to build you up a very strong defence

01:16:48Around my son?

01:16:49Yes, because it's the truth

01:16:50The whole strength of the defence lies in its truth

01:16:53It's sufficiently strong to break down even this magistrate's objection to psychological evidence

01:16:59You will leave the court a free woman

01:17:01Not at that cost, Doctor

01:17:03Mrs Christie, please

01:17:04I can't allow this to happen

01:17:06Doctor, I know exactly what I'm doing

01:17:08Have you ever seen the inside of a woman's prison?

01:17:11I could recover from a prison sentence

01:17:15And your family?

01:17:17They will recover from it too

01:17:18Much more quickly and more easily than from the indignity of the defence

01:17:24I don't quite know what to do

01:17:31I ought to call your husband and stop you from doing this

01:17:36But you're not going to

01:17:37Because you see what I'm doing

01:17:39And why?

01:17:44You may be right

01:17:45In the long run, you

01:17:49Probably are right

01:17:52Well, I must get along to the court to see Brooke Williams

01:17:58Now, what do you want me to tell him?

01:18:00Tell him that I shall plead guilty

01:18:02And if you're asked for any reason why you took this thing?

01:18:05I took it because I wanted it

01:18:08And you realise that after that there'll be no more to be said?

01:18:12That's all I want, Doctor

01:18:14That no more shall be said

01:18:16Very well

01:18:18You will see to it that nothing can go wrong

01:18:21I'm at your service, Mrs Christie

01:18:23And

01:18:25If you'll allow me to say so

01:18:28At this moment I'm also at your feet

01:18:32Good luck

01:18:35Goodbye, Doctor

01:18:39Hawkins took a long time

01:18:50What's he been saying?

01:18:53Not much

01:18:54I did most of the talking

01:18:55Would you like a glass of brandy?

01:18:58No, thanks, Robert

01:18:59Father

01:19:00If you'll give me the key of the garage

01:19:03I'll get the car out for you

01:19:04No

01:19:05I'll get the car, Roy

01:19:07You stay with your mother

01:19:10Have you got the shakes, darling?

01:19:16A little

01:19:16Don't worry, it'll soon be over

01:19:18Did you sleep?

01:19:21Yes, thanks

01:19:22And you?

01:19:23Oh, yes, rather

01:19:24Mother

01:19:26Isn't it silly?

01:19:28I don't know what to say to you

01:19:30There's nothing to say, darling

01:19:32If I could go there instead of you

01:19:35Don't let's think about it

01:19:37Mother, I wish I didn't feel so tongue-tied

01:19:40I know

01:19:41If I could tell you

01:19:44How much I love you

01:19:46Without feeling an ape about it

01:19:49You don't look like an ape to me

01:19:52You carried a torch for me

01:19:54As far back as I can remember

01:19:56And since I grew up

01:19:59You've been such a friend

01:20:00Such a great friend, Mother

01:20:03Darling

01:20:04Thank you

01:20:06Roy

01:20:08We've only got a few minutes

01:20:10I want to talk to you about tomorrow

01:20:12Why tomorrow?

01:20:14Because I don't want to talk to you about today

01:20:16Get yourself ready in good time, won't you?

01:20:20Don't turn up at the church looking untidy and rushed

01:20:24No

01:20:25You'll look very handsome

01:20:28And Louise will look lovely

01:20:30I should be terribly proud of you

01:20:32What do you mean is

01:20:33Whether you're there or not?

01:20:36Yes, darling

01:20:37Mother

01:20:38There's always the chance that the case may go against me

01:20:41I'm not even going to begin to think about that

01:20:45It's only a remote possibility, Roy

01:20:47But there it is

01:20:48If it does

01:20:49Promise me that everything will go on

01:20:52As if nothing had happened

01:20:53Mother

01:20:54How could it?

01:20:56It must, Roy

01:20:57Promise me that

01:20:58All right

01:20:59I promise

01:21:01But why even think about it?

01:21:04Hawkins' evidence will put everything right for you, won't it?

01:21:07Oh, he's done his best to uncover some emotional disturbance, as he calls it

01:21:12But it's difficult for him because, you see, there's nothing there

01:21:16After all, I should know

01:21:19And there's nothing there

01:21:21Darling, Nanny insists that I give you this

01:21:25Oh, what is it, dear?

01:21:27Some beastly little Chinese idol

01:21:28With him in your pocket, you're insulated against everything

01:21:32Good

01:21:33The car's at the door

01:21:34You'll be back for lunch?

01:21:36I think so

01:21:37If we're late, don't wait for us

01:21:40And darling

01:21:41I just want you to know how sorry I am to have brought this worry on you

01:21:46Oh, Mama

01:21:48See you, darling

01:21:50Goodbye, Roy

01:21:53Goodbye, Mother

01:21:56Oh, it's a lovely morning

01:21:59Why don't you both go for a walk?

01:22:20It can't be long now

01:22:22I wish now we'd gone to the court

01:22:24We could have waited outside

01:22:25It would have been better than sitting here

01:22:28Why doesn't Daddy telephone?

01:22:32There may be a fine to pay

01:22:33Perhaps that's taking the time

01:22:34Are you going to have your lunch, or will you wait?

01:22:38We'll wait, Nanny

01:22:39Can't be long now

01:22:41We've been saying that for the last hour

01:22:43It's nearly two

01:22:45The flowers have come

01:22:48Would you like to arrange them, Theo?

01:22:51Presently, Nanny

01:22:51Give you something to do

01:22:53Plenty to do

01:22:54Keeping myself from going crazy

01:22:55I salted the potatoes twice

01:22:57Had to pour all the water out

01:22:59And boil them up again

01:23:00I'd better go and see

01:23:03They're all right

01:23:04There's the car

01:23:07They're back

01:23:13Father

01:23:19And Hawkins

01:23:21If you wouldn't mind then

01:23:30Hawkins

01:23:31Or Mrs. Chrissy

01:23:32If that's a help

01:23:33Roy

01:23:34I'm terrified

01:23:35Well, no, in a minute

01:23:35I've never felt so terrified in my life

01:23:37Well, Doctor

01:23:38Is it over?

01:23:40Yes

01:23:40I'm

01:23:43Very sorry to have

01:23:45To be the bearer of bad news

01:23:47Where is she?

01:23:48Your father asked me to break it to you

01:23:51What?

01:23:53They gave her three months' imprisonment

01:23:55No!

01:23:57Now, don't give away too much

01:23:58You mustn't

01:23:59You really mustn't

01:24:00It's cruel

01:24:01It's brutal

01:24:02Three months?

01:24:04I can't believe it

01:24:06Are they mad?

01:24:07Haven't they any understanding?

01:24:09Couldn't they see?

01:24:10Where is she?

01:24:12Where have they taken her?

01:24:14To Holloway

01:24:14She'll never be able to spend it

01:24:17Oh, she'll be all right

01:24:18She was very calm

01:24:19She heard the sentence

01:24:21And walked down from the dock

01:24:22Without any sign of emotion

01:24:23You see, she expected it

01:24:26But what about the defence?

01:24:28There was no defence

01:24:29She pleaded guilty

01:24:31But what about your evidence?

01:24:32She refused to call me

01:24:33There was nothing we could do

01:24:35But what could have possessed her?

01:24:39Your mother is a woman

01:24:40With a fastidious mind

01:24:41And an eager heart

01:24:43It makes for a sort of obstinacy

01:24:47Obstinacy?

01:24:48Yes

01:24:48The obstinacy with which a bird

01:24:51Will freeze to its nest

01:24:52I must go

01:24:56I'm terribly sorry

01:24:57Try not to worry too much

01:24:59I hope the time will pass quickly

01:25:02For you and for her

01:25:03Your father will see me out

01:25:07Thank you, sir

01:25:09I shall have my baby

01:25:15And she won't be here

01:25:17I shall be married

01:25:20And she won't be here

01:25:22Even the room looks strange

01:25:26Empty and horrible

01:25:29I shan't come here while she's away

01:25:33We must, dear

01:25:34We both must

01:25:36Things must be right

01:25:39For her to come back to

01:25:41Daddy

01:25:45Daddy

01:25:47Hawkins told you?

01:25:51Yes, father

01:25:52He did

01:25:53I don't know what we're going to do

01:25:57There was

01:26:00A change of plan

01:26:02At the last moment

01:26:03I wasn't told

01:26:05I didn't know

01:26:06Tell us about her, daddy

01:26:09Did you see her?

01:26:11Yes

01:26:12They let me see her

01:26:13Before they took her away

01:26:14She sent you both, her love

01:26:17She was so anxious

01:26:21About the wedding tomorrow

01:26:22I told her not to worry

01:26:25I knew you'd help me, Thea

01:26:27Yes

01:26:27Take her place

01:26:29I'm sure that everything

01:26:33Would be all right

01:26:33Roy

01:26:37We must

01:26:40Get things straight

01:26:42Before she comes home

01:26:43Will you help me?

01:26:48I'd very much like to try

01:26:50Father

01:26:50Flora Robson

01:26:59Flora Robson played

01:26:59Alicia Christie

01:27:00In Black Chiffon

01:27:02By Leslie Storm

01:27:03This was another program

01:27:06In the Flora Robson Festival

01:27:07In which Dame Flora stars

01:27:09In some of her favorite plays

01:27:10Appearing with Dame Flora

01:27:13Were Stephen Murray

01:27:14As Robert Christie

01:27:15John Glenn

01:27:16As Bennett Hawkins

01:27:17Gabrielle Blunt

01:27:19As Thea

01:27:19Rosalind Shanks

01:27:21As Louise

01:27:22Alexander John

01:27:23As Roy

01:27:24And Marjorie Westbury

01:27:25As Nanny

01:27:26The play was adapted

01:27:28For broadcasting

01:27:28By Molly Hardwick

01:27:30And produced

01:27:31By Joe Burrows

01:27:32As Bollywood

01:27:33As Bollywood

01:27:34As Bollywood

01:27:35As Bollywood

01:27:36As Bollywood

01:27:37As Bollywood

01:27:38As Bollywood

01:27:39As Bollywood

01:27:40As Bollywood

01:27:41As Bollywood

01:27:42As Bollywood

01:27:43As Bollywood

01:27:44As Bollywood

01:27:45As Bollywood

01:27:46As Bollywood

01:27:47As Bollywood

01:27:48As Bollywood

01:27:49As Bollywood

01:27:50As Bollywood

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