Maniac (1934)
1 Meirschultz laboratory--
cabinet in background. Oper-
ating table in semi-foreground.
Table containing apparatus--
some strange-looking paraphana-
lia which might remind one of
vivisectionist--overhead light
on table--rest of room dim and
eerie-looking. Two practical
hypodermics.
2 Dr. Meirschultz is working on
table, testing hypodermics with
back to audience (side view) and
doing business with instruments.
He holds hypo to light and ad-
dresses his assistant.
MEIRSCHULTZ
Tonight, my dear Maxwell, I
am ready to try my experi-
ment on a human.
Maxwell is a bit alarmed.
MAXWELL
Yes?
MEIRSCHULTZ
At the morgue, there is a
[lethal] gas suicide--an ideal
specimen.
Maxwell is surprised; runs
hand thru his hair.
MAXWELL
Have you made arrangements?
We see Meirschultz' face for the
first time--rather typical, half-
mad scientist--mussed gray
hair--very penetrating eyes--
beard.
3 Shows his eyes as
he says "prying
eyes."
MEIRSCHULTZ
(very sharp) No! You know I
do not work under prying
eyes.
Very contemptuous.
You will find a way for me to
work without detection. It is
your chance to show your
gratitude for my generosity
and protection.
Maxwell is excited at the
queer look in Meirschultz'
eye.
MAXWELL
I will never forget what you
have done for me and will do
anything to help you--but the
morgue--dead people--sup-
pose we should be caught?
MEIRSCHULTZ
How many times have you
told me of your imperson-
ations--that you never had a
chance.
4 Meirschultz drums on table.
Craftily.
Maybe your art will serve you
after all. You have seen the
coroner. Why not impersonate
him?--That's it!
Seeing Maxwell succumbing.
Impersonate him. The time
has come when you can repay
me for what I have done.
5 Max is agitated and
seems afraid of the doctor.
MAXWELL
It's horrible, I tell you!
Working on the dead; trying to
bring back life.
Max is excited.
It's not natural-- you
with your weird ideas! Haven't
I stayed here and nursed dying
dogs--and--
Notices Satan.
--even that miserable cat.
And for what--for a measly
roof and food. Because you
took me in when I was down
and out!
6 CUT to Satan, gazing at him.
7 The doctor glares at Maxwell,
who seems to cringe under the
spell of the doctor's eyes.
MEIRSCHULTZ
Once a ham, always a ham.
You, an actor! And don't for-
get, my dear Maxwell, the
police will be glad to find you.
Max is very contrite--smiles
wanly. Clears his throat.
MAXWELL
Hm--I did not mean I
wouldn't--
Meirschultz is satisfied--
but half sarcastically--
MEIRSCHULTZ
Of course not. In time you
may be a great man.
FADE OUT
8 FADE IN the morgue--very
dark. Several sheeted tables
with supposed corpses under-
neath sheets.
One, in foreground, is that of
a frail, beautiful girl. Meirschultz
has a case and Max is looking down
in guise of coroner--very dignified
--looks entirely different than
earlier scene. Has extreme at-
mosphere of confidence about him.
9 CUT to cat pouncing on rat
and eating it.
10 TWO SHOT--Meirschultz
hands his case to Maxwell--
whispers
MEIRSCHULTZ
This is the one--here.
Maxwell, papers in hand,
reads--
MAXWELL
File No. 26941--Maria
Altura--24--suicide--carbon
monoxide gas--not claimed.
11 He shudders involuntarily
as he watches--looks about him.
12 Meirschultz opens case--
takes out hypos--looks at them
--gets air bubble out--gives one
from each into neck of girl.
MEIRSCHULTZ
Perfect--we will have to work
fast.
He then starts a series of
manipulations--massages
abdomen in region of heart--
raises arms--works arms.
13 Maxwell watches, then notices
that girl is rather good-looking
--starts working with arms.
14 Meirschultz puts stethoscope
to heart--works more rapidly.
He is very tense--and excited.
Use every effort to build up
tenseness.
Finally, a faint sigh from the
girl--then
15 CU of slight drool from the
mouth. This is all to let the
audience know she is faintly
alive.
MEIRSCHULTZ
I must get her out of here--
she must have oxygen.
16 Max is astounded at the signs
of life. He seems pretty awestruck.
He then looks at the girl.
This look decides him to
brazen it out.
Meirschultz continues.
Unlock the side door. Then
get the cart--but watch [out]
for the guard. Get him out
of the way and we'll take her
out.
17 TWO EMBALMERS are working
on a body and notice Meir-
schultz and Maxwell working
on Maria.
1ST EMBALMER
By gosh, them stiffs are get-
tin' heavier and more of 'em
every day. They even got the
coroner working overtime.
2ND EMBALMER
Yeah, between the gangsters
and the autos, we won't need
another war to carry off the
population.
1ST EMBALMER
You didn't even mention the
suicides. Did you notice the
beaut that came in today?
2ND EMBALMER
Did I?
1ST EMBALMER
That's the one that's got the
coroner doing nightwork.
2ND EMBALMER
What--special autopsy?
19
1ST EMBALMER
[Guess so.] Must be. I wonder
who that old Santa Claus is?
20 Meirschultz laboratory.
Max and Meirschultz come
thru door of room off lab
where they have left Maria.
Meirschultz looks thought-
ful but agitated.
MEIRSCHULTZ
With twenty-four hours com-
plete rest, she will recover.
Maxwell, thoughtful, seems
a bit awestruck.
MAXWELL
Think of it--life back in a
body that sought oblivion. It's
uncanny--the possibilities
terrify me.
Meirschultz is excited by
Maxwell's speech.
MEIRSCHULTZ
Not a word of this out. This is
only a step. Cases like this
have an element of doubt. I
want a victim with a shattered
heart. Yes, a heart--that can
be replaced by this beating
thing I have forced life back
into. Now for my supreme
accomplishment. Maxwell you
will get me such a victim.
21 CUT TO CU heart beating
in bottle.
22 TWO SHOT
MAXWELL
Not from the morgue. They'll
get suspicious.
Meirschultz grows more
excited.
MEIRSCHULTZ
I don't care where you get it!
From the morgue, the street--
the undertaker! But get one!
(whispers) The end will just-
ify the means.
23 Maxwell at door. He is
alarmed at the doctor's
eyes and excitement and
decides to be on his way.
24 CU Max at door.
Thinks out loud.
MAXWELL
The undertaker around the
corner. That gangster shot
today. Just the thing.
25 LS Exterior Robinson's
mortuary on Washington
Street. Just a large, brown
house, with sign. Shoot
down to basement window.
26 A basement window--
Maxwell opens it and
climbs in very stealthily.
27 Interior basement mortuary.
Complete darkness, except
beam from small window
shining on hazy outline of
table with stiff on it.
28 CU Max tiptoing to table,
his figure rather crouched
and looking very fearful.
29 CU Maxwell's head--
glances around as if he
fears a presence.
30 CUT to cat fight outside--
one cat runs and other follows.
31 They jump thru basement window.
32 They scoot across floor under
Maxwell's legs--frightening
him so he knocks over body
with frightful clatter and he
dashes out of the basement.
33 Street from mortuary to
Meirschultz--Maxwell is
running as if pursued.
34 Meirschultz' lab--Maxwell
enters excitedly. His expres-
sion is one of fear and terror.
Impatiently.
MEIRSCHULTZ
Where is it?
Very breathless and excited.
MAXWELL
(gasps) I--couldn't get--it--
35 CU face of Meirschultz--he
is very angry and glares at
Maxwell contemptuously.
MEIRSCHULTZ
Coward--
36 Then Meirschultz cools off
and paces up and down with
Maxwell watching as if not
knowing what might happen.
Suddenly, Meirschultz stops
in front of Maxwell.
You fool! You have failed me
in the greatest moment of my
life!
Then Meirschultz goes on
walking. Maxwell still watches,
fascinated (build up).
37 CU Meirschultz' hands taking
gun from drawer as we hear
his voice.
I have it! You have seen my
powers. You have worked
with me! You have faith in
me!
38 TWO SHOT--Meirschultz
hands gun to Maxwell.
Take this--take your life. I
will give it back to you. You
know I can!
Meirschultz is exultant.
My beating heart shall live
in your body--think of it--
39 Gleam appears in
his eye--CU.
Live!
40 Maxwell thinks the doctor
is mad--takes gun auto-
matically.
41 Turns around and looks at
42 it, then whisks around facing
the doctor, gun pointed.
43 CU hand--fingers pulling
trigger.
(shots)
44 TWO SHOT--Meirschultz falls
to floor. Maxwell drops gun,
goes over to doctor, looks him
over, realizes the doctor is dead.
45 CU Maxwell--whispers on
knees, beside body.
MAXWELL
Murder! Ugh.
Slowly the realization dawns
on him; his remorse is turned
to fear and terror.
Murderer--and of my bene-
factor--horrible--how could
I?
Questioning.
[What will I do? I must bring
him back. But can I?] You
should live--you have so
much to give the world. But
has he? Why should the
unconscious peace of the dead
be disturbed?
Decisive.
Isn't the spark that moves
the maggot the self-same
spark that moves the man?
Preserving that spark in
the individual is not
important. What we do with
the spark while we have it
is important.
Conclusive.
[In Meirschultz, the spark
is gone. In Maxwell, it lives.
Still, Meirschultz was great.
Maxwell was nobody. Meirschultz
could bring life back. Why
couldn't I?
Buckley saw that body--if he
tells the police--no they
wouldn't believe him. Well,]
they might--they would
search this place--they--
mustn't--find him dead. I
must bring him back. I'll find
that formula and use the beat-
ing heart.
46 Maxwell goes thru
letters and papers
before making
dash for liberty.
Among them, he
finds:
47 INSERT:
"By the use of XDSQ formula
in injection into spine, violent
superadrenal criminals can be
made completely docile ...
48 Maxwell.
MAXWELL
The formula for restoring life
must be here. [Nothing to
bring him back. But--this
may come in handy.
I'd better hide him.]
49 Doorbell rings and Maxwell
decides to answer it to avert
suspicion. He shoves the
body into Maria's room.
50 The above formula paper
drops on floor.
51 Doctor's waiting room. Max-
well opens door. A woman is
standing there rather excited.
MRS. BUCKLEY
Dr. Meirschultz, please.
MAXWELL
He isn't here.
She thinks the doctor is just
busy working and will see
her if it is important enough.
MRS.BUCKLEY
That's terrible. It's so very
urgent. Will you tell him that
Mr. Buckley is having posi-
tively alarming hallucinations.
Why, he thinks he's the orang-
utang murderer in Poe's "Mur-
ders of the Rue Morgue." Tell
the doctor I must have some
definite help.
I'll go get him and bring him
back.
She rushes off.
MAXWELL
No--No--don't do that--
Mrs. Buckley is out of sight.
52 Maxwell turns--goes back to
lab, thinking, locking door
before going back.
MAXWELL
Meirschultz would be missed.
Inspired.
Maxwell never would.
Maxwell glances around
and sees makeup case.
53 CUT TO CU makeup case.
54 CUT TO Maxwell with case
and then
55 CUT TO fades of his changes
into Meirschultz. Beard,
heavy eyebrows, graying
hair, etc.
56 When completed, he takes
one long look in mirror and
swells with pride.
MAXWELL
Not only do I look like Meir-
schultz--I AM Meirschultz.
I will be a great man.
56a CUT TO CU dead Meirschultz,
eyes staring. Maxwell's
hands enter scene and pull
down the lids.
FADE OUT
57 INSERT: Door--
"MISSING PERSONS DETAIL
Captain H.W. Jones"
58 CUT TO Jones' office.
(phone rings)
He is sitting at desk,
talking on phone. Two
officers lolling about.
JONES (on phone)
Yes, speaking.
Puts hand over mouthpiece
and motions to one officer.
(to officer)
Take this down.
58 INTERIOR--JONES' OFFICE.
Coroner, Jones and 1st
embalmer--Mike.
Jones is puzzled.
JONES
You say the corpse of a young
woman was stolen.
Also puzzled.
CORONER
Yes. It sure has me puzzled.
Mike thought I took it out.
Mike quickly
tries to justify
himself.
MIKE
Sure and I would have swore
it was the coroner himself--
JONES
There must have been a
strong resemblance--?
MIKE
The dead image! And talked
like him too.
JONES
Oh, then you were speaking
with the coroner--?
Quickly explanatory--
MIKE
No--He was a-talkin' to an old
fella looked like Santa Claus--
like I said to Jake--
Mike laughs
here like he did in
the morgue, then,
seeing Jones' stern
face breaks off
suddenly--
Anyway, he had a beard. And
busy hair 'n 'n eyes kinda
wild.
Half to himself--
It musta been two other
fellas.
Jones thinks of
Meirschultz but
does not commit
himself.
JONES
Could you identify the man if
you saw him again?
MIKE
I wouldn't swear to anything
now--since I was so sure it
was the coroner.
Jones has been
thinking and turns
to the coroner.
JONES
Mike's description sounds like
your friend Meirschultz. Have
you seen the doctor lately?
Belittles this
suspicion as of
no consequence.
CORONER
Whuh, Dr. Meirschultz is a
great research scientist. Why,
he has formulated some ama-
zing methods for preserving
gland extracts in their most
potent state. He's no body
snatcher.
JONES
Well, doctors and scientists
often have something queer in
their minds. Anyway, I'll look
into it.
Jones rises.
CORONER
Go easy, Jones. I wouldn't
like to offend the doctor--
Ushering them out.
JONES
Don't worry. I won't embar-
rass you.
Jones walks back to his
desk a bit puzzled. Picks
up letter--
Picks up inter-
office phone and
presses buzzer.
JONES
Collins, see if you have any-
thing on Don Maxwell, last
heard from in this city.
Impersonations in vaudeville.
Officer nods assent.
(into phone)
Body of Maria Altura, suicide
was stolen from the morgue.
Thief impersonated the coro-
ner. Party with him looked
like Dr. Meirschultz. Yes, I'll
look into it before anything is
done formally.
Hangs up receiver.
(to officer)
Boy, that's a hot one--and a
new one--it used to be getting
rid of the body, but now
they're stealing them.
59 CUT TO LAB--Maxwell.
(doorbell rings)
Doorbell rings again. Max
peeks to see who it is before
opening. He turns the
lights low.
60 CUT TO Ext. Doctor's house--Mrs.
Buckley ringing bell. Mr.
Buckley is with her. Maxwell
opens door.
61 CUT TO interior office--same
door--over Maxwell's shoulder.
MRS.BUCKLEY
Here he is, doctor.
Max takes it.
He invites them in.
62 Office.
MAXWELL
Come in--(to Buckley) You
are looking well, Mr. Buckley.
What seems to be troubling
you?
Buckley is very
sullen.
BUCKLEY
Nothing is troubling me. I
seem to be troubling everyone
else.
Maxwell tries to
be affable.
MAXWELL
I wouldn't feel that way. Let's
talk it over.
Turns to Mrs. Buckley.
(to Mrs. Buckley)
How often does he have these
spells?
MRS.BUCKLEY
They are becoming more fre-
quent. The last ones have
been less than a week apart.
MAXWELL
That is bad--let me see. Did
we X-ray his head for pituit-
ary pressure?
MRS. BUCKLEY
Oh yes. Don't you remember?
You suggested operating after
you completed your new
experiment. But, really, doc-
tor, I am afraid to wait much
longer.
Maxwell is worried about this
situation, not wanting to take
responsibility.
MAXWELL
Well, you know, we hate to
operate on these cases. It's so
delicate an operation and I
have been awfully busy.
(to Buckley)
You are willing, of course, to
sign the necessary papers that
you undergo this operation at
your own responsibility.
MRS. BUCKLEY
Of course, James wants to be
cured.
Buckley is angry.
BUCKLEY
Who said I did? Always
scheming to try to get me to
sign papers. You're trying to
get rid of me--that's what--
Soothingly but relieved.
MAXWELL
Now, never mind, Mr.Buckley.
Nothing will be done that you
are not entirely in accord
with.
MRS.BUCKLEY
He always seems to feel some-
one is trying to take advan-
tage of him.
To Buckley he
gives a look of
appeal as he says
MAXWELL
I'll give him a shot to relieve
the nerve tension. It may
help him. We'll try that first.
Maxwell is anxious
to get rid of them.
63 Meirschultz' lab. Maxwell
puts water into hypo. Glances
in direction of door with body.
64 CU DOOR
65 Max lays hypo down on
table.
MAXWELL (to himself)
Water--that'll do him no
harm and I'll be rid of them.
66 CU table, showing hypo laying
next to the one used on Maria.
Buckley's hypo rolls off on
floor. Maxwell's fingers take
other hypo.
67 Maxwell with hypo.
MAXWELL (calls)
Come in here, please.
Buckleys enter.
68 Max bares Buckley's arm
and gives him a shot.
MAXWELL
There now, you'll feel better--
His expression
grows a little wild.
BUCKLEY
Ugh.
69 Mrs. Buckley tries to
soothe Buckley.
MRS.BUCKLEY
Don't excite yourself, James.
Be calm.
70 Instead of growing quieter,
Buckley becomes enraged.
BUCKLEY
Slipping. Creeping. It's ter-
rible. I can't stand it--
71 Slowly he assumes the
attitude of ape man.
MRS.BUCKLEY
Doctor, he seems worse
instead of better. What was
in that hypo?
72 Buckley starts to rave, and
during this speech becomes
ape man.
BUCKLEY
Pouring into my blood--darts
of fire stabbing my brain--
agonizing--I can't stand this
--torment--torture--I can't
stand it--I won't stand it.
He runs amuck
and begins fight
with Mrs. Buckley
and Maxwell.
73 CUT TO Maria comes thru door,
stepping over Meirschultz' feet
visible thru open door, leaves
door open and wanders into
laboratory in a daze.
74 Buckley knocks Max over by
table and Maxwell sees hypo
on floor.
75 CU Max sees hypo.
MAXWELL
What was in that hypo?
76 Buckley throws Mrs. Buckley
across room by open door
where body is. He spies
Maria, grabs her and leaves
the room.
77 Mrs. Buckley bending over
Meirschultz body. She looks
up, horrified.
Very excited.
MRS.BUCKLEY
What's this? He's dead! [Call
the police!] Doctor, what have
you done? This looks like
murder.
78 Max is agitated. He feels
he will be undone completely.
MAXWELL
No, no--not murder--my
assistant--he shot himself.
MRS.BUCKLEY
Shot himself? When? Why I
just saw him an hour ago.
Why didn't you call the
police?
Maxwell thinks fast
and talks jerkily.
MAXWELL
No, not the police. I wanted to
bring him back to life. I
wanted to experiment on him.
In fact, I must. I can restore
him.
79 Mrs. Buckley looks
accusingly, then
picks up paper
Max had dropped.
MRS.BUCKLEY
You murdered your assistant,
just to experiment on him.
80 Reads paper.
Dr. Meirschultz, I've often
heard of your uncanny exper-
iments, but this tops them all.
But, I think we speak the
same language--am I right?
MAXWELL
Well, I don't know just what
you mean--the same language.
MRS.BUCKLEY
We have a common interest.
When you bring your assistant
back to life, his mind will do
as you direct. You can do
that to Buckley too--
To herself says:
And he will do as I direct.
81 She picks up telephone.
MAXWELL
What are you going to do?
MRS. BUCKLEY
I'm going to call the police.
MAXWELL
No, you can't do that--they'll
get suspicious--
MRS.BUCKLEY
Hm--with Buckley loose,
they'll get suspicious if we
don't call them.
82 Mrs. Buckley telephones.
MRS.BUCKLEY
Police Department? This is
Dr. Meirschultz' office. An
epileptic patient just escaped
while here for treatment.
Maxwell listens
to her explana-
tion with wonder.
He imagines himself a monkey.
He may frighten people ...
Please notify me immediately
... oh, no, he isn't dangerous.
83 Hangs up phone.
MAXWELL
Why did you tell them that?
You know he is dangerous!
Mrs. Buckley is still angry.
MRS.BUCKLEY
The police will notify you as
soon as they capture him ...
Now, it's up to you to get him
away from the police without
arousing suspicion.
Maxwell becomes alarmed.
They are closing in on him.
The police are involved.
Mrs. Buckley leaves, saying
MRS.BUCKLEY
As soon as they call, let me
know.
84 After she is gone, Maxwell
inspects the body--looks at
heart.
85 CU heart in bottle.
86
MAXWELL
Buckley saw that body. The
police--if they come--I must
bring him back. I must find
that formula.
87 Goes to papers and digs out
notations at last on restor-
ing life. He reads intently.
INSERT: formula
88 OUTER OFFICE--waiting room.
Goof at door to see doctor.
Sound of bell.
GOOF
Howdy do, Doctor. A couple
of my cats got away--did ya
see 'em?
MAXWELL
Why, of course not. What
would I want with your cats.
GOOF
I knew ya didn't want 'em.
Still, I thought ya mighta used
'em for some experiments.
MAXWELL
Me-cats-never-oh-ah-
Unconsciously
he looks quest-
ioning--Then
recovering
That is, I think too much of
Satan to use cats for experi-
ments.
GOOF
That's what I thought. No
harm meant, doctor--
Goof leaves.
89 CUT TO Satan sneaking along
and dragging out heart and
starting to eat it.
89a Maxwell returns and discovers
Satan devouring the heart.
MAXWELL
What am I going to do. The
police will be here any minute.
I must dispose of the body.
I'll hide it--I'll burn it--no, I
can't do that--ah, the basement.
90 BASEMENT. Maxwell is
looking for a spot to hide
the body.
91 CU niche in brick wall.
92 He tears a few bricks out.
93 Turns to go back upstairs
and sees Satan watching
him--the gleam appears
in Satan's eyes.
MAXWELL
Satan--the gleam--you vic-
ious wretch! Stand between
me and salvation, will you--
94 Maxwell lunges at cat, think-
ing the cat has Meirschultz'
eyes and gouges one eye out.
(yowls of cat)
94a CU eye in his hand.
MAXWELL
Why, it's not unlike an oyster
--or a grape--(smiles--
laughs)
Perplexed.
But the gleam is gone.
95 Satan jumps thru window.
96 LABORATORY--Maxwell
drags body out.
97 BASEMENT--Maxwell dragging
body and putting it behind
partially torn down wall.
98 Building under construction.
Max is stealing cement.
99 BASEMENT--Wall nearly com-
plete. He runs out of cement
on his trowel and crosses room.
99a CUT TO limb of trees rubbing
against roof.
100 Satan jumps in with Meir-
schultz body.
101 Maxwell returns and closes wall.
FADE OUT
102 Jones' office. Jones at desk.
Buckley is brought in by an
officer.
OFFICER
Picked him up stealing food.
Seems to be a little off.
Hated to lock him up till you
had a look at him.
Buckley acts very sullen
thru all this scene.
JONES (to Buckley)
What's the matter? Are you
ill?
BUCKLEY
No-
JONES
Who are you? What is your
name?
BUCKLEY
I don't know, [I tell you].
Phone rings.
102a Jones picks up phone.
Show various facial expres-
sions during this conversation
to put this over.
JONES
Yes ... hmm ... You say
she hasn't been dead an
hour? Send up the officer
that brought her in.
Hangs up phone.
102b
JONES
What made you steal? Are
you hungry?
BUCKLEY
No--I don't want to give any
money. Everybody wants
money--I'm not going to give
any money.
JONES
Who wants your money--
maybe I can help you.
BUCKLEY
Maybe you want my money,
too.
Very friendly.
JONES
No, I don't want money. I
only want to find out who
you are and where you live.
My business is finding peo-
ple. Not taking their money.
BUCKLEY
You--a friend to me?
JONES
Why, yes, to you, Mr.--Mr.
--what?
BUCKLEY
I don't know--I can't tell--
Jones indicates pencil
and paper on desk.
JONES
Try him writing. Amnesia
victims will often write what
they can't say.
103 Excited.
OFFICER
Mr. Jones, I have news about
that corpse.
Jones motions for
him to be quiet.
JONES (to officer)
Just a moment--
104 To Buckley.
How would you like to write
some spelling for me? Maybe
I can help you. Sit down and
write what I tell you--will
you?
Buckley responds to Jones'
very human treatment.
105 BUCKLEY
[Oh--all right.] (Mumbles--)
JONES
Write "boy," "school,"
"house," "home," "father,"
"his name," "born," "my
name is--"
Buckley writes all these words
but when it comes to his name
he writes "James--Chicago,"
then stops short.
Officer enters room.
BUCKLEY
No, no! I won't sign any pa-
pers. You can't make me--
JONES
Hm--pressure--
To Buckley.
That's all right. We'll talk
later.
To officer.
Let him rest.
To 2nd officer.
So, you found the body stolen
from the morgue?
2ND OFFICER
Imagine--she was alive.
What a horror. Could have
been buried alive. She must
have run away from the
morgue.
JONES
Never mind your theories.
Was she ever conscious?
2ND OFFICER
Just before she died she came
to--
JONES
Did she talk?
2ND OFFICER
Said "doctor"--[something]
JONES
[Was it] "Meirschultz"?
[2ND OFFICER
How did you know?]
106 Buckley jumps at the name.
Seems to be going into
another spell. He looks
terrible.
107 BUCKLEY
Dr. Meirschultz--he's the
one-
Jones is alarmed.
Buckley starts
turning to ape man.
JONES
Tell me, just what you know
of Dr. Meirschultz.
BUCKLEY
Papers--they all want me to
sign papers.
JONES
Dr. Meirschultz, too?
108 Buckley is very excited
and starts to have spell.
BUCKLEY
Yes--I can't stand it--
everybody wants papers--
oh, oh (starts to growl)
JONES
Take him to the psychopathic
hospital.
Officers take Buckley out,
leaving Jones alone.
JONES (to himself)
It looks as though I'd better
look in at Dr. Meirschultz.
109 EXTERIOR neighborhood of lab.
Collins walks down street and
encounters woman sweeping off
front steps. Collins stops.
COLLINS
Do you know a Dr. Meir-
schultz and his assistant,
Don Maxwell?
110 Woman stops sweeping and
leans on broom.
WOMAN
Sure--they're sorta queer,
I'd say. They's lots of queer
goings on up there. They
even brought a dog back to
life once.
COLLINS
That sounds to me very
remarkable.
WOMAN
It may be, but to my notion,
those that monkeys with
what they got no business to
get queer sooner or later.
COLLINS
Maybe you're right.
WOMAN
I know I am. Why, I even
heard a shot up there last
night.
COLLINS
Why didn't you notify the
police?
Starts to sweep vigorously.
WOMAN
That's their business--not
mine.
111 EXTERIOR.
Jones leaves and goes to
cat farm. Goof has bunch
of cats around and nods
to Jones.
JONES
I understand from your
neighbors that all [them] cats
are making noise at night.
Dr. Meirschultz has put in a
complaint.
GOOF
He's been stealing my cats to
experiment on [them]. I know
cause I've been [watching]
spying on him.
JONES
[Lot of] How many cats you
have--what's the matter--
rats?
GOOF
Yeah--thousands, and right
in my back yard.
Jones takes this.
JONES
Thousands?
GOOF
Sure, got thousand cats, too.
Look at 'em--
Points to cages of cats.
Jones points to
Dr.'s house.
JONES
What' s the idea [of wanting so
many] do you sell them [to
the doctor]?
GOOF
Oh, no. It's my own idea. I'm
in the business. In the fur
business.
JONES
Oh, I see. Cats' fur.
GOOF
That's it. You get it quick.
JONES
But where do the rats come
in?
GOOF
You're not as quick as I
thought. I figgered out that
rats breed faster than cats--
cat skins make good fur--
The cats eat rats. Rats eat
raw meat. That is, they eat
the carcasses of the cats. So
--the cats eat the rats--the
rats eat the cats. And I get
the skins--simple ain't it?
Jones is astonished at the
Goof's simple logic.
(mouths this)
JONES
Cats eat rats--(nods)
(aloud)
But, rats eating cats--that's
news.
[But, tell me, doesn't the doc-
tor object to all this?
GOOF
Oh, him. He has a cat of his
own. But his assistant--he's
the cat-hatenest man I ever
saw. Goofy, if ya ast me.]
JONES
By the way--did you hear a
shot last night?
Scratches his head.
GOOF
Maybe. I don't know.
112 Jones walks away,
shaking his head.
[JONES
If I want any information I'd
better go to the doctor him-
self.]
113 Waiting room (office).
Jones with Maxwell.
JONES
I'm detective Jones. Just
dropped in to tell you a bit of
news.
MAXWELL
You found Buckley?
114 Jones is watching Max closely
as he tells the following.
JONES
Not exactly. He has been
seen, though. And not far
from here. There is also a
report that he has been seen
carrying a woman. That's
fantastic, though, as no one
has reported a woman
missing.
115 Maxwell swallows.
MAXWELL
That is a mystery.
116 TWO SHOT--observing.
JONES
By the way, where is your
assistant?
MAXWELL
Oh, Maxwell? He's left.
117 CUT TO INTERIOR--hotel bedroom.
Four show girls; Alice Maxwell;
Marvel, acrobat; Maizie, in bath;
Jo;--business with vibrator.
MARVEL
Hey, Maizie, we know you're
hard boiled. You don't have
to stay in the water thirty
minutes to prove it.
MAIZIE
Aw--let me alone. I may
not be decent, but I'm sure
gonna be clean.
Alice in vibrator.
ALICE
Say, if anyone is entitled to
first place in that bathroom,
it should be me. Didn't I
sign the register and welcome
you as secret guests? Why,
if it wasn't for nervy little
Alice--
118 Maizie comes in
with towel and
grabs kimono.
you'd all be sinking your
weary bones into the soft
recesses of a park bench.
With light, fleecy coverlets
119 Maizie takes glass
tomato juice from
Jo and picks up
newspaper.
made by the great American
press.
JO
Press--that reminds me. I
have pressing business.
MAIZIE
Here's one for the book. A
sandwich man pounding pave-
ments. Walks into a wallet
with forty-two grand in it.
JO
I'd like to find that man--
MARVEL
Maybe we could sandwich
him in--huh?
120 Marvel leaves for bath.
MAIZIE
Can you imagine--the
darned fool turned it in.
MARVEL
His head must have been a
jelly bean--instead of the
way they thought it was.
121 Alice stops vibrator.
ALICE
Well, it sure was soft, all
right. But would it be soft to
land on to forty-two grand.
122 TWO SHOT--Maizie and Marvel.
MAIZIE
Yeah--but listen. After he
turned it in, people made
such a fuss over him that he
went "nutty." Thought he
was the Almighty in person.
MARVEL
So, that's what being honest
gets ya. A nice soft padded
cell in the bughouse.
123 Alice starts vibrator.
ALICE
La Cucuracha--la cocka-
roacha...
124 Marvel gives Alice a push.
MARVEL
[Pushin' all jokes aside.] It is
pretty tough. Imagine the
poor guy. I'll bet nobody no-
ticed him all his life. And
then--say, wasn't there
some guy in history that
spent his life looking for an
honest man?
JO
Sure--but in his day, men
were men. Today, they're
too scared to be anything but
honest.
ALICE
But a brave man can sure get
away with plenty.
125 FULL SHOT
Goes on looking over paper.
MAIZIE
Say, you musta been readin'
the papers. Or maybe you
been drinking "crazy water"
and your head's Wrigley. Be
yourself, Alice, playing the
heavy heavy don't suit you.
ALICE
It's getting me down--always
broke--never a break.
JO
Why don't you ditch that ham
and pick yourself a rich
husband?
ALICE
Rich husband--I've heard
they do come that way--but
not often.
MARVEL
Often enough--but not our
way.
ALICE
The girl has brains. We don't
need to put a zipper on her
skull to prove it either.
Jo smiles, but Maizie is
intent on an item in
Variety. Her eyes widen.
126 She waves the paper and shouts.
MAIZIE
Alice! Listen to this--Don
Maxwell, personality imper-
sonator, gets lucky break.
JO
Why, that's your husband,
ain't it?
127 Alice is very excited--
runs over to look on.
ALICE
Pipe down--let her read it,
will you?
MAIZIE
"By queer quirk of fate, actor
falls heir to Australian estate.
This paper is trying to find
him. He used to be around in
vaudeville days, but we have
not heard much of him lately.
Well, more power to you,
Don. We thought some day
you'd impersonate the right
guy."
MARVEL
The lucky ham--from now
on he'll have the company of
a good egg.
JO
Will wonders ever cease? Our
little Alice in Wonderland--
ALICE
I'm in wonderland, all right--
wondering if that ham's
around. Say--I wonder if
he's still with that goofy
professor.
(knock on door)
MAIZIE
Scram for cover--who is it?
MAN'S VOICE
It's me-
Maizie opens the door.
MAIZIE
Aw, nothing but old music in
the ear. The chorus girl's
bunion producer.
Young man enters.
MARVEL
Well, what's news from the
front?
YOUNG MAN
Front, my eye--it's the firing
line. Show's closed.
MAIZIE
In the woids of Walter Win-
chell--"There are three kinds
of actors--those on the
screen, those on the radio
and those on their ears"--
well back to the fan dance for
Maizie.
JO
Well, it may be the bread line
for us--but Alice don't have
to worry. She's struck it rich
--But I'm nothin but a nothin.
To Alice.
YOUNG MAN
About time--after all that
digging.
ALICE
You bet, and I'm off to a fly-
ing star. (Mae West gag)
Now you can all come up and
see me some time--
127a CU JO with bathsalts.
JO
Say, when do I take these
bath salts--before or after
my bath?
128 JONES' OFFICE--Jones
questions Mrs. Buckley.
Very easy manner.
JONES
Your husband seems to be
harassed about something.
Are you aware of it?
Much the dutiful
wife--put on
for Jones.
MRS.BUCKLEY
Oh, indeed. I am very anx-
ious to have him cured. Dr.
Meirschultz has been hand-
ling the case.
Slow questioning.
JONES
So I understand. Has the
doctor treated him for--
A little exasper-
ated at Jones'
slowness. Very sweet.
MRS. BUCKLEY
Pressure on his brain. It can
be easily removed and all
James' worries will be over.
Oh, I will be so happy.
JONES
Do you realize your husband
is in a dangerous condition?
Has Dr. Meirschultz tried any
new theories on him?
Very explanatory
--her sweetest
manner.
MRS. BUCKLEY
Oh no. Not on my husband.
He has a theory about glands
as stimulants. Why, he has
brought dead animals back to
life. He has performed some
amazing experiments.
Fully for their effect.
JONES
Mrs. Buckley, do you realize
that you are shielding a
murderer--?
She is scared stiff. Wants
to shield Meirschultz but
wants to save herself
from any complicity.
MRS. BUCKLEY
Why--er--what do you
mean by that--why, Dr.
Meirschultz--
Takes it when she says
"Dr. Meirschultz." He
watches carefully as he
says the following
JONES
No, not Meirschultz. Your
husband had a dying woman
in his arms when found.
MRS. BUCKLEY
Oh, surely, the doctor can
explain that. My husband is
innocent. You ask the doctor.
JONES
Tell me exactly what hap-
pened when your husband
left Dr. Meirschultz.
She tells this
fable carefully careless.
MRS. BUCKLEY
He didn't want to sign the
necessary papers to enter a
hospital proper. The first
thing I knew he had the most
terrible spell he has ever
had. And before the doctor
could help him--there was so
much confusion I fainted.
When I came to he was gone.
Very careful questioning.
JONES
Then he did not take the
young lady with him?
Trying to save
Buckley to get
him out.
MRS. BUCKLEY
He may have. I think I did
see her then. You had bet-
ter ask the doctor. He can
tell you exactly what she died
of--you'll find she wasn't
murdered--
Ushers Mrs.
Buckley out.
JONES
I'm sure we can straighten
this out. You have been very
helpful. Thank you.
129 MAXWELL
I didn't have anything to do
with it. They could not
understand why he had not
been confined long ago. You
knew he was dangerous. So
did they.
MRS. BUCKLEY
You can't double-cross me
like that. You were to help
me. You were to operate on
him. You were going to put
him under my power.
MAXWELL
Not so fast, Mrs. Buckley.
That was your idea!
MRS.BUCKLEY
Say, what's made you so
cocky?
Ushers her to door.
MAXWELL
I have a plan--I would like
you to help me carry out. Be
here at eight tonight.
130 EXTERIOR Meirschultz.
Alice comes up walk--looks
Mrs. Buckley over and swings
up to door. Jones is still
concealed.
MAXWELL
Did you wish to see someone?
ALICE
I understand my husband is--
your assistant. May I see
him please?
Stalling.
MAXWELL
Ah--he isn't here now.
Very dismayed.
ALICE
You mean he doesn't work
for you?
MAXWELL
No, not exactly. Why the
great anxiety? It must be
something important.
ALICE
It is--you know what a
struggle he's had.
MAXWELL
Indeed, he has often told me.
131 Enlarging to make the doctor
feel her importance. Her
eyes grow large and Max
looks intently at her.
ALICE
He's inherited a fortune.
MAXWELL
You say a fortune. He never
spoke to me of any rich
relatives.
ALICE
He hardly knew of them him-
self. I believe it was his
uncle in Australia.
MAXWELL
I am certainly glad to hear it.
I know he'll be pleased.
ALICE
Don't tell him. I want to be
the first to bring him the
news.
MAXWELL
That's only natural. Maxwell
will be here around eight
tonight.
ALICE
Okay--I'll be here at eight.
She goes out door.
132 Jones wanders casually in to
office. Max starts--nervous.
JONES
How do you do.
MAXWELL
Well, news of Buckley?
JONES
Yeah, he was picked up--
also the body from the
morgue. Say, what did you
have to do with stealing that
body?
MAXWELL
Why, Buckley stole that body.
That's what alarmed Mrs.
Buckley so. I have been try-
ing to get her to put Buckley
in an institution but she
wants to keep him.
JONES
So--that's it. Buckley took
the body.
Maxwell beams, thinking he
is safe with that story.
MAXWELL
Yes indeed. He has been a
difficult case. Now that you
have him in custody--you
have him haven't you?
JONES
Oh, yes, he's in good hands
now.
MAXWELL
Fine. Mrs. Buckley will be all
right when she gets used to
the idea.
JONES
Do you have many patients,
doctor?
MAXWELL
Oh no. Mostly research in
endocrinology.
JONES
Mind if I look around?
Seems to me you have car-
ried on some interesting
experiments.
Sure of himself
but taking no
chances.
MAXWELL
Sure, I'll take you thru.
133 OMIT
134 They walk thru.
135 Advance to basement steps--
door.
JONES
What's down there?
MAXWELL
Oh, just the basement. Some
day I intend to build an
experimental laboratory down
there. It will save me from
intrusion.
JONES
I'd like to have a look.
136 They go down--look around
but Jones sees nothing.
JONES
Where did you say your
assistant went?
Max is nervous. Does not
know what to answer.
MAXWELL
He? Oh, he's away for a
while. He'll be back, though.
137 OFFICE.
JONES
Thanks. I'll be seeing you.
138 To himself.
[MAXWELL
Not if I can help it.]
139 Max is alone.
MAXWELL
The gleam--it was in Meir-
schultz' eyes when he wanted
to murder me. It was in
Mrs. Buckley's eyes when she
wanted to murder her hus-
band. Alice had that gleam
in her eye when she wanted
to find me. She'd murder
me. That's what she wants
to do. I must get rid of her
--but how--Mrs. Buckley--
she will help. She must
help--
He picks up phone.
Mrs. Buckley, we are being
investigated. The police are
suspicious of you ... you
are withholding information.
... I think I have a way out.
Come over right away.
140 Meirschultz lab.
Mrs. Buckley has arrived.
She is very excited.
MRS. BUCKLEY
We must get him out or we
are lost.
Maxwell watches her eyes
while she talks.
MAXWELL
You are right. But before I
can get him back here, you
will have to help me.
MRS. BUCKLEY
How? What can I do?
141 Maxwell fixes hypo, filling
it from formula. Looks at
formula, then at bottles.
MAXWELL
[Something very important. I
have been threatened;] Mrs.
Maxwell, my assistant's wife,
is crazy. She thinks I mur-
dered her husband. [She
wants to murder me.] I want
you to help me quiet her--
give her a shot from this
hypo. [Keep it hid till we get
her] down in the basement--
there is a secret vault [there].
We will put her there till we
get your husband--[then turn
her over to the authorities.
Then we will both be free.]
MRS. BUCKLEY
It sounds all right, except for
the fact that she's crazy. It
seems to me she has the
right idea--(laughs).
MAXWELL
Oh, so you feel that way too
(he laughs).
Motions to other room.
Stay in there--I'll call you
when needed.
Mrs. Buckley goes in
to other room.
(door opens)
142 Alice enters. Maxwell comes
in and greets her. Motions
to chair.
He lets down on his voice.
MAXWELL
[Hello Alice.] I'm glad to see
you.
143 Alice recognizes voice.
ALICE
Gosh, you had me fooled.
MAXWELL
Sh--sh--I want to have a
few words with you quietly.
144 They go into laboratory.
ALICE
So--friendly or otherwise--?
MAXWELL
[Perfectly friendly, my dear.]
At last, I have really a secure
living for us. We can travel
or anything we choose.
ALICE
Then you knew of the
inheritance?
MAXWELL
Sure--I have one little job to
accomplish, then we can
leave together. No doubt you
are surprised at this disguise.
ALICE
No, I wouldn't be surprised at
anything from you.
Winningly.
MAXWELL
Now, honey--you are here in
time to help me and you can--
ALICE
I knew there was a catch in
this some place--but spill it.
Quiet and dramatic.
MAXWELL
In the other room, I have a
crazy woman that I have
been treating.
ALICE
Ha ha, you have been
treating.
MAXWELL
Quiet, will you? This is ser-
ious. Our lives are in danger.
ALICE
What do you mean "our"?
He demands her attention.
MAXWELL
That's what I said. Now, lis-
ten to me. I want you to
help me take this woman
down stairs. I will give her a
shot. You can take care of
her till I get help.
ALICE
How about me getting the
help. She's quiet now, isn't
she?
145 He is fixing a shot for Alice
to give to Mrs. Buckley.
MAXWELL
Yes, but she will break out
any minute. She is not
afraid of a woman. Just
push this into her arm. But
keep it hid, and all will be
well.
146 Goes over to door and calls
All right, Mrs. Buckley. We
will go down stairs. I have a
special treatment room there.
147 Maxwell stands back. Ushers
both women out in front of him.
He starts them down stairs.
He backs out and shuts them in
the basement where the sealed
up body of Meirschultz is.
(door closes)
MAXWELL
(laughs maniacally)
Stands with back
to door--hands
outstretched in back.
148 Basement--both women are
scared stiff.
149 Both eye each other fearfully.
Both think the other insane.
150 Both conceal hypos. They
watch for a chance.
151 Finally, tough Mrs. Buckley
makes lunge at Alice with hypo.
152 Alice screams.
(scream)
153 Mrs. Buckley takes it as sign
of insanity and ...
154 Puts hand over Alice's mouth.
155 Alice tries to free herself.
The fight is on.
156 Meirschultz' office. Jones
comes in with officer.
MAXWELL
You here again?
JONES
Yes. Mr. Buckley thinks you
treated him a little rough.
He's in the hospital. How
about it?
MAXWELL
Oh, nothing. He is crazy,
that's all. I had a little
trouble with him.
(muffled screams of woman)
JONES
What's that?
MAXWELL
(laughs) Oh, nothing. A cou-
ple of my patients having a
little argument.
(more screams)
157 Officer grabs Maxwell.
JONES
Take me down there.
MAXWELL
It won't do any good. They
are a pair of would-be mur-
deresses fighting it out.
JONES
Man, you're crazy. What
kind of a place is this?
MAXWELL
Oh, I'm crazy, am I? Let me
tell you something. Those
women have--the gleam--
JONES
Come on, we're wasting time.
158 Jones drags Maxwell down
stairs as the screams subside
and all is quiet for a moment.
The officer accompanies them.
159 The officer separates the
women and holds them.
160 CUT to wall con-
cealing cat and
Meirschultz.
(sound of cat meouwing.)
161 CUT to Jones looking at wall.
JONES
Say, what's behind that wall?
162 CUT to Maxwell.
MAXWELL
Take that cat away. That's
Satan--the murderous Satan.
The wretch that ate Meirschultz'
heart. He still has the gleam--
even in that loathesome one
eye. It watches me--that gleam--
that gleam--
163 All look at Maxwell, horrified.
164 CUT to Jones.
JONES
Quiet, doctor. What do you
mean by the "gleam"?
165 MAXWELL
The gleam--it haunts me.
Meirschultz had it. He knew
too much. He brought life
back to the dead. He had to
die. Satan had it. Mrs.
Buckley has it. She wanted
to kill her husband.
He points to Alice.
Alice wanted to kill me.
Thrashes arms wildly.
They all know too much--
want to know too much.
166 All but Jones are terror-
stricken. He holds Max
firmly.
ALICE
Listen to that! I wanted to
kill him, did I? Well, I should
have done it--the lousy ham.
(both women yell)
(cat meouws again)
167 During this time, Jones has
been edging nearer the wall
--motions to the officer to
handcuff Maxwell.
Jones then tears down wall
and out jumps Satan and the
doctor's body is revealed
(or rolls out on the floor).
MRS. BUCKLEY
It's the doctor! (turns to
Maxwell) Then, who is this?
168 Jones indicates Max.
JONES
Mrs. Maxwell, isn't this your
husband?
ALICE
I'm sorry to say--it is-- (or
"Yeah--what's left of him")
170 CUT to Maxwell raving
and gibbering. Officer
helps Jones.
JONES
Come on, Maxwell--
171 CU Maxwell with faces and
gleams darting thru his head,
especially Meirschultz' face.
MAXWELL
The gleam--the gleam--they
drove me to it! I tell you,
they drove me to it! I didn't
want to use my art for mur-
der or crime.
They drove me--with hun-
ger, with misery and humili-
ation. I only wanted to
amuse--to entertain--but
here I am--spent my life
perfecting an art that no one
wanted--no one appreciated
--I was good--I was able--
anyway, I showed them--Dr.
Meirschultz, a real imperso-
nation (laughs maniacally).
Meirschultz--my supreme
impersonation.
FINIS