WEBVTT 00:00:00.880 --> 00:00:26.760 And now, Mystery Theater. Come in. Welcome. I'm 00:00:26.760 --> 00:00:30.980 E .G. Marshall. Welcome to the terrifying world 00:00:30.980 --> 00:00:35.439 of your imagination. I have an unusual story 00:00:35.439 --> 00:00:39.600 for you about a crack in a cellar wall that resists 00:00:39.600 --> 00:00:44.219 all efforts to repair it. Despite all the learning 00:00:44.219 --> 00:00:47.679 through the ages, despite the world's great progress 00:00:47.679 --> 00:00:51.479 in physics, chemistry, biology, there are certain 00:00:51.479 --> 00:00:54.740 matters which cannot be explained by our computers 00:00:55.020 --> 00:01:00.159 or our wise men. Matters which may never have 00:01:00.159 --> 00:01:05.280 a logical explanation. Mr. Carroll, the contractor, 00:01:05.859 --> 00:01:08.659 was the first to admit that the crack in the 00:01:08.659 --> 00:01:12.780 wall was beyond him. I'm not a superstitious 00:01:12.780 --> 00:01:15.640 man, Mrs. Sanford, but something is happening 00:01:15.640 --> 00:01:19.939 here I can't explain. Look at that crack. Not 00:01:19.939 --> 00:01:21.840 a speck of mortar on it. Looks like it hadn't 00:01:21.840 --> 00:01:25.040 been touched in a hundred years. But I swear 00:01:25.040 --> 00:01:28.760 I closed it up, not five minutes ago. I swear 00:01:28.760 --> 00:01:36.000 it. That cold draft blowing from it. Like from 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:50.840 a tomb. Like from a tomb. Our mystery drama, 00:01:51.340 --> 00:01:54.230 The Crack in the Wall. was written especially 00:01:54.230 --> 00:01:57.049 for the Mystery Theatre by Sidney Sloan, and 00:01:57.049 --> 00:02:15.250 stars Celeste Holm. It was a cold, rainy, windy 00:02:15.250 --> 00:02:19.650 day when Paul and Nora Sanford laid their child 00:02:19.650 --> 00:02:24.180 to rest in Green Tree Cemetery. Despite all the 00:02:24.180 --> 00:02:27.259 soothing words of friends and relatives, Nora's 00:02:27.259 --> 00:02:31.919 despair was inconsolable. She felt that nothing 00:02:31.919 --> 00:02:35.639 could ease the pain in her heart caused by the 00:02:35.639 --> 00:02:42.120 loss of her only child. Our Father, who art in 00:02:42.120 --> 00:02:49.180 heaven, hallowed be thy name. My baby. Why did 00:02:49.180 --> 00:02:53.259 you have to die? Nora, darling, please. Our religion 00:02:53.259 --> 00:02:56.580 teaches us that God in His infinite wisdom... 00:02:56.580 --> 00:02:59.460 Don't speak these empty words to me. I accepted 00:02:59.460 --> 00:03:02.460 that because it never touched me before. I never 00:03:02.460 --> 00:03:07.080 thought of it. But our daughter, our beautiful 00:03:07.080 --> 00:03:12.819 innocent child, is 16. Why? One does not question 00:03:12.819 --> 00:03:16.400 these matters, Nora. I do question. But the first 00:03:16.400 --> 00:03:20.039 time in my life I questioned, I would do anything, 00:03:21.039 --> 00:03:23.400 anything to bring my Ruth back to this world. 00:03:23.639 --> 00:03:26.520 Nora, please. Now you know that's impossible. 00:03:26.740 --> 00:03:31.680 Why? Why? Because our little girl Ruth is dead. 00:03:32.039 --> 00:03:35.379 Burnt to death. Nothing you can do or say or 00:03:35.379 --> 00:03:58.879 who can change that. First chance I've had to 00:03:58.879 --> 00:04:00.879 take a look at it today. The minister was here 00:04:00.879 --> 00:04:03.620 today, Dr. Fowler. Say he wanted to see our new 00:04:03.620 --> 00:04:06.840 house. New? This house is over a hundred years 00:04:06.840 --> 00:04:11.439 old. Well, new for us, he meant. Just an excuse 00:04:11.439 --> 00:04:14.280 to come here, actually. He wanted to know why 00:04:14.280 --> 00:04:15.960 I hadn't been to church the last several months. 00:04:16.579 --> 00:04:19.779 What did you tell him? Oh, I don't know. It was 00:04:19.779 --> 00:04:23.319 awkward. I said I'd be back next Sunday. Made 00:04:23.319 --> 00:04:27.019 some excuse about not having felt well lately. 00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:30.180 Well, I'm glad. About my going back to church? 00:04:30.420 --> 00:04:33.199 Yes. But more important than that, it means that 00:04:33.199 --> 00:04:35.399 you're getting over this depression, getting 00:04:35.399 --> 00:04:37.540 out into the world again, beginning to forget. 00:04:38.819 --> 00:04:44.240 No. No, you're wrong, Paul. I'll never get over 00:04:44.240 --> 00:04:47.139 wanting my little girl back with me. I'll never 00:04:47.139 --> 00:04:50.920 forget. Please believe me, Nora, I loved Ruth, 00:04:51.000 --> 00:04:54.600 too. But I accept the fact that she's gone from 00:04:54.600 --> 00:05:00.480 us forever. I'll never accept that. Oh, by the 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:02.779 way, now I remember what I wanted to remind you 00:05:02.779 --> 00:05:08.180 about. What? It's about that crack in the cellar 00:05:08.180 --> 00:05:10.819 wall right in front of the washer and dryer. 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:14.300 There's a terrible draft that comes from it. 00:05:14.379 --> 00:05:18.540 There's no crack there, Nora. No crack? I thought 00:05:18.540 --> 00:05:20.540 I'd get rheumatism from the cold draft when I 00:05:20.540 --> 00:05:23.240 did the washing today. It hit you right in the 00:05:23.240 --> 00:05:26.860 back. I had that repaired. I paid for it. It's 00:05:26.860 --> 00:05:28.720 on the general bill for the repairs we had to 00:05:28.720 --> 00:05:30.860 make on the old house before we could move in. 00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:33.680 Well, then they cheated you, charged you, and 00:05:33.680 --> 00:05:37.180 never did the job. You sure? Seems to me that 00:05:37.180 --> 00:05:40.100 I remember... It's never been done. Those contractors 00:05:40.100 --> 00:05:43.240 will try. You know, it's Mr. Caro, isn't it? 00:05:43.620 --> 00:05:45.319 His number's on the telephone stand. Why don't 00:05:45.319 --> 00:05:49.779 you call him? It's 7 .30, Nora. Come to think 00:05:49.779 --> 00:05:52.519 of it, the only time I could possibly reach him 00:05:52.519 --> 00:05:54.759 would be at night. He'd be busy all day out on 00:05:54.759 --> 00:06:04.250 the job. Hello, Miss Kara? Paul Sanford. I'm 00:06:04.250 --> 00:06:06.870 sorry to bother you, but one of the items on 00:06:06.870 --> 00:06:10.610 your bill to me for repairs on my house, item 00:06:10.610 --> 00:06:14.470 28, repair crack in cellar wall, north side interior, 00:06:14.589 --> 00:06:20.209 $45 .60. You never closed up that crack. You 00:06:20.209 --> 00:06:26.420 what? Hold on a minute. Nora, he says he supervised 00:06:26.420 --> 00:06:29.100 that item himself, mixed the cement for it. Well, 00:06:29.100 --> 00:06:31.759 just tell him that he's got it wrong. Mr. Carroll, 00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:35.779 my wife says the crack is still there. It hasn't 00:06:35.779 --> 00:06:40.480 been repaired. Okay, sometime tomorrow morning? 00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:46.860 Right, thank you. It's kind of funny. He said 00:06:46.860 --> 00:06:49.579 he's willing to bet $100 that he completed the 00:06:49.579 --> 00:07:00.540 work. Mr. Sanford, I I'm finished with the job 00:07:00.540 --> 00:07:03.199 and I want you're okay. I'll put on the pot and 00:07:03.199 --> 00:07:05.060 give you a cup of coffee Thanks. I'd appreciate 00:07:05.060 --> 00:07:07.879 that Come right down. I'm in a bit of a hurry 00:07:07.879 --> 00:07:13.560 won't be a minute I'm coming. Mr. Garrow. Mr. 00:07:14.019 --> 00:07:18.160 Sanford the strangest thing What did you say? 00:07:18.199 --> 00:07:24.420 Mr. Carol? Oh Look at that wall. Oh Dear another 00:07:24.420 --> 00:07:29.540 crack No, it's it's not another crack what it's 00:07:29.540 --> 00:07:33.360 the same crack I I just filled it with cement 00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:37.100 You couldn't do it looks old and dry look at 00:07:37.100 --> 00:07:40.620 my hands. They're still covered with cement Here 00:07:40.620 --> 00:07:44.819 are my tools my trowel my hammer and chisel I 00:07:44.819 --> 00:07:47.620 could swear it was closed up not five minutes 00:07:47.620 --> 00:07:59.180 ago Knowing from like from a A tomb. Like from 00:07:59.180 --> 00:08:16.939 a tomb. Oh, Mr. Sanford. Come in, come in. Thank 00:08:16.939 --> 00:08:20.079 you, Dr. Fowler. Come into the study. We won't 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:26.100 be disturbed there. They're right this way. Sit 00:08:26.100 --> 00:08:30.040 down, won't you? Thank you. Please forgive me 00:08:30.040 --> 00:08:34.419 for interrupting you at this hour. I don't quite 00:08:34.419 --> 00:08:38.559 know how to begin. As you know, we've been through 00:08:38.559 --> 00:08:42.299 a horrible experience. Yes. Losing your daughter 00:08:42.299 --> 00:08:47.600 in that fire. It's our only child. Just 16. Mr. 00:08:47.980 --> 00:08:51.600 Sanford, you must get hold of yourself. Yes. 00:08:54.700 --> 00:08:57.340 You see, I've been holding my emotions back for 00:08:57.340 --> 00:09:02.059 months. I had to be strong for Nora's sake. She's 00:09:02.059 --> 00:09:04.899 taken this very hard, yes, I know. She hasn't 00:09:04.899 --> 00:09:07.580 gotten over it. It shook her to the very foundation 00:09:07.580 --> 00:09:11.419 of her belief. I gather that it's been only recently 00:09:11.419 --> 00:09:14.460 that you both came back into the church. She 00:09:14.460 --> 00:09:20.269 is... She's definitely twisted mentally. Preoccupation 00:09:20.269 --> 00:09:22.690 is with a crack in the cellar wall, which he 00:09:22.690 --> 00:09:26.549 says cannot be repaired. What? Well, there's 00:09:26.549 --> 00:09:29.610 a long jagged crack in the cellar wall. It's 00:09:29.610 --> 00:09:31.370 been there since we bought the house earlier 00:09:31.370 --> 00:09:34.429 this year, after our other house burned down. 00:09:34.889 --> 00:09:36.990 Have you tried to have this crack filled with 00:09:36.990 --> 00:09:41.330 cement? Oh, yes, yes, we tried. The way you say 00:09:41.330 --> 00:09:45.330 that is very strange. Well, I paid Carol the 00:09:45.330 --> 00:09:48.389 builder for repairs on the house. He was certain 00:09:48.389 --> 00:09:51.549 that he'd repaired the wall. However, he came 00:09:51.549 --> 00:09:54.269 back and patched up the crack again when he asked 00:09:54.269 --> 00:09:56.730 for my wife's okay on the job after he'd finished. 00:09:57.909 --> 00:10:02.529 They went down to the cellar and looked. The 00:10:02.529 --> 00:10:08.029 crack was open again. I don't understand. Neither 00:10:08.029 --> 00:10:11.409 do I. Caro said that he'd not left the cellar, 00:10:11.429 --> 00:10:14.330 that he'd called my wife to look at it. What's 00:10:14.330 --> 00:10:19.759 your explanation? I have none, Dr. Fowler, none. 00:10:28.279 --> 00:10:32.340 Is that you down in the cellar, Paul? Yes, Nora. 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:35.620 I'm... I'm filling up the crack in the wall with 00:10:35.620 --> 00:10:41.340 cement. Do you think that's wise, Paul? Wise? 00:10:42.220 --> 00:10:44.500 Well, I thought you wanted the wall repaired. 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:47.700 Kara won't come here anymore, so... Well, that's 00:10:47.700 --> 00:10:50.940 what I mean Paul there's some very good reason 00:10:50.940 --> 00:10:55.039 why that wall resists repair That's a strange 00:10:55.039 --> 00:10:59.740 way of putting had wall resist repair So you 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:02.580 thought the wall and I don't quite know how to 00:11:02.580 --> 00:11:05.480 put this as though the wall had a will of its 00:11:05.480 --> 00:11:09.899 own Nora that's ridiculous. Is it? Mr. Carroll 00:11:09.899 --> 00:11:13.139 tried twice to fill that crack. He gave up. I 00:11:13.139 --> 00:11:17.149 know I just received a check from him for $45 00:11:17.149 --> 00:11:20.409 .60, refunding the money I paid him for the job. 00:11:22.710 --> 00:11:25.210 Come on, let's go upstairs. This old cellar gives 00:11:25.210 --> 00:11:34.830 me the creeps. Look! My God. It's disappearing. 00:11:35.029 --> 00:11:37.850 The cement... The cement I just put into the 00:11:37.850 --> 00:11:48.500 cracks dissolving into thin air. Mr. Edmund, 00:11:48.659 --> 00:11:52.080 I'm calling about this house you sold us. No, 00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:56.559 it's a good, solid old house. It's just that 00:11:56.559 --> 00:11:59.899 my wife isn't happy here. We're all alone, as 00:11:59.899 --> 00:12:04.580 you know. It just isn't right for us. Yes, I 00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:06.919 know. I'll have to take a loss if I change now, 00:12:06.919 --> 00:12:10.779 but I'm prepared for that. Okay, I'll see you 00:12:10.779 --> 00:12:15.379 tomorrow, around five, okay? Good. Goodbye, Mr. 00:12:15.440 --> 00:12:19.940 Edmunds. Who was that on the phone? Oh, Nora, 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:23.639 I called Miss Redmond. The real estate man? That's 00:12:23.639 --> 00:12:27.159 right. You're thinking of selling? Well, I thought 00:12:27.159 --> 00:12:29.559 you'd want to get out of here, too, Nora. Whatever 00:12:29.559 --> 00:12:32.860 gave you that idea? Now, that's a very strange 00:12:32.860 --> 00:12:34.820 attitude. Don't you know what this all means? 00:12:35.700 --> 00:12:40.460 No. No, I don't understand it. Frankly, it scares 00:12:40.460 --> 00:12:45.120 me. Ruth is trying to reach us. What are you 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:48.950 talking about? It was just two days ago. I was 00:12:48.950 --> 00:12:52.590 lying in bed. You were sound asleep. I heard 00:12:52.590 --> 00:12:56.649 the clock chime three. I felt something urging 00:12:56.649 --> 00:12:59.169 me to leave the bedroom and go down into the 00:12:59.169 --> 00:13:02.789 cellar. Nora, I've got to take you to a doctor. 00:13:02.850 --> 00:13:08.250 Paul, I'm not out of my mind. I tell you, our 00:13:08.250 --> 00:13:12.190 daughter is calling to me. She's trying to get 00:13:12.190 --> 00:13:14.909 to me. Darling, Nora, listen to me. What you're 00:13:14.909 --> 00:13:18.750 saying doesn't make sense. Our child is dead, 00:13:19.070 --> 00:13:23.450 Nora. Burned to death. I spoke to her. I spoke 00:13:23.450 --> 00:13:26.409 to her through the crack in the cellar wall. 00:13:26.950 --> 00:13:32.730 You what? I spoke to our Ruth. And she spoke 00:13:32.730 --> 00:13:52.029 to me. What time is it? Quiet. Now do you hear? 00:13:53.110 --> 00:13:57.870 Hear what? She's calling to me. Our little girl. 00:13:58.230 --> 00:14:01.629 She wants us. She needs us. Nora, listen to me. 00:14:01.690 --> 00:14:04.809 You don't hear anything. You just think you hear 00:14:04.809 --> 00:14:07.809 because you want to hear. Listen. Listen. I don't 00:14:07.809 --> 00:14:11.870 hear anything. There it is again. It's very faint, 00:14:11.889 --> 00:14:15.610 but you can hear it if you try hard enough. Please. 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:18.460 Darling try to rest I've made an appointment 00:14:18.460 --> 00:14:52.399 for you with dr. I don't need a doctor calling 00:14:52.399 --> 00:14:56.639 to her mother, or was Paul Sanford falling into 00:14:56.639 --> 00:15:00.159 the clouded supernatural obsession that controlled 00:15:00.159 --> 00:15:03.639 Nora's life? He thought he heard the voice of 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:06.480 his dead child calling to her mother. He couldn't 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:11.200 be sure, but Nora's certainty was so strong that 00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:14.379 he was almost convinced that he heard it too. 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:32.559 I'll be back shortly with Act Two. Everything 00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:36.399 that Paul and Ruth Sanford believed in is being 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:39.700 drained away. They are living in a nightmare 00:15:39.700 --> 00:15:43.039 of twisted emotions pulled farther and farther 00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:46.620 from the normal life they had known into a tangled 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:49.860 dreamlike world in which they hear the voice 00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:53.039 of their dead child calling to them. You're not 00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:56.620 going down into that cellar, Nora. It was Ruth's 00:15:56.620 --> 00:15:59.259 voice calling. Are you coming with me, Paul, 00:15:59.259 --> 00:16:02.720 or shall I go down alone? Please. No, we're dreaming 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:04.899 this. It isn't happening. I heard her voice. 00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:07.539 You said you heard it. She was calling to me 00:16:07.539 --> 00:16:09.740 for help. Are you coming with me or shall I go 00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:14.799 alone? I'll come with you, dear. Just to prove 00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:17.059 to you that there's nothing there. Nothing. How 00:16:17.059 --> 00:16:19.539 could there be? I know there is something there. 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:24.519 Come. Now, wait, wait. Don't try to go down those 00:16:24.519 --> 00:16:26.799 steep cellar stairs in the dark. Turn on the 00:16:26.799 --> 00:16:30.659 light. It's out. It's not working. Here, let 00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:35.799 me try. Oh, I'm not going down there in the dark. 00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:37.840 There's some candles in the cupboard just outside 00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:40.259 the door. Get them. Candles won't do any good. 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:44.220 Get them. I just remembered. I've got a flashlight 00:16:44.220 --> 00:16:50.139 in the kitchen table drawer. Hurry! Here we are. 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:55.240 Now stay right behind me. I'll go first. Flash 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:59.730 the light around. Oh, there's nothing. Nothing 00:16:59.730 --> 00:17:02.809 but that crack in the wall. Let's go back upstairs, 00:17:03.070 --> 00:17:07.890 Nora. Good evening. What? Who are you? Oh, I'm 00:17:07.890 --> 00:17:13.009 sorry if I frightened you. What? Who are you? 00:17:13.690 --> 00:17:17.589 What are you doing in our house? Doing? I am 00:17:17.589 --> 00:17:21.769 inspecting the wall. The wall that needs repair. 00:17:21.869 --> 00:17:26.970 And who are you? Why, I'm the helper. What are 00:17:26.970 --> 00:17:30.319 you talking about, helper? Whom are you helping? 00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:36.940 You. I don't like this, Paul. Please make him 00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:43.420 go away. If you want me to, I'll go. But I thought 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:46.839 you needed me. I want you out of here. I see 00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:52.579 you have a hammer in your hand. You're afraid 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:57.480 of me. Believe me, I came to help you. Who sent 00:17:57.480 --> 00:18:06.640 you? Employer. Who? Your friend. Your friend 00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:11.920 who knows of your sorrows. He sent me to seal 00:18:11.920 --> 00:18:15.779 up the crack in the wall. Well, I've tried. Several 00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:18.279 people have tried to do that. It won't stay closed. 00:18:18.660 --> 00:18:23.839 I can close it for you if you want me to. I repeat, 00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:30.420 if you want me to, you may not want it. Why? 00:18:31.420 --> 00:18:34.079 You will not hear the voice of your daughter 00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:38.160 ever again. No, no, no. Don't, don't seal it. 00:18:38.380 --> 00:18:41.980 Please. No, maybe it would be best. No, no. No, 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:45.019 this is insanity. No, our daughter is dead. Dead 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:49.279 and buried. And you think that is the end? Of 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:53.019 course. It's the end of mortal life. And do you 00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:56.640 share your husband's beliefs, Nora? No, no. Ruth 00:18:56.640 --> 00:19:01.519 was calling to me. I want her back. I... I want 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:05.660 to hold her in my arms. Am I dreaming? This can't 00:19:05.660 --> 00:19:08.279 be happening. What are we doing standing here 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:13.700 talking to this... Paul, please, don't. There's 00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:21.200 no one here. He was here? Where is he? He couldn't 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:23.819 get past us up the stairs, nor where did he go? 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:31.049 Who? Oh! Nora, darling, what's happened to you? 00:19:32.210 --> 00:19:41.069 Speak to me, dear, speak. What are we doing here 00:19:41.069 --> 00:19:53.529 in the cellar? How did we get here? Did you say, 00:19:53.650 --> 00:19:57.950 Mr. Sanford, that you think you saw this creature 00:19:57.950 --> 00:20:00.869 in the cellar of your house? No, it wasn't what 00:20:00.869 --> 00:20:05.930 you say. No, not a creature. It was a man. Small, 00:20:06.289 --> 00:20:09.369 dwarf -like. He said he'd come to repair the 00:20:09.369 --> 00:20:13.589 wall. At three o 'clock in the morning? You saw 00:20:13.589 --> 00:20:16.549 this man, too, Mrs. Sanford? No. I don't know 00:20:16.549 --> 00:20:18.410 what Paul's talking about. I didn't see anything. 00:20:18.690 --> 00:20:22.269 I was fast asleep. Paul woke me and told the 00:20:22.269 --> 00:20:26.700 story. Mm, I see. Your daughter's death was a 00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:29.759 terrible shock to you both. It's... it's preying 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:32.680 on your thoughts. Your grief pushed the normal 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:35.880 day -to -day living from your minds. You began 00:20:35.880 --> 00:20:38.940 to imagine... I heard her voice, Doctor. I heard 00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:41.500 Ruth's voice calling to me. Of course you did. 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:45.119 But try to think rationally, Mrs. Sanford. You 00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:47.460 know it's impossible for you to have actually 00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:51.000 heard the voice of your dead daughter. Seriously, 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:55.049 you... I can't believe you did, can you? Seriously, 00:20:55.349 --> 00:21:05.089 can you believe that? I don't know. Mother, I 00:21:05.089 --> 00:21:12.650 need you! Help me, my little girl! It's all so 00:21:12.650 --> 00:21:16.569 simple if you will recognize the true authority. 00:21:16.869 --> 00:21:21.420 Who are you? I am merely a conveyor of ideas, 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:26.839 a messenger. Then you are sent by the devil? 00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:32.700 Perhaps. Perhaps I'm your friend. Call me the 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:37.539 helper. Can you help me? Can you bring my daughter 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:43.380 back to me? Under certain conditions, you might 00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:47.539 find the cost. too high tell me nothing nothing 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:50.660 is too costly too terrible I'll agree to anything 00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:53.759 even if it meant that you would lose everything 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:57.400 everything you've been taught about life and 00:21:57.400 --> 00:22:03.079 death since you were a child yes yes yes I agree 00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:29.190 I agree I woke you. Paul, he came to see me and 00:22:29.190 --> 00:22:32.849 told me that I... Who, darling? That ugly little 00:22:32.849 --> 00:22:36.990 creature. I'd seen him before, but I can't remember 00:22:36.990 --> 00:22:40.329 where. The helper. That's what he calls himself. 00:22:40.910 --> 00:22:44.450 I heard Ruth calling to me. Then he appeared. 00:22:44.529 --> 00:22:47.329 I don't know what it is. I don't want to know. 00:22:47.509 --> 00:22:48.990 We're getting out of this house and we're not 00:22:48.990 --> 00:22:51.789 coming back. Oh, you go, Paul, but I can't. But 00:22:51.789 --> 00:22:54.250 don't you see what's happening to us here? Something 00:22:54.250 --> 00:22:57.130 evil is pursuing us, either to destroy us or 00:22:57.130 --> 00:23:00.210 drive us insane. No. No, I can have my daughter 00:23:00.210 --> 00:23:03.289 back. He'll help me. You can't believe that. 00:23:03.369 --> 00:23:07.170 I believe it. What does he expect in exchange? 00:23:07.690 --> 00:23:12.930 I can't tell you, Paul. I just can't tell you. 00:23:27.329 --> 00:23:31.549 Mrs. Sanford Hall? No. No, I called her sister 00:23:31.549 --> 00:23:33.849 and got her to make a date with Nora so she wouldn't 00:23:33.849 --> 00:23:39.230 be here. My work is suffering. We're not sleeping 00:23:39.230 --> 00:23:41.910 well. Nora's had terrible dreams, nightmares. 00:23:42.470 --> 00:23:47.950 You've told your physician, Dr. Coombs? If anyone 00:23:47.950 --> 00:23:55.569 can help us, it's God. Dr. Fowler, we have seen 00:23:55.569 --> 00:24:02.799 the evil one. What? We have seen him. We have 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:06.480 spoken with him. It's either the devil or one 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:09.559 of his emissaries. He calls himself the helper. 00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:13.059 My good man, in this enlightened age, when we 00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:18.039 speak of Satan, it is usually... Well, what I 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:21.619 mean to say is we think of the devil as the embodiment 00:24:21.619 --> 00:24:26.420 of all evil, but not as an actual being. I see. 00:24:27.699 --> 00:24:32.519 Well, dr. Fowler If you can't help us we may 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:35.700 have to go to someone who can there are groups 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:40.279 where they believe in the devil mr. Sanford Paul 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:45.859 please understand I Cannot believe in the devil's 00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:49.579 being other than an abstract name for evil if 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:53.500 I can show him to you Will you believe me then 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:59.650 I? Saw him I have seen the devil and the devil's 00:24:59.650 --> 00:25:10.190 work and I'm frightened to death. Sorry to bother 00:25:10.190 --> 00:25:13.009 you, Dr. Combs, but something very disturbing 00:25:13.009 --> 00:25:17.049 has happened. Yes? You know the two people I 00:25:17.049 --> 00:25:28.900 referred to, the Sanford's? Yes. Dr. Fowler, 00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:32.480 the word insane is a legal one, not a medical 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:38.700 one. Well, I would say from a very cursory examination 00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:41.460 that they were both suffering from severe emotional 00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:44.400 stresses brought on by the untimely death of 00:25:44.400 --> 00:26:00.519 their only child. Hallucination? Not exactly 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:04.819 a common delusion in this day and age If they 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:08.619 need medical help they must come to me. I can't 00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:24.960 solicit An excellent idea Fowler, but who's going 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:28.619 to commit them? Can you get them to commit themselves 00:26:28.619 --> 00:26:40.440 voluntarily? I don't know. I'll try. Have you 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:44.160 come to any decision? I've been thinking about 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:47.420 it. I've heard you say you would do anything 00:26:47.420 --> 00:26:51.099 to have your daughter back. You had made up your 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:56.740 mind. Yes. Oh yes, but... But still... You hesitate. 00:26:57.160 --> 00:27:03.140 What you asked of me is almost... Well, I'm almost 00:27:03.140 --> 00:27:07.319 afraid to think of it. It's been in my mind, 00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:10.640 awake and asleep. I can't tell the difference 00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:15.460 anymore. You hesitate. Thinking of yourself while 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:20.200 your daughter suffers? No, no. I will leave you 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:25.720 now, perhaps never to return. This is your last 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:36.059 chance Nora Wake up, please Nora Nora. It's me 00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:42.119 Paul Open your eyes. You're all right. You're 00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:49.200 safe with me darling. It's me Paul Yes It's all 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:55.880 right now Paul I've made my decision What decision 00:27:55.880 --> 00:28:01.740 about Ruth I Am going to bring her back Bring 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:05.119 her back What are you saying? I'm going to bring 00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:07.319 her back no matter what the cost no matter what 00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:18.279 the consequences are Nora and Paul have come 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:23.759 far along a tortuous a frightening path Now Nora 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:27.559 is determined to see the matter to the end, despite 00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:31.460 the consequences. I'll be back shortly with Act 00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:48.359 3. Forces are tearing at the sanity of Paul and 00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:52.269 Nora Sanford. Nora's sleeping and waking worlds 00:28:52.269 --> 00:28:55.710 are so much the same that she can no longer differentiate 00:28:55.710 --> 00:29:00.069 between them. In her thoughts, in her ears, are 00:29:00.069 --> 00:29:02.750 the words of her dead daughter calling to her 00:29:02.750 --> 00:29:06.569 for help. Paul thinks he has heard the child, 00:29:06.789 --> 00:29:11.069 too, but is uncertain. He is not sure whether 00:29:11.069 --> 00:29:14.609 or not it is the driving influence of his wife's 00:29:14.609 --> 00:29:18.480 obsession or... what he has actually heard and 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:22.259 seen himself. I don't know, doctor. I don't know 00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:26.079 anymore. Everything is so confused. I want you 00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:29.440 to sign commitment papers for your wife. You 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:32.480 mean put her in... In a good sanitarium, in a 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:35.339 place where she'll be safe and receive the proper 00:29:35.339 --> 00:29:41.339 treatment for her problems. I don't know. I... 00:29:41.369 --> 00:29:44.769 Now, I don't think she's crazy. You're not in 00:29:44.769 --> 00:29:46.950 any condition to judge her mental health, Mr. 00:29:47.170 --> 00:29:51.430 Sanford. What do you mean? Well, I mean, I'm 00:29:51.430 --> 00:29:54.970 asking you to make a difficult decision. I'm 00:29:54.970 --> 00:30:06.390 also asking you to commit yourself. No! I won't 00:30:06.390 --> 00:30:09.930 think of it! Send him away! Send the doctor away! 00:30:10.269 --> 00:30:12.250 Paul, how can you do this to me? You know I'm 00:30:12.250 --> 00:30:15.750 not insane. You heard her. That night, we both 00:30:15.750 --> 00:30:18.470 went down into the cellar. And that little man, 00:30:19.089 --> 00:30:22.869 you remember? The helper? You saw him, too. You 00:30:22.869 --> 00:30:26.509 know I'm not crazy. I won't go. I won't! You 00:30:26.509 --> 00:30:30.730 can't make me! She's gone into the bedroom, Dr. 00:30:30.970 --> 00:30:34.089 Combs. Is there a lock on the door? No. Well, 00:30:34.509 --> 00:30:37.349 suppose I go in. Perhaps a sedative to quiet. 00:30:37.589 --> 00:30:40.509 Oh, please doctor. Let me speak to her first. 00:30:40.529 --> 00:30:43.849 She'll listen to me very well I'll wait out in 00:30:43.849 --> 00:30:46.130 the car if you want me. Yes. Yes, please go. 00:30:46.130 --> 00:30:52.690 I I think she'll listen to me if you're not here 00:30:52.690 --> 00:31:03.069 Nora Nora May I come in is that doctor still 00:31:03.069 --> 00:31:08.099 here? No. No, he's outside in his car. Paul, 00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:11.480 how could you do this to me? Deceive me, try 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:14.660 to put me away. But I explained everything to 00:31:14.660 --> 00:31:18.119 you. I will never consent. I'm going with you, 00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:23.119 dear. I'm going in too. What? Why? Paul, why 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:26.980 do you want to do such a thing? Because I'm frightened. 00:31:27.849 --> 00:31:30.210 I've never been afraid in my life before, but 00:31:30.210 --> 00:31:33.529 this is all beyond me, beyond any rational explanation. 00:31:33.589 --> 00:31:36.450 And you think you'll be away from your fear in 00:31:36.450 --> 00:31:39.829 that place? Oh, Paul, I'm not out of my mind, 00:31:39.849 --> 00:31:43.450 and neither are you. How much longer can we stand 00:31:43.450 --> 00:31:46.910 this? Listen to me. What? I can tell you, only 00:31:46.910 --> 00:31:52.829 you. What? I've made a pact with the helper. 00:31:54.769 --> 00:31:59.440 Oh, Nora. He has given me the power to bring 00:31:59.440 --> 00:32:03.039 Ruth back. You don't know what you're saying. 00:32:03.099 --> 00:32:05.480 Oh, yes, I do. That's impossible. Now, don't 00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:08.319 be foolish. Don't tell anyone else what you've 00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:11.019 told me. Now, you think I'm insane too, don't 00:32:11.019 --> 00:32:13.839 you? I don't know what to think. He has given 00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:18.640 me two wishes. Two wishes? Yes. He said that 00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:22.700 I would need two. Actually, all I need is one. 00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:27.940 To bring my dear child back. Yes. Yes, Nora, 00:32:27.940 --> 00:32:32.319 of course. Now, now, I want you to do something 00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:37.480 for me. What? Don't fight me now. Go along with 00:32:37.480 --> 00:32:40.799 me for a little while. Perhaps this nightmare 00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:43.359 will stop. We'll be able to get out when we want 00:32:43.359 --> 00:32:46.259 to. I have the doctor's promise. Can you trust 00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:50.000 him? Yes, darling. Since we're committing ourselves, 00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:52.900 we can get... ourselves released merely by asking 00:32:52.900 --> 00:32:55.480 to be released. And our poor tortured child? 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:58.319 Who will be here to hear her call? Who will be 00:32:58.319 --> 00:33:02.220 here to comfort her, Paul? We're running away, 00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:06.119 deserting her. Darling Nora, our Ruth will be 00:33:06.119 --> 00:33:23.839 with us always, no matter where we are. Oh, the 00:33:23.839 --> 00:33:31.559 phone. Oh. Hello. Hello, Mr. Sanford. Yes, Dr. 00:33:31.839 --> 00:33:34.920 Coon. I'm calling from the sanitarium. Is there 00:33:34.920 --> 00:33:38.619 anything wrong? Yes, your wife has disappeared. 00:33:39.319 --> 00:33:42.940 You mean walked out? Nobody saw her leave. As 00:33:42.940 --> 00:33:45.519 a matter of fact, it's a bit of a mystery. Her 00:33:45.519 --> 00:33:49.200 room was locked. Perhaps someone, one of the 00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:52.400 attendants or nurses unlocked the door for her. 00:33:54.980 --> 00:33:58.019 At 1 o 'clock, the nurse assigned to that section 00:33:58.019 --> 00:34:01.140 entered her room to administer a mild sedative. 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:03.720 Your wife had complained she was worried because 00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:06.000 you weren't there. Well, I was just cleaning 00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:09.099 up a few urgent matters here. I was coming to 00:34:09.099 --> 00:34:11.360 commit myself tomorrow morning. I told her that, 00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:14.940 but it didn't seem to have any effect. When was 00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:18.179 Nora last seen? Not more than 10 minutes before 00:34:18.179 --> 00:34:21.059 1 a .m. Another nurse on the floor answered her 00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:25.579 ring. about her anxiety and her inability to 00:34:25.579 --> 00:34:29.280 sleep. She hasn't returned home, has she? No. 00:34:30.000 --> 00:34:32.840 What do you want me to do, doctor? Stay where 00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:36.400 you are. She may come home. It's very likely 00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:46.880 that she will come there. Emily, I'm sorry to 00:34:46.880 --> 00:34:50.579 be calling you at this hour, but... Nora has 00:34:50.579 --> 00:34:53.099 disappeared. She walked out of the hospital. 00:34:53.960 --> 00:34:56.599 The fire, Ruth's death, it's been preying on 00:34:56.599 --> 00:34:59.559 our minds, and I thought that... Wait, Emily, 00:34:59.699 --> 00:35:02.159 that's my doorbell. I'll call you back. I just 00:35:02.159 --> 00:35:05.099 wanted to know if Nora was with you. I'll call 00:35:05.099 --> 00:35:07.500 you back. Let me know if Nora shows up. Bye. 00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:16.820 Oh, Dr. Fowler. Come in. Oh, thank you. I got 00:35:16.820 --> 00:35:20.269 a call from Dr... Coombs about 20 minutes ago. 00:35:20.449 --> 00:35:24.110 Yes? He asked me to see him. He said you might 00:35:24.110 --> 00:35:28.670 need me. I came right over. Anything I can do 00:35:28.670 --> 00:35:32.650 to help? Nothing. Unless you can find Nora. She's 00:35:32.650 --> 00:35:35.929 been missing since about 1 .30 a .m. About three 00:35:35.929 --> 00:35:40.090 hours. Where would she go? Where could she go? 00:35:40.289 --> 00:35:48.650 I don't know. What? What was that? I heard it 00:35:48.650 --> 00:35:56.889 too. Do you have a cat, Paul? No. Sounded like 00:35:56.889 --> 00:36:02.710 a cat. It was Ruth. She's calling Nora. Ruth? 00:36:03.530 --> 00:36:09.889 My daughter. Oh, yes, yes, your daughter. But 00:36:09.889 --> 00:36:22.110 she's... She's... You heard it, too. No. No, 00:36:22.190 --> 00:36:25.309 no, no. It can't be. That's superstitious nonsense. 00:36:25.469 --> 00:36:31.250 That's what I thought. But I don't anymore. Ruth 00:36:31.250 --> 00:36:39.989 is calling to us from the grave. I hear it. I 00:36:39.989 --> 00:36:45.429 hear it. Paul, pray with me. Pray to God to make 00:36:45.429 --> 00:36:50.409 her go back. No. She will come here and answer 00:36:50.409 --> 00:36:53.210 to her child's cries. Her mother's love is so 00:36:53.210 --> 00:36:55.730 strong that Ruth's outstretched hand will reach 00:36:55.730 --> 00:36:58.489 across the void of death and touch the hand of 00:36:58.489 --> 00:37:19.840 her mother. Just been through the most shattering 00:37:19.840 --> 00:37:23.300 experience of my life. You saw Mrs. Sanford? 00:37:24.199 --> 00:37:29.280 No. I'm not a superstitious man, Dr. Coombs, 00:37:29.360 --> 00:37:37.000 but I heard the voice of Ruth Sanford calling 00:37:37.000 --> 00:37:56.539 to her mother from the grave. I thought it was 00:37:56.539 --> 00:37:59.719 Nora. She hasn't returned yet, huh? I was talking 00:37:59.719 --> 00:38:02.699 with your minister, Dr. Fowler. He seemed quite 00:38:02.699 --> 00:38:05.940 upset. Any word from the police? Nothing. They've 00:38:05.940 --> 00:38:08.940 gotten several false telephone tips from cranks. 00:38:10.079 --> 00:38:14.480 Only one man identified himself by name, a Mr. 00:38:14.860 --> 00:38:20.780 Helper. Helper? You know him? Yes, I know him. 00:38:21.119 --> 00:38:23.639 The police asked him for his address. He gave 00:38:23.639 --> 00:38:26.170 him one, but it proved to be a phony. Do you 00:38:26.170 --> 00:38:29.489 know where to find him? You won't believe this, 00:38:29.750 --> 00:38:35.869 doctor. But the last place I saw him was in my 00:38:35.869 --> 00:38:40.170 cellar. What? I don't know how he got there. 00:38:40.769 --> 00:38:43.809 I didn't see him leave, although I was standing, 00:38:43.949 --> 00:38:48.469 talking to him at the moment. He vanished. Vanished? 00:38:50.050 --> 00:38:55.400 Disappeared. I see. Disappeared. Right before 00:38:55.400 --> 00:38:58.719 your eyes. Oh, yes. I remember you're telling 00:38:58.719 --> 00:39:00.760 me about that incident when you both came to 00:39:00.760 --> 00:39:06.079 my office. Hello. Who's there? Paula? I've come 00:39:06.079 --> 00:39:09.739 home. What is he doing here? I won't go back 00:39:09.739 --> 00:39:11.260 to that place. He can't make me go back. Nora, 00:39:11.500 --> 00:39:13.760 Nora, dear. Send him away. Paul, Paul, make him 00:39:13.760 --> 00:39:16.500 leave. We don't need him. Mrs. Sanford, as your 00:39:16.500 --> 00:39:18.639 doctor, I... You're not my doctor anymore. Please 00:39:18.639 --> 00:39:21.820 go. Leave us alone. Please, Dr. Coombs. Your 00:39:21.820 --> 00:39:24.610 being here will just make her worse. Very well 00:39:24.610 --> 00:39:27.269 if you think you can manage as I can manage. 00:39:27.469 --> 00:39:31.369 I'm sorry you feel this way about me. Good morning 00:39:31.369 --> 00:39:38.250 He was trying to do what he thought best for 00:39:38.250 --> 00:39:41.389 you for us He has no way of knowing what his 00:39:41.389 --> 00:39:43.909 best for us. He was just interfering Keeping 00:39:43.909 --> 00:39:47.809 us from Ruth Nora, please give up that mad notion. 00:39:47.809 --> 00:39:52.969 Give it up. Oh No Paul, I will not give it up 00:39:53.719 --> 00:39:57.340 Tonight, this morning before dawn, we will bring 00:39:57.340 --> 00:39:59.820 our child back to us. Nora, think what you're 00:39:59.820 --> 00:40:02.460 saying. I thought, and I've made up my mind. 00:40:02.579 --> 00:40:04.719 Before daylight, he said. What time is it now? 00:40:06.820 --> 00:40:09.039 It's twenty after four. It won't be light before 00:40:09.039 --> 00:40:13.280 six. We must do it now. Come, we'll go together. 00:40:13.360 --> 00:40:16.139 Go where? To the place I first heard her voice, 00:40:16.380 --> 00:40:19.320 calling to me, the cellar, the crack in the wall. 00:40:19.820 --> 00:40:22.619 Are you sure you want to go through with this? 00:40:24.039 --> 00:40:26.780 I've come too far to turn back now. I don't care 00:40:26.780 --> 00:40:29.059 what happens to me. It's Ruth we must think of. 00:40:30.480 --> 00:40:34.199 All right, Nora, I'll go along. I'd better get 00:40:34.199 --> 00:40:37.039 my flashlight. The light's still out in the cellar. 00:40:37.239 --> 00:40:41.460 No, Paul. What I must do must be done in darkness. 00:40:42.380 --> 00:40:52.500 No lights. Now let's go down the stairs. Don't 00:40:52.500 --> 00:40:57.679 say anything. I must ask for her life from the 00:40:57.679 --> 00:41:07.039 Master. Oh, Master, listen to my plea. I have 00:41:07.039 --> 00:41:11.460 paid dearly for this boon. Heed my request and 00:41:11.460 --> 00:41:16.199 grant it to me in payment. I fear your presence, 00:41:16.219 --> 00:41:24.320 Master, but I implore you, grant my wish. I wish 00:41:24.320 --> 00:41:30.380 my daughter were alive and with me now. My daughter, 00:41:31.159 --> 00:42:50.260 please give me back my daughter, Ruth. The second 00:42:50.260 --> 00:42:54.619 now I know I did not send her. I am Nora. Yes. 00:42:55.179 --> 00:43:00.960 I wish my dear daughter were dead and back in 00:43:00.960 --> 00:43:16.980 her grave. Nora. It's over. It's all over. Our 00:43:16.980 --> 00:43:25.170 child is gone. May our dear child rest in eternal 00:43:25.170 --> 00:43:36.030 peace. And so Paul and Nora were left to pick 00:43:36.030 --> 00:43:40.849 up the fragments of their lives and go on. Strangely 00:43:40.849 --> 00:43:45.150 enough, the crack in the cellar wall was finally 00:43:45.150 --> 00:43:50.449 closed and no human hand had a part in its repair. 00:43:51.789 --> 00:44:07.329 I'll be back shortly. The power of a mother's 00:44:07.329 --> 00:44:11.230 love cannot be measured by any instrument known 00:44:11.230 --> 00:44:15.630 to man. The supernatural strength to reach out 00:44:15.630 --> 00:44:19.130 into the void of darkness and bring back to life 00:44:19.130 --> 00:44:23.190 the child of her heart defies all the natural 00:44:23.190 --> 00:44:27.789 laws of nature. The answer can only be found 00:44:27.789 --> 00:44:32.190 in the terrifying world of the imagination. The 00:44:32.190 --> 00:44:36.309 world where anything the mind can conceive can 00:44:36.309 --> 00:44:40.429 happen. Our cast included Celeste Holm, Wes Addy, 00:44:40.809 --> 00:44:44.070 Robert Maxwell, Robert Dryden, and Anne Costello. 00:44:44.460 --> 00:44:46.960 The entire production was under the direction 00:44:46.960 --> 00:44:50.900 of Hyman Brown. This is E .G. Marshall inviting 00:44:50.900 --> 00:44:54.039 you to return to our Mystery Theater for another 00:44:54.039 --> 00:45:00.480 adventure in the macabre. Until next time, pleasant 00:45:00.480 --> 00:45:01.519 dreams.