Jamaica Inn (1939) - DVD Missing Footage
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Many of the US DVD releases of Jamaica Inn (1939) are missing approximately 8 minutes of footage.
At around the 52 minute mark, the transfer abrubtly cuts from Sir Humphrey Pengallan and James 'Jem' Trehearne leaving a room to Mary, Patience and Joss at "Jamaica Inn" — there is no explanation as to how Mary returned there, or why Sir Humphrey and Jem (now dressed in a military uniform) are banging on the door outside.
DVD Releases
The following DVDs are known to have the footage missing:
- Jamaica Inn (1939) - Laserlight Video (USA, 2000)
- Jamaica Inn (1939) - Diamond Entertainment (USA, 2003)
- Jamaica Inn (1939) - Westlake Entertainment Group (USA, 2004)
The following DVDs are known to have the footage intact:
- Jamaica Inn (1939) - Carlton Visual Entertainment Ltd (UK, 2003)
- Jamaica Inn (1939) - Image Entertainment (USA, 1999)
The Missing Scenes
The following is based on a viewing of the UK Carlton DVD:
Jem [produces piece of paper] I’ve got a list of them here. Sir H Kindly remember I’m a justice of the peace. Jem [handing Sir H the paper] Nevertheless, I think you’ll be rather interested in these brandies. Sir H reads the paper and focuses on the phrases "James Trehearne" and "Officer of the Law". Sir H Erm... Er, gentlemen, I think I must look into this matter in private. Basil What? Sir H [to Jem] Come along, my dear chap. Sir H & Jem leave the room. Basil [to the departing Sir H] Pengallan, if you don’t find something good for me, I’ll report you to the Commission. Sir H [to Jem] After you, my dear fellow.
DVDs with missing footage end the scene here
Sir H & Jem enter the main hall. Chadwick I’ve placed some bread and beer for the person in the harness room. Sir H [to Chadwick] Have you now? Place some cold chicken and claret "for this person" in the study. Find some clothes for Mr Trehearne. Mine would be a triffle generous. One of Lord George’s would be nearer the mark. Chadwick [surprised] For this gentleman? Sir H Yes. Will you hurry? Hurry! Chadwick Master Humphrey... Sir H & Jem walk away. Sir H [to Jem] My dear sir, I must apologise. I hadn’t the least idea who you were. Now, a stiff glass of brandy till you’re fed and in dry clothes. Jem I’m most awfully oblidged to you. Sir H & Jem enter the study. Sir H Not all all. Come in. Jem I hold the rank of Lieutenant in His Majesty’s Royal Navy. I was seconded for duty from the Home Office. I’ve been at some pains to conceal my identity. Sir H [pouring a brandy] I still haven’t the least notion what it’s all about, but swallow this before you tell me. I always had a great admiration for the service. I knew Collingwood well. All fine fellows. A trifle desiccated, perhaps. One can’t have everything. Now what is all this business? Smuggling? Jem No, it’s much worse than that, sir. Wrecking. Deliberate, organised wrecking. Sir H Not here, though? Jem Yes sir, Along this coast. Sir H Always had wrecks here, you know. A very dangerous coast. Jem Lloyds discovered that these wrecks had one curious feature in common. Sir H Indeed? Drink that up. I think I’ll join you with the brandy. It has been er... quite eventful morning. [Jem drink his brandy] What had these wrecks in common? Jem There were never any survivors. Sir H drinks his large brandy in one go. Sir H Er, Mr Trehearne, if what you tell me is true, it’s the most dreadful thing I’ve ever heard. We hear of wrecks down here... Jem Lloyds consulted with the Home Office. They became convinced these wreckers had accurate information of the movements and cargoes of ships... They are interrupted by Chadwick entering the study, bringing a plate of food. Chadwick Captain Murray wishes to say goodbye to you, sir. Sir H [to Jem] Would you excuse me? Jem Certainly. Sir H leaves the study and enters the main hall. Murray I’m just going. I enjoyed myself immensely. You’re a prince. Sir H Goodbye, Captain. Bon voyage. Murray I’m coming back again. Sir H I shall be thinking of you our there in this wind when I’m sitting over my port tonight. Murray leaves. Sir H returns to the study where Jem is eating the food. Sir H [to Jem] All right? Jem Jolly good. Sir H Well, er, Mr Trehearne, kindly continue. Jem My research took me to Jamaica Inn. The landlord is the ringleader. That wreck last night was carried out by his men. Sir H You were actually there? Jem No, thank heaven, I was still on probation. But I helped carry the goods up afterwards. Sir H Have you erm... Have you reported all this to your superiors? Jem No, not yet. Sir H, visibly relieved, sits down. Jem I’m after bigger fry than Joss Merlyn. Sir H I don’t follow you. Erm... You er... said he was the ringleader. Jem At Jamaica Inn, yes, but he gets his orders from outside. His information comes from outside. His thinking’s done for him outside. Sir H By whom? Jem I don’t know. Merlyn’s own wife doesn’t know. The gang don’t even know. That’s the man we’ve got to find. Sir H ponders and looks out of the window. Jem Yes, Joss has called the men for tonight. There’s to be another wreck. They won’t know where until they get information from their leader. In order to give them that information, he’ll be going to the inn tonight. Sir H leaps up from the chair. Sir H We mush get there first. Jem We can’t do that single-handed. I’ll ride for help to the nearest garrison. Sir H But that’ll take time. We mustn’t let this fellow slip through our fingers. How’s this – you can I will go to the inn. My groom can take a message to the garrison at Truro for you. [picks up his gun and takes some bullets] Take some of those. You say Merlyn’s riffraff won’t be there till later? I fancy we two can hold the fort till the military come. Jem I’m game, if you are, sir. Sir H Excellent. This is positively exciting. [playfully points his gun at Jem’s face] A knock at the door and Chadwick enters. Sir H Come in. [points gun at Chadwick] Chadwick, your money or your life? Chadwick The clothes, sir. I’ve not told Lord George. Jem Who’s the commander at Truro? Sir H Er... Captain... Boyle, an Irishman, I believe. Good fellow in a pinch. Jem I’ll write him a note. Sir H No, my dear fellow, I’ll do that. You get into Lord George’s breeches. Chadwick leaves. Sir H writes a letter whilst Jem changes. Sir H [out loud to himself] To er... Captain... Boyle... erm... officer commanding... county militia, Truro. [to Jem] What shall I erm... say to him? You know this style of thing. Jem Your help is needed urgently. Sir H Your er... help? Jem Help, yes. Help. Sir H [writing] Is... needed... urgently. Cut to Mary, who is now in dry clothes, She descends the staircase and we hear Jem’s voice in the distance as he dictates to Sir H. Mary rushes down the staircase and then goes to the study door in time to hear Jem finishing the dictation... Jem [from the study] ...to give your immediate attention... I have with me an officer of the law, James Trehearne... [Sir H repeats this as he writes it down] Mary stalls at the door and listens closely. Jem continues his dictation – neither he nor Sir H have noticed that Mary is eavesdropping. Jem Got that? All right, Sir Humphrey? Sir H Yes. Jem [continues dictation] ...he reports that the wreckers have their headquarters at Jamaica Inn, Pengallan and has enough evidence to hang the landlord and his accomplices. Mary is visibly shocked by what she hears. We return to the inside of the study. Sir H [finishes the letter] Are you ready? Jem Yes. Sir H A miraculous fit. You put Lord George in the shade, what? [Jem is now fully dressed in a military uniform] We return to the main hall, where Mary hides behind a pillar to avoid being seen as Jem and Sir H enter from the study. Sir H ...I’d better get you a hat. [calling out] Chadwick! [to Jem] We must leave at once, you know. Jem One moment, sir. The girl, Miss Yellan, she mustn’t know about this. Sir H Oh, no, no, no. That must wait. Poor thing. Evidently devoted to her relative. Jem I had no choice, Sir Humphrey. I couldn’t tell her the truth. Chadwick enters. Sir H [to Chadwick] Tell Sam I want him at once. Where is he? Chadwick In the kitchen, sir. Sir H [calling out] Sam! [to Jem] You’d better have a warm cloak. Chadwick, get Mr Trehearne the blue cloak, not the one with the astrakhan collar, get him a hat, and get me my cloak and hat. Sam enters. Sir H Oh, Sam. Jem [to Sam as he hands him the letter] Ride into Truro as fast as you can. Deliver that to Captain Boyle at Militia Headquarters. Sam Captain Boyle? Jem Yes. Sir H Gallop all the way. Sam Very good, sir. Sir H Would you be good enough to tell Robbins I want my coach at once. Come along. Mary slips away as the others turn to leave. Sir H Chadwick! Chadwick Your coat, sir. Sir H Oh, thank you. Would you tell Mrs Black to look after the young lady, and if she can persuade her to get a little sleep, so much the better? Will you make my excuses for me? Tell Lord George I’ll be back for dinner. Chadwick Yes, sir. Sir H and Jem go outside. Sir H [calling out] Robbins! Robbins runs up. Sir H Where is my coach? Isn’t it ready? Robbins The young lady came round the back and took it, sir. Sir H [shocked] What? Robbins She said you had ordered it for her, sir. Jem [to Sir H] Do you think...? Sir H [to Robbins] Horses! Quick, will you? Fade to blackness. A door opens – we are back at Jamaica Inn with Mary and Patience. Mary You must come away with me while there’s time. That man I cut down was a law officer. He’s on his way here now with Sir Humphrey. They’ve sent to Truro for help. [she looks down at the fine clothes she is wearing] I must change. Get your things together before they come. Patience I must tell Joss. Mary No time! Patience I’ll not leave without Joss. Mary They know the truth and, Auth Patience, so do I. [Patience looks shocked] This is your last chance to be free of him. Your last chance! Patience No! Mary He’s a wrecker, a murderer. Patience But he’s my husband. Oh Mary, you don’t understand. You don’t know him. They both hear footsteps approaching and they back away from the door in fear. Joss enters and looks in surprise at Mary. Patience [to Joss] She’s come here to warn us. We must get away. Joss [to Mary] Where’s that fellow? Where’s Trehearne? Patience Joss, they’re coming for you. Trehearne’s a law officer. We can’t...
DVDs with missing footage begin again here
There is a knock at the door. Cut to outside where we see Jem knocking on the door, with Sir H behind him.