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Scripts: Rear Window (final draft, 01/Dec/1953) - part 8

    EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - CAMERA SHOT - NIGHT

    The street intersection. Some traffic, mostly pedestrian. 
    Miss Lonely Hearts still sitting at the cafe table, alone. 
    Drinking. There is no sign of Thorwald.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT

    He lowers the lens.

                          JEFF
              He must have gone somewhere to the 
              right.

    The CAMERA PULLS BACK as Lisa starts around the apartment 
    turning on the lights. As she light increases, we see that 
    she is wearing another extravagantly beautiful dress. She 
    seems quite animated, moving gracefully, her skirt and hair 
    swinging with her movement. Jeff turns around to face the 
    room.

                          LISA
              All day long I've tried to keep my 
              mind on work.

                          JEFF
              Thinking about Thorwald?

                          LISA
                   (Nods yes)
              And you, and you friend Doyle --
                   (Stops, to Jeff)
              Did you hear from him again -- since 
              he left?

                          JEFF
              Not a word. He was going to check on 
              the railroad station, and the trunk. 
              He must be still on it.

    As he talks, she seems to be thinking something over to 
    herself. He starts pacing, trying to distill her thoughts. 
    We see that she has brought an oversized handbag with her, 
    which lies prominently on the table.

    Jeff watches her.

                          JEFF
              Something on your mind, Lisa?

                          LISA
              It doesn't make sense to me.

                          JEFF
              What doesn't?

                          LISA
              Women aren't that unpredictable.

                          JEFF
                   (Losing a little 
                   patience)
              Lisa -- I can't guess what you're 
              thinking.

    THE CAMERA CLOSES IN, Lisa stops, faces him. Her eyes sparkle, 
    and her body is tense with concentration.

                          LISA
              A woman has a favorite handbag -- it 
              always hangs on her bedpost where 
              she can get at it. Then she takes a 
              trip and leaves it behind. Why?

                          JEFF
              Because she didn't know she was going 
              on a trip -- and where she was going 
              she wouldn't need a handbag.

    THE CAMERA eases back.

                          LISA
              But only her husband would know that.
                   (Starts to pace again)
              And the jewelry! Women don't keep 
              all their jewelry in a purse, all 
              tangled, getting scratched and twisted 
              up.

                          JEFF
              Do they hide it in their husband's 
              clothes?

                          LISA
              They do not! And they don't leave it 
              behind them. A woman going anywhere 
              but the hospital would always take 
              makeup, perfume and jewelry.

                          JEFF
              Inside stuff?

                          LISA
              Basic equipment. You don't leave it 
              behind in your husband's drawer in 
              your favorite handbag.

                          JEFF
              I'm with you, sweetie, but Detective 
              Thomas J. Doyle has a pat answer for 
              that.

                          LISA
              That Mrs. Thorwald left at six ayem 
              yesterday with her husband?

                          JEFF
              That's what the witnesses told him.

                          LISA
              Well, I have a pat rebuttal for Mr. 
              Doyle -- that couldn't be Mrs. 
              Thorwald -- or I don't know women.

                          JEFF
              Still -- those witnesses.

                          LISA
              We'll agree they saw a woman -- but 
              she wasn't Mrs. Thorwald. -- That 
              is, yet.

    She comes over to Jeff. He reaches up, takes her hand.

                          JEFF
              Come here.

    He pulls her into his lap. She puts her arms around him. She 
    is very happy, and kisses Jeff's cheek.

                          LISA
              I'd like to see your friend's face 
              when we tell him. He doesn't sound 
              like much of a detective.

                          JEFF
              Don't be too hard on him. He's a 
              steady worker. I wish he'd get there, 
              though.

                          LISA
                   (Nuzzling Jeff)
              Don't rush me. We have all night.

    There's a pause. Then Jeff moves back a little to look her 
    straight in the eye.

                          JEFF
              We have all -- what?

                          LISA
              Night. I'm going to stay with you.

                          JEFF
              You'll have to clear that through my 
              landlord --

    She cuts him off with a kiss. When she pulls back

                          LISA
              I have the whole weekend off.

                          JEFF
              Well that's fine, but I only have 
              one bed, and --

    Lisa smothers him with another kiss. She lets up.

                          LISA
              Say anything else, and I'll stay 
              tomorrow night too.

                          JEFF
              Lisa, I won't be able to give you 
              any --

    She smothers him with still another kiss. Then moves back.

                          JEFF
              -- pajamas.

    She laughs, gets up. Goes to the large handbag on the table. 
    Is is a Mark Cross ladies 'attache' case.

                          LISA
              You said I'd have to live out of one 
              suitcase
                   (Picks up case)
              I'll bet yours isn't this small?

                          JEFF
              That's a suitcase?

                          LISA
                   (Starting to open it)
              A Mark Cross overnight case, anyway. 
              Compact, but ample enough.

    She has opened it, and surprisingly enough, it is a compact 
    outfit of pajamas, slippers, toothbrush, toothpaste, and all 
    the general necessities for a comfortable overnight stay. 
    She comes to Jeff, sits in his lap again, displaying the 
    inside of the case

                          LISA
              I'll trade you -- my feminine 
              intuition for a bed for the night.

                          JEFF
                   (Gives in smiling)
              I'd be no better than Thorwald, to 
              refuse.

    The SOUND from the party in the song-writer's apartment 
    becomes more noticeable as his party grows. And at this point 
    he begins playing the song he has been composing for the 
    past few days.

                          LISA
              There's that song again.

    She gets up from Jeff's lap, and puts the overnight case on 
    the table. Open. She goes to the window, and looks toward 
    the song-writers' apartment. Jeff turns with her.

    EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT

    The party at the song-writer's has grow considerably larger. 
    An assortment of well-dressed people have now crowded into 
    the studio. They are drinking, eating, etc. At the moment, a 
    number of them are crowded around the piano, listening to 
    the composer's newest song -- which isn't quite completed. 
    However, the melody has become more beautiful than ever. 
    During the following scene, we HEAR the melody being played 
    a number of different ways on the piano.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT

    Lisa stands, listening, entranced.

                          LISA
              Where does a man get the inspiration 
              for a song like that?

    Jeff watches her.

                          JEFF
              From his landlord -- once a month.

                          LISA
              It's utterly beautiful.
                   (Turns to Jeff)
              I wish I could be creative.

                          JEFF
              You are. You have a talent for 
              creating difficult situations.

                          LISA
                   (Happily)
              I do?

                          JEFF
              Staying the night here, uninvited.

    She sits down on the edge of the divan near Jeff. She leans 
    toward him.

                          LISA
              Surprise -- is the most important 
              element of attack.
                   (She smiles)
              And beside, you're not up on your 
              private eye literature. When they're 
              in trouble, it's always their Girl 
              Friday who gets them out of it.

                          JEFF
              The same girl who keeps him out of 
              the clutches of seductive show girls, 
              and over-passionate daughters of the 
              rich.

                          LISA
              The same.

                          JEFF
              But he never ends up marrying her. 
              Strange.

                          LISA
                   (Stands up; deadpan)
              Weird.
                   (She does a complete 
                   spin, then, 
                   ingenuously)
              Why don't I slip into something 
              comfortable?

                          JEFF
              You mean -- like the kitchen? And 
              make us some coffee?

                          LISA
              Exactly what I had in mind -- along 
              with some brandy.

    She goes to the kitchen, humming with the song-writer's melody 
    which we can HER off. Jeff turns back to the window, looks 
    out.

    EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT

    The shade is going up in the newlyweds apartment. The young 
    husband throws up the window an lights a cigarette. He takes 
    a deep and satisfying drag on the cigarette, glancing toward 
    the song-writer's party.

    Just as he starts to exhale the smoke, we HEAR his young 
    wife's voice off:

                          GIRL'S VOICE
              H-a-a-r-r-e-e-!

    He chokes on the smoke, sputtering and coughing. When he 
    recovers, he throws the cigarette down to the back-yard with 
    a show of irritation. Then slowly he pulls the shade down. 
    Behind us is SOUND of a door shutting

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP

    Over Jeff's shoulder we see Doyle coming down the steps 
    slowly, and seemingly preoccupied. Jeff swings the chair 
    around so that his back is to us.

    SEMI-CLOSEUP

    Without looking at Jeff, Doyle comes into the apartment takes 
    off his hat and places it on the table. He runs a hand over 
    the side of his head and down the back of his neck, which 
    seems to indicate some fatigue.

    SEMI-CLOSEUP

    Jeff. Looking expectantly at Doyle.

    SEMI CLOSEUP

    Doyle reaches for a cigarette on the table, and puts it to 
    his lips. While searching his pockets for a match, he HEARS 
    Lisa humming. His eyes turn upward.

    MEDIUM SHOT

    Over the cabinet which divides the living room from the 
    kitchen, we can see a glimpse of Lisa's shadow on the ceiling.

    SEMI-CLOSEUP

    Jeff, has followed Doyle's look.

    SEMI CLOSEUP

    Doyle picks up cigarette lighter from table, and lights his 
    cigarette. As he is placing the lighter back on the table, 
    he sees:

    CLOSEUP

    From his viewpoint, Lisa's bag containing her lingerie and 
    overnight effects.

    CLOSEUP

    Jeff. His eyes turn from the lingerie up to Doyle.

    CLOSEUP

    Doyle's look is completely noncommittal. His eyes turn at 
    the sound of the song-writer's party. He moves forward to 
    get a better view, as the CAMERA RETREATS in front of him. 
    He stops to glance out of the window.

    EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT

    The party is now full progress. The room is overcrowded. And 
    some people are now sitting on the floor with their backs to 
    the window. Others are outside. A crowd hides the piano 
    player, but music can be head competing with the babble.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP

    Doyle turns his head away, and looks straight out. His 
    expression hardens a little, as he sees:

    EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT

    The window of Thorwald's apartment, completely dark.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP

    He also is looking toward Thorwald's apartment. He turns his 
    eyes anxiously back to Doyle. He seems to be trying to 
    penetrate Doyle's mind.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT

    Doyle turns his head from the window, and looks down at Jeff. 
    He asks, quietly:

                          DOYLE
              What else do you have on this man 
              Thorwald?

    Jeff's tension eases off a little, by he is eager to talk.

                          JEFF
              Enough to scare me that you wouldn't 
              get here in time, and we'd lose him.

                          DOYLE
                   (Soberly)
              You think he's getting out of here?

                          JEFF
              Everything he owns is laid out on 
              the bedroom, ready for packing.

    Doyle looks back toward Thorwald's bedroom. We see the dark 
    apartment beyond him. Doyle nods thoughtfully. He turns his 
    head suddenly at the sound of Lisa coming out of the kitchen. 
    She holds two large brandy snifters containing some brandy. 
    They are cupped in her hand, the stem between her fingers. 
    She is rotating them gently toward the body to warm the 
    brandy. She is quite beautiful.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP

    Doyle reacts to her appreciatively.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT

    She continues rotating the brandy.

                          LISA
              I'm just warming some brandy.

    She comes forward hands one snifter to Jeff. She offers the 
    second to Doyle. (NOTE: In the following set of scenes, 
    whenever anyone holds a brandy snifter, it is being rotated- 
    regardless of their attitudes.)

                          LISA
              Mr. Doyle? -- I presume.

    Doyle sort of smiles, and takes the snifter awkwardly.

                          JEFF
              Tom, this is Miss Lisa Fremont.

    Doyle bows his head slightly, but his eyes remain on her in 
    a fixed stare.

                          DOYLE
              How do you do?

    Lisa smiles in return.

                          LISA
              We think Thorwald's guilty.

    She turns around, and goes right back into the kitchen.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP

    Doyle stares after her, ignoring her remark, still not 
    recovered from the fist sight of her attractiveness.

    Then quickly, his eyes move down and to the left.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP

    The open overnight case with its displayed lingerie.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT SEMI-CLOSEUP

    Slowly Doyle's eyes travel back to Jeff.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP

    Quickly guessing what's on Doyle's mind

                          JEFF
                   (Cautiously)
              Careful, Tom.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP

    Doyle's eyes travel past Jeff to look out the window.

    He still holds the brandy snifter in one hand, and a cigarette 
    in the other. Absentmindedly he still rotates the brandy. 
    The SOUND of the phone ringing is heard.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT

    Jeff picks up the phone.

                          JEFF
              Hallo?

    He listens, and then looks up to Doyle.

                          JEFF
              Just a minute, please.

    Doyle crosses and stands behind Jeff, as Jeff hands him the 
    Phone. He juggles the cigarette, the brandy snifter and the 
    phone all at once. This is all done deadpan.

                          DOYLE
              Doyle speaking.
                   (He listens)
              Uh-huh. -- Yeah. Mummmm -- Mmm. Hmm -- 
              Okay. Thank you, and goodbye.

    He hands the receiver back to Jeff, who hangs up. Lisa comes 
    back in with her own brandy snifter, rotating it.

                          LISA
              The coffee will be ready soon.
                   (Urgent)
              Jeff, aren't you going to tell him 
              about the jewelry?

    Doyle looks suddenly interested. He asks tersely:

                          DOYLE
              Jewelry?

                          JEFF
              He has his wife's jewelry hidden in 
              among his clothes over there.

                          DOYLE
              You sure it belongs to his wife?

    He turns his head to Lisa, who answers.

                          LISA
              It was in her favorite handbag -- 
              And, Mr. Doyle, that can lead to 
              only one conclusion.

                          DOYLE
              Namely?

    His head snaps back to Jeff, who answers:

                          JEFF
              That wasn't Mrs. Thorwald who left 
              with him yesterday morning?

                          DOYLE
              You figured that out, huh?

    His head moves back to Lisa as she answers with a touch of 
    pride in her voice.

                          LISA
              It's just that women don't leave 
              jewelry behind when they go on a 
              trip.

    Before Doyle can comment, Jeff asks impatiently:

                          JEFF
              Come on, Tom -- you don't really 
              need any of this information, do 
              you?

    Doyle smiles at Jeff, and then strolls over to the table 
    where he puts out his cigarette and puts down the brandy 
    snifter.

                          DOYLE
              As a matter of fact, I don't.

    Doyle goes to the window and looks out, as they watch him, 
    expectantly. He speaks without looking at them.

    His voice is flat and to the point.

                          DOYLE
              Lars Thorwald is no more a murderer 
              than I am.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP

    Jeff and Lisa stare at him in astonishment. Then Jeff 
    recovers, and answers with some anger:

                          JEFF
              You mean you can explain everything 
              that went on over there -- and is 
              still going on?

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP

    He spins around, and his face has lost all its friendliness.

                          DOYLE
              No!

    He starts to place the room.

                          DOYLE
              And neither can you.
                   (Points out window)
              That's a secret and private world 
              you're looking into out there. People 
              do a lot at things in private that 
              they couldn't explain in public.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP

    Lisa and Jeff. She replies with some sarcasm.

                          LISA
              Like disposing of their wives?

                          DOYLE
                   (Off)
              Get that idea out of your mind. It 
              will only lead you in the wrong 
              direction.

                          JEFF
              But Tom -- the saw, the knives --

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP

    Doyle breaks in, takes a step forward.

                          DOYLE
              Did you ever own a saw?

                          JEFF
                   (Off)
              Well, in the garage, back home, we --

                          DOYLE
                   (Interrupts)
              And how many people did you cut up 
              with the couple of with it? Or hundred 
              knives you've probably owned in your 
              lifetime?

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-CLOSEUP

    Jeff, reasoning:

                          JEFF
              But I'm not a killer!

                          DOYLE
                   (Off)
              Your logic is backward.

    Lisa cuts in spiritedly.

                          LISA
              You can't ignore the wife 
              disappearing! And the trunk -- and 
              the jewelry -- !


...continue to part 9