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Scripts: Rear Window (final draft, 01/Dec/1953) - part 9

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

    Doyle starts to pace up and down, throwing out a hand in 
    careful explanation.

                          DOYLE
              I checked the railroad station. He 
              bought a ticket. He put her on the 
              train ten minutes later. Destination: 
              Merritsville. Witnesses. This deep.
                   (He holds his hand a 
                   few feet off the 
                   floor)

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

    Jeff and Lisa.

                          LISA
              It might have been a woman -- but it 
              couldn't have been Mrs. Thorwald. 
              That jewelry --

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

    Doyle comes up to the CAMERA, looking at Lisa.

                          DOYLE
              Look, Miss Fremont. That feminine 
              intuition sells magazines -- but in 
              real life, it's still a fairy tale. 
              I don't know how many wasted years 
              I've spent running down leads based 
              on women's intuitions.

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

    Jeff is resentful of Doyle's comments to Lisa.

                          JEFF
              I take it you didn't find the trunk -- 
              And this is just an old speech you 
              once gave at the Policeman's Ball.

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

    Doyle has turned away into the center of the room. He swings 
    around.

                          DOYLE
              I found the trunk -- a half hour 
              after I left here.

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

    Lisa speaks again with continuing sarcasm:

                          LISA
              Of course, it's normal for a man to 
              tie his trunk up with a heavy rope.

                          DOYLE
                   (Off)
              When the lock is broken -- yes.

                          JEFF
              What was in the trunk? A surly note 
              to me?

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

    Doyle comes toward the CAMERA again.

                          DOYLE
                   (Carefully)
              Mrs. -- Thorwald's -- clothes. --
              Clean -- carefully packed -- not too 
              stylish -- but presentable.

                          LISA
                   (Off)
              Didn't you take it to the crime lab?

    Doyle gives her a scathing look.

                          DOYLE
              I sent it on its merry and legal 
              way.

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

    Jeff challenges Doyle:

                          JEFF
              Why -- when a woman only goes on a 
              simple trip, does she take everything 
              she owns?

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP

    Doyle, with a studied, gracious gesture, to Lisa.

                          DOYLE
              Let the female psychology department 
              handle that one.

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

    Lisa answers, but very coldly:

                          LISA
              I would say that is looked as if she 
              wasn't coming back.

                          DOYLE
                   (Off)
              That's what they call a family 
              problem.

                          JEFF
                   (Persisting)
              If his wife wasn't coming back -- 
              why didn't he tell his landlord? -- 
              I'll answer it for you -- because he 
              had something to hide.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP

    Doyle hesitates a moment, and lets his eyes wander, to:

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP

    The overnight case, with Lisa's lingerie.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP

    His eyes going back to Jeff.

                          DOYLE
                   (Blandly)
              Do -- uh -- you tell your landlord 
              everything?

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

    Jeff replies, pointedly:

                          JEFF
              I told you to be careful.

    Lisa looks down at Jeff, not comprehending.

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

    Doyle points to one of the photographs on the wall.

                          DOYLE
              If I'd been careful piloting that 
              reconnaissance plane, you wouldn't 
              have taken the kind of pictures that 
              got you a medal, a big job, fame, 
              money --

                          JEFF
                   (Expressionless)
              All the things I hate.

    Doyle has a complete change of manner. He relaxes and smiles.

                          DOYLE
              Now -- what do you say we sit down 
              to a quiet, friendly drink or two -- 
              forget all about this, and tell lies 
              about the old days in the war? Hmmm? 
              He looks from one to the other.

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

    Neither Jeff or Lisa display even the slightest friendliness. 
    Their faces are cold and set. Then Lisa speaks, icily:

                          LISA
              You're through with the case?

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

    Doyle is relaxed.

                          DOYLE
              There isn't any "case" to be through 
              with, Miss Fremont. Now let's get 
              down to that friendly drink.

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

    Jeff and Lisa remain unmoved.

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

    A little self-conscious, Doyle checks his watch, and says 
    with a pleasant laugh:

                          DOYLE
              Maybe you're right. I guess I'd better 
              get home and get some sleep.

    He waits. No response comes across. His face sobers a little, 
    he reaches for his unfinished drink of brandy.

    He tries to toss it off like a straight shot of liquor.

    Part of it shoots out of the brandy snifter, down each side 
    of his face, and into his suit. He sputters a little, and 
    puts the glass down.

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

    Jeff and Lisa deadpan.

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

    Doyle is wiping his coat lapels with a handkerchief. He looks 
    at them pleasantly.

                          DOYLE
              I'm not much of a snifter.

    He starts away toward the door.

                          DOYLE
              If you need any more help, Jeff -- 
              consult the yellow pages of your 
              telephone directory.

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

    Lisa, still burning:

                          LISA
              I hate funny exit lines.

                          JEFF
              Who was the trunk addressed to?

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT

    Doyle picks up his hat.

                          DOYLE
              Mrs. Anna Thorwald.

    He starts up the steps to the door.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - CLOSEUP

    Jeff points out a challenging finger.

                          JEFF
              Let's wait and see who picks it up.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT

    Doyle poises on the step. He snaps his fingers.

                          DOYLE
              Oh -- that phone call!
                   (To Jeff)
              I gave them your number -- hope you 
              don't mind.

                          JEFF
                   (Off)
              That depends on who "they" were.

                          DOYLE
                   (Pleasantly)
              The police Department at Merritsville. 
              They called to report. The trunk was 
              just picked up -- by Mrs. Anna 
              Thorwald.

    He puts on his hat, smiles, and says.

                          DOYLE
              Don't stay up too late.

    He quietly closes the door behind him.

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

    Lisa and Jeff. Jeff turns his chair around, and looks out to 
    the neighborhood. Lisa stands glumly behind him.

    EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT

    The song-writer's party is now in full swing, and fairly 
    crowded. It is a happy, gay affair.

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

    None of the gaiety is reflected in Lisa and Jeff. Some new 
    music is heard coming across the courtyard and Jeff turns 
    toward it with some irritation.

    EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT

    Miss Torso's apartment has the door closed, and all that we 
    can see of her, as she is lying on the divan, is her legs 
    swinging in arcs as she exercise to record music.

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

    Lisa is not looking in the same direction as Jeff. All during 
    this, she has been staring out at Thorwald's apartment. Now 
    her eyes are looking at the apartment underneath. She murmurs 
    to Jeff:

                          LISA
              Look.

    Jeff turns his eyes in the same direction as hers.

    EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT

    A light has gone on in Miss Lonely Hearts' apartment.

    They look. Surprise of surprises, she has returned with a 
    lover hooked. He is much younger then she, and a little more 
    keyed up to the promise of an adventure still fresh to him. 
    Her actions are coy, and over-feminine.

    She slips away from his hasty embraces and exploratory kisses 
    with the proper flush of confusion and nervous giggle that 
    seems to say, "It's quite a surprise you find me so desirable, 
    but me mustn't do anything improper, you know. After all, 
    we're practically strangers -- and what would you think of 
    me?"

    She pours a drink for each of them with gestures over-genteel.

    As she sips her drink and look at him over the rim of the 
    glass, he tosses his off with nervous dispatch.

    He moves toward her, this time more cautiously. An embrace, 
    a long kiss. She puts her drink down on the edge of the chair. 
    It spills over onto the rug. He begins kissing her cheek, 
    her ear, her neck.

    Suddenly and fiercely she pushes him away. Slaps him across 
    the face. He moves back with shock as she loudly and 
    emphatically orders him out, out, out. He flushes with anger 
    and embarrassment, and his mouth twists into unpleasant shapes 
    as he slaps degrading words back at her, telling her what 
    she is. She screams at him to get out. He leaves, slamming 
    the door behind him.

    She goes back dumbly to the spilled liquor, makes a futile 
    effort to clean it up, and the collapses onto the rug sobbing 
    hard enough to shake her whole body.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT

    Lisa turns away from Jeff's chair to get a cigarette from 
    the table. She lights it, as Jeff turns his chair back to 
    the room.

                          JEFF
              As much as I hate to give Thomas J. 
              Doyle too much credit, he might have 
              gotten a hold of something when he 
              said this was pretty private stuff 
              going on out there.

    He indicates the outside neighborhood with a movement of his 
    head. She doesn't answer, but studies the photographs on the 
    wall of his room.

                          JEFF
              Do you suppose it's ethical to watch 
              a man with binoculars, and a long-
              focus lens -- until you can see the 
              freckles on the back of his neck, 
              and almost read his mail -- do you 
              suppose it's ethical even if you 
              prove he didn't commit a crime?

                          LISA
              I'm not much on rear window ethics.

                          JEFF
              Of course, they have the same chance. 
              They can look at me like a bug under 
              glass, if they want to.

                          LISA
                   (Turns to him)
              Jeff -- if anybody walked in here, I 
              don't think they'd believe what they 
              see.

                          JEFF
              Huh?

                          LISA
              You and me with long faces -- plunged 
              into despair -- because we find out 
              that a man didn't kill his wife. 
              We're two of the most frightening 
              ghouls I've ever known.

    Jeff starts to smile at the realization.

                          LISA
              You'd think we could be a little bit 
              happy that the poor woman is alive 
              and well.

    Jeff smile is broad, and he starts to chuckle. She relaxes 
    and joins him. She sits on his lap, her arms around his 
    shoulders.

                          LISA
              Whatever happened to that old saying 
              "Love Thy Neighbor."

                          JEFF
              I think I'll start reviving it 
              tomorrow, with say -- Miss Torso for 
              a start?

    She gets up, goes to the blinds, and proceeds to lower them 
    one by on.

                          LISA
                   (As she get up)
              Not if I have to move into an 
              apartment across the courtyard and 
              do the dance of the seven veils once 
              an hour.
                   (As she lowers the 
                   blinds)
              Show's over for tonight.

    He smiles. She goes to the table, picks up he overnight case.

                          LISA
              Preview -- of the coming attractions.

    She goes to the kitchen entrance, pauses.

                          LISA
              Did Mr. Doyle think I stole this 
              case.

                          JEFF
                   (Mock seriousness)
              No, Lisa -- I don't think he did.

    She shrugs, goes into the kitchen, the CAMERA PANNING her.

                                                LAP DISSOLVE TO:

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

    Jeff is sitting on the wheelchair near the bar, a drink in 
    his hand. He starts to take a sip from the glass, when Lisa 
    comes out of the kitchen. She is an ethereal beauty, in sheer 
    peach nightgown, covered by a gossamer matching kimono. She 
    turns gracefully in front of Jeff.

    He lowers his drink.

                          LISA
                   (Softly)
              What do you think?

    Jeff puts his drink on the bar. He tries to decide how to 
    answer her question. He can't.

                          LISA
              I'll rephrase the question.

                          JEFF
              Thank you.

    Lisa holds out the folds of her kimono.

                          LISA
              Do you like it?

                          JEFF
                   (Studying it)
              Well, -- if there was one less thread 
              this way --
                   (motions horizontally)
              -- and two less that way --
                   (Motions vertically)
              -- I might give up bachelorhood.

    Lisa turns playfully toward the kitchen.

                          LISA
              I'll be right back.

    Blood-curdling scream from the courtyard outside suddenly 
    cuts through the night.

    Startled, both Jeff and Lisa move quickly for the window -- 
    Lisa lifting the blinds up. The long scream subsides into 
    near-hysterical sobbing.

    EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - LONG SHOT

    We get a high comprehensive view of all the apartments.

    Light are going on in some windows, shades are lifted on 
    others, people are beginning to lean out looking for the 
    source of the cream and sobbing. The song-writer's party 
    comes to a sudden halt, as his guest crowd to the window.

    SEMI-LONG SHOT

    Lisa and Jeff at the window, looking out, startled.

    SEMI-LONG SHOT

    The landlord, beneath the newlyweds, looks out. Tilting his 
    head up toward the center of the yard.

    SEMI-LONG SHOT

    A couple comes out on the high balcony to the right.

    Look down.

    MEDIUM SHOT

    The newlywed's blinds come up, and for the first time we see 
    both of them at the window, the girl looking over the boy's 
    shoulder.

    SEMI-LONG SHOT

    Some members of the song-writer's party move out to the patio-
    balcony, to get a better look down in the yard.

    SEMI-LONG SHOT

    The bird woman comes to the window. Her white face looks 
    forward toward the center of the courtyard.

    SEMI-LONG SHOT

    Miss Torso, pulling a around her, comes out onto her porch, 
    and looks to her left.

    SEMI-LONG SHOT

    Miss Hearing aid comes quickly into her backyard.

    SEMI-LONG SHOT

    The couple who own the dog are standing on their fire escape. 
    They are both looking down, but while the husband is quiet, 
    the wife is holding her hands to the side of her head, sobbing 
    loudly. We have heard her sobbing since the moment of the 
    scream which she uttered.

    SEMI-LONG SHOT

    Lying near the sidewalk in the backyard below the couple's 
    fire escape, is the silent body of the little dog they own. 
    Miss Lonely Hearts comes running out of the basement door. 
    She goes directly to the dog, picks it up in her arms. Then 
    she slowly turns and looks up at the sobbing woman above 
    her.

                          LONELY HEARTS
                   (Her voice clear)
              It's dead! It's been strangled and 
              the neck is broken!

    SEMI-LONG SHOT

    Instead of increasing her sobbing, this news quiets, 
    momentarily, the woman who owned the dog. Her hands go down 
    to the railing of the fire escape, gripping it fiercely. She 
    lifts her face to the neighborhood, her lips set and her 
    eyes burning. Her chest moves convulsively from the crying.

                          SIFFLEUSE
              Which one of you did it?
                   (Loud)
              Which one of you killed my dog?
                   (No one answers; her 
                   voice is acid)
              You don't know the meaning of the 
              word "neighbor". Neighbors like each 
              other -- speak to each other -- care 
              if anybody lives or dies. But none 
              of you do! You don't talk, you don't 
              help, you -- you don't ---
                   (Fighting tears)
              Even see. But I couldn't imagine any 
              Even of you being so low that you'd 
              kill a little helpless, friendly 
              dog! The only thing in this whole 
              neighborhood who liked anybody!

    SEMI-LONG SHOT

    The guests at the song-writer's party begin to move silently 
    back to the studio apartment.

    SEMI-LONG SHOT

    The people move off their balcony into the apartment.

    SEMI-LONG SHOT

    The woman almost screams at the people now, as she looks up 
    at the apartment.

                          SIFFLEUSE
              Did you kill him because he liked 
              you? Just because he liked you?

    She breaks out sobbing anew, and returns to her apartment 
    and out of sight, the crying growing fainter with her retreat. 
    The husband leans over the fire-escape, and motions Miss 
    Lonely Hearts to place the dog in the basket, which is already 
    lowered.

    SEMI-LONG SHOT

    Miss Lonely Hearts puts the dog in the basket, and watches 
    as the husband draws it slowly up.

    SEMI-LONG SHOT

    The bathing beauties go inside their apartment.

    MEDIUM SHOT

    The newlyweds draw their shades again.

    MEDIUM SHOT

    The landlord moves away from the window.

    SEMI-LONG SHOT

    The dog moves closer to the fire escape, slowly, the husband 
    pulling the rope in hand over hand.

    SEMI-LONG SHOT

    Miss Torso goes back to her apartment.

    SEMI-LONG SHOT

    Miss Hearing Aid turns down the volume of her hearing aid 
    and goes back to her apartment.

    SEMI-LONG SHOT

    The dog reaches the fire escape, and the husband tenderly 
    takes it out of the basket. He turns to carry it's into the 
    apartment.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT MEDIUM SHOT

    Jeff and Lisa are at the window. He is holding on of hands. 
    Jeff speaks without looking up.

                          JEFF
              For a minute, Doyle almost had me 
              convinced I was wrong.

                          LISA
              But you're not?

                          JEFF
              In the whole courtyard, only one 
              person didn't come to the window.
                   (He points)

    EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT

    Thorwald's apartment. It is dark. The only light that can be 
    seen in it is the glowing end of a cigar in the center of 
    the room, back from the window -- as if Thorwald was sitting 
    quietly on his sofa, smoking.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - MEDIUM SHOT

    Lisa looks down at Jeff.

                          LISA
              Why would Thorwald want to kill a 
              dog?
                   (Almost a laugh)
              Because it knew too much?

    He nods solemnly and then turns back to the window, as both 
    he and Lisa look again towards

    EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT - SEMI-LONG SHOT

    Thorwald's apartment. Still dark, and only the unmoving glow 
    of a cigar showing in the center of the apartment.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - MEDIUM SHOT

    Jeff, Stella and Lisa are grouped at the window, looking 
    out. THE CAMERA is behind them. Jeff holds the long-focus 
    lens to his eye.

    EXT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - CAMERA SHOT

    We wee the upper part of the bedroom window, belonging to 
    Thorwald.

    The lower part of the window is covered by a wall. In the 
    bathroom, Thorwald is wiping the enameled wall with a damp 
    cloth. He rubs at particular spots now and then.

    Over this we hear:

                          JEFF
              Do you think this was worth waiting 
              all day to see?

                          LISA
              Is he cleaning house?

                          JEFF
              He's washing down the bathroom walls.

                          STELLA
              Must have splattered a lot.

    INT. JEFF'S APARTMENT - DUSK - MEDIUM SHOT

    We now see their faces. Jeff lowers the camera with a long-
    focus lens. Neither he nor Lisa make any comment.

    Finally Stella blurts out:

                          STELLA
              Well, why not? That's what we're all 
              thinking. He killed her in there, 
              and he has to wipe up the stains 
              before he leaves.

    Lisa turns away from the window.

                          LISA
              Stella, your choice of words --

    Stella also turns, interrupting her

                          STELLA
              Nobody's invented polite words yet 
              for killing.


...continue to part 10