Clue

The opening credits appear over a sky, growing stormy.

1 -- EXT. WADSWORTH'S CAR--TWILIGHT -- 1

WADSWORTH's car travels through the wind of an oncoming storm.

It pulls up to the gate of Hill House.

Hill House is a large, imposing mansion, looking very New England.

Wadsworth takes out a key and unlocks the gate.

He drives the car up to the front door.

2 -- EXT. HILL HOUSE--FRONT DOOR -- 2

Wadsworth exits the car, holding a bag and looking at the two barking guard dogs.

The dogs approach Wadsworth . . . then jump.

Wadsworth quickly pulls a big beef bone out of the bag and hurls it to them.

The dogs trot away to gnaw on the bone as Wadsworth rolls up the bag.

Wadsworth cinches their chain so it won't allow them to reach the door.

He steps toward the door . . . and sniffs.

Wadsworth pauses and checks the bottom of his feet. Dog crap.

He looks in disgust at the dogs, who aren't bothered at all.

3 -- INT. GROUND FLOOR--THE HALL -- 3

The Hall of Hill House is remarkable, elegant but not gaudy.

It is furnished in dark wood, and brass, with crystal chandeliers.

There are several doors on each side of the hall and three at the end.

To the left:
Lounge and dining room.

To the right:
Study, library, and billiard room.

The end:
Conservatory, ball room, bathroom, and kitchen.

The stairs are located to the right.

By the staircase is the door to the basement steps.

We hear "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" in the background.

Wadsworth opens the front door of Hill House and wipes off his foot.

He enters and hangs up his coat.

SUPERIMPOSED:
NEW ENGLAND

1954

Wadsworth steps briskly down the Hall steps toward the library.

4 -- INT. GROUND FLOOR--LIBRARY -- 4

The library is a somewhat more comfortable room than the hall,

composed of dark colors. All of the walls are covered with books,

with the exception of one wall, a window.

YVETTE, a young and rather jiggly french maid, is polishing a glass.

The music is much louder.

Wadsworth enters and turns off the record player. The music stops.

He speaks to the maid in a proper English accent.

WADSWORTH:

Is everything ready?

She replies in a French accent.

YVETTE:

Oui, monsieur.

WADSWORTH:

You have your instructions?

Yvette nods.

Wadsworth exits.

Yvette sniffs the air, and then examines the bottom of her shoes.

5 -- INT. GROUND FLOOR--KITCHEN -- 5

The kitchen is white tile, narrow. There is a meat freezer to the right.

A counter leads off to the left.

MRS. HO, the cook, is sharpening a knife.

Joseph McCarthy is speaking on the television in the background.

Wadsworth enters.

WADSWORTH:

Is everything all right, Mrs. Ho?

She turns, knife in hand.

MRS. HO

Dinner will be ready at seven-thirty.

The doorbell rings.

Wadsworth exits the kitchen.

6 -- EXT. HILL HOUSE--FRONT DOOR--NIGHT -- 6

A man is standing by the front door, being growled at by the dogs.

He is not comfortable.

7 -- INT. GROUND FLOOR--THE HALL -- 7

Wadsworth opens the door.

WADSWORTH:

Good evening.

MAN:

Good evening. I don't know if--

WADSWORTH:

Yes, indeed, sir, you are expected, Colonel.

May I take your coat? It is Colonel Mustard, isn't it?

MUSTARD:

No, that's not my name. My name is Colonel--

WADSWORTHme, sir, but tonight you may well feel obliged to my employer

for the use of an alias.

Mustard sniffs around and checks his shoe as Wadsworth hangs his coat.

The pair starts across the hall.

MUSTARD:

And who are you, sir?

WADSWORTH:

I'm Wadsworth, sir. The butler.

8 -- INT. GROUND FLOOR--LIBRARY -- 8

Yvette is present.

WADSWORTH:

Yvette, will you attend to the Colonel and give him anything he requires.

(glances at them)

Within reason, that is.

Wadsworth exits, closing the doors behind him. The doors have books

on the back of them, and so look like a part of the wall.

MUSTARD:

Oh, Wadsworth, I was--

Mustard turns to discover the doors have disappeared.

The bell rings.

9 -- EXT. HILL HOUSE--FRONT DOOR -- 9

A woman dressed in black stands here.

Wadsworth opens the door.

10 -- INT. GROUND FLOOR--THE HALL -- 10

WADSWORTH:

Do come in, madam. You are expected.

WOMAN:

Do you know who I am?

WADSWORTH:

Only that you are to be known as Mrs. White.

WHITE:

Yes, it said so in the letter. But, why . . . ?

Wadsworth removes her coat, with a brilliantly white inside.

Mrs. White sniffs and checks her shoe.

11 -- INT. GROUND FLOOR--LIBRARY -- 11

Yvette and Col. Mustard are here.

Mustard is sipping Cognac and glancing at Yvette.

The doors open, the left one into Col. Mustard.

WADSWORTH:

Ah. May I introduce you? Mrs. White, this is Yvette, the maid.

(The two women react with disgust)

I see you know each other.

Mrs. White turns away as Col. Mustard emerges from behind the door.

WHITE:

Hello.

MUSTARD:

Hello.

12 -- EXT. ROADSIDE -- 12

A slim woman is standing by her broken down car.

An owl can be heard.

She hits the car, obviously frustrated.

Thunder roars in the distance.

The woman sees headlights a short way away. She smoothes her dress.

As the car nears, she bends over the engine and lifts a leg.

the car screeches to a halt just past her and backs up.

The woman goes to the car and peers in.

MAN'S VOICE

Want a lift?

WOMAN:

(sultry)

Yes, please . . .

She gets in.

13 -- INT. MAN'S CAR -- 13

WOMAN:

Thanks. I'm late for a dinner date.

MAN:

Me too. Where are you going?

The woman pulls out a sheet of paper.

WOMAN:

(looking at paper)

Let's see . . . Hill House. Off Route 41.

MAN:

Wait a minute. Let me look at that.

(takes paper)

That's where I'm going. I got a letter like this.

They both look disturbed.

14 -- EXT. CAR -- 14

The rain has started.

The windshield wipers start as the car pulls away.

15 -- INT. GROUND FLOOR--LIBRARY -- 15

We see a middle aged woman.

WADSWORTH (O.S.)

And this is Mrs. Peacock.

MUSTARD:

How do you do?

WHITE:

Hello.

WADSWORTH:

Yvette, will you go and check that dinner will be ready as soon

as all the guests have arrived?

Yvette nods.

Mrs. Peacock stares disapprovingly at Yvette's exposed cleavage.

Yvette exits the library.

The doorbell rings.

16 -- EXT. HILL HOUSE--FRONT DOOR -- 16

It is now raining quite hard.

A man is standing at the door, much like Col. Mustard was.

The dogs, of course, are growling.

Wadsworth opens the door.

MAN:

Is this the right address to meet Mr. Boddy?

WADSWORTH:

Oh, you must be Mr. Green.

GREEN:

Yes . . .

WADSWORTH:

(to dogs)

Sit!

Green frantically sits on a bench by the door.

WADSWORTH:

No. Not you, sir.

Mr. Green sheepishly gets up and enters the house.

17 -- INT. MAN'S CAR -- 17

WOMAN:

It should be just off there.

17a -- EXT. HILL HOUSE--VIEW FROM FRONT GATE -- 17a

17b -- INT. MAN'S CAR -- 17b

MAN:

That must be it.

17c -- EXT. HILL HOUSE--VIEW FROM FRONT GATE -- 17c

Lightning crashes, illuminating the house.

17d -- INT. MAN'S CAR -- 17d

WOMAN:

Why is the car stopped?

MAN:

It's frightened.

17e -- EXT. HILL HOUSE--FRONT GATE -- 17e

The car is started again and it rolls up the driveway.

18 -- INT. GROUND FLOOR--LIBRARY -- 18

Lightning crashes, making Mr. Green gulp.

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