Foreign Correspondent Page #8

Synopsis: Johnny Jones is an action reporter on a New York newspaper. The editor appoints him European correspondent because he is fed up with the dry, reports he currently gets. Jones' first assignment is to get the inside story on a secret treaty agreed between two European countries by the famous diplomat, Mr. Van Meer. However things don't go to plan and Jones enlists the help of a young woman to help track down a group of spies.
Director(s): Alfred Hitchcock
Production: Warner Home Video
  Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 1 win.
 
IMDB:
7.6
Rotten Tomatoes:
94%
NOT RATED
Year:
1940
120 min
1,234 Views


Mrs. Stiles packed hers, too. She hopes

she's put in the right things.

It's been a rush, as she's not back yet.

Mr. Ffolliott's waiting in the sitting room.

Another gentleman phoned,

but wouldn't leave his name.

I thought he sounded

like the foreign gentleman at breakfast.

- Did he say he'd telephone again?

- Yes. He said it was urgent.

Well, show Mr. Ffolliott into the study.

- Hello, sir.

- You caught me at a very busy moment.

I'm going to America tomorrow.

Are you taking Carol with you?

Yes, she doesn't know yet.

It's been a rush. I'm waiting for her.

Scott, what's your worry?

Must be important.

Yes, it is rather important.

It's about Carol.

- I'm afraid that...

- What? Anything happen to her?

No, but I don't think you'll be able to

take her with you to America.

Why not?

I know it'll sound rather silly to you,

but Carol's been kidnapped.

- Is this a joke of some sort?

- No, sir.

What do you mean, kidnapped?

I happen to know she's with her aunt

in Harpenden.

I'm afraid she isn't.

Who gave you the message that

Miss Carol's gone to her Aunt Margaret's?

Miss Carol herself, sir.

Thank you.

That's where she thought she was going.

Get me Harpenden, 43422.

Hello. Is that you, Margaret?

Is Carol with you?

No. I wasrt certain.

She said she might run down to see you.

I didn't know whether to expect

her back for dinner.

All right. Good night, Margaret.

No, she isn't there.

What makes you say

she's been kidnapped?

Sir, I arranged it.

Ffolliott, this has gone far enough.

Where is Carol?

Carol's being held as a sort of hostage...

by some people

who are very much in earnest...

as much in earnest as you are.

Don't be so cryptic.

I haven't the faintest idea what you mean.

I want to know

where you're hiding Van Meer.

So that's it. You've been talking

with that American, Haverstock.

He told me something about Van Meer

being alive.

You promised Haverstock

you'd look into it.

Naturally.

Unusual way of looking into it,

trying to put him out of the way.

I realize a life's a small matter,

the way you work.

The people who've got Carol

can take a leaf out of your book.

Where is she? What've you done with her?

Where's Van Meer?

Hello.

I can get our Dutch friend to talk

if you come along yourself.

Sorry to drag you here, but it's the only

way if you want to leave tomorrow.

When you get here,

ask at the cashier's desk to use the phone.

They'll show you straight up.

I'll drop in as soon as I can.

If you want Carol to go with you,

better tell me where Van Meer is.

Bring her here, I'll give you the address.

Carol can be home in three hours.

I want that address now.

You can have it as soon as Carol's home.

I can't possibly wait three hours.

Besides, I happen to want Van Meer alive.

- Scott, I delivered him all right.

- Good.

I think I'll be getting along.

Thanks very much for those points.

Can I take them now?

Good night, Carol.

This isn't like you.

What is it that upsets you so?

I know I'm being silly.

I'm behaving perfectly stupidly.

Please forgive me.

I wouldn't mind so much...

but I didn't think

he was that sort of person.

Something to do with young Haverstock?

You like him very much.

After what happened,

I drove him to the country...

to get him away from those people.

I thought you were going

to Aunt Margaret's.

We were, but Scott ffolliott...

thought it would be better

to go further away.

So I thought The College Arms

at Cambridge would be a good place.

When we got there,

I found out that he wanted...

You see, we'd been joking about it.

When I heard him book the extra room,

I knew he meant it.

Cheap trick. That's what hurts.

It was so cheap.

It wasrt at all like I thought it was.

What difference does it make,

I don't care if I ever see him again.

You won't have to. We're going

to America tomorrow by clipper.

Tomorrow? But I can't.

I suppose I can, but why tomorrow?

They'll probably declare war tomorrow.

We have to get to Washington.

The boats will be crowded.

We may have to wait two weeks

for passage.

- But what about Mr. Van Meer?

- We've done all we could.

I was at the foreign office.

They're taking the whole thing over.

- What is it?

- The blackout. I have to draw the blinds.

I forgot. Before you do that,

order me a taxi.

Yes, sir.

There are some people I must see

before we leave.

I shouldn't be long.

Mrs. Stiles has done your packing.

We'll drive to Southampton,

stay overnight at the Southwestern.

Stiles, my hat.

Goodbye, darling.

I'll return as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, you and Stiles load the car

and get something to eat.

- But what about you?

- I'll get a sandwich later.

at the top of Tottenam Court Road.

Wait here until Haverstock turns up.

He's bound to come here.

When he does, bring him to

off of Tottenam Court Road.

Be careful.

Might I use your telephone?

This way, sir.

- Where is he?

- In there.

We can't make him say anything.

It's up to you.

Let's go. Is this place safe?

There'll be no interruptions.

We close it for decorations.

- The people downstairs?

- They won't make trouble.

They know what will happen

to their relatives if they do.

It's an attractive nest, I know,

and the music...

- It serves its purpose.

- Yes.

Pardon me.

Put your arm around him.

Hold his head forward.

These lights, can't you cut them down?

I thank you.

I thank you very much.

You're like my friend Mr. Fisher.

I'm sorry. It's just so dark...

I can't tell...

but you are so like my friend.

I am Fisher, Mr. Van Meer.

I am your friend.

I'm so glad.

Are the police here?

They mustrt get away.

You mustrt let these people go.

I represent Jupiter Life Insurance.

Would you like a small policy?

- Why did you bring him up here?

- I didn't know what to do.

I'd gladly relieve the lady

of this embarrassment.

You know how women are with firearms,

no sense of timing.

I'll just sit here. You carry on with

what you were doing.

Don't mind me.

I sometimes sit like this for hours.

Who's that?

Is it the police?

Tell me where I am.

You are in London, Mr. Van Meer.

In London?

Have I been here long?

You must send a telegram to my wife.

Tell her that I am safe with you.

Please try to understand, Mr. Van Meer.

The police are not here.

I am here merely to talk to you.

But these people...

They think I'm working with them.

They don't know that I'm your friend.

We must play a little game.

A little game?

Yes. They've asked me

to get you to tell me...

what they're trying to find out.

But I can't do that.

You know that I can't.

You can tell me.

Just that one clause in the treaty.

Clause 27.

Clause 27. Come, Mr. Van Meer.

That's the secret clause.

I know it, Clause 27.

But they, they mustrt know it.

It would help them if they make war.

War, Fisher.

- You don't want them helped, do you?

- Of course not.

Just let them see you telling it to me.

That'll be enough.

Let them see you whisper it to me.

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Charles Bennett

Charles Bennett was an English playwright, screenwriter and director probably best known for his work with Alfred Hitchcock. more…

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Submitted on August 05, 2018

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