The Ghost Breakers

Hello, operator?

Operator?

Operator, the lights in my room.

What?

The lightning?

Do you suppose you could

send up some sort of light?

I'm leaving for Cuba tonight, and I

still have packing to do. Thank you.

The entire hotel's in darkness.

They're sending up some candles.

The lights are out

all over the city.

New York has had many storms, but

never has the whole place gone dark.

It's very strange.

Exciting, isn't it?

Oh, that must be the boy.

Oh. I hope these will help, Miss Carter.

They will. Thanks. We expect

to have the lights on soon.

That'll be fine.

Hold it, sister.

Just like Christmas,

ain't it?

More like the Fourth of July. Yeah.

Nice night

for a murder.

How did you know? I didn't. I didn't!

I just said it would be

a nice night for one.

One flash of lightning and we're

practically back in the Middle Ages.

You'll have to get used

to candles, Miss Carter.

There's no electricity

on Black Island.

The castle today is exactly as your

great-great grandfather built it.

The ghosts have to find

their way around in the dark?

- How depressing. - So you know the stories

about Castillo Maldito?

Mother told me about it.

She also told me about Santa Claus,

Snow White and the seven dwarfs.

Unfortunately, the legends about

the castle are not bedtime stories.

Mr. Havez, I believe you're

trying to discourage me.

Well, I suppose as a member

of the Cuban consulate...

I should paint the castle

as a palm-fringed paradise.

But privately, Miss Carter, I advise

you to stay away from Black Island.

Oh, come now. You don't

believe in ghosts.

We must admit there is

a dividing line somewhere...

between superstition

and the supernatural.

All I know is that during

the last 20 years,

no human being who has tried to

spend a night in Castillo Maldito...

ever lived

to see a sunrise.

I bet I will.

Very well. I shall cable

that you are coming.

- Who's there?

- It's Kelly. Raspy Kelly.

Speak up. I can't

hear ya in the dark.

Push that button. I don't wanna

be here all night. I'm in a hurry.

Mr. Lawrence ain't got time

to talk to nobody tonight.

Alex!

Just a minute.

I's comin', boss. Oh.

Thunder and lightnin' goin'.

What a night, and ain't

nobody don't want me.

Mr. Lawrence's domicile.

Who's callin'?

Broadcasting station?

Just a minute. He's gettin' dressed.

Thanks for the memories

No, not you. Wait a minute.

of candlelight and wine

ouch! Will you quit buzzin'there?

Do you by any chance

know where I put my pants?

How lovely! Alex.

Alex.

I's comin'.

Give me the candle and you fall

over the furniture for a while.

Yes, sir.

Basil Rathbone must be

giving a party. Yes, sir.

Kinda rough,

isn't it?

Every time we have a storm like

this, something happens to me.

You remember that Greek girl

in Los Angeles? I sure do.

Mm, I don't like it.

I don't like it either.

Who was that on the

phone? Radio station, boss.

They said don't pay

attention to the storm...

'cause they's gonna use

auxiliary power. Aux what?

They mean you'll go on the air

at the regular time.

Did they get a positive okay

from heaven? I don't know.

If that's Raspy

Kelly, I owe him money.

Well, from the tone of his

inflections, you better pay him.

And that dame in Cincinnati.

Boy, what a storm that was.

Hiya, Larry.

Hiya, Raspy.

Get my hat and coat,

will ya, Alex? Yes, sir.

Here's that 50 for

that Frenchy Duval story.

Thanks. When you gonna

spill it over the air?

In just about 30 minutes. Yeah?

How can they broadcast

on a night like this?

They'd broadcast if the

world was coming to an end.

They would, eh?

You don't mind, do you?

No. I got another one for

you. Even better. Thanks.

It's about Machine Gun Marky. Oh,

really? Is it hot up to the minute?

Is it hot?

Wait'll you hear it.

He's drivin'

his car, see?

Another car comes along,

runs him into a ditch.

Marky gets

all smashed up.

When did it happen? Well, I

can't tell you exactly, but...

it'll probably

be tomorrow.

Tomorrow? Yeah. Well, so long.

Hey, Raspy, wait a minute. Does your

mob know you're giving me these stories?

Oh, don't worry. But

anytime you get... Shh!

Don't shout. Anytime you

get too gabby on the air,

the boys just

tune you out.

But they don't mind a little

publicity. They kinda like it.

I know. I plug them

or they'll plug me.

You get the idea.

Raspy, you

don't mean... Now listen.

Have you got a match or a

blowtorch? Alex, where are you?

Right next to you, boss. Oh, you

look like a black out in a blackout.

This keeps up, I'm gonna

have to paint you white.

Oh, that's better.

Where's Raspy?

I heard a door slam.

You did?

Better get goin', Mr. Larry. Yeah.

You sho' do

keep me worried.

Don't be silly. I'm in great

shape, for the shape I'm in.

But a lot of folks

don't like you, boss.

I expect some mornings when I

come to get you outta the bed,

I'll have to pull the sheet up

instead of down.

You can stop worrying

for the next four weeks.

Finish packing my bags and

pick me up after the broadcast.

Yes, sir. Tomorrow we'll be

up in those trout streams.

Don't forget your muffler.

Ah, that's the life.

Those great open spaces,

fresh mountain air.

Go to the window at six o'clock in the

morning, open it, climb in and go to bed.

Ah, life, love and

the pursuit of happiness.

Remember that redhead

in Poughkeepsie?

Well, don't be late.

Yes, sir.

Gettin' up 6:
00 in the morning,

climbin' in and outta windows.

If only you had some

relative to go with you.

Don't worry about me. Poor

working girl, honest but tough.

I can take care of myself.

That must be he now.

That must be he now.

Come in, Mr. Parada. I'm sorry to

be late. L... Oh, am I intruding?

Not at all. This is Mr.

Havez of the Cuban consulate.

This is Mr. Parada.

Senor.

How do you do?

I presume you are here to witness the transfer

of the estate to our charming friend?

Yes, as a matter

of routine.

Very well. Here are all

the rights and titles...

to the Castillo Maldito

on Black Island...

and to the island

itself.

I am sure you will find them

all in good order. Gracias.

And here, my dear, is your

transportation to Havana,

if you still care

to use it.

Outside of the ghosts, are there any

new reasons why I shouldn't sail tonight?

Maybe this is

a good reason.

I just received this cablegram

giving me the authority...

to offer you $50,000

for your castle.

Fifty thousand dollars!

This doesn't

make sense.

Why should anyone offer so much for

a castle full of secondhand spooks?

Who's making the offer,

Mr. Parada?

I'm sorry, I'm not at

liberty to tell you that.

Excuse me.

Hello. Yes.

You don't know me, Miss Carter.

My name is Ramon Mederos.

- I want to warn you against selling your

castle to Parada. - What did you say?

Well, I...

I can't see you now.

Where are you?

I'm in the hotel.

When may I see you?

In 20 minutes?

I'll be there.

In the meantime, be cautious.

Everything's in regular

order. Thank you.

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