Come here, children.
Come closer. Take a good look.
It may seem just a little valley
with a little stream running through it.
But no, there are songs and stories...
...and lovely legends
about this one blessed spot.
It's Sleepy Hollow.
Just because you happen
to be the kindergarten class...
...in the very favored village
of Tarrytown...
...you may run
and play in Sleepy Hollow...
...for exactly 15 minutes.
Look, a kitty.
So this will be the shoe.
You mustn't let Evelynn
catch you with it, or you'll be it.
- Ready?
- Yes.
- Yeah.
- Go.
Cobbler, cobbler, mend my shoe
Get it done by half past 2
- Dorothy.
- No, I haven't got it.
Cobbler, cobbler, mend my shoe
Get it done by half past 2
Amy.
She's dreaming again. Amy, you're it.
- She's kicking me.
- Ready, Amy?
We never have any fun with Amy.
- She spoils everything.
- I'm sure she doesn't mean to.
Amy is a nice girl, only a little different.
Oh, my beautiful.
You are my friend.
Come play with me.
Amy.
I'll get it for you, Amy.
I'll get it for you.
I'll get it.
Mr. Reed, there isn't anything
to worry about.
- After all, it was only a slap.
- That's exactly what I told Mr. Reed.
He insisted upon remaining home from
business to talk to you, Ms. Callahan.
I know it may seem stupid of me...
...but it's not the slap
I'm worried about. It's the reason.
Something to do with a butterfly.
They were quarreling about it.
No. Amy slapped Donald
because he hurt the butterfly.
- It was her friend.
- Well, that seems a harmless fancy.
Amy has too many fancies
and too few friends, and it worries me.
It doesn't seem normal.
You know these fond fathers
with their only chicks.
I can see that you're worried,
and Amy is a very sensitive...
...and delicately adjusted child.
But part of the blame for that
may lie with you.
Perhaps you're overanxious,
watch her too closely, worry too much.
The child's bound to feel it.
It's late, Mommy. You haven't forgotten
my birthday party.
- No, darling.
- Your birthday, Amy.
And I have something for you
in my locker. A present.
Mommy's having a party for me,
and I invited Robert and Lois...
Amy and I will meet you at the car.
And Evelynn and Betty and Ruth...
Look at these, Ollie.
Aren't they cute?
There must be one of Amy's here.
Oh, here it is.
She doesn't seem
to have inherited...
...any artistic abilities
from either of us.
Well, it shows imagination anyhow.
I wonder
if you don't resent that in her.
I'm sure I don't, Alice.
It's something else.
Something moody. Something sickly.
- She could almost be Irena's child.
- But she's not Irena's child.
There's nothing of Irena in her.
She's my child.
All I have to do is look at Amy's eyes.
Deep and blue...
- ... like yours.
- I'm not a jealous woman, Oliver.
- I know that.
- That's why I can tell you...
...that you think too much about Irena.
Blame yourself too much for her death.
No, it's not that. It's because...
...I know what can happen when people
begin to lie to themselves, imagine things.
I love Amy too much to let her lose
herself in a dream world where...
...butterflies become pals.
I saw what happened to Irena
with her cat people.
I know, dear. I understand.
But try not to worry
so much about her.
Be a little easier in your thinking.
Especially today, let's forget about it.
Better hurry. I left Amy in the car,
and she's getting impatient.
She says there's something
important about a 6th birthday.
We'll see that she gets there
in good time.
I'm so happy
to have met you, Ms. Callahan.
You're just as nice as Amy
told me you were.
- I do hope you'll come to see us.
- Thank you, I will.
- Goodbye, Mr. Reed.
- Goodbye, Ms. Callahan.
- Where is everybody?
- It's early yet.
It's nearly quarter after 4.
The party was 4:00, wasn't it?
- Yes, darling.
- Gosh.
In my days, the kids arrived
at birthday parties...
- ... before anybody was ready for them.
- Times have changed.
Ollie, that's for the children
to play with.
No kids yet.
Something's gone wrong.
Maybe I should call somebody.
All right, Ollie. Go ahead.
Call the Millers.
See if their darling Donald has left yet.
- I think I should. Three thousand W?
- That's right.
What is it, Ollie?
- Something's haywire.
- What?
Neither the Millers nor the Irvings
received invitations.
But they must have.
Amy and I made them out together.
You mailed them, didn't you, Edward?
Ma'am, the truth is,
I gave them to Amy herself to post.
- Amy mailed them?
- She pleaded so to do it.
Amy.
Remember the invitations
that Edward gave you to mail?
- Yes, Daddy.
- Did you mail them?
- Yes, I did.
- Where did you mail them?
I'll show you.
Amy. Not that old tree.
Yes, Daddy.
But I told you about that so long ago.
You couldn't have been more than 3 when
I told you that tree was a magic mailbox.
- I didn't forget.
- But, Amy...
...that wasn't real. That was just a story.
That tree's no mailbox.
Well, there they are.
Look, Amy...
...Mom and Dad keep telling you
over and over again...
...but you go right on dreaming.
And then...
...things like this happen.
If the invitations didn't go...
...then that means nobody will come,
doesn't it?
There won't be any party.
Oh, yes.
There is gonna be a party.
We'll have one ourselves.
You and I
and Mother and Edward, huh?
Oh, Amy, look, isn't that beautiful?
Oh, boy, I bet that tastes good.
- You got to blow them all out at once.
- Amy, make a wish.
Wish real hard, blow out the candles,
and your wish will come true.
- But wishes don't come true.
- Certain wishes do.
You told me in the garden that the wish
about the tree couldn't come true.
Well, this is different. Go on, blow.
Oh, Amy, you'll get your wish.
You know what I wished, Daddy?
I wished I could be a good girl.
Now it's all ruined.
You shouldn't speak your wish.
But, Edward...
...with this kind of a wish
that doesn't matter.
I can make this sort
of a wish come true.
I'll be just like Daddy wants me to be.
Play with the other children...
...not sit around by myself...
- ... tell the truth.
- That's right, darling.
And you'll make Mommy
and Daddy very happy.
- Good morning, Edward.
- Good morning, Amy.
Hello, Jack.
Look who's coming.
- What comes next?
- Double knocks, of course.
I just seem to stay
in double knocks forever.
It's very hard to do anything with
somebody breathing down your neck.
May I play too?
You might just as well stop
being nice to us, Amy Reed.
- We're mad at you.
- Why?
Because you said you were going
to invite us to your birthday party.
- And you didn't.
- But I did. I did invite you.
Look at the giraffe.
Look at the giraffe.
Run faster.
Run! Run faster!
Ditch her!
I did invite you to my party.
I did, I did, I did.
We ditched her. Serves her right.
- The old house.
- It's haunted.
There's a witch in it.
Count three, count four
Run past the door
That's the best thing
to say for witches.
Little girl. Come into the garden.
It's pleasant and cool here.
Come into the garden.
Little girl.
Step back, away from the house...
...so that I can see you.
Give me that.
Go away, little girl. Go away.
- May I have my milk, Edward?
- Certainly, little miss.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Look at my ring.
- That's a fine-looking ring.
- A lady threw it to me.
Most surely that was a nice lady
to give a ring to a little girl.
It's a pretty ring.
I wouldn't be a bit surprised
if it were a true wishing ring.
A ring that I can wish on
like I wished on the candles?
Maybe. If it's a real morning ring
like we have in Jamaica...
...all you've got to do
is turn it on your finger...
- ... close your eyes and make a wish.
- If it's a real morning ring...
...I'm going to think hard
for something I want...
...more than anything
in the world before I wish.
That's the clever way to do it.
You look good and hot
and good and tired.
You played real hard with your friends?
I didn't play, Edward.
They wouldn't play with me.
Your daddy isn't going to like that.
He had his heart all set
on your playing with the other children.
I'd better tell him.
Daddy.
Amy, come over here
and take a look at this.
Your daddy is so pleased with you...
...that he's built you a model ship
for your very own.
You see, when you're a good girl
and play with the other children...
...don't go moping
and dreaming by yourself...
...your daddy wants to do everything
he can to make you happy.
Now, you run along
and find the other children.
I wanted to talk to you.
I wanted to tell you
about the other children.
- Can't you tell me later?
- I didn't play with them.
They wouldn't play with me.
What do you mean?
They wouldn't play with me
on account of the birthday party.
Because you didn't ask them?
I don't blame them for being angry.
- Why didn't you explain what happened?
- They ran away.
- Why didn't you run after them?
- I did.
I came to an old, dark house...
...and a voice called to me.
- A lovely sweet voice.
- Now, Amy...
- It's true.
- Who did the voice belong to?
- It was just a voice.
- Now, look, this is the last time...
...you come to me with such stories.
I'm sick of this thing.
- But it's true.
- Let me be the judge of that.
Old, dark houses and voices.
Run out and play with the other children
and never let me hear that again.
Your mother may excuse it
as imagination, but I call it plain lying...
...I'll have none of it. Understand?
My, my, what a coil we're in.
- What's this all about?
- Oh, Amy's been lying again.
No, I didn't.
Voices from an old, dark house.
Did you hear the child out?
- Well, it seemed to me that...
- You mean you didn't.
Seems to me the least you could do.
You can't jump at conclusions that way.
- I think you're being unfair.
- I'm never unfair.
- Ollie, you're shouting at me.
- I'm not shouting at you.
But there's no doubt in my mind
that you spoil this child.
I'm sorry, darling.
Daddy and Mommy are a little upset.
You're upset about me.
I made you fight.
I hate for you to fight.
We're not really fighting, darling.
We're just having a little discussion.
You run out and play,
and we'll make up. Go on, now.
I wish...
...for a friend.
Amy looks happy. Looks almost as if
she were playing with another child.
Like somebody else
were running with her and playing.
Well, nothing wrong
with your appetite, is there?
- I didn't have to coax her tonight.
- She made a promise...
- ... and she's keeping it. Aren't you?
- Yes.
- Saw the way she played this afternoon.
- Indeed, I did.
Up and down the garden she went,
laughing and singing to herself.
I wasn't singing to myself.
I suppose it was to the wind you sang.
Or maybe to the clouds or the sun.
Or perhaps it was to the flowers
in the garden.
All finished, darling?
- Yes, Mommy.
- All right, come along, then.
- Good night, Daddy.
- Good night, darling.
- Pleasant dreams.
- Same to you.
She'll surely have
pleasant dreams tonight.
She's been such a good girl
all day long.
- What are you saying, darling?
- I wasn't saying anything. I was singing.
I suppose any note, no matter how sour,
sounds like a song...
...if you hold on to it long enough.
I thought I'd never forget that song.
- What song, dear?
- The song I was trying to hum.
The song my friend taught me.
You'll remember it sometime.
- Mommy.
- Yes, darling.
- Did you ever make a wish?
- Lots of times.
- Did your wishes ever come true?
- Sometimes.
I made a wish today, and it came true,
just like Edward said it would.
- Where did you get this ring?
- That's what I wished on.
- Edward says it's a wishing ring, and it is.
- But where did you get it?
At the old house with the voice.
Someone gave it you?
But you shouldn't accept gifts
from strangers.
Yes, Mommy.
Where was this old house?
On the back street. A green house.
- The Farren house.
- Do you know the people?
No, I don't know them,
but I've heard about them.
- Are they nice?
- I really don't know.
But I do know
that you must return the ring.
Get Edward to take you there
and give it back to the old lady.
Well, the mother or daughter,
whichever one gave it you.
But ask Edward to go with you.
I'll take it back.
I got my wish anyway.
You mustn't tell anybody,
or it won't come true.
But it's already come true.
Then you must keep it true.
- Good night, darling.
- Good night.
Little miss, you're stopping me
in my work.
I want to talk to you.
Mommy says for you to come
to the old house with me.
I've got to take back this ring.
You just wait until I finish here. I've got
to dust these ships off for your dad.
- Will you come soon?
- Soon as I finish.
- Now, little miss?
- You're going to be busy all day long.
I do suppose so...
...but since you were there yesterday,
guess you can get there today.
That means I can go alone?
- Hello, Amy.
- Hello.
Were you coming to see us,
Ms. Callahan?
- No, darling, I hadn't intended to.
- I live right here.
Well, maybe I'll drop in
and see your mommy.
- Goodbye, Ms. Callahan.
- Goodbye, Amy.
I like to see a home like this.
A home connected with people's
thoughts and work. Things they love.
- This is some of Oliver's handiwork.
- Good too.
- It was fun getting this room together.
- I should think so.
It doesn't fit, does it?
Yet it's a part of our lives too.
A part of our past.
I've often thought of getting rid of it,
but Oliver wouldn't stand for it.
It was his first wife's favorite picture.
She was an artist.
I didn't know Mr. Reed
had been married before.
Yes, he was.
As a matter of fact, I was on the point
of telling you about it yesterday.
It was a tragic, terrible experience.
Oliver's never really gotten over it.
- What is it?
- My mother told me to give back...
...the ring to the lady
who gave it to me.
You're not the lady.
Sit over there.
I quite agree with you.
The sun is not kind.
God should use a rose-amber spot.
Come along.
Here we go.
Sit down, my child.
I've been watching you.
You couldn't see me,
but I could see you.
It was like peeking
through the slit in the curtain...
...before the play began.
You'd be a very good audience.
I can see that.
If you were the lady
who gave me a ring...
...my mother says
I have to give it back to you.
Return it to me? Indeed you may not.
I gave it to you as a present.
But my mother says
I mustn't accept gifts from strangers.
Stranger? Julia Farren a stranger?
Why, I've played every theater
from Boston to San Francisco.
I've played London, Paris.
Those days.
Those beautiful, shining, golden days.
But I only came to give back the ring.
The ring? We'll have
no more nonsense about the ring.
Let's have some tea, shall we?
Tea will be good...
...strong and red now,
the way I like it.
She's always spying on me.
She creeps into the room.
- She lives here.
- Who is she?
That woman is an impostor.
She's a liar and a cheat.
- How do you like your tea?
- Sometimes I get a spoonful...
...of tea in a cup of hot milk.
Good.
It's almost as if
there were a curse on us.
I wouldn't care if it were on me,
but it seems to be directed against Amy.
I sometimes think Irena
haunts this house.
Why, Edward...
...I thought you'd gone with Amy.
No, she went to some old house
she was talking about yesterday.
That's the Farren house.
Is that where she got the ring?
She shouldn't be up there.
- But I told her to go with you.
- She said something about that...
...but she didn't tell me it was
the Farren house. I'll go right over.
Child, have you ever seen a play?
- I like stories.
- Then I'll tell you a story.
A lovely story.
Do you know the story of Rapunzel?
My mommy read it to me.
Do you know the story
of The Headless Horseman?
You live right here in Tarrytown...
...and don't know the legend
of Sleepy Hollow?
Then you must hear it.
I shall tell it to you.
There. Now, you sit there.
Now, we'll pretend this is the stage.
The Headless Horseman.
Why hasn't he got a head?
It was shot off long ago
in the great battles that were fought here.
With the British on one side
and the Americans on the other.
There's a knocking at the south entry.
Knock, knock. Never a quiet.
Wake Duncan with thy knocking.
Is my little miss here?
A little girl with hair
about the color of yours, ma'am?
About time for you to come home, Amy.
But Mrs. Farren just started
to tell me a story. Please.
Let the child stay.
Now, I don't know, Amy.
He'll let me stay, Mrs. Farren.
He'll let me stay.
- Good.
- Now, Amy, I didn't say.
On the dark nights...
...on the stormy nights,
you can hear him.
He passes like the wind...
...and the flapping
and fluttering of his great cloak...
...beating like gaunt wings.
And the thunder
of his horse's hooves...
...is loud and loud...
...and louder.
At the midnight hour...
...down the road
that leads to Sleepy Hollow...
...across the bridge, he goes galloping...
...galloping, galloping.
Always searching, always seeking.
And if you stand
on the bridge at the wrong hour...
...the hour when he rides by...
...his great cloak sweeps around you.
He swings you to his saddlebow.
And then forever you must ride.
And always his cold arms around you...
...clasping you into the cavity
of his bony chest.
And then, forever you must ride...
...and ride and ride...
...with the Headless Horseman.
Come along now.
I've had a nice time,
but I have to go home now. Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Thank you.
Little miss, don't you
never come here alone.
You gave me a fright, you did.
But she's such a nice lady.
But I don't want you
coming here alone.
You get me to go with you
when you want to come here.
You promise?
You be sure of your promise.
A liar, an impostor.
Your own daughter.
You called me that.
Yet you're sweet and kind
to the little girl. A stranger.
Look at me. I'm your daughter.
My daughter, Barbara,
died when she was 6.
That was long ago.
You're only the woman
who takes care of me.
Look at me.
You are an impostor.
He passes like the wind.
Riding, riding, riding, riding.
His cold arms around you.
Loud and louder and louder.
Loud and louder.
- Listen.
- What is it, Alice?
I thought I heard Amy calling.
I guess not.
My friend.
I'm frightened.
My friend.
I'm glad you came.
My friend.
Sing me that song again.
My friend.
He's a million miles away.
Gathering a few aces, I hope. Ollie.
- What?
- It's your play.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I was somewhere else.
- Good morning, Mommy.
- Good morning, darling.
You ready for breakfast?
I had my breakfast
while you were still asleep.
I haven't had mine.
- Well, you know where it is.
- You see the way I'm treated?
You're the only one
who has any pull around here.
Mommy, who's this?
- Amy, where did you get this?
- Right in here.
- Isn't she pretty?
- She was very pretty.
- What's her name?
- Irena.
Irena.
Darling, look, the sun's shining.
Why don't you run out and play.
All right, Mommy.
- Ollie.
- Yeah.
Don't you think
we ought to get rid of this?
- Where did you get it?
- Amy found it in that drawer.
You better go through the whole bunch.
There may be others of Irena in there.
I hope we never have
to tell Amy about her.
There's no need to that I can see.
Irena.
Irena.
Who are you?
You called me by my name.
Irena. But who are you?
I'm your friend.
I've wanted a friend.
I've wanted a friend too.
I've been lonely.
But where do you come from?
You wouldn't understand.
I come from great darkness...
...and deep peace.
But where is that?
I cannot tell you.
Will you be my friend for always?
For as long as you'll let me.
I shall want you for always.
For always, then.
But you must promise
never to tell anyone about me.
Not even Daddy or Mommy?
No.
This must be a friendship
that only we shall have.
You and I.
Amy and her friend.
Oh, I like the sound of that.
Amy and her friend.
Amy and her friend.
One...
...is like a tall princess.
- A princess.
- Of course.
And two is the prince
who kneels before her on one knee.
Yes. Yes.
- The prince.
- That's right.
- This is more fun than just numbers.
- Of course.
There's an oak leaf and a maple.
That one's an elm.
Throw seaweeds into the flames...
...and the fire turns blue.
I don't think that's much fun.
Let's play house instead.
You be the friend
who comes to see me.
I'll show you my children.
Your children?
My dolls.
- We can pretend.
- All right, Amy.
Button your sweater, darling.
It's turning cold.
Yes. Winter's coming.
I don't like the winter.
Oh, but winter's fun.
There's the wind...
...and the snow.
You will like the warm fire
upon the hearth...
...and the long, long nights.
All my children are taking their naps.
We must be very quiet.
This is Lottie.
She's very good.
This is Mary Ann.
She's good sometimes.
This is Virginia.
She's hardly ever good.
These are all from me.
- Oh.
- Why, Amy.
Let's see what we have here.
"To Mother from Amy. "
- Thank you, darling.
- You can't open them yet.
You have to put them
under the tree until morning.
- All right, dear.
- I guess if you can wait, so can we.
Let's see. "To Daddy from Amy. "
Here's one for Ms. Callahan, and...
- ... "To Edward from Amy. "
- Good heavens.
- What could you be giving me, little miss?
- You just wait.
- This one's for Mrs. Farren.
- She gave me a ring...
...so I'm giving her a ring.
I paid 25 cents for it too.
This one hasn't got a name on it.
Why, Amy. Who gets this one?
Who's it for, Amy?
Do we have to guess?
Come on, tell us who it's for.
Ollie, ask them in.
- Merry Christmas. Come on in.
- Thank you.
Put them down someplace.
- Your carols were beautiful.
- Oh, well, thank you.
It's so cold out there, you've no idea.
I could nearly die.
Can I help you?
- Thank you.
- There's a big fire in the living room.
Edward's fixing hot drinks for all.
So bounteous of you. I always said
you were a most bounteous young man.
- The sentiment is mutual, Miss Plumett.
- Thank you.
Right in there.
Oh, my dear, Mrs. Reed.
Of all the houses we've been in tonight,
I swear that yours...
...has the truest dyed-in-tradition
Christmas spirit.
Plumett ought to have
a record of that.
She says the same thing
at every house we go to.
- What did you get for Christmas?
- I don't know yet.
My goodness.
Don't you open your presents
until Christmas morning?
- No.
- We open ours on Christmas Eve.
That's considered proper.
Well, I guess we're not
a very proper family.
Couldn't we have another carol?
Of course you may have another carol.
What shall it be, good friends?
I know one.
"Shepherd, Shake Off
Your Drowsy Sleep. "
Oh, we know that one.
Come on, everybody.
Come on. Come on.
Now, remember,
we start con vivace, you know.
Merry Christmas, Amy.
Merry Christmas, Irena.
I brought you a present.
Oh, thank you, Amy.
You can open it now, I guess.
Lois Huggins says that's proper.
How beautiful.
It reminded me of you...
...so I bought it.
It cost me more than all the others.
I shall wear it on my cape.
That is more beautiful
than I ever imagined.
I wish I could show you
to Mommy and Daddy.
I wish you could enjoy
Christmas with us.
You and I shall enjoy
Christmas together.
Shall I show you
my Christmas gift to you?
Oh, please.
Look.
Amy.
Amy, where are you?
Amy.
Better go in now.
Run along, darling.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas to you, Amy.
Come in, my child.
Sit over there.
You sit there.
I brought you a present.
- Merry Christmas.
- Christmas present.
It's been so long
since I've had a Christmas present.
There's a present
you haven't opened yet.
That's from her. That woman.
Well, let's see what we have here.
In my time, I've had
a great many presents.
Christmas and otherwise.
The king of Spain gave me that ring.
Oh, a ring.
A beautiful ring.
See how it shines.
What would I do
with the king of Spain's ring...
...when I have this to put in its place.
For this...
This is a ring given me
out of friendship and love.
Thank you, my child.
It's getting late.
We'd better be going on.
The family will be waiting.
Such a brief visit.
But, dear child...
...you've made my Christmas
a very happy one.
Merry Christmas.
You didn't even open my present.
And I'm your daughter.
My daughter died...
...long ago.
Dismantling a Christmas tree
always makes me a little sad.
Cheer up. It'll be on us again
before you know it. Amy...
...here, take these
and put them on the fire.
- Isn't it fun to hear them crackle, Amy?
- I like it.
I love the smell of pine.
It's one of my clearest memories.
Twelfth night...
...burning pine and mummer's plays.
Been ages since I've even thought
of a mummer's play.
We used to do them every year in college.
St. George and the dragon.
All kinds of crazy sword dances.
I even have pictures of myself.
All done up in tattered green, waving
a wooden sword. They're in here.
- Here we go again.
- Quiet.
- What did I lose?
- I'll get it, Mommy.
Daddy.
Yes, Amy.
Why, Daddy, you know my friend too.
You couldn't know this woman.
She died before you were born.
Why did you call her your friend?
Answer me, Amy.
Why did you call her your friend?
Because she is my friend.
Ollie, please. Let's not go on with this.
The child's trembling.
We've got to go on.
Amy, all this time, you've let
your mother and father think...
...that you've forgotten
that old dream life of yours.
- Now we find you've only kept it secret.
- It isn't a secret.
She plays with me.
She plays with me
in the garden all the time.
Right out there in the garden. She does.
In the garden?
Would she be there now?
She's there whenever I call her.
Now, Amy...
...I want you to look all around
very carefully.
Then I want you to tell me
if your friend is in the garden now.
Do you understand, Amy?
- She's there.
- Where, Amy?
Right there, under the tree.
Amy, there's nothing there.
There's no one at all in the garden.
But she is there.
Listen, darling,
I want you to look once more.
Take as long as you want.
Look very carefully.
Then I want you to tell me
there's no one there.
- But she is there.
- I tell you, there's no one there.
If you deny that,
if you insist that this...
...woman you call your friend
is in the garden...
...I'm afraid I shall have
to punish you.
- Do you understand?
- Yes.
All right, Amy.
Now...
...tell me what you see.
I see Irena.
Amy's never been punished before.
- Not that way.
- It's best for you not to interfere.
I suppose so.
- I'm sorry to make such a fool of myself.
- After all, a first spanking...
...it's an important occasion.
I'll be all right in a minute.
I'll duck into the kitchen and see what's
happened to Edward and the coffee.
When children are playing
Alone on the green
In comes the playmate
That never was seen.
- What did you say?
- I was starting a poem.
Stevenson's "Unseen Playmate. "
You probably know it.
When children are playing
Alone on the green
In comes the playmate
That never was seen
When children are happy
And lonely and good
The Friend of the Children
Comes out of the wood
- I know it.
- You liked it, didn't you?
I like it now.
Don't you see it's the same thing?
Amy isn't lying to you.
It's an unseen companion.
- Children love to dream things up.
- This is different.
This is worse.
It isn't just a childish fancy.
It couldn't be anything else.
You see, I've lived through
something like this before.
I was married to the very woman
that Amy claims as a friend...
- ... whose picture she identified.
- That's so easy to understand.
She'd seen the picture,
had liked the face...
...and made it a part
of this companion she imagined.
You don't know about this woman.
My first wife, Irena.
You don't know what happened to her.
She told lies to herself and believed them.
I tried to stop it...
...but everything I did was wrong.
In the end, she went completely mad.
There was a terrible tragedy.
She killed a man...
...then she killed herself.
It must have been terrible for you.
But you can't let this stand
between you and your child.
Amy.
Do you know
why I came to you, Amy?
Why I came to be your friend?
Because you called to me.
Out of your loneliness,
you called me...
...and brought me into being.
And I came...
...so that your childhood
could be bright...
...and full of friendliness.
Now...
...you must send me away.
I don't want you to leave.
You'll remember me for a while...
...mourn a little.
But then you'll forget.
And that is as it should be.
I'll never forget you.
If you leave, I'll follow you.
No one can follow me.
Don't go. Don't leave me.
Goodbye.
Please don't leave me.
Don't go, please.
Come back, Irena.
Irena.
But you're a teacher, not a parent.
- You haven't any children.
- Wait a minute. You design ships.
That's your business.
You have no special qualifications...
...to handle children,
other than parenthood.
I'm a teacher. I've studied children.
- What do the books tell you about Amy?
- Just one book.
It's called The Inner Life of Childhood.
There's a whole chapter
devoted to children like Amy.
Unhappy and frustrated.
Children have only one way of escape.
They build companions for themselves.
Some children believe
they have a dog or a cat.
Others create children
or grownups for their friend.
That's an indication
of how serious it is with Amy.
You see, you agree with me.
I have every right to be worried.
I've never argued that. It's just you're
going about it the wrong way.
I still find that hard to believe.
Irena.
Irena.
You've got to be her friend
so that she won't need other friends.
You've got to believe what she says.
Her friend will vanish
the moment her hunger for friendship...
...is satisfied by a real person.
- You're talking about Amy?
- Yes.
I want to trust her.
I want to be her friend.
There's no better time than now.
She's probably upstairs this minute,
sobbing out her grief...
...to a friend who doesn't even exist.
Ollie, why don't you go up to her.
Well...
...I'll go up and see
if she's gotten to bed all right.
Irena.
- Ollie, what is it?
- Amy. She's gone.
Operator.
Give me the state police in a hurry.
She's gone into the woods.
And if you stand on the bridge
at the wrong hour...
...the hour when he rides by...
...his great cloak sweeps around you...
I hate this storm. I hate it.
I don't hate the storm.
It blows beyond me.
It was on...
...a night like this...
...that Barbara died.
But I'm Barbara. I didn't die.
- Don't you understand?
- My Barbara was killed.
No, no. You were out of your mind.
You didn't know anybody.
You didn't remember anything.
Look at me. Look in my eyes, Mother.
Say that I'm Barbara.
No. It's not true.
Everything you say is a lie.
You are a poor, lost woman.
You're not my Barbara.
You're always worse
when that little girl's been here.
If that child comes here again...
...I'll kill her.
Yes, I'll kill her.
- What is it, Johnson?
- The dogs tracked her down to here.
Ollie, they'll find her.
It's a bad night.
If anything happens to her,
it's my fault.
They'll find her.
You can make it up to her.
I'll make it up to her.
I'll trust and believe her.
We'll have to leave the car here.
She's gone across the field.
Mrs. Farren.
Mrs. Farren.
Mrs. Farren.
Mrs. Farren.
Oh, little girl.
Poor little girl.
I'll have to hide you.
Little girl...
...I have to hide you.
No. We...
We can't hide you there.
She knows every corner of that room.
We can go upstairs.
There's a little room under the eaves.
I can hide you there.
I rarely go upstairs anymore. You'll...
You'll have to help me.
- Hurry, hurry.
- Yes.
Yes.
Hurry.
I can't do it.
I can't do it.
Mrs. Farren.
Mrs. Farren.
Even my mother's last moments
you've stolen from me.
Come here.
Daddy.
Come here.
My friend.
My friend.
My friend.
My friend.
Amy.
Amy.
Amy.
I thought we'd lost you.
I thought I'd never find you again.
Amy, from now on,
you and I are gonna be friends.
I'm going to trust you.
I'm going to believe you.
You'll like that, won't you?
Yes, Daddy.
Is your friend in the garden?
Can you see Irena, now?
Yes. I can see her.
I see her too, darling.