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The Mummy's Curse (1944)
Hey, you
with the naughty eye When you pass us by we just have to cry Hey, you, yoo-hoo When we see your smile and the sweet profile We dream all the while of you Hey, you till we meet again At the Place Madeleine on the rue de Lorraine, we two And if you care for me and be my sweet chri Yoo-hoo I'd go for you Hey, you With the naughty eye When you pass us by we just have to cry Hey, you Yoo-hoo When we see your smile and that sweet profile We dream all the while of you Hey, you Till we meet again At the Place Madeleine on the rue de Lorraine, we two And if you care for me and be my sweet chri Yoo-hoo-hoo-hoo how I'd go for you Tante Berthe, you sing plenty fine. Maybe someday pretty soon you get tired being wife to little guy like Ulysses and you marry me, yes? No! Not much fun being married to a man twice as old as yourself. That will fix you, Cajun Joe. Maybe now you keep your mouth shut. Hey, your wife, she's not changed mind yet. But pretty soon I be rich man. Mm. For small guy, I make plenty more money than you. Yeah, Tante Berthe, she's making the money with her singing. You good only for wash-a dish. Say, you get to be a rich man at working as foreman in swamp clearing? Yeah, when the job's finished in the swamp clearing, I take my money and get me a good pair of fishing ground in bayou. The work in the swamp, she is finished now. What for you say that? 'Cause nobody is so crazy to work there and you know why. No, Achilles, you tell me why. On the night when the moon is so high in the heaven, the mummy and his princess, they walk. Crazy, foolish! Antoine! Where he is, huh? Maybe the mummy got him! The loup-garous, they don't want no more diggin' in the swamp. I go back, pick moss. But I no work in the swamp, never. Me neither. I no go to the place. Achilles is right. This place, she's-a haunt. Oh, waste up. You listen to me, I know better from all of you. I been pearl fishin' this place for over 30 year. Long ago, there was a mummy like you say and he take a girl in the swamp. But that was 25 year pas'. Can't you people get it through your heads that the government is draining that swamp for your benefit? For the sanitation and health of your families? You know what I mean, Hill. It's up to you to get those men back to work. Mr. Walsh! We are the ones that have to understand. These men are convinced that the swamps have got a curse on 'em. Don't give me any of that childish business, Hill. You're the foreman around here. Get those men back to work. Ask him where Antoine is. Oui. You think it's childish business. Everybody knows the place, she is haunted. Antoine, he disappear last night. Maybe he went to Tante Berthe's Cafe and got drunk. No, he no go to Tante Berthe. He stay on the job. Everybody know that work on the swamp, he catch hard luck on his family and children's children. Too many people, they go in the swamp, they never come out. That's nonsense and all of you know it! When you consider, Mr. Walsh, the swamp hasn't changed for hundreds of years, it's... Then it's a good thing we started doing something to remedy matters. I don't care how you go about it but get those men back on the job right away. That's all. I'm looking for a Mr. Walsh. That's me. My name is Halsey. Dr. James Halsey from the Scripps Museum. How are you? This is my colleague and associate, Dr. Ilzor Zandab. How do you do? The Scripps Museum, eh? Now, what can I do for you? I have a letter of introduction that will explain. Come in the office. I don't get this at all. 'Sides, I happen to be rather busy. I merely wanted to present our credentials and ask your cooperation. Cooperation? What for? Well, you're head of the engineering project here. We've been sent to recover the mummies of Kharis and the Princess Ananka, believed to be buried in these swamps. Look, mister. I've got trouble enough with these people and their superstitions. What's more, I'm not gonna be annoyed by college professors gettin' in my way. Diggin' for mummies! If I promise not to get in your way, Mr. Walsh? I'll advise you not to. Dr. Halsey, has not permission been secured by the Scripps Museum to excavate and explore these swamps? Museum or no museum, this work cannot be delayed. Mr. Walsh, you won't be delayed in the slightest. In fact, we probably won't start until after your work is done. And the swamp sections are drained. In that case, Dr. Halsey's expedition won't be in our way at all. Now, you stay out of this! Just because you're upset is no reason to be unfriendly to them. Look, I've had enough argument for one day! You be sure and check on those requisitions for more cable and another derrick. Good day, gentlemen. I'll just be a few minutes, Betty. Thanks for helping us out. But you shouldn't talk back your boss like that. You're liable to get fired. You mustn't mind Uncle Pat. Oh, your uncle? He isn't nearly as unpleasant as he appears to be. Say, what makes you so sure that these mummies are buried in this swamp? Because many years ago, the mummy carried off a girl. Pursued by the townspeople and the sheriff's posse, he made for the swamps right in this locale. And that, Mr. Walsh, is a matter of record. The newspaper files of The Bayou Times carried long descriptive accounts of the event. You expect me to believe a story as fantastic as that? As a matter of fact, the Egyptians themselves doubt the legend of Kharis. But nevertheless, a small group in Egypt did harbor the mummy through the centuries. And he's been traced right here to this country. In the dictum of the fathers it is written: "Truth will flourish in fantasy, "only to wither and die in what you are pleased to call reality." Mm-hmm. Yes, and speaking of reality, Ilzor, I think it's time we started getting organized. Boss! Something terrible done happened. What is it now, Goobie? Antoine! They just find him dead! What? At the edge of the pit on the edge of the swamp. These unnecessary accidents! Oh, no, sir, he was killed! What do you mean? And the workmen, they're getting mighty scared, sir. They're gonna quit. Find Cajun Joe. He knows how to handle these people. Yes, sir. He's probably at Tante Berthe's Cafe. Bring him in as quick as you can. Yes, sir. Get Dr. Cooper. Master Joe! Master Joe! Master Walsh is lookin' for you. Why do he want me for? "Find a lizard on the grave, 'tain't no charm your life would save." Hey, what are you talking about, Goobie? They just find Antoine in the big pit with a knife in his back. Huh! I don't know how it could've happened with all these men workin' around here. How long has he been dead, Dr. Cooper? I can't say definitely. But I'd judge at least 24 hours. He must've been murdered yesterday and the body left here. The devil's on the loose! Maybe soon we'll all be killed. Mr. Walsh! Will you come here a minute? What does that look like? It looks like a hole in the ground. No, no. Come down here and take a better look. Hey, looks like the imprint of a man's body. A big man too. Not an ordinary man's body, Mr. Walsh. Unless I'm mistaken, a mummy was buried here until a bulldozer uncovered it. Oh, Ilzor, I want you to see this. What do you think that is? Might be part of a wrapping from a mummy. But it will take a full microscopic test to make certain. The devil's on the loose and he's dancin' with the mummy! See what I told you, Joe? The loup-garou is plenty mad. Only crazy people dig in the swamp. He's right! The swamp is haunted by the mummy! How many time I told you, the mummy he's-a no scare nobody. Let's all stop the nonsense! If this cloth wrapping proves authentic, whoever found the mummy must've murdered Antoine. The whole story's fantastic! Perhaps not as fantastic as it seems, Mr. Walsh. Joe, go into town and notify the authorities of Antoine's murder. Master! Master! 'Tis you, Ragheb. Yes, Master. The hours of the night are few. Lead the way, quickly. Look, Master. The path leads right up the hill from the very swamp edge. But the mummy cases, where are they? Safely hidden in the monastery. You couldn't have carried them up alone. No, I've had help. You've been told to work secretly! Those who helped will not talk. I trust you silenced them less noticeably than you did Antoine? With Antoine I had to act quickly, Master. This time their bones will long be turned to powder before our secret is discovered. Come. The hours do not linger. It is good. Yes, Master. My robe. But where is Kharis? Over there, Master. Kharis, you shall rise again to find your Princess Ananka. That is our vow to you. Kharis will soon be ready to return to life and movement. Yes, Master. Now, where is the copper box and the sacred brazier? They are here. Open it. There you will find leaves of the ancient tana tree. Yes, Master. Give three to me. Three leaves to keep his heart beating. Once, each night, during the cycle of the full moon, we will dissolve three tana leaves and give the fluid to Kharis. Yes, Master. Once each night during the cycle of the full moon. And nine leaves each night to give life and movement. Nine leaves each night to give him life and movement. And now, by this medallion of the late priests of Arkam, you will swear to the ancient gods of Egypt that you will not betray your trust. I swear by the mighty power of Amon-Ra, whose anger can shatter the world, that I will not betray my trust. Now that you have sworn, the time has come when you must learn the purpose of our mission. You will look back with me across the years that pass like vapor before thine eyes. Over 3, 000 years ago, the Princess Ananka died. She was buried with all the ceremony due her exalted station. Ananka's father, King Amenophis, bid her her last farewell. And thus, the Princess Ananka was placed in her tomb. Kharis, a prince of the royal house who loved Ananka, looked on in grief. His devotion was so great that he refused to believe she was lost to him forever. Kharis broke into the altar room to steal the secret of eternal life from its hiding place at the feet of Isis, the goddess. With that, he knew he could bring Ananka back to life. Daring the anger of the ancient gods, he stole the forbidden tana leaves. Returning to the tomb of his beloved, to restore her once again to mortal state, Kharis was discovered by guards who seized him. For it had been decreed that whoever defiled the temples of the gods should meet a cruel and violent death. And never should his soul find rest unto eternity. Such was the curse of Amon-Ra, king of all the gods, upon Kharis. And for the sin he had committed, he was condemned to be buried alive. But first, they cut out his tongue so the ears of the gods would not be assailed by his unholy curses. Then all trace of sinful Kharis' identity was destroyed. And he was buried alone on a remote hill, far beyond the Valley of the Seven Jackals. With him was also buried a great quantity of the forbidden tana leaves. As slaves covered the accursed burial spot, a signal from the high priest moved the warriors to action. The slaves were killed so that they could not tell what had taken place. Later, the priests removed Kharis from his unholy grave and placed him in a cave on the other side of the mountain, together with a large quantity of the tana leaves. It was ordained by the great god Amon-Ra that Kharis should remain immortal, and that his heart should beat throughout eternity. For his tomb guarded the passageway to the sacred resting place of Princess Ananka. And thus, none but the priests of Arkam knew where Kharis was buried. For over 3,000 years, Kharis remained in his cave on the other side of the mountain, waiting to bring death to him who would desecrate Ananka's tomb. For Kharis really never died. Then why, Master, is he here in America? An American archeologist seeking the tomb of Princess Ananka, by accident came upon and dared to desecrate the burial place of Kharis. Kharis desired to carry his Princess Ananka back with him, but nonbelieving infidels have driven them into these swamps. That I have heard. Two high priests of Amon-Ra came to America to bring you and Ananka home to Egypt to repose together in eternal and immortal peace. Both of those priests have met a violent death in the attempt. And now you, Ragheb, shall help me to succeed where they have failed. We shall fulfill our sacred duty or die by violence. Yes, Master. You have risen, Kharis! 'Tis well. What does this mean? Who are you? What are you doing here? I am Michael, self-ordained caretaker of this monastery. I thought this place was abandoned. This house of worship, though silent for many years, is not to be desecrated by such pagan customs. I'm afraid I shall have to ask you to take these sacrilegious things away. They shall remain only for the night. You cannot stay here another hour. In a room beneath the chapel I found the bodies of freshly murdered men. Never has this happened before. Quitting time already, Goobie? Yes, sir, Mr. Ragheb. Another day gone. You goin' to town tonight? No, not tonight. Hey! Hello. I no see you before. What your name? Where you come from? Ah, you wet. You better take my coat. Think something happened to you. Better come with me. Kharis! Kharis! Kharis? What is this Kharis? Maybe that's your name? Come on, I bring you to Tante Berthe. She fix you up, all right. We better not go the front door. We go the side way to Tante Berthe. You wait here. I go get Tante Berthe. What do you do here in my home, Joe? Shh. Who's she? I find dis poor girl in de swamps. She's-a very sick. What is she doing here? Hey, what is your name? What's the matter with you? Don't just stand there, go get Monsieur Doctor! All right, all right. You take good care from her. Don't worry, just get Monsieur Doctor, quick. Go on, there, I fix the bed and get you some clean clothes. And you just rest for awhile. That's it. The hour has come, Kharis. The moment for which you have waited so long. Ragheb has seen your bride, Princess Ananka, taken away. Now you shall go to take her. You know your destination. Drink! Drink from the brew of the nine tana leaves. And any who would stand in your way, kill. Kill! You feel, perhaps, a little better. What's the matter? You feel sick again? I thought we were gonna hit her. I wonder what's happened to her and what she's doing here? Yes, look at the way she's dressed. What strange clothes to be wearing out in the swamp at this hour of the night. She doesn't seem to be injured in any way. Let's take her back to camp and have Dr. Cooper take a look at her. You'd better sit in back with her. Excuse me. What's the matter here? Where the girl? What happened? We have a good time singing. Ulysses come in here and... And Tante Berthe, she on the bed. This woman is dead. Death by strangulation. I don't know why somebody want to kill her. She's only sing and try to make people happy. Funny marks in the throat. It looks like mold. Odd, isn't it? Poor Tante Berthe. She's-a dead. And-a girl, she's-a gone. Wha... What has happened to me? I woke up and everything is so strange. Who are you? We're friends. We found you wandering around last night. Wandering? Dr. Halsey and Miss Walsh brought you here. Are you feeling better? I cannot remember who I am or what I'm doing here! Do you remember Joe? No. Do you remember Tante Berthe? Tante Berthe. The Cajun woman. Cajun woman. You really only suffered a severe shock. Now, you need have no fear. Just lie down. Rest quietly and you'll be all right. I'll drop in to see how you are later. Now, that poor girl is definitely a victim of amnesia. We must give her something to do, something to keep her mentally alert, keep her talking as much as possible. She could help me with my laboratory work. I could start her tomorrow. That would be fine, fine. Hello. What are you trying to do, develop a fine case of sunstroke? Good morning, Dr. Halsey. I hope you do not mind my working out here. I had one of the men move the equipment. I love the sun. Yes, but does it love you that much? Or will you be shining like a boiled crawfish in an hour or two? I can never get too much sun, Dr. Halsey. I hope you will forgive me, but I've been reading your notes. Oh, it's just a lot of technical data you probably wouldn't understand. I do understand, Dr. Halsey. And you're right. These are mummy wrappings. But your notes are not complete. Well, that's very interesting. Here. See for yourself. Notice the coarse material, and the number of strands per square inch. This fabric was woven during the dynasty of King Amenophis. And worn by Kharis, prince of the royal house. Have you studied archeology? Archeology? No, No. At least I do not remember. Well then, how do you know about this cloth, and about Kharis? I do not know how. There's really no way to explain it. Sometimes I feel as if it's all part of a... ...strange... ...dream. Say, if you're right, this is terrific. You could be a great help to me. You know, this is... Ilzor, do you know this young lady? No, sir. Just a minute, Ilzor. Kharis! Kharis! Here, here! What're you saying? I'm sorry. What happened to me? You were calling Kharis. Kharis? Was I? Yes. It is the will of Amon-Ra. This morning I tried to lead your Princess Ananka to you. But it has been ordained that you must seek her out for yourself. Hasten then, while the moon is still high. Pardon me for breaking in like this, Doctor, but I need your help. I need help desperately. I don't think anyone can help you in your present state of mind. Please sit down. He's coming for me. Who's coming for you? Kharis. Who's Kharis? It's so hard to explain. It's as though I were two different people. Sometimes it seems as if I belong to a different world. I find myself in strange surroundings, with strange people. I cannot ever seem to find rest. And now, Kharis. You wait here. I'll get you something to quiet your nerves. Oh, please, do not go! Do not leave me, please! Shh. Listen. You hear? I suppose you've seen the morning paper about Dr. Cooper being killed, and the disappearance of that strange girl? I have. Well, what've you got to say about it? I regret it very deeply. But I can't see why you should challenge me. I didn't kill Dr. Cooper. Ever since you started fooling around here, we've had nothin' but trouble. First there was Antoine. Then Tante Berthe, the cafe woman. I didn't kill them, either. The same mold markings that were found on Tante Berthe's throat, were found on Dr. Cooper's. Kharis, the mummy... Oh, the mummy? Oh, yes, the mummy. It's hard enough to get something done with a lot of superstitious fools. And by Jupiter, you're not gonna drive the rest of 'em away with your mummy killings. You're not helping matters any by ignoring them, Mr. Walsh. The mummy must be caught. You should be willing to help me. Help you? I'll help you, all right! Just you listen to this. Betty, I want you to send a telegram to the main office right away. Tell them that I insist the permit granted to the Scripps Museum to excavate in these swamps, be revoked at once! Now just a minute, Mr. Walsh... Uncle Pat, you can't do that. Can't I? Just you send that telegram. Go on, send it! No, Uncle Pat, it's unfair and I won't. You won't? No, I won't. All right, I'll send it myself! How about that girl? Maybe she tell us something if we find her. You're right. There must be some connection there. That's hard to believe. But the mummy always shows up wherever she is. First at Tante Berthe's, then at Dr. Cooper's. Undoubtedly coincidence. Just the same, I intend to try to find her and solve this puzzle. Me, too. I'll help find that poor girl. I know these swamps like my finger. Thanks, Joe. Get Ragheb and some of the other workmen to go along. We'll cover every trail tonight. Personally, I think the whole search is hopeless. Well, I don't. Thanks for trying, anyway. We are only wasting our time, Dr. Halsey. It doesn't look like we're having much success. Always, that girl walk like she's asleep. The swamp, she's-a plenty bad for people like that. I go and hunt till I find her. I don't think it'll do much good. Well, let's separate and continue the search, anyway. Hello, wait. Wait! Hey! Hey! No! No! No! Miss Walsh! Miss Walsh! May I stay here with you, where there's light? I'm so afraid of the night and the darkness. Of course you may. But where have you been? Dr. Halsey and the others have been looking for you. Why did you run away after Dr. Cooper was killed? Why are you so afraid? I don't know. If only it would help me find myself. I remember being brought here to this tent. I was very happy. Then he came to take me away. Who came to take you away? The High Priest of Arkam. You're just upset from your experience tonight. You'll be all right after you've rested. Uh! Aaah! What's happened, Miss Walsh? Oh, Ragheb, we must find Dr. Halsey! The mummy... The mummy took the girl away. The mummy? You mean you've really seen him? Yes, and that strange girl you were looking for. She came to my tent, and then the mummy came and took her away. You were searching the swamp with Dr. Halsey. You've got to help me find him. He's not far from here, Miss Walsh. I will guide you. Oh, thank you, Ragheb. What's happened, Goobie? Where's Miss Walsh? I don't know, Master Halsey. I done hear a funny noise a little while ago, and when I run out here, this tent was torn down. Miss Betty's sure enough disappeared. The mummy. Mummy? Do you think he take the boss's niece? Looks that way, Goobie. I'm gonna follow those tracks. You wake up Mr. Walsh and tell him. Master Walsh! Master Walsh! Get up! Get up! What's the matter? What's the matter, Goobie? The mummy's on the loose! He's dancin' with the devil. What are you talking about? They done broke in Miss Walsh's tent and carried her away. What? Yes, sir. Wake up Achilles and the boys. I'll get dressed. Yes, sir. How much farther is it? Right up there. Our prayers to the mighty Amon-Ra have been answered, Kharis. The Princess Ananka shall be lifted from her mortal state and sealed in this case, and shall be returned with you to Egypt, there to be embraced by the sands of the past. Where is Dr. Halsey, Ragheb? He is not here. But you told me he... This monastery has been abandoned for nearly 100 years. Ragheb! The curse of Amon-Ra upon you, Ragheb. Dr. Zandab! Those robes! You're, you're... The High Priest of Arkam. Your tongue shall be torn from your mouth, for the vows you have sworn to... falsely! Master, I am but flesh and blood. You have betrayed your trust! The secret of Kharis and his bride, Princess Ananka cannot be preserved, unless... ...this girl dies. No, Master. The vultures will pick the flesh from your bones, after Kharis learns of your treachery. I, too, know the secret of the tana leaves. Without the brew, Kharis is powerless. Enough! Aaah! Jim! Betty, what happened? He brought me here. I was looking for you. Master, I meant no harm. Betty! Are you hurt? No. I'll get you back to camp. Ilzor. He's dead. What was he doing here? Look out, Jim! No, Kharis. No! If you destroy me, the secret of the tana leaves will die. Jim! Jim! Are you all right, Betty? Yes, but a little shaken up, Uncle Pat. Say, what on earth's been going on in here? The wing collapsed. Buried Ragheb and the mummy. Master Halsey! Master Halsey! What is it, Goobie? I don't know, boss, but it ain't human! Now I understand why she knew so much about Kharis and the ancient Egyptians. What are you talkin' about? This mummy is the girl we brought to the camp. She's the Princess Ananka. Sure, and I'm her grandfather. We'll put a crew of men together digging Kharis out of the rubble, then send them both back to the Scripps Museum. They oughta put you on display, too. Well, maybe you'll clear out of the swamps now and leave me alone so I can get a little work done. Oh, I'll get out. But you haven't seen the last of me yet, Mr. Walsh. There's a certain secretary... You're welcome to her. Go ahead! Thanks. Thanks. Well, as a secretary, you haven't been any use to me since the minute he walked in on us. |
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