The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake (1959) Movie Script
1
[mysterious music playing]
- Dad, are you alright?
- Hmm.
What is it that happens?
You never tell me.
I'm sorry, Alison.
You wouldn't understand.
You've got to stop
these experiments.
After all these years of study
at the university...
how little
I have actually learned.
I wish you'd take some rest.
Suppose the power for good dies,
when the mind dies.
What if Shakespeare were right?
That only the evil that men do
lives after them.
Forgive me Allison,
you came here for something?
- Didn't you find my message?
- Message?
Uncle Ken called.
Ken? What did he want?
Umm... he said he'd seen
somebody named Tsantsas.
That isn't the way
he would have said it.
What did my brother say exactly?
You must remember!
Well... maybe I misunderstood.
Is it that important?
Alison...
This is what the Jivaro Indians
of Ecuador called Tsantsas.
But that can't possibly have
anything to do with uncle Ken.
He doesn't know anything about
your work or your experiments.
There's no way to get
to him by plane.
The train will take two days.
Dad will arrive Thursday,
Alison.
My brother will be here
Thursday, Rogers.
- Have the guest room ready.
-[Rogers] Yes, sir.
[eerie music playing]
[music builds]
[gasps]
[mysterious music playing]
[car door closes]
[doorbell rings]
YES, sir?
Lieutenant Rowan,
Police Department.
Police?
We received a call from a...
Miss Alison Drake to look
in here, she thought
there might be trouble.
Trouble, yes! But none
to concern the police of.
Well, you better let me
decide that.
My master passed away last
night sir. Most unexpectedly.
- Natural causes?
- Oh, yes.
The body is on its way to be
embalmed. But Dr. Bradford,
his personal physician is still
here if you care to talk to him.
Yes.
Dr. Bradford, this is
lieutenant Rowan of the police.
- Glad to know you, Doctor.
- Lieutenant.
This is Dr. Zurich.
Dr. Zurich is a friend
of the family.
But you're Mr. Drake's
personal physician?
Yes, that's right.
Dr. Zurich is an archaeologist.
He deals with the dead,
not the living.
The butler here tells me that
Mr. Drake died suddenly?
It was a natural death. Would
you like to see the certificate?
Yes, please.
Coronary occlusion, you sure?
There is a long history
of Cardiovascular failure
in the Drake family.
Probably a congenital weakness,
something in the heredity.
What makes you say that?
For the last three generations,
every male member
of the Drake family
has died in the same way.
And at almost the same age, 60.
Then an autopsy would be
a waste of time.
And money.
It might help pin point
the exact area of malfunction,
-but...
- I see.
Miss Alison Drake told me...
that the dead man had been
worried about something
to do with a... shrunken head.
That's strange.
Rogers found one of those
horrible looking thing,
hanging outside the window
there last night.
You mean that head had something
to do with Mr. Drake's death?
It's a little preposterous,
isn't it, Lieutenant?
Sure, if Mr. Drake's
had died naturally.
Do any of you know
if this head represents a...
superstition or something?
I am familiar with Tsantsas.
Tsantsas?
The Jivaro Indian name
for shrunken heads.
I am considered something
of an authority,
on the Indian culture.
That is why Rogers
sent for me, when...
this was found,
hanging in the window.
A particularly fine specimen.
Well, goodbye, Dr. Zurich.
- Dr. Bradford.
- Lieutenant.
I... I understand Jonathan Drake
is expected here.
Yes, sir. We are holding
services for Mr. Kenneth Drake
in the morning.
He should be here by then.
Well, tell him I was here,
and if needs me for anything
more, to please call me.
Certainly sir.
[car door closing]
Leave the coffin
in the living room, please.
That's where the services
will be held.
[mysterious music playing]
[car door closing]
[doorbell]
Mr. Jonathan!
- What is it, Rogers?
- Your brother, sir.
How did Ken die?
Dr. Bradford said it was
his heart, sir.
Jonathan, I'm glad
you could get here.
George, are you sure
it was his heart?
Could it have been
anything else?
Jonathan, are you still trying
to convince me
about that ancient curse?
I know what I am talking about.
It was a natural death,
nothing else.
Why is the coffin closed?
Your brother's face, sir,
we thought it was better
to keep the coffin closed.
- Open it.
- What?
Open it, or I will.
Zutai.
Everything is ready.
Kenneth Drake,
you have paid for the evil
of your ancestors.
- Alison.
- How is he, doctor?
Organically, perfectly sound,
as nearly as I can determine.
But when a sensitive man like
your father sustains
such a shock at his age...
He will be alright?
He's been resting comfortably
under sedation.
How are you feeling?
I was Kenneth's only hope.
I was too late.
It's as I said, Alison.
"The evil that men do...
lives after them."
After what happened to
Uncle Ken,
do you think there could be some
truth in what my father
believes?
Your father studied these things
most of his life, Alison.
He'd know a great deal more
about it than I would.
Miss Alison, there's
a Lieutenant Rowan of the police
-waiting to see you.
- Oh, yes.
You will call me if there is
any change, won't you?
Certainly.
The mutilation of your uncle's
corpse makes it a criminal case.
Now all I have been getting
so far is a lot of double talk.
Somebody's gotta come up with
a few answers that make sense.
What do you think
I can tell you?
You called me about
a shrunken head
before your uncle died. Okay.
Now, one of those heads
was found in that window.
What made you think
it might turn up?
I only know that my... father
was worried about his brother.
And that it had something to do
with Tsantsas.
Just as I told you.
Miss Drake, just what is it
you want me to think?
I'm not sure, Lieutenant.
All I know is that I want you
to find whoever it was,
who did that thing to my uncle
before it happens again.
[mysterious music playing]
Zutai.
Zutai.
Next will be Jonathan Drake.
And then the curse
will be finished.
All these years you must have
wondered why your father chose
to study the occult
and the supernatural.
I've tried to understand.
I'd hoped that if
I could learn enough,
I could someday destroy
the curse on the Drake family.
Dad, please listen to me.
I know a lot of things have been
happening that we can't explain.
But there will be
an explanation.
Maybe even the police
will find it.
But it can't have anything
to do with the supernatural.
I just can't believe it.
I never really expected you to.
I had to live all my life,
knowing exactly what was
going to happen someday Alice.
It's been a heavy cross to bear.
Perhaps it has even prevented
me from being
the right kind of father to you.
I want to tell you now,
I'm... terribly sorry.
Dad, you've been
working too hard.
Why don't you take a rest?
You could get some time off
from the university.
I've always wanted
to keep you from this.
Now I can't.
You've never been
in the Drake family vault.
- No.
- Then it's time.
This is the only key
to the vault.
From now on, you keep it.
[mysterious music playing]
Since the house was built...
this has been the final resting
place for all the family.
With one exception.
- Captain Wilfred Drake.
- My great-great-grandfather.
Same thing happened to him,
that happened to Kenneth.
The curse began
with Captain... Wilfred,
who had a training station
on the upper Amazon.
When the Jivaro Indians
kidnapped his Swiss agent,
Captain Wilfred led an
expedition into the jungle
to try and save him.
They found the agent alright.
He was at the Jivaro village.
The Indians had taken his head.
The captain and his men killed
every Jivaro man and male child,
except one.
The Chingui. The witch doctor.
He escaped
and hid in the jungle.
And he's the one
who put the curse on
every Drake male descendant.
My grandfather, Gilbert Drake...
dropped dead
on his 60th birthday.
Buried without a head.
My father, David Wilson Drake,
buried a headless corpse,
age 60.
And now, my brother.
Come.
I want to show you something.
The skulls were always
returned to the vault,
by someone or something.
How? No one knows.
Just the skulls, that's all.
The rest of the heads
were missing.
There it is, finished.
Perfect.
Soon as you return this
to the Drake family,
you will be ready
for Professor Jonathan Drake.
- Glad you could come Lieutenant.
- Trouble?
Could we talk out here? I don't
want my father to get alarmed.
Sure, we could go in the car.
[car door closing]
Now, what's happened?
Lieutenant, my father thinks...
that he will be
the next one to die.
Anybody threaten him?
No, not directly.
Before I go on, I want you
to understand that my father
is an intelligent man.
Sure.
University professor
for 27 years.
An authority in the field
of the occult sciences.
He is 60 years old,
his hobbies are--
Why did you get
this information?
I told you,
it's a criminal case now.
We have to find out
everything we can.
We checked on you too.
Just routine, you don't
have to worry about it.
Thank you.
Now, what did you want to
tell me about your father?
He insists that there is a curse
on the men of the Drake family.
Curses don't have anything
to do with fact, Miss Drake.
When somebody mutilates
a corpse, that's a fact.
Will you please listen to what
I have to say, Lieutenant?
Let me tell you exactly
what my father thinks.
Okay... I'm in no rush.
Well, that's it,
the whole story.
Do you still think there is a
threat to my father's life?
Can... can you get me
into that vault?
What good would it do?
Well, I can answer that better
when I have seen it.
Alright. I'll get the key, but
I don't want my father to know.
If you like, I'll go alone.
No, I'd rather be with you,
than stay here.
Now that's your uncle's,
alright? Just as you said.
And the skulls are where?
In there.
Do you have the key?
Did you say two skulls?
Yes. my great-grandfather's
and my grandfather's.
And your family had
the only keys,
and gave them to no one else?
That's right, why?
Look.
[gasping]
Three skulls now.
Maybe now we know
what happened to Kenneth Drake.
Let me bring you
a glass of hot milk, sir.
- It might help you sleep.
- If you like.
Very good, sir.
[mysterious music playing]
I brought you...
Jeff, look!
Hold it!
[gunshot]
[Zutai screams]
Whatever it was,
I must have hit him.
You stay here.
Miss Alison, can you
come up, please? Your father!
Jeff, come quick, please!
Jeff, please!
No sign of a pulse. I'm afraid
your father is beyond hope.
But he can't be.
Roger said he saw the man
who was in here before--
The shock must have been too
much for your father's heart.
Doctor... isn't that
his blood on the pillow?
- A slight wound.
- Just a scratch on his neck.
Didn't you say this Indian or
whatever he was had a Stiletto?
Yes, it was long and thin,
sharp as a needle it looked.
- Get that pillowcase off the bed
- Yes.
But why?
I want to take it to the police
lab, and have it analyzed.
Come on, Lee, come on!
If that stuff is
what I think it is,
Drake may be dying
off poison right now.
How did you know?
Yes, its poison, alright?
- Curare.
- Curare?
[dialing phone]
We're not too late.
Hello, Rogers.
This is Lieutenant Rowan.
Put Dr. Bradford on for me.
The only people I know
that use curare as poison
are some Indians
in South America.
Hmm, I don't get this.
Makes two of us.
Hello, Dr. Bradford.
Look, get Drake an Antidote
for Curare poisoning
as quick as you can.
No, it has nothing to do
with his heart.
I'll be there soon.
In the meantime,
make sure nobody touches
anything in or around the house.
Thank you.
Attempted Murder?
Get your equipment,
I've got a job for you.
Alright.
Dave, I want a man posted at
the Drake house 24 hours a day.
Right.
Ah! it's a nice place to visit,
but I wouldn't wanna live here.
Where do you wanna
get the prints?
Over there.
See what you find on that.
If you find fingerprints on it,
it means somebody
has been getting in and out
of this vault without a key.
If I do find some fingerprints,
and if you don't find a way
to get in and out of here,
then what you're gonna think
it was that put this skull back?
You're beginning to
sound like the Drake girl.
You know it's gonna take
a lot of proving to convince me
that there is anything
supernatural about this.
Then you better
take a look at this.
Tell me what you see
on that skull.
What is this? What is this,
some kind of gag?
It's no gag, Jeff.
Those impressions
were on the fingers
of whoever it was that
put the skull in the cabinet.
Did you find anything that looks
like a secret entrance in here?
No, the vault is air tight.
Then, how do you feel about
something supernatural now?
- Lee.
- Yeah?
Test these other skulls,
and tell me what you find.
But you said one of these
skulls has been in here
for over 100 years.
That's right.
Then how do you expect to find
the same fingerprints on them?
The same man couldn't have put
all the skulls in the cabinet.
I hope you are right.
- The fingerprints are identical.
- Yeah.
Jeff, what have we got here?
I do not know.
Here, you lock up.
I'll see you back
at the lab later.
I want to have a talk with
that girl and Dr. Bradford.
Fine.
[door opened]
[door closed]
Did you get the antidote,
Doctor?
It wasn't difficult. Curare is
one of the Phenolic Alkaloids.
I can only hope, I was able
to administer it in time.
It doesn't seem to be
having much effect.
I'm sorry, Alison.
I tried to rush the analysis,
the lab man did
the best he could.
I'm sure he did.
I am very grateful.
[Jonathan mumbling]
He's coming out of it.
Thank you, Jeff.
Don't touch me.
- No, leave me alone!
- Jonathan, lay still, rest.
Don't touch me.
Don't touch me, no!
No!
- What's happening to him?
- He's still in shock.
Alison
His pulse is coming back
to normal.
You would be alright, Dad.
It'd be alright.
Alison,
he shouldn't be disturbed now.
Do you think he'll be alright,
if we leave him alone?
I have a guard posted outside.
I'll check your father again
in a little while.
There's nothing else
we can do now.
I... I found something
out in the vault.
We better have a talk about it.
Could one man have lived
long enough...
to have put all three skulls
in there?
I know of no such case
in medical history.
Jeff, Dr. Bradford, look.
That's it.
That's the way the impressions
appeared on the skulls.
"The cult of headless men was
composed of High Priests,
or Witch Doctors,
of jungle tribes,
deep in the Amazon country
of South America."
"There is no proof, legend has
it that the men of this cult
achieved immortality through
the infusion into the body
of a fluid... created by
the tribal priests."
"When the operation was
successfully completed, the man
had achieved immortality,
for he would no longer need food
or oxygen to exist."
"The lips were sewn tight
to prove the theory."
"Then, the brand of the cult,
small impressions of skulls
were branded on the fingers."
Okay, so it's a legend.
I don't believe
it ever happened.
I don't believe it could happen.
Somewhere in the past,
many legends have a basis
in the fact.
I'm going out and have a look
around the garage,
you two want to come with me?
Well I better stay here,
if Jonathan needs me.
I'll go.
- What do you expect to find?
- I'm not sure.
When I shot before,
I hit something,
and hit it bad
by the way he yelled.
But when I looked, he was gone.
It's the best disappearing act
I have ever seen.
Are you sure it was
something human?
- Come on.
- Jeff!
Hmm.
Ah, you satisfied?
Only human beings wear
sandals or shoes.
That means he must have been
right here on this spot.
What is it?
The ground is soft enough
for footprints.
But he didn't leave any.
And for an average straight
thinking cop that is impossible.
But there has to be an answer.
If he...
A bullet hole, probably
from one of the shots I fired.
I wanna take these
back to the lab.
Go back to the house
and stay there.
I don't want you to go
wondering around these grounds.
I don't want anything else
to happen.
I'll be careful.
Jonathan Drake,
your life was saved
by Dr. Bradford.
But it will not happen again.
And now, you will hear my words.
You will hear
what I say to you.
My words will enter
into your mind.
You will see what I see.
Everything that comes
into my mind...
will come to yours.
You will see...
your fate.
You will know...
that you must die.
As your ancestors died...
as your brother died.
Nothing can save you now.
Watch, Jonathan Drake,
watch,
as your skull joins the others.
Miss Alison...
Rogers, get an ambulance
Immediately.
Yes, sir.
[door closing]
His heart is strong enough,
but he's gone back into shock.
Worse than before.
What could have happened?
The way the pupils of the eyes
are dilated,
something must have
terrified him.
A nightmare, or something worse.
There's a policeman outside,
nobody could have gotten in
without being seen.
You're forgetting.
The thing that came after
your father before
left no footprints.
Now, perhaps the thing
was real and tangible,
but what if it wasn't?
Everything is done
that can be done.
You aren't going
to the hospital?
I think there is something of
more importance to your father
that must be
taken care of first.
I'll be at the hospital later.
Dr. Bradford.
Such a pleasure. Come in.
- Come in.
- Thank you, Dr. Zurich.
- Please sit down, Dr. Bradford.
- Thank you.
Is there something
I can do for you?
Something is puzzling me,
and as you are an expert
on such matters,
-perhaps you can help me.
- Yes?
Curare is the favorite arrow
poison of the Jivaro Indians,
is it not?
And also of the Incas,
and others of the Amazon tribes.
The Jivaros are the headhunters,
who shrink their trophies?
That is correct.
But why this sudden interest
in curare?
Because I am convinced
that curare, not heart failure,
caused the death
of Kenneth Drake.
And tonight, someone used the
same poison on Jonathan Drake.
But he did not die.
How did you know that?
How very fortunate for Mr. Drake
that you were present
to save his life.
What? Tell me,
how did you know that?
It makes no difference,
since you will never leave here
to save his life again.
- What?
- Zutai!
No!
- Make any sense out of it?
- No.
I analyzed the bullet
and the sandal,
and nothing makes any sense.
Jeff, you hit something
with that bullet alright, but...
what is something else?
- No blood on it?
- Yeah, a little.
Jeff, the internal composition
of the thing you hit
is about one third blood
and the rest curare.
- Curare?
- That thing should be dead,
it's practically embalmed
with this stuff.
What about the sandal?
- You got a strong stomach?
- Hmm.
It's made from human skin.
- Lee, are you sure?
- Yeah, I'm sure.
Jeff, in the name
of all that's holy,
what have you tied
onto in this case?
I do not know,
I'm going around in circles.
But there is a, there is a
doctor, a guy named Zurich.
Maybe he can come up
with a few answers.
- Is he a regular M.D.?
- No, archaeologist,
but he is, he is an expert on
primitive culture, headhunting,
curare, all that sort of thing.
You should have
talked to him before.
There is a lot of things
I didn't believe in before.
But I'm beginning to change
my mind. See you later.
Lieutenant Rowan,
this is a surprise.
Sorry to bother you, Dr. Zurich,
but I thought you might
give me some help.
- Yes?
- It's the Drake case.
- Oh, yes, please come in.
- Thank you.
I must apologize for this room.
I use it very little. I'm
usually occupied by my studies.
I'm a policeman, Dr. Zurich,
trained to deal in facts.
And anything to do
with head hunting...
doesn't seem
very factual to you.
You're the expert, Doctor.
But its more than
head-hunting.
Something attacked
Jonathan Drake.
I managed to get off a few
shots at it, and I hit it once.
I also found the bullet
that I hit it with.
The police lab tells me
that it was...
stained with a solution
of blood... and curare.
Mostly curare.
That is strange,
quite strange indeed.
And you don't have
any explanation for it?
Lieutenant, have you considered
the supernatural aspects?
Oh, yes, yes,
I have considered them,
and I come up
with exactly nothing.
Then perhaps, it isn't
a police matter at all.
Attempted murder is
always a police matter.
You asked for my help.
I'm trying to give it to you
in the only way I know.
Sorry.
It depends strictly on your
point of view, Lieutenant.
Throughout history,
some of our strongest cultures
were based
on the taking of heads.
When the practice was abandoned,
or suppressed, the local
civilization degenerated
and soon disappeared.
Even today, the practice still
flourishes in several parts
of the world, the Philippines,
India, New Guinea,
the upper regions of the Amazon.
Until a few years ago, it was
prevalent in civilized Europe.
Maybe.
But there are still better ways
to kill somebody, then...
by hacking off his head.
I see, I haven't changed
your point of view.
No.
When the head of a strong
valiant enemy is properly taken,
the possessor acquires
the spirit, the soul,
the vital spark
that kept his enemy alive.
A degree of immortality.
Spill something?
A red dye. It'll come out.
What did you mean by
taking the head properly?
Can there be
a wrong way to do it?
It was a sacred ritual
of ancient cultures.
The skull could not be damaged,
otherwise the soul would escape.
Come here.
The cut must be made just here.
Above the shoulder,
neither higher nor lower.
The incision is made
with a bamboo blade,
never with a metal knife, the
iron would contaminate the soul.
I see.
Afterward, the trophy is
preserved in the usual fashion.
The removal of the skull,
sewing up the openings
of the eyes, nose and mouth.
Then... a slow shrinking process
with hot sand,
smoke and heated pebbles.
Which still doesn't explain why
someone would wanna kill Drake.
Did you expect me
to answer that for you?
I wasn't sure just what you
could answer, Dr. Zurich.
You know anything about
the curse on the Drake family?
A curse? No, I didn't.
What is it, some sort of legend?
Maybe that's all it really is,
I do not know.
But there is something else I
found outside the Drake house.
A sandal made out of human skin.
Just give that
some thought, Doctor.
Anything occurs to you on that
one, call me at headquarters.
Yes, I certainly will,
Lieutenant.
Thank you for calling,
such a pleasure.
Yeah... Thank you, Doctor.
I'll be talking to you.
Zutai.
The police are
becoming suspicious.
We must finish with
Jonathan Drake at once.
Immediately.
Get everything ready now.
- Car 117.
-[woman] 117.
Get Coulter for me,
I want to talk with him.
Coulter talking.
Lee, this is Jeff.
I just came from the Zurich
house, I may be onto something.
Get a run down on him for me.
How much, or how little,
or is it everything?
[Jeff] Yes, everything.
His full name is Emil Zurich.
Are you coming right back here?
No... No I'm going back to
stake out the house.
There was a stain on the floor,
that could've been blood,
I wanna have another look.
Now watch yourself.
[Jeff] Right,
check with you later.
[mysterious music playing]
What happened? Where is Drake?
They have taken him away.
Wait here.
Don't let yourself be seen.
I'd like to talk
to Professor Drake.
It's very important.
Haven't you heard, sir?
He's been taken to
the general hospital.
No, I haven't heard.
I'm very sorry.
Miss Alison will be back
from the hospital shortly, sir.
I'll leave word that you called,
if you wish?
Fine, fine, thank you, Rogers.
- Is there anything else, sir?
- No, thank you. Good night.
Good night, sir.
They've taken him to hospital.
Impossible to get him there.
There is only one
other thing to do.
Force him to come to us.
- Car 117.
-[woman] Car ten, come in.
Quick, get me Coulter again.
Coulter talking.
Lee, this is Jeff.
Now tell me in a hurry, man,
were you able to find out
anything about Emil Zurich?
Plenty, you better get
back here pronto,
you got more trouble
than you know.
-[Jeff] Slowly, I've got to--
- Now wait, Jeff, listen to me,
you won't do any good.
You could have every man
on the force out
looking for Zurich,
and you'll get nowhere.
That guy is a ghost.
A ghost? Lee,
you must be cracked.
Now look, I'm on the level,
get back here and fast.
Okay. I'm at the stage, where
I'm ready to believe anything.
I'll be right back.
Miss Drake.
Dr. Zurich,
I didn't see you there.
What are you doing here?
That doesn't matter.
The hospital just telephoned.
Your father has taken
a turn for the worst.
But I just left there,
he is feeling much better.
I'm terribly sorry, but...
that was the message.
You better get right back
there at once.
- The cab...
- My car is parked nearby,
I'll be very glad to take you.
Please, please hurry.
Well, first we checked
the medical directories,
then the college faculties
and associations.
Everybody that's ever been
awarded a doctor's degree
for anything.
The whole department
has been on it.
And Jeff, there is no
Dr. Emil Zurich.
- What?
- Not now.
What are you talking about?
I was just with him
three hours ago.
Do you know
what you were actually with?
What?
Somebody who existed
180 years ago.
Oh, come on, Lee.
If you think I'm gonna--
Wait, Jeff, listen to me.
We got the whole rundown.
The man you were talking to is a
Dr. Emil Zurich of Switzerland.
He was agent for a company
owned by Captain Wilfred Drake,
and he was killed by the Jivaro
Indians on the Amazon River
almost 200 years ago.
No... no, it's impossible!
The police manual only covers
live criminals.
How you're gonna handle it?
The Drake family
got me into this,
and they are going
to get me out.
I'm going to the Drake house
and talk to the professor.
- Jeff?
- Yeah?
Don't get too brave.
Wait here. Don't go away.
Professor Jonathan!
You shouldn't have
left the hospital.
- Is my daughter here?
- Miss Alison? No, sir.
She didn't come back after
she left me at the hospital?
I haven't seen her.
- Then he wasn't lying.
- Sir?
There is only one thing I can
do now, he's left me no choice.
Professor Jonathan, what is it?
What's wrong?
Dr. Zurich called me
at the hospital.
He's holding
my daughter prisoner.
Dr. Zurich!
Professor, you're ill,
let me call the police.
No, if the police came,
Zurich would kill her.
Goodbye, Rogers.
Please, Professor,
I know you're upset, sir,
but the police will take care
of it. Please sir.
There.
Now you've seen
the entire process, Miss Drake.
Dr. Bradford has achieved
a certain immortality.
As your father will soon,
very soon.
My father has done nothing
to harm you.
Why do you want
to do this to him?
It isn't what I want.
It's what I must do.
Lieutenant, I was just
about to telephone you
when I heard your car.
- What happened?
- Well, I'm not quite sure, sir.
But apparently, Miss Alison
has been kidnapped
by Dr. Zurich.
- Zurich?
- Yes, sir.
Professor Jonathan
has gone after her now.
He told me not to
inform the police.
Call headquarters, tell them
I've gone to Zurich's house
and to give me exactly an hour.
If they don't hear from me
by then, they're to send help.
Yes, sir.
When your father dies,
when the Tsantsas made from
his head joins the others,
then the ancient pledge
will be fulfilled,
and I shall rest.
And suppose it is not fulfilled.
Now that you are here,
why suppose that?
Because I've learned
how to destroy you, Zurich.
With a gun?
Jonathan Drake of all men should
know how futile that would be.
I know...
a living dead thing.
The head of a decapitated
white man on the body
of a jungle Indian.
Since you know that I am dead,
you know that you can't kill me.
I can destroy you
another way, Zurich.
If you can't
carry out the curse,
you will never
find eternal peace.
You will become the cursed one.
All I have to do is put this
gun against my head
and pull the trigger.
- Don't, Drake!
- Dad, no!
Once the skull is damaged,
the soul will escape,
and you will have lost, Zurich.
Dad!
[Alison screams]
Rowan, wait!
Wait!
This is the only thing
that will stop him.
HOW?
Try to get near enough to
wound him, just break the skin.
Dad, you're too weak. Stay here.
No, I can't.
It's our only chance.
[suspenseful music playing]
- Jeff.
- It worked, Professor.
You're through with him.
No, not yet.
Not until the head
of the white man is separated
from the brown body.
- Dad!
- Alison,
all that will be destroyed
is evil... nothing human.
These men, white and Indian,
died 180 years ago.
Look!
[Alison] It's turning to dust!
[Professor] The fourth skull.
[mysterious music playing]
- Dad, are you alright?
- Hmm.
What is it that happens?
You never tell me.
I'm sorry, Alison.
You wouldn't understand.
You've got to stop
these experiments.
After all these years of study
at the university...
how little
I have actually learned.
I wish you'd take some rest.
Suppose the power for good dies,
when the mind dies.
What if Shakespeare were right?
That only the evil that men do
lives after them.
Forgive me Allison,
you came here for something?
- Didn't you find my message?
- Message?
Uncle Ken called.
Ken? What did he want?
Umm... he said he'd seen
somebody named Tsantsas.
That isn't the way
he would have said it.
What did my brother say exactly?
You must remember!
Well... maybe I misunderstood.
Is it that important?
Alison...
This is what the Jivaro Indians
of Ecuador called Tsantsas.
But that can't possibly have
anything to do with uncle Ken.
He doesn't know anything about
your work or your experiments.
There's no way to get
to him by plane.
The train will take two days.
Dad will arrive Thursday,
Alison.
My brother will be here
Thursday, Rogers.
- Have the guest room ready.
-[Rogers] Yes, sir.
[eerie music playing]
[music builds]
[gasps]
[mysterious music playing]
[car door closes]
[doorbell rings]
YES, sir?
Lieutenant Rowan,
Police Department.
Police?
We received a call from a...
Miss Alison Drake to look
in here, she thought
there might be trouble.
Trouble, yes! But none
to concern the police of.
Well, you better let me
decide that.
My master passed away last
night sir. Most unexpectedly.
- Natural causes?
- Oh, yes.
The body is on its way to be
embalmed. But Dr. Bradford,
his personal physician is still
here if you care to talk to him.
Yes.
Dr. Bradford, this is
lieutenant Rowan of the police.
- Glad to know you, Doctor.
- Lieutenant.
This is Dr. Zurich.
Dr. Zurich is a friend
of the family.
But you're Mr. Drake's
personal physician?
Yes, that's right.
Dr. Zurich is an archaeologist.
He deals with the dead,
not the living.
The butler here tells me that
Mr. Drake died suddenly?
It was a natural death. Would
you like to see the certificate?
Yes, please.
Coronary occlusion, you sure?
There is a long history
of Cardiovascular failure
in the Drake family.
Probably a congenital weakness,
something in the heredity.
What makes you say that?
For the last three generations,
every male member
of the Drake family
has died in the same way.
And at almost the same age, 60.
Then an autopsy would be
a waste of time.
And money.
It might help pin point
the exact area of malfunction,
-but...
- I see.
Miss Alison Drake told me...
that the dead man had been
worried about something
to do with a... shrunken head.
That's strange.
Rogers found one of those
horrible looking thing,
hanging outside the window
there last night.
You mean that head had something
to do with Mr. Drake's death?
It's a little preposterous,
isn't it, Lieutenant?
Sure, if Mr. Drake's
had died naturally.
Do any of you know
if this head represents a...
superstition or something?
I am familiar with Tsantsas.
Tsantsas?
The Jivaro Indian name
for shrunken heads.
I am considered something
of an authority,
on the Indian culture.
That is why Rogers
sent for me, when...
this was found,
hanging in the window.
A particularly fine specimen.
Well, goodbye, Dr. Zurich.
- Dr. Bradford.
- Lieutenant.
I... I understand Jonathan Drake
is expected here.
Yes, sir. We are holding
services for Mr. Kenneth Drake
in the morning.
He should be here by then.
Well, tell him I was here,
and if needs me for anything
more, to please call me.
Certainly sir.
[car door closing]
Leave the coffin
in the living room, please.
That's where the services
will be held.
[mysterious music playing]
[car door closing]
[doorbell]
Mr. Jonathan!
- What is it, Rogers?
- Your brother, sir.
How did Ken die?
Dr. Bradford said it was
his heart, sir.
Jonathan, I'm glad
you could get here.
George, are you sure
it was his heart?
Could it have been
anything else?
Jonathan, are you still trying
to convince me
about that ancient curse?
I know what I am talking about.
It was a natural death,
nothing else.
Why is the coffin closed?
Your brother's face, sir,
we thought it was better
to keep the coffin closed.
- Open it.
- What?
Open it, or I will.
Zutai.
Everything is ready.
Kenneth Drake,
you have paid for the evil
of your ancestors.
- Alison.
- How is he, doctor?
Organically, perfectly sound,
as nearly as I can determine.
But when a sensitive man like
your father sustains
such a shock at his age...
He will be alright?
He's been resting comfortably
under sedation.
How are you feeling?
I was Kenneth's only hope.
I was too late.
It's as I said, Alison.
"The evil that men do...
lives after them."
After what happened to
Uncle Ken,
do you think there could be some
truth in what my father
believes?
Your father studied these things
most of his life, Alison.
He'd know a great deal more
about it than I would.
Miss Alison, there's
a Lieutenant Rowan of the police
-waiting to see you.
- Oh, yes.
You will call me if there is
any change, won't you?
Certainly.
The mutilation of your uncle's
corpse makes it a criminal case.
Now all I have been getting
so far is a lot of double talk.
Somebody's gotta come up with
a few answers that make sense.
What do you think
I can tell you?
You called me about
a shrunken head
before your uncle died. Okay.
Now, one of those heads
was found in that window.
What made you think
it might turn up?
I only know that my... father
was worried about his brother.
And that it had something to do
with Tsantsas.
Just as I told you.
Miss Drake, just what is it
you want me to think?
I'm not sure, Lieutenant.
All I know is that I want you
to find whoever it was,
who did that thing to my uncle
before it happens again.
[mysterious music playing]
Zutai.
Zutai.
Next will be Jonathan Drake.
And then the curse
will be finished.
All these years you must have
wondered why your father chose
to study the occult
and the supernatural.
I've tried to understand.
I'd hoped that if
I could learn enough,
I could someday destroy
the curse on the Drake family.
Dad, please listen to me.
I know a lot of things have been
happening that we can't explain.
But there will be
an explanation.
Maybe even the police
will find it.
But it can't have anything
to do with the supernatural.
I just can't believe it.
I never really expected you to.
I had to live all my life,
knowing exactly what was
going to happen someday Alice.
It's been a heavy cross to bear.
Perhaps it has even prevented
me from being
the right kind of father to you.
I want to tell you now,
I'm... terribly sorry.
Dad, you've been
working too hard.
Why don't you take a rest?
You could get some time off
from the university.
I've always wanted
to keep you from this.
Now I can't.
You've never been
in the Drake family vault.
- No.
- Then it's time.
This is the only key
to the vault.
From now on, you keep it.
[mysterious music playing]
Since the house was built...
this has been the final resting
place for all the family.
With one exception.
- Captain Wilfred Drake.
- My great-great-grandfather.
Same thing happened to him,
that happened to Kenneth.
The curse began
with Captain... Wilfred,
who had a training station
on the upper Amazon.
When the Jivaro Indians
kidnapped his Swiss agent,
Captain Wilfred led an
expedition into the jungle
to try and save him.
They found the agent alright.
He was at the Jivaro village.
The Indians had taken his head.
The captain and his men killed
every Jivaro man and male child,
except one.
The Chingui. The witch doctor.
He escaped
and hid in the jungle.
And he's the one
who put the curse on
every Drake male descendant.
My grandfather, Gilbert Drake...
dropped dead
on his 60th birthday.
Buried without a head.
My father, David Wilson Drake,
buried a headless corpse,
age 60.
And now, my brother.
Come.
I want to show you something.
The skulls were always
returned to the vault,
by someone or something.
How? No one knows.
Just the skulls, that's all.
The rest of the heads
were missing.
There it is, finished.
Perfect.
Soon as you return this
to the Drake family,
you will be ready
for Professor Jonathan Drake.
- Glad you could come Lieutenant.
- Trouble?
Could we talk out here? I don't
want my father to get alarmed.
Sure, we could go in the car.
[car door closing]
Now, what's happened?
Lieutenant, my father thinks...
that he will be
the next one to die.
Anybody threaten him?
No, not directly.
Before I go on, I want you
to understand that my father
is an intelligent man.
Sure.
University professor
for 27 years.
An authority in the field
of the occult sciences.
He is 60 years old,
his hobbies are--
Why did you get
this information?
I told you,
it's a criminal case now.
We have to find out
everything we can.
We checked on you too.
Just routine, you don't
have to worry about it.
Thank you.
Now, what did you want to
tell me about your father?
He insists that there is a curse
on the men of the Drake family.
Curses don't have anything
to do with fact, Miss Drake.
When somebody mutilates
a corpse, that's a fact.
Will you please listen to what
I have to say, Lieutenant?
Let me tell you exactly
what my father thinks.
Okay... I'm in no rush.
Well, that's it,
the whole story.
Do you still think there is a
threat to my father's life?
Can... can you get me
into that vault?
What good would it do?
Well, I can answer that better
when I have seen it.
Alright. I'll get the key, but
I don't want my father to know.
If you like, I'll go alone.
No, I'd rather be with you,
than stay here.
Now that's your uncle's,
alright? Just as you said.
And the skulls are where?
In there.
Do you have the key?
Did you say two skulls?
Yes. my great-grandfather's
and my grandfather's.
And your family had
the only keys,
and gave them to no one else?
That's right, why?
Look.
[gasping]
Three skulls now.
Maybe now we know
what happened to Kenneth Drake.
Let me bring you
a glass of hot milk, sir.
- It might help you sleep.
- If you like.
Very good, sir.
[mysterious music playing]
I brought you...
Jeff, look!
Hold it!
[gunshot]
[Zutai screams]
Whatever it was,
I must have hit him.
You stay here.
Miss Alison, can you
come up, please? Your father!
Jeff, come quick, please!
Jeff, please!
No sign of a pulse. I'm afraid
your father is beyond hope.
But he can't be.
Roger said he saw the man
who was in here before--
The shock must have been too
much for your father's heart.
Doctor... isn't that
his blood on the pillow?
- A slight wound.
- Just a scratch on his neck.
Didn't you say this Indian or
whatever he was had a Stiletto?
Yes, it was long and thin,
sharp as a needle it looked.
- Get that pillowcase off the bed
- Yes.
But why?
I want to take it to the police
lab, and have it analyzed.
Come on, Lee, come on!
If that stuff is
what I think it is,
Drake may be dying
off poison right now.
How did you know?
Yes, its poison, alright?
- Curare.
- Curare?
[dialing phone]
We're not too late.
Hello, Rogers.
This is Lieutenant Rowan.
Put Dr. Bradford on for me.
The only people I know
that use curare as poison
are some Indians
in South America.
Hmm, I don't get this.
Makes two of us.
Hello, Dr. Bradford.
Look, get Drake an Antidote
for Curare poisoning
as quick as you can.
No, it has nothing to do
with his heart.
I'll be there soon.
In the meantime,
make sure nobody touches
anything in or around the house.
Thank you.
Attempted Murder?
Get your equipment,
I've got a job for you.
Alright.
Dave, I want a man posted at
the Drake house 24 hours a day.
Right.
Ah! it's a nice place to visit,
but I wouldn't wanna live here.
Where do you wanna
get the prints?
Over there.
See what you find on that.
If you find fingerprints on it,
it means somebody
has been getting in and out
of this vault without a key.
If I do find some fingerprints,
and if you don't find a way
to get in and out of here,
then what you're gonna think
it was that put this skull back?
You're beginning to
sound like the Drake girl.
You know it's gonna take
a lot of proving to convince me
that there is anything
supernatural about this.
Then you better
take a look at this.
Tell me what you see
on that skull.
What is this? What is this,
some kind of gag?
It's no gag, Jeff.
Those impressions
were on the fingers
of whoever it was that
put the skull in the cabinet.
Did you find anything that looks
like a secret entrance in here?
No, the vault is air tight.
Then, how do you feel about
something supernatural now?
- Lee.
- Yeah?
Test these other skulls,
and tell me what you find.
But you said one of these
skulls has been in here
for over 100 years.
That's right.
Then how do you expect to find
the same fingerprints on them?
The same man couldn't have put
all the skulls in the cabinet.
I hope you are right.
- The fingerprints are identical.
- Yeah.
Jeff, what have we got here?
I do not know.
Here, you lock up.
I'll see you back
at the lab later.
I want to have a talk with
that girl and Dr. Bradford.
Fine.
[door opened]
[door closed]
Did you get the antidote,
Doctor?
It wasn't difficult. Curare is
one of the Phenolic Alkaloids.
I can only hope, I was able
to administer it in time.
It doesn't seem to be
having much effect.
I'm sorry, Alison.
I tried to rush the analysis,
the lab man did
the best he could.
I'm sure he did.
I am very grateful.
[Jonathan mumbling]
He's coming out of it.
Thank you, Jeff.
Don't touch me.
- No, leave me alone!
- Jonathan, lay still, rest.
Don't touch me.
Don't touch me, no!
No!
- What's happening to him?
- He's still in shock.
Alison
His pulse is coming back
to normal.
You would be alright, Dad.
It'd be alright.
Alison,
he shouldn't be disturbed now.
Do you think he'll be alright,
if we leave him alone?
I have a guard posted outside.
I'll check your father again
in a little while.
There's nothing else
we can do now.
I... I found something
out in the vault.
We better have a talk about it.
Could one man have lived
long enough...
to have put all three skulls
in there?
I know of no such case
in medical history.
Jeff, Dr. Bradford, look.
That's it.
That's the way the impressions
appeared on the skulls.
"The cult of headless men was
composed of High Priests,
or Witch Doctors,
of jungle tribes,
deep in the Amazon country
of South America."
"There is no proof, legend has
it that the men of this cult
achieved immortality through
the infusion into the body
of a fluid... created by
the tribal priests."
"When the operation was
successfully completed, the man
had achieved immortality,
for he would no longer need food
or oxygen to exist."
"The lips were sewn tight
to prove the theory."
"Then, the brand of the cult,
small impressions of skulls
were branded on the fingers."
Okay, so it's a legend.
I don't believe
it ever happened.
I don't believe it could happen.
Somewhere in the past,
many legends have a basis
in the fact.
I'm going out and have a look
around the garage,
you two want to come with me?
Well I better stay here,
if Jonathan needs me.
I'll go.
- What do you expect to find?
- I'm not sure.
When I shot before,
I hit something,
and hit it bad
by the way he yelled.
But when I looked, he was gone.
It's the best disappearing act
I have ever seen.
Are you sure it was
something human?
- Come on.
- Jeff!
Hmm.
Ah, you satisfied?
Only human beings wear
sandals or shoes.
That means he must have been
right here on this spot.
What is it?
The ground is soft enough
for footprints.
But he didn't leave any.
And for an average straight
thinking cop that is impossible.
But there has to be an answer.
If he...
A bullet hole, probably
from one of the shots I fired.
I wanna take these
back to the lab.
Go back to the house
and stay there.
I don't want you to go
wondering around these grounds.
I don't want anything else
to happen.
I'll be careful.
Jonathan Drake,
your life was saved
by Dr. Bradford.
But it will not happen again.
And now, you will hear my words.
You will hear
what I say to you.
My words will enter
into your mind.
You will see what I see.
Everything that comes
into my mind...
will come to yours.
You will see...
your fate.
You will know...
that you must die.
As your ancestors died...
as your brother died.
Nothing can save you now.
Watch, Jonathan Drake,
watch,
as your skull joins the others.
Miss Alison...
Rogers, get an ambulance
Immediately.
Yes, sir.
[door closing]
His heart is strong enough,
but he's gone back into shock.
Worse than before.
What could have happened?
The way the pupils of the eyes
are dilated,
something must have
terrified him.
A nightmare, or something worse.
There's a policeman outside,
nobody could have gotten in
without being seen.
You're forgetting.
The thing that came after
your father before
left no footprints.
Now, perhaps the thing
was real and tangible,
but what if it wasn't?
Everything is done
that can be done.
You aren't going
to the hospital?
I think there is something of
more importance to your father
that must be
taken care of first.
I'll be at the hospital later.
Dr. Bradford.
Such a pleasure. Come in.
- Come in.
- Thank you, Dr. Zurich.
- Please sit down, Dr. Bradford.
- Thank you.
Is there something
I can do for you?
Something is puzzling me,
and as you are an expert
on such matters,
-perhaps you can help me.
- Yes?
Curare is the favorite arrow
poison of the Jivaro Indians,
is it not?
And also of the Incas,
and others of the Amazon tribes.
The Jivaros are the headhunters,
who shrink their trophies?
That is correct.
But why this sudden interest
in curare?
Because I am convinced
that curare, not heart failure,
caused the death
of Kenneth Drake.
And tonight, someone used the
same poison on Jonathan Drake.
But he did not die.
How did you know that?
How very fortunate for Mr. Drake
that you were present
to save his life.
What? Tell me,
how did you know that?
It makes no difference,
since you will never leave here
to save his life again.
- What?
- Zutai!
No!
- Make any sense out of it?
- No.
I analyzed the bullet
and the sandal,
and nothing makes any sense.
Jeff, you hit something
with that bullet alright, but...
what is something else?
- No blood on it?
- Yeah, a little.
Jeff, the internal composition
of the thing you hit
is about one third blood
and the rest curare.
- Curare?
- That thing should be dead,
it's practically embalmed
with this stuff.
What about the sandal?
- You got a strong stomach?
- Hmm.
It's made from human skin.
- Lee, are you sure?
- Yeah, I'm sure.
Jeff, in the name
of all that's holy,
what have you tied
onto in this case?
I do not know,
I'm going around in circles.
But there is a, there is a
doctor, a guy named Zurich.
Maybe he can come up
with a few answers.
- Is he a regular M.D.?
- No, archaeologist,
but he is, he is an expert on
primitive culture, headhunting,
curare, all that sort of thing.
You should have
talked to him before.
There is a lot of things
I didn't believe in before.
But I'm beginning to change
my mind. See you later.
Lieutenant Rowan,
this is a surprise.
Sorry to bother you, Dr. Zurich,
but I thought you might
give me some help.
- Yes?
- It's the Drake case.
- Oh, yes, please come in.
- Thank you.
I must apologize for this room.
I use it very little. I'm
usually occupied by my studies.
I'm a policeman, Dr. Zurich,
trained to deal in facts.
And anything to do
with head hunting...
doesn't seem
very factual to you.
You're the expert, Doctor.
But its more than
head-hunting.
Something attacked
Jonathan Drake.
I managed to get off a few
shots at it, and I hit it once.
I also found the bullet
that I hit it with.
The police lab tells me
that it was...
stained with a solution
of blood... and curare.
Mostly curare.
That is strange,
quite strange indeed.
And you don't have
any explanation for it?
Lieutenant, have you considered
the supernatural aspects?
Oh, yes, yes,
I have considered them,
and I come up
with exactly nothing.
Then perhaps, it isn't
a police matter at all.
Attempted murder is
always a police matter.
You asked for my help.
I'm trying to give it to you
in the only way I know.
Sorry.
It depends strictly on your
point of view, Lieutenant.
Throughout history,
some of our strongest cultures
were based
on the taking of heads.
When the practice was abandoned,
or suppressed, the local
civilization degenerated
and soon disappeared.
Even today, the practice still
flourishes in several parts
of the world, the Philippines,
India, New Guinea,
the upper regions of the Amazon.
Until a few years ago, it was
prevalent in civilized Europe.
Maybe.
But there are still better ways
to kill somebody, then...
by hacking off his head.
I see, I haven't changed
your point of view.
No.
When the head of a strong
valiant enemy is properly taken,
the possessor acquires
the spirit, the soul,
the vital spark
that kept his enemy alive.
A degree of immortality.
Spill something?
A red dye. It'll come out.
What did you mean by
taking the head properly?
Can there be
a wrong way to do it?
It was a sacred ritual
of ancient cultures.
The skull could not be damaged,
otherwise the soul would escape.
Come here.
The cut must be made just here.
Above the shoulder,
neither higher nor lower.
The incision is made
with a bamboo blade,
never with a metal knife, the
iron would contaminate the soul.
I see.
Afterward, the trophy is
preserved in the usual fashion.
The removal of the skull,
sewing up the openings
of the eyes, nose and mouth.
Then... a slow shrinking process
with hot sand,
smoke and heated pebbles.
Which still doesn't explain why
someone would wanna kill Drake.
Did you expect me
to answer that for you?
I wasn't sure just what you
could answer, Dr. Zurich.
You know anything about
the curse on the Drake family?
A curse? No, I didn't.
What is it, some sort of legend?
Maybe that's all it really is,
I do not know.
But there is something else I
found outside the Drake house.
A sandal made out of human skin.
Just give that
some thought, Doctor.
Anything occurs to you on that
one, call me at headquarters.
Yes, I certainly will,
Lieutenant.
Thank you for calling,
such a pleasure.
Yeah... Thank you, Doctor.
I'll be talking to you.
Zutai.
The police are
becoming suspicious.
We must finish with
Jonathan Drake at once.
Immediately.
Get everything ready now.
- Car 117.
-[woman] 117.
Get Coulter for me,
I want to talk with him.
Coulter talking.
Lee, this is Jeff.
I just came from the Zurich
house, I may be onto something.
Get a run down on him for me.
How much, or how little,
or is it everything?
[Jeff] Yes, everything.
His full name is Emil Zurich.
Are you coming right back here?
No... No I'm going back to
stake out the house.
There was a stain on the floor,
that could've been blood,
I wanna have another look.
Now watch yourself.
[Jeff] Right,
check with you later.
[mysterious music playing]
What happened? Where is Drake?
They have taken him away.
Wait here.
Don't let yourself be seen.
I'd like to talk
to Professor Drake.
It's very important.
Haven't you heard, sir?
He's been taken to
the general hospital.
No, I haven't heard.
I'm very sorry.
Miss Alison will be back
from the hospital shortly, sir.
I'll leave word that you called,
if you wish?
Fine, fine, thank you, Rogers.
- Is there anything else, sir?
- No, thank you. Good night.
Good night, sir.
They've taken him to hospital.
Impossible to get him there.
There is only one
other thing to do.
Force him to come to us.
- Car 117.
-[woman] Car ten, come in.
Quick, get me Coulter again.
Coulter talking.
Lee, this is Jeff.
Now tell me in a hurry, man,
were you able to find out
anything about Emil Zurich?
Plenty, you better get
back here pronto,
you got more trouble
than you know.
-[Jeff] Slowly, I've got to--
- Now wait, Jeff, listen to me,
you won't do any good.
You could have every man
on the force out
looking for Zurich,
and you'll get nowhere.
That guy is a ghost.
A ghost? Lee,
you must be cracked.
Now look, I'm on the level,
get back here and fast.
Okay. I'm at the stage, where
I'm ready to believe anything.
I'll be right back.
Miss Drake.
Dr. Zurich,
I didn't see you there.
What are you doing here?
That doesn't matter.
The hospital just telephoned.
Your father has taken
a turn for the worst.
But I just left there,
he is feeling much better.
I'm terribly sorry, but...
that was the message.
You better get right back
there at once.
- The cab...
- My car is parked nearby,
I'll be very glad to take you.
Please, please hurry.
Well, first we checked
the medical directories,
then the college faculties
and associations.
Everybody that's ever been
awarded a doctor's degree
for anything.
The whole department
has been on it.
And Jeff, there is no
Dr. Emil Zurich.
- What?
- Not now.
What are you talking about?
I was just with him
three hours ago.
Do you know
what you were actually with?
What?
Somebody who existed
180 years ago.
Oh, come on, Lee.
If you think I'm gonna--
Wait, Jeff, listen to me.
We got the whole rundown.
The man you were talking to is a
Dr. Emil Zurich of Switzerland.
He was agent for a company
owned by Captain Wilfred Drake,
and he was killed by the Jivaro
Indians on the Amazon River
almost 200 years ago.
No... no, it's impossible!
The police manual only covers
live criminals.
How you're gonna handle it?
The Drake family
got me into this,
and they are going
to get me out.
I'm going to the Drake house
and talk to the professor.
- Jeff?
- Yeah?
Don't get too brave.
Wait here. Don't go away.
Professor Jonathan!
You shouldn't have
left the hospital.
- Is my daughter here?
- Miss Alison? No, sir.
She didn't come back after
she left me at the hospital?
I haven't seen her.
- Then he wasn't lying.
- Sir?
There is only one thing I can
do now, he's left me no choice.
Professor Jonathan, what is it?
What's wrong?
Dr. Zurich called me
at the hospital.
He's holding
my daughter prisoner.
Dr. Zurich!
Professor, you're ill,
let me call the police.
No, if the police came,
Zurich would kill her.
Goodbye, Rogers.
Please, Professor,
I know you're upset, sir,
but the police will take care
of it. Please sir.
There.
Now you've seen
the entire process, Miss Drake.
Dr. Bradford has achieved
a certain immortality.
As your father will soon,
very soon.
My father has done nothing
to harm you.
Why do you want
to do this to him?
It isn't what I want.
It's what I must do.
Lieutenant, I was just
about to telephone you
when I heard your car.
- What happened?
- Well, I'm not quite sure, sir.
But apparently, Miss Alison
has been kidnapped
by Dr. Zurich.
- Zurich?
- Yes, sir.
Professor Jonathan
has gone after her now.
He told me not to
inform the police.
Call headquarters, tell them
I've gone to Zurich's house
and to give me exactly an hour.
If they don't hear from me
by then, they're to send help.
Yes, sir.
When your father dies,
when the Tsantsas made from
his head joins the others,
then the ancient pledge
will be fulfilled,
and I shall rest.
And suppose it is not fulfilled.
Now that you are here,
why suppose that?
Because I've learned
how to destroy you, Zurich.
With a gun?
Jonathan Drake of all men should
know how futile that would be.
I know...
a living dead thing.
The head of a decapitated
white man on the body
of a jungle Indian.
Since you know that I am dead,
you know that you can't kill me.
I can destroy you
another way, Zurich.
If you can't
carry out the curse,
you will never
find eternal peace.
You will become the cursed one.
All I have to do is put this
gun against my head
and pull the trigger.
- Don't, Drake!
- Dad, no!
Once the skull is damaged,
the soul will escape,
and you will have lost, Zurich.
Dad!
[Alison screams]
Rowan, wait!
Wait!
This is the only thing
that will stop him.
HOW?
Try to get near enough to
wound him, just break the skin.
Dad, you're too weak. Stay here.
No, I can't.
It's our only chance.
[suspenseful music playing]
- Jeff.
- It worked, Professor.
You're through with him.
No, not yet.
Not until the head
of the white man is separated
from the brown body.
- Dad!
- Alison,
all that will be destroyed
is evil... nothing human.
These men, white and Indian,
died 180 years ago.
Look!
[Alison] It's turning to dust!
[Professor] The fourth skull.