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FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY
The RKO TITLE and CREDITS are SUPERIMPOSED over a tall
stained glass window as shown from the inside of a building.
There are two maidenly figures worked into the stained glass
window: one, older and slightly taller, dressed in van
colored garments, leads by the hand a younger and smaller
girl, dressed in a simple flowing, white robe. Through the
lighter colored pieces of glass in the window the branches of
a tree can be seen stirring in a light wind.
The last credit FADES from the screen.
INT. STAIRWAY - HIGHCLIFFE ACADEMY - DAY
The CAMERA HOLDS ON the stained glass window. Beneath the
painted figures is a scroll, and on the scroll, a part of the
stained glass window, is an inscription:
I RUNNE TO DEATH AND DEATH MEETS ME AS FAST,
AND ALL MY PLEASURES ARE LIKE YESTERDAY. -
John Donne, Holy Sonnets VI.
As the CAMERA CONTINUES TO HOLD, the jumbled sound of
classroom recitations can be heard.
GIRL'S VOICE
(o.s. from classroom above
camera level)
Amo, arias, amat, amamus, amatis,
amant.
SECOND GIRL'S VOICE
(o.s. from classroom below
camera level)
One times nine is nine.
Two times nine is eighteen.
Three times nine is twenty-seven.
Four times nine is thirty-six
THIRD GIRL'S VOICE
(o.s. from classroom above camera
level, singing)
Do, no, mi, Pa, sol, la, ti, do.
These classroom sounds, although they can be heard clearly,
should not disturb the serenity of the stairway or of the
painted figures on which the CAMERA IS LEVELED.
Suddenly, from overhead, a gong rings with a harsh, jarring
noise. Doors are heard opening, feet scuffling over the floor
and the light, high sound of girls' voices chattering. A
moment later a cascade of uniformed schoolgirls of all ages
pours down the stairs past the camera. Against this tide one
single girl makes her way.
The CAMERA PANS WITH her up the remainder of the short flight
of stairs and across the hallway to a door marked, PRINCIPAL.
The girl knocks and from inside an over cultured woman's
voice is heard in response,
MRS. LOWOOD'S VOICE
Come in, please.
CLOSE SHOT - Mary Gibson at the door. She hesitates before
opening it. She is young and her youth gives her prettiness,
but something in the quiet serenity of her face and the clear
candor of the eyes show the innate niceness of the girl; a
quality of character which will give her real beauty as she
grows older. At the moment she is somewhat perplexed by her
unexpected summons by the Head Mistress.
MED. CLOSE SHOT of Mary as she opens the door and looks
expectantly toward the desk. No one is there.
MRS. LOW0OD'S VOICE
Here we are, Mary.
MED. LONG SHOT as Mary walks into the room. It is a large
room and every effort has been made to invest it with
authority. A large Sheraton desk with side trays stands at
one end. On the wall behind this desk hangs a gloomy, dour
visaged portrait of the founder of the school. The wall
opposite the door is pierced by a large window. There are
several bookcases with dull-looking volumes; books of
reference and encyclopedia. On top of one of these cases is
the white, plaster head of Athena. The walls are covered with
enormous framed, sepia-tinted prints of the Acropolis, the
Colosseum, Trajan's Column and other celebrated ruins.
Mrs. Lowood, the Principal, a solidly built lady with iron
gray hair and her assistant, Miss Gilcrist, a slim, frail
lady of indeterminate age, are at a small table at the end of
the room. They are cutting out paper hearts. As Mary comes up
to them, Mrs. Lowood finishes cutting out a paper heart and
lays down the scissors with an air of satisfaction. With Mary
close behind her, she starts toward the desk. Miss Gilcrist
follows. The CAMERA PANS WITH them as they cross the room.
MRS. LOWOOD
I have a most painful matter to
discuss with you, Mary.
Mary looks concerned.
Mrs. Lowood has reached her desk, while Mary stands wondering
what might come next. Mrs. Lowood deliberately seats herself
and puts her fingertips together firmly. Over this Gothic
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