Scripts
APRIL FOOL'S DAY poster

1986

APRIL FOOL'S DAY script

A group of college friends, including Kit, Rob, Nikki, Chaz, Arch, Nan, and Harvey, gather at Muffy St. John's secluded island mansion for a weekend getaway, but their arrival is marred by a dangerous prank on the ferry and an injured ferryman. Upon settling in, the friends experience a series of unsettling pranks and discover disturbing items in their rooms, leading to growing suspicion and unease among the group. The situation escalates when Skip, Muffy's cousin, is found dead in the boathouse, and other friends mysteriously disappear or are found dead, prompting Rob and Kit to try and contact the mainland for help, only to find the phone lines cut and the water supply sabotaged. As the remaining friends are picked off one by one, a final confrontation reveals that Muffy, along with her cousin Skip, orchestrated the entire weekend as an elaborate, deadly April Fool's Day prank, with all the 'victims' being in on the joke, culminating in the St. John house being transformed into a successful murder mystery inn.

Writer
Danilo Bach
IMDb ID (imdb_id)
tt0090655
Script date
July 30, 1986
96Scenes
14Characters
67Pages
8Dialogue samples

Save the Cat beat sheet

APRIL FOOL'S DAY Save the Cat analysis

College friends arrive on a remote island for an April Fool’s weekend and quickly find themselves targeted by a series of gruesome pranks–some real, some staged.

Open full beat sheet
72

Key characters

Nikki Brashears

Nikki Brashears is listed as Guest. Brassy, former debutante. In the parsed data, Nikki Brashears is connected to 46 scenes, 71 dialogue lines, 71 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.

46 scenes / 71 dialogue lines

Muffy St. John

Muffy St. John is listed as Hostess. Blue-blood, wealthy, prep school background, orchestrator of the weekend. In the parsed data, Muffy St. John is connected to 43 scenes, 39 dialogue lines, 39 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.

43 scenes / 39 dialogue lines

Kit Graham

Kit Graham is listed as Guest. Pretty, unaffected, natural beauty, bright. In the parsed data, Kit Graham is connected to 37 scenes, 34 dialogue lines, 34 text mentions, first appearing around scene 25.

37 scenes / 34 dialogue lines

Chaz Vyshinsky

Chaz Vyshinsky is listed as Guest. Videocameraman, hi-tech freak, Ivy League wiseass. In the parsed data, Chaz Vyshinsky is connected to 35 scenes, 33 dialogue lines, 33 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.

35 scenes / 33 dialogue lines

Rob Ferris

Rob Ferris is listed as Guest. Cleancut, goodlooking, 20-year-old public school grad. In the parsed data, Rob Ferris is connected to 35 scenes, 31 dialogue lines, 31 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.

35 scenes / 31 dialogue lines

Harvey Edison, Jr.

Harvey Edison, Jr. is listed as Guest. Rangy, straight-arrow Ivy League farmboy from the Border South. In the parsed data, Harvey Edison, Jr. is connected to 23 scenes, 27 dialogue lines, 27 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.

23 scenes / 27 dialogue lines

Nan Youngblood

Nan Youngblood is listed as Guest. Shy, earnest, small-town girl, Drama Society member. In the parsed data, Nan Youngblood is connected to 21 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.

21 scenes / 5 dialogue lines

Arch Cummings

Arch Cummings is listed as Guest. Big, good-natured, easygoing WASP jock. In the parsed data, Arch Cummings is connected to 20 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 26.

20 scenes / 11 dialogue lines

Skip St. John

Skip St. John is listed as Guest. Muffy's cousin, Mr. Preppy, lazy, spoiled, reckless. In the parsed data, Skip St. John is connected to 14 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.

14 scenes / 3 dialogue lines

Buck

Buck is listed as Ferryman Assistant. Pleasant, open-faced townie. In the parsed data, Buck is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 59.

5 scenes / 1 dialogue lines

Cal

Cal is listed as Ferryman. Raw-boned, gruff. In the parsed data, Cal is connected to 5 scenes, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.

5 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Sam Potter

Sam Potter is listed as Constable. Middle-aged township constable. In the parsed data, Sam Potter is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 48.

3 scenes / 1 dialogue lines

Clara

Clara is listed as Housekeeper. Middle-aged housekeeper and off-season caretaker. In the parsed data, Clara is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 3.

2 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Frank St. John

Frank St. John is listed as Muffy's Uncle. Wall Street businessman.

0 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Scene outline

  1. 1. EXT. FERRY LANDING - NEW ENGLAND SHORE - DAY

    A group of college students wait for a ferry to Muffy's island, filming each other and joking around.

    Muffy St. John, Kit Graham, Nikki Brashears, Chaz Vyshinsky, Arch Cummings, Skip St. John

  2. 2. INT. VOLVO WAGON IN MOTION - MAIN HIGHWAY - DAY

    Rob Ferris gets a ride from a suburban lady.

    Rob Ferris

  3. 3. INT. KITCHEN - ST. JOHN HOUSE - DAY

    Clara, the housekeeper, prepares to leave while Muffy works in the basement.

    Muffy St. John, Clara

  4. 4. INT. BASEMENT - ST. JOHN HOUSE - DAY

    Muffy works on a mannequin in the basement.

    Muffy St. John, Clara

  5. 5. INT. UTILITY ROOM - DAY

    Muffy investigates a dripping sound.

    Muffy St. John

  6. 6. EXT. FERRY LANDING - MAINLAND - DAY

    The group boards the ferry, joined by Nan, Rob, and Harvey.

    Kit Graham, Nikki Brashears, Chaz Vyshinsky, Arch Cummings, Skip St. John, Rob Ferris

  7. 7. EXT. THE FERRY - DAY

    The group travels to the island; Skip and Arch play a dangerous prank.

    Kit Graham, Nikki Brashears, Chaz Vyshinsky, Arch Cummings, Skip St. John, Rob Ferris

  8. 8. EXT. LANDING - ISLAND - DAY

    Constable Potter arrives to help the injured Buck.

    Sam Potter, Buck, Cal, Muffy St. John, Kit Graham, Nikki Brashears

  9. 9. EXT. ST. JOHN HOUSE - DAY

    The group arrives at the St. John house; Muffy introduces the property.

    Muffy St. John, Kit Graham, Nikki Brashears, Chaz Vyshinsky, Arch Cummings, Skip St. John

  10. 10. INT. ENTRY HALL - DAY

    The group enters the house and Muffy discusses her inheritance.

    Muffy St. John, Chaz Vyshinsky, Arch Cummings, Nan Youngblood, Harvey Edison, Jr.

  11. 11. INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

    The group admires the view and Muffy shares memories of her mother.

    Muffy St. John, Nikki Brashears, Chaz Vyshinsky, Arch Cummings, Nan Youngblood

  12. 12. INT. DINING ROOM - DAY

    The group discovers the table set with Ken and Barbie dolls.

    Muffy St. John, Nikki Brashears, Chaz Vyshinsky, Arch Cummings, Nan Youngblood, Harvey Edison, Jr.

  13. 13. INT. KITCHEN - LATE AFTERNOON

    Muffy, Nikki, and Kit cook hot dogs and discuss older men.

    Muffy St. John, Kit Graham, Nikki Brashears

  14. 14. INT. STUDY - LATE AFTERNOON

    Harvey snoops in the study and steals a cigar.

    Harvey Edison, Jr.

  15. 15. EXT. VERANDA - SUNSET

    Skip and Nan discuss Skip's relationship with his father.

    Skip St. John, Nan Youngblood

  16. 16. INT. DINING ROOM - DUSK

    Dinner is served; Nan uses a whoopee cushion and Arch's chair collapses.

    Muffy St. John, Kit Graham, Nikki Brashears, Chaz Vyshinsky, Arch Cummings, Nan Youngblood

  17. 17. INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT

    The group discusses their futures and Rob reveals his medical school rejection.

    Muffy St. John, Kit Graham, Nikki Brashears, Chaz Vyshinsky, Arch Cummings, Rob Ferris

  18. 18. INT. UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - NIGHT

    Muffy shows guests to their rooms.

    Muffy St. John, Nikki Brashears, Nan Youngblood

  19. 19. INT. HARVEY'S ROOM - NIGHT

    Harvey finds disturbing car accident clippings in his room.

    Chaz Vyshinsky, Harvey Edison, Jr.

  20. 20. INT. NAN'S ROOM - NIGHT

    Nan hears a baby crying and finds a cassette recorder.

    Nan Youngblood

  21. 21. INT. ROB AND KIT'S ROOM - NIGHT

    Rob and Kit find a clock behind a portrait and reconcile.

    Kit Graham, Rob Ferris

  22. 22. EXT. BOATHOUSE - NIGHT

    Skip is attacked in the boathouse.

    Skip St. John

  23. 23. INT. Upstairs Hallway - NIGHT

    Rob checks on Muffy behind her locked door, then encounters Chaz.

    Rob Ferris, Muffy St. John, Chaz Vyshinsky

  24. 24. EXT. House - MORNING

    Harvey exercises on the balcony and sees Nikki stretching.

    Harvey Edison, Jr., Nikki Brashears

  25. 25. INT. Kitchen - DAY

    Rob and Kit find Muffy in the kitchen looking disheveled.

    Rob Ferris, Kit Graham, Muffy St. John

  26. 26. INT. Back Stairs - DAY

    Arch encounters Muffy on the stairs.

    Arch Cummings, Muffy St. John

  27. 27. INT. Kitchen - DAY

    Arch enters the kitchen and questions Muffy's behavior.

    Arch Cummings

  28. 28. EXT. Back Porch - DAY

    The group gathers for soccer while Muffy is seen in the distance.

    Arch Cummings, Chaz Vyshinsky, Harvey Edison, Jr., Nikki Brashears, Rob Ferris, Kit Graham

  29. 29. EXT. Dock - DAY

    Rob and Kit discuss their future.

    Rob Ferris, Kit Graham

  30. 30. INT. Boathouse - DAY

    Rob and Kit discover Skip's body.

    Rob Ferris, Kit Graham, Skip St. John

  31. 31. EXT. Dock - DAY

    Rob tries to reach the skiff.

    Rob Ferris, Skip St. John

  32. 32. EXT. St. John House - DAY

    Rob and Kit return to the house and confront the others.

    Rob Ferris, Kit Graham, Chaz Vyshinsky, Arch Cummings, Harvey Edison, Jr., Nikki Brashears

  33. 33. INT. Entry Hall - DAY

    Rob finds Skip's bag.

    Rob Ferris

  34. 34. INT. Upstairs Hallway - DAY

    Rob checks Skip's room.

    Rob Ferris

  35. 35. EXT. Porch - DAY

    Muffy appears as Rob rushes out.

    Rob Ferris, Muffy St. John, Arch Cummings, Chaz Vyshinsky

  36. 36. EXT. Dock - DAY

    The group finds Skip's switchblade.

    Rob Ferris, Arch Cummings, Chaz Vyshinsky

  37. 37. EXT. Utility Room - DAY

    Nan confronts Muffy.

    Muffy St. John, Nan Youngblood

  38. 38. INT. Kitchen - DAY

    Muffy encounters Harvey and Nikki.

    Muffy St. John, Harvey Edison, Jr., Nikki Brashears

  39. 39. EXT. Woods - DAY

    Arch is trapped in the woods.

    Arch Cummings

  40. 40. EXT. Back Yard - LATE AFTERNOON

    The group realizes Arch is missing.

    Kit Graham, Nikki Brashears, Harvey Edison, Jr., Rob Ferris, Chaz Vyshinsky, Muffy St. John

  41. 41. EXT. Grounds of House - LATE AFTERNOON

    Nan sits alone in the garden.

    Nan Youngblood

  42. 42. INT. Living Room - SUNSET

    Rob tries to call the Constable.

    Rob Ferris, Kit Graham

  43. 43. INT. Kitchen - SUNSET

    The group discovers there is no water.

    Kit Graham, Muffy St. John, Nikki Brashears, Harvey Edison, Jr.

  44. 44. EXT. Well - DUSK

    Nikki and Harvey discover the bodies in the well.

    Nikki Brashears, Harvey Edison, Jr., Nan Youngblood, Arch Cummings, Skip St. John

  45. 45. EXT. Well - DUSK

    Rob arrives at the well.

    Rob Ferris, Kit Graham, Nikki Brashears, Chaz Vyshinsky

  46. 46. EXT. Back of the House - NIGHT

    The group gathers inside.

    Rob Ferris, Nikki Brashears, Kit Graham, Chaz Vyshinsky, Harvey Edison, Jr.

  47. 47. INT. Dining Room - NIGHT

    The group discusses the situation.

    Kit Graham, Nikki Brashears, Chaz Vyshinsky, Muffy St. John, Harvey Edison, Jr.

  48. 48. INT. Living Room - NIGHT

    Rob speaks to the Constable.

    Rob Ferris, Sam Potter, Cal

  49. 49. INT. Front Entry - NIGHT

    Rob locks the doors.

    Rob Ferris

  50. 50. INT. Study - NIGHT

    Kit finds a photograph.

    Kit Graham, Muffy St. John

  51. 51. INT. Harvey's Bedroom - NIGHT

    Harvey arms himself.

    Harvey Edison, Jr.

  52. 52. INT. Basement - NIGHT

    The basement is shown.

  53. 53. INT. Living Room - NIGHT

    The group waits.

    Chaz Vyshinsky, Nikki Brashears, Kit Graham, Harvey Edison, Jr.

  54. 54. INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

    The guests discuss Muffy's strange behavior and their own secrets, leading to a confrontation when Muffy appears.

    Kit Graham, Nikki Brashears, Chaz Vyshinsky, Arch Cummings, Skip St. John, Rob Ferris

  55. 55. INT. MUFFY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

    Muffy enters her room and locks the door.

    Muffy St. John

  56. 56. INT. NIKKI'S ROOM - NIGHT

    Nikki packs her things while Chaz tries to get her to relax.

    Nikki Brashears, Chaz Vyshinsky

  57. 57. INT. NIKKI'S ROOM - NIGHT

    Nikki returns to find Chaz dead.

    Nikki Brashears, Chaz Vyshinsky

  58. 58. INT. ATTIC - NIGHT

    Rob and Kit search the attic and find the dolls.

    Rob Ferris, Kit Graham

  59. 59. INT. CUPBOARD - DAY

    Rob is trapped in a cupboard, screaming for Kit while Buck appears as a gory figure.

    Rob Ferris, Kit Graham, Buck

  60. 60. INT. DINING ROOM - DAY

    Kit is cornered by Buffy, who is revealed to be Muffy in disguise.

    Kit Graham, Muffy St. John

  61. 61. INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

    The prank is revealed; everyone is alive and laughing.

    Kit Graham, Muffy St. John, Skip St. John, Chaz Vyshinsky, Nikki Brashears, Arch Cummings

  62. 62. EXT. BACK OF THE HOUSE - SUNSET

    The house is quiet at sunset.

  63. 63. EXT. THE SOUND - DUSK

    Chaz, Nikki, Rob, and Kit return to the island by rowboat.

    Chaz Vyshinsky, Nikki Brashears, Rob Ferris, Kit Graham

  64. 64. INT. FRONT ENTRY - NIGHT

    Someone knocks at the front door.

  65. 65. INT. VARIOUS SHOTS AROUND THE HOUSE - NIGHT

    Knocking continues with no response from Muffy.

    Muffy St. John

  66. 66. INT. FRONT ENTRY - NIGHT

    Muffy lets Nikki into the house.

    Muffy St. John, Nikki Brashears

  67. 67. EXT. DOCK AND BOAT HOUSE - NIGHT

    The dock is empty.

  68. 68. EXT. FRONT OF THE HOUSE - NIGHT

    The house remains quiet.

  69. 69. INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

    Muffy and Nikki discuss Chaz's absence.

    Muffy St. John, Nikki Brashears

  70. 70. INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT

    Nikki enters the kitchen and opens a window.

    Nikki Brashears

  71. 71. INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT

    Nikki tries to return to the living room but finds doors locked.

    Nikki Brashears

  72. 72. INT. DOWNSTAIRS HALL - NIGHT

    Nikki finds the other kitchen door locked.

    Nikki Brashears

  73. 73. INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

    Nikki returns to Muffy.

    Muffy St. John, Nikki Brashears

  74. 74. EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT

    Nikki heads into the woods.

    Nikki Brashears

  75. 75. INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

    Muffy leaves the living room.

    Muffy St. John

  76. 76. INT. DOWNSTAIRS HALL - NIGHT

    Muffy enters the kitchen.

    Muffy St. John

  77. 77. INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT

    Muffy notices the open window.

    Muffy St. John

  78. 78. EXT. WOODS - NIGHT

    Nikki falls into a pool and meets Kit and Chaz.

    Nikki Brashears, Kit Graham, Chaz Vyshinsky

  79. 79. INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT

    Rob enters the kitchen.

    Rob Ferris

  80. 80. INT. DOWNSTAIRS HALL - NIGHT

    Rob heads upstairs.

    Rob Ferris

Dialogue examples

Stop it! Just stop it all of you! What is wrong with us? Nhat happened to all our talk about friendship, and undying loyalty? Do you know what we're saying? That we're actually sitting here discussing the possibility that Muffy, a generous friend, has invited us all here to --

Kit Graham / Scene 54

In his "Life of Johnson" James Boswell said, "We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses, there is at last one which makes the heart run over."

Muffy St. John / Scene 17

What are you talking about? That ain't possible . And I'm telling you, I'm here at the hospital now visiting Buck. He came out of surgery last night--It might interest you to know he'll be all right-- and Cal's been here too, the whole time.

Sam Potter / Scene 48

Hi... My name is Mary O'Reilly O'Toole O'Shea and...over there is the island my friend Muffy owns... It's spring break... and she's invited us over for the weekend, and we're waiting for the ferry now to take us there...

Nikki Brashears / Scene 1

I know why you're avoiding me... I guess it's your idea of a joke... that's why you invited me. How'd you find out? From one of his preppy 'friends'? Who else have you told?... Who else knows, except the father!

Nan Youngblood / Scene 37

The poor boy can say, "Fuck you, Dad. I'm my own person." What is his father going to do? Kick him out of the house? Disinherit him? His life won't have changed that much. He's got nothing to lose.

Skip St. John / Scene 15

No, no, nothing's wrong. Chaz and I just figured there was nothing we had to get back to that couldn't wait and you could probably use a hand with the clean-up. It's our way of saying thank you.

Nikki Brashears / Scene 66

I don't either. He's going to send up a flare as he's nearing the dock. Then we're to go down as a group to meet him there. In the meantime... we just wait.

Rob Ferris / Scene 48

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