1950
On a train, tennis star Guy Haines meets the charming but psychopathic Bruno Anthony, who proposes a “criss-cross” murder scheme where each kills the other's problem person, leaving no motive. Bruno murders Guy's estranged wife, Miriam, expecting Guy to reciprocate by killing his domineering father, but Guy refuses to participate, horrified by Bruno's actions. As the police investigate Miriam's murder and Guy struggles to provide a credible alibi, Bruno begins to stalk him, threatening to frame him for the crime if he doesn't uphold his end of the bargain. Bruno plants Guy's unique lighter at the amusement park murder scene, forcing Guy to abandon a tennis match and race to the park to retrieve it before the police find it. Guy confronts Bruno on a runaway merry-go-round, leading to a violent struggle that ends with the merry-go-round crashing, killing Bruno and exposing the lighter, which clears Guy's name.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Guy Haines meets the charismatic but dangerous Bruno on a train and is drawn into a murder pact that spirals out of control.
Open full beat sheetGuy Haines is listed as Protagonist. A well-known tournament tennis player in his middle twenties, currently troubled by marital issues. In the parsed data, Guy Haines is connected to 26 scenes, 42 dialogue lines, 44 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
26 scenes / 42 dialogue linesBruno Anthony is listed as Antagonist. A wealthy, manipulative young man in his mid-twenties with a twisted theory about murder. In the parsed data, Bruno Anthony is connected to 20 scenes, 31 dialogue lines, 31 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
20 scenes / 31 dialogue linesAnne Burton is listed as Guy's love interest. Senator Burton's daughter, high-spirited and well-bred. In the parsed data, Anne Burton is connected to 11 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
11 scenes / 14 dialogue linesBarbara Burton is listed as Anne's sister. A lively seventeen-year-old who loves excitement. In the parsed data, Barbara Burton is connected to 5 scenes, 17 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
5 scenes / 17 dialogue linesMiriam Joyce Haines is listed as Guy's wife. Guy's estranged wife, vindictive and self-centered. In the parsed data, Miriam Joyce Haines is connected to 5 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
5 scenes / 8 dialogue linesSenator Burton is listed as Anne's father. A distinguished man of tradition and career. In the parsed data, Senator Burton is connected to 4 scenes, 20 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
4 scenes / 20 dialogue linesCaptain Turley is listed as Police Captain. Conscientious, methodical, and polite police officer. In the parsed data, Captain Turley is connected to 4 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
4 scenes / 6 dialogue linesHammond is listed as Detective. A zealous, hard-eyed sleuth. In the parsed data, Hammond is connected to 4 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 21.
4 scenes / 3 dialogue linesHennessy is listed as Detective. An amiable but not gullible detective assigned to tail Guy. In the parsed data, Hennessy is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 32.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue linesMrs. Anthony is listed as Bruno's mother. A gentle woman who harbors a protective, tigress-like determination for her son. In the parsed data, Mrs. Anthony is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 21.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesMr. Anthony is listed as Bruno's father. An impeccably dressed businessman with an uncompromising eye. In the parsed data, Mr. Anthony is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 8.
3 scenes / 1 dialogue linesGuy Haines and Bruno Anthony arrive at the station separately and board a train.
Guy Haines, Bruno AnthonyGuy and Bruno meet in the parlor car and begin a conversation.
Guy Haines, Bruno AnthonyBruno and Guy have lunch and continue their conversation about murder.
Guy Haines, Bruno AnthonyGuy arrives in Metcalf.
Guy HainesGuy confronts Miriam about their divorce.
Guy Haines, Miriam Joyce HainesGuy calls Anne from a phone booth.
Guy Haines, Anne BurtonBruno interacts with his parents.
Bruno Anthony, Mrs. Anthony, Mr. AnthonyBruno listens to his father's threats and plays with Guy's lighter.
Bruno Anthony, Mr. AnthonyBruno arrives in Metcalf and finds Miriam's address.
Bruno AnthonyBruno watches Miriam's house from a bus stop.
Bruno Anthony, Miriam Joyce Haines, Mrs. AnthonyBruno stalks Miriam through the amusement park.
Bruno Anthony, Miriam Joyce HainesBruno murders Miriam on the island.
Bruno Anthony, Miriam Joyce HainesBruno leaves the park after helping a blind man.
Bruno AnthonyGuy meets a drunk professor on the train.
Guy HainesBruno confronts Guy with Miriam's glasses.
Guy Haines, Bruno AnthonyGuy receives a call from Anne.
Guy Haines, Anne BurtonGuy learns of Miriam's death from the Burtons.
Guy Haines, Anne Burton, Senator Burton, Barbara BurtonBarbara, Anne, and the Senator discuss Guy's situation; Guy arrives and discusses the police investigation with the Senator.
Guy Haines, Miriam Joyce Haines, Anne Burton, Senator Burton, Barbara BurtonGuy arrives at the police station to meet Captain Turley.
Guy HainesGuy asks for Captain Turley's office.
Guy HainesGuy waits to see the Captain and encounters several people from his past.
Guy Haines, Mrs. Anthony, Mr. Anthony, HammondGuy attempts to prove his alibi with Professor Collins, but the professor fails to recognize him.
Guy Haines, Captain TurleyGuy confronts Bruno in the study after Bruno faints at the party.
Guy Haines, Bruno Anthony, Senator BurtonGuy escorts Bruno out of the house while Barbara watches.
Guy Haines, Bruno Anthony, Barbara BurtonBarbara tells Anne about the incident.
Anne Burton, Barbara BurtonAnne confronts Guy about his connection to Bruno.
Guy Haines, Anne BurtonGuy calls Bruno and agrees to visit his father.
Guy Haines, Bruno AnthonyGuy breaks into Bruno's house to confront him.
Guy Haines, Bruno AnthonyAnne visits Mrs. Anthony to ask for help.
Anne Burton, Mrs. Anthony, Bruno AnthonyAnne and Guy discuss Bruno's plan to plant the lighter.
Guy Haines, Anne BurtonGuy and Anne discuss the danger of the lighter and Bruno's plans before Guy's match.
Guy Haines, Anne BurtonHennessy and Hammond wait for Guy to finish his match before arresting him.
Hennessy, HammondBruno drops the lighter into a storm drain and struggles to retrieve it.
Bruno AnthonyGuy confronts Bruno on a runaway merry-go-round.
Guy Haines, Bruno Anthony, Hennessy, Hammond, Captain TurleyGuy and Bruno fight on the merry-go-round while a workman attempts to stop the machine.
Guy Haines, Bruno Anthony, Hennessy, Hammond, Captain TurleyThe merry-go-round topples over. Guy is cleared of suspicion as Bruno dies.
Guy Haines, Bruno Anthony, Hennessy, Captain TurleyAnne receives a phone call from Guy and shares the good news with her family.
Anne Burton, Senator Burton, Barbara BurtonGuy and Anne are approached by a cleric on a train.
Guy Haines, Anne BurtonCaptain, is it so important whether or not Professor Collins remember me? Surely, the important thing is that I've been able to name a man who was on the train with me. You've been able to find him. Isn't that proof of where I was at nine-thirty last night?
Don't even say it. Forget you ever said it. Even more terrifying than the murder itself, Guy, was the awful thought that if you had anything to do with it we'd be separated, -perhaps forever. I'd never see you again. I couldn't bear it.
I know you're a busy man, so we won't detain you any longer than necessary...Now you already been good enough to tell us where you were last evening, and we've managed to locate the gentleman you spoke with on the train.
Oh, come now, Guy. Why should I go to Metcalf and kill a total stranger, unless it was part of the plan and you were in on it? You're the one that benefits, Guy. You're a free man. I didn't even know the girl.
Let's not fool ourselves. The police will say Guy wanted Miriam out of the way so he could marry Anne. In a crime of this sort the police first go after the husband, and Guy had every motive.
Profit by my experience, Guy. Never lose any sleep over accusations. Unless they can be proved, of course. We'll help all we can. Dreadful business, dreadful. That poor unfortunate girl.
I told myself over and over I was being silly, but there was one horrible moment tonight when the news came through. I kept remembering what you shouted telephone from Metcalf.
I was very careful. Even when I dropped your lighter there, I went right back to it up. If It'd been found, it would have ruined our whole scheme, wouldn't it?
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