1955
While on vacation in French Morocco, American surgeon Ben McKenna and his wife Jo become entangled in an international assassination plot when a dying man whispers a secret to Ben. Their son, Hank, is kidnapped by the Draytons, a couple posing as United Nations relief workers, who threaten to harm Hank if the McKennas reveal the plot. The McKennas travel to London, where Ben attempts to investigate the lead given by the dying man, while Jo frantically tries to contact the police about their son's abduction. The plot culminates at the Royal Albert Hall during a concert, where Jo's scream disrupts the assassin's shot, saving the target's life. The McKennas trace Hank to an embassy, where Jo's singing creates a diversion, allowing Ben to rescue their son from the Draytons.
Save the Cat beat sheet
The McKenna family’s ordinary vacation in Morocco is upended when Louis Bernard is mortally wounded, revealing an assassination plot against a statesman in London.
Open full beat sheetJo McKenna is listed as Protagonist. Ben's wife, a former professional stage singer. In the parsed data, Jo McKenna is connected to 47 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
47 scenes / 13 dialogue linesBen McKenna is listed as Protagonist. An American surgeon from Indianapolis, Indiana. In the parsed data, Ben McKenna is connected to 42 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
42 scenes / 12 dialogue linesEdward Drayton is listed as Antagonist. A man posing as a United Nations Relief worker. In the parsed data, Edward Drayton is connected to 21 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
21 scenes / 3 dialogue linesLucy Drayton is listed as Antagonist. Edward Drayton's wife. In the parsed data, Lucy Drayton is connected to 14 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 6.
14 scenes / 1 dialogue linesHank McKenna is listed as Supporting. Ben and Jo's seven-year-old son. In the parsed data, Hank McKenna is connected to 12 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
12 scenes / 4 dialogue linesBuchanan is listed as Supporting. A Scotland Yard Special Branch official. In the parsed data, Buchanan is connected to 11 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 25.
11 scenes / 5 dialogue linesLouis Bernard is listed as Supporting. A mysterious Frenchman who befriends the McKennas on a bus. In the parsed data, Louis Bernard is connected to 6 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
6 scenes / 4 dialogue linesThe McKennas travel by bus through French Morocco; Hank accidentally pulls the veil off an Arab woman, causing a disturbance.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Hank McKenna, Louis BernardThe bus arrives in Marrakesh; Louis Bernard parts ways with the McKennas.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Hank McKenna, Louis BernardThe McKennas arrive at their hotel and notice the Draytons watching them.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Hank McKenna, Edward Drayton, Lucy DraytonLouis visits the McKennas; Jo and Hank sing; a mysterious man knocks on the door.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Hank McKenna, Louis BernardThe McKennas dine at an Arab restaurant and encounter the Draytons again.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Edward Drayton, Lucy DraytonBen and Jo dine at an Arab restaurant and encounter the Draytons, who recognize Jo as a former stage star.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Edward Drayton, Lucy DraytonThe two couples dine together, discussing Arab customs and Drayton's work for the UN.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Edward Drayton, Lucy DraytonLouis Bernard enters the restaurant with a woman and ignores the McKennas.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Louis BernardThe McKennas and Draytons explore the Marrakesh market.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Hank McKenna, Edward Drayton, Lucy DraytonA chase ensues through the market, ending with a man being stabbed.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Hank McKenna, Louis Bernard, Edward Drayton, Lucy DraytonBernard whispers a secret to Ben before dying.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Louis Bernard, Edward Drayton, Lucy DraytonThe McKennas and Drayton arrive at the police station to give statements.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Edward DraytonBen, Jo, and Drayton meet with the Police Inspector to discuss Louis Bernard.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Edward DraytonA policeman interrupts the interrogation to tell Ben he has a phone call.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Edward DraytonBen receives a threatening phone call regarding his son, Hank.
Ben McKenna, Edward DraytonBen returns to the office and tells Jo they are leaving.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Edward DraytonBen and Jo ride in a carriage; Ben shows Jo the message from Bernard.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKennaBen discovers Drayton has checked out of the hotel.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKennaBen sedates Jo to keep her calm while he explains the situation.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKennaJo wakes up and Ben prepares them to leave for London.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKennaThe McKennas arrive in London and are met by the press.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKennaBen and Jo are met by Inspector Edington at the airport and escorted away from the crowd.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Edward DraytonA mysterious woman makes a phone call regarding the McKennas' arrival.
Lucy DraytonEdington hands the McKennas over to Woburn, who directs them to Buchanan.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Edward DraytonBuchanan questions the McKennas about their son and the assassination plot.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, BuchananThe McKennas arrive at their hotel and Ben prepares to investigate the Chappell lead.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKennaFriends visit the McKennas, interrupting Ben's attempt to call Chappell.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKennaBen travels to Camden Town, feeling followed.
Ben McKennaBen confronts Ambrose Chappell at his shop.
Ben McKennaBen confronts Chappell Jr. about Louis Bernard and his son, leading to a struggle.
Ben McKenna, Edward Drayton, BuchananJo realizes Ambrose Chapel is a place, not a person, and leaves to find it.
Jo McKennaMrs. Drayton keeps Hank captive while Drayton prepares for an assassination.
Hank McKenna, Edward Drayton, Lucy DraytonBen and Jo attend the service at the chapel to find Hank.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Edward Drayton, Lucy DraytonJo calls the police to report the situation at the chapel.
Jo McKennaJo frantically calls the police to report the situation at the Albert Hall.
Jo McKennaWoburn assures Jo that the police will handle the situation at the chapel.
Jo McKennaJo hangs up and exits the booth.
Jo McKennaDrayton and his group leave the chapel; Jo arrives to find it deserted.
Jo McKenna, Hank McKenna, Edward Drayton, Lucy DraytonPolice arrive at the chapel; Jo speaks with Patterson.
Jo McKenna, BuchananBen regains consciousness inside the deserted chapel.
Ben McKennaPatterson leaves a guard and takes Jo to a taxi rank.
Jo McKenna, BuchananThe Draytons arrive at the embassy with Hank.
Hank McKenna, Edward Drayton, Lucy DraytonStaff are cleared from the kitchen.
Servants grumble about the secrecy.
Ben escapes the chapel through a window.
Ben McKennaJo arrives at the Albert Hall.
Jo McKennaJo searches for the manager and spots Buchanan.
Jo McKenna, BuchananJo encounters the assassin.
Jo McKennaThe concert begins; the assassin prepares to shoot.
Jo McKennaBen arrives at the Albert Hall.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKennaBen tries to alert the police.
Ben McKennaThe climax; the shot is fired.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKennaAftermath; Ben and Jo meet the Prime Minister.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, BuchananBuchanan prepares to talk to Ben and Jo about Hank.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, BuchananJo and Ben confront Buchanan on the landing to ask about their son.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, BuchananBuchanan questions Ben and Jo; a detective reports on the woman from the concert.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, BuchananDrayton and his wife meet the Ambassador, who is furious about the failed assassination.
Edward Drayton, Lucy DraytonBuchanan receives a call confirming the Draytons are at the Embassy; Ben plans to call the Prime Minister.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, BuchananJo sings at the Embassy while Ben searches for Hank.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Hank McKenna, Edward Drayton, Lucy DraytonThe McKennas return to their hotel room.
Ben McKenna, Jo McKenna, Hank McKennaThat won't be necessary. I'll see that the chapel is put under immediate observation. By the time you get back a police car should be there. Please return to your husband, tell him to come straight out of the chapel, and let the police take over.
I am terribly sorry, but I cannot go to dinner with you tonight. I had neglected an important matter which now requires my attention. Perhaps, another night...
We don't have days to do this. It's a matter of minutes. Can't you send the police. Or do I have to go to the Albert Hall myself.
Ces personnes sont mes bons amis, les McKenna. Mon nom est Drayton. Ils ne parlent pas francais et ils m'ont demand de traduire.
Mr. Ambrose Chappell? I said is this Ambrose Chappell? ...Well this Mr. McKenna. Uh,...Doctor Benjamin McKenna.
I don't think you want to start any shooting, Drayton -- with all those people downstairs, and police outside.
Let me say at once, we're shocked... that you son was taken from you in Marrakesh and deeply sympathetic.
Yes, but something's wrong. A few minutes ago the place was full of people, and now there's nobody!
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