Voila! Finally, the Carnival Of Souls
script is here for all you quotes spouting fans of the 1962 Herk Harvey
movie. This script is a transcript that was painstakingly
transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of Carnival Of Souls. I know, I know, I still need to get the cast names in there and I'll be eternally
tweaking it, so if you have any corrections, feel free to
drop me a line. You won't
hurt my feelings. Honest.
Hey, Joe, drag your foot, boy.
Look what we got here
You wanna drag?
See that telephone post.
Weīll take you to it.
Come on you wanna try?
-Sure!
Come on, man, get ready.
I'll show 'em how to drive.
Just watch me.
Sir, as high as this
river is right now...
and with all the mud
and sand it's carryin',
they may never
fiind that car.
Uh-uh.
Right there.
All right, now let's hear your story
about how it happened.
- It wasn't our fault, sir.
Yeah?
We were the first ones on the bridge...
and coming a-along
following the tracks,
and they wanted
to get around us...
and they lost control..
You sure you didn't
crowd 'em off?
Three hours.
Yeah? Not sure
I wanna find that car now.
With this sand and with that current,
we may never find 'em.
Guess all we can do
is keep tryin'.
Come on,
let's get down there.
It's Mary Henry.
Are you all right?
How'd you get out?
Here, put this on.
We'd better get you back to town.
What about
the other girls?
I don't remember.
Is this like the one
I'll be playing in Utah?
It's quite similar.
I supervised
the installation myself.
The accident won't delay
your going, will it?
No. I'm leaving
this morning.
- There's nothing I can do here.
- That's right.
Well, Mary, you'll make
a fine organist for that church.
Be very satisfying
to you, I think.
It's just a job to me.
Well, that's not quite the attitude
for going into church work.
I'm not taking the vows.
I'm only going to play the organ.
Oh, you want
more than that.
Of course it doesn't pay much,
but, well, at least it's a start.
Are you driving by Benton
to see your folks?
No, I can't.
I.. I must hurry.
I've got to leave.
I'm going to drive straight through.
Mary, it takes more than intellect
to be a musician.
Put your soul
into it a little, okay?
Good luck, Mary.
Stop by and see us
the next time you're in.
Thank you,
but I'm never coming back.
May I help you?
- Fill it up.
- All right.
Will there be
anything else, lady?
Could you tell me what that big
structure is back a few miles by the lake?
Oh, you mean
the old bathhouse.
Yeah, that used to be
a pretty ritzy place in the old days.
Then the lake went down
and they made a dance hall out of it.
Then they put those
buildings up out there...
and made some sort of
a carnival there for a while.
That's years ago, though.
Just stands out there now.
I see.
I have an address here of
a rooming house. Could you direct me?
Oh, sure. Why, that's just
right over here a little way.
Been savin' it for you
since I got your letter.
Could've rented it
yesterday if I'd wanted.
Oh, it's fine.
It's just about
what I expected.
I knew
you'd like it.
This ain't no regular
roomin' house, you know.
I only got you and
Mr. Linden across the hall.
Each room's got its own
private bathroom, too.
You can take
all the baths you want.
I'm not one to fuss
about things like that.
Thank you. I think I'll be
quite comfortable.
Well, hope you'll
stay a while.
I'm downstairs
in the back part of the house,
so if there's
anything else you need,
guess it'll have to
wait till morning.
Night.
Good night,
Mrs. Thomas.
And this, Miss Henry,
is our pride and joy.
This was made in the same town
where I've been studying.
Of course.
That's where we heard about you.
By the way, you have found
a place to stay ?
- Yes, I have a room.
- Good.
Well, we hope you're
going to like it here.
We're not the largest church
in this area, of course,
but we have
a nice congregation.
We'll have to have some sort
of reception. They'll want to meet you.
- Couldn't we just skip that?
- Skip that?
I don't suppose it's
an absolute necessity.
I don't know what some
Of the ladies will say.
If they say I'm a fine organist,
that should be enough, shouldn't it?
Well, yes, of course.
We'll let it go at that
for the time being.
But, my dear,
you cannot live
in isolation...
from the human race,
you know.
Mind if I try this now?
I want you to.
You go right ahead.
I'll be next door at the manse,
if you need me.
We have an organist
capable of stirring the soul.
What do you see?
Oh. Nothing.
Nothing at all.
- I've practiced all afternoon and it's gotten
me in a mood.
- You need some fresh air.
I've got to make a call
out past the lake.
Would you like to
come along for the ride?
You know that old
pavilion out there?
- Mm-hmm.
- Will we pass it?
Go right by it.
Stop and look at it if you like.
- I would, with you along.
- Good.
This used to be
quite a place.
-It's been deserted for a long time now.
-Will you take me in?
Why, goodness no.
It isn't safe out there anymore.
That's why they
put up this barrier.
It'd be very easy
to step around it.
- What attraction could
there be for you out there ?
- I'm not sure.
I'm a reasonable person.
I don't know.
Maybe I want to satisfy myself
that the place is nothing more
than it appears to be.
- Would you take me out there?
- No.
The law has placed it
off-limits.
Wouldn't be very seemly for
a minister to break the law, would it?
No. Maybe I can
come back some other time.
Shall we
go along now?
I thought that'd be you.
Good evening.
That organ playin'
must take a long time.
You've been gone
most the whole day.
I went for a long drive
in the country with my new boss,
an elderly minister.
Oh, ho.
That must have been
a kick in the head.
I learned that from my
other boarder, Mr. Linden.
Did you get
your supper ?
Oh, I forgot.
Well, this ain't
no boarding house,
but I got some coffee
and sandwich makin's.
I could bring you some up
after a while.
Good. I'll be taking one of those baths
you're so generous with.
Take as many
as you want.
I ain't one to make a fuss
about a thing like that.
Come in, Mrs. Thomas.
Just a minute.
I thought you were Mrs. Thomas!
Yeah, I wondered
when you asked me in.
I'm John Linden.
I'm your neighbor across the hall.
- Nice to meet you. Would you excuse..
- Hey, I, uh..
Just stand right there.
I forgot to introduce myself.
I'm Mary Henry.
Yeah, I know.
I, uh..
I heard you tell Mrs. Thomas
you haven't ate anything yet, huh?
I just thought, bein'
neighborly and all..
I haven't eaten
anything either.
I just thought I'd
Ask you out to dinner.
That's very thoughtful,
but I can't accept.
I know we haven't met or anything yet,
but I just thought..
I'm sorry.
You'll have to excuse me.
There's a real nice restaurant right
down the street, and I just thought..
I'm the kind of guy
who doesn't like to eat by himself.
I've made arrangements
to eat in my room tonight.
Okay, if..
If you change your mind,
you just holler.
Looks kind of
lonesome in here.
Good night, Mr. Linden.
Miss Henry?
It's Mrs. Thomas.
Who's the man
in the hall?
The..
Oh, you must mean
Mr. Linden.
He has the room
across the hall.
No. I mean
the other one.
There is no other.
Me and you
and Mr. Linden.
Us three is all there is
in this house.
B-But you must have
passed him out there.
You're needin'
this food.
Goin' without eatin'
makes you jumpy sometimes.
Maybe you heard
the boards pop or somethin'.
These old houses
creak worse than my knees.
I didn't hear him, Mrs. Thomas.
I saw him.
Now, don't talk that way.
I don't sleep so good
as it is.
It's these old houses.
They..
They're big enough so that
you could hide a man in every corner.
You just gotta not let
your imagination run away with you.
- Are you going out there?
- Well, of course.
There's nobody there.
Now you just go and eat
that sandwich I made for you.
Don't drink the coffee
if coffee keeps you awake.
It won't.
Coffee never
keeps me awake.
Well, good morning.
I heard your alarm.
I knew you'd be up.
- Guess what I got.
- I can't imagine.
Oh, just what it takes
to start the day off right.
I make it in my room. It saves me
havin' to go out and get dressed up.
I guess I had to get dressed
to come over here anyway.
Looks just like what I need.
Well, then, two cups
of coffee comin' up.
Say, uh,
I guess you took it wrong last night
about me comin' to your door and all.
I'm not a very sociable person
ordinarily.
How can I resist
an inducement like this?
A what? Come on,
I don't know all those big words.
I'm just an ordinary guy
who works in a warehouse, that's all.
I make pretty
good money, though.
Hey, I got a couple of shots
left over from last night.
- You want a little bit in yours?
- No, thanks.
It's not the recommended breakfast
for a church organist.
Oh, is that
what you do?
You mean they pay somebody
to play the organ in church ?
Some churches do.
Hey, I hope you don't
mind about this.
I just didn't know
you were a church woman.
To me a church is just
a place of business.
-Well, that's a funny way to look at it.
-Why?
People seem shocked because
I took a job in a church,
and I regard it
simply as a job.
I'm a professional organist
and I play for pay, that's all.
Thinkin' like that,
don't that give you nightmares?
Strange you should say that.
As a matter off act..
not for that reason, mind you..
but I had the strangest
feeling last night.
Yeah, I had kind of
a lost night myself.
That's funny.
The world is so different
in the daylight.
But in the dark,
your fantasies get so out of hand.
But in the daylight,
everything falls back into place again.
Let's have no more nights.
Or let's make them
more interesting, huh?
- Say, how'd you get
to be a church organist?
- I studied it in college.
I could've gone
to college.
I used to play
pretty good football,
but they wanted me to take
a lot of classes and things, you know?
- They're that way.
- I'm just as smart as the next guy.
But I just didn't dig what
they were teachin' in school.
And the thing I hated most
was "principal products."
Principal products?
You, you know, like,
"The principal products of Brazil are.."
Oh, geez.
Coffee, beans, snake oil.
You know, like that.
When I was in school,
I couldn't care less.
The only thing
I cared about was girls.
Didn't they offer
a course in that?
If they would've done that,
I would've graduated.
What's the matter?
Can you still taste the coffee?
What do you think?
I'm an alcoholic?
I just like to start the day off
in a good mood, that's all.
You must be
hilarious by noon.
I'm just the kind of
a guy employers want.
You know,
the happy worker.
Come on. Didn't I make
your morning happier?
This morning
you're exactly what I needed.
You're gonna need me in the evenin' too.
You just don't know it yet.
I'll rinse off
these cups.
No, no. Just spoils
the flavor for tomorrow.
Thank you
for the coffee.
It was unsanitary,
but delicious.
Well, uh,
should've put some of
the germ killer inside.
Well, I hate
to leave so early.
Think you can
get through the door?
You got the wrong
impression of me.
Well, I meant because
you have so many things to carry.
Oh. Like I said,
I hate to leave.
It's been a pleasure, Mr. Linden,
but I'm sure you have to get to work.
- Don't you?
- Nope.
I have the whole day
free for shopping.
- Does the hem hang right in back?
We might change
the hemline a little.
The drape
is just fine.
Otherwise
it looks very nice.
I'm sure it isn't very chic to take
the second dress, but I like it.
We alter it a little here
to make it straight all the way around.
Do you want to go back
to your dressing room?
I like it fine.
I'll have you deliver the dress,
if you don't mind.
I did say
I'd take it.
What's the matter
with her?
What's the matter
with everyone?
Why don't
they answer me?
What is it?
That man!
I didn't mean any harm.
I just stopped to get a drink.
No. No.
It was that man.
That man!
There was someone
else there!
That strange man
was there!
Now, look.
You've had a fright.
Hysteria won't solve anything.
Now control yourself.
Look, I'm Dr. Samuels.
My office is right
across the street there.
You've had a shock.
If you would like my assistance,
I'll be glad to offer it.
Thank you.
- Could I come with you now?
- Certainly.
I'll take her over to my office.
We'll see that she's all right.
My purse.
It was more than just
not being able to hear anything,
or make contact
with anyone.
It was as though...
as though for a time
I didn't exist.
As though I had
no place in the world,
no part of
the life around me.
And then you saw this...
this man?
Yes.
You'll excuse my back, but I wanted
to get some of that written down.
I must have been
talking for an hour.
Anything else?
Anything you haven't told me?
That's all there is.
That's the whole story.
He's been following me.
That's all there is to it.
- It isn't that simple though, is it?
- What do you mean?
He could hardly have been
in the park this afternoon,
or one of us men
would have seen him.
And that night in the hallway,
you said yourself the landlady
came up a minute later...
and she didn't see him,
did she?
What are you
driving at?
It's been less than a week
since you were in a car
that crashed into the river.
How you got out of that
no one seems to know.
But that experience must have been
a serious emotional shock.
You think I imagined all of it,
don't you? You think I'm insane?
I didn't say that.
I don't mean that.
I'm a competent person.
If anything, I'm a realist.
I'm not given
to imagining anything.
Hogwash.
All of us
imagine things.
Have you ever heard two men
talking behind your back...
and imagined they were
talking about you?
Have you never imagined
you saw someone you knew,
and walked up to them and found
they were a perfect stranger ?
- I don't see what this
has to do with it.
- The point is this.
Our imaginations
play tricks on us.
They often misinterpret
what we see and hear. Do you agree?
I suppose so.
If that can happen in ordinary times,
go a step further.
Look what can happen in a high fever,
or following a serious emotional shock.
It doesn't seem possible
that I could have imagined all of it.
Does this man, this figure,
resemble anyone you've ever known?
- An acquaintance or your father?
- No.
- Do you have a boyfriend
here or back home?
- I have no desire for one.
- Never?
- No.
I'm surprised to find myself
saying that, but it's true.
I have no desire for
the close company of other people.
Have you always
felt this way?
I... I don't know.
Don't you want to join
in the things that other people do,
share the experiences
of other people?
I don't seem capable
of being very close to people.
I do feel that perhaps I'm trying
to reach out for those other things.
Do you feel guilty
wanting them?
I don't understand you.
I'm not a psychiatrist, and perhaps
I'm being clumsy at all this,
but I am suggesting that perhaps
this figure represents a guilt feeling.
Oh, that's ridiculous!
Maybe. Frankly,
I don't know.
Well, I know one thing.
If my imagination
is playing tricks on me,
I'm going to put
a stop to it.
You're a very strong-willed
person, aren't you?
I survive,
if that's what you mean.
That old pavilion
out by the lake.
Somehow you associate it
with all this, don't you?
I could go out there.
I could put an end to that too.
- I could go out there...
- Now don't be hasty.
If it is all in my imagination,
I could put a stop to it.
Maybe, but at least someone
should be with you. I can't possibly...
As you say, Doctor,
I'm a person of strong will.
And the time
to go out there is now.
And if I have to,
I can go alone.
Say, uh,
I don't wanna
get turned down again.
I was thinkin' of
askin' you out to dinner.
I stopped for a bite
to eat on the way in.
Anyway, I have to practice
at the church this evening.
Look, uh, how's about if
I picked you up afterward?
We'll go someplace
and dance or somethin'.
I'm sorry.
I'm not much for dancing.
Hey, uh,
do you mind if I
ask you a question?
I won't know
until I hear it.
What are you,
afraid of men?
No, I'm not
afraid of men.
Well, you seem
sort of cold.
This morning when I brought you
the coffee, you were friendly.
This morning
I needed company.
Well, maybe you'll need
company tonight.
It's better than
walkin' home alone.
Yes, it is.
I should be finished
around : .
- Will that be all right?
- That's okay by me.
Say, uh,
I'll see you
in church, huh?
Profane!
Sacrilege!
What are you playing
in this church?
Have you no respect?
Do you feel no reverence?
Then I feel sorry for you
and your lack of soul.
This organ,
the music of this church,
these things have meaning
and significance to us.
I assumed they did to you.
But without this awareness,
I'm afraid you cannot
be our organist.
In conscience,
I must ask you to resign.
That does not mean that
I am abandoning you,
nor should you turn
your back on the church.
There is help here,
and I urge you to accept it.
Hi, there. I've been waitin'
an awful long time for you.
My car is just over there.
I know the right place to go.
What's the matter?
Don't you drink either?
- Not really.
- Not really.
How else is there if you don't
drink really? Answer me that, hmm?
Now me, I not only
drink really,
I really drink.
What's the matter?
Don't you like the music either?
- I like it fine.
- You don't like it.
You don't like
to dance,
and you don't
like to drink.
You don't like for a man to
hold you close. That's it, isn't it?
I didn't say that.
You haven't said
anything all evening.
Why don't I go play that song again,
you like it so much.
Hey, Johnny,
who's the doll?
Nobody you know, Chicken.
Oh, come on now.
You been holdin' out on me.
That's not the kind of pig
you usually drag around.
You quit lickin' your chops.
She's outta your class.
You wanna bet?
Lay off, huh?
I got somethin' on
the stove there, man.
I'll help you
put it over.
I don't want her to think
I even know creeps like you.
Good luck.
Meet someone you know?
Yeah.
He's a...
college fella.
He told me about this girl
that's been wantin' to meet me.
- Wanted me to meet her.
- What'd you tell him?
I said, how could I?
You're my date, you know.
Said you, uh,
didn't seem to enjoy
my company much.
Oh, that's not true.
I really appreciate you
taking me out this evening.
I'd had a miserable night
if you hadn't.
Forget it.
Join the party. Drink up.
I paid good money for that stuff.
It ain't poison.
I'm sorry
If I annoy you.
I don't get you.
First you stand me off.
Well, that's okay. That's class.
Figure you got somethin',
you're just holdin' back.
Now everything I say is okay.
You're a mouse.
Yesterday I didn't care.
Tonight I wanna
be with you.
With me,
or just with anybody?
With you.
Why don't you
thaw out, hmm?
- Maybe you wanna be alone.
I'll leave you alone.
- No, I don't.
I like being with you,
really I do.
I don't want to be
alone tonight.
I want to be near you.
- You mean that?
- Yes.
Why don't you and me
get outta here, huh?
You know, my room's only
a couple of feet from yours.
Ain't likely to get
very far from me, are ya?
- Oh, geez.
- Shh!
-We'll awake Mrs. Thomas.
-Ahh! That old girl won't hear nothin'.
Honey,
you don't wanna go in there
all by yourself, do you?
It's dark,
and it's lonely in there.
You don't have to be
alone tonight.
Just let me come in a while.
Let me stay with you, huh?
Look, you don't wanna
be alone, do ya?
No.
- I'm sorry, I...
- Look, look, honey.
Honey, you asked me in.
You must like me a little, huh?
What's the matter
with you?
What's goin' on
around here?
What's the matter
with you?
That man's after me. You gotta stop him.
He's after me again.
- I'm gettin' outta here.
- I can't let you go!
Not me, sister.
That's just what I need...
gettin' mixed up with some girl
that's off her rocker.
- I don't wanna be left alone!
What'd you find out, Doctor?
Not very much,
I'm afraid.
I am sure glad
you just happened around.
I was gonna call somebody, but
I was afraid I'd have to pay the bill.
I came on purpose.
I've been thinking about her
ever since she left my office yesterday.
What's she been up to?
Only the devil knows that.
I heard her movin' things
all around that room all night.
Never heard such goings-on,
and she wouldn't let me
in her room this morning.
-She'sastrange one.
She absolutely refuses my help.
I can't say that I blame her.
There's something about her
that completely baffles me.
I've urged her to call upon me
if she feels she needs help,
and I hope she will.
I can't let her stay
in this house.
You won't have to worry
about that.
She's determined to leave the city,
and she wants to get away
as soon as possible.
I hope she does leave.
I hope she can.
Decided to leave,
did ya?
Whereya goin'?
I can't refund none of your week's rent
when you go off like that.
Sounds like
your transmission.
Can you pull it up
on the rack?
Okay, fine.
- Will it take long?
- Well, I have to check it first.
Would you like to get out?
- May I just sit here?
- Sure. Suit yourself.
When is the next
eastbound bus?
When does the next bus leave?
I must get on it!
I want to get out of here.
I want to get away from here.
Eastbound bus,
now loading,
Don't close it! Wait!
Wait, wait!
Let me in. You've got to let me in.
I gotta get on that train.
I gotta get away from here.
Please! Please!
You hear me.
You can hear me.
Why can't I hear anything?
Will you help me?
I need your help.
J-Just a moment, please.
Why can't anybody hear me?
I donīt belong in the world
Thats' what it is.
Something separates me from
other people.
They are everywhere.
They are everywhere!
They are not going to let
me go.
Everywhere I turn....
Thereīs something blocking
my escape
Heīs trying to prevent me
from living
Heīs trying to take me
back somewhere
I can't fight anymore
I donīt know whatīs real
anymore
I-I came to you, Doctor,
because you're
my-my last hope.
I-I-If you don't help me,
l-I have to go back there.
He's-He's trying
to take me back somewhere.
Doctor, you've got
to tell me what to do.
Her car's still over there, and then
there are footprints leading up to here.
And then nothing.
The car is right down there.
Bring it on up.