Ten Little Indians (1965)

Leo Genn: General Mandrake

Photos 

Quotes 

• Mike Raven : [At the dinner table]  Now how does that old song go?

  General Mandrake : My dear sir, what old song?

  Mike Raven : Well, you know sir, uh, the old nursery rhyme. "The ten little Indians". There's a copy of the rhyme hanging on the wall in my room upstairs.

  Hugh Lombard : That's funny. There's a copy in my room, too.

  Ann Clyde : And mine.

  Mike Raven : Well then, who's with it? Who's got the first line?

  Ann Clyde : Ten little Indians went out to dine, / One choked his little self, and then there were nine.

  Mike Raven : That's it. Strictly nurseryville. Then what happened?

  Ilona Bergen : Nine little Indians, staying up quite late, / One went away, and then there were eight.

  Ann Clyde : There's a copy of the song on the piano in the lounge, too. Mr. Owen seems very interested in little Indians.

  Mike Raven : [Scene moves to the lounge. Raven is at the piano, while the General is playing bridge with Miss Bergen, Judge Cannon, and Doctor Armstrong]  Eight little Indians travelin' to Heaven, / One met a pussycat, then there were seven. / / Seven little Indians choppin' up sticks, / The chopper finished one of them, and then there were six. / / Six little Indians playin' with the hive, / A bumblebee stung one, and then there were five. / / Five little Indians goin' in for law, / One got Chancery and then there were four. / / Four little Indians feelin' all at sea, / A red herring swallowed one, and then there were three. / / Three little Indians walkin' in the zoo, / A big bear hugged one, then there were two. / / Two little Indians sittin' in the sun, / One gets all frizzled up, then there was one.

  Ilona Bergen : [General Mandrake slams something on the table]  It's alright, General. He's down to his last little Indian.

  General Mandrake : Thank God for that.

  Mike Raven : One little Indian boy left all alone, /

  [holding his finger to his lips] 

  Mike Raven : Shh... / So he went out and hanged himself, and then there were none.

  General Mandrake : And now, sir, will you be good enough to cease that infernal noise?

  Mike Raven : My public - bless them!

  General Mandrake : [returning to the game of bridge and bidding]  One no trump.

• General Mandrake : [as they are standing/kneeling over a lifeless body]  The fellow's intoxicated. Disgusting.

  Ilona Bergen : He's dead drunk!

  Dr. Edward Armstrong : No, Miss Bergen. Not drunk. Just dead.