- The first scene's set in Green Manors, a ritzy psychiatric institution. A nurse tells Mary Carmichael, who's playing cards, that Dr. Petersen is ready to see her.
- Guard Harry accompanies Mary; the nurse tells him to be careful. But he's not careful enough.
- Mary cuddles up to him flirtatiously, and then scratches his hand viciously.
- This is Hitchcock's subtle way of telling you Mary's mentally ill. Thanks for the hint, Hitchcock.
- Harry ushers Mary into the office, and you find out that Dr. Petersen is a woman (played by Ingrid Bergman, no less).
- Mary's reluctant to get analyzed.
- Petersen says that Mary's reluctant because her subconscious is resisting.
- Then Mary starts to talk about how much she hates men and how she bit one man on the mustache.
- Then she gets all upset, grabs a book from the desk, and throws it at the doctor.
- Mary Carmichael is fun in a completely over-the-top way. But sadly, you don't see much more of her after this. Harry comes in to take her away.
- Dr. Fleurot comes in with Harry. Mary tries to flirt with him too, but Harry ushers her out.
- Now Fleurot tries to flirt with Petersen (but let's call her Constance).
- He tells her that she doesn't have enough experience with love to treat Mary. Fleurot is kind of a jerk, if you hadn't noticed.
- Constance replies he can take it up with the new head of Green Manors if he doesn't think Mary should work with her. Notice there's a new head of Green Manors. That's important info there.
- Fleurot suggests that Constance would be a better doctor if she fell in love with him.
- She keeps telling him to leave her alone, and he keeps being a harassing jerk.
- He kisses her even though she clearly doesn't want to be kissed, and then when she rejects him he gets all insulting and nasty.
- This is all supposed to be amusing and cute, but mostly it's gross. Luckily Dr. Murchison, the head of Green Manors comes in, and Fleurot goes out.
- Constance tells Murchison she's sorry he's leaving.
- It turns out he had a bit of a mental collapse, and therefore the Board decided to replace him.
- Constance says he'd been better since his vacation (all of this is important to the mystery plot; pay attention, Shmoopers).
- Harry interrupts them, bringing in the mail and the next patient, Mr. Garmes.
- Murchison promises he'll stay a while after Dr. Edwardes, the new head, comes. Then he goes out.
- Mr. Garmes says he's feeling better, but he wants to get at the letter-opener. Constance doesn't let him.
- Constance looks out the window and sees Edwardes pulling up.
- Cut to Fleurot and some other doctors talking about Edwardes arrival in another room; they comment that he's young and only has one suitcase.
- Dr. Anthony Edwardes is ushered in; you can tell he is the star of the film because he's played by Gregory Peck.
- Murchison comes in and greets Edwardes.
- Then he heads on out.