MovieChat Forums > Four Rooms (1995) Discussion > What were the twine and the nails for?

What were the twine and the nails for?

posted 15 years ago by LanimilbuS
5 replies | jump to latest

When Ted brings up the tray full of items for the final act, two of the items are a ball of twine and three nails. These were never used for anything that I saw. What was their purpose in the film?

[–] TheBlackDahliaMurder 15 years ago

In the Hitchcock episode Man from the South or the Man from Rio, Peter Lorre ties Steve McQueen's hand down to the table by measuring his hand on the table then nailing two nails for McQueen to put his hand between. Then he ties the hand to the table by wrapping the twine around his wrist then around the nails.

I guess Chester Rush was in too much of a rush and too drunk to remember that haha.

Either way, Ted won! Norman lost!

"Ready? ONE! (CHOP!)"
Don' tell me to relax. Don't tell me to *beep* RELAX! Just keep your *beep* FACE OUTTA MY PANTS!

[–] damalc 14 years ago

when the bellboy pulls out the nails, QT says something like, 'that's just something Peter Lorre wanted,' like he doesn't even know what it's for; he just got it b/c that's what the did in the show.
after the inventory, Norman says something like, 'leave the nails and the twine, and bring all the rest of that $#!t over here.'

[–] kevayreski 14 years ago

Never seen the Hitchcock episode but can i just mention for argument's sake, that Norman shouldn't have lost the bet.
He had to light the lighter 10 times in a row.
He didn't light it the 1st time but he could have lit it the 2nd time & the next 10 times in a row.
Poor guy could have saved a finger if he'd have been smarter.

[–] sacoshao 14 years ago

well the first attempt would I believe constitute the beginning of the bet, so, i think you observation is incorrect. regardless he didnt even get the time to negotiate did he. lol

[–] dblondel 14 years ago

In the Roald Dahl short story "Man from the South," that this is all based on (but curiously I don't think the movie gave any credit at all for!), it explains it:
"What do we do if I lose? Do I have to hold my finger out while you chop it off?"
"Oh, no! Dat would be no good. And you might be tempted to refuse to hold it out. What I should do I should tie one of your hands to detable before we started and I should stand dere with a knife ready to go *chop* de momint your lighter missed."