Hangover Square 1945

Murder and arson in Fulham

George Harvey Bone stabs a Scottish shop owner to death and sets the shop ablaze in Fulham during the Edwardian summer of 1903. He staggers out onto the street in a stupor, leaving bystanders shocked as investigators begin to piece together the crime.

Return to 12 Hangover Square

Bone returns to his basement flat at 12 Hangover Square in Chelsea and finds his girlfriend Barbara Chapman and her father Sir Henry Chapman inside. He appears unsettled and detached, indicating that his domestic life is on edge after the murder. The scene sets the domestic tension that drives the rest of the story.

The missing day

George privately confesses to Barbara that there is a whole day missing from his memory. The admission points to a disturbing amnesia linked to stress and discordant sounds. Barbara's concern deepens as the couple's relationship grows strained.

News and a medical aid

Newspapers report the murder and fire across the city, fueling public fear and speculation. George seeks help from Dr. Allan Middleton, who works at Scotland Yard, to understand his condition. Middleton begins to suspect there is more to George's memory issues than ordinary stress.

The amnesia explained

During an interview at Scotland Yard, Bone tells Middleton that his amnesia episodes are triggered by stress and worsened by discordant sounds. The explanation frames George's memory gaps as a condition with psychological roots. Middleton notes the potential danger if the episodes recur.

Netta Longdon enters

On August 29, at a smoking concert in a working-class pub, George meets Netta Longdon, an ambitious singer, through his friend Mickey. Netta sees potential in George's composing talent, even if she doesn't win his admiration at first glance. The encounter marks the start of a dangerous new fixation.

Netta's manipulation begins

Netta befriends George and uses his need to be noticed to boost her own career, while Barbara grows wary of the developing obsession. Middleton tries to draw closer to Barbara to protect her from George's volatility. The triangle around Hangover Square tightens as tensions rise.

A new amnesia episode

George suffers another amnesia episode and, in a trance-like moment, nearly strangles Barbara. The incident demonstrates the real danger of his condition when pushed by stress and betrayal. Middleton stays vigilant, sensing that worse may come.

Killing Netta

George finally kills Netta on Guy Fawkes Night, carrying her wrapped body through streets filled with revelers and depositing it atop the largest bonfire. He remains oblivious to the crime, able to fool the police and maintain the appearance of innocence. Middleton's suspicions intensify as he watches the apparently unruffled composer.

Premiere looming

With Netta dead, the detective Middleton grows more suspicious, and George's concerto premiere looms. The authorities and Barbara worry about what George might do next. Middleton presses for his confinement to protect him and others.

Premiere night begins

On the night of the concerto premiere, Middleton arrives to take George into protective custody, but George locks him in the flat and goes ahead with the performance. Barbara and Sir Henry watch from outside as the room becomes a stage and a trap. The air is thick with the tension of unspoken guilt.

Interruption and memory return

Midway through the performance, Middleton arrives with police and enters the music salon, interrupting the concert. The stress triggers George to remember his crimes, and he halts the concerto to tell Barbara to carry on. The audience begins to flee as the fire of revelation and danger spreads.

Confrontation and arson

George fights with the police in a separate room, attacking them and throwing a gas lamp, setting the building on fire. He returns to the salon and resumes playing the last notes as flames spread. Barbara pleads to escape, but the performance continues inside the inferno.

Outside the burning hall

Middleton, Barbara, and Sir Henry stand outside the burning building as George finishes the concerto. Middleton asks Sir Henry why George did not try to escape, and answers that it is better this way. The hall fills with smoke and flames as the final notes echo.