The Curse of the Jade Scorpion 2001

In the vibrant city of New York, set in the year 1940, we meet the ambitious efficiency expert Betty Ann Fitzgerald, who finds herself ensnared in a clandestine relationship with her superior, Chris Magruder. As she juggles her professional aspirations with her personal entanglements, the stakes rise, particularly with the potential for Chris to publicly acknowledge their affair once he resolves his divorce from his wife.

Amidst this romantic turmoil, a captivating stage magician, Voltan, takes center stage at the iconic Rainbow Room. He crafts a mesmerizing hypnotic act that indirectly drags both Betty Ann and insurance investigator C.W. Briggs into his elaborate scheme. During a dinner gathering, Voltan skillfully uses the words “Madagascar” and “Constantinople”, planting a suggestion that they are blissfully married. Later, upon regaining their senses, Betty Ann and C.W. remain oblivious to the seductive power Voltan held over them.

However, the mystery deepens when C.W. receives a puzzling call from Voltan. The mention of “Constantinople” again throws him into a trance, compelling him to commit heists he cannot remember upon awakening. As Betty Ann’s strange behavior raises eyebrows—stemming from her indiscretion with Chris—C.W., driven by curiosity, begins to investigate her actions. When he witnesses Chris’s reconciliation with his wife, it sends Betty Ann spiraling into despair, prompting a desperate suicide attempt that C.W. narrowly prevents.

As the pieces of the crime unfold, C.W. finds himself unfairly linked to the thefts and ultimately arrested. Seeking refuge, he turns to Betty Ann, who reluctantly helps him hide from the authorities. Meanwhile, Voltan has sinister plans for her as well, casting another hypnotic line that compels her to execute crimes for him. Tragically, during this manipulation, Betty Ann falls into a moment of passion with C.W., unaware that the consequences of their entanglement will soon unravel.

The plot thickens as a burgeoning investigation begins to uncover the hypnotic roots of the thefts. An amateur magician named George Bond manages to free C.W. from Voltan’s control, restoring his memories just in time to locate Betty Ann, who is caught delivering jewel loot to Voltan. As the magician attempts to flee, he is captured, but Betty Ann, still under hypnosis, proclaims her love for C.W., who gently kisses her while dissolving her memories of the incident.

Faced with his friends preparing for new adventures, C.W. decides to resign from his job, a choice that prompts Chris to offer him a choice that challenges his integrity. Amid the tension, C.W. conveys his resignation to Betty Ann in a bittersweet farewell over drinks. With mutual feelings simmering, C.W. is bolstered by the support of his colleagues, particularly Al, who encourages him to express his long-standing affection for Betty Ann.

In an unexpected twist of fate, C.W. makes a courageous plea to reclaim Betty Ann from Chris. As Chris prepares to leave, a flustered C.W. inadvertently triggers the hypnotic phrase “Madagascar,” leading Betty Ann to confess her enduring love for him, casting aside her ties to Chris. As Chris desperately tries to salvage his relationship, Al surprises C.W. with a jade scorpion, symbolizing his support.

As the evening winds down, C.W. and Betty Ann find themselves entwined in her apartment, giving in to their passions. Just when confusion arises, George reveals that he had freed Betty Ann from her hypnotic bonds the previous night, leading C.W. to the exhilarating realization that Betty Ann’s decision to be with him is entirely her own—a testament to their undeniable connection.