Evelyn McHale

Based on the true story of  the iconic photograph of the “beautiful suicide” Evelyn Francis McHale, who jumped from the 86th-floor observation deck of the Empire State Building in 1947.  She miraculously landed on a vehicle, crushing the car, but her beauty hauntingly remained.

From her suicide note: “I don’t want anyone in or out of my family to see any part of me. Could you destroy my body by cremation? I beg of you and my family – don’t have any service for me or remembrance for me. My fiance asked me to marry him in June. I don’t think I would make a good wife for anybody. He is much better off without me. Tell my father, I have too many of my mother’s tendencies.”

Act 1

McHale goes up an elevator. Very polite to everyone. She gets on the 86th floor observation deck. She folds her coat, leaves a note under her purse. She is about to jump.

Act 2

She changes her mind. She gets help and her depression goes into remission. She marries, has children. Lives a happy life. She is about to have the happiest moment of her life.

Act 3

We realize she actually jumped when she hits the roof of the car. The entire life scenario took place in the moment she took the leap.

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