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1
00:00:02,334 --> 00:00:05,267
( dramatic theme playing )
2
00:00:15,734 --> 00:00:18,200
( noirish jazz theme playing )
3
00:00:44,968 --> 00:00:47,467
"Steve says,
'I know my people.
4
00:00:47,467 --> 00:00:49,300
"'I know the two faces
of them.
5
00:00:49,300 --> 00:00:50,767
"'The faces they wear
for the public,
6
00:00:50,767 --> 00:00:54,067
"and the secret faces
they show only to each other.'
7
00:00:54,067 --> 00:00:56,501
"Gilbert says,
'Perhaps. We'll see.
8
00:00:56,501 --> 00:00:58,033
"When do I get
the last act?'
9
00:00:58,033 --> 00:00:59,334
"And Steve says,
'I'm starting it
10
00:00:59,334 --> 00:00:59,434
"'as soon
as you leave.
11
00:01:00,767 --> 00:01:03,334
( chuckling ):
"If I live to finish it.'
12
00:01:03,334 --> 00:01:06,167
"Steve opens the door
for them, and they exit.
13
00:01:06,167 --> 00:01:08,701
"Steve grins,
sits at his desk,
14
00:01:08,701 --> 00:01:11,467
"switches on the Dictaphone
and begins to dictate.
15
00:01:11,467 --> 00:01:13,234
"Third act.
16
00:01:13,234 --> 00:01:14,968
"It's a few minutes
after midnight
17
00:01:14,968 --> 00:01:16,567
"as the curtain rises,
18
00:01:16,567 --> 00:01:18,467
"but Steve gets no further.
19
00:01:18,467 --> 00:01:20,434
"There's the sound
of a shot,
20
00:01:20,434 --> 00:01:23,400
and Steve slumps over
his typewriter, dead."
21
00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:25,334
Curtain falls
on the second act.
22
00:01:26,801 --> 00:01:27,868
Any comments?
23
00:01:35,968 --> 00:01:37,601
Not even from
our producer?
24
00:01:37,601 --> 00:01:38,634
Mr. Gifford?
25
00:01:40,133 --> 00:01:42,133
I'll reserve
my comment
26
00:01:42,133 --> 00:01:44,234
until I've heard
the last act.
27
00:01:44,234 --> 00:01:46,100
I think you'll
find it exciting.
28
00:01:53,234 --> 00:01:55,200
If this is someone's
idea of a joke,
29
00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:57,200
I don't appreciate it.
What's happened?
30
00:01:57,200 --> 00:01:59,033
The last act. Someone
took it out of the script
31
00:01:59,033 --> 00:02:01,234
and replaced it
with blank pages.
32
00:02:01,234 --> 00:02:02,868
Well, perhaps when
they were assembled--
33
00:02:02,868 --> 00:02:04,067
I assembled
them myself.
34
00:02:06,501 --> 00:02:08,734
( mysterious theme playing )
35
00:02:17,467 --> 00:02:18,701
( sighs )
36
00:02:35,033 --> 00:02:37,167
( mysterious theme playing )
37
00:02:37,167 --> 00:02:39,934
It's gone. Even from
the file copy in my desk.
38
00:02:39,934 --> 00:02:42,100
Saves us the trouble
of listening to it.
39
00:02:42,100 --> 00:02:44,334
You didn't like the first
two acts, Mr. West?
40
00:02:44,334 --> 00:02:45,467
No. None of it.
41
00:02:47,834 --> 00:02:48,834
And you, Helen?
42
00:02:50,100 --> 00:02:51,634
Well, it
disturbs me, Ernest.
43
00:02:51,634 --> 00:02:52,968
I feel there's something
very wrong with it.
44
00:02:52,968 --> 00:02:54,834
It's not fair
to judge a play
45
00:02:54,834 --> 00:02:55,434
by two acts,
but--
46
00:02:55,434 --> 00:02:57,234
Yes?
47
00:02:57,234 --> 00:02:59,567
( sighs )
Well...frankly,
48
00:02:59,567 --> 00:03:00,868
I didn't like
what I heard.
49
00:03:00,868 --> 00:03:02,467
Why not?
50
00:03:02,467 --> 00:03:04,601
The characters
are confused.
51
00:03:04,601 --> 00:03:06,300
The...motivations
are obscure.
52
00:03:07,534 --> 00:03:09,334
Anything else, John?
53
00:03:09,334 --> 00:03:12,734
There's no kindness,
no understanding.
54
00:03:12,734 --> 00:03:14,801
Nothing but
a sort of...
55
00:03:14,801 --> 00:03:15,968
snarling viciousness
56
00:03:15,968 --> 00:03:17,400
that I find
most distasteful.
57
00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:20,367
If you ask me--
I have already asked you.
58
00:03:20,367 --> 00:03:21,434
HELEN:
John's right.
59
00:03:23,300 --> 00:03:25,067
If you'd look at
your characters
60
00:03:25,067 --> 00:03:27,567
with love instead
of hate, Ernest.
61
00:03:27,567 --> 00:03:29,334
Especially the character
you'll play?
62
00:03:29,334 --> 00:03:30,868
I'm sure
you can change it.
63
00:03:30,868 --> 00:03:32,834
Why are you doing
this thing?
64
00:03:32,834 --> 00:03:33,868
It's not your kind
of play.
65
00:03:33,868 --> 00:03:35,634
( scoffs )
66
00:03:35,634 --> 00:03:37,934
A Gifford production means
something to the public.
67
00:03:37,934 --> 00:03:39,534
There's a guarantee
of a great, new play.
68
00:03:39,534 --> 00:03:40,534
An exciting eve--
69
00:03:40,534 --> 00:03:43,000
Stop being
a press agent, Jim.
70
00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:45,467
And you...the great star,
Helen Dwight,
71
00:03:45,467 --> 00:03:48,167
crawling down from
a sky full of fine parts
72
00:03:48,167 --> 00:03:49,868
to wallow in
this muddy melodrama.
73
00:03:49,868 --> 00:03:51,667
Why you doing it?
74
00:03:51,667 --> 00:03:53,601
I always do what
my producer tells me to.
75
00:03:55,567 --> 00:03:58,501
Especially when he also
happens to be my husband.
76
00:03:58,501 --> 00:04:00,534
You're her brother.
Show some gumption
77
00:04:00,534 --> 00:04:02,267
for once in your life.
Talk to her.
78
00:04:02,267 --> 00:04:03,300
Oh, I think
you're getting
79
00:04:03,300 --> 00:04:05,033
all excited
about nothing, Jim.
80
00:04:05,033 --> 00:04:07,167
Oh, I didn't think
it was that bad.
81
00:04:07,167 --> 00:04:09,033
When Ernest rewrites it
the way John wants--
82
00:04:09,033 --> 00:04:10,167
There will not be
any rewriting.
83
00:04:10,167 --> 00:04:12,767
Why, Ernest? Why
be so arbitrary?
84
00:04:12,767 --> 00:04:14,501
You've made
mistakes before.
85
00:04:14,501 --> 00:04:16,934
Because I didn't know
what I was writing about.
86
00:04:16,934 --> 00:04:18,234
But this time I do.
87
00:04:18,234 --> 00:04:21,300
I'm telling a story about
real, living people.
88
00:04:21,300 --> 00:04:22,934
People that
I know.
89
00:04:22,934 --> 00:04:24,400
For the first time
as a writer,
90
00:04:24,400 --> 00:04:26,100
I'm telling
the truth.
91
00:04:26,100 --> 00:04:29,701
Then all the more reason
for rewriting.
92
00:04:29,701 --> 00:04:31,734
Why condemn these
unfortunate people
93
00:04:31,734 --> 00:04:33,133
without a fair
trial?
94
00:04:33,133 --> 00:04:35,767
Why call them criminals
without trying to understand
95
00:04:35,767 --> 00:04:37,133
what made them
commit a crime?
96
00:04:37,133 --> 00:04:39,567
What good is it
to hurt people?
97
00:04:39,567 --> 00:04:42,734
My play is more important
than the people.
98
00:04:42,734 --> 00:04:44,267
Oh. This kind
of argument
99
00:04:44,267 --> 00:04:45,400
isn't going to
get us anywhere.
100
00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:47,334
I suggest we all go home
and think about it.
101
00:04:47,334 --> 00:04:49,234
Calmly. We can get
together later on tonight.
102
00:04:49,234 --> 00:04:51,067
I'll be too busy.
( sighs angrily )
103
00:04:51,067 --> 00:04:52,434
With nothing more
important than this.
104
00:04:52,434 --> 00:04:55,000
Have you forgotten?
The last act is missing.
105
00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:57,167
You're gonna write it again?
Well, of course.
106
00:04:57,167 --> 00:04:59,133
Whoever took it
wasn't very bright.
107
00:04:59,133 --> 00:05:00,801
I wrote it once.
I can write it again.
108
00:05:00,801 --> 00:05:03,067
The revisions
I want may change
109
00:05:03,067 --> 00:05:05,200
your last act
completely.
110
00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:08,234
I told you, there
will be no changes.
111
00:05:08,234 --> 00:05:09,968
I won't
produce it.
112
00:05:09,968 --> 00:05:12,100
I think
you will.
113
00:05:12,100 --> 00:05:14,367
I think you'll
see it my way.
114
00:05:14,367 --> 00:05:15,434
I'm sure
you will.
115
00:05:17,400 --> 00:05:19,434
Now, here are
the first two acts.
116
00:05:19,434 --> 00:05:20,634
I'll have the third act
for you
117
00:05:20,634 --> 00:05:21,868
by the end of
the week.
118
00:05:21,868 --> 00:05:22,601
Good afternoon.
119
00:05:27,300 --> 00:05:28,234
( opens door )
120
00:05:34,834 --> 00:05:35,300
( door
closes )
121
00:05:37,734 --> 00:05:38,834
( doorbell rings )
122
00:05:44,367 --> 00:05:45,868
It's Frank.
123
00:05:45,868 --> 00:05:46,834
( snaps fingers )
124
00:05:49,234 --> 00:05:50,334
( doorbell rings )
125
00:05:52,968 --> 00:05:54,400
( jazzy theme playing )
126
00:06:25,634 --> 00:06:28,000
ROYCE:
In response to your offer--
127
00:06:29,567 --> 00:06:32,434
Well, Frank. I didn't
hear you come in.
128
00:06:32,434 --> 00:06:33,934
I rang the bell.
Nobody answered.
129
00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:37,601
Oh, I guess
I didn't hear it.
130
00:06:37,601 --> 00:06:39,400
How did you
get in?
131
00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:40,434
Door was unlocked.
132
00:06:41,968 --> 00:06:43,300
That's funny.
133
00:06:43,300 --> 00:06:43,367
( chuckles )
134
00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:46,667
I, uh-- I've been
trying to catch up
135
00:06:46,667 --> 00:06:48,467
on some of my unanswered
mail here.
136
00:06:48,467 --> 00:06:50,000
It really
piles up.
137
00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:52,167
Pretty busy, huh?
Well, you know how it is.
138
00:06:52,167 --> 00:06:53,801
Just getting ready to
go into production.
139
00:06:53,801 --> 00:06:54,701
It's a...
140
00:06:54,701 --> 00:06:56,267
It's a real
strain.
141
00:06:56,267 --> 00:06:57,734
Yeah.
142
00:06:57,734 --> 00:06:59,133
I stopped by
to pick up Faith.
143
00:07:00,934 --> 00:07:03,067
Faith? Well, she's gone.
She left with Gifford.
144
00:07:03,067 --> 00:07:04,701
No, I saw them leave.
145
00:07:04,701 --> 00:07:05,767
She wasn't with 'em.
146
00:07:07,334 --> 00:07:08,367
Well, she walked out
with 'em.
147
00:07:10,734 --> 00:07:12,067
You're lying, Ernie.
148
00:07:13,834 --> 00:07:15,701
You shouldn't say things
like that, Frank.
149
00:07:15,701 --> 00:07:17,067
It might get you
into trouble.
150
00:07:19,033 --> 00:07:20,968
Well, I'll tell you, Ernie,
I don't want any trouble.
151
00:07:23,234 --> 00:07:25,067
so I'll tell you
what I'm gonna do.
152
00:07:25,067 --> 00:07:27,701
I'm gonna take my girl
and my money out of your show.
153
00:07:27,701 --> 00:07:29,934
You can't do that.
It was a deal.
154
00:07:29,934 --> 00:07:31,200
A bad deal.
155
00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:33,400
You'll make a fortune.
I got a fortune.
156
00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:35,200
And I got a girl too.
Now, look, Frank.
157
00:07:35,200 --> 00:07:36,934
You're all wrong
about the girl.
158
00:07:36,934 --> 00:07:38,300
She's a nice kid.
159
00:07:38,300 --> 00:07:40,767
Well, anyway, I can't
return the money.
160
00:07:40,767 --> 00:07:42,100
I-- It's out of
my hands.
161
00:07:42,100 --> 00:07:44,167
I turned it all over to
John Gifford, the producer.
162
00:07:44,167 --> 00:07:45,434
Get it back.
163
00:07:45,434 --> 00:07:47,400
I can't.
Get it back!
164
00:07:47,400 --> 00:07:50,067
Well, we'll have to talk to
John Gifford about it.
165
00:07:50,067 --> 00:07:52,968
You do that. Now.
Now?
166
00:07:52,968 --> 00:07:54,701
We'll have to wait
until morning.
167
00:07:54,701 --> 00:07:56,467
I don'thaveto do
anything, Ernie.
168
00:07:56,467 --> 00:07:59,767
I want that money back,
and I want it in cash.
169
00:07:59,767 --> 00:08:02,467
Well, it's too late.
The banks are closed.
170
00:08:02,467 --> 00:08:03,734
It's Friday.
171
00:08:03,734 --> 00:08:06,100
The banks are open
until 6.
172
00:08:06,100 --> 00:08:08,300
It's only 5 now.
173
00:08:08,300 --> 00:08:10,968
What is all the rush?
You don't need the money.
174
00:08:10,968 --> 00:08:12,601
You ain't listening
to me, Ernie.
175
00:08:12,601 --> 00:08:16,400
I said I'm taking my money
and my girl out of your show.
176
00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:18,601
Well, all right. Take
the girl out if you want--
177
00:08:18,601 --> 00:08:20,634
They come together.
They always did.
178
00:08:20,634 --> 00:08:23,200
That's the way
it was agreed.
179
00:08:23,200 --> 00:08:25,000
But there wasn't anything
in the agreement
180
00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:26,701
aboutyou
and my girl...
181
00:08:26,701 --> 00:08:30,667
so I'm closing out
everything.
182
00:08:30,667 --> 00:08:32,834
I'm coming back here
later tonight
183
00:08:32,834 --> 00:08:34,200
for that money,
Ernie.
184
00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:35,434
If you ain't
got it,
185
00:08:35,434 --> 00:08:38,567
you ain't gonna get
another chance to get it.
186
00:08:38,567 --> 00:08:40,033
( suspenseful theme playing )
187
00:08:43,033 --> 00:08:45,067
( birds chirping )
188
00:08:45,067 --> 00:08:46,601
( suspenseful theme playing )
189
00:08:54,601 --> 00:08:55,567
( door closes )
190
00:08:59,300 --> 00:08:59,834
Scared?
191
00:09:01,934 --> 00:09:04,467
Go on, get out of here.
And get out of here fast.
192
00:09:04,467 --> 00:09:07,067
Oh, there's nothing to
get excited about.
193
00:09:07,067 --> 00:09:08,868
Are you crazy?
You were listening.
194
00:09:08,868 --> 00:09:10,667
You heard what
he said.
195
00:09:10,667 --> 00:09:12,434
Don't worry about him.
196
00:09:12,434 --> 00:09:13,501
He'll do what
I tell him.
197
00:09:13,501 --> 00:09:15,434
But will you?
198
00:09:15,434 --> 00:09:17,100
What do you want?
199
00:09:17,100 --> 00:09:18,200
Well, I'm--
200
00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:20,067
I'm such a nasty person
in the play.
201
00:09:21,367 --> 00:09:24,267
Rewrite my part
so I'll be more sympathetic.
202
00:09:24,267 --> 00:09:25,601
You see, if I
did it for love--
203
00:09:25,601 --> 00:09:27,801
Are you lecturing me
on the drama?
204
00:09:27,801 --> 00:09:30,467
Where did you learn that?
At the actors' school?
205
00:09:30,467 --> 00:09:33,234
You'll rewrite my part
the way I want it.
206
00:09:33,234 --> 00:09:35,300
If you do, I'll get Frank
to change his mind.
207
00:09:35,300 --> 00:09:37,234
If you don't,
you and your producer
208
00:09:37,234 --> 00:09:39,267
will have to get another
sucker to back you.
209
00:09:39,267 --> 00:09:40,267
Not at all, sweetie.
210
00:09:40,267 --> 00:09:41,801
You make trouble for me,
211
00:09:41,801 --> 00:09:44,200
and you'll have to get yourself
another sucker to back you.
212
00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:46,968
Frank loves me. He'll stick
with me no matter what.
213
00:09:46,968 --> 00:09:48,834
Not when I tell him
all about Faith
214
00:09:48,834 --> 00:09:50,234
and the rest
of her kind.
215
00:09:50,234 --> 00:09:52,734
He'd kill you.
216
00:09:52,734 --> 00:09:53,367
Well, that could be.
217
00:09:55,801 --> 00:09:57,067
But he'd probably
kill you first.
218
00:09:59,167 --> 00:10:00,100
( ominous theme playing )
219
00:10:02,634 --> 00:10:05,133
No answer.
220
00:10:05,133 --> 00:10:07,167
Well, try again.
221
00:10:10,701 --> 00:10:13,033
John, darling...
222
00:10:13,033 --> 00:10:15,901
this play must not be
produced as it's written.
223
00:10:15,901 --> 00:10:17,167
( dialing
phone )
224
00:10:19,367 --> 00:10:21,200
I guess he meant
what he said.
225
00:10:24,601 --> 00:10:26,567
If only he had
a little pity.
226
00:10:28,934 --> 00:10:30,567
Pity.
227
00:10:32,534 --> 00:10:33,033
He doesn't
answer.
228
00:10:44,501 --> 00:10:45,033
( clicks on )
229
00:10:46,767 --> 00:10:48,234
( romantic jazz music playing )
230
00:10:58,667 --> 00:11:00,567
( knocking
on door )
231
00:11:11,968 --> 00:11:13,567
Hi, Frank.
Hi, baby.
232
00:11:15,334 --> 00:11:17,000
You look tired.
I am.
233
00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:18,868
I'll fix you a drink.
Thanks.
234
00:11:31,267 --> 00:11:33,901
This will make you
feel better.
235
00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:41,033
I stopped by Royce's
to pick you up.
236
00:11:41,033 --> 00:11:44,234
You should've called.
I would've waited.
237
00:11:44,234 --> 00:11:47,033
I was outside when
the others came out.
238
00:11:47,033 --> 00:11:48,901
You weren't
with 'em.
239
00:11:48,901 --> 00:11:50,167
I'd...
240
00:11:50,167 --> 00:11:52,200
just left
before they did.
241
00:11:52,200 --> 00:11:53,367
Why?
242
00:11:56,701 --> 00:11:58,300
Why, Faith?
243
00:11:58,300 --> 00:11:58,367
Well...
244
00:12:00,067 --> 00:12:01,534
I just don't
like to be
245
00:12:01,534 --> 00:12:03,133
left alone
with Royce.
246
00:12:03,133 --> 00:12:05,267
He giving you
a hard time?
247
00:12:05,267 --> 00:12:06,767
I can handle him.
248
00:12:06,767 --> 00:12:08,067
Well, that's my job,
isn't it?
249
00:12:10,267 --> 00:12:11,467
You're wonderful,
Frank.
250
00:12:15,667 --> 00:12:18,167
You'd do anything for me,
wouldn't you?
251
00:12:18,167 --> 00:12:20,167
But if you weren't so new
to show business,
252
00:12:20,167 --> 00:12:21,634
you'd know that
he's typical of
253
00:12:21,634 --> 00:12:23,234
a certain kind
of wolf who...
254
00:12:23,234 --> 00:12:25,701
howls at
all young actresses.
255
00:12:25,701 --> 00:12:26,834
We learn very quickly
256
00:12:26,834 --> 00:12:27,734
how to manage
his kind.
257
00:12:29,567 --> 00:12:31,334
Well, I don't like it.
258
00:12:31,334 --> 00:12:34,868
I'm taking you and my money
out of the show.
259
00:12:34,868 --> 00:12:37,701
Well, don't be
silly, Frank.
260
00:12:37,701 --> 00:12:39,834
Oh, we can always
find you a new play.
261
00:12:39,834 --> 00:12:40,968
But I want this one.
262
00:12:42,801 --> 00:12:44,834
Frank, a Gifford production.
263
00:12:44,834 --> 00:12:46,100
Helen Dwight starring.
264
00:12:46,100 --> 00:12:48,000
A beautiful part.
265
00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:51,000
It's a wonderful
chance for me.
266
00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:53,968
And that's what
we both want, isn't it?
267
00:12:53,968 --> 00:12:55,367
I want you, Faith.
268
00:12:57,167 --> 00:12:58,667
But you want me to be
happy too, don't you?
269
00:13:00,934 --> 00:13:03,267
I got a lot to learn
about happiness.
270
00:13:03,267 --> 00:13:05,033
( puts drink down )
271
00:13:05,033 --> 00:13:05,801
Maybe you too.
272
00:13:07,667 --> 00:13:08,934
Look, baby,
273
00:13:08,934 --> 00:13:10,801
I know what it is
to want something so bad
274
00:13:10,801 --> 00:13:12,434
you'll do anything to
get it. I've done it.
275
00:13:12,434 --> 00:13:13,400
The hard way.
276
00:13:15,267 --> 00:13:17,567
I'm just trying to figure
an easier way for you.
277
00:13:27,234 --> 00:13:28,033
Where are you
going?
278
00:13:29,634 --> 00:13:30,634
Oh, I got
some things to do.
279
00:13:33,334 --> 00:13:36,267
You'll forget
about Royce.
280
00:13:36,267 --> 00:13:37,534
Please, Frank.
281
00:13:40,033 --> 00:13:41,133
Don't worry, sugar.
282
00:13:51,734 --> 00:13:53,567
( tense theme playing )
283
00:13:59,100 --> 00:13:59,801
( sighs )
284
00:14:03,767 --> 00:14:06,701
Third act. It's a few
minutes after midnight.
285
00:14:06,701 --> 00:14:10,234
As the curtain rises--
( gunshot )
286
00:14:10,234 --> 00:14:12,000
( dramatic theme playing )
287
00:14:17,501 --> 00:14:20,167
"Defendant has
no information nor belief
288
00:14:20,167 --> 00:14:22,000
on the subject
sufficient to enable him to--"
289
00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:24,534
( intercom buzzes )
Yes, Gertie?
290
00:14:24,534 --> 00:14:27,100
GERTIE:
Mr. Frank Brooksto see Mr. Mason.
291
00:14:27,100 --> 00:14:29,067
I don't recall an appointment
for a Mr. Brooks.
292
00:14:29,067 --> 00:14:30,701
I know, but he said--
293
00:14:30,701 --> 00:14:32,868
He has
$10,000 in cash
294
00:14:32,868 --> 00:14:33,801
for the lawyer
that handles his case.
295
00:14:36,901 --> 00:14:38,868
Interesting man.
Intriguing.
296
00:14:38,868 --> 00:14:40,100
( buzzing )
See if you can find out--
297
00:14:40,100 --> 00:14:41,968
Oh, wait a minute.
298
00:14:41,968 --> 00:14:44,133
Gertie.
Yes, sir?
299
00:14:44,133 --> 00:14:45,901
Show Mr. Brooks in,
will you, please?
300
00:14:45,901 --> 00:14:46,400
Yes, sir.
301
00:14:51,701 --> 00:14:52,801
Thank you, Gertie.
302
00:14:52,801 --> 00:14:54,834
Mr. Brooks. Mr. Mason.
303
00:14:54,834 --> 00:14:57,000
Mr. Brooks.
There's the 10,000.
304
00:14:58,234 --> 00:14:59,234
Chair?
305
00:15:02,834 --> 00:15:02,934
Thank you.
306
00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:05,100
Do you mind
if we, uh...
307
00:15:05,100 --> 00:15:07,400
talk alone?
308
00:15:07,400 --> 00:15:09,133
Miss Street is
my confidential secretary.
309
00:15:09,133 --> 00:15:11,200
I have no secrets from her,
nor do my clients.
310
00:15:13,567 --> 00:15:15,801
Okay.
Please sit down.
311
00:15:15,801 --> 00:15:17,534
Thanks.
312
00:15:17,534 --> 00:15:18,901
Now...
313
00:15:18,901 --> 00:15:21,200
how am I supposed to
earn that?
314
00:15:21,200 --> 00:15:22,434
Well, making
a rough guess,
315
00:15:22,434 --> 00:15:23,367
I would say
the cops
316
00:15:23,367 --> 00:15:24,367
are gonna be
looking for me, uh,
317
00:15:24,367 --> 00:15:26,901
at about, um,
6:00 tonight.
318
00:15:26,901 --> 00:15:27,667
Why?
319
00:15:29,367 --> 00:15:31,033
To book me for the murder
320
00:15:31,033 --> 00:15:33,300
of Ernest Royce,
the, uh, playwright.
321
00:15:33,300 --> 00:15:34,767
Why you,
in particular?
322
00:15:34,767 --> 00:15:37,767
Because my fingerprints
are all over his place.
323
00:15:37,767 --> 00:15:39,634
Why should that
worry you?
324
00:15:39,634 --> 00:15:39,767
Mr. Mason,
I got a record.
325
00:15:41,534 --> 00:15:43,667
The cops are gonna tie
my prints in with that record.
326
00:15:43,667 --> 00:15:45,100
Look, I was brought up
in the rackets.
327
00:15:45,100 --> 00:15:46,501
I know all the tricks.
328
00:15:46,501 --> 00:15:48,334
If I'd wanted to
kill Royce,
329
00:15:48,334 --> 00:15:50,267
I wouldn't have left
any fingerprints behind.
330
00:15:50,267 --> 00:15:52,100
That, uh...
331
00:15:52,100 --> 00:15:54,067
honest money?
332
00:15:54,067 --> 00:15:57,067
Honest? I worked for
every cent of that.
333
00:15:57,067 --> 00:15:58,567
Doing what?
334
00:15:58,567 --> 00:15:59,067
This.
335
00:16:00,567 --> 00:16:02,701
The Brooks Drive-ins.
336
00:16:02,701 --> 00:16:04,567
"Eat the best
from East to West."
337
00:16:04,567 --> 00:16:05,934
There's one on
every major highway
338
00:16:05,934 --> 00:16:06,901
in the United States.
339
00:16:10,033 --> 00:16:11,067
Oh, you can, uh...
340
00:16:11,067 --> 00:16:12,601
check that out.
341
00:16:12,601 --> 00:16:13,834
I ain't ashamed of
that record.
342
00:16:15,234 --> 00:16:16,567
All right.
343
00:16:16,567 --> 00:16:19,334
Suppose you tell me what
you were doing at Royce's house.
344
00:16:19,334 --> 00:16:21,167
I went there
to get my money back.
345
00:16:21,167 --> 00:16:22,267
What money?
346
00:16:22,267 --> 00:16:25,367
The 75 grand I invested
in a play of his.
347
00:16:25,367 --> 00:16:26,667
It was a stinker.
348
00:16:26,667 --> 00:16:29,434
Didn't you know that before
you invested your money?
349
00:16:29,434 --> 00:16:32,000
I never
read the play. Hm.
350
00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:33,000
Isn't that
unusual?
351
00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:35,033
I wouldn't know.
I--
352
00:16:35,033 --> 00:16:37,367
First time I ever got
mixed up in show business.
353
00:16:37,367 --> 00:16:38,634
Well, who got you
into it?
354
00:16:38,634 --> 00:16:39,434
Royce.
355
00:16:40,601 --> 00:16:41,801
Said it was
gonna be a smash hit.
356
00:16:41,801 --> 00:16:44,167
A gold mine.
Make nothing but money.
357
00:16:44,167 --> 00:16:46,100
John Gifford was
gonna produce...
358
00:16:46,100 --> 00:16:47,801
Helen Dwight
play the lead.
359
00:16:47,801 --> 00:16:50,501
Oh, I talked it over
with my tax man.
360
00:16:50,501 --> 00:16:51,634
He said...
361
00:16:51,634 --> 00:16:53,167
if I lose it,
it's tax-deductible.
362
00:16:53,167 --> 00:16:55,334
So I figured, well,
what can I lose?
363
00:16:55,334 --> 00:16:56,634
Yet you suddenly
wanted your money back?
364
00:16:56,634 --> 00:16:58,868
( closes lighter )
365
00:16:58,868 --> 00:17:01,734
I don't like to be
taken, Mr. Mason.
366
00:17:01,734 --> 00:17:03,501
And you decided Royce
was taking you?
367
00:17:03,501 --> 00:17:05,334
That's right.
368
00:17:05,334 --> 00:17:06,901
Did you and Royce
quarrel?
369
00:17:06,901 --> 00:17:07,901
No.
370
00:17:07,901 --> 00:17:09,501
No, why should we?
371
00:17:11,033 --> 00:17:12,267
He said he'd
speak to Gifford
372
00:17:12,267 --> 00:17:13,334
about getting
my money back.
373
00:17:13,334 --> 00:17:13,467
I had a few drinks,
and then I left.
374
00:17:15,033 --> 00:17:15,968
Where'd you go?
375
00:17:17,534 --> 00:17:19,133
Home.
376
00:17:19,133 --> 00:17:20,934
You're married?
No.
377
00:17:20,934 --> 00:17:21,467
Girl?
378
00:17:23,434 --> 00:17:25,334
No special girl, if that's
what you're thinking.
379
00:17:26,734 --> 00:17:29,400
I'm only thinking what
the police will think.
380
00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:31,067
Now, who were you with
last night?
381
00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:33,501
Nobody.
382
00:17:33,501 --> 00:17:35,033
No alibi.
383
00:17:35,033 --> 00:17:37,634
Well, if what
you told me is true...
384
00:17:37,634 --> 00:17:39,801
I see no reason
why you shouldn't be able
385
00:17:39,801 --> 00:17:42,100
to give the same information
to the police.
386
00:17:42,100 --> 00:17:43,934
Well, I would like
you on my side
387
00:17:43,934 --> 00:17:45,667
when I start
talking to them.
388
00:17:45,667 --> 00:17:48,434
I'm sure the police will find
lots of fingerprints
389
00:17:48,434 --> 00:17:50,901
belonging to
all kinds of people.
390
00:17:50,901 --> 00:17:52,767
Tying yours
to an old record
391
00:17:52,767 --> 00:17:54,167
certainly isn't
enough evidence
392
00:17:54,167 --> 00:17:56,434
to support
a murder charge.
393
00:17:56,434 --> 00:17:57,167
Here.
394
00:17:58,300 --> 00:17:59,634
You'd better
keep that.
395
00:18:02,067 --> 00:18:03,367
Something
for your advice?
396
00:18:03,367 --> 00:18:04,734
Not this time.
397
00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:10,267
Thank you, Mr. Mason.
398
00:18:10,267 --> 00:18:11,634
Goodbye,
Mr. Brooks.
399
00:18:11,634 --> 00:18:12,767
Goodbye.
400
00:18:16,701 --> 00:18:19,234
Mr. Mason.
401
00:18:19,234 --> 00:18:20,968
Try one of my hamburgers
sometime.
402
00:18:20,968 --> 00:18:22,133
They're the greatest.
403
00:18:26,334 --> 00:18:27,467
( door
closes )
404
00:18:27,467 --> 00:18:29,701
( mysterious theme playing )
405
00:18:39,133 --> 00:18:40,767
( knocking )
406
00:18:40,767 --> 00:18:43,834
( romantic classical music
playing on radio )
407
00:18:43,834 --> 00:18:45,701
Hi, Frank.
Faith.
408
00:18:47,567 --> 00:18:49,300
Isn't it terrible
about Royce?
409
00:18:49,300 --> 00:18:50,100
It's in all
the papers.
410
00:18:51,801 --> 00:18:53,734
Look, they even have
my name in the story.
411
00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:56,934
Yeah, I know.
It ain't any good.
412
00:18:56,934 --> 00:18:58,467
Well, what's bad
about it?
413
00:18:58,467 --> 00:19:00,234
Me getting star billing
with Helen Dwight.
414
00:19:01,367 --> 00:19:04,534
Now, look, baby.
Try to understand, will you?
415
00:19:04,534 --> 00:19:06,400
The less you get
mixed up in the thing,
416
00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:07,634
the better off it's
gonna be for both of us.
417
00:19:07,634 --> 00:19:09,667
Why?
418
00:19:09,667 --> 00:19:12,167
Oh, I'll write you
a letter.
419
00:19:12,167 --> 00:19:13,467
( sighs )
420
00:19:13,467 --> 00:19:16,000
Meanwhile, I want you
to get out of town.
421
00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:16,467
Here.
422
00:19:18,234 --> 00:19:19,968
There's some money.
423
00:19:19,968 --> 00:19:21,434
Now you take it,
and you go to
424
00:19:21,434 --> 00:19:22,534
Europe, Africa,
anyplace.
425
00:19:22,534 --> 00:19:24,133
Go just as far
as you can go.
426
00:19:25,801 --> 00:19:28,534
With all of this publicity
going for me?
427
00:19:28,534 --> 00:19:30,033
You must be
out of your mind.
428
00:19:30,033 --> 00:19:32,467
Well, this publicity is
gonna turn awfully sour
429
00:19:32,467 --> 00:19:34,467
the minute the cops find out
I was backing this play
430
00:19:34,467 --> 00:19:35,601
just to buy you a job.
431
00:19:35,601 --> 00:19:36,501
Now...look,
432
00:19:36,501 --> 00:19:38,467
do us both
a big favor, huh?
433
00:19:38,467 --> 00:19:40,234
Disappear just as fast
as you can.
434
00:19:40,234 --> 00:19:41,968
Tsk.
435
00:19:41,968 --> 00:19:43,934
Well, I don't see why
I have to run away
436
00:19:43,934 --> 00:19:45,367
just because
you threatened to--
437
00:19:45,367 --> 00:19:47,300
( ominous theme playing )
438
00:19:51,234 --> 00:19:53,067
Well, go on, baby.
439
00:19:53,067 --> 00:19:54,701
Finish what you
were gonna say.
440
00:19:54,701 --> 00:19:56,133
I heard you, Frank.
441
00:19:56,133 --> 00:19:58,801
I heard you tell Ernie Royce
you'd be back last night.
442
00:19:58,801 --> 00:20:01,000
Heh.
443
00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:02,901
You were there all the time.
444
00:20:02,901 --> 00:20:05,234
You gonna
kill me too, Frank?
445
00:20:08,501 --> 00:20:10,501
Why are you looking
at me like that?
446
00:20:10,501 --> 00:20:12,200
Because I never really
447
00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:14,701
looked at you before.
448
00:20:14,701 --> 00:20:16,567
It's been nice
knowing you, Faith.
449
00:20:16,567 --> 00:20:17,801
What are you
trying to tell me?
450
00:20:17,801 --> 00:20:20,100
I already
told you.
451
00:20:20,100 --> 00:20:22,100
Now, you've got
the money.
452
00:20:22,100 --> 00:20:25,300
Take it and get
out of town fast.
453
00:20:25,300 --> 00:20:26,467
If there's any wrap-up--
( knocking )
454
00:20:28,634 --> 00:20:29,968
Who
is it?
455
00:20:29,968 --> 00:20:31,634
TRAGG:
The police.
456
00:20:44,234 --> 00:20:45,334
May we
come in?
457
00:20:45,334 --> 00:20:46,801
I could say no,
maybe, huh?
458
00:20:48,400 --> 00:20:49,601
You're Miss, uh,
Faith Foster?
459
00:20:51,601 --> 00:20:53,267
Uh, you're
Mr. Frank Brooks?
460
00:20:54,367 --> 00:20:55,667
Yeah. That's right.
461
00:20:58,434 --> 00:21:00,501
Heh. You know,
it, heh--
462
00:21:00,501 --> 00:21:03,434
It's always easier for me
if somebody says, uh...
463
00:21:03,434 --> 00:21:05,033
"What do you want?"
464
00:21:05,033 --> 00:21:06,701
Well, ten to one,
it ain't a hamburger.
465
00:21:06,701 --> 00:21:09,167
What do you want?
Thank you, miss.
466
00:21:09,167 --> 00:21:10,367
You, uh...
467
00:21:10,367 --> 00:21:11,167
got a warrant?
468
00:21:11,167 --> 00:21:12,467
Of course.
469
00:21:19,534 --> 00:21:20,000
Miss Foster.
470
00:21:21,601 --> 00:21:23,234
I'm sorry to
bother you this way.
471
00:21:26,734 --> 00:21:28,534
You're it.
472
00:21:28,534 --> 00:21:30,467
( dramatic theme playing )
473
00:21:46,267 --> 00:21:48,133
( indistinct chatter )
474
00:21:51,234 --> 00:21:52,667
Mr. Mason?
Yes?
475
00:21:52,667 --> 00:21:54,601
I'm Jim West,
Mr. Gifford's publicist.
476
00:21:54,601 --> 00:21:56,467
He's on the set, but he'll
be through in a moment.
477
00:21:56,467 --> 00:21:58,200
Like to watch?
478
00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:00,033
I'd like to go someplace
a little more private.
479
00:22:00,033 --> 00:22:01,834
Well, we could use
one of the dressing rooms.
480
00:22:01,834 --> 00:22:03,934
Oh, here he is.
Mr. Gifford, Mr. Mason.
481
00:22:03,934 --> 00:22:05,033
How do you do?
How do you do?
482
00:22:05,033 --> 00:22:06,801
Perhaps we should have
arranged this meeting
483
00:22:06,801 --> 00:22:07,901
at a less
busy time.
484
00:22:07,901 --> 00:22:09,334
Well, there's
no less busy time.
485
00:22:09,334 --> 00:22:11,667
It's always like this.
Between doing two pictures here,
486
00:22:11,667 --> 00:22:13,400
and at least one play
in New York every year,
487
00:22:13,400 --> 00:22:16,434
I find that time is
the scarcest thing in my life.
488
00:22:16,434 --> 00:22:18,200
I know. I suffer the same
deficiency. ( chuckles )
489
00:22:18,200 --> 00:22:19,834
Well, shall we get to
the business at hand?
490
00:22:19,834 --> 00:22:21,801
Uh, yes. Uh,
whatever it is.
491
00:22:21,801 --> 00:22:23,667
Uh, this dressing room
isn't being used.
492
00:22:28,033 --> 00:22:28,701
Okay.
493
00:22:34,067 --> 00:22:36,033
I've heard a lot
about you, Mr. Mason.
494
00:22:36,033 --> 00:22:37,501
And I about you,
Mr. Gifford. Ha.
495
00:22:37,501 --> 00:22:39,200
It's mostly
due to Mr. West.
496
00:22:39,200 --> 00:22:41,367
He's my publicity
man.
497
00:22:41,367 --> 00:22:43,734
Uh, Mr. Mason.
Thank you.
498
00:22:43,734 --> 00:22:45,634
What did you want to
talk to me about?
499
00:22:45,634 --> 00:22:47,434
Well, several things.
500
00:22:47,434 --> 00:22:49,467
How well do you know
Frank Brooks?
501
00:22:49,467 --> 00:22:51,734
Well, I met him
only once.
502
00:22:51,734 --> 00:22:54,200
It was when he was
brought here by Ernest Royce
503
00:22:54,200 --> 00:22:56,868
to sign contracts
and give me a check.
504
00:22:56,868 --> 00:22:59,501
You know nothing
about his background?
505
00:22:59,501 --> 00:23:00,801
Well, his check
was good.
506
00:23:00,801 --> 00:23:03,400
I must admit, that's
all I was interested in.
507
00:23:03,400 --> 00:23:04,501
Were...
508
00:23:04,501 --> 00:23:06,200
Brooks and Royce
very friendly?
509
00:23:06,200 --> 00:23:08,634
I really
don't know.
510
00:23:08,634 --> 00:23:11,801
Now, you have produced
more than one play by Royce?
511
00:23:11,801 --> 00:23:12,934
Yes.
512
00:23:12,934 --> 00:23:14,601
Four.
All flops.
513
00:23:14,601 --> 00:23:17,267
Mm, artistic flops?
( scoffs )
514
00:23:17,267 --> 00:23:18,601
Royce never wrote
a decent play.
515
00:23:20,834 --> 00:23:21,934
Yet you were
about to
516
00:23:21,934 --> 00:23:23,100
produce another of
his plays?
517
00:23:24,234 --> 00:23:26,601
It had great promise.
518
00:23:26,601 --> 00:23:27,767
( scoffs quietly )
519
00:23:27,767 --> 00:23:28,934
You agree with that,
Mr. West?
520
00:23:30,534 --> 00:23:32,868
Mr. Gifford's the producer.
I just blow the horn.
521
00:23:32,868 --> 00:23:34,200
MASON:
I see.
522
00:23:35,634 --> 00:23:37,434
Like to have a copy
of the Royce play.
523
00:23:37,434 --> 00:23:39,934
It's unfinished.
It's not going to be produced.
524
00:23:39,934 --> 00:23:41,767
Nevertheless,
I'd like to read it.
525
00:23:41,767 --> 00:23:42,467
( scoffs )
526
00:23:42,467 --> 00:23:44,033
Well, I see no point.
527
00:23:44,033 --> 00:23:46,534
I'll get a copy
from the police.
528
00:23:46,534 --> 00:23:47,734
Uh...
529
00:23:47,734 --> 00:23:50,400
Mr. West will get you
a copy from the office
530
00:23:50,400 --> 00:23:51,801
on the way out.
531
00:23:51,801 --> 00:23:53,234
You asked for it,
Mr. Mason.
532
00:23:53,234 --> 00:23:55,133
Don't blame me
when you're finished.
533
00:23:55,133 --> 00:23:56,400
Why didn't you
like Royce, Mr. West?
534
00:23:58,434 --> 00:23:59,267
The theater
is something
535
00:23:59,267 --> 00:24:01,200
very special
to me, Mr. Mason.
536
00:24:01,200 --> 00:24:04,300
It's been
my family, my home...
537
00:24:04,300 --> 00:24:06,100
everything I've
ever wanted.
538
00:24:06,100 --> 00:24:08,334
When I'm inside a theater,
I'm in a church.
539
00:24:08,334 --> 00:24:10,601
When I see a great play...
540
00:24:10,601 --> 00:24:11,934
I hear angels singing.
541
00:24:11,934 --> 00:24:13,767
When I see
great performances,
542
00:24:13,767 --> 00:24:15,067
I'm walking the streets
of heaven.
543
00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:18,968
Those streets
are very clean
544
00:24:18,968 --> 00:24:20,067
and beautiful, Mr. Mason.
545
00:24:22,367 --> 00:24:24,033
They should be
kept that way.
546
00:24:24,033 --> 00:24:25,734
And I repeat...
547
00:24:25,734 --> 00:24:27,567
why didn't you like
Ernest Royce?
548
00:24:27,567 --> 00:24:29,734
( scoffs )
549
00:24:29,734 --> 00:24:30,601
He was a litterbug.
550
00:24:33,234 --> 00:24:35,000
Thank you,
gentlemen.
551
00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:35,501
Goodbye.
Goodbye.
552
00:24:38,501 --> 00:24:40,334
( sighs )
553
00:24:40,334 --> 00:24:42,100
( mysterious theme playing )
554
00:24:42,100 --> 00:24:44,100
All right,
quiet, please.
555
00:24:44,100 --> 00:24:45,834
This will be
a take.
556
00:24:45,834 --> 00:24:46,634
Roll 'em.
557
00:24:48,534 --> 00:24:49,601
Speed.
558
00:24:49,601 --> 00:24:50,801
DIRECTOR:
All right...
559
00:24:50,801 --> 00:24:51,901
action.
560
00:24:59,434 --> 00:25:00,200
Hello, Michael.
561
00:25:00,200 --> 00:25:01,601
John.
562
00:25:03,734 --> 00:25:04,934
Hello, darling.
Darling, how are you?
563
00:25:06,200 --> 00:25:07,934
Let me take
your coat, hm?
564
00:25:07,934 --> 00:25:08,434
Mm-hm.
565
00:25:14,767 --> 00:25:15,434
More police
today?
566
00:25:17,000 --> 00:25:18,834
A lawyer. Perry Mason.
567
00:25:18,834 --> 00:25:19,868
Representing Brooks?
568
00:25:19,868 --> 00:25:21,033
You shouldn't
have seen him.
569
00:25:21,033 --> 00:25:22,834
Michael, please.
Just relax.
570
00:25:22,834 --> 00:25:25,033
Helen shouldn't be bothered
with all this nonsense.
571
00:25:25,033 --> 00:25:27,100
You know she--
Uh, no talk.
572
00:25:27,100 --> 00:25:27,667
( quietly ):
Sit down.
573
00:25:34,834 --> 00:25:37,834
( tender theme playing )
574
00:25:37,834 --> 00:25:38,934
Helen Dwight...
575
00:25:38,934 --> 00:25:39,801
the great star.
576
00:25:41,634 --> 00:25:44,434
John Gifford, the great
producer. ( chuckles )
577
00:25:44,434 --> 00:25:45,968
She brings me my slippers.
578
00:25:45,968 --> 00:25:47,501
Well, she's
his loving wife.
579
00:25:47,501 --> 00:25:48,634
Ah.
580
00:25:48,634 --> 00:25:50,200
Where's
the glamour of it?
581
00:25:50,200 --> 00:25:51,300
For us?
582
00:25:51,300 --> 00:25:52,801
In the beginning,
583
00:25:52,801 --> 00:25:54,968
the dream
was always work.
584
00:25:54,968 --> 00:25:56,501
But there was no play...
585
00:25:56,501 --> 00:25:57,934
and then there
was a play.
586
00:25:57,934 --> 00:25:59,667
Then there were only
the words of the play,
587
00:25:59,667 --> 00:26:00,601
and the fear
of the words.
588
00:26:02,434 --> 00:26:03,300
Then there was you.
589
00:26:04,667 --> 00:26:07,634
You made the words
come alive.
590
00:26:07,634 --> 00:26:09,100
There was no glamour ever.
591
00:26:09,100 --> 00:26:10,400
There was only work.
592
00:26:10,400 --> 00:26:11,367
The love of work.
593
00:26:12,968 --> 00:26:15,067
Love of you.
594
00:26:15,067 --> 00:26:15,868
You and me.
595
00:26:19,467 --> 00:26:21,000
This is our world.
596
00:26:21,000 --> 00:26:22,767
Heh.
597
00:26:22,767 --> 00:26:24,767
There's no other
population.
598
00:26:24,767 --> 00:26:25,868
Is this wrong?
599
00:26:27,834 --> 00:26:30,100
Well, we'll know
when the curtain falls
600
00:26:30,100 --> 00:26:31,234
on the last act.
601
00:26:33,667 --> 00:26:34,400
Hm.
602
00:26:35,734 --> 00:26:37,400
( dramatic theme playing )
603
00:26:44,334 --> 00:26:45,334
MASON:
Della?
604
00:26:48,868 --> 00:26:50,133
Yes, Perry.
605
00:26:50,133 --> 00:26:51,968
Get Michael Dwight on
the phone for me, will you?
606
00:26:51,968 --> 00:26:54,200
Uh, I don't have
his number.
607
00:26:54,200 --> 00:26:56,968
Well, try Gifford's
office at the studio.
608
00:26:56,968 --> 00:26:59,300
Do you realize
it's after 9:00?
609
00:26:59,300 --> 00:27:01,267
The studio operator
will get a message
610
00:27:01,267 --> 00:27:02,334
through to him.
611
00:27:02,334 --> 00:27:03,200
( sighs )
612
00:27:03,200 --> 00:27:04,801
Alrighty.
613
00:27:08,701 --> 00:27:09,734
Happy reading?
614
00:27:09,734 --> 00:27:11,634
Hardly.
615
00:27:11,634 --> 00:27:13,467
Mr. Royce is not
my kind of writer.
616
00:27:14,567 --> 00:27:16,601
Did you read the book too?
Mm-hm.
617
00:27:16,601 --> 00:27:18,868
Unpleasant.
( chuckles )
618
00:27:18,868 --> 00:27:20,868
And that's
an understatement.
619
00:27:23,234 --> 00:27:25,934
Why would a publisher
want to print a collection
620
00:27:25,934 --> 00:27:27,367
of unsuccessful plays?
621
00:27:28,634 --> 00:27:31,067
Della, there are certain
printers who will
622
00:27:31,067 --> 00:27:32,667
publish anything
if you pay
623
00:27:32,667 --> 00:27:33,434
the cost of
the printing.
624
00:27:34,901 --> 00:27:36,601
Seems to me that--
625
00:27:36,601 --> 00:27:37,400
Hello?
626
00:27:38,501 --> 00:27:39,701
Uh, could you get a message
627
00:27:39,701 --> 00:27:42,734
to Mr. Michael Dwight
for me, please?
628
00:27:42,734 --> 00:27:45,534
He's Mr. Gifford's
business manager.
629
00:27:45,534 --> 00:27:47,133
Yes, it's urgent.
630
00:27:47,133 --> 00:27:49,868
Would you have him call
Mr. Perry Mason please?
631
00:27:49,868 --> 00:27:51,868
( jazz music playing
over speakers )
632
00:27:55,534 --> 00:27:56,100
Thank you.
633
00:27:58,100 --> 00:27:59,868
Now, how long
have you been
634
00:27:59,868 --> 00:28:01,167
Miss Dwight's
business manager?
635
00:28:01,167 --> 00:28:02,534
Ever since I got out
of college.
636
00:28:02,534 --> 00:28:04,267
You've never worked
for anyone else?
637
00:28:04,267 --> 00:28:07,133
I'm also Mr. Gifford's
personal business manager.
638
00:28:07,133 --> 00:28:08,467
Oh? For how long?
639
00:28:08,467 --> 00:28:11,000
Same length
of time as my sister.
640
00:28:11,000 --> 00:28:12,400
Then you'd be familiar
641
00:28:12,400 --> 00:28:14,200
with all their
contractual obligations?
642
00:28:14,200 --> 00:28:15,501
Yes.
643
00:28:15,501 --> 00:28:18,968
Now, as I understand it,
a run-of-the-play contract
644
00:28:18,968 --> 00:28:20,634
is one in which
a performer is bound
645
00:28:20,634 --> 00:28:22,734
to remain with the play
until it closes.
646
00:28:22,734 --> 00:28:23,968
That's right.
647
00:28:23,968 --> 00:28:25,400
I ask, because
Helen Dwight
648
00:28:25,400 --> 00:28:26,367
had such
a contract.
649
00:28:28,000 --> 00:28:29,033
( exhales
forcefully )
650
00:28:29,033 --> 00:28:30,801
You really find
things out, don't you?
651
00:28:30,801 --> 00:28:31,834
Hm. So do the police.
652
00:28:37,801 --> 00:28:39,367
Now, isn't it, uh...
653
00:28:39,367 --> 00:28:41,601
unusual for a star
like Miss Dwight
654
00:28:41,601 --> 00:28:42,767
to have signed
such a contract
655
00:28:42,767 --> 00:28:44,200
without first
having read the play?
656
00:28:44,200 --> 00:28:45,801
When it comes
to plays...
657
00:28:45,801 --> 00:28:47,834
she does what
John Gifford advises.
658
00:28:47,834 --> 00:28:49,567
But none of you--
not even John Gifford
659
00:28:49,567 --> 00:28:52,334
--knew a thing about the play
until the day of the murder.
660
00:28:52,334 --> 00:28:54,901
Yet the contracts were signed
several days before.
661
00:28:54,901 --> 00:28:56,400
Why?
662
00:28:56,400 --> 00:28:58,434
I was not
consulted.
663
00:28:58,434 --> 00:28:59,801
Well, as
their business manager,
664
00:28:59,801 --> 00:29:00,901
didn't you draw
the contracts?
665
00:29:02,400 --> 00:29:04,167
I did as
I was told.
666
00:29:04,167 --> 00:29:06,067
You also drew
Miss Foster's contract?
667
00:29:06,067 --> 00:29:07,634
Yes.
668
00:29:07,634 --> 00:29:10,934
Why would Mr. Gifford give
a contract to an unknown?
669
00:29:10,934 --> 00:29:12,267
A run-of-the-play
contract?
670
00:29:13,100 --> 00:29:14,634
( sighs )
671
00:29:14,634 --> 00:29:16,067
He must have had
great belief in her.
672
00:29:16,067 --> 00:29:17,667
Didn't Royce introduce her
to Mr. Gifford?
673
00:29:17,667 --> 00:29:19,167
( exhales forcefully )
674
00:29:20,234 --> 00:29:21,267
Look, Mr. Mason...
675
00:29:21,267 --> 00:29:23,067
Royce is dead.
676
00:29:23,067 --> 00:29:25,200
As far as I'm concerned,
the play died with him.
677
00:29:25,200 --> 00:29:26,501
Both corpses
have been buried,
678
00:29:26,501 --> 00:29:28,334
and that's the way
they're gonna stay.
679
00:29:28,334 --> 00:29:29,868
Personally, I'd say
whoever killed Royce
680
00:29:29,868 --> 00:29:31,634
did the world
a great favor.
681
00:29:33,767 --> 00:29:35,567
Excuse me. Uh, Perry,
I'd like to talk to you.
682
00:29:35,567 --> 00:29:36,767
When you're through,
I'll be in the lobby.
683
00:29:36,767 --> 00:29:40,067
That's all right. Mr. Mason
and I are finished.
684
00:29:40,067 --> 00:29:41,834
I was just
about to leave.
685
00:29:41,834 --> 00:29:43,133
Oh, have your drink,
Mr. Dwight.
686
00:29:48,033 --> 00:29:49,167
Thank you
for coming down.
687
00:30:01,334 --> 00:30:03,100
What did you find out
about Frank Brooks?
688
00:30:03,100 --> 00:30:04,767
He lied to you
about Faith Foster.
689
00:30:04,767 --> 00:30:06,367
He was trying to keep her
out of the case.
690
00:30:06,367 --> 00:30:08,000
Very nice. How do you know
he hasn't lied to you
691
00:30:08,000 --> 00:30:09,567
about a lot of
other things too?
692
00:30:09,567 --> 00:30:11,434
I don't. What are you
leading up to?
693
00:30:11,434 --> 00:30:13,534
You remember a hood
named Rick Volponi?
694
00:30:13,534 --> 00:30:14,868
Mm-hm.
695
00:30:14,868 --> 00:30:16,901
In
New York.
696
00:30:16,901 --> 00:30:18,234
Big man in the numbers
racket, wasn't he?
697
00:30:18,234 --> 00:30:20,200
Mm-hm. About the same time
Frank Brooks admits
698
00:30:20,200 --> 00:30:22,567
he was a small operator
in the same neighborhood.
699
00:30:22,567 --> 00:30:24,400
Go on.
Volponi was shot.
700
00:30:24,400 --> 00:30:27,701
The New York police took it
for the usual gang-war rubout.
701
00:30:27,701 --> 00:30:29,701
But they never even
got a clue to the killer.
702
00:30:29,701 --> 00:30:31,367
So they haven't closed
the files on the case.
703
00:30:31,367 --> 00:30:33,033
That happened about
10 years ago, didn't it?
704
00:30:33,033 --> 00:30:35,000
Twelve. When Tragg
got in touch
705
00:30:35,000 --> 00:30:37,300
with the New York police
about Brooks' record,
706
00:30:37,300 --> 00:30:39,534
they asked for everything
he had on the Royce case,
707
00:30:39,534 --> 00:30:41,467
including a plastic
mold of the bullet
708
00:30:41,467 --> 00:30:43,367
taken out of
Royce's head.
709
00:30:43,367 --> 00:30:44,968
And they
found...?
710
00:30:44,968 --> 00:30:46,000
The bullet
that killed Royce
711
00:30:46,000 --> 00:30:46,267
came from the same gun
that killed Volponi
712
00:30:47,534 --> 00:30:48,467
12 years ago.
713
00:30:51,033 --> 00:30:52,934
Well, it's a long arm
of coincidence
714
00:30:52,934 --> 00:30:54,901
that reaches all the way
from Los Angeles to New York,
715
00:30:54,901 --> 00:30:56,968
and takes 12 years
to do it.
716
00:30:56,968 --> 00:30:58,901
Nevertheless, Perry,
he didn't
717
00:30:58,901 --> 00:31:00,400
tell you
everything before.
718
00:31:00,400 --> 00:31:03,534
He may be concealing
100 other things.
719
00:31:03,534 --> 00:31:04,801
That may be so,
Della...
720
00:31:04,801 --> 00:31:06,467
but I'm almost sure
he didn't kill Royce.
721
00:31:06,467 --> 00:31:08,267
Why?
722
00:31:08,267 --> 00:31:10,400
Royce was killed by one of
the real-life characters
723
00:31:10,400 --> 00:31:12,767
he was writing about
in his play.
724
00:31:12,767 --> 00:31:14,200
Brooks didn't resemble
one of those characters.
725
00:31:15,901 --> 00:31:17,334
Unless he was
in the last act.
726
00:31:19,367 --> 00:31:22,000
Thelostlast act.
727
00:31:22,000 --> 00:31:23,000
Let's go.
728
00:31:23,000 --> 00:31:24,601
( dramatic theme playing )
729
00:31:34,167 --> 00:31:37,367
( menacing theme playing )
730
00:31:37,367 --> 00:31:39,234
ROYCE ( on tape ):
What are youin such a rush for?
731
00:31:39,234 --> 00:31:40,701
You don't need the money.
732
00:31:40,701 --> 00:31:42,667
BROOKS:
You ain't listeningto me, Ernie.
733
00:31:42,667 --> 00:31:44,601
I said I'm takingmy money
734
00:31:44,601 --> 00:31:46,634
and my girl out ofyour show.
735
00:31:46,634 --> 00:31:48,234
ROYCE:
All right,you can take the girl--
736
00:31:48,234 --> 00:31:50,634
BROOKS:
They come together.They always did.
737
00:31:50,634 --> 00:31:52,501
That's the way it was agreed.
738
00:31:52,501 --> 00:31:54,667
But there wasn't anythingin the agreement
739
00:31:54,667 --> 00:31:56,334
aboutyouand my girl...
740
00:31:56,334 --> 00:31:58,601
so I'm closing outeverything.
741
00:31:58,601 --> 00:32:00,167
( clattering )
742
00:32:00,167 --> 00:32:01,667
I'm gonna come back herelater tonight
743
00:32:01,667 --> 00:32:04,567
for that money, Ernie.Now, you better have it,
744
00:32:04,567 --> 00:32:06,534
'cause I won't give youanother chance to get it.
745
00:32:10,133 --> 00:32:12,667
Now, with regard to
the voices on that recording,
746
00:32:12,667 --> 00:32:15,567
which is entered in evidence
as People's Exhibit A,
747
00:32:15,567 --> 00:32:16,834
I ask you,
Mr. Dwight,
748
00:32:16,834 --> 00:32:18,601
have you ever spoken to
the decedent, Ernest Royce?
749
00:32:18,601 --> 00:32:20,200
Many times.
750
00:32:20,200 --> 00:32:22,267
Was his voice one of
the two voices
751
00:32:22,267 --> 00:32:23,601
on that recording
you just heard?
752
00:32:23,601 --> 00:32:26,000
Yes. One was the voice
of Ernest Royce.
753
00:32:26,000 --> 00:32:27,200
Now, about
the defendant.
754
00:32:27,200 --> 00:32:29,033
How many times
have you talked to him?
755
00:32:29,033 --> 00:32:31,400
Mm...perhaps
15 or 20 times.
756
00:32:31,400 --> 00:32:32,968
Often on the phone.
757
00:32:32,968 --> 00:32:35,267
Can you identify
one of the voices
758
00:32:35,267 --> 00:32:37,067
on that recording as
the defendant's voice?
759
00:32:37,067 --> 00:32:38,200
Yes, definitely.
760
00:32:38,200 --> 00:32:40,667
One was Royce and
the other was Brooks.
761
00:32:40,667 --> 00:32:42,634
Thank you, Mr. Dwight.
No further questions.
762
00:32:42,634 --> 00:32:44,133
Your witness,
Mr. Mason.
763
00:32:45,501 --> 00:32:47,534
No questions.
764
00:32:47,534 --> 00:32:49,567
I call James West
to the stand, please.
765
00:32:54,701 --> 00:32:55,968
BURGER:
Now, Mr. West,
766
00:32:55,968 --> 00:32:57,367
are you aware of
any relationship
767
00:32:57,367 --> 00:32:59,400
between the defendant
and Miss Foster?
768
00:32:59,400 --> 00:33:01,834
Only that
he was willing
769
00:33:01,834 --> 00:33:03,267
to invest
a large amount
770
00:33:03,267 --> 00:33:05,434
of money in furthering
her career as an actress.
771
00:33:05,434 --> 00:33:07,133
Are you aware of
any relationship
772
00:33:07,133 --> 00:33:09,901
between the decedent,
Ernest Royce, and Miss Foster?
773
00:33:09,901 --> 00:33:11,434
Nothing I could
swear to.
774
00:33:11,434 --> 00:33:13,100
Well, you made
a statement to the police
775
00:33:13,100 --> 00:33:15,367
in which you said that you saw
Mr. Royce and Miss Foster
776
00:33:15,367 --> 00:33:17,501
embracing each other.
I did.
777
00:33:17,501 --> 00:33:20,400
Was Miss Foster aware that
you were seeing them like this?
778
00:33:20,400 --> 00:33:21,634
She was.
779
00:33:21,634 --> 00:33:23,400
And she made no attempt
to hide the relationship?
780
00:33:25,133 --> 00:33:27,000
Well, she asked me
not to mention it
781
00:33:27,000 --> 00:33:28,300
to the defendant,
Frank Brooks.
782
00:33:28,300 --> 00:33:29,234
Oh.
783
00:33:30,834 --> 00:33:32,901
Your Honor, I object
to this testimony
784
00:33:32,901 --> 00:33:34,133
as being completely
incompetent.
785
00:33:34,133 --> 00:33:35,934
The district attorney
knows very well
786
00:33:35,934 --> 00:33:37,801
that a man on trial
for his life
787
00:33:37,801 --> 00:33:39,767
cannot be bound by
statements made by others
788
00:33:39,767 --> 00:33:41,133
at times when
he's not present,
789
00:33:41,133 --> 00:33:43,400
or where the statements
are not under oath.
790
00:33:43,400 --> 00:33:46,400
If it please the court,
I agree with defense counsel,
791
00:33:46,400 --> 00:33:49,501
and I regret the witness'
answer to my last question.
792
00:33:49,501 --> 00:33:50,868
Objection
sustained.
793
00:33:50,868 --> 00:33:52,501
The witness' answer
to the last question
794
00:33:52,501 --> 00:33:54,067
will be stricken
from the record.
795
00:33:54,067 --> 00:33:54,834
Proceed,
Mr. Burger.
796
00:33:56,634 --> 00:33:59,801
I have no further questions
of this witness, Your Honor.
797
00:33:59,801 --> 00:34:01,567
You may cross-examine,
Mr. Mason.
798
00:34:07,934 --> 00:34:10,267
Now, Mr. West, before
becoming a publicist,
799
00:34:10,267 --> 00:34:11,601
you were a newspaper
reporter?
800
00:34:11,601 --> 00:34:14,033
That's right.
You had your own byline?
801
00:34:14,033 --> 00:34:15,934
I got it
when I was 23.
802
00:34:15,934 --> 00:34:17,734
I show you now
certain Photostats
803
00:34:17,734 --> 00:34:20,601
of newspaper articles
purportedly written by you.
804
00:34:23,334 --> 00:34:25,300
( chuckles )
805
00:34:25,300 --> 00:34:26,300
Yeah, I wrote 'em.
806
00:34:26,300 --> 00:34:27,901
It was
a long time ago.
807
00:34:27,901 --> 00:34:29,100
Twelve years.
808
00:34:31,567 --> 00:34:33,334
Your Honor, I offer
these Photostats
809
00:34:33,334 --> 00:34:35,067
for identification, to be
marked Defense Exhibit A.
810
00:34:41,167 --> 00:34:42,567
So ordered.
811
00:34:44,067 --> 00:34:46,400
Now, Mr. West...
( sighs )
812
00:34:46,400 --> 00:34:47,434
...you covered
a great many things
813
00:34:47,434 --> 00:34:50,167
in your columns
at that time.
814
00:34:50,167 --> 00:34:51,601
Theater.
815
00:34:51,601 --> 00:34:52,367
Murder.
816
00:34:54,100 --> 00:34:56,234
I note you were
very interested
817
00:34:56,234 --> 00:34:59,200
in the Volponi case.
Uh.
818
00:34:59,200 --> 00:35:00,934
That's right.
819
00:35:00,934 --> 00:35:03,300
It was a real
mystery.
820
00:35:03,300 --> 00:35:04,901
According to
another column
821
00:35:04,901 --> 00:35:06,634
of almost
that same date...
822
00:35:06,634 --> 00:35:10,234
Mr. Gifford announced
his first Broadway production.
823
00:35:10,234 --> 00:35:11,734
That's right.
824
00:35:11,734 --> 00:35:15,200
Didn't you meet Helen Dwight
at about that time?
825
00:35:15,200 --> 00:35:17,367
Well, I didn't
exactly meet her.
826
00:35:17,367 --> 00:35:18,567
Please explain.
827
00:35:18,567 --> 00:35:20,634
I saw her on-stage
in her first play.
828
00:35:20,634 --> 00:35:23,434
That was also Mr. Gifford's
first production.
829
00:35:23,434 --> 00:35:25,100
That's right.
830
00:35:25,100 --> 00:35:26,434
You praised them both
very highly.
831
00:35:26,434 --> 00:35:27,801
Hm.
832
00:35:27,801 --> 00:35:31,200
Hard to find new words
to say how great she was.
833
00:35:31,200 --> 00:35:33,167
You even announced
in your column
834
00:35:33,167 --> 00:35:33,934
that you were
in love with her.
835
00:35:35,734 --> 00:35:37,000
I still am.
836
00:35:39,434 --> 00:35:40,467
Even her husband
knowsthat.
837
00:35:54,467 --> 00:35:56,267
I quote from the Royce play,
838
00:35:56,267 --> 00:35:58,033
act two, page 38,
839
00:35:58,033 --> 00:35:59,701
"Steve laughing...
840
00:35:59,701 --> 00:36:02,901
'Old murders
make fascinating plays.'"
841
00:36:02,901 --> 00:36:04,767
Now, Mr. West...
842
00:36:04,767 --> 00:36:07,400
was the Royce play
based on the Volponi murder?
843
00:36:07,400 --> 00:36:08,601
I object,
Your Honor.
844
00:36:08,601 --> 00:36:10,767
That question calls for
a conclusion of the witness.
845
00:36:10,767 --> 00:36:12,267
If it please
the court...
846
00:36:12,267 --> 00:36:15,734
Mr. West, as a newspaperman,
covered the Volponi case.
847
00:36:15,734 --> 00:36:17,267
Within proper
definitions,
848
00:36:17,267 --> 00:36:18,601
his conclusion...
849
00:36:18,601 --> 00:36:20,334
could be considered
that of an expert.
850
00:36:20,334 --> 00:36:22,200
If it please
the court...
851
00:36:22,200 --> 00:36:24,801
in any event,
the question is incompetent,
852
00:36:24,801 --> 00:36:26,467
and immaterial
and irrelevant.
853
00:36:26,467 --> 00:36:27,767
The content of the play
854
00:36:27,767 --> 00:36:29,334
has nothing to do with
our murder case.
855
00:36:32,033 --> 00:36:33,667
Has Mr. Burger
read the play?
856
00:36:33,667 --> 00:36:35,467
Yes, Mr. Burger has.
857
00:36:35,467 --> 00:36:37,300
And if he may quote
Shakespeare,
858
00:36:37,300 --> 00:36:39,534
It is a "tale
told by an idiot,
859
00:36:39,534 --> 00:36:42,434
full of sound and fury,
signifying nothing."
860
00:36:42,434 --> 00:36:44,434
Shakespeare also said...
861
00:36:44,434 --> 00:36:46,901
"Nature's above art
in that respect."
862
00:36:50,968 --> 00:36:53,767
Your Honor...
I do not dispute
863
00:36:53,767 --> 00:36:56,400
Mr. Burger'sliterary
objections to the play.
864
00:36:56,400 --> 00:36:59,067
I do, however, question
his legal objections.
865
00:36:59,067 --> 00:37:01,167
Mr. Royce was killed
in exactly the manner
866
00:37:01,167 --> 00:37:03,267
he described
in his own play.
867
00:37:03,267 --> 00:37:04,534
Your Honor...
868
00:37:04,534 --> 00:37:05,834
is Mr. Mason
suggesting
869
00:37:05,834 --> 00:37:07,767
that the deceased
planned his own murder?
870
00:37:07,767 --> 00:37:10,133
A good playwright
knows his characters.
871
00:37:10,133 --> 00:37:12,033
Once having
created them,
872
00:37:12,033 --> 00:37:13,300
he doesn't force them
into situations
873
00:37:13,300 --> 00:37:15,334
contrary to
their natural destiny.
874
00:37:15,334 --> 00:37:17,901
Again, let me quote
from the Royce play.
875
00:37:17,901 --> 00:37:19,033
"I know my people.
876
00:37:19,033 --> 00:37:21,100
"I know the two faces
of them.
877
00:37:21,100 --> 00:37:22,734
"The faces they wear
for the public,
878
00:37:22,734 --> 00:37:25,501
"and the secret faces
they show only to each other.
879
00:37:25,501 --> 00:37:27,667
They'll play as
I've written them."
880
00:37:27,667 --> 00:37:30,601
Now, I submit
that this play--
881
00:37:30,601 --> 00:37:31,567
the Royce play
882
00:37:31,567 --> 00:37:34,000
--is based on
the Volponi murder.
883
00:37:36,567 --> 00:37:37,868
If it please
the court,
884
00:37:37,868 --> 00:37:40,767
I'd like to apologize
to the court and to counsel.
885
00:37:40,767 --> 00:37:42,801
I didn't realize
what counsel
886
00:37:42,801 --> 00:37:44,767
was trying to bring
before the court.
887
00:37:44,767 --> 00:37:46,601
Not only will I make
no objection,
888
00:37:46,601 --> 00:37:48,734
I will stipulate
that all facts
889
00:37:48,734 --> 00:37:51,567
concerning the murder of
Rick Volponi can be considered
890
00:37:51,567 --> 00:37:54,267
in connection with
the case presently at bar.
891
00:37:54,267 --> 00:37:56,467
I'm most willing
for counsel to proceed.
892
00:37:56,467 --> 00:37:57,767
With the understanding,
of course,
893
00:37:57,767 --> 00:38:00,934
that...counsel having opened
the door, we can all walk in.
894
00:38:00,934 --> 00:38:01,968
( clears throat )
895
00:38:01,968 --> 00:38:04,601
Is, uh, counsel
for the defense
896
00:38:04,601 --> 00:38:06,067
willing to proceed
897
00:38:06,067 --> 00:38:07,234
under
these conditions?
898
00:38:07,234 --> 00:38:08,801
Yes, Your Honor.
Quite willing.
899
00:38:08,801 --> 00:38:09,834
Thank you, Mr. Burger.
900
00:38:09,834 --> 00:38:11,367
You're welcome,
Mr. Mason.
901
00:38:11,367 --> 00:38:13,667
Please proceed,
Mr. Mason.
902
00:38:13,667 --> 00:38:14,267
Your Honor.
903
00:38:16,734 --> 00:38:18,968
I'll ask the question
once again, Mr. West.
904
00:38:20,133 --> 00:38:23,167
Is the Royce play
based on the Volponi murder?
905
00:38:23,968 --> 00:38:25,501
I can't say.
906
00:38:25,501 --> 00:38:26,701
You refuse to say?
907
00:38:26,701 --> 00:38:28,601
No, I don't know.
908
00:38:28,601 --> 00:38:30,234
The answer would've been
in the third act,
909
00:38:30,234 --> 00:38:31,167
which was stolen.
910
00:38:33,901 --> 00:38:36,100
No further questions.
911
00:38:36,100 --> 00:38:38,334
JUDGE:
Witness may stand down.
912
00:38:38,334 --> 00:38:40,968
I call Mr. John Gifford
to the stand, please.
913
00:38:40,968 --> 00:38:43,934
Now, Mr. Gifford, would you
please recite for this court
914
00:38:43,934 --> 00:38:46,200
your conversation with
Mr. Brooks on this occasion?
915
00:38:46,200 --> 00:38:48,000
He insisted that
Miss Foster
916
00:38:48,000 --> 00:38:49,234
have the best
of everything.
917
00:38:49,234 --> 00:38:51,067
No money spared.
918
00:38:51,067 --> 00:38:52,801
And what did you say?
919
00:38:52,801 --> 00:38:54,334
I told him that
in my companies,
920
00:38:54,334 --> 00:38:55,834
I made the decisions.
921
00:38:55,834 --> 00:38:57,734
If he didn't like it,
he could have his money back.
922
00:38:57,734 --> 00:38:59,000
BURGER:
I see.
923
00:38:59,000 --> 00:39:00,033
He's lying.
924
00:39:00,033 --> 00:39:01,434
We didn't have
any argument.
925
00:39:01,434 --> 00:39:03,234
There wasn't anything said
about any money back.
926
00:39:03,234 --> 00:39:04,601
All right.
927
00:39:04,601 --> 00:39:06,767
BURGER:
What was your reaction to this meeting?
928
00:39:06,767 --> 00:39:09,934
Well, naturally,
I was somewhat disturbed.
929
00:39:09,934 --> 00:39:11,767
Obviously, uh,
Mr. Brooks
930
00:39:11,767 --> 00:39:12,701
was a very
determined man.
931
00:39:14,534 --> 00:39:16,400
I think that will be all,
Mr. Gifford. Thank you.
932
00:39:16,400 --> 00:39:17,834
Mr. Mason,
cross-examine.
933
00:39:23,000 --> 00:39:24,300
Mr. Gifford...
934
00:39:24,300 --> 00:39:26,234
you stated on
direct examination
935
00:39:26,234 --> 00:39:27,968
that you've been a producer
for nearly 15 years.
936
00:39:27,968 --> 00:39:28,968
Yes.
937
00:39:28,968 --> 00:39:31,701
Were you
an immediate success?
938
00:39:31,701 --> 00:39:32,801
Ha-ha.
Hardly.
939
00:39:32,801 --> 00:39:35,067
I missed many meals
in those early days.
940
00:39:35,067 --> 00:39:36,968
It was a long,
hard struggle.
941
00:39:36,968 --> 00:39:39,601
Your first production
caused
942
00:39:39,601 --> 00:39:41,300
considerable comment,
did it not?
943
00:39:41,300 --> 00:39:42,801
Yeah. It was
fortunately a success,
944
00:39:42,801 --> 00:39:44,300
if that's
what you mean.
945
00:39:44,300 --> 00:39:46,434
Well, the columnists had
quite a bit to say about it
946
00:39:46,434 --> 00:39:47,801
even before you opened it.
947
00:39:47,801 --> 00:39:49,667
Yeah, I really don't
remember too much about it.
948
00:39:49,667 --> 00:39:51,300
Perhaps we can
jog your memory
949
00:39:51,300 --> 00:39:53,200
by showing you
this newspaper account,
950
00:39:53,200 --> 00:39:54,400
which has heretofore
been marked
951
00:39:54,400 --> 00:39:57,000
Defendant's Exhibit A
for identification.
952
00:39:57,000 --> 00:39:58,133
Now, would you please
read that section
953
00:39:58,133 --> 00:40:00,367
that has been
circled in red ink?
954
00:40:00,367 --> 00:40:02,868
"John Gifford announces,
as his first production,
955
00:40:02,868 --> 00:40:04,067
"the first play
by Ernest Royce,
956
00:40:04,067 --> 00:40:06,067
"starring Helen Dwight,
957
00:40:06,067 --> 00:40:08,734
"who will make her first
appearance on a Broadway stage.
958
00:40:08,734 --> 00:40:10,501
"An interesting trio
of firsts,
959
00:40:10,501 --> 00:40:12,434
all new to the New York
theatrical world."
960
00:40:12,434 --> 00:40:13,300
Thank you.
961
00:40:15,334 --> 00:40:17,334
Your Honor, I ask
that this Photostat
962
00:40:17,334 --> 00:40:19,334
be introduced
in evidence.
963
00:40:19,334 --> 00:40:20,534
Very well,
Mr. Mason.
964
00:40:31,601 --> 00:40:32,534
Thank you.
965
00:40:36,000 --> 00:40:37,133
Now, Mr. Gifford...
966
00:40:37,133 --> 00:40:38,467
the item you just read...
967
00:40:38,467 --> 00:40:38,968
was it true?
968
00:40:39,834 --> 00:40:41,667
It is.
969
00:40:41,667 --> 00:40:43,133
As of the date
it was printed.
970
00:40:44,434 --> 00:40:47,801
Why was it not true
at a later date?
971
00:40:47,801 --> 00:40:49,467
Well,
I changed my plans.
972
00:40:49,467 --> 00:40:52,601
Your first production
was by another author?
973
00:40:52,601 --> 00:40:53,667
Yes.
974
00:40:53,667 --> 00:40:55,734
But at the time
this was written...
975
00:40:55,734 --> 00:40:57,634
you were just
getting started.
976
00:40:57,634 --> 00:41:00,167
Yet you were able to obtain
financing for a first play
977
00:41:00,167 --> 00:41:01,968
starring
an unknown actress.
978
00:41:01,968 --> 00:41:02,467
Yes.
979
00:41:04,434 --> 00:41:05,434
From whom did you
get this money?
980
00:41:07,567 --> 00:41:07,701
I, uh...
981
00:41:10,601 --> 00:41:12,601
I don't remember.
982
00:41:12,601 --> 00:41:14,000
Wasn't this money
offered to you
983
00:41:14,000 --> 00:41:15,400
by Ernest Royce,
the playwright,
984
00:41:15,400 --> 00:41:16,901
with the single proviso
that you star
985
00:41:16,901 --> 00:41:18,234
an unknown young woman?
986
00:41:18,234 --> 00:41:20,200
And wasn't the sponsor
of this young woman
987
00:41:20,200 --> 00:41:21,100
a notorious gangster?
988
00:41:21,100 --> 00:41:22,567
( bangs table )
989
00:41:22,567 --> 00:41:24,734
Your Honor, I object
to defense counsel's
990
00:41:24,734 --> 00:41:27,100
deliberate disregard
for the rules of procedure.
991
00:41:27,100 --> 00:41:29,567
He knows perfectly well
that no proper foundation
992
00:41:29,567 --> 00:41:32,234
has been laid for
this kind of cross-examination.
993
00:41:32,234 --> 00:41:34,801
And not only is it
improper cross-examination...
994
00:41:34,801 --> 00:41:36,734
it assumes facts
not in evidence,
995
00:41:36,734 --> 00:41:38,000
and it calls
for matters
996
00:41:38,000 --> 00:41:39,767
that have no possible
connection with this case.
997
00:41:41,234 --> 00:41:43,901
I respectfully remind
the court that the decedent,
998
00:41:43,901 --> 00:41:46,701
Ernest Royce, was writing
a play when he was killed...
999
00:41:46,701 --> 00:41:49,567
and that this play has been
admitted in evidence.
1000
00:41:49,567 --> 00:41:52,601
Mr. Burger must recognize
the startling similarity
1001
00:41:52,601 --> 00:41:55,067
between Mr. Gifford's
circumstance 12 years ago
1002
00:41:55,067 --> 00:41:56,801
and the first act
of this play.
1003
00:41:56,801 --> 00:41:59,167
Your Honor, this is
pure conjecture.
1004
00:41:59,167 --> 00:42:00,767
It belongs
on a stage,
1005
00:42:00,767 --> 00:42:01,834
not in a court of law.
1006
00:42:03,934 --> 00:42:06,267
May I read to the court
these lines
1007
00:42:06,267 --> 00:42:08,334
written by the decedent?
1008
00:42:08,334 --> 00:42:11,133
"Barbara:
'Why must you open this old,
1009
00:42:11,133 --> 00:42:12,868
"forgotten grave again?'
1010
00:42:12,868 --> 00:42:14,267
"Steve, laughing:
1011
00:42:14,267 --> 00:42:17,367
"'Old murders make
fascinating plays.'
1012
00:42:17,367 --> 00:42:19,167
"Gilman:
'They can also
1013
00:42:19,167 --> 00:42:21,501
motivate
new murders.'"
1014
00:42:21,501 --> 00:42:23,934
Now, what was in this old,
forgotten grave
1015
00:42:23,934 --> 00:42:25,601
that caused the decedent
1016
00:42:25,601 --> 00:42:27,367
to kill his own character
in the play,
1017
00:42:27,367 --> 00:42:28,767
and then be killed
himself?
1018
00:42:28,767 --> 00:42:31,834
I respectfully submit
that Mr. Gifford's answers
1019
00:42:31,834 --> 00:42:33,534
may clarify
these questions.
1020
00:42:35,033 --> 00:42:35,534
Objection
overruled.
1021
00:42:37,100 --> 00:42:38,667
You may proceed,
Mr. Mason.
1022
00:42:38,667 --> 00:42:39,634
Thank you,
Your Honor.
1023
00:42:42,267 --> 00:42:44,200
Now, Mr. Gifford...
1024
00:42:44,200 --> 00:42:45,934
was Helen Dwight's sponsor
1025
00:42:45,934 --> 00:42:47,634
a notorious gangster?
1026
00:42:50,167 --> 00:42:52,000
I don't remember.
1027
00:42:52,000 --> 00:42:54,033
Well, does the name
Rick Volponi
1028
00:42:54,033 --> 00:42:54,734
suggest anything to you?
1029
00:42:56,868 --> 00:42:58,167
Didn't Mr. Royce
introduce him to you?
1030
00:42:58,167 --> 00:42:59,767
No.
1031
00:42:59,767 --> 00:43:02,067
I must remind you
you're under oath.
1032
00:43:02,067 --> 00:43:04,167
( sighs )
I don't remember.
1033
00:43:05,467 --> 00:43:07,601
Do you remember how many
times you saw Mr. Royce
1034
00:43:07,601 --> 00:43:08,968
on the day
he was murdered?
1035
00:43:08,968 --> 00:43:10,634
Uh...
1036
00:43:10,634 --> 00:43:13,601
Well, there was the reading
late in the afternoon.
1037
00:43:13,601 --> 00:43:15,467
Weren't you also there
in the morning?
1038
00:43:15,467 --> 00:43:17,467
In the morning?
Uh...
1039
00:43:17,467 --> 00:43:19,567
yes, yes. We went there
in the morning.
1040
00:43:19,567 --> 00:43:21,968
We?Who went with you?
1041
00:43:21,968 --> 00:43:24,534
Uh, Mr. Michael
Dwight.
1042
00:43:24,534 --> 00:43:26,901
Mr. Dwight is your
business manager, is he not?
1043
00:43:26,901 --> 00:43:28,434
Yes.
1044
00:43:28,434 --> 00:43:29,934
He is also
your brother-in-law?
1045
00:43:29,934 --> 00:43:30,133
Yes.
1046
00:43:31,234 --> 00:43:34,167
Was he with you all the time
you were transacting
1047
00:43:34,167 --> 00:43:35,534
whatever business you had
with the decedent?
1048
00:43:36,601 --> 00:43:38,133
Um...no.
1049
00:43:38,133 --> 00:43:39,434
Uh, no.
1050
00:43:39,434 --> 00:43:42,167
He went into the study
to make a telephone call.
1051
00:43:54,901 --> 00:43:58,033
Why did you give Mr. Royce
your check for $75,000
1052
00:43:58,033 --> 00:43:59,434
the morning after Mr. Brooks
gave you his check
1053
00:43:59,434 --> 00:44:02,067
for the exact
same amount?
1054
00:44:02,067 --> 00:44:03,167
Check?
1055
00:44:03,167 --> 00:44:04,267
Your check, for that amount,
1056
00:44:04,267 --> 00:44:06,267
made out to the order
of Ernest Royce,
1057
00:44:06,267 --> 00:44:08,200
was deposited by him
to his account at that time.
1058
00:44:10,334 --> 00:44:12,167
Uh...
1059
00:44:12,167 --> 00:44:14,000
It--
It was an advance.
1060
00:44:14,000 --> 00:44:16,100
An advance
on his royalties.
1061
00:44:16,100 --> 00:44:18,000
A $75,000 advance?
1062
00:44:18,000 --> 00:44:20,601
Well, it's my money.
I can do what I want with it.
1063
00:44:20,601 --> 00:44:21,934
Nobody tells me
what to do.
1064
00:44:21,934 --> 00:44:23,968
Not Jim West, nor Helen Dwight,
nor anyone else.
1065
00:44:23,968 --> 00:44:25,767
It's my show,
and I run it my way!
1066
00:44:47,934 --> 00:44:49,467
Mr. Gifford...
1067
00:44:49,467 --> 00:44:51,567
are you asking
this court to believe
1068
00:44:51,567 --> 00:44:54,033
that you made
a $75,000 advance
1069
00:44:54,033 --> 00:44:56,300
on a play
you hadn't even read?
1070
00:44:56,300 --> 00:44:59,634
I have every right to do
as I please with my money.
1071
00:44:59,634 --> 00:45:01,534
Do you have every right
to allow yourself
1072
00:45:01,534 --> 00:45:01,634
to be blackmailed
to hide a murder?
1073
00:45:03,734 --> 00:45:06,567
For I submit that every
Royce play you produced
1074
00:45:06,567 --> 00:45:08,868
was a form of blackmail.
1075
00:45:08,868 --> 00:45:10,901
Royce brought you
a backer.
1076
00:45:10,901 --> 00:45:13,133
The backer
gave you money.
1077
00:45:13,133 --> 00:45:15,801
You then turned
that money over to Royce...
1078
00:45:15,801 --> 00:45:18,033
using your own money
to produce the play.
1079
00:45:20,234 --> 00:45:22,601
You did this
because 12 years ago,
1080
00:45:22,601 --> 00:45:23,934
Rick Volponi
had found out
1081
00:45:23,934 --> 00:45:25,400
that you
and his girl,
1082
00:45:25,400 --> 00:45:28,200
Helen Dwight,
had fallen in love.
1083
00:45:28,200 --> 00:45:30,901
He threatened her,
so you killed him.
1084
00:45:30,901 --> 00:45:32,467
And Royce knew
you killed him.
1085
00:45:33,601 --> 00:45:35,400
Where did you get that?
1086
00:45:35,400 --> 00:45:38,634
He knew your two faces.
1087
00:45:38,634 --> 00:45:40,334
For years,
you paid him a fortune
1088
00:45:40,334 --> 00:45:42,434
not to make
your secret face public.
1089
00:45:42,434 --> 00:45:45,267
And when finally
he demanded not only money...
1090
00:45:45,267 --> 00:45:46,701
but the sadistic
pleasure
1091
00:45:46,701 --> 00:45:48,133
of re-creating
the events
1092
00:45:48,133 --> 00:45:50,033
surrounding
the Volponi murder...
1093
00:45:50,033 --> 00:45:51,434
Royce was killed.
1094
00:45:51,434 --> 00:45:52,467
Now, Mr. Gifford...
1095
00:45:54,234 --> 00:45:56,767
where is the gun that
killed Rick Volponi?
1096
00:46:04,868 --> 00:46:06,901
No, no.
1097
00:46:06,901 --> 00:46:08,200
Michael,
he mustn't.
1098
00:46:10,234 --> 00:46:12,467
This is...
my gun...
1099
00:46:12,467 --> 00:46:13,968
registered
in my name.
1100
00:46:15,367 --> 00:46:17,400
I killed
Rick Volponi.
1101
00:46:20,267 --> 00:46:21,567
Ernest Royce
said he would
1102
00:46:21,567 --> 00:46:22,567
dispose of it
for me,
1103
00:46:22,567 --> 00:46:23,534
but
he didn't.
1104
00:46:24,701 --> 00:46:26,000
He held it
to my head
1105
00:46:26,000 --> 00:46:27,901
for 12 years.
1106
00:46:27,901 --> 00:46:29,400
Forced me to
give him money...
1107
00:46:29,400 --> 00:46:32,934
produce
his plays.
1108
00:46:32,934 --> 00:46:33,934
Time and again,
1109
00:46:33,934 --> 00:46:35,400
he tortured me
with this gun...
1110
00:46:35,400 --> 00:46:37,734
put it
in my hand...
1111
00:46:37,734 --> 00:46:39,801
defied me
to use it.
1112
00:46:39,801 --> 00:46:41,834
But he knew I couldn't kill.
1113
00:46:44,501 --> 00:46:47,300
That night, I came back to plead
with him about the play.
1114
00:46:48,400 --> 00:46:50,767
He taunted me again.
1115
00:46:50,767 --> 00:46:52,534
And this time,
1116
00:46:52,534 --> 00:46:54,267
the gun
spoke out for me.
1117
00:46:54,267 --> 00:46:55,801
Better give it to me,
Mr. Gifford.
1118
00:46:55,801 --> 00:46:57,400
This gun
has a...
1119
00:46:57,400 --> 00:46:58,501
limited
vocabulary.
1120
00:46:58,501 --> 00:47:00,067
It speaks one short word.
1121
00:47:01,601 --> 00:47:04,400
And everything that is,
is suddenly revised.
1122
00:47:06,000 --> 00:47:09,901
What is becomes
what was...
1123
00:47:09,901 --> 00:47:12,400
and what might have been...
1124
00:47:13,801 --> 00:47:14,767
can never be.
1125
00:47:14,767 --> 00:47:16,234
Please, Mr. Gifford,
the gun.
1126
00:47:16,234 --> 00:47:18,167
It has
one more word
1127
00:47:18,167 --> 00:47:19,200
to speak.
1128
00:47:19,200 --> 00:47:21,734
It would be the wrong
word, Mr. Gifford.
1129
00:47:21,734 --> 00:47:23,701
A tragic ending
to a play based on
1130
00:47:23,701 --> 00:47:25,334
an old and...
1131
00:47:25,334 --> 00:47:26,267
sad mistake.
1132
00:47:27,701 --> 00:47:29,200
You know as well as I,
1133
00:47:29,200 --> 00:47:30,734
it was not you
who killed Royce.
1134
00:47:34,634 --> 00:47:37,000
And I can tell you now...
1135
00:47:37,000 --> 00:47:38,934
it was not Helen Dwight
who killed Volponi.
1136
00:47:43,567 --> 00:47:46,267
You! You killed Volponi,
and you killed Royce.
1137
00:47:46,267 --> 00:47:47,934
And you made
John and Helen
1138
00:47:47,934 --> 00:47:49,100
suffer
all these years.
1139
00:47:49,100 --> 00:47:51,367
Why you--
Yes!
1140
00:47:51,367 --> 00:47:52,934
I killed Volponi.
1141
00:47:52,934 --> 00:47:54,701
Stop it.
Because he...
1142
00:47:55,868 --> 00:47:58,100
Because he hurt Helen.
1143
00:47:58,100 --> 00:47:59,434
And I killed Royce...
1144
00:48:00,868 --> 00:48:02,634
because he'd never
let her forget it.
1145
00:48:02,634 --> 00:48:04,968
( melancholy theme playing )
1146
00:48:18,334 --> 00:48:19,868
And all those years,
I--
1147
00:48:19,868 --> 00:48:21,801
I thought
you killed him.
1148
00:48:21,801 --> 00:48:23,968
I tried to
tell you, John.
1149
00:48:23,968 --> 00:48:25,968
I tried to tell you,
but I couldn't.
1150
00:48:34,934 --> 00:48:35,834
Thank you, Mr. Mason.
1151
00:48:37,634 --> 00:48:39,133
You saved me
from becoming
1152
00:48:39,133 --> 00:48:41,400
a cheap and melodramatic
anticlimax.
1153
00:48:43,434 --> 00:48:45,901
( dramatic theme playing )
1154
00:48:53,133 --> 00:48:56,434
( mysterious theme playing )
1155
00:48:56,434 --> 00:48:59,167
Michael killed Royce with
Gifford's gun, didn't he?
1156
00:48:59,167 --> 00:48:59,701
Mm-hm.
1157
00:49:01,267 --> 00:49:02,601
He got it
from Royce's desk
1158
00:49:02,601 --> 00:49:03,734
when he stole
the last act.
1159
00:49:03,734 --> 00:49:06,067
Well, then how did
Gifford get it back?
1160
00:49:06,067 --> 00:49:08,234
Same way he got it
12 years ago.
1161
00:49:08,234 --> 00:49:09,567
From Helen?
1162
00:49:09,567 --> 00:49:12,167
She knew immediately
that Michael killed Royce.
1163
00:49:12,167 --> 00:49:14,000
Just as Gifford
immediately believed
1164
00:49:14,000 --> 00:49:14,801
that Helen
had done it.
1165
00:49:16,734 --> 00:49:18,434
Helen took the gun
from Michael.
1166
00:49:18,434 --> 00:49:20,834
Gifford took the gun
from her.
1167
00:49:20,834 --> 00:49:22,701
It was the same triple play
all over again.
1168
00:49:22,701 --> 00:49:24,534
Only this time, it was
Royce who was snuffed out.
1169
00:49:24,534 --> 00:49:26,434
One question,
counselor.
1170
00:49:26,434 --> 00:49:28,234
When did you
land on Michael?
1171
00:49:28,234 --> 00:49:30,534
When Gifford,
without realizing it,
1172
00:49:30,534 --> 00:49:33,200
pointed to him as the person
who'd stolen the last act.
1173
00:49:33,200 --> 00:49:34,567
You mean, when
he was supposed to be
1174
00:49:34,567 --> 00:49:35,667
making the telephone
call?
1175
00:49:35,667 --> 00:49:38,200
Mm-hm. Well...
1176
00:49:38,200 --> 00:49:39,667
What a nice
surprise.
1177
00:49:39,667 --> 00:49:41,400
Well, I was
invited too.
1178
00:49:41,400 --> 00:49:43,400
Where?
I forgot to tell you.
1179
00:49:43,400 --> 00:49:44,601
We were all invited
to dine with Brooks
1180
00:49:44,601 --> 00:49:46,167
at his Wilshire
drive-in.
1181
00:49:46,167 --> 00:49:47,434
You know, the place
that serves
1182
00:49:47,434 --> 00:49:48,334
the flaming
hamburgers.
1183
00:49:48,334 --> 00:49:50,367
On a sword.
Naturally.
1184
00:49:50,367 --> 00:49:52,234
Perry, if you want to make
my evening complete,
1185
00:49:52,234 --> 00:49:53,734
just tell me
where you found it.
1186
00:49:53,734 --> 00:49:56,801
Found what?
The lost last act.
1187
00:49:56,801 --> 00:49:57,801
Oh, just
a minute.
1188
00:49:58,567 --> 00:50:00,200
Here.
1189
00:50:00,200 --> 00:50:00,801
Like to
read it?
1190
00:50:05,801 --> 00:50:07,100
They're all blank.
1191
00:50:07,100 --> 00:50:07,868
Della.
Hm?
1192
00:50:07,868 --> 00:50:09,133
You were
kidding
1193
00:50:09,133 --> 00:50:10,634
about flaming hamburgers
on a sword?
1194
00:50:10,634 --> 00:50:11,567
No, I wasn't.
1195
00:50:12,667 --> 00:50:14,534
Perry...
1196
00:50:14,534 --> 00:50:15,267
you take
the hamburger.
1197
00:50:16,234 --> 00:50:18,234
I'll eat the sword.
1198
00:50:18,234 --> 00:50:19,767
( all laughing )
1199
00:50:24,667 --> 00:50:27,334
( noirish jazz theme playing )
1200
00:50:27,384 --> 00:50:31,934
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