Original subtitles

Just what do you plan on doing?

I thought I'd say if it was just a tube.

Ever see a TV set strike back?

What do you mean?

Watch out for the back of that picture tube or it'll knock you right across the

room. Even if it's unplugged? Even unplugged, it has enough stored voltage

knock you flat.

How come?

I do not have the time to teach you electronics.

I'm not asking for a whole education in electronics.

I know you hate to write speeches, Chief, but don't take it out on me, huh?

You're the only one handy.

Since my pretty policewoman assistant seems to prefer a social life to work

is 42 minutes late, you want to go to the library for me?

I'd be delighted.

I thought you might.

Hello, Mark.

How's the boss?

Well, you ever see him write a speech?

No. He doesn't type with his fingers. He uses a sledgehammer.

Today is not his friendly day.

Hi, what's doing? Oh, not too much.

Got some more work for me, huh?

You know it.

Let me look at your paper.

Do you have any idea what time it is?

No.

I can understand about taking our belts and ties and shoelaces, but what damage

can a wristwatch do?

Maybe they're afraid we'll wind ourselves to death, huh?

That's police thoroughness.

That was a flag.

Huh?

Okay, sure.

Hit the button, will you? They need Carter and Baines.

You're a lawyer.

What does he want?

Well, he wants to apologize for mishandling our case.

I want someone to do it. You know, it's expensive lawyers that keep us in a lie

for crime.

Did you know that, officer? It's the only way we can pay him.

That's a dumb move.

I'll never get out of this building. You just make it look like you're still in

charge.

Get the chair.

improvement since the last time I was here. What?

Okay. Right.

Yeah,

I got it.

so far.

You won't make it.

I'll check where we are.

There's no way we're stuck.

So where's the roof?

Why not ask the officer outside?

You don't like living too much, do you?

Stay until the heat goes off. Or maybe use him as a hostage.

What's your name?

That's your question.

What's your name?

Ironside.

Ironside.

Ironside.

The ex -chief of detectives.

Don't push that blade too hard. I think we have ourselves a way out.

You're late.

Oh, not by much.

Just enough. He's writing the speech for the State Crime Commission.

Uh -oh.

Yeah, and he wanted to send you after a reference book. Need some kind of quote.

I'm on my way. Oh, no.

I'm getting out from under the roaring.

Well, now, that's not much of a gentleman to send me into that.

Sorry about that.

Hey, has Ed come in yet?

No, he's over at State College Pathology Lab. I don't know if he's hiding out or

trying to make time with that cute little chick who runs it.

I'll call you later.

See if the boss man has fed you to the lions, huh? He probably will.

Captain Lauren.

Stay right there.

This is Lauren.

Close off all exits.

And get somebody to the detention cells.

Bust out.

Get Lieutenant Gold up here right now.

Get on the phone.

Call downstairs. Tell them we're coming down.

Let's clear the cops.

They'll do it for you.

They like you.

Yeah. They want to see you get hurt.

You won't make it.

Yeah, we will.

Even if you get out the front door, you won't get far.

Now, be smart.

Let me call them and tell them where you are.

Give yourselves up peaceably.

It'll go easier with you.

How's it gonna go easier with us when there's a cop downstairs with a hole in

him?

Good try.

They must have hit the stairs from here.

Can't keep me long.

You can't make much speed pushing a wheelchair down the street.

And the minute you kill me, you're dead.

Not if we do it right now.

That won't buy you much time.

Turn yourselves in. You'll stay alive at least through your trial.

Maybe you'll pull a life sentence.

We didn't like the accommodations downstairs.

You think we're going to like the state pen?

You're Carter, aren't you?

Carter and Baines.

Knocked over a very posh jewelry store. Smooth operation, except you killed the

owner.

Carefully planned, as I remember the report.

Now, who was the third man, the one who panicked and caused your arrest?

Never mind.

He disappointed us by getting shot.

He didn't disappoint me.

I told you this guy was a funny when you first brought him around. I told you

he'd blow it, too, right?

Good help's hard to get.

You know, Baines...

You made a mistake trusting his judgment before. Why trust it again?

You see?

We expose our company problems in front of Mr.

Ironside, he immediately thinks of divide and conquer.

Forget it.

Now, you just get on the phone and you tell him we're coming down, huh?

Wait a minute.

He's right.

We couldn't push him very far.

He's a very bright man.

Oh, he's so bright, maybe he can think of a way that we can get out of here.

Yeah, now that's a good idea. What do you think, Mr. Ironside? You ready to

a chance to live?

That's it.

Careful. Careful.

Iron set.

General alarm, Chief.

Two prisoners escaped from detention.

We think they're still in the building.

Thank you.

We haven't got much time. Now, what about it?

Yeah.

Come on. It's going to take a bit of planning on your part. I've got a lot of

confidence in you. Come on. You're a very bright man. We appreciate that sort

thing, Baines and I. We admire intelligence.

We're not so bad ourselves.

I mean, just take, for example, Baines putting a knife in the sole of his shoe.

Just in case.

Don't let his rough talk fool you. Yeah, it's affectation.

Come on. It'd be interesting to watch you work. Really?

Yeah. You see, if a mind that spent a lifetime at catching criminals can turn

itself around and be a criminal, I think it can.

What if it can't?

I'll kill you. And you better do it now because I'm not going to help you.

And get out of my way. I have a speech to write.

I like that.

Brains and guts, too, huh? Maybe he wants to join our company. Maybe he

work with us, huh?

You misspelled psychopath.

It's a typographical error. Well, it figures, huh?

Now, the police station made me sweat. Now, enough of this speech thing. Now,

you start thinking of where we're going to get out of here.

The answer is still no.

Chief?

Chief, it's me, Eve!

Would you like to reconsider our offer, Mr. Ironside?

Yeah, I'm still here.

Rourke, make sure you get our dents on everybody coming in or out.

Now, hold on.

Yeah.

All right.

They got Willis' gun.

Now, don't take any chances.

Is an ambulance on its way yet?

Well, what's holding it up?

Get me the 14th, 6th, and 7th districts. I want every man they can spare.

I got people outside checking to see if they were seen leaving.

I doubt if they had time to get out.

All events have grids on them, but we're double -checking that anyway.

Lauren.

Good. All the exits are buttoned up.

Listen, send a squad up here for briefing.

I want every inch of this place searched.

Get the public out of here without causing panic, if you can.

It's a big job.

What do I tell them? Anything you have to. I'd rather look bad than have dead

citizens on my hands.

Don't see anything?

Up here.

Check around.

You think they're going to hide in the file cabinets?

They killed an officer.

There's an air vent back here. Let me show them.

Let's check this out.

Two prisoners escaped, Chief.

I know.

Who in the... Who's responsible?

They killed Flagg. Well, find them. We're searching the building.

Fine.

What are you waiting for?

Yes, sir. Not in here. Somewhere you might find them.

Haven't you learned anything about police work?

Air vents, elevator shafts, fire escapes.

The roof.

Yes, sir. Sorry, Chief.

What do you say we talk a little business, huh?

You're really going to help them?

Of course I am.

Standard police procedure.

Cooperate. Take no chances on anyone getting hurt.

There'll be plenty of time to pick them up again.

Fat chance.

Let's not talk about the future. Let's talk about right now.

Where are the exits?

Well, unless you feel like jumping out of a window, there are four exits on the

street. The garage, prisoner reception, the duty entrance, and, of course, the

main lobby.

Garage sounds good. We could get a car.

Why not? All you have to do is ask the motor pool chief for the keys. I'm sure

he'll be glad to help.

Okay.

Okay, that's out.

I don't like the prisoner's reception. Too many bars and cages.

And cops.

I figured you were familiar with that particular entrance. Well, they don't

us using the front door.

What about the duty entrance?

You might try it.

Sounds like a put -on. Listen, you! She goes with us now. If anything happens,

she gets hurt. Do you understand?

Now, do you want us to use that entrance or not? Of course not.

Even between shifts, there are enough officers going in and out to make it too

risky. Well, that doesn't leave very much, does it? It leaves the front door.

You've got to be kidding.

I'm not. Then it's a trap.

Then stay here, because that's the only way out. You mean if we walked out the

front door, nobody'd suspect?

I told you, very bright.

He's also very brave.

With our lives.

Walk out the front door dressed like this?

I'm sure the chief here has got some idea about how to get us out on notice,

don't you, Chief?

I'm working on it. Well, fine.

But we don't have all day.

Now, come on, Chief. Don't think like a square. Think calm. It isn't that easy.

Thanks for the compliment.

First things first.

Is Ed picking you up here?

Ed? Who's Ed?

Her boyfriend.

Well, is he picking you up here?

Yes. Here in a police office?

What's wrong with that?

Most natural place in the world. He's a detective sergeant and he works for me.

Call him. Keep him away. Wait a minute. If you want to hear what they say, she

can use the amplifier.

No girl calls her boyfriend or anything like that for everybody to hear.

You want somebody to know something's up.

And don't be bashful, honey.

Just be natural.

Listen, all I asked for was a date, not a wedding.

Sometimes dates can lead to weddings.

I'm just trying to be very careful that I don't end up with a man who has to

work 24 hours a day and hasn't got any time for me and the children.

You and the children?

Well, it could happen, couldn't it?

You know, I'll bet we'd have beautiful kids.

Pathology. I'd like to speak to Sergeant Brown.

Just a minute.

It's for you.

some extra work with the chief on that speech, you'll have to cancel the

tickets.

Oh, well, uh, sure, honey, I understand.

You're not mad at me, are you?

I told the chief, but he said that romance comes after business.

That sounds just like him.

Shall I call you later?

No, I don't know how long it'll be.

I tell you what, if it's too long, you can come over for coffee afterwards.

I'll miss you.

Ed, I love you.

Yeah, I love you too, honey.

Bye.

Who's she?

Huh?

Oh, it's somebody I work with.

I'll bet.

Well, aren't you going to try to explain?

Even a little?

They're combing the building right now for two men.

Armed, dark pants and shirts, no tie.

How about some cop uniforms?

Too hard to obtain.

Secondly, the people who work in this building know almost every uniformed

officer by face. If not by name, you'd never make it. Let's see.

What scene?

The TV set.

Okay, just like before, nobody get excited.

Answer it. You, girl, don't even open your mouth.

Answer it.

Yes?

Chief, I'm at the library.

I got the book, but they won't let me check it out.

Why not?

It's out of print.

And this is the only copy that they have.

Did you tell them it was police business?

I told them everything I could think of, but they still wouldn't let it go.

They say I can use it here.

So if you tell me which section, I'll find it and write it out.

Chapter 7.

Which part?

The whole thing.

Well, that'll take all day.

I don't care if it takes all week. Copy that whole chapter.

If you've forgotten how to write, get somebody else to do it.

Yes, sir.

And when you're finished with that, I want you to find me another book.

Crime in the Community by Tannenbaum, I think. Gin and Company, published in

1938.

I want you to copy out pages 223 to 287.

Then read and paraphrase the chapters on the penal system and prison discipline.

You don't really expect me back today, do you?

I don't see why not.

You didn't pick up on any sort of secret signals, did you, Baines?

No. I picked up the sound of a man ready to quit his job.

We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. We needed to keep him busy and away

from here.

Would you have photocopies made for me, please, on the following pages?

Well, we just fixed your set last week, Mr. Ironside. I don't... I don't care if

you fixed it yesterday.

It isn't working.

Oh, maybe you can describe the trouble.

Would you like me to fix it as well?

I'll get a couple of men over here right away.

I'll send Charlie over again. You send some help along with him in case he has

to take the set out.

I think Charlie can handle it.

It's probably just a minor adjustment.

Listen, I don't believe I've paid your bill yet. I may just take my time.

Yes, sir.

I'll send two men.

There's a problem here in the building.

Security.

Come through the lobby.

The officer will check you through.

Yes, sir. Right away, sir.

I'll hit that switch again and dial 110.

What for?

You want to stay here all day?

Did you get the news?

Officer Flagg is dead.

Yes, I know. I'm sorry.

All the exits still guarded?

Yep.

I want you to pass two men who are on their way up here to see me.

Who are they?

Bay City Television Repair.

Television? At a time like this?

Nobody told you to lose, prisoners.

Go.

We might as well call a building secure.

Keep a guard on the exits, just in case.

You were just trying to arouse suspicion.

How? You were disrespectful to that man. He's a captain. And I'm a general.

Now, look.

When the men get here, you take their coveralls. Just hope they're about the

same size.

We'll pull the set out and take it down.

We have to lug the set downstairs.

If you go out empty -handed, they'll have a chance to get a better look at

If you sweat a little, you might even find the officer opening the door for

You're very funny. You have a good sense of humor, huh? When they get here, you

tie them and gag them and put them into the other room.

Eve, maybe you can put on a pot of coffee. I could use a cup.

Wait here.

Why don't you make your own coffee?

Then I have some leisure.

Take your hand off her. Easy, Ironside. So far, we're still running the show.

All right, then run it.

Do as you please.

Without me.

Wait a minute.

There's no need to create a problem, Chief. You want coffee, you've got

All you gotta do is say please.

Looking for this?

Don't even think of it.

You all right? Sorry, I missed.

Try it again.

State police have blocks on the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges. Our people are

covering the peninsula in case they try for the airport.

Good.

Better bottle up the Embarcadero, too. There's lots of places to hide there.

Come in.

Busy, Captain?

What is it?

I just got the word about the escaped prisoners.

When you were searching the building, did you check the chief's office?

A couple of men did. Why?

Something wrong up there.

What? I didn't go in. I didn't want to bust into anything just in case, but...

Eve called a little while ago, gave me some slush like we were old lovers.

Maybe she's just kidding around.

Her voice sounded sincere, like she was trying to convince somebody else.

And told me our date was off.

What's wrong with that?

We didn't have one.

Gold, that call we got about the TV repairman.

Lobby info desk. Hurry.

Lieutenant Gold, did you pass two television repairmen?

Get them fast.

Let's go.

Coffee wasn't such a bad idea after all.

Better than downstairs, right?

Come

in.

Hi. The boss tells me the sets still don't work, Mr. Ironside. What's the

trouble with it?

That's all, buddy.

I'm sorry, Charlie.

There wasn't much I could do.

I guess not, huh?

Which one of you is the brains?

Huh? Which one of you? Charlie is the one who knows the set.

All right, you go with my friend.

Hold it.

Coveralls. Take them off.

Coveralls! I want the coveralls!

Sure, fellow. Whatever you want.

We need the set, Charlie.

Just pull it, take the back off so we can take the chassis downstairs.

Why do we have to take the chassis downstairs? Baines and I can take the

down as it is. I say you take a bare chassis down there. People look at it

instead of your face.

Okay, boss.

Charlie, you listen to me very carefully.

Do exactly as I say.

These men are killers.

Yes, sir. Do what I say, no more, no less.

Don't give them a reason to be concerned.

We'll be all right.

Take off the back of the set and pull the chassis.

Yeah, sure.

You need some help?

No, I'm okay.

Just stay where you are.

What did you think I was going to do, roll over you?

How long is this going to take?

Not long.

I'll be through in a minute.

Here, I'll take those.

It's unnatural.

Looks like I work for a living.

What do you think, huh, kid?

That's far enough.

We'll take it the rest of the way when we're ready.

Let's go.

Get the coveralls off.

Hey, just behave yourself and the kiddies will see daddy tonight.

Thank you, mister.

on a sweater and take that woman's place behind that counter, you know what to

do.

Well, they've had plenty of time to get up there, get in, look around, and get

out. More than enough.

That's it, then.

They've been taken.

Now what?

You want to call upstairs?

I told Eve I'd wait for her to call me. They'll get suspicious.

Okay, get everybody off that floor but Irv.

I don't want any accidents.

Dennis, Marshall.

Yeah, I can handle this, all right.

Bet you if you knew we were coming, you would have bought us a small portable,

right? Sure I would.

Get into the room.

What for?

Why, to keep the TV men company. What else?

Yeah, you know, there are so few really good sets of brains left in the world

that Baines and I are reluctant to blow yours out of your head.

We're just going to tie you up.

No, you're not.

No?

Why not?

You need me.

Take his gag off for a minute.

For what?

Take it off.

All right, Charlie.

How closely did the officer downstairs look at you when you came in?

The truth, Charlie.

Eve's life depends on it.

Well, he, uh...

He looked at me pretty hard.

Both of us.

You need me down there to get you through.

By the time we're near enough to that door for a cop to look, it won't matter.

Shoot your way up?

Is that why we went through all this?

I think I could get you out.

You have the keys to their truck.

You could be on your way long before anyone noticed.

How? I'd have to distract that guard at the door.

You could call him from the elevator.

He'd come to you. Normally, yes.

But I don't think he'd leave his post today.

Besides, someone else would take his place.

He needs to be distracted right on the spot.

Get me a screwdriver.

For what?

I want to loosen the nut that holds this brake.

What's that supposed to do? When we reach the guard, I'll give it a final

and this whole brake lever will come off.

I'll drop it next to him.

He'll bend to pick it up.

By the time he straightens up, you'll be out.

Well, you're still there.

Now, what's to prevent you from calling out? We'll let the girl with us. He

won't yell.

That's right, Baines.

I just wanted him to remember.

Okay, get a screwdriver.

Deploy all the men.

Get the mobile units out and ready.

We'll give them directions if we need them.

Right.

And we really let them just walk right on, huh?

If we don't get a good clean shot, we have no choice.

I'd rather keep Ironside and Eve alive.

How long do you think they'll stay alive if we let them out?

As long as they need them, not a minute longer.

So if we start shooting, our people get hurt.

If we let them walk out, same thing happens.

You sure you can make that come off at the right time?

Better.

Give me a quarter.

What do you want a quarter for?

Never mind what for, just give me one.

Your friends took everything we had when we came in.

How were they supposed to know we needed it to break out?

That'll do.

I have to watch the timing.

Here. Put that back for me, will you?

Get close to the door.

I'll signal you that I'm going to lean over so you don't panic.

I'll listen it the rest of the way and out it'll come.

I sure hope you're not trying to pull anything funny. You'll have Eve right

to you. That's quite correct.

It's the best way to get spotted, I know.

What? Turn the thing around.

Repairmen always carry it with the glass next to the chest. For safety.

Hey, that's...

Hey. Boy, he sure is creamy.

Hi, Mr. Ironside.

I don't want my place cleaned up just yet.

It's on my schedule for the day. There's some things we left lying around.

Wouldn't do to have them disturbed.

Come back another time.

I never disturb anything. You know that, Mr. Ironside. I'd rather not take the

chance. Listen, it's going to throw my schedule way off.

We can fix things so it won't bother your schedule.

No, he doesn't have to come in.

It really would be a help.

Yeah, it sure would.

I do not remember putting this to a vote.

I don't want my office disturbed, and I couldn't care less about your schedule.

Is that clear?

Yeah, it's clear.

Well?

Nothing.

You know, Chief, your methods aren't so different from ours.

Proved by intimidation.

Just being friendly.

Hello, Irv.

You didn't have to invite him over. I didn't.

How are you, Chief?

Fine, Irv. How are you? Fine, sir.

Sir, I wonder if you could help me with something.

What is it? Well, they want the file on some arson case. It took place back in

1948. They don't have any name, just the M .O. I thought maybe you could

remember. I'd like to help you, Irv, but I don't have the time just now.

Well, it'll only take a second. Just push the chair over this way, miss.

Well done, Mr. Einstein.

We'll wait for you. Well, it could take longer than a second.

Well, he was telling us something we want to hear the end of.

What's the M .O.? Molotov cocktails.

1948?

Yeah. They caught him by surrounding the place and waiting for him to move.

The suspect's name was Malloy.

Conviction. Use the alphabetical index.

Eve.

Thanks a lot, Chief. You saved me a whole day's work.

It's Irv.

They just went down.

No, I couldn't split them up.

Ironside, Eve, and two guys, one of them carrying a TV set.

I tried to tip him off that you were all down there, but I don't think he got

the message.

Right.

This isn't the lobby.

This isn't an express elevator.

Oh, gee.

Hey, you should be on the service elevator with that thing.

Oh, yeah, I forgot. It's down the hall there to your left.

Well, look, since we're already on, you know... Look, we don't make rules for no

reason. These people are getting crushed around. You should know better.

Yeah, next time. This time.

Look, this thing is heavy now. What difference does it make just this once?

People get their clothes torn on that thing. Get them ripped now. Come on, get

off. Look, Mr. Ironside, you're getting me in trouble here with the law now. Why

don't you tell the man you want us to go down with you?

That's right. I'm going with them in their truck.

Yeah. See?

Well, okay. Just this once.

Don't let me catch you guys doing this again.

Oh, we won't, officer.

I know better, but

I wish we could just clear the lobby and rush them when the doors open.

It's too risky.

We sit and wait.

Our mobile units are all around the TV truck.

but we can't try and stop them either.

Lift.

There we go.

Hold it. I want to check the brake.

It's about time you got back. Don't open your mouth. Just walk with me. What

about the chance?

He never saw him before. All right, I'm heading, man. I'm heading.

So we'll go in the office and look this over.

It's too loose.

I told you it was too loose.

You two go on alone.

Let's double cross.

There's no other way. You have to keep going.

We're all going out together.

You pick it up.

Do it.

What is in that?

Carbon tet mixture used for cleaning TV sets.

How you doing, Chief?

Just fine, Captain.

How have you been?

Nervous.

You a lieutenant?

Scared to death.

Well, that's the difference between a captain and a lieutenant.

Excuse us, gentlemen.

Mark.

Just like that.

Calm and collected.

Not even a sigh of relief. A word of explanation.

Or even a touch of bourbon to calm the nerves.

If that's an invitation, just remember you're on duty.

And I accept.