Original subtitles

Mark, it's supposed to be a little crooked.

You don't want to look like a head waiter.

Write down how anybody else would do.

What a way to start our weekend.

You're lucky the commission didn't say tail.

Anyway, if you hadn't told him you wanted to see those paintings from Luke

tonight. I know.

Just didn't figure I'd have to put on a straight jacket.

Cheese parties are supposed to be fun.

It's a standard shift.

Mind the fenders, huh?

Right this way to the reception line. Don't forget to shake hands with the

French ambassador.

Steve,

fix this blasted tie.

Relax, Chief. It's supposed to be that way.

You look lovely.

Thank you.

What about the rest of us?

You all know Frank and Kate, director of the Art Society. About 122 years.

Good evening.

I've known Eve since she was about that high.

Robert, I've arranged for us to get into the museum after we finished off

Randall Champagne. Let's get started. Not every day I can look Bob into one of

my little bashes.

And, um, you have three children, all boys.

But cheer up, there's a girl on the way soon.

You love a fancy villa, don't you?

Now, who else?

Someone, uh, someone hand me a watch. Let me touch something.

Believe me, boys, she can predict the future.

Oh, wait a minute.

Wait, um, I feel something new in the room.

It, uh, it has wheels.

It's something like a tea cart.

But it's a funny sort of tea cart. I think tea is in the middle, and I feel

something heavy in it.

Like iron, maybe. Robert T. Ironside. Bravo.

So one of these cats is a stooge, that's all.

Oh, Robert.

Oh,

Robert.

Boy, aren't I clever.

Francine, you're a fraud.

This is Mark Sanger, who obviously did not oil these wheels.

He doesn't look very happy, does he?

I bet you'd rather be chasing after a girl tonight.

Yes.

A lovely black girl all in silver and emeralds with golden rings around her

ankles.

Don't worry, you'll catch her.

She sounds a little rich for my butt.

This is Eve Whitfield and Sergeant Ed Brown.

Good evening, Sergeant.

Oh, you're so pretty, my dear.

How could any husband want to throw you out of the house?

Oh, wrong again.

Eve isn't even engaged.

Oh, dear. Then I quit. But it worked with you, Robert.

And it wasn't the wheel.

I'm so glad to see you again.

How about some champagne over here?

By all means, let's eat, drink, and be merry.

For tomorrow.

I think you'll like the way we've hung the exhibits off. Of course, the

is the greatest faction.

Oh, Frank.

So sorry to be late.

Not my party.

Chief Ironsides, Paul Cambridge, one of San Francisco's leading art critics.

I defy you to name the other.

My pleasure, Chief.

Mr. Cambridge.

Quite a high -powered guard, Frank. Now, the painting is not here. You know

that? Of course.

But perhaps a preview later at the museum? The official opening for

day after tomorrow.

I see.

I'd better find my host and pay my respects.

Nice to meet you, Chief.

Friend of yours?

I said he was an art critic.

With a low opinion of your exhibits, I gather.

He doesn't know a... Finger painting from a Fragonard.

Frank, Bob, come on. Helen Mayer is playing for us.

Shall we?

You go ahead. I'll be there in a minute.

Now, please, Mrs. Miller, I want to know more about that husband of mine.

Not now, dear. No more parlor tricks.

Let's go listen to the music.

Francine, you sure changed me. Now, what else were you going to tell me?

Nothing important.

After all, you are a policeman, Robert.

What's that have to do with anything?

Well, all I meant was, whatever case you're working on right now must be just

full of dangerous people, isn't that right?

Francine, I am just starting a three -day weekend of fishing at Lake Tahoe.

Now, the only case I'm going to work on is some imported beer.

No, I don't see Tahoe. Ask them.

They're going.

Now, come on, tell me.

Which numbers are going to turn up on those state line roulette wheels? I'm

trying to frighten you, Robert. Believe me.

Never thought you were.

But when I touch you, the same thing happens.

I see a bird, a huge white bird.

It hovers over you, getting closer and closer.

And then you're falling. You disappear.

And I can't see you anymore because you're all in darkness, covered like

Shroud like... Like this.

You don't believe in my nonsense.

But while you're fishing, watch out for seagulls, won't you?

At least pay that much attention to me.

I hope you all three have a lovely weekend.

All three of us?

I mean four.

You keep standing in the shadow, Sergeant.

Oh, I... I'm all confused tonight. I'm sorry.

Ed, you're not in the shadow.

She can really turn you on. She has a good act.

It's more than an act, Mark. I've known Francine a long time.

She's always had an uncanny knack of predicting the future.

Chief, I was just thinking.

Why don't we drive up to Lake Tahoe tomorrow?

What's the matter? You forget our plane ticket?

No.

It's just lovely this time of the year.

The dog will be in blossom? In an airplane, it's a huge bird.

Never mind.

Bob?

Bob?

I've just had a call from the museum.

It's impossible.

No painting can be taken out of here. We have six guards.

The finest alarm system west of the Rockies. Fact remains, it's gone.

And a neat job.

I don't know.

I don't know what happened.

I was just making my rounds.

I was just going to check a da Vinci in that.

And you saw no one?

No, I don't know.

My head.

Take him out the back way. I don't want anyone outside to see him. We can't keep

this a secret, Bob.

I've got to call the French ambassador, notify Washington, the FBI.

That painting was never allowed out of France before.

Can't you realize the international repercussions?

There'll be a whisper compared to the noise I'll make if this gets out before

want it to.

Eve, get the names of everyone in the building tonight. I want a complete make

on all of them. Right, Chief.

Bob, my men are absolutely trustworthy. For two million dollars, I wouldn't

trust myself.

Mark? Guards report negative, Chief.

Just working on the chance that the painting was hidden somewhere in the

Also, there was a call, and it's a newspaper man waiting out front.

The name's Cambridge.

Oh, no. How did he find out so soon?

They obviously smell something. We can't keep them out without making them more

suspicious.

All right, Mark, bring him in.

Close off that alcove.

Get the men out of here. But you just said you... If there has to be a story

about this, it's going to be written my way. Chief, I think we've got something

here.

This is a service closet used to store frames and stretchers.

Let's do it more than that tonight.

What time does your cleaning crew go to work?

Right after closing.

But they didn't come into the swing tonight. That new pigeon was being hung.

the same brand.

Now we know how the thief got in.

During regular museum hours and hid in the closet.

But that door's always locked.

Then someone had to let him out.

Ah, Mr. Cambridge.

Chief, you seem to be having a little excitement tonight.

To a degree.

You have a sharp nose for news.

Well, when you and Commissioner Randall and Frank Kincaid left the party in such

a hurry... Yes, of course. Come on, they're right over here.

Don't look so happy to see me, Frank.

I'm ecstatic.

What can we do for you, Cambridge?

Give me a beat. On what?

Oh, come on, Chief.

You're here, the police commissioner's here, the director of the museum and all

those police cars outside.

Well, it would make an amusing story at that.

They're amusing.

Don't you think it's funny all of us hearing a false alarm?

False alarm?

Apparently, short circuit in the warning system.

Oh, then there's nothing wrong here.

Oh, sorry to disappoint you.

Oh, where is the seraglio?

Back there.

But the official showing is still the day after tomorrow.

Now, why don't you let Mr. Kincaid give you the details in his office?

It'll make a good story and the museum can use the publicity.

I'm an art critic, Chief Ironside.

Not a press agent.

I'm sorry to have intruded, Chet.

Good night.

Frank. Yeah.

If you'd stolen that painting, what would you have done with it?

Well, it's worth millions.

Of course, it's so famous, I don't know any dealer who'd handle it. Exactly.

Too hot to handle.

Too hot to steal.

You know, that painting's been kidnapped.

So the best thing to do is to keep quiet, sit tight, and wait to hear from

kidnappers.

Let's go, Mark.

Mark.

Black girl.

All covered with silver and emeralds with...

Golden rings around her ankles.

Didn't stop off, make any calls?

All right, Ed, stay with Kincaid. There should be some kind of contact soon.

Mark, you're burning the chili.

It's already burned. It's yesterday's. What's the matter? You still bugged by

Francine's prediction?

Chasing a lovely girl in silver and gold?

Who's bugged? I'm just trying to figure it out, that's all. You see, there's

always an explanation for this kind of thing.

I see. Well, you think I'm like Eve, carry a rabbit's foot, whistle in

graveyards and walk around ladders?

I'd say something grabbed you.

You're a spilling.

You know, Mark, there are some things we don't quite understand yet.

There are a few people in the world who see things we don't all see.

To them, the future isn't...

Mark, you listening to me?

Look, how about this? That lady knew we were coming to that party, right?

And she also knew that later on we were going to the museum. Or she could have

heard Ken Cade say it when he came in.

Brilliant.

And since she obviously knows what Da Vinci looks like... And since she knows

that not many people do, very likely including me, what does she do?

She tells me that I'd rather be chasing after a girl who looks like... The one

in the painting. So you've got it all worked out, and now you feel better.

Because there's an explanation in reality.

If you can't smell and touch something, it's just not there. Well, it isn't. It

just can't be.

All right, just left the French ambassador.

Does this mean war?

Very funny. Oh, I must say, he tried not to lose his temper.

But it'll only give us a few hours to test your kidnap theory.

If I'm wrong, we've got another angle. Mark isn't only going to chase that

he's going to catch her. What?

Francine told you.

Francine, Bob, I'm in a mood for parlor games.

Don't you realize we borrowed a famous art treasure from a foreign country?

We're responsible.

We've set up roadblocks, airport, harbor watches.

Ed Brown is standing by at the museum. Now, what else would you like us to do?

I'm sorry, but it's as if the Golden Gate Bridge had disappeared.

How do you know as soon as you hear anything?

I'll wait up. Wait here.

Have some chili. Chili?

Please. The condition of my stomach isn't already.

Anything at all, Dee? Nothing yet, I'm afraid.

Good night.

You're up pretty late, aren't you?

Preliminary makesheets on the museum staff.

The guards were there.

It's time of the robbery.

Six of them.

Not yet.

Thank you for your trouble.

I'm going to get some sleep.

Well, I'm not tired.

It's only a few hours to morning.

If it's all right with you, I'll just stick around and... And?

Chief, I was being silly before.

I really don't believe in the supernatural.

It was just the party, the excitement, the champagne.

Well...

A friend of mine has been staying with me.

Mary Bronson, remember?

Well, Mary's single.

Only... When I got home tonight, there she was.

She just got married to a pilot in the Air Force.

They couldn't find a hotel room.

So... You're so pretty, my dear.

How could any husband throw you out of the house?

All right. Mark, explain that one.

Hello, Ironside.

Chief, it's Ed.

Yes, Ed. We got it. The ransom demand. Phoned in a couple of minutes ago.

Did you trace the call?

No, not enough time.

And the voice was disguised and muffled.

All right, what's the deal?

The Da Vinci for 200 ,000 in cash.

Instructions at 9 a .m. sharp.

How? Where?

La Paloma, half mile west of Coast Highway.

All right.

Tell Kincaid to go ahead with it. I'll be there.

Right.

Chief, La Paloma.

But that's... That's the dove.

I'll still be there.

Nine sharp.

Nothing. I can't say it breaks my heart.

What about Ed? Well, he called him five minutes ago. Hasn't seen his soul.

Yes, I know it's 9 .30.

Is that the commissioner?

Well... Mark?

Of course something's gone wrong.

Obviously, they called Kincaid out here to give him further instructions for a

meet, but something scared them off.

There's no money safe.

Stop sweating, Dennis. We'll just have to wait for them to contact us again.

That $200 ,000 doesn't mean much now.

What do you mean?

Read that.

Francine's forecast.

Oh, come on, Eve. Not that again.

Read it.

I foresee trouble for anyone casting covetous eyes on those priceless

from the Louvre now being exhibited at the Art Society Museum.

I see San Francisco's finest detective protecting them.

Well, he might. Leonardo da Vinci's Immortal Sorority was valued at two

dollars.

No wonder they haven't shown up.

You're expecting the kidnappers to...

Drop in on the skyhook.

So what are you looking at, Mark?

Nothing, nothing.

Just looking? Yeah, just looking.

Mind if I...

Why, Robert.

Mr. Sanger, won't you come in?

Morning, Francine.

Ma 'am. Well, what a lovely surprise.

I thought you'd be on your way to Lake Tahoe.

Oh, don't tell me I talked you out of it.

Hardly, Francine. I'm here officially.

Yes?

When did you write that?

Last night.

After I left the party, I dropped it off at the paper on my way home.

Why?

What's wrong with it? The seraglio was stolen last night.

The da Vinci.

Oh, no.

Poor Mr.

Kincaid. How could such an awful thing happen? We're checking that out now.

But that column of yours could give a suspicious mind the idea that you'd

What?

Why? What did I say?

I knew you were all going on to the museum last night, so I thought I'd give

a little extra publicity, that's all.

Francine, the people who stole that painting are holding it for ransom.

At the very least, you have upped their price.

I'm so sorry, Robert.

What can I do?

Give me some help.

I've written another tip for your column.

Can you get it? It's been a late edition today, the street edition.

Of course.

You'll have to get there before noon.

I'll take it down now.

Well, don't you want to read it first?

Whatever you say is all right with me.

There, now, don't leave it at the desk. Take it directly to the editor. That's

his name.

All right. Be back half an hour.

I'm sorry, Robert.

That's stupid, stupid.

column.

My editor wants me to keep on writing those silly predictions. That's all all

the time.

The only reason I started writing it was so I could stay on here.

Jerry's estate wasn't quite enough.

I only met your husband once.

Never realized he was...

Such a sportsman.

Jerry loved danger.

Mountain climbing, flying, sailing.

When we were married, he made me promise never to interfere with his... his

joyous defiance of the gods.

Is that why you're so afraid for people who are involved with danger?

Policemen?

No. Not always.

All my life...

I've seen and felt things that I can't explain. Sometimes they're true,

sometimes they aren't.

But it's so frightening when it's something violent. I live in terror.

Do you still feel it?

Still see the white bird?

It happened once before.

Same horrible image.

I didn't understand it then, but I was terribly afraid.

It was the night before he left for the Honolulu yacht race, and I didn't tell

him.

At the race, he was killed?

Another man fell overboard, and Jerry went in for him.

Oh, don't you see?

I should have stopped him.

And here you are. It's happening all over again.

Oh, please, please, Robert, listen to me.

Be careful.

If it is the truth I've seen, that the white bird is death, you're death now,

then I can't stand to live either.

She's done it this time. Two million dollars.

That'll double the ransom at least.

She's proved one thing.

She's not a fake.

We haven't gone to Tahoe.

The painting was stolen.

A husband did throw me out of the house.

And Mark is chasing a black girl all in silver.

I haven't noticed any shadows bugging me.

Listen to me, Ed.

We can't let the chief out of our sight. None of us. Not for one minute.

What are we supposed to do? Shoo white birds away from him?

Please, Ed, I'm serious.

Can't hurt to keep our eyes open.

Any calls?

Three, all from the commissioner.

Naturally, Miss Kincaid. I left them at the museum.

And the money?

Back in the safe.

But it better start multiplying.

Not if the kidnappers keep reading Francine's column.

Late edition ought to be hitting the streets just about now.

Mark, do you mind?

What are we doing?

Letting her call our shots?

No.

We're firing some of our own. But all we have are blanks. Not necessarily.

For instance, we can safely assume that whoever stole the painting didn't break

into the museum. He was already there.

Stayed after closing in the service closet. Which means he had to be working

with somebody on the inside. Somebody who'd unlock the door and let him out.

The guards on the night shift were the only ones left in the building after

closing. Those makesheets are complete.

All of them are clean.

The worst any of them has done is get a citation for tweeting.

Night shift takes over at six.

Closing time.

Kelly, 555, meters 553.

Farmer, 557.

When they clocked in to work.

Joseph Lorca, 530.

He was the one that was locked.

Hey, that service closet is always kept locked.

So somebody had to let the thief in, too.

If I were, we'd give him plenty of time.

But, Chief... Look, it was slugged. He had to be sent to the hospital. Even the

worst headache might be worth a part of $200 ,000.

I don't understand, sir.

There haven't been any other newspaper men around.

Well, I told you I was promised an exclusive on that...

Little incident at the museum last night.

Well, all I can tell you is what I told the police this morning.

You little creep, what did you have to hit me so hard for? I'm sorry, I'm not

used to this sort of thing.

What are you doing here? Mantini told us not to meet.

Why haven't I heard from him?

Didn't he make that contact this morning?

Lousy 200 grand.

It's a whole new ballgame. Well, I thought so.

I hope he's read this afternoon's edition.

Correction on an earlier prediction.

A noted San Francisco detective informs me that he wouldn't pay a cent more than

$200 ,000 for any painting.

And by tomorrow, he won't pay even that.

He's bluffing.

It's worth two million. It's worth two million. If no one pays, can't you

understand?

This is Ironside's last offer, not a cent more.

He doesn't get the picture. Then what do we do with it?

Auction it off?

No one with any brains would touch it.

It's got to be disposed of tonight, as it was planned.

That's up to Mantini. Then tell him.

Or all we can do with the painting is look at it.

Yes, Operator. Sergeant Brown.

Car 212, Detective Division.

I see. Well, when he calls, then tell him he can reach Chief Ironside at the

Society Museum in 15 minutes.

Thank you.

You fool, you almost blow it. I'm sorry, Mr. Mantini, I was sure nobody'd tell

me. What are you doing here, anyway?

Uh, Cambridge, you come to the hospital.

You got one of them forecast things. Yeah, I saw it. Cambridge says we ought

take the deal. I say hold out.

Cambridge is right.

Ed Brown.

Works directly with Ironside.

We make the deal and cut out quick.

What do we do with him?

Yep.

He's our life insurance.

I don't understand it.

Ed said he'd check in at 6 o 'clock.

He's only 20 minutes late. What's the matter? You still scared he'll turn into

shadow? We're ready to go.

Anytime you say, Chief. Now.

Hmm, a black.

She finds I've got this.

May I say who's calling?

Who is this?

It's for you.

He won't identify himself.

That's that.

I can barely hear you. Yeah, fine. Don't interrupt.

We'll take your price, $200 ,000.

I'll trust you, nobody else.

Deal?

That's a deal. Go on.

approaches the Sausalito coverage.

There are at least four units in the town, unmarked cars, and they're not to

move until they hear from me.

Right.

Tell the harbor patrol to stay at least a mile offshore.

Mark, why don't we stop somewhere and pick up a newspaper?

We've got one, Chief.

Shipping news.

I said, what's happened to Ed? Why haven't we heard from him?

Well, he's probably still tailing Morka. Hasn't had a chance to call in.

Gee, we are going to have company in this, aren't we?

All I could round up when I spend $200 ,000, I want more than a painting.

This is all we've got company.

We're thicker.

Yeah, everything's working out for them. So we've got to have company.

You won't see anybody until I'm sure the painting is safe.

I don't know. I'll have to do this job alone.

Chief. We'll both wait right here.

You expect to see a flock of elephants?

around. You got the money?

All right, keep going.

Oh, the painting first.

That good enough?

Joseph Lorca.

Never mind that. The name on this is Ed Brown.

I know the name.

All right, call it.

All right, let's go.

Well, I'm no art expert.

Anyway, in this light... Or even that.

I'm no expert in counterfeit.

But... I'm satisfied.

All right. What about Sergeant Brown? Where is he?

He's safe, don't worry.

But you know, kidnap cases.

The hard part's the getaway, right?

You won't make it.

No. Not if you're signaling those guys following you. Nobody followed us out

here. You saw me. He knows that. Yeah.

But you still got Sausalino surrounded with cops.

Huh? Right?

Now, me, I don't want to get stopped for any tickets, just like you want to get

that painting up safe.

Huh?

Yeah, call headquarters.

Call everything off.

That is, if you want to see Sergeant Braun again.

What else do they say?

That's all.

Just signals off.

Chief's orders.

Well, where is he? What's wrong?

Nothing, he told them.

No pursuit. Secure all units.

We're just supposed to wait, I guess.

Put your hands behind your back.

What are those for?

You heard that call. You're safe now.

Not until we're a good 50 miles out on the highway.

You're not driving anywhere.

I knew that the minute you said Sausalito.

No wonder you were chief of detectives. Where are you going, Brazil?

Duck expedition?

According to the paper, there's only one ship listed today clearing for Sao

Paulo. Some Australian freighter.

All right, let's go.

Not until I put him aboard his ship. Here, give me a hand.

too much if I were you.

There's no railing.

Lots of water.

No worry. Nobody's going to get hurt.

See that?

The police department can figure out which hotel this came from.

Sergeant Brown?

Uh -huh.

He's tied up on the bed.

Nice and comfortable.

I caught her.

Beautiful.

Simply beautiful.

Well, I figured you deserve something for your efforts, particularly since

partners cut you out of your share of the ransom.

You'll have to find them, you know, before you can prove anything against

From the Coast Guard.

Did you lend the chief your crystal ball, Francie? Not ESP, Mr. Cambridge.

a simple exercise in logic.

Mantini and Lorca had to leave the country. They picked Sausalito for the

Town and the bay.

There was a freighter outbound for Brazil.

Doesn't take a clairvoyant to add that up. Coast Guard intercepted Mantini and

Lorca before they could board.

They should have known. Why?

The name of the ship.

SS Boomerang.

The stars were in the wrong quadrant.

Quig?

Well, Francine, I'm still alive.

You convinced now?

I told you, that's the trouble. I never can be sure.

I really can't explain how or why I feel such things.

Well, maybe now you'll stop feeling so guilty about something you couldn't have

prevented anyway.

Jerry?

You know, you made so much of that white bird.

Hung it around my neck, like an albatross.

Hey, that was the name of that old restaurant on the pier.

Then there was a white bird. Yes, but here I am.

See how deadly it was?

Thank you, Robert.

Well, now, suppose we have some breakfast and you can tell us how many

we'll catch up a toffle. Well, I can foresee a whole boatload and you're

to win a fortune at roulette. That's the kind of prediction I like to hear.

That breakfast invitation includes you.