Original subtitles

Look, it's my charity event. I'm chairman of the committee.

It's my baby, and you have no right to assume that I leave before the 1812

opening. There'll be a thousand people on this street in 15 minutes. You can't

risk that kind of exposure right now. Obviously, the commissioner's idea. I

assume the two of you appreciate fine music too much to approve of this

premature departure.

Next week at the grand jury hearing, everything will be all right. Next week.

When the district attorney built the Kresser case on your testimony, you

to cooperate as a public servant. I did not agree to disrupt my entire life. You

have become, sir, a valuable commodity. I've always been a valuable commodity, a

bleak to me.

And I've been a danger without having to behave like this.

Listen to that.

It's a plastic explosive, approximately a quarter of a pound charge.

Ruined your windshield, not much else.

Would we have been killed if we'd been in the van?

I doubt if anybody in the back would have been hurt, but the driver would

caught a lot of flying glass.

But nobody's after me.

This timer device.

Said to go off just before the end of the concert.

Whoever said it couldn't have known I'd be leaving early.

You know?

A warning done by a pro, not a crank.

It has to be.

And don't ask me why.

There were plainclothesmen in the area all evening, by order of the

commissioner.

Despite that, this device was planted.

Whoever did it deserves an A.

Thanks, Frank.

I'm clean.

I haven't touched a bomb since that thing at the bus terminal.

You know, I only blow up men's rooms.

Looks like I'm bringing you some business today, isn't it, Maxie Emmert?

We've pulled in every person this morning that ever looked at an explosive

device.

Maxie only blows up men's rooms.

Who's that girl?

Uh, Malkinson.

Civil disobedience record.

We've got 17 in for interrogation so far.

17? Well, the commissioner says that Palletta always stops. He wants you in

piece to nail Cressor.

Cressor doesn't nail me first.

You know, you and your boys are wasting time.

You can play hunches, Chief. I still have to go by the book.

You want to talk to any of them?

No, thanks.

If you're so sure it isn't any of them, who is it? What is it?

Alvin Cressor's man, but we have no proof.

Approve. Probably imported from out of town. No impressor in his taste. The

money can buy.

Which leaves us with nothing.

Not exactly. I'm sure of one thing.

Whoever he is, he'll be back.

Listing of the use of plastic explosives in gangland killings.

Year's 1954 to the present.

Then I was right.

Pattern. It's irregular, but I'm sure what we've got here is one man's M .O.

Well, the...

Definitely seemed to fit, starting in 55.

All high -ranking organization members, most of them apparently involved in some

intra -syndicate power struggles.

Others were thought to have been guilty of some breach of mob rules.

There were probably more, but I ran out of time.

Start on the same in all of them? Plastic explosive warning?

Followed within 10 to 15 days by the murder or disappearance of the victim.

No misses.

Two men, both syndicate chiefs in major cities, opted for a way out.

One of them is thought to be in South America, the other Algeria. They gave up

all their holdings, their rank in the organization, and they even left their

families behind.

That's what the morning is for.

I mean, you can run for good or stand your ground and get killed.

That seems to be the gentleman's message.

Maybe I missed something, but why are you smiling?

He issued a challenge, I accept.

He has a perfect record.

Where do we start? By putting a little off -the -record pressure on Mr. Alvin

Kresser.

You start by interviewing the families of the two men who ran, if you can find

them. I'll see what I can dig up.

It would help if we could get some guy to make on them. Well, for one thing,

our man's a freelancer, not syndicated.

Temperature in Chicago is 72 degrees.

We hope for the stores to apply.

Demo goes back to 1954.

So he's probably in his early 40s. Intelligent, creative.

He'd have to be to keep his sort of clientele happy.

Probably knows me like the back of his hand.

And I don't know him from Adam.

Hi. Hi.

How was the trip?

Oh, it was good.

Fine.

Well. Oh, I remember so much.

Did you pay your quota?

Yes, it was very successful. And I got you a little something from Sample

System. A plate. My plate.

This man is a monster.

You met him.

You don't need a guy like that. I mean, you do it and you're dead.

It all started with the explosive boy.

Who knows where it started?

It started when my husband was a kid and, you know, the first gun to the

rackets.

Say, how did you find me anyway?

Your husband's activities were not exactly unknown to the police.

He was a big man, wasn't he?

I mean, he was the biggest fish in the Pacific Northwest.

And you know what I was?

I was really beautiful.

I mean...

I was his rich and beautiful wife.

Your husband must have had some idea who this man was.

Oh, no.

Jim didn't use him. I mean, he didn't kill people.

He was just in the rackets, that's all.

Do you have any idea why they were after your husband?

Sure.

Tim was a very ambitious man.

I mean, he got to thinking that he should have bigger territory, you know?

Only, there was... Somebody else who was smarter than Jim and figured out what

he was thinking.

They put a contract out on him.

After the warning, he was a dead man.

I mean, that guy doesn't miss.

Never. Ever.

How's this man contacted?

Who's his middleman?

I don't know.

I mean, Jim never talked about that.

He just came after him, and Jim ran, and he dumped me,

and he dumped a fortune, and you know where he is now?

He's somewhere in South America.

And you know where I am?

On this crummy cocktail bar.

You never heard your husband mention his name?

People. Have names.

This guy was a human.

Is there somebody you know that he's after?

A friend?

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Oh, listen, I'll tell you what to do. You tell your friend to get out. I mean,

just run away like my Jim did.

I mean, it's hopeless.

The guy is a monster.

Susie, hand me the game, please. How is it, Papa?

Your time, Marvin, your time.

Look, Dad, I'm sorry I left the minibus in the driveway.

Oh, you're darn right you're sorry.

What's he doing on that thing anyway? A kid like that out on the street on that

machine, he could get hurt.

I bought it myself with money I earned.

You got it while you were at that sales meeting in San Francisco. From now on,

when decisions like that are made, I want to be here.

Yeah, whenever anything comes up, you're always at some meeting.

Eddie, if your father weren't such a hard worker, you wouldn't have all that.

That minibike stays in the garage when I'm not here. It's too dangerous.

I'm sorry, dear.

I've got some reports to fill out.

Can I go to the movie tonight with Betsy?

What about your homework?

Well, it's all done.

Can I? If you go to the first show, I want you home early. It isn't safe on

streets.

killed September 5th.

Yes, what do you want here?

Do you have an appointment?

I want to see Mr. Alvin Kresser.

I have no appointment and my name is Robert T.

Ironside.

Oh, Chief Ironside.

I expected the pleasure of seeing you in court.

Oh, you'll see me there, too.

Do you mind if I finish my morning exercise?

Please go ahead.

You have to keep at it every day, otherwise it's no good.

I'm up to 20 minutes now.

I realize you're a busy man, Chief, so go ahead. Tell me why you're here while

ride this.

Mr. Kresser, why have you hired a man to kill me?

That's ridiculous.

As you said, Mr. Kresser, I'm a busy man.

I didn't come here to debate the point.

All right, exactly what did you come here for?

Simply to tell you and your hitman that I'm out for both of you, and I'll get

you both.

You've got no right to make a charge like that.

You've got no proof.

I have what I need.

The grand jury is going to nail you on extortion charge.

Then we'll start in on you and your boy for attempted murder.

Attempted murder.

I must say you've got a lot of guts, Ironside, coming here to my apartment.

Tell your hot shot torpedo that I'm not running.

Tell him that warning was a stupid move.

Tell him I said so.

Here he comes, Chief.

Good. I was betting he'd be afraid to don't phone. Good cap.

Looks like he's wearing some kind of gym out.

Stick with him, Ed.

You really shook him up. You didn't even take time to put on one of his $300

suits. Four hundred. I know his tailor.

He called area code 312.

I only got the first four numbers and the truck blocked me out.

Okay, meet us at headquarters.

I'm hearing a code 312 in Chicago.

Well, when they go after you, they go for style.

Here. This is a far signal back for Chicago, isn't it?

Most of them have long gone to their reward, such as it was.

All right, thank you.

All he could tell me about the first four numbers is that the exchange is in

loop area of offices and big businesses.

Well, we know two things. He's from Chicago, and we've got things stirred

Sir.

Mark. Commissioner.

Bob, I'm worried about your security.

It's my duty to see that you get total protection from now until the day you go

before the grand jury.

The only place a man has total protection is in jail. I'm glad you

who want to put me in jail.

Protective custody.

As you said, it's the only guarantee for your safety.

Well, the idea has its points, but I don't like the restrictions.

I'll consider it. Bob, there was a contract out on you.

That's right.

Yet you had the audacity to barge into Cressida's apartment?

I had certain things I wanted to accomplish.

You're after the killer, aren't you?

Yes. Why?

I mean, if you get this one, they'll send another.

Dennis.

This one is special.

You're the most stubborn man I've ever had the displeasure of working with.

Well, then, just to prove how badly you misjudged me, you've got yourself a

prisoner.

Subject, of course, to certain conditions.

Oh?

Such as?

I want my own bed there when I get there.

Now, may I suggest that you quit while you're ahead?

I got a long -distance call from San Francisco this morning.

Yeah?

Your employer says Robert Ironside is leaning on him.

He says you blew the whole deal.

You gave Ironside a warning, and now he's out for blood.

Well, I've always used the warning.

That's my style.

No one's complained before.

I haven't failed yet.

He says you figured this hit all wrong.

My employer would have had another story if Ironside had caved in. I would have

been a hero.

Only he didn't cave in.

And now he's out after you, personally.

I'll be back in San Francisco in a few days. I'll complete the contract then.

Your employer wants to make sure.

You know, when I farmed this deal out to you, I expected a perfect job.

I guaranteed it.

I can't afford to be wrong.

Well, I've never failed you yet.

You've been around a long time, Marvin. What's that got to do with it?

This is John Oliver, your partner.

I don't work with a partner. Maybe it's time you did.

Oh.

Oh, I get it.

Well, let me tell you something, Rossi. When the time comes and I can't handle a

job by myself, I'll let you know. Take it easy, Marvin. No, now, you listen to

me. The reason I've been around a long time is that I know my business.

And I also know this type.

Rash, hot -headed.

What's your method, Mr. Oliver?

I just did a shotgun hit.

Strong -armed stuff. Blast your way in and blast your way out. Well, young man,

you go rob a gas station.

that way. I do my work with finesse.

Don't you know what that word means?

I know this much.

Ironside isn't going to drop dead just because you go up and ask him to.

One gentleman to another.

When do we leave?

Oh, now, Roxy, you think I'm going to go into Ironside with this kid roaring up

behind me with a sawed -off shotgun? Not on your life! No, now, you listen to

me! You think I made a mistake warning Ironside? Well, I did that on purpose. I

wanted him to know who was after him.

He's very special, and he's all mine, and I'm not sharing him with this kid or

anyone else. Now, listen, Marvin. No!

You can let him blow you.

You'll get another chance.

going to San Francisco this afternoon.

Good job for the convention, uh, Mr.

Jones. Yeah, that's right.

I'm going to be in and out of line.

All right.

There you are.

Have a ball.

Oh, yeah, sure.

Hi, I'm Marvin.

That's the spirit.

No,

I don't think it'll do.

I didn't quite catch it on the phone, Mr. Chancellor. You told me your line of

work. Maybe I could get a better idea what to show you.

Oh, well, I'm an independent insurance agent. I do a lot of business with, you

know, store owners, small franchises, things like that. That's why I need

something that's centrally located.

What about this one?

Oh, well, it's pretty run down.

All right, I'll tell you what, Mr. Johnson. On a year's lease, I'll go into

complete danger.

Looks about right. Why?

I'll go get the lease forms. I'm sure we can work things out. I want to move in

tomorrow. No sweat. I'll be right back.

It does it.

Well, when you go to jail, you go in style.

Listeners, gold -plated commandos can't be kept waiting.

Up, up, and away.

Now, here we are, Mr. Johnson. We just filled up the car. Oh, I'm very sorry,

but I've changed my mind. The location is just... Now, look, I've covered the

place with...

Nice place to visit, but I sure wouldn't want to live here.

While I'm here, I want to follow a daily routine.

Here is a guest, Chief.

I work here in cell block D most of the day.

I want to use the library every day between 3 and 4.

Whatever you say.

Now, I'd like to see the corridors between here and the library.

Sure.

I don't think there's a chance he wouldn't try to get in here.

Can't afford not to.

I think he'll consider it a personal challenge. Almost as much as you do? You

don't think he'd try in the court, do you?

It won't be on just for the kill.

He also wants to be sure of a clean getaway with no witnesses.

It might be a little tough to arrange here.

Library? Library's where we catch him.

Remote control locks installed on the double doors and the back entrance.

Bulletproof glass on the doors.

I'll use that table over there with my back against the wall.

You think you'll get in against all the security measures?

You'll find a way.

Yes. Are you Willard Parks, the social worker?

That's right.

Well, I'm sorry to disturb you so late, but I couldn't get off work any sooner.

I called the welfare office this afternoon and they told me your name.

about my son, Frank Williams.

I don't seem to recall that name. Well, he was just convicted on a robbery

charge.

And he's got a special medical problem. I don't think he's being treated fairly.

I'm sorry, but... Would you check your records? They told me they'd assign them

to you.

Well, all right, if that's what they told you.

I'll approve my casebook.

Come in.

I'm Willie Clark from County Welfare.

Mr. Andrews, I'll see that your wife gets those new glasses.

Don't you worry about a thing.

Thanks a lot, Mr. Park.

Poor guy's really worried about his family.

Yeah, he talks about his wife all the time.

Hope you can do something to help him out.

That's my job.

Say, I hear Chief Ironside is staying here.

I don't suppose there's any chance I could talk to him. I think that would be

about impossible.

It's a high -security apartment.

Yeah.

Yeah.

You know, some time ago, I was Mark Thanger's social worker.

You mean the guy that's always with the chief? Yeah.

Yeah.

Boy, that was a long time ago.

The juvenile court assigned me to him.

I guess you knew about his trouble with the law? I heard he had some.

Great kid.

That's kind of like, uh... You know, an uncle with him.

Boy, I sure would like to say hello to him.

I'm really proud of the fine things he's accomplished.

Well, I can't let you go to the high security apartment, but you might be

to catch him as he comes to the library with the chief right at three o 'clock.

Oh, well, if I'm still here around then, I'll try and catch him.

I'll see you. All right.

Got some books for Cecil Grant.

Books on auto repair.

Section two on the right.

Ironside? Chief Ironside, I'm sorry to disturb you, but this is Morrison.

I'm on duty down here in the prisoner interview area.

Now, maybe this means nothing, but there was a social worker here, a man by the

name of Willard Parks.

He's new, and he asked to see Mark Sanger, said that he had worked with him

he was a juvenile.

I told him he might be able to catch Mark in the library, and then I got to

thinking that, well, maybe I'll let you know about it. Yeah, thanks, Morrison.

You know Willard Parks?

Not that I remember.

Social worker on your case years ago? Never worked with him.

Locate Ed. Tell him to meet me on the way to the library.

I'd say you go back to the apartment, research the building, find it, Willard

Park, and question it. I'd say we go to the library. If he comes, tries to

contact either Mark or myself, I'll activate the automatic locks on the

doors. And you'll be stationed at the main door.

Under any circumstances, I want him alive.

Thank you.

Rossi, I thought you'd want to know how your boy Wunder made out. What are you

talking about? That punk, that kid you sent to do my job for me. What's the

matter with you?

I told him to lay off. You heard me. Well, you didn't tell him loud enough.

just showed up in the city jail with a thawed -off shotgun.

Well, he did it on his own. Oh, you make a lousy liar, Rossi.

I was there. I was just there. That stupid kid with your two backup men

in. What are you so sore about?

The job got done, didn't it? They didn't touch Ironside, and I just about had

him in the... palm of my hand. Two more minutes and he would have been dead.

I pick that punk as a loser. I also pick him as a squawker. So you better find

yourself a good place to hide, Rossi, when Ironside gets your name from your

fair -haired boy.

That was a close call, Chief, but you got him.

Not much satisfaction in catching the wrong fish. I want the man who planted

that gas canister. The man who impersonated Mr.

Parks. That's just about all I can give you.

No more than that.

Well, I hardly saw him. It was kind of dark in the hall. He just looked like an

average man.

Average, Mr. Parks?

You could fit that description yourself.

Or you, Sergeant.

He's your average, middle -aged American male.

He even looks a little like me.

We found your briefcase, Mr. Parks.

This was in it.

I never saw that before.

All right, let's start checking the hotels.

Find out which convention is passing out badges like this before our man has

time to plan another hit.

Hello, Gloria.

I just wanted to hear your voice.

The what?

Oh, the sales meeting.

No, no, it's... Well, in fact, it was a disaster.

You know, I don't like to talk about business.

What's the matter?

Are you crying?

Well, now, now, go ahead and tell me. I don't care if I'm already depressed.

It's Papa.

He's that bad.

Now, don't worry, honey.

I'll tell him to hold on.

Tell Papa I love him.

Let's see.

Marvin.

Marvin.

Here's one. Marvin Jones from Chicago.

He was in room 214. He checked out about 20 minutes ago.

Can I get you a drink, sir?

Oh, no, no, no, thank you.

Are you all right?

Yes, I'm just a little upset. I just left a job right in the

middle of an assignment.

And I've never done that before.

I'm here, Papa.

I came back.

I'm here with you.

I love you, Papa.

I guess you know that, don't you?

You're all such a good man.

I always used to admire you so much when I was a kid.

Working your hands to the bone.

Never any money.

Only I didn't want it that way.

I saw what it did to you.

Oh, Papa, listen to me.

And I've never had anybody.

confide in.

I want to tell you everything.

What it's like just this once.

I kill men, Papa, for money.

I always have, ever since I was 26.

You think I go out selling. Well, I go out to kill.

And the men I work with, they don't know anything about Gloria and the kids. And

she doesn't know anything about them.

You know those plates that Gloria loves so much?

The ones that I bring her from Miami, San Francisco?

Every one of those plates is a dead man.

And there are going to be more.

That's all I know how to do.

I'm looking for somebody who could do a job for me. I've got $50.

Hey.

You made the front page. Robert Adams had to testify before the grand jury

today. Picture and all.

Please, not while I'm eating.

Morning.

See the paper?

Yes, I saw it.

What's more, I'm sure he did too.

Now, will you want this package delivered, mister?

This will be our last chance, Adam.

The weak link is at the entrance to the federal courthouse building.

All right, let's go.

Okay.

You know what to look for.

There, 726 building, man on the roof.

I am tied. Amen.

Davidson, shield 2220.

Chief, we got a man here.

Well -dressed.

Age approximately 45 to 50.

Was carrying an expertly outfitted .30 -06 scope.

Perhaps a brown paper. He fits the description, Chief.

Probably a decoy. Hold him.

is he?

Belovitskin.

Got to be here.

Would you mind? I always get back from all my trips with loads of pictures of

wife and my kids without myself. Would you step one of us together?

Here, let me give you a hint.

I got it.

It's okay.

Thanks. Look at me and I'll give one of you. No!

Ed, man with eight millimeter movie camera.

Brown slacks, corduroy jacket.