Original subtitles

Got the statement from Barlow, the case is closed. About time.

Hey, what is this?

Dinner tonight.

Cowboy stew.

Trying a new recipe.

Next time, leave out his boots.

I tell you, I could strangle this man. One gas, Roy Macon.

Once again, Chief Robert T. Ironside seems to be pursuing his personal goal

making it big. This time with a wild scheme of having convicts run a

home. Is the chief trying to guarantee enough work to justify his job?

The only thing convicts can teach kids is bigger and better ways to break the

law. Well, sounds like my favorite columnist. Chief, he is intolerable.

interminable. Don't pay any attention to him, Chief. He's just a lot of wind.

It was a hurricane.

No, it's just the beginning.

The idea of a home for convict children is a bit too radical for some of our

more uptight citizens.

Chief, our inside office.

Yes, hold on. Sergeant Keller, juvenile.

Yes, Keller?

It's Tony Parkers again, Chief.

What now?

Another flare -up with the Hawks gang this afternoon.

Tony's wife tried to burn their bus.

Get a positive ID on the trappers?

A neighborhood woman described their car.

No plate number, though.

And, of course, the Hawks won't talk.

All right, we'll see what we can do with Tony. Thanks, Keller.

Well, you two can enjoy the feast.

Sorry, Ed.

Boots are the best part.

Where does it end, Tony?

Trappers hit the hawks, the hawks hit the trappers.

You retaliate on and on, harder and harder, and now you're jeopardizing

people and their property.

Hey, cool it, man.

You can't pin this on me. I was upstairs doing my homework all afternoon.

Homework?

Last I heard, you were flunking at everything but girls.

You don't believe me?

Okay, ask them.

He was home all day.

Except for school.

A witness identified your car.

Oh, come on. I got the only Merc in town.

Get off my back.

You set my old man up. Ain't that enough for you?

Your father may be getting out soon.

There's a good job waiting for him.

But he can't do that job if he has to worry about you.

Look, what goes down between me and my old man is none of your business,

There'll be a hearing tomorrow afternoon in Juvenile. You be there and you bring

the rest of your gang with you.

Did you hear this, Sergeant?

Rough job, Laverne.

You'll have help soon.

Bye.

Bye, Barney.

Nice going, Barney. You handled it just right. And you were sure I'd handle it

just the same way, too, weren't you?

Yeah, I was sure.

Yeah, well, the next time I'll tell him the truth.

I swear, you get into trouble one more time and I won't lift a finger to help

you. My old man's gonna love that. Yeah?

Come on, Barney, we're staying at the O 'Neils tonight. You're staying home.

And give the Hawks a chance to shoot at us?

Come on, Barney, let's go.

Barney!

They even called you, huh?

Roll hearings are thorough.

Well, you gonna give me a passing grade?

If I don't, our whole project goes down the drain.

You busted me. You sent me up here.

And now you want me to work with you.

That's hard to believe.

Right man for the right job.

And maybe something personal.

Well, it just happened that way.

Don't knock it.

Knock it?

Not me.

Once they get through there, I'm out.

Free to be with my family and my kids.

They need me.

Yes, they do, Carl.

Hey, babe.

Oh, man, you shouldn't have come here.

I've been waiting all afternoon.

Well, I couldn't get away.

There's been some trouble.

Tony and that gang again?

Yeah.

I am so fed up. I just can't take it anymore.

Then what are you sticking for?

What else can I do?

Just tell Carl you need money to move the kids to a better neighborhood.

No, not the payroll money.

Half of it is mine, and I need it now.

If he hadn't taken the money when we split up... Look, you ran out on him,

then you let him take the fall for it.

Do you think it would have been any easier on him if I was sent up, too?

You're not interested in me.

You just want a chance to get at the money.

Just knock that off. How many times do I have to tell you?

You know how it is with me.

You've got to believe it.

Well, then, why can't we wait?

Carl's up for parole pretty soon. Yeah.

Yeah, and then you'll be stuck for good.

You'll never get away from his kids.

You know it's not Carl anymore.

Not for you.

Well, then I don't know.

It won't be you either.

When my old man hears about this, you're as good as dead.

No, you can't tell Carl.

I wouldn't have done it. You lousy tramp.

Tony.

You saw them, all right, Mario.

You know it was the trappers as well as I do.

Well, then pick them up, man.

What do you want from me? A positive ID.

Well, I keep telling you, man, they belted past us too fast.

You want to handle it yourselves.

Who, us?

Man, we're the peaceful types.

Ah, get out of here.

And don't figure it's your turn now.

Cool it.

Sure, man. That's us.

Cool.

There you are, Ed.

The hawks were all blind.

The trappers were ten miles away.

Harris, let him go.

Uh -oh.

Okay, send him in.

Tony Park is here.

He wants to talk to you.

That's his switch.

Something you want, Tony?

I thought Ironside was coming.

Chief Ironside.

Chief Ironside. I could give him a message.

I got to see my old man.

What's the problem? You and your stepmother are on his visiting list.

No, I can't wait till Sunday. I got to see him now, and I don't want to see him

with Laverne.

All right.

Considering what you say didn't happen yesterday afternoon, the chief might not

think it's a bad idea for both of you to talk to him.

Call him at this number tonight.

And while the Child Welfare Bureau and the State Parole Board have already

tentative approval, there has been scattered criticism of the plan.

A number of local civic groups are demanding further study of the pilot

questioning the advisability of allowing ex -convicts to run a home for

children. The mayor's office has appointed a special board to consider

protests.

And now...

Whoever it is, I don't want any.

What are you doing here?

I'm glad to see you too, Carrie.

Bob Ironside, if you're looking for another donation... No cash this time.

Tell me, how many rooms do you have?

24 or is it 27?

Oh, what difference does it make?

I've got a proposition for you.

It'll be the first one I've had in 20 years.

Only because you locked yourself up in this mausoleum after your husband died?

And try to forget that you're a beautiful, intelligent woman.

All right, what's the pitch?

I know you've got one.

Yes.

It's time you stop playing hermit.

Here's an invitation to appear on a TV interview show to answer questions about

the project.

Well, it's starting.

You expected, Flack. I'll wear two vests.

Ironside. This is Tony Parkos. Yes, Tony.

I've made the arrangements.

You can see your father tomorrow.

But I am going with you.

You're the boss.

Yeah, okay. I will be by about 10 tomorrow.

Okay.

is critical.

What happened? Later, he's in there.

Wait. Take those off, please.

And Laverne?

She was here all night. I sent her home.

Now go on.

Tony? We can't hear you.

Nobody told me nothing.

Just he was shot.

It was the Hawks.

They hit him. They never gave him a chance.

They're gonna get burned, all of them. What are you talking about?

Me and the trappers.

I'm taking over for Tony. We're gonna waste him.

You're gonna back off.

Back off? Look at him. Look what they've done to him. You hear me?

You're just gonna laugh it off? Let the Hawks get away with it? Nobody's gonna

get away with anything.

But you're staying out of it.

Because I'm telling you.

Now go on home.

There's nothing more for you to do here.

Go on now.

No more kid stuff.

Your folks can't come in crying that you're really a good boy just having

fun.

This is heavy. And if Tony Park has died... I keep telling you and telling

man. We never burned him. Tony hit you.

You wanted to hit back.

Maybe we wanted to, but we didn't.

Three people saw your bus.

Somebody stole it.

Where were you last night from 9 o 'clock on?

Oh, come on. From the top.

Okay, look, like I told you.

The guys and I, we went to the movie and... You've got the ticket stubs to

it. Who keeps stubs?

Then the cashier can identify you.

Well, uh... See, we didn't go in the front.

We know how to get in through the fire door.

Listen, why don't you hear me, man?

Never mind those.

Regulation, sir, when we transport a prisoner. I know, but I'll take it back.

Sir?

Call the warden. Tell him it's my specific request.

Yes, sir.

He didn't even know I was there.

You can't be sure, Carl.

A gang.

A lousy, stupid rumble.

Barney told you.

And he's ready to kill.

Take them all on.

That's what the project's all about, Carl. That's what we want to stop.

Kids like that, they gotta have something.

Even if it's that big, it's their turf.

And if somebody steps on it, then it's push and shove.

You've been on that track. You can turn the switch before they go all the way.

Now, don't let down now.

You're the first X.

You make it work. There can be others.

Everything will go, but only as long as you play it straight.

If I was out, the warden said it would be okay, but you'd have to get him right

back. Of course, thank you.

Yes, sir.

Carl, there's nothing you can do here.

Besides, I'm sure a right back doesn't mean we can't take a slight detour.

Hi, Dad.

Chief's giving me a break.

Where's Laverne?

Is she asleep?

She's not here.

She left. Pick her clothes.

For you.

I can't take it anymore. I tried, but I can't. Just let me go.

Don't try to find me, Laverne.

I'm sorry, Carl.

Who cares? We can get along without her.

What about him now?

Juvenile Hall?

No. That place is worse than a flammer.

Chief, you've got to help me.

Barney, get some things together for a night or two.

No, I'm not going anyplace. Barney, move it.

Mark, I'd like you to take Carl Parkos back to Q for me.

Meet us at his house as soon as you can.

Be there in 15 minutes.

And, Chief, I got a report from Ballistics.

Tony was hit by 30 caliber slugs.

A carbine.

All right, get moving.

What are you going to do with Barney?

I'm sure welfare will give me a bad time.

But I'm going to jump the gun.

Here I carry Mr. Barney Parkos.

First resident of the stopping place.

Now, wait a minute, Bob. I told you I wanted to think it over.

Looks like you already have.

Okay.

You can put your stuff in the first bedroom at the top of the stairs. We'll

up the bed later.

I'm not going to stay here.

Nowhere else, Barney.

No? Well, then just try and keep me here.

Chief Ironside wants you to stay here.

Here's what he wants.

And that's the way it's going to be.

You're staying here, my boy.

And you'll do exactly what I say when I say it. There'll be no backtalk, no

shenanigans. Or you'll get what you've been sorely missing all these years.

Do you understand me?

I'm sure you do.

I'm only going to ask you once more.

Put that in the bedroom upstairs.

You haven't lost your touch.

Be seeing you.

Ironside. Chief, I thought you'd want to know. Highway Patrol thinks they found

the hawk's butt.

Ed's on his way now.

Good. And Fran, Laverne Parkos has disappeared.

Check out the airport, railway station, bus terminals, see if she's left town.

Will do.

I see. Thank you.

Well, that's it, Steve.

Mrs. Parco didn't make any airplane or train reservations.

And no woman of her description has been seen taking a bus.

She left in a highly emotional state.

Now, what would she do?

Where would she go?

Not far.

She couldn't have much money.

She was trying to get some, trying to start a new life.

She was a waitress before she married Carl.

And there's always jobs for waitresses.

Check the unions.

See if she's back on their active roles or has come around looking for work.

Was it the Hawks bus?

No question about it. Dumped and partly burned.

Looked to me like whoever wrecked it tried to destroy any evidence.

Apparently they didn't succeed.

Nope.

Army carbine, .30 caliber.

Where'd you find it?

Under the front seat.

But the bus was burned to destroy evidence.

Yes. That's odd.

Very odd.

All right, Sergeant.

Hospital.

Chief, the time is great.

You deserve to be the first to know.

My parole, it's coming through.

They just told me a half hour ago.

Carl? One, two days, as soon as they get through the red tape. And then I'm out,

Chief. I'm out. Carl!

What's the matter?

This is not an official departmental function.

This is a home to prevent delinquency, a stopping place before they get to

crime. And you really think it's proper for convicts to be running such a home?

Ex -convicts.

Who better to help steer children away from crime than men who've gone that

route themselves?

Now, about this man, Carl Parkos, whom you've selected as a test case for your

concept... I understand that you arrested him for the crime for which

serving time.

You understand correctly.

A payroll robbery, wasn't it? Some $20 ,000?

And the money has never been recovered.

We had every reason to believe his accomplice escaped with it.

In any case, Carl Parkos will be released on parole day after tomorrow.

Okay, it's on the line now, babe. Day after tomorrow.

Ladies and gentlemen, we'll be back in just a moment. You can bet Carl's gonna

come out looking for you.

Then why don't we leave now, Len?

Before I collect my gut, how far can we go?

Then what if he finds out about us?

Oh, he will.

Sooner or later.

By the time he does, it'll be too late.

Then... What can he do when he's back in queue?

Back there?

What for?

You know him as well as I do.

You think he's going to let the cops wrap up that gang for burning Tony?

Have some more wine.

They got most of the numbers, but the last couple were too deeply filed.

Ballistics couldn't make them.

But there are some that are clear. Yeah. Well, contact the War Department.

Those kids with an army club... I faced them with it. They swore they'd never

seen it.

If you'd killed Tony, would you have kept the weapon or left it in the bus?

And I don't see any gang wrecking and burning their own rig.

Ironside.

Yes, Fran.

Where?

All right, stay there. Friends located in Laverne, Acme Tavern, North Beach.

What do you want?

That's an answer?

Why did you take that particular time to run out on your husband and family?

Because I knew Carl would blame me for what happened to Tony.

Look, I really tried with that kid. I did, but I just couldn't handle it.

Now, I have got my own life going. I'm very happy.

Just leave me alone and don't tell Carl where I am.

Mrs. Parkas, would you have any idea why Tony was killed?

Sure. He tried to burn the bus.

The other gang got back at him.

Simple. It was just stupid.

Yes, ma 'am. It was stupid.

Listen, I've got a lot of work to do. You want to order something? No, thank

you. I don't think the chief would tell your husband where you are, but I've got

to tell you, you're not helping.

That's beginning to look pretty heavy.

I have a list of contributions so far.

Bone's going to be in great shape.

And right now, you couldn't care less.

And then I'm out, Chief. I'm out.

Chief Ironside's office.

Yep. Fran.

Yes, Fran.

After Ed left, Laverne made a phone call. She dialed an area code, obviously

long distance, so it can be traced.

She used this phone.

Do you have the number?

431 -5997.

431 -5997.

Now, Fran, I don't want to lose Laverne.

Well, there's a help wanted sign in the window here.

You have a temporary leave of absence. Keep in touch.

All right, trace that number and then follow through.

Right. Want me to check with you here? Or up at you.

We're doing very well, Carl.

Contributions are coming in steadily.

The total so far is much larger than we expected.

And with the pledges we've received, we can meet our operating budget for the

first six months.

Gary Stevens estimates it'll take her about two weeks to get the house in

And welfare and juvenile are starting to screen the children, pick out the ones

who need us the most.

What is this, therapy?

In a way.

Then tell me what I want to hear.

What about the gang?

What about them?

You got them nailed?

Well, they all have alibis.

They claim their butts were stolen that night.

Chief, if you let them go.

We don't yet have a case. A case?

Carl.

You're getting out tomorrow.

One wrong move and you'll be back.

And your big idea goes down the drain.

You're back here.

Barney goes down the drain.

Hey, look.

I can't keep my mind on this stuff.

Can we do this tomorrow?

Sure.

Sure. Mark will pick you up tomorrow.

Take you over to Carrie's.

You're keeping close tabs on me, huh?

Just giving you a lift, Carl.

Yeah.

Thanks.

I'll see you.

Okay, Ed. I'll tell him. Later.

Ed, still it's a Presidio trying to chase that car being.

Aaron's phone call lead anywhere?

Mm -hmm. A rooming house in Daly City.

That all?

And a roomer who split in a hurry. Used the name of Collins.

But a fingerprint check of the room spell one Mr. Lynn Harter.

And he has a record?

One bust on a burglary charge in 1970.

Dismissed for lack of evidence.

But what's really heavy, Harder served in Korea.

Army.

Carbines. Yeah, I told Ed he's checking the quartermaster corps in Washington

for details of his service record.

Hope they're faster than usual.

Well, looks to me like we've got a connection between Harder and the Hawk.

Possible, not definite.

There's no question about a link between Harder and Laverne.

Strong enough to upset Tony?

If Harder killed Tony to keep him quiet, why would he take a chance and still

stick around?

Why, indeed.

Carl's getting out tomorrow morning.

Maybe he can give us some answers.

He'll knock me over when he called last night.

I figured I'd have to wait till you were out before I heard from you.

I had screws a pal of mine.

And since that's getting out today anyway.

Yeah.

You know what makes me feel good? You wanted me to pick you up.

You can breathe easy now, huh?

Yeah.

I've been waiting a long time for my cut.

Later. I got something else to take care of first.

Morning, Bob.

Morning, Carrie.

How's it going?

All right, I guess.

Barney's still here.

Yeah, I thought he would be.

Oh, poor kid.

Tough guy on the outside and a scared little kid on the inside.

I'm keeping him busy, though. Good idea.

Well, hello, Barney.

I have some things to do.

Excuse me, will you?

Of course.

Glad to see you're sticking it out.

Just until my old man gets here.

He'd never stay in an old pile like this.

How do you picture him now, Barney?

The way you've seen it in the movies?

Humphrey Bogart, Jimmy Cagney, man out of stir.

Tough, hard.

Nobody's going to push him around.

Do you know the whole story, how he wound up there?

Yeah, you put him there for that payroll robbery.

Yes, I did.

But when we were bringing him in, there was an accident.

My driver was killed.

The car caught fire. I was trapped in it.

Your father could have gotten away.

But he stayed.

Stayed long enough to pull me out.

That's what did it, Barney.

That's what put him up there, that delay.

Some other police caught up to him.

How does that kind of man fit your picture?

Bob, for you. Mark Sanger.

Thank you, Carrie.

Hello, Mark.

How did that happen?

It was one of those things.

Parkos asked for permission to leave earlier. They didn't see why not.

Did anyone?

That is...

Are there any other details?

The details?

A guy picked them up, if that's what you mean. No description, though.

Well, no sense waiting.

Why don't you go back to town and have some lunch? I suggest the Acme in North

Beach. The Acme?

You mean Laverne?

Yes, there might be some interesting activity there.

I'll talk to you later.

I'm sorry, Barney, but there's been a mix -up.

Your father won't be released until late this afternoon.

Well, what's wrong?

Oh, just tangled red tape.

I'll be back later.

Carl, why can't we get the money now?

Because I said later. Three o 'clock.

out tomorrow.

One wrong move and you'll be back.

This is Mobile KA -14872.

I'm calling 647 -1999.

Chief Ironside's office.

Hello, Chief. I've been trying to get you.

You hear from Parkos?

No, but I've got a report on Len Harder. He surveyed out a carbine in Korea

before he was discharged.

He's our man.

All right. But we've got another problem on our hands.

Parkos left Q before Mark could pick him up.

Chief,

the Hawks were released this morning.

That's par for the course.

Ed. Meet me at their clubhouse.

Right.

They ain't got nothing on us.

All we gotta do now is go home and be cool.

So, uh, just don't make waves.

You hear me?

All right, well, talk to you in a couple of days.

What you doing here, man?

This is private property.

You know me?

No.

You know Tony Parkos?

Yeah, he's dead.

Yeah. Dead.

I'm his father.

Okay.

Okay.

Is that all you can say is okay?

You burned him.

You blew him apart.

We didn't do it. Even the cops said we didn't do it. The cops who can count the

cops. But you can't count me.

You crazy, man?

We didn't do it.

Listen, will you?

Tony's dead, Carl.

You're back here.

Barney goes down the drain.

Carl, they didn't kill Tony.

Thank God.

More coffee, sir?

Oh, yes, please.

Can't hang around here much longer.

There's no contact.

Laverne, telephone.

Contact.

Hello?

Yeah. Lane?

But I don't understand.

I don't have time to spell it out. Just meet me at the airport bus stop.

In Union Square at 11 tonight.

But I can't... All right, I'll be there.

Mrs. Parkos?

Chief Irons, I would like to talk with you.

I don't know where he is.

Besides, what does that have to do with me?

The question is, what have you got to do with him?

Well, nothing, nothing. He's just a friend.

He's a murderer.

He shot Tony.

No.

No, no.

That was the gang.

It was Harder.

He tried to frame them. I have all the evidence.

No.

No, he... Tell us why, Laverne.

Why did he kill Tony?

Was it because Tony found out about you and Harder and was going to tell his

father?

You know, it has to come out.

It's going to come out.

Yes.

Carl? Carl, I... Listen, I can't explain it.

But I didn't know about Len.

Carl, please believe me.

Now, will you tell us where Harder is?

No, I can't. I know where he's going to be.

But you'll need me to bring him in.

Carl, stay cool.

Sure picked a kinky place for a meet.

You had me worried.

I had to get it.

All of it?

The whole bundle.

But just try spending it.

You dirty double -crosser.

Please.

I told you to stay cool.

It ain't loaded.

Never was.

I just wanted to nail him myself.

The bait?

The missing payroll.

You won't believe this, I guess.

But I, uh... I really was going to donate it to the home.

But the parole board has to believe it.

You understand correctly.

Under those circumstances, should Parkos be helping you set up this home?

Mr. Carlton, under any circumstances,

Carl Parkos is rehabilitated in the opinion of the prison authorities.

I support that belief.

A final statement, Chief?

There is probably no more distinguished figure in social psychiatry than Dr.

Carl Menninger.

He has said, this country has at least a million abandoned, lonely,

and partially homeless children who are potential criminals.

This home will, we hope, provide at least one small answer to that problem.

Certainly it deserves a try.

Not very artistic, maybe, but it's just to give you a general idea, Mr. Parkos.

Barney thought it up.

I like it, Barney.

Tony would have liked it, too.

There's something about you, Bob. I don't know what it is, but for the first

time, I'm beginning to believe that you can make this idea work.

I can.

I just call it that old Terry Stevens magic.