Original subtitles

I'm dressed.

Oh, would you wait in the car, Clifford? We just want a word with the doctor.

Sure, Mr. Allison.

Dad.

I have the final results on the test right here.

I'm sure.

We had no idea.

It's terrible.

She couldn't feel worse if it was her own son.

How long?

Of course, there's always a slim hope.

With the best care, perhaps five, six months.

Stop it!

Stop it!

Stop it! Hey, somebody!

Why'd you come back?

You're my son. You belong to me.

We'll use this car for a while.

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Ephraim Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott, William Reynolds, with guest stars

John Vernon, Michael Carney.

Tonight's episode, Journey Into Night.

On June 10th, the abduction of Clifford Starrett from the parking lot of an

Albany, New York medical clinic was to involve the FBI in one of its strangest

manhunts. Through the physical description given by witnesses and

found in the car used in the abduction after it was abandoned, the abductor was

identified as David Mark Starrett, a master check passer, escaped federal

prisoner, and the father of Clifford Starrett.

And this is the boy.

He's 12 years old. He has acute leukemia. Doctors say he needs immediate

attention. How long has he lived with the foster parents?

Since his mother died in 1967.

Starrett escaped from a California federal prison two days ago after

three years of a five -year sentence for forgery.

He's got a long arrest record.

Bunko, fraud, armed assault.

He's dangerous when he's cornered, but he's principally a fraudulent check

passer, mass deport.

He hasn't wasted any time.

Checks were stolen from business offices in both Troy and Albany.

Can you definitely connect Starrett with those?

Yes, sir. A number of witnesses identified his photo.

He gained access to the offices by posing as a city inspector.

Now that fits.

Looks like he's armed himself for a long spree of bad check passing.

I sent flyers to all the banks and was sending descriptions of Starrett and the

boy to doctors and hospitals in the Northeast.

You'd better get up to the New York office.

Let's go, Cliff.

Can't you give her a little more time?

You never did while she was alive.

Cliff.

After you ran out, you never even tried to call us again.

And when Mama died, you let them put me in those other people's home.

What could I do?

Sure, what could you do?

You were in jail.

Now look, son.

All right, you picked your life.

But what are you coming back now for?

We need you.

We don't want anything from you.

I'm sorry, son.

Clifford Starrett.

Doctors at the Albany Medical Clinic, where the boy was abducted, report that

has leukemia.

Young Starrett's condition is considered grave, and an appeal has been issued to

his father, who has been identified as the kidnapper, to seek immediate medical

attention for the boy.

On the weather scene, sunny skies will prevail with a temperature in the high

60s. However, in the southeastern section of the nation, heavy rains

increasing the threat of severe flood conditions.

It didn't hurt.

When you hit me, it didn't hurt.

Is that what was bothering you?

Her name is Elaine Keller.

She went steadily with Starrett before his last conviction. It's possible he

try to contact her.

Do they have no current address on her?

No, she dropped out of sight about a year ago.

But she's still believed to be in the city. We're trying to locate her.

Yes.

Mr. Ward.

Oh, put it on the blower, would you, sir?

Yes, Art.

Lewis, I'm in the document section.

We've confirmed that three checks...

Cashed at banks in Poughkeepsie and later in Peekskill, New York, were

David Starrett.

They've been compared with samples of his handwriting.

When were they cashed?

Yesterday. Two in Poughkeepsie, one in Peekskill.

For a total of $200.

So he seems to be playing it cautiously.

Yeah, so far.

Let's see.

Albany, Poughkeepsie, Peekskill. Seems to be heading for New York.

Yes. Does he know anyone there?

Oh, we're not sure.

There's no relatives here.

There's an old girlfriend we're trying to find.

Lewis, does that boy have any chance at all if we can't reach him soon enough?

Well, let's put it this way, Art.

He'll be dead in a month if we can't.

I see.

Well, then it's up to you, Lewis.

How long will you be staying with us, Mr. Abbott?

A little longer than I intended. My company's wiring some funds, but I'll

little extra cash in the meantime.

Your company is the... Peekskill Electronics.

I'm chief purchasing agent.

If you'd like some further identification.

Thank you.

Well, there seems to be an order.

If you would just give this to the cashier.

Thank you.

I hope you enjoy your stay with us, Mr. Abbott. Thank you very much.

I'm sure I will.

Do you like it?

What's in there?

Let's see.

Which one do you want?

Dad, sorry for the way I've been.

Friends?

Mm -hmm.

Cliff, I want you to rest well.

We've done an awful lot of traveling.

I'm all right.

Dad?

The police are going to be after you for taking me, won't they?

Don't worry about the police.

I got a phone call to make.

Dad, it's good to be with you again.

Would you give me the Ellsworth Clinic, please?

One moment, please.

Ellsworth Clinic.

May I speak to Dr. Lewis Naples?

Oh, Dr. Naples is no longer attending the seminar.

He's gone back to his home office.

Where is that?

Thank you very much

We're

at the address the informant gave us on Elaine Keller

We spoke to a neighbor who said she frequents a bar in Greenwich Village

the Blue Heron Cafe.

Good, I'll meet you there. And keep the surveillance on the apartment.

10 -4.

How did you know to come here?

I followed your watering holes.

Where's my money?

The $8 ,000 I left with you.

The money you swore to protect with your life.

I'm back now.

And I want my money.

It's gone.

We spent it.

If you're smart, you'll get out of here fast.

You're all over the papers. All we have to do is make one phone call and you've

had it.

So shove off.

Miss Keller, did you notice anything else about Starrett's car?

Just that it was a red convertible and the top was down.

You didn't catch a license number?

Oh, no.

It all happened so fast and I was so frightened.

Hello?

He checked out about a half hour ago.

Did he have a little boy with him, about 12 years old?

Yes. Is this the boy?

Yes.

I described Sterritt to a girl at the information desk downstairs.

She said it sounded like a man who was making inquiries about flights to

this morning.

We have surveillance at the airport, train, bus depots.

All right.

Notify the Bureau and the Chicago office.

And let's circulate those flyers to all doctors and hospitals throughout the

Midwest. All right, thanks.

Agents just found a car that matches the description of the one used by

Starrett, abandoned near the George Washington Bridge.

Did they turn up anything yet?

They're processing it now.

We've also a report from Manhattan Receiving Hospital.

Eugene Corlett, the man knifed by Starrett, died without regaining

consciousness.

Come on, Cliff.

We'll rest here for a while.

Nice.

Nothing to where we're going.

Wait till you see how the land really opens up.

You know, son, for three years, I've been watching all this from a cage.

I can't really believe that when I reach out, I won't be hitting bars.

Dad, what happened?

I mean, how did you... How did I make such a mess of my life?

Well, your grandmother used to say I was given too much. Too much looks, too

much brains, too much charm.

She said I was stuffed so full of myself, it had turned to rot.

And I'd spend my life cutting a path for the green briars.

Green briars?

Yeah.

It was the story she used to tell.

When the world was made, the devil staked out claims on it.

Wherever he walked, the green briars sprung up.

When you step off the right path, you get stuck in the green briars and you

never get out.

The green briars.

Kind of a weird way of telling it, but I get her point.

It's a good lesson for me when I grow up.

Did I say something wrong?

No.

Well, don't worry, Dad.

You're out of the briars now.

I'm going to help you.

We'll make it together, won't we?

We sure will, son.

Marvin, good to see you again. Oldie, how are you? Marvin?

We just received information on Starrett.

He rented a car from an agency in New York and used a stolen credit card.

How long ago?

Two days.

We've teletyped the description and the registration on the car to all offices.

And did information about his family come in from the Bureau?

Yes. His father's dead and his mother lives in Waco, Texas.

He also has a couple of relatives living here in Chicago.

We've got a surveillance on them, but the reporter said Starrett hasn't seen

them in years.

Well, let's talk to him anyway.

Do you have an account here, Mr. Garland? I'm afraid not.

It'll have to be approved by our manager, Mr. Hoyer.

Thank you.

Help you, sir?

I'd like to open an account.

Won't you sit down?

Thank you.

Glad to welcome you as the new depositor, Mr. Collins.

And I'm sure you'll enjoy living in Marion.

I know I will.

Oh, by the way...

Would you cash this check for me, please?

Oh, of course.

Just present it to one of the girls.

Thank you.

Mr. Hoyer?

It's all right, Ms. Burroughs.

Will fifties and hundreds be all right?

That's fine.

What's the matter?

I feel sick, Dad.

We'll get you fixed up right away.

How long have you been having these dizzy spells?

A month, maybe. I'm not sure.

Well, we'll start with a complete physical.

Here, undress and put this on. I'll be back in a moment.

Should I wait here? I'd rather you waited outside.

Doctor, have you seen this?

Call the FBI.

Should we stay here?

Just act normally or he'll be suspicious.

What if he has a gun? If he starts to shoot when they try to arrest him?

Nothing's going to happen. Just call them.

Hey, Dad, we've got to get out of here fast. They're calling the police.

I heard them. Come on, son.

What are you doing out here? I thought we were going to examine you. Where are

you going?

Well, thank you, girls.

How is he?

He'll be all right. He's got a bad concussion.

We found Starrett's car.

Oh, where?

About two blocks from here.

The car was empty except for these.

Hmm.

Two itineraries, huh?

Inspector? Hmm?

The resident agent in Waco just called.

Starrett's mother has taken a trip to Laredo.

She's rented a room for an indefinite period.

You think Starr's tried to contact her?

There could be plenty there to see her before crossing the border.

Better get teletypes off to all the Southwest offices. Right.

It's pretty good.

Why don't you try some?

Are you ever going to talk to me again?

You didn't have to hurt him.

Did you want us to stay and wait for the police?

I guess you didn't have a choice.

He'll be all right, won't he?

I hope so.

Now come on, have some more food.

Dad, I can't.

Isn't there someplace I can rest?

I'm sorry to be such a drag on you.

When you get settled down on the bus, you'll sleep like a log.

Now, let me check that schedule.

There's a phone outside.

You wait here.

Give me the police department.

Hello?

I want you to pick up a boy who's gravely ill.

He's in the restaurant at the Four Corners Junction.

Yes, I think you'll want to handle this.

His name is Clifford Starrett.

I knew you wouldn't run out again.

Thanks for the lift.

How much further, Dad?

No further tonight, son.

We stay at this hotel.

Mrs. Starrett?

Yes? We were the FBI. I'm Inspector Erskine, and this is...

I'm sorry, I don't have the use of my eyes anymore.

What can I do for you?

We'd, uh... We'd like to talk to you about your son.

Please come in.

Where are you going?

I'm going out for a while.

Cliff, this belongs to you.

If anything happens to me along the way, you've got this.

Just don't tell anybody about it, okay?

It's a lot of money.

Isn't it enough for Mexico?

No.

Now get a good night's sleep.

I'll be back before you wake up.

I can't tell you anything.

Mrs. Starrett, did you know that he has his son with him?

Yes, he told me Cliff was with him.

I suppose it was wrong for him taking that boy the way he did, but... Did he

tell you how extremely ill Clifford is?

He has leukemia, Mrs. Starrett.

He won't live much longer unless we can get him to a hospital.

Then I've lost both of them.

Dave and my grandson.

After his mother died, I wanted to take Cliff.

They wouldn't let me.

Can't blame them.

Did your son mention when he planned to meet you?

He called a few hours ago and said he might be in today, but he wasn't sure.

Do you know where he called from?

Upstate.

He mentioned Graham County, but he didn't say where.

I'll arrest him.

He won't be coming to see me, will he?

It's difficult for you, I know.

I used to wonder what made him turn out the way he did.

Everything was too easy.

I used to tell him a story about the Greenbrier Path.

Can I have some water, please?

Afternoon.

I'm Arlie Sessions. I own the place. Glad to welcome you. Thank you.

I believe I caught your name.

Collins. Larry Collins.

Oh.

No,

no, on the house.

Why, thank you very much.

Privilege.

You know.

I always take a flyer guessing a man's line.

I'd say you were in the shipping business.

I own a boat, but it's just for pleasure.

You staying long in our fair town?

Oh, just cruising around the country.

First holiday in a couple of years.

I thought I may go up to Vegas.

Gamble, do you?

When I find it interesting.

I think we could handle what you might have in mind.

Do you mind my personal check?

Hello. A man called the Johnson, Missouri Police Department.

He asked them to pick up his son. The boy's name is Clifford Starrett, said he

was very ill.

The police arrived, the Starretts had gone.

A man and boy matching the description of seeing boarding a bus headed for

Laredo.

What did I register him from, bus driver?

Well, as much as he remembers, he thinks they left the bus in Pope, Texas.

Where's that?

It's about, what,

300 miles north of here. I've alerted the resident agents.

We better get up there and let's continue the surveillance here.

Okay, thank you very much.

Las Vegas never heard of him.

You know, he comes on here like some big rich dude from the East, and he's

checked into a flop house.

We can't find any kind of automobile belonging to him, so how did he get

By bus, hitchhiking?

I think he's a four -flusher.

I say he bought his way into that game on bum paper, and we ought to shake him

down right now.

How long before you can contact the head cashier at that bank?

Three hours.

Let's wait. He's not going anywhere.

Yes, Mr. Collins is a depositor here.

Well, uh, we have his personal check signed by him here for $1 ,000.

Uh, can we honor that?

You did say Texas, didn't you?

Oh.

Well, Mr. Collins is not in Texas.

He's here in Scarsdale. I just saw him this morning.

You're sure of that?

I'm certain.

Okay, well, thank you very kindly.

Get me the FBI.

$18 ,000.

Thank you very much, gentlemen.

I'll have that money back, if you please.

Get some more men and follow him. He can't get far.

Hello?

Cliff? Dad, where are you?

Now, listen carefully.

I'm in a phone booth at the corner of Market and 6th Street.

That's one block down and one west from where you are.

6th and Market.

Now, get out of the room fast, and don't bother taking anything with you.

All right.

Yes, Art.

Now, Lewis, the head cashier of a Scarsdale, New York bank called our New

office. It's possible it's Starrett's in Kiley, Texas.

The management of a bar there, the Silver Rowell, called the Scarsdale

He wanted confirmation on a depositor on whose account Starr has already forged

one check.

The first check was cashed in a Marion, Indiana bank.

Now, we checked the signature against his handwriting.

It's Starr's work, all right.

We'll get a helicopter.

All right. Contact me when you get there.

How much of a lead did he have?

Mr. Sessions?

Yes?

Where were the FBI?

I'd like to talk to you.

About what?

Have you seen this man?

Sorry I can't be of help. As I said, I never laid eyes on that fellow.

You placed a call earlier this morning to a bank in Scarsdale, New York,

inquiring about Lawrence Collins.

Sessions, we have reason to believe that this man uses the name Collins.

He's a federal fugitive, and he has his son with him, a 12 -year -old boy who's

critically ill.

Now, where is he?

Do you know? I think I heard of a fellow that looked like that. He...

Got in a beef with some of our local boys this morning.

I don't know what it was about. He just took off out of town with those boys

right on his heels.

How long ago?

We can't be certain.

Maybe the better part of an hour.

Where was he going?

Couldn't say. He just stole a car and let out.

See if you can make it over that ridge yourself.

I'm not going to leave you.

You've got no choice.

You'll be here in a few minutes.

No. Now go on, get out of here.

I can't.

Stanley, I'm not worth it.

You know what I am, what I've always been.

You think it'll be different afterwards?

You think we'll ever stop running?

I don't care.

Just so we're together.

Cleve, if they catch you here, they'll kill you.

I'm probably going to die anyway.

Known about it since New York.

I read it in the paper.

You didn't tell me.

I figured it would have hurt you more if you knew that I knew.

You might have just stuck me in some hospital and gone away again.

This way I had a chance to be with you.

You felt this way for me, Ian.

I have dragged you into this.

Remember the story you told me?

About the Greenbrier path?

I promised I'd help you find your way out of it.

It's not right.

I had thrown my life away a long time ago.

And you've never had a chance with yours.

It's given you nothing.

It's given me this time with you.

I wouldn't trade that for anything.

Don't send me away now.

Please?

All right, son.

Will he be all right?

Oh, I think so, Cliff.

Yeah, let me give you a hand.

Anything else?

Not right now.

I'm sorry, son.

Mr. Ruskin?

He's going to need some help when he gets out of prison.

And I might not be here.

Do you think he'll ever change?

Cliff, you've given him good reason to change.

David Starrett was found guilty in state court of the death of Eugene Corlett.

He was then tried and found guilty in federal court of escape and interstate

check violations and returned to the federal penitentiary.