Original subtitles

This is the city.

Los Angeles, California.

I work here.

I carry a badge.

The story you are about to see is true.

The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

It was Tuesday, February 4th.

It was cool in Los Angeles.

We were working the day watch out of Intelligence Division.

The boss is Captain Brooks.

My partner is Bill Gannon.

My name is Friday.

The invitation came every year at this time to attend the same

get together at the same place with the same people.

I'd never gone.

This time, however, I had no choice.

It's from my uncle, the one up in San Francisco.

Yeah.

- Aren't you going to open yours? - No. I know what it says.

- You do, huh? - Yeah.

I wish I hadn't opened this one. Old Uncle Fred wants another five.

Five dollars?

Well yes, Joe. What did you think 500?

I just sent him $5.

- When? - Six months ago for his birthday.

I can't understand that.

Now what do you suppose a man wants with another five this soon?

- Why don't you open yours? - No. It's an invitation to a party.

- What kind of party? - Alumni association.

- High school? - No. That night school I used to go to.

I didn't know night schools had alumni associations.

Yeah, well this one does.

Want me to open it for you?

It doesn't make any difference. I know what it says.

Well, you never can tell about these things Joe.

It might be a refund on your tuition.

- After 10 years? - No. No refund.

"Dear selected member, you are cordially

invited to an informal gathering of men only.

Thursday evening, February 6th at 8 o'clock at my home, 4458 Edgewood Avenue.

Signed, Paul Reed, Alumni Association President."

Well you've got to go Joe, you're invited.

Worse than that, I got trapped.

The guy that signed that letter Paul Reed?

- He called me at home last night. - They must want you awful bad.

No, they don't want me awful bad. They just want to have a good turnout that's all.

There won't be anybody there I know.

You've always been a bearer for higher education, haven't you Joe?

I try.

Well, you've got time for all that. You're a single man.

You went to regular college too didn't you in the daytime?

Yeah. But that was a long time ago.

- How long did you go? - Not so you'd notice it. About eight months.

How long did you go to this night school?

Three and a half years.

- Well, you finally convinced me. - Of what?

You'll do anything to keep from getting married won't you?

Thursday, February 6th.

Paul Reed was a real estate broker with political ambitions.

Since leaving night school,

we'd met socially one or two times and then purely by accident.

This calls for a celebration. Joe Friday at an alumni meeting.

Might as well be the campfire girls. I don't know a soul.

- We'll fix that Joe. - You will, huh?

Tell me something.

You ever hear of the Fielder Militia?

Yeah, Paul, I've heard them.

Well, I'm thinking about joining up next meeting.

Got the word a few days ago from Frank Baker. I'll introduce you to him.

We could use you, Joe.

- That the reason for this special invitation? - Right.

What do you think of the outfit? Politically, I mean?

Everybody's well intention, there's a gun in the rib.

Fielder Militia? You must be thinking of some other group.

I've read their charter. Reminds me of one that

was written in a jail cell about 45 years ago.

- What? - Yeah. Place called Landsburg.

The guy that wrote it used to hang wallpaper.

Oh, come on now Joe. I'm serious.

Well the police department hasn't got better friends anywhere than the Fielders.

That's the sole reason for their existence, to support law and order.

I'm familiar with the claim.

Well, you ought to be grateful man, you and every underpaid cop in the country.

Support. Isn't that what it's all about?

We have support Paul but not all kinds.

Now let me get this straight.

You're the guy who has to go out on the streets and do the job.

And you're telling me the department doesn't welcome all the help it can get?

Paul, I can't speak for the department, but I'll say this.

We want help, we welcome help, we're getting help

from legitimate groups and responsible citizens.

Now that doesn't include people who yell, "Spy" every time they

hear an accent or who look under the bed at night for a seditionist.

It doesn't include racist, white or black.

And it lets out people who think lawful protest is

unconstitutional or the change is treason.

It excludes nuts on either fringe, Paul.

The guy who sees an anarchist in every kid with long hair.

It excludes the Fielder Militia.

Patriotism?

Why that Militia of yours has got a corner on the market.

Civil rights? They got them all.

Protesters? Shoot them all down.

Now that maybe your philosophy Paul. But it's not mine.

Now, I don't think it's the department's either.

We work it a little different in this country.

What do you mean?

I wear a badge Paul, not a swastika.

- Hey what's going on here? - I'm not sure, Frank.

- Joe Friday, right? - That's right.

- Frank Baker. - How are you?

I overheard your little speech. What do you think Paul? Lost cause?

- Afraid so. - Oh, maybe not. I didn't catch his breath.

Frank Baker like most members of the militant Fielder Militia

was an outspoken proponent of law and order.

He was also a gun fancier.

By 11 p.m., the conversation had gotten around to his favorite subject.

Tell me Joe, what kind of handgun do you like?

And don't tell me it's that blunderbuss you hang on your belt.

I manage to qualify with it.

I'm talking about a fine weapon. Something you'd be proud to own.

- How about a new putter? - Oh, come on, Joe, play the game.

All right. The 9-mm Browning. How's that strike you?

Best handgun ever made. Glad we found something to agree on.

Uh-hum.

Let me ask you a question Joe, off the record.

Be sure you want to, Frank.

I know. You're a policeman. I respect it.

But how would you like to own a Parabellum sub?

- You're talking about a submachine gun? - That's right.

- I bet you never heard of it. - No. But you'll tell me.

Brand-new weapons, dependable rapid rate of fire, minimum rise.

Feds missed 500 of them when they knocked over Mandino.

- Well who's Mandino? - Big runner back in Kansas.

- You like to own one of those guns? - Now, what would I do with it?

- Right price, Joe. - Why me, Baker?

You could peddle all 500 of those guns overseas in the next 24 hours.

That's right... If I had the license.

- The Federal Firearms License. - Starting to see through, huh?

- Well, it takes time. - That's what I haven't got Joe, time.

I need that license and I need it quick.

There's a lot of dough at stake believe me.

- Is that so? - Enough for a lot of underpaid people.

- What have you got in mind? - You've been on the job a long time, Joe.

- You've rubbed elbows with the guys in the Treasury Department. - Go on.

That's where the licenses come from, Joe, and I need one, bad.

You want me to walk that license through is that it?

A word or two in the right place for a citizen who supports law and order.

- That's all I'm asking. - You don't hear very well do you, Frank?

Perfectly. Awhile ago, I heard an overworked underpaid cop

trying to sell himself a bill of goods.

You're sure of that are you?

I don't hear you reading me my rights.

Friday 8:30 a.m.

I pulled the intelligence package on Frank Baker.

Skipper set up a meeting with the Treasury Department in 10 minutes.

Right.

- That's interesting, isn't it? - Yeah.

Baker did big time for 80W. He's a felon. That's why he's pushing me.

- He'll never get that license. - But he thinks you can swing it for him.

Yeah and I got to keep him thinking that.

Intelligence memo from the Treasury Department.

A year ago, Baker tried to make a connection with a tool company

to fabricate trigger housings for machine guns.

- Never quits trying, does he? - No.

He really wants that Federal Firearms License, doesn't he?

So bad he can taste it. There's only one thing that bothers me.

Yeah, where's he got the gun stashed.

8:40 a.m.

Bill and I met with Captain Pierce Brooks and Area Supervisor Jack Courtney

from the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Division

of the United States Treasury Department.

We had worked with Courtney before.

All right. So Baker wants the Federal Firearms

License so he can peddle automatic weapons.

We know about his record, but I'm just

curious, Jack, has he applied for the license?

Yes and his application uses the address of the Fielder Militia.

Now that, and the fact that he's been convicted

of a felony would be grounds to deny the license.

How's that Jack?

Under the old law, you could have a license at your home

and operate from your broom closet, but not anymore.

The new Gun Act stipulates that you must have a bona fide place

of business and be open to the public.

Wouldn't the home office of the Fielder Militia qualify as a place of business?

You know better than that Joe.

Fielder Militia isn't open to the general public

and its headquarters are in Fielder's home.

Has Fielder himself ever applied for a Federal Firearms License?

No, he hasn't. And it looks like this time, he's holding Baker's coat.

Now, we know Fielder is supplying machine guns,

grenades, bombs, you name it, to paramilitary groups all over the country.

What we don't know is where he's warehousing them.

We suspect at some place your California desert, but it's a big desert.

What about that 9mm Parabellum Baker offered me?

He'll withdraw the offer. We put Mandino out of business 18 days ago.

We seized 500 9mm Parabellum submachine guns.

- What about the other 500? - What other 500?

Those were it, the whole enchilada.

But don't let it worry you Joe. Fielder will

serve us and he'll have a substitute item.

- Where does Fielder get them? - Steals them.

- From who? - Biggest user we've got, the Armed Forces.

- Those big desert maneuvers awhile back. - You got it.

We worked part of that case.

Bunch of guys decided Uncle Sam had more ordinance than he needed.

They got away with weapons, ammunition,

any kind of equipment they could lay their hands on.

The military nailed the thieves. We tagged some local buyers.

- You took over from there. - Right.

Some of that stuff we still haven't turned.

We think it may be hidden in that piece of desert I mentioned.

Okay, Joe, you know what to do. And play this one cool.

Do that.

If my guess is any good, he'll hand you a piece of that military ordinates.

Yes, sir?

Gift wrapped.

5 p.m.

I called Frank Baker at his home in Sherman Oaks.

He invited me over for a drink.

Here you go, Joe.

If that's not heavy enough, you holler.

- Plenty thanks. - Ever seen anything like it?

- Yeah, once. - Oh, where?

England. The Imperial War Museum.

That must be quite a place, I've never seen it.

You know they say you can tell a lot about a man by looking at the place he lives in.

- You believe that? - Sometimes.

Only one other thing I want to hang on these walls.

- A Federal Firearms License. - That's right. You're going to help me?

You're about as tactful as some of your hardware.

Time Joe. I don't have time.

You're pressing Frank and that's a sign of ego. I'm not sure I like it.

- I sized you up in five minutes as a bright cop. - Real flattering.

You call it ego I call it ability. The ability to make a decision.

- About the license? - I made a phone call today.

- Good for you. - The investigation on you has just started.

- It could take a long time. - There's that word again.

The agent in charge is a friend of mine.

- Glad to hear it. - Where do you plan to store the hardware?

What hardware?

The guns you plan to buy and sell or is the license just to hang on your wall?

- Oh, here maybe. - Out on the desert. Why?

- Your application doesn't say here. I read it. - I figured you would.

- I also read your LAPD package. - I also figured you would.

All right. Why didn't you figure to tell me that you did time for 80W.

Now you know the Treasury Department won't issue

a gun license of any kind to an ex-con.

That's going to make it pretty rough to push the license through.

- Yeah. But you know something Joe? - What's that?

You're just the man that can do it.

Saturday, February 8th.

I met with Treasury Agent Jack Courtney.

If this thing goes down right, Joe, that guy Baker can lead us to Fielder.

And Fielder's one guy we'd like to clamp a lid on.

He's always where the action is here and abroad.

He operates like an underground river.

We keep sinking wells and we can't hit water.

We still don't have one piece of concrete

evidence that ties him to those illegal weapons.

Did Baker drop anything about the location of that warehouse?

No, Sir. When I asked him where he stored the

hardware, he said, "Here or out in the desert."

Pinpoint it Joe as fast as you can.

Monday, February 10th, 4:15 p.m.

You're a bright boy, Joe, but you took a little too long to make up your mind.

- Parabellums are off the market. - We're sold out.

But I'll fix you up with something that will make just as tall.

- What have you got in mind? - Old military classic, the Thompson.

It's a lot of firepower.

The way things are on the street today and your job it's a working man's best friend.

- You're going to deliver on this one? - Seventy bucks to you.

- You got anymore at that price? - This is for your personal use Joe.

If things work out, we'll take care of your friends later.

All right. Tomorrow's my day off.

How about you and me taking a run out in the desert?

- Not unless you want to shoot jackrabbits. - Huh?

You pick it up right here.

Monday, February 10th, 5:30 p.m.

Baker told you to pick up that submachine gun in 48 hours is that it?

Yes, Sir, that's it.

We got the Baker house and the Fielder Militia headquarters staked out.

But I doubt if it'll do any good. He's too

smart to send a runner in with that weapon.

And you're still no closer to the stash than you were before?

No, Sir. That's right.

Well what worries me is he'll deliver that Thompson to you all right.

But if he still hasn't told you where that

military hardware is stored one thing is sure.

We've reached another dead end.

Let's talk about the buy. Where do you live Joe?

I've got an apartment in the Silver Lake District. It's no Taj Mahal.

- How many rooms? - Living room, bedroom.

Sounds fine. Think you can get Baker to turn the gun over to you there?

- Well, that's a tall order. - Yes, I know.

But we want to be there to corroborate. And

I'd like to see this one prosecuted Federal.

Any ideas on how you're going to get Baker up to your apartment?

- Just one. - What's that?

Ask him.

Tuesday, February 11th, 9:30 a.m.

I put in a call to Frank Baker and told him it was important that I talk to him.

I suggested we meet at my apartment.

At the outset, he was reluctant but he finally agreed.

We set the time for 8:30 that night.

Tuesday, February 11th 8:30 p.m.

Frank Baker was prompt.

You live in a nice neighborhood.

Yeah. It's out of the high rent district.

This all your stuff or it came with the lease?

No you're not a furniture lover Frank. You're

looking for company and I haven't got any.

Oh, it's not that I don't trust you, Joe. It's just that I'm a business man.

I play it up close.

Joe what's on your mind? It's your party.

You're talking about the collector's item? You're 20 hours early.

I didn't figure you'd have it in your pocket,

Frank. But that's what I want to talk about.

Talk.

Two things about our arrangement, both of them bad for you and for me.

Number one, I don't think it's a good idea for

me to be waltzing in and out of your place.

I'm known in this town. You never know who might spot me.

Number two, maybe it's just my imagination

but my boss has been talking sideways to me.

- Your boss? - The Captain.

- Well like how? - Like nothing definite.

It's just the assignment's he's been putting me on.

- Looks like he's been keeping me away from the big stuff. - What do you mean?

Well he slid me on to the back shelf as far

as important investigations are concerned.

Now I've seen this happen before to guys who

tried to go on to business for themselves.

The first thing that happens when the department gets hanky

about an officer is they keep him off key assignments.

Then they let him run until he braids a long enough rope then they hang 'em.

Now you slice it down any way you like Frank,

but when you tow it up it comes out the best way for you and me both.

- What best way? - That we do business here instead of your place.

- You got anything to drink? - Some scotch.

That'll do. But don't spoil it.

- You know something Joe? - What's that?

- I get a funny feeling about you. - Is that right?

I hope I'm right.

Thanks.

- You lived here long? - Six, seven years.

Nice place. Do your own housekeeping?

No. I've got a woman who comes in once a week.

All nice and tidy. True blue civil service. Joe, I think I got you pegged.

- You have? - Maybe just a little.

But it's starting to show around the edges you're beginning to believe. Am I right?

- Maybe. - Maybe's good enough.

- Joe, you know how many members we got in the Fielder Militia? - Four or five hundred.

Closer to 1500 in this State alone and I'm talking about

dues paying members Joe, not sympathizers.

And every one of those 1500 started out with maybe.

You're in the right track friend.

Let me build that up a little for you.

No. No thanks. I fly better on one wing. I'll tell you what Joe.

I believe everything you said.

I don't think it's too good an idea for you to be seen at my

place and I'm just as concerned about your Captain as you are.

Don't let it worry you. I still got it under control.

Oh, I know you have or I wouldn't be here.

And I'll tell you something else,

the day is going to come when I deliver a Sherman tank to you at Hollywood and Vine.

That would never fit in the front seat of my car.

By then, you'll have friends.

Thanks for the drink.

And we do business here?

- No, not a chance. - I see.

You live in a nice neighborhood, Joe, but you're a long way from Hollywood and Vine.

Wednesday, February 12th, 8:35 a.m.

I filled in the Captain and Treasury Agent Jack Courtney

on my meeting with Frank Baker the previous night.

It was agreed that I should follow through and try to make

the buy of the Thompson submachine gun on Baker's terms.

There was still an outside chance that he

might reveal the location of the hidden military equipment.

Bill and I left the PAB and drove across town to Frank Baker's residence.

I dropped Bill off two blocks away

to connect up with the Treasury Department's stakeout teams.

It was 4:30 p.m.

If Baker intended to make good on the sale

of the Thompson submachine gun it was time.

The 48 hours were up.

You're as prompt as I am, Joe. How'd you know I had the merchandise?

- You said 48 hours. - Like a drink?

- No thanks. - Like to see what you're buying?

- That's why I'm here. - This is a personal selection Joe.

Detailed strip, cleaned, oiled, test fired 100 rounds.

It's a number one, I know I did it myself.

- Where'd you do all this? - The warehouse.

Live a little Joe.

The Thompson submachine gun, caliber .45 M1A1.

An air-cooled, straight blow back action magazine-fed weapon.

Weight 10 pounds 13 ounces.

Number of grooves six, sides, front, fixed blade, rear fixed aperture.

Muzzle velocity 920 feet/second.

Effective range 200 yards, maximum range 1600 yards.

Feed system 20 and 30 shots staggered column, detachable box magazine.

You want me to wrap it up? Or will you eat it here?

- How many magazines? - Two 20s.

You won't have any use for a 50, unless you plan to start a war.

- What about a sling? - I'll get you one if you think you need it.

- Tell me the truth, you ever see a prettier piece of machinery? - It's a fine one.

I'll bet you never figured your 70 bucks will buy you that much fun did you?

- I brought the cash. - Oh, take it easy. There's no rush.

- How about that drink? - You got something to celebrate now haven't you?

I guess I have.

Oh, Joe. This is no schlock operation.

When I tell you we got the goods we got them and all first class.

I'm convinced.

- Let's see, you need a couple of boxes of ammo? - I could use them.

No sweat.

Well Joe, here's to your new playmate of the month.

In other words you're telling me that all your hardware is in

mint condition like that piece I'm buying?

Oh, I didn't say that Joe.

But most of it is so good you've got to see it to believe it.

- I'd like to. - I got a call in right now.

Everything works out, you and I are going to take a little Sunday afternoon run.

Oh, where to?

A nice dry place where the climate is good for powder and steel.

You mean the place on the desert?

Excuse me a minute.

Baker here.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

No, sir, not yet.

I understand sir. Welcome.

You know, it'll be easier if I break that down to travel with it.

This piece isn't going anywhere. The deal is off.

- What do you mean? - Just what I said, no deal.

You know your way out.

Wednesday, February 12th, 6:20 p.m.

I picked Bill up from his stakeout position

and since my apartment was on the way back

to the office, we stopped off to telephone the Captain and fill him in.

He said he'd notify the Treasury agents.

- Well it's too bad. - No, it's worse than that.

If that lousy phone call hadn't come when

it did, we'd had the whole piece on a plate.

- Who do you figure was on the other end of that call? - It's hard to tell.

Obviously somebody pretty high up in the Militia.

Could have even been Fielder himself, who knows?

If the Treasury people move in on Baker now at least

there's one machine gun out of circulation.

Yeah. And how many more they got stacked up in that warehouse?

Yeah.

- Well, I'll run the unit on in, check us out. - Right. Thanks.

- See you tomorrow. - Yeah.

If I don't reach for the cyanide.

- Hello Frank. - Joe.

I'm sure you may live in a nice place, but these holes are a little drafty.

Aren't you going to ask me in?

Well sure. It's just that I didn't expect you.

You've got company? I thought I heard voices.

No. Just had the radio on. There's no one here. Come on in.

Bet you never expected to see me, huh?

I just said that Frank.

So you did, Joe, but I'm here and you're seeing me.

Got a little something to drink Joe?

Whatever is left of that bottle of scotch.

Keep it neat. Pour it tall.

You know you don't live far from me.

It's funny I never thought about it before, but you don't.

You got any vacancies here? I just might move in.

You just sip along with me and listen. I got something to tell you.

Go ahead, Frank, I'm listening.

Well what do you think happened to me today? The worse thing in my life.

They threatened to kick me out of the Militia, clean out.

- Is that right? - No. It's not right, but they did it anyway.

Who did it?

Top dog, Commander Kenneth J. Fielder himself.

That's who's on the phone when you were at my place.

- Why? - Why what?

Why did they threaten to kick you out, Frank?

Well, they might as well have kicked out. They demoted me.

I never told you this Joe, but I was the adjutant commander,

four stars down from the commander himself.

Adjutant commander, Joe, of the three western states.

California, Nevada, and Utah.

Sorry to hear that, Frank. Why'd they do it?

You can call me Staff Sergeant Baker from now

on. You know what's that like in the Militia?

I'm a company clerk that's all I am. And just because you and me are friends.

You're helping with that Treasury gun license and me

trying to return the favor by selling you the Thompson.

But Commander Field, he just can't see it that way.

- And you know something Joe? - What's that?

I just missed getting a summary courts martial by that much.

You got a little more there for a friend?

Why are you telling me all this Frank?

Well after you left today, I got to thinking.

Maybe I'll do just like you're doing, maybe I just go into business for myself.

Oh, I'll keep up my duties in the Militia but you and me we

were building something toward the future weren't we?

Maybe. But so far, it's been a little one-sided hasn't it Frank?

I give you a shove down the road with the feds,

but I haven't collected on my side of the favor yet.

Oh, yes you have.

Caliber 45, M1A1.

Same one you saw at my place this afternoon.

All right.

Go easy on yourself, half now and half on payday.

No I can handle it. I got it all.

We're still in business aren't we?

All right, Frank, we are, but what about the competition?

What competition?

Well you and I can split a Thompson between us.

They've got a warehouse full haven't they?

Yeah, they do and I got a backyard full.

Three feet down, wall-to-wall, grenades, detonators,

underwater demolition devices, the works.

My backyard is a king-sized sample case.

A little bit of everything they got buried over in Arizona.

- Arizona? - Yeah, they got a lot of desert down there, Joe.

California doesn't have a corner of it.

You ought to see that place. Cement black wall, three feet thick.

I helped set it myself, 40 feet down.

Now you remember when I first met you, you

mentioned something about the Imperial War Museum?

Well Joe, you ought to see this place. You name it, we got it.

Mortars, 70mm recoilers, rifles, bazookas, anti-tank guns.

We even got 10 500-pound bombs in that place.

That's a warehouse and a half I have Joe.

- Whereabouts in Arizona? - Take highway 12. You go 19 miles to Carstead,

turn left for eight miles of raw sand and there are three red

granite bluffs a quarter of a mile away.

Side in on is dead center.

You come to an old adobe ranch house or what's left of it.

East wall, you step off exactly 40 paces east,

dig down four feet there's a metal trap door.

- That where this came from? - No. That's part of my backyard inventory.

- That's it, huh? - That's the whole ball of wax.

Frank, you're under arrest.

- Who are they? - Agent Courtney, United States Treasury and my partner Gannon.

Uh-huh.

You'd never make it stick Joe. Militia's got good lawyers.

Oh, it'll stick Frank.

Look at it this way.

We're not the only group who believes in a strong America,

there are plenty of others all over the country and they get bigger every day.

I really don't understand you people, Treasury agents, local police.

You ought to understand what we're trying to do!

We do. That's why we're closing you down.

The suspect was found guilty on both federal and local charges

relating to illegal sale and storage of explosives,

illegal possession and sale of automatic weapons,

and possession of stolen government property.

The suspect was found guilty on federal charges relating to

illegal sale and storage of explosives,

illegal possession and sale of automatic weapons,

and possession of stolen government property.