All language subtitles for Meets Gruesome (1947)-Boris Karloff

Hey, what the--?

Tell Melody
to come here.

- But--
- Get moving.

Somebody wants to
see you, Melody.

- So, tell him to look.
- Yeah, well, you'd better look.

He's standing
right over there.

Gruesome! Gruesome!
I'm so glad to see you!

- When did you get out?
- Relax, kid, relax.

Rode the rods all night
to get here.

Oh, swell.
Did you break out?

Good behavior.

- Where can we talk?
- Outside. Come on.

- Hey, you, where are you going?
- Outside. This is my pal.

- You're on the ivories.
- Yeah, yeah, I know. I'll be back.

- Maybe.
- Be back in 10 minutes

or you're
out of business.

With you in town,
that kind of job don't mean nothing.

Do you have
anything in mind?

Yeah,
something really big.

Where is it?

It ain't far.

Only the big boy
ain't OK'd me yet.

- He'll OK me.
- Yeah. Yeah, that's what I figured.

Sounds like
an interesting setup.

With you in on it,
it's worth a million.

Big stuff does
in strange places, eh, Melody?

Here, it grows
out of test tubes.

What do you want,
Melody?

I want to see
the doctor.

I got the right guy
to handle that job for.

- What is your friend's name?
- Gruesome.

Isn't he?

Come in.

Our employer is in the midst
of an experiment.

Your friend
will have to wait.

Go back
and finish your job.

Ah, I don't need
that job now.

Go anyhow,
I'll handle the doctor.

Okay, I'll see you
tonight, huh?

Boy, am I glad
you're in town.

Make yourself
comfortable.

But please
don't touch anything.

No? Why?

It isn't advisable.

Huh.

Melody.

Melody!

Come on,
come on, there, get up!

Oh, come on, come on,
get up outta there.

- What's the trouble, Carney?
- Oh, just another drunk.

This is the fifth time
I've called the wagon tonight.

I'm on my way down to headquarters
to pick up Dick Tracy.

Can I take him along
for you?

- Now that I'd appreciate.
- Well, where is he?

Lying in the doorway
of that joint back there.

Oh!

That's funny, Pat.

Not enough alcohol
to have killed him.

Yet no pulse
and no heartbeat.

So, what did the big lug
die of, a broken heart?

I don't know, but Doc Ross can tell you
tomorrow after the autopsy.

I've been in this racket
a long time,

but I've never seen
anything like this before.

You say he was limp when
you picked him up 10 minutes ago?

Limp as
a playboy's alibi.

Ten minutes later
he's like this.

Then there wasn't time
for rigor mortis to set in.

No time at all. Wanna take
a guess at what's eating him?

Yes, I could guess,
but it wouldn't mean anything.

Except I think
it's a case for Homicide.

Careful of your language, Frankey.
He died in my car.

But he didn't get whatever is
wrong with him in your car.

Right. So, a corpse coming out
of Hangman's Knot's gotta be murder, huh?

Mm, probably.

You say
you found this on him?

Loaded for bear.

And his suit had the feel
of a big-house hand-me-down.

Mm-hmm.
That's sharp observing.

Ain't it?

Why don't you have Tracy
take a look at him?

I think I will.

But if he has the answer
to a drunk turning to stone...

I give up.

- ...happened not once, but several times.
- Hi, Sarge.

I wouldn't go in there
now, Pat, if I was you.

- You mean I shouldn't go in?
- Nobody.

Dick's got
a V.I.P. in there.

- "V.I.P."? Vip?
- A Very Important Personage.

In that case,
I'll knock.

Excuse me, Dick, but I think
I've just brought in a homicide.

Anyway, he's
a mighty funny stiff.

Funny?
I'll be right with you.

- Come over to the morgue, huh?
- Right.

I'm sorry, Dr. Tomic.
Go on.

For instance, when I'd
arrive home at night, I'd find

figures lurking in the shadows
near my house.

- Why didn't you report this sooner?
- I--

Well, I hoped that
my wife and I were wrong.

These people weren't really
stalking me at all.

What makes you
so sure they were?

When two attempts were made
within the week

to run me down
by car.

We have a lot of reckless drivers
in this town, Doctor.

- Yes, I know, but--
- Why do you think someone wanted to kill you?

I don't know.

I've no idea.

Of course,
like many scientists,

I'm working on a new and rare
formula at the university

- all the time--
- Very little we can do for you, Doctor...

but offer you
police protection.

I dislike
troubling you, but...

I am worried.

Well, Chief,
this isn't a case for me,

- so, if you don't mind--
- Run along, Dick.

We'll take care of
the doctor.

I'm sorry
I can't stay,

but my assistant has a slight case
of homicide on his hands.

- Good luck.
- Now see here, Doctor.

Let's review the facts.

Pat?

Pat!

Mmm, did you get
his number?

Sure, sure.
What happened, Pat?

Ohh.

Mm, you're asking me.

I'm sitting here, see,
writing out this report on the stiff.

All of a sudden,
blackout.

Something hit me here--

a crowbar, maybe,
or a small bulldozer.

I don't see how anybody
could have got in here, Dick.

Frankey put the stiff
on this slab.

He was out cold,
just like he is now. Uh--

The stiff, the mug,
where is he?!

Looks like you got a drunk
who woke up, Pat.

He just outfoxed you,
that's all.

Outfoxed me, huh?
I tell you, he was dead!

Aw, don't look at me
like that, Dick.

You know I haven't had so much as
a short beer since I joined the force.

I tell you, I brought in
an absolutely dead stiff.

Okay, but if that's true,
then you're just confused.

There's a stiff
in the other room.

What?
Why didn't you say so?

Come on. What I wanna know is
who moved that st-- sti--?

So, he outfoxed me, did he?
What's that make you?

I admit it, Pat,
he tricked me, too.

One minute, he's dead. The next,
he slugs me, tricked you, and vamoosed.

- Smart man.
- Smart? He's weird.

I tell you,
if I didn't know better,

I'd swear we were
doing business with Boris Karloff.

Looks that way.

Melody!

Did you find him?

Would I be back here
without him if I did?

Oh, that stuff he got
must have killed him.

Nonsense. It was
one of the early experiments

of the doctor's
medical formula.

- But what did it do to him?
- Potent, but harmless.

It just rendered him
helpless.

Helpless?
Oh, that's great!

Gruesome helpless
and the cops hot on his trail?

Exactly.

So, he is of no use
to us any longer.

If he does come back,
you must tell him the deal is off.

What are you talking about?
That guy knows his way around.

He is no good
to us now.

We must be rid of him.
The doctor--

The doctor will be disturbed
by your stupid chatter.

- You'll get rid of who?
- No, please, please, Grues.

He didn't mean it.
He needs you.

- We all need you, Gruesome. Please!
- Exactly.

As the doctor
just said,

you know your business,
but I know mine.

You-- You mean
you spoke to the doctor?

Yes, I've had a talk
with him.

You're a disgraced
doctor of science, correct?

- Yes, but I--
- No, buts.

The doctor stumbled on
a great racket,

but he needs me
to make it work for him.

So, from now on, you two
will do exactly what I say.

Now, get in there,
keep your mouth shut, and listen.

Tomorrow is the most important day
in your stupid lives!

Two and a half minutes to go.

Hey, Harry, come here.

I told you to get that cat outta here.
Now, get him out!

- Afternoon, Miss Trueheart.
- Hello, Mr. Stone.

Ten, 20, 30.

How's Mr. Tracy?

Oh, he's fine, thanks.

- Bye.
- Goodbye.

Look at him.
There's something wrong with him.

And him.

You heard--

X-Ray timed it perfectly--
the air's clear.

Lock the door.

Hey, Gruesome, I wonder if
you looked as silly as they do.

Lock the door!

Boo!

Eh, pardon me, Mac,
do you mind?

What's the matter,
buddy, dandruff?

Melody!

Yeah! Yeah, comin', Grues.

Dick, Tracy,
Homicide, quickly.

Hello, Dick?
Listen.

I'm inside the Grove Street branch
of the First National Bank,

witnessing a robbery.

Dead?

- Frozen?
- Uh-oh.

Okay, honey, don't lose your nerve.
We'll be right there.

This is Tracy.

Notify all cars in the area
of Fourth and Grove--

bank robbery,
First National.

That's X-Ray,
let's get outta here.

Gruesome, there was a dame
in that booth.

So what?
Get going!

Probably died
before he hit the ground.

- Move these people back.
- Move back a little, folks.

Come on, move back, now.
Come on, move back.

- Take care of everything, Jim.
- Okay, Dick.

Tess! Tess, come out of it!

Come out of what?
I'm all right.

Well, she's alive, anyway.

If I hadn't been in the booth,
I'd have gotten it, too.

- But you see--
- Wait a minute.

Payment on Thursday or the bank
will be forced to foreclose.

But, I tell you, I can't.

You heard the man say
they want a cash bonus?

Oh, that's it.

Mr. Crandall?
Mr. Crandall!

The dollar's worth
of change, please.

- Yes, of course.
- Thank you.

Achoo!

Achoo!

You'll have to leave now, sir.
It's three o'clock.

You see, pal?
You were only half dead.

I don't question
your word, Mr. Tracy.

There undoubtedly was a bank robbery,
but not here... not here.

They sent you
to the wrong bank.

Mr. Banks! Mr. Banks!

Over a hundred thousand
dollars has disappeared.

- Oh, that's fine.
- Right under our noses.

What?

This is the most amazing
thing I've ever seen.

Two minutes ago,
everybody was paralyzed...

frozen stiff, and now look at them.
They're perfectly normal.

No one leaves until
everybody's been questioned.

- Line them all up over there.
- Right, Mac.

This way, folks.

- How many men in the stickup crew?
- Two.

- They wear a mask?
- No.

One was coarse-looking
and the other one was--

Fine. Tell me later.

How long was it between
the freezing act and their entrance?

Oh, about a minute.

You mean this
knockout stuff was instant?

"Instess"?
R-Right away?

Well, it couldn't have been
more than two minutes at the most.

- How do you feel?
- All right, Mr. Tracy.

That's what's
so darn queer.

I still can't believe I was out cold
for twelve to fourteen minutes.

Just wait 'til I tell my wife.
When I get home--

Well, right now I'd rather
you told me what you were doing

and how you felt
when this stuff hit you.

Sure, you bet.

Like I was telling
your sidekick here,

I'm standing right here
watching the clock, see?

Not that I'm a clock-watching
guy ordinarily.

- Skip it, pal. Get to the payoff.
- Huh? Oh, yeah, sure.

Well, like I was
telling your sidekick,

you see, it's my wife's sister's
birthday, and I says to myself, I says,

- "Humphrey, when you get home--"
- He was pulling down the shade.

Yeah. That's right.
How'd you know?

Here, like this.

Like this, I was.

Right about there.
No. Here, maybe.

- Well, did you feel yourself slipping?
- Nah, positively no warning at all.

You think you were the first one
affected by this gas?

No. The first man to go
was standing right over there.

- Show me how he was standing.
- All right.

As I remember, he was standing right here
with his coat open, like this.

Well, that's enough. Take him with you, Pat,
and see if you can find that man.

- Come on.
- Or was it like this?

- Relax, gabby, let's find the guy.
- I know that he had one hand sticking up.

Now, let's see.

You had everyone
in the bank checked on.

Everyone. They all have legitimate
addresses-- no suspicious characters.

And you're having
this screwy gas analyzed?

Fred has what was left
in the shell casing.

I expect a report
any minute.

And the getaway car
was stolen?

Picked up on the turnpike--
no distinguishable fingerprints.

The banking commission
is panicky, Dick.

If this gets to
the papers,

they're afraid of a wholesale
run on every bank in town.

I told you
Tracy was busy.

It's okay, Sarge.
Tracy wants to see me, right?

Dick has nothing to say
to the press, Dan.

No? In that case, the press has
a hot word for him-- it's headlines.

- Shall I go?
- It's okay, Sarge.

Thanks. What I have to say
should be private, boys, for your sakes.

- Spill it, Dan, we're busy.
- I know, and stumped.

Fellas, I was the only news hawk
to get to a certain bank

before you had everybody's
mouth buttoned up

like a Westpointer
on inspection.

How much do you know, Dan?

Remember the bank guard
with the aim to gab?

You can't print
a word of it, Dan.

Look, Dick, I play ball usually,
but not with gas bombs.

This'll be the biggest thing to hit the streets
since George Patton broke the Bulge.

This is a war
of a sort, too, Dan...

a war on small investors.

If you break silence
before we can move in,

no bank in the state
can escape a run on it.

- How long do you want?
- Twenty-four hours.

I'll settle for the four
that'll get me in the final edition.

- We won't have a thing in four hours.
- That bad, eh?

Right now we haven't got a lead
that would lead us to bloodhounds.

So, then I think
my readers should know what

- they're up against.
- Give us 'til morning at least, Dan.

Say, Dick, this is
an absolutely unknown chemical.

- We've given it ev--
- Yeah.

Why don't you look
before you yap?

"Unknown chemical.
Twenty people frozen to the spot

"by absolutely unknown chemical
while bank is casually robbed

- "of at least 200 grand."
- It was only a hundred.

- Thanks. That much I didn't know.
- Until morning, Dan, please.

- We don't sell a morning paper, Dick.
- Exclusive, Dan.

- You can sell it to the syndicates.
- To hit the morning rags,

I'd have all the details
by 2:00 a.m.

2:00 a.m.? You highbinder.
Why, that's only 10 hours from now.

- You're quick, Chief.
- Okay, Dan, it's a deal-- 2:00 a.m.

Good luck.

- I'm sorry, Chief.
- I get it.

That ferret could dig salt
out of a big rock-candy mountain.

This chemical is so new,
it isn't even registered.

- Is that it, Fred?
- Yeah, that's right, Dick.

Think Dr. Tomic at State University
could spot it?

Sure,
if anyone could.

Tomic! That's the man who was
complaining about threats on his life.

Yeah.
He's a top-flight physicist.

Look, Chief, with only 10 hours
before the panic hits, it's about--

We have to try.
What else have we got?

Well, there's always
Pat's living corpse, but--

Oh, that--
a shot in the dark.

So is this, but if Tomic can tell us
what it is, then we at least have a lead.

Oh!
May I help you?

Yes, I'm Dick Tracy
from headquarters. I--

Oh, I'm so glad you've come, Mr. Tracy.
Have you any news of him?

- Of whom?
- Well, Dr. Tomic.

Isn't that why
you're here?

But I came to see him.
Is anything wrong?

Why, yes, but I--

I thought you knew.
He's disappeared.

When?

He left home early this morning
and hasn't been seen since.

His wife was very worried and I thought
she reported his absence to you.

It's the first time I've heard of it.
Are you his assistant?

Yes, I'm Professor Learned.

You will find him,
won't you, Mr. Tracy?

We'll certainly try.

Can you think of any reason why
Dr. Tomic would want to disappear?

No.
Uh, what did you have in mind?

Nothing in particular.

Still, I'd like you to check any special
or secret formula he might have been working on...

just to make sure
they haven't been removed.

Of course.
Will you wait here, please?

I'd rather come along
if you don't mind.

Oh, not at all.

Dr. Tomic always keeps his most
valuable formula in that locked cabinet.

They're quite safe there.

You have the keys,
of course.

Yes, but I'm certain
nothing has been disturbed.

Uh, would you open it
anyway, please?

Very well.

Do you know what each
of these bottles contains?

I know their chemical symbols,
if that's what you mean.

Not exactly.

Could any of them, say,
mixed with another chemical,

form a dangerous gas?

I hardly know. These particular ones
are in experimental stages.

Only Dr. Tomic
could tell you that.

How about this clear liquid on the end?
What's its purpose?

I really don't know.
It's so new, it doesn't even have a name.

New, huh?
Is that so?

- Well, I'd like to--
- Oh, please don't touch anything, Mr. Tracy.

At least until
Dr. Tomic returns.

If he returns, huh?

You mean there's a chance
that he won't?

It's part of my job
to see that he does.

You won't mind my taking
a little of this for testing?

Well, I--

I hardly know what to say
in Dr. Tomic's absence.

Perhaps we can
test it here.

In fact, I'd be glad
to test it for you.

- I'd rather take it with me.
- Very well.

You see, there was
a bank robbery today.

Some strange chemical
was employed.

Everyone in the bank
was transfixed...

frozen to the spot.

- Startled?
- Sure.

You see, I work
so close to science,

I have every reason to dread
the creation of such gases.

- I didn't say it was a gas.
- Oh, what else could it be?

I don't know.

But it was a gas.

Doesn't seem to stain
or burn the surface, does it?

No.

Anything in it that will hurt me
if I taste it?

I think not,
but I can't be too sure.

Let's see.

Tastes like water.

Many chemicals do.

Get me an empty bottle
and a rag, will you?

- Professor Learned.
- Yes?

Could a man in Tomic's position
be leading a double life?

Hardly. He's one of the most
respected men in his profession.

That he came to headquarters
complaining of attempts on his life

the night before
he disappeared.

It's been my experience,
Professor,

that that could be
the act of an innocent man...

- or of a man covering his tracks.
- Perhaps.

But not Dr. Tomic.

His whole life is an open book...
beyond suspicion.

- I guess you're right.
- I know I'm right.

Well, thank you, Professor.
I'll be back when I have this analyzed.

Very well, Mr. Tracy.

- But it isn't water.
- Probably not.

You've been a big help.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye, Mr. Tracy.

I still say
you didn't have to shoot him.

But, Gruesome, he saw us
coming out of the bank.

Seeing and identifying weeks,
maybe months later,

are two different things.

- But I still--
- You're just a trigger-happy young mug.

You always were.
Better get over it.

You're a fine guy
to be bawling me out.

Useless killing
is dangerous.

Well, it's about time.

Yeah, we thought
maybe you took a powder.

- Hardly.
- That's good.

- Gruesome hates welchers.
- I don't hate dead ones, Melody.

Our employer is
a man of honor.

There's one for you...

- one for you.
- What are these, Valentine's?

The doctor is
very business-like.

That is
your remuneration.

- Mine's kind of thin, ain't it?
- Not much thinner.

Gruesome got a bonus
for not killing a policeman.

- How do you like that?
- We don't like it.

We don't like it
at all.

Go back and tell your employer
I'm not an employee,

I'm a partner.
I want 50%.

- But what about me?
- I'll pay you more than you're worth.

Goodbye, X-ray.

- Well, I'll ask him.
- No, tell him.

Fifty percent
on everything.

Very well.

Oh, uh, our employer
told me to tell you

he wishes you would not come
to the laboratory anymore.

- At all?
- At all.

I see.

Tell him
I'll do what he says

- for exactly 15 minutes,
- Oh, please, I--

unless, of course,
you're back within that time

with half the take.

Better hurry, X-ray.

Gruesome,
you're terrific.

Remember that, Melody.

Sure, Gruesome.
Sure, sure.

We, uh, found him
right about here, Dick.

Well, let's take
a look around inside.

Maybe we'll get a line
on something.

Gruesome,
the police.

Hey, you.

It's him, Dick!

Yeah, that's the guy,
all right.

Melody. Melody!

I'll take him, Dick.
I owe him something.

- Pat, where are you?
- Here.

- Are you all right?
- Hmm? Yeah.

It was him, Dick,
that drunken stiff.

- Well, where did he go?
- He got away.

Well, that's a lead, anyway.
What happened to you?

What happened to me?

I was standing right over there,
and all of a sudden, I was a-- a--

No.
I'm not gonna tell you.

Come on, Pat,
what happened to you?

Okay.

I was bit by a tiger.

Ooh, that tiger!

You're sure that you can
identify this man, Tess?

Yes, I'm positive
he's one of the bank robbers.

Good. Now, if he'll only live
long enough to start talking.

Dick, we've run it up some
of the people who were in the bank.

- They're out in the hallway.
- Okay, Pat, bring them in.

Tess, you better wait
in the chief's office.

All right.

Tess did identify him.

Yes, but that's
not enough.

We've got to find
one of those bank witnesses

who saw him in or around
the bank about 2:45.

Why 2:45?

Couldn't he have planted the bomb
at 2:30, or even before that?

No. The janitor emptied
the waste baskets at 2:45,

so, if anyone saw this bird in the bank
after that time, he planted the bomb.

- Nurse!
- What's wrong?

Oh, he can't
die on us now.

Get those people in here,
Pat... quick.

Okay, folks.

Sorry, Dick,
you'll have to leave.

He's much too ill
to have anyone in here now.

- But just two minutes, Doc!
- I can't do it!

He only has
a 50-50 chance as it is.

Well, that's that.

Have those people go to my office, Pat.
We'll do what we can.

Okay, folks, let's go.

First of all, now, I want to
thank you people for coming.

Now I'd like to ask you
a few simple questions.

Does anyone
recognize this man?

I'm sure I never
saw him before.

Well, now,
I'm a bank guard, you see--

- We know that.
- Of course you do.

You know that bank guards
have to be observing.

Now, if that man was at the bank,
it stands to reason I'd remember him, don't it?

- It does. Do you?
- No.

I, uh, could be wrong,
Mr. Tracy,

but I think that man passed me
at the bank door.

I think he was coming out
as I was going in.

Do you happen to recall
what time that was, Mr. Thal?

Yes, I do. I looked up
at the clock as I came in.

It was exactly
ten minutes to three.

Good.

Turn around, Luke.

Obviously, this man wearing
the bandit's clothes is not the bandit.

This is a drawing
of the actual man.

Would you say you'd seen
this man before, Mr. Thal?

I'm almost certain

that's the face of the man
who passed me at the bank door.

Thank you.
Anyone else see him?

- No.
- No.

All right.
That's all.

Oh, one thing more.

Please don't any of you discuss
this case with the newspapers.

It's very important.

In fact, I'd rather you didn't
discuss it with anyone for a day or two.

- And thank you again.
- Yes, sir.

- We're going out now, bub.
- Ah, but I'm coming in.

I've still got six hours, Dan,
and nothing to say.

Nothing to say about
a top-flight scientist who's missing?

Hello?
You're talking Greek, Dan.

- Uh, yes, Chief.
- Don't give me that.

You knew Tomic was missing
before I did.

Just a minute, Chief.
I've got the human ferret in my office.

Tomic?
Who's Tomic?

A physicist, my boy, with an assistant
named Learned, remember?

I'm giving his disappearance
a build-up tonight, Dick.

Wait a minute, Dan!

I'll call you later, Chief.

You gave me your word, Dan.
And I still have six hours left.

Then you do think Tomic is
involved in the bank robbery?

I honestly don't know.

But if he is and you publish his disappearance,
it might spoil everything for me.

All right, six hours, but I get first break
at anything you uncover, right?

Right, Dan.
Keep your nose clean.

- Hello, Tess.
- Hello, Dan. What's new?

Ask your boyfriend.

- Dick, this ready report--
- Hold it, Fred.

Oh. You again.

- Goodbye, Dan.
- Be seeing you...

in about five hours
and twenty-two minutes.

- Dick, this is the--
- Quiet.

I think I know what you were
going to tell me, anyway.

I should see a certain professor
at State University right away, correct?

- Correct, and quick.
- I'll see you later, honey.

But we had a date
for dinner.

I'm having mine
with a professor.

Oh. Well, since
it's only a professor...

A beautiful
feminine professor.

And you expect me to be here
when you get back?

No.

- Then I will be.
- That's what I thought.

- Goodbye, Dick.
- Goodbye.

Oh, Lee,
where have you been?

It's over an hour
since I talked with you.

I'm sorry,
I had important business.

You look worried, dearest.
What's the trouble?

That chemical
I stole for you...

what did you do with it?

All right.

I used it for my
anesthetic experiments.

What do you suppose?

I suppose you either gave it
or sold it to a gang of bank robbers.

What are you
talking about?

The police are analyzing
the water I substituted

for the formula
I stole for you.

Well, what of it?

The moment Dr. Tomic returns,
they'll--

they'll know
I substituted the water.

Oh, we'll be
far away by then.

What if he returns now,
tonight?

He won't, Irma.

- You've done something to him.
- He's perfectly safe.

He'll return home in due time...
quite unharmed.

Oh.

I can't.
I can't go through with it.

That detective, I-I--

I can't go on lying to him,
I don't know how.

It won't be for long.

He had hardly left when a--
when a reporter came.

He asked me so many questions, I--
I didn't know where I was.

- Did he ask about Tomic?
- Of course.

Splendid.

His disappearance
will make headlines.

Tracy and his cops will be
forced into a manhunt

that'll leave us
in the clear.

I won't help blacken
the character of a decent man.

I can't.

Very well.

Tell them.

Tell them everything.

Is that what
you want, Irma?

Oh, darling,
you know it isn't, but...

can't we do something?

Can't we go away?
Now, tonight.

Police have requested
that I don't leave town--

- your friend Tracy.
- Tracy? Why, how--

Do you think I put that formula
in the hands of thugs?

I place it
in the bank myself.

You didn't.

You couldn't.

I had to, Irma.

I tell you, with Tomic missing,
we're in the clear.

There isn't a thing
to worry about, dearest.

I'll drive you to within
a block of your house, hm?

No, I'll walk
to the cabs, dear.

We can't risk
being seen together.

Good evening.

Why, Mr. Tracy.

How did you get here?

It was easy...
illegal, too.

Illegal?
What is?

My breaking into your place
and searching your things without a warrant.

I should think so.

Why did you do it?

Why did you tell me I wouldn't
find water in that bottle?

You didn't?

You're a biochemist. Why try to pretend
you didn't know what was in that bottle?

You forget, Mr. Tracy,

you tasted whatever
was in it, not I.

- I was so sure it wasn't water that I--
- Why?

Why?

Because I can see no reason why
Dr. Tomic would make such a substitution.

Neither can I.
In fact, I don't think he did.

But obviously,
he had to.

- He and I are the only two people--
- Who have a key to that lock.

So, I say you made
the substitution...

not Tomic.

If what you found in that bottle
really was water...

and you're not
just trying to trick me

because of some fantastic notion
that I'm mixed up with bandits...

then all I can say is...

Dr. Tomic put it there,
I didn't.

And, uh...

might I suggest that you spend
your time looking for him

insead of badgering me?

I'm badgering you because I think
you know something about his disappearance.

Either you're shielding him
or you're shielding someone else.

Why?
Why should I?

Do I look like the kind of person
who goes around

shielding bank robbers
and murderers?

Frankly, no.

But I think you got in
over your head.

And now you don't see
any way out but lying.

I'm not lying!

I think you are!

Consider this,
Professor.

Whoever got ahold of that formula
will stop at nothing to keep it.

Murdering a bank guard
is only the beginning.

Right now
they're accused of murder.

If you're involved in it,
you're an accessory to murder,

and your only chance of getting less than hung
is to play ball on the right team.

But I tell you,
I don't know anything.

I heard you
the first time.

Just the same, whe I leave here,
I advise you to get in touch with someone.

- Who?
- Whomever you're shielding.

Tell him that no amount
of money or fame

or love or whatever
it is you're doing it for

is worth putting
your neck in a noose.

That's a nice neck,
Professor...

but that murdered
bank guard had four kids.

They liked his
pretty well, too.

You cover the back.
If she doesn't come out in two hours,

- go back to headquarters.
- Right.

- Hello?
- Hello, Lee?

You shouldn't call here.
And don't call me by name.

I can't stand it.

You-- You-You've
got to take me away.

I tell you, there's nothing
o worry about, dearest.

You'll feel better
after you've had some sleep.

I can't, Lee.

I'm going to tell them
the truth.

You can't do that,
not yet, dearest.

It's risky, but perhaps
we'd better leave town tonight.

Uh, but I thought
you said you couldn't.

Perhaps
I can find a way.

But you must meet me at once
and talk this out.

It's no use.
They know too much.

Very well, Irma.

If we don't figure a way out, I'll...
I'll go to the police with you.

But we must
talk first, Irma.

I'm not in this alone.

Meet me at 6th and Park
in ten minutes.

Walk there and be sure
you're not followed.

Goodbye.

You can't meet her,
of course.

What are you
doing here?

- I told you--
- I'm telling you.

You can't meet her.
The cops saw you in the bank.

This is a frame-up
between the girl and the police.

- Oh, mustn't she--
- She's frightened, and so are you.

Listen.

- I'll meet her.
- You're know to the police, too.

I've handled them before.
Give me the keys to your car.

All right,
but don't bring her here.

Oh, sure not.

Say...

you spoke of a cottage
on Brand Lake.

Yes, that's it.
Take her there.

Route 76, Cottage 14.

Just off the road.
Tell her I'll be up later tonight.

You'll convince her
she mustn't go to the police?

Oh, yes,
I must do that.

You're right.
We must.

- Gruesome.
- Yeah?

Take care of her.
She's all I have.

Sure, sure.

I understand.

- Better get rid of that car quickly.
- Why? What's wrong with it?

- Where is she?
- Picked up some bullet holes on the way.

She is dead.

I told you
to get rid of that car.

- Hm.
- You-- You killed her.

- You killed her!
- What do you suppose I do?

She was leading Tracy
directly to you.

- Oh, no, she wouldn't.
- I say she was,

but right now we've got to
get rid of the evidence here--

all of it,
you understand.

Now, go start that fire.

- Must there be more killings?
- If we have to.

We've got to get Melody
out of that hospital tonight,

- and then clear out of here.
- I've been to the hospital.

He's in a coma.

The doctor wouldn't even let him be seen.
He'll be dead by morning.

- You're certain of that?
- As certain as I can be.

Good.
Then we're in the clear.

- You don't care about anyone, do you?
- Listen, if you want to stay alive,

you'll do as I say.
Now, start that fire.

- I'll be inside.
- You expect me to use that fire?

Call me
when it's ready.

What would you do
without me?

I'd even find Dan
and romance him

if you thought it would
give you a little more time.

Thanks,
but he's already married...

to a typewriter.

There's one consolation, though.
Those crooks are just as worried as I am.

That killing that girl was
an act of cold-blooded desperation.

Do you think
Dr. Tomic had her shot?

That's anybody's guess.

- You trace the license number?
- Sure. Stolen plates.

But if you put two bullets
into the back end of that car,

we'll pick it up
in no time.

Time is something
I'm fresh out of.

If Dr. Carver could only fix up
those other two crooks so they could talk.

Said he'd call me in ten minutes.

It's been fifteen.

This is Tracy.

What about that
smashed-up piano player?

- Just died.
- What?

- When?
- About ten minues ago.

- Thanks.
- Oh, no.

We could have
sweated it out of that guy.

But he had to go
die on us, too.

Well...

dead men
tell no tales.

What did you say?

- I said dead men tell no--
- But sometimes they do, Tess.

- Sometimes they do.
- Where are you going?

See the chief...

get an okay on an idea that'll make Dan
and these papers think I'm a prime heal.

- Here he comes. Now's the time.
- Isn't there some other way to--

No, not unless you want to
end up joining Tomic.

Where's the good doctor?

- Why in there?
- Ah.

- Called the hospital?
- Yes. No change.

Good. I'll stay here.
Let me know if he's alive or dead.

It's dangerous
to hide you here.

Dangerous?
For whom?

All of us. The police have
tried to trace the driver of my car.

Oh.

I'll stay here.

Very well.

There's a small bedroom in there.
You may use it.

And there's whiskey
in my desk.

True hospitality.

Oh, Doctor...

why did you close
that window?

- The smoke from the incinerator.
- I see.

Won't you join me
in a drink?

- I never indulge.
- Uh-huh.

- Doctor.
- Yeah?

Come on in and join me,
won't you?

No, thank you.

Come on in,
both of you.

Listen, Doctor, the smoke is
blowing away from that window.

Now, what are you
trying to pull?

All right. All right, Gruesome.
Hold everything.

X-Ray,
get rid of that bomb!

Don't move, X-Ray!

Don't shoot me,
Gruesome, please, I--

News flash. Dangerous bank robbers
expected to be rounded up within 12 hours.

Homicide's famous
Dick Tracy

has just revealed that one of the robbers
of the Grove Street Branch

of the First National Bank
has been captured.

after suffering severe injuries
in a wild chase by the police.

- He's alive.
- Five minutes ago,

Tracy reported that the injured
bandit will be able to talk by morning.

He added, and I quote,

when this man talks,
we will round up

the most dangerous gang of criminals
in this city's history.

We now return you
to the piano--

That announcement
saved your life, X-Ray.

- What? I-- I--
- I need you.

We've gotta get Melody
out of that hospital.

But that's a police hospital.
Why not leave him there?

Yeah?

To talk and spoil
a perfect setup?

No.
We gotta risk it.

- What about him?
- What about him?

He's dead and Melody isn't,
worst luck. Go on!

- 'Evening.
- 'Evening.

Got a call for
a docking in 312.

- We came to pick him up.
- Uh, wait a minute.

What's the name
of that surgeon again?

Major Allen,
291st General.

He's new to me.

So are you, fella.

Just been transferred
from out west.

Oh, well, go on up.
There, do you know how to work it?

Like the fingers
on my hand.

That's the gorilla,
all right.

They came in army ambulance.
Gimme the phone, Pop.

This is it.
They're on their way up.

Roger.

Don't stop them
coming down, either, Pop.

You wait here.

If anybody questions you,
remember where you're from.

- 291st General.
- Right.

I'm sorry,
no one allowed in there.

I have orders to take his temperature
every four hours.

- Yeah?
- That's right.

- Well, in that case, I'll go in with you.
- All right.

- How are you, Melody?
- Mmm.

Why do we bother
getting birds like him well

just so we can
kill him?

- Odd, isn't it?
- Yeah.

- Uh, lost?
- Me? Hardly.

Just waiting for them to, uh...

- Just waiting.
- Oh.

- Hey.
- What's the matter?

This man is running
a dangerously high temperature.

You'd better
send for the doctor.

Not me, buddy.
My orders are to stay right here.

In that case,
I'll do it myself.

That's a good idea.

- What happened?
- It's in the wastebasket, Tim.

- You want me to throw it out?
- No, leave it there.

I know, but if this stuff makes
people freeze the way you say it does,

I won't be
of any help to you.

- That's right.
- I know, but you're unarmed.

I don't like this.

Hey, this stuff
has started to smoke.

It's should.

Mr. Tracy.

I'm beginning...

to feel funny.

So am I...

Tim.

So am I.

Should be clear now.

Yes, I understand.

Mr. Patton told me
to let them go.

Huh?

You're right.
Here they come.

Oh, sure.
Patton saw the ambulance.

Right, sir.
Bye.

- Oh, I see you got your man.
- Thanks. We did.

Say, who do you guys
think you are, parking here?

- Can you read?
- Sorry, we didn't see the sign.

"Didn't see the sign."
What kind of excuse is that?

Who are you guys?
Where are you from?

- 291st General Hospital.
- What?

291st.
Will you please step aside?

General, huh?
That was my old outfit.

And they sold these '41 crates
a month ago.

- Where'd you pick it up?
- Look here, this man is dying.

Yeah, and I got a rush call.
So what?

You know what I think?

I think you guys are
a couple of cadavre snatchers.

I'm going to take
a look at this stiff.

- No, wait. The other one.
- But this is ours.

That one won't be
spotted so quickly.

Put him in that one.

- I hope nothing went wrong.
- What could?

Tim would never
leave Dick.

Hey.

Here comes
an ambulance up.

Shall I flash
the rest of the boys?

No, they're driving
an army crate.

That one belongs to
the city hospital.

That was a clever
piece of work, Gruesome.

It almost misfired.

Thol told you that corporal's
name was Joseph Duncan.

It was really John.

How is he?

He's still under
the effects of the gas.

Start up the fire.

Doctor Melody, too?

Start up the fire.

What's the matter, bud?

Ask the guy
who stole his crate.

- And mine!
- Yeah?

You mean a big mug
and a little guy with glasses?

Yeah, with a patient
on a litter.

Well, I'll be a--

That gorilla
outsmarted me again.

They pulled a switch.

We've got to follow
that white ambulance.

- How do you know where it went?
- Huh? That's right.

Sparks,
this is Patton.

Put all cars on the lookout
for a white city hospital ambulance.

Get that?
Yeah.

It's carrying two killers
and Tracy unarmed.

X-Ray!

You're ending up here,
Tracy.

I'm not gonna
come in after you.

I don't have to.

Remember the bank?

You've got about
60 seconds left.

There's no other exit, Tracy.

This is the end
of the line.

So, this is the baby
that caused all the trouble, huh?

Yes. That's the last of those
devilish gas bombs, Pat.

Soon as Dan has had a look at it,
we'll file it the archives of lethal weapons.

- I wanna see you, Tracy.
- Well, take a good look, Dan.

What's the idea of selling me out
to those radio vultures.

You made me a promise.

Promise?
Who is this fella, Pat?

Don't know.
I never saw him before.

You promised me
an exclusive story!

Story?
What story, sir?

He could mean the story of the capture
of a gang of bank robbers, Dick.

Capture?
When? Where?

It's all here
and it's all true.

- Gimme that.
- Okay, Dick?

- In about 25 seconds, Pat.
- Sorry, can't wait.

- Maybe I ought to tell you about it, Dan.
- Some other time.

- Aren't you going to read it?
- Gotta make that deadline.

This is the biggest story
I ever had me think to do.

Dick!