All language subtitles for Vicki (1953).eng

- Here they come.
- What happened?

- Somebody get killed?
- Model on the fourth floor.

- Oh! I didn't...
- Who did it?

I hope the weather holds out.

Ed Cornell. Single room.
I made a reservation.

Oh, yes. Of course.
Will you register, please, Mr. Cornell?

Can't offer you much
excitement around here, Mr. Cornell.

- Not this time of the year.
- I'm not lookin' for much excitement.

I just wanna sleep...
for a week.

Well, it's very, very quiet here.

Boy! Boy.

321.

I wanna talk to New York.

- Headquarters.
- Go ahead, 14.

Homicide. Go ahead.

Homicide.

- It's for you, sir.
- Who is it?

Cornell.

Ed, you're on vacation. I don't wanna
see you around here for another week.

Chief, I'm comin' back.
I want that Lynn case.

Oh, now, Ed, look. You're knocked out.
You're overworked. S-Stay away.

You know my record. You know how many
convictions I brought into that department.

I've never let you down.
I've never been wrong.

- You know I was never wrong.
- Yeah. Yeah, I know.

I worked in this department for 15 years.
I never let you down.

Ed, yes, I know your record
as well as you do.

It-It's great, but you're not
the only man in the department.

Have you read the papers?

- See what they say about the department?
- Sure. The papers are after us.

- Doesn't look fine on the records.
- I can read too, you know.

- I'm comin' back, and you can't talk me out of it.
- Ed...

- Are we gonna...
- It's my case!

- Ed, will...
- It's my case!

- All right. If you wanna kill...
- You can't talk me out of it.

- It's my case.
- I said, if you wanna kill yourself, okay.

- It's my case!
- It's your case.

I don't know why you're such
an eager beaver about this, Cornell.

Pretty girl.

I don't like to see
a pretty girl get knocked off.

Didn't think
you ever looked at one.

- Suspects?
- Yeah.

The boys are talking
to a couple of them now downstairs.

- Who's that?
- Her sister, Jill Lynn.

That's Robin Ray, the actor.
He took her out a few times.

There's a newspaper guy, Larry Evans.
He used to plug her in his column.

That's Steve Christopher, publicity man.
He gave her the big buildup.

This one...

This one's my baby.

- I didn't do it.
- You're a liar.

Why'd you do it?

I didn't kill Vicki.

- Why did you do it?
- He just asked me that.

And we'll keep on asking.

We know you did it.
We wanna know why.

- Anything?
- Nothing yet.

Might be different
now that you're here, sir.

- Hello, Mac.
- Hi.

All right.

- There was another guy, wasn't there?
- You were jealous.

- No.
- She told you about him.
- You got sore.

- Then you grabbed her, hit her, killed her!
- No, no. No, no!

- Sit down.
- All right. Hold it there. Give 'im a cigarette.

Pretty boy.

That's better.
Now let's hear the whole story.

- I told it all once.
- Tell it again. Tell it to me.

- You wanna answer up, fella.
- How'd you meet Vicki Lynn?

Go ahead, Christopher.
Tell him.

I'd come from
the opening night of a show...

with Larry Evans, the columnist.

We were... We werejust walking.
Going nowhere.

Why do they call it a comedy? His wife
hates him, loses his money. The kid steals.

- Brutal.
- Just brutal.

- I hope Robin isn't waiting up for the notices.
- Robin oughta get back...

to those gypsy baron parts.

- As a light comedian, this man's nowhere.
- I'll tell ya one thing.

Good notices or bad,
this thing's gonna run.

- Are you kidding?
- This thing's gonna run. You know why?

Robin's still a big
draw in this town.

He's got what impresses them:
a name, publicity.

Knockin' your own trade,
aren't ya?

Maybe, but the point is,
I sold him to the public...

and they'll go and see him.

- They like to see famous people.
- Whereas, me...

sometimes I like to look
at a completely new person.

- Nice. Coffee?
- Nice. Coffee.

Robin Ray's been sold to the public
like any successful product.

- Like a brand of coffee.
- Well, who's to blame for that?

Well, the point is,
it can be done.

You can sell 'em anything
if you go about it right.

Then why waste time
on a cornball like Robin Ray?

Well, that's simple.
He pays me.

- My job is to...
- Cream and sugar?

No, thanks. Just black.
We're in mourning.

- Saw a show, huh?
- In a manner of speaking.

You're lucky. Working nights,
you never get to see anything.

Probably a frustrated actress.
Are you a frustrated actress?

Nope. No talent.
No ambition.

No ambition, huh?
You could do better than this.

- You're pretty.
- She's prettier than Robin Ray.

What's wrong with this?
It's my first job in New York.

They treat me all right.
I get Saturdays and Sundays off.

And tired feet. Haven't you thought about
making a stab at something else?

- This lad could help you.
- Your coffee's getting cold.

Look, uh...

I'm gonna give you my address here.

Uh, this is my office.

And, if you're interested,
I wish you'd stop around sometime.

My card.

"Steve Christopher, public relations."

- Public?
- Strictly.

Well, thank you.
I'll put it in my file.

He means it. It's just
his way of saying...

that you don't belong
in a place like this.

Sure. How many guys
come in and tell you that?

You're the very first... tonight.

I never expected to see her again...

but the next day
she turned up at the office...

and she was wrong
about no ambition.

She was loaded with it...

right from the beginning.

That night, I took her to the Club Capri
to show her off to caf� society.

She did all right.

In fact, she was the toast
of the table.

- Well, Edwina, Steve.
- Hi, darling.

There's someone here
you simply must meet... Vicki Lynn.

- Hi, Vicki. We've met.
- Hi.

I'd gone on the line
for some fancy clothes for her.

Well, it didn't hurt to have
Larry Evans show up...

and make like he and Vicki
were old friends.

Still, I had to admit
that Vicki had what it takes.

- Tell us all the gossip.
- Why, you can read it tomorrow in my column, Edwina.

I know. He's afraid to repeat it
in mixed company.

You're doing great.

You sure? Every once in a
while, I have an impulse...

to get up and clear the table.

Fight it.

- Oh, Robin Ray.
- Mr. Ray, hello.

- How do you do? Hello, Steve.
- Hello, Robin.

- Oh, hello, darling.
- Hello, my dear.

Well, Robin, obviously you're here for
one reason. Miss Lynn, may I present...

Robin Ray, star of stage,
screen and toothpaste endorsements.

- Hello.
- How do you do?

He looks even younger in person.

You know, Steve,
I could grow very fond of this girl.

- While you're growing,
how about standing still for a picture?
- Wonderful.

I don't know if I was jealous of Robin.

Maybe I was already
thinking of Vicki as my property.

Anyway, I didn't like
his moving in like that.

So, I took care of the situation
by moving Vicki out.

I asked her to dance.
Robin wasn't happy...

but at that moment
I wasn't concerned about Robin.

I had plans for Vicki...

things I wanted
to discuss with her.

I didn't want Robin
panting down our necks while we talked.

- You'd better be thinking of taking me home.
- Hello.

- It's almost midnight.
- Hi.

Say, midnight's never been a reason
to go home.

Remember Cinderella?

This is all wonderful,
but the ball's almost over...

and tomorrow I'll be back
clearing those tables.

You're wrong, Vicki.
The ball is just beginning.

Your picture in the paper with Robin,
plugs in Larry's column...

you're on your way.

And with me promoting you, well,
you can be the town's top model...

to start with, and from there...

Well, we'll see when you get there.

- Then last night wasn't just...
- A gag?

Maybe it was... then.
But promotion's my business, Vicki...

and I know you can make it.

Oh, it'll be hard work,
but it's yours...

if you want it.

Of course I want it, Steve.

You said last night
you had no ambition.

Last night, I didn't have you.

Then it's a deal?
Let's drink to it.

Oh.

- Nothing for me.
- A brandy, please.

Now, then, I want you
to repeat after me.

- I, Vicki Lynn...
- I, Vicki Lynn...

- do solemnly swear...
- do solemnly swear...

to wear the clothes,
say the things, go to the places...

and be the girl
that Steve Christopher orders.

End of oath.

That Steve Christopher orders.
End of oath.

She was so nervous, she started
to get up when Robin came along.

- Oh, Steve.
- No, no, no.

The price tag coming out of the glove.
That was the great touch.

Oh, stop teasing her.
She was wonderful.

- Thanks.
- Of course she was.

Harry, can I have my key?

- It's right there.
- Give the lady her key, Harry.

Thanks.

Well, Vick, brace yourself
and get ready.

Tomorrow we launch
the promotional campaign of the century.

Get used to seeing
your name in the paper.

I'll make it a habit
in the column.

I feel like Vicki Lynn,
Incorporated.

Well, meet the new stockholder.

Who let you into this corporation?

- I did.
- Mm-hmm.

She could do a lot worse
than have her name tied up with mine.

- I don't see how.
- We'll take that up at the board meeting now.

Sorry.

Well, I wish I could
ask you up, but...

But Cinderella
has a cruel stepmother?

No. Cinderella has a sister...

sound asleep.

Well, good night,
and thanks for everything.

I'll be around first thing
in the morning, Vick.

I'll be waiting.

Sister?
I hate girls with sisters.

But, in her case,
you'll make an exception.

But, still, it could be worse.
Some girls have husbands, I hear.

And I know where you heard it...
from their husbands.

Hey, how'd you like
to give me back my magazine?

Sure, Harry.

- You had to get rough with the kid.
- I didn't get rough.

I just didn't like him.

Let's say you were quick-tempered...
the way a killer'd be.

When his girl threw him over.

Ah-ah, that temper'll
get you into trouble, Christopher.

- Then try talking sense.
- That's what you're here for.

What made you so sure you could
make anything out of Vicki Lynn?

Look, promotion's my business.

She had looks. She was young. She had
a good figure. What more do you want?

- I want the truth.
- You're hearing it.

Give it to me again
and give it to me straight.

I'm checking everything you say.

- Has anyone done any talking?
- Yeah, the lieutenant.

- Vicki Lynn was your sister?
- Uh-huh.

How long have you lived
in New York?

A little over two years.

- And your sister?
- Ten months.

She came here
from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania...

after Mom died...

to live with me.

I wanted to see more of her,
but I didn't.

- Why was that?
- Oh, she...

Well, you see, I work days.

I'm a public stenographer
at the Wilton Hotel on 44th Street.

I work days, and Vicki worked nights
at the cafeteria.

We just kept different hours.
That's all.

What do you know
about Steve Christopher?

Well, not much...

except that he was the one
that gave her all those big ideas...

about being a celebrity.

Oh, I know that was his business,
but just the same...

When did this start?

Well, the first I knew
about it was one night...

when I'd brought a lot
of work home from the office.

It got very late,
and I guess I must've fallen asleep.

Vicki?

- Uh-huh.
- What time is it?

Oh, I don't know.
It must be late.

How's the job? Guys still
peeking through the window at you?

They weren't peeking
tonight, honey.

- They were staring.
- Well, I don't blame them.

Hey! Wha...
What is this?

- You like it?
- Well, sure. I love it...

but I must be dreaming.

- What happened?
- Everything.

Compliments of the house.

I've been waltzing at the Club Capri...

and I had my picture
taken with an actor, Robin Ray...

and Larry Evans, the columnist,
sat right at our table.

And, Jill,
I'm gonna be a model!

- Oh, honey, you must be dreaming.
- No, it's all true...

and I'm never going back
to that dirty ol'job at the cafeteria.

What did you say?

I've been wasting my time, Jill.

I've just found out
I can be somebody.

Well, that did it. That woke me up.

Vicki, you can't be serious
about giving up your job.

Sure I can. I was only waiting around
for something better to turn up.

Men wanna look at me...
let them pay for it.

Vicki Lynn, you've gone
right out of your mind.

No. I'm using my head.

Besides, I'm not doing this all on my own.
I've got a sponsor.

If that means what it meant
in Harrisburg, it's out.

Oh, no. Silly. Really,
I've got three sponsors.

There's Robin and there's Larry
and there's Steve Christopher.

Actually, it was Steve's idea.

Well, just who is
this Steve Christopher?

Oh! Everybody knows who Steve is.

He's a publicity man... a promoter.

Sounds a little bit to me...

like he might be promoting himself
to the head of the class.

Oh, that isn't it at all.
This is strictly business.

Vicki, come here. Honey.

Remember, when Mom died,
we promised to look out for each other.

I don't wanna ever stand
in your way or anything like that...

but don't you think this is
all a little sudden and foolish?

- Oh, why should I think that?
- Oh, honey.

Important people
like this-this Steve Christopher...

and the others, what do they want
with people like us?

But, Jill, they're helping me.

- In what way?
- They're gonna make me a glamour girl.

l- I know all this
started as a gag...

but, after the way things went tonight,
I know I can get to the top... and fast.

Oh, honey, sometimes
things can happen too fast.

Your face can be
on a magazine cover one week...

and be in the ash can the next.

Oh, Vicki, dear.

I know I sound stuffy.
I don't mean to.

I just wanna make sure
that you're sure.

You know, sometimes, when you get
started on something like this...

th-there's no turning back.

I know what you mean, Jill,
but I am sure.

I've got the face
and the figure for it.

Steve said so.

There's so many things I want.

Now I know how to get them.

Okay. Well, if it's the face and figure
that are going to do it...

we'd better put
the bankroll to bed.

- Vicki, I think that man is here.
- Get it, will you?

I'm just putting on a dress.

- Morning. You're Vicki's sister?
- Vicki is my sister.

Well, I'm Steve Christopher,
and, uh, you can put the weapon down.

- I'm harmless.
- I wonder.

- May I come in?
- Oh, by all means. Enter.

Thank you.

I'm afraid you won't find anything
very elegant, but we call it home.

You know, most homes have a welcome mat.

I'll put one in
when I'm sure it belongs.

- Look, if you're worried about Vicki...
- Why shouldn't I be?

You should see her. She's up in
the air, she's quitting her job...

and for what?

For this...
just for a beginning.

Well.

Where are you in this?

Oh, I don't believe in that
for myself.

- I'm not publicizing Steve Christopher.
- Mm. Modesty?

No, business.

- Ah, here's our glamour girl.
- Good morning, Steve.

- Morning.
- That's some dress you put on.

Oh! Look, it's me!

Mm-hmm.
And there's more.

Larry Evans's column.
Lead item.

"Vicki Lynn, a new face
with that old magic."

Three model agencies after me.
Is that right, Steve?

No, but Monday there will be.
Five of them, after this.

Steve Christopher,
you're a genius.

- Isn't he wonderful, Jill?
- The final vote isn't in yet.

From that day on, Steve Christopher
saw to it that she was seen everywhere.

First it was just a few
of the smart magazines...

and then it was nearly all of the
magazines at one time or another.

After that,
it was subway posters...

and then billboards...
she was everywhere.

Steve Christopher
didn't miss a bit.

In a few months, he even had Vicki
singing at the Club Capri.

Steve worked hard for her.
I'll have to admit that.

And he protected her
when she needed it...

even while he was
pushing her ahead.

Everything that pleased her
seemed to please him...

until one night
about two months later.

There was an argument.

You don't have to stay
if you don't want to, you know.

I've always liked fireworks.
I wanna be here when they go off.

Joe, pour me a drink,
will you, dear?

- Make it two?
- No, thanks.

- Soda, Miss Lynn?
- No, just straight.

Why should there be fireworks?
They've got nothing to beef about.

- Steve especially.
- Why not let Steve decide that when he gets here.

I don't see why
you're taking Steve's side.

- Unless...
- Unless what?

Unless, maybe
you're in love with him.

- Vicki, how could you?
- I just said maybe.

But, if it is true, you oughta
be happy about all this.

With me out of the way,
you'll have him all to yourself.

- I'm going home!
- You'd better wait.

We've got company.

- Steve, darling!
- Hello, Vicki.

- Oh, Larry.
- Hello, Vicki.

- Hello, Jill.
- Hello.

- Well, what's the deal, Vick?
- You'd better sit down. You won't have so far to fall.

Well, something terrible's happened.

I don't know quite how to begin.

It's rather embarrassing.

I know you've both
done so much for me...

but, well, life's strange,
isn't it?

- We're never sure what's going to happen next.
- What is gonna happen next?

- I'm going away.
- Where?

Well, I couldn't help it really.
I didn't ask them. They came to me.

- Hollywood?
- Yes, Hollywood.

You see, they wanted
to give me a screen test.

I didn't see any harm in it,
so I said yes.

I didn't want to mention it
for fear it wouldn't pan out, but it did.

I was terrific! So, the next thing I knew,
they had signed me up.

Mm-hmm. When are you going?

- Tomorrow night.
- Congratulations.

Me too.

Well, aren't we gonna
have a drink on it?

All right. Joe, give me one.

We're all very gay, aren't we?

You'd think I just died or something.

Maybe you have.

Well, going to Hollywood
isn't a crime, you know.

No, no. Of course not.
I said congratulations.

Well, then we're still friends?

Vicki, why didn't you
tell me about this?

I know what you're thinking.
You gave me my start and all that...

but it was me
they were interested in.

I've got what it takes,
and you didn't invent it.

Now I'll pay you back
every cent you spent on me.

Vicki, I'm sure Steve's
not interested in that.

I'm not interested in that.
That I have written off, and you too.

What I am interested in is some contracts
I have here at the club for magazines...

Who signed these contracts, Steve?

- Well, I did, but...
- Then you worry about them, darling.

Oh, brother!

Remind me not to hang around
cafeterias anymore.

The things you can pick up there.

Sure I was sore,
but not about the money...

or even about the contracts
I was stuck with.

It was her ingratitude.

Nobody likes
to be played for a sucker.

- So you killed her?
- No, wise guy.

I got together with Larry
and Robin the next day...

and we did what
anybody would do.

We got loaded.

I'm going.
Robin, pay the man. It's your round.

All right.

Oh! Amongst my souvenirs.

"To Prince Charming
from Cinderella."

To Prince same thing, from guess who.

Ditto.

I don't think there was ever any one man
that Vicki took seriously.

She always used to say that there'd
be lots of time to look around...

after she got what she wanted.

When she was working
at the cafeteria...

did you ever hear of her
having trouble with anybody?

The boss maybe?
Guys in the kitchen?

No, not that I can...

Wait a minute.
There was something queer that happened.

I didn't think much of it
at the time, but...

it was late one night,
and I was sitting in the cafeteria...

waiting for her to finish work.

It was just a few minutes
before she left.

- I'll just be a minute, Sis.
- Okay.

- You ready?
- Oh, sure.

You've got an unknown admirer.

There was a guy out there
really giving you the eye.

Oh, don't let it bother you, honey.
Everybody window-shops.

It doesn't mean a thing.

The next time I went there,
I saw him again.

He never said anything,
never really bothered us...

but... but it frightened me
all the same.

I didn't mention it to Vicki anymore.
I knew she'd just laugh at me.

But there was something about him,
something in the way he looked at her that...

Perhaps if you could find that man,
you'd find the murderer.

Mysterious stranger, huh? You'll have
to do better than that, young lady.

Why are you trying to protect
Steve Christopher?

Protect? I'm not trying to protect him
or anybody. Why should I?

- You were in love with him, weren't you?
- That's a lie.

So much in love with him,
you couldn't see straight.

- Only he didn't give you a tumble, isn't that right?
- No.

- But you fixed all that by eliminating the competition.
- No!

- Vicki seemed to think so.
- Didn't she say, "With me out of way...

you'll have him all to yourself"?

- She didn't mean it like that.
- Still, that's what she said.

And she is out of the way.
You could've put her there.

Stop it! Stop it! Nobody has the
right to say a thing like that to me.

Let me talk to somebody else.
Who's in charge of this case?

I'll get Cornell.

That's the way it was.
Each of us got a knife...

right between the shoulder blades.

Lieutenant.

- You're wanted inside.
- Okay.

All right, miss.
Here's the head man.

Why that's him.
That's the man.

- Hmm?
- She says she saw a mysterious stranger...

peeking through the window
of the joint where her sister worked.

Now she says it's you.

How 'bout it, Ed?
Do you peek through windows?

Yeah. Sure.

If there's somethin' to look at.

Relax, sister.
That's my district.

That's my job, peeking at people.

Your sister was pretty.
A lot of people might have looked at her.

- No. This is the man I saw.
- All right. I'm a Peeping Tom.

Sit down.
Sit down!

Here. Drink this. You'll feel better.

Steve Christopher
saw your sister and you once...

after she told him
she was going to Hollywood.

Whose idea was that?

Mine. Mostly.

After I walked out of the Club Capri,
I waited outside.

When Steve came out, I persuaded
him to take Vicki and me for a ride.

I wanted them to square things off
before she left.

What difference did that make to you?

What difference?

None, except I liked Steve.

I loved my sister.
I understood how angry he was with Vicki.

I didn't want him to do anything
that would hurt her career.

I knew how much it meant to her.

What happened on that ride?

- They didn't get together.
- What was said?

- Nothing of any importance.
- Come on!

We-We just rode along the parkway.

He was still very angry at her.

Nobody said anything at all...
for about 10 minutes.

I tried to bridge the gap.

Well, it's a nice night anyway.

I'm glad you're enjoying it.
This was your idea.

All right. I made a little mistake.
I'm sorry.

Your apology's accepted.
The case is closed.

Just like that, huh?
Look, Steve...

to show we're still friends, how about
driving me to the airport tomorrow?

Well, why not?

When you've been taken this far,
you might as well go the whole distance.

Oh, now, Steve, that's not fair.

Ayear from now, Vicki'll be a big star,
and then you'll be proud of her.

- Yeah. Hooray for Vicki.
- Three cheers.

I know what you're thinking.
You're glad to get rid of me.

I am? Why?

- AskJill. She knows.
- Oh, Vicki! Don't be silly.

Let's go back now. Shall we?

Now, Vicki said to Christopher,
"You'll be glad to get rid of me."

Is that it, word for word?

Oh, bu...
Sh-She didn't mean that.

What she meant we'll never know,
Miss Lynn.

O- Only what she said.

H- How and when
did you find the body?

It was about five...

It was about 5:30.
I'd gotten home early from the office.

There was radio music
coming from the apartment.

I just came in.
Just a second ag...

I was gonna take her
to the airport.

Jill, you don't think that l...

Is she...

Operator, get me the police.

Thanks very much, Miss Lynn.

You've been most helpful.

- Well, I give up.
- You boys give up too easily.

We've only been here all night.

What did Vicki Lynn mean when she said,
"You'll be glad to get rid of me?"

- Where'd you get that?
- What did she mean?

- Why, she...
- I'll tell you what she meant.

She knew you hated her
for running out on you.

You thought about her
all that night and the next day...

until you were so jealous
you couldn't stand it...

and then you went up to her apartment,
but not to take her to the airport.

You went up there and killed her.

- That's not true!
- It is true!

I oughta kill you myself.

Pretty boy.

Hold it.

Lieutenant, the chief wants to see
Christopher in his office right away.

Take him with you.

You're ridin' him pretty hard,
aren't ya, Ed?

- I haven't started.
- But why?

I've been in this game 15 years...

and that's a guilty man.

He was found with her...

with the body.

What do you want?

Come in.

Good morning, Mr. Christopher.

- I'm afraid we owe you an apology.
- Thanks.

- Sit down, please.
- Hello, Jill.

The fact is, somebody's made
an unfortunate mistake.

I've just been telling Miss Lynn here
that it seemed so logical...

- you were the guilty one.
- It did?

- What, uh, seems logical now?
- Sit down.

Well, now we think we know
the identity of the killer.

A kid by the name
of Harry Williams.

Switchboard boy
at the apartment house.

We've just discovered he's been missing
since 5:30 yesterday afternoon.

It's only a question of hours
before we pick him up.

Well, that's a relief.
Did you hear that, Jill?

Yes. Do you mind
if I go now?

- I'm not feeling too well.
- Not in the least, Miss Lynn.

I'm sorry to have troubled you.

Before you go, Christopher. I hope
you haven't been too inconvenienced.

No, no.
No, not at all.

Jill! Jill, look,
don't be like that.

We've both been through the same siege.
Shouldn't that make us friends?

- l-I don't know.
- Jill.

I'm sorry you had to tell 'em
about that ride.

I'm afraid it didn't
sound too good.

l- I couldn't help it.
They got it out of me.

- Vicki didn't know what she was saying.
- Yes, I know that.

I tried to tell them.

Jill, can I take you home?

No. I'd rather not.
I don't want any reminders around...

for a while.

What do you want?

One of these times, you're gonna talk.
You're gonna talk in your sleep.

When that time comes,
I wanna be around.

You got a warrant?

- Uh-uh. I'm doin' this on my own time.
- Then get out on your own time.

Get out.

You don't seem to realize
I'm doin' you a favor.

I'm keepin' you posted
on the progress of the case.

For instance...

I found a cigarette butt
in Vicki's clothes closet.

There was an evening slipper
in there, too, with a crushed heel.

Somebody waited in there.
Do you smoke in clothes closets?

No, I don't smoke
in clothes closets.

That's good.
That's very good...

except it happened
to be your brand.

Mine and 10 million more.

Maybe it was a mass murder.

I know it doesn't
mean much by itself...

but when I put all
my evidence together...

I'll have you strapped
in that chair so tight you'll scream.

Maybe I oughta
keep you posted on this case.

They told me down at headquarters
they know it was Harry Williams.

- I think they're wrong.
- Everybody outta step but you, is that it?

I've never made a mistake.

"To Steve. Thanks for everything."

Everything?

Well, Stevie...

you want her all
for yourself, huh?

First her and now
her sister maybe, huh?

I'll bet when you were a kid,
you wrote dirty words on fences.

- Don't try that again.
- I won't.

I don't want a hair out of place.

I want you spick-and-span
for the chair.

- Get out!
- Stevie-boy, relax.

In the long run,
it's not muscles that count.

It's brains.

Bring in those reports.

Come in!
Bring in those reports...

on Robin Ray and Larry Evans
in the Lynn case.

- You wanna see me, Chief?
- Not for long.

You're falling
on your face, Cornell.

Now that Harry Williams is out of the running,
you're back where you started. Nothin'.

I wouldn't say that.
Got my suspicions.

Well, that's just dandy.
I'll have the D.A.'s office make a note of it.

What do you mean, suspicions?
I thought you said Williams cleared himself.

Mm. I'm not talkin'
about Williams.

- I'm talkin' about Steve Christopher.
- Christopher?

Christopher? All I hear
from you is Christopher.

What about some of the others?
This ham actor here or Larry Evans.

Let's sweat him a little.

You'd better leave Evans alone
until you get something definite on him.

He might give you a bad notice.

- All right, bring in the actor.
- He couldn't kill fleas.

Did I ask your opinion? I want him
brought down here this afternoon.

All right, but you're
wastin' your time.

- You mind if I bring in Steve Christopher too?
- May I ask why?

No special reason.
I just like to have him around.

Uh, please.

- Relax. Be like me.
- Thanks.

You got nothin' to worry about if you
don't let the bulls push you around.

That way, they respect you.
Now, take me. I tell 'em off.

- They don't pull nothin' on me.
- Grubby.

- Yes, sir.
- We're through with you. Beat it.

Yes, sir.

- Robin!
- Well, what are you doing here?

Oh, I'm their favorite guest.

I think they'd like
to make it permanent.

Of course, the whole thing
is perfectly ridiculous.

I had nothing to do with it.
I only came here to be obliging.

Tell me, Steve. How do they go about
these things? What do they do to you?

Robin, it'd spoil the fun if I told you.

Look. Look.
Slow down. Take it easy.

- You're not on trial here.
- Of course not.

- I hope.
- All right. This way.

After you.

Sit down over there.

Steve, what happens now?

I don't know.
This is new to me.

Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!

You can't do this! Let me get out of here!

Let me get out...

Bring 'em up to my office.

I couldn't help it. I couldn't stand
watching her looking so alive...

and knowing she was dead.

It wasn't fair to do that to Vicki.

When I first met her,
I went along with that publicity buildup.

She was just another
good-looking girl, but...

something happened.

I fell in love with her.

Then one day I told her,
but she laughed.

She thought it was a joke...

but I still felt the same way about her,
even after that.

On the day Vicki was murdered,
in the afternoon, where were you?

- I'm not sure.
- You had to be someplace...

home, out for a walk,
Vicki Lynn's apartment.

- No.
- Where were you?

- I don't know.
- I do.

He was visiting
a nightclub cigarette girl...

in her apartment.

I felt foolish
after she turned me down.

- I was trying to prove to myself...
- We don't need any details.

You can go now.

Thanks.

You're still it, pretty boy.

- Is that all for today?
- That's all.

For today.

- How 'bout a statement?
- No statement. Please, please, fellows. Let me go.

Hey, Steve, with Robin cleared,
where does this leave you?

Ask Cornell.
He knows everything.

Tough lad to have on your tail.

- He's never been wrong, they say.
- He's never been wrong, he says.

- Say, Lieutenant...
- Not now.

Harry!
What are you doing here?

Well, I thought
I'd have this done before you got here.

I'm back working.

But l...
Put that down!

Ooh, you got me wrong,
Miss Lynn.

I just went over to see my folks in Newark
for a couple of days.

I didn't know it was gonna
cause such a stir...

- and I explained everything to the cops.
- But l... I thought.

You shouldn't have thought
a thing like that.

You don't think
I'd do that, do you?

Well, do you?

No, Harry. I don't.

The superintendent told me you were
coming back to get your sister's things...

and I thought I'd have 'em
packed for ya.

You shouldn't have done that...
not without permission.

I thought it might help.
I didn't think you'd wanna do it alone.

Well, it's all right,
as long as it's done.

Will you help me get
these things down into the cab?

Oh, sure.

Just a second, Miss Lynn.

Hello? Huh? Yeah.

All right.
I was busy someplace else.

It's Mr. Christopher for you.

Tell him that I'm not in,
that I've gone away.

She's gone away.

Mm. He wants to know
where you've gone.

Say there's
no forwarding address.

There's no forwarding
address.

Boy, was he sore.
He says he's been ringing for 15 minutes!

Taxi.

- Was the funeral nice?
- It was very quiet.

- I wanted to come.
- Well, why didn't you, Harry?

- I didn't think it was my place.
- Harry, the doll.

Don't step on it.

Harry.

Good-bye, Miss Lynn.

Harry, thanks for helping me
with the bags and everything.

I don't want your money.

- What do you want?
- A few questions.

You've asked enough
questions already.

You wanna find the man who
killed your sister, don't you?

- Of course I do.
- Maybe I can help you.

Maybe we can help each other.
We're after the same thing.

Nice place.

You can tell a lot about people
by their books.

Good book.

- That Vicki's?
- Yes.

It's too bad she can't talk.

She was there.

You know...

I think you know a lot more
than you're telling...

especially about
Steve Christopher.

That's not true.
I've told you everything I know.

- What more can there be?
- If I knew that, I wouldn't be here.

I know what you're going through...

but that guy
played your sister for a sucker.

When she tried to run out on him,
he let her have it.

- I don't believe that.
- You're in love with him.

- No!
- Yes, you are. I know it, and your sister knew it.

You're in love with him,
and you're trying to cover up for him.

It won't work.
I'll get him with or without your help.

I'll get him!
He's guilty!

And you'd better
play along with me.

- Get out! Get out!
- You keep telling yourself he's innocent.

But you're not certain,
and that's what's drivin' you crazy.

You look up in his face. He puts
his hands on you, and you like that.

But you think maybe
they're the hands that killed Vicki.

- I haven't even seen him.
- I'd keep it that way if I were you.

Because I'm gonna haunt both of you...
like a guilty conscience.

Steve Christopher, please.

Hello? Steve, this is Jill Lynn.

Look, are you free tonight?
I've got to see you.

Oh, good. 8:00.

Oh, that's right.
You don't.

It's 333 East 29th.

Good. I'll be ready.

What are you thinking about?

I was remembering
the last time in here...

when Vicki made
her big announcement.

And I remember the first time...

when she came home from here
full of big plans.

- Steve.
- What?

What is it, Jill?

Were you... in love with her?

With Vicki? No.

Cornell seems to think so.
He... He came by to see me.

Cornell thinks
something else too.

He's wrong... on both counts.

- You believe that, Jill?
- I want to.

Look.

Jill, l-I know it looks bad for me
with Williams in the clear...

but... I just have
to ask you to trust me.

As for Vicki, l...

I know I tried
to rush her too fast...

into something that...
she wasn't ready for.

But as for being
in love with her...

Look, Jill, when a man
loves a woman...

he doesn't wanna plaster her face
on every billboard in town.

He wants to keep her
to himself... for himself.

Steve, I can tell you now
why I called you.

There's something
in the apartment...

something of Vicki's that...
that I want you to have.

Steve, I was going through
some of Vicki's things...

and l... I happened
to come across this.

Hmm. "Bon voyage, Vicki.
After the way you behaved last night...

the sooner you're
out of the way, the better. "

That's the day she was leaving.

I sent her an orchid to wear on the plane
and this with it.

I know what you meant by it,
but I don't think anyone else would.

Why didn't you turn this in?

First I had to be sure about you, Steve,
and now I am.

- Jill, l...
- I'd like to keep that.

Easy.

Now, pretty boy,
let's try these on for size, huh?

Put those hands up there.
Put 'em up there!

That was nice of you
to put it in writing.

You were holdin' out on me,
weren't you?

Mona Lisa type.

This is real nice,
Stevie boy...

you and me bein' alone like this.

- I've been lookin' forward to it.
- You're crazy, Cornell.

- You're tryin' to railroad me.
- Stevie, you bought the ticket.

- I'm just holdin' it for you.
- Anybody could've written that.

Anybody didn't. You did.

I found these in your apartment.

Exhibit "A"...
a pair of brass knucks.

- You never found...
- Stevie-boy.

Vicki was hit behind the ear with a weapon
about the size of a fist, only much harder.

- Remember?
- It's a frame! You planted those...

That's what they all say.

I got a cop saw me take these
outta your bureau.

Did he see you put them there too?

I forgot to ask him.

Stevie, you shouldn't have
tried to resist arrest.

Slug me with those,
Cornell...

and I'll square you off
if it takes me the rest of my life.

You're not gonna have
a very long life, Stevie.

You're like a rat in a box
without any holes.

But they're gonna
make a hole for you...

6- by-3, filled with quicklime...

Steve. Oh, we've got
to get out of here right away.

Your hands.

Do you suppose someone heard?

They must have.
These walls are so thin.

We've got to get out quickly.

- Is there another way out?
- Yes, upstairs. Quick. I'll show you.

Where can we go?
The police will be everywhere.

- I don't know. I have to think.
- You can't go home. They'll find you.

I have to figure someplace
where no one will look for me.

- Is there...
- No, listen.

There's an all-night movie
down on Lower Third... the Avon.

I could stay there tonight. Maybe... Maybe
I could think of some way to get out of all this.

- No, Steve. You've got to get away... out of town.
- No, no.

- You only run away when you're guilty.
- But if they find you...

I'll worry about that later.
I'm only sorry that you're in this.

Oh, I couldn't help it when
I saw you standing there so helpless...

and that-that vulture bullying you.

- Yeah. "Vulture's" the word for him.
- Vicki called him that.

He infuriated me so much that I
just had to strike out at something.

Was that the only reason?

- No.
- Jill.

Vicki was right about us.

- We can cross over to the other roof.
- I have to get rid of these.

There's a repair shop
where I park the car sometimes.

There might be a hacksaw there.
You take the car. The keys are in it.

- Can't we be together?
- No, we can't.

- Oh, Steve.
- Our chances are better if we separate.

The place is at 64th Street
and the river.

It closes at 11:00.
Meet me there at midnight.

- I wish there was something I could do.
- Don't look so worried.

You'll have to help me
cut these off.

Are you handy with a hacksaw?

All right, go ahead.
I'll follow you.

Homicide.

This is Cornell. I want an alarm sent out
forJill Lynn and Steve Christopher.

They may be in his car.
Check the number.

Just pick 'em up!
That's all!

I'll have a charge on file
when you bring 'em in.

Young lady!
Young lady!

All right, all right.
You're coming with us.

Where's the man?
Where's Christopher?

You're too late.
He's left town.

- Hiya, Lieutenant.
- Where's the man?

- She says he left town.
- He won't mind if we use his car.

Let's go. Get in the car.
We're goin' downtown.

- Keller, take a look around.
- Okay. Barr, come on.

I guess she told the truth.
He isn't here.

Let's go, huh?

- Blake.
- Yes, Ed.

- Anything on Christopher?
- Nothin' yet.

- You know they picked up the girl?
- Yeah, they told me.

- You wanna see her?
- I don't wanna see anybody but Christopher.

I want him picked up.
If he tries anything, let him have it.

Okay.

Ed, you look awfully beat.

If anything comes up,
we can phone you at home.

Yeah.

Yeah, do that.
I'll call it a night.

Oh, good morning, Ed.

Here's the stuff on Jill Lynn.
I made it assaulting an officer.

We can write our own ticket later.

Mac, you ever read a book on butterflies
by a guy named Fabre?

Not being a butterfly,
I was never interested.

- Now, if you'll just sign these.
- This Fabre was a naturalist.

Once he got hold of a very rare female
butterfly worth a thousand bucks.

He kept it in a glass box.

But what he really wanted
was the male of the species.

Nobody'd ever been able
to capture one.

- You know what he did?
- Advertised.

Mm-mmm.
He turned the female loose.

In 24 hours,
he had the male in a net.

- You get the point?
- A house doesn't have to fall on me.

Turn Jill Lynn loose,
and we'll have Christopher in 24 hours.

If this doesn't work, the chief'll
pull the rug out from under you.

Turn her loose!

You're the boss.

What are you trying to do,
force a confession out of me?

You've been holding out,
and I want to know why.

It'll be easier for you
if you tell the truth.

What difference does it make
what I say?

- In your mind, I'm guilty.
- Are you?

- Don't tell me you have any doubts?
- This seat isn't taken, baby.

Ken, please, do I have to have
those lights in my face?

Jill.

Thanks.

Wait.

Quiet. Quiet, please.

Steve, I was so afraid
I wouldn't find you.

I'm sure glad you did.
I've seen this picture four times.

You know who killed
Lady Batterslee? The butler.

Did you find out anything?
Did you get anywhere?

I've been checking all afternoon.
Couldn't dig up a thing.

- Well, listen. I think I may have.
- What?

I'm not quite sure what it means,
but I thought you might.

I found these.
They're cards the florist sent me.

They were on flowers
sent to Vicki at the cemetery.

There's six of them with the same message...
"Because I promised."

"Be-Because I promised."

"Until tomorrow."

Jill. That's the way
Larry Evans signs off his column.

- Larry Evans?
- Uh, may we have a little bit of quiet, please?

- Some of us are trying to enjoy the picture.
- Come on.

- I wanna talk to you.
- I don't mind people dropping in.

But some other time, huh?
I got a column to turn out.

- What do you know about Vicki's murder?
- What I read in the papers.

- What do you know?
- I know this.

You've been sending flowers
every day to her grave.

Oh. So you found out
about that, have you?

It's easy to explain.
I promised her.

- Promised her?
- Uh-huh.

Let me get a cigarette.

Just thought I'd try it.

Make a good story
if I could bring you in myself.

Swell. What do you mean
you promised to send Vicki flowers?

It was like this. On the day of the murder,
after I'd taken her down to pick up...

Wait. You were with Vicki
the afternoon she was murdered?

- Sure.
- Why didn't you tell the police that?

You told them your story.
Look what it got you.

Never mind. Go on.

When we got back to her place,
she found out she'd forgotten her key...

so we went to the desk
to pick up the passkey.

The passkey wasn't there, and neither
was the kid who ran the switchboard.

I give up. We'll just have to
wait around till Harry gets back.

From what I've seen of that boy,
he could be gone for hours.

Tell you what...

I'll climb up the fire escape
and let you in.

Oh, Larry Evans. You'd never
do anything so gallant.

Oh, no?
Where is it?

Down the corridor, I think.

I'm an old fire escape man
from way back.

I get most of my items that way.

We were expecting you,
Your Ladyship.

Oh. Larry, you're a doll.

You know...

Now that I'm going away, l...
I really feel a little sad.

- Forget it.
- If I didn't think I'd be a success...

I'd never dream
of doing a thing like this.

You'll make it.
You've got a heart made out of rock candy.

- You won't forget me, will you?
- Not for at least two weeks.

Two weeks isn't a very long time,
do you think?

It is for a columnist.

Listen, I'll do you a favor.

For the first two weeks,
I'll send you flowers.

It'll make a big impression
out there where you're going.

Oh. That'd be terrific.

- You promise?
- Promise.

I promised her.
A promise is a promise.

I hope it still makes an impression
wherever she is.

Besides, I thought it'd make
a great Sunday column.

- What happened after that?
- I left.

Was the kid back at the switchboard
when you went downstairs?

No. I remember the board
was buzzing as I passed by.

That's odd... gone so long.

Was there anything unusual
about the apartment when you went in?

Yes, now that you mention it.
There was cigarette smoke in the bedroom.

- I thought maybeJill had just left.
- Jill was still at the offi...

Wait a minute.
l...

I remember she told me, when she
went back to get Vicki's things...

there was a cigarette burning in...

Thanks, Larry.

Stand still, Mac.

Put that gun away.
We got enough on you as it is.

Not till you hear me out.

I've got a line on the real killer,
but I need your help.

Sorry, Steve. I'm on the other
side of the fence.

Okay, I'll make you a proposition.

If you'll trust me
for just half an hour, I'll trust you.

Well, I guess half an hour
won't do much harm.

But, just in case,
I'll take this.

Yeah?

Hello. Harry? This is Vicki.

Why did you do it, Harry?

Didn't you love me?

Tell Vicki.
Please tell Vicki.

Hello?

Tell Vicki.
Please tell Vicki.

Why did you do it, Harry?
Didn't you love me?

Tell Vicki.
Please tell Vicki.

Tell Vicki.
Why did you do it, Harry?

- Didn't you love me?
- I can't!

Why did you do it, Harry?
Come on. Let's have it.

- Go away! Go away! Leave me alone!
- You loved her, didn't you?

I won't tell you!
I won't tell you!

You let yourself into her apartment
with a passkey, and you waited for her.

When Larry Evans came through the window
to let her in, you hid in the closet.

- After Evans left, you came out
and you tried to grab her.
- No!

She screamed, you got scared,
and you hit her with this!

No! I didn't know
what I was doing! I swear!

When she screamed,
I got scared.

- I didn't know! I didn't know!
- Sure, sure, sure.

- I understand.
- Do you? Do you?

Sure, Harry.

I told the cop how it was
when he traced me to Newark.

He said he understood too. He said he
understood how anybody would want to kiss her.

He told me just to come back here
and to keep quiet. It'd be all right.

- He said he'd forget all about it.
- What cop?

- Th-The big one.
- Ed Cornell?

Yeah. Yeah, that's his name.
You understand, don't you?

- It's all right, isn't it?
- Yes, Harry. It's all right.

Come on. Let's go.

Come on, come on.

Did you hear that, Mac?

He knew I was innocent
all the time.

Come on down, Jill.
He confessed.

Oh, Steve.
Thank heaven.

I'll be right down.

Mac, I'm gonna ask you
one more favor.

Five minutes alone with Cornell.

Okay. I guess
you got it comin' to you.

But exactly five minutes
after you get there...

I'll be around.

Thanks.

You come here
to give yourself up?

I don't have to.

I just had a talk
with Harry Williams.

Yeah. It must have been
very enlightening.

It was. Very.

You're a sick man, Cornell.

- You knew all the time it was Harry Williams.
- Sure. I'm not dumb.

- You knew it, and yet you wanted to hang it on me.
- That's right.

Why? Why didn't you
go after him?

He was the one who killed her.

Vicki was dead for me
from the time you set eyes on her.

You're the one
who really killed her.

You're the one who took her
away from me. Not him.

Don't make me laugh, Cornell.
You never had a chance with her.

Yeah. I guess...
it must seem funny to you...

a worm like me looking up
to a woman like that.

I used to hang around
that cafeteria at night...

just to be sure
she got home safe.

She seemed...
really grateful, friendly.

We had a cup of coffee together.

I guess a cup of coffee's...

not very much to...
hang your hopes on...

but I didn't need much.

I started to hope...

hope we'd get to know
each other better.

I might even get up enough courage
to ask her to marry me someday.

I took this apartment
and st-started to furnish it with...

things I thought she'd like.

I was gonna surprise her with it.

Then you came along,
put big ideas in her head.

She was a glamour girl.

Why didn't you leave her alone?

Nobody took Vicki
away from you, Cornell.

She hated you for the way you were always
watching her and following her.

- She used to call you "the vulture."
- No.

This is the end of the line, Cornell.
They're gonna put you away.

I oughta kill you
for what you've done.

Yeah, Stevie.

Stevie, you do that.
You... You kill me, Stevie.

- I could be with her then. I'd like that.
- You're crazy.

- You do that.
- You're through, Cornell!

You hear what he said?

You hear?

Now there won't be anyone
to change the flowers now.

Steve.

Come on, Ed.

As I was saying...

Good morning, kids.