Original subtitles

Hi, I'm Katherine Stewart and this is

Freeforall Friday here at Atomic Age

Pictures. Tonight we continue our Dick

Tracy month with Dick Tracy Detective.

The 1945 RKO feature Dick Tracy

Detective was produced at a moment when

the studio was leaning heavily into

darker crime stories and its

behindthe-scenes tone reflects that

shift. Leading man Morgan Conway, who

took over the title role from Ralph

Bird, approached Dick Tracy with a more

restrained, hard-boiled demeanor.

Conway's performance benefited from

RKO's efficient BP picture pipeline,

tight shooting schedules, minimal

retakes, and a strong reliance on

atmosphere rather than spectacle. Crew

members later recalled that Conway

worked closely with the director and

cinematographer to underplay Tracy's

heroics, grounding the comic strip law

man in a world that felt closer to

contemporary crime dramas than to serial

cliffhers.

Sharing the screen was Jane Greer, whose

presence added an unmistakable noir

flavor to the production. Still early in

her career, Greer was already developing

the cool, enigmatic screen persona that

would soon define her in classic noir.

On the Dick Tracy set, she reportedly

absorbed lessons from RKO's seasoned

crew on lighting and blocking, learning

how shadows and camera angles could

subtly shape character. Those lessons

would pay off handsomely in her later

work, helping cement her reputation as

one of film noir's most memorable

actresses, even in roles that were

smaller or more constrained by the

studio system.

Eventually, she would go on to play what

many consider the ultimate film noir fem

fatal, Kathy Moffett, in 1947's Out of

the Past with Robert Mitchum.

Equally important to the film's mood was

the score by Roy Webb, RKO's longtime

musical architect. Web's music for Dick

Tracy Detective avoided heroic bombast

in favor of brooding themes and tense

underscoring, aligning the film squarely

with emerging noir sensibilities.

Throughout the 1940s, Webb became

closely associated with filoir at RKO,

using minor keys, insistent rhythms, and

subtle motifs to heighten psychological

unease.

His work on this modest Dick Tracy entry

demonstrates how even a comic strip

adaptation could be reshaped behind the

scenes into something darker and more

modern through performance, atmosphere,

and music.

Like Greer, he would go on to help shape

one of the great films noir, Out of the

Past.

Before we get started, please like and

subscribe and check out our second

channel, Atomic Age Originals, where we

present our own original films. Also,

check out the superth thanks button down

below. It looks like a heart with a

dollar sign in it. If you are so

inclined, its use can really help us

present these classic films.

Longtime viewers of the channel may

notice that this is a re-upload. That's

simply because a better copy of the film

became available and we like to improve

the quality of viewing on the channel

anytime we can.

Now we present from 1945,

Dick Tracy, Detective.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

Yeah.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

2240

Lake View Road. Got it. Now, don't let

anyone touch the body or anything around

it. We'll be right there. Joel, send a

squad car.

>> Hello, Tracy. Tracy isn't here. This is

Pat Pentton.

>> We'll try to find him, Pat. It's

important. Homicide. 2240 Lake View

Road.

>> Okay, I'll see what I can do.

>> It's murder, he says. Does that mean Mr.

Dick Tracy won't have dinner with me

tonight at all?

>> Oh, sure. Sure. Test you lead.

>> Mhm. That sounds very much like

something Dick said nearly 4 hours ago.

>> Well, at least you got this far.

>> This far? I'm not engaged to a major

homicide squad. Why didn't I fall in

love with a retired businessman?

>> I'll get Tracy. Maybe he can answer that

one.

Come on, Johnny. You might as well talk.

Who robbed that payroll truck?

>> Let me handle him, Tracy. I think I can

make him talk.

>> We're waiting, Johnny.

Homicide. Dick. Just got the call. You

better step on it. 2240 Lake View Road.

>> Murder. 911 Laurel.

>> 9/11 Laurel. That's where I live. My

mother. You said murder. My mother's

there. What's happened to her? I got to

get to my mother.

>> I've got to find out who robbed that

payroll truck. Who are you shielding,

Johnny?

>> I got to get out of here.

>> Who held up the truck? Flip Gordon,

>> your mother's all right, Johnny.

>> But you just said that.

>> The only way I could get you to talk and

flee yourself at the same time.

>> All right, boys. Clean up Johnny and

send him home. Tell the chief it's okay.

And pick up Clip Gordon. Yes, sir.

>> Dirty trick to playing the kid, but I

knew he was innocent. That was the only

way I could make him talk. And you gave

me the idea. I must be improving all the

time. Hey, Dick. How about Tess? Holy

smoke. Our dinner date. She must be

starved.

Make yourself comfortable. Fest will

only be a few more minutes. But dig

out.

>> Hello, Dick.

>> Hello, Manny. What's the dope?

>> She was a school teacher named Dorothy

Stafford. about 40 years old. Quiet, few

friends. Lived a couple houses down the

block.

>> Any traces of the murder weapon?

>> No. Only thing we found so far is Miss

Stafford's handbag. Who reported it?

>> Mr. Hill, but he wasn't the first to

reach the body. Oh, she's over here.

>> Miss Stanley, this is Detective Tracy

and Detective Patton.

>> How do you do, Miss Stanley? Did you see

anybody in the block before you found

Miss Stefford?

>> No. A friend drove me home from work and

let me out on the corner. I didn't see

or hear anyone until I got right here.

Then these people started coming out of

their houses just a few seconds earlier.

It would have been me lying there.

>> Nobody have any reason to kill Miss

Stafford.

>> Could have happened to any of us.

>> Only a fiend could have flashed it like

that.

>> Have one of the boys take Miss Stanley

home. Get their name. All right. Miss

Stanley.

>> What's your name? Miss Pat Chandler.

It's for a concert at the Lysium Hall.

>> See, that's where she was coming from

when she got knifed.

$20 and some silver.

>> Well, that rules out robbery. The

neighbors are right. We've got a maniac

to find. Identification card.

Balance of $1,700. No recent

withdrawals.

Wrap up $500 in small bills and put in

street sweepers trash can corner of Lake

View and Ash at 8 tomorrow night.

Splitface. I can spell better than that.

>> He spells the important words. All

right.

>> Yeah, Mr. Splitface knows how to spell

$500. Dick

Tracy,

>> what time is it?

>> Why, it's a little late, Tess. It's

almost 11:00.

>> 11:00?

>> Guess that's all for tonight, Pat. We

may as well go home.

If it isn't one thing, it's another.

Dick Tracy residence. Mrs. Caraway

speaking. Who?

Oh, hello, Mr. Patton.

Oh, no. I wouldn't think of calling Mr.

Tracy now. He didn't get home till 3 or

4:00 this morning. I'm sure he's

exhausted.

>> He's in a coma.

>> He's in a coma.

>> Oh, just a minute, Mr. Patton. Just a

minute.

>> Morning.

>> Morning.

>> Hello, Pat. Dick. Anything wrong?

>> The chief wants us over at the mayor's

office. It's too sweet. I'll pick you up

right away.

>> May's office.

I'll be ready.

May's office.

Junior had his breakfast yet?

>> Oh, an hour ago. He's upstairs in his

room working on a very strange case.

>> I'll see what he's up to.

Good morning, Dick.

>> Hello, Junior.

What have you got there?

>> Something might funny happened around

here last night.

>> That's so

>> Yeah, there was a prowler in the house.

>> Anything missing?

>> Yeah, plenty.

>> Any clues?

>> I'm afraid I'll have to fingerprint you.

>> Hey, you don't suspect me.

>> Mrs. Careway says a lot of stuff is

missing from the ice box.

Yeah, they sure do. Look at these, dick.

>> You got me dead to rights, officer.

>> You better talk.

>> Might as well come clean.

>> It'll go a lot easier on you if you do.

And on your accomplice, too.

>> How'd you know I wasn't alone?

>> Lipstick,

Tess.

>> Yeah, but I'm taking the rep.

It was too late to go to a restaurant,

so we

we raided the kitchen.

>> A heck, you confessed too easy. I

thought this case would take me all day.

>> So you could stay out of school.

>> Let's go.

>> Oh, good morning, Mr. Pen.

>> Good morning. Hello, Pat. Be right with

you. We've got to hurry, Dick. Hi,

Junior. Any new crimes? Why? I got to go

to school.

>> Well, lamb's sakes. Aren't you even

going to have your breakfast?

>> I'll get a cup of coffee downtown. Come

on.

>> Bye, Mrs. Carowway.

>> Goodbye.

>> Good morning, Chief. Good morning,

Mayor.

>> Morning. What's happened?

>> The mayor will explain.

>> Here, Tracy, read this. Came special

delivery a half an hour ago.

Wrap up $10,000 in small bills and put

in Street Sweeper's trash can at corner

of Davidson and 9inth Street at 11

tomorrow night or be slashed to pieces.

Splitface.

The same handwriting and the same words

misspelled.

>> Well, if you know the handwriting, of

course, you can tell me who Splitface

is.

>> The man who killed Miss Stafford.

Just a moment.

Did your honor know Dorothy Stafford?

>> Well, I I can't recall. Why did she get

one of these extortion letters?

>> Yes, for $500. That's what's strange. An

extortionist doesn't usually demand 500

from one victim and 10,000 from another.

>> You mean he'd operate in one bracket?

>> That's right.

>> Well, what are you going to do, Chief?

>> Now, don't worry, your honor. We'll

assign bodyguards to you immediately.

>> Bodyguards? Those are the fellas that

always shoot second.

>> I guarantee your safety.

>> You do? I suppose if you don't live up

to your guarantee, you'll bring your

resignation over to my funeral. Now,

mayor,

>> now look, I only want one thing, and you

know what that is? Split face.

I've gone through every crank letter and

extortion message in our files. There's

nothing that even looks like the writing

of this face. Think of anything more,

Miss Stafford?

>> Uh, one thing. going through her

personal effects and business papers. I

kept coming off the name of Wilbert

Thomas.

>> Who is he?

>> Well, that's what's funny. I asked all

her school teacher friends and none of

them ever heard of him. But he's in the

phone book and I've been calling him all

night. Let's go out to his house. We can

wait for him if he hasn't arrived by the

time we get there.

That's the number.

Let's see what that dog's howling about.

Hey, there's a car out there.

>> That dog is in the next yard.

>> Yeah, evidently nobody home there

either.

Just like the Stafford woman. Throat

slash, knife cuts on face and chest.

We're only a couple of minutes late.

Call headquarters. I want the

neighborhood combed. Right.

>> Look, he's stepping some oil in that

driveway. When you phone, get the car

and cruise around until you spot me.

Right.

Heat. Heat.

Say, does he live in this place?

>> I don't know, but I think we've got him

penned in here. Go around to the back.

Cover the door and porch window.

>> I'm from Henwarters. Do you live here?

>> Yes. My name's Owens. Steve Owens.

>> I followed a man into your backyard and

lost him. I believe he's taken refuge in

your house.

>> That's impossible. I've been home all

evening.

>> But come in and look around if you'd

like to.

This man slashed a school teacher to

death

and committed another murder not far

from here tonight.

I guess a crazy killer like that can

give you police a lot of trouble. You

never know uh where or when he may get

the urge to kill again. Let's take a

look at the back. This way.

I'll be right back.

Oh, I found this window opening some

blood stains on the carpet. A man named

Jones lives here. I'll keep him busy in

the study. Continue looking the place

over.

>> You're alone in the house tonight, Mr.

Owns? Yes. My daughter's visiting

relatives out of town.

Our cook goes home every night.

Would you sit down? Thanks.

It's very unusual for me to spend an

evening at home like this.

I own the Paradise Club.

>> Did you ever know a woman named

Darthothy Stafford?

>> That's the school teacher who was

killed.

>> Yes.

>> I never heard of her until I read about

the murder. Did you ever hear of a man

who calls himself Splitface?

>> No.

>> Who is he?

>> The killer. I'm concerned about your

safety, Mr. Owns.

>> My assistant.

I think we'd better leave a police guard

with you.

>> I don't think that'll be necessary.

Apparently, you had this man cornered in

my backyard and he ran through the house

to get away. He's not likely to come

back. He's not in the house now anyway.

>> Good night, Mr.

>> Good night.

>> I didn't find a thing, Dick. No weapons,

no blood stains on his clothes, and the

shoes in the closet are all clean. Maybe

he's telling the truth.

>> Maybe he is, and maybe he isn't. But

right now, we're going back to the

Thomas house.

Oh, Dick. Hello, man. I thought I had

him, but I ran second.

>> Too bad. Is Thomas. All right.

>> What'd you find in him?

>> Usual stuff. Wallet around 50 bucks.

Medium price watch.

Dick Tracy reporting.

>> Oh, it is. Well, I was told Miss Love

Lace was calling.

>> I was afraid you wouldn't talk to me if

I gave my right name. Did I apologize

for last night?

>> No, you didn't. But I suppose I'll have

to forgive you.

>> I won't think I'm really forgiven unless

you let me make up for it tonight.

>> Tonight? She had me as well.

>> Good, Tess. I'll call for you early.

We'll dine. We'll dance. Maybe we'll

even look at the moon.

>> You can't fool me for a minute, Dick.

Tracy, I know you're not going off a

pond. You're going out for work. And if

you examine the moon, it'll be for

fingerprints.

>> You're wrong, Tess. Work's forgotten.

And besides that, I have something

interesting to tell you. You know what?

Tracy is crazy about you.

>> What about your date with the mayor?

>> The mayor? He's just a figurehead.

Nobody pays any attention to him.

>> It doesn't sound like you, Tracy. pick

you up at 8.

>> So, I'm just a figurehead, eh?

>> So, no one pays any attention to me,

huh?

>> Of course not, your honor. I mean, won't

you sit down?

>> So, my life's in danger and no one pays

any attention to me. No wonder our

citizens are being slashed to ribbons by

some maniac. Your honor, we're all doing

everything possible.

>> Have you forgotten if I don't put

$10,000 in some trash can tonight that

I'm going to join Miss Stafford and

Wilbur Thomas in the morg?

>> We've checked the movements of Thomas.

>> Thomas is dead. Have you checked the

movements of this split face? That's

what I want to know.

>> We have a suspect. I've told the mayor

about Owens. He wants us to arrest him.

>> If we do, an attorney will get him out

in a few hours. All we'll do is put him

on his guard. Has your honor ever met

Owens or Thomas? I may have. I meet lots

of people. I'm a popular man. But

remember, I expect action and before

11:00 tonight.

Well, it looks like no soap. I've been

standing here for 3 hours and my feet

are killing me.

>> You didn't really expect them to show

up, did you?

>> Why not? We put the package in the can

just as the note instructed.

>> I don't think Splitface is especially

interested in the package of money.

>> You mean Stafford, Thomas, and the mayor

were all marked for murder, whether they

paid or not.

>> Right. Ducky Stafford got a note asking

500. She didn't pay it and was killed.

Thomas got one and paid $1,000. He was

killed.

Sane are crazy. There's some central

idea behind it.

Some spring ties all these people

together. That's encouraging. What am I

going to tell the mayor about tonight?

>> Congratulate him on being alive. And ask

him where he ever encountered Stafford,

Thomas, and Seabbones.

We might as well go.

Don't bother to book him, boys. That's

all for tonight.

I hope you made a reservation.

>> No,

>> it would only take a minute to call and

I

>> Quiet. I didn't want anyone to know me

here. Oh.

>> Oh, Mr. Tracy. Good evening. All Jews.

>> Uh, a table for Mr. Tracy.

>> It's a pleasure to see you, Mr. Tracy.

This way, please.

>> I see what you mean.

Good evening, Miss Tracy.

One of the best known unknown I've ever

known.

Yes, ma'am.

>> Mr. Rollins around this evening.

>> I'm not sure, but I'll find out. Mr.

Tracy,

>> who is Mr. Owens?

>> He owns the place. I ran into him last

night.

>> All right, stop being so mysterious and

tell me why we're here.

>> I'll let you know as soon as I find out

myself.

>> Mr. place. You ask me about your father.

>> He did.

All right.

>> Good evening, Mr. Tracy. I'm Judith

Cohen. You were asking about my father.

>> Why, yes. Oh, this is Miss

>> How you do? I'm so happy to know you,

too.

>> I've been away for a few days, but when

I came home this morning, my father told

me about your visit to the house last

night.

>> Your father has good nerves. That

experience would have terrified a lot of

people, but he took it right in stride.

>> I'm certainly glad you were there.

But but do you think it was entirely an

accident that the killer ran through our

house?

>> That's what I've been asking myself.

Where's your father now, Miss?

>> Uh, he's not here tonight.

>> Is he at home?

>> No. No. And right after he left, I I saw

a man walking through our garden. I was

frightened. So, I jumped in my car as

quickly as possible and came right to

the club.

>> Would you let me have the key to your

house?

>> Well, yes, of course.

>> Darling, I'm terribly sorry. Do you mind

waiting?

>> Oh, no. You're not going to leave me

here.

>> You stay in the car, Chris.

>> Not me. I'd feel safer with you.

>> I don't expect to find anyone around

here now. I got her key so I could make

a thorough search of the house while

they're both out.

>> Well, then I'll help you.

>> Don't worry about being polite. You go

first.

Something wrong?

>> Must be the fuse. Let's take a look at

the master switch.

>> You take a look. I'm staying right here.

>> Dick.

Dick.

Dick.

Heat

up here.

All headquarters and tell them where we

are.

Heat.

Heat.

Who are you and what are You doing one

up here?

>> I Oh, I am Professor Lynwood J.

Starling, astrolog, doctor of the occult

sciences.

>> How long have you been up here?

>> Time and space are beyond human

conception.

>> Cut out the double talk. I'm from police

headquarters.

>> Obviously. Well, I've been here since

darkness fell, meditating, communing

with my soul, studying the course of the

stars.

Sagittarius,

>> did you see anyone cross this roof a

moment ago?

>> No. Oh, but I wouldn't have unless he

flashed momentarily across the section

of the heavens at which I was looking.

You see, I'm a man who knows how to

concentrate.

>> Where do you live? All right, go ahead.

Let's have a look at it.

Go ahead.

I suppose you'd like to prowl around a

bit. Any objections?

>> None. Being a doctor of the mystic

sciences, I'm used to the persecutions

of the police. I'll bet you while at

that.

>> While you're amusing yourself, you won't

mind if I return to my telescope.

>> Oh, now the stars will be there a long

time, and I may be only a few minutes,

and I might want to chat if I find

something interesting. Have a chat over

here. It's more centrally located

and you can keep an eye on me.

Stupid fools. The police. If they had my

knowledge of the occult and this crystal

ball, there'd be no need of detectives

in it. I can see anything.

>> And there wouldn't be any crooks either

because you could look in there and

force see what's at the end of the line

for them. Might discourage them.

Blood drips from two.

>> So, you didn't see anybody cross the

roof. Maybe you ought to take another

look at that crystal ball.

>> Blood drips from two

>> what?

>> Blood drips from two knives.

But there will be 12 more.

14 people,

men and women,

rich and poor. I see 14 people and all

of them are dying.

Yes. When the last of the 14 is dead,

the cycle will be complete.

But now,

now I see a 15th.

He is.

He is.

>> Well, mow me down. He's having his

fortune told.

>> Well, whatever we were doing, it's over

now.

>> What do you mean?

>> Professor here was telling me some very

interesting things when you crashed in

and snapped him out of it.

>> I don't believe it. I couldn't have told

you anything. I don't even know what

you're looking for.

This is one of the things I'm looking

for. And I found it without the help of

your crystal ball under your mattress.

>> You probably also put it there.

>> The man I chased across your roof put it

there.

>> Well, I I don't know anything about it.

I never saw it before. Maybe if we take

him down to headquarters and put him in

another trance, it'll refresh his

memory.

>> Just a minute.

You boys better stay around until we

send somebody up to fix the lock on his

door. Right.

This is Professor Stling. Tess, take a

good look and tell me if you ever saw

him before.

>> Of course. You've never seen me before,

have you,

>> Tess?

Look at me, Tess. Are you sure you never

saw him before?

I I'm positive.

>> Take him to headquarters. Have this

checked by the medical examiner. We want

to know if it's the weapon that killed

Miss Stafford and Thomas. Okay. See you

later. Let's go, Professor.

>> Do you feel all right?

>> Of course. Why?

>> You acted like you were hypnotized.

>> Well, that's ridiculous.

Say, who was that man anyway?

>> The professor?

>> Uh-huh.

>> He's a doctor of the mystic sciences and

a darn good hypnotist.

>> Well, do you think he's split face?

>> You're the one to answer that. You saw

split face in Owens's hallway.

>> Oh, by that horrible scarred face.

>> Just count that. It could be a trick

makeup job.

>> Oh, well then Owens too could be split

face.

>> Exactly. And we're going right back to

the Paradise Club.

>> What for? I'm going to make Judith Own's

producer father so you can get a look at

him too.

>> You can bring our dinner now.

>> Dinner? We are getting ready to close.

Everybody in the kitchen is going home.

But I can bring you some coffee if you

wish.

Let's have some.

>> I'm so glad you're back. I've been

trying to reach you at headquarters. Did

you see anyone at the house tonight?

>> Yes, but they saw us first. They got

away. Oh,

>> I'm so worried. I don't understand

what's going on. Now, Dad has

disappeared.

>> What makes you think so?

>> Well, he hasn't come in all evening, and

he's not at the house.

>> Where was he supposed to go when he went

out tonight?

>> Uh, Dad likes to uh gamble.

Yes, he has a a club up town in and an

apartment.

>> I suppose he was there last night, too.

Maybe we should drop over there.

>> Oh, no, no, no. It wouldn't do any good.

He he left there at 9:00 to come here.

That's what worries me.

>> Well, remember to give me the address. I

may look in there later anyway.

>> Well, um, if you'll excuse me, I um I'll

go with you. Uh, my nose could stand a

little powdery, too.

>> Oh, but I was going to make a telephone

call. Did you think of someplace else

your father might be?

>> No. No. I was uh going to call some

friends and make arrangements to stay

the night with them until I heard from

dad.

>> Until we know who Splitface is, you

wouldn't be safe even with friends.

Anyway, it won't be necessary to make a

call because I'm taking you with me.

>> I'm under arrest.

>> Let's call it protective custody.

>> But but jail?

>> I didn't say anything about jail.

>> Where then?

>> Maybe I can take you home with me.

>> Well, how cozy. I've got a housekeeper

who's also a good cook. And we better be

going.

>> Yes, because we'll have to stop by my

place long enough for me to pack a bag.

>> Pack a bag? You going someplace?

>> Mhm. I've had a hankering for some of

Mrs. Carowway's good cooking. Besides, I

wouldn't want Miss Owens to be lonesome.

Well, I've looked through all the books

and I can't find a picture of the man

that jumped out of Owen's closet.

>> Forget at page one of volume one and go

through them again. You'll have to stop

and study each picture.

>> I did.

>> But you can't expect to find a picture

that looks exactly as he did last night.

We might have one that was taken before

he got that scar.

>> Just had a call from the mayor. He says

he doesn't remember ever meeting

Stafford or Thomas and only knows Steve

Owens vaguely as being a nightclub

operator.

>> You know, I think Owens is splitfaced.

>> Didn't Dick show you a picture of him?

>> No, for the simple reason that there

aren't any.

>> Holmes's daughter says she has an

aversion to having pictures taken. At

least it's bad luck.

>> Strange his disappearing right after

Splitface jumped you in his house.

>> It's strange how well his daughter's

holding up. After all, she admits that

he might be murdered.

>> Hey, look. I found a surgical supply

dealer who admits selling three of these

to an undertaker on Pine Street.

>> What would an undertaker want with a

surgical instrument?

>> They use them for postmortems.

>> We better both go right out there. You

stay with the pictures, Tess.

Business seems to be quiet.

He can't be getting any Splitfacees

customers. Hey, maybe he's Splitface.

>> Good afternoon. May I help you?

>> We're from the homicide squad.

>> Oh, I'm sure there have been no

irregularities. I have burial

certificates for

>> That's all right. I just want you to

take a look at this.

>> A dealer says it's one of three he sold

you recently.

>> Yes. Yes, I believe it is. Strange. They

all disappeared soon after I bought

them. Do you think one of your employees

stole them?

>> No. No. I have a small establishment and

I do most of the work myself. Where did

you keep the knives?

>> I'll show you.

>> I have as fine a collection of caskets

as there is in the city.

>> Well, congratulations. Thank you.

>> I do most of my work in here at night.

And this door is frequently left open.

>> Oh, yes. And I suppose if the telephone

rings, you have to go into the front

office to answer. Is that right?

>> Yes.

>> That would make it pretty easy for

anyone to wait until you were called to

the front office, then slip in and steal

the knives.

>> Yes. Yes, it would. Now, this is where I

kept the knives. Careless of me,

perhaps, but one doesn't expect thieves

in a place like this.

>> It is a strange place for a murderer to

come for a weapon.

>> A murderer? Oh, dear Lee. I am sorry.

>> Did you ever know a man who calls

himself Splitface?

>> No.

I can't believe Splitface would come

here only to obtain a weapon.

>> What do you mean?

>> Maybe you were number one on his list

and some lucky accident fighting him

away when he came to kill you.

>> Wait a minute. What about Professor

Stling? Do you know him?

>> Oh, no. I read in the papers that one of

the knives was found in his room. Isn't

he the murderer?

>> I don't know.

Goodbye, Mr. Dri.

I shall not speak except on a vice of

counsel.

>> I hope you boys haven't been annoying.

Professor,

>> the shoes on the other foot. He's got me

ready to confess to anything.

>> How long have they been questioning you?

>> Time and space are beyond human

conception.

>> Leave them with me for a while.

>> Right. Okay.

Relax, Professor Stling. Those

fellas mean well, they just get too

enthusiastic.

Might as well relax.

Let you and I play a word game.

We'll get our minds off this for a

minute.

>> Don't class me with the morons who

usually fall into your net. I know all

about your word, James.

>> If you've told us the truth, the word

can't trip you. Come on, professor. 2

minutes of play and I promise you won't

be bothered for the rest of the day.

>> Go ahead. If you think it'll get you

anything,

>> I'll say a word, then you speak the

first word that comes into your mind.

Light,

>> dark,

>> fish,

>> water,

>> snake,

>> grass,

>> cold,

>> table,

>> chair,

>> knife,

>> knife,

>> surgeon,

>> blood,

>> stain,

>> extortion,

>> letter,

>> man.

>> Women,

>> deathridge,

>> deathridge.

>> There's no such word.

>> What does it suggest?

>> Nothing.

>> Thanks ever so much, professor.

You've helped me more than you realize.

>> Take care of the professor and leave

orders. He's not to be disturbed again

today. Right.

>> I'm getting groggy, Dick. I've been

through these books a half a dozen

times.

>> Then skip it. As soon as I've had a word

with Pat, we'll go off to the house for

dinner.

>> Hello, P.

>> Hello. What did you get out of it, Pat?

>> Well, he tripped over the critical words

like uh knife, extortion, death ridge. I

think he knows our undertaking friend.

>> At least by name. Anyway, I'm going to

bring them face to face. Do you want me

to bring Death Ridge down here?

>> Yes, but we'll let the professor worry

for an hour or so first. Get something

to eat, then pick up Deathridge. Call me

at the house as soon as you have him.

>> Okay. See you later, Tess.

>> Bye.

Nobody's coming around here without me

knowing it.

>> Well, good work, Junior.

>> What have you got to report?

>> No strangers called today or Miss Owens

didn't go out.

Hello there. Everything all right?

>> No.

>> No.

>> Better run along and wash up for dinner.

>> Oh, there's a prisoner here and you know

it.

>> A prisoner?

>> Well, look at me.

>> What's wrong?

>> I have no clothes. You know I just can't

go on an evening gown in the daytime.

You were going to take me home after

lunch so I could pack some dresses.

>> I'm sorry. We'll go over there this

evening.

>> I don't want to go there at night.

>> Then we'll go in the morning. I have

nothing to wear in the morning. Dinner's

ready.

>> Anything wrong between you and your

guest?

>> No.

>> Too bad. I'll see if I can't stir up

something.

>> Let's get dinner.

>> I've uh changed my mind. I'd like to go

home and get my clothes now if you'll go

with me.

>> By the way,

14. What comes in groups of 14?

>> What in the world are you talking about?

>> The professor. I'm thinking about his

cycle of 14 men and women, rich and

poor, all dying.

>> Oh, well, that could be most anything

from a family dinner to two poker games.

>> Dick Tracy's residence. Oh, yes. Chief

Chief Brandon,

>> thanks. Hello, Chief.

>> We still haven't heard anything from

Pat, and Death Race doesn't answer his

phone.

>> I'll run right over there.

Right away.

I'll have to run downtown, but I won't

be long.

>> What about my clothes?

>> We'll get them later.

>> Can I go with you, Dick?

>> I'm depending on you to watch things

here.

Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

Somebody slugged me from behind.

Pat said you were on the way to the

office. Deathridge dead, huh?

>> Yeah.

>> I came down to get the professor. I want

to take him out there and show him.

Deathridge.

Although this sure gives an airtight

alibi.

>> Not quite.

>> What?

>> The professor was released on a habius

corpus

>> when an hour or so ago. That's why I

wanted to see you tonight.

Heat. Heat.

darling.

What do you want?

>> I'm up here.

>> But I I

>> I'm mine up.

You shouldn't have come back here. I've

been in jail for 24 hours.

>> I know that, you fool. I sent the

lawyer. I got you out.

>> Oh, well, why did you want to get me

out?

>> I wanted you out before you talked

anymore. 14 will die, you said. But you

were wrong. 15 will die.

>> 15? What do you mean? What? 15? Because

I can't take a chance on you any longer.

All those years thinking, thinking of

nothing except paying them back, getting

even. Do you think I'm going to let you

stop me? I'm not trying to stop you.

What have I done to stop you?

>> I know about those rotten letters you've

been writing. I didn't care until they

brought the cops to your door. I admit

that I wrote them, but it was an easy

way to get the money and it didn't hurt

you any not as long as you were going to

kill them anyway. I'll give you half the

money. I got a thousand from Thomas and

now there's death ridge. You pay?

>> No, there isn't death ridge.

I paid him a visit tonight. Funny. When

he saw me, he looked just like you look

now. No. No. Don't. Don't be frightened.

This knife is very sharp. It won't hurt.

Not like when I got this face. It wasn't

done so nice. Besides,

people won't have to look at you and

turn sick at the side of you.

>> No, it's no good killing me. She saw

you. She knows you. She'll identify you.

You're going fast and there's nothing

anybody can do. Who is Face? Talk,

Professor. Who is he? Why did he want to

kill you?

See, the mayor's arrived,

>> right?

>> Thank you for coming down, you know.

Listen, Tracy, what's all this nonsense

about me telling you who Splitface is?

>> I'll come to that in just a moment. The

professor was the extortionist, true

enough. It totals $1,000, and it's made

up of the exact number of fives, tens,

and 20s that Wilbert Thomas drew from

the bank.

>> The professor and Splitface were

partners.

>> I doubt it, but the professor knew

Splitface, maybe from prison, and he was

wise to him. He saw a chance to pick up

some money.

>> Well, what's all this got to do with me

telling you who Splitface is?

The professor said that 14 people, men

and women, rich and poor, were marked

for murder.

>> Did you make any statement before he

died?

>> But 14 people in such varied financial

circumstances and of both sexes would

have to become associated in only one

place that I can think of.

That would be a jury box. 12 jurors and

two alternates.

>> Did you ever serve on a jury in a

criminal trial, your honor?

>> Well,

yes.

>> Can you remember the year you served as

a juror? Well, I was in the grocery

business. Now, let me think. It was the

year we moved from Larchmont to

>> Can you remember who was being tried?

>> Well, I recall the case perfectly. The

the defendant was a criminal. He stabbed

his sweetheart to death.

>> That sounds like the Alexis Banning

case.

>> Now, it all comes back to me. Alexis

Banning is the name. He was crazy then.

Why? When we brought in the verdict, he

screamed he'd kill us all.

>> Put out a general alarm for Alexis

Banning. He is split face.

We interrupt this program for a special

news bulletin. The police have

identified the maniac killer who has

been terrorizing the city. He is Alexis

Banning alias.

>> Well, he was convicted. After

>> that, there should be no objection to my

leaving this charming little jail.

>> People are asked to be on the lookout.

>> No, I'm sure it'll be all right.

>> Only if your father decides to come out

of hiding. It would be nice if he'd get

in touch with Mr. Tracy.

>> Well, good night.

>> Good night.

>> I've got to phone Dick. I'll talk to

him. I want to report on his house

guest.

>> Okay. If you want me, I'll be up in the

lab. I'm checking some fingerprints on

Billy Brown's piggy bank. Looks like we

got his old man red hand at this time.

Mr. Tracy, please.

Hello, Dick. This is Tess.

Oh, you guessed that, huh?

>> Tess, what's the matter? This is split

face Tracy. Splitface is here. Call off

your cops and quit trying to interfere

if you ever want to see a girl alive

again.

Junior. Mrs. Carowway.

>> Mr. Tracy. Mr. Pacy. Chase has been

kidnapped.

>> Yes. Did it look like Junior can hang

on? Good. Split face grab test. Come on.

Calling. Attention. All cars. calling

all cars. Look for a black sedan with a

10-year-old boy riding the rear bumper.

>> I just bought a car with a kid hanging

on the back. I'm on the corner of Pine

and Alden.

Headed down Alder Street a few minutes

ago.

>> The kid threw this at me. That's why I

called the police. He must have been in

trouble.

>> Which way did the car go?

>> Down Elm towards the waterfront.

>> Thanks.

Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

Say, what are you looking around here

for?

>> I'm not looking for anything. Just

playing. I play around this old boat all

the time.

>> Say, I know you now. I saw you through

the window at Tracy's.

Now, you don't want to run away, so he

hid in my car and came along. That's

fine. You just doubled my grip on Tracy.

town. I'm afraid we missed one of

Junior's clues.

>> I don't think so. There's some old

abandoned docks along here. Maybe

Splitfix was heading for them.

>> Now, if Tracy does what I say, you got

nothing to worry about.

>> Be back in a minute. I warn you, don't

try to get away.

Junior, how did you get here? I'm on the

back of the car. Oh, you shouldn't have.

This looks like Junior's shoe.

>> Yeah, well, it could be anybody's shoe.

>> Sure. But right now, we're looking for a

clue. And I'll take my chances on this

being one. Let's go down this way.

I moved the car just in case.

Tracy was a fool to think he could stop

me.

Hey, not this is Junior's. All right.

Well, it looks like we still haven't

reached the end of the trail. No sign of

the car. It depends on whether you're

looking for a car or Splitface, huh? I

think this is the end of the trail for

Splitface.

See the D track's leading into the shed.

Hey, look. Come on, Pat.

I don't like that.

Heat up

here.

Heat.

Heat.

Take charge of the path. I'll get Ken

Jr.

Yes, Chief. He's safely locked up and

photographed this time. No, the scar was

real. He got it in a fight with another

convict. Served two extra years for it.

Right.

Thanks.

Good night, Chief.

Okay, Tess. I'm through with the report.

Let's eat.

>> Eat? Didn't say that. A moment too soon.

I'm dying of starvation.

>> Come on, Junior. disentangle yourself in

those guns.

>> Hey, Dick. A taxi driver was just shot

and tossed out of his own cab on 18th in

Maine.

>> I'm sorry. Will you take Junior home?

>> Here we go again. Come on, Junior.